It’s 1944 and Niki Novotna is recruited to be one of the OSS’s few female operatives abroad. She is a Czech native and speaks 7 different languages. Her job is to create propaganda to lower the morale of enemy soldiers. Despite limited resources, Niki and her team, The Lipstick Bureau, have many successes.

I picked this book because I found the premise of it interesting. I liked that it was based on a true story. However, it was a difficult book to get into. The storyline kept hopping around between Niki wanting to know about her family in Czechoslovakia, Niki’s unhappy marriage, the struggle of getting things done in Niki’s unit, and Niki’s life in 1989. I had a hard time staying interested because Niki as a character was rather flat. Her personality was very dry and there didn’t appear to be much character growth.

Despite the slow beginning and not feeling connected to Niki, I continued to read and found the second half of the book to be much more interesting. I enjoyed learning more about Niki’s team and their operations as well as Niki’s Czech background. Overall, the story was likable; I would rate it 3/5 stars.

Niki finds herself working for the OSS, the new American spy agency. She is multilingual and she is assigned to the propaganda division. They are in charge of crafting stories to lower the morale of enemy soldiers. She is hoping this unique job will help her find out more about the family she left behind in Czechoslovakia. But the war just keeps dragging on and she continues to find herself in unique and dangerous situations.

This story started strong but it is very fragmented. There are lots of characters with a viewpoint and it is hard to tell who is doing the actual narrating in places. I did enjoy the aspect that it is based on facts. This did have me researching. And I love a story which has me learning. But, it is just too disjointed to keep me as captivated as I like to be.

Need a good story based on facts in WWII…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

Despite the brief synopsis, this book came in at 464 pages. While the intrigue of reading about spies captured my interest sadly this book was just mediocre in its delivery. There was nothing in the unfolding of the main character's life that compelled me to truly care what happened. Niki was a seemingly intelligent woman who didn't feel like the rules applied to her. She sought ways to accomplish her mission and that was that. Niki had a brash, devil may care attitude. She exhibited an overwhelming amount of tenacity for the propaganda she helped create and the means by which her and the rest of the team resorted to delivering it to their target audience.

Did Niki and her husband truly marry for love? There was never enough backstory developed to provide clarification. Did Niki's family survive? As the author insinuated that perhaps they weren't the most honest of people I truly was left indifferent. The team itself seemed more like a hodgepodge of misfits rather than a secret branch of the OSS. The destined to happen but didn't need to happen relationship between Niki and Will didn't contribute anything to the story. As far as Niki's sister in law Moggy well, I'm not sure what her role was at all.

This is an intriguing stories as it's based on the life of a historical character and talks about a less known page of the WWII.
I knew there was a lot of propaganda and that people of the nazi occupied area were target with selected and manipulated communications. Something similar is happening now even if we call it fake news.
As I'm Italian i learned something new about how the Allies worked in Italy and it was interesting and gripping.
I loved Niki because se never stop fighting for what she wants and never gives up and stop searching for a better life. She's clever, shrewd, and ruthless but she's also a woman who can love and trust.
The cast of characters is interesting and the plot is intriguing and gripping. I couldn't put it down and was moved by some parts.
An excellent, well researched and well written story that i strongly recommend.
Many thanks to Graydon House for this arc, all opinions are mine

The Lipstick Bureau is a World War II-era historical fiction loosely based on a true story. Many of the events in the report are ones that occurred. Some of the characters are people who served in the Rome office during the war.

Overall, the story dragged for me. The book is over 450 pages long, which is honestly 100 pages too long. There are random time jumps between 1944/1945 and 1989. The parts of the story set in 1989 did not feel like they belonged in the story. Honestly, they could have been condensed into a prologue and an epilogue.

Another issue I had with the book was the inclusion of Paloma's side of the story. It left me confused while reading, unsure of who the narrator was at points. The narrator's name was given at the start of the chapter, but the voices were similar. And honestly, I didn't see the point of Paloma's side of the story.

If you enjoy reading World War II-era historical fiction, you may enjoy reading The Lipstick Bureau.

I will be honest this was not my favorite historical World War II novel that I have read this year. Honestly it was a bit mid-grade. While I enjoyed Niki, there was nothing about her story that made me feel super connected to her. The romance in the book was so drawn out, which I respect due to the circumstances around the romance. The pace was slow, and the story was just very long winded. I did enjoy that Niki pushed the boundaries and advocated to do things in ways that others would not have thought to try. I feel terrible that she had to keep so many lies straight though. I will recommend this book to patrons, but it will not be the first book I recommend.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

The Lipstick Bureau by Michelle Gable is an intriguing WWII historical fiction book. I really enjoyed this one, it is based on true characters and occurrences. It is told in dual timelines and multiple point of views. This one took a few chapters for me….I must say I was going to stop reading it, but then it kicked and really pulled me into it! There is suspense, secrets, betrayal, lies and even some romance. The author’s note was very helpful at the end. If you enjoy WWII historical fiction then this one is for you!

Thank you NetGalley, Graydon House, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Michelle Gable for this advanced copy to read and review. The opinions expressed are my own.
#netgalley #thelipstickbureau #graydonhouse
#harlequintradepublishing #michellegable #htpinfluencer. #arc

An excellent read about a little known effort during WWII. Niki, a Czech immigrant with a talent for languages (she speaks 8) and a desire to help the US (and perhaps find her family), volunteers for what she later learns is the OSS. What she doesn't realize, at least for a long time, is that her hateful husband George is working for OSS in Bern. She ends up first in Algeria and then in Rome where she's part of a small group working on Moral Operations, aka propaganda. She also befriends Paloma, a prostitute who provides her first person perspective on events and becomes, as it turns out, critical to Niki's success. Her sister in law Moggy (keep your eye on her) turns up in Rome and adds immeasurably to the story which includes a romance with Will, a romance with is constrained for a long time by their mutual respect for their marriages. There are all sorts of little twists here as the novel moves between the present-as Niki attends a gala for women of the OSS-and WWII. Do not miss the afterword, which introduces the reader to Barbara Lauwers (and might induce you, like me, to google for more info). Gable has created a dynamic, impressive character in Niki, a treat in Paloma, a surprise or two in Moggy. To be honest, I liked this much more than I expected to= it's a great story. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Terrific.

The Lipstick Bureau
by Michelle Gable
Pub Date: December 27, 2022
Graydon House
Thanks to the author, Publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
I usually like this author’s books. However, I had a really hard time getting into this book. It does have dual timelines which I do like. This book felt like it jumped all over the place. Overall I found the book long and boring.
It is loosely based on the experiences of Barbara Lauwers, a Czech native who married an American and emigrated to the US in 1941. She also worked for the OSS Morale Operations department in Rome. Although these parts are in common with the main character in the book, other parts are fictional, such as Niki's husband George.

3 stars

Niki’s past is a secret to most of her family. In World War II she was in the OSS, in the department of Morale Operations, sent to create propaganda that would undermine the Nazis. But 45 years later, her long-buried secrets might be coming out.

The majority of the book takes place in flashbacks to World War II, interspersed with moments of the present day (set in 1989). It took me a little time to really get into the book, but I quite enjoyed it. There was just one thing that bothered me, which had to do with the amount of fiction applied to characters who were real people. That's a very particular personal preference, though. The writing was great, and the characters were interesting and well-formed. I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction novels with a hint of romance.

CW: emotional and psychological abuse, gaslighting

“The Lipstick Bureau” is an intriguing and unusual WWII novel. This story involves a behind-the-scenes crew of Americans in a division of the OSS called Morale Operations (MO). While I knew that propaganda of all types was a part of the war, I had never really thought about how it was develop0ed or precisely how it could be used effectively. The men and women of this group, notably the ringleader Niki, found so many ways to spread propaganda against the Nazi to bring the war to a close. The story starts in Washington and then moves to Algiers, but the majority of it is set in Rome, which provided a lively backdrop. I felt that the story accurately reflected the history of the period, while bringing it to life through well-developed and interesting characters. I was not immediately drawn into the story, but once I got a few chapters in I got caught up in the group’s adventures. This is a must-read for lovers of WWII-set historical fiction who are seeking fresh perspectives. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Took me a while to get into , and there was times I just didn't like the main character which how she acted. The story was good and had me feeling the emotions, and showed how the OSS's few female operatives abroad worked and what their jobs was.

I usually like this author’s books. However I had a really hard time getting into this book. It does have dual timelines which I do like. This book felt like it jumped all over the place. Overall I found the book long and boring

Unfortunately, I struggled with this one. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and there was no major plot line that had me super invested or hooked. I found it a tad boring and slow moving and unfortunately didn't finish it all. I think the concept was neat and could have worked great but the writing wasn't working for me. Thank you for the opportunity however!

The Lipstick Bureau gave me insight to a division of the military that I was not familiar with. I have read countless books on WWII, but none that every discussed morale operations and propaganda that was distributed. The subject was interesting, but I got confused a few times and the story moved extremely slow. I liked Niki’s spunk and determination, but the book just never seemed to go anywhere.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House for my advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

The Lipstick Bureau is a read I wont soon forget.

Michelle Gable draws you in slowly to the story of Niki who with dual citizenship was recruited into the OSS and her job was along with her unit was to create propaganda and spread it to the enemy soldier.

Niki excelled at this; she had a knack of of seeing through people and situations.

Niki was a rule breaker and as she alluded to war isn't won by playing by the rules.

The story is told by dual narrators: Niki and Paloma a local sex worker in today's terms. ( I just loved her).

Once I was hooked and it didn't take long, I had a hard time putting this book down.

The Lipstick Bureau would be a great Book Club Choice.

Please take time to read the author's note at the end of the book, they add another element to the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing , Graydon House for a book that will stay with me for a long time.

I really like reading about an unsung heroine in a situation I know nothing about. Michelle Gable has satisfied this in her new book, inspired by a real woman who was clever and courageous working in the OSS in Rome near the end of WWII. Entertaining and I feel like I learned something.

Having never heard of Barbara Lauwers, I found this story which is loosely based on her experience interesting. The story as a whole moved very slowly. The characters needed more depth. Niki was brilliant but not very likeable. Just an okay book.

It took me a while to get into this story and then it held my interest with Niki’s story. Of all my books I’ve read on WWII, not one had covered this topic, the morale pool for spreading rumors and propaganda to cause dissent among the supporters of the enemy troops. But unfortunately, once her sister-in-law entered the picture it just seemed to go downhill.
I’m sure this story will be enjoyed by many but I quickly lost interest about ¾ way in and was glad when it was over. I am giving it 3 stars for the well-done research, it was an interesting storyline, I just wish the story could have stayed out of the romantic scenes and more on the life and times of the work done.
Received an ARC from Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for my unbiased review – This one comes in with 3 stars.

Michelle Gable's The Lipstick Bureau didn't work for me. At all. Gable is a competent writer, but the book needed more than good writing to succeed. It was lacking both plot and characterization--and the characters it did have were deeply unlikeable. Gable constantly writes as though there is deep tension and high stakes. But there never are. By the fifth or sixth tensely atmospheric chapter, I just didn't care anymore. She's all tension, no payoff. She also holds the reader at such a remove that they never feel like they're with the characters. This was a real disappointment and I would not recommend it, even to die-hard World War II readers.