First time reading this author and I really liked the story and the writing!

I always have a predilection for WWII stories and this one brought everything that I like: intrigue, adventure, high stakes, romance, and, of course, knowing that any parts could be based on true events (and many times are).

Amelie is a Hollywood star who's recruited for a special mission based on her skills and background. Despite the risk, she accepts it and receives training before traveling to Sweden under the guise of visiting her sick mother. Soon, her every turn is entwined with Finn. When they decide to trust each other, they work together in the same mission.

Very enjoyable story.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Rachel Scott McDaniel delivers another wonderful historical novel for the reader. This WWII story contains ALL the elements of a great book - romance, espionage, mystery, counter-espionage and suspense. I love how the author intertwined so many real-life events with the fictional story. Full of unexpected twists and turns, McDaniel’s story kept me guessing until the very end. I did not want to put the book down. I adored Amelie and Finn - such wonderful characters. I really enjoyed their interactions. I also found the author notes at the end simply fascinating - please take time to read them. I received an early copy for review. The comments and opinions expressed are my own.

Hollywood, spies and criminals? It’s a yes for me! This is a intriguing novel about a Hollywood starlet who is also occasionally a spy. When she is sent on a mission that puts her in the middle of danger and possibly love, can she find the target before time runs out? I enjoyed this book very much. I love the idea of a starlet spy. It made for a really good book! I would definitely recommend this book to any friends or family!

Oh but how I love this series. The Heroines of WWII never disappoint. They just keep getting better and better.

In this book, we get to see how a Hollywood starlet might have helped with the war effort. Amelie is a movie star. She's made several movies and has made a name for herself. Now she's got a chance to fight against the war too. She's going home. Her home of Sweden that is.

It's been years since she was there. But this time she has some spy training and an assignment. She needs to find where the files on the atomic bomb are! Yeap a Jewish scientist fleeing for his life had his research in a briefcase and it somehow got misplaced. It's up to her to make sure it doesn't get into the hands of the Nazis.

Of course, everyone has to think she's an all-beauty and no brains person. Which is the furthest from the truth. Yes, she's beautiful and a star, but she's also got a photographic memory and can speak three languages plus has a brilliant mind. Can she keep everyone believing she's who she portrays in films?

When her primary target is supposedly a big fan of hers but he is also someone she has met before and not been impressed with. Okay, so maybe she secretly liked him but he made it known they were from different classes. Can she find out if he's a Nazi supporter? How will she get close to him?

Oh, but this was a good one! You're not going to guess who the evil mastermind is! And you're going to get swept away with all the little mini-plots and drama plus a bit of romance as well. Oh, and I loved the glimpse of the country and the Swedish traditions we were given as well.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Amelie Blake plays the role of the brainless blonde for a Hollywood hungry for glamour and entertainment while the Second World War threatens the very fabric of society. She’d much rather have a more important role to play—entertaining soldiers, fundraising to aid the war effort, or something more daring.

Her Hollywood persona hides a quick mind and sense of adventure, so Amelia quickly agrees when a famous director recruits her to help find an atomic scientist’s missing research. Her assignment takes her home to Sweden, where unscrupulous businessmen deal with the Nazis, and Allied agents face roadblocks at every turn.

Amelie finds herself a guest at an elegant estate owned by Finn Ristaffason, the man she’s harbored a crush on since her teen years. She hopes to discover if the reserved shipping magnate really sympathizes with the Nazis and whether he knows the whereabouts of the missing research.

As Amelie gets closer to unraveling the clues, the danger level increases. Finn shows up for her time and again. Can she trust her instincts and the man holding her heart's key?

What I Loved About This Book

History buffs will love the author’s attention to detail in this story. Who knew Hollywood actors participated in spying for the Allies? Readers will relate to Amelie’s struggle to rise above the circumstances of her birth and how they taught her humility and gave her the desire to help others.

And who doesn’t love a grumpy hero with his own share of childhood angst? Throw in a twisty-turny plot, and you have the recipe for a stellar romance set in Sweden during World War II.

Looking for a story that combines the glitz of old Hollywood with the intrigue of a spy novel?
Definitely add Starlet Spy to your list of books to read!
Rachel Scott McDaniel weaves real history into her tales so well I am always looking forward to reading her author notes to see what in the story is real history!
I really enjoyed the mystery and the setting.
I love how we get a glimpse of the world of WW2 espionage through the eyes of an unlikely heroine.
A Starlet sent to aid in the war effort, questions and mystery surrounding characters, and she doesn't know who to trust. All as she learns to face things in her own past.
A great read for lovers of mystery and history!
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally and all opinions are honest and completely my own.

THE STARLET SPY by RACHEL SCOTT McDANIEL is a beautifully written and well researched WW11 novel that is a real page turner.
Amelie Blake is a succesful film star, well known for being a brainless blond, who wishes she could do something more for the war effort than generate funds. Her wish comes true, but in a different way than she expects, when she is recruited as a spy and arrives in her native Sweden to search for a briefcase containing the highly explosive scientific documents written by Dr Nils Bohr and keep them out of the hands of the Nazis. Her acting ability is tested to the utmost as this “blond bimbo” with the photographic memory finds herself in all kinds of dangerous situations, not knowing who she can trust.
With the rumour of her mother’s so-called illness hitting the news, forty-eight hours training at The Farm, a gun strapped to her thigh and a set of lockpicks, she sets of on her mission, just as Esther in the Bible set off to save the Jews.
A contrived meeting with Finn Ristaffson, whose boatyard was the scene of the landing of the Jewish refugees and the missing briefcase, leads to her staying in his home with his mother Anna and meeting all kinds of people , some of whom, including Finn, are on the persons of interest list she has been given.
I really enjoy the way the book is full of biblical truth and the way Amelie cries out to Father God for help….
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
I cannot recommend The Starlet Spy highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Starlet Spy
This is a new to me author. The plot was interesting. I am one who really enjoys the author's notes and it was a pleasure to read all the tie-ins that went into the research for this story.
There were some questions post WW2 ragrading Greta Barbo and if she had been involved in espionage. Sweden was a neutral country during the war, but there was much intrigue that actually took place there.
The novel introduces Amelie as a Sedish born starlet recruited by the OSS to obtain war information under the guise of visiting her mother in Sweden. There are indeed spies and counterspies laced in the story. Figuring out who is which flows through the storyline. I grow weary of stories where lead charcaters are the most handsome, the most beautiful. So slight disappointment for me that few flawed or common characters appear in this story, but it was enjoyable.
Thanks to #netgalley, #Barbour Fiction for an advance copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this captivating story. Its intriguing plot, fast-paced action, and lovable characters held my attention. The sweet romance, especially the final scene, was a delightful addition. Stunning Cover!!

In 1943, a movie producer named Henrik Zoltan approached Hollywood star Amelie Blake with an offer to play the lead role in his upcoming film. However, his true intention was to recruit her for a more significant task. The United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS) needed someone who could spy on the Swedish elite without arousing suspicion. Amelie, though intelligent, used her reputation for being gullible as a cover. Her mission was to find crucial documents, but she faced obstacles from Finn Ristaffason, a charming shipping magnate who seemed to appear wherever she went.

Featuring relatable characters that are easy to follow and cheer on. It kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly guessing who to trust. I particularly enjoyed the dry wit exchanged between the main characters, adding a touch of humor to the thrilling plot. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is intelligently executed, resulting in a well-balanced, tension-filled read.

I received a complimentary copy from the Publisher, all opinions are my own.

This is a fantastic read! If you like historical fiction with spy activities thrown in, this book is for you.
This story is based on historical facts based in Sweden. During Hitler’s reign, Sweden saved most of their Jews but also catered to the Nazis so they could remain “neutral”.
You will not want to put this read down!

WWII, a starlet, espionage, who can be trusted? Revisiting her childhood home, Amelie is undercover as an Allied spy, using her role as a star to gain access to places otherwise inaccessible. Intelligent, but playing the role of a ditsy blonde, Amelie soon finds herself swept into dangerous activities. Finn, her unknowing teenage crush and Sweden's most eligible bachelor, becomes her target and also her ally. Amalie relies on her faith to help her in difficult situations.
Will Amalie accomplish her mission? Will Finn be guilty of siding with the Germans or with the Allies? What secrets will be revealed? Which ones will be kept?
Fast-moving, suspenseful, and swoon-worthy characters.

A copy was provided for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Starlet Spy
by Rachel Scott McDaniel
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Series: Heroines of WW2
Rated: 4
Obtain: Borrow or Buy
Back of the Book: “Hollywood Star Turns Spy
In 1943, Movie producer Henrik Zoltan approaches Amelie Blake under the guise of offering the Hollywood star a leading part in his upcoming film, but he has a more meaningful role in mind. Amelie’s homeland of Sweden declared neutrality in the war, but Stockholm has become the ‘Casablanca of the North.’ When top-secret atomic research goes missing in Sweden, the Allied forces scramble to recover the files before they fall into Nazi hands.
The United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS) needs someone who’s subtle enough to spy on the Swedish elite without triggering suspicion. Who better than the “all beauty, no brains” Scandinavian starlet? Fluent in three languages and possessing a brilliant memory, Amelie loathes being labeled witless but uses the misconception as her disguise. She’s tasked with searching for the crucial files, but Finn Ristaffason keeps getting in her way. Is the charming shipping magnate after the missing research? Or does he have other reasons for showing up at her every turn?
With the Gestapo on her heels, Amelie must rely on her smarts in addition to her acting skills to survive a world of deadly spies and counterspies.”

Impressions: I read this book in a day. It was full of intrigue and tensions, from the war as well as between the heroine and hero of this story. I won’t say who the hero is, as Amelie’s spy work has her questioning who she can trust most of the book. I think the historical notes from the author at the end were great. I can’t believe so much was based off of real events. How interesting!

Quotes: “‘Whatever draws Franc to you will be what draws him away from you if the attraction’s only skin deep. Keep your heart beautiful, Hedvig. It’s the only beauty that lasts.’”

“‘But I look at you and remember God breathes light into our darkest moments.’”

“‘But mistakes shouldn’t define our futures. We should never allow them that power.’”

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here. For more book reviews go to: https://thebluestockingbooknook.wordpress.com

In The Starlet Spy, Rachel Scott McDaniel weaves another dazzling historical novel full of romance, mystery and inspiration that readers have come to love from her writing. Set in Sweden in the 1940’s, McDaniel brilliantly ties fiction to real-life events in the midst of WWII with her plot embedded in the deadly world of spies and counterspies. This novel was a page-turner, and had me guessing right along with the heroine on who to trust. Historical romance perfection!

Mystery, intrigue, and romance intermingle in The Starlet Spy! Danger seems to be ever looming as Amelie and Finn work together to recover what is lost and find justice. As always my favorite moments of this book were the romantic ones! Amelie and Finn were a quirky and delightfully different romance! Both characters were guarded and had to learn to trust others, and their connection and chemistry sizzled. Their shared humor was witty and dry and I loved every minute of it! Admittedly there were a lot of characters to keep up with, however each character served a purpose and the conclusion brought all the seemingly loose threads together. Rachel expertly weaves history into the pages of her stories and the attention to detail allows the reader to really experience the time period and tension of the story. The final pages of this book truly packed a punch. Twists, turns, danger, and romance made the conclusion worth the wait!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! Books set in Denmark during WWII are always fascinating to me. The way the population dealt with the invasion and how they secretly fought against the Nazis is impressive and courageous. This story follows the Starlet of Amelie Blake who could have stayed in US as a famous actress in safety but she sacrifices her career and her life to help her home county of Denmark. This story is interesting and weaves characters that are easy to follow and root for. I will definitely recommend this book to WWII readers. I look forward to more reads by Rachel Scott McDaniel.

I enjoyed this story and frankly, it took me a while to read because I kept putting it down every time Amelie rushed into a dangerous situation. I was so afraid she was going to get caught, I couldn't bear to watch, er read.

Was Finn Ristaffason a Nazi-sympathizer or an Ally-supporter? Was he a grump or a sweet guy who was more taciturn than most?

For better or worse, Amelie had to work with Finn and sometimes that meant trusting him.

The romance, when it unfolded was so sweet, especially the finally scene...

Readers of The Starlet Spy will be reminded that God illuminates our path.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.

Rachel Scott McDaniel pens another fantastic historical that keeps readers glued to the page.
I’ve read her previous books set in the 20s, and honestly, this story set during WW2 was just as good as her other stories. I loved the fact that Camp X was mentioned – since the history of this spy training camp in Canada is a little piece of history that isn’t mentioned often (it’s here where Ian Flemming imagined his James Bond character).

Amelie Blake is ready for better roles than her stereo-typical blond bimbo roles in major motion pictures. But this acts as a great cover in order for her to join the war efforts.

I enjoyed the story. Amelie desires to be more than what she appears to the rest of the world. Her deepest desire is felt through the page, as well as her raw emotions and determination to complete her mission. A whole cast of characters keep the readers guessing – who is working for the Allies? Is he or she an enemy? And there are some nice twists throughout the story.

The novel is set in Sweden – giving a fresh setting to the hundreds of WW2 stories available.

If you love WW2 stories, or spy stories, pick up The Starlet Spy. You won’t be disappointed.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book to the very end. There were a few twists and turns that kept me on my toes. The main characters were intriguing and likeable. I generally enjoy learning about WW2, and I thought that this historical fiction book made a good move by focusing on a part of the war that isn't as well known, the war in Scandinavia.

Thank you publishers and Netgalley for the free e-ARC

1943 Sweden

Loved all the history included in the pages. The author's note at the end provides additional information about the historical facts. Definitely some fascinating details about WWII specifically involving Scandinavia.

As a Swedish born Hollywood actress turns into a spy for the Allies, she puts herself at risk many times for the benefit of others. While she pretends to be a dumb blond to secure information, Amelie is intelligent and speaks three languages. The added element of not being clear on who she could trust added to the tension.

Plenty of intrigue and action for this author's first foray into an internationally set novel.

Amelie Is a Swedish Actress in the early 1940s. She lives in the United States and is asked to return home to assist the war efforts aka to be a spy.
This was a fabulous read that kept my attention. I love historical fiction and thus brought a new twist. Amelie pretends to be a ditzy actress in order to investigate to find a missing scientists atomic secrets. She meets Finn who is a wealthy businessman . Is he helping the Nazis or is he on her side ?
The author is a master at building intrigue and romance . There are quite a few characters who come into the story each with their own mini story and plot .
Well done ! I don’t want to ruin the story for you fellow readers but know this book will be worth your time. This is the first book I’ve read form the author now I need to find more !
Thank you to Netgalley for the free download in exchange for an unbiased review.