I ended 20203 with this wonderfully written historical fiction. Fast paced and engaging, this is a story of a group of people finding one another in a foreign country during a time of tension and becoming family. Josephine and Elodie are more than just brave women. They’re unapologetically brazen and assertive. The characters were well rounded and I fell in love with them. I highly recommend this book and will now read more of this author’s work. She did an incredible job in researching the history and I loved learning about our people’s hand in helping the French Resistance during WWII.

Thank you @netgalley for a chance to read and review this EARC.

My rating:

Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Historical Fiction

Review:

The book is based on the true story of Josephine Baker who was a African American entertainer and spy who aided the French resistance during WWII. The story is well written and captivating with the right amount of suspense intrigue and love. However it also deals with issues such as prejudice and racism. This made it a fascinating story and a enjoyable read. The Characters are interesting but also very brave and courageous. Their actions were well explained which gave them a realistic feel. Well worth reading.

This is quite different from the 'usual' historical fiction set around World War II and one which, although is mostly fictional, it is based on real people and true events and one which I enjoyed.

The description says it all really so I won't repeat it but it is a story about bravery and courage, loss and heartbreak, love and friendship and one that is important to read.

It's a bit of a slow burner with most of the "action" taking place in the final third of the book but the "slower" part really sets the scene of what life was like for young, black people during this period and their contribution to the Resistance which is not often written about.

Thank you to the author, Avon Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this enlightening book.

This is one of the best historical fiction novels I’ve read recently. It’s hard for me to pinpoint why exactly because it does follow a fair formula, but there’s just so much within it that’s also novel and different and perhaps that’s what really sets it apart for me. It’s got great detail without getting bogged down and the unique history and cultural aspect that Elodie, Grant, Danny, Pierre and Josephine Baker herself bring to it is just *chef’s kiss*!

Set during the phony war (fall 1939 - spring 1940) and into the end of 1940, this novel is set against a Paris (France) on the cusp of war. I like that not all the storylines were wrapped up and although I thought the novel was starting with a dual perspective and period take, I’m glad it stuck to the past and the single perspective of Elodie. She was a really strong main character and her arc was really clear and realistic.

I’d recommend this to fans of Natasha Lester and anyone who enjoys reading novels about strong women set in this period.

I really enjoy a fictional story based on fact, I feel as though I am educating myself whilst enjoying the story.
I knew very little about Josephine Baker apart from the fact she was an American dancer and had been involved in the Second World War.
This story includes an insight into the history, tension, romance, racism and bravery which touched her life.
I am sure that many people after reading this, will want to find out more about Josephine Baker and her role in the war, I know that I quickly made an online search and was amazed at the roles she played.
Although this is fiction., it is informative and readable

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this book early. Unfortunately, I did not connect with the characters and slow-moving plot and decided to DNF.

Embassie Susberry brings the dangers of World War II espionage to life in this fascinating historical fiction novel, weaving in the differences of race relations in France and in the United States to add nuance to her narrative. Readers follow Elodie Mitchell, an American journalist studying literature in France, as she crosses paths with the acclaimed dancer Josephine Baker and the larger Black American expatriate community as Europe changes around them as World War II continues to heat up and move closer to Paris. Elodie, with her similar appearance to Josephine Baker, finds herself going undercover as Baker’s cousin to carry out intelligence work for the United States -- something Elodie could never have dreamed of when she first arrived in France. Susberry’s characters are the star of the story, and the wide cast of characters are dynamic, vibrant, morally complex, and complicated, and she does an excellent job of exploring the state of Black Americans in early twentieth-century France, an element which adds a fascinating layer to the novel. Susberry’s locations, too, are fascinating, detailed, and critical to the narrative, and she has constructed an intricate narrative full of tension, mystery, high stakes, and emotions that longtime historical fiction readers are sure to enjoy.

This is a well researched historical novel which will appeal to readers who enjoy stories based on World War II.

The story is based on the real life of Josephine Baker, a black American singer, and dancer and the fictional character of Elodie Mitchell, a black student journalist, who both become members of the French Resistance.

The story is a slow burner with most of the action taking part in the final quarter of the book. It is a story of heroism, racism, friendships and bravery and I think it could make a good television movie because it is different from most books in this genre.

Code Name Butterfly is an inspirational true story about Josephine Baker, a black American woman living in France. We follow Ms Baker’s story of life before the preinvasion, acceptance of coloured men and women, particularly the love the French had for Jo Baker through to the tension building invasion, joining the resistance and standing against prejudice. It was interesting getting to know Josephine and the characters surrounding her including their individual experiences growing up in America. Although the story did begin a little slow you wont regret reading this historical WW2 novel of love, bravery, courage, survival, sacrifice and loss.
I would like to thank Avon Books, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed this book very much,. It is a fictional account of Josephine Baker's time in Paris and France during the Second World .War and her work as a secret agent for the allies. I'm not sure how accurate the account is but the author has certainly done her research and it is feels authentic. A good read and good to find out more about Josephine Baker.

Code Name Butterfly is a historical fiction novel with an interesting & unusual difference. The story starts & ends in the present with Elodie Mitchell’s black descendants. For the most part, it’s set in France in 1940 & thereafter. It shows life from a different perspective, that of the African Americans. They have escaped the racism of America & made a life for themselves in Paris. The most famous escapee being Josephine Baker, renowned singer & show girl. She attracts people like bees to a honey pot. When war breaks out they choose to join the Resistance & fight for the country who welcomed them all. Challenging read.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley & I am writing a voluntary honest review.

I loved this new take on this genre and learning about Paris at that time and Josephine Bakers part in it . It was a good well researched book and I thoroughly enjoyed it

A thoroughly enjoyable read. The story of Josephine Baker is largely unknown to many people and needs broadcasting. The book brought to life the jazz scene in Paris before and at the start of the war, but it also highlighted the psychological effects of war on a person. I liked the dialogue between Elodie, a controlled, principled person and Jo who had a joie de vivre, enjoy the moment and pursue love attitude. The book was well researched but also realistic in portrayal of resistance life. A highly worthwhile novel

A wonderful historical novel which takes place in France and covers the short period of Josephine Baker's life in the early 1940"s.
A young journalist Elodie, a black American, is in Paris in 1941. She is given tickets to attend a Josephine Baker performance and that leads her onto a completely different path. She joins Jo as a spy.
The author shows us another side to the glamorous Jo. She is involved with the French Resistance and really cares about what is happening in Europe at the time. Jo adores animals and keeps monkeys as well as dogs in her dressing room with various other animals too, that lead to some unpleasant odours. She is generous with her money as well as her outfits that Elodie often wears.
A fascinating insight into Josephine Baker's other world. Racial prejudice in America is also highlighted and we learn that Jo had to run for her life when she was very young.
A well researched book. Highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Elodie Mitchell was working in Paris as a journalist when the Nazi's occupied it, she had planned to return home to Chicago but was drawn into a web of spies alongside the infamous Josephine Baker. Based on the true story of Josephine Baker and her exploits during World War II, this fictionalised version is well worth reading.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

* Thank you to Netgalley, and the publisher: Avon Books UK for providing with ARC, in exchange for an honest review*

What a beautifully written story.

In so many ways, this story played with my emotions. This was a fantastic book that I could talk about for days. Code Name Butterfly is one of those books that will stick with you. I just finished this book a few hours ago, but I'm still thinking about it and the characters. I'd never read anything by Embassie Susberry before, but the cover, title, and description piqued my interest, and I'm glad it did. Code Name Butterfly holds your attention from beginning to end. Code Name Butterfly is unlike any other book I've read, and I loved how different it was from the others. Every page will make you fall more in love with the story.

The story begins slowly, with Elly meeting all of the main characters. However, once Josephine Baker enters the picture, it's difficult to leave the story. I was thinking about the book while working and sometimes while studying. If it weren't for my hectic schedule, I'd spend the entire day reading the book.I liked most of the characters, and they all changed dramatically from the beginning to the end of the book. If I had to pick two characters, it would be Elly and Josephine. I admired their friendship; it had existed since their first meeting. Whatever was going on outside, they were always there for one another until the end. I enjoyed the author's use of setting and atmosphere in the story. One of my favorite aspects of this book was that I felt like I was reading in Paris the entire time.

Josephine Baker- After finishing the book, I went online and did more research because the story had such an impact on me. I wish I'd known about her story earlier. I could go on and on about this book, but I don't want to give too much away before it comes out. I'm grateful for the opportunity to read it; it portrayed everything I love about historical fiction. I will return to this book in the future. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

I’m so happy that I got to read this book! I only ‘discovered’ Josephine Baker a couple of years ago, so I was excited to read this and find out more about her life.
The Grant and Elodie story was filled with romantic tension, will they or won’t they……
I’m not sure if the book needs a prologue or epilogue, the story was good enough on its own.
Fantastic work!

Well done historical fiction focused on the bravery of women in WWII. Elodie (Elly) stays in Paris, where she's more comfortable than her home town of Chicago, when the war starts and finds herself swept up into the resistance, in part because someone mistakes her for the great Josephine Baker. Elly's work is important but she also falls in love. There's loss too. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. While this is more focused on Elly than Jo, it hopefully will send readers off for more information on Jo who lived a fascinating life.

In the City of Light, one woman will stand against darkness.
Paris, 1941. With Nazi occupation imminent, journalist Elodie Mitchell plans to return home to Chicago. But an unexpected invitation to a Josephine Baker show changes everything.
Mistaken for the star, Elodie is whisked backstage, where she uncovers an underground resistance movement hidden beneath the glitz and glamour.

I enjoyed this book as I always do when a fictional story revolves around factual events. It’s well-written and puts the reader firmly in the period. The characters are real because some of them are. It’s well paced as the excitement builds and it’s very well written. It highlights the work of the French resistance during WW2 too. It’s a great and interesting read.

This story was inspired by the incredible true story of Josephine Baker. I do like a story that's based on true events, and this story has been well-researched. Journalist Elly (Elodie) Mitchell has been living and working in Paris for several months. A stranger gives Elly tickets to see Josephine Baker, and she is invited backstage to meet her after the show. Elly's life was turned around after the meeting, and she now works undercover as Josephine's cousin. Elly had been sought after to join a secret intelligence group. Josephine and Elly are strong characters. This is a story of love, courage, bravery, and strength. It's a complex and well-written story. #netgalley #codenamebutterfly