2.5 stars

The story follows Yvonne/Jacqueline who joins the French resistance during WWII. The book has two POVs but I really had some trouble following the main character Yvonne/Jacqueline in the past during her training and also in the now, working for the French resistance. The pacing was very slow. I think the biggest issue for me was that the characters lacked in depth and made me not really care about their story. I also think that historical fiction set during WWII simply isn't for me. I often don't feel the horror people actually had too face - I had the same feeling while reading The Woman with No Name. When the big twist was revealed I already didn't care enough about the story so it didn't grab me.

French-born Yvonne is divorced from her English husband and her daughter is grown when she decides to volunteer to return to France during WWII to help the French resistance movement. Once she completes grueling training, she is transferred into a resistance cell. It soon becomes clear that Yvonne, who changes her name to Jacqueline must take over leadership of the group and she bravely puts herself at risk in order to do her job.
The pros of the book for me were learning about another aspect of WWII and appreciating the research that went into the facts that were the basis of the story. I also appreciated a strong female character. Unfortunately, the book was not an enjoyable read for me. The characters were poorly developed and I didn’t feel like readers got enough of their backstories. The dual timeline going back and forth between Yvonne’s training in England and her work in France was confusing. I definitely would have enjoyed a more linear timeline. There is so much historical fiction about WWII, I think books need to stand out and this one didn’t make the cut.

In 1942, she survived the bomb that destroyed her home, but Yvonne Rudellat's feels that her life is over. as she's estranged from her husband, her daughter is busy with war work, and Yvonne who is older, diminutive, overlooked has lost all purpose. Then, she's offered a chance to remake herself. The war has taken a turn for the worse, and the men in charge are desperate. So, when Yvonne is recruited as Britain's first female sabotage agent, expectations are low. But her tenacity, ability to go unnoticed, and aptitude for explosives set her apart. Soon enough she arrives in occupied France with a new identity, ready to set the Nazi regime ablaze. There are adversaries on all sides, and. as Yvonne becomes infamous as the nameless, unstoppable woman who burns the enemy at every turn, she realizes she may lose herself to the urgent needs of the Resistance.

This is based on a true story and is yet another example of how women aided the Resistance during WWII. I have read many books in this genre, but I think that this is the first one where the woman is an explosives expert. It was very well written and develops all the characters as the danger becomes very real to all those involved. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this books that shows yet again the tenacity of the women involved the Resistance during WWII. I highly recommend.

Gosh, what a heartbreaking yet inspirational read. Yvonne Rudellat was such a courageous and selfish woman. The circumstances surrounding why she chose to join the Resistance were quite sad, but her drive and persistence were remarkable. In addition, her actions taken in occupied France to thwart Nazi efforts were brave and genius. I was holding my breath many times while reading because of the many dangerous situations Yvonne and her friends continually put themselves in. The fact that the book is based on a true story makes Yvonne even more incredible. Wow, what an incredible story!

This historical fiction novel tells the story of
Yvonne Rudellat. A woman in her forties who thought she was washed up, having gone through a divorce and lost everything in a Blitz attack. However, she then went on to be the first female Special Operations Executive to be sent into France, an expert in explosives and led one of France’s largest and most effective resistance networks. I really enjoyed getting to know Yvonne, she was often underestimated but very brave and often quite funny. The story unfolds over a dual timeline and I enjoyed learning how she was recruited and her training. I appreciated the research and attention to detail throughout the novel. For fans of Nancy Wake.

Okay maybe this is my fault trying to catch up on my WWII historical fictions, but this one was just not for me. I didn't enjoy the mmc's pov as he was kind of a prick and just really annoying. I think I much prefer female pov's when it's this type of sub-genre. Men are so often featured in history in general that I'm uninterested in reading about them tbh. Sue me.

Outside of that, I didn't connect with the character. Maybe I'm too young, but we didn't have a ton in common. She's a divorcee and mother to a daughter who now has a family of her own, basically meaning she has no time for her mother. I feel bad because she's so lonely and clearly has such low self-esteem so it's great when she's finally recruited to become a spy. The real life female espionage stories are sooo interesting and I enjoyed that aspect of the book! It unfortunately didn't make her any more appealing though ugh.

A Woman With No Name
Audrey Blake
Publishing : 3/2024
Rating: DNF

#qotd : Tell me your favorite season.

I was so stoked for this WW2 historical fiction as I am fascinated by all things in this era. Plus I have read 2 books by this author and loved them!
This one, though, fell short for me. I was about halfway through the book when I decided to call it quits.
The FMC is devastated when her home is destroyed by a bomb, she's estranged from her husband and her daughter is too busy for her. As the war intensifies she is recruited as an undercover sabotage agent in France. Sounds like a cool plot, right?
Except it was SO slow. Barely anything happened between the beginning and halfway through where I stopped. It switched times and locations too often for me to keep up. And frankly, I was just bored. There was one scene where they blow up a transport but that was the only scene with enjoyable action. And I think they were trying to bring in a MMC but that wasn't clear.
Anyway, I'm done griping, I was just really disappointed, especially since I thoroughly enjoyed the last 2 books I read. Maybe it just wasn't for me.

#dnf #sad #historicalfiction #worldwar2 #France #sabotageagent #slow #confusing #review #netgalley #bookreview #comingsoon #notforme

A great WW2 novel with a compelling plot, complex characters, and an ending that was satisfying. I found the first half of the book to be kind of slow and dragging, but once things picked up, I couldn't put it down!

From the book blurb: 1942. Though she survived the bomb that destroyed her home, Yvonne Rudellat’s life is over. She’s estranged from her husband, her daughter is busy with war work, and Yvonne―older, diminutive, overlooked―has lost all purpose. Until she’s offered a chance to remake herself entirely…

My thoughts: Another first read from an author and another very excellent historical fiction read!

Blake brings us into the real Yvonne Rudellat, a French mother living in London, who signs on as the first woman to endure the British SOE agent training so she can be sent to France to help the French resistance in any way she can with her extensive knowledge and expertise in explosives.

After a Nazi bombing hits her home, Rudellat is determined to make a difference for her home country: France. Britain’s Special Operations Executive (SOE) sees her French fluency and small stature as an asset and trains her to go behind enemy lines. Her goal was to sabotage the Nazi regime. Even when faced with obstacles, Yvonne keeps moving towards that goal. And even when the worst happens, Yvonne never betrays those who trusted her with their lives. This story is a must read for those who love historical fiction and want to learn about a real life person working to make things right for her people during dark, dark days.

Many thanks to NetGallery and Sourcebooks Landmark for sharing this incredible real story about life, love, bravery, strength, heartbreak, loss, guilt, grief, loyalty, espionage, grit, determination, and survival.

The Woman With No Name was the first novel by Audrey Blake I have read, but not my last. The depth of the characters, the story development, and the overall novel itself was so good.
Based on the true story of Yvonne Rudellat and her experience of working with the French Resistance to help derail the Nazis in World War II. Yvonnes code name was Jacqueline, after he daughter, and was hunted by Nazis' when her path of destruction spread throughout the countryside, right under the Germans noses.
If you like WWIl history, this is a must-read. Unique to the genre and well written.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an exquisite historical fiction novel that had me gripping the edge of my seat at times. We follow Yvonne on her journey through the 1940s during the time of Nazis in Britain/France.
Secrets, spy’s, lies, betrayal, and a woman lead. Now and then I do enjoy HF of this era but it comes with heartache, history doesn’t change even in fiction and this was the same.

Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, the 1940s based on true stories that is fast paced.

The Woman with No Name by Audrey Blake is historical World War II novel depicting the life of real-life Yvonne Claire Rudellat, who was the first female special operations executive sent to France with the purpose of causing trouble for the Germans. Having been born in Paris, she could blend right in.
The book was well-written, and I enjoyed it for the most part. I wasn’t sure how the prologue really fit into the book or how Yvonne’s collapsed marriage and relationship with her daughter really fit in. I nearly stopped reading, but I was reeled in when Yvonne (who had taken the undercover name Jacqueline) actually made it to France. I also didn’t really like the two timelines that went back and forth—her training program in the UK and her time in France.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the authors for an ARC of this book. My opinions are my own.

The Woman with No Name by Audrey Blake is a WW2 story from the life of someone who went into France to fire up the resistance. A woman. A tiny older woman who everyone misjudged. Going from homeless after being bombed in London--to recruited--She was a spy of top caliber who set the world on fire where she worked. She was on their most-wanted list in that area for all the problems she caused.

And yet she was a woman with no name. Who served in order to help make the world better for her daughter. To try to do something with herself.

IN regards to the actual plot for Yvonne Rudellat I felt the book was pretty good in keeping it interesting. The weirdest disjointed part was actually like the first couple chapters. They just didn't flow properly.

It's a generic historical fiction taking place during the German occupied France of WW2.

I'm going to give it 3.5 stars. I think it definitely finished better than it started. But I didn't love it.

*I was given a copy of the ARC by the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% mine and I wasn't required to write a positive review.

I love WWII and I really enjoy all the new stories that have been coming out the last few years about bits of history that we hadn't heard about. Particularly, I've been fascinated by the stories of American and British women who trained with the Special Operations Executive and then went into France to assist the Resistance.

I absolutely loved Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon and Erika Robuck's The Invisible Woman and unfortunately every other book about female spies has to live up to them. It's a high standard and when I started The Womane with No Name I wasn't sure if it would measure up.

I had trouble connecting with the main character Yvonne Rudellat. I don't think we would have been friends if I had met her. She was a real person unlike some of the other women I've read about she is older - in her mid-40s. She wasn't allowed to parachute into France like the other agents. They felt she was too fragile.

While her bones may have been fragile her spirit and determination were not.

The book lacked tension through most of the story. There should have been tension and worry about whether the characters would survive. But I didn't really feel that even knowing that the Germans are on her trail. Towards the end, I did start to worry about the characters.

Usually when I read a WWII story, at some point in my reading my curiosity gets the best of me and I have to go searching for information on the characters. But I never got that itch and didn't even realize Yvonne was a real person until I read the notes at the end of the book.

I really wasn't sure if it was going to meet the bar I set but somewhere around the halfway mark I didn't want to put the book down. I read through this novel pretty quickly. I do believe I will remember Yvonne along side Nancy and Virginia.

If you are looking for something to read for Women's History Month, but don't want to read nonfiction, then you should pick up this book.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Monday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/03/the-woman-with-no-name-by-audrey-blake.html

• The Woman with No Name was the third book I read from Audrey Blake and I loved it although this was not part of the series. I am delighted that this author duo continues to write about strong determined women. I enjoyed this book and its deep dive into the French Resistance.

• This story is thrilling! Excitement around every turn. Yvonne is a wonderful character that I was rooting for throughout the book. The plot is very well laid out to keep the reader going.

• Thank you Netgalley, Audrey Blake and Sourcebooks Landmark for this e-arc. The Woman with No Name is out in the world for you to go grab.

I can recognize that this is a well written book, however I don’t think I am the target demographic for it. I look for historical romance with more emotional aspects and this one was more action forward. This will be a 5 star read to the right reader.

**4.5/5 Stars, Rounded Up**

I stumbled on Audrey Blake quite by chance; Blake’s first novel came up as a suggested read on Amazon. Yes, I know “Audrey Blake” is technically two authors, but it’s easier to write the review referencing “Audrey Blake” as one person. I am a WWII history buff. I just finished watching Apple TV’s new series, Masters of the Air, and I loved every minute of it. There’s not a doubt in my mind that the era features the Greatest Generation. The Woman with No Name by Audrey Blake fictionalizes the story of a French resistant I never knew to exist. Beautifully, Blake captures the intensity of working behind the scenes against an evil unlike any we’ve known. I pray with all my heart we will never stoop to those utter depths of inhumanity again.

After a Nazi bombing hits her home, Yvonne Rudellat is determined to make a difference for her home country: France. Britain’s Special Operations Executive (SOE) sees her French fluency as an asset and trains her to be implanted behind enemy lines. The goal—to create a network that will sabotage the Nazi regime. Even when faced with pushback, Yvonne keeps her eye on the goal and never stops. When faced with an obstacle, she goes over, under, or around it. And even when the worst happens, Yvonne never opens her mouth. Never betrays those who trusted her with their lives.

The Woman with No Name by Audrey Blake features two timelines: Yvonne’s training and her resistance work in France. We see snippets from the past that influence Yvonne’s present and eventually, her future. Blake takes an unknown (to me) real person—Yvonne Rudellat—and makes me want to investigate her further. I have already requested her biography from my library. Yvonne, Pierre, and all the others are more than mere characters on the page. Audrey Blake wonderfully describes the challenges the network faced, the relationships forged, and the doubts often confronted. The SOE hesitated, at first, to deploy Yvonne because of her small stature and age. She proved them all wrong.

I only had a couple complaints about the novel. I didn’t like Blake’s created character, Max. His chapters didn’t have as much power behind them. They did demonstrate the government’s search for the resistance movement—specifically, for Yvonne and Pierre. But…I don’t know, Max’s chapters didn’t do it for me. Secondly, The Woman with No Name has an (appropriately) abrupt ending. It worked for the novel—and I imagine something similar happened in real life—but it hurt my heart!

WWII. Espionage. Good characters. A hint of feminism. The Woman with No Name is a wonderful read for any historical fiction fan.

♦️When Yvonne Rudellat's home was bombed during the Second World War, that was the final nail in the coffin. Having lived under the same roof with her estranged husband, at his mercy, for several years, she seemed to have no purpose in life. Her daughter, Jackie, was already busy with some war operations. When she decided to end her life, she was offered an opportunity of a lifetime; to work as Britain's first SOE agent and help the French resistance in fighting against the Germans. After undergoing a fierce training, she landed in France with a new identity. With her perseverance and power to go unnoticed, she soon became the leader of a resistant group. Her sabotaging activities  became a concern for the Germans, who started searching for "the woman with no name". This novel is based on her story.

💥It is a historical fiction based on the Second World War. The author has created a brilliant picture of the situation in France during the same. I was spellbound after reading about the risks taken by those, fighting against the Germans. The author also gives us an idea about the aggressive training undergone by the SOE agents. They were even instructed to  swallow cyanide if caught by the Germans, lest they cannot endure anymore torture and spill the beans.

💥Yvonne Rudellat was a real life example of "It's never too late to pursue your dreams". The story of her journey in becoming the first female SOE agent deserves praise. Due to her determination, she was able to lead dangerous missions against the Germans despite being middle-aged.

💥This was an enjoyable read for me. It has brought to life, the life and deeds of a woman who was lost in history. I will surely recommend this book to all those who are interested in historical fiction.

I was delighted to read the latest novel by duo authors Audrey Blake after enjoying their previous novels. I enjoy how the authors focus on fierce, strong female protagonists in each story they write and The Woman with No Name was no exception. Based on true events during the Second World War the story centers on Yvonne Redellet, Britain's first female Special Operations Executive. Once deployed in France, Yvonne, with a large ensemble of resistance fighters, strategically and bravely set the Nazi occupation on fire as master saboteurs. 


I found the first 2/3 of the story a bit slow and keeping track of the large ensemble of characters proved a bit difficult. There were multiple times where I had to go back and reread/listen to parts of the story get my bearings. There was also a bit of bouncing around in timelines, and occasional third person narrations by other characters that felt a little bit disjointed in the flow of the story. I am so happy that I kept on with it, however, because I was rewarded with an exciting last third. The pace picked up at this point and the ending had me on the edge of my seat. The authors' notes at the end are a must-read and made me appreciate the meticulous research that the authors put into telling this story.

A game changer is a woman who takes the impossible and filets it with a mighty force.

Audrey Blake centers her novel around an actual woman named Yvonne Rudellat. Yvonne was born outside of Paris and then later moved to London. The Prologue itself is of high interest as Blake frames a car accident in 1928 that changed Yvonne forever.

Switch gears and we're now in London during the Blitz in 1942. Taking shelter underground is a daily occurrence. Yvonne wishes to do more. Much more. She becomes a commissioned volunteer as a First Aid Yeoman. Being fluent in French is an asset that couldn't be denied. Yvonne pushes the envelope and takes the name Jacqueline Viallat. She's been rigidly trained to assist the Vichy government of resistance in France.

As readers, we'll find "Jacqueline" and her arrival in France as low key. She rides her bicycle through the streets and sits in cafes. Bikes used no gasoline and could be hidden quite easily in a pinch.

And then comes an incident that calls up Jacqueline's inner powers. She's become the first female sabotage agent and an ace with explosives. One needs to consider that Yvonne Rudellat was an actual woman living during these times fighting against the Nazi occupation in France. And as age becomes an issue in the scheme of things, Yvonne was 45 years old at the time. Moreover, it boggles the mind to think of all those that are nameless who fought to the death to make a difference. The Woman with No Name is a tribute to the brave and the daring who refused to sit by and let Evil take their place at the table of Life.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and to Audrey Blake for the opportunity.