Interesting premise, and the idea of an actress turned spy is captivating. The story has a lot of potential, but fell flat for me. Felt more like reading an embellished outline without the full descriptors. Could be my mood or the writing style, but it just didn’t mesh for me. I skipped areas and read the ending (fairly predictable), and ultimately didn’t read the whole thing due to loss of interest.

The Starlet Spy by Rachel Scott McDaniel is one of many Heroines of WWII books written by various authors.
Amelie Blake is a Hollywood bombshell turned OSS spy seeking the vital manuscript of infamous physicist Niels Bohr. Who would ever suspect the “less than brilliant” starlet? Which, of course, is only the roles she plays in her movies. In reality, Amelie has a sharp mind and quick wit which she uses when she encounters Finn, a mysterious man from her past.

This book had a wonderful premise, but it dragged along at times, and there were entire portions of the book where the actual mystery felt like a side plot instead of the main reason for the book. The character of Amelie felt unfinished. The premise for her character was excellent, but her character description and capabilities were rarely highlighted in the actual solving of the mystery. I did find her sarcastic, self-deprecating inner dialogue amusing. However, the reveal of her “past” with Finn was just not at all what I was expecting and felt superficial and immature.

This book just didn’t work for me. I am sure there are many who will disagree with me and find this book enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for an advanced ecopy to honestly read and review. All opinions are my own. Publication date was August 1, 2023.

A nice story about Amelie Blake, a Hollywood movie star originally from Sweden. She returns to her home country and has to figure out the secret behind some missing papers in order to help out the Allies.

The book was nice but not compelling. It was a fast read and good if you don't want to be too stressed out for a character. I enjoyed a little of learning about the setting.

I received an ARC as a reviewer for NetGalley. #sponsored

With stunning cover art and intriguing first line, The Starlet Spy pulled me in at first sight. The well-crafted characters and setting, historical accuracy, and Christian faith content makes this an intriguing and captivating read.

I like Amelie. She is a strong and confident, yet humble character who navigates her role as a spy without being cliché. And Finn is a complex character as well, and the romance wasn’t overdone.

The mix of adventure, mystery, and romance kept me engaged. And the inclusion of trusting in God’s guidance adds a layer of depth that makes it more than an entertaining read but also a source of inspiration.

First Line: Everything around me whispered lies.
Series: Heroines of WWII #11
Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense
Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel
Page Count: 256

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

The Starlet Spy is the perfect blend of mystery, espionage, history, and romance. The main character Amalie is a Swedish actress that has made it successful on the big screens in America during WWII. A rare but riveting opportunity presents itself for Amalie to work against the Germans for her second country that she has grown to love. Soon enough, she finds herself back in Sweden on a secret mission to try and find a top secret document that has the potential to really harm the Allies if it falls into the hands of the Germans.

Before Amalie knows it, she's in the precious hands of the mysterious and handsome self-made shipping tycoon Finn. Not only is he intriguing, mysterious, and hard to read, Amalie is fighting off feelings for him slowly but surely. In the country of Sweden, among it's neutrality, lies a world of deceit, murder, espionage, treason and lies. Can Amalie trust Finn? Or is he working for the enemy?

Every page was intriguing and hard to put down.

What a fascinating story!! I loved the history, the espionage angles and the suspense as well as the wonderful characters. Rachel took me back to WWII, in the middle of the fight for freedom and I enjoyed every second of it. Amelie is a fantastic heroine with enough smarts and gut instincts to help her be the spy the OSS needs. Grumpy Finn keeps things close to the vest but he wasn’t immune to Amelie. Them working together on finding the research and the culprits were some of the best scenes. And watching them fall in love was marvelous too. One of my most favorite things was how well Rachel wove real history and events into her story. That takes talent and Rachel clearly has it in spades. If you’re a fan of a good spy story paired with snappy dialogue and a sweet love story, you need this book ASAP. I’m sure you’ll love it too!!

I received a complimentary ARC of this story from the author via NetGalley. I am not required by anyone to write a positive review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

#TheStarletSpy #NetGalley

This is a fast paced read that takes place during WWII. Amelie Blake is an actress in Hollywood who is approached to become a spy for the OSS. After a brief training and under the guise of her ill mother she finds herself back in Sweden as a dumb blonde with intelligence she has to hide behind the facade. Amelie doesn't know who to trust and must follow her instincts. She is on a hunt to find a missing briefcase with documents that could be dangerous if they fall into the wrong hands, Against all odds and being unsure she finds herself investigating Finn Riffstaffason a man she is told is helping Germany in the war. She finds herself going through the acts of spying but also critical of everyone she comes in contact with. This book was hard to put down and full of suspense. A great read.

"You more than anyone understand the power of the press. Thanks to some well-placed tips to the prominent papers, all of Sweden thinks the famous starlet's mother is at death's door."

Amelie agreed to go back to her homeland to try to find a missing briefcase full of important papers. Because she knows Swedish, she can go about the countryside as a spy freely. Trying to uncover what is actually happening, Amelie has to put her skills that helped her to become a top billing actress to work. But she can determine who to trust?

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction title. Fiction was based on fact. The story was believable, and the characters were quite enjoyable and unpredictable.

Since I am 75% Swedish, I loved the fact that this book was set in that beautiful country. The locations played a part in the story line. Since I have been to parts of Sweden, including Gothenburg, and thanks to the author's descriptive writing, I could picture their travels across the land

Before this book, I had never read anything about Sweden's involvement during World War 2. Clearly the country could not quite make up its mind on whether to support the Allies or placate Germany to avoid their own attack. I appreciate the fact that the author based researched specific situations that the country was involved with during the war. I am sure there were many brave citizens whose bravery will never be written down in ink.

This book combined all of the traits that I have come to love in a Rachel Scott McDaniel book - witty banter, precise word choice, well-developed characters and faith elements with sprinkles of humor throughout. The love story plays a role in the book without taking over. And it still has all of the feels. Being set in World War 2, this one does have more suspense. Many parts of the ending surprised me.

Reading the author's notes ties the whole story together. The book was developed around truth that was supported by believable fiction. Definitely take the time to read the notes to learn how fiction was created from fact by the author.

I requested to read this book through NetGalley. I wanted to read and review it. All opinions are my own.

A fast-paced read that kept me guessing as actress Amelie Blake returns to Sweden on a covert mission to recover Niels Bohr's the missing research.

Tired of being pigeon-holed as a dumb blonde, like the women she portrays on the silver screen, Amelie is happy to be able to do her part against the Nazis. Despite what others may assume, Amelie is actually quite clever and uses her cover well. I really admired her faith, and compassionate heart for others.

I enjoyed this fresh perspective of WWII -- from neutral Sweden, as I have never read a WWII book set there before. A full cast of characters kept me guessing right up until the end with multiple loyalties in question and brimming with suspense!

Overall, this was a gripping historical suspense, with a daring heroine that I liked from the start. There is fantastic tension that kept me on my toes, throughout. Highly recommend this amazing novel!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Starlet Spy is Rachel Scott McDaniel's contribution to the fabulous Heroines of the WWII series. I loved it and could not put it down until I had every single page read in one sitting. I am giving it five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read books from the historical romance genre.

This is a wonderful read that deals with a part of WWII that I never knew about. Who would have thought that a Hollywood actress would be used as a spy? Amelie's story hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. I loved how the author wove fact with fiction to make a book that was impossible to put down once you started reading it. This is definitely a 5-star read!
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Five reasons I am giving this one all the stars:
🌟 Amalie Blake is a lovable character and she has some skills
🌟 The Swedish setting is not often used for WWII fiction
🌟 Prayer is acknowledged as well as the plans God has for his children
🌟 The unexpected twists and turns of espionage
🌟 All the notes on the historical facts inserted into the plot.

While this is my first time reading a book by this author, it will not be my last.

Thank you to Barbour Publishing and NetGally for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Undercover Spy!

Amelie Blake is a well-known American actress from Sweden who is living a double life. WWII is raging, and important papers with designs of the atomic bomb were mistakenly left in Sweden. She is approached to return to Sweden as a spy. Amelie has the perfect cover of returning home to visit her sick mother.

She gets a very short course to learn to fire a gun, fight, and use other spy techniques. Once in Sweden, Amelie's pursuit of the papers leads her to the home of the handsome and wealthy business man, Finn Ristaffason. Although suspicious that he might be assisting the Germans, she needs his help as she goes from one dangerous situation to another.

Amelie faces hazards of every kind including German agents and sympathizers that would like to see her killed. She often calls upon her faith to get her through.

This book is very exciting, and will keep you on the edge of your seat while turning the pages to find out what happens. Many of the events in the story are based on things that really took place.

The bravery and service of The Greatest Generation during this massive fight of good versus evil is demonstrated beautifully in this tale. Most of that group are gone now, including my own family members who were a part of them, so let us never forget what they did.

Fans of thrillers, WWII stories, and well-written narratives will enjoy this clean, five-star story!

Thank you, Barbour Publishing and NetGalley, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “The Starlet Spy,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

I love stories about WWII that show a part of the war we don't really think about. I have never thought about Scandinavia's part in the war and really enjoyed seeing that side. Amelie was amazing and fearless. I was really impressed with her. This story kept you guessing and wanting more. I really enjoyed it.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

I found that this was such a unique story to tell about WWII. I really enjoyed the character of Amelie and found it so interesting that as an actress she was recruited to go undercover as a spy. So many women have done such amazing things in our history especially during war times. I enjoy reading so much about their heroic acts and the so many that worked alongside them.



I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

This was the first book that I have read by Rachel Scott McDaniel and I was pleased to find it a balance of mystery and character growth. The author did an excellent job of helping me to enter into the world of 1940’s Hollywood, using the misconceptions about the leading lady to develop a surprisingly poignant story of both main characters. It was a fairly fluid and light read despite the wartime setting and danger that infiltrated the mystery. I’ll happily add McDaniel to my list of authors to watch for future titles.

This book checks all the boxes for me: History- check. Mystery- check. Romance- check. I adored this book and Rachel Scott McDaniel's characters. I honestly felt that I was right there in the book with them and couldn't put the book down! I really enjoyed this book being set in Sweden and telling such an unknown/overlooked story of WWII. Rachel Scott McDaniel even features a wonderful section at the end of the book that explains what is fact and what is fiction about this book. Highly recommend for lovers of historical fiction or mysteries.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Stellar writing! Funny. A-mazing setting--I've never been to Sweden and now can't wait to go! I've read many WWII novels and thought there couldn't be a fresh concept, a new way to show readers unsung hero/ heroine sacrifices. But Starlet Spy exceeded all my expectations!

McDaniel tells the story of a Hollywood star who is adored for her looks and whose public assumes is nothing more than a ditz. She is, however, an intelligent beauty from Sweden whose American movie career supports her mother living in Sweden. The US government offers to safely transport her home to visit her mother...if...she agrees to become a spy and find missing documents.

So taken with the story after only a few pages, I mentioned it to my hubby--a nonfiction-only reader--His face lit up as he told me the story of Greta Garbo. To my delight...the same history unfolds in this book. Readers...be sure to read the Author's note following the story...McDaniel explains the connections!

Compelling. Romance. Deception. Aurora Borealis. Spies. Seaside dances. Guns. Heartache. Secrets. There is only everything to love about this book. And the last pages...I audibly sighed, they were so wonderful.

Highly recommend.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. This is my own opinion

First of all--that cover!!! LOVE! It actually reads a bit more Roaring Twenties than the 1940s to me, but I am totally not complaining, haha. Absolutely beautiful.

Secondly, the book itself. Fantastic! I knew I was in for a treat between the author and the book series: this is the fifth of seven by McDaniel, and all have been five stars to date--same with this one. And, I've read all ten (!!) in the _Heroines of WWII_ series prior (though, as ever, they are each standalone and do not require reading in order) and have enjoyed them all.

Finn was a bit of a slow-burn hero for me, but he definitely won me over by about the halfway point; Amelie was always entertaining, and I literally LOLed at times as she played her role even outside Hollywood. It was so interesting to learn about how actors/actresses may have been involved in the war efforts during that time, too!

The plot is full of adventure, twists, and turns, and I was definitely caught by surprise (also in a good way) at the climax and denouement. The faith element was well done, too!

I found the author's note super informative, and definitely recommend reading it for more on McDaniel's writing experience and all of the history she brought into the book. Truly fascinating!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Exciting adventure, gripping intrigue, and heart-stopping romance make this spy thriller a masterpiece! Rachel Scott McDaniel takes vast amounts of historical research and forms an incredibly entertaining story that I could not put down! Plot twists kept me guessing, action kept my pulse thrumming, and the unfolding romance of Amelie and Finn kept me glued to the page until the very last scene. The intrigue and danger of WWII Sweden made a wonderfully unique setting that I have never seen used before, and Rachel Scott McDaniel did it so well. I love everything she has ever written, but this may be my favorite work of hers yet! Do not miss out on the adventure!