How does an Australian ex-pat end up spying for SOE during WWII in France? Join Nancy Wake as she becomes one of WWII's most decorated spies. This amazing woman juggled multiple roles and ultimately led the Resistance through the end of the war. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat as you cheer on this strong, independent woman.

The only drawback was that the multiple timelines could get confusing. I would get so wrapped up in the story that it took me a moment to realize that I had moved on to a different voice or year. I do enjoy books with multiple timelines and voices.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Armed With A Tube of Lipstick

Code Name Helene is a story about the famous spy and resistance fighter Nancy Wake. This book tells the story of the young reporter from Australia living in Paris France. She meets the wealthy Frenchman Henri Fiocca and eventually becomes Nancy Fiocca.

She was spirited and confident. Her armor was a tube of red lipstick. When her husband goes to war after the war begins, Nancy cannot just sit around. She drives an ambulance until Germany invades France. After the invasion Nancy begins to work with the French resistance. After Henri returns from war when the French soldiers are sent home after the French surrenders to Germany, Nancy continues to work with the French resistance.

She becomes the most wanted spy and the German’s dub her “The White Mouse”. Her husband is murdered by a local French police chief and his ex girlfriend Marceline. Nancy grieves, then she goes to work with the SOE special services and back to France with her old team to help the French resistance once again.

This is the story of a remarkable women that survived some hard times, some hard living and a war. She was brave, courageous and confident. She loved her husband, France, and her little dog Picon.

This book was exciting, romantic, tragic and historic all in one. It was a great book, I didn’t want to put it down and read way too long into the night. I would recommend this book.

Thanks to Ariel Lawhon, Doubleday Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book.

Code Name is an incredibly moving, action-packed novel, following the exploits and bravery of Nancy Wake, a real-life hero! From the first late to the last, I was spellbound by Nancy’s story. This is also a touching story of love, marriage, and complete and utter devotion. The fact that this fascinating book is based on a real person enhances this novel. Nancy Wake is a true hero, and I’m glad Ariel Lawhon has shared her story with all of us.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Code Name Helene was a wild ride that I thoroughly enjoyed. Lawhon kept the story moving at a steady pace; I was always eager to pick up the book again. Lawhon's portrayal of Nancy Wake had me rooting for her. It was a pleasant surprise to find that the real-life Nancy Wake was just as spirited and inspiring.

This novel was extremely satisfying - historical fiction at its best. I loved nearly all of it. If I was pressed to make a critique, I could only find two small ones:

- Although the French may be easy to stereotype, I grew a little tired of the author's repeated characterizations reminding us just how "French" the French can be.

- Without revealing anything about the ending of the book, I will say that I disagree with the author's choice to continue the dual-time periods as long as she did. I understand why she did it, I just think the climaxes of the story were weakened because of her choice.

I highly recommend Code Name Helene to anyone who loves historical fiction. You won't be disappointed.

At the conclusion of this book, Lawhon's Author's Note alerts readers to the fact that Nancy Wake was a real person, that a great deal of this book is based on the facts of her life. But she opens that Note with this: "Readers, beware...If you begin this journey here, your reading experience here, your reading experience will be altered. It will be a bit like watching a magic act after you've learned how the rabbit is smuggled into the hat." I'd offer the same caution. DO NOT look up Nancy Wake before you finish this book. You do not want to know ahead of time what will happen, particularly given that Lawhon has hewed so closely to reality and you don't want to spend any part of the book trying to figure out where the facts have been altered. As Lawhon advises: "...start at the beginning and let the show proceed as planned."

And what a show it is.

Again and again I find myself picking up books about World War II. I keep saying that I'm over World War II books. What more could there be to say that I haven't read yet? And then I find a book about a part of that war that I haven't read about before. Well, I knew about the French Resistance, of course. But I didn't know about an Australian woman who was integral to a part of the Resistance, working with the British.

The book opens with Nancy (as Helene) parachuting into France and from there Lawhon blends Nancy's story as a resistance fighter in 1944 with the history of the events that brought her to that point from 1936. It's a dual narrative that works exceedingly well, as Nancy's past works its way to that night when she parachuted her way back into France. Lawhon does a marvelous job of building the tensions in both narratives, of creating characters that the reader cares about, and of engaging all of the reader's senses.

Nancy Wake is an amazing characters; it's even more amazing to realize that she was a real woman. Lawhon's incredible research has allowed her to bring the real Nancy's story come to life in all of its glamour, ugliness, terror, and passion. I was wrapped up in it almost from the beginning. The only fault that I found in the book was that the ending dragged a bit for me but that was a small complaint in a book that I very much enjoyed otherwise.My favorite part? That's a tie. I adored Nancy's and Henri's love story. But then I also loved Nancy putting on her lipstick and being the boss lady.

I highly recommend it, although I would forewarn readers that there are some very graphic scenes, as you might expect in a book about war.

Nancy Wake is a real person; war heroine.

Nancy was a young Aussie who worked in the Hearst Newspaper office in England. One of her first assignments was to interview Adolf Hitler. The byline was blank as women-only wrote about fashion and home design.

Code Name Helene Book CoverShe was married to Henri Fiocca, son of one of the wealthiest warehouse tycoon’s in France. Nancy and Henri had a life envied by many; they craved each other and had a passionate love for each other.

But Henri knew Nancy was a force and when Henri was called up to serve, Nancy became an ambulance driver. But not before Henri was able to teach her how to hold her liquor and swear like a true Frenchman.

The things she witnessed in Germany, England, and France lead her to her role as an SOE agent. While she saw first-hand the atrocities committed by German soldiers, she never imagined she would kill one of the most devious with her own hands. She was brazen.

She parachuted from The Liberator behind enemy lines; carried knives and revolvers tucked into pants; all the while wearing the deepest red lipstick like a true French woman. Nancy led thousands of men and worked within a very small circle of SOE agents. Her job was to organize resistance fighters and supply them with weapons, money, and food. She was a fierce warrior in the field and expected nothing of her men that she wasn’t willing to do herself. She joined her men in plucking hundreds of shipping crates of guns and supplies from drop zones while working to unite the French resistant fighters. She would demand their respect and they would eventually admire her. Times, when she was running for her life while being shot at only, made her stronger and more willing to win the war for her adopted France.

She surfaced on the German map as a terrorist and nicknamed “The White Mouse”. A huge bounty was placed on her head.

This is her story.

Nancy Wake is an Australian expat living in 1936 Paris working for one of the Hearst newspapers. After witnessing first hand the growing atrocities committed by the Nazi party, she decides to assist the French Resistance after Germany invades France. Testing the strength of her new marriage and continually risking her life, Nancy puts on her Victory Red lipstick like a shield and does her best to thwart the Nazis at every turn. I loved this book! I was amazed I had never heard about this fearless resistance courier, spy, fighter and leader of men who became one of the most decorated women in WWII. I love when historical fiction is so well written it inspires me to want to know more and this book certainly did that. I highly recommend this book!

Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon is a gripping novel about one woman’s experience in France during WW II. Fact and fiction combine to make the story of Nancy Wake come alive and the book was difficult to put down. It’s the story of one woman’s effect on the outcome of the war. Nancy Wake was a journalist who bore witness to the German atrocities. These experiences gave her the strength to leave a comfortable lifestyle and a husband to help defeat the Germans with her husband’s support. Her courage and commitment to the war effort is an amazing story. Only after finishing the book do you appreciate Nancy Wake’s sacrifice and how important it was to winning the war.

Thank you to Doubleday for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.

I was so excited to read this book because I loved the author’s previous work, I Was Anastasia. And I loved this book just as much as that one. Lawhon is an excellent story teller. Her writing captivated me from the first page, and I didn’t want to stop reading until I had finished this whole book.

I really enjoy how Lawhon tells the story of a real person during WWII in this book - though there is so much more that happens besides only wartime action. Nancy Wake lived an exciting, adventurous, busy life, and this book tells of her journey. It never felt too busy or slow. The pacing was done very well. I also liked all of the details put into this book. After reading, I felt like I knew the characters and could sympathize with them. Lawhon really made them come alive.

Code Name Helene dives into the many lives of Nancy Wake. While it is a book of fiction, it relies heavily on the real life of Nancy Wake Fiocca. Historical fiction is my favorite genre of books, especially ones about World War II. While I enjoyed this book, I had a hard time keeping track of all the characters and timelines. The book jumps back and forth between the past and present. While I am typically okay with this style of writing, this book jumps back to multiple pasts, out of order. This book was also very detail-heavy which made it very long. I would still recommend it for those readers who enjoy details and World War II stories.

Code Name Helene unlocks a historical yet fictional account of Nancy Wake aka Helene. After leaving home at 16, she fought her way to survive. Her intelligence, wit and perseverance were traits that made her an excellence leader during World War II.

Ariel Lawhon masterly crafts Nancy's trajectory from budding journalist to Madame Andree/The White Mouse on the battlefield. She was a force to be reckoned with and her actions saved thousands of lives.

With a swipe of Victory Red, she armored herself to face off against, military leaders, Nazis and society that charged her gender as being incapable to exhibit bravery, leadership and military prowess. Lawhon admitted to taking liberties with Wake's real life but the portrait she painted honored a woman who risked her love, well being and financial security to save others.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the early read in exchange for an honest review. I rarely award a 5-starred review but Code Name Helene earned its recognition. It's appropriate to read during Women's History month as Nancy Wake led her forces into battle and altered the war by her quick-thinking, bravery and putting herself at risk to save others.

Code Name Helene is the story of Nancy, a French socialite during World War II. When her husband is sent to war, Nancy uses her skills as a socialite to serve the French during the war, delivering messages, Jews, and resources to become a top leader in the war effort.

Helene's story takes her through the trials of training camp. landing at her first assignment, and proving to thousands of male soldiers that she is the leader. Never a wallflower, Nancy leads with a boldness, intelligence, and an ability to think quickly on her feet that leads to her earned respect. The story is also one of sacrifice as friends and loves are lost to the war, and those left behind are trying to get their feet under them.

The author tells the story from the point of view of both Nancy and her husband, and both accounts are rich in details--you can almost believe that you are in France in the 40's, or are with Nancy as she tells a group of men to stand down while a woman uses the bushes. Being a woman leader in battle clearly wasn't easy! Not a shy woman, but bawdy and brazen at times and whose story is told with a humor that will make you smile at times.

The only thing better than this book, is the fact that it's based on true heroine Nancy Wake. Nancy, a heroine who went to war, became a fearless and respected leader and saved thousands of lives. Fans of historical fiction will love this book!

Exciting page turner. Nance, code name Helene and Madam Andree, an Australian citizen works the French section of the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) in Nazi occupied France. The work involves arming the French Resistance. Not only do we learn about a spirited female leader in WWII, but also a story of commitment between a husband and wife who are separated during the war. Loved this book and highly recommend it. Caution: only read the summary and further background of the story in the back of the book once finished!

I've read all of Ariel's books to date and this is hands down my favorite so far!

To say Nancy Wake was brave or courageous is an understatement and I am happy her story is now out in the world so we can all give credit where credit is due. Helene was just one of the many code names she had during WWII as a secret agent against the Nazis.

When I was about 75% done with the book, all I could say is Wow. And I'm still saying it now that I've finished. Such an amazing story about an amazing woman I hadn't heard of before this. As a student of WWII history back in college, I am continually amazed at how much more I have learned in the (many) years since then by reading historical fiction!

Ariel Lawson has written an amazing historical fiction novel about the real WWII heroine, Nancy Wake. Nancy was an Australian woman that was also a British citizen. Nancy goes to England to visit and while there she gets herself a position as a journalist for the Hearst newspapers and magazines where she interviewed Adolf Hitler just before his rise to power.

Nancy goes to France to visiting friends and working where she meets and eventually marries her husband Henry Fiocca who is the second love of her life. The first is her dog Picon.. A few weeks after her marriage WWII is declared where Nancy eventually becomes involved with the French Resistance.

Read this amazingly written story that bounces between her time with the French Resistance and her time serving as part of the British SOE. She was an snarky women with amazing courage and daring feats.

Thanks so much Netgalley for this ARC.
#CodeNameHeléne #Netgalley

I always enjoy reading the stories of women in history, and Nancy Wake’s story as depicted in Code Name Hélène was no exception. While Lawhon took some creative liberties in writing this book, Nancy’s story was both plausible and extraordinary. What really made this story for me, though, was Nancy’s character development (which Lawhon somehow pulls off pretty well despite the non-linear timeline) and the romance between her and Henri Fiocca. Historical fiction fans will be excited to see this novel. Read my full review here: https://therestishistorybooks.wordpress.com/2020/02/24/review-code-name-helene-by-ariel-lawton/

Ariel Lawhon's WW2 novel introduces one of the most intrepid heroines I have encountered in literature. This dazzling story of the resistance movement was inspiring, enlightening and really moving. I loved every minute of this page-turner.

The title character is brave beyond any place my imagination takes me---but also more lively and inventive than most men or women we encounter in WW2 stories. I was amused, inspired and totally entertained by the story of how a young bride, profoundly happy in her relationship and life---morphs into one of the leaders of the French resistance.

The story was wonderful and my only quibble is that the author chose to meander back and forth between early stages of the German occupation to the liberation of France. Occasionally I was confused, and would prefer a sequential story, but that was a creative choice Lawhon made to keep her reader engaged.

I loved this book and, just when I think I have had my fill of WW2 novels--a fresh approach comes along like CODE NAME HELENE. NetGalley provided me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a candid review.

Code Name Hélène brings us back to the time of WWII, to a time when a determined woman named Nancy Wake did what she believed in for the sake of her country and all those living under Hitler's rule. Told in alternating timelines, we get to experience not only Nancy's success as a secret agent but her love story with her husband Henri.

Hélène is just one of the code names given to Nancy, and I had vaguely heard of her before reading this book, but it was long enough ago that I wanted to not refresh my memory before starting this. I'm glad I went that route because even though Hélène was a very strong woman, she was made stronger by Lawhon's voice.

Nancy is witty, she's a great leader as the vast amount of followers show, she takes no guff from anyone, she's incredibly smart and resourceful. People looked up to her and depended on her. I could go on with varying adjectives, all of which would be true. The combination of having such a strong leading heroine and the fact the book is historical fiction made this book a home run for me. I think for fans of this time period, this book would be fantastic to add to your repertoire.

Thank you Doubleday Books for sending this one along!

You need to know this story.
You will never read a true story like this.

Nancy Wake is someone we all need to know, to study, to remember.

In 1936, women who wrote articles for magazine and actually got it published -
would have it published with no byline - no name on article unless they used a male alias.
Erasing them from history even as they wrote it.

Nancy Wake is a war Heroine, gaining new different IDs
we need to hear her story/history.

Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres and this book did not disappoint! To know that Nancy Wake was a real person and read what she did during WWII was incredible and taught me that women who were involved during that war were true heroes and complete bad asses. Definitely recommend!