This books is based on the life of Toto Koopman. And what a life it was. She was a model and part of the crowd of the Bright, Young Things during the 20s. She became something of a spy right before WWII and during the war in Italy. She survived prison and concentration camps.

I don’t know how much artistic license the author took. Much of this book is based on a biography by Jean-Noel Liaut. I would assume the first-person thoughts are made up. There is actually not much known about Toto’s intelligence work. So that part is also speculation. However, it has an authenticity to it that makes it very believable.

Yes, her time in prison camps and a concentration camp are explored in the book. It is not pleasant but the horrors of those places did not overwhelm me. The focus on this book is life. Living it on your terms and finding meaning in it. That is something to be celebrated.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.

This was a fast paced novel about a model whose father was Dutch and mother Indonesian, giving her the exotic dark looks the haute-couture of 1920s Paris craved. But Toto keflt she could do more, she needed a sense of purpose.
traversing the balls, parties and exclusive events of upper class society, Toto becomes confidant of publishing magnate Lord Beaverbrook. Beaverbrook introduces her to powerful and influential people, like Randolph Churchill, even has her schooled in espionage.
When war begin, Toto, wanting to be of assistance and do something meaningful goes to Florence Italy to spy on Mussolini's regime and report back to England.
What an interesting person Toto Koopman was. And what an exciting life she led! She experiences everything from glamour and fame on the greatest runways in Paris to the horrors of Nazi concentration cap Ravensbruck, talk about extremes! And through it all she didn't give up, she may have thought about it, but she always managed to find a way to push ahead.
Toto's character is brought vividly to life in Maryka Biagia's The Model Spy. The ups and downs keep you reading, "just one more page" until before you know it you have read the whole book in one sitting. Great novel, I recommend to all historical fiction lovers. On sale now, grab a copy.
Thank you to Sunbury Press and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

Well written and engrossing, The Model Spy is a historical fiction telling of Toto Koopman's life as a model turned spy during WWII. I knew nothing about this courageous woman prior to reading this novel, and it was an eye opening read.

It definitely should be required reading for high school students, in my humble opinion, as it's such an important part of history. It was interesting to learn what resistance workers went through during the war.

Five out of five stars.

The story of Toto Koopman is an incredible one - born to Dutch and Indonesian parents, Toto becomes an intrepid and intelligent world traveler, having connections in influential circles all around Europe. She’s a model in Vogue, and keeps company with the son of Winston Churchill.

When World War II breaks out, Toto is compelled to go to Italy and join the cause of the Allies as a spy. The important work she does - all across Italy during the reign of Mussolini - definitely saves lives.

This was a great story - I found the writing to be compelling so while this is not a total work of fiction, it made for an easy read! Not knowing much about what went on in Italy during the war, this book gave great insight into the work the Italians resistance did, as well as the experience of prisoners in Italian and German camps as the war progressed.

Based on the true story of Toto Koopman, Maryka Biaggio introduces us to her life of glamour, espionage, horrific imprisonment, and a life like no other. Toto's unique beauty jumpstarts her life as a well-known model living an affluently glamorous lifestyle. However, as WWII begins to affect all of Europe, her attentions are turned elsewhere. Assisted by her upper-crest contacts and her fluency in 6 languages, she soon finds herself being trained in espionage for the Italian Resistance. Unfortunately, this leads to a life of fear and punishment as the war rages on.

I appreciate that Maryka Biaggio focused on a woman of such inspiration, strength, and power. It is crucial these historical women that have been over-shadowed and oppressed are honored in the way they should be; and what better way than the written word.

The author takes on a very ambitious task in writing about this multi-leveled, complex 'character'. She successfully gives her a voice that expresses determination and strength as we explore what her thoughts and emotions may have been at the time. I appreciate how the author allows us to imagine what it may have been like in her mind as she experienced the unbelievable. However, I also found myself wanting to know more details about the whys and hows, especially in regards to her resistance efforts. I found that a very complex and eventful life was written in too few pages and felt some of her life's transitions were confusing and lacking flow.