The Secret War of Julia Child is a historical novel set during the late years of World War II. Before she was chef Julia Child, Julia McWilliams worked with the OSS in the Pacific Theater. This richly nuanced novel tells about her work overseas and her romance with Paul Child.

I wanted to read this novel because I am interested in Julia Child's life. The World War II setting was also intriguing, as I love reading about this time period.

This was such a beautifully told book with a wealth of period details and strongly realized characters. I cannot recommend The Secret War of Julia Child highly enough for other fans of historical fiction. Five stars!

This book is the perfect example of what makes historical fiction fun.

Julia McWilliams is an ambitious admin during WWII. She delves into spying for America and is sent to India and the surrounding areas to run a branch office and spy. She meets Paul Child, a mapmaker, and they and their co-workers have many adventures as they help with the war effort in the Pacific theater.

I loved the premise of this book. The writing was not as great as I'd hoped (I'm spoiled by Beatriz Williams, Gill Paul, Shana Abe, and many other great historical fiction authors), but I enjoyed this book and Julia's adventures. It was a bit slow and unnecessarily tedious, and I wished that the author's note would have been clearer as to what was fact and what was fictionalized, but overall, I liked this different and interesting look at Julia Child's youth and involvement in WWII.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

I grew up watching Julia Child on television and was fascinated by her cooking skills but unaware of her earlier life. Although this is a work of fiction it covers her journey from Washington D.C. to Ceylon and China during WWII. Working for General William Donovan in the OSS, Julia McWilliams was in charge of his top secret Files Registry. When a position opens in India she asks Donovan for the transfer. She is sent to handle classified documents and keep an eye on Lord Mountbatten’s operation. While the Americans and British were Allie’s, there was a rivalry on the acquisition and handling of information. Posted in Ceylon with SEAC (South East Asia Command) she first encounters Paul Child. He is a talented artist and precision map-maker who she considers insufferable. It is over time that their relationship develops and he becomes the love of her life. From Ceylon to China Diana Chambers imagines the trials and dangers that Child may have faced and gives her readers a look at WWII in Asia. She captures Child’s determination, strength and sense of adventure. While she and Paul have an opportunity to sample some of the Asian dishes, the story is centered on her war service and ends before her culinary career begins. It gives you a sense of who Julia Child was and is a true homage to an American who was loved by so many. I would like to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing this book.

This is a great read for fans of Julia Child and historical fiction. An exciting tale describing adventures in India and Sri Lanka.

I loved this really enjoyable, super interesting story of Julia Child and her time as a spy during the second World War. It’s a snapshot of that time in her life, not a biography, but its very readable (and very hard to put down!). We learn about her strengths and her fears, how she met her husband, and her relationship with the head of the OSS. I won’t give anything away (there are lots of surprises and secrets in this book) but it’s well written, well researched and very engaging. A very good read!

I didn't vibe so well with this. I really wanted to love it but the book didn't hit me where I needed it to.

The characters were a tad bland and the story moved too slowly to really engage me but I also learned from recent experience that audiobooks are better for books like these so I have the audio now and I will give it another go.

Right now it was a 3. I really did like the ending though

During WWII, Julie McWilliams served as a clerk for the OSS, first in Washington, DC, then in Asia (India, then China). The Secret War of Julia Child is a fictional account of that time, presenting Julia as not only a clerk but also an OSS agent. Julia meets her future husband, Paul Child, while in India, and the story is not only about Julia's service and adventures but also her friendships and romances. I enjoyed the descriptions of the regions Julia lived in and her big personality. Once the story got going, I found the action compelling and it was hard to put the book down.

Although a work of fiction, this story is based on Julia Child’s time during and involvement with World War ll. It showcases her strength and determination…and the backbone and backstory to her successful cooking career. It hints at her bourgeoning romance with Paul Childs and her resilience in finding her purpose in life. It was an enjoyable historical fiction that sheds light on a strong, female icon. I was able to tandem read and listen. As the story is told from Julia’s PoV in third person, the narrator did a great job with emotions, replicating Julia’s unique accent, and helped with some pronunciations.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark publishers for a digital advance reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

I’ve read a lot about Julia Child the famous chef, the writer, and the television personality recognized for bringing French cuisine to America. I was even fortunate enough to meet her in her later years. We all knew the rumors about her work during World War II, and how she always denied that she was a spy.

So I was eager to read about Julia’s experience during those “secret” war years, and even though it’s fiction, the story seemed so realistic I was on the edge of my seat, reading just one more page, just one more chapter.

While she was in Asia during the 1940s, the book intensely describes Julia’s experiences: the danger, the uncertainty of who to trust, the treachery. We also hear the sounds, feel the climate, taste the food. I was surprised at Julia’s insecurity. She was sensitive about being taller than most women, with large feet and a sometimes-uncontrollable voice. She was often full of self-doubt, yet also fearless, clever, and strong-willed.

In addition to learning about this period when Julia is struggling to find her own path, and which ends up providing a foundation of strength and perseverance that serves her for the rest of her life, this is where she meets and falls in love with Paul Child. The book spends a fair amount of time on their developing relationship, which isn’t straightforward. It also shows Julia’s insecurity about the relationship, which is juxtaposed with her bravery, dedication and commitment to the United States’ newly formed Office of Strategic Services.

One helpful item readers are sure to appreciate is a reference page of WWII acronyms and abbreviations that were mentioned throughout the novel.

Author Diana R. Chambers explains that the book is “an homage to Julia McWilliams Child, her great spirit and achievements. I must emphasize that it is a work of fiction, a product of creative imagination, based on ten years of deep and wide-ranging research, as well as a lifetime of Asia study and travel. From this treasure trove I extracted many thought-provoking hints, allusions, and suggestions – like thousands of puzzle pieces – that came to shape my depiction of this formative, yet little know period of Julia’s life during which she performed her WWII duty in the clandestine services.”

While there is an enjoyment of food in the novel, this is predominantly an imagining of Julia’s war experiences in Asia. I had to remind myself as I was reading that not everything actually happened to her. For instance the survival section after Julia's boat explodes was both traumatic and unbelievable. It reminded me of Disney’s movie “The Jungle Cruise,” without the humor. The novel is a story of danger, death, and adventure as the author seeks “to find [Julia’s] truth, to portray her struggles, achievements and strength of character in navigating an unknown, often dangerous landscape.”

I was really looking forward to this account of Julia Child’s early years as an OSS spy. There were too many characters, and they all lacked depth. I felt like the story was being told but without really showing me what motivated Julia. I do think the book could have been edited more. Not recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers was another beautifully written book from start to finish and I loved diving into this book especially as Diana is a new author to me.

Julia Child found herself working in the secrets trade in Asia during World War II, It is set in so many places from Washington, D.C. in United States, 1943, Bombay in India, 1944, Kandy, Ceylon in Sri Lanka, 1944, Burma in Myanmar, 1944, to Kunming, Yunnan Provence in China, 1945.

So who is Julia McWilliams / Julia Child?

She was Single, 6 foot 2, and thirty years old was very ambitious, Julia McWilliams took a job working for America's first espionage agency, This wartime journey takes Julia to the Far East, and then she fell in love with mapmaker Paul Child. But we all know Julia as the the famous and beloved chef, she mastered the art of French cooking in midlife, and famous for her cookbooks and love of French cooking,

What an amazing woman she was.........

I loved these books, plus own them. I have been fascinated in her life but knew nothing of her work in World War II so this was a very interesting read and so glad I had a chance to read it.

I was completely engrossed in this historical fiction story about Julia Child. I knew nothing about her time in the OSS stationed in Asia during WWII. I love spy stories and she is such a strong, fascinating woman.

Never knew this fact of Julia Child. Enjoyed this fictionalization of her life during WWII. Makes me want to do more factual reading about her.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and the author for the arc!

When I saw the synopsis of this one, I knew I just had to read it! Julia Child? Working for the OSS during WW2? Ok, yes please … gotta know more about THAT! Although the part about her position in the OSS and work overseas during the war is true, the author does make it clear in her notes that the accounts in this book are things that “could have” happened … but that doesn’t make it any less exciting and fun!

If you love Julia Child and want to see her in a brand new light … this book will take you there!

I enjoyed much of this book. It was fascinating to read about espionage during World War II, and about the war from the point of view of someone working in India and China during the war. Some of her experiences were quite hair-raising! However, I did not appreciate the extra-marital affairs and the bedroom scenes described between Julia and Paul a couple of times. Had I known those would be part of the story, I would not have chosen to read this book, even though it is otherwise a wonderful story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

I grew up watching Julia Child on TV with my granny, so this fictional tale about her life was delightful! I love stories of WW2, but this one was different from any I’ve read before. I loved Julia’s intrepid spirit and her can-do attitude. Her character was so relatable—sometimes confident, sometimes self-conscious, but always charging forward. I’ve heard that Paul Child once said that he and Julia started out as friends and slowly fell in love. It was so sweet to see that play out in a “maybe it happened like this…” story. I admired Julia’s bravery, and the courage of all the women who sacrificed on the front lines of the war. I loved this book and think it’s perfect for history lovers, as well as those who like strong women!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Having been very intrigued by Julia Child, I was anxious to read this book to learn more about her early career prior to marriage to Paul Child, her fame in French cooking and her television appearances. I loved the movie Julia and Julie and laughed at the portrayals of her on early SNL episodes. But I always respected her and wanted to know more about her espionage role during WWII. I was glad that the author forewarned that this book is FICTIONAL based on this time in Julia’s life and that she reiterated this in her author’s note at the end of the book. The story was certainly exciting with the action scenes captivating. I did think that the book was too long and somewhat redundant around the social and relationship aspects and I got bogged down and confused by the numerous characters. There were too many “double agents”! But even with the author’s explanations about the story being fictional, it was just over the top for me. The dangerous situations that Julia found herself in were certainly exciting at times and I guess the author was going for entertainment but most of it was just too unrealistic, especially since this book was based on a real and very well known person. This embellishment kind of ruined the book for me and I was disappointed.

he book is set during World War II, many years before Child's stunning success as a celebrated chef and TV host. Starting as a very efficient file clerk, Julia finally convinces her boss to allow her to take on increasingly more important responsibilities, leading her to highly challenging--and often hair-raising--assignments in India, Ceylon, Burma, and eventually China.

Reading this book is an immersive experience. I felt many times that I was there with Julia, experiencing the sights, smells, language, and culture of the places she travels for her job during WWII. It becomes more of a mission than a job for Julia, as she observes deep suffering and unlikely joy, friendship and betrayal, and spends time with many memorable characters. Some will prove loyal, while others have their own agendas.

The prose is dense, the dialogue believable, and the stories unforgettable. I truly enjoyed learning about this lesser-known part of Julia's life. It was also entertaining to read about her early days with the man who would eventually be her husband, Paul Child (she didn't care for him at all when she met him!). The author is quick to emphasize that the book is, indeed, fiction, although based on solid, detailed research, but she has succeeded in writing a suspenseful, entertaining book that will appeal to both Julia Child fans and fans of historical novels.

I am so glad a writer decide to publish a book about Julia Child! I have always been fascinated with her mannerisms and her unique approach to make everybody engaged on her TV show! 🎙️

I only heard rumors growing up from relatives that she was a spy in World War 2! I couldn't believe my little ears back then LOL and now I have had the privilege to read this grand treat early! The author definitely made me feel engaged that's for sure! Seeing all the missions Julia and her future husband Paul were sent on made me feel as if I was watching a Mission Impossible film! 📖

I really like the pace of the dialogue! For me I truly have to read a book and absorb it like a movie. I can image the actors I placed in my head as each character saying their lines easily flowing like a chocolate fountain! I don't get to travel much but how Diana, the author, described where they were going and what they were doing made me feel as if I was on a ink to page vacation!🌌

I couldn't believe how far Julia traveled! I've always wanted to go to India and China and to think one of my favorite chefs in the world, in her previous life, got to take that stepping stone and to not only writing history but making her into the icon she would be later. 🍨

I've always admired Julia for this main thing! She truly wanted to live everyday fully and with no exceptions! I get up every day no matter what wanting to pen my own destiny no matter how small I start out. It's nice to see that Julia child took each moment create a tapestry of adventure! I definitely feel inspired! 🍪 The Romance was good too! Got a back story into Julia and Paul's previous lives and more!

Bravo!! 💞

I enjoy WW2 history, though generally I'm more interested in the European events but as you don't often hear about India and China's roles it was educational and a nice change. I really got a good sense of the setting, especially India. The author clearly did lots of research into events and locations. It did get a bit wordy and slow-moving at times, and then a hurried ending.
I've been seeing more and more "fictional biographies" and historical fiction about well-known figures. There were some allusions to Julia's real-life work like shark repellent but it was harder to connect this character to the actual person, opposed to some other similar books. Julia and Paul could be any general characters. I did like the author trying to show the beginnings of their relationship, albeit fictionally. And I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen with everyone, and what secrets they would uncover in their mission.