
Member Reviews

Such a good and insightful book about Julia Child’s life. I didn’t know this information about her life before becoming Julia Child the master chef on TV. Thankful for the opportunity to learn more about her life during the war and about her life with Paul.
Thanks for the advanced copy.

I am so embarrassed. I had no idea that the lady whose cooking show I used to watch was such tough lady. I sit here in awe of such a brave, strong woman. Thank you Diana R. Chambers for shedding light on Julia Child's wartime efforts. Thank you Diana R. Chambers for giving me a direction to learn more, study more.
The story is filled with drama and the slowest slow build romance I have ever read. I knew Julia Child was married to Paul Child, but as I read the story I had my doubts they would ever get together, but when they did--steam rose of the pages.
The story takes the reader through Julia's life with the OSS. She may have started as a clerk but she was one amazing spy. The things she uncovered were totally mind blowing. The risks she took, the support she had from others was impressive.
The reader is transported to so many different locations. The descriptions made me feel like I was there. I heard those birds. I smelled the rot. I felt the humidity and the rain. It just made me respect her even more. I am so happy that I got to take part of the journey with Julia thanks to the book. I will never look at Julia Child in the same way.

'The men had always had a chance to serve, but now the women did, too.'
Before the Julia Child became the original master chef that we all know, she was employed by the OSS office during the final years of WW2. During that time, she was transferred to the Pacific theatre of the war - first to Ceylon and then on to India. She also met her husband, Paul Child, while posted overseas.
'The Secret War of Julia Child' is an imagining of what Julia's work and life might have been like during these key years, at the closing of WW2. The book is very well-researched and descriptive over the sites, sounds and landscape of the exotic environment in which she finds herself. However, I found some of the pacing slow at times and the continued vacillation of her feelings over Paul Child (who clearly became her husband eventually) frustrating. Although all historical fiction is imagined to some extent, I was personally disappointed to learn some of the biggest events in this book were entirely made up. Despite the author being at pains to highlight this is a work of fiction, some might believe Julia Child’s experiences to be more than what they may have.
All in all though, this is a good read. Julia Child was a unique lady with a zest for life and I enjoyed getting to know her beyond her chef capabilities. I also enjoyed learning more about the war fought over the Pacific. I just wish I hadn’t tried to reconcile it with what may have been Julia’s life.
'I guess that's what war is - countless human stories, of which we can never know'.

Very engaging and full of lefts and rights. The Julia in this book led a very interesting and varied life. She has so many interests, skills and adventures. Discovering herself in a time of war while acting as a spy for the government she takes us on a whirlwind of travels and self exploration..

"The Secret War of Julia Child 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."
I love historical fiction set during WWII. As I read this "merging of fact and imagination" based on Julia Child's wartime experience, I realized that most - if not all - of the WWII stories I've read have been set in Europe. Time for me to expand my horizons!
This is just one of my biographical/historical fiction reads this year - each focused on a strong, independent woman. Each has left me wanting to dig deeper. I'm always eager to read the Author's Notes to learn more about the author's interest in their subject and how they approach their storytelling.
I enjoyed the will they or won't they between Julia and Paul . . . even though we all know they will!
I recommend this book to readers who love historical fiction, a WWII setting, wartime intrigue, and Julia Child.

I thought this book was a fascinating imagining of what Julia Child’s life was like during World War II as she served her country as an OSS operative. Most of us know her as the TV personality famous for bringing French cuisine into the homes of everyday people, so I was pleased to have the chance to read a story that explores this more important and influential part of her life.
The book includes a lot of detail, much of which depicts the complicated settings of the geography and the realities of war. I did find that a number of details bogged the narrative down, some things I even skimmed because while they were descriptive I didn’t find them relevant to the parts of the story I wanted to learn more about. It was a hard and delicate balance, and I do applaud the author’s efforts to capture as much of the time period and the characters’ lives as possible.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars
STRONG recommend
Wow, I had no idea Julia Child was such a varied and deep individual. I mainly thought of her as a Pasadena native whose childhood home I drive by occasionally and who brought French cooking to Americans.
I enjoyed learning about the OSS (US Office of Strategic Services) in Asia during WWII. I knew very little about it, but the contribution of this group of heroes/heroines was very impactful to the end of the war. This was the backdrop to Paul and Julia Child's love story and it was wonderful. These stories of the OSS have most likely been lost to time. Even though it was historical fiction, I thought that the author was true to the story to the best of her ability with all of the intense research that she did!
If you like Julia Child, want to learn about the OSS, or enjoy historical fiction like I do, read this book!!
• Goodreads review published on 09/29/2024
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6491917445
• Books by Dorothea blog review on 09/29/2024
https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2024/09/review-secret-war-of-julia-child-ebook.html

Everyone knows Julia Child as a famous chef, but I was intrigued to learn she was a spy in WW2 as Julia (or Julie) McWilliams. I enjoyed this story of how she joined up to help the war effort and spent a lot of time in Southeast Asia running a few ops to ferret out spies in the midst of war. Initially she signed up to be a file clerk for the OSS, but was smart and ambitious to be recognized as a potentially great undercover agent. Julia overcame many fears as she was on a ship that was sunk, had to run for her life in the jungles when her plane when down traveling from India to China, and dealing with very primitive lodgings. During her posting in Asia, she met and fell in love with Paul Child, a talented mapmaker, her future husband to give her the infamous last name.
I really loved learning more about Julia, but at times, it was a challenge because of the number of people mentioned and involved in the story. I would recommend you making a list of characters to help you keep everyone straight as they reappear in the book. The author has detailed notes to explain choices in the story and more about her very detailed research.
If you are a fan of Julia Child or want a WW2 from a very different setting, I recommend this book.
#TheSecretWarofJuliaChild #NetGalley #historicalfiction
Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.
Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader version of this book in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are my own.
This was an enlightening book on one of America's gems - Julia Child - and her life before becoming a celebrated chef. It was very interesting to read her back-story and how she came to fall in love with her husband while serving overseas. The author explains that a lot of it is surmised (you can't find a lot of written records of spies), but interesting none the less. It lost my attention about 2/3 through but I was brought back in toward the end.
A sold read. Good for book clubs. Clean language and nothing terribly graphic.

Diane Chambers offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of the iconic chef before she became a household name. This insightful biography explores Julia's early years, her wartime experiences as a codebreaker for the OSS, and her budding passion for French cuisine.
Far from a superficial celebrity biography, this book delves into Julia's personal struggles, her hopes and dreams, and her transformative experiences abroad. Readers gain a deeper understanding of the woman behind the culinary legend, discovering her insecurities, her resilience, and her unwavering determination to make her mark on the world.
Whether you're a dedicated Julia Child fan or simply curious about the woman who revolutionized American cooking, this book offers a captivating and enlightening journey.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks-Landmark for Diane Chambers book about Julia Child before she became known for her cooking.

The Secret War of Julia Child is a beautifully imagined historical fiction account of her time in the OSS. Dramatic and intense in the war scenes and romantically frustrating as the love between Julia and Paul Child develops, the book is difficult to put down.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you @netgalley and @SourceBooks for this ARC. Julia McWilliams worked for the war effort in the Records office in DC. After a strange turn of events, she finds out crucial information for the war effort. Realizing her value, her boss moves her to do the same job in India to back the British in their effort to defeat Japan. She continues to use her intelligence and fortitude to help win the war and meet her future husband Paul Child at the same time. What a fascinating life she led! #TheSecretWarofJuliaChild #DianaRChambers #SourceBooks #Oct2024

The Secret War of Julia Child is a fascinating, creative, historical fiction novel by Diana Chambers. Using real historical events and weaving the life of Julia Child, the author takes the reader on a fictionalized journey. I enjoyed how the story was crafted and the intriguing storyline. Definitely would recommend to any historical fiction fans.

This is a wonderful blend of fiction with historical foundation. I was intrigued by the fact that the charming persona I knew as a chef on tv had a more serious role during WWII. The prose took me back in time, and the Julia I thought I knew (and loved as a chef) became so much more! The author does a nice job of creating fiction around fact. To think of this larger than life good natured character as a spy for the U.S and it's allies during wartime would be a challenge for most storytellers, but this author has done so credibly making us admire Julia for her patriotism and the reality of wartime more palatable ; )

I grew up watching Julia Child cook on tv, still have some of her cookbooks, and I was aware that she was a spy during WW2. This historical fiction tells us all about her early life before and during the war. Julia McWilliams was raised in California, moved to New York for advertising and ended up in Washington DC working for the government.
She began working for the OSS- Office of Strategic Services in DC. She worked in the records office with other women, under the supervision of men in the military. We learn of Julia's wishes for her life- to be successful, to travel the world, to be recognized for her abilities, to fall in love.
Julia was sent to India, Burma and China during her tenure. This is where she eventually met her husband, Paul Child.
The descriptions of her accomplishments while stationed in Asia is where the 'fiction' comes in. The author, Diana Chambers, tells us that she spent years researching this book and much of Julia's work and accomplishments are confidential. She used the knowledge she gained researching to put her story together.
I enjoyed this narrative, exploring a part of WW2 that I wasn't familiar with. I pictured the places, food and people along the way. The book took longer to read than expected, parts were slow moving, but overall, it was a great read. Lots to learn about this period of our history!
Thank you to NetGalley. and Sourcebooks Landmark for this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

An intense amount of research went into writing this story.
There are books and movies about Julia Child. Many of us fondly remember her famous cooking show. Some of us have heard that she was once a spy and that’s where she met her husband, Paul Child. But until now, little has been known about what actually happened before she wrote the French cookbook. This book takes the reader back to an unusual employment for a woman, Julia McWilliams, with the Intelligence Agency: OSS – Office of Strategic Services.
In the beginning, there is a map of India, China and several other countries in Asia. There is also a huge list of acronyms and abbreviations. Right away, I felt like I was headed for a difficult road ahead. And yes, there were a lot of characters and at times, it was information overload.
It starts strong; it made me curious. Julia, raised in LA, was ambitious and excited to explore life’s many options. After college, Julia worked in NYC for an upscale furniture store in the advertising department. She loved NYC but not the job; her ultimate goal was to write novels and she figured her best opportunity would be to work internationally for the government. However, Julia was too tall for two different women’s agencies.
Yet, Julia managed to get a job in DC that changed her life. She started as a typist for an intelligence officer and moved up to be a supervisor of the OSS Registry of documents and files. Her boss didn’t want to let her go but she talked her way into setting up a Registry in India and China. That’s where the real adventure started and that’s where she met Paul.
However, when Julia went overseas, it was not as exciting as I anticipated. It took me a long time to read this as it didn’t capture my attention like I thought it would with too many characters and details, slowing down the middle parts. And, there is the question of truth. The OSS reports are classified, so much of the story had to be invented detailing the war efforts involving Julia from 1943 to 1945.
I was imaging Meryl Streep as Julia and Stanley Tucci as Paul Child from the movie “Julie & Julia.” However, Julia didn’t seem as spunky in the book and Paul was distant until they finally ended up together. I’m surprised that Julia didn’t write a book about the foods from Asian countries. There was much to learn with picking up rice and chicken and many other delicacies with chopsticks.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of October 22, 2024.

This book was just a big disappointment to me. The author spent ten years researching Julia Child (nee McWilliams), and I guess I thought since that much work was done, a more interesting narrative would have formed. I give it a solid 3 stars just for the effort put into that work.
I kept waiting for something to happen in the first third of the book, all while trying to keep all the other servicewomen straight. And I must have read ½ dozen times in that span how tall Julia was! I get that there’s entire generations who don’t know who Julia Child is, but really, there was no need to mention that repeatedly, along with her dry, corkscrew hair.
Ultimately, I didn’t get past the 40% mark because I was not enjoying this book, which is a shame, because Julia’s outsized personality was lost in this historical fiction attempt to tell about her time during WWII. I normally give up at around 25 - 30 % on a book if it doesn't hook me, but I kept trudging on until I finally gave up.
I received a digital copy of The Secret War of Julia Child from Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Secret War of Julia Child is a compelling read that will capture your attention from beginning to end.
Julia Child is best known for her television show, her recipes and her captivating personality that endeared her to so many.
Julia Child was eventually known for her contribution as a spy in WWII.
That I knew but I did not the story behind it.
Julia joins the OSS and is quickly recognized for her tenacity, her patriotism, her quick wit and her ability to think beyond the box and get things done efficiently
Julia is sent off to India where her adventures begin and while there she meets her future husband Paul.
Diana R Chambers has written a well researched book that is both suspenseful and informative.
Whether you are a fan of Julia Child or not, I highly recommend you grab a copy of The Secret War of Julia Child and settle in for a captivating read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks/Sourcebooks Landmark for the privilege of reading and reviewing this interesting and informative book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️From Sourcebooks Publishing: Single, 6 foot 2, and thirty years old, Julia McWilliams took a job working for America's first espionage agency, years before cooking or Paris entered the picture. The Secret War of Julia Child traces Julia's transformation from ambitious Pasadena blue blood to Washington, DC file clerk, to head of General "Wild Bill" Donovan's secret File Registry as part of the Office of Strategic Services.
The wartime journey takes her to the Far East, to Asia's remote front lines of then-Ceylon, India, and China, where she finds purpose, adventure, self-knowledge – and love with mapmaker Paul Child. The spotlight has rarely shone on this fascinating period of time in the life of ("I'm not a spy") Julia Child, and this lyrical story allows us to explore the unlikely world of a woman in a World War II spy station who has no idea of the impact she'll eventually impart.
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My review: This book was much less historical fiction and more a historical person (Julia) put into fictional happenings. Yes, Julia Child worked intelligence during the war. But much of this book was fiction, the author discusses that in the end notes. I was aware of this as I read and was able to push through without feeling "cheated" as other readers complained. That being said, much of the intelligence and spy talk was confusing. I skimmed some because it was difficult to follow, so I can't say it completely held my attention.
Julia Child, in real or fictional settings, was fascinating, strong, and brave. I enjoyed the more personal parts of the story...meeting Paul, her friendships with the other women in Asia, and her family.
⭐️⭐️⭐️. 2.5 rounded up to 3 because obviously the author put a lot of work into her research. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for my review.