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Code Name Hélène
Code Name Hélène: A Novel | Ariel Lawhon
BASED ON THE THRILLING REAL LIFE STORY OF SOCIALITE SPY NANCY WAKE comes the newest feat of historical fiction from the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia, about the astonishing woman who killed a Nazi with her bare hands and went on to become one of the most decorated women in WWII. Told in interweaving timelines based on the four code names Nancy used during the war, Code Name: Hélène is a spellbinding and moving story of enduring love, remarkable sacrifice and unfaltering resolve that chronicles the true exploits of a woman who deserves to be a household name. It is 1936 and Nancy Wake is an intrepid Australian expat living in Paris who has bluffed her way into a reporting job for Hearst newspaper. She is fighting to cover the disturbing reports of violence coming out of Vienna and Berlin when she meets the wealthy French industrialist, Henri Fiocca. No sooner does Henri sweep Nancy off her feet and convince her to become Mrs. Fiocca, than the Germans invade France and she takes yet another name: a code name. As Lucienne Carlier she smuggles people and documents across borders under the guise of an oblivious mistress. Soon enough the Gestapo hears of a female operative with a remarkable ability to evade capture and Nancy earns a new nickname: "The White Mouse." But this one carries with it a five million franc bounty on her head. Forced to escape France and leave Henri behind for both of their safety, Nancy enters training with the Special Operations Executives, who transform her into Hélène. Finally, with mission in hand, Nancy is airdropped back into France as the deadly Madam Andrée. She soon becomes one of the most powerful leaders in the French resistance, known for her ferocious wit, her signature red lipstick and her ability to summon weapons straight from the Allied Forces. But no one can protect Nancy if the enemy finds out these four women are one and the same, and the closer to liberation France gets, the more exposed she--and the people she loves--will become.
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mjtwo
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Mehso-so

20-22 Oct 24 (audiobook)
A fictionalised account of Nancy Wake, an Australian woman who worked with the resistance in occupied France before becoming a British special ops agent.
Clearly it is a fascinating story but I found the device of moving between two timelines artificial. I also was frustrated by the fictionalisations (Marcelline was a fabrication!) and how much was deleted. I should not have listened through to the acknowledgements.

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Bookbuyingaddict
Mehso-so

Well I wish I could have liked this one better , I had high hopes after seeing a YouTuber recommend this as one of the best ww2 novels they‘d read & Nancy wake what a woman ! Amazing 🤩 she was also based and flew from a ww2 airfield a few miles from where I live so equally fascinating. There‘s a memorial there now as well as a museum as hundreds of secret missions flew out from there dropping agents and arms to aid the resistance & then the

Bookbuyingaddict then the Americans arrived & it also turned into an American air base. Thoroughly researched & I admire that but for some reason I just couldn‘t get to grips with it , I felt no real depth or intrigue. I half read it and half listened on audio but must say the audio book isn‘t great. Iv given it 3 stars mainly for the research but the actual story I‘d sadly give it 1 or 2 stars as found it lacking 2w
20 likes1 comment
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JuliaTheBookNerd
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#F&NFWithSameTopic 💪ðŸ»ðŸšºðŸ•µðŸ¼â€â™€ï¸

#ItTakesAllKinds ☘ï¸ðŸŒˆðŸŒ·ðŸŒž

#BookNerd 🤓📚💙

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect ðŸ‘🻠8mo
Eggs Excellent 👌🼠8mo
52 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Bookfan1414
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Am I on a WWII kick, yes. Am I on a women are rockstars and need more credit kick as well? Possibly…. Probably…. Definitely. I love me a powerful woman.

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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

This was such an amazing story based on a real person! Nancy (also Helene and Lucienne) was an Australian, living in France during WWII, married to an Italian. She saved 1000s of people getting them to safety and worked as a spy to thwart military operations. Absolutely fascinating! Great on #audio because of all of the accents but the out of order timeline was hard to follow at times. #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
LeeRHarry I had no idea this was about Nancy Wake - I read a biography of her a long time ago for a book club - such an amazing story! 3y
74 likes7 stack adds2 comments
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MelKelsey
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Mehso-so

Book 146

I listened to Code Name Helene, a work of historical fiction about Nancy Wake, a notable spy during WWII. It was good but there's a lot of similar books written. â­â­â­

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Rissreads
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Pickpick

My school book club book. I really enjoyed reading this book based on the real life about a servicewoman of the war. Nancy Wake was given the nickname ‘The white mouse‘ by the gestapo because she avoided all their traps to catch her. What an amazing woman she was!

Crazeedi Sounds really good, adding!! And how are you my friend?🥰 3y
Rissreads @Crazeedi I‘m a bit flustered, it‘s been a big year. Finally moving into my own house tomorrow, which is exciting and scary! How are you? X 3y
CarolynM That's big news! Hope the move goes well. Let me know your new address sometime 😘 3y
See All 10 Comments
Rissreads @CarolynM From the 10th of December I am on holidays over the summer until school goes back. I plan to write to you and catch up then once I‘ve caught my breath. I‘m hoping to stay more connected with you all next year as hopefully my life will have settled down. X (edited) 3y
CarolynM Thank you. I've noted that down if you want to delete it for privacy. Hope next year is better💕 3y
Crazeedi @Rissreads so glad to hear you have a new home! Share some pics? It's been a stressful year for me too, but I'm doing much better. Sending my love and prayers that your home is filled with blessings ⣠3y
Crazeedi @Rissreads and please share your address to me if you want, I'd live to send a note crazeedi73@gmail.com 3y
CarolynM Hope the move is going smoothly. I've arranged a little house-warming gift to be delivered this afternoon. It didn't give me an option to include a card but what I would have said is I wish you much happiness in your new home😘 3y
Rissreads @CarolynM Hello. I received your gorgeous plant when I got my keys to my house. I rang the company today and they let me know it was from you. You are so thoughtful! It really made my day xxx 3y
CarolynM 😘 3y
30 likes1 stack add10 comments
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AmyK1
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Pickpick

This is about Nancy Wake, an Australian living in Paris when WWII starts. When her husband is sent to defend the Maginot Line, she is determined to do some good instead of sitting at home. She joins the resistance and becomes one of the most respected leaders in all of France. I love that almost everyone in this is a real person and most of it really happened.

35 likes1 stack add
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AmyK1
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“I have gone by many names.â€

#firstlinefridays @ShyBookOwl

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Veenie
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Pickpick

I gave this book as a gift to a family member who kindly shared it with me and I am so glad that she did. This is based on the life of Nancy Wake, a British spy in France preparing for the D day landings. It is written as a historical novel and the author makes note of the liberties that she took with the retelling of this part of her life.

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ICantImReading
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Pickpick

â­ï¸â­ï¸â­ï¸â­ï¸

A sweet friend sent me this book. It was an incredible story! I had never heard of Nancy Wake before reading this, but she was such a badass!! I‘m still in awe that this is based on true events. I do feel like it could have been edited down a tad more, but overall, it was inspiring and will stay with me.

(As a side note, I thought this bookmark was very fitting for a story about such a strong, brave, rule-breaking woman!)

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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

I avoided this one because of WWII book fatigue. I shouldn't have, it was incredible! It's based on the true story of Nancy Wake, the most decorated woman in WWII. She was a journalist & a spy whose bravery & fearlessness saved so many lives. The author captures her brash & feminine spirit. There are scenes that will always stay with me: her exhaustion from the bike ride, the MANY shots of brandy & the tension as she tries to bribe a prison guard.

30 likes1 stack add
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ErinMiller

I am a devoted fan of the male species. They are brave, brilliant, offer endless entertainment, are good for moving heavy objects, and make the act of procreation a great deal more enjoyable. I‘d hate to see a world in which they did not exist. But sometimes they can be spectacular idiots.

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ErinMiller

The thing about lipstick, the reason it‘s so powerful, is that it is distracting. Men don‘t see the flashes of anger in your eyes or your clenched fists when you wear it. They see a woman, not a warrior, and that gives me the advantage.

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ErinMiller

Love is a choice. It is the active choosing of good for another person. But like? It is a gift and it cannot be forced.

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Kgaudiuso
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Pickpick

Loved this book from the first chapter until the last chapter! This book was recommended by someone after I read The Alice Network, and I have to say, I loved this book WAY more!

3 likes1 stack add
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Daniella.Richardson
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Pickpick

Amazing fictional account of a true story. I couldn‘t put this one down! #book14of2021

2 likes1 stack add
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Valhalla
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7 likes1 stack add
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SassyBookworm
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Pickpick

Absolutely loved this true story about real life spy/resistance leader Nancy Wake Ficotta. I honestly loved how the story was mainly told from Nancy‘s perspective but it felt in a way backwards but yet it worked perfectly!

#SassyBookworm? #HistoricalFiction #CodeNameHélène #Libby

79 likes2 stack adds
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

Based on the true story of Nancy Wake aka WWII‘s Socialite Spy. I really enjoyed this book, and was inspired by Nancy. I‘ll have to add more by Ariel Lawhon to my TBR.
#WinterGames2020 #ReadNosedReindeer #WinterSolstice #CrushTheRush #24B4Monday #DashingDecember #ReadYourWay #BookspinBingo

TheSpineView ðŸ‘📖📚 4y
megnews I Was Anastasia was good. 4y
Andrew65 Well done ðŸ‘ðŸ‘👠4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
Bookgoil Sounds amazing! â¤ï¸ 4y
53 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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Ah, a true day off. I‘m looking forward to reading as much of this book as I can.

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Ncostell
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Pickpick

This was the true story of Nancy Wake who served with the British SOE during WWII. She risked her life countless times to smuggle people to safety and aided the French Resistance in obtaining weapons and supplies. Of course I then went down the Google rabbit hole to learn more about her. I had been procrastinating on some work that I put off but after reading about Nancy parachuting into occupied France, I figured I could get my work done!

46 likes2 stack adds
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ZoeJane620
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Pickpick

This book was excellent! One of my favorite WWII novels so far. I enjoyed the author‘s writing style and I loved that the book is based on true events, specifically the life of an extraordinary woman named Nancy Wake. Highly recommend. â­ï¸â­ï¸â­ï¸â­ï¸â­ï¸

Caroline2 Oh if you want to know more about Nancy Wake I highly recommend this book: 4y
16 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Julsmarshall
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#currentlisten while #audiocleaning . Compelling story and fantastic narrators!

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Danay
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2020 #64. Another great strong female from WWII. I didn‘t realize it was based on a true story until I finished the book.

3 likes2 stack adds
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Deblovestoread
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#Bookreport #WeeklyForecast #Mashup. Code Name: Helene was great. Well researched historical fiction that made me want to learn more about Nancy Wake. #Bookspin 4🌟 I liked The Lions of Fifth Avenue although a couple of things didn‘t sit well with me. 3 1/2 🌟 Should finish Paragon Hotel today. Sorry for the dreary background. Oregon is on Fire and I am trying to conjure rain anyway I can. 😢

Cinfhen So sorry about those wildfires 💔Stay safe 4y
SilversReviews LOVED The Lions of Fifth Avenue. 4y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 4y
See All 6 Comments
Julsmarshall Sending love your way. I grew up visiting my grandparents in Oregon every summer and my heart is breaking for the my adopted home and everyone who lives there. Stay safe! 4y
Deblovestoread Thank you @Cinfhen @Julsmarshall Cooler temps and no wind are helping and the outpouring of help from my fellow Oregonians and firefighters from other states and Mexico is amazing. 4y
Freespirit Ooh it's so sad..hope the fires are out soon...they are so devastating! We went through this here in Australia last summer. All you can do is stay indoors and read. Great book choices 😠4y
28 likes6 comments
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SheReadsAndWrites
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It's 100 degrees outside. This sums up the feels... 😠Happy for AC and books to read. And dogs to snuggle. Or lay near...it's too hot to snuggle. ðŸ¶ðŸ¤“

britt_brooke What a face! 💚🾠4y
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm Lol, love the “done†look! 😂🤣😂 4y
SheReadsAndWrites She has a lot of great facial expressions 😂 @britt_brooke @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm 4y
See All 11 Comments
MicheleinPhilly ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ 4y
kamoorephoto Beautiful pup!!! 💓💓💓 4y
Hooked_on_books I can never get enough of that face! And I sure hope you have a king bed. 😂 4y
Freespirit Keep cool😊 4y
SamAnne Love this pic! 4y
SheReadsAndWrites I know, right? I could post like 10 pics a day of her with all her different faces. 😂 @Hooked_on_books And yes, our king bed is her favorite of all the beds in the house. And trust me, she sleeps on them all. 🙄 Great Danes are notorious couch potatoes and Sabrina lives up to her breed in every way. 😊â¤ï¸ 4y
SheReadsAndWrites Thank you 😊 @Freespirit @SamAnne It IS supposed to cool down today, thankfully! ðŸ™ðŸ¼ 4y
46 likes11 comments
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emz711
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Pickpick

Finished in a day! Really fun and interesting read that kept me guessing. Another Ariel Lawhon masterpiece!

51 likes1 stack add
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Deblovestoread
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September #Bookspin is on. Thanks, Sarah, for making the 2nd day of the month one of my favorite days!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 4y
24 likes1 comment
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quirkyreader
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Pickpick

Nancy Wake was an amazing person. Here is the link to my gr review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3047360972

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GinaKButler
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Up next 🎧 #bookspinbingo

8 likes1 stack add
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booksaremyfavorite
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Pickpick

I am always in awe of women that joined the resistance during the war. This book did not disappoint. Nancy Wake sounds like an amazing lady. I will definitely be researching her some more after reading this book.

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Sharpeipup
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I have gone by many names.

#firstlinefridays @ShyBookOwl

15 likes1 stack add
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Sharpeipup
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Thanks for the tag @RamsFan1963
Thankfully today is overcast so it‘s bearable after yesterday‘s blazing heat.
I bought myself new slippers.
Just started the tagged book.
#thoughtfulthursday @MoonWitch94
Tagging @Nute @Chelleo @veritysalter

Nute Thanks for the tag!🙂I never wear shoes in the house. Yay! Slippers! 4y
Sharpeipup @Nute same here - no shoes in the house! Less dirt & germs to worry about 4y
MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing 🌸💗🌸 4y
18 likes3 comments
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Julsmarshall
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Library hold came in, gotta move this one up the list! On my own tonight for dinner so sourdough with goat cheese and tomatoes, chardonnay, and my book! #dinnerandabook #ReadEurope2020 #France

Aims42 Looks like a great Saturday night!! 4y
batsy Mmm that sandwich and wine pairing! 4y
63 likes2 comments
review
kstadt929
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed the writing style and storyline of Nancy and following the many different characters she had to portray during her time as a spy. It was, however, kind of hard for me to follow at times as the dates and characters skipped around between chapters. I wish it had been in a more chronological order. Still a pick and â­ï¸â­ï¸â­ï¸1/2 stars

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Jerdencon
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I finished this book yesterday on the Libby app - it was so good! Based on a true person it was really interesting!

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CocoReads
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Although I‘ve gotten some lovely #bookmail over the last week, my focus on this #24b4Monday is to finish The Secrets We Kept for book group-which is on Monday. We‘re trying to meet in person but instead of a restaurant, we‘re brown bagging at a park where we can sit in a socially distant circle. #strangetimes

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Nancy is living in France, working as a journalist when the Nazis invade. She helps organize the resistance in Marseille and goes on to lead resistance fighting in the French countryside. Nancy is such a kick-ass woman I couldn‘t help but be inspired by her. This is my third read by Lawhon and my favorite of hers so far. It‘s terrific!

44 likes2 stack adds
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kstadt929
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Thanks to curbside pickup at my library I get to be the first person to read this one 🚙â¤ï¸ðŸ“–

Cinfhen Love your flowers ♥ï¸â™¥ï¸â™¥ï¸ 4y
kstadt929 @Cinfhen Thank you! They are my Mother‘s Day flowers, still going pretty strong!! 🌹 4y
Cinfhen Amazing 😠4y
26 likes3 comments
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suvata
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Pickpick

ModernMrsDarcy.com 2020 Summer Reading Guide

Yep, yet another WWII book based on a real life female. This one is an undercover spy for the British army. You know this book will be good because it is written by ones of the “queens of historical fiction“, Ariel Lawhon.

CocoReads I‘m going to try to get to this one too! 4y
MallenNC I started this on audio but it had to go back to the library before I finished. I think I‘ll try it in print instead because it was a little hard to follow since I couldn‘t easily flip back to a previous chapter. 4y
suvata @CocoReads @mallennc I did this one on audio and thought it was fantastic 4y
MallenNC @suvata I really liked the narrators, so the audio is great. Just difficult for me to concentrate on listening well right now. 4y
LeeRHarry Read her book The White Mouse a few years ago for bookgroup - fascinating story. 4y
47 likes1 stack add5 comments
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thewallflower0707
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I think Historical Fiction is rapidly becoming my favourite genre. I just finished Code Name: Hélène and it is excellent & well-researches. It tells the story of an Australian spy, who was trained by the British and fought the Nazis (and even killed one with her bare hands!) in France. She was called The White Mouse and her signature was her red lipstick ?.

Third book about WWII in France in 12 months.

#historicalfiction #kindle #bookcovers

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quirkyreader
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#bookmail. I won this through a First Look giveaway. Thank you @DoubledayBooks @penguinusa @PenguinRandomCa

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GinaKButler
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Up next on audio...🎧

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Reecaspieces
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Pickpick

Review is up on my blog. Check it out https://reecaspieces.com/2020/03/31/code-name-helene-by-ariel-lawhon-review-hist... this was an interesting read.

62 likes1 stack add
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Insightsintobooks
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Pickpick

This book alternates between the story of Nancy and how she came to work for the Maquis and each of her different identites while working for the SOE. It tells of her many sacrifices and the work she did. She was a free spirit so if you are curious you will learn some French curse words, because Nancy was not your average frenchwoman. This is her story in a novel. I put other books aside to read this one. read in one sitting. #netgalley

65 likes3 stack adds