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melmo2610's review
4.0
I NEVER miss a book by Rachel McDaniel. She has quickly become an absolute favorite of mine. I love her stories. I really enjoyed this book. The setup with an actress becoming a spy was a fun one and I was definitely guessing throughout the story. Great read!
jamacox97's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
mercyandgrace04's review
2.0
The Starlet Spy by Rachel Scott McDaniel is one of many Heroines of WWII books written by various authors.
Amelie Blake is a Hollywood bombshell turned OSS spy seeking the vital manuscript of infamous physicist Niels Bohr. Who would ever suspect the “less than brilliant” starlet? Which, of course, is only the roles she plays in her movies. In reality, Amelie has a sharp mind and quick wit which she uses when she encounters Finn, a mysterious man from her past.
This book had a wonderful premise, but it dragged along at times, and there were entire portions of the book where the actual mystery felt like a side plot instead of the main reason for the book. The character of Amelie felt unfinished. The premise for her character was excellent, but her character description and capabilities were rarely highlighted in the actual solving of the mystery. I did find her sarcastic, self-deprecating inner dialogue amusing. However, the reveal of her “past” with Finn was just not at all what I was expecting and felt superficial and immature.
This book just didn’t work for me. I am sure there are many who will disagree with me and find this book enjoyable.
Thank you NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for an advanced ecopy to honestly read and review. All opinions are my own. Publication date was August 1, 2023.
Amelie Blake is a Hollywood bombshell turned OSS spy seeking the vital manuscript of infamous physicist Niels Bohr. Who would ever suspect the “less than brilliant” starlet? Which, of course, is only the roles she plays in her movies. In reality, Amelie has a sharp mind and quick wit which she uses when she encounters Finn, a mysterious man from her past.
This book had a wonderful premise, but it dragged along at times, and there were entire portions of the book where the actual mystery felt like a side plot instead of the main reason for the book. The character of Amelie felt unfinished. The premise for her character was excellent, but her character description and capabilities were rarely highlighted in the actual solving of the mystery. I did find her sarcastic, self-deprecating inner dialogue amusing. However, the reveal of her “past” with Finn was just not at all what I was expecting and felt superficial and immature.
This book just didn’t work for me. I am sure there are many who will disagree with me and find this book enjoyable.
Thank you NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for an advanced ecopy to honestly read and review. All opinions are my own. Publication date was August 1, 2023.
farmfreshlisa's review
4.0
WW2? yep. Spies? yep. Hollywood glamor? Yep. Sweden and the secrecy around its involvement during the war with getting famous Jewish scientists into its country? Yep.
This new offering from the fabulous [a:Rachel Scott McDaniel|19531612|Rachel Scott McDaniel|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1568715958p2/19531612.jpg] has the markings of a book I'd pick up in a heartbeat. The cover is so swanky! I loved that this book was written in the 1st person narrative with Amelie's thoughts and actions. I feel that helped the book since she is supposed to be pretending to be a certain persona.
Also, her "secret gift"? I LOVE learning about that skill! It's fascinating to me. I loved how it even comes to play in one of the end scenes--not how I imagined it would be.
Amelie and Finn have a great story that stays interesting the whole book. For the record I TOTALLY caught the double meaning of one of the character's words in the middle of the book--so I was NOT surprised by the ending. LOL. I was happy to be correct.
this is a solid book and I recommend it to anyone who loves the topic of WW2, spies, and Hollywood!
Happy to give it 4 solid stars!
**I received this book from NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are 100% my own!
This new offering from the fabulous [a:Rachel Scott McDaniel|19531612|Rachel Scott McDaniel|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1568715958p2/19531612.jpg] has the markings of a book I'd pick up in a heartbeat. The cover is so swanky! I loved that this book was written in the 1st person narrative with Amelie's thoughts and actions. I feel that helped the book since she is supposed to be pretending to be a certain persona.
Also, her "secret gift"? I LOVE learning about that skill! It's fascinating to me. I loved how it even comes to play in one of the end scenes--not how I imagined it would be.
Amelie and Finn have a great story that stays interesting the whole book. For the record I TOTALLY caught the double meaning of one of the character's words in the middle of the book--so I was NOT surprised by the ending. LOL. I was happy to be correct.
this is a solid book and I recommend it to anyone who loves the topic of WW2, spies, and Hollywood!
Happy to give it 4 solid stars!
**I received this book from NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are 100% my own!
jennbehindthebooks's review
5.0
The Starlet Spy was the first book I’ve read of Rachel Scott McDaniel’s but I promise it won’t be the last!
Not only was her writing style utterly engaging, but I learned so much from this novel! She presented a WWII novel like no other I’ve read. With stunning characters and an incredibly unconventional plot, McDaniel paints a vivid picture of what it might have felt like as Nazism crept into America. I’ve never read another account quite like it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Not only was her writing style utterly engaging, but I learned so much from this novel! She presented a WWII novel like no other I’ve read. With stunning characters and an incredibly unconventional plot, McDaniel paints a vivid picture of what it might have felt like as Nazism crept into America. I’ve never read another account quite like it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
megma1717's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book! I have all the love for this wonderfully romantic and suspenseful book! From the start it was fast-paced and exciting with some mystery that kept me turning the page. There was such a wonderful attention to detail without being overly flowery. It made me feel like I went back in time and was experiencing all of it myself. I really enjoyed the setting and how it felt so glamorous and beautiful. Amelie was a great lead and I loved how she was elegant and down to earth all at once. All the characters were intriguing and had such great depth and mystery to them. I loved the MMC and how he strived to protect Amelie at all costs. I caught myself multiple times wondering who was I to trust and how it was all going to end. So tense and suspenseful, kept me on my toes. Many twists and turns!
I was able to finish up this book while in New Orleans and went to visit the WW2 museum. It put the book and its setting in a whole new light and it finishing up the book after seeing that hit differently. It was such a great experience!
I was able to finish up this book while in New Orleans and went to visit the WW2 museum. It put the book and its setting in a whole new light and it finishing up the book after seeing that hit differently. It was such a great experience!
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
The Starlet Spy was everything I could have asked for in a romantic suspense and more! I love books I can easily picture in my head, and favorite author Rachel Scott McDaniel really delivered a spectacular, WWII, movie-like must read! Set mostly in Sweden during WWII, American actress Amelie Blake is asked by the OSS to return to her homeland and become a spy for the war effort. Risking all sorts of danger, and even her heart, she plays a cat and mouse game to recover secret documents pertaining to atomic research. With heart palpitating suspense, a swoony enemies to lovers romance, 1940’s Hollywood glamour, and a touch of faith, this page turner stayed with me long after reading!
Amelie is not only gorgeous, but has a photographic memory, speaks three languages, and is brilliant. On film though, she’s portrayed as a “brainless, hapless, female.” It’s why she’s chosen to be a spy. Another reason is that Finn Ristaffason whom they suspect has the documents and may be a Nazi sympathizer, admires her greatly and has all her films. But, it’s Amelie who’s had a secret crush on him since she was a teenager in Sweden.
The delicious tension between them is off the charts. Amelie’s still attracted to the handsome Finn, but can she trust him? It’s a careful dance with her trying to get close to him but not falling for him again. Finn is quiet serious and it’s fun seeing him enamored and amused by her. I loved their enemies to lovers romance. The dancing on the beach and aurora borealis scenes were so good and the surprise ending was perfection.
The story is so well written and the suspense was intense. There’re so many moments where I was holding my breath hoping Amelie wouldn’t get caught. There are quite a few twists and turns that kept me guessing, and the villain was a bit of a surprise.
Highly recommend this well written, edge of your seat, romantic suspense that has all the feels of a classic 1940’s movie. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.
Amelie is not only gorgeous, but has a photographic memory, speaks three languages, and is brilliant. On film though, she’s portrayed as a “brainless, hapless, female.” It’s why she’s chosen to be a spy. Another reason is that Finn Ristaffason whom they suspect has the documents and may be a Nazi sympathizer, admires her greatly and has all her films. But, it’s Amelie who’s had a secret crush on him since she was a teenager in Sweden.
The delicious tension between them is off the charts. Amelie’s still attracted to the handsome Finn, but can she trust him? It’s a careful dance with her trying to get close to him but not falling for him again. Finn is quiet serious and it’s fun seeing him enamored and amused by her. I loved their enemies to lovers romance. The dancing on the beach and aurora borealis scenes were so good and the surprise ending was perfection.
The story is so well written and the suspense was intense. There’re so many moments where I was holding my breath hoping Amelie wouldn’t get caught. There are quite a few twists and turns that kept me guessing, and the villain was a bit of a surprise.
Highly recommend this well written, edge of your seat, romantic suspense that has all the feels of a classic 1940’s movie. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.
morgangiesbrecht's review
5.0
“‘Information can be twisted…. But truth? Truth will always rise from lies.’”
•
•
•
Sweden & spies? Say no more, I’m sold!
As I’ve read very few books set within the Scandinavian countries, finding one—with spies & espionage, no less!—was incredibly satisfying, and my mystery-loving heart was thrilled by this adventure!
A few of my favourite things that I just have to mention:
✨ the special weapons — my inner nerd was enthralled over fountain pens that squirt cyanide & lockpicks hidden in hairbrushes
✨ Amelie giving Finn a “smiling lesson”
•
•
•
Sweden & spies? Say no more, I’m sold!
As I’ve read very few books set within the Scandinavian countries, finding one—with spies & espionage, no less!—was incredibly satisfying, and my mystery-loving heart was thrilled by this adventure!
A few of my favourite things that I just have to mention:
✨ the special weapons — my inner nerd was enthralled over fountain pens that squirt cyanide & lockpicks hidden in hairbrushes
✨ Amelie giving Finn a “smiling lesson”
mom_loves_to_read's review
4.0
Hollywood actress Amelie Blake has a new role to play: spy. In the midst of WWII, Amelie returns to her homeland of Sweden to go undercover. She will need to use her intelligence, acting ability and a unique skill to help her secure information for The United States Office of Strategic Services. But Amelie soon learns that things are not always what they seem.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was intriguing with espionage elements, suspenseful plot and mysterious villains. The romance was fantastic. Give me a grumpy hero and I’m a goner! Amelie and her love interest had great banter and some very swoony moments. I loved the historical details and definitely recommend reading the author’s notes.
This was my first book by Rachel and I look forward to reading more from her.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was intriguing with espionage elements, suspenseful plot and mysterious villains. The romance was fantastic. Give me a grumpy hero and I’m a goner! Amelie and her love interest had great banter and some very swoony moments. I loved the historical details and definitely recommend reading the author’s notes.
This was my first book by Rachel and I look forward to reading more from her.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.