You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
DNF - the blurb made this sound like the kind of historical fiction I’d normally love, but I just couldn’t stand the fictional Nancy and her damn lipstick. I might be interested to read the real Nancy Wake’s biography, instead.
I’ll probably come back to it at some point. I just wasn’t feeling it right now.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
To learn that it was based on a real woman was inspiring.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
⟡ 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 :
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
- WWIl historical fiction
- superwoman strong FMC
- heartbreak that rivals Kristin Hannah
- his fic based on real events
- red lipstick 💄
⟡ 𝑴𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 :
After falling hard for Ariel Lawhon's The Frozen River earlier this year I was eager to read more of her work. Code Name Héléne is based on the incredible true story of WWIl French Resistance fighter Nancy Wake. She is fierce as they come—brave, whip-smart, & as unapologetically bold as her signature Victory Red lipstick. I couldn't get enough of her.
This book has everything : short chapters, dual timelines, suspense, romance, & a whole cast of characters you can’t help but root for. Lawhon doesn’t just tell this story—she makes you feel it. The fear. The fury. The deeply personal stakes, the aching love story. The devastating losses, and the unshakable resolve to resist.
I love reading about the heroic women of history who rarely get the spotlight they deserve. I had never heard of Nancy, but her story is one I won't soon forget. One of my favorite books of the year & I cannot recommend it enough!
PS - the audiobook narration by Barrie Kreinik (and her mastery of all the accents!) made this book so fun to listen to. And don't skip the author's note!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Antisemitism, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
Could have been so much better. A story about a badass woman told in a way which - at times - just goes with stereotypes about women of that age instead of breaking them.