The book is an informative and engaging account of the women who worked as spies in World War II. It is a novel based on extensive research and historical facts, with elements of fiction and romance added to the narrative. The book appeals to readers who enjoy historical fiction, especially those who want to learn more about the OSS and the French Resistance. The book is also suitable for general readers, as it gives sufficient background information and clarifies the historical terms and events. The book is a great choice for anyone who is interested in a realistic and emotional story of espionage, adventure, and love.

Nicely done historical fiction about brave women during WWII. This is as much about their friendship as it is about their exploits with the French resistance. It's a good read for fans of the genre.

A historical fiction look at the part so many women play in war efforts. From behind the scenes to a dangerous friendship with the wrong persons, THE SECRET STEALERS set the scene as not only a good reading experience but also an educational one. The story flowed easily, the characters perfectly developed into patriots with a mission. I'm recommending to my reading circle, they will love this one.

This is the second of Healey’s books I’ve read which feature remarkable women in WW2 occupied Paris. As before, this has vivid characters risking their lives for their country, and nerve wracking missions - I read the last fifth of the book almost non stop, needing to know what happened. Recommended for anyone who likes history, romance, spy stories and strong women.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review - many apologies this is so delayed.

Jane Healey’s books shine a necessary light on oft-unseen women’s roles in historical events—and The Secret Stealers delivers!

I am not a WWII buff, so I loved learning about the OSS and the roles women played in their operations. The characters in Healey’s book are fictitious but inspired by very real women. One thing came through loud and clear was that the very fact that women were underestimated helped make them highly effective and deadly spies.

The Secret Stealers has everything I love in a story: an underestimated woman proving everyone wrong, strong female friendships, and a villain that sent shivers up my spine. It also has everything I love in historical fiction: bringing to life another time and place and learning something new about historical events through the eyes of ordinary people. A riveting and oh, so satisfying story!

I wish I could give this wonderful book twenty thousand stars!!! It was brilliant. It was a prime first read and I loved it. Set in America in 1942 it tells the story of a women training to become an agent in France with all the descriptions of the danger of sending radio messages and hiding from the Germans.
I enjoyed it so much that when I finished it I was bereft thinking what am I going to read next? That book will stay with me for a long time.

I started this book months ago and couldn’t get into it. I restarted reading and the same thing occurred, to my disappointment. I love historical fiction but this book isn’t for me, unfortunately.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Jane Healey knows how to make characters feel so real. The characters are those that you find yourself not only rooting for, but also wishing you could be friends with yourself. The characters feel real, they have real obstacles to over come, their emotions feel real ect.
The Secret Stealers is another hit in my book. The story was absorbing from page one until the very end. I will always look forward to reading more from Jane Healey in the future.

Historical fiction is my go-to genre when I have no idea what to read next. It's my safe choice for books, and regarding the fact that it was historical fiction about WWII, I thought that this book would be an enjoyable read too.

I was wrong on so many levels.

I don't mind when the book gives me the slow-burner vibes, I consider myself a patient reader. But the characters, their whole background, the lousy dialogues...it was a mix that pushed all my buttons in the wrong way.

Although the description sounded so pleasant and exciting, this book was a total miss for me.

I chose this randomly from my TBR shelf on Netgalley and was looking forward to reading it as the synopsis was a WW2 historical fiction, dividing between the USA, England and France.

I really wanted to love this novel, but it really began to annoy me. Halfway through and the main protagonist is still in the USA. When she gets to France, I struggled with all the training how she could be so unprepared and ill informed. In fact Anna for me was problematic, a grieving widow but she seems to be able to move on with not one, but two other men, almost before the other one is dead.

The characters were cliché’s, the hillbilly safe breaker, monocled SS officer and English pilot who I was expecting to come out with Tally Ho old chap.

The novel is well researched, but there is no need to put all your research in the novel as extra narrative. If you are looking for a novel about the French Resistance for me there are others that are done better.

For me this was disappointing.

I wanted to love this book, because I love WW2 historical fiction, but I just had a VERY hard time with this book, and DNF at about the 50% mark. I just felt overwhelmed with information and just got uninterested. Others may enjoy this, but it wasn't for me.

This story was really interesting. I enjoyed the writing and I was pleasantly surprised by the whole idea of it. Romance and especially historical romance will be always close to my heart and this one ticked most of the boxes for me.
The cover is very interesting and it really gives you an idea of what the book is about, unlike many others out there.

From the author of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 comes another riveting WWII story that will transport you back in time.⁣
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Anna Cavanaugh is a young widow who was planning to spend the summer with her parents in the Cape. Deep down Anna knew that was not the same plan she saw for herself and when another opportunity was offered she jumped on it. ⁣
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Long-time family friend, Major General William Donovan, who is in charge of the Office of Strategic Services, approached Anna with an interesting job opportunity. ⁣
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Willing to put her life on the line for the war effort, Anna takes on some of the biggest challenges in her life. As the reader, I felt a sense of bonding with Anna and wanted her to succeed. I was basically cheering her on from the sidelines the entire time. I highly recommend picking this one up if you are a Historical Fiction fan!

I love historical fiction and while this book was good, it wasn’t as developed and accurate as some of the previous books I’ve read in this genre. Overall I enjoyed it!

This book was ok, but no where near as good as The Beantown Girls. I was left wanting so much more...

I loved this book!! It pulled you into the story from the beginning and captured you through the end. I had not read The Beantown Girls so this was the first I had read this author. But I will definitely be looking for books that she writes.
Anna was such a great character. You could really feel her search for purpose after being widowed. To see her channel her strength and do what she did for the war was inspiring. It really just comes down to it being a truly great read!!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley. But have also purchased the book.

I am super grateful to the publisher for this advanced copy! This book wasn't for me, but I saw a lot of people enjoyed it.

“In these dark times, we have to embrace the moments of lightness, for after all, that’s what will get us through.” - Jane Healey, The Secret Stealers

The Beantown Girls remains one of my favorite historical fiction reads to date and you guys, Jane Healey delivered again! Am I even surprised? Nope. The writing here is brilliant and immersive and the storytelling captivating as we read about fierce female spies of WW2.

This story revolves around the courageous, sacrificial, and clever Anna Cavanaugh, from her recruitment into the OSS in D.C. to becoming a secret agent for the Resistance in Paris... as she overcomes her past and faces the uncertain future with newfound friends and foes, loves, and risks awaiting her. While I adored Anna’s character, I also loved coming alongside all of the incredible women and men we meet along the way. The characters were definitely a highlight here for me and I wasn’t ready to part with any of them by the end.

Healey has such a talent for writing about strong women in history and bringing their lesser known stories/roles in WW2 to light. I was blown away by the meticulous research that clearly went into this one, as we discover in the author’s note at the end who and what was based on real people and events. It made me love it all the more!

More than just a gripping spy story full of page-turning secret missions, intrigue, danger, and heartbreak, there’s a star-crossed romance woven in that had me rooting hard and totally pulled at my heart, all met with an uplifting story about taking risks, finding your purpose, and pursuing the life you want for yourself, no matter the odds stacked against you. I was left so inspired by all there was to take away here.

Yes, WW2 stories taking place in occupied France seem to be all over the historical fiction genre but just believe me when I say, this one truly stands out amongst the rest. The Secret Stealers has officially become another new favorite historical fiction read for me and one I’ll be recommending to everybody!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the gifted e-copy.

Female spies in occupied France is a captivating subgenre of World War II historical fiction. With books like The Alice Network (and a similar follow-up by author Kate Quinn, The Rose Code) and A Woman of No Importance, fans of the genre have lots to choose from. In her third novel, author Jane Healy explores this territory with The Secret Stealers, about a young American widow who becomes a spy for the Allies.

For the complete review, click on the link below.

This book was very interesting telling you the story of the woman spies in France.

Anna spent a few months in Paris when she was training to be a teacher so she is fluent in French & German, she is a recent widow and a family friend recruits her to work for him. She really wants to go back to Paris to help the War effort so becomes a spy.

It was an amazing story telling you about the woman spies and how much they helped in the War effort.

I could not put it down the book.