The Lipstick Bureau: A Novel Inspired by a Real-Life Female Spy

Inspired by the life of Czech native Barbara Lauwers who worked for the OSS (precursor to the CIA) in Rome during the last year of the war, there might have been potential for an interesting, compelling read. A lot has been written about England, France, & Germany and I chose this to get a sense of what happened in Italy. Big mistake.Whether because the OSS sets up shop too late (liberated Italy 1944), the mission is vague, resources are non-existent or because the story is badly told, this is probably the worst of the many "based on real women" WW2 fiction I've read. The MC is so obnoxious that it's hard to imagine she was actually allowed to stay. A mere private, she wrests command from the weak higher ranking male officers to pursue her personal goal of discovering what happened to her parents & brother who remained in Czechoslovakia when she married a US citizen & got out. She creates her own rules, including skirting the Geneva Convention re treatment of POWs. It's hard to imagine her being a love interest for anyone (this is where the novel diverges from Barbara Lauwers' life according to the Afterward.) The action takes place over a year and I felt like I lived every boring moment of being a US citizen in Rome w/no real duties. There are repeated second-hand descriptions of the devastation for Italians living in Rome under Mussolini, as an Open City, and eventually, the Allies. The MC's sister-in-law - an unsuccessful debutante who becomes a secretary in the Army for a short while - appears for no reason except to give the MC even more to complain about. There's also a dual timeline. Part of the story is told - presumably in interview clips after the occupation - by an Italian housewife-turned-prostitute who participated in some of the propaganda missions & semi-befriends the MC.For anyone who might be offended by prostitution, cursing in 7 languages, adultery, and a gay husband, this book isn't for you.Out of curiosity, I read Barbara Lauwer's obituary which was a far more compelling read - both before and after the war.

I really enjoyed the story of a woman who worked in morale operations during WWII. I loved learning about this character (who is based on a real person) who worked in Morale Operations during WWII. I didn't know much about the black propaganda efforts, so it was interesting to me to learn about this element of warcraft. I also liked the dual timelines: the book switches between 1944-1945 and 1989. It was interesting to see the main character -- a true heroine -- and her life during both timeframes.

Historical fiction has always been a love of mine and this book was no different. I enjoy learning about WWII most and this helped to show me a different side of the war.

Michelle Gable is an amazing author. I was ingrossed in the story from the first page. I love World War 2, stories!!!

Will enjoy this book

Inspired by a true story, Michelle Gable’s The Lipstick Bureau is an extraordinary historical tale about courage, bravery and love readers will not be able to forget.In Rome, 1944, newlywed Niki has been recruited by a new American spy agency to help establish a secret branch in the Italian capital. As one of the OSS’s few female operatives abroad who also happens to be multilingual, Niki is given the task of creating fake stories and distributing propaganda in order to diminish the morale of the enemy’s army. Niki might be limited in resources, but she certainly is not limited in ingenuity and enthusiasm as with a team of artists, forgers and others nicknamed The Lipstick Bureau, she has found plenty of success in the liberated city.However, Niki’s work also provides her with some much-needed escapism as it allows her to momentarily forget about the family she left behind in Czechoslovakia and her controlling American husband. With the conflict showing no sign of abating and the war dragging on, the pressure is on Niki’s shoulders as she begins to question the rules she has been instructed to follow. Distractions are the very last things she needs, but when she finds herself drawn to a colleague, Niki realizes that she must watch her step because one wrong move and one mistake could end up costing her everything.Atmospheric, dramatic and inspirational, Michelle Gable’s The Lipstick Bureau is a stunning historical novel that celebrates women’s indomitable strength, their ability to rise to any challenge which comes their way even when the odds are stacked against them and the power of love that is sure to keep readers glued to its pages. In The Lipstick Bureau, Michelle Gable has written a heart-wrenching yet ultimately hopeful tale that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.