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The League of Lonely War Women
Not yet published
Expected 20 Feb 26
‘A woman can get more information about German supply lines and replacements than a man with a knife to a soldier’s throat…’
Germany, 1944
Best friends Vivien Allen and Junie Knight are part of the covert world of America’s Morale Operations branch. As members of The League of Lonely War Women, a dark propaganda campaign aimed to sow seeds of doubt in German soldiers’ minds, their first mission sends them deep into enemy territory.
But their mission isn’t exactly what was sold to them, and the tracking of a dangerous SS officer goes very wrong, their friendship is irreparably broken.
Now, ten years later, Viv is still paying the consequences, so when a chance at redemption lands in her lap she seizes it, determined to right past wrongs, reconcile with Junie, and complete her mission once and for all…
Germany, 1944
Best friends Vivien Allen and Junie Knight are part of the covert world of America’s Morale Operations branch. As members of The League of Lonely War Women, a dark propaganda campaign aimed to sow seeds of doubt in German soldiers’ minds, their first mission sends them deep into enemy territory.
But their mission isn’t exactly what was sold to them, and the tracking of a dangerous SS officer goes very wrong, their friendship is irreparably broken.
Now, ten years later, Viv is still paying the consequences, so when a chance at redemption lands in her lap she seizes it, determined to right past wrongs, reconcile with Junie, and complete her mission once and for all…
- GenresHistorical Fiction
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 20, 2026
1 person is currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Andie Newton
9 books249 followersAndie Newton is a USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. Her work has been published in multiple languages and has topped e-book bestseller charts around the world. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Washington State University and a master’s in teaching. When she’s not writing gritty war stories about women, you can usually find her trail running in the desert and stopping to pet every dog that crosses her path. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 ⭐
𝐀𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧.
Before the CIA, there was the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), and the sub-department dealing with psychological warfare was named the Morale Operations Branch. It was out of this office in 1944 that black propaganda, aimed at lowering morale among the German soldiers, was released. The League of Lonely War Women was formed, with an aim to erode the morale of the enemy from within. This campaign convinced lonely soldiers on leave that wearing a paper heart on their lapel would attract a willing female.
While this is a fascinating piece of history and one that I’d never heard of previously, I struggled to finish this book. The main reason was that I felt the narrative could do with some tightening. The first two chapters were difficult to get through. I felt that the story could have started at chapter three. I also had difficulty connecting to the characters. I needed a cause to care for them early in the story. That being said, I appreciated a fresh perspective on wartime history. This story about the power of suggestion, the price of secrets, and the difficulties of maintaining a romance at this time in history was interesting.
I was prompted to go online and check out this campaign, and this talented author presented a little-known slice of history; both ideal situations for a historical fiction lover.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
𝐀𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧.
Before the CIA, there was the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), and the sub-department dealing with psychological warfare was named the Morale Operations Branch. It was out of this office in 1944 that black propaganda, aimed at lowering morale among the German soldiers, was released. The League of Lonely War Women was formed, with an aim to erode the morale of the enemy from within. This campaign convinced lonely soldiers on leave that wearing a paper heart on their lapel would attract a willing female.
While this is a fascinating piece of history and one that I’d never heard of previously, I struggled to finish this book. The main reason was that I felt the narrative could do with some tightening. The first two chapters were difficult to get through. I felt that the story could have started at chapter three. I also had difficulty connecting to the characters. I needed a cause to care for them early in the story. That being said, I appreciated a fresh perspective on wartime history. This story about the power of suggestion, the price of secrets, and the difficulties of maintaining a romance at this time in history was interesting.
I was prompted to go online and check out this campaign, and this talented author presented a little-known slice of history; both ideal situations for a historical fiction lover.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Andie Newton’s The League of Lonely War Women stays away from the usual romanticized WWII fluff. It focuses on the Morale Operations of 1944, a messy business where Vivien Allen and Junie Knight trade in psychological poison rather than bullets. Their job was to erode German morale from the inside, a mission that eventually fell apart and took their friendship with it. Ten years later, Vivien is still wearing the scars of that failure. When a shot at redemption appears, she takes it, mostly because living with the guilt has become exhausting.
Vivien is a protagonist who feels appropriately worn down. She isn't a polished hero; she’s a woman who made a high-stakes mistake and spent a decade chewing on it. Her friction with Hal highlights the gap between personal loyalty and the cold machinery of war, while Cora’s treatment of her agents is a grim reminder of their status. To Cora, these women are disposable tools. This lack of sentimentality makes the internal emotional stakes feel heavier. It is a cynical look at how war turns people into assets and then discards them when they stop being useful.
The focus on propaganda and manipulation feels uncomfortably familiar today. We aren't dropping leaflets from planes anymore, but the mechanics of bending the truth haven't changed much. Newton explores the ethics of lying for a "good" cause and the reality that no one comes out of that game clean. It makes you consider your own integrity in a world that values narrative over facts. The cultural context of "black propaganda" is a refreshing change for the genre.
I have followed Newton’s work for a while and generally enjoy her style. She knows how to build characters you actually care about without relying on cheap tricks. Her prose is lean and functional, which I appreciate. However, this particular story feels a bit lighter and more predictable than her previous books. The plot beats are familiar, and you can see the ending coming from a few miles out. It lacks the sharp edge of her other work, but the core concept of The League of Lonely War Women keeps it interesting enough to finish.
In the end, it’s a solid, straightforward read. It might not reinvent historical fiction, but it handles the psychological weight of war with enough honesty to keep it from being just another period piece. If you want a story about the dirty work behind the front lines and can handle a bit of predictability, it’s worth your time.
Vivien is a protagonist who feels appropriately worn down. She isn't a polished hero; she’s a woman who made a high-stakes mistake and spent a decade chewing on it. Her friction with Hal highlights the gap between personal loyalty and the cold machinery of war, while Cora’s treatment of her agents is a grim reminder of their status. To Cora, these women are disposable tools. This lack of sentimentality makes the internal emotional stakes feel heavier. It is a cynical look at how war turns people into assets and then discards them when they stop being useful.
The focus on propaganda and manipulation feels uncomfortably familiar today. We aren't dropping leaflets from planes anymore, but the mechanics of bending the truth haven't changed much. Newton explores the ethics of lying for a "good" cause and the reality that no one comes out of that game clean. It makes you consider your own integrity in a world that values narrative over facts. The cultural context of "black propaganda" is a refreshing change for the genre.
I have followed Newton’s work for a while and generally enjoy her style. She knows how to build characters you actually care about without relying on cheap tricks. Her prose is lean and functional, which I appreciate. However, this particular story feels a bit lighter and more predictable than her previous books. The plot beats are familiar, and you can see the ending coming from a few miles out. It lacks the sharp edge of her other work, but the core concept of The League of Lonely War Women keeps it interesting enough to finish.
In the end, it’s a solid, straightforward read. It might not reinvent historical fiction, but it handles the psychological weight of war with enough honesty to keep it from being just another period piece. If you want a story about the dirty work behind the front lines and can handle a bit of predictability, it’s worth your time.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Two and a half stars rounded up to three. World War II. Viv and Junie are part of a team sent to Germany, to find out information from German soldiers. Something goes wrong. Ten years later, Viv is married to Hal and has a chance to apprehend a Nazi war criminal. Can she do it, and in the process, make things right with Junie?
I'm a huge fan of World War II historical fiction but unfortunately, I was not a fan of this book. It felt very choppy, and abrupt in the way ten years pass. Viv was a very unsympathetic character, and I didn't like her. Not a book I would recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
I'm a huge fan of World War II historical fiction but unfortunately, I was not a fan of this book. It felt very choppy, and abrupt in the way ten years pass. Viv was a very unsympathetic character, and I didn't like her. Not a book I would recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
January 20, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! While the pace at times was a bit quick, Viv’s story was captivating and I couldn’t put it down. I love that it was based on real life events - just another example of how incredible women were during World War II.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collin’s UK, One More Chapter for the advance EArc. This was a great one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collin’s UK, One More Chapter for the advance EArc. This was a great one!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
England, 1944. Vivien and Junie are best friends, and members of the American Women’s Army Corps and stationed in London, their job is to look for clues and pass it on and it will be used against the Germans.
They get a chance to leave the office and a job in the “field” under the command of Lieutenant Cora Hughes and here they meet analysts Pudge and Dot and become members of The League of Lonely War Women. Propaganda is going to be used to get in the heads of German soldiers', the men are battle weary, tired of war and lonely. Leaflets are distributed, while on leave from the front they wore a heart shaped symbol and a ladies of the league could offer them companionship. The goal of the campaign was to undermine morale by insinuating that the soldiers’ wives or girlfriends are being promiscuous or unfaithful to them while they are fighting.
Viv, Junie, Pudge and Dot become involved, find themselves in enemy territory and begin gathering information from troops. They discover SS officer Joseph Engle is in the same location, two of the women have lost family members due to his actions, they want to gather intelligence to make accountable and this goes horribly wrong.
America 1955. Vivien wants to right the wrongs of the past, but to do so she has to get the four women together and take part in one final mission and she has no idea how she's going to do it and will the three others agree?
I received a copy of The League of Lonely War Women by Andie Newton from NetGalley and Once More Chapter in exchange for an honest review. Based on real facts the author explores the concept of women working as undercover agents and could gather more details by chatting to lonely soldiers, could blend in and not look out of place.
It brought to my attention just how far they were prepared to go, the risks and sacrifices the ladies were willing to take for the allies to win the Second World War.
While I liked the competition and friendship between the characters, for me it seemed to light hearted for such a series topic and I found it distracting, maybe this was intentional and I missed the point? Three and a half stars from me and not your typical dual timeline historical fiction story and it would appeal to a reader who likes less graphic descriptions of World War Two.
They get a chance to leave the office and a job in the “field” under the command of Lieutenant Cora Hughes and here they meet analysts Pudge and Dot and become members of The League of Lonely War Women. Propaganda is going to be used to get in the heads of German soldiers', the men are battle weary, tired of war and lonely. Leaflets are distributed, while on leave from the front they wore a heart shaped symbol and a ladies of the league could offer them companionship. The goal of the campaign was to undermine morale by insinuating that the soldiers’ wives or girlfriends are being promiscuous or unfaithful to them while they are fighting.
Viv, Junie, Pudge and Dot become involved, find themselves in enemy territory and begin gathering information from troops. They discover SS officer Joseph Engle is in the same location, two of the women have lost family members due to his actions, they want to gather intelligence to make accountable and this goes horribly wrong.
America 1955. Vivien wants to right the wrongs of the past, but to do so she has to get the four women together and take part in one final mission and she has no idea how she's going to do it and will the three others agree?
I received a copy of The League of Lonely War Women by Andie Newton from NetGalley and Once More Chapter in exchange for an honest review. Based on real facts the author explores the concept of women working as undercover agents and could gather more details by chatting to lonely soldiers, could blend in and not look out of place.
It brought to my attention just how far they were prepared to go, the risks and sacrifices the ladies were willing to take for the allies to win the Second World War.
While I liked the competition and friendship between the characters, for me it seemed to light hearted for such a series topic and I found it distracting, maybe this was intentional and I missed the point? Three and a half stars from me and not your typical dual timeline historical fiction story and it would appeal to a reader who likes less graphic descriptions of World War Two.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I thought this book was an absolute delight. I’ve read quite a few WWII novels, and it was refreshing to pick one up that didn’t leave me bawling my eyes out. I was thoroughly entertained and also learned something new. I had no prior knowledge of the black propaganda campaign that inspired this story. The author’s note at the back was especially illuminating, clearly detailing the real operation run out of Rome during the war.
The pacing is fast and engaging, with the initial setup quickly launching into the women’s undercover work in Nazi Germany. The author knows exactly how to keep a reader hooked from chapter to chapter. I constantly needed to know what would happen next! Viv and Junie share a close friendship that also functions as a professional partnership, and I appreciated how the author explored the tension of juggling both, especially when decisions made for the greater good threaten to cost you the person you care about most. The dynamics of the larger team were equally compelling, from the fallout that follows their early work to the reconnection ten years later to finish what they started. Before they can move forward, the women must mend old wounds, including placing their trust in an old boss who has been difficult from day one.
The author did an excellent job balancing the events of WWII with the shifting priorities of the Cold War era. Seeing how the characters had changed—or stubbornly hadn’t—and how they were ultimately forced to confront that growth over a decade was deeply satisfying. While I loved the 1940s portion of the story, I absolutely adored the 1950s chapters, which make up the final third to half of the book. I could feel the atmospheric shift as the story moved into the 1950s, a skill I greatly admire.
This book was a wonderful way to end my year of reading! I finished the final pages with a smile on my face, which isn’t easy to accomplish with a war story. I would highly recommend this novel to readers looking for a fast-paced, thrilling, but thought-provoking read. Thank you for the opportunity to read it.
The pacing is fast and engaging, with the initial setup quickly launching into the women’s undercover work in Nazi Germany. The author knows exactly how to keep a reader hooked from chapter to chapter. I constantly needed to know what would happen next! Viv and Junie share a close friendship that also functions as a professional partnership, and I appreciated how the author explored the tension of juggling both, especially when decisions made for the greater good threaten to cost you the person you care about most. The dynamics of the larger team were equally compelling, from the fallout that follows their early work to the reconnection ten years later to finish what they started. Before they can move forward, the women must mend old wounds, including placing their trust in an old boss who has been difficult from day one.
The author did an excellent job balancing the events of WWII with the shifting priorities of the Cold War era. Seeing how the characters had changed—or stubbornly hadn’t—and how they were ultimately forced to confront that growth over a decade was deeply satisfying. While I loved the 1940s portion of the story, I absolutely adored the 1950s chapters, which make up the final third to half of the book. I could feel the atmospheric shift as the story moved into the 1950s, a skill I greatly admire.
This book was a wonderful way to end my year of reading! I finished the final pages with a smile on my face, which isn’t easy to accomplish with a war story. I would highly recommend this novel to readers looking for a fast-paced, thrilling, but thought-provoking read. Thank you for the opportunity to read it.
Read
January 5, 2026An intriguing title and it turns out to be true. Yes there was an organisation during WW2 where women sought to befriend lonely German soldiers while extracting information from them. However, it's not the main subject of the book. Two pairs of agents are sent to Gernany, somewhat naively believing all they have to do is talk to lonely soldiers. But they soon get embroiled in the hunt for a notorious SS leader, believed to be in the same village. I had to suspend disbelief at times - it was hard to imagine that the German spoken by an American woman who had holidayed with grandparents in Germany would pass muster. Not to mention how noticeable four women would be, suddenly turning up for a holiday and spending money lavishly in a small town. But it was an enjoyable treatise on female friendships, determination and courage. 3.5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance digital copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance digital copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Using the very real but little-known League of Lonely War Women as inspiration, Newton shows us the covert roles women played in espionage within a time frame that spans World War 2 to the depths of the Cold War period.
Using both their skills and wiles to exploit the weaknesses of men on the enemy side in the furtherance of strategic objectives, women like Viv and Junie do their part for the war effort, and for the protection of their fellow Americans. Sometimes, that can involve treading a very fine line in terms of moral and ethical boundaries, but as we have been told time and again, "who dares, wins"...
The novel delivers a fascinating take on a relatively obscure aspect of the war years that many readers will find interesting, and it comfortably earns 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Using both their skills and wiles to exploit the weaknesses of men on the enemy side in the furtherance of strategic objectives, women like Viv and Junie do their part for the war effort, and for the protection of their fellow Americans. Sometimes, that can involve treading a very fine line in terms of moral and ethical boundaries, but as we have been told time and again, "who dares, wins"...
The novel delivers a fascinating take on a relatively obscure aspect of the war years that many readers will find interesting, and it comfortably earns 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sign me up for anything Andie Newton writes!
I had a great time with this book and absolutely loved the WWII/Cold War split! Andie Newton always delivers well-researched, believable historical fiction, and this one was no exception. It moved fast, pulled me in early, and kept me fully invested until the very last delicious page. God, loved the ending. No spoilers, but it was perfect.
The undercover work is tense and fun, but the 1950s chapters were a chef’s kiss, keeping the story fresh with a shift into the Cold War. This is very much a cat-and-mouse story that kept me on edge. Be careful who you trust! Viv, dear sweet, Viv. I loved her. Buckle up, because you will not want to stop reading.
I had a great time with this book and absolutely loved the WWII/Cold War split! Andie Newton always delivers well-researched, believable historical fiction, and this one was no exception. It moved fast, pulled me in early, and kept me fully invested until the very last delicious page. God, loved the ending. No spoilers, but it was perfect.
The undercover work is tense and fun, but the 1950s chapters were a chef’s kiss, keeping the story fresh with a shift into the Cold War. This is very much a cat-and-mouse story that kept me on edge. Be careful who you trust! Viv, dear sweet, Viv. I loved her. Buckle up, because you will not want to stop reading.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. I had not heard of this branch of undercover work before, but it makes sense. I thought the book was an interesting concept and I liked the Viv's desire to be successful wherever she was to help the war effort and to follow through on her orders. It was quite a contrast to think of how people conduct themselves in present times versus the scandal of what was risqué in the 1940s. I thought it was a good read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The League of lonely War Women is an evocative ,emotionally charged narrative about the unsung contribution of women in war framed by the secrecy of espionage and the loneliness of wartime life. I found this all a bit slow and drawn out .It was an interesting story though and I had not heard of this happening during the war .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a very entertaining story about a group of American women going into enemy territory during World War 2 to entrap German Officers. After the war when they are back home in New York, they discover that one of the top German Generals is living unknown in Manhattan. They set out to catch him and hand him over to Mossad. Great conclusion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A wonderful blend of World War 2 Nazi intrigue and later day sleuth-adventure. Things really heat up around chapter 15 and then I just couldn't put it down. Great team effort from these four brave friends. I hope we see more from this quartet.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A fascinating and compelling story, deftly told by Andie Newton through richly drawn characters, twists snd turns and her trademarked attention to detail. Her research, as always, is impeccable, transporting me to the past.
Thoroughly enjoyable for a history buff like me. I was utterly immersed.
Thoroughly enjoyable for a history buff like me. I was utterly immersed.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was delighted to get an ARC of this novel. Having read all of Andie Newton's previous novels, this one hits the mark again!! Great connection between WW2 and the Cold War. High tension, kept me guessing. Character dynamics were a joy to watch play out on the page. Absolutely loved it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews