By Heather B. Moore
Published by Shadow Mountain
Publication Date: September 2nd, 2025
Synopsis from the publisher:
Before she stepped into the spotlight as a master of French cooking, Julia Child navigated the shadows as a WWII intelligence officer.
On the sunny shores of California, Julia McWilliams is poised to embrace a life of comfort and financial security, with a marriage proposal from a wealthy man to consider. But as World War II erupts in the US, her patriotic fervor compels her to abandon her secure future. Trading country clubs for covert codes, Julia joins the Office of Strategic Services, where her sharp mind aids the Allied cause in the shadowy realm of espionage.
Amid strategic missions in Ceylon and China, Julia crosses paths with Paul Child, a fellow OSS officer whose delight in art, culture, and cuisine awakens a new hunger within her. Their chance meetings ignite a spark that blossoms into romance, leading to a proposal that Julia eagerly accepts. Together they embark on a new chapter in postwar Paris.
In the City of Light, Julia grapples with a different kind of challenge: she refuses to be confined by the societal expectations of a married woman. Drawn to the tantalizing world of French gastronomy—a pursuit her peers deem superfluous—she enrolls at the famed Le Cordon Bleu, and with Paul’s unwavering support, Julia immerses herself in her new passion.
Facing skepticism and prejudice in the male-dominated kitchens of Paris, Julia’s resolve never falters. Her relentless pursuit of culinary mastery not only transforms her own life but also introduces a revolutionary change in kitchens throughout America. From intelligence officer to beloved chef, Julia takes readers on an extraordinary journey.
My Review:
Having never actually watched Julia Child or so much as peeked inside any of her cookbooks, the WWII tie in was the biggest draw for me going into this book. I really liked learning about Julia's war work ad well as her blossoming romance with Paul Child. I really liked how she and Paul supported each other. It was also interesting to see all of the work that went into her first cookbook--all the cooking and revising and changing things to work for American cooks with different ingredients and resources available. Although I went into this book knowing very little about Julia Child, I was quite impressed with her and how her determination and optimism shone through the pages.
4 stars.
I read a DRC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
