The Starlet and the Spy by Ji-Min Lee

After the Korean War was over there was still a large US military presence and to boost morale for the troops and take advantage of the fact that Marilyn Monroe was in nearby Japan on her honeymoon, the military flew her to Korea for a few days and a USO show. She needs an assistant who can guide Ms. Monroe in and out of her stops and a woman who speaks fluent English. Alice really doesn't know what to expect from the larger than life star and is taken aback by how personable she is and the kindness shown to her by Marilyn Monroe. Both are hiding wounds they keep from everyone around them but Alice has to confront hers as her history before and during the war will rise to the surface. Alice's tale of survival and love lost is mixed in with her time spent with Marilyn Monroe. Historical fiction at its finest but also a heartfelt story of kinship and loss despite cultural barriers.