A bakery in a cute French village with a collection of whimsical characters and a touch of magical realism? Yes please. This book was absolutely what I have come to expect from this author. The story of Edie and the Moreau's was impactful and inspirational. The characters were charmingly delightful, and the romance was just right. This is the perfect read if you are craving (pun intended) a trip to a French bakery that may just change your life.

What another wonderful and delightful story from this author. Edith has not been feeling herself or what she wants to do with her life after the death of her mother. She answers an advert for an English speaker to work in a bakery in Paris. With the best wishes of her father, she applies and gets the job.

The bakery is not in Paris, a city she wanted to visit and live in, instead, it is outside the city. The bakery is old, its facade is dated, her room in the attic is cold and she wonders why on earth she had decided to leave her home in Ireland. Her employer Mrs Moreau is not that welcoming, there is one main rule, that she should never enter the basement. Each morning when Edith begins work the bread, cakes and pastries are already prepared and are awaiting customers. Edith never sees the baker or any deliveries coming in but she is curious.

As she gradually starts to find her feet she makes friends, one of whom is a man who sweeps her off her feet. But he is not what she thinks he is and she goes from soaring to plummeting in her emotions. There is, however more to this story, the bakery and the small but historically important town of Compiègne!

The first thing I did when I finished this book was have a look on the internet for images of Compiègne and it helped with the descriptions of the book but also of the history that this small town has played.

The author has created such a mesmerising story with Edith, the bakery, its history and then adding her twist with her characters and the magical feeling that something more is at play than you first realise. This is something the author really does excel at and she weaves a wonderful vibe throughout the book, but also picks out important events that are wound into the lives of her fictional characters.

This book is fabulous and one that can easily be read in a single sitting, it has a heart and a story that is enchanting as well as sad. Another stunning book from this author and one that I would recommend.

This was a little slow to start but then I really got immersed in the story and the history and couldn’t put it down. Edith was trying to come to terms with her grief and so moving to Paris seemed like a great idea…. I don’t want to give anymore away but I would recommend, extremely low stakes and just a cosy small French village romance, beautifully written and thoroughly enjoyable.

Thank you Netgalley for E-ARC of this in return for honest review.

I wanted to love this like I did the Story Collector, but this main character Edie just was so irritating. I couldn't read one more line of her her makeup and her clothing choices! Too much is also going on, is this a history novel, a cozy fantasy, a meet cute tmromance , a mystery...chaotic!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

If you love France and pastries you will enjoy this read. I found it a heartwarming story that connects the past with the future.

Evie woods is one of my favorite authors so when I got approved I was freaking out:) I loved this book I am not usually a romance reader but this book surprised me:)
What I loved
- the cover is stunning
- the story I loved the gentle romance
- the setting I mean you had me at small bakery in Paris
- the writing I love evie woods writing style
- the cozy feeling this is a perfect book to read during the winter it has a cozy vibe and I am here for it!!
- the magical twist I love the magic element that evie woods sprinkles into all her books 📚


The only reason why I am not giving this book a five start rating is because I feel the story was a little slow at the beginning took me awhile to get into it:) thank you again net galley !!! I will post my review on goodreads when the book get published!

Edith feels like her life has stalled after years of caring for her ill mother. On a whim she accepts a position as assistant manager at a bakery in Paris. Excited for change, she is crushed when she realizes the bakery is actually in a small town outside Paris.
Not exactly what she expected, but she pours her heart into the bakery, friends and the local history. Very cute story that tugs at your heartstrings, friendship, greed, misunderstandings and a ghost keep the pages turning. Not to mention the mouth watering baguettes, croissants and cupcakes!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions in this review are my own. Thank you Harper Collins Publishers

I was really drawn into the story and was enjoying it immensely, then at a certain point, I knew exactly what was going to happen in the rest of the book. In the Romance world, books and movies often follow a pattern. This is not a surprise to anyone that tends to watch/read a lot of romance stories, but I have to say that in this case I was disappointed. The first half of the book was unique (to me) since it had a magical, spiritual element. I was sorry to then see it go straight into a “Hallmark” movie plot that is often used.

The plot is planned and written well. The characters are developed wonderfully. There is nothing I disliked about the plot except I expected more than I receive. I was just wishing for something to wow me.

I want to thank HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

Mystery isn’t my usual book genre so perhaps Mystery buffs might differ on their opinion. I got this as an eARC and enjoyed my way through.

It wasn’t groundbreaking but it was definitely cozy, setting up a nice ambience and def made me hungry. It’s a light mystery that one can enjoy. Not very high stakes

This was an absolutely perfect airplane read. A bit fluffy, but still heartwarming and gives you hope about humanity, PLUS you learn a bit of history! I enjoyed the characters (even if they were a bit annoying) and I definitely want to read more from this author.

The sense of place is done really well, I very much want to go to France now :)

What I liked:
-The beautiful French setting.
-The cover.
-The descriptions of the scenery and the food. All the food! Definitely made me want to seek out a French bakery as soon as possible!
-The relationships between the characters and the ending was sweet.
What I didn't like:
-I got it from NetGalley thinking it was a new release and it isn't a new book, it's a re-release.
-I struggled with the quality of the writing.
-I didn't really feel like the magical element worked.
-It was slow at times and not believable.
-The writing. (Yep, I said it twice)

I had high hopes for this book. I absolutely loved the setting and the idea of the story, but sadly, it just fell flat.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris is a heartwarming and magical tale about Edie Lane, who moves to France in search of a fresh start, only to stumble upon something far more extraordinary than she ever imagined.

Expecting to work as an assistant manager in a charming Parisian bakery, Edie is in for a surprise when the bakery is actually in Compiegne, not Paris. Instead of the picturesque experience she envisioned, she finds herself in a rundown apartment, working under a grumpy boss, and feeling more lost than ever.

As the story unfolds, we meet a cast of endearing characters, each with their own struggles and dreams. Through a touch of magic and unexpected friendships, The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris beautifully illustrates how sometimes, with a little help, we can all find our way and how within each of us lies a seed of potential, just waiting for the right moment to bloom.

This is a lovely gentle romance with a little bit of supernatural thrown in. Edith is a little stuck after the death of her mother and at the grand old age of 29 decides to restart her life and answers an advert for an assistant manager at a bakery in Paris. When she gets there she realises that she should be at a little bakery which is about an hour away from Paris. Edith continues on her journey and is confronted with a very grumpy French woman who appears to distrust people, including Edith.

Edith settles into life at the bakery and soon realises there is something strange about it and she has never met the actual baker. She also meets Nicole who invites her on a night out where she meets Hugo. From here on in the story is fairly predictable in that Edith and Hugo form a bond which is quickly shattered after misunderstandings from both parties. Throw in the little supernatural and you end up with a really lovely read

This is easy to read, kept me interested and was wonderful for escapism

Enjoyed this book. I mean, it's set in France and about a bakery, so that's a great start for a book! Edith moves to France after her mother passes away and although she doesn't end up quite where she thought - it's Rue de Paris, not actual Paris. However, once she gets over that, she starts to settle into her new job and life. There are some mysteries she has to solve and then of course, there is Hugo, who she meets in a jazz club. This book had a bit of everything - mystery, friendships made, new job & country and a potential love story. Oh and of course, french pastries and bread!
Recommended.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review, which is what I have given.

Edies dream of a bakery in Paris, Mysterious pastry shop. All of theis will hook you in and you will have to read this to the end. A really wonders tale of life and love and family.. You must read this!!

Loved loved loved this book - my favourite one by Evie so far. Great characters, French bread and cakes, history and a ghost - all baked into an uplifting story.

It took me a while to get into this book completely, I must say. Although it has a distinct charm, it's one of those tales that gradually captivates you. The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris, which is situated in the charming town of Compiègne, creates a mystical ambiance surrounding a bakery that promises more than simply mouthwatering pastries—it provides a little touch of magic with each bite. I found the thought of baked products having such power fascinating, regardless of whether it's due to luck, forgotten memories, or unspoken desires.

Edie Lane's story is full of surprising turns and relatable. She initially has great expectations for her ideal career in Paris, but she ends herself in a very different place. Even if Compiègne wasn't her original destination, it turns out that she might be right where she needs to be. Although Edie's early difficulties adjusting felt a little slow, they ultimately set up a very fulfilling character arc in this tale of serendipity and finding your path.

I couldn't put the book down once I got into the rhythm of it, and the writing is stunning. Every confection seems to be laced with enchantment, and Evie Woods' choice of words puts you right in the middle of the bakery. I was captivated by the relationships among the individuals, the bakery, and the secrets surrounding it.

This is a lovely and cozy story. One where you should grab your favorite blanket, make a cup of tea, and sit down to savor this story.
Love, a bit of mystery, and a host of characters. Added bonus - France!
Than you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK / One More Chapter for the ARC.

“…my heart was holding out for something amazing to happen. And who was I to stand in the way of that?”

The thing about this author is her books are amazing but don’t read them in areas you aren’t okay with crying in, like I did at work while reading this during lunch. I really should know better but the problem with a good book is you can’t put it down and you have to read it at every opportunity. Watching Edie find herself and strike out on her own for the first time was so amazing to watch, she is someone that you can easily relate to and at the same time wish you could be as brave as her.

A cute read with a little bit of mystery mixed in. I enjoyed the story of life at the bakery but found everything just a bit superficial; I never really felt like I knew the characters. I enjoyed learning about the region of France and all of the history.