I really enjoyed this book! Given the title and cover, I was expecting something quite different and I was pleasantly surprised. I loved learning about this time in history from a unique perspective. I especially loved that badass female lead that was eons ahead of her time. Seeking independence at her age, at that time, was a bold move. I always love a dual timeline and I was completely satisfied with the way things wrapped up.

I will be going and reading the previous books by this author. A beautifully written multi generational story set in Paris and the remarkable bakery that links them together is what you’ll find in Aimee Runyan’s latest novel, A Bakery in Paris. This captivating story is a tantalizing blend of history and culinary inspiration, weaving a poignant dual narrative that links two women to one Paris Bakery. The characters were likable. The dual time lines were interesting and the bakery/recipes were a nice distraction. in 1870, Paris is under siege by the Prussians. Lisette, born to a rich family, is promised to be married to a man she does not love. however, she does love the rebellion of poor French people fighting for equal rights, better pay, and to not starve to death. in 1946, world war ii is drawing to a close and Micheline is holding out hope that her mother will return after disappearing under suspicious circumstances. Micheline attends pastry school and learns how to bake, facing scrutiny from her teachers. this novel was well written, but i definitely preferred Lisette's story to Micheline's. this is perfect novel for someone who enjoys the art of baking, I recognized many of the pastries from the Great British Baking Show. The heart of this book is two strong women trying to find their way through the many struggles of daily life and living through wars, relying on baking to help them emotionally and financially. It was a good reminder that we can handle a lot more than we think we can.

Thanks to William Morrow, NetGalley and Aimee Runyan for the opportunity.

In 1870 Paris, young Lisette Vigneau lives a life of luxury in the Place Royale with her wealthy parents and employees. While she complies with her mother’s commands, she sneaks into the kitchen to learn and assist the servants in how to cook the house’s meals. However, the Prussians are at the city’s gates and obstructing the food supply coming into the city. And when she meets National Guardsman Theodore Fournier, her world expands far beyond the walls of her home. In 1946 Paris, young Micheline Chartier is raising her two younger sisters, coping with the death of her father and disappearance of her mother two years prior, during WWII. With the help of her neighbor, she enrolls in a prestigious baking academy and is overwhelmed by the path ahead of her. But her classmate Laurent Tanet lends a helping hand each step of the way. Yet she continues to search for answers as to her mother’s whereabouts, unable to accept the possibility that she won’t return home. A Bakery in Paris by Aimee K. Runyan is a historical fiction novel that details the lives of two young women, generations apart, connected by simple bakery, where they both must overcome loss in order to persevere.

I definitely recommend A Bakery in Paris - especially to fans of historical fiction and lovers of baking. Lisette’s and Micheline’s connected POVs are interlaced with recipes for various French pastries. Runyan cleverly uses these dishes to move both plots along and strengthen the connection between these two lives, generations apart. Anyone who doubted the power of food will be enlightened by this novel. If not, they are at least highly likely to rush to their nearest bakery for a delicious and flakey treat.

I'm a big fan of Aimie Runyan. It took me a while to get to the book because I wasn't sure it I would like something that seemed gimmicky to me. Lately, there seems to be books centered around libraries and bakeries, and the ones I've read have tended to fall flat.

This one did not. Lissette's story, especially, was compelling. The story of the Paris Commune is one few fictional writers seem to want to get into, but man, I wish they would. Runyan's character depicts the dichotomy between the upper and lower classes. And the humanity of both in such a way that was relatable.

The post WWII story was good, too, though I much preferred Lissette's story.

I would like Aimie Runyan to consider writing another story centered around the Paris Commune. She made the Montemarte neighborhood come to life, but there feels like there is more of a story to tell.

In the Authors notes, Runyan mentions that this was the book she wanted to write while the school for German Brides was center stage. And you can feel the love of this story in every page. German Brides wasn't may favorites of hers, and I can sort of understand why that is now.

A Bakery in Paris is another wonderful historical fiction novel by Aimie Runyan. It's an unusual story with an interesting plotline. The characters are likeable and the story engaging. Anyone who reads WWII fiction or any historical fiction will enjoy A Bakery in Paris.

I had an especially good time reading this book about baking while I was doing lots of my own holiday baking. I even got the audiobook so that I could alternate and listen while flour was poofing out of my KitchenAid mixer (I have great-grandma’s mixer, which STILL works – without the splash shield… and hence the mess. Even the fact that I was baking with my own great-grandmother’s equipment was a bit of a goosebumpy experience for me since it paralleled the story).

I feel so honored that Runyan will be our speaker at the Historical Novel Society- Arizona meeting this weekend, and I can’t wait to hear more about the historical research that went into this book about two fierce women separated by time and united by blood, but also living parallel lives around the misfortune and horrors of two different periods of political upheaval/war. The biggest connector: a bakery that served communities during their times of greatest need. And the two women behind them.

Runyan gently twines the dual-period story together like braided dough (and even includes actual recipes). I’m a sucker for generational stories that include epistolary elements – here, Lisette’s baking notes give the reader (and Michelene) so much additional character depth.

This book offers a taste of everything for readers: women’s fiction, historical fiction, a little bit of romance, and a foodie tale. The healing properties of food – not just baked items – is a theme gently woven throughout. I personally recommend reading this during the holidays while you’re baking; it adds one additional layer of kinship between reader and characters.

My thanks to William Morrow for the gifted e copy.

A story of baking, a bakery in Paris, 2 different women, Lisette in the 1890's and Micheline during WWII. Paris in 2 different war years. Loved the characters and the baking! Their personal tragedies and their journeys to happiness.

The stories, centered on a Montmartre bakery, of 2 women in different historical eras - Lisette Vigneau in the 1870's when Paris was besieged by Prussians; and Micheline Chartier just after World War II.

A journal passed down through the decades connects these two lives, with some of its entries interspersed through the book. Both women deal with very challenging times and personal tragedy - and both surmount them and find happiness again.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, & HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.

Having really liked The School for German Brides, I was excited to be given the chance to read this book, and it definitely did not disappoint. One of the things I’ve enjoyed from her books is the murky motivations some of her characters have and this one gives you a lot to think about in terms of gray morals.

One of the timelines also deals heavily with the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, which I knew very little about and really enjoyed learning more of as the plot progressed.

Both timelines have strong female characters that are easy to root for, and both have romances woven throughout that are not overpowering and allow the female MCs the chance to have their own stories, which I appreciated.

Definitely recommend this one! (Also, there are recipes inside!!)

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this dual timeline novel a lot.

I’m a sucker for all baked goods so this novel, set in a bakery, was right up my alley. This was an interesting view of the time period and one I am interested in learning more about. I loved the character development and was completely invested in the main characters. The supporting case were real standouts in this one!

The first book I have read by Aimie Runyon and it makes me want to read all of her books!! A fine effort that tells the story of a bakery in the Montmartre area of Paris, and told through a double time line. We follow Lisette who is born into aristocracy and who eventually makes her way to Montmartre to follow her love and opens the baker back in 1870's. We also follow her great-granddaughter, Micheline who lives above the bakery and who will eventually reopen the bakery there after WW2. It is a story of a bakery, two women, recipes, loves, as well as coping with the hardships of WW2 and its aftermath, as well as the 1870's when the Prussians surrounded the city of Paris and people were starving, as well as the fight for control of the city thereafter between the Communards and the Federal government. Well researched, and very well written, we follow these two ladies in alternating chapters as they strive to provide for the common men and women who live in the Montmartre district and how this bakery not only helps those citizens survive, but also help Lisette and Micheline overcome and survive the losses that they face in their lives. Filled with memorable characters, and a well devised dual timeline plot, the book also is a treat because every few chapters we are treated to a few of "Lisette's" recipes! So good, and my wife had a great time making pastries from those presented in the book. A feast for the mind, soul and stomach, A Bakery in Paris is a delightful read for both its history and its humanity!!

Following Lisette in the 1870s during the Franco-Prussian War and the days of the Paris Commune and her great-granddaughter Micheline who is struggling to stay afloat in the years after World War II, Runyan’s latest historical fiction novel is a fantastic, fascinating, and enjoyable story. Connected by struggle, a love of their families, and a bakery in Montmartre, Lisette and Micheline’s parallel narratives are incredibly engaging, enjoyable, and heartwarming. Runyan’s characters are charismatic, vibrant, loving, brave, and patient, and the minor characters from both settings are equally dynamic and compelling. The struggles that Lisette and Micheline face are grim, yet both women rely on themselves and on others for their success and survival. Montmartre, the bakery Le Bijou, and the other locations from across the two eras are characters in their own right, pillars of the Parisian community that both Lisette and Micheline participate in, and Runyan has brought these charming locations to life. This novel is heartwarming, engaging, fascinating, and tied to historical events that Runyan has vividly brought to life. A Bakery in Paris is a great novel full of genuine characters, immersive settings, delectable recipes, and a beautiful story.

Could not put this book down. Love the two different narrators from two different war eras in Paris. The author beautifully and slowly weaves their tales together in unexpected way. If you are a fan of historical fiction, love stories, or baking this is the book for you! The two female narrators are amazing and exciting women who conquer Paris during the worst of times.

I’ve loved a few of Runyan’s books, so of course I was thrilled to receive an egalley of her newest release. This book follows two women in the same family, generations apart — one in 1870 and one in 1946 — both living in Paris.

I’ve struggled putting my thoughts into words because I honestly don’t have too much to say about it. The story was entertaining enough and I liked both main characters, but ultimately, the whole thing was just fine. It was a nice, charming, cozy setting with historical interest and a bit of romance, so I think this will be a hit for some, but for me, it was pretty forgettable.

I still enjoyed Runyan’s other books well enough that I would probably continue to read other books by her, but this one wasn’t a standout to me. Overall, I’d give it 3/5 stars.

This is such a good book. I read and loved Girls On The Line by this same author and this one is even better.

It's two timelines and two main characters. Starting in 1870 with the threat of Prussians starving out Paris. Lisette Vigneau is ignored by her parents. She runs away to be with the love of her life National Guardsman, Théodore Fournier. Lisette is a fighter. She believes in her fight to save Paris and she opens up a bakery to help feed the people. Of course she questions herself along the way but she's strong and she has Theo on her side.

Then we meet Lisette's great granddaughter Micheline. It's post WW2 1946 and Micheline's father is dead. Her mother has been missing for two years and Micheline is left to raise her younger sisters. She gets the chance to go to baking school while raising her sisters which is hard but could mean a lot to their lives too. She's also trying to find their mother. Micheline has so much going on.

This book is filled with hard choices, loss, love and a great love of baking. You find some pretty awesome recipes. An author's love of her work is obvious in this wonderfully written novel.

Thank you #NetGalley, #AimieKRunya, #WilliamMorrow for this ARC. This is truly my thoughts about this book.

Five huge stars and the highest recommendation.

A lovely little historical romance featuring two fierce and fleshed-out main characters, lifetimes apart. This novel is set during the Franco-Prussian War and post-WWII but seems light on its historical elements compared to other books in the genre instead focusing on more romance. Likewise, while we get interesting lesser characters, I'm still wanting more. If you have a reader in your life who loves an easy historical romance with strong women, French baking, and dual timelines this is the book for them!

The writing and the story with this book was done well. However personally I could not get involved with the characters or story. This was strictly a personal response and not anything to do with the author or writing.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

The first book I have read by Aimie Runyon and it makes me want to read all of her books!! A fine effort that tells the story of a bakery in the Montmartre area of Paris, and told through a double time line. We follow Lisette who is born into aristocracy and who eventually makes her way to Montmartre to follow her love and opens the baker back in 1870's. We also follow her great-granddaughter, Micheline who lives above the bakery and who will eventually reopen the bakery there after WW2. It is a story of a bakery, two women, recipes, loves, as well as coping with the hardships of WW2 and its aftermath, as well as the 1870's when the Prussians surrounded the city of Paris and people were starving, as well as the fight for control of the city thereafter between the Communards and the Federal government. Well researched, and very well written, we follow these two ladies in alternating chapters as they strive to provide for the common men and women who live in the Montmartre district and how this bakery not only helps those citizens survive, but also help Lisette and Micheline overcome and survive the losses that they face in their lives. Filled with memorable characters, and a well devised dual timeline plot, the book also is a treat because every few chapters we are treated to a few of "Lisette's" recipes! So good, and my wife had a great time making pastries from those presented in the book. A feast for the mind, soul and stomach, A Bakery in Paris is a delightful read for both its history and its humanity!!

A good, solid historical fiction, told in two time frames, about a great grandmother and her great granddaughter who have a lot in common. Each has a love for family and people in their neighborhood. Takes a while to read, as you'll be sure not to miss a word. Very real characters and their lives, through wars. Easy to get lost in, sometimes frustrating at the switch as you wonder what happened. Some cliff hangers there. Even recipes! Excellent read!

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#NetGalley #ABakeryInParis #AimieKRunyan #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #WilliamMorrowPaperbacks #HistoricalFiction #FiveStarHistorical