
Member Reviews

I found the book a little slow at the start, but then it piqued my interest.
I would have preferred less of the French grammar, as I had to keep working out what it meant in translation. I know I could have read on and got the gist of it, but I’m a bit of a stickler for the details.
I felt the book had an olde worlde feel about it, and sometimes it seemed that it was set in an earlier time than it actually was.
Reading about the Boulangerie and Patisserie goodies made me so want to be there.
The book had a sprinkling of magic to it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

I really enjoyed this, different point of views, a captivating story, one of my favourite reads so far this year

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris is a charming and cozy read that combines a touch of mystery with delightful baking scenes. Woods creates a warm, inviting atmosphere, and the characters are likable and relatable. The storyline is light hearted but sprinkled with engaging twists that keep things interesting. Sometimes, the pace slowed a bit in the middle, which is why I rated it four stars instead of five. Still, it’s a perfect escape for anyone who enjoys delightful mysteries set in picturesque small-town settings, with plenty of treats and sweet surprises along the way.

A really magical book, set in a small town in France. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery of the bakery, the historical aspects and meeting a range of different characters over the course of the book. I was gripped with this one and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collin’s Publishing’s One More Chapter for an advanced read copy of Evie Woods’s newest book, The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris.
After the death of her mother, Edie takes a position at what she thinks is a Parisian bakery only to discover it is not located in Paris, but in an outside town rich in history and holding magical secrets. Ready for a fresh start and to discover who she is, Edie forms friendships with locals and warms her way into the bakery's owner's heart only to discover a deep, haunting mystery surrounding the family and bakery. As Edie seeks out her life's purpose, she delves into the historical mystery surrounding the bakery while trying to preserve its rich heritage and future stability. With a handsome love interest complicating everything, will Edie find what she was hoping for in France?
Like the common threads of all Evie Woods’s books, The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris, exudes warmth and hope with the perfect hints of history, fantasy and romance.

A magical story about finding yourself in unexpected places.
This was my first book by this author, and I can see why her books are so beloved. The writing is so compelling, and it's super easy to read this on a rainy day and forget everything for a little while.
Plot-wise, I struggled a bit to feel for the main character, who is such a clichéd, "I'm going to start over in magical Paris and then everything will just fall into place" naive, she honestly didn't feel like someone nearing 30. She of course falls madly in love and finds her soulmate in the first man she meets and the road to the magical happily ever after is of course lined with miscommunication and misunderstandings.
My point being, in my opinion, you have to be in the mood for something as sweet as this. On a rainy day, curled up with a blanket, drinking hot cocoa, this is the perfect book.
Definitely not my last book by this author!

Meh. You can really see how the author has grown in her writing in the years since she wrote this. It has none of the charm of her more recent Lost Bookshop. One can clearly see the seeds of her storytelling style which have been planted here and have grown into something beautiful, but unfortunately, there is no beauty here, only boredom.

I devoured this gorgeous book, that combines a deeply romantic story, and enticing descriptions of baked goods - both equally delicious.
Edie is 29 and feels that she hasn't lived much of a life of note. Her beloved Mum knew she wasn't going to live into old age, and so Edie spent as much time as possible with her and her father, putting her life on hold somewhat In the process.
In the midst of her grief she impulsively applies for an assistant manager role in what she believed to be Paris. But which actually turns out to be a small bakery in Compiègne owned by the taciturn Genevieve Moreau.
As Edie finds her feet and a delicious secret ingredient, she begins to find self-confidence and joy. But there is a mystery to the bakery. A mystery Edie is determined to solve.
She also meets the handsome Hugo who fills her heart with glee with his old-fashioned charm. But Hugo may not be quite what he seems. And of course true love often comes with bumps in the road.
This book is comfort from start to finish. Beautiful writing, interesting characters and history, and joy spills out from every page. There is sadness too, but more than anything there's a message of hope. Even from the darkest of times, happiness can return if you listen to your heart and dare to follow your dreams.

4.5 stars!
I’m so glad I found another author among the ranks of MIA Sheridan & Jenny Colgan. This book gave Hallmark movie vibes but with a bit more substance. I can’t wait to read the rest of her books.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I really wanted to like this, but... I just can't. It's not the book (mostly), it's me. This is a cute, lighthearted romance/fantasy, and if you aren't french, you'll probably enjoy it. But reading this as a French person is... an experience. No, all french people don't religiously read Proust in the evening, sitting on public benches with a baguette under their arm. Also, not to judge, but this author has never eaten a Pain aux raisins in her life. Yeah, it's called pain. No, it's NOT a type of bread. Give a french person a pain aux raisins that has a "thick dark crust" and is shaped like a loaf, they'll run away screaming.
Overall, this was entertaining and light - just not realistically french enough for this french person.

When I saw this book by Evie Woods, I was excited to read it since I have enjoyed her other books. However, this book was very slow moving and I had a hard time pushing myself through it. It took me quite a while to finish.
I typically love magical realism, so a mysterious haunted bakery sounds right up my alley. I was left disappointed though, because the ghost aspect of the story is only a very minor part. The romance also felt very superficial and rushed. I didn’t feel connections to the characters either, and Edith had some very odd reactions to Hugo.
In all, I think the premise of this story had a lot of potential, but it never really reached it. The end of the book was better than the beginning, but if a friend of mine was interested in reading this, I would likely advise them to skip it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC to read and review.

I am a fan of cozy mysteries that incorporate history and fantasy elements. A magical cup of hot chocolate helps unlock memories of the past. The descriptions of the charming little homes and the wood sprite keep me engaged. The narration sets this story up to be a winner. Describing the fun little abodes and a wood sprite keeps you drawn in. The narration set this up to be a winner.
Thank you Audible Audio and NetGalley for an amazing ARC,

Having loved The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods I was excited to get my hands on The Mysterious Bakery on the Rue de Paris and I wasn’t disappointed. Edie Lane has decided that she needs to take control of her life after helping her father look after her mother until she died. She takes up a job working in a bakery in France however whilst she believes that she will be working in Paris it turns out the bakery is on the Rue de Paris in the small town of Compiegne. At first, she thinks she has made a big mistake as she is not sure that the bakery really needs her and the owner is a little prickly and secretive. As she starts to make friends with some of the locals and settles into her new life it is not long before Edie is determined to find out what secret is being protected and why she has never met the baker who is responsible for all the treats she sells.
I really like Edie, despite what life has thrown at her, she has not lost the willingness to try something new or the need to help those who look like they are struggling. Her boss is a bit distant, but it turns out there is a very good reason for this, one that is not evident to begin with.
The book has a dual timeline that goes between present day and France during the war when being different was not a good thing. Through this we learn about the origins of the bakery and its original owner, giving the story a heartbreaking and magical twist that ripples through to the present day and threatens not only the bakery but Edie’s new life.
Evie Woods has once again managed to transport her readers to a different time and place with descriptions and images that have you wanting to be a part of the story. Her characters are charming and relatable and the mysterious elements that she weaves seamlessly into her books just add that something extra. This is the perfect book for those that love a cosy and heartwarming read and for me Evie Woods is fast becoming an author I will turn to when I need a change of pace and a bit of a feel-good factor.

“The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris” is a heartwarming and gently magical read that wraps you in the comfort of pastries, small town charm, and second chances.
The French town of Compiègne comes to life with rich descriptions and a hint of magic that lingers like the scent of freshly baked bread. Edith’s journey of healing and self discovery is touching, and the bakery itself with its ghostly baker and secret recipes adds just the right amount of mystery and whimsy.
While I wished the magical elements had been explored a bit more deeply, the blend of historical intrigue, lovable characters, and emotional depth made this a thoroughly enjoyable read. This book is a cozy escape with heart and soul.

This was a cute, cozy book! I found this to be a pretty easy read, perfect for cuddling up on the couch with a cup of tea. The mystery was pretty easy to solve, but that isn’t always a bad thing.

For an easy, light-hearted read with a hint of mystery and magical realism, you can't go wrong with Evie Woods.
I was a big fan of The Lost Bookshop and although the plot of The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris are a little more predictable and the characters slightly less well-rounded, it's still a great summer read that will leave you dreaming of quaint French bakeries and escaping to a new life abroad.
It's got romance, humour, a little hint of mystery and a whole lot of delectable pastries - and sometimes that's exactly what you're looking for!

A mostly lighthearted read, with some serious parts about Northern France in WW2 . Edie moves to France to work in a bakery. There are reasons for her wanting to start afresh in a new place. She thinks she is going to Paris, but her new workplace is in Compiègne. After a shaky start, she gradually settles into life in the town and gets to know her employer and the mystery of the bakery. She also makes friends in the town and there is a love interest. The plot follows a fairly predictable pattern, but is entertaining.
I read this quite quickly, I didn't have to think about it too much. I like the descriptions of the buildings and the historical aspect (not normally my thing) . The descriptions of relationships were a little too shallow in my view. But it was an enjoyable read on the whole
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

I’d like to first thank Author Evie Woods and Harper Collins for a copy of this eARC.
Overall I enjoyed the journey Edie went on, though unexpected and challenging, her discoveries within herself were very enlightening. Evie Woods has a spectacular talent for drawing you into her stories and immersing yourself in the lives of her characters.

3.5 stars. An "Emily in Paris" type of story that's easy to read, fun, and lighthearted. Yes, there's a bit of mystery but nothing heavy. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. The perfect summer read. And it will leave you hankering for a trip to France! Reading this book allowed me to live vicariously through the main character, Edie, as she travels from her homeland Ireland to France for a job in a bakery. Little does she know that it will change her life forever. Thank you to NetGalley.com, HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter for the Advanced Readers Copy.

Evie Woods does it again in this new novel! You will find yourself transported into another time and will have a hard time putting this one down. The characters stay with you long after you finish it. Highly recommend!