Overall I thought this was a charming story, and for the most part I enjoyed it. However, I thought it was odd that it started talking about Edith, the main character, as being middle aged, only to find out she wasn’t even 30. The other part that bothered me is that this isn’t a new release. It is a re-release of her older work. I feel that should have been disclosed. I didn’t even realize it until I went to add it to Goodreads.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a delightful story! Evie Woods has the uncanny ability to bring to life stories that are realistic as well as magical. Her writing style reminds me much of Joanne Harris (Chocolat, The Girl with No Shadow). This story brings strong characters, a storyline that is well- developed, full of intrigue, a healthy dose of history, the importance of family and friends, the beauty of a small French town, the delight of warm breads and delicious pastries, a main character who is both eager and reticent to allow her true self to flourish, and a love that is waiting to blossom. Each book that I read by Evie Woods seems to be even stronger and more magical than the last and I find myself reading slower and slower towards the end because I'm just not ready to leave the characters I've come to care for or the wonderful setting. If you love France, wonderful little bakeries, love, music, history, and mystery, then please read this book. You'll be transported into the story in no time and, like me, you likely will want to linger there a while.

I gave The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris four ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you Harper Collins, Net Galley and Evie Woods for this ARC. These are my honest opinions.

I will be honest and say that I thought about putting this down a few times in the beginning. Yes, I know Edie was going to France and expected some French words here and there. But, the beginning of this book had way too many sentences and conversations completely in French to the point that I wasn’t sure what was going on. That and the first time Pierre had a chapter, there was no explanation of who/why he was. You eventually figure out who he is, but that could have been handled a little differently.

Other than that, I loved the book! I liked the characters and their growth. I liked the overall story and the resolution at the end. I liked the arcs of the book.

This was a palette cleanser for me. It’s a quick read that doesn’t get too deep or heavy. It has a splash of magic and touches on historical fiction.

I love all of Evie Woods books. I thought this one was great story wise, although it was very heavy on what felt like a forced romance without initial chemistry at the beginning and lingered for a chapter or two longer than needed. I was waiting for the magic part of the bakery until almost halfway through the books. I loved the interconnected characters, and it truly felt like a small-town community. I ended up looking up the town it's set in- I didn't know that all the historical facts about the town were true! loved that addition. Any chance to learn while being intrigued. The bulk of the book was well written and entertaining, but the beginning and ending chapters felt rushed and forced.

Engaging story with heartwarming details and historical fiction about France. I liked the overall feel of the story but felt that some of the details were a bit disjointed and hard to follow. But overall and good enjoyable read and I will read the next one by Evie woods. Thank you to the publisher for and advanced copy

Paris, bakery and romance what more can you ask for! Just what mysteries are going on in the basement of the bakery. Can it be that someone from the past is baking bread or is there a more resent change in the place. You will love this book!

After a slight mix up, Edith Lane finds that her new assistant manager position is at a vintage bakery in Compiegne France, and not in Paris like she initially thought. The bakery owner doesn’t make Edith’s new position all that easy, but she is determined to start a new life for herself, after leaving behind heartbreak in Ireland. As she spends more time at the bakery, she starts to find friendship, purpose, and the promise of a new relationship. But there are unexplained mysteries and secrets happening at the bakery, that will put Edith’s new start, to the test.

I was immediately hooked by the first line of The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris. I also think I gained 10 pounds while reading this book! The bakery setting is perfect and I loved reading about all of the delicious pastries and breads that are served there, and the legacy of its past.

Woods does a remarkable job of bringing together historical fiction, magical realism, mystery, and romance in this story. I really seem to connect with her writing, and I love seeing how her stories unfold. The way she connects the past and the present is done really well, and there is some history shared about the Romani Holocaust during WWII, that I didn’t know happened during that time.

I loved the relationships that Edith built throughout the story, and the way her character grew and began to heal from the grief she has been carrying. The people of Compiegne are endearing, and I enjoyed how they came together to help one another and to fight for the bakery.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris is my third book by Woods, and I have not been disappointed by any of the ones I have read. If you love a cozy French setting, starting over in life, romance, mystery, and a bit of the supernatural, then I would definitely recommend The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris.

I fell enchanted with Evie's prior "The Lost Bookshop," so this was a must-read for me!

Edie Lane's journey in Evie Woods' charming novel is one of discovery, resilience, and the magic of community. Edie arrives in Paris to manage a bakery, but quickly discovers she's been misdirected to a small town an hour outside of the city. As she navigates her new life, realigns her expectations, and finds ways to make it work, Edie uncovers a world of warmth, kindness, and the joy of connection. The story is a heartwarming tale of new beginnings, expertly woven together with themes of love, loss, and redemption.

Woods' writing has a captivating quality that makes you want to settle in with a warm cup of hot chocolate and get lost in the world she's created. The setting of a small town in France is vividly brought to life, complete with delicious pastries, freshly baked breads, and charming characters. The author's use of magic is understated yet effective, adding depth and richness to the narrative. As Edie's story unfolds, you'll find yourself swept up in her journey, rooting for her as she faces challenges and discovers new passions. With its lighthearted tone, engaging plot, and uplifting message, this book is a perfect read for anyone looking for a feel-good, escapist tale.

Thanks to One More Chapter and Netgallery for the ARC of The Mysterious Bakery on Rue De Paris.

I think this book was...ok at best. I was not invested in the characters or care for the romance (even though it was not the "main plot point" imo). I did love the baked good recipes but I wanted more. Which is a common thing for me while reading this, I wanted more.

Thanks to Netgallery for the opportunity in exchange of an honest review.

I received an ARC of this book in an exchange for a review from Netgalley. I enjoyed the pieces of this book, the remanence on WWII, the love story, the bakery's growth, the main characters growth. But, it seemed to be smashed together. There were multiple parts I felt needed fleshed out more, and I struggled with relating to the main character, as her voice didn't match her age/ story. Overall, I enjoyed the premise, and would have loved to read it from a third person point of view, or without as many moving pieces.

Edie Lane arrives in Paris to answer an ad for a bakery manager. What unfolds is a story of survival and magic. A magic only the truly determined can provide. It is a promise made in a time of such violence and destruction. It is the joy of giving friends and neighbors a place to come together as community. It is a promise that spins its magic in the lives of two young people in this day and lets the ghosts of yesterday have peace.

Wow… this was such a great book, I don’t know where to start. Edith moves to Paris to pursue her dreams while managing a bakery. When she arrives in Paris, she discovers she’s misunderstood the location and must travel to a small town to find the actual bakery she was hired to work at. Edith must adjust to her new life, realign her expectations, and find a way to make things work. This book is magical, perfectly ties together the past and present, and shows that love is stronger than anyone can imagine. Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 for the eARC!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Adorable book set in the modern day on a small town an hour outside of Paris. Our young protagonist Edith has decided to take on a role that will get her out of Scotland to help her find herself and her purpose after the passing of her mother. Baking is in her blood and so it doesn't seem like such a leap to take a job as an assistant manager at a local cafe. Once she arrives she quickly realizes that maybe this job isn't exactly what she thought it would be.

I enjoyed the brisk movement of the plot as well as the continuous introduction of new characters in a way that made sense and wasn't overwhelming to keep everyone straight. Evie Woods books are adorable because they are easy to read and you can nearly count on a happy ending, whatever that might be.

Do you need a read that is on the lighter side?

Imagine taking a job thinking it’s in Paris, France and then realizing when arriving it’s an hour north by train. This is exactly what happened to Edie Lane. At 29, Edie needed a change, so taking a job at a bakery in France was what she decided to do. What she didn’t expect was all that she would encounter. A cranky boss who is demanding! Will this be the change Edie needs? Can Edie make the most out of her new job despite the challenges? What will she discover?

A heartwarming story of new beginnings! I loved how this author connected the past with the present! Reading about all the delicious pastries, breads, and the famed hot chocolates makes you want to make them! What a fun and entertaining read that transports you to France! A great book for book clubs as it will lead to many great discussions!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was hard for me to read for many reasons one of the biggest reasons was the derogatory term for Romani people being used repeatedly throughout this book.

Some of the other reasons I had trouble with this book was the fact there was a lot of French with zero translation so I found myself confused and lost to what was going on more than once.

Medical misinformation , the medical misinformation about cystic fibrosis I grew up with a best friend with it and the misinformation was less than amusing. First off most people that have cystic fibrosis are diagnosed by the age of two and to be diagnosed in adult hood like the MC mother was would mean she had little to no symptoms meaning she wouldn’t of died so rapidly from it. It also would have been incredibly difficult for her to have gotten pregnant .

I don’t know it just feels like the writer of this book did little to no research for this book which made it unenjoyable for me personally.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper 360 for the arc.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris has to be one of my favorite reads thus far this year. First thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this as an ARC reader from Netgalley. I voluntarily chose to read this. I found this book to have a beautiful story line. It was immersive. I don’t speak a lick of French, so I found myself struggling a bit. But this is a book about Paris, haha! The MFC was very likable and relatable. I found myself youtubing, researching references and places for better understanding. Every character that was mention, made sense and brought richness to the story line. I loved the description of the bakery/bakery items! The were twists that I didn’t anticipate. The book flowed and read easily. Overall I would recommend this to those who are fans of historical fiction, mystery and romance. Really great and fun read! You can tell the author really did their research. This is a 5 star read for me.

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.

After doing a bit of research, I discovered that The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris was a self-published novel by Evie Gaughan in 2014. It’s slightly difficult to find but it IS possible. This book is now being published traditionally under the pen name Evie Woods, as she has found quite a bit of success with her 2023 novel The Lost Bookshop. As a reader who enjoys fantasy and magical realism, I enjoyed The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris.

Edith is making a fresh start after accepting a position in a Parisian bakery. Except after landing on French soil, Edith realizes that the bakery is actually quite a distance from the city of Paris. Settling into the idea that she will not be in Paris proper, Edith makes her home in an attic above the family-owned bakery in which she works. She gets to know the family who has owned the bakery for a few generations, as well as making friends in the little village. Through the process, Edith discovers a mystery.

If you enjoy reading the French language (there’s not really any translations when French is spoken in the book), a Parisian setting, and a bit of magical realism, this is great choice. Although the ending is a bit predictable and contrived, I found the story compelling and historically relevant, and the characters delightful.

www.wilsonhillworks.com/reviews/themysteriousbakery

Thank you to Evie Woods, Harper, and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris was a good book by Evie Woods. I have read Wood’s books in the past and this book reminds me a lot her previous works. It was full of magic and intrigue. The characters were complex and experience growth throughout. The story is told from multiple perspectives and multiple time periods. The description of food was great and the setting was charming. This book truly immerses the reader in French culture. I wish I spoke French so I could truly understand the French spoken throughout the book. Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

I wanted to love this. My entire mom's side of the family is French and I speak it on a moderate level. I will say that understanding the language will make this more enjoyable for you. The author does do a good job of explaining it after the words are spoken but I think it broke up the flow a bit for me.

I do like the mystery of it and the setting is well described. The characters are good but I would have liked them to have a deeper layer to them.

I do like that the author played into some history and supernatural elements as well. It just didn't engage me like I had hoped and I found myself skimming over some scenes. A solid effort that just needs some polishing. The mystery of it is good but I think it just takes a long time to get into that piece of the story..