The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods is a book with a difficult to define genre. Is it a mystery? Is it a romance novel? Is it historical fiction? Is is magical realism? After reading it and giving it much thought, I have decided that this book has a "bit of everything" in it. It is charming, heartwarming, and inspirational as we share in Edie Lane's journey from Ireland to Compiegne, France to seek a new life by taking a job at a bakery she found from an ad in a paper and was hired after only having a brief phone call with the owner. It's not what she imagined it to be and she struggles with her own thoughts and emotions about the situation, her past, and her future. Edie Lane's inner turmoil is something I - and I imagine there must be others - can relate to which really made me root for her to succeed and find a happy ending. There are other characters that have their own interesting back stories that we grow to care about as well - and yes, there is romance. There is also a mystery to solve, some history to learn, and some wrongs to make right. I recommend this book to anyone who loves good storytelling. I received an ARC of The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris from NetGalley but all opinions here are my own.

Unfortunately, this one just didn’t quite work for me—more of a croissant crumble than a cozy mystery. I went in expecting a charming, mystery-filled story but found it leaned more heavily into historical romance, which wasn’t quite what I was looking for.

The plot felt somewhat disjointed, with several smaller storylines that didn’t seem to contribute meaningfully to the overall ending. The writing style skewed a bit younger than I anticipated, and I struggled to connect with the main character, who ended up being my least favorite part of the book.

That said, I’m still grateful to NetGalley, Harper 360, and author Evie Woods for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

I really enjoyed this book. It is well written, with mult-dimensional characters and just enough mystery to keep it interesting.

Edie shows up in Paris thinking this is the location of her new job. She accepted a job in a bakery online, which turns out to be on Rue de Paris in Compiegne, not in Paris. This turns out to be a twist of fate that changes Edie's life.

A simple story with a very slight nod to magic, the characters on Rue de Paris really shine. After making new friends and a new life, it all gets put in danger when the bakery is threatened by the bank. Can Edie and her new friends turn the bakeries fortune around just like her own.

I enjoyed the French setting and the light nature of Edie's story as she transitioned to the new life. I would have liked a little more magic in the magic realism, so if you love the whimsy of a magical realism story, this one doesn't quite it those chords. It is almost an afterthought and not really pertinent to the story. If you are in the market for a Spring Break or summer read, this one is perfect.

If you’re looking for a sweet book about finding yourself, and love, look no further. The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris is all that and more.
After her mother’s death, Edith flees the life she’s always known and flies to Paris at the behest of an online job advertisement. She ends up in Compangie, a small town with a grouchy old lady as a boss, and a mystery on her hands.
Why is she not allowed in the basement? And who is doing all the baking? We follow Edith and her friends (and maybe a lover oooh la la) as we discover the secrets of the bakery, the history of the town, and so much more.
This was a lovely, cozy read, perfect for those dreaming of finding themselves a better life.

Edith Lane is at crossroads in her life. She has spent years taking care of her mother who has recently passed and is looking for a new adventure. She finds an ad for a job in a bakery in Paris and thinks this is the answer. Paris was a favorite place for her mother and she has always wanted to visit. Although the bakery ends up being an hour north of Paris in a small village.
The vintage bakery soon becomes more than she bargained for she is not allowed in the basement kitchen and she is determined to find out why.
I had such high hopes for this book because I have loved her others. I felt the romantic storyline of Edith and Hugo was very predictable a little too Hallmark. The background story of the bakery was great I loved all the historical elements of the book. The story didn’t leave me wanting more like her others.

I enjoy books with magical realism, mystery and food ..lol For this reason, I grabbed The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods. Come travel with Edith to Compiègne, France, as she finds friendship, unravels the mysteries of the bakery, and falls in love for the first time.

Edith has spent most of her twenties taking care of her dying mother. Now that her mom has passed, she and her Dad are trying to find themselves. Looking for a new start and chasing the memories of baking with her mother, Edith applies for a job in Paris at the Bakery on Rue de Paris. She is shocked and excited when, after one interview; she gets the job.

The story begins as Edith leaves Ireland and her Dad behind traveling by train to Paris. Only to discover that the bakery is not in Paris, but in a vintage bakery in Compiègne. She is met at the station by a young boy who takes her to the Bakery on Rue de Paris where she meets the owner, a stern woman named Madame Moreau.

The story that unfolds is a coming of age tale for a later bloomer as Edith navigates, working in the bakery, making friends and falling in love for the first time. The story unfolds slowly with the smells of bread, the cobble streets and the history of Compiègne.

Edith is curious how all the bread is baked, as there is no kitchen on the first floor or door to the basement. She slowly unlocks the secrets of the bakery after discovering an old recipe book. Along the way, she meets a young man who isn’t quite who he seems, or is he?

A touch of mystery and magical realism wrapped in history made for a compelling story. While the storyline was predictable, the characters and discovering the why of it made for a heartwarming tale that offered the perfect escape. I loved the historical aspects that the author wove throughout the story regarding the WWII.

This story will leave you craving hot chocolate and bike rides in France…

Edie arrives in France not only looking for a change in her life but to try and change the course of her life since she lost her mother. What evolves is a stunning story that envelopes Edie and her new friends who strive to change the course of history for this small town bakery where Edie works. Love, determination and a great story allow the reader to sink into Edie’s world and her life in this small town in France. I loved the writing, the story and was sad to leave this charming heartfelt story. A must read.!

W🤩W! France, pastries, a secret that lives in the cellar, and historical flashbacks tied to WWII— yes please! I adored the complexity of all the characters: the grumpy yet layered bakery owner, the protagonist who thought she got a job in Paris and stumbles upon a small village instead, Hugo, the romantic yet privileged heir, and so many dynamic minor characters! Small town vibes with some magic in the bakery ingredients made for a cozy read. Such a beautiful reminder that our love doesn’t die when people do, but lives within us and in our memories, which can be inspired by a good cup of hot cocoa or a family recipe!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story is about several families affected by past loss/grief. Their connections with each other and a cause to save the local bakery that helps them in their journey to heal.

I love the way Evie Woods connects people generationally in stories. I enjoyed the way it was written. Mostly as the MC Edith’s perspective with other characters sprinkles in. I did wish there was a little more to the back story and magic of the bakery prior to the war. It didn’t take away from the overall story which was emotional, mysterious and historical. I consumed this book in a day.

I had a lot of fun reading the newest book from Evie Woods. I loved the found family trope this book seemed to have, along with her actual family as well. There were some sad moments that made you really reflect and showed you a little more depth to the main characters. That they weren't just one dimensional. I enjoyed seeing the growth from all the characters.

Edith applies for her dream position: as an assistant manager in a bakery what she thinks is in Paris. It takes place in the village of Compiègne, which played a major role in Vichy France in WWII. At the beginning, Edith is in Ireland and she has never seen the bakery on Rue de Paris, which as alluded to, is not in Paris. She does meet the major job qualification of speaking English but her French is another matter. And it is a major understatement that she does not hit it off with Madame Moreau, the proprietor, at first. Edith does make friends with some of the locals, including Hugo. Slowly, she begins to unravel the mystique behind the bakery and Monsieur Moreau himself.

A delightful read from the author of The Lost Bookshop.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris is as sweet and soul-warming as the pastries baked within its pages. With a touch of magic and a heart steeped in history, it blends whimsy with weight, shedding light on the forgotten horrors faced by Romani communities during WWII. Edie’s journey is a love letter to dreamers—the girls who once longed to drift through Paris in ballet flats, humming Chet Baker and chasing the promise of something more. Bittersweet, tender, and quietly powerful, this novel is a reminder that sometimes, getting lost is how we find where we truly belong.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Evie Woods for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris coming out April 8, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love cozy books! I think there was a lot of mystery in the past. I enjoyed the perspective of showing things as they were back in the day. I think Edie was an interesting character who was trying to make her way in the world. I would definitely check out other books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy books!

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods was a cute story as a palate cleanser.
A quick read for the weekend, this one kept me entertained from start to finish, as it was an easy read with simple, predictable characters.

Nothing overly dramatic, just a cute story with a little bit of romance thrown in.

I would recommend this one to anyone who just wants to take a break from heavy reading, and just relax and enjoy a simple story.

I would like to have seen more of the "magic" that the recipes were supposed to have created in the description of the book.

In summation, the book was a quick enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris is a very sweet and endearing book about Edith (Edie) and her quest towards self-discovery after the death of her mother.

Edie packs up her life in Ireland and boards a plane to Paris to accept an assistant management position at a local bakery. She is immediately caught flat footed and discouraged as she learns the bakery is actually located in Compiegne, a small town an hour north of Paris. Edie also gets off on the wrong foot with the owner, Madame Moreau, and quickly realizes something quite strange is happening at the bakery. As Edie works to uncover the mystery, she learns more about the bakery and Madame Moreau’s tragic history during World War II.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris is a delightful book filled with interesting characters, romance, French history, and a bit of magic. The novel has a lot of depth and tender moments that I wasn’t necessarily expecting when I picked it up. I’ve read Evie Wood’s novel “The Lost Bookshop” and I think I enjoyed this one a bit more given the supernatural elements were a bit more subtle. If you enjoy historical fiction and romance novels, certainly give this one a try!

Rumours were whispered through the town that its pastries offered a taste of magic, chasing away the darkest of sorrows. Just one bite of a croissant might bring luck, unlock a precious memory or reveal hidden longings. But dark clouds were looming on the horizon.

For Edie Lane, a recipe for disaster doesn’t require that many ingredients. Take an unhealthy amount of wishful thinking and a sprinkle of desperation and that’s how Edie left everything behind in Ireland for her dream job at a bakery in Paris. Except the bakery isn’t in Paris – and neither is Edie.

Another great story from Evie Woods. I've read a few of her earlier books, and I really enjoyed this. I couldn't really relate to Edie much, but it was an engaging story and I did enjoy it! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

For Edie Lane, a recipe for disaster doesn’t require that many ingredients. Take an unhealthy amount of wishful thinking and a sprinkle of desperation and that’s how Edie left everything behind in Ireland for her dream job at a bakery in Paris. Except the bakery isn’t in Paris – and neither is Edie.

Y’all know I am a moody reader. And to be honest, I think I have read way too many “sweet” reads lately. This one fell a bit short for me. Now, it has tons of five star reviews. So read it for yourself.

I just kept expecting this book to move faster. I enjoyed the setting of Paris (or is it Paris?) and I loved Edie and her predicaments. But, I was a bit disappointed with the pacing.

Need a sweet read set in Paris…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris is basically a Hallmark movie set in France. It’s sweet and cozy with just a touch of magic. You are transported to Compiègne, France with the main character as she is learning to find herself after losing her mother, and she does just that along with some wonderful friends and a little bit of love.

I did not love the main character. She was a tad too insecure for my taste, and I could not quite buy her grief, but I really loved the story. It is charming and warm and just downright lovely. Also, do not read this hungry. All the recipes described sound absolutely scrumptious. 😂

Big thanks to Harper 360 and NetGalley for an arc of The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods! It is out Tuesday, April 8th, but it looks like you can already score a copy on Audible or grab the ebook through Kindle!

This is a very cozy and magical story. It's a story of a young woman who hasn't really ever found her way in life, but after her mother's death, realizes that she needs to make a change. So, she leaves her home in Ireland to work at a bakery in France. The characters are very likeable, and it makes you definitely cheer for the underdog!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper 360 for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.