Oh, how I adored this book. A setting near Paris, a bakery, lovable & endearing characters, a little love, some French history, & a pinch of magic. This was a feel good story without the sap. What a gem of a book. Hits shelves April 8!
*Thank you @netgalley and @HarperCollins360 for this advanced reader copy.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As a devoted fan of Evie Woods' previous works—The Story Collector and The Lost Bookshop—I approached her latest novel with high expectations. Her earlier books captivated me with their mesmerizing narratives, emotional depth, magical elements, and beautiful prose. Unfortunately, The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris falls short of the standard Woods previously established.

The writing style in this novel lacks the brilliance that characterized her earlier works. The language is noticeably simpler, the ideas less complex, and the narrative relies on too many clichés for my taste. Additionally, the magical bakery premise feels overdone in fantasy fiction, making it difficult for this story to feel fresh or original.

In Woods' previous novels, the main characters had complicated backstories that were seamlessly woven into the narrative. By contrast, the protagonist's history in The Mysterious Bakery feels ordinary, tacked on, and lacks the nuanced integration I've come to expect from this author.

I found it particularly jarring that the 29-year-old protagonist repeatedly refers to herself as "old" and acts as though her life is practically over. This characterization seems inconsistent—her age appears chosen to make her young enough to be attractive for the romance plot while simultaneously portraying her as someone much older and jaded. Speaking of romance, the main character's instantaneous obsession with the love interest lacks the satisfying, hard-earned quality of the relationships in Woods' previous works.

The overall impression suggests this might be an earlier, less refined work rather than a progression of the author's craft. Despite my disappointment with this particular novel, I remain committed to reading Woods' future stories. Her talent as an author shines in her previous books, which I wholeheartedly recommend to those who haven't yet discovered them.

A magical taste of Paris (Compiègne). There was something so sweet, simple and joyful about this book. At first glance it seems a little formulaic but then the character’s really brought warmth, complexity and depth to the story in unexpected ways. I loved how one of the characters a tour guide brought in some historical context and I’m eager to look up the City of Compiègne and learn more.

A change of life story that pulls you in. The reader gets some interesting location information as a bonus.

The beginning of the book had me hooked, but it really slowed down in the middle and I slowed down on reading it, but the last 20% of the book did not disappoint. I loved the ending! The character developement was really well done, from the old lady on down to the young boy and the two main characters in between. I think I highlighted at least 6 sentences that I felt could be applied to my life and which struck a chord on my heart. I was thinking this book would have somewhat of a magical element, and it did, but it was actually quite minimal. Still a good book and one I would not hesitate to recommend.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods tells the story of Edie, who leaves Ireland to work in a bakery in France. She discovers that the bakery seems to have baked goods magically ready every morning before she awakens. Evie realizes that finding herself is more complicated than she ever imagined but worth the journey with her new friends in Compiegne, a quaint town outside of Paris.

I recommend this book for fantasy, historical fiction, and women’s fiction readers. Woods has a flair for combining historical fiction with fantasy that makes the characters feel real. The town sounds lovely and I would love to stroll the streets and stop for a crossiant at the Bakery on the Rue of Paris.

Thank you Harper 360 and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

A nice, cozy, heartwarming read, sprinkled with some haunting magic, addressing that it is never too late in life to tackle a new adventure or go for your dreams. Evie Woods does a great job with her descriptions and making you feel like you are there, plus throws in some history, which I think is nice.
Thank you to #NetGally, #Harper360, & Evie Woods for the free download and chance to review #TheMysteriousBakeryonRuedeParis .

What a cute read. This is a book you pick up when you want something cozy to read. It’s got a touch of magic. Who doesn’t love a bakery setting? If you have ever lost a loved one you can certainly empathize with the FMC. Jean was a delight and humorous. If you’ve read her previous books you will love this book. Happy reading.

Magic & mystery in the air of this bakery ~ 🥐
This book was so cute & cozy! I loved the setting, in a quaint little French town. The story had a consistent flow and was easy to follow along with. The mention of all the bakery goodies, from breads to pastries had my mouth watering! I love when authors get descriptive with food. The love interest and the old school affection is a nice little touch as well as the sections of history and the back story of Madame Moreau. I also resonated with the characters struggle with their mothers being sick &/or recently passed. The real and raw emotion was important and relatable. Overall, this was a great, quick & cozy read! I think the special vanilla was my favorite part ✨😉

Absolutely enchanting. I felt myself fully immersed in this charming, small French town and rooting for our FMC as well as the future of our little bakery from the beginning. I loved the multiple POV as well as time periods. Evie Woods does historical fiction/romance so well. I felt the pain of our characters past and cried tears of joy for each one in the end. Evie Woods has become a must read author for me and this one did not disappoint. Each book feels like it's transporting me right to the time and place of beautiful foreign countrysides and quaint towns with the best cast of characters. I love how history also comes alive with her writing yet we're still rooted firmly in the present of her main characters story arc. A dash mystery with a splash of magical realism and a pinch of romance was the perfect recipe for this charming book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Harper Collins/One More Chapter, and the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This should have been a fabulous book. The plot interested me; a bit of history, a bit of fantasy, a bit of romance. I liked all of the characters except - and here's the but ... the protagonist was the weakest character. She was too, well, meh. Too little self esteem, for no discernible reason, too, "Me, me." She lacked reasonable boundaries when it came to the main story line. I could say, "It was a good book, but." But it was mainly two dimensional.

3.25 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC.

This is a short and cozy story about Edie, a young Irish woman, who answers an online ad for a bakery job in Paris only to find out the bakery is actually in a town an hour north. She was looking for a job to help with the grief after losing her mother. She doesn’t know much French and has to learn the language, culture, and how to make a life of her own.

This book has definite Hallmark vibes sweet for the right moment but predictable and a little unrealistic. The setting is cute, story moves at a nice pace, and the characters sometimes lacking depth, are easy to root for. There’s a little bit of magical realism and even a ghost or two, though I found myself wishing that aspect had been explored more deeply instead of focusing on the rushed love story.

Edie wasn’t my favorite character nor my least, she was aged at 30 but acted much younger. She was a little self centered but overall wasn’t an awful person. She fits the hallmark fmc mold perfectly.

If you’re looking for a light, charming read with a bit of mystery and magic this one is a great choice for a cozy afternoon.

This is a re- release of the books she wrote in 2014 but obviously changed as they mention TikTok.

Evie Woods serves up a tantalizing concoction in "The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris." This novel is a delightful blend of humor, mystery, and a sprinkle of magical realism, all set in a quaint Parisian bakery. The narrative style, featuring multiple narrators and a non-linear timeline, adds a whimsical flair to the storytelling.

Our principal narrator, Edie, a charming, self-deprecating Irish woman, stumbles upon the magical bakery while searching for purpose and pastries in Paris. Her witty commentary on her surroundings and her knack for getting into sticky situations provide the backbone of the story.

Then, we have Jean-Claude, the bakery’s enigmatic, croissant-master who seems to know more than he lets on. His sections of the narrative are filled with cryptic yet hilarious musings about life, love, and the secret ingredient in his éclairs.

The non-linear timeline is like a layer cake of intrigue, adding a rich depth to the plot. We hop between Emily’s early days in Paris, her more recent escapades, and glimpses into the mysterious, sometimes magical past of the bakery itself. While this jumping back and forth might be confusing for some, Woods handles it with finesse, ensuring each shift in perspective is both entertaining and enlightening.

The humor in the book is a treat in its own right. From Emily’s amusing inner dialogues to Jean-Claude's eccentric observations, the book leaves you smiling at every turn. Woods has crafted characters that feel vibrant and real, with quirks and idiosyncrasies that endear them to the reader.

While the novel is a joy to read, the complexity of the timeline and the multitude of voices might be overwhelming for those who prefer a more straightforward narrative. However, if you’re willing to embrace the chaos, it’s a thoroughly rewarding journey.

All in all, "The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris" is a delectable read that will leave you craving more. With its blend of humor, mystery, and a dash of magic, it's a book that promises to enchant its readers. Four stars for this delightful Parisian escapade!

Ever notice how a bakery just draws you in? The sumptuous baked goods in the window, the incredible scents that waft out of the door opening and closing as people go in and out to get their breads, doughnuts, rolls, etc? This book was just like that, just.slowly and gently drew you in with promises of wonders. I've been as heartbroken as Edith is as she reads the ad for a needed manager at a bakery in what she read as Paris. So, making a rash decision, she bought a ticket and took herself off! Can you imagine?!? Only to land and learn, its not in Paris. Another hour on a train, in a country where she doesn't speak the language, met by a young man who grabs her bags and takes off! She finds herself on a small street in a small town north of Paris, greeted by the owner, who shows her to her tiny rooms with a.mcurt, see you at 6 AM and that was it! Now what?!? She crashes, literally, wondering if she hasn't made the biggest mistake of her life!

What happens in the following pages and chapters is such a wondrous read, of self discovery, of local history, of discovering love.where.its least expected, of fighting for something that means more that just a building and a paycheck. This is a must read for anyone who loves lesser know history of WWI and WWII, Roma history, paranormal, you name it! Such a beautiful story under a title that gives nothing away. You won't be sorry!

Evie Woods is officially on my list of must buy authors. I didn't enjoy this as much as previous work It could be that Woods has simply improved over time and this is an example of that.
The characters, the mystery, and the setting were done well. The love story felt rushed and the FMC seemed a little weak rather than fleshed out like Woods's characters in other work.
Overall, I did enjoy this work and thank NetGalley and the publisher for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a heartwarming read, but an overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5. I really appreciated the way this author weaves history into her fiction, especially with dual timelines to show how an event in history affects the present day storyline. This combination strengthened the plot, but overall, some of the storyline was a little less developed than in some of her later works. Still, a sweet read, best enjoyed with a coffee or a hot chocolate (using the recipe in the novel, of course). If you enjoyed this novel, or enjoy similar fiction, her other work, "The Lost Bookshop" was fantastic and a must read, under her pen name (Evie Woods).

From the book:
Nestled among the cobblestone streets of Compiègne, there existed a bakery unlike any other.

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…

This book is so written so beautifully, and it captivates you from the very first pages. This story was a wonderful weekend getaway for me. I enjoyed this book so much!

I love books by Evie Woods because her words transport you to a location so alive that you can walk the streets with the characters. While there is a dash of magic in this story, the highlight is finding the magic in all of the ordinary things around us. While Edie is suffering the loss of her mother, she finally pursues her dreams. Just as in life, hardships and disappointments continue to come to Edie, but she is able to flip the coin and find the personal challenge or the new direction to take. I absolutely loved the backstory of the baker and the rich historical value of the town. There is so much information woven into the story resulting in an immersive read, leaving you with the wonder of experiencing a new place ... you can almost smell the bread baking. Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 for allowing me to read an ARC copy of this heartwarming book that left me feeling happy and with a very optimistic outlook!

I could not connect with the main character. I did not enjoy her personality and this fantasy she lived in. It was also hard at time to have to stop and translate so much from French to English, but that is just me being lazy. This was a cute idea, but I didn't enjoy the execution.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods is a delightful tale. Edie had decided it was time to leave the nest in Ireland, so she answers an online ad for an Assistant Manager in a bakery in Paris.
Edie is the new assistant at a bakery, where she has no prior experience with the business and limited understanding of the language. She finds satisfaction in her new position, despite encountering unusual sounds and mysterious occurrences at the bakery. Eventually, she uncovers the secrets behind these phenomena, which turn out to be quite unexpected. She meets an attractive man who could potentially become a romantic partner; however, certain conditions at the bakery may influence their relationship.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it had a lot of charm, mystery, and fun characters. I would definitely recommend this book! Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.