Having enjoyed The Lost Bookshop I was pleased to receive an ARC from HarperCollins360. This is a sweet story of love with just enough magical realism to keep it mysterious. I also really delighted in the French dialogue. Although a little predictable, I still thought this was a really marvelous story.

1⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 369 for an advanced copy of The Mysterious Bakery On Rue De Paris.

Edith is almost 30 and she needs to find her true self so she leaves Ireland to take a job at a bakery in Paris. The trip is not off to a great start but she makes the best of it. She meets a man her first week there and she thinks she found her soulmate but soon realizes he wants to buy the ailing bakery.

I did not like this book. I was not a fan of any of the characters and the story was very cheesy and predictable.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods is the most romantic, delicious book ! It is such a sweet book. Edie goes to France called by a new job in a bakery in Campagnie. It is there that she finds exactly who she is. She falls in love, becomes involved with her new adopted family and friends and finds her true spirit. I loved this book! It has it all. It is a very quick book to read, but the story is huge. The foods is delicious, the man is handsome and Edie is lovely, a person of great character. It the end she helps her new employer, Mademoiselle Moreau and life is good.
I recommend this feel good book with the highest accolades!!

The Mysterious Bakery on the Rue de Paris tells the story of Edie as she moves from Dublin to Compiègne, France, to take a job at a bakery where everything is not what it seems.

For me, this novel was pretty predictable and gave me “Hallmark Movie” vibes. If more time had been spent on the magical realism of the bakery, I probably would have found that more interesting than I found Edie’s story.

I would say that I am not the target audience for this type of novel. But if you are looking for a very quick read that follows a pretty formulaic plot for a meet cute light romance, you will probably enjoy this book. If you want to check out one of Evie Wood’s books, I would definitely recommend The Lost Bookshop over this one.

Edith (Edie) is having a bit of a midlife crisis even though she’s not all that old. Her mother has passed away and Edie needs a change. She spots an ad for a bakery assistant who speaks mostly English in what she thought was Paris. She gets the job and hops a plane to Paris, leaving her dad behind.

She quickly finds out that the job is not in Paris, but on a street called Rue de Paris in Compiegne. It sounds like it's a suburb of sorts and it if isn't, Paris isn't all that far...too far to ride a bike for the casual rider, but still able to get there in a timely fashion. None of that matters. The point is Edie found herself in a situation she was not expecting. She's not in Paris and Madame Moreau, her boss, isn't a friendly type. In addition to that, she's living in the attic above the bakery.

Edie's father is a baker, so she comes from this sort of life, so when she is told to never go into the basement where the ovens are, it piques her interest. What is hidden down there and why isn't she supposed to see it? Therein lies the mystery.

The story is filled with colorful, believable characters that were easy to like and relate to. A couple of them were enigmatic. Manu, for instance. Was he just the delivery boy? And at first, I didn't trust Hugo. I wasn't sure what he was all about and for a while, his romance with Edie played out like a Hallmark movie. I was hoping it would get out of that rut and it did just a bit. Regardless, I still enjoyed that aspect of the novel.

This was almost like a mature coming-of-age trope. Unexpected things happened that changed Edie's life and how she looked at things. There's also some history to it all that I found interesting, especially how Madame Moreau met Pierre Moreau. That was a touching moment. The book is wonderfully written and a joy to read, earning it an easy five stars.

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

I enjoyed this read. Evie Woods is an author I have read and enjoyed before but this book was a little different from the others. It takes place in France and has a little history from WWII. I loved the feeling of the little community, the addition of a little magic, and the development of Edith Lane's character. It was a book that left a sweet memory with me after reading the last page.
I was gifted an ARC by Netgalley and One More Chapter with the understanding that I would leave my honest review.

This story could be a romance between Edith and Hugo. It follows a woman who runs away to France to rediscover herself after her mother's death. There, she meets a charming Englishman, and they fall in love.
It could be about how the Moreau family struggles to keep their small family bakery out of the hands of the bank and the corporation that wants to gentrify the area.
It could be about a ghost that haunts the bakery, terrifying new employees.
But this story is more than the sum of its parts. It's a heart-warming tale full of love, friendship, and hope. This is the kind of tale that motivates and uplifts the reader. The author ties several tales together to remind us that love is the most powerful gift of all.
Thank you Net Galley, Evie Woods and Harper 360 for the arc.

A little too predictable and unbelievable. Not even the delightful French setting was enough to mitigate the convoluted plot and expected outcomes for each of the characters.

Another beautiful story by Woods.

The setting, the characters, the baking, it was all just perfect. I may have read this more than once.
Edie may not be where she thought she was going, but she is exactly where she needs to be.

I was invested from the start and read straight through to the end and then read it again.

It's a lovely book with a lovely story!

NetGalley/ April 08, 2025 Harper 360

This was a very cute, warm and feel good read with traces of Ratatouille and Chocolat. Edith, an Irish girl looking for a change, comes to France to work in a bakery that she thought was in Paris. Turns out the bakery is on Rue de Paris in Compiegne. There she finds a very old bakery with a cantankerous owner, Madame Moreau. There is more to this bakery than meets the eye and the story unfurls at a decent pace. The characters were lovely although a bit more depth would have been welcome. It's a good story and has a happy ending - a perfect cozy afternoon read.

Wow, this was terrible. A whiny woman in her late 20s moves to France and doesn't bother to do any homework before she gets there, including learn much French or figure out exactly where she's going. The characters are total caricatures. There's a boring guy who is also the villain (for a while), a lot of horribly stereotyped French people, and a ghost. The author insists on writing out what she thinks is a French accent, so all zose characterz 'ave dialogue like diz. The boring guy wrestles with his conscience, the whiny woman stops whining a little bit, and there's a tidy end with everyone being happy. I think the author has either read Emma or watched Amelie too many times and tried to shoehorn her own unlikable character into the mold. You can absolutely give this one a miss.

Oh, fellow book lovers, prepare to be whisked away on a magical journey through the cobblestone streets of France! Evie Woods' "The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris" is a delectable treat that will satisfy your literary cravings and leave you hungering for more.

Woods' masterful blend of historical fiction and magical realism creates a world so vivid, you'll swear you can hear the distant chime of church bells and feel the warmth of the morning sun on your face.

At the heart of this enchanting tale is Edie, our endearing protagonist. Lost and seeking reinvention in a foreign land, she stumbles upon a bakery far from the glittering lights of Paris. It's here, amidst the flour-dusted counters and mysterious whispers of the past, that Edie's journey of self-discovery truly begins. Her transformation is as gradual and beautiful as bread rising in the oven, and you can't help but root for her every step of the way.

But oh, the mystery of the boulangerie! Who is this enigmatic baker, weaving magic into every loaf? The intrigue surrounding this character adds a delicious layer of complexity to the story, keeping you guessing and eagerly turning pages long into the night.

The true magic of Woods' writing, however, lies in her portrayal of the quaint street and its inhabitants. Each character is as rich and complex as a perfectly laminated croissant, their stories intertwining to create a tapestry of community that warms the heart. The camaraderie among these individuals is palpable, reminding us of the power of human connection in a world that often feels disconnected.

"The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris" is yet another triumph for Evie Woods, cementing her status as a master of her craft. It's a book that nourishes the soul, ignites the imagination, and reminds us of the magic that can be found in the most unexpected places. So, dear readers, I implore you - lose yourself in the charming world of this mysterious bakery. Let its warmth envelop you, its mysteries intrigue you, and its characters become your dearest friends. This is one literary feast you won't want to miss!

Thank you, One More Chapter and NetGalley, for my free book for review.

Really slow with a pretty obvious ending. That said, I really loved these characters and this town. Would love to step into the world for a little while. ☺️

Edie thought she would be working and living in Paris, France. Her French is a bit rusty, though, and that’s not where she ends up. She’s determined to make the best of the situation. She meets a guy, makes new friends, tries new foods, comes out of her shell a little more each day, tries new experiences, and discovers a bit of magic.

A lovely story about following one’s dreams, not giving up when they aren’t quite what you were expecting, new beginnings, friendship, fighting for what’s right, and more.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved, loved, loved The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods. Once I began reading found it difficult to put it down. The mysterious bakery with its history is the perfect setting for the plot. Add in very interesting characters , a little romance , and a “villain”. This is one book I would read a second time!

The opening is brilliant and this lovely book is entirely true to form Evie Woods. So fun! A quick, magical, entertaining read that’s thoroughly delightful, Great weekend read! love the Irish French connection.

This book is a beautifully written, engaging story of Edith, a young Irish woman grieving the loss of her mother to cystic fibrosis and at a loss for what to fo with her life now that she is no longer primarily her mother’s caregiver.. Desperate to do something more exciting than continuing to be a waitress, on a whim she accepts what she believes to be a position as an assistant manager at a bakery in Paris. When she arrives in Paris, however, she discovers that the bakery is not in Paris, the city of lights and dreams, but rather on the Rue de Paris in a small French village more than an hour’s train ride away.

The bakery’s products are fantastic and beloved by its patrons. The owner, Mme. Moreau, is chatty with customers but gruff and brusque with Edith. Edith is strictly forbidden from ever entering the locked basement, where the baking is done, or meeting the baker, and she is extremely curious as to reason for the secrecy. A skinny teenage boy is the bakery’s only other visible employee. Edith’s meager French language skills make her new situation even more lonely and bewildering.

She gradually befriends a few of the regular customers as well as a young woman whose husband plays jazz at the local club, While at the club, and with the aid of her new friend, Edith meets a tall, handsome Englishman and they are immediately drawn to one another.. He lives in Paris but comes to the village regularly to see his mom, who has Alzheimer’s and is in a care facility. In between visits, he sends Edith short but sweet, romantic postcards.

Eventually, Edith discovers not only the bakery’s mysterious secret but also its precarious finances and dim future prospects. When she discovers that the man she is falling in love with is playing a major role in the attempts to force Mme. Moreau to sell the bakery—her family’s legacy—Edith is furious and brokenhearted at his perceived betrayal.

You’ll need to read the book to uncover the bakery’s secrets and what becomes of the protagonists. It’s well worth the journey. Be aware that the Nazi occupation of France and racial bigotry play an important role in the story.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris tells the story of the Moreau family bakery through many different voices, but mostly that of Edie (Edith), a Brit who has just lost her mother and answers an ad for a bakery manager in what she believes is Paris in an attempt to heal and find herself again. The bakery turns out to be in Compeigne rather than Paris and a disappointed Edie takes the job anyways, hoping it will work out. There's a touch of the supernatural in the novel as the kitchen is haunted by the previous baker/owner, who turns out to be Madame Moreau's father. Along the way, Edie grows as a person, becomes more confident, and makes strong friendships, although she struggles with her feelings for Hugo after she learns that he is more than just a photographer. It's hard to say more without spoilers - but this was a very enjoyable read and I recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

many thanks to netgalley and harpercollins360 for the advance copy of this book. this was an easy read, with a balanced dose of romance, france, baking, historical fiction about gypsies, france and world war II, and a young woman finding herself after losing her mother. oh, and there's a ghost!

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods is a charming and heartwarming novel that blends romance, self-discovery, and a touch of the magical.

The story follows Edie Lane, a woman at a crossroads in life who impulsively takes a job at a quirky, old-fashioned bakery in Compiègne. As she settles into the rhythms of the bakery and its enigmatic owner, she begins to uncover secrets hidden within its walls—secrets that might just change her life forever.

Woods weaves a narrative filled with rich descriptions of Parisian life and mouthwatering pastries, making the setting feel alive. The novel balances lighthearted romance with deeper themes of resilience, transformation, and the power of community. There’s also a subtle thread of magical realism that adds an enchanting layer to the storytelling.

For readers who love cozy, uplifting fiction with a hint of mystery, The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris is a delightful escape.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the opportunity to read this magical story. Look for it when it comes out on April 8, 2025.