This is a very interesting read. It was a bit slow and confusing at first but was well worth continuing listening. The reader did an amazing job. The story is mixed with clues throughout and with secrets thrown in. While reading it one feels like
there in the war with the characters. I loved having Julia Child interwove in the story. Recommend this read.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I find myself always trying to find books written during WWII. This book hit the spot. Kat, basically a tomboy, gets recruited as an OSS member, due to her love and knowledge of many languages. So she goes undercover while also trying to find her missing brother, who had joined the war effort. This book is told in a dual timeline, but during the war and after the war. I thought I would get confused, but the way the author tied everything together, I had no problem at all. I was on the edge of my seat many times throughout the book. I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction. Plus, a fun little bonus, is the mention of Julia Child, who was known to be involved with the OSS.

I’m always a little gobsmacked and ferhoodled after reading one of Kristy Cambron’s dual timeline novels. How on earth does she manage to weave so many story threads together and keep everything straight? I’m in awe!

The start of the ‘The French Kitchen’ drops us right into the middle of a tense (understatement) resistance fighting scene in 1943 and leaves us hanging at a particularly precarious point. Then we’re whisked away on a breathtaking whirlwind of scenes both before that pivotal moment and then nearly ten years afterwards. Completely riveting and emotionally whiplashing!

Love the inclusion of Julia Child in the 1950s timeline. I haven’t read many novels that explore post-war Europe and I found the complexities of that time in France so fascinating. The author does an amazing job of bringing Paris to vibrant life through rich descriptive storytelling. And she kept me riveted (and my emotions in tatters) all the way to the end. Just…stunning!

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and, whoa, her performance elevated my ‘reading’ enjoyment so much! She captured the essence of every character, including accents, while conveying the emotional depth of the story to absolute perfection. Highly recommend giving the audio edition a try.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

This is the first Kristy Cambron book I've read and I can't wait to go back and read the others! The book is a view into Vichy France during WWII. It is exciting, suspenseful, heartbreaking and very real. The characters are well written and deeply complicated, The ending had a twist that I didn't see coming and I was stunned. I would have enjoyed the book and recommended it to everyone if I had read it in print. I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version and that made me LOVE the book! It is narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, who is one of my favorite narrators. I would listen to any book, regardless of topic, that was narrated by her. In my mind, hers is the voice of the very best historical fiction novels - particularly ones focused on WWII. Listening to this book was an experience and I recommend it to readers who love history, character development, romance and, of course, Saskia Maarleveld.

Five Star all day. I loved this book! Couldn’t put it down. I really liked seeing another side to the events of the time. I enjoyed having an exciting adventure in the setting of WWII without any emotional hangover when the story was done. Already on my reread shelf!

Kristy Cambron has become one of my favorite authors. You know when you open up one of her books and being to go on a journey through the pages that you will be challenged emotionally. I love reading historical fiction books and particularly those that take place during WWII. There are a lot of characters featured throughout the pages, but the story will pull you in and you will not want to stop flipping through the pages. The characters are richly developed and you will even be treated to a delightful appearance by Julia Child. There are a lot of aspects dealt with throughout the book ... espionage, betrayal, love, loss, intrigue, dedication, courage, and secrets. While a lot happens as you devour the words Kristy has created, you will be left with a sense of satisfaction as you absorb the last word and close the book with a sign.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Christian
Christian Fiction
Fiction
France
Historical
Historical Fiction
Romance
Suspense
WWII

The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron is a beautiful showcase of Cambron’s writing talents. Her attention to detail…historic, location, characters, even recipes, is what truly grabs the reader’s attention and keeps them captive for the duration of the story. I thought the intelligence aspect of the story was brilliant and well written. I love how Gavin recruited his sister because he knew her so well and then to see how well Kat did was exciting. There is heartache to be sure, but there is also growth, maturation, development, and bravery. The representation of what others have done in real life is inspirational and I love that their story lives on. I did enjoy the love stories along the way and how they just naturally grew and deepened. The inclusion of Julia Childs and her backstory were enlightening and blended right into this story.
I had the additional privilege of listening to the audiobook and was mesmerized by the accents, the accurate representation of the characters as well the pace and cadence the narrator used.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley, and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron is an absolute treat, and the audiobook version is a perfect way to experience this heartwarming and immersive story. From the moment I pressed play, I was transported into the charming world of French cuisine, captivating characters, and the beautiful backdrop of Paris.

Cambron's writing is lyrical and rich with detail, and the way she weaves the story of love, loss, and discovery is genuinely touching. The narrative is split between different periods, and I loved how the past and present converged, all centered around the enchanting world of food and family. It celebrates French culinary traditions and the deep connections that form over shared meals.

The audiobook narration was exceptional. The narrator brought the characters to life with warmth, depth, and emotion, perfectly capturing each moment's essence. The pacing was just right, allowing me to savor every chapter as if dining in a quaint Parisian café.

This audiobook is an absolute gem for fans of historical fiction, culinary stories, and anyone who enjoys a story about healing, second chances, and food's power to unite people.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was fantastic from start to finish! The audio narration was wonderful. The plot was well-paced and the characters were well-developed. This is definitely one I'll read again! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

This contains an audiobook review.

This is a kisses only historical book set around World War II and after. The title on Amazon lists is as a romance. My advice is to not read this thinking of it as a romance story. It is a complex story that does take work to follow. You have to actively listen.

I did not read the blurb first, and I started off very confused. After I read the book, I read the blurb, and I that is not how I would have described the book. I'm at a loss as to how to describe it. My biggest suggestion is to pay close attention to the time and place at the beginning of each chapter.

It is a dual time line story, but the events in one timeline happen in different places. I was not prepared for that and it is hard to keep those things straight when listening, especially if you are doing something else while listening. If you miss that important detail, you can get lost easily.

There are spies, and the romance is not a main plot line. I know this review makes it sound like I didn't like the book. But I DID! I really liked it, but I had to work for it. The writing is wonderful. And the way the stories of different characters are intertwined is fascinating. So, stick with it.

This book is read by a female narrator. She does a great job. My only problem was that she did such a good job with the French names and accents that sometimes I confused characters because they sounded so similar. Once I got in a groove and adjusted to the accent and learned names, it was much easier. But there are two women in two different times with similar sounding names and for awhile I couldn't figure out what was going on. It was worth it in the end to have put in the effort to pay more attention that maybe I usually do to a book.

I was given the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley by Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio. I am leaving an honest review.

"War was not for lovers, nor courage for fools."

Umm..wow! This was my first book by Kristy Cambron, and certainly not my last. I knew next to nothing about Julia Childs, other than the fact that she was a chef/famous cook. It was so interesting to get glimpse into her life during World War 2.

I was fascinated by this story from beginning to end, with so many twists and turns in the plot.

I loved the rich culinary setting with spies, world war 2 France, and stunning romance.
There are some very sad parts, but I loved the ending and watching all of the loose ends get properly tied up.

Kat signs up to help the OSS so that she can search for her brother who went missing during the war.

This book has a dual timeline--1943 and 1952.

I definitely recommend this fabulous historical romance! The audio was so well done!

Content Guide:
Language: none
Romance Content: Closed-door: Passionate kissing (not descriptive), implied intimacy between married couple
Violence/gore: Moderate: People are shot in the head several times, murder, some wounds, bloody descriptions
Substance Use: Mild-Wine is drunk by characters throughout the book
Prejudices: none
Religious Themes: none
Other: Loss of loved ones, missing family member, death

Book Info:
Series: Standalone
Genre: Historical Fiction with Romance; World War 2
Romance Level: Closed-door
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld
POV: Multiple POV Third Person

Thank you to the author and publisher for the review audio copy on Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love stories featuring strong, indomitable women and Kristy Cambron has done it once again! This dual timeline, dual POV story follows Kat Fontaine, an ex-pat's wife living in Paris in the early 1950s as she takes cooking lessons from Julia Child by day and searches for her missing brother who never came home from the war.

It's also a story about life under occupation in France and the life of Manon Altier, a French chef working at the famous Chateau du Broutel where many famous Nazis stay as 'guests.' As the story progresses we slowly come to learn how these two women's lives are connected to each other and the men they both love.

Both a love story, a WWII story of espionage and secrets, a love letter to French cooking and a story of one sister's undying love for her brother. Kat was an unforgettable protagonist who never lets her limited hearing set her back and who defies her mother's wishes for her to lead a society life, preferring instead to get her hands dirty working on cars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and #gifted finished copy in exchange for my honest review. Saskia Maarleveld does an excellent job voicing the full cast of characters as only she can bringing her trademark atmospheric nuances to the story.

A historical romance with dual timelines of WWII and Post War Paris! I enjoyed the narrator brining this story to life!

I received an audio ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

With each book of Kristy Cambron's I read, I am becoming more and more a fan. The French Kitchen added to my love for her books and was a story I didn't want to part ways with. I was so invested in the characters and the outcome, it made me really cherish the end. Cambron has this beautiful way of bringing history to life through her characters' lives and romances. I love the blend of facts and fiction and the appreciation for others her books leave me with, like with this one, I am grateful for those who worked in that ever precarious world of espionage and resistance during WWII.
I don't want to accidentally spoil any twists in this book, so I'll be somewhat brief. I will say that I liked how the characters all connected throughout the book and each time something was revealed my eyes went big and I thought "ooo, I like that", though it also had some "oh no" and "what!" moments too. The setting was really intriguing. I loved seeing Julia Child in this post WWII era moment while also getting a glimpse at the spy she was. The different POVs offered so much depth and layers to the story. The romances were good in the buildup and the extra measure of tension from the danger laying around every corner. It was realistic and informative.
I listened to the audiobook version and thought the narrator did a good job with the different voices and accents. I did have to listen at a slower speed than usual, but that was more to make sure I was catching the little details than because it was hard to listen at a higher speed. I recommend both the audiobook and the book overall.
I received an advance listening copy of this novel from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love Kristy Cambron's books! I love how she weaves stories from two or three time periods and becoming invested in all of them to seeing how they all connect together! Amazing!

This book pulled me in and had me wondering how all of these characters were going to connect. Especially with the beginning scene and the way the author set up the story!

I loved how it all pulled together! Paris in 1952 and Rue, France in 1943! The talk of the spy network and the culinary aspects were very intriguing! I felt like I was there enjoying all of the flavors, and then my heart would be racing the next moment as I was hoping the spies would be safe and accomplish their missions successfully!

The twists and reveals were amazing! I started to make guesses the further into the book I got and some of them I figured out and others I was surprised by! I love when that happens while I'm reading and invested in a book!

I read and listened to the audiobook of this one! I really enjoyed the narrator. This was the first book I've listened to that she narrated and enjoyed how she brought the French aspects to life!

I thought after reading the synopsis that Julia Child would feature more in the story than she did and that she was going to be one of the main characters. Turns out she was a secondary character in the story but I loved the moments she was on page. I had read another book that was about her and her time during WWII that releases in a month. It was fun knowing more about her life and service while hearing some of it in this one. She's an incredible woman!

There is a sweet love story that is a slow-burn one but will have you loving how it all comes about!

Content: Clean. Some moments of mild peril. Sweet love story with a fade to black scene, it was kept very clean.

I received a copy of the digital book and the audiobook from the publisher/producer, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading & Listening!!!

Outstanding narration. This story has it all. Love, betrayal, espionage, and mystery. This is dual timeline. During WWII and after. Intriguing and kept me engaged throughout. Julia Child even makes an appearance in her work during WWII and later as a world famous chef. There was a double agent and this caused so many twists. Highly recommend.

I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

I did a fair split between the audio and physical. The audiobook was great and the narrator was perfect. The way she was able to change her accents and voice with the characters was so impressive. I love WW2 historical fiction, but I'm picky about it. I need a story that is unique. Not something I've read over and over. THIS one gave me that. Inspired by the real life of the American chef, Julia Childs, she does make appearances in this book. Taking place over two timelines, 1943, Rue Manon Altier, cooks for German officers and runs an underground spy network. And in 1952, post WW2 intrigue, and family drama. There was mystery, espionage and romance. I loved reading about Kats work during the war and her mission to find her missing brother. This one was excellent. It sounded so good and I just knew I was going to love it and I was right.

Thank you to the publisher, netgalley, and Uplit Reads for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own..

Kristy Cambron’s newest release, The French Kitchen, has consumed me over the past couple of weeks. Though I read this story much more slowly than I usually do, every time I got a chance to come back to the book it felt like an indulgent treat. There were so many twists and turns and some truly fantastic tension between characters. I’m talking slow burn at its finest. (Three words: marriage of convenience.)

The character that truly sold this book for me was the main character Kat, also known as Celene (her undercover name). Her flaws and weaknesses became her strengths and I appreciated her choices and grit. The scenes where Kat interacted with Julia Child, though not as prevalent as most of the book summaries would have you believe, are delightful and paint a thorough picture of the famous chef. So much so that when my husband and I visited the Smithsonian Museum of American History on our recent vacation, I spent a lot of extra time in the exhibit about food. Peeking into Madame Child’s replicated kitchen was like seeing a scene from this book come to life.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sending me a copy to review. I flitted between audio and ebook and both presentations were extremely well done (and it was nice to know how to pronounce all the French names!).

Wow! This was an incredible novel! Most of the dual time line novels that I've read about WWII are set closer to the present day and also during the war. The French Kitchen is set during the war and also in 1952, during the aftermath of the war. I found the way that the characters worked through their feelings and memories to be super interesting, especially in a cooking class by Julia Child. Hearing about the french cuisine that they cook also makes the book all the more interesting to read. I listened to parts of this book via audio, and I found the narration to be very French. It was a treat to listen to!

If you like spies, secrets, french cooking, and learning abour WWII, this book is a book for you! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance ebook and audio of this book. A review was not required.

🧑‍🍳 ❤️ 👩🏻‍🍳 One of the Best audiobooks for 2025 🧑‍🍳 ❤️ 👩🏻‍🍳

The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron and narrated by Saskia Maarleveld was Superb Historical Fiction. This was an audiobook/book that just stole my heart from the very beginning to the very end. i ended up listening to this audiobook all day until I had finished and I loved it. The French Kitchen is Inspired by the life of Julia Child who was famous for introducing French cuisine into American homes back in the 1950's. I have been fascinated with her since I watched her series on the Tele and had to purchase her books. . . .But, did not know anything about her life before she became famous, so this audiobook was a treat, and luxury treat.

We follow two women on alternating timelines as they navigate France, from 1943 to 1953 which was still hard times as the WW11 had just finished and everyone was trying to rebuild their lives and homes.

Rue, 1943. . . . . Deep in the heart of Nazi-controlled northern France, Manon Altier shifts between working for the enemy by day, as a French chef at the famous Château du Broutel, where names like Himmler, Rommel, and Goebbels frequent the guest list and running with underground networks against the Vichy regime at night. Working undercover to filter information to agents within the burgeoning OSS, Manon digs deep into the glitz and glamour of a Nazi stronghold that has her teetering on the edge of being discovered at any turn. But when an intriguing stranger appears at the chateau claiming to work with the French Resistance, Manon must lean on her instincts to judge whether to run and hide or stand firm--even as a terrifying discovery tests her resolve to continue the fight.

"What a dangerous life she lead and scary!"

Now, in Paris, 1952. . . . . An ex-pat wife living in Paris signs up for a cookery class taught by an American chef with an indomitable wit and decidedly French airs who is an instructor by name of "Julia Child". Amongst classes of the L'Ecole des Trois Gourmandes, with pots and pans and prim Paris wives learning to sauté in the French way, Kat Fontaine learns much more than she bargained for.

Now Still haunted by the years she spent serving in the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII, Kat soon finds a simple cookery class unearths the tangle of gut-wrenching memories of war and questions about the high-ranking society husband whose past is as murky as her own. But when the puzzle pieces start to come together--and her carefully crafted Paris world begins to fall apart--Kat must confront her own secrets against the mounting suspicions of the husband she thought she knew . . . . . . .

"WoW. . . . What a life!"

🧑‍🍳 ❤️ 👩🏻‍🍳 I can not recommend this audiobook/book enough this just took my breath away. . .. Superb and the narrator Saskia Maarleveld was 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ just like this audiobook which was another 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 🧑‍🍳 ❤️ 👩🏻‍🍳

BIG thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio | Thomas Nelson Fiction for my Audiobook/book x


🧑‍🍳👩🏻‍🍳 🧑‍🍳👩🏻‍🍳 🧑‍🍳👩🏻‍🍳

Where to begin. This book had a little of everything. Mystery, romance, sadness, suspense, twist, food. It is a must read if you like spies, ww2 and the post war era. The narrator did an awesome job.

Kristy Cambron has a beautiful gift for time split historical fiction! As usual I was gripped and couldn’t stop reading (listening). I loved all of the characters in the book and how everything all came together. I loved the inclusion of Julia Child and learning a little bit of her real life war work.

As always, I’m so thankful for authors like Cambron who take real history and give us fictionalized characters to make the history more real and relatable.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

The audiobook was excellently done! It was narrated by one of my very favorite narrators and she did a wonderful job with the different accents and voices. When Julia Childs showed up in the story she nailed Julia’s signature way of speaking as well!

This book had my name written all over it with so many things I love to see in stories all together in one book: espionage, cooking, historical setting, strong women, and intriguing plot development. Set in both 1943 and 1952 it follows a woman who is taking a cooking class from Julia Childs in Paris while trying to grapple with her past as a spy during WWII. It also shows the perspective of a woman working as a French chef during the Nazi occupation while working undercover to gather and spread information.

I really love stories about undercover work and the complexities it creates while aiding your cause. It was really neat to have much of this story set after the war because it showed the rippling effects, the struggle to untangle the truth, and the difficulty of trusting even those closest to the characters. Both female leads were wonderful with their own unique strengths and I loved following their journey. And of course all the food content left me hungry! Definitely recommended to historical fiction fans!

Trigger/content notes: Wartime scenarios but nothing graphic or too intense. Spice level is closed door.

This audio book is wonderful, I read the book and then proceeded to revisit some parts through the audio. Gosh, I loved this!

My thoughts of the story: Be patient with this one. It is layered and complex but SO worth it. At first, I worried I could not keep up with the dual timelines, undercover identities, and multiple points of view. But once it clicked? Wow. This story is UNFORGETTABLE. I am going to keep this review short so I do not give anything away. There are so many secrets in the one book, I want to make sure I give you room to unpack and delve into this story.

Kat is searching for her missing brother and enters a marriage of convenience to get help, but no one is who they seem. (she and her husband included) Meanwhile, Manon works undercover in a French kitchen that is secretly helping the resistance. The stakes are high, the risks are real, and the emotional weight is powerful! Be prepared for a roller coaster of emotions.

This book blends historical fiction, mystery, and romance (yes, two love stories) in such a gripping way. The romance declarations... swoony! I highlighted so much , tabbed so many pages, and reread certain portions multiple times. I definitely plan to reread it now that I know how all the pieces connect. This is a story that will live in my mind rent-free for quite some time.

I received a complimentary copy. This is my honest opinion. Highly recommend.

I listened to the audiobook of The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron, and narrated by the impeccable Saskia Maarleveld. Saskia is one of my favorite narrators because of her ability to change effortlessly between varying accents and intonation. She is truly an amazing narrator, especially when she is given such compelling material to perform.

The French Kitchen is a dual timeline story that bounces between 1943 in Northern France with resistance fighters operating undercover as a chef and staff at a Nazi controlled chateau, and 1952 Paris with the country trying to rebuild after the devastation of war. Involved in both timelines is an American woman who is recruited by CIA's predecessor, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). She basically agrees to join the OSS to find out what happened to her brother who was similarly recruited and operated undercover in the same area. Ten years later she returns to France after receiving a note informing her that her brother is alive. It is there that we get to meet Julia Child who was also an OSS officer during WWII. I really loved the exploration of post-war France and the rich descriptive storytelling. Bravo!

The French Kitchen is a dual timeline store. The first couple chapters were a little confusing, but once I got into the story, everything clicked. Kat is a young, strong independent woman, not willing to be a Boston socialite. When she hasn’t heard from her brother, she joins the OSS to look for him. This story is full of twists and turns. You’re never quite sure if a character is part of the Resistance or a Nazi sympathizer. I thought the characters were all full developed and I felt as if I actually knew them. I loved the ending. I loved that Julia Child was a character in the story. I really liked the narrator, Saskia Maarleveld. She really drew me into the story. This is the first book I have read by Kristy Cambron and it won’t be the last. Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson/Zondervan Fiction Audio for the recording. All opinions expressed are my own.