Quick and Dirty⁣
-dual POV/dual timeline historical fiction ⁣
-abundant with French history and culture ⁣
-full of recipes and baking references ⁣
-Paris as a main character ⁣
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Swipe for the full synopsis!⁣
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Thoughts
When I tell you I absolutely adored this book I mean it. It was the wholesome slice of goodness that I needed to get through my week. I was utterly entranced by both character storylines and had to know what was to come of these headstrong, resilient MCs. The baking/bakery elements added whimsy to the book which helped keep the tone hopeful even in the darkest moments, of which there were plenty. These characters saw hardship in many forms, some more relatable than others, but each carrying a weight felt by the reader. I was especially intrigued by the riches-to-rags storyline of Lisette. Giving up a life of luxury for love and principles is honorable/admirable/fascinating/mind-boggling all at once. It had me wondering if would I do that?! This was an excellent book for any historical fiction reader, especially one who enjoys intergenerational stories. It is WWII adjacent, so it appeals to WWII fiction fans, too. I loved all the French history and the main character energy the author gave to my favorite city: Paris. My only complaint is that it felt a little YA at times. The romance was all clean (which I prefer), but for some reason, the wholesomeness of the book coupled with the strong coming-of-age themes gave it a bit of a YA vibe. Still, I highly recommend this one and can’t wait to hear what you all think!!

Enjoyed the book but didn't love it as much as the author's previous books. I loved how the book alternated between Lisette in the 1870's and Micheline in the 1940's. Both women struggled to survive war in Paris, just many years apart. I knew the women had to be related. Would Lisette's parents really accept Lisette's life choices? Would her mother really become loving all of a sudden and take an interest in her daughter? Lisette was lucky to have Nanette in her life. Without Madame Dupuis, I'm not sure Micheline would have ever found her love of baking or Laurent. All the baking sounded delicious. It was interesting reading about the Franco-Prussian War, since I had no knowledge of it before reading this. Both Lisette and Micheline were strong and determined. Micheline never gave up hope about finding her missing mother. Discovering the truth about her mom was one of the saddest parts of the book.

Definitely recommend the book. Enjoyed the characters, writing style and story. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the cover of the book.

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

A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K. Runyan is a fascinating book. Two unique stories are told by Lisette and Micheline, whose lives are separated by almost eight decades. The women are united by blood and their love of baking. Lisette lives with her wealthy family in Paris and we meet her in 1870. She is happiest working with the kitchen staff and loves to bake. Her mother doesn't take much interest in Lisette, until they find her the husband that her parents deem ideal. Unbeknown to them, Lisette has already fallen in love and has ideas of her own. Baking becomes her life line.
Micheline is living in Paris in 1946. Her father is dead and her mother disappeared during the war. Micheline is left caring for her two younger sisters. They live in Montmartre in a building the family has owned for three generations. When the cafe on the first floor closes suddenly, Micheline needs another source of income. An elderly friend remembers the fantastic bakery that was run in that space by Micheline's great grandmother and her grandmother. Micheline is a very good baker, but she needs to attend baking school to develop the skills needed to open a bakery. Armed with Lisette's recipe book, Micheline takes on the challenge.
Runyan shares the recipe's with her reader and that makes this entertaining novel extra delicious.

I wanted to read this book as soon as I read the title, and you don’t have to wait long to read it since its PUB DATE IS AUGUST 1st! Historical fiction fans who enjoy strong female leads will love this book. I really enjoyed it and craved croissants the whole time I read it.

This book has something that I’ve never seen before, and I think it was my favorite part…when the creation of a specific baked good was mentioned in the story, the author gives the recipe and directions at the end of the chapter. Maybe I’ll be brave enough to attempt one of the delicious pastries.

The Paris Bakery is a dual timeline novel.

In the 1870s, Lissette, who is from a wealthy family, learns the truth behind the Prussian invasion although her family had gone to great lengths to ensure that her life would not be affected. While running an errand, Lissette meets Theo, who is heading up a fight for the common people in Paris. Lissette leaves her life of ease to be with Theo and opens a bakery to provide food for her new, poor and struggling neighborhood.

Flash forward to 1946. After the devastation of WWII, 19-year-old Micheline is figuring out how to survive without her dad, who was killed in the war, and her mom who recently went missing. Micheline has to provide for herself and raise her two younger sisters. She enrolls in baking classes in an effort to reopen the family bakery that has been rented to other businesses for years. Micheline meets Laurent in her baking class and the two of them navigate baking, falling in love, and learning how to move on after tragic loss.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow Books, and Custom House Books for this early copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I loved it!

💬What’s your favorite thing to get at a bakery?

I first became a fan of Aimie K. Runyon when I read her last release, The School for German Brides. Today, she releases her latest, A Bakery in Paris, in which she writes a story in dual timelines that are intimately connected. Lisette's story is set in 1870 and tells the story of a well-born girl whose political views differ completely from those of her wealthy parents. As elite forces act to quell the rebellion of the working class in Paris, Lisette finds that her allegiance is firmly with the commoners. And the handsome Theo. In 1946 after World War II has taken it's infamous toll on the city and her residents, Micheline struggles to find her way. The war has taken both her mother and father away from her and her two younger sisters. At 17, Micheline must struggle to find a way to support her young family. At least she has the space below their apartment where her great-grandmother once established a bakery. And more importantly, she has her grandmother's recipes written so long ago. This is a substantial story of love and loss, uncertainty and perseverance. I read it over the course of a day. The pages seemed to turn themselves. Ms. Runyon is an accomplished writer, and she kept me interested and invested throughout. I learned something new about French history, and this story took paths I didn't expect. This book publishes August 1, 2023, and I firmly recommend picking it up. Thanks to #HarperCollins and #Netgalley for my copy.

A BAKERY IN PARIS by Aimie K. Runyan is a wonderfully-written and engaging dual-timeline historical novel following two strong women from the same family, living generations apart, but tied together by a small bakery in Montmartre. In 1870, as the Prussians are invading Paris, Lisette Vigneau lives with her wealthy parents in the heart of Paris. While out on an errand, she meets Théodore Fournier, a revolutionary National Guardsman, who will change her life forever. Giving up her life of luxury, she joins the Commune of Paris uprising. As a way to help, Lisette opens a simple bakery to provide bread to the starving people in the impoverished neighborhoods around her. But will she be able to resist the comforts of her past life when they are offered to her once again? In 1946, Lisette’s nineteen-year-old great-granddaughter, Micheline is struggling with the disappearance of her mother during the war as well as the recent loss of her father, leaving her to care for her two younger sisters alone. A kind neighbor helps her enroll in a prestigious baking academy so she can re-open her great-grandmother’s bakery. Armed with Lisette’s battered book of recipes and with the support of her charming classmate, Laurent, Micheline finds the strength to embark on her own journey of self-discovery. The stories of these two strong and selfless women were expertly intertwined. The themes of food, family and love were the perfect ingredients for this compelling story. The French baking recipes scattered between the chapters were the perfect added touch. I highly recommend this unforgettable novel. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

🍞 Review: A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K. Runyan @aimiekrunyan 🍞

A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K. Runyan is a historical fiction set in a dual timeline of 1870 and post World War II Paris. In both timelines, we get to read the struggles of common people. In 1870, they were fighting to stop the anarchy and, in the later timeline, to rebuild after a war.

Micheline and Lisette are the main characters of this book who are intertwined. The book has alternate storylines in each chapter, and the parallel between both these characters is very clear. I fell in love with Lisette. She is a character with conscience and determination and gives up her life of luxury even though she knows that the path she is choosing is full of danger. Micheline never questions the responsibility that is unexpectedly put on her. Both of these women are strong and determined to do the best.

The best part is all the recipes interspersed throughout the book. I wish that I could know more about all the other characters, especially about Lisette's other children. This book was a delight, and I really enjoyed it.

Thank you, William Morrow and Netgalley, for this book.

I enjoy dual timeline stories and was interested in reading this one especially since it involved a bakery. The story started a little slow but quickly picked up speed. However, I began to lose a little interest in the story, especially towards the end. I was ready for this book to be over and while the story ended ok it seemed too perfect for both characters.

1870 - Lisette rebels against the life laid out for her by her wealthy family. 1946 - Micheline is struggling to make ends meet while raising her younger sisters after her father’s death and her mother’s disappearance. The little green bakery in Montmartre connects the dual timeline story. The novel has a strong sense of time and place with well-developed, sympathetic characters. It will be a good choice for book clubs.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Historical fiction is one of my absolute favorite genres. And I love when they have dual timelines; even more when it’s women of the same family! In Aimie’s newest book, it follows Lisette, a well off woman in the 1870s who just wants to cook and bake. Her life is turned upside down when she meets Theo, a revolutionary who is fighting for the rights of the common people. She opens a small bakery to help people suffering from food insecurity.

The second timeline follows her great- granddaughter, Micheline. She’s only 19, but she’s forced to care for her young sisters after her mother mysteriously disappears. To make money for the family, she opens the bakery below their apartment and enrolls in a fancy baking school. But she can’t rest until she find out what happened to her mother.

I loved Aimie’s previous novel and it’s clear she puts her whole heart into her books. I loved that their shared love of baking is what united Lisette and Micheline. But both women were strong and independent and showed lots of bravery in the face of hard times. This is a must read book and make sure to have a pastry in hand! 🥐🥮

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours, @bookishaimie and @williammorrowbooks for my ARC.

A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K. Runyan has dual timelines in the 1800’s and post–World War II, and is a great example of the determination of two women to not just survive, but to also thrive and make the world a better place! I enjoyed reading this!

The author is one of my favorites, and her newest novel has a special place in my heart now -- a stunning dual timeline histfic story based in a Montmartre bakery with MCs Lisette in 1870, as the Prussians invaded Paris, and Micheline in post-WWII 1946. The lives of the two women from the same family are contrasted as each struggle to survive horrendous times.

Aimie is a master at character development, gripping narrative, and historical detail. You ARE there in each era, you FEEL the panic, terror and relief, you SWOON over the many luscious recipes (think crème pâtissière and lemon madeleines). Histfic fans and lovers of Paris and French baking will adore it, as I did. Highly recommended!

“A Bakery in Paris,” by Aimie K. Runyan, is an intriguing and captivating Historical Fiction novel that I devoured. The timelines are set in 1870, when the Prussians tried to starve the people in Paris, and in 1946: post-World War Two. The protagonists are two women from the same family in different timelines. I love how the author vividly describes the setting, the lifestyle, and the colorful and dramatic characters. The backdrop is a small bakery that helps to feed the people, and also l provides a wonderful setting for family, friends, love, and hope.

Both women had to make difficult and important decisions in their time. The circumstances make life difficult, and they had to struggle for survival. Both had to be armed with courage. It is amazing how the ingredients are used so lovingly in the bakery. These women are leaders during historical times with time, patience, skill, love, and hope. I highly recommend this memorable novel.

for A Bakery in Paris is a beautiful historical fiction set in Paris about a bakery in 1870 and 1946. In 1870 the Prussians are trying to take over Paris and Lisette leaves her wealthy family to marry a revolutionary solider and decides to open a bakery. In 1946 Micheline has lost her father and her mother is missing after the war, so she is now raising her two sisters and she decides to try reopening her grandmother's bakery.

I like that this book is two different time periods and it's not WWII, it's right after which I'm finding I want more books in the post war period. And the Franco-Prussian War I know very little about so I really enjoyed that aspect. The book also has little recipes interspersed which I liked seeing too!

Definitely check out this book when it comes out August 1st!

This book was so very heartfelt! What a wonderful story, with a dual timeline, to tell us of a bakery in Paris.

And what I learned about Paris baking! I had no idea it was so involved, with so many steps. I would just love to sample some of the treats baked by the characters, and I so enjoyed that the recipes are included.

This is an author I’ll follow with enthusiasm. My thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K. Runyan is an enthralling historical novel set in nineteenth-century and post–World War II. Here we follow two fierce women of the same family, generations apart, who find that their futures lie in the four walls of a simple bakery in a tiny corner of Montmartre.
Runyan has crafted a beautiful story. I was hooked and didn’t want to stop reading.
The characters are so well developed that they feel like they are the reader's own family.
The stories are skillfully woven together and the dual timelines are truly engaging.
My first time reading her work and I’m very impressed.

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

Thank You NetGalley and William Morrow for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

"A Bakery in Paris" by Aimie K. Runyan
Review by Shirley Weidner July 18, 2023

A delightful and enjoyable, historical read in two time periods 1946, WWII and 1870, Siege of Paris. The protagonists are family from two different generations. Micheline’s story interweaves with Lisett’s in a neighborhood bakery. The privations of War are different, but emotions and family differ enough to provide an engaging, sweet read. I always learn from history by comparing views within my own life experiences. Many of our foremothers were driven and strong.

I highly recommend this adventure into history and believe it is a satisfying read! I received a free advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This is a dual timeline book that highlights two strong women dealing with the struggles of their time, but finding comfort from baking. The first timeline featured is from 1870 when Lisette is experiencing life in Paris as the Prussians are attacking the city. Lisette lived a very privileged life until she met Theo and decided to join the people who are fighting for Paris. She moves into a poorer neighborhood and finds herself providing value by baking bread for the neighbors. She faces many challenges as the fear of fighting grows, and access to any food items becomes very difficult.

The second timeline is from the 1940s, where Micheline is caring for her two younger sisters after their parents were lost in the war. As Micheline struggles to figure out how to care for her family, a neighbor helps in enrolling her in a baking academy. Micheline deals with the pain of her parents loss, struggling in the baking academy, and finding her path forward.

4.5/5 Stars.

First, yes, another dual timeline novel. However, as I’ve said before, while I’m getting a bit bored with the use of this mechanic, there are some novels where it works well. This is one of those instances where, although this could have easily been two connected novellas, I did find the combining of the two to be nicely done. There’s nothing where in the more recent timeline that someone goes searching for the secret in someone else’ past, which is what annoys me about most dual timelines. Instead, we have two stories about two women from the same family, and we watch each of them unfold, and see their parallels. Yes, there are things that Micheline does discover about her ancestor Lisette during the course of the book, but that’s not the focus, and thank heavens for that.

In fact, the “discovery” that Micheline makes takes the form of Lisette’s journal which started out as a book where she wrote down her recipes for breads and pastries, but also included notes about her life and experiments with baking! Well, I can promise you that I took down a few of these, and I hope to try a few one day (in fact, I’m taking a bread baking course right now, so…). But that’s not the point. The point is, these recipes are what connect these two women, and thereby making the two timelines more meaningful and equally as important to the story. If I have one (not so small) niggle about these recipes it’s that they’re set out in pounds and ounces. You see, the French were the ones credited with inventing the metric system, and they started using it officially some 80 odd years before the start of this book. I’m guessing this is because the ARC I received is meant for the US market (and maybe the recipes for the rest of the world will be in metric measurements), but seeing the imperial measurements listed, just felt wrong to me.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Aimie read this review and contacted me about this. Apparently, the famous pastry chef Carême himself used imperial measurements in his recipes, and Runyan just translated them directly. So, I stand corrected!

That said, the main part of this book is how this bakery began, and the two women for whom it meant so much. Lisette leaves behind a life of luxury to be with the revolutionary man she loves, her getting the bakery and helping feed her neighborhood during the battles that raged in France, was her main objective. Micheline is a survivor of WWII, orphaned and alone with her two younger sisters, for whom she needs to provide. Both of them are strong willed women, and both of them are principled in the ways they wish to lead their lives.

Honestly, I really liked them both very much. However, I’m not sure I bought a couple of things that happened with Lisette, and one or two things with Micheline were a touch too convenient for my taste. Despite these little things, admittedly, I just devoured this book (pun intended), and I can very warmly recommend it. I think that for all this, I can give it four and a half stars out of five. Well worth the read, but make sure you’ve got a sandwich nearby while you’re reading it because the recipes will make you hungry!

1870: The Prussian army have reached the gates of Paris, the city is completely surrounded and they enforce a blockade and try to starve the population into surrendering. Lisette Vigneau parents are from one of the oldest and wealthiest families in Paris and they live in the centre of the city. Lisette is rather unconventional and headstrong and she sneaks into the kitchen to watch, help and learn from the families cook.

One day Lisette is without a chaperone, her mother would have a fit if she knew and Lisette meets National Guardsman Theodore Fournier. Lisette runs away from home and to be with Theodore, she opens a small bakery and to bring hope and sustenance to the poor neighborhood of Montmartre. Soon the Parisians are starving, only rich have stock piled food and can afford the black market prices, Lisette could return home, she decides to stay with her beloved Theo and her new friends.

The story has a dual timeline, it’s told from the points of view of the two main characters Lisette and Micheline the women are related and it kept my attention.

1946: Micheline Chartier lost her father early in the war, her mother disappeared without a trace two years ago, and at nineteen she's looking after her younger sisters. Madame Dupuis her kindly neighbour has helped Micheline, she pays for her to attend the prestigious baking academy and so she can open a bakery in the empty bistro below their apartment. Laurent Tanet started at the academy before Micheline, he’s a very nice young man and is there for her when she struggles during lessons, they both develop feelings for each other and with her mother still missing Micheline feels guilty.

I received a digital copy of A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K. Runyan from William Morrow and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The narrative highlights how both Lisette and Michelle had to deal with the brutality of war, cope with the loss of loved ones, overcome obstacles and they shared fondness for baking and Micheline finds solace and inspiration in grandmothers journal. I loved how Ms. Ruyan included throughout the book, recipes for the delicious French baked treats and ones you would find in a patisserie.

I didn't know a lot about the Franco-Prussian War and in 1871 the Prussia army defeated France, ending French dominance in continental Europe, creating a unified Germany and causing political tension in France. Once again Aimie K. Ruyan has written a really fascinating book, about two strong and resilient women and five stars from me.