3.5 stars

I’ve reached a point where any historical fiction not directly related to WWII feels fresh and unique. Even if this weren’t the case, though, I would have thoroughly enjoyed A Bakery in Paris.

Runyan made these characters feel so honest that jumping into the narrative took no time at all. It’s been a while since I read a historical fiction novel that really sunk its claws in without feeling like lip service to the army of people who love this genre. These main characters were set in stone within a few chapters, and their lives were truly moving along. In fact, the entire book just flew by - I couldn’t believe how quickly I finished it, and I would’ve happily read another couple hundred pages.

"Once in the confines of my room, I set the cognac on my dressing table and set about removing the decadent pink satin and freeing myself from my rigid stays.
I put the gown back in the wardrobe, grateful to have freedom of movement and more air in my lungs. In the back, carefully hung by Marie, I saw the simple green linen I'd worn to town that very day. I touched the linen in one hand and the pink silk in the other. One was flawlessly smooth, made to glisten under candlelight. The other was sturdier and was a garment in which one could . .. live a life.
I knew how the cool satin felt against my skin. How luxurious and effortless the fabric was to wear.
But one spill, even a few droplets of water, could spoil it irrevocably.
I knew the linen was stiff and scratchy.
But it would withstand long hours in a kitchen and long walks in the city.
It would withstand summer sun and winter snows.
I released the satin and slipped into the linen. I couldn't spend my life like a china doll on a shelf.
I was the linen, and I was meant to live life."

At times, it did feel that these stories were running parallel to each other rather than being separated by time and wars. While this helped to highlight the similarities between Lisette and Micheline, it did take away from the ‘family saga’ aspect of the story. It would be hard to differentiate between the time periods if it weren’t all taking place in the same bakery.

For how much emphasis there was on family, I feel bad for Micheline’s siblings. Unless they were causing problems or Micheline was lamenting her lost teenage years of dating and partying, they weren’t given much character development and were often sent into the background and forgotten. Even the romantic leads were often banished to focus on more important things.

A Bakery in Paris was wholly enjoyable, and while I’ve drifted a little from historical fiction over the last couple of years, it was easy to remember what I used to love about it while reading.

This is my first Runyan novel but I love Paris and their boulangeries so it was hard for me to resist. The fact it's a time slip set with family generations involved only served to whet my appetite further.

Alternating chapters with 2 characters, young ladies, trying to cope in war and post-war Paris, served as the backdrop for this compelling story of families, class distinctions and coming of age. Lisette is the eldest daughter of a rich family living in 1870s Paris. In her early twenties, she has her life well established for her based on her family but she wants more. She discovers how the 'other half' live through her association with the family's chef, Nanette, and her sous chef, Marie. At the same time, she discovers a love for food and cooking. Nanette is a willing teacher and guide both in the kitchen and in life.

Lisette is struck by the injustice of her upbringing and the treatment and the obvious disparity between the rich and the working class. She feels an allegiance to the latter which is exacerbated when she meets and falls hard for one of the National Guardsman, Theo.

Micheline, at 20, is thrown into raising her younger sisters, Sylvie and Noemie, as a result of their mother mysteriously disappearing two years prior in 1944 war torn Paris. Micheline refuses to believe her mother won't one day return but in the meantime struggles to make ends meet in their small home which is on the floor immediately above the family bakery, Le Bijou, that has been let out to others to run.

Due to the alternating POVs, I struggled for about of the story to distinguish the two ladies. There was so much similarity. Eldest daughters, similar age, fighting for a cause and grappling with their respective stations in life. For fact that they are family, Lisette being Micheline's great grandmother, made the similarities even greater. Their first kisses and intimate moments with their new beaus were also described similarly which made me chuckle.

Putting all that aside, the story is engrossing and I happily turned pages seeking to discover how these two courageous young ladies grew out of their circumstances. The events of 1870 were all new to me and was fascinating to read about. The wonders of baking and the enjoyment it gave both the bakers and their customers was also gratifying. Family recipes are also included throughout the story which added some fun.

I do wonder if a French author might have brought a bit more 'french-ness' to the story. They are a unique culture and their delightful accent and vocabulary would I expect have made this story read a little differently. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Runyan's stories.

I was fortunate to gain early access to the story from the publisher via the Net Galley app, however, this had no bearing on my review.

An enjoyable dual timeline historical novel set in Paris in 1870 and post WW2. Characters to care about and recipes included is a nice touch.

A Bakery in Paris is a beautiful novel spanning 3 generations of women. Lisette leaves everything she knows to follow her heart to Montmarte whilst Michelene attempts to navigate a new life with her two younger sisters without the family foundation she has come to know and trust. Both are joined by their love of baking and a small bakery underneath their apartments that serves as a way for them to both serve those they love and work through their individual pain. Michelene relies on her great grandmother's recipes and notes to see her through culinary school whilst Lisette writes the notes down so as not to forget all she has learnt. A heart-warming and engaging novel.

Set in 19th-century and post–WWII Paris follows two fierce women of the same family, generations apart, who find that their futures lie in a Montmartre bakery.Both women must grapple with loss, learn to accept love, and face impossible choices armed with little more than their courage and a belief that a bit of flour, yeast, sugar, and love can bring about a revolution of their own.Place des Vosges,originally Place Royale, is the oldest planned square in Paris, France. It was a fashionable and expensive square to live in during the 17th and 18th centuries, and one of the main reasons for the chic nature of Le Marais among the Parisian nobility.The Paris Commune was a French revolutionary government that seized power in Paris from 18 March to 28 May 1871.Montmartre was the site of the beginning of the revolutionary uprising of the Paris Commune.During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71, the French National Guard had defended Paris, and working-class radicalism grew among its soldiers. Following the establishment of the Third Republic in September 1870 (under French chief executive Adolphe Thiers from February 1871) and the complete defeat of the French Army by the Germans by March 1871, soldiers of the National Guard seized control of the city on March 18. They killed two French army generals and refused to accept the authority of the Third Republic, instead attempting to establish an independent government.
The Commune governed Paris for two months, establishing policies that tended toward a progressive, anti-religious system of their own self-styled socialism.
The national French Army suppressed the Commune at the end of May during La semaine sanglante ("The Bloody Week") beginning on 21 May 1871.During the conflict, both on the front lines and home front, the French had to face many constraints to obtain supplies and to consume them. Bakers are the heart of a community.They help memorialise important moments and events in people's lives.Baking is a solace in hard times as it encourages mindfulness since it involves all 5 senses.Baking is one of life's love languages as food is an expression of hospitality and affection.Nourishment is crafted.

gorgeous story is told through dual perspectives in different timelines, by two remarkably strong and incredibly selfless women. The author does a spectacular job of alternating between the women, Lisette and Micheline, and it kept my attention rapt the whole time. Another adorable, wholesome and delicious aspect was the gorgeous French recipes in between chapters. I saved every single one.

It's 1870 and the Prussians are invading Paris, where we meet Lisette. She comes from a wealthy family with conventional societal restrictions on Lisette, but she's quite headstrong. She has an immense but secret love of baking, and helps the cook Nanette in the kitchens at every opportunity. Nanette has been more of a mother to Lisette than her own, and has taught Lisette everything she knows about culinary art. One day, Lisette sneaks out to be amidst the chaos and bustling life of the city streets, when she meets Theo. Despite her strict upbringing, Lisette leaves it all behind in the name of love. With Theo's support, she opens up a bakery to bring hope and food made with love to the streets of Paris. This also opens up a whole world Lisette is unfamiliar with, rich with the looming war and political invasions.

It's 1946 and Micheline is dealing with the aftermath of WW2 while raising her two young sisters on her own. They lost their father in the war, and their mother disappeared without a trace. Things are tough. Her kindly generous neighbour convinces Micheline to let her pay for Micheline to attend the prestigious baking academy in Paris, so that she may open up the bakery below their apartment and provide more for herself and her sisters. While she's there, she meets lovely Laurent, who's so kind and thoughtful and they start to fall for each other. While things are looking up for Micheline and her sisters, with happiness and full bellies and hearts, she can't shake the impending denial and guilt about her missing mother.

I received an e-arc of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review - and I cannot say enough great things about this book. It's wholesome and sweet, with layers of delicious cozy and historical references, and the generational strength of these women. This story is laced with love; from the love of baking, to family, to community, to loving yourself. The values of selflessness, generosity, strength and staying true to yourself are so prevalent in this heartwarming tale and I cannot recommend it enough - especially if you have a love of baking.

This was a delightful book to read with its atmospheric historical settings, two strong heroines and a story that kept me turning the pages. The inclusion of delicious recipes helped, as well! I also liked one of the historical settings - Paris in the 1870s - being fairly unusual.

The two women, Lisette and Michelins, are grandmother and granddaughter. Both have their share of struggles! Lisette, upset by her privileged and wealthy lifestyle, runs away with a poor French revolutionary rather than enter into an arranged marriage. Anxious to be useful, she starts developing a bakery, but can she survive in a Montmartre of scarcity when she is used to riches?

Micheline has a hard time feeding her sisters because her father died in the Second World War andher mother is missing. Given the chance to learn to cook, she is inspired by her grandmother’s recipes. Can she ever live up to her?

Any lover of historical novels will enjoy this book. I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780063350304
PRICE $32.99 (USD)
PAGES 384

I loved A Bakery In Paris. This dual timeline story stars two strong heroines, both facing huge challenges at times of great unrest in the history of Paris. Both women take solace in the kitchen, Lizette learning to bake from the time she was a child seeking warmth and affection in the kitchen of her wealthy family’s home while Micheline initially learned her trade from her mother and fine-tuned it at a cookery school. Both timelines have romantic threads. Nineteenth century Lizette falls for Leo, a National Guardsman and revolutionary, who is determined to free the working classes of oppression at the hands of the wealthy and powerful, while Micheline is quickly swept up into the arms of fellow baker Laurent. I loved the way these two stories blended and showcased their respective historical settings through the eyes of their characters. The book is impeccably researched, beautifully written and very definitely kept me hooked from start to finish.

This is a wonderful dual timeline historical fiction beginning in 1870 with the story of Lisette Vigneau in Paris with war on the doorstep. Giving up her well to do lifestyle to open a bakery and help others but with so much hardship will she be able to cope with this new existence?

In 1946 Micheline Chartier a young woman who has lost her father and who's mother disappeared during the war is trying to cope with bringing up her two young sisters. She has been given the chance to attend a baking school but something is missing. Her mother and all Micheline wants to do is find her.

And so this story tells the tale of two women, courageous, strong and using baking to bring love, joy, food and more to their lives and that of others. It is such a well written book, flowed seamlessly through the two timelines and brought both these women to life.

The cherry on the top for me with this book was the inclusion of recipes throughout the book. I can't wait to try a few of them. This is a book for lovers of food, historical fiction and France!

Thank you Net Galley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book

I was drawn in by the title of this one and it didn’t disappoint. A very well-researched historical fiction novel set in Monmartre about two different parts of French history I didn’t know much about. Told in a dual timeline with dual points of view we meet
Lisette in 1870 during the Franco- Prussian war and Micheline in 1946 dealing with TJR after effects of WWII.

Whilst living in two very different timeframes they were both very strong and resilient women both with a love of baking and feeding and looking out for others. I enjoyed getting to know both women and I felt and instant connection with Micheline and her story. It did take me a little longer to connect with the Lisette storyline but once their connection was revealed and the story went on I couldn’t put it down. The food references were amazing and I loved seeing Lisette’s recipes and notes- it was a lovely touch. I will definitely be going back to read more of Amie’s novels.

If you enjoy strong women main character, supportive, caring male characters, history, Paris and mouthwatering treats this book is a must read and you won’t be disappointed.

A Bakery in Paris is a captivating, dual timeline novel following two very strong, fierce women Lissette and Micheline. Lissette opens a bakery during the nineteenth century Siege of Paris, I found it fascinating to learn more surrounding the history of this time and Micheline her great granddaughter, struggling to raise her sisters, by herself, post-World War 2. I thoroughly adored this unputdownable novel. I fell in love reading the characters story, their love and passion for their families, the heartbreaking loss and how four walls and baking saved them. The lip-smacking indulgences found throughout the book was a well thought through added surprise.

I would like to thank HarperCollins Publishers Australia, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Absolutely loved this gorgeous book. Fantastic setting and characters to go along with an awesome storyline. It flows seamlessly between two different timelines and it’s just so easy to follow which character the storyline is about and when. The female characters of Lisette and Micheline are strong and powerful and brave. The main male characters are supportive and kind and caring. I was really happy with the ending too and it finished as it should have.

I love French bread and pastries and the cover of this book was just calling my name.

Bakery in Paris is a dual-time novel. We follow Lisette in 1870 during the War and her great-granddaughter Micheline in the aftermath of WWII.

Lisette chooses to leave her wealthy life and opens a Bakery to help the poor people of Paris. Micheline finds the same love for baking and the bakery as she tries to take care of her sisters.

A lovely book about unconditional love and strong women. It was very easy to relate to both women and I felt their pain and emotions. Their losses and struggles made me love them more. I was drawn into the story straight away I couldn't put it down.
A lovely bonus were the recipes throughout the book and of course and I needed to try at least one of the recipes to see what would come out. I tried the Mille-Feuille à L’Ancienne……OMG….. I love French pastries.

If you love historical fiction, strong women and baking...you'll love this book