Ruth Reichl’s The Paris Novel offers a charming, though occasionally uneven, exploration of food, culture, and personal transformation set against the backdrop of Paris. The novel follows the journey of a woman who moves to the city, hoping to rediscover herself and find healing after significant life changes. Reichl, known for her culinary background, weaves rich descriptions of food and Parisian life into the story, which adds a layer of sensory delight for readers.

The narrative itself, however, doesn't always hit the mark. While the protagonist’s growth and the underlying themes of reinvention are relatable, some parts of the story feel predictable or overly familiar. The pacing can also feel a bit slow at times, and the plot occasionally takes a backseat to the indulgent descriptions of Paris and food, which, while beautifully written, might be too much for some readers.

Reichl’s skill as a writer shines in her ability to evoke the beauty and complexity of Paris, but the book doesn’t entirely escape the trap of being more about the setting and atmosphere than the characters themselves. The novel’s heart is in its exploration of identity and the small moments of self-discovery, though it could have benefitted from a bit more emotional depth and plot development.

In the end, The Paris Novel will likely appeal to readers who are drawn to lyrical writing and a leisurely pace, but it may not be for those seeking a fast-moving or deeply intricate story. It’s a pleasant read that immerses you in the magic of Paris, but it leaves you wishing for a bit more from its characters and plot.

This was not my favorite book. It plodded along for me and wasn't what I expected having read at least one other Ruth Reichl book. I apologize for the really brief review, but I waited too long to put my thoughts on paper. I don't think I'd recommend it though.

Stella’s mom has just died and she has been left a strange inheritance, a one way ticket to Paris. It goes against anything she has ever done but she does it. She follows her mother’s wishes and heads to Paris. Stella, finds herself in Paris and falls back on old routines. She watches her money & doesn’t wander too far. She doesn’t want to explore too much but she does, day by day. One day, she wanders into a vintage shop and finds an amazing dress. It is a Dior dress and it fits her perfectly. The owner of the shop insists she buy it. With the dress, she heads out and takes on Paris. She eats and drinks and shops. She meets all kinds of people and learns about her past. She even finds a famous book store Shakespeare & Company and finds out about a Manet painting. This story is so fun. Stella’s time in Paris is a time of growing, mourning and trying new things. It is a chance that most people don’t get and Stella doesn’t waste a minute of it. Ruth Reichl did a great job with her descriptions of Paris and a woman’s journey within it. This was a 4 star read for me. I want to thank Netgalley & the author for my copy of The Paris Novel, for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read and review this book.

I found the novel to be a delightful escape, appreciating its vivid descriptions of Parisian life and the protagonist's journey of self-discovery. It was an enjoyable read!

The Paris Novel offers an immersive experience with its vivid food descriptions , making you feel as if you're transported straight into the heart of the setting. However, while the food descriptions are undoubtedly compelling, I found that the story itself didn't quite match the strength of the author's previous works. The story didn’t resonate as deeply as I had hoped and readers should check for trigger warnings.

I really enjoyed the rich descriptions of Paris in this book and the overall atmosphere. The setting was beautifully crafted and brought the city to life. However, I struggled with some graphic child abuse scenes that felt unnecessary to the story. They were shocking and, to me, didn’t add anything meaningful to the plot. The book would have been much stronger if these scenes had been handled with more subtlety or left out entirely. The characters were interesting, and I genuinely enjoyed the setting, but those disturbing scenes really took away from the experience. It would’ve easily been a four-star read for me if not for that.

If I had to pick a word to describe this book, I'd say wholesome. I thought Stella was a great main character and enjoyed her journey of self discovery in a Paris and culinary setting! I'm not sure how memorable it'll be for me down the road, but it was a lovely palette cleanser after a heavier read.

Obsessed with this book. I have loved Ruth Reichl since high school and the way she describes food sends you to the exact taste and place. Bravo, a beautiful work of food fiction

I have devoured all the books I have read by this author. While I really tried, I just didn’t find myself engaged in this story. I think it just wasn’t for me, but I think many will enjoy.

Inspired by the love of a dress, this cute story is surprisingly joyful! Stella does not get along with her posh mother, but when the mom dies, she sends Stella to Paris. This begins a growng up/coming into your own story full of fun and some very real characters. A delightful read, simple, yet moves so swiftly, you are carried along. I like this book more than I thought it would and I recommend it.

This book is my first written by Ruth Reichl. I read it just before embarking on my first trip to Paris and I learned a lot. I even saw the painting in Musee d'Orsay that the novel talks about. I saw myself in Paris while reading this book. The protagonist lives a rigid life, but has the "opportunity" (i.e. forced) to go to Paris after her mother dies. There she is opened to a life she never had! Food is different! Clothing is different! Art is enhanced! Family is chosen and found. This is a glorious book! Definitely read it if you are a foodie, literature fanatic, or Francophile.
(Read June 2024, reviewed December 2024)

The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl is the kind of book that makes you want to book a flight to Paris and live out your own literary dream. The story follows Billie, a woman who ends up in Paris to work as a food critic and gets caught up in a whirlwind of food, romance, and self-discovery. It’s about finding yourself while exploring the vibrant, delicious world of French cuisine and culture.

What I really loved about this book was the atmosphere. The way Reichl describes Paris, the food, and the whole experience is so vivid—you can practically taste everything she’s describing. Billie is an interesting character too. She’s trying to figure out where she belongs, and her journey of self-discovery is super relatable. Plus, the mix of food, art, and love gives the book a cozy, almost magical vibe.

The pacing is a little slow at times, especially when it focuses more on Billie's internal struggles, but it all comes together beautifully in the end. There’s a touch of romance, but it’s more about Billie finding her own path and learning to embrace the uncertainty of life.

The Paris Novel is a heartwarming story about love, change, and the magic of Paris. Ruth Reichl brings the city to life with vivid descriptions of its food and culture. The main character's journey is emotional and inspiring, though some parts feel a bit slow. Overall, it’s a delightful read for anyone who loves Paris and stories of self-discovery.

One of my top books of the year - recommending this one to everyone. As a fan of Paris and an utter Francophile, I was an easy sell when I saw this book. Add in the food descriptions and literary love letter to innovative French cuisine, and it was perfection.

A woman goes to Paris on her mother's last words. There, she finds a dress that helps her change her life.

This one sounded so interesting to me, and I liked parts of it. however, my biggest problem was that it jumped around in time with inconsistent markers (as in sometimes, it had a year and other times it didn't). It just made it harder to follow, and there were a few times I had to flip back and forth to make sure I understood when I was on the timeline.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for providing me this Digital Advanced Readers Copy of the book!

When Stella St. Vincent’s coldhearted mother passes away, she is bequeathed a strange inheritance. A small amount of money has been provided for a prearranged trip to Paris. Stella is a reclusive copy editor living in New York. She loves her work which fills her life with structure, routine and quiet. It is how she avoids memories of her abusive childhood and lonely existence. But it’s the 1980’s and certainly bohemian to travel to Paris alone. Her boss, the one person she admires insists she take this as an opportunity to expand her little world. Upon arrival she finds pleasure walking the cobblestoned streets, letting her imagination take flight. One day she stops in a magical boutique and tries on a dress that changes her life. The dress leads to a friendship with Jules, a widow that takes Stella under his wing. Jules brings her into the world of delectable food, breathtaking art and history that may have been forgotten. Together they dive into the life of a female artist whose work has mysteriously disappeared. For the first time Stella can taste what she is eating and with each bite and every sip of French wine a part of Stella she never knew existed is revealed. Experiencing this taste of love and friendship for the first time Stella becomes tempted to search for her long lost father. This story leaves you savoring its flavors and themes long after you've finished, just as any great meal should.

2.5 stars rounded up

Stella St. Vincent's mother has died and left her with some money - but it can only be used to take a trip to Paris. Once there, Stella doesn't really understand the city and is quickly blowing through her funds. A chance encounter with a beautiful dress in a shop leads to a wild adventure of food, friends, and found family.

This book was not a hit for me unfortunately! I love Riechl's food writing and memoirs, but her fiction isn't a favorite for me. Other than the detailed and delightful descriptions of the various things Stella ate and drank, the art she saw, and the fashions, there wasn't a lot here to love. Stella was largely pessimistic and a bit boring. The story itself was incredibly far fetched and though exciting, didn't really hook me and draw me in. I did like the cast of characters in the story, but overall, there was a lot going on without a tone of substance.

TW: Child sexual abuse, narcissistic parent

My absolute favorite book setting is London, but Paris is a close second. I loved the atmosphere and character development throughout this book.

I needed a feel good book to read this weekend and somehow hadn't gotten around to reading this one yet! I loved following Stella as her life cracks wide open when her mother dies and sends her to Paris with some money and a mystery about her father. These kinds of mysteries always make me feel cozy and I can't read them fast enough! And of course, the food descriptions were next level, what do you expect!