I have loved Ruth Reichl’s previous books but this one fell flat in every way. The plot in no way gripped me and it was a struggle to finish

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy of this title.

I really loved this story.

Paris, food, fashion, THE most famous bookstore (Shakespeare and Co), literary art, and finding romance all in the 80's! This book made me wish it was my life and it made me hungry! I loved Stella. I appreciated Jules. This book is feel-good and hopeful and makes you want to live a big life! I wish I had read it in my 20's.
Caution, you'll be wanting to book a ticket to Paris and your macaroni and cheese dinner will no longer seem appetizing.
Loved this book and highly recommend it. More of my reviews on Insta books.before.sleep
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and Ruth Reichl for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy however I'm going to buy copies for the young people in my life. All opinions are my own.

Nice story about a young woman somewhat lost who finds great friends and understanding in Paris. Ruth Reichl, as one might expect, does an outstanding job describing the food. The ingredients, the flavors, the sensations as the food is tasted are all a tribute to her skills as a food critic. The story itself was also very good. Paris is a great city for food and wine and one could enjoy it vicariously through this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. This novel was not what I expected at the beginning, during, or at the end. At times sad, at times whimsical, at times eloquent, at times unbelievable, and at all times hunger-inducing... Reichl is all over the board in this story about 33-year-old Stella, who goes to Paris for the first time to discover her late mother's secrets - and herself. This novel is partly the food writing Reichl is known for and partly women's fiction mixed with some great descriptions of the French city. I enjoyed it.

The Paris Novel
Oh such fun. An escape from the everyday.
And the shock of her past but impressed by Stella’s resolve.
I could feel her joy and excitement as much as her anxiety
What I loved most was being transported to a different place and time, before all of technology demands on our time, when travel was simple and food enriched your soul. Thank you Ruth and NetGalley for the trip, just like Stella, I never knew I wanted to take.

If you read my reviews, you've probably noticed that I pick up any book that has PARIS in the title -- sometimes it's a good choice and sometimes not but this new novel by Ruth Reichl was definitely a good pick. Not only was there a good story line and a couple of great characters but parts of it were like a travel log around the best sites in Paris in 1980!

Stella is a copy editor who lives a very lonely. She was raised by a mother who was always looking for a good time and Stella wished to be nothing like her mother. When her mother died, she left Stella and some money and a note that said that she should go to Paris to spend the money. Reluctantly she decides to go to Paris despite the fact that she doesn't really want to leave her current life. Alone in a foreign city, she falls into her old habits by living frugally and not doing anything new and exciting. One day she goes into a vintage dress shop and the shopkeeper acts as if she's been waiting for Stella. She has the perfect vintage Dior and when Stella tries it on, she feels and even looks like a new person. She takes a chance and buys the dress and her adventure begins. She goes to Les Deux Magots where she tries oysters for the first time. While she's there she meets an older gentleman who is an art collector and he tells her wants to show her the real Paris. He takes her to all of the fabulous restaurants in Paris at the time and the author makes sure that the reader learns all about the food that they try. She also starts living and working at Shakespeare and Company, the iconic Paris bookstore where she uncovers a mystery about a Manet painting. So we have a mystery, a bit of romance and lots of food as Stella changes her life from shy and lonely to adventuresome!

I was intrigued with all of the wonderful descriptions of food until I read an article about the author and found out that she has several nonfiction books about food in France. I think it's time that I read one of them.

So open this book and take a tour of the Paris that existed in 1980. It will be eye-opening and fun. If you've already been to Paris, this book will help bring back wonderful memories of your trip. This book is a definite delight for not only foodies but also for people who either love to travel or yearn to travel.

The Paris Novel transported me to the City of Lights in a new way. Through the eyes of Stella, sheltered New Yorker experiencing life out from her domineering mother's shadow for the first time, the city seems even more magical than usual. In fact, I was surprised to see this book *not* classified as magical realism - the power of Stella's dress to transform her life is certainly not ordinary.

Ruth Reichl's culinary writing is already well-praised, but her transition of it into a fictional context is well-done, too. Highly recommend too all foodies and travelers, whether they've been to Paris or imagine themselves to be from their couch.

I have been a fan of Ruth’s writing for decades, so I was excited to read her newest book. It took me a while to get into the book, especially as the foodie type stuff doesn’t start until a fair ways in. But overall it was definitely an enjoyable read, if a stronger departure from Ruth’s usual fare.

“The Paris Novel” by Ruth Reich is an absolutely delicious novel. The story is about Stella a young copyeditor who has lived a very lonely and closed life. Her very narcissistic mother did nothing to protect or engage her until she dies. Stella is left an inheritance with the caveat that she must go to Paris and spend all the money before she can return home. And the adventure of a lifetime begins. This book is delicious in every way, beautifully written with wonderful characters and remarkably delicious descriptions of food unlike anything I have ever read. I highly recommend you go on this trip with Stella, I for one wished I could jump into the book to be right there with her to taste the food and have these characters in my life that she meets along the way.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The following review will be posted on April 23, 2024 or earlier if the book is released early.


I almost didn’t read The Paris Novel. In the first or second chapter, the main character is molested. I could see it coming, all the signs that she was about to enter in the liar of the beast was shouting out. It was brief but vivid. I set the book down for a few days. As someone who had read other works by Ruth Reichl, I eventually came back and I’m so glad that I did. The scene does get dealt with and unfortunately, it’s probably a more common occurrence than many of us care to believe.

The story quickly fast-forwards for this little girl and she finds herself as an adult, disconnected from everything, but curious as to what life could look like if she allowed herself to explore herself and the world around her. Through a series of events that start with the death of her mother, the main character, Stella, finds herself on a grand adventure in Paris, France. The story is set in the 1980’s and having visited Paris myself not long after the 80’s it was very nostalgic to wander the streets with Stella. She has meals at several restaurants that Riechl used her notes from actual meals to recreate for the main character and reader alike. The mystery and love that intertwine in this story invite the reader to explore the hidden places in their own hearts, to see if there is something that is holding them back from truly enjoying this delightful world that we live in.

If you feel like taking a trip to Paris, eating a great meal or two, or even just being inspired to live with a deep appreciation for the every day, this is the book you should pick up. It’s definitely in the must read category and gets a solid five stars from me.

I received this book from Random House through Netgalley for the purpose of review. I’m never required to say good things about the books that I review but I’m thankful when I can.

As a fan of the author's non-fiction, I looked forward to her foray into novel-writing. After all, who can resist Paris, food and a famous bookstore. The descriptions of all were delightful, but i found the plot , especially the ending, too contrived. However, it was a fun way to visit Paris again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this read. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed Ruth Reichl's other non-fiction works, and was excited to see a fiction novel. The beginning of the book caught me off guard, with the origin story for Stella including some very sensitive topics that I wasn't anticipating. Stella's relationship with her mother is a key point of the plot; it leads Stella to Paris, where she discovers food, fashion, and friendship. The writing and descriptions of Paris were lovely and dreamlike at times. It's a good reminder to find joy in the everyday, and also the extraordinary.

Ruth Reichl's first fiction novel showcases her legendary food and travel writing. As a huge fan of her memoir works, her descriptive showcase of 1980s Paris is the highlight of the book. Where the plot lags, this shines through and is an enjoyable ride.

Absolutely loved every moment I spent with this novel! Ruth Reichl has long been a favorite writer of mine, and this novel was every bit as mouthwateringly delicious as any of her cookbooks. Highly, highly recommend for any lovers of Paris, great food, lighthearted mysteries, or just a sweet, absorbing book you won't be able to put down.

I’ve eagerly awaited another Ruth Reichl novel since Delicious, this one does not disappoint! Her characters are vivid and so alive. The novel’s main character Stella leads such a quiet and invisible life with a mother that clearly wasn’t meant to be a mother. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but life events take her to Paris. Here her life is transformed through the people she meets and the chances she dares to take. The descriptions of the experiences and foods she encounters take me there with her. It certainly inspires me to cook with abandon! I loved this book. I only gave it four stars because I wish it had gone on just a bit longer. I would’ve loved to continue on this journey with her and all the wonderful people she met.

This novel was a delight!
I didn’t know what to expect from Ruth Reichl as a fiction writer, as I have only read her non-fiction Save Me The Plums (which is excellent!)
The Paris Novel is a luscious love letter to fashion, food, books, and art.
The characters are quirky and sincere. I love how Stella grows and blooms as she experiences what it feels like to wear a beautiful dress, take risks, eat delicious food, make meaningful relationships and friendships and experience Paris to its fullest.
I wanted to stay in Paris, live in the bookstore, and become a Tumbleweed.
Truly a book I didn’t want to end.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Ruth Reichl's books, so I was very excited to be able to preview this one, more Parisan stories about food, friendship and families please.

Not a fan where book go back in time with each chapter. DNF

********************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley**********************

I devoured (pun intended) Ruth Reichl's nonfiction writing, which at times felt a lot like fiction--a lifestyle I know nothing about and food and restaurants I dream to experience. This foray into fiction was not my favorite, though I would absolutely read more from her again.