Reichl’s sophomore novel is more streamlined than her debut, “Delicious” Because it focuses on a single story which allows all of the fantastic flavors in Reichl’s prose to marry and deliver a satisfying essence. As a Reichl completist, I observe all of the narratives prior to “The Paris Novel” blending and stirring up catharses wanting to be expressed in works prior. It’s also an interesting mother/daughter story to add to the arsenal of recommendations I serve up when so requested to. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to advance read and pre-order and further for Ruth Reichl’s not putting her pen down.

I love Ruth Reichl & no one describes food in fiction as beautifully as she does, but the book starting with a fairly graphic description of child molestation that was totally unexpected and I felt blindsided. I couldn't get past it and I hope there is some warning to prepare reader than thinks they are just going to read about food & Paris.

This was ok. I liked the idea behind this book and the plot and storyline. I liked learning about the characters. I thought there were holes in the story and the ending was rushed. I would have liked to see Stella discuss her abuse with somebody. I also thought how she went from barely being able to cook to opening up a restaurant was a little far fetched. In the beginning of the novel, the woman at the dress shop said she knew she would see her again and then they never explained if she went back. I did like all the descriptions of the bookstore, the different restaurants, meals, and the dress shop.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the Advance Reader's Copy of The Paris Novel

What a delicious read! The story drew me in instantly, and the descriptions of food are beyond belief. I could nearly taste everything the characters were eating and drinking. I adore books like that! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I am a huge fan of Ms. Reichl, having read all her books, including her first novel, Delicious! I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read the ARC of The Paris Novel, and, based on her other books, expected lots of food, glorious food. Yes, there is that, but oh, there is so much more.

Honestly, after reading the first two chapters (particularly Chapter Two), I seriously thought about stopping. Early on, this book was so much darker and disturbing than I expected! My first impression of Stella, the main character, was that she was a closed off, bitter, angry young woman. She uses physical and psychological mechanisms throughout her life to deal with the events described in Chapter Two and the horrific creature who was her mother. She had built herself a “safe,” gray life, devoid of color, love, adventure, or joy. However, because I adore Ms. Reichl’s work, I kept going, and I’m so very glad I did.

The title of this book is perfect, because while yes, it is Stella’s story, it is such a beautifully written love letter to 1980s Paris (where I hope to visit someday). The imagery and the language are so vivid, often so raw, that I got lost in the story and became completely invested in rooting for Stella.

When Stella’s mother passes away, she leaves Stella a small amount of money and instructs her to go to Paris. Stella, never one to step out of her comfort zone, fulfills her mother’s last request. Almost immediately, the reader is immersed in the city and surrounding countryside. Sometimes I questioned some of the “coincidences,” and wondered how it all would come together, but Ms. Reichl is a master puzzle-maker who ultimately, and lovingly, put all the pieces together for a fabulous conclusion. Throughout Stella’s journey of self-discovery, which includes unearthing some artistic mysteries, she encounters fascinating characters, including real-life authors, artists, poets, and chefs. Beautiful clothes, from Christian Dior and Yves St. Laurent, are characters unto themselves. Oh, how I want to go to the Shakespeare and Company bookstore, and take cooking and art history classes now! I loved how a new Stella emerged as she experienced friendship, art, music, and, yes, food. It was like peeling back the leaves of an artichoke to get to the heart.

Because it is a Ruth Reichl book, readers can expect magical, incredibly visceral, in-depth descriptions of food that encompass all the senses. Part of Stella’s journey includes really tasting food for the first time, and in the process, tasting the joy of living, loving, and being a part of a community. As she dines, cooks, or shops, we are with her, tasting, chopping, baking, inhaling wonderful smells (although, there are some descriptions that made me seriously consider becoming a vegetarian—sorry, Ruth).

This novel will stay with me for a long time. I am so grateful to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Paris Novel, and I’m pleased to provide this honest review.

Having approached this novel with moderate expectations, I found myself wholly seduced. Yes, it’s genre fiction/fairytale of a kind (romance, finding self, plenty of food and posh clothes: kind folks and fairy godmothers and fathers everywhere) but done with ease and charm and lovely detail. It being Reichl, the food writing is notable. And the love for Paris is palpable. Central character Stella is rather sexless, but apart from that and a few loose ends, it’s a triumph.

I've enjoyed Ruth Reichl's memoirs so was excited to read her first novel. It did not disappoint! The writing was wonderful, the food writing was immaculate, and I was swept away with Stella's story, cheering her on while she discovered a new life.

A beautifully written novel of self discovery in Paris. Mouth watering descriptions of Parisian foods with authentic Chefs of the time. Fashion, Art, food and Books steeping the readers in the heart of what is Paris. Shakespeare and Company ; Oh to be a tumbleweed. Paris has just jumped to the top of my Travel list.

A must read! Loved this book! Read it in one sitting. Needs recipes!
I was hungry the whole time i was reading this wonderful novel!

So ... Ruth Reichl was editor of Gourmet magazine for 10 years; she has been honored with 6 James Beard award for her journalism and features. The title of this book is The Paris Novel. There is a lot of food description ... you would expect it to me amazing ... and you won't be disappointed. (Or at least I wasn't.) It was interesting and unique. The eat foods in Paris that ... are definitely different than the US. Impressive.

So ... the title of the book includes the word "novel" and my mindset just went with the "novel" and "women's fiction" (since this didn't seem to be a romance ... and it really isn't). There really is a lot of historical information woven into this novel. Usually I stop reading around 60% and check to see if there is an Author's Note. I neglected to do that with The Paris Novel ... and REALLU wish I had read The Authors Note BEFORE I started reading this book. In my opinion, it didn't contain any spoilers and would have made reading the book much more interesting.

So ... about the book. Stella's mother passes away. Her will says she needs to liquidate her assets and spend them in Paris. Her boss tells her she needs to take some time off work (as a copy editor), so she ... goes to Paris.

I've never been to Paris; but I would love to go. Especially after reading The Paris Novel.

One of my first book club books was Delicious! by Ruth Reichl. I had requested Save Me the Plums previously via NetGalley and that request was rejected and I haven't yet gotten to it. I remember really enjoying Delicious! and I'm very thankful that my NetGalley request was approved by Penguin Random House ... more specifically my request for an advance read copy of The Paris Novel was provided in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is tentatively April 30, 2024. I highly recommend this one.

3.5 stars Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I've read almost all of the books by Ruth Reichl and her food writing is exquisite. This is her second foray into fiction writing I believe. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it.

Stars: Reichl's descriptions of food, both its appearance and taste are unmatched. She obviously knows Paris (the setting of the novel) very well and in her author's note she divulges which of the well known historical figures in the book she has met, lending more credence to her work. The book is a fairly quick read.

Wishes: I wish the storyline were a little tighter. The book opens with the traumatic childhood of the main character, Stella, and that was kind of surprising to me. I would have liked more info about her mother's motivations, and more description of the protaganist's humdrum life as an adult in the NYC in the 1980s. The story almost takes on a Forest Gump-like quality with amazing coincidences and brushes with famous literary people. The relationship between Stella and Jules, the older wealthy "fairy godfather" she meets, just didn't quite work for me for some reason.

A pretty and pretty tasty romp through Paris and its nearby countryside, a Cinderella story with a happy ending - all in all not bad, just not perfect.

The story was great but the descriptions of cooking and the food eaten was outstanding. Obviously Ruth Reichl knows food and this first novel shows that she can translate food into words that make the reader almost taste what she is describing.

Thank you so much Netgalley and Random House for sharing Ruth Reichl’s new novel. I loved it. She is such a descriptive writer, it only about food but also art and fashion. I felt like I was in Paris with the characters (and now want to go there). I also enjoyed the story and was rooting for the characters all the way through. Definitely recommend.

This is a great story with great characters. It can be described as a mystery with some interesting twists. At times though I had a hard time believing that people just happened to be in in certain places with connections to the main character. It was a fairy tale mystery. The Tumbleweeds were believable . At times the descriptions of the food bogged the story down. The author is a former food writer so I see why she might get caught up in the narrative. The book is set.up nicely though for a sequel

I adore Ruth Reichl when she writes about food. She is the best of the best. I was so looking forward to a new book of hers, but I truly with it had a trigger warning of some sort, or perhaps not felt the need to add the molestation of a child in a fiction novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

This was my first Ruth Reichl novel and it was great! Set in 1980s Paris the food descriptions alone make the novel worth it. The characters are so vivid and well described. Don't miss the author's note at the end as it provides additional context and details that made the novel that much better.

This book is perfect for readers that want to immerse themselves into a woman’s life stepping into the unknown in a city with lots of history. It’s easy to imagine what the characters looked like with the wonderfully descriptive details. The end comes fast on the predictable side but who cares as this is such a fun-loving, engaging story.

This story is so descriptive that it makes me feel like I am in Paris with the main character! I wish! The cuisine and scenery and art and fashion left me desiring a vacation to France. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars.

If you're a fan of Ruth Reichl's amazing food writing—and you count wine, fashion, art and books among your interests—you'll enjoy this modern-day fairytale set in 1980s Paris. Stella is a young copy editor in New York City, with childhood trauma and a self-absorbed mother. When her mother dies, she stipulates that Stella's inheritance must be used for her to travel to Paris. Stella finds/rediscovers herself there, meeting a quirky/charming/romantic cast of characters along the way. The character do tend to be a bit one-sided (all good or all evil, not many shades of gray), but this is not necessarily a criticism of the novel. For me, this book is very much a fairytale, so the characters having that "one or the other" quality didn't detract from my enjoyment. Pour a glass of wine and give it a read! (Side note: I had not heard of ortolans before I read this novel. If you have not either, you are in for a surprise!) 🍷

Thanks so much to Random House and NetGalley for providing me with me a review copy!

Release date: April 2024 🗓️

this is a very sweet, earnest fairytale about life in paris through a cultural peak in the 80s. imagine rubbing shoulders with james baldwin in shakespeare and co! there are many beautiful descriptions of food, life in paris and france.... and yet, it actually pales in comparison to the paris described in her own memoirs... sometimes real life is more interesting than fiction. this isn't a bad read if you want escapist, mildly elevated 'emily in paris', but promise me you'll read Save me the Plums afterwards!