I loved this book. Both the descriptions of Paris and the food were marvelous. The main character, Stella, was well developed and humanly flawed but her emotional growth was believable. The only thing I found unlikely, is that a person who does not even care about food at the beginning, is an above competent "chef" in a very short time. It is fiction after all and I would recommend this book.
A copy of this ARC was provided for me by NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review.

There’s nothing better than relaxing with a delightful book feeling the wonders of amazing art and fashions in the beautiful city of Paris. It’s the place to find mouth-watering delicacies and the possibility of a sweet romance.

The story is all about 33-year-old Stella in the 1980s who is single and shy. She craves safe environments and enjoys reading at home. She has worked for years as a copy editor in NYC and her boss tells her she needs a vacation – allowing six weeks off!

When her mother passed, she left her a few thousand dollars with the stipulation of going on a trip to Paris and spending it all there. Stella was a little confused why her mother wanted her to go to this city. She always wondered who her father was and would he be there?

Soon after she arrived, she decided to let her hair down. She met lots of interesting people including an older gentleman at a bar. They instantly became friends although she was nervous at first for her safety of being alone with him. However, it worked out and he took her to top-rated restaurants. She also made new friends in an established bookshop – people that stayed overnight when they had no other place to go. They were called “tumbleweeds” as they moved around without having roots.

Ruth Reichl is well known for her nonfiction books featuring gourmet specialties so it was no surprise to find Stella exploring new flavors. It felt like she was a female version of the late Anthony Bourdain tasting foods that were cooked to please. This was one lucky girl as she was also outfitted in beautiful Dior clothes.

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.

My thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of April 30, 2024.

Delightful novel about a journey of self discovery. Some of the plots feel a bit forced halfway through the book, and the ending feels a bit rushed, but overall I still enjoyed reading it. Ruth Reichl has a wonderful way of describing food, and the food descriptions are definitely one of the best parts about the book.

The almost immediate childhood sexual abuse of the main character really cast a black pall over beautiful writing and gorgeous descriptions.

I wish I had been able to enjoy this more.

This was my first time reading the author, and while this particular book was an "alas" for me, I will definitely read more of her works.


Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the DRC

When Stella’s estranged mother dies, she is left with an inheritance: a one-way ticket and a note from her mother reading, “Go to Paris.”

Stella has been stuck in her ways and has always been afraid to stray from her routines and daily normalcy. But with the urging of her boss, she decides to take the leap and follow her mother’s direction.

Once in Paris, her frugal way of living continues until she stumbles upon a dress hanging in a vintage shop. Once purchased, this dress sets her on a whirlwind adventure where she finds herself immersed in the art and culinary world. For once, she feels free to try new things and meet new people.

But it all comes back to her inheritance and why her mother urged her to go to Paris. Was there something here she needed to discover, or was this the trip she needed to finally live her life?

I adored this novel from the beginning. The characters were cozy and felt like old friends, while the setting was reminiscent of a peaceful vacation. Everything about this book was relaxing and enticing. From the detailed culinary perspective to the hazy Paris scene, I could have continued to gobble it up for another three hundred pages.

Excellent plot, beautiful setting, and is just fantastic overall.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m going to start off by saying that I have greatly enjoyed Ms. Reichl’s memoirs - from “Tender at the Bone” through “Save Me the Plums.” “The Paris Novel” is my second dip with her into fiction and I have to say that while Ms. Reichl’s imagination is greatly appreciated - and her descriptions of food wonderful - I had a number of issues with this book. First, trigger warning - skip chapter 2. The child molestation scene is not necessary to the book - and honestly it bothered me a lot as I was expecting more mentions of how it affected Stella’s life [the one place he was mentioned later seemed over the top as anyone meeting a strange older guy in a foreign city would have Spidey-Senses tingling]. Second, while I greatly enjoyed seeing Stella mature, relax, meet people, and create a new life in Paris - at times this book seemed like a string of happy incidents. Granted, sometimes it does happen to people, but there were a lot of them in this book one thing after another. Third - the pacing seemed off at times - the beginning was a bit slow and toward the end it sped up pretty quickly once the chef is introduced. Fourth - I loved Jules and Lucie. I think we all need an older, kind gentleman in our lives who has connections but doesn’t flaunt them or want anything in return but to hang out with friends and appreciate people. If you’re fortunate enough to find someone like that, you’re a lucky person. Lucie was a breath of fresh air in this book - I loved her joie de vie and her play acting antics were a delight to read. I think without Chapter 2, I’d probably give this book four stars [a bit reluctant, but I’d round up]. With the chapter included, it’s a solid 3 - because it’s NOT a necessary chapter/scene. I’d say at times this book read more like an ode to the culinary delights of Paris - so if Ms. Reichl’s descriptions of food delight you, read this book. If a delayed “self discovery” book is your thing, this book may also interest you. Personally, I’ll continue reading Ms. Reichl’s non-fiction books - though I do encourage her fiction works as I believe she has gained a new audience in that genre.

I’m a foodie at heart and I liked this one . I loved learning about Paris and the author has a wonderful engaging writing style that I’ve loved before.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for letting me review this book

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this E-arc for my honest review.
While I’ve read other books by Ruth Reichl, I had difficulty finishing this one. It was enjoyable to learn about Paris and the various types of foods yet the lengthy descriptions of both was over the top for me. I felt like I was reading food reviews and travel guides for visiting Paris. Very slow read for me which is unusual and I honestly dozed off more than once.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of, "The Paris Novel." I knew from the moment I read the description that I could not wait to read this book and it certainly didn't disappoint. I was captivated at every turn, and it felt like this book was written specifically for me: from the indulgent food descriptions to almost magical feeling surrounding the artistic mysteries. This book is a constant reminder that while life can be dark, joy can be found anywhere if you're open to it.. I was swept away in the romanticism of the city and the people the author wrote into it, and the historical fiction aspect made me nostalgic for places I've never been.

4.5. I really enjoyed this book. Stella, very timid women goes to Paris, due to her narcissistic mother dying and requiring her to go to Paris in her will. I enjoyed seeing Stella come out of her shell. The descriptions of art, food, and Paris were delightful. Highly recommend.

I loved Ruth Reichl’s Garlic and Sapphires, particular the way she wrote about food, so I was thrilled to learn she had a forthcoming novel set in Paris. It felt tailor made for me. And while I think her writing style does lend itself more to memoirs and food reviews, I enjoyed this little journey nonetheless. It has me itching to cook and return to Paris. What a beautiful world Ruth depicted!

A delightful books that was easy to read and fall in love with Paris all over again. Ms. Reichl's writing is always on point when describing food and experiences. The characters in the novel are so well described, I believe I could recognize them on the street. The descriptions of the foods made me hungry to cook and eat! My only criticism would be that I wish the book had been longer and not necessarily because I wanted more( I did), but because I think the book could have been longer without losing focus. It almost feels like a novella, rather than a novel.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Paris Novel started out slow for me, in fact I started it and then thought I wasn't going to continue. But I'm so glad I did! The Paris Novel is the story of Stella coming of age and discovering who she is. I have never been to Paris but the descriptions of the neighborhoods and villages that Reichl describes makes me feel as if I have been. And don't get me started on the food! Everything was written so beautifully that I could practically smell the food through the book. I loved learning about some new foods and new combinations that I never would have thought about. If you love food and Paris I think this is a wonderful book to immerse yourself in.

Note: I plan to post my review to Goodreads and other platforms closer to the publication date and recognize that the book may change before then!

I loved this novel! It drew me in and I stayed up far too late a couple of nights because I didn’t want to put it down. I loved the descriptions of Paris, the characters, the food, the clothes, the architecture. I felt like I was there and eating amazing meals! It reminded me very much of my time in France, and I can see myself returning to this book again and again as a comfort read/escape. The book is fiction, but in the author’s note, she mentions that many of the chefs, restaurants, meals, and art are based in reality. I loved learning that fact, and it made me appreciate the book even more!

My main pause to recommending the book is fairly explicit child sexual molestation in Chapter 2. I would skip over that chapter in future reads, and will be sure to let anyone know I recommend it to that the content is there. I do understand the importance of the trauma to main character’s actions and reactions, but I didn’t appreciate how specific the incident was in the book. I think the book would read just fine without it. This wouldn’t be a problem for everyone, and I absolutely loved the book otherwise.

I would highly recommend this, especially for people who love Paris, France, food, and fashion. It really is a lovely escape/journey!

This was a glorious coming of age story and a rewarding read for anyone who loves Paris, loves food, yearns for a warm family and appreciates a well written novel.

I loved every aspect of this book.

I loved reading The Paris Novel. Ruth Reichi is a well-known food writer/editor, and while food does play a major part in the book (write what you know?), it's not the main part. The main character, Stella, after inheriting a bequest that specifically asks her to spend the money in Paris, learns that food (and life) can be enjoyable, not just endured, as it was while living with her mother. Food and new friends help her find her way and her true family as she learns to live and trust in Paris. Stella and all the major characters are believable and come alive on the pages. I highly recommend The Paris Novel.

A wonderful read great characters delicious food .I traveled from my armchair to Paris thanks to Ruth Reichels delightful writing.Ruth never feels to keep me entertained and turning the pages this novel is my latest favorite.#netgalley #randomhouse

Warning- sexual assault involving a minor early in book

The sexual assault in the very beginning of this book completely ruined this story for me. This was a shame because otherwise, the luscious descriptions of food were typical Reichl style and the rest of the story was decent. Probably my least favorite book from this author.

Heads Up/Warning: not given in the blurb - an upsetting and very explicit child sexual abuse takes up most of the second chapter. I'm no prude but I found this highly upsetting! It could have been alluded to or toned down and the reader still would understand the impact it had on the primary character. I had nightmares about this chapter and have decided not to finish the book (and this one of my fav authors) because I don't want any more nasty surprises. Because of this, it gets one star from me.

A novel from Ruth Reichl set in Paris—what could be better!
A complete delight--the writing, the characters, the setting.
And the Author’s Note is an added treat.

With thanks to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group for this e-ARC!