Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK / One More Chapter for the ARC.

“…my heart was holding out for something amazing to happen. And who was I to stand in the way of that?”

The thing about this author is her books are amazing but don’t read them in areas you aren’t okay with crying in, like I did at work while reading this during lunch. I really should know better but the problem with a good book is you can’t put it down and you have to read it at every opportunity. Watching Edie find herself and strike out on her own for the first time was so amazing to watch, she is someone that you can easily relate to and at the same time wish you could be as brave as her.

A cute read with a little bit of mystery mixed in. I enjoyed the story of life at the bakery but found everything just a bit superficial; I never really felt like I knew the characters. I enjoyed learning about the region of France and all of the history.

Thank you NetGalley. A simple story follows Edith as she leaves Ireland for Paris after her mother’s death. At 29 years old she starts her new life after accepting a job as assistant manager at a bakery but it is not in the glamorous Paris but in the quaint town of Compiegne. She finds her way and makes friends and even a romantic partner but then the shop’s secrets are realized, she has to take sides. Family vows take center stage in this charming tale.

Evie Woods' "The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris" is a delightful read that captures the essence of French charm and the thrill of unexpected adventures.
The story revolves around Edith, a young Irish woman who finds herself at a crossroads in life. Seeking a fresh start, she replies to a job application for what she thinks is a Bakery in Paris, but is really in a small town several miles outside Paris.
After her initial disappointment Edith begins working front of house, serving at the bakery alongside the bakery owner the enigmatic Madam Moreau. Notably Edith is told under no circumstances must she enter the bakery below.
One of the standout aspects of the novel is its vivid depiction of the French way of life. Woods' descriptive writing brings the picturesque streets to life. The bakery itself is a character in its own right, with its cozy ambiance and hidden secrets that gradually unfold as the story progresses.
While the plot may follow a somewhat predictable trajectory, the charm and warmth of the story more than make up for it. "The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris" is a feel-good read that leaves readers with a sense of satisfaction.
As I read a kindle version I was able to translate the sprinkling of French throughout. Although this in no way would have detracted from the novel.
For its enchanting setting, well-developed characters, and delightful storyline, I give "The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris" by Evie Woods a well-deserved 4-star rating. It's a perfect escape for those who love all things French, baking, and heartwarming tales of self-discovery.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

an okay read! i was expecting something a bit less cozy and a bit more mysterious, as this was excessive even to me (a cozy mystery fan) but if you're looking for a sweet comfort read this is a fine choice. 3 stars. tysm for the arc.

I struggled for the first few chapters to gain an interest in the storyline.
I feel maybe this is a result of not being able to relate to the character and her voice.
I felt there was a bit of disparity between her naive persona, more akin to 18-20 year olds, even though she was meant to aged more 29-31 region.
Then to make it more confusing were stating that she’s having a midlife crisis…. In her 30s?
Being 31 myself I can understand realising life isn’t going the way I expected and feeling the pressures of society to finally find your feet, but a crisis? Nay!

After persisting with the story, I did find it easier and more enjoyable.
I liked the addition of a ghost and Romani aspects, even though I felt we only scratched the surface. I do feel a bit more of this culture being brought into it would’ve made this story stand out more.

I don’t have much to say about the love interest, he seems a bit too perfect and not too sure why he’s interested in quite an average character and so quickly, but it wouldn’t be a move to France without a love interest would it?

Overall I’d say it’s an easy, cosy read that would market well to the girlies who enjoy an easy read on holiday or travelling in general and those who like the book akin to ‘The Pumpkin Spice Cafe’.

Traditional format 📕 (digital). Release date: April 8, 2025 (reviewed Feb 2025)

This book is was a warm and cosy mix of historical fiction, romance with a little touch of magical realism. The story follows Edith, an Irish woman, who gives up her life to work at a bakery outside of Paris. There is a back story and secrets about the bakery and its owner (which I don’t want to share to spoil the plot).

Overall I really enjoyed this cozy read. It has little bit of something for everyone in terms of gendre. I give this book a 4/5 cupcakes.

A few comments on what would have made this a five star read:
🧁 I was expecting more magical realism in this book. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment but some of the elements intended for this in the book just fell flat
🧁 I would have loved more backstory - there was a little there but I felt it could have given more to add to the current day plot

Thank you to Net Galley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

This book was enjoyable but it was a little like reading magical realism/historical fiction/romance-light. All of the pieces were there but they just weren't fully developed. That being said, I did enjoy the story and wanted to keep reading to find out about the magic of the bakery. I also enjoyed the chapters from different character's perspectives that were sprinkled in; most of the chapters are from Edith's POV but the occasional chapters that showed backstory or the historical aspect were enjoyable, I wish there had been more of that in the book.

I also thought this was a new book but apparently it's a re-release of a book that was published in 2014.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

Evie Wood rights superbly entertaining stories with a magical twist. She’s done it again. This one is quaint, heart breaking and heart warming too. Edie Lane is searching for something, and Paris is calling! Well, not quite - read and see what life changing adventure she falls into. I think your day will be better for it. Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine.

It took me a while to get into this book but once I did, I really enjoyed it.
Edit moves to Paris from her home in Ireland to work in a bakery. When she arrives in Paris she is totally lost and can't find the bakery anywhere. After a phone call to the owner she realises the bakery is not actually in Paris but outside of it.
Very disappointed Edi eventually gets to the bakery and is not made welcome at all by the owner. Her room is not what she expected either and she just wants to return home.

When strange noises occur in the bakery at night edi decides to stay even just to getting the bottom of it all and find out why the owner seems to dislike her so much.
An enjoyable read but you have to suspend some of your beliefs and just go with the flow.

A quirky fun read. Quite enjoyed it! Evie Woods never disappoints! Thanks for the advanced copy NetGalley!

I thought that this book was a bit 'young' for an adult audience. Edith was a bit of a wishy washy character despite the things she got involved with. I liked the sense of place with the old boulangerie and the history of Compiegne. But I wasn't as enthralled as I was with Evie Woods's previous books. And that title - way too clunky.

This book just confirms to me the master storyteller that is Evie Woods! With multiple POVs and jumping between WW2 and present day, there’s many characters and storylines to take into consideration but Evie manages to weave them together to create a spellbinding story that had me smiling, and crying tears of joy (and a little sadness). I don’t often get emotional with books but there’s just something about the writing that speaks to you as a reader.

At its core, this book was about Edie finding herself and finding that confidence to grow into that person that she truly wants to be. Tackling grief whilst standing up for what she believes in too.

The romance element at the beginning seemed full on and more like a cringey romance novel but it transpired into a real life story with the ups and downs that are innately tied to relationships.

The historical element highlighted the hardship of Romana gypsies, especially during WW2. It was nice to learn about forgotten history and the hardships they faced and still do. Bringing this rich culture alive was special amongst the pages.

The main storyline to save the bakery was unlike something I’ve read. I don’t want to give anything away as it’s a truly magical reading experience.

Just like, The Lost Bookshop, this book is up there with my favourites of all time!

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris brings a beautiful story of magic, family, love, humanity, and sacrifice, among so many others.

Grieving her mom, Edie needs a fresh start away from her Irish home. Where better than a job in Paris as assistant manager of a bakery? She can put her baking skills to work and find a new life as a Parisian. Only she discovers the bakery isn’t in Paris. She finds herself in the small town of Compiègne, in a cramped attic apartment, and working for a woman who doesn’t seem to want her there (despite hiring her). Did she make the right decision? Right away, she realizes this isn’t just any bakery; there’s something strange going on and Edie’s determined to figure it out.

The Mysterious Bakery beautifully weaves a story of family, magic, love, history, and community. The bakery’s owners and their family history, sacrifices made, the Compiègne and French World War II history, and the sense of community in the town create such a warm feeling. There was just the right amount of magic--present and significant, but doesn't overwhelm the rest of the story. Plus, I loved the little romance and its ups and downs. Edie grew and developed a lot of strength throughout the book, standing up for what she believed in and doing everything she could to help her friends and fight the good fight.

Overall, this book really kept me interested and wanting more, wanting to put all the pieces together, wanting Edie to succeed and the magic of the bakery to continue. And I REALLY want some of those pastries and hot chocolate!!!

A really lovely book. I was engrossed from the beginning. Very well written with great characters. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed this book tremendously. However, I’m still trying to understand the aspect of the ghost. It wasn’t really necessary other than it was the reason for the continued success of the recipes- I guess. It felt out of place for such a well written, enjoyable book. I loved the characters, and even found myself cheering on Edith as she found her footing in the French world.

3,75 stars rounded up..

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue the Paris follows Edith. She has found an opportunity to start over, to begin anew and fresh and is following her dream to go to Paris and make a living there.
Things don't go as planned and she ends up in a provincial town near Paris in a small bakery.

This is the second book I have read by this author and I don't know how she does it, but I feel so drawn into the story. It feels cozy, with a hint of magic and a touch of mystery. Add a splash of romance and a dash of history and there we are.
This book was such an easy read and I wanted to continue reading it. Finding out why the bakery was mysterious, what happened to Edith, but also the small flashbacks and the peeks into another characters life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I was invested in solving the mystery. It was wholesome and emotional.

Thank you Netgalley and OneMoreChapter for providing me with this e-arc. All opinions are my own.

Edith Lane always dreamed of moving to Paris and a job posting of a bakery manager in a French bakery seems like the perfect opportunity. Edi leaves Ireland for Paris and soon enough discovers that her new job is not in the city of love but in an antique town of Compiègne. The bakery and its owner have a mystery that sparks Edi's interest and she's determined to solve it.

I'm starting off by saying that this story has a lot of potential, it's good but could have been better. I feel like the romance sub-plot wasn't necessary or could have been better incorporated into the story. The ending felt rushed
This story has a lot of potential that it wasn't fulfilled. There's a point in the book where the story focuses more on Edi and her past than in the mystery of the bakery which is the main plot. As much as I like a romance sub-plot and I liked Hugo, the romance felt out of place and it seems like his only purpose in the story was to be the hero at the end.
I loved the descriptions of the baked goods and the hot chocolate and the french scenery. There's even a recipe for hot chocolate in one of the chapters that sounds so good you better believe that I will try to make it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It touches on a very important topic of grief and losing a loved one which I think many readers could relate to.

Trigger warning: this book touches very delicate topics like grief, loss of a parent, holocaust and war.

A really lovely story from the very beginning, full of mystery - a delightful storyline. Very well written with great characters

I picked this up after I read The Lost Bookshop. I absolutely loved that book and wanted more! The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris definitively gave similar vibes. While The Lost Bookshop features an old, whimsical bookshop that might or might not exist, this book features a mysterious bakery with a ghostly secret!

As for the story itself, I did enjoy the book a lot. It was a nice story to wind down with so if you are in for a cozy, relaxing book night I think you would quite enjoy this. The book is about an Irish woman seeking a new start in Paris, but little does she realize that the Bakery on Rue de Paris is actually NOT in Paris but, in fact, in Compiègne. Finding herself in a small, historical town, Edith makes new friends and falls in love all the while trying to solve the mystery of the bakery she is working in.

This is a re-release of this book from 2014 and is under the author’s other pen name, Evie Woods. I love the new cover and think it matches the author’s more recent releases nicely. As much as I enjoyed the story, I will say that it is clear that this is an earlier work by the author. Coming from her most recent release, The Lost Bookshop, there was a stark difference in the depth of the two stories. The plot twists were a bit predictable and the unraveling of the “mystery” of the bakery felt slightly too-straightforward. Regardless, I enjoyed reading The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris and I am looking forward to reading other titles by this author! Next on my TBR is The Story Collector!

Thank you to One More Chapter for providing this book for review via NetGalley!