many thanks to netgalley and harpercollins360 for the advance copy of this book. this was an easy read, with a balanced dose of romance, france, baking, historical fiction about gypsies, france and world war II, and a young woman finding herself after losing her mother. oh, and there's a ghost!

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods is a charming and heartwarming novel that blends romance, self-discovery, and a touch of the magical.

The story follows Edie Lane, a woman at a crossroads in life who impulsively takes a job at a quirky, old-fashioned bakery in Compiègne. As she settles into the rhythms of the bakery and its enigmatic owner, she begins to uncover secrets hidden within its walls—secrets that might just change her life forever.

Woods weaves a narrative filled with rich descriptions of Parisian life and mouthwatering pastries, making the setting feel alive. The novel balances lighthearted romance with deeper themes of resilience, transformation, and the power of community. There’s also a subtle thread of magical realism that adds an enchanting layer to the storytelling.

For readers who love cozy, uplifting fiction with a hint of mystery, The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris is a delightful escape.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the opportunity to read this magical story. Look for it when it comes out on April 8, 2025.

This sweet story highlights the balance between grief and having the courage to move on to find your own path. The characters are driven by the desire to honor those whom they love and being true to themselves and their dreams to find peace and joy in everyday life. Evie Woods does a great job of creating characters with complex emotions, struggles, and dreams. Following Edith through her journey of searching for herself while, somewhat reluctantly, getting pulled into the community of Compiègne and the uncertain future of the myterious boulangerie, I was reminded of the importance of creating meaningful connections to the people and places around me. This story brings in a mix of historical fiction, paranormal fantasy, and romance. This is definitely a delightful book to get lost in!

I’m pretty sure I gained five pounds reading about how many pastries and loaves of bread and cups of hot chocolate were consumed over the course of this novel.

Edith thinks she’s leaving Ireland for to work at a bakery in Paris, but her imperfect French means she ends up in a small town outside of Paris. The bakery has secrets and mysteries, and uncovering some of them does wonders for both Edith and the failing shop.

Charming romantic women’s fiction for Francophiles and bakers. Edith is a thirty-year-old spinster who spent her adult life taking care of her mother rather than having a life of her own. After her mother’s death, on the spur of the moment, she answers an ad for a bakery in France that needs someone who speaks English. With a touch of magical realism, she finds love and friends and the ghost haunting the bakery. I think it’s more about the food and the history than the story, but it’s a well-written, pleasant mélange to nibble on a dull day. Cozy, relaxing, and romantic…

If you want a cozy, light fantasy read, this is a great book to pick up! It has some cute found family, a sweet romance, a beautiful French town, and lots of delicious sounding breads and pastries. The story also includes touches of historical fiction by sharing some of the bakery's history during WWII.

Thank you to Harper 360 and NetGalley for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

Edie is heading to Paris, for an opportunity at a bakery that she cannot pass up. Except there was a mistake in the translation, and she does not wind up in Paris, but a tiny town called Compiegne. She settles in here, but notices some mysterious things happening with the bakery and has some unanswered questions - like how the deliveries work. As she spends more time in the town, the bakery comes into problems with the bank, and Edie rallies support to help the bakery.

Great incorporation of recipes (and a secret ingredient!) and a dash of magic in this book. I also liked the theme of people winding up where they are supposed to be or needed, rather than where they want to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sweet, totally predictable novel, set in an historic village about an hour from Paris. Our protagonist, a young Irish woman who has recently lost her mother, is totally clueless. She didn’t even check to see where this bakery was (NOT in Paris). Quite honestly, I didn’t like her at all. Not only was she clueless about the most ordinary things, she was smart mouthed, completely self-centered, and no one that I’d want to be friends with.

I really enjoyed The Story Collector, but this one fell way short of that.

Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher, One More Chapter, for an early readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

A solid 3.5 star book! It was such a cute story about a woman taking a risk, branching out to find herself. Great characters throughout, lots of secrets and even a ghost. I loved it!! Thank you to @harpercollinsuk for the opportunity to read this gem

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods was not what I was expecting. I enjoyed every page! I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley.com and I always review every book that I read. This book was magical, heartwarming, romantic, full of history, and there was a ghost! You can read the synopsis for the book, so I won't go into detail, but I felt that the characters and plot were well developed. I read this book on 2 sittings! It had me mesmerized and I had to finish it quickly to find out how it would end. I recommend this book. It will stay with you for awhile after you finish reading it. Enjoy.

I have loved the other books Evie has written with magical realism themes. Unfortunately, this one just did not live up to the other two for me. The magical element was not very prominent and it was one of the more “simple“ concepts for for it. I did appreciate the storyline and the relationships that were formed. Most of them felt very surface level, even when they shared their secrets with one another though. It was a wonderful story, but it just felt too simple for me.

Sweet book with a twist.. nice picture of artisan bakery operation in France. Could almost smell the bread baking. Made my mouth water..

I really enjoyed this book and the little bits of magic it has throughout the story.

The writing is good and the story itself is really different than what I’m used to reading but I would definitely recommend this to people

I love all of Evie Wood’s books and this one did not disappoint. Another heartfelt, magical story that I was sorry to see end. Great character development with love at their very core. Edie and Hugo both searching for their true selves and Genevieve trying to hold on to her beloved bakery for her grandson, Manu. Pierre finding a family he never expected to have and changing the life of a little girl in the process. A very enjoyable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper 360, Harper UK, One More Chapter for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Evie Woods. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Edie Lane is grieving the loss of her mother, and has left everything behind in Ireland for a once-in-a-lifetime job at a bakery in Paris. Except, thanks to a mistranslation, the bakery is not in Paris, and neither is Edie. The tiny town of Compiègne, complete with its local bakery on the Rue de Paris, holds many secrets. This might not be where Edie intended to be but it's not long before she realizes it's exactly where she needs to be

Evie Woods has done it again, and created a magical world that you won't want to leave. This time it's a bakery in France, and the food descriptions will leave you hungry and needing pastries - and hot chocolate! Just who is baking all these delicious treats? Is there magic in the hot chocolate? This book is sweet and heartwarming, as Evie makes new friends and works to keep the magic alive. I appreciated how there were French words and phrases but enough information was given to decipher without constantly looking up the translation.

✨ A bit of mystery and a sprinkle of magic is all it takes to make the pastries at The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris irresistible! 🥐✨

I rated this sweet read 3.5 croissants out of 5! 🥐💫

This was my first time reading Evie Woods, and I was totally whisked away to the charming cobblestone streets of France! 🇫🇷💖 Follow Ma Belle Edie Lane, a brave soul chasing her dreams, as she takes a leap into a new life at a quaint bakery—only to discover it’s not quite the Parisian fairytale she imagined. 💭🍰

The story mixes romance, community, grief, and a touch of magic in such a cozy and heartwarming way. I could almost smell the freshly baked bread and feel the warmth of the bakery! 🥖💫 It’s a beautifully written, soul-stirring journey, though I couldn’t help but wish for just a little more depth from the characters to really feel connected. I wanted to know them all better! 😫🥐🧁🥖👨‍🍳

Still, I’m left craving a film adaptation! 😫🍰🎬

If you’re in the mood for a whimsical escape, this one’s a treat! 🍪📚✨

3⭐️

I’m not sure this book knew what direction it wanted to take. It dipped its toes into a variety of things: dual timelines, sad romance, cozy bakery mystery, hallmark movie wannabe? I am also not sure why the heroine is 29 year olds. It felt like this book would’ve been better suited to a middle-aged woman. In fact, the book literally opens with her having a “mid-life crisis”.

Things I liked and wish were further explored:
- the 1940s timeline
- The recipes found in the hidden book
- The secret in the basement

The second half was much, much stronger than the first, redeeming it from the two star rating I was prepared to give it. A quick read, I finished it within the day. If your mom loves Hallmark Channel & reading: here’s your Mother’s Day gift.


Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and One More Chapter for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Edie needed a change. She decided to pack up and leave Ireland for a job at a bakery in Paris France, after a short phone interview, where it seemed the only requirement was the applicant had to be fluent in English.. Things aren't how she expected when she arrived. The bakery isn't in Paris, it's in a small town outside Paris, on the street Rue de Paris.

She is not allowed in the basement. Her new boss doesn't seem to like her. Her room in the attic is cramped and cold. She finds herself wondering if she made a mistake. Being determined, she decides to stay. There have to be answers to why she isn't allowed downstairs, and how does the bread get out to the streets if not through the front door?

Edie begins to make friends with the customers, her boss, and her boss's grandson- the delivery boy. She soon begins to find herself feeling for a man who visits town regularly, but lives in Paris. Her decisions are finally coming to some good for her. Until... there is something happening in the basement.

I can't believe this book is over 300 pages, it was over way to soon. I hope there are more and this becomes a series. No doubt a 5 star book I intend to read again!

I was given the opportunity to read the novel by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes the path to healing starts with a wrong turn—and a mysterious bakery.

What began as a story steeped in grief quickly became something much more: a heartfelt tale about healing, self-discovery, and finding joy even in the unexpected. The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods is a beautiful, cozy blend of magical realism, historical intrigue, and quiet romance.

After putting her life on hold to care for her dying mother, Edie sets off to Paris in search of a fresh start—only to realize her new bakery job isn’t in Paris but in the quaint village of Compiègne. Despite the disappointment, Edie chooses to stay, and what unfolds is a charming, mysterious journey filled with warm bread, ghostly whispers, and a town with a deep, rich history.

The historical threads—particularly Compiègne’s role in both World Wars—were unexpected and fascinating, adding weight and depth to the narrative. Django Reinhardt fans, take note: you’ll be delightfully surprised by how he fits into the story.

This book is sweet and light with just enough emotional depth to linger after the final page. A soft, enchanting tale about living life with grief rather than despite it. Evie Woods once again delivers magical realism with heart and meaning.

Big thanks to Harper360, NetGalley, and Eview Woods for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book made me cry—in all the best ways. While some parts might feel a bit clichéd, I actually appreciate them! Edith, a 29-year-old woman living in Ireland, feels completely lost after the passing of her mother. In an effort to honor her, she decides to take a bold step that’s completely out of character—so much so that you’ll find yourself asking, who is this woman? She moves to another country...

Edith finds herself in a quaint, charming town on the outskirts of France, where she stumbles upon a bakery with an intriguing mystery—no one has ever seen the baker! As secrets begin to unravel, Edith discovers much more than she expected. This heartwarming story shows how an act of kindness or a fresh pastry can unlock long-forgotten memories. With themes of self-love and friendship, this book captivated me from start to finish. I loved every moment of it.

Thank you to NetGalley, One More Chapter and Evie Woods for the opportunity!