The French Kitchen
A Novel
by Kristy Cambron
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Pub Date Aug 05 2025 | Archive Date Sep 05 2025
Thomas Nelson Fiction | Thomas Nelson
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Description
As Paris rebuilds in the aftermath of World War II, Kat Fontaine never expected the skills she learned in a French chateau kitchen to be the key that unlocks the secrets swirling in her new post-war life.
Paris, 1952--Still haunted by the years she spent serving in the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII, ex-pat Kat Fontaine, now living in Paris, finds a simple cookery class led by indomitable chef Julia Child unearths the tangle of gut-wrenching memories of war. Determined to find her brother who went missing during the war and is presumed dead, Kat questions everything, especially her high-ranking society husband whose past is as murky as her own. But when the puzzle pieces start to come together--and her carefully crafted Paris world begins to fall apart--Kat must confront her own secrets against the mounting suspicions of the husband she thought she knew . . .
Rue, 1943--Deep in the heart of Nazi-controlled northern France, Manon Altier shifts between working for the enemy by day--as a French chef at the famous Chateau du Broutel, where names like Himmler, Rommel, and Goebbels frequent the guest list--and running with underground networks against the Vichy regime at night. Working undercover to filter critical information to agents within the burgeoning OSS presence in France, Manon digs deep into the glitz and glamour of a Nazi stronghold that has her teetering on the edge of being discovered at any turn. But when an intriguing stranger appears at the chateau claiming to work with the French Resistance, Manon must lean on her instincts to judge whether to run and hide or stand firm--even as a terrifying discovery tests her resolve to continue the fight.
From the heights of culinary cuisine in 1950s Paris society to the underbelly of a WWII spy network embedded deep within Nazi-controlled Vichy France--and the spy backstory of the world's most famous would-be French chef, Julia Child--The French Kitchen turns up the heat on the pasts of women whose worlds collide, and forces each to question what she thought she'd planned for a perfect future.
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781400345267 |
PRICE | $17.99 (USD) |
PAGES | 384 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
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Kristy Cambron has done it yet again! The dual timeline as always was immaculate within this story - Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an ARC!
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The French Kitchen was a wonderful addition to the ranks of Kristy Cambron's books. Kristy excels at time-jumping back and forth and weaving a compelling story on two fronts, and this story did not disapoint!
There were so many little things for my brain to rabbit-hole down. I started suspecting characters, figuring out identities, and then when it all came together, some pieces the way I imagined, I was still shocked and bobbing up and down in excitement and relief.
Kat was a fascinating character to see develop, a fierce tomboy so unlike me that she drew me in even more. Manon was also such a fun character, the little tidbits about French cuisine sprinkled liberally though the story. I was so tense the whole book, waiting to see how everything would work out, but it did! I love a good ending, and this one was good enough that I was quite disappointed to see I had reached the last page.
Overall, five stars!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
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This book starts out with a cast of characters and a time travelling storyline. I enjoyed the book and by the time I got to the end, I couldn't put it down. I did find the time travel meant that I really had to concentrate or I found myself going back to read things twice.
I liked the plot of the story and the characters involved. I especially liked the characterisation of Julia Child. It added a point of interest to the story which was unique to it. All in all worth reading.
I receive complimentary books for various sources, including Netgalley, Authors, and other such sources. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received compensation.
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Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron. Five Stars! Ms. Cambron has done it again!
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#TheFrenchKitchen #NetGalley
A WWII French Resistance novel set in 1943 and 1951. This book had me turning pages to find out what happens next. I loved that it was all about French cooking and Julia Child.
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THE FRENCH KITCHEN by KRISTY CAMBRON is a beautifully written WW11 novel that takes place first in France during the war years, where Kat Harris works as an SOE agent. She is looking for her beloved brother Gavin, who is also an agent and is reported missing. She joins Manon, the main chef at the Chateau de Broutel, where she learns to cook, as they produce elaborate meals for the enemy’s top brass. I like the way Manon’s and Kat’s relationship grows as they join forces against the enemy. However there is a traitor in the chateau……
It is interestng to see how Captain Gerard Fontaine of the Vichy Police watches over Kat ……
The story carries on in Paris at the beginning of 1952 with Kat and Gerard’s marriage of convenience……..
There is a great deal of intrigue and there is an interesting introduction of the famous Julia Child, who was actually in the OSS during the war…..
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
I highy recommend this exciting and inspirational read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley fromThomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are competely my own.
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To start with, I think the cover of this book is stunning! This story is mainly set during WWII and the lives of undercover spies. There are multiple time lines to follow in typical Cambron style. At first I wasn't sure I would ever be able to keep the many characters and timelines separate but a few chapters in and I realized how the author was tying things together so it made a lot more sense. I enjoyed all of the perspectives shown during heavy war time and also after the war which I thought was a unique perspective. What did these people who were so pivotal to the war effort do once it was over? Did they have regrets? Were they still trying to right wrongs? Could they trust anyone?
So many things are touched upon between these pages that it makes for quite a captivating story. It was really interesting to read about the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) and what they did to help the war effort. It truly is astounding. There is a romance that you really don't expect and it added a sweetness to the plot. Julia Child makes an appearance which made for a fun plot twist. While a little slow to start, this book had my full attention and was difficult to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend if you enjoy historical fiction. This is one of Cambron's best!
Five Stars.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
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This fascinating story takes place in France in 1943, when the Nazi’s were in control. The timeline then jumps up to the early 1950s in Paris after World War II. Kristy Cambron does an extensive amount of research, so there is often an element of actual history in her books that is woven into the fictitious story that is very appealing. What a surprise to learn that Julia Child, the famous French Chef played an integral role as a spy in the French Resistance.
Manon is a French Chef during the day, serving the Nazi’s and at night she is part of an underground network providing important information to the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Kat Harris Fontaine, an American from Boston, joined the French Resistance to find her brother, Gavin, who also joined and then went missing. Kat, and Manon prepare elaborate meals by day and join forces at night where some frightening discoveries come to light. It is a dangerous time to take such risks. Because of a birth defect which left Kat deaf in one ear, she is adept at reading lips, which has proved to be invaluable for an undercover spy.
There are many moving parts to this story with strong, well-developed characters and of course a multitude of secrets and shocking circumstances come to light. I could have not guessed the conclusion of this fast-paced story, therefore when I did get to the end, it was an unexpected surprise.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
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If you love stories about France (especially Paris), French cooking (especially Julia Child), World War II (especially in France), strong women (especially spies), and love (especially complicated situations), you will love this book! Following a large cast of characters through World War II and again 8 years later, Cambron weaves together an amazing and convoluted story of determination, love, betrayal, questionable loyalties, lost loved ones, and much more. You may not want to read the cooking scenes when you’re hungry :-) There are also gut-wrenching events that are not fun to read about, but part of the reality of war. Overall, this is an amazing book.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." #TheFrenchKitchen #NetGalley
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