A "wish this was me" book! After a rather hilarious beginning of French location confusion, Edith Lane finds her way to Compiegne, a town very different from Paris.
Author Evie Woods blends current day with the rich history of Compiegne (fascinating in itself and I have googled more on this interesting area) and throws in a pinch of ghostly mystery to create a beautiful story of finding one's self by finding one's place.
"The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris" would appeal to those dreaming of escaping to France and to those who have a love of French bakery fare. Descriptions are mouth watering! With a budding romance and a lingering spirit energy thrown in, this book has it all and I enjoyed every moment of it. I was truely transported and wished I could live this episode.
Thanks to NetGalley, One More Chapter and Evie Woods for my copy.

This was a fun and beautiful read, with bits of magic and lots of love.

The story follows Edie, who, thinking she found work in Paris (her dream), ends up in Compiègne, a town north of Paris, instead. She starts work as a bakery manager, slowly becoming used to the job and people. But then, she starts hearing noises at night, and the mystery begins.

To me, the main theme of this book was that love could achieve anything. This idea is prevalent in both the present and past timelines, and, of course, in the magic. In a way, the story felt like Edie’s journey to finding love and working with the grief of losing her mother not long before moving to Paris.

I felt a range of emotions reading this, but it was definitely a lot of fun! I loved Edie’s personality and choices she made. I especially enjoyed her interactions with Madame Moreau, the bakery’s owner. I also loved how the different timelines portrayed some of the history around Compiègne. I always love to learn a bit of history when reading 😆

Overall, this was a cozy read, with ample mystery, romance, and magic.

I read Evie Gaughan aka Evie Woods “The Story Collector” and came away with mixed feelings. I liked her writing and concept but had difficulty with her characters. When I had the opportunity to read her latest novel I loved the title and hoped I would feel the same about the book. Lots of delicious things being made within these pages, but not all completely digestible. The storyline of girl goes of to Paris to find or become herself was heroic, the romance - not so much. A little too simplistic although the humor helped as did the reminiscence of loved ones lost. Reminded repeatedly that the protagonist is chasing her heart’s desire and missing it until at last, voila, she picks ups the gauntlet and charges back to recapture her dreams.

While it is all very comme-ci, come ca - the romance, the politics, the businessmen versus the small shop owners, it is a good story for a rainy day. Thanks to One More Chapter/Harper Collins and NetGalley for a copy.

Let’s just start with this: Edie Lane meant to be sipping espresso by the Seine, basking in Parisian chic, and casually working in a charming Parisian boulangerie. Instead, she ends up in Compiègne, which is not Paris, but does have a bakery and a Rue de Paris. So technically… not a complete lie?
Welcome to Edie’s misadventure: a delightful detour that ends up being exactly what her soul kneaded.

Fresh off a life do-over, Edie Lane books it from Ireland to what she believes is her dream job in Paris. Only to discover, thanks to a translation error and fate's mischievous sense of humour, she's landed in a small French town with less Eiffel Tower and more nosy neighbours, crumb-covered secrets, and locals who don’t warm up until you’ve proven you can knead dough and keep up with the gossip.

Cue the Rue de Paris bakery, a little worn, a little whimsical, and holding more mysteries than a cozy whodunit. It may not be what Edie wanted, but it might just be everything she needs.

🥐 Why It Works:

* Edie is a classic romcom heroine with an extra pinch of cinnamon, scrappy, lovable, and just chaotic enough to find charm in the unexpected.
* The setting is cozy AF. Think “Stars Hollow, but with more butter and less coffee.”
* There's a mystery woven through the flour-dusted pages, family secrets, whispers from the past, and enough intrigue to keep you flipping pages between bites of pastry.
* The story has soul-healing vibes: food as comfort, community as magic, and transformation that comes not from reinvention, but from rediscovery.


🍷 Some Slightly Under-Proofed Bits:
* The plot twists are charming but not earth-shattering. You won’t need a red string murder board, just a cozy blanket.
* It plays into some familiar tropes, but hey, comfort reads aren’t here to break you, they’re here to butter you up.

Evie Woods serves up a heartwarming, whimsical tale that’s half second-chance romance, half magical-realism croissant. The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris reminds us that sometimes, getting completely lost is the first step to finding your real home.
So if you're craving a book with heart, humour, and an intoxicating scent of sugar-dusted fate, this one’s for you.

Liked it
Due to health issues cannot not but will write a proper review at a later time
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I didn't expect a re-release. At several points in the story I thought things sounded familiar, turns out it was originally published in 2017.

I found the story dragged in places and I'd stop for a while, didn't skip around but I needed to walk away before I did. The plot is a good, if not new one. Starting over, your life no longer fits you and the urge for something to happen is overwhelming. Running away isn't the right description when you have a goal in mind. Scrolling the internet one night Edie finds an ad that perks her up and she sees possibilities. Managing a bakery in Paris sounds like a perfect place for a do-over. The author gives us a heroine in need of change, a cute small bakery in a cute small French town, cranky owner, new friends and a man who makes her smile. The bakery is in trouble and Edie is determined to save it. Shades of a Hallmark movie. Lovely ending where things work out perfectly.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#NetGalley #The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris #Evie Woods #One More Chapter #HarperCollins #French bakery #fresh start

I loved this book! It is a multiple timeline tale of found family, love, betrayal and hope.

We are introduced to Edie at a time of her life where she has been through such a lot. Her dreams to let her life take off are well supported and even though she expected something different, she leaps into the unknown and embraces what is thrown at her.

This is certainly a mixed genre book. With paranormal, romance, mystery and historical fiction wound throughout the story, it is everything and more I expected from an Evie Woods book. I love the chapters told from different characters point's of view in their time lines, adding layers to the mystery at hand.

The community of friends and pastry lovers that Edie makes is delightful and I enjoyed reading about her history tours. I read a lot of WW2 books and had never come across some of the information that I read. It is a well researched and very well written story.

My favourite part? The banter! The modern day love tale with sass and romance between Edie and Hugo. Caught myself with a huge grin on my face when reading those chapters. This has to be the best book I've read all year and I have read quite a few!

A huge thanks to Evie Woods/Gaughan, Netgalley and One More Chapter for an ARC to read. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

Edie Lane is taking a leap into her future by leaving her native Ireland behind for a position in a Paris bakery. It's a dream come true. Except the bakery isn't in Paris; it's Paris-adjacent. Despite misunderstanding the bakery's location, Edie is eager to see what this new venture in life might offer her. But it's a rocky start between the disappointment over not being in Paris, the owner of the bakery, her rusty French, and strange sounds drifting throughout the building, lending an air of haunting to the place. As Edie slowly gains her footing, she becomes convinced that the bakery is haunted and her boss, Madame Moreau, knows all about it. Adding to the mystery is an old recipe book Edie finds under a literal floorboard, and the hot chocolate recipe is magic. She believes quite literally. Just as Edie is making headway with Madame Moreau, making a friend or two, and maybe even has found a suitor, her new life is threatened when the bank wants to foreclose on the building and close them down for good. Edie fought for a new life and will fight to keep it.

I really like magic realism stories, so at first glance, this title is right up my alley. Can you sense the fancy "but" coming? However, this story and its characters fell flat for me. It started out okay, but I was fed up with it by the end. The characters felt underdeveloped, as did the storyline that attempted to tie the past and present together. That made it feel flat for me, how underdeveloped it read. It also had a very "new author" feel, but this author isn't new to writing or publishing, which was disappointing. Just as magic realism hints toward magic being real, this story had hints of potential for a really engaging story, but it didn't deliver for this reader.

Another beautifully written story by Evie Woods!

This time, we follow Edie, a talented baking connoisseur who takes a leap of faith and moves to France after landing a job at a charming bakery. In true Evie Woods fashion, Edie’s world is turned upside down in the most unexpected and heartfelt ways—something fans of Woods have come to love and expect.

The book is wonderfully crafted, with a captivating plot and richly developed characters. Evie has a remarkable gift for world-building, painting vivid scenes that play out effortlessly in your mind’s eye. This novel is no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed every page and eagerly await what Evie Woods has in store for us next!

A magical tale, the feel of a modern fable like "Chocolat" - sometimes taking a big leap of faith will lead you to where you need to be, and the ripple effects may just nudge everything and into place. Found self, found family, and found love - a definite energizing read.

Such a wonderful journey. I honestly feel like I was on a trip to a place that I have never been but would like to go to and spend time there.

My third Evie Woods book and I’m finding that she is always guaranteed to deliver a story with a little bit of magic. Edie, at the threshold of 30, has left UK after caring for her mother to take up a job as assistant manager at a bakery in Paris. Well, she thinks it’s in Paris, but is actually in a village about an hour from Paris. Not the bright lights that she was expecting but a quiet little village with a charmingly vintage bakery. She soon finds her feet and gets to know the regular customers, but she finds the owner a little distant although Manu, the teenager helping is friendly and open. However, there is a mystery. She has never met the baker and she is not allowed to go down into the basement - but that’s where she hears strange noise in the early hours of every morning. Then the bank threatens to foreclose on the bakery and Edie throws herself into trying to save it and its secrets. A lovely premise but I didn’t quite gel with Edie. Yes, the girl is nearly 30 and yes, she has been caring for her mother but when romance does start to beckon, she turns into a very naïve teenager. At that point she almost ceased to ne real for me - her reactions were too immature. However, the back story of the Moreaus is totally gripping and you begin to understand why Madame Moreau keeps her distance from Edie. A story about that secret ingredient that we all need in our lives.

Grieving for the loss of her mother, Edie leaves Ireland for an opportune job in a bakery in Paris. She discovers everything is not as expected. When she finally finds the bakery, she experiences a journey that defies her expectations. I enjoyed this evocative and mystical story with its historical details, magical moments and gentle romance. It is full of lyrical prose and heartwarming emotion with its charming, escapist storytelling.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I loved this book. It was warm, captivating and poignant in all the best ways. Having a main female character who just up and left her home to move to Paris (or thereabouts) on basically a whim really spoke to me. I had a million day dreams about doing that exact thing when I was her age. The people that she met were an interesting and for the most part a perfect backdrop for her struggles and review of her past.

Evie Woods never disappoints. This is the third book I’ve read from her, and once again, she delivers that signature touch of magical realism. Although this is her most recently published book, it’s actually a republication—so be sure to manage your expectations accordingly.

I definitely enjoyed all the pastry talk, and the French lines were an adorable touch. The setting is marvellous, and the historical background adds depth to the story. That said, calling a twenty-nine-year-old “middle-aged” was a bit confusing.

Nevertheless, Evie Woods has a magical touch that keeps me wanting to read whatever she writes.

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

BOOK: THE MYSTERIOUS BAKERY ON RUE DE PARIS
AUTHOR: EVIE WOODS
PUB DATE: MARCH 2025
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I requested this book because I've read and loved books by Evie Woods. Unfortunately, I didn't really like this book, at least in the beginning. It started really, really slow, and it picked up halfway through the book, and I couldn't stop reading it after that. It was just too late for me.
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I liked the setting of the book and the bakery, but I didn't really like the MCs, too. I felt Edith had too much going in her life to have managed all she had, and both her and Hugo kept bringing up excuses to live their best lives. I liked the suspense about the bakery, and I was surprised at the twist present, the usual magical realism present in Evie Woods books. I just wished that element had come up sooner. In addition to this, I felt like the ending was rushed, and the author just tied it with a little bow. It was kinda disappointing.
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I wished that Edith had more stakes in the bakery than just being an employee. I wished the special 'recipe book' had been explored more in the book. I did like the dual povs, Romani characters, and snippets of World War 2. The ending though rushed, was a happy one and I liked it.
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I didn't really like this book, but I know Evie Woods is an amazing author, ivs read two of her books, and I'm definitely going to read more of them

Firstly, make sure you have lots of delicious pastries and a cup of indulgent hot chocolate when reading this fabulous book!

Set in the charming town of Compiègne, France, The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods, is a wonderful read. It very cleverly combines historical fiction, romance and mystery, along with a touch of magic and wonder along the way. Such an enchanting book which I thoroughly enjoyed.

The central character is Edie. When Edie applies for a job at a bakery in Paris, she had lost her way in life. Edie was struggling with her grief and was looking for a fresh start so when she was offered the job, she was so pleased. You could sense from the book how much courage this took but Edie wanted to rediscover herself and her place in the world.

However, she soon felt disheartened when she found the bakery was in Compiègne, not Paris, and that her accommodation was a tiny cold room within the bakery itself. There was also one main rule – never ever enter the bakery basement. But despite these initial setbacks, Edie decided she was going to do her very best to embrace the opportunity.

Edie had no idea just how deeply she would find a sense of belonging in Compiègne. The bakery has been struggling for some time now and the bank was constantly on to the owner, Madame Moreau. But Edie wanted to do everything she possibly could to save the Bakery from being closed. So many questions are raised about the future of the bakery. It meant too much not only to Madame Moreau and her family but to Edie as well. She had grown to love the bakery and felt part of the family too.

There is so much detail into the mystery and the history of the bakery and also Madame Moreau and her family. We learn through a very poignant story about how she was rescued by a baker during World War II. Madame Moreau’s life story provides greater insight into her character and we learn so much about the bakery and its magic too. There is so much that you find out about the bakery and why it holds such a profound connection to the heart of the town. Everyone who visits the bakery, feels the magic in the air.

Madame Moreau’s son was such a huge help to Edie – he was so supportive and helpful. He was so loyal to his Mother and the bakery and helped Edie with her plans to try and make the bakery more successful, to try and save it from closing.

Hugo was a character I instantly liked at first, though I couldn’t shake off whether he was genuinely head over heels for Edie, or was there something else driving his actions? As the story unfolded, I found myself hoping he would rise above (just like the bread!) and make things right. I was rooting for them all the way!

Edie made some lovely friends in Compiègne – from Nicole & Johnny who made me laugh, to the wonderful tour guide and they all made Edie feel welcome and help her to not only settle in but help the bakery too.

It is not just the magical pastries, the enchanting cupcakes and the magical hot chocolate that makes the bakery special – it is the history, the mystery and the extraordinary people behind it – from Edie, to Madame Moreau, her family and all the community.

This book demonstrates the profound impact that community, friendships, and connections can have on shaping our lives. This is an incredible book about healing, friendships, love and hope and I recommend everyone to read this book!

Evie Woods is an exceptional writer - The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris has all the perfect ingredients for a magical and poignant story.

Thank you very much HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris is another great story from Evie Woods. Having read her other books, I was excited to start reading this one. Edge is dealing with grief at her mother’s death and decides to try to rebuild her life in Paris. She was offered a job in a bakery in Paris - only it wasn’t in Paris, it was in Compiégne. She wondered if she should just go back home and give up the bakery when she found the owner was a crotchety old lady. However she perseveres and the story unfolds with lots of exciting details. Magic, romance, paranormal behaviour, Second World War events and even the historical facts about Joan of Arc, all appear in the story. This was an enjoyable read and I would like to thank NetGalley and One More Chapter Books for an arc of this lovely story.

I always like Evie Woods’ books and this is no exception. It is a wonderful story of Evie, who goes to France to work in a bakery in Paris. However, the job she has applied for is not in Paris and she finds herself in a small town with a lot of history. Great characters and a mysterious secret makes this a must read book.

This is such a lovely and heartwarming story.

This is my first Evie book, and I absolutely loved this story!

The story follows Evie (primary story), Hugo, Pierre and revolves around a bakery in trouble on the Rue du Paris.

I loved Evie and how we find her applying for a job in the bakery, packing up and heading over to France to start her new life. Hugo offered an alternative view in the bakery situation, and I have severe mixed feelings about him!

Pierre's story is based in the past, and it was fantastic to see how the bakery came about and the actions that led to the present.

There is a bit of everything in this story - love, suspense, mystery...

I love how Evie weaves this magical story, tying all the POVs together and crafting a beautiful story.

If you love a heartwarming story that draws you in, this is for you!