Member Reviews

What a darling read, j'ai adoré!

Edie is looking for a fresh start and has set her sights on moving from Ireland to the City of Light when she stumbles upon a job posting at a petite pâtisserie in Compiègne, a tiny cobblestoned town further afield from Paris. When she arrives, she discovers a swirl of mystery and secrecy surrounding her new boss and the history of this beloved neighborhood bakery. Pour yourself a cafe and sink your teeth into this tasty little treat.

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This story strays from my usual go-to, but I am so glad that I took a chance on this beautifully written novel! This novel is the perfect combination of baked goods, magic, drama, and community. Thank you, NetGalley!

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Another excellent book by Evie Woods, her stories never disappoint and keep you turning the pages. Her characters feel so real and are well written. Really enjoyed this book and again my thanks to NetGalley and publisher HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the excellent read

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First, a thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins/One More Chapter and the author for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

A little while ago I read ‘the lost bookshop’ from Evie Woods and absolutely adored it. When I saw the chance to read another one of her books, I grabbed it. And it did not disappoint! ‘The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris’ gets 4 stars from me!

The book was very well written in a way that it made me feel for the characters. Very soon, I rooted for the main character and hoped for the best for her. But I didn't only feel this empathy for the main character; the historical aspect of the book is written in a way that makes you feel the pain of the characters and the things they are going through. Almost all characters I felt for and rooted for.

The setting and atmosphere of the book were amazing. I loved learning about the city Compiègne and her history, as I had never heard of it before. The way Rue de Paris is described in the book makes it feel like you’re walking there yourself. The book certainly made me long for a holiday to France with lots of delicious pastries and hot chocolate.

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Another charming book by this author.
It was exactly the type of cosy, comfortable read I needed. The book transports you away from your daily troubles to charming town of Compiegne in France.
The story flows well and main character is likeable. There is enough mystery so that you don't want to put it down until you figure it out.
I really liked and and will certainly read more books by Evie Woods.

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I have enjoyed Evies’ other books and knew that I would enjoy this one too – The Mysterious Bakery is a heartwarming joy of a book to read. It is set in a small town in France where Edith has answered an advertisement to work in a bakery in Paris or so she thought! In fact it is a small town a hour away from Paris – however she throws herself into her new life and makes new friends. It’s a beautiful story with grief and happiness throughout . The back stories of some of the characters really tug at your heartstrings!
A warm, moving and romantic story. I loved it !

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I love Evie Wood's books and feel this one is the best I have read. Wonderful narratives and descriptions. Highly recommend.

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I absolutely loved this book, I have fallen for Evie’s writing style and cannot wait to delve into her catalogue. This read was entirely compelling, I was permanently fixed on needing to know the mysterious actions in the bakery and I loved seeing each characters journey in the book. Thank you for having me on the readalong

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magic as you might expect from evie woods. this is an old book in that she wrote it some ten years ago but its still good. I think she's even better now so get this and enjoy it and then buy all her recent ones too.

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Thank you netgalley and publishers for allowing me a copy of this book for my opinion. Full of magic and mystery,this is a delightfully enchanting, charming and quirky story. Definitely worth reading.

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Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this eCopy to review

I recently finished reading The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods, and I found it to be a delightful and enchanting read. The story follows Edie Lane, who leaves Ireland for what she believes is a dream job at a bakery in Paris. However, due to a mistranslation, she ends up in the small town of Compiègne instead. Despite the initial mix-up, Edie quickly discovers that this quaint town and its mysterious bakery hold more charm and magic than she could have ever imagined.

The bakery on Rue de Paris is not just a place of work for Edie; it becomes a haven where she uncovers secrets, forms new friendships, and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. The enchanting descriptions of Compiègne and the cosy, slightly mysterious bakery create a sense of warmth and nostalgia. There's an underlying sense of wonder, a feeling that something special and perhaps even magical is at play.

Edie's character is relatable and sympathetic. Initially somewhat adrift after a difficult time, she possesses an inner strength and a quiet determination that shine through as she navigates her unexpected new life. Her natural curiosity and willingness to embrace the unexpected allow her to uncover the bakery’s secrets and, in turn, discover more about herself.

The themes of love, loss, and new beginnings are poignantly explored throughout the novel. Edie’s journey is a powerful exploration of self-discovery, as she learns to embrace her past while opening herself up to new possibilities. The subtle thread of magic woven throughout the story serves not just as enchantment, but also as a catalyst for healing and connection.

Overall, The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris is a charming and heart warming tale that lingers in the heart long after the final page. If you enjoy stories with a blend of magical realism, historical elements, and sweet romance, this book is definitely worth a read.

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Great story with fantastic characters, loved the slightly supernatural feel.
Evie woods is a fantastic writer who can really draw you in the the book
Loved it, the perfect spring read.

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I really enjoyed this lovely, heartwarming read about the strength of connections in family and community. The plot was engaging , part mystery, part romance and I loved the setting. A cast of great characters and some nostalgia thrown in made for a fabulous read.

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One of my favourite books of the year so far. This is a delightful read - part cosy mystery and part rom com, I could definitely see this being set as a film with a handsome French lead set across from the quirky Irish girl who comes to France to escape her troubles and her fear of, well really of having fun. I wasn't sure initially about the 'ghost baker' but actually found that whilst this wasn't a particularly believable element of the story it didn't matter - this is after all a book which is great for escapism. I liked the moral tale that underpinned the story too - baddies really felt like baddies in this book. Huge thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC

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A charming, heartwarming story about a little French café that smells of fresh pastries and just-brewed coffee.

I’m already familiar with Evie Woods, so I had a feeling this book would be right up my alley. And I wasn’t wrong! It’s the perfect spring read—light and cozy, but with a deeper layer where we uncover family secrets and complicated relationships that trace back to World War II.

For me, it’s also a book about identity. About searching for who we are, figuring out what we truly want, and finding our place in the world. But it also shows that identity isn’t just about our thoughts—our own or those of others—but also about the places we belong to and the people we surround ourselves with.

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I was so excited to see another Evie Woods book available to request on Netgalley, as I’d already read and loved both The Last Bookshop and The Story Collector. While the premise of the novel was certainly in line with her other works, for me, its potential was, unfortunately, not realized in the same way.

While I could certainly empathize with Edie’s grief and her struggles to find the courage to step out of her usual safe bubble to make a life of her own, somehow her voice never felt authentic enough to me. Sure, she’s a little bit awkward and naive, but it seemed like these characteristics were paradoxically over-exaggerated and underdeveloped. Edie’s life experiences should make her a complex character, but it felt like we were being given the simplified version of her rather than the more nuanced one. Add to the character issues a plot that suffers from one too many coincidences, and it all seems a little too much like a trope than a unique story.

The saving grace for me was the setting of Compiègne. I appreciated learning about the town’s impressive and influential history, and I was equally charmed by its quaint architecture and usual small town characters. As a pastry devotee, the never-ending mentions of decadent desserts didn’t hurt either.

After reading, I discovered that The Mysterious Bakery is actually a re-release of Woods’s earlier self-published novel, which likely explains why her other stories seem so much more polished.

Thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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What a lovely read. Really liked all the characters and how the story unfolded. Would recommend reading this book.

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This is a story about starting over and stepping outside your comfort zone. Edie moves to France to work in a bakery. She gets caught up in the bakery’s plight and a romance at the same time.
I enjoyed the story. It was easy to read and flows nicely.
It made me want some French pastries too

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This story captivated me!!!

I loved how there was a touch of magic on everything, the cozy cafés, the fragrances of fleshly baked goodies and the picturesque alleys of Paris.
I liked Edie's stubbornness and strength and how her decision to work at the bakery changed her life. I found it very interesting how the author beautifully combined history, romance and friendship creating a story full of delicious smells, laughter and love leaving a sweet feeling at the end.

I would really read it again and again!!

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Totally enchanting!

Yet another enjoyable read from the author as she adds a little bit of magic to the everyday world.

I adored The Lost Bookshop so was excited to read this, and yes, it totally that's the mark again. The perfect cosy up read that will have you reaching for the blanket ro just immerse yourself into the book.

I love how the story unfolds. What starts off in an everyday world, soon adds in a time jump twist, magical elements and a slow burn cute romance. Again there are darker secrets entwined in the story, this time it's WWII history.

The community, friendships and character backstories create a read that I just found myself engulfed in throughout.

Cute, cosy read that cleverly takes you on a magical journey as you read.

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