A bit of escapism, a lot of heart and tons of self discovery. The book was a great read. I have been telling everyone to grab a copy when it’s available. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this ARC!

I really enjoyed this book and enjoyed Edith's journey to France to work in the bakery! She is relatable to many people still figuring out life in their late 20s. The hint of magical realism and romance kept the book interesting. I will say that I did not really get hooked to the story until midway through. The set up at the beginning was casual and took its time which made me fairly impatient as a reader. I would recommend this book to others if they are looking to enjoy a cozy, unproblematic read.

After reading, and loving, both The Story Collector and The Lost Bookshop I was so excited to be a part of the @onemorechapterhc readalong for The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris.
This book is simply magical. Two things @eviewoods.author is an absolute master at is multiple timelines, and magical realism. The timelines and various POVs throughout this one are so well written and weave together a stunning historical story full of emotions, I especially loved the history lesson this book gave me! Such a tragic story of loss and the importance of community. And the magical realism as ever was subtle yet beautiful woven through. And the supernatural element to this one just took it to the next level.
I loved the character dynamics and the development of the relationship between Edith & Madame Moreau especially. A part of me wishes the timeline was a bit longer from Edith arriving to falling in love and forming such a strong friendship, as for only 2 weeks this felt very rushed for me, especially for someone like Edith who spent her adult life isolated. But I still loved all of the characters regardless and the book wouldn't be the same without them. Overall it was an absolute breeze of a book to read, packed with emotion, determination and dreams come true. 🥖🥐

I knew I would love this because of how much I loved the lost bookshop! This one had a very similar feeling. Beautifully created historical setting, characters and heartwarming storyline

Edie Lane 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 Compiegne, 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 realises it's exactly where she needs to be.

Edie is still grieving for her mother who had passed away the previous year. She decides to take up a positon managing a small bakery in Paris. But Edie quickly realises that she may have too quick in accepting the job, as it's not in Paris, it's in the tiny town of Compiegne.

This story has an easy feeling to it as we unravel its mystery. Edie is a relatable character. The story moves back and forth through time. I liked that the story had a happy ending.

Published 27th March 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #EvieGraham for my ARC of #TheMysteriousBakeryOnRuedeParis in excahnge for an honest review.

I fell in love with Evie Woods’ storytelling when I read The Lost Bookshop, a novel that truly stayed with me. So, when I picked up The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris, I couldn’t have been more excited. And I was right to be—this book has all the enchanting ingredients of Woods’ signature storytelling, now enriched with the irresistible charm of a cozy French bakery and its delectable pastries.

I loved the story, the characters and the beautifully crafted setting. The small-town community, the deep friendships, the cozy love story, the sense of home away from home and the journey of self-discovery - all made for a heartwarming read. The magical elements blended effortlessly into the narrative, complementing the story without overshadowing it. The historical elements woven into the story also added a layer of depth, offering fascinating insights into a place I knew little about before. And yes, there’s a moment at the end that gave me goosebumps—you’ll know it when you read it.

All in all, I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to fans of magical realism, enchanting settings and uplifting stories..

Thank you to the publisher HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for the complimentary copy of this book.

Evie Woods' The Lost Bookstore is a touching exploration of self-discovery, love, and personal growth. From the opening pages, I felt a deep connection with Edith — a protagonist whose emotional journey unfolds with sincerity and warmth. Initially burdened by insecurity, she gradually finds the strength to embrace her true self, and witnessing her transformation was both uplifting and rewarding.While the story took a little time to build momentum, the pace soon quickened, drawing me in completely.

The romance between Edith and Hugo added a heartfelt dimension to the story. What stood out most was their mutual support; rather than trying to change one another, they inspired each other to grow into the best versions of themselves. Their relationship felt authentic, and their evolving bond brought a quiet sweetness to the narrative.

The novel's atmosphere is rich with historical charm, and the setting is so vividly described that it felt like stepping into another time. The supporting characters brought additional depth, each contributing their own stories to the tapestry of the plot. Genevieve, in particular, intrigued me — I would have loved to delve even deeper into her past with Pierre.


By the final pages, I felt more like a participant than a reader, experiencing the characters' joys, sorrows, and triumphs alongside them. The combination of mystery, romance, and self-reflection makes The Lost Bookstore a cozy and fulfilling read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The story is so unique and refreshing—it’s got romance, friendships, an adopted family, and, of course, magic.
Edith uproots her life and moves from Dublin to Paris (or at least she thinks she does) to take a job as a bakery manager. Turns out, she completely messed up the name and location. Instead of Paris, she finds herself an hour away, working at La Boulangerie on Rue de Paris in Compiègne.
From the start, things are weird. Madame Monroe, her boss, barely speaks English, the customers speak even less, and for some reason, Edith isn’t allowed in the bakery kitchen. She has no idea why she was even hired. But this move isn’t just about the job—it’s about Edith figuring out who she is after spending years as her mother’s caregiver, putting her own life on hold.
Then there’s Hugo—an artist at heart who lives for photography but is stuck working for his father at Chadwick Holdings. The company buys old buildings, strips them of their charm, and turns them into something new (which Hugo hates). After losing his brother—the golden child—Hugo is left filling his shoes, despite how much he resents it.
Moving to Compiègne turns out to be the change Edith needed. She finds an amazing friend in Nicole and her family—Geoff and Legrand. But the really strange part? She starts hearing noises at night, and Madame Monroe brushes it off as "just an old building." Then one night, Edith stumbles upon a diary hidden under the floorboards. Inside? Recipes. She makes hot chocolate from one of them, and suddenly, she unlocks a memory.
And then there's Hugo. Their first meeting? On a street outside a salon. The second? At a bar. That night, he walks her home, and they kiss. No plans, no commitments—just a "see you whenever I see you" kind of thing. But then, Hugo starts sending postcards (cue swooning), and honestly? I loved it.
Go pick up this book and take this magical journey to the most mysterious bakery. You won’t regret it!

4 French stars

I really enjoyed this one, and I realized that this is my third book by this author, she’s a winner for me! It’s fun to recall some of my French as I read these books.

After years of caring for her mother, Edie Lane has left Ireland for Paris and a job at a bakery. She discovers, though, that she’s made a mistake with the address; it’s on Rue de Paris in Compiegne, about an hour away from Paris itself.

As she settles into her attic room in the right town, she quickly gets to work selling delicious bread and pastries to the citizens of this small French town. The owner of the bakery is aloof, but perhaps that’s typical of French people. She really likes Manu, the young man who helps in the bakery.

But what are the odd noises she hears at night? And why hasn’t she met the baker or seen any deliveries coming to the basement area?

She starts to build a few friendships in town and even has the prospect of a romance, but then the bank comes to call, and everything is thrown into disarray. Edie cooks up a plan to save the bakery and realizes she’s in the right place after all. Will her efforts be enough, or will change hit the small town?

A charming and immersive read, The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris blends warmth, mystery, and a touch of bittersweet emotion. With a beautifully crafted setting and engaging characters, the story pulls you in from the very beginning. The air of mystery keeps the pages turning, making it an enchanting read. A small note—if you don’t speak French, a dictionary might come in handy! Overall, a delightful and atmospheric novel that lingers long after the final page.

This is a heartwarming story which follows Edie as she starts a new life in France.
She hopes her new job in the bakery will give her a sense of purpose but doesn't quite expect what she finds here.
It takes her a while to settle but she soon realises the baked pastries and other delicious goods hold a little bit of magic.
Evie knows she needs to help when the bakery is threatened as it's a special place to so many people.
This is a good cosy read with a little bit of history, romance and magic.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this book.

Book Review: The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)



Evie Woods’ The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris is a delightful blend of magical realism, romance, and self-discovery. The story follows Edith “Edie” Browne, an Irish woman seeking a fresh start as she takes a job at an old, enigmatic bakery in a small French town. However, as she settles in, she realizes that the bakery holds secrets far beyond the perfect pastries and warm, buttery scents—it may even be haunted.



Woods’ writing is charming and evocative, bringing the setting to life with lush descriptions of the bakery, the town, and the mouthwatering food. The novel offers an engaging mix of mystery, history, and romance, making it an enchanting read for those who love cozy stories with a hint of the supernatural.



While the novel is beautifully atmospheric, the pacing sometimes lags, and a few plot points could have been more deeply developed. However, Edie’s journey of self-discovery and the warmth of the bakery’s inhabitants make up for any shortcomings.



Overall, The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris is a heartwarming and whimsical read, perfect for fans of Joanne Harris’s Chocolat or Sarah Addison Allen’s novels. A deliciously sweet escape!

Edie leaves everything behind in Ireland to accept a job in a bakery in Paris... only to discover the bakery isn't in Paris after all, but rather nestled among the cobblestone streets of Compiègne, This might not be where she planned to end up, but this turns out to be exactly where she needed to be. Rumours are whispered through the town that its pastries offered a taste of magic, chasing away the darkest of sorrows. Just one bite of a croissant might bring luck, unlock a precious memory or reveal hidden longings. Edie experiences some of these magical moments herself. Then she discovered the secret the bakery has been harboring, and when she finds out the bakery is in danger of closing, she takes it upon herself to make sure that the bakery will remain for generations to come.

I love this author's books. They blend a compelling story with magic and a bit of romance and wind up with something truly delightful. Edie was a force to be reckoned with. She came to Compiègne, broken, but then she settled in and made friends, started seeing someone, became invested in saving the bakery, and just made a full life for herself over there. I did wish that I knew French, since there was a lot of French dialogue in the book, but I was able to get the gist of what was being said without it. This is perfect for fans of Sarah Addison Allen, Heather Webber, and Chocolat by Joanne Harris.

Edith decides to apply for a job position in Paris.
The decision has been made to turn her life around and find herself.
The job is to be a manager of a historic boulangerie in Compiègne, rue de Paris.
The boulangerie is run by an 80-year-old lady, Madame Moreau, and her teenage nephew Manu.
Madame Moreau also offers lodging in a floor above the boulangerie itself.
This book has, more or less, the same structure as the other books I have read by the same author, “The Lost Bookshop” and “The Story Collector” (this one is really good!), with a couple of characters in the present and a character from the past; however, with variations. The main character is Edith with her personal issues, her work, and the mysteries of the boulangerie; her outings with the people of Compiègne; and she has most of the story. The second character of the "present" is Hugo Chadwick; he meets Edith during an outing in a Compiègne club, a few chapters with his story. The character from the past is Pierre Moreau, Madame Moreau's father and the boulangerie's founder, a few chapters with his story.
Since the main story is Edith's, this made the narrative a bit slow, in my opinion: Edith is stubborn; she likes to have fun; however, she is also hasty, and also she does not always leave room for others. I also found it odd that, for instance, other characters like Hugo or Nicole were better than her.
Also, the story is set in France; on one hand, this allowed the author to talk about the Holocaust suffered by nomadic peoples; however, on the other hand, there are too many common logos...
In my opinion, it is not a bad story, but it is not the best by this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wow!! She’s done it again - a captivating and magical read🩵

I will never tire of Evie Woods’ writing style, it is really accessible but conveys a story so well - I am always moved by her stories.

This book tells the story of young Edith who upends her life in Ireland for the bright lights of France. Her journey is a complete rollercoaster and we go along the ride with her, I felt a real connection to Edith and her dreams! I also did not expect this book to be as heart wrenching as it is - personal stories from the wars really tug on your heartstrings and give a real backstory to some main characters. Madam Moreau’s story is heart breaking and this book shines a light on the injustice to a population that is not often covered in popular history - wow! Through this narrative, I also learnt a lot of new facts about both world wars which was fascinating but also heart breaking.

With romantic elements, this book is magical and moving - everything I always imagine an Evie Woods book to be💗

My second book by Evie Woods and it was just a perfect read . I was so absorbed by this wonderful story that I read it in two sittings . Sometimes a book can lose my interest for a bit but this wasn’t the case with this magical
read . From the start right up to the final chapter I was totally captivated .

I do love an Evie Woods novel. This one is magical and paints a beautiful story of love, life, ghosts in a French Bakery. Very atmospheric, easy to read, and satisfying. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complementary digital ARC. This review is my own words and opinion.

3.75/5

Although not my favourite book by this author, it was still an entertaining read. The bakery descriptions had me salivating and I had to Google all the beautiful places they referenced in France.

I found the mysterious/supernatural elements a bit unnecessary and it took me some time to warm to both th MFC & MMC.

The detail about the war packed an emotional punch.

All in all an enjoyable read.

Fantastic! I loved this new novel by Evie Woods! Beautifully written (similar to her other novel The Lost Bookshop), with the perfect ingredients to take the reader on a magical journey. I love this author’s writing style and ability to weave the story to keep the reader engaged.

5-⭐️

I will recommend this book to anybody who asks me for recs!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the advanced reader copy of this beautiful novel in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

Absolutely adored this latest from Evie Woods. I love her style of writing , attention to detail, and such great characters. The historical element surrounding Compiegne during WWII was sensitively written about and I simply loved it all. The storyline & the storytelling were wonderful & I have no hesitation in highly recommending this wonderful book.