Recently I had the opportunity to read an advance review copy (ARC) of author Evie Woods' newest novel, The Mysterious Bakery on the Rue de Paris, which was just published yesterday on April 8, 2025. I enjoyed it so much that I couldn't wait to share my book review here on Review This Reviews.
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A Life in Transition
Evie Woods’ The Mysterious Bakery on the Rue de Paris is a delicious blend of hope, heartbreak, and intrigue. It's the story of Edith, an Irishwoman seeking a fresh start after her world is upended by the loss of her mother to cystic fibrosis. Having spent years as her sick mother’s caregiver, Edith is left feeling lost and unsure of what comes next. Working as a waitress and trying to comfort her grieving father feels unfulfilling and she is desperate for a change.
Not the (Rue de) Paris She Was Expecting
In an uncharacteristic burst of spontaneity, Edith impulsively applies
for an assistant manager position at a French bakery on the Rue de Paris. She
is swept up in dreams of a glamorous new life in the romantic City of Lights, but
reality has other plans.
Instead of the bustling metropolis, Edith discovers too late that the bakery is located on the Rue de Paris in Compiègne, a sleepy, picturesque village an
hour's train ride outside the city. Definitely not the "Paris" she thought she had
signed up for.
Cold Shoulders and Mysterious Rules
The bakery is beloved by locals for its mouthwatering breads, pastries and
sandwiches, but Edith quickly senses that all is not as it seems. Her new living quarters are tiny and shabby. The bakery's proprietress, elderly but
spunky Madame Moreau, is gregarious with customers
but curt and chilly with Edith. The locked basement where the actual baking
happens is strictly off-limits, and Edith is forbidden to see or meet the mysterious, nameless baker. A teenage boy named Manu, the bakery's only other employee, won't say
much to her, either.
Struggling with these unwelcoming co-workers and strange rules, as
well as her limited grasp of the French language, makes Edith feel lonely, isolated
and out of place. She wonders whether her impulsive move to France was a terrible mistake.
Finding Connection in Unexpected Places
Despite her loneliness, however, Edith is determined to try to build a life in Compiègne. She decides to get a sassy French haircut and forms a close friendship with Nicole, the daughter of the hair salon owner. She also gradually befriends a few of
the bakery’s regulars, including Geoff who gives fascinating tours of the village and the historic Forest of Compiègne, where in 1940 the French signed a humiliating armistice with Nazi Germany.
Nicole invites Edith to hear her husband Johnny play jazz at the local club. Edith is attracted to a handsome Englishman at the bar but is too shy to strike up a conversation, so Nicole does it instead and then introduces Edith to him. Hugo is charismatic and well-spoken and he and Edith feel an immediate spark, but he is a photographer who lives and works in Paris. Fortunately, he comes to Compiègne frequently to visit his
mother, who has Alzheimer’s and is in a nearby care facility.
Hugo's and Edith's burgeoning long-distance relationship is kept alive through his periodic, brief visits interspersed with sweet postcards. Meanwhile, Edith
spends much of her precious (and scarce) spare time with Nicole, Johnny and
their family, who "adopt" the foreigner and try to make her feel at home in her new hometown.
Just as Edith starts to feel as though she might belong in Compiègne after all, however, everything threatens to
unravel.
Secrets, Betrayal, and a Family Legacy at Risk
As her French improves and she becomes more involved in the day-to-day operations of the bakery, Edith's curiosity about its mysterious past grows. When she finally uncovers the truth about the
bakery’s secretive history, operations and financial struggles thanks to Manu's eventual confidences, she’s faced with
a new heartache: discovering that the man she’s falling for is one of the people trying to force Madame Moreau to sell the bakery, her family’s precious multigenerational legacy.
Can the bakery—and Edith's and Hugo's relationship—survive? You'll have to read this intriguing novel to find out.
Layers of History and Humanity
Author Evie Woods adds depth to the story with historical themes, including
the Nazi occupation of France and the impact of racial discrimination. These
elements tie into the bakery’s mysterious past and add emotional resonance to
what might otherwise be a lighthearted narrative.
She paints the story with rich, sensory details: the scent of buttery
croissants wafting through the air, the hum of jazz spilling from a smoky
club, the warmth of fresh friendships blossoming in unexpected corners. She
also doesn’t shy away from weightier themes, like loss, betrayal, and the
courage it takes to rebuild a life. Edith’s journey isn’t just about solving
the mystery of the bakery—it’s about rediscovering herself and finding the
strength to fight for what matters.
Final Thoughts
The Mysterious Bakery on the Rue de Paris
is a heartfelt and satisfying novel that blends personal growth, romance, and
historical intrigue. With vivid setting details, believable characters, and a
steady unfolding of mystery, it’s a story about healing, second chances, and
the power of community. If you enjoy novels that balance charm with depth,
this one is well worth the read.
I read an advance copy of the Kindle edition courtesy of the author and
NetGalley, but I enjoyed it so much that I plan to purchase
The Mysterious Bakery on the Rue de Paris audiobook as well. It is also available in paperback.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Evie Woods' books.
Evie Woods' New Novel of Self-Discovery, Secrets and Second Chances, a book review by Margaret Schindel
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