A review by no_more_shelf_control
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl

hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 THE PARIS NOVEL by Ruth Reichl was a lovely delight of a story!

I was generously #gifted an ARC of this book by @atrandombooks from an IG giveaway and it was such a fun escape read!

Stella is left an odd inheritance from her aloof mother that stipulates a Paris trip to collect. Against her better judgment, she goes but it doesn't seem to make any sense. One fateful day, she pops into a vintage dress shop and and comes out with a dress that unlocks the door to a new world...if she dares.

I found this later coming-of-age story to be so well written, I was immersed in Stella's adventures and cuisine (though some of these dishes did cause me to cringe). I found all the characters she fell in with to be delightful and full of life. The ending did feel a bit fast in comparison to the rest, but by then it was wrapping up and still felt lovely. I did enjoy watching Stella discover her strengths and allow herself to live, not simply survive. I am not a tidy ending lover, and this one had an abundance of them, but overall I left this novel feeling good...and hungry!