Book Review: "Bon Appetit" by Sandra Byrd and Book Giveaway

I'm giving away a brand new copy of today's book! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Monday, October 27. US addresses only. Good luck!

An American Girl in Paris

Bonjour! Lexi Stuart has traded Seattle for France and is now working in a French bakery while going to culinary school. She has to put up with snobby coworkers and backstabbing classmates. Still she's also having the time of her life, drinking in French culture and eating chouquettes. This is an experience of a lifetime for her and it's one she'll never forget. It also doesn't hurt that she's caught the eye of the shop owner's son Philippe with his adorable daughter. Then Lexi's given the opportunity to stay on in France or go back home in Seattle where another suitor Dan is waiting. Which will she end up choosing?

This book is everything you could possibly want for a good read. Engaging storyline, delicious food, exotic travel. While the cover of the first book in this series was yummy, the cover of this one was just plain deletable. I wanted to eat this book. I think I gained weight just by reading it. I think I probably was snacking also while reading. I enjoyed reading about Lexi's journey through culinary school and her total experience in France. I would have loved to be in her shoes throughout this book. Reading about her job in the bakery was a mouthwatering experience. Watching the Food Network probably helped out a lot for me understand the book more especially with the cooking language. The recipes sprinkled throughout the book are a wonderful touch giving the reader a chance to taste what Lexi is actually making. It makes the book more interactive and helps the reader get into the story more. One thing I did not envy about Lexi was her having to choose between Dan and Philippe. They're both good guys, so I feel bad for whoever she doesn't choose. Once again this story isn't preachy yet Lexi renews her faith through a new culture. I do love her observations about how everything in France is religious centered even if the people don't notice it. Honestly I could not find anything wrong with this book. I tried. I could say that French people are snobby and that Lexi was treated unfairly but it's a weak argument. It deserves nothing less than 5 stars. This book was a joy to read and is one that any chick lit, foodie or French culture fan will enjoy. I cannot wait until the next (and final) book in the series comes out next year. Until then I think I might have to go hunt down a bakery and find me some baked treats to tide me over. VERY HIGHLY recommended.


Best-selling author Sandra Byrd enjoys a successful career writing adult, teen, and children’s books, including the Friends for a Season, Secret Sisters series and the French Twist series, including the first Lexi Stuart novel, Let them Eat Cake. She is also a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines. Sandra lives in Washington state with her husband and two children.



Bon Appetit by Sandra Byrd is published by Waterbrook (2008)

Comments

  1. Anonymous11:46 PM

    Deborah,

    This book sounds fabulous! I love food. :) jean_g_wang at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous11:58 PM

    I'd like to be entered in the giveaway. :o)

    Carla pluumeria at cox dot net

    ReplyDelete
  3. This book sounds great. I love books that concern food. Please enter me in the drawing.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous12:23 AM

    Sounds like a great book, would love to finish reading it..please sign me up for the drawing..Patty (winnie at Frugal Reader.. thanks mama2skyjax@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. This sounds like a really fun escape kind of book. Please enter me in your contest. Thank you!!

    tracisharpton (at) msn (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous12:44 AM

    I love cooking, it's my favorite hobby. My husband loves it too. :)

    Contact: kbruursema@charter.net

    Kristen

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous12:46 AM

    I'd like to be entered in the contest - egyptkiki@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous12:57 AM

    It's amazing how wonderful they can make food sound without seeing a picture of it!! That's what the first books does...

    Please enter me for a chance to win!

    ldneuhof at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous1:19 AM

    Please enter me. LOVE cooking and LOVE reading! ;)

    Gail
    bookwurm70 [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  10. The cover picture is yummy ... has me craving some sweets! Please include me in the drawing. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous7:18 AM

    Makes for a mouthwatering contest! Enter my name please

    florida982002@yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Two of my favorite things! Food and reading! This book sounds great. The title of it is so catchy. Please enter me in the drawing! Thanks & God Bless!
    Kyndra
    smile_y9[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous8:36 AM

    sounds delicious! Julie (JDobs at FR)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Read Let Them Eat Cake in two days - can't wait for the sequel!!

    Michelle
    chelleandyg at cox dot net.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love books about cooking!

    hugbandit7 at FR or hugbandit7 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous9:31 AM

    Please enter me! milou2ster at gmail dot com. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I enjoyed Let Them Eat Cake and would love to read this book as well. Thanks for the chance.

    cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous11:30 AM

    I'm almost finished with Let Them Eat Cake, and I'm loving it! Please enter me!

    writer_weaver(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh wow, this looks and sounds awesome! Definitely enter me :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous4:43 PM

    I heard about how this book contains some amazing recipes. I would love to win!

    ylin.0621[at]yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous7:05 PM

    Ohh sounds wonderful =] Enter me please!

    lidochinkywinky@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous8:38 PM

    I love reads about anything culinary related (of course! Who doesn't?). "Bon Appetit" great. I'd love to read it.

    liatheddrfreak (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  23. sounds wonderful mrs.mommyyatgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous12:21 PM

    Sounds like a fun book! Count me in.

    Penny G
    frugalberrygirl(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. read the first, would love the next one. Please enter me to win! :)

    Blessings,
    Mimi B

    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I can tell from your review that I would enjoy Sandra's book very much. Thank you for the giveaway!

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous12:16 PM

    Hi Deborah,

    Would love to be entered in your contest. This sounds like a really good book!

    dwlcvl(at)shawneelink(dot)net or daltonryan@PBS.

    Thank you so much! Dana

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous10:39 PM

    Please enter me in your giveaway!

    rcmjrobertson(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

    ReplyDelete

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