When I received a copy of “Bon Appètit” from Wynn-Wynn Media the first thing that went through my mind was that I was hungry. The cover shows some of the yummiest looking pastries you’ll find on a book cover. Well, except for a pastry cookbook cover maybe.

I was not familiar with author Sandra Byrd, and I had not read the first book in the series from which “Bon Appètit” came. I was worried that I might not get the most out of the novel, having missed the beginning, but that worry was unfounded.

“Bon Appètit” by Sandra Byrd

Brief Synopsis
Lexi’s life-long dream has been to become a true pastry chef, and the opportunity arises for her to spend some time in France working at a bakery there and studying in a prestigious program.

Living in France isn’t all that Lexi hopes it will be, especially not at first. However, just because the dream isn’t what she expected doesn’t mean it isn’t amazing. Lexi is making it through the difficult co-workers in her bakery, the loneliness of being away from her friends and family, and the tug-of-war going on for her affections between her ‘would-be’ boyfriend back home and a widower father she is working with in France.

Just as Lexi is really starting to fit in with her French co-workers she comes to a major cross-roads. She’s always dreamed of working in France as a pastry chef, but the opportunity has arisen to help create a French-style bakery back in Seattle where she would get to run her own kitchen.

I wasn’t sure how much I was going to enjoy “Bon Appètit,” having missed the first installment of the story. I was surprised to find that I really did enjoy it thoroughly—and never at any point did I feel like I had missed out on anything or was confused as to what was going on or why things were happening.

The general premise behind “Bon Appètit” was an entertaining one, and I enjoyed reading along as Lexi tried to fit in with people so different from herself, in a land so far from her home.

There was a lot of humor in “Bon Appètit,” including Lexi’s mistaken use of what she thought was French for ‘preservatives.’ If you know your French, you’ll know why this is funny. Otherwise, just read the book and you’ll find out soon enough.

I’m not sure if it is just my lack of interest in French pastry or not, but the baking angle of the novel just didn’t seem to click with me. I don’t mean to say that it was bad, by any means, it just didn’t captivate me the way the setting of some stories will do.

Conclusion

I found “Bon Appètit” to be an entertaining and enjoyable novel. It would actually be a near-perfect lazy summer read, not overly taxing on the mind but yet thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable.

I recommend “Bon Appètit” to all fans of faith-based fiction. It’s even one that is fine for younger (teen and even older pre-teen) readers as well.