Bon Appetit (French Twist, Book 2) [Paperback]

Sandra Byrd (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 16, 2008

Pastries, Paris and romance–Lexi’s adventure has just begun!

Lexi Stuart is risking it all. Saying au revoir to the security of home, her job, and could-be boyfriend Dan, Lexi embarks on a culinary adventure in France to fulfill her life dream of becoming a pastry chef.

As she settles into her new home in the village of Presque le Chateau to study and work in a local bakery, her twenty-something optimism meets resistance in the seemingly crusty nature of the people and culture around her. Determined to gain her footing, she finds a church, meets a new friend, and makes the acquaintance of a child named Celine–as well as Celine’s attractive, widowed father, Philippe. Even Patricia, the gruff pastry cook, shows a softer side as she mentors Lexi in the art of baking.

As Lexi lives her dream, the only thing she has to do is choose from the array in life’s patisserie display window: her familiar home, friends, and family in Seattle or her new life in France. Lexi discovers that as she leans more on God the choices become a little clearer– and making them, well, c’est la vie!

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A wonderful follow-up to Let Them Eat Cake! I was caught up in Lexi’s tug-of-war between her charmed life in France with its possibility of romance, and the pull to Seattle where her family and a very special man long for her return. What a perfect story for an evening by the fire or a day at the beach.” 
–Deborah Raney, author of Remember to Forget and Leaving November

“Paris, French culture, and pastries loom prominent in Bon Appetit by Sandra Byrd, who writes with insight and authenticity about the life of an American student at a prestigious pastry academy.”
–Ruth Axtell Morren, author of The Rogue’s Redemption, The Healing Season, and Hearts in the Highlands

“Sandra Byrd does it again! If you want a book as sweet as carmelized sugar and as intriguing as a handsome stranger,  reach for Bon Appetit. Delicious and satisfying!”
–Lyn Cote, author of the Texas Star of Destiny series

“Lexi is a delight, and one can’t help rooting for her as she struggles to achieve professional success while seeking the perfect recipe for romantic bliss. Bon Appétit est très magnifique!”
–Trish Perry, author of Beach Dreams, Too Good to Be True, and The Guy I’m Not Dating

“Bon Appetit captures the range of emotions and personal growth caused by cross-cultural experiences. It’s a literary petit four–a tasty morsel that delights and makes you want another. Fantastique!”
–Meredith Efken, author of SAHM I Am and Play It Again, SAHM

“Sandra Byrd’s Bon Appétit is a delicious tale to be savored. It will leave you wanting more. More pastry. . . more café. . . more chocolat. . .but best of all, more novels by Sandra Byrd.”
–Stephanie Grace Whitson, author/speaker

“For a sumptuous taste of French culture without all the jet lag, get the next best thing by reading Bon Appetit. Not only does Sandra Byrd vividly paint the French landscape with loving detail, but the reader can’t help rooting for Lexi as she navigates the oh-so-tricky waters of a new career, a burgeoning faith, and the trickiest endeavor of all, finding true love in the midst of it all. You'll enjoy every minute.”
–Christa Ann Banister, author of Around the World in 80 Dates and Blessed Are the Meddlers

“Bon Appetit had such a unique twist. I can't wait for the third!”
–Erynn Mangum, author of Miss Match and Match Point

"In this sequel to Let Them Eat Cake, Byrd again entertains with descriptions of delectable food and, this time, with exquisite details of France as well. Foodies will delight in this novel, and anyone who adores romance will warm to the story. It's easy to identify with Lexi's struggle in life, because they mirror so much of what everyone experiences, no matter what their age."
-Romantic Times Book Reviews

About the Author

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press; First Edition edition (September 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400073286
• ISBN-13: 978-1400073283
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #316,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra Byrd has now published more than forty books. Her adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, was a Christy Award finalist, as was her first historical novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. To Die For was also named by Library Journal as a Best Books Pick for 2011 and The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr, was named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2012. Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I published in April, 2013.

Sandra has also published dozens of books for tweens and teens.

A former textbook acquisitions editor, Sandra has published many nonfiction articles and books. She is passionate about helping new writers develop their talent and their work toward traditional or self publication. As such, she has mentored and coached hundreds of new writers and continues to coach dozens to success each year.

Please visit www.sandrabyrd.com to learn more, or to invite Sandra to your bookclub via Skype.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#30 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#60 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#30 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#60 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly YUMMY Book In More Ways than One October 19, 2008

By Connie Y. Mishali

Format:Paperback

Bon Appetit by Sandra Byrd is a book about a young girl, Lexi, who moves to France to work in a bakery and go to school to become a pastry chef. Lexi's transition from America to France is fraught with difficulty. First of all, so many of the people with whom she deals hate Americans, which is understandable as a cultural generalization, but not of Lexi who is wonderfully warm, respectful of French culture, and best intentioned. Secondly, school is hard and complicated by different personalities and someone sabotaging the students' recipes. Finally, Lexi has to make difficult choices concerning her romantic life and her professional career. You'll find yourself pulling for Lexi as she encounters each obstacle, and your heart will soar each time she learns to trust in God for guidance and companionship.

Lexi's story is great. This book is the second in a series, the first book being Let Them Eat Cake. However, you do not need to have read the first book to completely enjoy and understand Bon Appetit (I still haven't read the first book, but I will).

The best part about this book for me were the discussions on food. Seriously. I love to cook and reading about the cooking school and all the fancy desserts being made was just facsinating to me. Best of all, there are several recipes featured in the book. Most are desserts, but there was a recipe for French Onion Soup which, once altered to suit a vegan diet, was DELICIOUS!!! I love French Onion Soup, but haven't had it in years because of the beef broth used in restaurants (and the fact that my one attempt to make it at home years ago was a horrible flop). I tried the recipe in this book (page 143) and LOVED IT. In fact, I started out by making half a batch in case it was bad, and went back and made a double batch the next day.

This book is truly a yummy book, for reading entertainment and your pleasure in cooking! I'm looking forward to the next French Twist book!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Books July 16, 2009

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

I read both books while away on my recent pre-anniversary trip with my husband. I couldn't put the books down. I almost felt bad for my husband because I was so enthralled with the books he was left to entertain himself at times. So much for an anniversary trip haha. He was great about it though; he was glad I enjoyed the books he bought me. :-D I think I particularly loved these books because I am obsessed with baking and cake decorating, as well as PARIS, and these books involved both of these topics. I loved how the author included actual recipes in the book. I want to try the boyfriend bait beef stroganoff.

If you like Christian fiction, baking, traveling, or romance stories I would highly recommend you buy/rent these books. She is a fantastic writer, and I look forward to reading more books by Sandra Byrd!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hungry for more Lexi December 1, 2008

By BMAR

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

In this follow up to "Let Them Eat Cake", author Sandra Byrd brings more delightful tales of Lexi. This time around, Lexi is starting to live her dream of becoming a classically trained Chef. The setting of France adds depth to Lexi's story with its wonderful history of delicious foods and wondefully romantic scenes.

As Lexi tries to entrench herself deeply into French life, she begins to wonder is new avenues are in store for her or if her heart is still in Seattle and tied to Dan.

This is a wonderful story that sees Lexi explore her relationship to God, her parents and two men - one French and one American.

Sandra Byrd does not disappoint in this follow up which is reach with wonderfully engaging characters, tempting descriptions of amazing food and an opportunity to see Lexi continue growing into her destiny.

This book was a delight, BUT left me ravished for the 3rd and final installment!