Customer Reviews

Piece de Resistance: A Novel

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I have been aching to read Sandra Byrd's "Piece de Resistance". This wonderful novel picks up where "Bon Apetit" left off. Lexi has returned to Seattle from her bakery training in Paris to run the latest Delacroix Bakery. She is running into some challenges and is unsure if she can do it. She hopes that her interpretation of events and her study of Philippians is leading her in the right direction. She is also at a crossroads in her love life. Will she choose Dan, the Seattle lawyer, who makes her heart skip a beat when he enters a room? Or Philippe, the exotic Frenchman with the beautiful little Celine, who has captured Lexi's heart?

Byrd's writing sparkles like the Bijoux Bakery. I was riveted from cover to cover. The suspense builds as the story progresses, drawing the reader into a deep investment into Lexi's personal and professional choices. You'll believe that these characters live right next door to you.

I loved this final book in the French Twist series, and am so sad that the series is over! Lexi Stuart is a person that you want to see succeed, not only with her job, but also with the right mate. I found myself going back and forth through this book, as well as book 2 (Bon Appetit), on who I wanted her to end up with. I won't spoil it for you, but I can definitely say that Lexi made the right choice!

On top of the dating issues, Lexi also has the responsibility of opening a new bakery back in her home town of Seattle. And bless her heart, that is not an easy task! Through it all, her intentions are right in line, but roadblocks are right there with her, too. So, she goes right to the source to get the strength she needs....the Word of God. The book of Philippians was the perfect parallel to Lexi's story, and provided the perfect guidance that she needed for this chapter in her life.

If you have never heard of Sandra Byrd, then, you are missing out on a real treat! She's mostly known as a YA author, but branched out with adult books with the French Twist Series, with Pièce de Résistance as the 3rd and final book. Her books have just the right mix of fun, romance, and faith. Oh, and just reading about the pastries in all three books will make your mouth water!

What I love about this series is that it combines everything I love in just one story. There's the chick lit style of writing. Then there is the talk of travel to places I've always wanted to visit. Next there is the glorious food that thankfully does not cause you to gain weight from reading about it. Finally, the wonderful characters that keep you enthralled and always wanting more. In this installment, Lexi returns to Seattle from her learning experience as a chef in Paris. Now back at home, she is given the opportunity to run her own bakery. Of course things don't run as smoothly as hoped and Lexi must struggle with her dreams as well as being practical. Reading this book was like watching Ace of Cakes with a French kick. It's filled with wonderful pastries, cakes and all sorts of delectable treats. Lexi is a character I would love to know in real life. Her experiences throughout the series have been fun to read and it's been a delight to watch her fulfill her dreams.

The romance in this story was really great as well. I don't know how Lexi was able to make her final choice between the two men. Of course there were little situations that helped out this dilemma but otherwise it would have been incredibly difficult to pick between the two of them. I also really liked her relationship with Philippe's daughter. It's very sweet. There is absolutely no fault with this book other that I am really really sad that this is the last book in the series. I feel as if I've really gotten to know Lexi and about baking and the French culture through these stories. You must be careful not to be around food while reading this book or you will find the pages of the book covered in crumbs. If you are looking for a chick lit book, are a foodie, or love to travel, then this series is absolutely perfect for you. I cannot praise it enough. This book has inspired me to go find a bakery, preferably a French bakery and indulge in at least one item mentioned in this book. VERY HIGHLY recommended.

This is the third in the Lexi Stuart French Twist trilogy and it is hands down the best of the series. Lexi has grown and matured so much through the series (which is kind of the point, I realize) that there are no moments at all when you want to reach into the book and strangle her (there were a few in the first two) - it's just an enjoyable read from start to finish. I actually ended up neglecting a little work so that I could finish it - it's that fun.

In this installment we find Lexi back from her time in France and opening the the new bakery with Margot. Phillipe and Celene have also come from France to Seattle, so there's that possibly budding romance to work out as well as figuring out where her relationship with Dan is headed. In typical Lexi style, she manages to create some fairly big messes for herself before finding her feet at her job and in love - but when she finally gets it, she gets it right in a big way.

This is delightful and highly recommended. If you haven't read the first two, start with those - but get all three at the same time because you'll be desperate for the next as you finish the first ones.

With apologies for the impending, irresistible food analogies....I devoured this longed-for sequel to "Let Them Eat Cake" and "Bon Appetit" in one day.

Piece de Resistance picks up exactly where "Bon Appetit" left off; Lexi has decided to move back to Seattle and take on the challenge of launching a specialty bakery for the Delacroix family business. She is enjoying the attentions of both Dan, her attorney friend/potential beau, and Phillipe, the widowed father of the adorable Celine, who have immigrated to Seattle. She also discovers that she's been named the assistant manager of the new bakery, Bijoux. Lexi is forced to take on an unfamiliar role dealing with the business side of the new venture, something that puts her well beyond her comfort zone of baking pans and pastry.

This novel, like the previous two, allows the reader to engage with Lexi because her character is so believable. Sandra Byrd does a great job in avoiding the overly-tidy solution to the challenges Lexi encounters, both in her work venue and in her personal life. I loved a particular situation where Lexi believes she's found inspiration from a Scripture passage, only to have the day dissolve into disaster in spite of it. Rather than being discouraged or bitter, she tunnels through it with wry humor.

It would be limiting to describe this work as "Christian fiction", or "cooking lit" or "chick lit". To confine Sandra Byrd's books to a single category could alienate potential readers. A better description, if one is called for, is that this is fiction, with a decidedly Christian influence and much better-than-average culinary appeal.

Personally, I found all three books in the series very easy to read, engaging, believable and a comfortable fit for my Catholic religious beliefs. I was pleased to observe the author's respectful handling of different faiths, particularly in her first book when Lexi is "church shopping". Overall, this series of books fuels a hunger in both body and soul, and provides the Scripture verses and recipes to feed it!

[...]

After completing her pastry classes in Presque le Chateau just outside of Paris, Chef Lexi Stuart returns home to Seattle looking forward to running and baking a bakery. However she knows she has one year to succeed.

At the same time she works hard to make her bakery a success, Lexi deals with her relationship with her French boyfriend Philippe and his daughter, Celine and local lawyer Dan. She wonders if she can have her cake and eat it too, but soon will understand that Lovin' Spoonful means more than just a recipe entry, as she now knows what Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind truly means.

The third Lexi Stuart tale (see LET THEM EAT CAKE and BON APPETITE) is a fine entry as the lead protagonist has come home but her choices with opening a bakery and her personal life are complex. Lexi makes the story line sweet yet her relationships are complicated and her decisions difficult leaving fans enjoying the aptly titled PIECE DE RESISTANCE as even the cover is mouth watering delightful

Harriet Klausner

Peice De Resistance is the third book in the series by Sandra Byrd. Having read the first in the series, Let Them Eat Cake, I was excited to read Peice De Resistance and wasn't disappointed. I immediately was able to pick up with Lexi Stuart even though I missed the 2nd book of the series, Bon Appetit. In this third installment, Lexi has just returned to the States after spending some time in Paris doing an internship, her dream world. Now coming back to the states, she is faced with living in a retirement center, opening a new bakery and making it profitable and trying to straighten out her love life. What more can a girl ask for? Sandra Byrd's characters are always well thought out, and developed. I love Lexi for her faults as much as I do for her strengths. A wonderful, light hearted read

`Piece de Resistance' is the last and best part of a meal. Sandra Byrd's novel of the same name doesn't disappoint. As the heroine Lexi Stuart excitedly returns to her hometown, fulfilling her dream of running a high-end catering bakery, she is quickly splattered with cake batter from an out of control mixer. Lexi soon is led to examine where she has placed her faith and is left wondering if her dreams are as exquisitely ooh la la as she hoped.

Piece de Resistance is a rare novel which leaves you sad it has come to an end. You finish craving more, more of the French sweets, sights and sounds intermingled throughout the pages. The book is filled with enticing scenes and yummy recipes to delight the senses.

Piece de Resistance isn't just five carats of sparkle; it's a whole gem parcel.

This was the perfect way to end the French Twist series! I love Lexi and almost want her to make me a cake! I feel like I am there with her on her journey! This book is such an easy read and it is such a cute story. I love the way the Sandra writes. It is so descriptive! Great read!

I'm about 50 pages from finishing this third book in Sandra Byrd's wonderful French Twist series. I have loved all the books, and I'm savoring the final pages, beyond eager to find out how Lexi's story concludes! I hate to see this series end!