A couple of weeks ago, Barbie Robinson from Living Arts Canberra did an interview with me about A Secret Garden in Paris–an interview I thoroughly enjoyed, her questions were so interesting! It’s now up online, as is her lovely review of the book.
Here’s a short extract from the review:
This book is a complete delight. The author carries us with her characters through their trammels and triumphs, and provides hopeful and happy endings (thank you!). There is nothing trite about this story, though. We are ever conscious that fixing things requires work, intention and sweat playing equal roles in each of these stories and the correlation to our own reality is very clear.
You can read the whole review, and listen to the interview, here.
There’s a fabulous gathering of wonderful reviews of A Secret Garden in Paris, from readers who participated in Better Reading’s Preview opportunity, which meant they could read advance copies of the book. I am just so thrilled and touched by the warmth with which so many people have responded to my novel–thank you all so much! Many thanks to Better Reading and Ultimo Press for making it possible.
What a lovely surprise to discover, the latest (December) issue of Australia’s bestselling magazine, the Australian Women’s Weekly, a truly fabulous review of A Secret Garden in Paris--I am so delighted!
The first advance reviews of A Secret Garden in Paris are coming in on Goodreads, and they’re wonderful. I am so absolutely delighted!
Here’s some short extracts:
In A Secret Garden in Paris, Sophie Beaumont has shown gardens not only to be places of beauty and tranquility for all to enjoy but uses them as the setting for the characters to come to terms with problems and situations they are facing. Their involvement with gardens and flowers helps each of the women find peace and solutions to the challenges of life plus also making it an enjoyable book to read. (Vicki)
I loved learning about these women, where they had come from and what challenges they were dealing with in their lives. It was also amazing to discover how their lives intertwined. This truly is a story of love and loss, romance and revelations, and what better setting for it than a secret Paris garden. (Maree)
What an absolute joy to read. With Parisian grandmother Mattie as the central figure, surrounded by a collection of characters all dealing with sorrow while trying to move forward. I’m by no means an avid gardener, yet the descriptions of the beautiful gardens around Paris made it easy for me to feel like I was walking through them. With a healthy dose of romance, a few beautiful friendships and the strength of family this was a beautiful read that has left a huge smile on my face and joy in my heart. (Libby)
The first advance review of Sabina and the Cats of Rome has just appeared, and it’s absolutely lovely! The review is by Brenton Cullen and has appeared in Books+Publishing this week. Here’s a short extract (full review is for B+P subscribers only):
Masson’s storytelling is engaging and accessible, offering simplicity for independent reading while maintaining a rich plot. Laura Wood’s black and white illustrations bring Sabina and Cleo to life, depicting seven scenes from the story...
It’s a great start for this fun little chapterbook, which is coming out with Christmas Press in October.
Well, this is such a lovely surprise: the first advance review(on Instagram) of the North American edition of The Paris Cooking School! The book is out in the USA and Canada on August 6, published by Alcove Press (and distributed by Penguin Random House). Exciting! If you’re in the US or Canada around that time, and you spot the novel in a bookshop, do let me know and post a pic 🙂 And for my North American friends, here’s a link to preorder if you’re interested: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768597/the-paris-cooking-school-by-sophie-beaumont/
Absolutely brilliant news for The Paris Cooking School: it is the featured Great Read in the Australian Women’s Weekly latest (December) edition! That means a full page review in Australia’s most beloved and bestselling magazine–a real accolade! It’s an absolutely lovely review, too, here’s a short extract:
Learning to live and love again in the streets of Paris, city of romance, is not a new idea, but there is a freshness and vivacity to this cooking school novel that is utterly beguiling. Maybe it’s the mouth-watering and intricate food descriptions that send readers into a reverie, because be warned: You will be reaching for the frying pan, cracking eggs and slicing in decadent shards of butter and handfuls of fresh herbs in no time. Or maybe it is just the possibility of abandoned amour that follows our characters along every street…
It just came out yesterday, but already, The Paris Cooking School has received some wonderful reviews! On the Better Reading site, for example, readers have contributed lots of fabulous reviews, including many 5 star ones, you can check them all out here. Just a few lovely examples below:
A tale of Sylvie (owner of The Paris Cooking School), Gabi (a talented artist suffering creative block), and Kate (searching for peace and reprieve after a deep betrayal from her ex-husband). Each character is on a separate journey of looking within, finding what sets their soul on fire, and learning to believe in themselves, discovering their inner critic doesn’t always accurately depict the truth. Sylvie, Kate and Gabi, while on very different paths, gain a deep understanding of who they really are, what they need to be happy and how to allow that happiness to impact the hope for a beautiful, soul-satisfying future. A great read, hard to put down and written in such a way that you become invested in each character’s outcome. Pennie, QLD, 5 Stars
The Paris Cooking School was a joy to read. I loved the descriptions of Paris – I want to go back, and I want to eat all those lovely dishes and drink the wine and taste the cheese. The characters and romance were delightful – a really great holiday read, or light read if you need a break from mysteries and murders and heavy subjects. Sophie Beaumont’s descriptive writing made one feel as if you were there, picnicking on the banks of the Seine, watching the people and sights. I could almost taste the strawberry tart. A story of hope and looking forward, I loved it. Joy, VIC, 5 Stars
The Paris Cooking School is a beautiful read about three women who meet at The Paris Cooking School. Two Aussie students from rival capital cities and each running away from their own suffocating lives. One the elegant owner and teacher facing unsettling issues of her own. As the book unfolds, it is amazing to see all three characters develop, grow and flourish. Is it all smooth sailing? No, but every step gives you more understanding and love for the characters. They become real so you will cringe at their outbursts and cheer for their successes. Sophie has created gorgeous and relatable characters and given us the dreamy setting of a month in Paris. It will surely be a hit! Mary, SA, 5 Stars
Many more lovely reviews from Better Reading contributors here.
Reviews have appeared on Instagram, here’s extracts from some below:
From the very beginning, l was hooked to the point that every page had my taste buds come alive. The description of the food seriously came alive through each page. It was like, l too,could taste every bite the characters were tasting. YUM! The novel centres around three gorgeous ladies who have relationship issues. Enough to have them wanting to escape reality. What a perfect way to deal with those issues by enrolling in a four week French Cooking School to learn to cook – the French way! The story links these beautiful women with perfect descriptions of delicious food as well as the sceneries of Paris with love, hope, adventure, and some good old soul searching for second chances and new beginnings. I particularly loved how the postscript takes place a year later and into their futures. This beautifully written novel is about friendships and the most incredible Parisian food. It is undoubtedly the perfect holiday read that will leave your heart bursting with all the magical feels. (Lisa at Coffee and Pages)
The Paris Cooking School is a sumptuous feast for the senses that illuminates the delectable art of combining storytelling with food. As you meander through the streets of Paris, you are immediately drawn into its living culture and realise that the City of Light itself, is a dynamic character in the novel. The cooking school provides the perfect backdrop for the characters to explore their motivations and various relationships while expressing their obvious love of French food culture with all the trimmings. There are flirtatious and romantic entanglements for Gabi, Kate and Sylvie, who are all in the midst of personal uncertainty. The paths of each of the women, although very different, intersect seamlessly, and we journey alongside with them as they navigate new paths for themselves. This novel provides a lighthearted escape for anyone who enjoys reading about love, food and travel. (The Organised Classroom)
There’s also very nice reviews on Goodreads, for example:
Reading this novel made you want to go to the Paris Cooking School for both the food and the enriched human relationship experience. There was carefully woven backstories into the novel and as well as some romances that all varied in their intensity, and an unexpected twist or two. It left me wanting mouth-watering food, more Paris, and to follow the characters as the story unfolds following the ending of this book. It was a marvellous balance between relaxing and hard to put down. Bon Appetit! (Larissa Collins)
Author Sophie Beaumont, who was brought up in France and Australia, has an exquisite knowledge of both Paris and French food, and she has used that delightfully in this novel. It’s an expertly crafted tale of twists and turns that draws the reader in as the characters’ lives are transformed. The story is simply a feast, a perfect concoction of secrets, heartaches and love. (Don Baker)
“The Paris Cooking School” creates a mood which stays with you as the characters in the story come to life. This includes Paris herself; her sights, sounds, tastes and smells….A perfect holiday read, for lovers of Josephine Moon, Monica McInerney and Maeve Binchy. (Christine)
And finally, a beautiful review, in French, by Sydney-based French novelist Olivier Vojetta. Here’s a short extract:
Another wonderful review of The Key to Rome has just been published, this time on the Read Plus blog. Here’s a short extract:
Highly recommended.
Sophie Masson is a master at weaving historical facts into captivating stories, and this book is no exception….The exciting plot moves along well, and readers are drawn into the dangerous game Livia is playing when she tries to figure out what the key means and why her uncle and his enemies will do anything to get or destroy it. But will they uncover the truth in time to stay alive? Detailed background notes and a glossary at the back of the book are very helpful additions for young readers.
Feathers of the Firebird 