by Ruth Reichl
First published 2024
Stella receives an unexpected inheritance when her estranged mother dies: a one-way ticket to Paris and a simple note telling her to go. Stella prefers routines and safety after childhood trauma shaped her cautious nature. She reluctantly travels to Paris, where she initially maintains her frugal, careful habits. Everything changes when she discovers a vintage shop and impulsively buys a stunning Dior dress. The dress becomes her companion as she explores the city. At the famous brasserie Les Deux Magots, Stella tastes oysters for the first time and meets Jules, an elderly art collector. Jules introduces her to the vibrant literary, artistic, and culinary circles of 1980s Paris. Stella begins staying at the legendary bookstore Shakespeare & Company as a "tumbleweed." She uncovers secrets hidden in a century-old Manet painting and awakens a deep passion for food that connects to her forgotten past. Through decadent meals and new friendships, Stella learns what it means to embrace a fuller, richer life beyond her comfort zone.
Genres: fiction, romance, literary-fiction, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Paris
Period: 1980s
272 pages · Hardcover · Random House