Review: The Confectioner's Tale

The Confectioner's Tale by Laura Madeleine
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

The premise of this book had me eager to delve into this title. It enticed you in with the promise of a secret hidden in Paris.

At the famous Patisserie Clermont in Paris, 1909, a chance encounter with the owner's daughter has given one young man a glimpse into a life he never knew existed: of sweet cream and melted chocolate, golden caramel and powdered sugar, of pastry light as air. But it is not just the art of confectionery that holds him captive, and soon a forbidden love affair begins.

Almost eighty years later, an academic discovers a hidden photograph of her grandfather as a young man with two people she has never seen before. Scrawled on the back of the picture are the words 'Forgive me'. Unable to resist the mystery behind it, she begins to unravel the story of two star-crossed lovers and one irrevocable betrayal.

The bits of the book written and based around Paris in 1909 were enjoyable enough to read and the writing was as beautifully described at times like Kate Morton or authors of that ilk, unfortunately however, the introduction of the modern day grand daughter in search of the secret behind a photograph was dry and I found it almost impossible to empathise with her as a character or stir up any reaction to the biographer that was clearly seeking the same information.

This made the book grind to a holt for me and despite several attempts to draw myself back in when I got to the Paris Confectioners parts I inevitably found me back with the lack lustre grand daughter.

This is only my personal opinion and would in no way deter people from reading this book as it may be more up your street, it just didn't promise to be what I hoped it would be for me.

**This title was provided to me by Netgalley for a free and honest review**


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