Chloe Bridgers, Australian food blogger in Paris, has landed an interview to write the tell-all memoir of controversial celebrity chef Carla Duris. The only catch? To nab the role, she has to compete against a group of cut-throat, world-class food writers during a weekend-long job interview at the Duris family villa on the glistening Côte d’Azur.
Already feeling like a fish out of water, Chloe starts to worry that old-school French journalist Henri de la Fontaine has been sabotaging her from the get-go. But is winning the only thing he has in mind?
As the weekend unfolds, interviewees are seemingly sent packing at random and tensions among those remaining boil over. Does Chloe have what it takes to land the job, or will she become the next casualty in the fight to write for Madame Duris?
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I really enjoyed this novel, Victoria Brownlee has brought to life very engaging characters in Chloe & Henri. The premise of several food critics coming together to vie for a coveted position which is to write the memoir of a famous, yet elusive chef is entertaining & also has an air of intrigue as they are required to spend a weekend at the chefs villa engaging in different challenges that are somewhat interesting & sometimes dangerous. It has a great little twist at the end. I highly recommend adding this to a TBR list. Wendy, WA, 5 stars
Eat Your Heart Out is the perfect book for those times when you want to switch off from the busyness of everyday life and sink into a story that is light yet highly engaging. The premise of the book was really intriguing and unique: Chloe, an Australian food blogger living in Paris, is thrilled to be invited to the private estate of her culinary idol, Carla Duris, to compete for the chance to win a lucrative contract to co-author Carla’s highly anticipated memoir. The opportunity appears too good to be true and, as the weekend unfolds, it emerges that not everything is as it seems. I absolutely loved the way the author combined a sweet and subtle love story with a pinch of murky mystery. The foodie references throughout, and the gorgeous cover, make this an extra special read. Amanda, QLD, 5 stars
A wonderfully written book by Victoria Brownlee. Set in the live capital of Paris a foodies delight. How every chapter goes from character to character makes you see everyone’s point of view . Victoria has really captured the essence of being a blogger Lorraine, VIC, 5 stars
Chloe is a food blogger living in Paris who is selected as a potential candidate to write the memoir of infamous celebrity chef, Carla. She is invited to the chef’s villa for a weekend of competition against a group of food writers to see who will land the job. Along the way there is plenty of tension and it becomes survival of the fittest to see who will make it to the end. Teaming up with rival, Henri, sparks start to fly and Chloe has to decide whether she really wants the job with Carla. It’s like all your favourite reality shows rolled into a sweet foodie rom com. A bit of MasterChef, a bit Survivor and a touch of The Apprentice. This was a light and funny story with great characters and lots of laughable moments. It’s very entertaining and I would highly recommend. Lee, VIC, 5 stars
I loved this book, Paris, food, romance. 6 food bloggers, but who will be the one to write the memoir of celebrity chef – Carla Duris? The writers must sign and NDA and then participate is a strange and dangerous interview process where they will be eliminated one at a time. The book is written from the point of view of 2 of the writers – Chloe Bridgers, from Australia and Henri de la Fontaine from France. Henri falls for Chloe. Chloe’s not sure if Henri’s feelings are true or if he just wants to win. The descriptions of food will leave your mouth watering. Debbie, VIC, 5 stars
Romance, intrigue, adventure, danger and food. Eat your heart out has all of these and more. A joy to experience like a special dinner or a trip to remember. A great read! Shannan, NSW, 5 stars
We have read the books where you ask the question ‘who done it’. In this book you ask the question ‘who is to be chosen to write the memoir of Carla Duris, a celebrity chef. Told mainly through the eyes of Chloe and Henri, we are taken on a journey of delving into the personalities of the six finalists and who will be the lucky one. An unexpected twist at the end makes this book a must read. I am sure it will sell many copies. The author deserves it as it is well crafted and hard to put down. Cheryl, VIC, 5 stars
What a fantastic read! Masterchef meets The Bachelor. Fans of Liane Moriarty will love this book as much as I did. Chloe Bridgers a food blogger and food editor Henri de la Fontaine are invited to interview to write a memoir for highly-esteemed celebrity chef Carla Duris. But this is an interview like no other and it soon becomes clear this “dream” job could be literally to-die-for. I loved this book from beginning to end with twists and turns that kept me guessing right til the very end. Definitely 5 stars from me! Justine, NSW, 5 stars
I loved this book, it reminded me of myself when reading about Chloe. As I’m retired and I have the time I read this in one day. Reading about Chloe, she has given me more confidence in myself. I highly recommend reading this. Karen, QLD, 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book! I feel like this would have been me in a lucky life but unfortunately my food blog hasn’t quite taken off yet!!! The story follows the views of two main characters, Chloe and Henri who are in the food writing scene. They end up getting invited to a special event at famous restaurant, Chez Duris, where they are up against other foodies, vying for a job to write a memoir for celebrity chef, Carla Duris. As the night unfolds, they find out they will be spending a weekend away at Carla’s villa on the Cote d’Azur. But little do they know they will be put to the test in the most absurd ways. It was so much fun reading this and seeing how people see things so differently in other perspectives. Francis, NSW, 5 stars
Make sure that you book the correct time to start this novel as you will want to read it all in one sitting, restaurant puns intended. Chloe is the ultimate main character with her hopes and fears right there on the page, ready to mirror your own. Who hasn’t felt nervous when staring down that dream job? Add in the complication of Henry and you are in for a very funny, though not so predictable, ride. The novel is set usually, with either Chloe or Henry leading the scene in each chapter, and this lends the reader to gaining a better perspective of what is unfolding. This also assists the reader tin delving deeper into the storyline, making them feel sometimes like they are the keeper of secrets from either of the two main characters. Do not be tempted to shout them out however, unless you want to share this wonderful story with whoever is sitting near you at the time. Suzanne, VIC, 5 stars
Set in Paris, one of my favourite cities in the world, I had high hopes for this book. Add in the food and wine culture, and I was sold. This story had my mouth watering and my Wanderlust returning in equal measure. There was an extra tug on my heartstrings as a woman also living the other side of the world from my family. The story was told alternately from Chloe and Henri’s point of view, with the occasional chapter from the other interviewees thrown in. While I enjoyed Chloe’s POV, I didn’t feel Henri’s was quite as strong. However, I enjoyed the writing style and the pace of the book, and it really had me hooked from the first chapter. It was a light and easy read which I finished in a weekend. Loved it Laura, NSW, 5 stars
A pleasant surprise, a romance novel with a twist. Set in France but bridging scenes to Tasmania this is a welcome romance novel with some clever twists. I enjoyed the use of a job interview to build the tension. The characters were cleverly plotted. A very enjoyable read. Ainsley, QLD, 5 stars
In Eat Your Heart Out the main characters are Chloe, an Australian and Henri, a Paris local. They are chosen as part of a group of food writers to compete for a job with a famous chef, Carla Duris. The story stars slowly as we are introduced to the characters and gets more exciting as the group is taken for a weekend of challenges at a French villa with the mysterious chef and her staff. As the challenges get tougher and stranger characters grow closer while others wonder who they can trust and if they really want the job. Told from the points of view of Chloe and Henri you see how their feelings change. This book had drama, mystery and romance. It also mentions a lot of food, leaving you craving croissants and lamingtons after reading. Rachel, VIC, 4 stars
Reading this book was like going on a holiday! I felt like I was whisked away for the weekend with the characters. I loved the premise of this book and all characters – particularly Henri, Chloe and Carla! It is written from the perspectives of many of the characters which I thought added such good depth to each character (especially Balthazar!). I loved all the mystery and the intrigue, the story really drew me in and I wanted to know what was going to happen. The twist was great! A great read, I devoured in a weekend. It has all the ingredients I love – a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, great characters, fun dialogue, food and travel! A true rom-com book, would definitely recommend. Brooke, NSW, 4 stars
Entering the wonderful world of food writers which is something I have always been totally fascinated about. The main character of this novel, Chloe, is in Paris and has been chosen as one of a select group of writers to interview for the right to write a memoir about the infamous Madame Duris. She soon realises the competition is fierce. It is almost like a Hunger Games with various activities the group all need to compete in, many seemingly unrelated to writing. The entire weekend is crazy with people leaving the villa one by one as they make mistakes. Chloe must rely on her wits and natural talents to keep her in the game. The descriptions of the Cote D’Azur are sparkling and I enjoyed the change of narration from participant to participant, giving more of an overall view of events than just one person’s point of view. I did feel some of the characters could have been a bit more developed than the main two characters though. I enjoyed the character of Chloe, she seemed like someone I would be friends with. This is an armchair travellers dream for those who can’t afford to visit France. Debra, NSW, 4 stars
Chloe, an Australian food blogger living in Paris, is invited to apply for the job of a lifetime with top chef Carla Duris. The story unfolds over one weekend at Carla’s property, where Chloe and other competitors participate in a series of challenges. After each challenge, a competitor is dismissed until only the victor remains. Narrated alternately by Chloe and her potential love interest, Henri, a fellow competitor, the story is a fun blend of Master Chef and The Apprentice. Will Chloe win the job of her dreams or something even better? With the thrill of competition and budding romance keeping you hooked from start to finish, Eat Your Heart Out is engaging read. If you’re a fan of cooking shows, reality TV, or rom-coms, this book is for you. Anne, VIC, 4 stars
Victoria Brownlee’s debut novel ‘Eat Your Heart Out’ blends food journalism with romance on the French Riviera. The story follows Australian food blogger Chloe Bridgers as she competes against five other writers to pen celebrity chef Carla Duris’ memoir during a weekend at her luxurious Côte d’Azur villa. Drawing from her own experience as a food writer, Brownlee creates an authentic portrayal of the industry’s inner workings, from wine-soaked dinners to professional rivalries. The novel’s heart lies in the slow-burn romance between Chloe and French journalist Henri de la Fontaine, whose chemistry simmers throughout. The supporting characters are well-developed, each competing writer and Chef Carla herself bringing depth and intrigue to the story. While following familiar romantic comedy conventions, Brownlee’s insider knowledge and strong characterisation elevate the novel beyond typical genre fare, creating a satisfying literary experience that, like a good meal, is skilfully prepared and stylishly presented. Laura, WA, 4 stars
What an interesting concept for a book. Bit of romance, bit of mystery, bit of rivalry, bit of cooking all set in the beautiful French Riviera. Eat Your Heart Out is a fun read which took me on a culinary journey and the intensity to which food writers and chefs will venture to ply their trade. The main characters of Chloe and Henri each get the chance to tell the story from their point of view which makes the reader pivot between their allegiance to their cause. I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it as an easy read for anyone wanting to succumb to the delights of French food and culture. Robyn, QLD, 4 stars
Never has there been a more accurate tag line than Emily Henry meets Knives Out! This was cozy and fun, while at the same time having me on the edge of my seat, and laughing out loud. I wanted to savour every word but couldn’t stop reading. Laura, VIC, 4 stars
A fun light hearted romance about a Australian food blogger living in Paris. Four out of five stars! Jacinda, NSW, 4 stars
If you love food, travel, quirky characters, and romance, then you’ll love Eat Your Heart Out by Victoria Brownlee! Chloe, an Aussie food blogger, trying her best to live her dream life in Paris, receives an invitation to have dinner at Chez Duris, the restaurant of her food idol, Carla Duris. At dinner, with five other foodies, she discovers that Carla is going to choose one of them to write her tell-all memoir. The catch? They will need to compete in a series of challenges designed by Carla herself. And so begins a weekend at Carla’s sumptuous Cote d’Azur estate, where Chloe finds herself increasingly distracted by the disturbingly gorgeous food journalist, Henri. Can she keep her eyes on the prize – and what exactly is the prize, anyway? I loved this book! The eccentric characters, the amazing descriptions of food and scenery, and the challenges faced by the group had me hooked. This is a perfect summer holiday read, or, even better, read it on a cold blustery day and be transported to the South of France for a delightful and romantic read. Lisa, NSW, 4 stars
An interesting and fresh concept that has you feeling as if you are in the heart of France. I loved the cross-over between romance and mystery in this fun, and funny novel by Victora Brownlee. Phoebe, VIC, 4 stars
Victoria’s debut novel is a delicious mix of drama, suspense, ego, food, writing and touch of romance. Told mostly from the point is of views of Chloe, a food blogger from Eat Me Paris and Henri, food critic at Le Cercle. The two are invited along with a number of other food writers to a dinner at Chez Duris, the celebrated restaurant of France’s most well known chefs Carly Duris. Here they learn that they are in the running to help Carly write her memoir. Moving from Paris to Carly’s decadent home in the Antibes and then yacht in the Mediterranean we get to enjoy all the luxurious parts of France. The interview turns out to be a milder form of The Hunger Games with a challenges that increasingly harder. I knew the world of food critics could be cutthroat but was next level! The competition side of things definitely kept the novel moving along and I loved the reality Tv touch of seeing the competitors points of views as they were eliminated. Intwined with that is the enemies to lovers and forced proximity romance between Henri and Chloe. I enjoyed getting to know both their back stories and the fact they had both had French and Australian connections. I loved seeing their romance play out and particularly enjoyed the scene on the train where they were both stalking each other’s instagram profiles. I enjoyed seeing how everything played out and was particularly happy with the ending. The old adage of never meeting your hero certainly rang true in this one. All the right ingredients for a fun novel. Kirsten, ACT, 4 stars
This was such a fun read. I am an avid foodie and j’adore la France so this book was right up my alley. It was a combination of ‘my food knowledge rules (if such a show existed!)’ and ‘Survivor’. The chapters were quick, easy to follow as you always knew which characters were narrating and they left you wanting more. The friendship and rivalry shone through, and you really wanted to keep reading to see who came out on top. A fun romcom with a twist. I loved it. Celia, SA, 4 stars
What a delightful book this was to read. It is hard to put down and the story just flows and finds its way into your heart. A wonderful mix of characters kept me intrigued to the very end. Keryn, SA, 4 stars
The knives come out in this addictive read. Victoria portrays the food critic scene and characters so well, pairing it with the intriguing and mysterious job offer from Carla. As the interviews unfold it is hard not to become invested in who will eventually win and what they have to entail to get there! Sarah, QLD, 4 stars
Great plot, lots of twists and turns Bek, NSW, 4 stars
Some days you want to read Tolstoy, other days you need something a little bit frothier – but still with soul! If you enjoy books about attractive people (some immensely likeable, some deliciously mean), beautiful places, and magnificent food, with a generous dollop of mystery, adventure and romance added, then Eat Your Heart Out ticks all the boxes. Chloe, an Australian food blogger living in France, Henri, a journalist and food editor for a popular French magazine, and several other foodie contenders meet for a weekend at the Cote D’Azur. But it’s no holiday. All are competing for a prized position to write the memoirs of temperamental, beautiful, mysterious and very rich celebrity chef, Carla Duris. These ambitious young contenders must perform a range of tasks as part of the selection process; no explanations are given and the competition is fierce. I really enjoyed this fun and well-written book, and sat up rather too late in the night to finish it (with a smile on my face). Susan, VIC, 4 stars
Victoria Brownlee’s Eat Your Heart Out is an engaging rom/com set in Paris and the Côte d’Azur. Chloe has left her family in Tasmania to travel to Paris in order to write a blog on the food scene. Her impetus was her devotion to the famous Parisian chef, Carla Duris. When she is given the chance to interview for the upcoming memoir of Carla, she is ecstatic but nervous. Five other writers are also vying for the opportunity. They all must travel to Carla’s villa at the Côte d’Azur and undertake a series of challenges to secure the position. Henri, from an old French family, is attracted to Chloe but can she trust him? Although there are vibes between them the challenges leave them misunderstanding the others’ actions. Carla has set some weird and ruthless challenges that test them all. These are truly over the top. It is a real page turner. My advice is don’t read on an empty stomach. I was salivating most of the book. The food sounded delicious. Annette, ACT, 4 stars
This is a fun, romantic romp about the French food scene, set in Paris and on the French Riviera. Chloe, a Tasmanian now living in Paris as a food blogger, is one of an assorted group of food writers invited to interview for a position with mysterious celebrity chef Carla Duris, as part of an extraordinary weekend in glittering Antibes. The story is narrated in turns by Chloe and fellow invitee Henri de la Fontaine (who has his own reasons for wanting to escape from what others see as a dream job), with brief statements by other characters. Tension starts to mount as the long interview progresses – who, if anyone, can be trusted? I especially enjoyed the engaging sense we get of Chloe’s life in France, which she loves despite her family’s pleas for her to return to Australia, and which is particularly appealing for those of us who’ve always yearned for something similar: “… I was completely devoted to Paris – the church bells on a Sunday morning, the wine with lunch, the literary history woven through the bookstores and cafes… I’d come to love the freedom that came with being an expat, the lack of expectations, the otherness of living and speaking in French.” A light-hearted, enjoyable read, sure to please Francophiles and foodies alike. Mandy, TAS, 4 stars
This book had all of my favourite things – food, romance, travel and fun! I found it to be a fun, lighthearted, quick read. Emily, QLD, 3 stars
Eat Your Heart Out is a blend of fabulous French food, intrigue and romance. Tasmanian Chloe loves life in Paris but hates her dreary job. She writes a food blog as a side line and enjoys tasting as much fabulous French food as she can afford. Her idol is controversial chef Carla Duris and when she suddenly gets an invitation for a weekend on the Cote d’Azur in the Duris villa to take part in a competition with other food writers she can’t resist. The winner will be chosen to write the mysterious Carlas memoir. The competitors get to taste amazing food, asked to perform unusual tasks and show whether they are suitable for the job. Rivalries and romance blossom. A lighthearted, well written book by an author who obviously knows the food scene. Renate, QLD, 3 stars
Eat Your Heart Out was a fun read with romance, intrigue and a few surprises along the way. I was hoping for a more exciting ending and would’ve loved to know the contents of the offer letters Chloe and Henri received but otherwise I enjoyed this book. Ruth, NSW, 3 stars
It all begins when Chloe, Australian food blogger living in Paris, is invited to dinner at her favourite restaurant Chez Duris. The owner/head chef Carla Duris has invited six other food writers also. One them is French journalist Henri de la Fontaine. Henri took over as food editor at Le Cercle from his Uncle Michel. Michel was continually finding ways to stick his nose in and telling Henri what to do and how to do it. At the beginning of the dinner, the food writers were informed that Carla wanted them to interview for the role of working closely with her to write her memoir. If they accept, an NDA had to be signed and spend a weekend at the Duris family villa in Antibes on the Cote d’Azur. The interviewees go through a rather strange and dangerous interview process and each would be knocked out one by one. The last one standing would secure the role and spend a whole year with Carla to write the memoir. Henri falls for Chloe, but Chloe isn’t sure is he genuine or just wants to win the role. Thanks #BRPreview for giving me the opportunity to preview Eat Your Heart Out. Renae, QLD, 3 stars
Eat Your Heart Out by Victoria Brownlee is a story about a celebrity chef – Carla- who inherits her Father’s restaurant after he died unexpectedly from a heart attack. Carla then decides she wants to write her memoir, hosting a dinner for 6 Food Writers at her restaurant to let them know they’ve been chosen to potentially write the memoir. Then comes the weekend long interview process at Carla’s property & that’s when things start to turn a bit strange for the 6 Food Writers. The book is told from both Chloe & Henri’s points of view, with each chapter going between the 2. With a small chapter dedicated to each interviewee when they’re told they’re unsuccessful. Overall it’s a great read, but it probably wouldn’t have been a book I’d pick up if I saw it in the bookstore. Amanda, NSW, 3 stars
What a fun and flavorful premise! As someone who appreciates both storytelling and good food, this novel hit all the right notes for me. The behind-the-scenes view of food journalism, the tension of competition, and the dreamy settings in Paris and the Côte d’Azur made for a truly escapist read. I also loved the descriptions of the meals and culinary atmosphere — it reminded me of the joy that comes from exploring beloved dishes in real life too. I recently stumbled across a site sharing classic Filipino comfort food that took me down a delicious memory lane — here’s one with some of the best food menu ideas I’ve seen in a while. Thanks for spotlighting this book — I’ll definitely be recommending it to fellow food lovers!
> Thanks for sharing this preview! *Eat Your Heart Out* by Victoria Brownlee sounds like a fun and engaging read, especially for readers who enjoy stories filled with food, travel, and personal growth. Your review does a great job of highlighting what makes the book appealing without giving too much away. I always enjoy discovering new recommendations through posts like this. While exploring different lifestyle and food-related content online, I also came across the Mixue Menu USA, which offers a variety of popular drinks and desserts. Looking forward to reading your full review once you’ve finished the book!