Eat Your Heart Out

by Victoria Brownlee

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 is 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?

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, France, Book Club, Literary Fiction

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2025

About the author

Victoria Brownlee is an Australian-born food writer. She's spent the best part of the last decade eating her way around the world, including a two-year stint in China where she was the Food & Drink Editor at Time Out Shanghai. In 2016, she traded dumplings for cheese, and stopped off in France for seven years. She's now back in Melbourne and is quietly contemplating her next move. She has an MA (Publishing and Communications) from the University of Melbourne, Australia.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘In the heart of Paris, surrounded by the aroma of freshly baked bread and a symphony of cheeses, I found myself not just healing from a broken heart but rediscovering the joy of life’s simple pleasures.’

Imagine getting dumped, packing your bags, and moving to Paris on a whim. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, that’s exactly what Ella does in Eat Your Heart Out, a delightful novel that blends heartbreak, self-discovery, and a whole lot of cheese into one irresistible story.

After her long term relationship crashes and burns, Ella leaves Melbourne behind and lands in the City of Love. But rather than diving headfirst into romance, she takes on an even better challenge, eating 365 different types of French cheese in a year. Along the way, she finds herself navigating charming Parisian streets, befriending eccentric locals, and, of course, dealing with the occasional romantic complication.

Brownlee’s writing is light, witty, and smooth. The beautiful descriptions will make you want to book a flight to France! But beyond Paris and the food, this is a story about reinvention, taking risks, and embracing the unexpected.

If you love books with travel, romance, and a side of delicious food, Eat Your Heart Out is a must read. Just make sure you have some snacks nearby, you’ll definitely be hungry by the end!

I Highly Recommend.

Many thanks to Affirm Press for my Advanced readers copy.

[georgia · Rating 3 out of 5]

i was so excited to read this book but it gave me nothing

[Madison Hole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why was this so bad? Zero chemistry between any of the characters, minimal plot, no intriguing twist, AND NO ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS IT BUILT UP!!

I wanted to love this so bad because the author is from Mornington, but in the words of Tyra Banks…

“I was rooting for you, we were all rooting for you! How dare you?!”

[Reviews.with.Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this in one sitting — it's sharp, heartfelt, and full of charm. The premise hooked me right away: two writers, Chloe and Henri, going head-to-head to ghostwrite a high-profile celebrity memoir. The dual POV worked so well — their banter, rivalry, and slow-burn chemistry had me fully invested.

Chloe is fierce, funny, and totally relatable, while Henri brings this cool, confident energy that balances her out perfectly. Carla, the celebrity at the heart of the story, is layered and fascinating — her voice added a real emotional punch. I loved how the story explored truth, authorship, and legacy, all wrapped up in a smart, character-driven narrative.

It’s the kind of book that makes you want to stay up late reading, with characters that linger long after the final page. Highly recommend if you’re into contemporary fiction with tension, heart, and a touch of romance.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever and funny story, featuring cut-throat food bloggers, an extreme weekend-long job interview in France, and so many delectable food references.

This was a fabulously quick and enjoyable read.

[Taylah Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok i’m gonna be honest this book wasn’t terrible but it’s not the best either. the one thing i did love was all the little challenges that the characters had to do (before it got out of hand….) Henri was annoying the fuck out of me and Chloe was such a bland character there was literally nothing there. It was an easy read, I listened to the audiobook so I think hearing Henri actually speak rather than read it did piss me off more so sorry but anyway 🫣

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fabulous! Loved the premise of this book, so clever!

Imagine, a weekend long interview with other candidates competing for a job. This is the most insane job interview ever!! I loved it!

I loved seeing what would happen next. As we get to know each person more, slowly, one by one they are sent home.

The twist was great, the ending wasn’t at all what I was expecting. All in all, I really enjoyed this one. It was different, the setting was gorgeous and it was highly entertaining!

It ticked all my boxes, armchair travel, delicious recipes, intriguing, delightful, flirty and fun! Highly recommend!

[Emilie (emiliesbookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I came for the bread, the wine and the cheese”

Chloe & Henri
Henri & Chloe
🥰

Australian Chloe is a food blog writer living in her dream city of Paris. While the blog doesn’t pay the bills she feels it’s one step closer to a paid food writing job

When famous chef Carla Duris sends an invitation for Chloe to dine at her exclusive restaurant Chez Duris, she can’t believe her luck!

But the tables are turned when mid dinner she is informed she has been selected along with 4 other food writers to interview for a special project Carla is working on

Chloe feels out of her depth compared to the other extremely qualified applicants. Especially Henri, the food editor of Le Cercle.

Oh the fabulous slow burn throughout this beautiful book! We follow the story through Chloe & Henri’s POVs, who are both wonderful, relatable characters.

Taking in the landmark Parisian sites and delicious food, I was hooked from the get go

The subtle Australian references and the chapter names added that perfect little extra something to the story

Devoured in a day, highly recommend this delicious book!

Thank you so much to the wonderful team at Affirm press for sending me a copy 🫶

[Eden Donoghue · Rating 2 out of 5]

2-2.5 ⭐️ I really don’t know what to say about this book! I really was enjoying it at the start and smashed out over half the book in a few hours. ! It kept me intrigued and trying to guess what was next. Then all of a sudden, I’m 90% through the book and the plot turns. The rest of the story line rushes very quickly, and has left me speechless and don’t have many words to say. I don’t like rating books low, but I don’t have much to say about this.

[Kailey Mendes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was bored, I’m sorry but this book gave me nothing.

[Joss Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

for fans of a great big beautiful life

[Renee Jamieson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ Probably rated it higher as I read it travelling the French Riviera 🇫🇷 Vibes were perfect

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thanks to Affirm Press for sending us a copy to read and review.
Sometimes a book enters your life and you fall in love.
It stimulates your reading mind and sneaks its way into your heart.
Eat Your Heart Out is that book!
I adored this story and when it’s released in March, I suggest you run and purchase a copy.
Infamous celebrity chef, Carla Duris has decided to write her memoir.
But first she needs to find someone to write it.
Enter food blogger, Chloe Bridgers, an Aussie in Paris who has been chosen.
The situation is a weekend of intense interviews with six other candidates, all from the food industry including handsome Henri, a French journalist.
But only one can win the covenant role…… no matter what happens….
A satisfying romcom with a hint of intrigue, delicious moments of food, a splash of romance, much drama and a whole lot of fun.
Heaps here to bring the happy, pleasure and reading glee.
I can promise you are in for a treat by picking up this book.
Alluring, seductive, flirty, joyous, charming and so delightful.

[Melody | Spilt Wine Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up an ARC of this book, and despite not usually being one for romance, I really liked it! Told through alternating POVs, Eat Your Heart Out follows Chloe, a Melbourne food blogger living in Paris, and Henri, a nepo-baby food writer, as they attend a weekend-long villa retreat, competing against each other - and other writers - for the chance to write the tell-all memoir of renowned French chef, Carla Duris. The whole setting gives Knives Out/White Lotus vibes, while the emerging love story between Chloe and Henri stays true to the genre. I loved how the switching chapters picked up exactly where the last left off, giving pivotal moments from each character as they happened. A fun story set in an idyllic location, with gorgeous descriptions of food and wine - what’s not to love!

[Niki Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entire way through this book the thriller girly in me was suss as shit thinking someone isn’t making it through this weekend. And as much as yes every one did survive the weekend someone still ended up stabbed in the end. 🤷‍♀️

[Suzie_b_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.. can’t quite give it 4, but definitely more than 3. Huge Knives Out vibes.

[Mon Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

What in the ‘Menu’ slash ‘Emily in Paris’ was this? But it was a little hidden gem that I ate up.
4.25

[Teagan Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this!!! Just not rating it 5 stars because I feel like the story could’ve gone on a bit longer & the character development could’ve been a little deeper.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! It was a whole conglomerate of things: mystery, romance, general fiction, food! It was well paced and easy to read, also the characters were fantastic!!

[Chloe Beaumont · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super easy read, but it felt so rushed. I also kinda wish the romance plot wasn’t included - it felt so unbelievable and unrealistic. As I said in a previous update, it was giving Knives Out but with the mention of fish in every second chapter…

[Amy Dillon · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

[Helena Ramírez Salas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy and quick read. It’s a good palate cleanser in between dense books. If you like food, cooking and competition you’ll have a good time.

[Rhiannon M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing special, easy plane read but like no chemistry between characters

[Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Francophile and foodie myself, the plot of this novel instantly drew me in… a food blogger finds herself in a competitive interview process for a coveted job to co-write the memoir of an elusive chef… with an array of colourful competitors fighting for the position, what could go wrong? 👀

Set against the picturesque backdrop of France, featuring elaborate challenges, an undercurrent of mystery and a hint of foul play, and of course, a delicious romance, what’s not to love? 🤌🏼

If you’re looking for something to fill the void while you wait for season five of Emily in Paris to be released, Victoria Brownlee has you covered! 🫶🏼🥰🇫🇷

🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
overall rating: 4.5 stars

[aplace_inthesun) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who could resist the offer of a weekend in the south of France, competing for a dream job. That’s exactly what Aussie food blogger Chloe and French American Henri do with a small group of contenders, who all want to win the coveted position of writing a memoir for a famous French restauranteur.

This book had a great premise as part of the competition. Kind of like a French reality show. As the book continues though I was waiting for the romance to develop, and waited and waited. I wondered if I’d kind of misread the whole point of the book, when it morphed a little into a kitschy suspense and it lost me a little unfortunately.

Thanks to Affirm for the early copy.

3.5 stars

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eat Your Heart Out by Victoria Brownlee

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.

*This book gifted to me from Better Reading in return for a review.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the food descriptions, wish there was more of that.

The plot on the other hand...

The whole weekend Chloe umms and ahhs about whether it's really worth all this effort for a dream job with a massive salary and an apartment in Paris. She had to eat delicious food and play tennis and go fishing and paint a picture and do some cooking while staying for free in a house in the South of France. Oh the horror!

And then as if to justify all her questioning the plot jumps the shark at around the 90% mark.

[Justine Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this would be a sweet romance involving food. At least I got the food part right. Didn't expect the mystery of an intense challenge weekend in France, with food writers pitted against each other.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 interviewturns 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.