Odette Rising: A Novel

by Julianne Edwards

An unconventional young woman in turn-of-the-century France ascends to her full potential in this mesmerizing coming-of-age story

It’s 1897 in Sèvres, France and, from her bedroom window, Odette Huré watches a funeral bier carry her father’s coffin away. She is twenty-one and she has not left the house for ten years.

Odette has become ever more reclusive — spending her days reading and soothing herself with food. With the sudden death of her father, the walls she has built around herself begin to crumble. Forced into society, she discovers she is now responsible for a fortune and a stockings factory – renowned for its exquisite designs which adorn the slender ankles of Parisian femmes célèbres.

Now Odette must try and navigate the world she has hidden from for so long. In doing so, she must excavate the secrets left behind by her father and in turn, accept the shocking truth about her own identity and all that she is capable of. Odette is a protagonist—complex and flawed, but compelling and full of warmth—we can whole-heartedly root for as we watch her rise.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, France, Coming Of Age, Adult, Literary Fiction

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2026

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of early copy received from Netgalley

Swordhwart meets Greenteeth… without the magic.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but this book felt like a pleasant surprise. This coming of age, self acceptance and growth story felt like a cozy warm hug.

Odette took some warming up for me, but I feel that is reflective of how she sees herself too. Odette is thrown into a life change and has to adjust, but brings empathy and innocence to it in a refreshing way. She wants to do good even though she doesn’t feel that in return from her surroundings.

A few trigger warnings should be investigated before you jump into this one: including self harm.

I loved my time with Odette and with Polo 💛

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I liked it?

The story ebbed and flowed and I wish the story moved along in a more streamline way. The writing was well developed, but our characters weren’t as fleshed out as I was hoping. Especially our main character! It took me majority of the book to root for her sadly. The audio was enjoyable. And the cover is stunning!

Might be for you if you like:
Coming of age stories
Set in Paris
Found family

[Angelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a vibrant story with characters so fully crafted. And it's well paced with plenty of moving parts and conflicts to solve. This is more than a coming of age story, it's a coming into your own person story.

It’s 1897 in Sevres, France and Odette finds herself in sudden possession of her father's fortune and his business. Up until this point she has spent her life behind walls, shielding herself from society while finding comfort from food, books, and on occasion- self-harm.

She is now propelled into an unreceptive society where naivety is both a gift and barrier as she endeavors to save her father’s business and uncover his secrets.

I was not surprised to read in the author's note that she is also a psychotherapist. So much about shame, body image, self harm, hard choices, forgiveness, societal judgments, and grief are woven into the story.

Highly recommend picking this book up. Releases 10/13.

Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book and was sorry to put it down once I had finished it. It was somewhat quirky and definitely unique. This is a story about personal growth and transformation, but this was told very differently than other similar tales.

Odette is a young woman who lives an entirely isolated existence until the sudden death of her father. She leaves the house for the first time in years to attend his burial. Upon inheriting the family hosiery business, she has no choice but to figure out how she must navigate the world.

While some of the plot points in the book stretched the imagination a bit, it all worked together beautifully. There were also many pointed and poignant insights into human nature throughout the book. Overall, it was a lovely story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for this advanced copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. The characters were so strongly written and real that I actually found myself not only caring about them, but also getting angry and frustrated, to the point that I had to put the book down for two days because I was so mad at some choices made by Odette. The plot was interesting and rich. At times I felt that the author packed in too many challenges and obstacles, but, ultimately, I liked how those events moved the story along. And the writing was beautiful. The author captured so many real, raw emotions: grief and loss, shame, despair, hope, friendship, love. This deeply-damaged character's growth arc was real and her strength was well-earned. I look forward to recommending Odette Rising to my friends.

[Novel Visits · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this historical fiction with a very atypical main character. I thought the first half was stronger than the second, but enjoyed the time I spent outside of Paris with Odette. Full review to follow.

[Harriet Diggle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

This book is written so beautifully that I really couldn’t believe that this is the author’s debut novel. The descriptions of fashion and food in particular were glorious, and Odette jumped off the pages from the very first moment we met her.

While this is a slower paced novel, it didn’t feel like a drag at any point. I think that if you enjoy classic literature and historical fiction but you’re craving a bit more depth and perhaps a more accessible reading experience, then you’ll absolutely love this.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

𝑶𝒅𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆 𝑹𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒚 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆 𝑬𝒅𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑺𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒉 𝑺𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒊, graciously #gifted to me by @orionbooks via @netgalley and is available now.

It is 1896 France and we first meet Odette as she is watching her father's coffin being taken away. Isolated, she has spent the last decade of her 21 years sequestered in her home finding comfort in food. Her largesse is shocking only as far as her actually leaving her home begins to be as she is forced to make decisions in regard to her new ownership of the hosiery factory her father built.

Odette slowly became an owner of her own life in these pages and I found the journey to be profound and beautiful, while also heartbreaking in the truths she had to confront. Her feelings of shame turned to inward strength with the help of a few key figures, and yet, she also learned the cost of loving friends and the hurt of betrayals.

(*Possible Spoiler*) Odette never changed her size, but instead became the kind of woman that took up space in other ways that she had not before and I absolutely loved that. It was almost like her outward self was finally being filled with the inner qualities that needed that physical presence.

Slimani took this story and gave Odette the voice that grew with her coming-of-age. It was a beautiful way to engage this novel and I recommend it fully.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem of a novel. It's 1898 Sevres and Odette, an agoraphobic with body issues, has suddenly inherited her father's hose factory. And a mysterious house. She's alone in the world with the exception of the housekeeper, cook, and Merry the coal boy. It's Merry who starts her on her journey and who gifts her Polo the mouse. Odette must confront prejudice, presumption, and herself to keep the factory going. The death of her neighbor Monsieur Feld changes everything as she befriends Arielle Feld. And then there's Berthe, who might seem a villain but hold on. Beauclar the manager of the factory periodically offers his view of things and a look at his life. Know that Odette cuts herself and that she makes a terrible choice. This is atmospheric, immersive, and filled with terrific characters and unexpected turns (including a long kept secret.). It deserves to be read and further, read without spoilers. Thanks to edelweiss for the ARC. This is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Kim Lockhart]

Classic case of "It's not you; it's me." The writing is simply a mismatch for me. It happens.

[MaryBeth's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odette Hure is a bit of a hermit and when her father dies she is thrust into a life that she is not expecting, but handles with grace and kindness. I greatly enjoyed this novel, set in France at the turn of the century. It was an easy read with characters you can't help but root for! Odette, Merry, and Polo will not be soon forgotten! This is the perfect read for a winter day.

[Emma S · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel***

Odette Rising is a coming-of-age story focusing on a sheltered women in Sevres, France, who inherits her father's hosiery business. I enjoyed the framework of this book, and many of the characters were interesting, but I felt like it fell a little flat for me. I wanted more detail about the characters or additional perspectives besides Odette and the occasional addition from Beauclerc. I enjoyed the setting, and the concept of three women taking on a major business in the 1890s was great!

[Alissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Pamela Dorman Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I have to go against the prevailing opinion on this one and say that I did not like it at all. I picked it up for review from a collection of books with short promotional promos and the beginning excerpt seemed promising.

I hope that when published, this will have a trigger warning about self-injury as there are many references to cutting.

The writer’s style is detached and formal, which might be a stylistic choice to match the time of the novel, the late 1800s. But if I am going to read a book in this style, I would rather read a classic with acknowledged literary merit.

I didn’t really see this book as one about growth. The main character’s progression from shut-in to mogul made little sense, especially as chapter after chapter she made terrible choices. I spent most of the book worried that all her falling over was going to kill the mouse she carried everywhere in her pocket.

Bad things happened to everyone. The factory workers were portrayed as animals. Berthe came dangerously close to the magical Black woman trope. Odette’s weight was a central point of the novel and she constantly gorged on sweets and felt shame and was degraded.

This one just was not for me, it made me feel bad. 2 stars because the writing was fine.

[Julia]

Odette is a young woman who lives in seclusion. When her father dies and she inherits his hosiery factory, curiosity leads her to explore the world around her. She starts challenging her own self-limiting beliefs, becoming more aware of her surroundings, and taking on more responsibility. This process is not linear, and Odette makes some puzzling choices. She is overweight and socially awkward, and the novel is strongest when focusing on her internal struggles to overcome her shame and feelings of inadequacy.

Having said that, the novel doesn’t maintain this focus. It gets distracted with several subplots involving consumption, antisemitism, gender, the management of factory workers, a potential blackmailer — all of which are treated superficially. In addition, the narrative moves at a very slow pace.

In the end, I found the novel long and exhausting. While it was not a good fit for me, readers of historical fiction who enjoy an immersive reading experience may appreciate the descriptive writing, particularly when it comes to food and fashion, and the overall atmosphere of Sèvres, France, at the end of the 19th century.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.

[TheHonorableSirChewbacca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Viking Penguin, Pamela Dorman Books, and NetGalley for the ARC. I absolutely loved it.

Boy, did this beautiful story tug at my heartstrings.

Brimming with humanity, tenderness, fierceness, and hope, this book became one of my favorite books of 2026, if not of all time. I have read over a hundred books this year, but this one has been one of the most moving and unforgettable. Usually I'm happy with e-ARCs because trees and shelf space, but in this special instance I would've lovingly given precious shelf space to the physical ARC; it's a book I will read many times in the years to come. I cannot believe this is a debut...it reads like an established bestseller.

The story is about Odette breaking free of shame and her cloistered life, defying expectations, and learning self-compassion. At the same time, she finds family in her friends (such lovely supporting characters in this tale -- Merry was my favorite. Oh, Merry.) as she becomes acquainted with the world outside her house. She doesn't seem immediately likeable at the beginning, and I think that's partly because she thinks so negatively about herself. It's through the author's compassionate storytelling that we learn with Odette that she is lovable. It's a moving story about giving people a chance to redeem themselves (e.g. Bertha), unexpected acts of kindness, and loving oneself. I did not want the story to end.

It reminded me of:
- Canon by Paige Lewis, also a coming of age story in which the character is pushed out of their comfort zone and learns their strength
- The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, another coming of age story in which small kindnesses, compassion, and collaboration help the characters break free.
- TV show Never Have I Ever: learning self-compassion, authenticity, and self-actualization
- Fredrick Backman books, in which "imperfect" and complex humans are so compassionately depicted.

The prose was fairly direct, which I appreciated. There are so many wonderful excerpts I could quote. Here are two (taken from an ARC - final version may be different):
- "They had shifted something, because reflected in their eyes she saw parts of herself that were likeable. As a result, she was changing. Indeed, she was beginning ot think that the future might, in part, be hers to find"
- "Shame was so much a part of her, she had never considered that she hadn't been born with it, that maybe it was something she'd acquired, handed to her by others. It was an electrifying thought. Because if she could only believe that, really believe it, in her bones, then there was also the possibility of handing it back."

Content warnings:
- self harm, described in multiple chapters cutting
- discrimination based on weight/size
- antisemitism faced by a supporting character
- anxiety (mostly social) faced by the main character

[Genevieve Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Odette Rising” by Julianne Edwards is a beautifully written novel set in Sevre’s France in the late 1800’s. The characters experience pressure from society and from their perception of themselves. Odette is in her early 20’s and has lived as a shut in for many years. She is lonely, disconnected, and filled with shame. She had no real interaction with anyone beyond her father and the staff and has no knowledge of the world outside her room. For years, her world has been limited to food and books. When her father dies at the beginning of the book, she forces herself to leave the house to attend his funeral. This is the beginning of her being propelled into the world. After the funeral, her father’s lawyer comes to inform Odette that she has inherited both a fortune and a stocking factory. She has no need, nor desire, for either. However, she has experienced a breath of air and a view of a larger world and she wants more. Now, with the reading of her father’s will, she has been handed a responsibility and must rise to the challenge.

This is the story of how Odette learns to accept herself and move in the world. It is a story of growth and friendship. Odette faces many difficulties, both from within and from the society in which she lives. She often doesn’t know what to do and she doesn’t always rise to the occasion or make the best choices. This makes her relatable and human. Odette lacks social graces, yet she possesses an artistic bent and an ability to see others with kindness and clarity. She also has tremendous courage. She is repeatedly forced to make decisions and keep on trying, even when faced with unpleasant consequences and no idea how to handle the situations facing her.

The novel is subtle and I enjoyed that the issues were interwoven and multi-layered. The book held me and I found it difficult to put down. While many of the issues in the novel were quite specific to the historical time and the situation of the heroine, the underlying themes of empowerment, self-acceptance, and connection continue to be relevant today.

This is a strong debut. It is well-written and literary, subtle in its characterizations and references, yet clear in its storyline and historical setting.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful coming-of-age story set in Sèvres and Paris just before the end of the 19th C.

We meet Odette Huré on the day of her father’s funeral. Odette is twenty-one and has lived the last ten years sequestered in her father’s house in Sèvres. She soon learns she’s the sole heir of her father’s hosiery factory and a house in Paris. Odette has never handled anything like running a factory but she learns it has a manager, Beauclare, whom she’s begins to work with. She must leave her hibernation and confront the world which includes finding out about the house she owns as well. She soon learns her father has harbored a lot of secrets as has the world - like the anti-Jewish sentiment aroused by the Dreyfus affair and its effect on her neighbor; the cruelty of class and its distinctions; the place women are related to. Facing an impossible choice near the end of the book, Odette learns that truth and love can prevail.

Odette is an interesting character - naive, unworldly, flawed but with a deep sense of righteousness for all people. As she faces her challenges you grow to enjoy her more - and Polo, her pet mouse (yes, Odette’s story has a Cinderella-like quality to it but she’s not looking for a prince). She also becomes a rescuer of sorts and acquires a rather unorthodox set of people who become her new family. Odette will remain in my head as one of my favorite characters.

The story is told linearly and by an omniscient narrator - I enjoy these reads the best. It’s well paced and maybe except for a bit of a quick solution to Odette’s big problem at the end of the book, it seemed pretty flawlessly told to me.

I appreciated this story for presenting a female character who in her innocence confronted the world from her truth as she saw it. While many books today are presenting women more confidently not many of these books choose to show this in such decidedly contradictory character. And I really enjoyed this book immensely- some of my reasons for a five star rating.

My thanks to NetGalley and Viking/Paula Dorman Books for granting me access to this sweet ARC.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Odette Rising by Julianne Edwards

Thank you Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

The young Odette, just twenty-one years old and entirely walled off from society, has spent the bulk of her life in isolation. After the death of her father, a man who was more a stranger than a parent, she takes the first step in her journey to finding her footing in turn-of-the-century France: leaving the comfort of her home. Odette’s lifelong struggle with self love accompanies a slew of new hardships as she takes on responsibilities that even society deems unfathomable, like taking over her father’s hosiery factory as a woman. Throughout the story, she slowly and courageously branches out, making new friends (and enemies), all while discovering where she fits.

Edwards manages to hone in on the lives of a multitude of characters, not just our protagonist, giving readers a necessary glimpse into the motivations behind their actions and a wide breadth to the overall story. It is a strong utilization of third person. Because of how much Edwards delves into other characters, readers also better understand how Odette is being received as both she and the story progress. We witness change in some of the most raw ways, especially for people who were living in a time period in which the year itself was so much an obstacle that people–women–never thought able to challenge it.

I found Odette’s view of society particularly enthralling, as she thought it was almost shameful, something not to care about at all. Rather than succumbing to the world that shunned her and kept her locked away, Odette manages to challenge society while simultaneously overcoming its stone-set limitations. She incurs a plethora of unique perspectives that stem from her upbringing–wealthy, but ostracized due primarily to her weight. It makes for a gripping story. With surprising turns and a brilliant conclusion, Odette Rising will linger, a reminder that everyone is capable of bravery and self love. This story is Odette’s, and it is one worth reading.

[Pamela Shrewsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 ODETTE RISING 📚
Julianne Edwards
Publishes 10/13/26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @vikingbooks, @netgalley, and @julianneedwardsauthor for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Set in Sèvres, France, in 1896, Odette Rising follows twenty-one-year-old Odette Huré after her father’s death. Odette hasn’t left the house in ten years, building a quiet life around books, food, and the belief that wanting less means having less to lose.

Then she inherits her father’s fortune and celebrated stockings factory, forcing her into the world she has spent years avoiding. As Odette tries to manage the business and navigate society, she uncovers family secrets and a shocking truth about her identity. An unconventional found family helps her realize that the life she feared may also be the one she has been waiting for.

⸻
Watching Odette slowly step beyond the life she has known and realize she is capable of far more than she imagined gives this story its heart. She is sheltered, fearful, complicated, and sometimes frustrating and honestly, that made her growth feel more real.

I especially enjoyed the unusual look at fashion and manufacturing in 1890s France. The stockings factory gives the story a setting I haven’t encountered before, while the family secrets add mystery. The found-family relationships bring warmth and balance the grief and uncertainty at the beginning.

The opening moves slowly while establishing Odette’s isolated world, and I was ready to reach the factory and family secrets sooner. Still, this is a tender, character-driven story about grief, identity, courage, and realizing your life can still become something completely unexpected.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC—my honest thoughts, as always, are my own.
Now let’s descend into the shadows...

There’s something especially unsettling about beauty when it starts to fracture—and Odette Rising leans into that discomfort in the most haunting way.

I’ve always had a soft spot for stories that take something delicate and elegant—like ballet, like transformation, like identity—and slowly twist it into something darker, something sharper. This book does exactly that. It takes the familiar bones of Swan Lake 🦢 and breathes something far more eerie and emotionally raw into them.
The atmosphere is thick with tension, almost dreamlike at times, but never safe. There’s a constant sense that something is slipping just out of reach… or maybe unraveling entirely. The transformation elements (both physical and psychological) felt especially well done—there’s a quiet body horror here that creeps in rather than overwhelms, and it lingers.

And that’s what really got me—the way this story lingers. It’s not just about what’s happening on the surface, but what it costs.
Identity, control, autonomy… all of it feels fragile, like it could splinter at any moment.
This isn’t a loud or brutal kind of dark—it’s more refined, more insidious. The kind that pulls you in with something beautiful and leaves you with something just a little bit broken.

**Content Warning:** Body horror elements, psychological distress, themes of identity loss and transformation.

If you’re drawn to dark, atmospheric retellings with a slow, creeping sense of unease—and a touch of something almost grotesquely beautiful—this one is absolutely worth your time.

🕸️I’m that weird girl who reads the shadows—and you’ll follow willingly.🕸️

[Anne Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to believe that this novel is a first effort. It’s a five s tar rating, the first in a long time for me. Julianne Edwards, a psychotherapist in England, has a deep understanding of people in pain. And Odette is in pain. She is hugely overweight, practice s secret cutting of her thighs, and trying to live with a distant father and the care of two unpleasant servants.

The only bright spot in her life is Merry, the coal boy and the pet mouse named Polo that he gives her. Odette lives in Sevres, France, in the late 1800’s, a time when Art Deco begins to flourish in Paris. Until her father’s death she has not left the house in 10 years. And so begins a fascinating and gripping tale of a young woman pulling herself out of a limited, circumscribed life and changing herself, and society, in an effort of will. At a time when women neither owned nor managed businesses and could not dine without a male companion, Odette defies convention. Her transformation is not a simple weight-loss story with a happy ending. Instead, she confronts Paris’s dark underworld through a brutal pimp and encounters a talented architect, Berthe—a beautiful, intriguing prostitute, and a Jewish neighbor and her children. Ultimately, she takes charge of her father’s silk-stocking factory. In turn exciting, informative, atmospheric and just plain readable, this book foretells a stellar writing career for Edwards.

Thanks to Pamela
dorman Books and Net Galley for an early coy of Odette Rising in exchange for my honest review. I honestly loved it!

[Emma Oldham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odette Rising is a distinctive coming-of-age story about Odette, a young French woman suddenly forced to find her place in the world after the death of her father leaves her living independently and responsible for his stocking factory.

But this is much more than a story about growing up or taking on an unexpected inheritance. Julianne Edwards explores what it means to move through a society that has already decided who deserves to belong. Odette is judged and ridiculed because of her size, while her Jewish friend faces prejudice and exclusion of a different kind. Through them, the novel asks some uncomfortable questions about how quickly people are marginalised simply for failing to fit society's expectations.

What I particularly appreciated was that Odette's journey never feels too easy. Empowerment doesn't arrive overnight. She has to learn, adapt, make difficult choices and gradually discover her own strength. That makes her development feel genuinely satisfying: we watch someone who has so often been made to feel small begin to take up space in her own life.

There is plenty here about independence, friendship, prejudice, resilience and learning to value yourself when the world doesn't always make that easy.

And after everything Odette goes through, I found the ending wonderfully comforting. It gives the novel a real sense of emotional payoff and makes the whole journey with her feel worthwhile. A warm, unusual and uplifting story about finding the courage to rise above the limitations other people try to place upon you.

[Matt Tiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julianne Edwards made a story that revolves around a character which everyone could easily related with, narrating her story in a lyrical and profound way that makes the reader understand the nuanced situation of Odette and make us feel her internal thoughts, inhibitions, decisions, and mental reservations.

I liked how this story resonated with me especially when the realistic depiction of claiming one’s self-esteem was very elaborate and not rushed. There was room for Odette to improve and the author made a moving story with believable plot and made a representation of women who are always undervalued in society because of their physical attributes and the normal expectations on women’s function in society in general.

I also liked how this is an inspiring read that started from grief and eventually led to a story about redemption, which is a totally rewarding reading experience. From a grief-stricken recluse who has no idea how to take charge of her own self into a very important character that other people can rely with, Odette was a shining example that holds valuable inspiration to contemporary readers because what she faced before are also what modern society is facing nowadays: body shaming, disbelief, grief, self-pity, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and abandonment.

This review is based on a complimentary advanced readers copy received from publisher and author via NetGalley. My utmost thanks to Viking Penguin, Pamela Dorman Books, Julianne Edwards, and NetGalley.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Odette Rising is a beautifully written, character-driven coming-of-age story set in turn-of-the-century France. Odette has spent the last ten years as a shut-in, living a very small and isolated life. When her father dies, she’s suddenly forced out into the world—and at just 21, she finds herself responsible for his entire estate, including a successful hosiery business.

What stood out to me most was her transformation. Odette struggles with her sense of self, including her relationship with her body, and you really feel how unprepared she is for the life she’s been thrust into. Watching her slowly step into that role, while also uncovering secrets about her father and her own identity, was both emotional and rewarding.

The pacing is slower, but it works for this type of story. It allows her growth to feel realistic as she navigates grief, responsibility, and a world she’s avoided for so long. I also loved the found family aspect—it added warmth and balance to her journey.

Overall, this is a thoughtful and heartfelt read about identity, resilience, and stepping into a life you never imagined for yourself. I would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction.

[George Stull · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

This is a story about a young woman finding herself. Odette very suddenly goes from being an afterthought in society, and even in her own home, to one of the most important people in her community. The book does an excellent job of describing how one might struggle to fit in after a life of relative solitude. As would be the case in real life, Odette comes across those who would see her ruined, and some who see her for what she is, and supports her in her growth. She experiences friendship and heartbreak. She overcomes numerous difficulties and fails to overcome others. She makes good decisions and bad. It all adds up to an amazing story about finding oneself.

This book does touch on very difficult coping mechanisms that are common today. Food addiction and self-harm are both portrayed in this book, but in a tasteful way that helps the reader to understand the difficulty that Odette has in facing life, and how these are things she finds comfort in to help her cope with stress. These aren’t the best approaches, but they are real approaches and I appreciate the author including them. This book is stressful and heartbreaking. Yet, it is hopeful, joyous, and exciting. It’s a book that gives you one thing after another in such a brilliant way that you never want to put it down.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a coming-of-age set in 1897 France that is subtle and reserved, yet so important. It elegantly touches on themes and topics that women today are still battling to rise above.

Odette, at twenty-one, has not left her house in ten years. But when her father dies, she is forced into society. Now the owner of her father’s stocking business, she must navigate a world she does not feel comfortable in.

Odette is a young woman who is truly alone, lonely, and full of shame and self-doubt. Now, thrust into the business world and its misogynistic thinking, as society judges her, Odette can either shrink further or rise.

Surrounded by an unlikely group who become like family, Odette gains the strength to make the life she deserves.

While it moves at an unhurried pace, it lets you understand Odette and her feelings. That way, you can truly appreciate her growth and change. She is filled with shame, grief, and even self-harms, but you see her blossom into a woman who is full of tenderness and care for others. It is lovely to observe.


🎧 The audiobook from @PRHaudio was brilliantly narrated by Sarah Slimani. She captured Odette flawlessly. I could hear her timidity and fear, yet as she changed, I could hear her compassion emerge as she found her own voice.

Thank you | gifted @vikingbooks and @PRHaudio #PRHaudopartner

[Eric Lustbader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Odette Rising is the most enoyable novel I've read this year, a pure and perfect joy. Meet Odette and her best friend Polo the mouse. Odette, the most unusual female hero you have ever encountered, lives in the 1800's village of Sevre, just outside Paris. Long known for it superb porcelain Sevre is also famous for its silk stockings, the finest of which are manufactured by Odette's very odd father. Odder still is Odette herself, obese by her own admission and until her father's death has never been outside of their house, even though she is in her early twenties. In fact, she knows nothing about the outside world, but she will soon enough, and you'll be at her side when she makes discovery after discovery, flounders, eats, weeps, eats, make mistakes, eats and along the way finds four friends and two heroic horses who will help her find herself amid the changing times, the crueties and triumphs of the age in which she lives. This is a blockbuster of a book, impossible to put down, breathless reading at every moment right down to the last page. Julianne Edwards's masterful prose is like a fragrant rising tide, carrying you along in the most beautiful fashion from beginning to end. Highest recommendation!

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The story of a young woman coming of age in late-nineteenth-century France, it's beautifully written and very compelling. Odette is a fascinating character, completely reclusive until the death of her father forces her to integrate herself into the world and find her place within it. Her obese body and shy nature are obstacles that she works around as she figures out how to save her father's company and make sense of the mysteries of his life that come to light with his passing.

Odette is a wonderful character to study: she's both naive and wise, and she has a huge heart and a refreshing way of appreciating the wonders of the Belle Epoque in and around Paris. But her relationships make the story very special, from her fondness for the widow next door, to her reliance on the young boy who is her only remaining servant, to her awe of the mysterious woman who had stolen her father's heart. Each interaction shows the compassion and kindness in Odette's heart, and watching her overcome obstacles is very rewarding. I highly recommend this beautiful book.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[The Cozy Ink Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank You Viking for the ARC of this novel.

I thoroughly enjoy this book, read it in one day because it was truly engaging and sparked a lot of interest in me. It is a very deep story at times as we are exploring the life of a secluded young woman who has suddenly had to come to terms with being a leader, provider, business woman and head of a household, in a time where so many of societal rules and expectations are simply contrary to the way Odette conducts herself.

I think her character was quite interesting because there was a lot to uncover within who she was and who she wanted to become. There was a real depth to her and I think it was explored well. She deals with mental health, lack of self worth, she self harms and at the same time she is also trying to become a better version of herself.

The story is quite fantastical in the way that it is told but I loved the way it was written, very classically inclined. There are a lot of topics explored like anti-semitism, race, discrimination, fat-shaming and violence. It is constantly moving and addressing quite deep questions. While we do get some open ended storylines, I think it is more because this story is about Odette and her journey of self discovery and that part of the story was one I quite enjoyed’!

[Judy Tiemeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unexpected surprise! I was intrigued by the blurb enough to request the ARC as I really enjoy books with strong female characters overcoming obstacles and rejecting society norms. The author has only previously published a novella per Goodreads so I was unsure how much I would like her first full length novel. This story was engaging and held my interest the whole way! It's an historical fiction that takes place near Paris in the very late 1890s. This book tackles grief, body shame, antisemitism, class differences, and mental health. The story is captivating as it follows Odette as she is grieving her father's death in spite of the distance he kept between them. She was very odd and quirky to begin with, but she grows on you! The other supporting characters were flawed at times but had interesting personalities which made them very realistic. I was rooting for everyone to come out on top! This story will make you uncomfortable, angry at injustice & cruelty and will renew your faith in female friendship and the strength of found family. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and Pamela Dorman Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.