Alexis Hall is sort of like the James Patterson of the romance genre: he pumps out a pretty decent bestseller every 4-6 months. In this one, Paris, a wealthy ball of anxiety, goes on a competitive baking show when his larger than life Glaswegian sex goddess roommate signs him up for it, where he meets Tariq a sweet Muslim man abstaining from sex until marriage. They embark on an relationship with an agreement to be honest with one another, but Tariq comes to the honest conclusion he cannot in fact handle Paris’s Parisienne-ness, and they split which prompts Paris to seek a diagnosis and get some professional help in managing his GAD.

Conversations about penises and consent; race, class, colonialism, and religion; celebrity, fame, and social media; and toxic masculinity and mental health are the chunky, hefty, salty peanut butter to the decadent chocolate that is the two weekly baking challenges. That’s not to say that part is going smoothly–except with every challenge Paris is sure he’s getting sent home and he wins the two in a row. The hosts are hilarious caricatures of the worst of competition cooking shows. I did squirm at jokes about Nazis, homophones, and anti-semites, but they were lambasting them, not supporting them. Tariq and Paris work through several misunderstandings and conflicts in very a healthy, mature, and realistic manner. The first half of the narrative is focused on the filming and the crumbling of Paris, while the second half is focused on the airing of the showing and rebuilding of Paris.

Sometimes I’m not sure if Hall is trying too hard or just truly over the top brilliant and funny, but the acknowledgements and book club questions at the end are as screamingly funny as other moments in the books, so I’m going with authentic, real deal. The dialogue is fast paced and whip smart, and Paris is so painfully awkward it’s not to be believed … except I DO know people like that. Hall puts the comedy in romantic comedy for sure. Some readers may find the humor and situations cringe-worthy but I know others will eat it up. Side note: Paris texts his absentee parents once a week, and they never reply; this added a poignant counterpoint to the shenanigans. The recipes at the end are a nice touch. And the cover art is pretty perfect: a rainbow layer cake that hints at the baking theme, the seven-episode art of the competition, the character complexities, the LGBTQIA+ cast, and the delicious story.

Perfect for fans of The Great British Bake-off or Rosaline Parker Takes the Cake (also by Hall) which has some of the best qualities of Paris Daillencourt—great foodie descriptions, warm relationships and quirkier characters—with the anxiety and penis jokes dialed back.

I received a free advance readers review copy of # from #NetGalley.

Wow, I have a lot of feelings and thoughts about this book. I’ll start with what I loved: this book handled mental health really well. It had one of the hardest third act breakups I’ve ever read, and the characters really had to earn their HEA. This book was also the funniest romcom I read all year; I made the mistake of starting it on a plane and if the old man next to me hadn’t taken his hearing aids out I think I would have woken him up seven separate times. I was constantly giggling for the first two thirds of the books, and then I was consistently crying for the last third. What I struggled with was the fact that although I love Alexis Hall, I don’t know that she was the right person to write a Bangladeshi love interest who had to deal with this much white guilt and ignorance.

I will be honest at first I really did not like this book......and then I realized that I didn't like it because Paris reminded me a little too much of myself and the issue was actually with me and not with the book. This book does an excellent job at showcasing how generalized anxiety disorder really is, Paris' struggles are ones that I know all too well. The side characters are also so so lovable and I wish we learned more about Morag. I loved how complex of a character Tariq was and how he called out Paris the necessary amount, but also owned up when he may have got a little too far. As someone with general anxiety disorder, I at times felt like the characters were being so mean to Paris, but that is also how I sometimes need to be talked too in order to actually soak something in. The book made me laugh and cry and I just really enjoyed it. Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alexis has done it again! They've given us yet another beautiful addition to the Winner Bakes All series! I loved Paris and Tariq's story, and loved that it was more than just a simple romance. It perfectly combines reality tv, baking competitions, mental health, and the LGBTQ+ community in such an engaging way, and the story itself sucks you in from the beginning

This was difficult for me to get through. I was expecting it to be a romcom but it was not. I'm not sure i would even call this romance.

I don't think Alexis Hall can write a bad book - he writes banter and emotion so well. I'm also loving that this series is set in a GBBO-esque world, because I am a huge fan of the show. As always, the characters are well developed and there is great representation in the book. Having said that, being in Paris' head and seeing his constant anxiety was a lot. I also would have liked to see Tariq's point of view.

I'm not sure Paris Daillencourt is about to crumble, I think he's already mostly there. Paris is a mess. Basically, anxiety has taken over his life, and when his roommate signs him up for an extremely well-known baking competition, it's obviously a recipe for disaster. The one bright light is Tariq, the young man that Paris manages to give a bloody nose to on the first day of filming. Tariq is able to look past Paris's fluttery outside to the person within, and he likes what he sees. But is Paris ready for a relationship? Or to be in this competition? Or for anything?

I enjoyed this, but I struggle with its marketing as a romance. Yes, it hits a lot of the romance beats, but really this book is about Paris figuring himself out (with a lot of help along the way), with some kissing thrown in. And while I empathize with Paris's anxiety and understand how crippling that can be, it's still really hard to read about for an entire book. I also wish there was some sort of resolution with his parents.

Overall, I liked this and will read more of Hall's work, but you shouldn't pick this up expecting a by-the-numbers romance.

I don't think Alexis Hall can write a book I won't absolutely adore. What I love about his books is that they aren't afraid to go a different direction than what is maybe expected. Romance is such a tricky genre sometimes because it's often challenging to subvert the usual expectations. While I do think this book has many common aspects of the romance genre within it, I think it's also incredibly different from a lot of romance I read. I really liked this book and I loved Tariq and Paris sooo much. They were messy characters who were definitely flawed, but it made them feel all the more real and I adored getting to know them. This one is definitely another winner and I can't wait to continue to read any book Alexis Hall writes.

When I picked up this book, I was honestly expecting more of a light romcom style book. Instead, this book is much heavier, focusing intently on mental health issues with a little bit of romcom sprinkled in.

Overall, this book missed the mark for me. I was put off by the Nazi jokes early on, but elected to continue. The main character, Paris, was utterly insufferable. I have an anxiety disorder. I get what he's going through. But anxiety is not an excuse for being completely culturally insensitive with regard to his Muslim boyfriend Tariq. It's also not an excuse for being completely unaware of his own wealth and privilege. Add that to the constant shame spiraling, intrusive thoughts, self loathing, and complete lack of self-awareness, and Paris was a really hard pill to swallow. Reading through his limited perspective and being stuck in his head was exhausting. I kinda think this book might have been better if it was a dual perspective between Paris and Tariq.

I really loved the side characters, and I adored Tariq, so I finished this book out of sheer determination and loyalty to the rest of the cast of characters. Morag was hilarious, and Bernard is a national treasure. But wading through 75% of the book before Paris finally realizes maybe he needs help was too much angst and self loathing for me.

Another sweet and funny romance from Alexis Hall, and I am already desperate for the next one. Paris is a good representation of life with anxiety, and it was handled perfectly in the story. More!

💭Thoughts:
I loved the premise of this book. The thought of falling in love on a baking show. The weekly competitions and the banter between contestants, but wow Paris’ anxiety is really too much. I suffer from anxiety myself and found his constant catastrophizing very off putting. I really felt for him, but some of his behaviors are inexcusable, anxiety or not. I also wouldn’t say this is a rom com as advertised.

I did enjoy the wrap up at the end of where the constants are at in their lives after the conclusion of the competition. Seemed like everyone was right where they needed to be! I also enjoyed the recipes at the end! That was a fun addition.

This is the second book in the “Winner Bakes All” series. The first book is Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake. You don’t need to read Rosaline’s story before this one (but it’s great so I highly recommend it). Both stories are set against the stage of a British Bake Off style competition, which is one of my favorite shows.

This book focuses on Paris’s journey through the competition, his struggle with crippling anxiety, and a budding relationship with one of his competitors.

As someone who has struggled with anxiety, especially after the birth of my son, I can say that this book definitely represents that struggle with fidelity. Paris’s anxiety can be hard to read at some points but that’s just how anxiety feels sometimes. Like you’re trying to breath under water and you can’t figure out where the surface is.

To cut some of this tension, the book includes cute moments of romance and Hall’s typical sense of humor, but I did find it to be more serious than some of his other books.

I wanted to love this book - truly. The setting, the backstory, all of it was very cozy and extremely cute. However, I found Paris to be just on the wrong side of "relatable" into downright self-serving, narcissistic, and it was legitimately painful to read. While I know many people will be able to relate to Paris, it became over 300 pages of behavior that was increasingly hard to write off and it left me feeling for Tariq and Morag.

All in all, I'm resoundingly disappointed.

AAAAHHHHHHH! Oh Gawd sorry for screaming just omg Paris is just too good for this world.

OMG and it's in the midst of a bakery show like my favorite The Great British Bake off. I always love the bakers that are so awkward and anxious but have the best bakes.

Paris was entered into the Bake Expectations by his roommate cause that isn't something he would do on his own regardless of his talent.
He meets Tariq during a baking accident on the show and tries very hard to make a good impression but can't stop saying things that are kind of inappropriate.

I always enjoy when there is a person with anxiety or any other mental health conditions the other person is supportive and kind of opposite personality.

And yes Paris I thought I was the only one that cycles through all the worst case scenarios from ok to gruesome constantly. I'm always in crisis mode in my head but you can't tell. And I'm always talking about nothing. But only to my husband lol, who listens to every 20th word or looks for key words🤣. I just love when people talk like Paris.

There were so many fun side characters with both of their roommates Morag and the Dave's.

This book was as everyone is saying more a fiction book with the romance on the side. Paris' anxiety and mental health journey are a big part of the story as well.

Thank you readforeverpub and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

✨Check TW

I really liked this book and I really liked Paris. He's sad, lonely, anxious, and doing his best but always believes he's doing the worst. While I don't have an anxiety disorder, I do feel like I could relate to a lot of what Paris was going through and spent most of the book worried about him. Worrying aside, I enjoyed getting to know him and Tariq and all the other characters. Tariq is the sparkliest ray of sunshine and is friendly, outgoing, and has a strong moral compass. Morag, Paris's housemate, is confident, speaks her mind, and goes after what she wants. Also, shout out to Paris's cat, who provides excellent cat therapy and companionship. There's also the usual assortment of Alexis Hall side characters who are absolutely bananas (thinking specifically of all the Daves).

Set amidst the background of a cozy baking show and eclectic characters, you'd think this would be a light, fluffy read. However, the story is very fraught as Paris's mental health spirals the longer he is on Bake Expectations. I do like that Paris eventually seeks help and starts down a path to learning about his mental health. He also gets the opportunity to mend relationships and receives some much needed apologies. Overall, a well told story about mental health, baking, friendship, dating, and second chances.

The truth is that I'll read anything that Alexis Hall writes and Paris Daillencourt is About to Crumble gave us something new to love from this author. Paris has a passion for baking so his roommate enters him in Bake Expectations, a beloved baking show, that he is SURE he will fail at miserably. Spoiler: he doesn't fail AND he makes some connections along the way. The vibes were Great British Baking Show meets The Charm Offensive - lot's of personal development, mental health, and social issues. As with any queer book, you will be better for reading this one! Don't miss it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC - Paris Daillencourt is out now!

did not finish, i found the main character draining and insufferable and i can relate to some of his anxieties. overall i dont think this one was for me

Paris and Tariq have such great chemistry, and I really love the Bake Off inspired setting and plot. Just like Rosie Palmer Takes the Cake, I enjoyed this one and found it cute and cozy. The author is really transparent about content warnings, but I did find some of the anxiety situations to be hard to read.

Paris Daillencourt is a gem and Alexis Hall is the author of dreams. I absolutely loved this romance!

Review 3.5
Okay, let me see how I can say this without coming across as insensitive. If you're looking for a fun, cute romance, this isn't the book for you. I found myself almost DNFing this book between 5-10% in because I just could not handle Paris. While I understand that he suffers from undiagnosed anxiety for the majority of the book, his constant self-doubt and catastrophizing made this very difficult to get through the beginning of the book. However, I felt like I needed to push through in order to fully understand Paris and I'm glad I did. While this book is marketed as a romance, I felt the romance between Paris and Tariq played second fiddle to the anxiety Paris was dealing with the majority of the book. On that note, Tariq seemed like a great character and I would have probably liked this more if it had been told from his perspective. I think his story would have been interesting and could have touch on similar thought provoking subjects due to Tariq being religious, Muslim, and gay. All in all, I'm glad that Paris got treatment for his anxiety and was able to self-reflect and grow. If you're a fan of The Great British Bake Off and like your romances with more depth, I'd recommend you try this one.