Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble: by the author of Boyfriend Material (Winner Bakes All Book 2)

Reviews

JOSEPH DAVIES

I get that these things can happen, but I was left desperately wanting to know why it happened, why they made that choice. A highly recommended read. Alexis Hall has crafted a beautifully charming story that is essentially a gay romantic comedy set at Bake Off. Aside from that, I absolutely adored the story and devoured it speedily as I couldn't wait to see what happened next and if Paris could overcome his issues to succeed and get the adorable object of his affection.

This could easily have caused the lead character to come across as a bit of a wet blanket, but Hall writes him and his issues with such care and sympathy that it is actually, if anything, incredibly informative and actually endearing as we the reader get to understand Paris' mind and how it sabotages him. It isn't vital to the core story and characters in so much as it wouldn't change the thrust of the outcome, but it did leave me wanting.

It's a deftly and smartly woven tale exploring not just the core romance, between the titular Paris and gay Muslim fellow contestant Tariq, but also being part of a reality competition show and the resultant social media inextricably linked to that. That may sound like oversimplifying it, but it really is the gist. Moreover, Hall does a wonderful job of exploring mental health issues, in the fact Paris has an (as of the start of the story) undiagnosed anxiety disorder. The only element that really brought the book down for me would enter spoiler territory, but suffice to say there is an element that is just left rather open ended with no explanation for why those involved are like this, and have done what they do to Paris.