Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble

Alexis Hall

Nov 2022 · Sold by Forever

About this ebook

From the bestselling author of Boyfriend Material comes a sweet and scrumptious romantic comedy about facing your insecurities, finding love, and baking it off, no matter what people say. 

Paris Daillencourt is a recipe for disaster. Despite his passion for baking, his cat, and his classics degree, constant self-doubt and second-guessing have left him a curdled, directionless mess. So when his roommate enters him in Bake Expectations, the nation’s favourite baking show, Paris is sure he’ll be the first one sent home.
 
But not only does he win week one’s challenge—he meets fellow contestant Tariq Hassan. Sure, he’s the competition, but he’s also cute and kind, with more confidence than Paris could ever hope to have. Still, neither his growing romance with Tariq nor his own impressive bakes can keep Paris’s fear of failure from spoiling his happiness. And when the show’s vicious fanbase confirms his worst anxieties, Paris’s confidence is torn apart quicker than tear-and-share bread.
 
But if Paris can find the strength to face his past, his future, and the chorus of hecklers that live in his brain, he’ll realize it’s the sweet things in life that he really deserves.
 

Ratings and reviews

When Paris joins the show, Bake Expectations, his mental health really takes a hit. There's a semi-sweet romance with one of his fellow contestants, Tariq, but poor Paris is so overwhelmed that he kind of self-sabotages things between them. For the most part, the romance takes a bit of a backseat to everything that Paris is going through and dealing with, which as I've said before, is a lot. But it's sweetly hopeful, though, and I appreciated how it was handled. The ending was very fitting.

I enjoyed this book. The ending worked well and was sweet. I related to Paris in ways that helped me realize I shouldn't spend my time being anxious over a lot of things. Especially the 'what-ifs'. I think this is an excellent representation of anxiety, that is relatable even if your anxiety is not as bad as Paris's. (which is pretty bad) I think it shows an optimistic but real view of how support and recovery work when you reach out for help. So, for that I would recommend this book.

To help Paris overcome his self-doubts, his roommate enters him into a baking competition. A disastrous meeting with fellow competitor Tariq leads to a tentative friendship that hints at more. Will Paris's anxiety sabotage his chances at personal and professional success? This is a masterfully told rom com with a strong emphasis on the main character's undiagnosed anxiety disorder (eventually treated). The novel is as delicious as the cover promises. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

About the author

Alexis Hall lives in a little house in the south east of England where he writes books about people who bake far better than he does. He can, however, whip up a passable brownie if pressed.