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"To stop his relationship from going sourdough, the least-popular contestant on Britain's favourite baking show must work through his anxiety and fears in order to find happiness. Paris Daillencourt is a recipe for disaster: though he's passionate about his academic career, his severe self-doubt has trapped him in a cycle of indecision-until his roommate enters him in Bake Expectations in hopes of pushing him out of his comfort zone. Paris initially finds success, winning the first week's show more bake and falling into flirtation with kind, confident Tariq Hassan. But with each week of the competition, Paris is crumbling. Despite the attraction, the differences between him and Tariq keep moving them further and further apart. Paris's desserts and delicacies consistently impress the judges, but his fear of failure keeps spilling over into his baking. And when the show airs, thrusting Paris into the spotlight, the savagery of social media is all his worst anxieties come to life. Paris has always believed that his fears are his just desserts. But as he finds the strength to face his anxieties, he might just realize it's the sweet things in life that he really deserves"-- show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I loved this book and Paris so much that I feel incapable of reviewing it properly. Like I want to fill the screen with heart emojis but that wouldn't be enough. From the book description, I didn’t anticipate a protagonist with severe anxiety. It took a moment to adjust to what I was reading and then I felt so much concern for Paris and kept feeling grateful I was reading a romance novel so I knew the ending would be okay.
Being in Paris’s point of view was sometimes difficult but I saw so much of my own experiences in him. I felt grateful to see a portrayal of a person with anxiety and to learn about what the condition can be like for other people. I particularly appreciated how social media was represented in the novel because it show more really drove home how damaging it can be and I think gave me some clarity on how to handle negativity online. And somehow amid all this, the story was still sweet and funny. show less
Being in Paris’s point of view was sometimes difficult but I saw so much of my own experiences in him. I felt grateful to see a portrayal of a person with anxiety and to learn about what the condition can be like for other people. I particularly appreciated how social media was represented in the novel because it show more really drove home how damaging it can be and I think gave me some clarity on how to handle negativity online. And somehow amid all this, the story was still sweet and funny. show less
Paris has been entered into Bake Expectations, the British cooking show, by his roommate. He's kind of a mess, full of anxiety, but Tariq, one of the other contestants, catches his eye. The two embark on a relationship fraught with Paris's self-loathing and apprehensions. There's also the cooking contest which we've seen before in the previous book of the series.
Paris is a difficult person to like. He's good-looking, wealthy, can't complete a sentence, breaks out in tears - a lot, and is pretty self-absorbed. He has his foulmouthed Glaswigean sex goddess flatmate and his cat for friends, and that's about it. His famous parents have ignored him for years though he pathetically still tries to catch their attention. He's got a lot of show more issues.
Tariq is a gay but religious Muslim who's just a nice guy with four flatmates named Dave (this was one of the funniest scenes for me when Paris met these guys). Other reviewers have noted this isn't really a romance book though the two guys have a relationship of sorts. The book covers a lot of difficult topics: mental illness, homophobia, religious doctrines, etc., so the romance is a very minor plot point.
Alexis Hall is such a great writer. He makes me laugh out loud on almost every page, even when covering Paris's traumas and mishaps. He handles the bits about mental illness with delicacy and compassion. I love the way he has Paris use a lot of made-up words that just fit his personality - not new words but words remodeled to fit his speech.
It was a pleasure to revisit the presenters and production staff of Bake Expectations again. I feel as if they're real people I know now, and I want to watch them on TV. It's another great book from one of my favorite authors. show less
Paris is a difficult person to like. He's good-looking, wealthy, can't complete a sentence, breaks out in tears - a lot, and is pretty self-absorbed. He has his foulmouthed Glaswigean sex goddess flatmate and his cat for friends, and that's about it. His famous parents have ignored him for years though he pathetically still tries to catch their attention. He's got a lot of show more issues.
Tariq is a gay but religious Muslim who's just a nice guy with four flatmates named Dave (this was one of the funniest scenes for me when Paris met these guys). Other reviewers have noted this isn't really a romance book though the two guys have a relationship of sorts. The book covers a lot of difficult topics: mental illness, homophobia, religious doctrines, etc., so the romance is a very minor plot point.
Alexis Hall is such a great writer. He makes me laugh out loud on almost every page, even when covering Paris's traumas and mishaps. He handles the bits about mental illness with delicacy and compassion. I love the way he has Paris use a lot of made-up words that just fit his personality - not new words but words remodeled to fit his speech.
It was a pleasure to revisit the presenters and production staff of Bake Expectations again. I feel as if they're real people I know now, and I want to watch them on TV. It's another great book from one of my favorite authors. show less
Usually when I start a new Alexis Hall novel, I devour it as quickly as possible, making poor life decisions like staying up too late at night or reading during work hours. But for the first time with an AH book, I found myself reluctant and almost afraid to read each chapter.
The reason for this surprising (and disappointing) reaction is obvious from the first page: Paris Daillencourt is a complete and utter mess. And not in a "cute" way (see Luc in [b:Boyfriend Material|50225678|Boyfriend Material (London Calling, #1)|Alexis Hall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575987260l/50225678._SX50_.jpg|73590298] or Ardy in [b:How to Bang a Billionaire|31423483|How to Bang a Billionaire (Arden St. Ives, show more #1)|Alexis Hall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488428154l/31423483._SY75_.jpg|52115149]). Paris is plagued by toxic self-doubt and anxiety. He can barely bring himself to speak to Tariq, the cute, gay fellow contestant on Bake Expectation, and when he does it's 90% apologies for existing.
Somehow Tariq finds Paris appealing enough to start dating him, but their third act breakup is foreshadowed in every interaction and every thought in Paris' head. This is just a sample from Paris' train trip to visit Tariq:
This sequel to [b:Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake|55533831|Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake (Winner Bakes All, #1)|Alexis Hall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610495934l/55533831._SY75_.jpg|86199564] is entertaining when it's not focused on Paris. It features an assortment of interesting secondary characters who are vying for the top spot on the show, and it has its humorous moments, most of which involve the cheerfully profane producer Jennifer Hallet. Rosaline is referred to but not seen, although an unforgettable secondary character from her season does make a cameo appearance. I liked the fact that, unlike last time, we get to see the recording AND the broadcasting of the show, which allows for Hall to include plenty of opinionated Tweets (are there any other kind?) as the contestants are eliminated week by week.
The book becomes more engaging and less horrifying after the breakup, when Paris finally admits he has a problem and takes steps to be a better, healthier person. I liked this version of Paris, and I could finally understand what Tariq saw in him. But it was a long slog to get to that point, and it didn't make up for the excruciating majority of the book. YMMV if you have never experienced anxiety and can live inside Paris' brain with more detachment than I could manage.
ARC gratefully received from Net Galley in exchange for objective review. show less
The reason for this surprising (and disappointing) reaction is obvious from the first page: Paris Daillencourt is a complete and utter mess. And not in a "cute" way (see Luc in [b:Boyfriend Material|50225678|Boyfriend Material (London Calling, #1)|Alexis Hall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575987260l/50225678._SX50_.jpg|73590298] or Ardy in [b:How to Bang a Billionaire|31423483|How to Bang a Billionaire (Arden St. Ives, show more #1)|Alexis Hall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488428154l/31423483._SY75_.jpg|52115149]). Paris is plagued by toxic self-doubt and anxiety. He can barely bring himself to speak to Tariq, the cute, gay fellow contestant on Bake Expectation, and when he does it's 90% apologies for existing.
Somehow Tariq finds Paris appealing enough to start dating him, but their third act breakup is foreshadowed in every interaction and every thought in Paris' head. This is just a sample from Paris' train trip to visit Tariq:
Mostly it was the legroom that bothered him. He'd inherited height from both sides of his family, and public transport almost always required him to bend his legs in ways that were a recipe for cramps and - eventually, probably - deep vein thrombosis.Did that make you crazy? Multiply that little excerpt enough times to fill 80% of the book and see how you feel. Of course the relationship with the charming Tariq is doomed; Paris can't get out of his head long enough to really care about anyone else.
But it was too late now. Or maybe it wasn't? Maybe he could just make his way up to first class anyway, and then ask for an upgrade when the conductor came round? But if that didn't work he could be fined and while he probably could afford a fine he might also have to go to court and then he'd have a criminal record.
He made his way up the aisle, trying not to go too fast or too slow, or to hit anyone with his overnight bag, looking for the least objectionable space, and panicking in case the real least objectionable space turned out to be the one he'd just walked past and now couldn't go back to.
This sequel to [b:Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake|55533831|Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake (Winner Bakes All, #1)|Alexis Hall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610495934l/55533831._SY75_.jpg|86199564] is entertaining when it's not focused on Paris. It features an assortment of interesting secondary characters who are vying for the top spot on the show, and it has its humorous moments, most of which involve the cheerfully profane producer Jennifer Hallet. Rosaline is referred to but not seen, although an unforgettable secondary character from her season does make a cameo appearance. I liked the fact that, unlike last time, we get to see the recording AND the broadcasting of the show, which allows for Hall to include plenty of opinionated Tweets (are there any other kind?) as the contestants are eliminated week by week.
The book becomes more engaging and less horrifying after the breakup, when Paris finally admits he has a problem and takes steps to be a better, healthier person. I liked this version of Paris, and I could finally understand what Tariq saw in him. But it was a long slog to get to that point, and it didn't make up for the excruciating majority of the book. YMMV if you have never experienced anxiety and can live inside Paris' brain with more detachment than I could manage.
ARC gratefully received from Net Galley in exchange for objective review. show less
On the surface this should have worked for me. I adored Love & Other Disasters where two people met on a cooking show, bantered, and boom: love. This had a similar premise. They meet on a baking show and immediately have a meet-disaster where Paris accidentally gives Tariq a bloody nose on camera with a refrigerator door.
Ooh boy. I'm a person with anxiety and cannot handle secondhand embarrassment so following along in a story where we see every single anxious thought that Paris has was a struggle. The poor guy was so in his head even though he was doing fairly well in the competition.
I hated that Paris would text his folks almost weekly and never seemed to have a response back. He just didn't have very many people in his corner and I show more find that just so sad. He was horrifically awkward but his heart was usually in the right place. The fact that no one took him by the hand years ago and said look, your brain is a liar and we'll get you help was painful for me.
There were some funny parts but the stand out part of this book was the discussion about sexuality and religion. There are very few Muslim love interests in mainstream romance and even fewer unapologetically gay Muslims so this was an interesting story to follow about how important his faith was to him.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own. show less
Ooh boy. I'm a person with anxiety and cannot handle secondhand embarrassment so following along in a story where we see every single anxious thought that Paris has was a struggle. The poor guy was so in his head even though he was doing fairly well in the competition.
I hated that Paris would text his folks almost weekly and never seemed to have a response back. He just didn't have very many people in his corner and I show more find that just so sad. He was horrifically awkward but his heart was usually in the right place. The fact that no one took him by the hand years ago and said look, your brain is a liar and we'll get you help was painful for me.
There were some funny parts but the stand out part of this book was the discussion about sexuality and religion. There are very few Muslim love interests in mainstream romance and even fewer unapologetically gay Muslims so this was an interesting story to follow about how important his faith was to him.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own. show less
*2.5 stars*
This is marketed as a m/m contemporary romance. STOP. It is not a romance. I mean the characters get together in the end but honestly they should not. The author has also not given any tangible reason for me to believe that they will last together.
Phew.
I had no idea the protagonists in this would be so young. That's where it all unravels I think in it being sold as a romance. Paris has so many issues and tbh even by the end of the book I don't get the sense that he has sufficiently worked on them enough to be with someone else. I am sorry, but he needs to have moved further to convince me he can be in a healthy relationship with someone else. A HEA or HFN is the major requirement of romance novels yes, but the best ones sell show more the relationship. They leave you convinced the couple is together and meant to be together. Rosaline (1st book in the series) succeeded in this aspect but I simply do not see it in Paris and Tariq sadly. Paris's parents are also First class Pricks.
Tariq was fun. His family scenes were my best in the book. I liked how thoughtfully the author also wrote about his religious beliefs. That was cool.
I enjoyed reading about the actual baking but I won't lie that seeing most of them through Paris's viewpoint took out some of my enjoyment.
IDK don't read this expecting fluff. Or believing the blurb.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC. show less
This is marketed as a m/m contemporary romance. STOP. It is not a romance. I mean the characters get together in the end but honestly they should not. The author has also not given any tangible reason for me to believe that they will last together.
Phew.
I had no idea the protagonists in this would be so young. That's where it all unravels I think in it being sold as a romance. Paris has so many issues and tbh even by the end of the book I don't get the sense that he has sufficiently worked on them enough to be with someone else. I am sorry, but he needs to have moved further to convince me he can be in a healthy relationship with someone else. A HEA or HFN is the major requirement of romance novels yes, but the best ones sell show more the relationship. They leave you convinced the couple is together and meant to be together. Rosaline (1st book in the series) succeeded in this aspect but I simply do not see it in Paris and Tariq sadly. Paris's parents are also First class Pricks.
Tariq was fun. His family scenes were my best in the book. I liked how thoughtfully the author also wrote about his religious beliefs. That was cool.
I enjoyed reading about the actual baking but I won't lie that seeing most of them through Paris's viewpoint took out some of my enjoyment.
IDK don't read this expecting fluff. Or believing the blurb.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC. show less
between 3 and 3.5 stars. this is definitely my favorite of the alexis hall books that i've read so far. they're always a little too long for me and this is no exception, but it was a little less of an issue for me this time. i thought paris' anxiety was well handled, and i think it showed good insight into how someone with pretty intense anxiety might interpret everything going on around him, how his mind won't let him relax at all. (my anxiety is far milder.) i felt the way the medicine, once he finally got on it, described him feeling/thinking seemed spot on, for how it worked in my head, anyway.
i would have been happy with an ending that did or didn't put these two together, because for me this was more about paris figuring out his show more brain, and finding a way for it to work for him and not against him. tariq could have been just a stop along that path, and that would have been ok, i think.
i've never watched one of these baking shows, but i think setting this there was probably really fun for a lot of readers, since those shows are so popular. i thought it was fun, too, but probably missed some references that were made. show less
i would have been happy with an ending that did or didn't put these two together, because for me this was more about paris figuring out his show more brain, and finding a way for it to work for him and not against him. tariq could have been just a stop along that path, and that would have been ok, i think.
i've never watched one of these baking shows, but i think setting this there was probably really fun for a lot of readers, since those shows are so popular. i thought it was fun, too, but probably missed some references that were made. show less
I found the main character just about as annoying as Ruby on series 3 of the GBBO. He was extremely anxiety filled and the sensation of being in his head was worsening my own intrusive thoughts. The second half of the book was much better. I found the secondary characters of Tariq and Morag MUCH more entertaining and alive than the main character. I would definitely love a spin off series with Morag.
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble
- Original publication date
- 2022-11-01
- People/Characters
- Paris Daillencourt; Tariq Hassan
- First words
- PARIS DAILLENCOURT WAS removing his biscuits from the oven while a naked man he'd never seen before raided the fridge for beer.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)But it didn't matter, because—just then—Tariq drew him down into another kiss.
- Publisher's editor
- Pierpont, Amy
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- Reviews
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- Rating
- (3.54)
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- Danish, English
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- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
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- 11
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