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sleepysncring's review
too much swearing everyone is so harsh and too many sex references
garbutch's review
emotional
sad
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I have a lot of baggage that this book poked at. I wanted to sympathize with the protagonist but the kissing without asking and the groping without asking are just not things that make a character likeable or relatable.
The mental illness stuff also seemed well above and beyond generalized anxiety disorder, IMO. But maybe wealthy cis men have a different experience with pathologization than I do. I've been diagnosed with BPD a few times over and feel doubtful that Paris didn't have some kind of cluster B thing going on. Also just applying 1 therapy and 1 medication just seemed like way too simple a fix and not representative of the reality of what interacting with the mental health care system is like.
I've got other stuff I typed out and then deleted but yeah. This is definitely my least favourite Alexis Hall book by a long shot.
The mental illness stuff also seemed well above and beyond generalized anxiety disorder, IMO. But maybe wealthy cis men have a different experience with pathologization than I do. I've been diagnosed with BPD a few times over and feel doubtful that Paris didn't have some kind of cluster B thing going on. Also just applying 1 therapy and 1 medication just seemed like way too simple a fix and not representative of the reality of what interacting with the mental health care system is like.
I've got other stuff I typed out and then deleted but yeah. This is definitely my least favourite Alexis Hall book by a long shot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Toxic friendship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Racism and Sexual assault
iamleighbot's review against another edition
3.25
This is the first rating I've used the CAWPILE system on and I was kind of surprised! I was going to give this a 2.5 but I did enjoy the writing and the plot, so that outweighed how much I did not like Paris (at all!). Tariq was wonderful but deserved so much better. And the whole plot about Paris' parents was ridiculous - it was trying to be heartbreaker but was just infuriating for me. Tariq's family was the best part of the book
bookforestsprite's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Classic Alexis Hall mixture of hilarious, complex, sensitive, silly and hitting hard in unexpected emotional places. I loved the silly adorable side (Paris the classicist who is embarrassed of his poshness but can't help it, the whole bake contest and quirky characters, Tariq in all his glittering fabulousness, his wonderful family) as much as the complex, dark and relatable, deeply human themes (Tariq's principles, Paris's crushing anxiety and its origins, how his abandonment unfolded before him). I loved the compassion shining out of every crevice of this book even more than all the sparkly nail varnish (and I REALLY liked the sparkly nail varnish!!).
Treat yourself to this wonderful book, go on!
Treat yourself to this wonderful book, go on!
adrien_dante's review
emotional
funny
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
snowysreads's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
i ADORE this book.
this book is funny, lighthearted and you will fall in love. the characters are charming and lovable. the book is a delightful rom com but is also heartwarming with an engaging narrative.
if you want a short, lighthearted rom com - this book is for you!
NOTE: i can't bake. i can probably burn water. this book did make me think that i could quit my 9-5 to become a baker.
this book is funny, lighthearted and you will fall in love. the characters are charming and lovable. the book is a delightful rom com but is also heartwarming with an engaging narrative.
if you want a short, lighthearted rom com - this book is for you!
NOTE: i can't bake. i can probably burn water. this book did make me think that i could quit my 9-5 to become a baker.
k_a_r_e_n_b's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was exhausting honestly. Love the premise but the execution was exhausting to listen to. Narrator did a great job I just wonder whether reading Paris might not have been easier than listening to him.
crochet_bby's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
incredible. this is one of the funniest books I have ever read in my entire life, and absolutely precious. so well done I barely even have words for it. another win for the gays.
I also really appreciated the way the author treated Paris's relationship with his parents (or lack thereof).
I also really appreciated the way the author treated Paris's relationship with his parents (or lack thereof).
ekmorgan's review against another edition
3.75
I empathize with Paris as someone who has crippling social anxiety. While I thought his inner turmoil lasted a bit too long, and I didn't find the characters + relationships as fleshed out as I would like, this book was still a really fun read.