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A review by displacedcactus
Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble by Alexis Hall
emotional
funny
fast-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
This book has a lot going for it. It's a gay baking show romance! There's a cat! It starts off with a really funny scene and the writing sparkles throughout! Unfortunately, there were a couple of things that stopped it from being a perfect read for me.
The biggest problem is that we only get Paris's POV for the entire book. This makes Tariq, who is wonderful, feel more like an object for Paris to win rather than his own fully realized character. I would have liked more insight into how he's feeling when Paris puts his foot in his mouth, and how he personally processes the stress of being in Bake Expectations.
The other thing is, Paris's POV is *exhausting*. As somebody who has low-key anxiety, I find it really stressful reading MCs with anxiety. It makes me anxious for them, and anxious for myself. Like what if my anxiety ever gets this bad?
The other other thing is Paris is kind of a jerk sometimes. Yes, some of it can be blamed on his anxiety but I really do think he comes across as a self-centered rich boy who isn't fully aware of his privilege, even when he's trying to be.
Two other things to note: This book does contain spoilers for the previous book in the series, but much like the seasons of your favorite baking competition, it largely stands well on its own. Also, there's zero sex in this book. Tariq doesn't believe in having sex before marriage. This isn't personally a choice I agree with but I thought it was nice to see how Tariq navigates his Muslim faith and sexuality.
The biggest problem is that we only get Paris's POV for the entire book. This makes Tariq, who is wonderful, feel more like an object for Paris to win rather than his own fully realized character. I would have liked more insight into how he's feeling when Paris puts his foot in his mouth, and how he personally processes the stress of being in Bake Expectations.
The other thing is, Paris's POV is *exhausting*. As somebody who has low-key anxiety, I find it really stressful reading MCs with anxiety. It makes me anxious for them, and anxious for myself. Like what if my anxiety ever gets this bad?
The other other thing is Paris is kind of a jerk sometimes. Yes, some of it can be blamed on his anxiety but I really do think he comes across as a self-centered rich boy who isn't fully aware of his privilege, even when he's trying to be.
Two other things to note: This book does contain spoilers for the previous book in the series, but much like the seasons of your favorite baking competition, it largely stands well on its own. Also, there's zero sex in this book. Tariq doesn't believe in having sex before marriage. This isn't personally a choice I agree with but I thought it was nice to see how Tariq navigates his Muslim faith and sexuality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, and Islamophobia