Thank you so much to Alexis Hall, Forever & NetGalley for an advance copy of this book!

I will be honest, I was nervous about reading this one as I enjoyed Boyfriend Material but it wasn't my favorite and felt like it dragged. But this exceeded my expectations and I absolutely loved this. I did not get a chance to read Rosaline's book first but I felt that it was okay not to have read it first? Not reading it did not take away Paris's story.

"My advice to you is to stay calm, try to enjoy it, and remember at the end of the day it's only baking."

Paris Daillencourt is selected to be on the next season of BBC's Bake Expectations. He starts off strong but slowly his anxiety and need to feel perfect slowly starts to overtake and he begins to struggle on the show. While on the show he meets Tariq Hassan where they instantly connected. Tariq acknowledges Paris's anxiety and works with him but ultimately knows that it is beyond what he can do to help.

"I just don't - I don't know how to not be terrified all the time."

I think the reason why I enjoyed this so much was how I related this to Paris. I don't think my anxiety is as bad as what was detailed in this book but I similarly have these thoughts daily. I am constantly worried about saying the wrong thing, posting the wrong thing, just being judged by everyone around me whether I know them or not.  It definitely comes through when  I am packing for a trip or trying to plan an outfit. I think but what if it's this, but what if it's that. I will share my thoughts with my husband of all these things and he just looks at me and I say I know its exhausted being in this brain. I am not sure how my husband puts up with it but I think he has learned to just let me work through it and is there for some stable ground when I need him.  I just wanted to give Paris a big hug.

"I just wish I could be half as...everything as you are."
"Honey, I wish I was half as everything as you think I am."

I really LOVE Tariq. He challenged Paris in so many ways and wanted Paris to be the best version of himself that he knew he could be. And I also really liked that he didn't just go back to him when Paris showed he was getting better. He waited and gave him more time to work through his treatment. In the end he could not turn off the charm that is Paris. I loved his family and the role that they play in his life. I also thought it was refreshing to have a male love interest who isn't willing to give up his beliefs for anyone. He knows who he is and isn't going to compromise that.  I also loved that he recognized that their relationship could be a showmance which I feel like is very common among reality tv relationships - kudos to Alexis for including this. 

One item that we wished we had more resolution was Paris's parents. I wanted to know more about their story with being neglectful and why they are choosing to ignore their only child. I understand there are parents who choose to do this and it makes me so angry. I hope through therapy Paris stops reaching out to them and carves his own life away from them (which I guess that is what he does). I feel his need to be perfect stems from his need to get the attention from his parents. He is constantly to try to prove he is worthy and exceeding in life. 

Another reason why I enjoyed this so much is because my husband and I went through a phase and binged watched all the seasons of the Great British Bake Off during the pandemic. It took me back to those episodes and the cheekiness of the hosts with the contestants. 

I love that Alexis included recipes featured in the story at the end of the book. I love these added bonus elements that authors will include - recipes, playlists, etc. 

Bravo! I can't wait to go back to read Rosaline and see what the next book in the Bake Expectations beholds.