This book started off so strong. I loved the premise, the GBBO feel and I loved that Paris’ friend entered him in the competition. But outside of that, this book was a rough read. As someone with anxiety and frequent panic attacks, I loved seeing the representation in this book, however, being inside Paris’ head the whole time was so exhausting. I wish the author would have done another POV to give us a break from his overthinking. Because he overthought EVERYTHING. Like every little thing. And I get he was written like that on purpose, but it just became so frustrating and very old, very fast. I skimmed through the last 15% because I couldn’t handle his narration anymore.

- The romance in this book also fell flat. I wasn’t sold on Paris and Tariq at all and I wish they would have just been friends. Their chemistry wasn’t there.
- I also wish we wouldn’t have gotten so much fade to black moments with the actual competition. That’s the main thing that made me interested in this book because I love GBBO so much.
- I am glad Paris got help and therapy in the end. I’m so glad he got better, but I almost wish that would have happened sooner so we could have enjoyed that side of Paris more.
- & the whole parent thing is never even cleared up? They just fuck off somewhere and ignore their kid. I was hoping we would have gotten some clarity on that & we didn’t at all.


My notes while reading:

- Paris is very self-conscious and self-deprecating
- GBBO vibe and I’m HERE for it.
- I get he doesn’t believe in himself, but I do feel like he goes way too far and jumps to conclusions a BIT too much. It’s a little over the top at times.
- This dude has SEVERE anxiety, like top-notch, non-stop, brain-numbing anxiety.
- P&P reference. They literally never get old.
- What is up with his parents? They’re mentioned and he texts them but there’s something weird with them.
- Paris is kind of a sheltered asshole?
- He’s the cringiest main character I’ve ever read and I don’t think I like him (27% in)
- I wish he would stop second guessing himself 100% of the time.
- Paris is the definition of over-thinking
- It’s exhausting being in his head.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I liked this book. I didn’t love it though. The side characters carried it through. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Naomi, but I loved Waylay, Nash, Naomi’s parents, Stef, and the rest of the town more than the two main characters.

What I liked:
- it was a solid romance between Naomi & Knox. They had great chemistry.
- The banter was fantastic. I loved it so much
- WAYLAY. I absolutely loved her character. I loved seeing her develop and grow under Naomi’s care.
- Stef. All the great lines from this book belonged to him. I’d read a book just about him.

What I didn’t like:
- Knox. I didn’t hate him. But I did hate the way he spoke to Naomi sometimes. He just acted so entitled half the time and I wasn’t a big fan.
- The crime side to it. I think that whole side plot could have been cut out and we still would have gotten a good story.

Overall, I did enjoy this and it’s a great book to binge.