Review by Booklist Review
Of all the embarrassing things Paris Daillencourt imagined he might do on Bake Expectations, hitting someone in the face with a refrigerator door never even made the list. Yet that is exactly what Paris does to fellow contestant Tariq Hassan during the first episode of the popular television series. However, much to Paris' surprise, not only does Tariq not seem to be furious with Paris, he may actually be flirting with him. With plenty of cheeky charm and a deliciously acerbic sense of wit, Hall (Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake, 2021) serves up another irresistible helping of romantic yumminess that brilliantly showcases a mastery of comic banter and slow-burn sexual tension. In addition to delivering a swoon-worthy romance, Hall also sensitively explores the challenges of living with social anxiety while also offering up plenty of moments of twee goodness between the contestants and judges of a televised baking competition that just might resemble The Great British Bake-Off.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Centering the depiction of a romantic protagonist on mental illness is a risk; making that depiction comic is riskier. If anyone can pull it off, it's Hall (Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake), but even so, this laugh-cry rom-com about anxiety disorder succeeds more as a personal growth story than a love story. Wealthy, white university student Paris Daillencourt's crippling anxiety means he's most at ease in his London flat. But his roommate pushes him to compete in a Great British Bake Off--style reality show, and because Paris can't face conflict, he does as he's told. Initially the spirals of paralyzing antilogic that dog his every thought have a Robin Williams quality, but once he starts negotiating the flirtatious overtures of Tariq, a Bangladeshi Muslim fellow contestant, the wrecking ball of Paris's anxiety overcomes the humor. Internalized bias and social pressure exacerbate the damage to the men's budding relationship, but luckily, as the wince factor rises, expertly sketched supporting characters assume the comedic responsibility. Resolving the lovers' angst requires something of a fairy tale twist, but the rocky road to their happy ending is thoughtful, worthwhile, and, yes, funny. Series fans will not be disappointed. Agent: Courtney Miller-Callihan, Handspun Literary. (Oct.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Paris is a new graduate who has absolutely no direction in life, despite his talents and qualifications. So when his roommate enters him into the Bake Expectations contest, Paris is sure he won't be accepted--until he is and now has to be on television in front of the whole nation. Paris's photograph should be in the dictionary next to the entry for "anxiety," but he doesn't recognize this as the cause of his troubles. When he meets the cool and confident (and extremely attractive) Tariq during filming, his nerves become all-consuming. The second entry in Hall's "Winner Bakes All" series (after Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake) is beautiful, nerve-wracking, and endearing. The focus for most of the book is on Paris's undiagnosed anxiety and panic disorders, with the whole story expertly written from his perspective and with the romance often taking a backseat--though there is still plenty of romance. The characters are all thoroughly explored and fleshed out as individuals instead of archetypes, which gives this novel great depth. VERDICT A deep and impactful novel, with more layers than you'll find on Cake Week.--Ahliah Bratzler
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A self-conscious, disaster-prone baker develops a crush on one of his fellow contestants on a famous British reality show. Paris Daillencourt and self-confidence don't usually belong in the same sentence. While he may have grown up rather well-off, his wealthy background only seems to isolate him from his peers. His sole friend is his roommate, Morag, who strong-armed him into a friendship. It's because of her that he's showcasing his baking talents on Britain's favorite reality show, Bake Expectations. His first day on set turns into a disaster when he hits fellow contestant Tariq Hassan in the face with a refrigerator door, giving the man a bloody nose and interrupting the chocolate chip cookie challenge for both of them. Paris naturally feels gutted, though Tariq reassures him things are completely fine--no hard feelings. This back and forth, with Paris radiating anxiety and other characters trying to soothe him, sets up a cycle that occurs throughout the book. Paris will make a mistake (perceived or otherwise), agonize, and mentally beat himself up to the point of an anxiety attack until someone talks him down. Living with and treating an anxiety disorder is the bulk of Paris' journey. While it's wonderful to see more mental health representation in romance, especially with a character who's on a journey to diagnosis, the level of attention Hall pays to Paris' anxiety can drown out the struggles faced by other characters. Tariq has his own challenges with Islamophobia and microaggressions, which don't get nearly as much attention. Several secondary characters are needlessly unpleasant, from Jennifer Hallet, the Bake Expectations producer, to Morag, Paris' roommate, who often undermines Paris' feelings and concerns. Hall has lofty aspirations in this romance that fail to fully rise. The complexity of the issues facing Paris and Tariq both separately and as a couple are explored unevenly and with resolutions that feel shaky at best. An ambitious romance that fails to conquer the couple's many obstacles. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
