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Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'
Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble by Alexis Hall
21 reviews
themdash's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
marmaladereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-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
3.75
How does a zero spice book about anxiety have so many dick jokes?
It turns out I actually love books that give you the worst kind of secondhand embarrassment. Paris is the worst kind of disaster "keeps fucking everything up when it was actually going okay because anxiety" kind of way and I was cringing and laughing on his behalf the entire time. This book is a painful look at anxiety disorder and we're in Paris's head the whole time which is honestly a little cringe but it is also hilarious and snarky in a very classic Alexis Hall type of way. And yes, it is like 40% penis jokes. A shocking amount of penis jokes, really. (They're all funny.)
I do think the second half is when things fall apart a little bit. Paris gets predictably better (this is a romance novel, after all, everyone gets their HEA) but I do wish the time scale was a looot longer. It just happened a bit too quickly for me given how severe his anxiety was, it felt a wee bit too magical therapy moment.
Oh, and there's the whole baking competition bit, so that's nice too, I guess.
It turns out I actually love books that give you the worst kind of secondhand embarrassment. Paris is the worst kind of disaster "keeps fucking everything up when it was actually going okay because anxiety" kind of way and I was cringing and laughing on his behalf the entire time. This book is a painful look at anxiety disorder and we're in Paris's head the whole time which is honestly a little cringe but it is also hilarious and snarky in a very classic Alexis Hall type of way. And yes, it is like 40% penis jokes. A shocking amount of penis jokes, really. (They're all funny.)
I do think the second half is when things fall apart a little bit. Paris gets predictably better (this is a romance novel, after all, everyone gets their HEA) but I do wish the time scale was a looot longer. It just happened a bit too quickly for me given how severe his anxiety was, it felt a wee bit too magical therapy moment.
Oh, and there's the whole baking competition bit, so that's nice too, I guess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship
booksthatburn's review against another edition
emotional
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Death, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Murder, and Alcohol
vishnork's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Abandonment
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Religious bigotry
adventuresinfantasy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Racism and Religious bigotry
thethingwithfeathers's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Bullying and Religious bigotry
alfalky's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Bullying, Racial slurs, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry
pkc's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Alexis Hall has written an exceptionally funny story where queer romance meets The Great British Bake Off, and added delightfully messy characters that you can't help but love.
When Paris's self professed fat Glaswegian sex goddess roommate, Morag, enters him into Bake Expectations, he doesn't expect do well at all. Except he does. He does really well. And then he meets fellow competitor sparkly Tariq, with his beautiful varnished nails and assured sense of style. If only Paris had any self esteem and could stop worrying himself in circles about well, everything.
Paris Daillencourt is About to Crumble follows Paris's journey through competing on the nations favorite bake show, while he tries to push past his crippling anxiety.
Favorite Moments: The character banter, food descriptions, Grace Forsythe!
Least Favorite: All the baking talk made me so hungry! I would have loved some closure on Paris's parents. (Though I understand it is more realistic this way.)
I have seen so many mixed reviews in regards to Paris, his general personality, and mental health struggle. I must admit dear reader, that I do have biases towards his overall character and growth. I have struggled with what ifs and the paralyzing anxiety that comes with it. It is incredibly draining to be around someone who needs constant emotional support and reassurance, especially when they haven't gotten any help for them problems. I think that a lot of people are missing that Paris did get help. More important he is trying. Trying to do better, and quite honestly he is in a much better place mentally then at the beginning of the book. I really liked how Hall depicted Paris and Tariq's relationship and how Tariq established boundaries. I also thought the microaggressions that Tariq faced were masterfully well done, microaggressions are always so frustrating because it feels impossible to call people out on them.
This is the second book in the Winner Bakes All series and the second book of Alexis Hall's that I have read. Easily read as a standalone, I didn't read the first book and had no trouble following. Alexis Hall is an extremely talented writer, no matter the pov or character you always feel like you are experiencing what the character is, be it a regency era romance, or a light hearted baking story. He now stands as one of my current favorite authors(I love consistency), I can't wait to read more by him.
The Cover
I overall think that this is a good composition, and I do like it, though there are a few elements I don't love.
First the overall use of a rainbow sliced cake is a great nod to the fact that this is a queer book. (Sometimes I go to a bookstore and it's hard to tell if a book is apart of the LGBT or not!) I think it is really cute how Tariq and Paris are both leaning against it, each standing in a way that conveys their personality.
The polka dot background seems a bit messy, and I feel it could have easily been a solid color or less busy.
I adore how the font follows the cake lines and seems to be going in and out, it adds depth and great character.
With how many times Tariq's fashion and overall style is mentioned, it would have been nice to see that conveyed through his outfit. While he is dressed nicely, it is missing his flamboyant and colorful sense of style present in the book. ALSO! Tariq's nails are our first introduction to his character, and a defining point throughout the story. I can't believe his nails aren't painted his signature rainbow color, or another bold pattern.
Paris is taller then Tariq but his art seems less like he was drawn tall and more like he was enlarged to be bigger, with some of his proportions looking a bit off as a result.
Overall I think it is a very cute cover, and works so well with the story and theme.
Cover design and illustration by Elizabeth Turner Stokes
When Paris's self professed fat Glaswegian sex goddess roommate, Morag, enters him into Bake Expectations, he doesn't expect do well at all. Except he does. He does really well. And then he meets fellow competitor sparkly Tariq, with his beautiful varnished nails and assured sense of style. If only Paris had any self esteem and could stop worrying himself in circles about well, everything.
Paris Daillencourt is About to Crumble follows Paris's journey through competing on the nations favorite bake show, while he tries to push past his crippling anxiety.
Favorite Moments: The character banter, food descriptions, Grace Forsythe!
Least Favorite: All the baking talk made me so hungry! I would have loved some closure on Paris's parents. (Though I understand it is more realistic this way.)
I have seen so many mixed reviews in regards to Paris, his general personality, and mental health struggle. I must admit dear reader, that I do have biases towards his overall character and growth. I have struggled with what ifs and the paralyzing anxiety that comes with it. It is incredibly draining to be around someone who needs constant emotional support and reassurance, especially when they haven't gotten any help for them problems. I think that a lot of people are missing that Paris did get help. More important he is trying. Trying to do better, and quite honestly he is in a much better place mentally then at the beginning of the book. I really liked how Hall depicted Paris and Tariq's relationship and how Tariq established boundaries. I also thought the microaggressions that Tariq faced were masterfully well done, microaggressions are always so frustrating because it feels impossible to call people out on them.
This is the second book in the Winner Bakes All series and the second book of Alexis Hall's that I have read. Easily read as a standalone, I didn't read the first book and had no trouble following. Alexis Hall is an extremely talented writer, no matter the pov or character you always feel like you are experiencing what the character is, be it a regency era romance, or a light hearted baking story. He now stands as one of my current favorite authors(I love consistency), I can't wait to read more by him.
The Cover
I overall think that this is a good composition, and I do like it, though there are a few elements I don't love.
First the overall use of a rainbow sliced cake is a great nod to the fact that this is a queer book. (Sometimes I go to a bookstore and it's hard to tell if a book is apart of the LGBT or not!) I think it is really cute how Tariq and Paris are both leaning against it, each standing in a way that conveys their personality.
The polka dot background seems a bit messy, and I feel it could have easily been a solid color or less busy.
I adore how the font follows the cake lines and seems to be going in and out, it adds depth and great character.
With how many times Tariq's fashion and overall style is mentioned, it would have been nice to see that conveyed through his outfit. While he is dressed nicely, it is missing his flamboyant and colorful sense of style present in the book. ALSO! Tariq's nails are our first introduction to his character, and a defining point throughout the story. I can't believe his nails aren't painted his signature rainbow color, or another bold pattern.
Paris is taller then Tariq but his art seems less like he was drawn tall and more like he was enlarged to be bigger, with some of his proportions looking a bit off as a result.
Overall I think it is a very cute cover, and works so well with the story and theme.
Cover design and illustration by Elizabeth Turner Stokes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Homophobia, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry
anika222's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
This was a pretty heavy book for a romance. It heavily features Paris' undiagnosed/untreated anxiety including many indepth, on page descriptions.
Because Paris is an unreliable narrator for the first 3/4, the romance is really in the background and hard to see/feel the chemistry between him and Tariq.
Everyone in Paris' life is focused on what they perceive to be his shortcomings/flaws and Tariq and his best friend both handle supporting him really poorly. Both relationships get addressed, apologies are made, but we don't really get to see either of them change. It was honestly hard to read in a romance where we usually get to live out more idealistic relationships, but it was realistic.
Paris really deserves a lot of love and I would have liked to see him get just a whole ton more of it.
I did really enjoy Tariq's character outside of his treatment of Paris. Hall writes queer characters so well and representative of queer culture which I find absent in so many queer books where the characters are just being plunked into straight stories but with two men/women/nonbinary people.
Because Paris is an unreliable narrator for the first 3/4, the romance is really in the background and hard to see/feel the chemistry between him and Tariq.
Everyone in Paris' life is focused on what they perceive to be his shortcomings/flaws and Tariq and his best friend both handle supporting him really poorly. Both relationships get addressed, apologies are made, but we don't really get to see either of them change. It was honestly hard to read in a romance where we usually get to live out more idealistic relationships, but it was realistic.
Paris really deserves a lot of love and I would have liked to see him get just a whole ton more of it.
I did really enjoy Tariq's character outside of his treatment of Paris. Hall writes queer characters so well and representative of queer culture which I find absent in so many queer books where the characters are just being plunked into straight stories but with two men/women/nonbinary people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Religious bigotry