Paris in the fall. The Eiffel tower, the blanket of colorful leaves on the ground of the Jardin du Luxembourg, the picturesque cobbled streets of Montmartre. Sounds amazing, right? That’s exactly what I thought when my boss offered me to come here to critique restaurants.
Well, the reality is a completely different beast.
There is no accordion music playing in the street, the city smells like smoke, and I have yet to see a single guy wearing a beret! This was all a lie.
To top it all, I’m now a prisoner of this city because of a national strike keeping all planes on the ground and flooding hotels capacities. At least one cliché wasn’t false.
Enter Olivier Brun, chef of a Michelin star restaurant and as hot as a pizza oven who offers me a room and even cooks me breakfast. So, when he asks me to pretend to be his date for his matchmaking mom’s birthday, I return the favor.
As we get to know each other through pun-filled cooking lessons, farmer’s market outings and autumn festivals, I start to fall in loaf with Paris… and Olivier. Suddenly, the idea of relocating here isn’t as crazy.
But does Olivier feel the same? And if he does, will he be able to get past the fact that I lied about my job?
Paris, Pumpkins & Puns is a closed-door romcom with cozy autumn vibes, plenty of cooking puns and an irresistible Frenchman.
Fans of Fake Dating and Secret Identity, you'll enjoy this standalone novel full of laughs and sizzling chemistry without the explicit scenes!
Enjoy the other full-length books in the Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice series, which can be read in any order:
Hating the Cinnamon Roll CEO by Camilla Evergreen Falling for Autumn (Again) by Jen Atkinson Paris, Pumpkins & Puns by Marion De Ré Fall With Me by Amanda P. Jones Cinnamon & Spice Conundrum by Leah Busboom Cinnamon Roll Set Up by Genny Carrick Coffee Break with the Billionaire by Holly Kerr The Friendly Fall by Kristine W. Joy
Marion De Ré is a closed-door romantic comedy author. She lives in the French countryside with her husband and adorable cat. You can expect all your beloved tropes in her writing as well as a good dose of humor and all the feels. When she's not reading or writing, you can find her on a plane to a far-away destination.
~Romance, Fake dating, Secret Identity, Humor, and more!~
Paris, Pumpkins & Puns by Marion De Ré follows Hazel, an American food critic. Still healing from a terrible breakup, Hazel wants a new start. So when her boss asks her last minute to go to Paris to review some of the finest restaurants around, she says yes. With the opportunity of getting a job there permanently, Hazel is ready to start a new life. That is until she gets to Paris and realizes everything she thought she knew is a lie. The streets smell like smoke, and no one is wearing berets. Hazel is ready to leave and go back home to Flordia when her flight is canceled due to a national strike. The hotel she was staying in has a long waitlist, and she has nowhere to go and no way to get home. That is until Olivier Brun, the handsome chef of one of the restaurants Hazel visited, shows up. While his food may have been subpar, his looks and hospitality are not. He offers Hazel his extra room and with no other option, she says yes. The problem? Oliver doesn't know she is a food critic. So when Hazel agrees to be his fake girlfriend for his parent's party and they both start catching real feelings, Hazel knows she can't stay. But some feelings can't be hidden forever, and all secrets come out eventually.
4| This book was a fast, adorable read. One thing I especially enjoyed about this book was the descriptions of the scenery and food. Food is something Oliver and Hazel have in common, and I was delighted to see such an emphasis on that. I was also happy that Hazel's descriptions of Paris and the French culture weren't overly negative, even though they didn't live up to her cliches. I find a lot of Americans in Paris storylines are overly harsh and judgemental, but I was thrilled that Hazel took the time to appreciate and understand the culture, even though it was different from what the character was used to. Hazel's character was interesting but wasn't one I could connect with for some reason. I do think she had a lot of relatable moments, like her grief with her mom and her relationship with her sister, but the setting in the story made it difficult to connect. The puns were a fun touch, but after a while, they started to take me out of the story. This is mainly because I read this book in two sittings, so it was just a lot of puns at once. I did enjoy Oliver and Hazel's relationship, it was well-balanced, and they had a lot in common. While it was fast-paced, it didn't feel super rushed. What I did find rushed was some of the decision making. At specific points, I felt the characters did a complete 180° in what they were thinking after one conversation. While it didn't impact the storyline much, it did seem unrealistic and did get a little frustrating at times.
One part of this story I thoroughly enjoyed was the side characters. I liked getting to know Oliver's family and how that dynamic works. It helped me understand his character on a deeper level. It also introduced us to another side of him that I wouldn't have seen otherwise. I loved how warm his mom was and how much Hazel connected with her. I did wish throughout some of his family interactions that, we got some translation from French to English. While I could make out some of what they were saying, the translation would have helped. I loved that this book was duel pov; I wouldn't have had as good of an understanding of the characters if it wasn't. Getting to hear both character's thoughts, feeling, and insecurities was nice and explained a lot of their actions. I did wish to see more of Hazel's job and what it entailed. It also seemed odd she was so ready to drop everything in her career before Oliver knew the truth. It seemed out of character for her, especially after learning about her past and how money changed the outcome of her life. Something I did catch that I wasn't sure if it was intentional or not was the change in Ivy's relationship status in the extra epilogue. It seemed a little odd that it wasn't expanded upon.
Overall, this was a cute fall-themed read. The ending was a great wrap-up to the story. The characters were well-balanced and had interesting backstories and motives. I typically don't enjoy the fake dating trope, but it worked well here. While some things bothered me, the overall storyline was great and well thought out. I enjoyed this book and am excited to see other books by this author!
Expected publication is September 24, 2024
*I received this book through Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op via NetGalley as an eARC reader. This will not in any way affect my thoughts or opinions on the book*
This one is adorable! I was pulled in from beginning to end. Olivier and Hazel had me laughing and sighing. They have some pretty funny moments, and some very sweet romantic ones as well.
Poor Hazel travels from America to Paris for a work assignment. And she discovers that it isn't quite what she was hoping it would be. The city has some boycotts happening which cause it to not be in its best light for tourists. She's just ready to get back home. But as luck, or fate, would have it. She's stuck in Paris for a while longer. Thankfully that handsome chef she met at a Michelin star restaurant realizes she's in a predicament and offers to help her. Hazel had me giggling over that scene. You'll have to read it to find out why.
From their first interaction, the chemistry is there, waiting to be discovered by both Olivier and Hazel. Add in a delightfully fun mother, family, the fall season, delicious food and flavors and you will be falling in love in Paris. And all of those ridiculous cliches, don't you worry, Olivier delivers on them in the best way that will have you swooning and giggling all over again!!! Oh la la!!!
Content: Clean. Some mild kisses and mild innuendos. Positive body image talk. The two main characters share Olivier's apartment due to no rooms available at the hotel when Hazel gets stuck there, but it is clean.
I received a copy from the author, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Thank you to Marion De Ré and Netgalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The novel follows Hazel, a food critic, whose work takes her to Paris to review several restaurants. There, she crosses paths with Olivier, a talented chef at one of the restaurants she is set to review. When unexpected circumstances force them to spend a week together, they find themselves in a fake relationship, leading to charming moments filled with pun-filled cooking lessons, visits to farmer’s markets, and autumn festivals.
Both Hazel and Olivier are such likeable characters. Olivier’s kind-hearted nature complements Hazel’s warm and inviting personality, making them an irresistible pair. From their first encounter, I was captivated by their dynamic and found myself fully invested in their evolving relationship. Their chemistry is unmatched, and the witty, pun-filled banter between them added a delightful layer as I myself am a girly who enjoys puns and banter. It just lightens any situation.
If you’re in search of a book with cozy autumn vibes and a touch of romantic comedy, Paris, Pumpkins, & Puns is a perfect choice. It effortlessly blends heartwarming moments with humor, making it an ideal read for the season. 4.5/5 ⭐️
What to Expect: - Fall in Paris - Chef MMC x Food Critic FMC - French Cinnamon Roll MMC - Curvy FMC - Fake Dating - Hidden Identity - Forced Proximity - He Falls First - Food Puns - Closed Door Romance - Dual POV - Dual Narration
This is a super cute story. Hazel, a food critic from Florida, finds herself in Paris on a work assignment to review Michelin-starred restaurants. While she is there, labor strikes disrupt the city, souring a dream opportunity and her views of the city. Just when she’s ready to return home, her flight is canceled, and her hotel is overbooked, leaving her stranded. Luckily, she meets Olivier, a charming and kind-hearted chef. When he finds out she has nowhere to stay, he helps her out. In return, he asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend to avoid his mother's questions about his love life. Hazel agrees, and what starts as a fake dating situation quickly starts to feel real.
I loved Hazel and Olivier. Hazel is witty and relatable, while Olivier is thoughtful and lovable. Together, they’re a perfect match. From the start, they had undeniable chemistry. I loved the sweet, funny, and romantic moments they shared. There is a third-act breakup, but it was resolved quickly, and I felt the characters handled it well. Hazel and Olivier's journey to love is filled with delicious food, funny puns, and lots of heart. I loved the Paris setting, and the fall atmosphere added an extra cozy touch. Paris, Pumpkins, and Puns is a feel-good romance that put a huge smile on my face, and made me want to jet off to Paris. This book is good vibes all around.
Narration: Tara Novie and John Hartley performed this audiobook in dual-style narration. This was my first time listening to these voice actors. They were the perfect voices for Hazel and Olivier, and did a wonderful job bringing this story to life. I felt all of the fall vibes, and like I was getting an insider look at what Paris has to offer. Tara and Josh brought the chemistry and humor, and made this an enjoyable listening experience.
Thanks to Marion De Ré and Podium Audio for the early review opportunity. Opinions expressed are my own.
More 4 1/2 🌟 A dreamy escape to Paris full of foodie adventures, fake dating and super cozy fall vibes. Paris,Pumpkins & Puns is another book in the multi author series, Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice. Hazel a food critic from America and Oliver a chef from Paris meet at the restaurant Oliver works in and Hazel is there to review his restaurant. This was a cute wholesome read, loved Oliver’s family and learning about the real Paris not just the tourist aspects we all know about. This was an enjoyable read. I received a complementary copy from the author.
What an absolutely delightful novel! This is the first book that I have read by this author and I know I am going to be looking to catch up on all of her stories from now on. This sweet romcom made me so happy to read.
I loved that the author started off the book by shattering a bunch of clichés about Paris and then building up a really beautiful experience for Hazel as Olivier introduces her to the things and places he loves. This novel is so much wrapped up in one story. It includes fish out of water, forced proximity, fake dating, body positivity, and a culinary focus. I adored that Olivier found Hazel beautiful just the way she was, even as we, the reader, know that she has had boyfriends in the past who wanted her to lose weight. But the chemistry between these two was simply perfect, while also showing that they were becoming friends along the way, too.
For me, it’s a fine line to walk when an author introduces a character that is hiding something or finds themselves forced to lie or continue to lie. It can end up being something that makes me not like a character or question why they allowed a falsehood to continue. But I thought that the author presented Hazel’s situation beautifully in this storyline. I felt like Hazel handled things in the best way that she could and although she allowed it to continue longer than maybe she should have, I could feel that it was the fear of Olivier’s reaction that kept her from opening up. I am so excited to see that Hazel’s sister has a story coming out soon! I’m looking forward to reading that one, too.
Pour surmonter cette panne de lecture, j'ai décidé de me plonger dans une comédie romantique, mais ça n'a pas fonctionné. Des clichés sur des clichés, et des dialogues sans fin remplis de descriptions qui alourdissent le récit. La plume ne m'a pas séduite, l'intrigue va trop (trop, trop...) vite et les protagonistes me laissent de marbre.
4 star. Super cute. Loved the setting. The food puns were fun. This was a bit insta love but I think it kind of made sense with the circumstances. The beret scene was fantastic. I liked the characters and I now want to go to Paris in fall. I loved Olivier especially. He seemed like a good person.
Thank you to Marion De Re & Netgalley for a copy of the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
“You know the saying. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Well, when your job gives you the chance to go to Paris, score yourself a French guy with a beret and say merci.”
This was such a fun and entertaining romance! It’s hard to go wrong with autumn vibes, falling in love in Paris, and some funny cooking puns.
I adored the Parisian setting, and the food descriptions gave me some serious cravings! I enjoyed the glimpses of French culture and the occasional French phrases.
Olivier and Hazel were so cute together, and had great chemistry from the start. Hazel is a curvy girl, and I loved how comfortable and positive she was about her body!
You can expect: 🍁 fake dating 🍂 forced proximity 🍁 secret identity 🍂 he falls first 🍁 he cooks for her 🍂 body positivity 🍁 closed door 🍂 HEA
If you’re looking for an adorable, cozy, fall romance to lose yourself in, this is an excellent choice!
I received a copy from the author, but a positive review was not required.
This was soo cute. I breezed through this book in a day and I was really enjoying it. It was such a light, engaging, atmospheric and savory read. I truly felt like I was in Paris during the fall season. This is a great read for any foodies too, the MMC is a French chef and the talk of food and cooking had me so hungry and ready to go to France! I loved the relationship too and seeing how it unfolded on the pages was lovely. If you want a cute seasonal and easy to read book, this is the one! It is also part of the cutest series called the Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice series. Which is a multi author series of standalone books.
🧡 Fake dating 🍂 Secret identity 🧡 He falls first 🍂 Lots of puns 🧡 Forced proximity 🍂 He cooks for her 🧡 Kisses only
Quotes: “Suddenly, I want to throw myself at him. That usually happens when he says more than three words in a row in French.”
Thank you to the author Marion De Re and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of the book!
This is a fun autumn day hug. It is a super easy, quick read. There isn’t much depth to it - very straightforward of a food critic and a chef romance.
It gives you fake dating, forced proximity, Paris romance and there is indeed a third act breakup, but i didn’t feel it detracted from the overall enjoyment of the book.
While i did enjoy the overall plot and the two MCs in this book, i felt like it was a bit too basic for me. I don’t feel like the MCs had much growth or depth and due to that it felt very service level. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but i don’t feel like it will stay with me long because of it.
I would definitely still recommend this book, and would definitely return for more from this author / just wasn’t my favorite! 😊
Paris, Pumpkins, and Puns is the newest book by Marion de Re. This book is part of a multi author series called Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice. In addition, this book will be a part of one of her own series as well. Marion de Re is one of my favorite authors and I was really looking forward for this release. What will this book have in store?
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to Ivy's story as well. This book has me swooning all over. Even though it doesn't really make Paris look appealing I loved that the story featured the city.
Get ready for another delightful story of fake dating, set against the enchanting backdrop of Paris in the fall. Imagine dining in some of the world's finest Michelin-starred restaurants, with love lingering in the air. But for Hazel, Paris is quickly becoming a place she wishes she hadn't come. A food critic from Florida, Hazel's career was losing its spark until her boss gave her the chance to travel to Paris to review Michelin-starred restaurants. Reluctantly, she agrees. Yet, once in the City of Light, she finds it far from the romantic haven she had imagined. As her time in Paris draws to a close, she's ready to head home, but a citywide strike cancels all flights. With no available rooms left at her hotel, Hazel is stranded. That's when she runs into Oliver, a local chef, who offers to help her out.
Expect mouthwatering dishes, clever humor, and swoon-worthy moments in this charming tale. The chemistry between Hazel and Oliver is truly "to dine for." Watching their friendship blossom is sweet and heartwarming. But can their budding romance survive? Hazel is hiding a big secret, and Oliver is holding himself back as a chef. As the connection between them deepens, the question remains: Will love conquer all?
What I really enjoyed was the balance of both the beautiful and not-so-glamorous sides of Paris. I've never been there, and like Hazel, I imagined it as a place with constant accordion music and quaint cafes. The author does a great job of challenging those clichés while painting a vivid picture of the real France. The story is light and fun but also has depth. The descriptions were so immersive, I felt like I was right there in Paris.
It was refreshing to see romance unfold in unexpected places, beyond the usual Eiffel Tower scenes. Who knew that cooking together could be so romantic and fun? Want more servings of love, read the Extended Epilogue! It’s all the wonderful feels and love we’ve been craving!
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest opinions.
Paris, Pumpkins & Puns will put you into the Autumnal mood for sure. It’s full of laughs, cringy food puns and a sizzling chemistry, that you’ll love shallot! Having been to Paris, it was really lovely to take a trip down memory lane and experience once again the amazing culture and scenery. Especially the sparkling Eiffel Tower at night!
I absolutely adore Olivier and Hazels story! It’s so sweet! They make a great pear. It just goes to show that not every book needs to have spice in it. I personally don’t enjoy reading spice, so for me, this book was perfect!
Although the food puns were, in parts very cringy and cheesy… they were very clever and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them! (Sorry I’ll stop now)
Thank you berry much to Netgallery and Marion for the ARC copy of this story, which will be coming out 24th September as Paperback and Kindle, so add it to your wishlist, you’re not going to want to miss this egg-cellent one! 😉
Unfortunate DNF for me, and I was really looking forward to this one too😭 15% in and I couldn't stand the amount of time it was brought up that Hazel has curves. Things like that immediately turn me off a book, it feels forced, like they only choose to write about a chef/foodie relationship to have an excuse to have a curvy mc? Curvy girls can be represented without having to mention they love food!!
Maybe it gets better, I dunno.. Judging by the other reviews it's a pretty well enjoyed book, but it just wasn't for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Rated 2 stars, because whilst I didn't personally enjoy the book, the idea was cute!
Contains: kisses, some mild language (most in French), bad puns.
I always overthink things when there is an MC who speaks a different language. I assume that he speaks to his family in French but in the book it’s written a little in French but mostly in English. If he’s narrating why not have it all in English or all in French? I hate when books lie and I really don’t like the pressure to kiss in fake dating books. I know it’s a catalyst to get the MCs to connect physically but I hate that characters feel the need to give into peer pressure. Why can’t they just say they’re not comfortable with PDA? Why can’t no be enough?
Paris, Pumpkins, and Puns by Marion De Re is the third standalone book in the multi author Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice Series. This book is told from a dual POV, following Hazel and Olivier. Hazel is an American food critic whose boss asks her to go on a last-minute trip to Paris to review some restaurants in hopes of her moving there full time. Olivier is a French chef who just took over for his father at a 3-star Michelin restaurant after he retires. He wishes he could make the menu more him & his frustration is definitely showing in the meals his kitchen puts out. After eating at his restaurant her last night in Paris, Hazel tells him about her lackluster meal after Olivier goes around to see how everyone's meals were. After getting stuck in Paris due to a strike, Hazel has nowhere to go & Olivier offers her his spare room. These characters were so fun and delightful. I adored this book so much. This was my first book from Marion, and it will definitely not be my last.
🥖 The Puns!!! 💜 Forced Proximity 🥖 Fake Dating 💜 Secret Identity 🥖 The Beret Scene ❤️ 💜 Body Positivity 🥖 Closed Door Rom-Com
“You know what Audrey Hepburn says in Sabrina. Paris is always a good idea.”
I devour my cheese, glad to find that it doesn’t disappoint like the rest of the menu did. Like Paris did. At least there’s always cheese to save the day.
What he doesn’t understand is that when you’re a chef, you always need to challenge yourself. You have to constantly evolve, otherwise you die slowly. While that’s true for anyone who has a creative brain, it’s especially true for a chef.
I’ve been looking for this my entire life. An honest woman who I share interests with, who I can laugh with. A woman who would get along well with my parents and understands the demands of my work. But I remind myself that Hazel is not that person. While we do have a lot in common, and she’s always up for a good laugh, she’s not my real girlfriend. This is just a favor. After one week, two if I’m lucky, she’ll go back to her life, and I’ll remain stuck in mine.
“Girl, peas. I’m not about to leek all my secrets to you just yet,” I say, arching my eyebrows. Her mouth opens slightly, then she bites her lower lip. My heart picks up its pace again. Gentlemen, can I have your attention please? I think I just cracked the code. What if the path to a woman’s heart is paved with clever food puns? “You win,” she says, her eyes twinkling with mirth. “I have muffin more to say. Thank goodness you were able to romaine so calm.” Darn it, this girl is amazing. I could keep this going forever.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
This book was so sweet, I'm loving this series because they kinda feel like a warm hug
This book was simple ,(in a good way ofc) there wasn't anything pazaz about this book but I guess that's how it's supposed to be
This book is definitely ment to be a comfy read when reading it you need to cuddle up with a blanket and maybe a cookie heck maybe even a full blown meal too
I loved Oliver he was so sweet, kind ,and extremely funny he's food puns were hilarious honestly(So was Hazel like there humor was egg-tastic see what I did there IYKYK 🤭 )
I liked Hazel ,I loved how she encourages Oliver how she sees the best in him and somehow always ground him
I loved how Marion described the food in this book it was soo well done that I was starting to be hungry
The puns in this were so bad but honestly that's what made them funny 😂
Did I mention that I loved the food omgosh I'm kinda glad I didn't read this book when i was hungry because the food described here was making me hungry
So when reading make sure you have food near you, this was a quick read I read it this in one sitting supper chill sweet swoony and cute definitely recommend quick to the tea wish their were translations simple easy read definitely funny
I loved how Oliver's view of Hazel wasn't bad like how every time he'd say like she's beautiful the way she is is so on and he was so positive about her body I loved it (does that even make sense:)
I also liked the fake dating aspect I'm not one for fake dating honestly but Marion did it Pretty well that I kinda even enjoyed it
I loved the relationship between Hazel and Oliver it was easy going and understandable I loved how they communicate (except for the lie) and how they were passionate about the same things I loved how they were always talking like it wasnt awkward you know
The only downside to this book is that when anyone was speaking French there was no translation it was so frustrating cause I didn't understand😭
Also ladies (& gentlemen ofc) if a stranger offers you a room to stay in their house in a foreign country run,run for the hills
Read ifu like 🥖funny puns 🥖body positive 🥖secret identity 🥖fake dating 🥖forced proximity
Thanks so much For the ARC all opinions are my own
“You know the saying. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Well, when your job gives you the chance to go to Paris, score yourself a French guy with a beret and say merci.”
Paris, Pumpkins, and Puns is a delightful story! If you enjoy fake dating, lots of puns, forced proximity, he falls first, secret identity, he cooks for her, delightful humor, endearing characters, and a hea, this story is for you! This standalone novel is full of laughs and sizzling chemistry without the explicit scenes! I will warn you that this story is centered around food and I greatly recommend you not reading this story on empty stomach because you will be craving all the foods!😉 I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how integral food was to worldbuilding and the relationship between the two main characters of this story. I am someone who also loves to cook and bake, so I instantly connected with Hazel and Olivier. The rich details and descriptions in the kitchen creating delicious dishes inspired me when I was in my own kitchen cooking dinner for my own family afterwards.
“Today with Hazel, I wasn’t thinking about techniques or what I could add to turn a good dish into a mind-blowing masterpiece. We just cooked. And that felt incredible.”
Watching dear Hazel and Oliver meet, connect, and thriving, was enjoyable. Seeing if love could conquer through the “fake,” was the best part of this story for me! This is a quick-but delightful story set in the Fall time, that’s worth the read! ✨🙌🏻📚🍁✨
“Thank you for saving me.”
#parispumpkinsandpuns #allaboutthebestreads
“I wouldn’t imagine pursuing my dream without you by my side.”
-Content: very mild cursing, loss of parent in the past.
“You’ve helped me fall back in love with cooking, and you captured my heart along the way. I could never imagine a life without you.
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
This was a super cute and cozy Fall read, which really evoked the imagery of Paris during the season. With fake dating and hidden identity tropes, it brought just enough drama without being stressful.
Hazel is a food critic on assignment in Paris, where she meets handsome chef Olivier at his restaurant in her hotel after an unfortunately lackluster meal. Duty bound to write the truth, regardless, she submits her review, but then finds herself stranded an extra week in the country due to transportation strikes. When she returns to her hotel to try to find a room, none are available, and when Olivier stumbles across her, he offers his spare room. Suspending belief that a woman on her own would just bunk with a strange man in a foreign country, she accepts his offer, but also doesn't let him know that she's really a food critic. As a way of returning the favor, she agrees to be his fake girlfriend to get his overbearing mother off his back, but as the two spend more time together, seeing the real Paris, true feelings develop. Hazel and Olivier were a cute couple, and I loved their punny banter. I would have liked to see the relationship between Olivier and his disapproving father explored a little more deeply, and could have done without the "real women" aren't thin implication. As a foodie who definitely loves to eat, I enjoyed all the food and culinary industry references, and was patting myself on the back for being able to understand all the French language interludes, guess it wasn't a wasted college minor after all! As with all the author's works, this was a very quick, easily digestible read, perfect for when you want something light and comforting.
🧡 Thank you Marion De Ré for sending me a copy of Paris, Pumpkins & Puns to review.
ARC Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨ Paris, Pumpkins, & Puns By: Marion de Re @marionderewrites Genre: Pumpkin Spice (I’ve decided this is a new genre. But, yes it’s a RomCom 🎃♥️) Format: eBook Independently Published
✨ Thank you very much to the author @marionderewrites and @NetGalley for this ARC!
✨ Gosh, this hit my mood the day I went to read it. It is a cute and short / easy read fall romantic comedy that is perfect for this basic you-know-what at this time of year. 🤣🎃
✨ I definitely liked the dual POV from our two man characters - Hazel, the American food critic, and Olivier, the handsome French chef. The main characters were nuanced and nicely developed.
✨ I love loved the French fall vibes. I didn’t know that was a thing I needed, but I did!
✨Fake dating is my FAVORITE! There’s a delicious fake dating plot line with Olivier to please his adorable French mother (and keep her off his back). His family is a delightful addition to the story.
✨ He falls first in this one and it’s super cute. Olivier tries to convince Hazel to fall in love with Paris and stay, to take the promotion she’s being offered but isn’t sure she wants.
✨ Don’t read this book while hungry! The food descriptions and scenes are frequent and so yummy sounding!
✨ Just FYI - this is a closed door romance. I like closed and open door, so I didn’t think this detracted from the book at all.
✨ Be prepared for lots of cute food puns! My husband and I joke about how cheesy and corny I am, so this was right up my alley! I hope you also think it’s eggcellent!
✨ There are curves representation! Loved it. Also love the cover for this. Body positivity for the win.
✨ I definitely want to watch this rom com this fall! Calling the Hallmark channel! @hallmarkchannel
An American food critic is sent to Paris for work, what was supposed to be a week-long trip, gets extended when a workers’ strike leaves her stranded in the city with nowhere to go. While dining at one of the restaurants she's meant to review, she meets a French chef, and she's brutally honest about her thoughts on the food. Once her review is published, there’s no taking it back—and she doesn’t plan to, that is, until she crosses paths with the chef again during her roughest moments. Stuck at the airport, she bumps into him, and he offers her a spare room in his home. Blunt as ever, she initially refuses...but after some thought, she runs after him. A curvy, beautiful woman and a handsome French chef—what could possibly happen when they’re alone in his apartment?
I ABSOLUTELY loved this book! It’s so cute and funny, and it made me feel so many emotions—laughing at their clever puns, feeling sad at times, and finally being happy again by the end. I love a good happy ending! This book is adorable and hilarious!
This is a super cute, quick read from Marion De Re’ that will definitely put you in the fall mood!
Hazel is a food critic who is sent from America to Paris on a work assignment for a week with a chance of it becoming permanent. Once she gets there she finds out the city isn’t quite what she was expecting and can’t wait to get home. Because of some strikes happening in the city she can't get a flight out and finds herself stuck in Paris for longer than expected with no place to stay. Luckily she runs into the handsome chef she had just met that day at a Michelin star restaurant and he offers to help her out.
Marion De Re’s stories are always so fun and engaging and this one was no different! I enjoyed it so much!! Oliver and Hazel are so cute together and have such great chemistry! I love how they laughed and joked together and all those silly food puns they shared! Oliver was such a caring and considerate guy! I mean you can’t go wrong with a man that cooks for you and shows you all there is to love about Paris! His family was so much fun too! I enjoyed getting to experience some French food and phrases through this book. Plus the fall carnival made me want to jump right inside the pages and go there with Oliver and Hazel. This one definitely brought out that cozy fall feel. And you don’t want to miss the super romantic grand gesture at the end! It was perfect! 4.5 ⭐️
What I loved: Paris Fake dating Amazing fall vibes He cooks for her He falls first Curvy girl rep The kisses Two way grand gesture
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I discovered this author purely by chance on Instagram, and volunteered to read an arc of her book. I enjoyed it so much, that now when I see she has a new book coming out I don't even need to read the blurb as I know want to read it and that I will enjoy it. This one was no different - such an easy to read book, with very likeable characters. I actually loved the banter between the 2 main characters and laughed out loud more than once at their puns throughout the book. I also learnt something new about Dora the Explorer too after being a mum for 8 and a half years - who knew?! 🤣 Great read, would definitely recommend
Oh my gosh. That was just so stinking adorable. I loved Hazel and Olivier. I adored watching them fall in love with each other, and they made me fall in love with the French food and wines. This pair started out believing they were faking their relationship, but there was simply too much chemistry between them for me to have ever believed it was only a ruse. I don’t think I’ve ever seen food puns used as a love language before, but it was utterly perfect for these two. Worthy of many rolled eyeballs, groans, and facepalms. Even a giggle-snort or two. I’m not at all ready to let go of these characters now that their book is over.
It wasn't groundbreaking but it was a cute fall romance!
I enjoyed both the characters and all the side characters. Everyone was fun and got along super well. I personally love a good pun... so I didn't mind the use of food puns throughout and some gave me a good laugh. The characters both had good development and it was nice seeing them fall for each other.
I liked the plot but I dislike miscommunications and when characters can't just talk out their problems. They just end things and think later, which is infuriating to read. I felt like the plot was semi repetitive but overall still a cute cozy feel.
This was such a sweet and swoony rom-com. I loved all the puns, food and cooking! The story did feel a little unrealistic at times, especially with how quickly they fell for each other, and the ending felt a little rushed after the 3rd act break-up, but it was very enjoyable and made me laugh a lot. It's like every girl's dream come true, a little too perfect. It also reminded me a little of the Netflix series Emily in Paris. I must say that after having been to Paris a few times, the clichés are definitely not reality and I did not find the city particularly romantic or beautiful, so I appreciated that this book didn't paint Paris to be this amazing city of love. In fact, it was very real and included the protests and riots, causing flight cancellations and a little chaos. The FMC Hazel is forced to stay in Paris until the protests end, giving her more time to spend with the very hot French chef, and then they agree to fake-date so his mom wouldn't set him up with a date. Their relationship becomes more real than they expect. I won't say anymore. You'll have to read it! It's the first book I've read from this author and would be interested in checking out more of her books. I am also looking forward to reading more from this multi-author series!
I received an ARC of this book, and all opinions are my own.