Winnie Takes Paris

Love and Travel #2

by Lane Hayes

The stylist, the absentminded professor, and a Parisian adventure…

Winnie

Someone once said, when life gets you down and you’re feeling blue, you should brush yourself off…and go to Paris.

Okay, maybe that was me. I said it and I don’t regret taking an oddball assignment to assist a British professor abroad. I could use a break from my life as an aspiring hair and cosmetic guru in LA. And c’mon, it’s Paris!

So what if I don’t know the language and have a hard time reading maps? I’m nothing if not resourceful. What could go possibly wrong?

Alistair…that’s what.

In a twist, I have a thing for an impossibly smart geek with mismatched socks who just happens to be my best friend’s boss. This can’t be good.

Alistair

I’ve been called an absent-minded professor more than once. I don’t mind at all. My work is important and living on a diet of biscuits and tea while delving into ancient civilization doesn’t seem like terrible thing. But Paris calls. And somehow, I have a new temporary assistant.

Winnie is a technicolor, whirlwind American with a wicked laugh and the subtlety of a steamroller. He’s brash and ridiculous and…funny, warm, lovely, and—

Oh no. This can’t be happening.

Winnie can take Paris, but he can’t take my heart.

Or can he?

Winnie Takes Paris is an MM romantic comedy featuring a fabulous diva, a nerdy professor, and the Parisian adventure of a lifetime!

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Humor, LGBT, M M Contemporary

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 7, 2024

About the author

Lane Hayes loves a good romance! She’s the bestselling author of the Out in College, Starting From, Better Than, A Kind Of, Right and Wrong, and Leaning Into Series! Lane loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). All things she can find in sunny SoCal where she lives with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winnie Takes Paris is book two in the Love and Travel series by Lane Hayes. I adored the first book in this series, Falling For Raine. Now we get to focus on Raine’s best friend, Winnie!



Winnie Rodriguez is thirty five years old and is a hair stylist and make up artist in Los Angeles. Well, he’s trying to be a hair stylist. But the shop he works for has him washing hair and cleaning up. Whenever there was a spot for a new full time stylist, an empty chair, he was passed over for the promotion and he’s feeling let down and discouraged. Winnie is a sun shiney, positive person but lately, he’s been feeling blue and he doesn’t like it.



When Winnie’s best friend, Raine, calls and gives him the chance of a life time, Winnie realizes this might be just what he needs. A bit of a shake up, an adventure. Raine is the assistant to a professor in London. But Raine is going on holiday and his boss needs an assistant for a month. For a trip to Paris! Winnie is going to Paris!

“This wasn’t a hiatus from real life. This was an opportunity to become a better me, and I intended to seize it.”

Professor Alistair Creighton is forty four years old. He is also one of the world’s leading experts in Egyptology. He is also known as the absent minded professor. Because when he got involved with his work, everything else faded. He forgot to eat, and frequently lost things. Alistair is going to Paris for a month for a big conference that he will speak at. Since Raine won’t be available to travel with him, he has found Alistair a temporary assistant.



So, we have an introverted academic who wears nothing but brown and gray. And an extroverted hair stylist who loves color and excitement and adventure. You’d think these two would have nothing in common but you’d be wrong. The first time they meet, there are sparks like crazy. Winnie is ready to explore Paris but also wants to be the assistant his professor needs. But all Alistair wants to do is hole up in his room and work on his research. Slowly these two find common ground and they balance each other. They bring out the best in each other. And they fall for each other. But their time has an expiration date. This isn’t Winnie’s world. His life is back in Los Angeles. But for the time they have together, they are both determined to make the most of it.

This really was so sweet. Winnie was so adorable with all his word mix ups and his enthusiasm for just about everything. I loved the way he brought so much joy into Alistair’s world. The epilogue was absolutely perfect!

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semicolons~✡~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning was a lot of fun. Winnie made me smile with all his fabulousness, and Alistair was the perfect absent-minded professor. Their interactions were adorable, and the sex was smokin' hot.

But the constant descriptions of the sights of Paris were way too much. We get it. Lane Hayes has been to Paris, and she's gonna tell us all about.

There's making a place come alive, and then there's name dropping tourist attractions to the point the book read like The Guidebook to Paris: an Eyewitness Account.

I also wasn't a fan of the last chapter. Why include manufactured drama?

It made no sense for Winnie to leave without saying good-bye and then ignore Alistair's calls. Alistair had been nothing but kind. It felt very out of character for Winnie to run off like that and ridiculous for Alistair to go chasing after him.

Not every story needs a Grand Gesture.

The epilogue was enough. They had Paris. They didn't need L.A.

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely glorious!

I love it when Lane writes a straightforward romcom style romance like this one.

In the Hollywood Golden era, this would have been a film with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant sparking and flirting their way across the screen.

We get the equally wonderful Winnie and Alistair, who couldn't be more opposite if they tried, but somehow they just mesh.

Winnie helps Alistair lift his head from his dusty tomes, while in turn, the Professor opens up a new world to the American wannabe stylist.

I loved both of them so much, and I also adored how we get to see Paris, my favourite city, come to life through their adventures.

This book also has the perfect balance between their sexual encounters, the more flamboyant Winnie moments which draw out Alistair's more dry sense of humour, and the softness of their friendship turning to something more.

There's a very loose secondary narrative involving another professor who's now married to Alistair's ex, which brings some minor tension to the plot, but overall, this is just a wonderful story of two men falling in love.

#ARC kindly received from the author via GRR Tours, I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[isthisakink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This could count as a textbook definition of an epic whirlwind romance, and fuck me was it fantastic. Super sweet, those little cheesy bits for flair, and for real, it had A WHOLE FRIGGIN’ ROMANCE.

Good soup, babes. Good soup.

Sometimes I think the romance part of romance genres is dying a little bit, then stories like this one crop up and renew my faith.

Winnie and Alistair were perfect, and I loved the little quirks they had and the way they complemented each other so nicely. I mean, there was also hella spicy content, but I was more in love with the damn love. It was just too precious.

After all of the thinking my brain has been doing lately when reading, it was almost a shock to my system to be smacked in the face with a fluffy love bomb, but I was here for it. I’m still here for it. I didn’t think I’d love it as much as Falling for Raine, but I did. Maybe even a smidge more.

5/5. This author always does things to me. Sappy, ridiculous, my-closet-hopeless-romantic-feelings-on-full-display (read: loud as fuck) kinda things. This book is outting me. I’ll never keep my facade up at this point.




**[I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews (GRR). All ratings, reviews, and opinions are my own.]**

[Brat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and Travels series book 2
age gap
opposites attract
funny

[Cyndi]

I adored both Winnie and Alistair, but this book put me to sleep faster than Sleepytime tea and NyQuil combined. The constant sightseeing paired with Alistair's tendency to wax poetic about ancient history bored me to tears. No rating because this book was written in the sturdy, dependable way all Lane Hayes books are written and the love story was really sweet, I just didn't vibe with the subject matter. Since I didn't care for the first book either, I think I'm done with this series.

[Lady Macbeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Nice story of two complete opposite men who fall in love.
Winnie is a sunshine, fabulous, easygoing and young while professor Alistair is oblivious, distracted and completely immersed in his own work.
Winnie accepts a temporary job from his best friend's Raine (Falling for Raine) as the professor's assistant during a conference in Paris: i order to lessen the professor's stress due to his constant working, he drags him all over the city and the countryside, spending time together and getting to know each other.
I liked how their story evolved, it was lovely to see Alistair enjoys different things and having fun with Winnie.

What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
Too many facts about Ancient Egypt and about Paris.
Alistair being too much of a pushover with Colin and Gerard. who took advantage of him for years.
Unnecessary drama towards the end.

I liked both MCs and there were a lot of funny situations that I liked, but the story left me unsure about Winnie and Alistair being right for each other.

I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.

[fortheloveofmmromancebooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review

Winnie Rodriguez works in a salon in LA, but feels totally unappreciated. When his best friend Raine (Falling for Raine, first book in the series) suggests he visits London, and has a proposal for him. Raine’s boss is going on a month long appointment in Paris, and while Raine is his assistant and would usually go, he is going on holiday with his husband Graham. Raine, thinks Winnie would be a perfect substitute for him.

Professor Alistair Creighton works as a forthright authority on Egyptology for the British Museum, but he is a discombobulated mess. He quite often forgets to eat real food, preferring Jammie Dodgers (yummy by the way), and wears odd socks and very beige clothes. He needs Winnie to inject some fun in his life.

Winnie is instantly attracted to Alistair, who is a big bear of a man, but surely they cannot mix business and pleasure. What happens in Paris stays in Paris, right?

This is the second part in Lane Hayes’ wonderful series. This book is so gorgeous, written to perfection, funny and thoughtful. The characters are total opposites but totally work together. It is a low angst beautiful book. I loved it, and will defiantly be adding a physical copy to my collection.

“He tasted like cherries and mint and felt like lava in my arms. He was the sun, and I was in danger of combusting.”

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The way he looked at me just then sent the butterflies in my stomach into a frenzy. I'd waited my whole life for that look. It was possessive and hungry and vaguely dirty with the right amount of indulgent reverence."

I utterly adored this book! Winnie and Alastair's story was so romantic! I just loved them together so much! From the outside looking in, these two were an odd pairing. Alastair spends most of his time holed up with his Ancient Egyptian research. He's not one for socializing and his wardrobe definitely reflects both those facts. Winnie is the opposite. He loves being around people and he's the type of person who needs to sit on his suitcase in order to fit all his clothes options for a trip. Basically these two are total opposites that shouldn't have worked, yet they did.

It was a tough start for these two when their story began. Winnie was accompanying Alistair to Paris for a month as his assistant, after which Alistair would then speak at a conference. True to his usual routine, Alistair tried to shut himself in his hotel most of the time to work. This lasted only a few days before Winnie had enough, which somehow ended up with these two exploring Paris together. It was absolutely the cutest thing ever. Alistair would act as their guide, while Winnie hung on his every word. It was whimsical and lovely and eventually led to them falling into bed together. And so began a new routine for the professor.

"I didn't know that the world was brimming with magic until you came along. And god, I want that magic in my life."

During the day Alistair would have his work time, but the nights were spent with Winnie. Both could admit to themselves they were falling, yet they were also both too afraid to admit it. Winnie lives in LA. Alistair in London. Winnie was young and bright and colorful. Alistair was khaki and academic. But maybe Alistair didn't have to be. Spending time with Winnie opened his eyes to so many things and I was so happy when he realized that all the aforementioned things didn't matter one bit when it came to how he felt.

The ending of the book was just as romantic as the rest of it. I finished the epilogue with a smile on my face and complete satisfaction in their HEA as a couple. I look forward to more in this series to come!

[LauraSt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m gonna be honest, this book made me feel ALL the feels!
Winnie and Alistair were both perfect. How they complimented and accepted one another.

He was a peacock to my hedgehog—brilliant and beautiful.

Winnie’s humor and sass was just perfection.

I kissed the professor. That was bad. Naughty, naughty, bad. In my defense⁠—Okay, I had no defense.

How mesmerized and proud they were of one another. Such admiration. It was honestly addicting.

This was the Winnie effect. My whirling technicolor dervish of a lover cast a spell everywhere he went, charming shopkeepers, waiters, seasoned archeologists, and anyone lucky enough to fall into his orbit. Like me.

I loved how we literally feel in love right along with them after every laugh, joke, outing, this was just such a feel good read.
The heat level was perfection, sweet and but also extremely HOT!

Let’s be real. I’m so me, it’s a situation.” Alistair tilted my chin and traced my jaw, smiling sweetly. “I have no idea what that means, but as I’ve told you many times… you’re perfect just the way you are. Please never change.”

Gosh I just feel so happy after reading this! Loved it!

[Lily Loves 📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so sweet and romantic!!! I have had the worst reading slump this month and I knew Lane Hayes could bring me out of it!

I’ve never been to Paris and I’m not someone who yearns to go there but I loved the descriptions of the city and outskirts. Winnie was a wonderful character who Alastair needed in his life. Alastair was very charming, a sexy nerdy professor who had so much knowledge to share.

My one issue is that many of Hayes books seem to have one character leaving with no communication and the bother jumping on a plane to get them back. I knew it was going to happen. I wish that was different but I enjoyed the story so I overlooked that.

[Hemmel M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to 50% and gave up. The endless, uninteresting talk was extremely boring. We have two shallow characters, a work-obsessed egyptologist and a sunshiny stylist working as his personal assistant during a conference in Paris. Apart from the talk about an ex, everything was blah. They have nothing interesting to say. Because mentioning the Louvre has 600 rooms and the oldest mummy was found in Chile, is no witty banter. And noticing your companion is hot does also not add to the story.

[A Damach · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8 ⭐

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winnie & Alistair

I enjoyed this one almost as much as book one. There was a part that didn't work well for me but it didn't take a lot away from the rest of the story.
Update: The audiobook narration by Joel Leslie had me enjoying this more than when I read it. He is always great to listen to.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Winnie Rodriguez is ready for at least a temporary change to get out of his rut in LA. And his best friend, Raine, sets him up on a sweet gig to professor-sit in Paris for a month. Sure Winnie has no knowledge of ancient history but he can organize things and certainly make sure a Professor is styled and fed.

Professor Alistair Creighton eats and breathes his work on ancient studies especially now since romance did not work out for him. He is so caught up that he is absent-minded in other areas of his life and keeps himself isolated.

Winnie blows into his life like a whirlwind of color and chaos. He is a funny, outspoken, fashionable, fabulous diva who thrives in social settings and has great knowledge of modern pop culture. He is a non-conformist, eccentric, and optimistic. Alistair lives his life studying the past in Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. He is a reserved, kind Brit who could go days without human interaction and lives a life in shades of beige and mismatched socks.

They are true opposites and paradoxical counterparts and should not fit. But somehow they start to appreciate each other and open up their worlds. And Winnie has a way of pushing his way in and getting what he wants. Surprisingly, the professor is as passionate in the bedroom as he is about his studies.

They live completely different lives in different continents. Winnie is supposed to return to LA and restart his career, and Alistair lives sheltered in the UK entrenched in his museum studies and teaching. But they do have the opportunity to enjoy Paris.

This is a low angst, feel-good, funny, sweet, and spicy opposites-attract, employer-employee, fish-out-of-water, adventures in Paris romance. I loved how they pushed each other's boundaries and helped each other grow. They were really adorable together and I enjoyed exploring Paris with them.

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[Edga · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fabulous and charming story 💕

Once again Lane has given us a sweet story, full of flirty moments and with an obvious chemistry between the main characters. I adored both Alistair and Winnie, they're so different, but fit together so well. When you pick up a romance novel you are looking to be taken away from reality and this book certainly did that. Besides the sweet romantic moments there were also some genuinely laugh out loud moments, Winnie's awful pronunciation of the French language, and his destruction of the English language, really cracked me up 😂 Both guys are real sweethearts, it was great to watch Winnie's sassy, and sparkling personality, encourage Alistair, once so serious and reserved, begin to laugh more freely and often. He, who used to shy away from social gatherings, now eagerly joins in, encouraged by Winnie's outgoing nature. I loved Alistair's vulnerability in this book, and how he comes to realise that academic success isn't everything. He can be open, honest, and real with Winnie, probably for the first time. Together they can be the best versions of themselves. All the ‘shine’ is just a bonus for Winnie, it’s Alistair's heart he wants, 'sighs' 😍 Such a beautiful epilogue ❤️

[DeeNeez · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun lovely story, the kind that makes you feel great after reading. Two extreme opposites. A “technicolor whirling dervish” personified in Winnie and his geeky, genius in drab beige professor named Alistair. Loved it!

[Sandy Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Get swept away to Paris for an enjoyable adventure! Absent-minded professor, boss-temporary employee, opposites attract.

While I wanted more depth to the story, I enjoyed this trip to Paris with sunshine-y Winnie Rodriguez and absentminded Alistair Creighton. Winnie’s the best friend of Raine from the previous connected book, but you can read this one as a stand-alone just fine.

Raine, who works for lauded Egyptologist Dr. Alistair Creighton, needs time off with his man (previous book), and so ropes in his best friend Winnie to assist Professor Creighton on a working trip to Paris, where the intense professor is a key presenter at a prestigious conference.

Winnie’s been unsatisfied in his job at a salon in Los Angeles, CA, and leaps at the chance to go to Paris. He's intrigued by the professor from day one, and unbeknownst to him, Alistair is equally entranced, and baffled by the sunny, outgoing, highly fashionable Winnie. They’re total opposites, but in a way that shows how they complement each other, each bringing out the best in the other and drawing him out of his rut or shell in unique ways. They learn from each other in ways that allow each to grow and also be fully himself. That element is lovely.

It's delightful that smart and kind Winnie has a strong sense of self worth and is impressed but not intimidated by Alistair’s expertise. He starts learning about the professor’s interests in ways that work for him, and it’s rather hilarious that Alistair has no clue at first that the colorful, charming Winnie is also attracted to his stodgy self. But soon there’s no denying the unexpected chemistry, and when Winnie finally drags the professor out of his cave/room to enjoy the sites, their growing connection lights up and leads to days of fun and learning and nights of steamy hot sex.

There’s conflict from the conference crowd, including interactions with the man who stole away and married Alistair’s ex (who’s also part of the snobby intellectual crowd). There’s also a sense of the clash between different worlds that could set the MCs apart, along with the seemingly insurmountable fact that they live on opposite sides of the globe. But honest feelings refuse to be pushed aside.

Something kept me from immersing myself in this book as much as I did in Raine’s book, and I’m not sure what. There’s much to enjoy, including the sightseeing of Paris and the French countryside, and the intriguing facts peppered in about ancient Egyptians. But I wasn’t fully getting the depth of connection between these two, and the finale and resolution felt unusually shallow and abrupt. Winnie’s exit and the short time apart with a lack of any self-reflection on Winnie’s part and minimal basic insight on Alistair's undercut the romance, and there wasn’t enough complexity to the long-distance situation and the resolution. And we see very little of their families and milieux outside of the bubble of the Paris setting. But nothing really annoying happened either, so…? I don’t know. I do know this author is capable of going deeper. But I did enjoy the story.

HEA, opposite attract, absentminded professor, boss-temporary employee, different worlds sensibility. No cheating, no others at all. Some OM drama from the rival and the ex-boyfriend, not invited by either hero. An entertaining read. Recommended.

My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.

[Kiki Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

****1/2 stars
Winnie Takes Paris was a frothy, sexy escape that I loved.
Take one sassy, sunshiny California stylist still waiting for his big break. Add in an absent-minded Professor in need of a temporary assistant. Send them to Paris and watch as they fall under the spell of the most romantic city in the world.
This is an opposites whose attraction is off the charts story. Alistair is one of the premier Egyptologists in the world. His assistant, Raine from the equally delightful Waiting for Raine, is on vacation with his hubby and drafts Winnie to take care of Alistair during a month long work trip/conference in Paris.
The love letter to Paris and the French countryside is gorgeous.
And I loved how both men were so much more than their first impressions. Winnie is caring, protective, and determined to have Alistair take a pause and enjoy the magic of Paris with him. In return, Alistair is drawn to Winnie, stepping outside his comfort zone and enjoying the view.
Raine’s occasional text reminders about the care and feeding of Alistair were a hoot. Who doesn’t love a Jammie Dodger?
I loved Alistair and his focus. Plus the secret tattoo he was hiding under his nerdy academic beige facade - oo la la! I was sighing with appreciation at his take charge attitude, sly humor, and the way he stood up for Winnie.
Winnie was adorable. His inner monologues, colorful wardrobe, and creative use of language had me falling along with Alistair. (Plus his character assessment was spot on - Colin was a viper.) And two 30+ characters - yes, please!
This book was a wonderful romcom adventure with a lot of heart. Winnie and Alistair were perfect for each other - both embracing their inner odd ducks and celebrating each other’s uniqueness From LA to London to Paris, this is an adventure to remember.

[Tara Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winnie was trying to make his mark in Los Angeles, but no matter how hard he tried, he didn’t seem to get the break he needed. Working with people, making them comfortable, and being fabulous was what he did best, and he just had to figure out how to do that. The opportunity to spend six weeks in Paris as an assistant to an expert in Egyptology sounded like a good way to reset and determine what he should do next to find his path.

Alistair was a professor, a researcher, and an expert in everything Egypt. For many, it wasn’t something incredible, but in his world, he was a rock star. He just needed a little help with the day-to-day, like eating and dressing. When his usual assistant sent one of his friends, he didn’t expect everything that would come with it.

Who knew that two opposites would be so attracted to each other?

OPINION: I liked this book. Let’s face it: I don’t always review like the average person, but for me, this book was fun. These two men were so different but found one thing—smexy time—they were very much on the same page about. There was plenty of spice, but as they got to know each other on the physical level, the emotions claimed them, too. This was a great story with tons of information about Paris, Egypt, and other bits of history. It was so much fun watching how Winnie coaxes the softer, fun sides out of Alistair. I couldn’t get enough of these two, but I enjoyed the love story. For romance with a timeline, I really liked that we weren’t beaten over the head with that constant reminder. Instead, they took advantage of what they had without worrying about the future. It was great fun, and I recommend you read it. I didn’t read the first book, but this was enough for me to take a look at other titles by the author who was new to me.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

a story and couple I fell deeply in love with

Rating: 5🌈

I just love this and fell deeply under the spell of Winnie Rodriquez as he conquered not only Paris but his wonderful, brilliant professor, Dr. Alistair Creighton.

One of the many things I appreciate about this novel is the absolute joy I can see the author took in writing this. It’s everywhere, in every aspect of the book. The places that Winnie and Alistair travel to and visit while in Paris are all museums, shops, and special spaces that Hayes herself has been and the affection and love shines in her descriptions. Her views of Paris and the surrounding areas mirror Winnie’s in so many ways in the wonderful outlook and appreciation.

I can also see the creativity and passion for this story in the outright hilarity of the conversations, dialogue’s between Winnie and Alistair as they learn about each other, that joyful and deeply rooted in how special each is.

These characters are beautifully real, aware, vividly written, gorgeous characters. I couldn’t look away from the pages and their journey into a relationship and love. And Paris was a stunning background for them to discover that they were perfect for each other and fit together.

I could see both Winnie and Alistair so clearly, their personalities and clothes were as finely detailed as everything else.

My one quibble is I wanted more. One book isn’t nearly enough for this couple who’s spread across multiple countries. I would love to see them together again in books to come.

Highly recommended, along with Raine’s story.

Love and Travels :
Falling for Raine #1
Winnie Takes Paris #2

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable! This is such a sweet, quirky, charming romance. Winnie is a unique combination of flash and style hiding some insecurities. Alastair is an accomplished, brilliant Egyptologist hiding from the social world. When they are thrown together in Paris with Winnie as Alastair’s assistant helping him prepare for a big conference, both men find that the other settles them and fills in pieces that they’ve been missing.

I love Winnie’s humor and his malapropisms. And I love that Alastair is indulgent about them. It’s a first telling clue how the relationship is going to progress. Hayes is fantastic at including the setting as a character in her books and with Paris as the setting here you know you will be in for a treat. Between the visits to Parisian hot spots to the descriptions of food we truly get the feel of what Winnie is experiencing for the first time and how Alastair is getting a new appreciation thanks to Winnie.

The crisis moment is crushing. I was in tears but I was also incensed. I would have liked a bit more in that scene because it felt like just as Winnie was getting to what would have been the meat of the issue it was cut short. The ultimate handling of it was satisfying but I like a good blood letting!😁 I love the way Winnie built Alastair’s confidence and Alastair ultimately did the same in a different way for Winnie.

The book is a quick and enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to wherever we get to travel next.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Winnie’s best friend asks him for a favor, Winnie can’t say no when the favor includes a trip to Paris! All he has to do is be an assistant to an absent-minded professor for a month in their stay in Paris for a big conference. Should be easy right? But this professor isn’t anything like Winnie expected. This sweet, endearing man who sure can be a little absent-minded, but is clearly passionate about his work. Winnie is enchanted and determined to show Alastair a little fun outside of his love of history and books. Alistair knows he is in trouble the moment he spots Winnie. Winnie is full of life and color and funny and just everything Alistair could ever hope to want but feels like he could never be a part of. But Alistair soon finds himself being drawn out of his research and discovers what life can really be like when he isn’t working. And it’s a life he so desperately would love with Winnie by his side. Winnie may not believe that Alistair could ever settle with someone like him, so he’ll enjoy what they have now. But could there be a future between them? I loved how these two opposites balanced one another so well! They were so adorable and not afraid to be themselves, especially around one another. The love between them was bright and colorful and you were cheering for them to be together. Definitely a fun story! You don’t want to miss this one.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable Sweet Romance

I absolutely loved Winnie and Alistair.

Winnie was a hairdresser at a salon in LA who kept being overlooked for promotion. He knew he had to reassess his life and make changes. When his best friend Raine from book 1 offers him a month in Paris taking his place as assistant to a British Professor, Winnie jumped at it.

Alistair is a Professor at the British Museum and an expert in his field of Ancient Egyptian History. These two couldn’t be anymore opposite and yet they work, like puzzle pieces they fit. Winnie was so good for Alistair and brought him out of his life of work, copious amounts of tea and packets of Jammie Dodger biscuits. In return Alistair boosted Winnie’s confidence and belief in himself. Although Winnie presented as a fierce confident man who knew what he wanted, inside he had insecurities.

Paris was the backdrop for this romance and although I have been many times, it was lovely to see it through Winnie’s excited eyes and who would have thought that the quiet Alistair would turn into a bit of a dominant experienced lover.

Winnie is a sassy, colourful and funny character and brings colour into Alistair’s drab beige world. The author gave us a swoony love story filled with laughter and steam, no real angst but ex boyfriend trouble.

An enjoyable read and I hope we get another book in the Love & Travels series.

[JenCW · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars!

I enjoyed this story. Winnie and Alistair's story is one of opposites attract, and I loved how they were together when it seemed they had nothing in common.

Winnie wanted a break from his job and helping his friend's boss while in Paris seems like a dream come true. I loved how Winnie coaxes Alistair out of his rooms so he's not working day and night without really eating. It was fun to see them enjoying Paris and its sights together. Alistair knows so much history and Winnie eats up the little impromptu history lessons. It was great to see Alistair enjoying his time with Winnie and enjoying life. They both needed someone that saw below the surface and they found it together. Winnie brightened Alstair's life up and showed him he could have love. While Alistair and Winnie initially tried to avoid the attraction they were feeling, they really connected and fit well. That said, I felt for Winnie when he was at the conference with Alistair and felt so out of place. I really didn't like Alistair's ex and one of his other colleagues, but I was glad that Alistair stuck up for Winnie and made sure to ensure they knew he wasn't going to be manipulated.

This story was super cute and sweet.

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement.*

[Kara Hildebrand (Two Book Pushers) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winnie Takes Paris is the second book in the Love and Travel series by Lane Hayes. Winnie is Raine's best friend and now we get to learn so much more about him. He's damn delightful and fun and sassy! He's helping Raine out by assisting his boss in Paris. Winnie would never say no to that. Especially since he wants to escape from his life for a while and Paris is the perfect distraction. So is Alistair. He never expected to be attracted to the British professor, but it happened and it turned out to be more fun than he imagined. Alistair is smart, absent minded and buttoned up. Winnie is just the man to get him to leave his hotel room, stop working and explore a city that he loves. He can't help but share info about everything he sees and what he's working on. Winnie might not get it, but Alistair is fascinating and Winnie just wants to be with him and listen to him talk. He's there to make sure he's on time and his socks match, but they have chemistry and it can't be denied. They didn't expect to fall in love in Paris, but now that it's happened what's next? Alistair lives in London. Winnie in LA. Can they make it work. These two are exact opposites but they are perfect for each other! I laughed out loud so much and just smiled. They are so fun and kept me entertained!

[Nancy Lockett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely story. Winnie is stylist at a Salon but keeps getting passed over for promotions. His best friend, Raine, asks him to fill in for him temporarily as an assistant for a month for a conference in Paris to his boss, Alistair, who is a professor and leading expert in Egyptology. Winnie, who feels that he needs a reset and fresh perspective, agrees. What could go wrong? First off, Winnie is astounded at how attractive he finds Alistair, and Alistair is enchanted by Winnie's vibrancy and finds Winnie beautiful. As Winnie coaxes Alistair to "take Paris" with him and go sightseeing with him, Alistair realizes there is more to life than academics. The two opposites fall in love with each other but will the magic last once they return to reality? I love how Winnie brings Alistair a bit out of his shell and how Alistair helps to build Winnie's confidence in himself and is enchanted by all aspects of Winnie. I loved that when Winnie returned to LA for a new job and Alistair followed to declare his feelings that they took their time making sure of the relationship. This is such a fun and sweet romance. I loved how Winnie would mix up words.

[Romantic Reads and Such · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*s

Oh my goodness, I couldn’t have loved these two together more! Winnie is fabulous and outrageous and so dang joyous. He loudly embraces life with energy & enthusiasm, finding delight in things big and small. He may be feeling a little down lately but he’s not going to let it defeat him, instead uses it as an opportunity to revamp himself.

And that radiance is a great foil for Alistair who tends to get caught up in his work and forget the rest of the world even exists. Winnie lets him for a little while but soon has him out seeing the sights of Paris, while getting to know each other. He may not know what Winnie sees in him at first but it doesn’t take him long to fall under Winnie’s spell, just like us.

Winnie Takes Paris is full of heat, humor, and heart. These two couldn’t be more different but complement each other so well – Alistair supports Winnie when he has doubts and Winnie reminds him that there is more to life than his studies. We could all do with someone who matches with us that well.

**part of a series but can stand on its own easily**

(I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Age gap
- Opposites attract
- RomCom

This was such an utterly charming read. It's the follow up to Falling for Raine but can easily be read as a standalone. While this is Alistair and Winnie's story, Paris itself is definitely the third wheel in this story. The whole thing is told against the backdrop of the city and it's so vivid, you can just imagine it all like you're there strolling through the Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries with Winnie and Alistair. Seeing the city through Winnie's eyes is a delight.

The story itself is good fun too, Winnie is a complete breath of fresh air to Alistair's life, up till now he's been consumed with his work to the detriment of everything else, and Winnie blows all that up in the best way. It's so much fun seeing them come together and grow together, they're such a perfect fit even though they're complete opposites. There's a ton of heat too, once we're off to the races so to speak, and a really cute HEA and epilogue to tie it all up.

This was cute, sweet, hot, and just plain fun. I loved it.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

It is a sweet, low-angst romance between two men who are polar opposites. Lane is an accomplished writer, and I loved her vivid and rich descriptions of Paris.

Alistair is a British professor and a highly sought-after expert on Egyptian history. He is brilliant but absent-minded in his personal life.

Winnie is stepping away from his job as a hairstylist because he has once again been overlooked for a promotion. A dear friend suggests he take a month off and become Alistair’s assistant while he lectures in Paris. Winnie jumps at this chance to refuel and bask in the glory that is Paris.

Winnie learns a great deal about the wonders of ancient Egypt. Alistair pulls his nose from his notes and takes time to enjoy the city with his whirlwind assistant. Winnie provides color and joy, while the professor treats Winnie as an equal.

Their romance was Paris-worthy, swoony, and as bright as the Eiffel Tower lit up. This sweet book is very recommended. Happy reading.

**Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement.**