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From Paris, with Butter: A deliciously slow-burn grumpy-sunshine romcom about baking, banter, and falling in love in Paris
Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Emily in Paris, this delectable Parisian romance serves up mouthwatering pastries, sizzling chemistry, and one unforgettable love story you’ll savor to the last bite.
One hundred and eighty-seven proposals.
That’s how many love stories Margot Delcour has witnessed while waitressing at the Eiffel Tower’s most romantic restaurant. She spends her days orchestrating dream proposals and her nights baking rainbow-colored macarons, pillowy éclairs, and croissants so flaky they could break hearts. No one would ever guess her own love life is in ruins.
Enter Laurent Roche, a grumpy perfectionist who claims he can’t so much as boil an egg. When he moves in next door, Margot initially plans on giving him nothing more than a polite greeting and a plate of brown butter madeleines. That’s fine with Laurent. He moved to Paris to recover from a disastrous breakup and couldn’t be less interested in meeting anyone. But when he admits that he abandoned a career as a famed chef, Margot realizes she’s not the only one piecing her life back together.
Margot and Laurent know by now that getting close to someone is a recipe for disaster, but when a charity gala forces them to team up—her desserts, his kitchen expertise—their cooking sessions turn into something smoldering. Being a culinary dream team is easy. Admitting the pull between them? That’s risky. Because the closer Margot and Laurent get, the more their old wounds threaten to jeopardize the sweet future they deserve.
One hundred and eighty-seven proposals.
That’s how many love stories Margot Delcour has witnessed while waitressing at the Eiffel Tower’s most romantic restaurant. She spends her days orchestrating dream proposals and her nights baking rainbow-colored macarons, pillowy éclairs, and croissants so flaky they could break hearts. No one would ever guess her own love life is in ruins.
Enter Laurent Roche, a grumpy perfectionist who claims he can’t so much as boil an egg. When he moves in next door, Margot initially plans on giving him nothing more than a polite greeting and a plate of brown butter madeleines. That’s fine with Laurent. He moved to Paris to recover from a disastrous breakup and couldn’t be less interested in meeting anyone. But when he admits that he abandoned a career as a famed chef, Margot realizes she’s not the only one piecing her life back together.
Margot and Laurent know by now that getting close to someone is a recipe for disaster, but when a charity gala forces them to team up—her desserts, his kitchen expertise—their cooking sessions turn into something smoldering. Being a culinary dream team is easy. Admitting the pull between them? That’s risky. Because the closer Margot and Laurent get, the more their old wounds threaten to jeopardize the sweet future they deserve.
- GenresRomance
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2025
1983 people want to read
About the author
Christine DeSalvo
1 book15 followersChristine DeSalvo has been publishing fiction and nonfiction for more than a decade. Having lived on three continents, she steals shamelessly from the cities, landscapes, and people she’s encountered along the way.
Her debut novel, From Paris, with Butter, draws inspiration from the two years she lived in France and the three days she spent as a disastrously unqualified waitress before her boss politely asked her to leave.
She currently lives in San Francisco with her family and two spoiled cats.
Her debut novel, From Paris, with Butter, draws inspiration from the two years she lived in France and the three days she spent as a disastrously unqualified waitress before her boss politely asked her to leave.
She currently lives in San Francisco with her family and two spoiled cats.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 13, 2025
Absolutely enchanting! From Paris, with Butter by Christine DeSalvo is a delectable and heartwarming romance that swept me off my feet from the very first page. This book is a pure delight, expertly blending the magic of Paris, the irresistible allure of baking, and a deeply satisfying slow-burn love story.
Margot Delcour is the kind of heroine you immediately root for. She spends her days at the Eiffel Tower’s most romantic restaurant, orchestrating countless dream proposals, yet her own love life is decidedly in shambles. Her passion for baking those rainbow coloured macarons, pillowy éclairs, and croissants so flaky they could break hearts is palpable and adds such a wonderful, sensory layer to the story. You can almost smell the butter and sugar rising from the pages!
Enter Laurent Roche, the grumpy, perfectionist chef next door. Initially, both Margot and Laurent are nursing their own heartbreaks, determined to keep their distance and piece their lives back together alone. Their initial interactions are wonderfully awkward and charming, with Laurent's supposed inability to boil an egg contrasting hilariously with his true, storied past as a famed chef.
But as fate (and a fantastic charity gala) brings them together, their culinary collaboration ignites a spark that’s impossible to ignore. The tension between them is beautifully written a delicious slow burn as they navigate their past wounds and the undeniable pull they feel. Their cooking sessions aren't just about creating exquisite dishes; they're about rebuilding trust, healing old scars, and finding a recipe for a sweet future together.
Christine DeSalvo paints such a vivid picture of Paris, you can almost smell the freshly baked bread and feel the city's romantic pulse. This isn't just a romance; it's a story about second chances, about finding the courage to love again after heartbreak, and about the profound magic of food bringing people together. If you're looking for a book that will make you swoon, laugh, and perhaps even crave a croissant or two, this is it. A truly delightful read that I cannot recommend highly enough. Five stars simply aren't enough for this Parisian treat!
Margot Delcour is the kind of heroine you immediately root for. She spends her days at the Eiffel Tower’s most romantic restaurant, orchestrating countless dream proposals, yet her own love life is decidedly in shambles. Her passion for baking those rainbow coloured macarons, pillowy éclairs, and croissants so flaky they could break hearts is palpable and adds such a wonderful, sensory layer to the story. You can almost smell the butter and sugar rising from the pages!
Enter Laurent Roche, the grumpy, perfectionist chef next door. Initially, both Margot and Laurent are nursing their own heartbreaks, determined to keep their distance and piece their lives back together alone. Their initial interactions are wonderfully awkward and charming, with Laurent's supposed inability to boil an egg contrasting hilariously with his true, storied past as a famed chef.
But as fate (and a fantastic charity gala) brings them together, their culinary collaboration ignites a spark that’s impossible to ignore. The tension between them is beautifully written a delicious slow burn as they navigate their past wounds and the undeniable pull they feel. Their cooking sessions aren't just about creating exquisite dishes; they're about rebuilding trust, healing old scars, and finding a recipe for a sweet future together.
Christine DeSalvo paints such a vivid picture of Paris, you can almost smell the freshly baked bread and feel the city's romantic pulse. This isn't just a romance; it's a story about second chances, about finding the courage to love again after heartbreak, and about the profound magic of food bringing people together. If you're looking for a book that will make you swoon, laugh, and perhaps even crave a croissant or two, this is it. A truly delightful read that I cannot recommend highly enough. Five stars simply aren't enough for this Parisian treat!
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October 15, 2025This book, if nothing else, is, at the beginning, a reminder that people should treat their servers better.
Margot is the sunshine in this dynamic, and I can empathize so much with her because the sun is masking genuine grief and anxiety over both loss and her own perceived failures. She is easy to get along with right from the beginning because she, above all else (including herself) loves love and seeing joy in other people. She is a romantic at heart, but not a hopeless one.
Laurent initially is one whole heaping platter of grumpy when we meet him. In the beginning (which I won’t spoil), I actually loathed him. But perhaps every grump, or at least this one, might be hiding a killer ability to cook (but not bake) and some sun behind those gloomy clouds.
This plot was both soft and delicious, much like the meals described in this book. It happens slowly at first, then speeds up without running away with itself. There are conflicts and enough emotion to invest in without creating an overwrought, stretched-out, or boring feeling. I was invested in these two and their lives from the beginning.
Part of that comes from how Margot, Laurent, Yasmine and other characters are written (I’m looking at you, La Croix), and part of it comes from the setting.
I’ve been lucky enough to go to Paris and other parts of France, but this book is a love letter to the city and had me wanting to go back in a way that nothing ever has. My trip there, in all honesty, was a whirlwind (and not a pleasant one), but this book brought to mind the best parts of Paris —its history, its food, its people, and, yes, its romance. You will finish this book wishing you could go, and if only we could all have our very own Margot to guide us.
Margot is the sunshine in this dynamic, and I can empathize so much with her because the sun is masking genuine grief and anxiety over both loss and her own perceived failures. She is easy to get along with right from the beginning because she, above all else (including herself) loves love and seeing joy in other people. She is a romantic at heart, but not a hopeless one.
Laurent initially is one whole heaping platter of grumpy when we meet him. In the beginning (which I won’t spoil), I actually loathed him. But perhaps every grump, or at least this one, might be hiding a killer ability to cook (but not bake) and some sun behind those gloomy clouds.
This plot was both soft and delicious, much like the meals described in this book. It happens slowly at first, then speeds up without running away with itself. There are conflicts and enough emotion to invest in without creating an overwrought, stretched-out, or boring feeling. I was invested in these two and their lives from the beginning.
Part of that comes from how Margot, Laurent, Yasmine and other characters are written (I’m looking at you, La Croix), and part of it comes from the setting.
I’ve been lucky enough to go to Paris and other parts of France, but this book is a love letter to the city and had me wanting to go back in a way that nothing ever has. My trip there, in all honesty, was a whirlwind (and not a pleasant one), but this book brought to mind the best parts of Paris —its history, its food, its people, and, yes, its romance. You will finish this book wishing you could go, and if only we could all have our very own Margot to guide us.
October 23, 2025
Mon dieu!,
My goodness what a great romance novel that takes place in the most romantic city in the world: Paris!
The author knows how to tell a story!
Enter characters Margot, a server at a Michelin star restaurant and former chef, Laurent. Their first meeting at the renowned restaurant falls flat and we are pleasantly surprised they end up as neighbors.
Oh, the tension is ripe! What follows is two people searching for their true career calling and end up falling in love. And in between we, as readers, are taken on a tour of Paris and delighted with authentic recipes Margot and Laurent make for each other. To that, add in compelling mean girl conflict, hilarious characters, family tensions, moving family memories, significant obstacles to overcome while never giving up, and, of course, adorable felines.
I really loved reading this novel. The research that must have gone into writing this was so evident and beautifully arranged for the reader to enjoy the tale.
It moved at a great pace, the romance was compelling, the dialogue was on point and so effective, and each character was so well developed.
Finally, who doesn’t love a great romance, buttery croissants, and kittens?!
My goodness what a great romance novel that takes place in the most romantic city in the world: Paris!
The author knows how to tell a story!
Enter characters Margot, a server at a Michelin star restaurant and former chef, Laurent. Their first meeting at the renowned restaurant falls flat and we are pleasantly surprised they end up as neighbors.
Oh, the tension is ripe! What follows is two people searching for their true career calling and end up falling in love. And in between we, as readers, are taken on a tour of Paris and delighted with authentic recipes Margot and Laurent make for each other. To that, add in compelling mean girl conflict, hilarious characters, family tensions, moving family memories, significant obstacles to overcome while never giving up, and, of course, adorable felines.
I really loved reading this novel. The research that must have gone into writing this was so evident and beautifully arranged for the reader to enjoy the tale.
It moved at a great pace, the romance was compelling, the dialogue was on point and so effective, and each character was so well developed.
Finally, who doesn’t love a great romance, buttery croissants, and kittens?!
October 14, 2025
I enjoyed this book so much. It follows Margot, a waitress at Le Jules Verne, the very fancy restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. Margot has planned 187(!!) proposals for her job, but the poor girl's love life is in shambles. That is until she meets renowned chef (and perfectionist grump) Laurent Roche...No spoilers, but you'll enjoy their story!
This book is perfect if you love:
-Parisian vibes
-Delicious food descriptions that'll leave you drooling (the description of champagne-flavored macarons honestly made me go buy some)
-Grumpy/sunshine trope
-Enemies to lovers
-Witty banter
-Medium level of spice
-A great balance of funny and heart-tugging scenes
-Cute pets
This book is perfect if you love:
-Parisian vibes
-Delicious food descriptions that'll leave you drooling (the description of champagne-flavored macarons honestly made me go buy some)
-Grumpy/sunshine trope
-Enemies to lovers
-Witty banter
-Medium level of spice
-A great balance of funny and heart-tugging scenes
-Cute pets
October 9, 2025
This is my debut novel, so I'm sure you can't expect me not to be biased ;) But here's what you can expect in From Paris, with Butter:
-A waitress and budding baker who is a hopeless romantic
-A heartbroken chef who gave up on it long ago
-Delectable food descriptions
-Dreamy descriptions of Paris
-Slow burn romances
-Cute cats
-Enemies to lovers
-Grumpy sunshine
-Some French swear words you probably haven't heard
-A waitress and budding baker who is a hopeless romantic
-A heartbroken chef who gave up on it long ago
-Delectable food descriptions
-Dreamy descriptions of Paris
-Slow burn romances
-Cute cats
-Enemies to lovers
-Grumpy sunshine
-Some French swear words you probably haven't heard
October 11, 2025
This love story is definitely for Emily in Paris fans. This read has a strong Paris/chef romance from beginning to end. You meet Laurent and Margot and will love the enemies-to-lovers dynamic that develops in their story. I loved the characters' background, which gave the story meaning and purpose. It has some spice in some chapters, you will love the grumpy sunshine relationship develops throughout the story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 20, 2025
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and I am so glad I did. A really fun story that will keep your mouth watering over the delicious sounding sweets.
September 23, 2025
Ok ok ok, "From Paris, with Butter" exceeded expectations!
First, this book is FUNNY. Like, I swear, you will actually laugh while reading this. Pinky swear. I find genuinely funny books too rare, and it's something I really need these days, so even if everything else about the book was garbage, I'd recommend it for this alone.
But what y'all really care about is the romance, right? And this was the grumpy/sunshine pairing of my dreams. Margot with her big dreams and love of making people happy and planning perfect proposals and baking her hearth out + Laurent, the moody, grumpy chef who secretly is adorable. My favorite scene in the book is when Margot makes Laurent dinner, these two are seriously just too cute together.
Ok next, the DESCRIPTIONS in this book! Obviously, it's set in Paris, and I've never been, but I could feel it in the scenes where they're walking around at night, having picnics in the park, visiting the cheese shops. AND THE FOOD! The main characters are a baker and a chef, and the food descriptions are off the charts. Everything they made sounded so good!
This book seriously made me so happy. The end!
First, this book is FUNNY. Like, I swear, you will actually laugh while reading this. Pinky swear. I find genuinely funny books too rare, and it's something I really need these days, so even if everything else about the book was garbage, I'd recommend it for this alone.
But what y'all really care about is the romance, right? And this was the grumpy/sunshine pairing of my dreams. Margot with her big dreams and love of making people happy and planning perfect proposals and baking her hearth out + Laurent, the moody, grumpy chef who secretly is adorable. My favorite scene in the book is when Margot makes Laurent dinner, these two are seriously just too cute together.
Ok next, the DESCRIPTIONS in this book! Obviously, it's set in Paris, and I've never been, but I could feel it in the scenes where they're walking around at night, having picnics in the park, visiting the cheese shops. AND THE FOOD! The main characters are a baker and a chef, and the food descriptions are off the charts. Everything they made sounded so good!
This book seriously made me so happy. The end!
October 15, 2025
I love romances, but I also love books with quality writing, fully-fleshed characters, clever dialogue, and good plotting. This means the majority of romance books being churned out disappoint me (sorry).
This one doesn't! There's no cringy dialogue here or ridiculous plot twists, or love stories that feel like they're written by ten year olds. I was honestly impressed by the quality of this book; I feel like my high school English teacher would be hard pressed to find fault in it! (Just kidding, she could find fault in anything, but still, this book is LEGIT).
From Paris, with Butter follows Margot, a waitress at Le Jules Verne, the very posh restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. Poor Margot has to watch proposal after proposal happen at her job (even though she loves making other people having) while her own love life is in the dumpster. UNTIL! She meets Laurent, a grumpy chef who loves ironing his jeans and his little cat. These two have a grand time hating then loving each other, making delicious food, and keeping each other on their toes.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book, like for real. (Don't read it while you're hungry)
This one doesn't! There's no cringy dialogue here or ridiculous plot twists, or love stories that feel like they're written by ten year olds. I was honestly impressed by the quality of this book; I feel like my high school English teacher would be hard pressed to find fault in it! (Just kidding, she could find fault in anything, but still, this book is LEGIT).
From Paris, with Butter follows Margot, a waitress at Le Jules Verne, the very posh restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. Poor Margot has to watch proposal after proposal happen at her job (even though she loves making other people having) while her own love life is in the dumpster. UNTIL! She meets Laurent, a grumpy chef who loves ironing his jeans and his little cat. These two have a grand time hating then loving each other, making delicious food, and keeping each other on their toes.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book, like for real. (Don't read it while you're hungry)
October 13, 2025
From Paris With Love is the kind of rom-com that makes you want to pack a suitcase, buy a beret, and dramatically sip espresso in a sidewalk café while waiting for fate to deliver a handsome stranger. It’s sweet, funny, and heartwarming...the ultimate comfort read for anyone who’s ever daydreamed about Parisian love stories.
The romance is flirty and infectious, with banter that feels like a dance, equal parts missteps and magic. And while the story leans into familiar rom-com beats, that’s part of its charm. You don’t pick up a Paris romance for suspense; you pick it up because you want to kick your feet, sigh, and feel the sparkle of possibility.
If you love Lucy Score’s cozy small-town heart (just swap small town for Paris cafés), or Tessa Bailey’s knack for sizzling chemistry, this book will make your inner romantic squeal.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The romance is flirty and infectious, with banter that feels like a dance, equal parts missteps and magic. And while the story leans into familiar rom-com beats, that’s part of its charm. You don’t pick up a Paris romance for suspense; you pick it up because you want to kick your feet, sigh, and feel the sparkle of possibility.
If you love Lucy Score’s cozy small-town heart (just swap small town for Paris cafés), or Tessa Bailey’s knack for sizzling chemistry, this book will make your inner romantic squeal.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 29, 2025
Cute Story with Well Developed Characters, But Paris and the Food Steal the Show!
Warning: This book will make you seriously starving for delicious food and pastries (especially if you aren't much of a cook or a baker like me) and you will be ready to book a trip to Paris to share in all of the sights, smells and food of this wonderful city and the surrounding towns. Margot and Laurent were great characters, perfect for each other and fun to read about while hoping that they each achieve their career goals and happiness together. This was the first book I have read by this author, but I will definitely read more - Enjoy!
I was sent an ARC by the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Warning: This book will make you seriously starving for delicious food and pastries (especially if you aren't much of a cook or a baker like me) and you will be ready to book a trip to Paris to share in all of the sights, smells and food of this wonderful city and the surrounding towns. Margot and Laurent were great characters, perfect for each other and fun to read about while hoping that they each achieve their career goals and happiness together. This was the first book I have read by this author, but I will definitely read more - Enjoy!
I was sent an ARC by the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
October 18, 2025
Sweet and satisfying:
This was a sweet and flirty rom-com and the Parisian setting was both romantic and iconic. It made you want to settle in and devour it in one go (preferably with a tasty pastry or two)! The romance between Margot and Laurent was lovely and I enjoyed seeing them get their second chance at love. The humour and side characters further enhanced this cute story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
This was a sweet and flirty rom-com and the Parisian setting was both romantic and iconic. It made you want to settle in and devour it in one go (preferably with a tasty pastry or two)! The romance between Margot and Laurent was lovely and I enjoyed seeing them get their second chance at love. The humour and side characters further enhanced this cute story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
October 8, 2025
ARC REVIEW!!
A truly mouthwatering book! You’ll want to book a Paris tripping, dreaming of strolling around Parisian streets while savouring some delicious pastries and fine delicacies!
The main love story was really romantic! Both the characters challenged themselves with some new adventures, trying to surpass their own struggles! They made each other better, supporting one another!
A nice and cute reading, perfect way to get away from reality!
A truly mouthwatering book! You’ll want to book a Paris tripping, dreaming of strolling around Parisian streets while savouring some delicious pastries and fine delicacies!
The main love story was really romantic! Both the characters challenged themselves with some new adventures, trying to surpass their own struggles! They made each other better, supporting one another!
A nice and cute reading, perfect way to get away from reality!
October 16, 2025
Absolutely Delightful! From Paris with Butter by Christine DeSalvo is a warm, feel-good read that blends romance, self-discovery, and the irresistible charm of Paris. The writing is rich and cozy—like sinking into a café chair with a fresh croissant. The characters are lovable and real, and the story left me smiling long after I finished. If you enjoy books with heart, humor, and a dash of culinary magic, this one’s a must-read!
October 16, 2025
This book was really sweet, well written, with likeable main characters and crazy/funny side characters.
I was invested in Margot and Laurent’s love story and enjoyed reading it until the end. My only complaint is that Sabine did not get her comeuppance!
If you are looking for raunchy sex scenes, this is not the book for you, however, if you want sweet, love scenes, read away.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was invested in Margot and Laurent’s love story and enjoyed reading it until the end. My only complaint is that Sabine did not get her comeuppance!
If you are looking for raunchy sex scenes, this is not the book for you, however, if you want sweet, love scenes, read away.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 23, 2025
This was a great debut novel. The author was definitely dedicated to her world building. At times I felt the MCs, particularly Margot, were too superficial; however, maybe this was intentional on the author's part--Margot had chosen to settle into a routine that made her "happy" but all she was was comfortable. Once she overcame the fears that were holding her back, she could then be more authentic.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 15, 2025
She has helped many couples have that romantic proposal in the restaurant. Her own love life is not in a good place so she is surprised to get a new neighbor. They will be forced to work together for a gala where life starts to steam up between them. See if it goes any further
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a beautiful love tale
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a beautiful love tale
October 14, 2025
Set in Paris, our FMC is a waitress at a premier restaurant next to the Eiffel Tower. She loves her job, but helping other people propose (which she helps coordinate regularity without added compensation) can make one realize their own loneliness.
Enter grumpy MMC- who ends up being her neighbor that she can’t escape. Margot and Laurent find more in common than they realize and sparks begin as they work on a project together.
This was a quick, sweet read. I enjoyed the setting and characters. There was very little spice, a small amount of girl drama, humor and a HEA.
Thank you for the voluntary arc.
Enter grumpy MMC- who ends up being her neighbor that she can’t escape. Margot and Laurent find more in common than they realize and sparks begin as they work on a project together.
This was a quick, sweet read. I enjoyed the setting and characters. There was very little spice, a small amount of girl drama, humor and a HEA.
Thank you for the voluntary arc.
October 31, 2025
Cute romance!
This was a cute workplace romance vibe! I really enjoyed the story progression, even though it took a little while before I got hooked into the storyline. Classic chef life and the drama that unfolds is maddening! Definitely cute - I'd recommend!!
This was a cute workplace romance vibe! I really enjoyed the story progression, even though it took a little while before I got hooked into the storyline. Classic chef life and the drama that unfolds is maddening! Definitely cute - I'd recommend!!
October 21, 2025
A really good romance I enjoyed it. Was so good. I was given an arc and I choose to give a honest review.
October 30, 2025
This book has hands down the best romantic banter I’ve ever read in a romcom. That's all. That's the review. Funny + romance = a winner for me
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews