The Secret Paris Ingredient

by M.H. Cali, Marguerite Sauvage (Illustrator)

*Dare to dream of a love that feels like home.*

Leilani Hale had everything she could wish for. Until she didn't.

Her award-winning restaurant is on the brink of closure, and her only hope resides in an old-school investor who wants her to prove she can balance what it takes to be a chef with a fulfilling personal life.

Enter Benjamin, her best friend's brother whom she hasn't seen since college. The photographer might very well be the partner she didn't know she needed. As old dreams collide with the harsh reality of adult life, Benji and Leila find themselves entwined in a spiral of life-changing realizations.

Is any trajectory immutable?

Is there an expiry date to happiness?

Do past decisions and experiences have to weigh us down until there's no going back?

Above all else, in the heart of the City of Love, can Benjamin and Leilani fake it for long?

210 pages, ebook

Published October 15, 2026

About the author

M.H. Cali is an Award-Nominated author who writes character-driven romances, romantic suspenses and thrillers books as well as the occasional comic or graphic novel.

The world is complex and flawed, and so are the characters inhabiting the universes she builds. If you ever read any of her works, you’ll notice that she loves writing layered characters, having a diverse cast, and that to her quiet moments are just as important than action-packed ones.

Storytelling is all about harmony in the emotions and events throughout the narrative. It's her motto.

If she manages to make you feel what the characters are going through, live the events with them, and wonder what is going to happen, then she succeeded.

Make sure to follow her on BookBub at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-h-cali for all sales and preorders alerts!

Reviews

[skia_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leila is a New York chef desperate to save her bistro, and her solution? Convince her best friend’s brother, Benji, to pretend to be her boyfriend while she tries to secure a major investment in Paris. What could possibly go wrong? 🤭

First of all, I’m a hopeless romantic foodie at heart, so Paris, delicious food, and fake dating? You know I was seated for this one!

Benji & Leila! 🥹 Their chemistry was adorable, I loved watching their relationship turn into something neither of them expected.

And that beneath all the flirting and romantic moments, there were some very relatable conversations about past hurts,and finding your own happiness.

It was a little predictable, but so are some of my favorite romances, so that didn’t stop me from falling for them.

This was such a cozy, feel good read!

By the end my heart was singing like a canary on a summer day!

4 ⭐️

Thank you rattle the star for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review

[Leen · Rating 4 out of 5]

🥐 The Secret Paris Ingredient - M.H. Cali

⭐ 4/5

Thank you to M.H. Cali and Rattle the Stars PR for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Fake dating? In Paris? Between two people with history? You already know I was seated🫡

The Secret Paris Ingredient was such a cute, wholesome romance, but what I appreciated most was the emotional healing underneath all the fake dating, flirting and Parisian charm. Both Leila and Benji are carrying experiences from their pasts, and watching them gradually become vulnerable enough to confront those things together gave their relationship a lovely emotional foundation.

I particularly enjoyed the mutual respect between them. Their relationship develops slowly and naturally, with plenty of playful flirting and small moments that show how increasingly comfortable they're becoming with each other. Benji attempting to cook for Leila and Leila learning a little about photography were such sweet additions, and I loved seeing them take an interest in each other's worlds.

And Benji? WHAT. A. GREEN. FLAG. 💚 Patient, supportive, understanding and gentle without ever becoming overbearing. I loved how well he cared for Leila while still respecting her independence. Equally, I really liked that Leila is ambitious and has goals that exist outside the romance. When old feelings begin resurfacing, she doesn't simply run from them; she allows herself to explore what they might mean.

My main struggle, however, was with the writing style. The prose felt quite formal at times, which unfortunately carried over into the dialogue. Conversations felt stilted rather than natural, and because I kept noticing it throughout the book, it created a little distance between me and the characters. I kept hoping I'd settle into the style, but it remained something I was conscious of until the end.

That said, the heart of the story absolutely worked for me.

⭐ 4/5 - sweet, wholesome and full of tenderness. Fake dating in Paris, a wonderfully green-flag MMC, mutual respect, emotional healing and two people gradually finding their way back to each other. The writing style didn't completely click with me, but Leila and Benji's gentle romance left me smiling 🥐🩷

[Allison Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a quick, cozy romance, but it didn’t really land for me.

The writing was a little bit confusing because there would be flashbacks of conversations that had happened in the middle of things were happening in the present. While it was distinguished by the use of italics, it kind of took me out of the moment.

Leilani and Benjamin had cute chemistry but the dialogue between the two of them at times was so cheesy. It was super sweet! But it felt like it just wasn’t realistic. I also would’ve liked to see their history a little bit more, between the two of them and for each of them individually.

The concept of someone feeling like home to you is so sweet and reminds me of the line from Sleepless in Seattle - “it was like coming home, only to no home I’d ever known.” This concept was woven throughout the way that Benjamin and Leilani were feeling towards each other, but I couldn’t feel the full depth of it in the story.

While it wasn’t for me specifically, I think if you enjoy quick cozy romances with fake dating, then it would be a cute read.

Thank you to the author and RTSPR for the ARC

[mithi._.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into The Secret Paris Ingredient expecting a cute fake dating romance, but somehow this book gave me so much more than just romance. It was warm, comforting, dreamy, and honestly the kind of story that makes you want to curl up with a book, a cup of coffee, and disappear into Paris.

Leila is a talented chef who has worked incredibly hard to build the life and career she wants. When her restaurant needs an investment and she finds herself needing a boyfriend to fulfil the conditions of the opportunity, the solution seems simple ask Benjamin to pretend to be hers.

Except Benjamin isn’t just some random guy.

He’s someone she already knows. Someone with history. Someone who slowly becomes impossible to look at as just a fake boyfriend. 👀

I absolutely loved how the setting became such an important part of the story. The beautiful apartment, the food, the little moments they shared… everything created this dreamy, cosy atmosphere that made their romance feel even more magical. It genuinely felt like Paris was quietly pushing these two together. 🥹✨

🤍 Benjamin…

BENJAMIN. That’s it. That’s the review. 😭❤️I adored him.

The way he supports her dreams? 🥹

GREEN FLAG AFTER GREEN FLAG. 💚

I loved watching him help Leila find her passion again and become someone she could actually lean on. There was something incredibly beautiful about the way he loved her

Leila’s fear of commitment and Benjamin’s emotional baggage gave the romance a much deeper layer. They weren’t simply falling for each other they were also learning how to let someone into the parts of themselves they’d kept guarded.

And their chemistry?!

THE CHEMISTRY WAS CHEMISTRYING. 😭🔥
And because this is a proper slow burn, when the feelings finally become undeniable, it feels SO rewarding. 🥹❤️


What really stayed with me was the emotional healing in this book. Beneath all the fake dating, Parisian romance and cute moments, both characters are carrying things from their past. Watching them confront those things and slowly become more vulnerable with each other made their relationship feel genuine.

And the ending????

MY HEART. 😭😭😭

[kileigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you like cheesy, fast paced romance novels, this is for you! I think the read was okay. Nothing stood out to me, though. This would be a great palate cleanser if you’re looking for something not too serious and low on the emotional scale!

Rare moment where a second chance romance didn’t do it for me. I think it was due to lack of history that was shown between the two characters. I think it would’ve had more of an impact if it didn’t feel like just two acquaintances thrown into a fake dating scenario. There was no depth, and it was hard following along with the timeline jumps mid chapter. A bit confusing.

The writing is okay. I had trouble following along at times because the storyline became a bit boring after a while. The characters also felt unauthentic. Leilani isn’t from New York, but she’s been living there since she was young, and there was nothing about her personality that said “new yorker.” I can say the same about her Hawaiian heritage. It was mentioned, but nothing stood out. The characters were mid. For me, there was nothing about them that I could relate to.

Overall, like I said, if you’re looking for a fast paced, cheesy, romance novel. Or a not too serious, low emotion palate cleanser, this would work for you!

Thank you RTS for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Samie Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you SO much to M.H. Cali and Rattle the Stars PR for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I enjoyed this immensely! I thought there were lots of cute cozy moments that just warmed my heart, I'm sad its over 😭

My critiques would be that I wish we got to see Benji's talk with his mom and dad. We got to see him be there for Leila's huge moment so I would have enjoyed seeing her be his support. Then I think I would have been more content with the time skip at the end.

Otherwise really a great read and a wonderful pallet cleanser (minimum pun intended hehehe)

[Maitreyee Sarma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Paris Ingredient is an amazingly heartwarming and soulful story of two emotionally guarded individuals who beautifully bonded together and healed each other. The storytelling is distinctly brilliant and as you pore over the pages, you can feel the vulnerability of Leilani, the goodness of Benjamin and how they opened up to each other by being avid listeners and great supporters of one another. It is interesting to see whether past wounds drift them apart or love blooms amidst their wonderful understanding of one another. The great vibes of Paris especially its awesome cuisine which finds creatively worded mention in major parts of the story makes you hungry literally.

Leilani, who had to go to Paris to achieve her dreams, and had taken Benjamin with her due to a reason is deeply guarded and averse to love due to unfortunate incidents in the past. Benjamin, on the other hand, is also not on good terms with his family due to a bitter clash of opinions. The most beautiful part of their story is how they listened to one another without trying to dominate with unnecessary advice and nasty remarks and gave each other space yet stood as staunch emotional supporters of one another. Another thing which I loved the most is how they taught each other tidbits of their professions and how both cheered and made adjustments when it comes to their respective professional endeavors equally and amicably. Their chemistry is intense and scorching.

One of my favourite characters of this story is Leilani’s best friend Kat. Her optimistic personality and way of cheering up Leilani is so good. The drama that unfolds in Paris and its surroundings are beautifully written and makes this book a delightful read. Paris truly comes alive in your imagination beautifully as you go on reading and makes you long to travel there.

[Akansha Chauhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Paris Ingredient is such a cute and heartwarming romance. It follows two people who liked each other in the past, but life got in the way, and they drifted apart as they got busy with their own routines. Years later, fate brings them back together when they team up to save Leila’s restaurant (He was her best friend's brother😌🎀)

​Leila is a talented chef, and Benji is a photographer. On paper, they don't seem to have much in common, but their chemistry is just amazing. I loved the mutual respect between them, and their playful flirting and cute moments were easily my favorite parts. Benji taking such good care of her was so sweet, and I really liked that Leila didn’t run away from her feelings when they started resurfacing. I enjoyed those little moments when Benji tried cooking for her, and she learned a little bit of photography. Those little gestures really stole a part of my heart.

​Beyond the romance, the book has great family moments and solid friendships that make the story feel whole. It also carries a really nice message about how we often think we know exactly what we want in life, until the right person comes along and helps us see what truly matters. It’s a cozy, feel-good read that leaves you with a big smile. If you love reading Second chance at love, best friend's brother, fake dating, he falls first tropes then this book is for you.

[Aradhya · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review | The Secret Paris Ingredient by M.H. Cali
Thank you to M.H. Cali for the ARC of The Secret Paris Ingredient. This was such a fun, warm, and easy romance to settle into, with Paris itself almost feeling like a character.
Benjamin and Leila already have a history and an easy friendship, which makes their decision to create a fake relationship interesting. What starts as a carefully planned story with rehearsed details and boundaries slowly becomes harder to separate from what they actually feel. I enjoyed watching those lines begin to blur.
Benjamin was probably the character I connected with most. He is dealing with the aftermath of a broken engagement while trying to understand his own patterns and what he really wants from a relationship. His openness about his past, his relationship with his father, and his efforts to work through his baggage gave him more depth than just being the charming romantic lead.
Leila is almost his complete opposite. She is ambitious, independent, and deeply focused on her culinary career. She has convinced herself that love could get in the way of the life she has worked so hard to build. I liked the contrast between her guarded nature and Benjamin's emotional openness. Her sarcasm and determination also made her fun to read.
The pacing worked well for me. The story moves naturally from settling into their beautiful apartment and establishing their fake relationship to conversations about their pasts and growing romantic tension. There is plenty of banter and emotional honesty without the story feeling unnecessarily complicated.
And the Paris setting? Definitely one of my favourite parts. The Haussmann apartment overlooking the Seine, the food, wine, city views, and quieter moments together create such a cozy atmosphere. It gives the story that dreamy European-romance feeling without taking away from the characters.
I also appreciated that both characters have their own emotional baggage. Their conversations about boundaries and relationships make the fake-dating setup feel believable, while their growing attraction makes it obvious that keeping things strictly pretend is going to become difficult.
Overall, The Secret Paris Ingredient is a charming romance with a lovely setting, strong character contrast, good banter, and a classic fake relationship slowly turning into something real. If you enjoy fake dating/fake engagement, friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, one-bed situations, emotional healing, and a cozy Parisian backdrop, this one is worth picking up.

[Isabella Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

*𝒟𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒹𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂 𝑜𝒻 𝒶 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁𝓈 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒽𝑜𝓂𝑒.*

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
SPICE: 🌶️ 1/5


❤️ EMELLE GILL. MA’AM. I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS MY EMOTIONAL DAMAGES.

Because WHAT DO YOU MEAN I picked up a romance, expecting butterflies, swooning, and perhaps a little questionable decision-making, only to find myself fighting back actual TEARS?!

I CAME FOR THE OLDER MAN. NOT AN EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN.

And yet here we are.

Emelle Gill is a new-to-me author, and The Path to You was such a beautiful, heartfelt introduction to her writing.

Four stars and one very emotionally inconvenienced reader.

Let’s start with Daisy.

Our girl has a PLAN.

Nursing school. Career goals. A future she’s working incredibly hard to build.

Romantic distractions?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. WE HAVE EXAMS TO PASS AND A DEGREE TO EARN.

And honestly, as someone who understands just how demanding nursing school can be, I respected her determination.

Because pursuing a career in healthcare isn’t exactly an afternoon hobby.

The studying? Endless.

The exhaustion? REAL.

The emotional investment? ENORMOUS.

Daisy knows what she wants, and she’s not about to jeopardize her future because an attractive man has wandered into her life.

Except the universe has apparently decided her carefully organized plans require a little disruption.

ENTER JACKSON.

An older man.

A gentleman.

Determined, patient, and entirely too interested in the woman who keeps insisting she doesn’t have time for him.

SIR. YOU HAD ME AT OLDER.

I’M SORRY. I DON’T MAKE THE RULES.

And Jackson?

OH, THIS MAN.

He knows what he wants.

And what he wants is Daisy.

Not in a controlling, possessive, rearrange-her-entire-life-to-accommodate-him kind of way.

He genuinely sees something worth waiting for.

A MAN WHO CAN RESPECT A WOMAN’S AMBITIONS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PINING AFTER HER?!

EXCUSE ME?!

WHO AUTHORIZED THIS LEVEL OF EMOTIONAL MATURITY?!

Because I’m accustomed to fictional men treating boundaries like optional road signs.

And here comes Jackson, demonstrating patience, understanding, and the audacity to be genuinely supportive.

DISGUSTINGLY ATTRACTIVE BEHAVIOR.

The slow burn between these two was one of my favorite parts.

The stolen glances.

The lingering tension.

The moments when attraction becomes impossible to ignore, even though the timing is absolutely terrible.

Because Daisy has a future she’s determined to protect.

And Jackson has dreams of his own.

For years, he’s carried the hope of becoming a professional soccer referee, and suddenly that possibility is within reach again.

I LOVED that.

I loved that neither character existed solely to become someone’s romantic partner.

They had goals.

Responsibilities.

Futures they were actively trying to build.

WE LOVE TWO PEOPLE WITH PERSONALITIES AND AMBITIONS OUTSIDE THE BEDROOM.

And this is where the right-person-wrong-time trope really worked for me.

Sometimes the problem isn’t that two people don’t care enough.

Sometimes they care deeply, but their circumstances make choosing each other complicated.

Love doesn’t automatically erase practical concerns.

It doesn’t make demanding careers easier.

It doesn’t eliminate uncertainty.

And it certainly doesn’t guarantee that life will cooperate simply because two people have finally admitted their feelings.

THE UNIVERSE APPARENTLY MISSED THE MEMO ABOUT ROMANTIC CONVENIENCE.

But watching Daisy and Jackson navigate that uncertainty made their connection feel meaningful.

Now, Daisy wasn’t perfect.

There were moments when her reactions felt immature, and I wanted to gently grab her shoulders and say:

GIRL. USE YOUR WORDS. THE MAN IS NOT A MIND READER.

But I appreciated that she could recognize her mistakes and grow from them.

Because character development doesn’t mean someone starts the story making flawless decisions.

It means they learn.

They take responsibility.

They become better at navigating the difficult parts of relationships.

And Jackson’s steadiness balanced her stubborn independence beautifully.

But then…

THE MEDICAL DRAMA.

OH, THE MEDICAL DRAMA.

Just when Jackson is getting closer to the future he’s imagined for himself, a life-changing diagnosis threatens everything.

His career.

His plans.

His sense of certainty.

And suddenly, their relationship isn’t simply about whether two stubborn people are willing to take a chance on love.

It’s about what happens when life changes without asking your permission.

AND THIS IS WHERE MY HEART STARTED CRACKING.

Because there’s something devastating about watching someone work toward a dream only to discover that their own health could stand between them and everything they’ve hoped for.

The uncertainty.

The fear.

The frustration of realizing that determination alone can’t control every outcome.

Those emotions hit me particularly hard.

And I appreciated that the story allowed the situation to carry weight.

Jackson isn’t simply a romantic hero experiencing an inconvenient plot twist.

He’s a person confronting the possibility that the life he envisioned may look very different from the one he gets.

And Daisy?

She’s facing her own difficult questions about love, commitment, and how to stand beside someone when the future feels frighteningly uncertain.

EXCUSE ME WHILE I COLLECT THE PIECES OF MY HEART FROM THE FLOOR.

What made their relationship beautiful to me was that it wasn’t about one person abandoning everything to save the other.

It was about encouragement.

Understanding.

Making space for each other’s ambitions and fears.

Learning that being independent doesn’t mean refusing support, and loving someone doesn’t mean losing yourself.

That distinction matters.

Especially in romances involving serious health challenges, where it can be tempting to turn love into some magical cure for everything.

But sometimes love doesn’t fix the circumstances.

Sometimes it simply means you don’t have to face those circumstances entirely alone.

AND APPARENTLY THAT’S ENOUGH TO MAKE ME CRY OVER FICTIONAL PEOPLE.

WONDERFUL.

FINAL VERDICT:

Four heartfelt stars for a touching romance about ambition, timing, vulnerability, and finding the courage to love when the future is anything but certain.

The Path to You gave me a determined heroine, a wonderfully patient older MMC, a satisfying slow burn, and emotional moments that genuinely stayed with me.

Emelle Gill, you’ve officially gained another reader.

I came looking for a romance.

I found a story about two people learning that chasing your dreams and opening your heart don’t always have to be competing choices.

And Jackson?

AN OLDER MAN WHO FALLS FIRST, RESPECTS HER GOALS, AND KNOWS HOW TO BE EMOTIONALLY PRESENT?!

SIR.

YOU’RE MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR MY MORALLY BANKRUPT BOOK BOYFRIENDS TO COMPETE.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to recover.

I WAS PROMISED ROMANCE. NOBODY WARNED ME TO BRING TISSUES. ❤️😭📚



Tropes & Themes: Age Gap • Older MMC • Slow Burn • He Falls First • Right Person, Wrong Time • Medical Drama • Soccer Romance • Career Ambitions • Emotional Healing

[Angelica T · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Thank you to the author and Rattle the Stars PR for the gifted eARC. All opinions are my own.

Hawaii? Oh hello to my home State!
Faking dating? Sign me up.
Paris? Always wanted to visit, again sign me up.
A chef? Oh I LOVE food.
A photographer? You guys are really pin pointing the things I love.

This was the perfect cozy read in between the stacks of Romantasy/Fantasy/Dystopian books I’ve had back to back. I dare say this was a great palate cleanser for me, and one I’d re-read in the future.

Characters: Leila (FMC) is a well renowned chef. Although, she’s trying to save her bistro due to some serious financial disasters. Benji (MMC) is a well renowned photographer. He’s trying to reconnect with the past he ran away from. It so happens they may be each other’s saving grace and the answer to all their own problems. I love a good fake dating story, especially one where they have history. It makes the fake dating more authentic and easier to pass off. Why? There’s already a connection there! There’s no hashing out super important details, besides getting up-to-date about life.

My favorite side character is Kat, her best friend and person. I love how she’s there for Leila, absolute undying loyalty and love. I love how she supports her while still keeping it real.

Plot/Twists: The pacing was perfection. It wasn’t instant lust, but definitely didn’t get dragged out either, because again there was already a connection in general between our FMC and MMC. There were a few moments I wanted them to just get together already, practically screaming “you freaking love each other.” The story behind the one ex felt a bit dragged out to me. I honestly wished the backstory of that was told sooner, because it kept popping up, and had me going “what did this guy do to her?” When it finally was revealed it fell a little flat to me, because the buildup to it made it seem like something way more devastating. In the end, I loved how it happened between Leila and Benji, and I liked how things ended.

Overall: Cute little love story. It was a cosy and comforting read for me. I’m definitely keeping this one as a comfort read when I need one. Add this to your TBR if you love a cute contemporary romance read!

[Alina · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

The entire book was cute, wholesome and amazing!! I don't have enough words to describe how cute it was!

The Secret Paris Ingredient follows Leila, a chef that's in danger of loosing her Bistro and to save it she needs to present a good juggling of her personal and professional life. That's why she needs to find herself a fake boyfriend, to impress the man that wants to invest in her.

The perfect man for the job shows up exactly when she needs it most, Benji, her best friend's brother with which she's been friends but lost contact when he left out of the blue. Benji is a photographer who's been to a multitude of places all over the world and took photos, so he's quite good at what he does. And he's at the perfect time in life when he can just pack up and go again, this time with Leila, to Paris.

Their time in Paris is so sweet!! It might be cheesy for some, but sometimes it's just like this, quiet evenings, time spent talking with each other, re-discovering themselves. I felt like they were the perfect fit from the very beginning. Benji is so sweet and calm and supportive, he really understood Leila and he tried to be there for her in any way possible.

I love how they went from friends to lovers, it all felt so linear and no-nonsense, they both were good for each other. Leila also tried to push Benji to explore, even when he was mostly there to support her in this endeavor. And to also post more to become more visible, because him being a photographer relies a lot of being visible to others.

I loved how the book ended! I was a bit surprised at her choice regarding the bistro, but I can get why that made better sense for her.

Also loved her friendship with her best friend, Kat, I could feel they were both there for each other in whatever way they both needed and that's the most beautiful part of being best friends.

Thank you to M.H. Cali and Rattle the Stars PR for the e-arc!!

[Dolly Yadav · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐈’𝐦 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩.”


I've never thought that i would love a fake dating book so much even after reading this trope so many times already yet The secret Paris ingredient proved me wrong in this regard. With a simple yet definitive prose, lovable characters and sizzling chemistry, it instantly caught my eye right from it's first page.

The story followed Leilani— A bistro chef in need of funds to save her restaurant, just as an amazing opportunity rolls in she is stuck to realise she'll need to full fill the condition of having a spouse/ boyfriend if she's going to have it. Here comes her best friend Kat, and her idea of Liela asking Kat's older brother Benjamin, to be her fake boyfriend in Paris. Benjamin has recently came back from his trips and is glad to be of help. But as the pretend of lovers start in the city of love, both realises lines between fake and real are blurring and being just friends has never been more difficult than now..

I absolutely loved benji here. For me, his kind and patient charm stole my heart. How can a man be so understanding and gentleman? He literally helped Liela find her passion and even moved with her for her convenience. The way these two connected felt so matured and beautiful. I also loved kat, Benjamin's sister and Leilani's best friend.

Emotions were written well especially benji's regret towards his sister and leila's fear of commitment. And so was the plot. I'll say this story had such a charm of The city of love with fake love turning eventually too real. Though it's a slow burn which makes it worth while when they confess finally.

Over all, if you love fake dating trope with an actual slow burn and mature characters, then this book is perfect to go. It's a beautiful love story that inspires to chase dreams as well. Go for it.

[Aries me · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a comfort read. The kind of book that feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket and settling in for a few hours of romance, DELICIOUS food, Parisian charm, and characters you want to befriend.

One of my fave things about MH Cali’s books is how she creates characters who feel so easy to love. Leilani? I absolutely adore her. She’s strong, determined, and has that wonderful no-BS attitude that makes you want to cheer her on. I loved that she knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to fight for it, but at the same time, she’s allowed to have her vulnerabilities and figure things out at her own pace.

And then there’s Benji. What a sweetheart. I loved how patient and respectful he was with Leilani. He never pressured her to talk about things she wasn’t ready to share, never tried to push her past her boundaries. Their communication was honestly one of my favorite things about them.

And the Paris setting? I was SOLD.

This book made me want to pack a bag and go back to Paris so I could live out my own little fictional love story😅 Everything about those Paris scenes felt so dreamy. The food, the little adventures, the atmosphere, and all those cozy moments up on the roof between Leilani and Benji.

There are so many delicious little details throughout the book too. The picnic, Benji cooking for Leilani, Leilani experimenting with her cupcakes (don’t try this at home 😅ketchup is for french fries only) Somehow, all of it made the story feel even more warm.

But I think that’s what I love about this book. It makes you want to be there.

It’s romantic, cozy, funny, and full of characters you’ll want to keep around after you’ve finished reading.

Definitely one I’d happily reread.

Now excuse me while I sit by the chimney(electrical) with a bowl of watermelon gazpacho and pretend i’m in Paris living my own cozy little love story 💗

[Susan Fuhrman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Little Romance, A Little Paris… And a Whole Lot of Heart! 💕

Sometimes you just need a change of pace, and The Secret Paris Ingredient by M. H. Cali was exactly that!

With fake dating, best friends to lovers, a deliciously slow-burn romance, and the gorgeous backdrop of Paris, what’s not to love?

I absolutely adored Benjamin! Despite carrying plenty of emotional baggage, he was always there for Leila, supporting her dreams, helping her rediscover her passion, and giving her someone to lean on. Leila, a talented chef with a deep-seated fear of commitment, brought her own emotional complexities to the story, which I felt enriched their journey together.

Their friendship was such a lovely foundation for the romance, and I loved how willing Benjamin was to become her pretend partner to help her achieve her goals. The chemistry between them was sizzling, and the slow burn was perfectly paced!

One of my favourite aspects was watching these two gradually peel back their emotional layers, allowing themselves to heal, grow, and open their hearts to something more.

M. H. Cali’s descriptive writing transported me straight into the story. From the food to the charming streets of Paris, the atmosphere was wonderfully immersive, making it easy to picture everything unfolding.

So why not five stars? While this was a lovely read, there were moments when the writing felt a little formal, and I didn’t connect quite as deeply with the characters as I have in other books. Nothing that significantly detracted from my enjoyment, but enough to keep it at four stars.

And the ending? 💕💕 Not much more needs to be said!

As someone who reads a lot of Romantasy and dark romance, this was a wonderful change of pace. Light, cozy, romantic, and thoroughly enjoyable.

A lovely feel-good romance that I’d happily recommend!

[The quiet reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay but FAKE DATING YOUR OLD COLLEGE CRUSH and then flying to Paris with him??? Leila really looked at this situation and thought, yeah, this will definitely stay uncomplicated.

I had so much fun with this book. The whole fake relationship slowly turning into something very real was exactly the kind of mess I wanted. The little things got me more than anything — cooking together, rooftop dinners, the hand-holding that was supposedly “for practice,” Benji learning her recipes… like sir, I SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

And Benji??? Such a sweetheart. He’s a hopeless romantic, but it never felt like he was trying too hard to be one. He was just genuinely attentive and supportive, and I loved watching Leila slowly realise that being loved didn't have to feel like losing herself.

Leila's storyline also had more emotional weight than I expected. Her history with James explains so much about why she keeps people at a distance, and her sister's diagnosis was definitely the part that hit me the hardest. It made her start questioning what she actually wanted from her life, her restaurant and everything she'd been working so hard for.

I also loved the foodie side of the romance. Leila being a chef, Benji learning her recipes, all the cooking and meals throughout the book… food genuinely felt like another way they connected. And that grilled-cheese callback at the end???

The Paris setting was obviously gorgeous, the romance had plenty of tension and spice, and I was absolutely not complaining about the one-bed situation.

Overall, this was such a warm, romantic, sometimes emotional read. I finished it with the biggest stupid smile on my face and honestly… that's enough for me. Absolutely loved reading the ARC .

[Sreeparna · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 The Secret Paris Ingredient by M.H. Cali

If you are a fan of romance stories with a touch of the Parisian sun, good food, a ton of banter, and a guy who looks like a walking green forest, you should definitely consider this one. 🌿🥐💚

This story is about a chef, a photographer, fake dating, friends to lovers, forced proximity, and best friend’s brother. Two people, completely different from each other, in the city of art and fashion. The aesthetic of the story itself is just perfect! 💃📸

The romance between the main characters is beautiful, slow-burn, a lot of banter, and no massive spice. I would rate it around 2 out of 5. 🌶️🌶️

But let’s talk about the MMC. SIR. 😭💚

The man is not a green flag; he is the entire Amazon rainforest. Patience, support, understanding, and gentle words. What else could a girl ask for in a man? I came to the story to read a cute romance novel, but I have already Google-searching “how to apply for a photographer position” while sobbing tears of joy. 📸🌿

And last but not least, let’s talk about the food. 🥐🍝🍰

The descriptions of dishes were one of my favorite parts in the book. Paris, food, art, and romance – I felt like I was watching one of those beautiful foreign films. 🇫🇷

The Secret Paris Ingredient is a light and quick read with beautiful descriptions, an amazing setting, good food, banter, and lovely romance. If you like the romance genre, spice-free stories, slow-burn relationships, MMCs that are actually good in every sense of the word, and a touch of Parisian sunlight in your life, this story is for you. 💌

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐✨/5

🌶️🌶️/5

[Miriam.reads2much · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to M.H Calis and Rattle the Stars for this ARC opportunity.

This was a cute fake dating romance between between Leila and Benji. After getting screwed over by her account, Leila restaurant is in jeopardy of closing. She's been offered a chance to teach a month long cooking class in Paris and while there she can meet with Charles to invest in her restaurant. Only one problem with her plan, she told Charles she's in a committed relationship and she's very much single.

Her best friend Kat convinces her to reach out to her brother Benji and ask him to pretend to be her bf and go to Paris. Benji immediately agrees he's had a crush on Lillian since they were all in college together.

Leila can't deny that she's physically attracted to Benji, but now living together she's discovering a side to him that is making it hard for her to remember it's fake. He's attentive, sweet, he cooks for her, he remembers the little things. Meanwhile Benji is trying to see if Leila feels that it's no longer fake between them, how good things could be between them, he knows he wants to be wherever Leila is.

The more time Leila spends in Paris, the more she starts to wonder if her dreams for her restaurant are in New York are still what she wants, can she trust her feelings for Benji are real and that he wants a future with her?

When Charles investment offer finally comes through and it's not what was originally discussed, she's left to wonder if it's okay to change her original plans especially if it means having Benji by her side?

[Adelfos Selene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Paris Ingredient is a sweet romance filled with second chances and delicious food. 🥐💕

Leila is a passionate, independent chef determined to make her dreams of running a successful restaurant come true. After having her heart broken, she's built walls up so high around herself, choosing to pour her love into her cooking rather than risk getting hurt again. Now, she needs to prove that she can be a successful chef without sacrificing that work-life balance in order to keep her investor (As someone in the food industry for over a decade - I felt that so hard 😅).

The banter in this book is so fun and the way you can see them both growing into the relationship made their romance truly enjoyable rather than feeling pushed. Ben is Green Flag central and is so supportive of Leila which is something you need in this industry.

If you love the fake dating, friends to lovers, and cooking, I highly recommend this one for you!

Thank you @rattlethestarspr and @mhcaliwrites for this opportunity and a nice cozy romance book that got me through my hospital stay ❤️

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Secret Paris Ingredient is out now with the eBook available widely (except Amazon)!

Fake dating | Friends to lovers | Best friends’ brother | Chef x Photographer | Lots of food | Banter! | Each other’s biggest cheerleaders

[Hetanshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The secret Paris ingredient is a light and heart warming romance set in Paris. The story follows Leila and Benjamin, whose fake relationship gradually becomes something much more meaningful. As these spend more time together they begin to understand each other better and face feelings they weren't expecting.

What I enjoyed most was the slow and natural development of their relationship. Benjamin was definitely a favourite for me because he was caring, patient and supportive without being overbearing. I also liked Leila because she was independent ambitious and head goals of her own. Their chemistry felt sweet and I loved the small moments that showed how comfortable they were becoming with each other. The Paris settings, delicious food and cozy atmosphere also made the reading experience even better.

Overall, it was a cute cosy and feel good romance with an emotional depth to keep you invested. It was an enjoyable read that gave me all the warm and Happy feelings I look for in a romance. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fake dating, friends to lovers, slow-burn, forced proximity and romantic stories set in beautiful places. If you are looking for a comforting romance that is easy to get into, definitely give this one a try.

[Samantha Ortutay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Secret Paris Ingredient by M.H. Cali - ARC review! 📖
3 ⭐️
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Leilani Hale is a world renowned chef in NYC and when she’s on the verge of losing her restaurant, she’ll do almost anything to save it. Including being in a fake relationship with her best friend’s brother, to convince an investor that she can balance both her professional and personal life.
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Benjamin Miller is the famous photographer who left without so much as a goodbye back in college. When Leilani asks him to go to Paris and play house with her, he agrees without batting an eye.
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The Secret Paris Ingredient was a cute light hearted read with a good story idea. The characters were charming and all the talk about food makes you hungry!! I’ve learned that I’m not a huge fan of 3rd person POV so I feel that might take some points off for me. I also felt like there were too many time jumps that it was very confusing to follow along at times. Main points became redundant because it felt like they were brought up every chapter, so much so that I found myself skimming through those parts. I would still recommend this for a quick, light hearted read without too much depth if that’s what you’re looking for.
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I’d like to thank the author and RTSPR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kaitlin L. · Rating 1.5 out of 5]

I thought this book was cute! The relationship was sweet, and the characters were corny, cheesy, and completely in love from the start. There was definitely a charm to their relationship, but I also felt like the story lacked much actual conflict. Everything felt a little too easy, which made it difficult for me to get fully invested.

The writing style was also unique, but unfortunately, it didn't entirely land for me. There were a lot of flashbacks that still took place within the timeline of the present-day story. While the italics made it easy enough to distinguish the different sections, the way the story was structured felt a little disjointed. We'd get part of a story, then its resolution, and only afterward flash back to how we got there. I found myself wishing that, if we were going to use flashbacks, they would take us further into the characters' childhoods and past relationship rather than revisiting moments within a timeline we were already following.

Overall, I still think this was a cute book, and I can see the appeal. It just wasn't entirely for me. The relationship was sweet, but the lack of conflict and the storytelling style kept this from being a more enjoyable read for me.

[Annu · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very good read with fake dating trope...I loved the chemistry between them and slow burn at start. This made me feel so many butterflies in my stomach plus the way Benji was his behaviour, his thoughtfulness, his kindness everything was so attractive and I just love him so much for treating leila the right way she deserved and teaching us too about love, respect, support. He loved her so deeply and in the right way that she eventually forgot the fear of attachment.
This story was the perfect example of you will meet the right person at right you just have to wait with patience and learn through everything which life throws at you. And the friendship between kat and Leila is so pure it reminded me of some of my friends too that how lucky I am to have them in my life...this was really a very comforting read for me. Loved how their relationship was not only focused on physical attraction but emotional and mental too. How he always let her be herself and never crossed a boundary...and never forced her to talk about something she clearly didn't want. HE WAS A WHOLE DREAM MAN OF AMY GIRL AND CONCLUSION HE IS FICTIONAL WHICH MAKES ME a little sad.

[hana_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Secret Paris Ingredient. I went in expecting a cute fake-dating romance, but it ended up being much more emotional and comforting than I expected.

Leila and Benjamin were such a fun pair. I loved their chemistry, banter, and all those little moments where their fake relationship slowly started feeling a lot more real. Benjamin especially stole my heart.. he was kind, emotionally open, and had his own struggles that made him feel more than just the typical perfect love interest 🥹

I also really liked Leila as an FMC. She was ambitious, independent and determined, and I appreciated that she had her own dreams and growth outside of the romance.

And of course, the Paris setting was such a highlight. The food, the city, the cozy moments and the overall atmosphere made the book feel so dreamy. It genuinely gave me that feeling of wanting to pack my bags and go to Paris 😭

This was a sweet, cozy and romantic read with great chemistry, emotional moments and plenty of Parisian charm. Definitely recommend it if you enjoy fake dating, forced proximity, one-bed situations, slow burn romance and emotional healing 💕

[_bookbrew_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something so special about stories that bring together love, dreams, and the messy reality of life, and The Secret Paris Ingredient already feels like one of those books. 💙

Leilani Hale’s life seems to be falling apart just when she thought everything was finally in place. Her award winning restaurant is close to shutting down, and the pressure to save it brings Benjamin back into her life, her best friend’s brother and someone she hasn’t seen since college. What I love most is that this doesn’t seem to be just a romance. It feels like a story about finding your way back to yourself while figuring out what, and who, truly feels like home.

The Paris setting, the restaurant, the old connection between Leila and Benji, and all those complicated choices already have me intrigued. There’s something incredibly warm and comforting about the idea of two people finding each other again while life is asking them to make some difficult decisions.

And honestly, “Is there an expiry date to happiness?” is enough to make me want to know everything. 🥹💙

This feels like the kind of story I’d want to savour slowly, with all the emotions, delicious food, romance, and Parisian charm. ✨

[Priyanshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay tell me, who doesn't love a book that feels like warm hug on a rainy/cool day???
This book is exactly that!

Benjamin Hale, the guy that made my standards completely unreasonable. 😭
I was supposed to be here for the Paris + food + fake dating situation, but Benjamin had other plans. 🫠

The way he slowly became Leila’s safe place without ever trying to take over her life??? The way he wanted her to succeed just as badly as she did??? And the way he looked at her like she was the most fascinating person in the world??? excuse me???🥹

I loved watching their fake relationship turn into all those tiny moments where neither of them was pretending anymore. The cooking, the late-night conversations, the teasing, the domestic little things… I was actually done for!
And Leila choosing her own dreams while falling in love with him made me love them even more. Because Benjamin never asked her to become smaller for him. He just made room for himself beside the life she wanted.

Overall, Paris was beautiful, the food sounded incredible and the romance was uh-adorable!!!
(I think Benji was the secret ingredient all along🤭)

[Natoshia Blaylock · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Secret Paris Ingredient

Thank you M. H. Cali and Rattle the Stars PR for allowing me to review this arc. This is my honest review.

This is such a cute romance story. Leilani needs help saving her restaurant. The man who wants to invest in it believes in a work/life balance. Leilani doesn’t have that. She’s worked hard to get to where she is. She is invited by the investor to come to Paris to be a guest teacher at his Academy while he tries to figure out if he wants to invest in her. The only problem is that she can’t show up without a significant other.

Her best friend Kat lets her know that her brother Ben is in town and doesn’t have anything to do. So Leilani invites him to go to Paris with her as her fake boyfriend. They get to Paris and have to share a room with one bed! The close proximity reminds them both of the feelings they used to have for each other in college.
It doesn’t take long before those feelings grow into something more. Their fake relationship isn’t feeling so fake anymore.

By the end of the Paris trip, they have fallen completely in love and decide to turn the fake relationship into a real one.

[ReadWithMe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely romance to get lost in🤍🇫🇷

I really enjoyed the whole fake dating setup and watching Leila and Benjamin slowly get closer. Their chemistry felt natural, and I especially loved the little moments between them that made it obvious their feelings were becoming much more than they had planned.

Leila was such a great FMC ambitious, independent and strong, but still vulnerable when it came to her own feelings. Benjamin was honestly so easy to love too 🥹

The Paris setting added so much charm to the story. The food, the city, the cozy atmosphere and the romantic moments made everything feel warm and dreamy.

What I appreciated most was that the story wasn't only focused on the romance. Both characters had their own struggles, dreams and things to work through, which gave their relationship more depth.

This book was such a sweet, cozy and feel-good romance with great chemistry, fun banter and beautiful Paris vibes. Definitely a book that left me smiling when I finished it 💗✨

[Jessica Sattler · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a quick, fast-paced romance, this one might be for you! 💕

I did have a few things that left me wanting a little more, though. There were times when I felt a disconnect with the writing, particularly with the shifts between italics and quotation marks. I sometimes found myself confused about whether the characters were texting, speaking out loud, or somehow communicating in their thoughts. It happened often enough that it pulled me out of the story a bit.

I also appreciated that the story touched on cancer, although the timing may have made that storyline a little harder for me personally. One of my good friends just lost her husband two days ago, so it was definitely a sensitive topic for me going into this read. ❤️‍🩹

Overall, I think there was potential here, and if you’re in the mood for something quick and easy to get through, this could be worth picking up. I just wish I had connected a little more with the characters and the story as a whole. 💗

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Hanny Choudhary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Paris Ingredient was such an enjoyable romance. I loved how Leilani and Benjamin’s relationship slowly changed from dating to something real with so many cute little moments along the way. ❤️

Leilani’s journey was just as interesting as the romance because she had to balance her dreams, career and love. Benjamin was a green flag. He is kind, patient and supportive character and their chemistry 🤌🏻🔥 made the story lovable.

I also loved how the story showed that love doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams. Leilani stays true to herself and her goals while Benjamin supports her without holding her. Their bond felt natural. Those small everyday moments between them made their romance feel even more special. ❤️

The Paris setting, food, cafés and cooking added a feel to the story and made me feel like I was travelling with them. Overall it’s a emotional and easy-to-read romance, about love, dreams, healing and finding your own path.