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The Secret Paris Ingredient
Not yet published
Expected 15 Oct 26*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?
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
Expected publication October 15, 2026
About the author
M.H. Cali
7 books112 followersM.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!
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!
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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. 😭😭😭
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. 😭😭😭
Review of advance copy received from Author
“You feel like Home Leila”
📚 : The Secret Paris Ingredient
✒ : M.H. Cali
📍: Will be released soon
Ratings : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Every chef has that one secret ingredient that gives their dish a signature taste, one they would never reveal. And as a chef, Leila has been wonderful, giving her all to run her bistro until her finance guy messes up everything and now only a good investment could save her dream venture and now she is in the need of a fake boyfriend to show to her potential investor and thus meets her best friend's brother who was once her college bestie.
But now years have passed and he has grown more handsome making her a lil nervous around him and when she asked him to be her pretend partner almost expecting him to reject the offer but he didn't and then they go to Paris and there everything turns into a magic
This one is an actual real slow burn but the chemistry was always visible, a pull that couldn't be ignored and Benji's character made me yearn for him, a guy who loves you softly without becoming a whirlwind and disrupting everything, rather he would help you clean the messes from the past. This book hooked me up soo bad that i had completed it within a week of receiving the ARC and this one now needs to be in my book collection ...... Gotta save up a lil more now 😭....... Read books daily but only a few books make me sooo gidddy and madd for the character and this one did just that and not only Benji I got a crush on Leila too.... God help me.....i am bewitched by their chemistry, the way the Paris days unfolded soo beautifully that the fake setup didn't even feel fake at all..... And the ending. ... Ahhh the most beautiful ending😭
In the end it's found out, that the secret ingredient to the chef's life was always missing because it was a man she knew in college and now is her fake boyfriend 🪽🤌🤭
I rate only a few books as 5 stars but I want to give it 6 stars 😭😭
📚 : The Secret Paris Ingredient
✒ : M.H. Cali
📍: Will be released soon
Ratings : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Every chef has that one secret ingredient that gives their dish a signature taste, one they would never reveal. And as a chef, Leila has been wonderful, giving her all to run her bistro until her finance guy messes up everything and now only a good investment could save her dream venture and now she is in the need of a fake boyfriend to show to her potential investor and thus meets her best friend's brother who was once her college bestie.
But now years have passed and he has grown more handsome making her a lil nervous around him and when she asked him to be her pretend partner almost expecting him to reject the offer but he didn't and then they go to Paris and there everything turns into a magic
This one is an actual real slow burn but the chemistry was always visible, a pull that couldn't be ignored and Benji's character made me yearn for him, a guy who loves you softly without becoming a whirlwind and disrupting everything, rather he would help you clean the messes from the past. This book hooked me up soo bad that i had completed it within a week of receiving the ARC and this one now needs to be in my book collection ...... Gotta save up a lil more now 😭....... Read books daily but only a few books make me sooo gidddy and madd for the character and this one did just that and not only Benji I got a crush on Leila too.... God help me.....i am bewitched by their chemistry, the way the Paris days unfolded soo beautifully that the fake setup didn't even feel fake at all..... And the ending. ... Ahhh the most beautiful ending😭
In the end it's found out, that the secret ingredient to the chef's life was always missing because it was a man she knew in college and now is her fake boyfriend 🪽🤌🤭
I rate only a few books as 5 stars but I want to give it 6 stars 😭😭
September 14, 2026
Thank you soooo much M. H. Cali and Rattle the Stars PR for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book!
This book was soooo sweet! I really enjoyed it! This book gives you that warm loving feeling that you just can’t help but be happy after reading!
Leila is a chef who’s is just trying to save her restaurant. After an investor put her in a disheartening financial situation, she needs to find a way to pull through to continue her dream. She was approached by a renowned chef who offers her a chance to teach a teaching course in Paris so he can give her a proper offer to invest into her restaurant. The catch? He is old school and wants to do business with established couples. Leila is single. She is stressed and devastated until her best friend tells her that her brother will be back in town. Benjamin and Leila were close in college. After Benjamin became a well known photographer and was cut off from his father, he decided to travel to fulfill his dreams. Leia comes up with a plan of fake dating Benjamin to save her restaurant. Benjamin has feelings for Leila, but does she feel the same? Will this venture turn into something more? They just have to take a bite and find out!
This book is a slow burn but for all the right reasons! Benjamin is a great man and will literally do anything for Leila! Their chemistry radiated of the pages! The banter was a literal “chefs kiss” haha I really appreciated that there wasn’t a third act break up and there was no miscommunication! They just worked through their feelings together and grew from their feelings they had for each other in college! This story was sooo cute and made you want to travel to cook food haha some of my favorite movies are chef films so it gave me all the feels haha who knew she would find the secret ingredient with who was right in front of her all along? I highly recommend this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
The Secret Paris Ingredient releases October 15th! 🥖
This book was soooo sweet! I really enjoyed it! This book gives you that warm loving feeling that you just can’t help but be happy after reading!
Leila is a chef who’s is just trying to save her restaurant. After an investor put her in a disheartening financial situation, she needs to find a way to pull through to continue her dream. She was approached by a renowned chef who offers her a chance to teach a teaching course in Paris so he can give her a proper offer to invest into her restaurant. The catch? He is old school and wants to do business with established couples. Leila is single. She is stressed and devastated until her best friend tells her that her brother will be back in town. Benjamin and Leila were close in college. After Benjamin became a well known photographer and was cut off from his father, he decided to travel to fulfill his dreams. Leia comes up with a plan of fake dating Benjamin to save her restaurant. Benjamin has feelings for Leila, but does she feel the same? Will this venture turn into something more? They just have to take a bite and find out!
This book is a slow burn but for all the right reasons! Benjamin is a great man and will literally do anything for Leila! Their chemistry radiated of the pages! The banter was a literal “chefs kiss” haha I really appreciated that there wasn’t a third act break up and there was no miscommunication! They just worked through their feelings together and grew from their feelings they had for each other in college! This story was sooo cute and made you want to travel to cook food haha some of my favorite movies are chef films so it gave me all the feels haha who knew she would find the secret ingredient with who was right in front of her all along? I highly recommend this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
The Secret Paris Ingredient releases October 15th! 🥖
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an absolute delightful read! The Secret Paris Ingredient is a great fun and quick story about a chef who needs to go to Paris to save her restaurant, but she can’t do it alone- enter her best friend’s brother! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 This one is a friends to lovers somewhat second chance romance! I love love a fake dating and this did not disappoint! I also cannot get over the flirting and the thigh grab! I’m a sucker for hands on body parts hehehehe!
This story at the heart though is about love, trust, and healing! There are some deeper topics that I feel will resonate with a lot of readers! Im also starting to realize I really enjoy food in books because it is like the glue that brings people together hahaha!
Thank you so much to MH Cali and the 42 Fold Studio for the gifted eARC! I can’t wait to preorder a physical copy! This belongs on every readers shelf!
This story at the heart though is about love, trust, and healing! There are some deeper topics that I feel will resonate with a lot of readers! Im also starting to realize I really enjoy food in books because it is like the glue that brings people together hahaha!
Thank you so much to MH Cali and the 42 Fold Studio for the gifted eARC! I can’t wait to preorder a physical copy! This belongs on every readers shelf!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sometimes, the best things to happen to us are the divergences life insists on taking, as is wonderfully articulated in The Secret Paris Ingredient. A sweet, but plenty hot friends to lovers, the story is served well by the (not entirely) slow cranking of tension and heat between Leilani and Benjamin. We love a man who yearns around here, and Benji serves it up in spades, the ultimate green flag cheerleader; providing Leilani the ultimate fake dating partner when attempting to secure an investor for her restaurant on the brink of collapse. As they spend a month together, their chemistry is so easy on the page that the inevitable shift from fake to real feels effortless, yet earned. @mhcaliwrites delivers a cozy, sparkling romance as bright as the city of lights itself.
Review made possible by free ARC copy from author. All opinions are my own
Review made possible by free ARC copy from author. All opinions are my own
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the Author for providing this book for review consideration through Rattle The Star PR.
This book is good if you want something to read something light about a romantic fast-paced story about nostalgia and reconnection between the two main characters navigating through their lives. My struggle with reading through their narratives was the confusion of the italized writing, the jump between past and present dialogues. Meanwhile some of the dialogues felt too cheesy but it was cute. I wish that maybe they could've explore some of the topics mentioned, a bit more deeper than what is presented. Especially cancer, but maybe that's just my opinion based on my experience of seeing a loved one suffer. I know it messes up some part of the psyche. Though it is nice that the characters are able to heal and grow from it.
This book is good if you want something to read something light about a romantic fast-paced story about nostalgia and reconnection between the two main characters navigating through their lives. My struggle with reading through their narratives was the confusion of the italized writing, the jump between past and present dialogues. Meanwhile some of the dialogues felt too cheesy but it was cute. I wish that maybe they could've explore some of the topics mentioned, a bit more deeper than what is presented. Especially cancer, but maybe that's just my opinion based on my experience of seeing a loved one suffer. I know it messes up some part of the psyche. Though it is nice that the characters are able to heal and grow from it.
Review of advance copy
3.5 ⭐️s
Do not read this book if you don’t have food readily available… it will make you hungry!
This was a cute book. I loved the premise mostly because I am a sucker for a fake dating trope!
As a novella, I felt like it was a good time frame (in book) for the page count, but I do wish it was also a bit longer. There was some aspects that I felt could’ve been touched on a bit more but that’s okay!
The two main characters love story was cute. I’m glad they had the past that they did.
My one minor setback for the book was the dialogue between the two characters felt a little cheesy or unnatural at times.
But that didn’t fully take me out of the story at all.
Thank you 42Fold Studio for this arc!
Do not read this book if you don’t have food readily available… it will make you hungry!
This was a cute book. I loved the premise mostly because I am a sucker for a fake dating trope!
As a novella, I felt like it was a good time frame (in book) for the page count, but I do wish it was also a bit longer. There was some aspects that I felt could’ve been touched on a bit more but that’s okay!
The two main characters love story was cute. I’m glad they had the past that they did.
My one minor setback for the book was the dialogue between the two characters felt a little cheesy or unnatural at times.
But that didn’t fully take me out of the story at all.
Thank you 42Fold Studio for this arc!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The newest release from M.H. Cali is The Secret Paris Ingredient, a light-hearted romance featuring a tasty plot--both via food and relationships. Cali does not fail to provide witty banter, a light-hearted plot, a diverse cast of characters, and great food in this story. I found myself getting lost in the world of Leila and Benji, and with Cali's descriptive text, it's easy to actually imagine yourself in the story as a reader. Her vibrant descriptions paint the picture of every scene, but still leaves enough for your own imagination. While we all love a fake dating trope, Cali's take on it is refreshing and worth a read.
*ARC Reader Review.
*ARC Reader Review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*ARC REVIEW*
This was such a cute, quick read! I love the way M.H. uses the best friend's brother, fake dating, and forced proximity tropes. Leilani and Benjamin having a friendship in the past that they could work off of for their "fake" relationship made it so fun to reach and see the difference between then and now. I also loved that they call each other Leila and Benji, it added an extra layer of familiarity to their dynamic. The banter and care they have for one another made the story that much better. I was definitely hungry while reading this one with all the food mentioned and had to have a snick or two handy while reading.
This was such a cute, quick read! I love the way M.H. uses the best friend's brother, fake dating, and forced proximity tropes. Leilani and Benjamin having a friendship in the past that they could work off of for their "fake" relationship made it so fun to reach and see the difference between then and now. I also loved that they call each other Leila and Benji, it added an extra layer of familiarity to their dynamic. The banter and care they have for one another made the story that much better. I was definitely hungry while reading this one with all the food mentioned and had to have a snick or two handy while reading.
Review of advance copy received from Autore
The Secret Paris Ingredient by M.H. Cali is a gentle, heartwarming read that leans into some familiar and well-executed romance tropes. It features a chef and a photographer navigating a friends-to-lovers and fake-dating dynamic, set against the backdrop of Paris.
The dynamic between the main characters is very supportive. Both Leila and Benji are genuine, green-flag characters who have overcome family issues and chosen to remain positive. The setting adds a lovely atmosphere, and the food elements give the story a very cozy feel throughout.
The dynamic between the main characters is very supportive. Both Leila and Benji are genuine, green-flag characters who have overcome family issues and chosen to remain positive. The setting adds a lovely atmosphere, and the food elements give the story a very cozy feel throughout.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a wonderful, cozy and quick read! I literally read it in a day! A truly great mix of fake dating and second chance, with two lovely main characters who are both figuring out life with each other. I absolutely LOVED the bi-representation!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is super cute and I really like the whole “found again” love this shows you. And yes ima brag, my name is in this book… 💕💕💕💕
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have become such a huge fan of M.H Cali and her writing style!🥹 I have read almost everything she’s written and nothing has even come close to losing my attention. This one specifically was a bit different pace than her other books, and with confidence I can say that didn’t alter how I felt about it one bit! It brought me all of the good, happy vibes that I needed! And hunger! And a desire to go to Paris!😌 It is the type of book I want to read and reread on a cozy balcany with a fuzzy blanket or oversized cardigan and a latte- in the fall! It was heartwarming and I loved the main characters SO insanely much! The character dynamic was really sweet! And it was a quick read! Highly recommend! Also the cover!! Seriously outstanding artwork!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another love story.I know I know. You must be thinking how can someone not get bored reading romances. My answer is, it gives me hope. And this book did.It did give me hope in the fact that when it i sthe right time, things fall into place. Who would have even imagined that you would fall for your best freind's brother, that to decades later, when they started fake dating to save her restaurant.One is a chef, the other a photograper.This book was about friendship.About partnership and about love. Just hoping you find your love along with a secret ingredient.
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