Paris, Pumpkins, and Puns: A Sweet Fake Dating Romcom by Marion De Re
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Marion De Re thank you for this fun Romcom read, Paris, Pumpkins, and Puns is exactly what I needed to read. I loved Oliver and Hazel, they stole my heart from the get go. Marion did an amazing job of developing a plot that is not just refreshing but also unique in its own way. Paris, Pumpkins, and Puns is a romcom that has fun, swoony, and food puns that would keep hooked in the story. This is a must read, it has everything you are looking for in a romcom.

I have never read anything by this author, but I will definitely be looking out for this author! The pace was great and I was hooked from just a few pages in!

I've been throwing in lighter romance reads in my rotation since I've been in the mood for cute stories, especially as we approach the holidays. I loved that this was a fall themed romance novel as there are not many options out there.

Anyway, this one involved fall foods and a chef, which are two things I love as a Registered Dietitian and running coach by career. Plus as someone who loves The Bear tv series and is sad there won't be new episodes for a while, this novel satisfied the craving about love stories, owning a business, and cooking for me in the interim.

I want to be clear for anyone reading this book that while this was a romance novel, it is not at all "spicy". I'd considered it rated G or PG on the romance level and sharing that from the get-to for anyone that picks romance reads on that basis. This author is known for writing sweet romances, rather than spicy ones. For me I'm big on a stories and character development, so that was not an issue for me. I really liked this book this book and will share more why below! This is my first book from Marion De Re, but I don't plan for it to be my last in either audiobook or print form.

The book is told from the perspective of two characters, Hazel and Olivier who were strangers before a Hazel's work as an American food critic brought her to dine in chef Olivier's restaurant in Paris. Olivier is immediately taken with how beautiful HAzel is and that she actually eats and enjoys food, but of course he is not aware of her profession. Unfortunately, Hazel was less than impressed with her meal and wrote an honest review which would have been all fine and great if Hazel and Olivier never saw each other again after the dining experience... but a twist of fate caused Hazel to have to spend more time in Paris than planned, which was not ideal as Hazel determined rather quickly that Paris is not at all what she thought it would be.

I don't want to ruin exactly what happens (I want this to be a spoiler free review), but let's just say a turn of events cause Hazel to end up crossing paths with Olivier again and getting to know his family + him on a deeper level.

All in all, I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. It is a quick read, it is adorable, and the use of food puns is top notch! I love a good food pun! You can't beet them! But this is coming from someone that works as Registered Dietitian and running coach who loves food, especially veggies, so this isn't exactly surprising. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is there were some plot holes, especially in regards to the timing of the event at the end of the book that I don't want to spoil and around Hazel's job, but they didn't really detract from the story. I'd still recommend this as a light and cute read and definitely want to read more of Marion De Re's books! :)

A complimentary e-book copy was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was cute! it felt very much like a fun little hallmark inspired book. This book is for the girlies that don't want to think too hard but still want to have a good time. Not sure i would reread but it wasn't bad! (I love Paris so i gave it an extra star for that lol)

Such a fun, quick steamy read! If you love Fall and romance, this is definitely for you! I laughed so much and the MMC was HOT! I highly recommend.

Fall, faking dating, and Frenchman?? What could get better than that! This is such a cute romcom and I loved every minute of it! It is apart of a multi author series so if you loved this I highly recommend reading the others as well!

My first, but will not be the last book that I will read by Marion De Re. I enjoyed the story and characters. Very cute fall read.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

I am so in love. I went into this book with no expectations, just an open heart and now its so damn full!
This was so fun to read, I had my 'awe' moments and moments of laughter.
Oliver and Hazel's chemistry was so perfectly balanced and felt natural, not once forced.
And beside the autumny atmosphere, there were also moments of positive body-talk and it did so well for my own insecurities. It felt good to read.

Cozy. Paris. Food-Talk. Fun puns. Fake Dating. He falls first.

Merci for this awesome read and opportunity.

Paris, Pumpkins, and Puns

Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice Series

An American food critic is sent to Paris for work, what was supposed to be a week-long trip, gets extended when a workers’ strike leaves her stranded in the city with nowhere to go. While dining at one of the restaurants she's meant to review, she meets a French chef, and she's brutally honest about her thoughts on the food. Once her review is published, there’s no taking it back—and she doesn’t plan to, that is, until she crosses paths with the chef again during her roughest moments. Stuck at the airport, she bumps into him, and he offers her a spare room in his home. Blunt as ever, she initially refuses...but after some thought, she runs after him. A curvy, beautiful woman and a handsome French chef—what could possibly happen when they’re alone in his apartment?

I ABSOLUTELY loved this book! It’s so cute and funny, and it made me feel so many emotions—laughing at their clever puns, feeling sad at times, and finally being happy again by the end. I love a good happy ending! This book is adorable and hilarious!

Expect plenty of funny food puns throughout!

Spice: 🌶️ 0/5 Rating: ⚖️ 5/5

“I can to Paris with my head full of fantasies, but fantasies don’t exist. And let me tell you something. Reality is a whole lot better.”
When Hazel gets sent to Paris by the magazine she works for to try and review restaurants she was disappointed by the way Paris really was compared to how it was portrayed in the media. One thing that didn’t disappoint? Finding love.
This book was fun and quirky. If you love puns, you’ll love this book. It’s everything a romcom should be.

Paris, Pumpkins, and Puns **Review**

After being to Paris for the first time not long ago, OMG!!! I loved this book so much. From the characters to the scenery AW! it was a great book. It was a fast-paced book, this is my first book by Marion, and I enjoyed it, plus I like her writing a lot. From the beginning I liked both main characters. I enjoyed that it did not take a lot for Marion to be in Paris, and Oliver was great from the start. I thought their love story was very cute and genuine. I enjoyed learning about the food, and of course J'adore tout les phrases in French that were in the book! I recommend this book 100%! The fall vibes, PARIS, food, a French MC :)
Also, I want to thank Net Galley and the author Marion De Ré for the opportunity to receive an ARC!

Next part is spoiler!
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SPOILERS
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I thought that their back-and-forth phrases with food were a little bit cheesy, I also thought that the whole couldn't just say she was a food critic was a bit too much, also I did not understand why she could not write the reviews about the restaurants that they visited together UNTIL at the end she mentions how it can ruin lives, and I remember the chef that committed suicide. I was not a fan of the "miscommunication" like both kept saying how the other one may not feel the same, I thought if they had just been straight forward then the book would contain more of their relationship which is something I was craving once the book finished. However, at the end of the day it's a book and I enjoyed it overall, I recommend it and Oliver for sure is one of my top new book boyfriends (In the French list he's #1).

🍂 This book is what ive been leaning more into these days. Mature communication, mature love, mature friendships, mature conversations, mature everything. This book was perfect, but again with Ms. Marion over here, what else is new?

The inside jokes and the banter and the giggliness and the puns were on a roll. Every single time the food and drinks puns would come stronger than the ones before!

I’ve said this before but I want to say it again, the depth and research in the history behind these chapters that make this book come alive is exquisite. Perhaps it could be because the author lived in France? Either way, I love the depth of everything she puts in her books

I got really excited reading this one because I landed in Belgium today and I’m going to Paris over the weekend and IT’S FALL so I will be doing some unique site seeing 😏

I really liked the encouragement and the unwavering support from both of them really. It felt so familiar and something I share with my best friend. And the not wanting her to leave was so real. Like same

I was wondering how the fight scene was going to happen but it was very beautifully written and how Matt gave Olivier a very eye opening conversation about Hazel and how he dealt with the whole situation was really nice to see. The whole unraveling of the story was really interesting to read about

I really enjoyed this one and I know you will too🧡

To start, I want to say a massive thank you to NetGalley and Marion De Ré for allowing me to ARC read this!!

The main characters that are amazingly written are Hazel and Oliver💫

Hazel is a food critic and her work takes her to Paris where she goes to different restaurants and reviews their food! Oliver is a talented chef, he works at a restaurant Hazel was set to review! (Surely that’s a sign they’re soulmates…right?! Sorry…Delusions)

And when an un(fortunate) event happens and Hazel’s flight back home gets cancelled she stays with Oliver who offers her a place to stay!! (DELUSIONS COMING TRUE)

When they spend the weekend together it leads to them fake dating which results in cute, cozy moments in the city of love!

From their first encounter I was hooked! Their chemistry was unmatched and they’re both such loveable characters!!♥️ No one is better than Hazel and Oliver and their cute, friendly banter!!

If you’re looking for romance, a hint of comedy and an autumnal read, I highly recommend Paris, Pumpkins & Puns!! 🥐🍁🧡

This book is such a cozy feel good book for fall 🍂

From the initial set up, this story jumps on to a de-Hollywood version of Paris. The descriptions give the reader the full experience from the pov of a disillusioned Hazel - which sets up for such a beautiful plot where you get to watch Hazel slowly fall in love with Paris as she falls in love with Olivier 🥲

This book reminded me a lot of a Hallmark movie in the sense that you feel like you’re getting to experience a joyful whirlwind romance. Hazel and Olivier are going on these experiences that feel like the Paris equivalent of small-town romance vibes. (Meeting the family, helping cook for the fall festival, and visiting the chateau) All of their plans felt like little adventures, and it was delightful watching them fall in love through these experiences.

I will say the only thing that held me back for this book was the miscommunication 😅 There’s a plot point that happens early in the book that looms for the majority of the book, and once it’s revealed, it leads to a third act break up, which was such a bummer. Especially because this was such a sweet story with easy to love characters!

Overall, this was such a fun and cozy read, and this is a book I would recommend if you’re looking for a sweet romance with fake dating and great banter 🫶🏻

Thank you so much to the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts

This book was so good! If you want a fall inspired book that is closed door romance then you should definitely read this book!

"Paris, Pumpkins & Puns" weaves a whimsical tale where Hazel, a vivacious American food critic, and Olivier, a charming Parisian chef, collide at his restaurant during a review. This enchanting escape to Paris is drenched in autumn magic, brimming with delicious foodie escapades, playful fake dating, and cozy vibes. Their shared love for puns adds an extra layer of fun to their delightful banter. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review!

4 star. Super cute. Loved the setting. The food puns were fun. This was a bit insta love but I think it kind of made sense with the circumstances. The beret scene was fantastic. I liked the characters and I now want to go to Paris in fall. I loved Olivier especially. He seemed like a good person.

This is a great book if you love forced proximity and clean romances. I thought this was super sweet and I loved the setting. I didn't know I wanted to go to Paris in fall but now I do.

I also really appreciated the switching between languages. I got to learn a little french but it wasn't so much that it was really hard to read. I'll be including this in my October wrap ups and have a review coming for it on Instagram + TikTok.

I really loved this puntastic, cosy, and sweet book. Hazel, the protagonist, goes to Paris for food related work, and she ends up finding love because of it. Very nicely written and relatable heroine and characters in general, lovely story, and I'm glad we have a plus size heroine who loves food, and herself!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun book. I enjoyed it a lot!

This book was just plain fun! Definitely not for those who don’t appreciate a good pun, though, you should read it anyway. This was a cute fake-dating book and really made me want to go experience Paris. I loved these characters and the miscommunication trope really was done well in this book.