Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Winnie Takes Paris
SERIES: Love and Travel
AUTHOR: Lane Hayes
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 222 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 7, 2024
BLURB:
The stylist, the absentminded professor, and a Parisian adventure…
Winnie
Someone once said, when life gets you down and you’re feeling blue, you should brush yourself off…and go to Paris.
Okay, maybe that was me. I said it and I don’t regret taking an oddball assignment to assist a British professor abroad. I could use a break from my life as an aspiring hair and cosmetic guru in LA. And c’mon, it’s Paris!
So what if I don’t know the language and have a hard time reading maps? I’m nothing if not resourceful. What could go possibly wrong?
Alistair…that’s what.
In a twist, I have a thing for an impossibly smart geek with mismatched socks who just happens to be my best friend’s boss. This can’t be good.
Alistair
I’ve been called an absent-minded professor more than once. I don’t mind at all. My work is important and living on a diet of biscuits and tea while delving into ancient civilization doesn’t seem like terrible thing. But Paris calls. And somehow, I have a new temporary assistant.
Winnie is a technicolor, whirlwind American with a wicked laugh and the subtlety of a steamroller. He’s brash and ridiculous and…funny, warm, lovely, and—
Oh no. This can’t be happening.
Winnie can take Paris, but he can’t take my heart.
Or can he?
Winnie Takes Paris is an MM romantic comedy featuring a fabulous diva, a nerdy professor, and the Parisian adventure of a lifetime!
REVIEW:
Winnie and Alistair are truly opposites – in just about every way. But they just “fit”. Whether it’s fashion or antiquities, on the surface, they have nothing in common. Alistair is a tweedy professor who spend all of his waking energy on his career and research. That makes him a true expert in his field. But it’s also lonely. Winnie is just the breath of fresh air he’s not even aware that he needs. Raine’s best friend is certainly a surprise.
The trip to Paris is Winnie’s first and so he of course HAD to do everything. (Side note: the first time I spent a week in Paris, I went to 16 museums 😉 .) But Alistair staying in his room, hunched over his computer eating packets of biscuits is NOT on the agenda. After Winnie unexpectedly meets Alistair’s ex’s husband, and archeologist who wants his help, Win is more successful in getting Alistair out of his hotel room.
Together Winnie and Alistair explore Paris and Alistair sees the city through new eyes. Winnie’s enthusiasm and charm take him aback. And unexpectedly these two end up together 😀 Their chemistry is off the charts and this opposites attract thing is really something. Alistair begins to realize that maybe there is more to life than his research 😉 Unexpectedly he finds himself seeking out Winnie and just enjoying everything from food to walks in the park to exploring museums – even discussing his research. They share their pasts and their lives and even some of their dreams. Winnie is clearly at a crossroads with his career and the direction he wants to take.
Finally it’s time for the conference. Things start off great. Then Winnie begins to really feel like a fish out of water in a room full of professors nd researchers all with multiple degrees. Then Gerard pulls a fast one and Winnie is not having it. Particularly when Colin seems to be doing his best to make Winnie feel like he’s not good enough. He’s completely in love with Alistair, but he doesn’t belong in this world 🙁
This was such a cute story! Well except for Colin 😉 He was decidedly NOT cute. LOL! I was not a fan. Winnie is an absolute treasure! So unapologetically himself. He’s hilarious and fun and so entertaining. His malapropisms had me chuckling. He was just the tonic Alistair needed since he obviously was overworking himself – and had been for years. Winnie opens his eyes to possibilities. And the larger world outside his research again. Also, they are FIRE together. This was such a delightful story! For those who been to St. Pancras or Paris or any of these lovely settings, it’s good to say hello to these vaunted sites again and vicariously visit them again. If one hasn’t visited, hopefully these beautiful descriptions will be incentive to travel to parts unknown. It’s one of the true pleasures of life. To that I say, Bon voyage! And happy reading. Highly recommended.
RATING: 
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