Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble

Alexis Hall's writing in isolation is absolutely charming and banterrific, and i can thoroughly relate to Paris on the anxiety front—when it gets bad, the catastrophizing and overthinking and general sense of panic lining every action, thought, vocalized word is amped right up to the line that marks the frying of your own internal wiring. and yet, my empathy can only go so far when he's not the most likable lad in general. i was particularly peeved by how dismissive of Tariq's beliefs he came across, as well as his whole worry about being antisemitic, which was wholly unnecessary.

the romcom feels i was vibing with from the cover was another act of cue dramatics ultimate deception faints

if the romance aspect had to be put on the back burner for more emphasis on the mental health rep, that's totally fine with me, but at least sell me on the couple so i can believe they're a forever pairing and not one that may last another week if they're lucky