It looks like The Paris Match is my first five star review of 2026, but the truth is I have been reading this book over and over the way some people watch Heated Rivalry. I don’t really know how to talk about The Paris Match. It’s so much more than its summary suggests, and if I really dig into the stuff I loved, I’ll spoil it. What I can say is Kate Clayborn has written a book the rewards close reading.
I finally figured out how to review this when I listened to three authors talking about character type pairings – grumpy x sunshine, grumpy x grumpy, or the rare sunshine x sunshine. Layla and Griffin are locked boxes that kind of look like grumpy sunshine if you don’t look closely. They are the still waters that run deep. They’ve come to this wedding out of a love-born obligation and want to be as unobtrusive as possible. It is not possible. Layla uses her competence and amicability to smooth over moments when someone might truly see her. Griffin’s scars ensure that no one looks at him too closely. But they see each other.
Every time I reread The Paris Match, I have new favorite moments. After this reread, it’s the moment where Griffin and Layla have the most erotic handhold since people stopped wearing gloves as a matter of course. I love the deeply romantic thoughts Griffin has before he tells Layla, Michael, and Emily the things they need to hear. I love that the core of Layla and Griffin’s romance is where they won’t compromise rather than where they will.
I have loved many of Kate Clayborn’s books, but this one is my new favorite.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Berkley and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
