When fashion buyer Emilia Cazanescu steps into the fading elegance of Maison Sirène, she’s tasked with reviving the boutique’s reputation—or watching it disappear. Her chance arrives in the form of Valentina Venturi, an Italian designer whose name is on every editor’s lips and every buyer’s list. But Emilia isn’t the only one chasing her signature.
Across the city, André Lemaire, the impossibly self-assured buyer for Atelier Saint-Clair, is after the same prize. Their rivalry is instant, their chemistry inconvenient, and Paris—alive with rain, silk, and deadlines—gives them no room to hide. When Valentina forces them to collaborate on a joint proposal, professionalism turns to obsession, and desire becomes a negotiation neither can control.
As the season reaches its climax, love and ambition blur into the same pursuit. In a world where appearances are everything, Emilia must decide what she’s willing to lose to win—the designer, the career, or the man who makes both feel perilously close to art.
My opinion:
ARC Review The Short List by Emilia Cazanescu is the first book in the Paris Undressed series. Emilia Cazanescu works as an associate buyer at Maison Sirene, a Parisian boutique struggling to stay afloat after a former employee left and took one of their top designers with her. To save the business, Maison Sirene sets its sights on securing a partnership with Valentina Venturi, a highly sought-after Italian designer preparing to launch her clothing line in Paris. The competition is fierce, with numerous boutiques vying for Venturi's attention. Among Maison Sirene's biggest rivals is Atelier Saint Clair, represented by associate buyer Andre Lemaire. As Emilia and Andre compete for the same designer, circumstances force them to work together. From their very first meeting, sparks fly between them. Despite her attempts to resist the attraction, Andre awakens feelings she cannot ignore. But with so much at stake, Emilia must decide whether pursuing love is worth risking everything she has worked for. This is an engaging Parisian romance featuring several popular tropes, including enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, forced proximity, and workplace romance. I especially enjoyed the author's writing style, which has a poetic and elegant quality that perfectly complements the Paris setting. The dynamic between Emilia and Andre was fascinating. Their flirtation often felt like a business negotiation, full of wit and tension. Emilia appeared more reserved and calculated in matters of romance, yet surprisingly passionate and poetic when it came to her work. Andre, on the other hand, displayed the opposite traits, creating a compelling contrast between the two characters. One of my favorite moments was the boutique scene near the end involving an unexpected visitor. It added excitement and emotion to the story. The steamy scenes were well placed and enhanced the romance without overshadowing the plot. Overall, The Short List is a charming and atmospheric romance that blends fashion, ambition, and love against the backdrop of Paris. I highly recommend it.
0 Σχόλια