The Paris Match
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4.1 • 101 Ratings
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
"The most engrossing love story. A 2026 must-read."—Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling authors of Love and Other Words
AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER ∙ AN AMAZON BEST OF ROMANCE PICK FOR APRIL ∙ A LIBRARY READS HALL OF FAME PICK FOR APRIL ∙ A JULIA QUINN TODAY SHOW RECCOMENDATION FOR 2026 ∙ A TOWN & COUNTRY BEST NEW ROMANCE NOVEL TO READ IN 2026
A woman tests the limits of her so-called amicable divorce when she flies to Paris for the destination wedding of her former sister-in-law, only to butt heads with the deliciously gruff best man, in a poignant and romantic novel from Kate Clayborn.
Physician Layla Bailey has spent over a year telling herself she's moved on from a painful but amicable divorce from her college sweetheart. Staying friends with her ex seemed like the mature thing to do, but when Layla is invited to her former sister-in-law’s destination wedding in Paris—where Layla once spent her own romantic honeymoon—she knows her commitment to maturity might be her worst enemy…especially since her ex isn’t attending alone.
The only thing that could make the week more difficult is getting through it without the distraction of the wedding.... But when what Layla thought was a harmless conversation about the choices of her younger self leads to the bride getting cold feet, Layla finds herself facing down the groom’s mysterious, taciturn best man, Griffin, who will do anything to make sure this wedding happens.
Since she broke it, Griff demands she help him fix it. Going along with his plan to alleviate the engaged couple's doubts seems like Layla’s best chance at maintaining a good relationship with a family she once called her own. But as she learns more about the past heartbreak that’s driving Griff to help his friend, she gets closer and closer to confronting the true depth of her own pain…while finding herself more and more willing to risk it all again for Griff.
“[A] tremendous love story … proof that Clayborn only gets better with every book.” —Kirkus (STARRED)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Clayborn (The Art of Disappearing) whisks readers to Paris in this steamy slow-burn ideal for armchair travelers. Physician Layla Bailey lives out of a suitcase while subbing for vacationing doctors across the U.S. She likes the work because the weeks-long assignments are a distraction from her recently ended marriage. Then the wedding of her ex-sister-in-law, Emily MacKenzie, brings her to Paris, where Layla spent her own honeymoon. She's determined to be pleasant and mature with her former in-laws, but this proves difficult when her ex shows up with a new girlfriend, and the best man, Griffin, accuses her of encouraging Emily's cold feet. Scarred on the inside and outside by a traumatic fire, Griffin lives like a hermit in Upstate New York and only left his home to support his best friend. He's determined to see the wedding go through and recruits Layla to help fix things between the couple. Clayborn gives both protagonists impressive emotional depth as they work through past heartbreaks and discover unexpected new love. A whirlwind tour through the city of lights—the wedding party cruises down the Seine, explores Montmartre, and takes in Musée Rodin—only enhances the romance. Add in a well-earned happy ending, and this is sure to charm.
Customer Reviews
Thoroughly enjoyed!
Thus was an intriguing, unpredictable, and wonderful book! The character development was top notch and kept you routing for the success of all.
Stayed up late to finish it
Absolutely propulsive, beautiful and complex characters, plot reveals that I couldn’t anticipate. Vulnerable and compelling depiction of chronic pain and disability, as well as the role of choice and self-determination in a relationship. Probably the best romance novel I’ve read so far in 2026, and my favorite of Clayburn’s novels.
Slow and not what you expect
Honestly I had more hopes I found myself looking up the book to see what happens because you get frustrated. Didn’t even finish.