“Hey – can I hitch a ride into town? I really need to stop by the Piggly Wiggly.” [PIGGLY WIGGLY MENTIONED]

Genre: Enemies To Lovers Boilerplate That Has Fun With It
Release Date: 2025
Where I Watched: Netflix

Gist: Dawn is so sick of small town Texas life, y’all. So when she gets accepted to her dream art school in Paris? She’s stoked. One small problem; she used her savings to help pay her grandmother’s medical bills after an accident. Is she out of luck? Nope! There’s a dating show that’s gonna be set in Paris for their next season. Just in time to get Dawn to school. (And the sign up payment will cover tuition, sweet.) Will she end up falling in love with the Bachelor Trent, throwing a wrench in her plans? Honey, what do you think?

Gotta say: If you’re actually reading a review for this film? You’re intrigued by the premise. So all I’ve gotta say is, go do that. Because Paris is stupid cute.

First off, we’ve Miranda Cosgrove, aka iCarly, in the starring role. And she’s absolutely adorable as the single minded Dawn. Dawn is a metalsmith with a whole lot of determination and gumption. Just what Pierson Fodé’s Trent can’t resist. Fodé’s almost perpetual grin shows how much fun he’s having, and his joy is infectious. The onscreen chemistry between the pair is absolutely electric, a rare thing in straight to streaming stories.

Special shout out to Yvonne Orji as Rachel, a producer on The Honeypot (yep, that’s the show title – see the tongue firmly planted in cheek?) She seems to be the straight man amid the chaos, though it’s not like she hasn’t been stirring the, er…pot, herself.

Paris goes down easy, thanks to the game cast, and art direction that’s leagues better than the usual in this genre. And if this ain’t your first romance rodeo, you’ll definitely recognize these tropes:
Small Town Girl Ain’t No City Slicker
Sassy Grandma (what up, Frances Fisher!)
Small Town
Getting Called Small Town Trash
Couple Meets Before The Show
He Falls First (but she follows fast)
Big Secret The Villain Finds Out About
Plus, there’s a Swag Room scene ala Crazy Rich Asians Bachelorette weekend

Director Janeen Damian and writer Nicole Henrich keep things light and fluffy, so we can focus on the hijinks without having to worry too much about character development or – gasp – how this’d play out in the real world. It doesn’t hurt that everything looks and feels like a fairy tale. From the sweet farm Dawn calls home to the bombastically over the top ranch Trey calls his, Paris is the stuff middle class wine mom dreams are made of.

Does Dawn give up all  the money she won – that she needs to achieve her lifelong dream – just to be with a guy? Who cares; he’s LOADED Y’ALL. Finances are for nerds and documentarians. That said, he makes several valid points about telling the truth and trusting someone you care for. And the way the story wraps up is both delightfully subversive and deliciously corny.

As the credits roll, there are “after the show” photos and real life outtakes that make it look like Paris was an absolute hoot. But while we weren’t there, at least we get to enjoy all the fun they put on screen here on our couch. Pass me the popcorn and champagne.


Come for: The silly premise to enjoy on a lazy day, or a night with the besties.
Stay for: A story that’s actually fun because it’s not too serious about the tropes it trots out.