Reviews with content warning for Transphobia - Chef's Choice

Reviews tagging 'Transphobia'

Chef's Choice by TJ Alexander

50 reviews

kelly_e's review against another edition

emotional funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Title: Chef's Choice
Author: T.J. Alexander
Series: Chef's Kiss #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3.50
Pub Date: May 30, 2023

I received a complimentary eARC from Emily Bestler Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad

T H R E E • W O R D S

Comical • Tender • Delicious

📖 S Y N O P S I S

When Luna O’Shea is unceremoniously fired from her frustrating office job, she tries to count her blessings: she’s a proud trans woman who has plenty of friends, a wonderful roommate, and a good life in New York City. But blessings don’t pay the bills.

Enter Jean-Pierre, a laissez-faire trans man and the heir to a huge culinary empire—which he’ll only inherit if he can jump through all the hoops his celebrity chef grandfather has placed in his path. First hoop: he needs a girlfriend, a role that Luna is happy to play…for the right price. She’s got rent to pay, after all! Second hoop: they both need to learn how to cook a series of elaborate, world-renowned family recipes to prove that Jean-Pierre is a worthy heir. Admittedly, Luna doesn’t even know how to crack an egg, but she’s not going to let that—or any pesky feelings for Jean-Pierre—stop her.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I adored the plot of book one, Chef's Kiss in this series, so I was eager to receive an ARC of Chef's Choice. I was definitely expecting the same foodie vibes and queer representation. In fact, this is the first trans/trans romance I've read that has been traditionally published.

T.J. Alexander has delivered complex main characters yet again. Luna and Jean-Pierre are complete opposites, and I appreciate getting two different takes on the trans experience. In my opinion, a dual POV structure would have served this story better. Getting JP's inner dialogue would have given this story another layer and there were so many times I was curious to get into his head.

While I really sunk into their developing friendship, the budding romance felt too predictable, and not necessarily all that believable. There were also too many competing storylines. Because of these two factors I didn't feel a full fledged investment in their story. As this book tackles many plotlines, it got bogged down at times. A bigger focus on the actually cooking challenge would have allowed for a smoother reading experience.

Although Chef's Choice is technically part of a series, it could easily be read as a stand-alone. Overall, the story was just okay, yet what I really appreciated was the representation and the open door sex scenes. I will continue to add T.J. Alexander's work to my TBR in the future.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fake dating enthusiasts
• readers looking for a queer love story

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"That is black-and-white thinking, and I live in a world full of color."

Content Warnings

shaunashares's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Content Warnings

the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Content Warnings

jennp28's review against another edition

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emotional informative lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Really great to read a T4T, own-voices story. I found it interesting that the sex was described in detail and the reason they were able to be successful at it was communication, but then their communication was so bad in the rest of the story. I also was annoyed that JP

let Luna off so lightly with what I thought was a pretty major lie

re: not speaking French.

The chef/inheritance subplot was slightly bizarre but amusing as a counterpoint to the romance and trans issues. The narrator was good. And I want to give JP a hug. Whether he wants one or not.

Content Warnings

rabelais's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Strong character development? No

1.75

Of course there's transmisogyny *when the author is intending it to be trans-positive*. That's what you get when an author who isn't a trans woman writes a trans woman character. Luna was more full of a character in the first book, and doesn't have much depth here. Her existence within all relationships is transactional, which is really gross.

Content Warnings