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elisabethc01's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Drug use, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Classism, Abandonment, and Violence
clarethajoanne's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Drug use, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Addiction, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
poupimali's review
fast-paced
5.0
This was a reading I never know I needed.
“It’s love under no conditions”.
Ozzy is the sweetest yet a bit broken guy that you didn’t know you wanted.
This was the perfect reading which made me feel : 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠 most of the time.
Even if some heavy subjects are discussed (TW rape / emotional abuse). It’s also a healing journey.
“It’s love under no conditions”.
Ozzy is the sweetest yet a bit broken guy that you didn’t know you wanted.
This was the perfect reading which made me feel : 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠 most of the time.
Even if some heavy subjects are discussed (TW rape / emotional abuse). It’s also a healing journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
planreadrepeat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Trust fund James (now forced to join the working class since daddy cut her funds off) falls for a hot line cook, Ozzy. I liked how their relationship developed. Not a lot of angst or “should we or shouldn’t we.” Made it less drama and more sweet. Some smut and consensual kinks between mains. Mention of SA but resolved.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual assault, Rape, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
condls27's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I had a lot of fun with this and need 500 more books with Jeremy Allen White coded MMCS. My only complaint was the pacing it was a little weird at times and I wanted a touch more angst but overall a very fun read! There are some heavier themes though so take care to check trigger warnings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Panic attacks/disorders
mhzking's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
It's everything you ever wanted your relationship with the chefs at work to be, that never happened
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Medical content, Drug use, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Alcohol
somnophilia in 2 scenessymonnereads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Line cook/Server
Secret Relationship
He falls first
FWB
Pan Rep
Workplace Romance
This was my first Naomi Loud book and certainly will not be the last. I absolutely adored this book.
While this book is a little darker and angstier than I'm used to for romance, it still hit all the spots for me as a romance reader.
I enjoyed the plot in general and thought the tropes that were used were used well. Ozzy being a chef and having that whole Jeremy Allen White feel with his aesthetic was good seeing as I'm a fan of the TV show The Bear, so that was enjoyable. He was messy and also kinda gave JAW's character from Shameless with the family characters vibe. I love how down bad Ozzy was for the FMC, James aka Jimbo. I like that she recognized her privilege and the stereotype of the rich girl playing poor. I like how she was actively realizing and trying to undo and heal her trauma and years or training from her ex and her parents. I also liked the progression of their relationship and how that dynamic was portrayed realistically from the POV of someone dealing with emotional abuse and trauma. This story was a bit dark and trigger warnings should definitely be looked into if you are interested in reading but I feel everything was handled very well. The chemistry between the main couple was off the charts and the spice was plentiful and dirty and well written and definitely enjoyable. The side characters were well written and well placed. I disliked her mother, father and ex, but you are supposed to, so, you do feel like you clearly know who the villains are in the story.
Overall, a book that I sped through because it was so good and got me out of a slump.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Addiction, Rape, Alcoholism, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
stxrdust_books's review
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
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
5.0
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. this is the only accurate reaction I can give to this book.
at the start of the book James gave off spoiled rich girl vibes but it was over as soon as it started, I was scared I wouldn't like her and find her annoying which would've hurt, cause I'd been waiting months for this book but it was over as soon as it started. I loved her, how she survived and got more confident and badass as time went and when she finally broke up with Zachary, I screamed "thank god" cause I wanted to murder that piece of absolute shit, but thankfully we were done with him. I admire her so much, she grew and healed from her past and trauma. The way that this book doesn't have a third-act breakup has my heart, James didn't let it happen and she's a badass for it.
Ozzy is the love of my life and you can't convince me otherwise. Everything about this man is imperfectly perfect, I love how he grows and learns with James, it's the sweetest thing ever, I love that he finally lets someone in and it happens to be the love of his life. His insecurities killed me, like I'm pretty sure I was physically hurting from it. THIS MAN HAS MADE MY STANDARDS SKYROCKET. LIKE COME ON, HE COOKS FOR HER, HE HAND FEEDS HER OYSTERS, SHARES HIS SNICKERS BARS, AND FREAKING CRAWLS TO HER WHILE SUBMITTING TO HER 😭😭😭😭😭 LIKE WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT.
Thank you to Naomi and Good Girls PR for the arc.
at the start of the book James gave off spoiled rich girl vibes but it was over as soon as it started, I was scared I wouldn't like her and find her annoying which would've hurt, cause I'd been waiting months for this book but it was over as soon as it started. I loved her, how she survived and got more confident and badass as time went and when she finally broke up with Zachary, I screamed "thank god" cause I wanted to murder that piece of absolute shit, but thankfully we were done with him. I admire her so much, she grew and healed from her past and trauma. The way that this book doesn't have a third-act breakup has my heart, James didn't let it happen and she's a badass for it.
Ozzy is the love of my life and you can't convince me otherwise. Everything about this man is imperfectly perfect, I love how he grows and learns with James, it's the sweetest thing ever, I love that he finally lets someone in and it happens to be the love of his life. His insecurities killed me, like I'm pretty sure I was physically hurting from it. THIS MAN HAS MADE MY STANDARDS SKYROCKET. LIKE COME ON, HE COOKS FOR HER, HE HAND FEEDS HER OYSTERS, SHARES HIS SNICKERS BARS, AND FREAKING CRAWLS TO HER WHILE SUBMITTING TO HER 😭😭😭😭😭 LIKE WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT.
Thank you to Naomi and Good Girls PR for the arc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Emotional abuse
Minor: Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Drug use
alfarmer's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I don’t know what I was expecting going into this book, but it was so much better. The characters were great and I the author did an excellent job exploring heavy topics. I don’t really know what else to say, but you should read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault
autumnherah's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to Good Girls PR and the author for an arc copy in exchange for my honest review
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Yes Chef
If romanticizing things is illegal than lock me and James up. After reading this book I am ready to quit my 9-5 and start working at a restaurant. Naomi knocked it out of the park with this book. It felt real, it was hot, it healed things in me I did not know needed to be healed. A contemporary romance for those dark romance girlies.
After being cut off by her parents James navigates the complexities of an independent life which coincides with her personal growth that leads to an awakening about toxic relationships and a subsequent journey of personal healing.
Ozzy is a hot line cook with a history of being popular with the ladies who comes with a complex back story, but he doesn't let the hard life around him, harden him. He is sweet, caring, takes care of James, and just the right amount of sexually depraved that was sending me absolutely feral.
The tension and heat in the book was absolutely stunning, the payoff in the spicy scenes was chefs kiss, I was absolutely melting over Ozzy cooking for James, and the recipes at the end almost made me tear up a little. We love to see a FMC who becomes a self-assured woman who knows what she wants. Definitely check trigger warnings, but 5/5 would recommend.
Contemporary romance
Line cook x Server
Former rich girl x Play boy
Friends with benefits
Character development
Dirty talk (praise and degradation)
Exhibitionism / voyeurism
Toy play
Quickies
Backdoor action
CNC
Somnophilia
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Yes Chef
If romanticizing things is illegal than lock me and James up. After reading this book I am ready to quit my 9-5 and start working at a restaurant. Naomi knocked it out of the park with this book. It felt real, it was hot, it healed things in me I did not know needed to be healed. A contemporary romance for those dark romance girlies.
After being cut off by her parents James navigates the complexities of an independent life which coincides with her personal growth that leads to an awakening about toxic relationships and a subsequent journey of personal healing.
Ozzy is a hot line cook with a history of being popular with the ladies who comes with a complex back story, but he doesn't let the hard life around him, harden him. He is sweet, caring, takes care of James, and just the right amount of sexually depraved that was sending me absolutely feral.
The tension and heat in the book was absolutely stunning, the payoff in the spicy scenes was chefs kiss, I was absolutely melting over Ozzy cooking for James, and the recipes at the end almost made me tear up a little. We love to see a FMC who becomes a self-assured woman who knows what she wants. Definitely check trigger warnings, but 5/5 would recommend.
Contemporary romance
Line cook x Server
Former rich girl x Play boy
Friends with benefits
Character development
Dirty talk (praise and degradation)
Exhibitionism / voyeurism
Toy play
Quickies
Backdoor action
CNC
Somnophilia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
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