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sage_alexandra's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Deadnaming, and Transphobia
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Medical content
Minor: Blood, Dysphoria, Excrement, Biphobia, Alcohol, Misogyny, and Ableism
I only gave it 4 stars because I'm not a huge fan of reading queer fiction that isn't "anyone who is queer is established as such from the get go."starlitpage's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Alcohol, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content and Outing
Minor: Racism and Emotional abuse
maeverose's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
3.5
I was worried based on the synopsis that it would be overly cheesy but it’s really not. It is funny though, and the humor worked for me. You can tell a trans person wrote this book, they definitely understand trans issues and it’s reflected in the book. I loved the conversations about how trans people shouldn’t be expected to teach cis people everything about gender.
My only complaints are the misunderstanding trope and how long it takes for them to finally get together. I do like how everything played out in the end but it was mild torture having to read Simone constantly convince herself Ray didn’t like her. I just wanted them to make out already. But those are mild complaints, overall I had a good time.
I do want to note that there is a lot of misgendering of Ray throughout the story. For the first half everyone, including the main character uses she/her pronouns for them because they aren’t out yet, then once they do come out the antagonists of the book purposefully misgender them every time they interact, and it’s quite infuriating. So if that’s a trigger for you I’d be prepared for that.
I do want to note that there is a lot of misgendering of Ray throughout the story. For the first half everyone, including the main character uses she/her pronouns for them because they aren’t out yet, then once they do come out the antagonists of the book purposefully misgender them every time they interact, and it’s quite infuriating. So if that’s a trigger for you I’d be prepared for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Transphobia, Bullying, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Dysphoria, Homophobia, Medical content, and Vomit
Minor: Blood, Excrement, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Car accident, Child abuse, and Cursing
Graphic: misgendering, handling of bodily fluids after surgerykelly_e's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.75
Title: Chef's Kiss
Author: T.J. Alexander
Series: Chef's Kiss #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: May 3, 2022
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
T H R E E • W O R D S
Delicious • Refreshing • Warm
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Simone, a pastry chef with perfectionist tendencies, is working her dream job at The Discerning Chef, and looking to perfect her sourdough recipe. In an attempt to attract a bigger audience, The Discerning Chef pivots to video content, and Simone finds herself thrust into the limelight, and failing at something for the first time in her life.
To make matter worse, Simone must contend with new test kitchen manager Ray's cheerful personality. When Ray's homebrewing videos go viral, Simone is forced to work on a series with Ray or risk her job. The two soon develop a working relationship, but when Ray comes out as nonbinary to mixed reactions, Simone is forced to choose between her career and their budding relationship.
💭 T H O U G H T S
As a fan of foodie rom-coms, the premise for Chef's Kiss is what first drew me in, and I was not disappointed by the delightful and charming kitchen setting and food, although I wish it would have continued to play a bigger role throughout the whole narrative. Yet, this book is so much more - at times feeling like two different novels. The first half is more lighthearted, with some comical scenes involving the two main characters and lots of entertaining banter. Whereas the second half shifted to addressing more serious topics and enlightening the reader on being an ally.
The discussion on pronoun use is something I haven't read and as a cis-woman, I know I appreciated it for how genuine it felt. It demonstrated the importance of using a person's chosen pronouns, while also showing how much resistance a person can face. Additionally, the top surgery and recovery process were enlightening.
One draw back, was how abruptly it ended, with some storylines left unfinished. I also think a dual narration, as opposed to Simone's perspective alone, would have made it that much better. With that said the LGBTQQ+ representation and inclusivity, the theme of being our true selves, the role of food in showing we care, and Simone and Ray's meaningful connection were all a breath of fresh air, making this a *chef's kiss* read that's worth picking up.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of a slow burn
• grumpy/sunshine enthusiasts
• food themed rom com lovers
Author: T.J. Alexander
Series: Chef's Kiss #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: May 3, 2022
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
T H R E E • W O R D S
Delicious • Refreshing • Warm
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Simone, a pastry chef with perfectionist tendencies, is working her dream job at The Discerning Chef, and looking to perfect her sourdough recipe. In an attempt to attract a bigger audience, The Discerning Chef pivots to video content, and Simone finds herself thrust into the limelight, and failing at something for the first time in her life.
To make matter worse, Simone must contend with new test kitchen manager Ray's cheerful personality. When Ray's homebrewing videos go viral, Simone is forced to work on a series with Ray or risk her job. The two soon develop a working relationship, but when Ray comes out as nonbinary to mixed reactions, Simone is forced to choose between her career and their budding relationship.
💭 T H O U G H T S
As a fan of foodie rom-coms, the premise for Chef's Kiss is what first drew me in, and I was not disappointed by the delightful and charming kitchen setting and food, although I wish it would have continued to play a bigger role throughout the whole narrative. Yet, this book is so much more - at times feeling like two different novels. The first half is more lighthearted, with some comical scenes involving the two main characters and lots of entertaining banter. Whereas the second half shifted to addressing more serious topics and enlightening the reader on being an ally.
The discussion on pronoun use is something I haven't read and as a cis-woman, I know I appreciated it for how genuine it felt. It demonstrated the importance of using a person's chosen pronouns, while also showing how much resistance a person can face. Additionally, the top surgery and recovery process were enlightening.
One draw back, was how abruptly it ended, with some storylines left unfinished. I also think a dual narration, as opposed to Simone's perspective alone, would have made it that much better. With that said the LGBTQQ+ representation and inclusivity, the theme of being our true selves, the role of food in showing we care, and Simone and Ray's meaningful connection were all a breath of fresh air, making this a *chef's kiss* read that's worth picking up.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of a slow burn
• grumpy/sunshine enthusiasts
• food themed rom com lovers
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Medical content, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
misgenderinganniereads221's review
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Sexism, Transphobia, Cursing, Medical content, Sexual content, Vomit, Alcohol, and Blood
Sex toys Top surgery Surgery recovery Kicked out by parents Coming outsarah_chapman's review
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Deadnaming, Medical content, Alcohol, Homophobia, and Transphobia
caseythereader's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.75
Thanks to Atria Books for the free advance copy of this book.
- CHEF'S KISS is totally precious. Simone and Ray are a great grumpy/sunshine pairing, whose care for each other shines from the page. The Not-Bon-Appetit company they work for is a rich setting, filled with a vibrant cast and so much delicious sounding food.
- The highlight of this book for me was the section where Simone is caring for Ray after their top surgery. I have never seen top surgery depicted in fiction like this, as part of a love story. It's my and my spouse's story right there on the page. It never gets old to see a piece of your life, especially one outside most peoples' experiences, included like this.
- I do want to note that this is yet another romance featuring a nonbinary person whose entire plotline revolves around transphobia. And a lot of Simone's journey was about learning how to ally at a basic level and to stop centering herself. So, yes I recommend it, but I would also like to see different stories, please.
- CHEF'S KISS is totally precious. Simone and Ray are a great grumpy/sunshine pairing, whose care for each other shines from the page. The Not-Bon-Appetit company they work for is a rich setting, filled with a vibrant cast and so much delicious sounding food.
- The highlight of this book for me was the section where Simone is caring for Ray after their top surgery. I have never seen top surgery depicted in fiction like this, as part of a love story. It's my and my spouse's story right there on the page. It never gets old to see a piece of your life, especially one outside most peoples' experiences, included like this.
- I do want to note that this is yet another romance featuring a nonbinary person whose entire plotline revolves around transphobia. And a lot of Simone's journey was about learning how to ally at a basic level and to stop centering herself. So, yes I recommend it, but I would also like to see different stories, please.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Biphobia, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Medical content, Sexual content, and Transphobia
blackmetalblackheart's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
**I was provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I started Chef's Kiss, I was certain that my review would end up being a negative one. After finishing, my opinion was completely flipped. Early on, I had trouble with the lack of subtext in the story, a stunted dynamic to the writing, and a feeling that it would all end up being too predictable. Either all of that improved over the course of the book or I got so wrapped up in the story and characters that I no longer cared. Either way, by the end of the story I was fully invested, in tears, and in love with the representation presented within its pages.
I am not a pastry chef, but all of the food related content felt like the author had experience in the field and came off as genuine. The dynamic of the main relationship was cute and honest. The fact that it took a backseat for a lot of the book in order to focus on workplace politics and queer representation was appealing. The story become more than just two people falling for each other and having steamy sex all over the pages. It was great to see a nonbinary character as a lead, and the discussions around trans dynamics was great; not overly preachy, but intelligent and informative. And though some people were bigoted assholes in the book, it never came off as sensationalized, but instead, authentic.
Chef's Kiss is a book that will have you rooting for the main group of characters, a book that makes me, as a nonbinary person, feel represented, and despite some of the serious topics it tackles, a book that will have you laughing and smiling.
When I started Chef's Kiss, I was certain that my review would end up being a negative one. After finishing, my opinion was completely flipped. Early on, I had trouble with the lack of subtext in the story, a stunted dynamic to the writing, and a feeling that it would all end up being too predictable. Either all of that improved over the course of the book or I got so wrapped up in the story and characters that I no longer cared. Either way, by the end of the story I was fully invested, in tears, and in love with the representation presented within its pages.
I am not a pastry chef, but all of the food related content felt like the author had experience in the field and came off as genuine. The dynamic of the main relationship was cute and honest. The fact that it took a backseat for a lot of the book in order to focus on workplace politics and queer representation was appealing. The story become more than just two people falling for each other and having steamy sex all over the pages. It was great to see a nonbinary character as a lead, and the discussions around trans dynamics was great; not overly preachy, but intelligent and informative. And though some people were bigoted assholes in the book, it never came off as sensationalized, but instead, authentic.
Chef's Kiss is a book that will have you rooting for the main group of characters, a book that makes me, as a nonbinary person, feel represented, and despite some of the serious topics it tackles, a book that will have you laughing and smiling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual content and Dysphoria
Minor: Homophobia, Alcohol, Cursing, Medical content, and Biphobia
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