Scan barcode
chrisb913's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Sexism, Biphobia, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Bullying, Misogyny, and Transphobia
peskilanim's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Biphobia, Deadnaming, and Misogyny
Minor: Lesbophobia and Blood
schweibertsm's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
3.75
I enjoyed this book especially the food driven parts and the takes on the different shows. I did find it hard to continue on occasion as some of the characters were awful and it was challenging to listen to the treatment of the MCs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Misogyny, Transphobia, and Homophobia
lucyhargrave's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
I really don't know why I put off reading this for as long as I did! It was delightful, one of the best romances I read featuring a non-binary characters. I liked the food focus, the use of social media in the plot and all the secondary characters. Simone and Ray have great chemistry and some good growth throughout the novel. Highly recommend for anyone seeking a funny, heart-warming queer romance!
Although please heed the content warnings as this book does involve transphobia as a core theme
Although please heed the content warnings as this book does involve transphobia as a core theme
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Misogyny, Deadnaming, and Medical content
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."the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I hated Simone for the first 30% of this book and strongly considered DNFing it. She's obnoxious, self-righteous and mean. But after you hit that roughly 30% marker, she starts to grow as a person. Simone becomes more self-aware and is much kinder to those around her. Once she hits that place of growth, she becomes a lot more likeable.
Ray is a consistent ray of sunlight (pardon the pun) throughout and a deeply lovable character. So many things Ray said or did had me giggling or beaming. I also loved the side characters like Petey and Luna. These side characters effectively helped to develop the plot while still feeling like real people I might know in my life. That can be tough to do, so it was good work on the author's part (in my opinion).
My main criticisms for the book arethey never address the race issue of TDC that's referenced by Jake. In the ending, it's just...not acknowledged again, while the on-screen talent of the new show remains entirely white. Why make that a plot point if nothing is done about it?
I also would say that while Simone would be a great friend, she seems like the most exhausting person to date as a trans person. She is so well-meaning but so naive and ignorant about all kinds of trans issues. She is also the type to be set in her ways and stubborn, so if she feels she knows best on a trans issue, she may be difficult to convince otherwise. It feels like Ray will absorb all of the work Luna has to do with educating Simone as a cis person, which already seemed exhausting. I would have really loved to see some growth on Simone's part in this respect by the end of the book.
For those who followed the Bon Appetit debacle or who otherwise love cooking magazines/shows, you'll enjoy this read!
Ray is a consistent ray of sunlight (pardon the pun) throughout and a deeply lovable character. So many things Ray said or did had me giggling or beaming. I also loved the side characters like Petey and Luna. These side characters effectively helped to develop the plot while still feeling like real people I might know in my life. That can be tough to do, so it was good work on the author's part (in my opinion).
My main criticisms for the book are
I also would say that while Simone would be a great friend, she seems like the most exhausting person to date as a trans person. She is so well-meaning but so naive and ignorant about all kinds of trans issues. She is also the type to be set in her ways and stubborn, so if she feels she knows best on a trans issue, she may be difficult to convince otherwise. It feels like Ray will absorb all of the work Luna has to do with educating Simone as a cis person, which already seemed exhausting. I would have really loved to see some growth on Simone's part in this respect by the end of the book.
For those who followed the Bon Appetit debacle or who otherwise love cooking magazines/shows, you'll enjoy this read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Racism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual content
The medical content refers tojonezzzing's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Misogyny, Medical content, and Homophobia
courtneyclouts's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Moderate: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Bullying, Biphobia, Dysphoria, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Gaslighting
qraveline's review against another edition
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
Minor: Racism and Misogyny
kimalah's review
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed Chef’s Kiss. It was a spot of sunshine in my dreary day. It’s a lovely queer romance with a bi female and her nb love interest. Simone, the FMC, is so flinty that she could light a match, and I liked that about her. Part of her journey is growing into her new family and her love, which definitely softens her. Ray is the sunshine to her grump, but also has their own issues below their laughing surface. When Ray comes out as non-binary at work, they have to deal with transphobia, misgendering and use of their deadname. There is a resolution regarding this, but it should be noted for anyone who could be triggered.
While I really enjoyed the book, the sex scene at the very end of the book felt very forced. Chef’s Kiss would work well as a FTB or the sex scene should be earlier. As it was, it felt like it was there to get a sex scene between the two main characters in under the wire. Otherwise, this was a good read and I enjoyed my time with the couple and all of their made family.
CW/TW: anxiety, homophobia, transphobia, misgendering, use of deadname, misogyny
I received an ARC of Chef’s Kiss as a Goodreads giveaway. My opinion is my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Deadnaming, Misogyny, and Transphobia
Minor: Biphobia
More...