Reviews with content warning for Racism - Chef's Kiss

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 are

they 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!

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thefatpaperback's review

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5.0

“You look like you,” she finally managed to say. Ray’s smile curved. “That a good thing?” Simone nodded. “The best thing.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CHEF’S KISS is like a behind the scenes look into your favorite cooking show. This book is a slow burn when it comes to the romance, but there’s so much friendship building and trust development throughout the plot I truly didn’t feel like I was missing anything. I did my usual bit of squealing, kicking my feet, blushing, and even jumping for joy over Ray and Simone. I’m elated that they get both get everything they’ve ever dared and feared to dream.

Simone is an anxious Type A pastry chef whose life is turned upside down when she’s tasked with becoming a video content creator alongside Ray, a bubbly laid-back kitchen manager. When Ray comes out as nonbinary at work, Simone has to decide what her future looks like—the job of her dreams or the person of her dreams?

🍻 Workplace romance

🥧 Grumpy/Sunshine

🍻 Bisexual pastry chef

🥧 Nonbinary kitchen manager

🍻 Hurt/comfort post surgery

🥧 ONE! BED! TROPE!!!!

🍻 Slow burrrnnnnnnn

🥧 YEARNING and longing and pining!!!

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