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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
The author, Waitlyn Andrews, does a fantastic job of immersing the reader in the vibrant city of Paris. Through vivid descriptions and the characters' experiences, the reader is transported to the charming streets, bustling markets, and cozy cafes of the city. As someone who has visited Paris before, I found myself reminiscing about my own trip.
One of the highlights of "Yes, Chef" is the insight it provides into the world of professional cooking. The author delves into the intricacies of working in a kitchen, the intense pressure, and the dedication required to excel in this field. It was fascinating to learn about the different techniques, ingredients, and the creative process behind crafting exquisite dishes. Andrews clearly did her research and her passion for food shines through in her writing.
The main characters in the book are well-developed and likable. Their banter and interactions are enjoyable to read, and their slow-burn romance adds depth to the story. It is refreshing to see a romance that takes its time to build, allowing the characters to develop a strong foundation of friendship before progressing to something more. This approach adds a layer of realism to the story and makes the eventual romance feel more meaningful.
However, one aspect of "Yes, Chef" that left me disappointed was the closed-door nature of the romance. While I understand that this may be a personal preference, I found myself longing for a bit more passion and intimacy between the characters. The lack of spice and sensuality in the romance felt somewhat lacking, especially considering the chemistry and connection between the main characters.
The reason why I'm giving it 3 stars is because the ending made me upset and here's why:
Marriage is a significant commitment, and entering into it without truly knowing someone can lead to painful realizations later on. Discovering that your partner isn't who you thought they were can result in heartbreak and regret. On the other hand, making a mistake in the realm of physical intimacy can be a valuable learning experience that can be overcome with time and understanding.
As the story unfolded, I found myself yearning for a more authentic portrayal of relationships. I wanted to see the characters grow and develop a deep emotional connection before rushing into marriage. I wanted them to explore their compatibility, shared values, and ability to weather the storms of life together. Unfortunately, the story ended abruptly, leaving me with a sense of dissatisfaction.
It felt as though the author took the easy way out, opting for a quick resolution rather than delving into the complexities of love and commitment. The book had the potential to explore the intricacies of human relationships and emphasize the importance of truly knowing someone before making a lifelong commitment. However, it fell short, leaving me with a lingering sense of disappointment.
One of the highlights of "Yes, Chef" is the insight it provides into the world of professional cooking. The author delves into the intricacies of working in a kitchen, the intense pressure, and the dedication required to excel in this field. It was fascinating to learn about the different techniques, ingredients, and the creative process behind crafting exquisite dishes. Andrews clearly did her research and her passion for food shines through in her writing.
The main characters in the book are well-developed and likable. Their banter and interactions are enjoyable to read, and their slow-burn romance adds depth to the story. It is refreshing to see a romance that takes its time to build, allowing the characters to develop a strong foundation of friendship before progressing to something more. This approach adds a layer of realism to the story and makes the eventual romance feel more meaningful.
However, one aspect of "Yes, Chef" that left me disappointed was the closed-door nature of the romance. While I understand that this may be a personal preference, I found myself longing for a bit more passion and intimacy between the characters. The lack of spice and sensuality in the romance felt somewhat lacking, especially considering the chemistry and connection between the main characters.
The reason why I'm giving it 3 stars is because the ending made me upset and here's why:
Spoiler
It seemed absurd for the two main characters to decide to get married after only a month of dating. This unrealistic and forced development left me questioning their motivations. It appeared as though they were getting married solely for the purpose of having sex, which felt disingenuous.Marriage is a significant commitment, and entering into it without truly knowing someone can lead to painful realizations later on. Discovering that your partner isn't who you thought they were can result in heartbreak and regret. On the other hand, making a mistake in the realm of physical intimacy can be a valuable learning experience that can be overcome with time and understanding.
As the story unfolded, I found myself yearning for a more authentic portrayal of relationships. I wanted to see the characters grow and develop a deep emotional connection before rushing into marriage. I wanted them to explore their compatibility, shared values, and ability to weather the storms of life together. Unfortunately, the story ended abruptly, leaving me with a sense of dissatisfaction.
It felt as though the author took the easy way out, opting for a quick resolution rather than delving into the complexities of love and commitment. The book had the potential to explore the intricacies of human relationships and emphasize the importance of truly knowing someone before making a lifelong commitment. However, it fell short, leaving me with a lingering sense of disappointment.
This was so cute! A light, slow burn romance that I simply couldn’t put down.
Character wise Claire was extremely relatable and James is the perfect book boyfriend, (Henry can jump off a cliff thanks very much). I loved the insight into working in a kitchen and the technical concepts that were woven into the dialogue in a way I could understand yet still allowed the conversations between the characters to feel natural.
Overall I really enjoyed this one! Thanks so much to NetGalley, the publisher and Waitlyn Andrews for this advanced copy.
Character wise Claire was extremely relatable and James is the perfect book boyfriend, (Henry can jump off a cliff thanks very much). I loved the insight into working in a kitchen and the technical concepts that were woven into the dialogue in a way I could understand yet still allowed the conversations between the characters to feel natural.
Overall I really enjoyed this one! Thanks so much to NetGalley, the publisher and Waitlyn Andrews for this advanced copy.
I loved how they took their time with the build up of their friendship, while he was very supportive of her throughout.
This book was so enjoyable!! Extremely impressed for a debut authour. The flow of the story was great, where everything was described well without it being tedious.
A workplace romance, between 2 chefs working in a restaurant in Paris. Claire came to Paris to find herself. escape family expectations, and have a bit of a fresh start. She has sworn off love, but that becomes tricky when her new head chef James gives her all the butterflies. (James is a wonderful book boyfriend)
This was a really refreshing romance read. I couldn't put it down, and I didn't want to. I wanted more of this story, but the ending was perfect, that adding anymore would just ruin it.
Closed door romance, no TAB, workplace romance, with a light amount of angst.
***I received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley in order to provide my honest review***
A workplace romance, between 2 chefs working in a restaurant in Paris. Claire came to Paris to find herself. escape family expectations, and have a bit of a fresh start. She has sworn off love, but that becomes tricky when her new head chef James gives her all the butterflies. (James is a wonderful book boyfriend)
This was a really refreshing romance read. I couldn't put it down, and I didn't want to. I wanted more of this story, but the ending was perfect, that adding anymore would just ruin it.
Closed door romance, no TAB, workplace romance, with a light amount of angst.
***I received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley in order to provide my honest review***
Went into this blind, so I can’t say I expected anything in particular? I thought it was a slow burn, but man oh man…it was the slowest. It was an overall sweet love story (if closed-door romance is your thing..it’s not for me personally). I like the sprinkling (no pun intended) of culinary terms, etc throughout.
However, I was looking for more spice. Again, that’s just me personally.
However, I was looking for more spice. Again, that’s just me personally.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review!
Claire has recently moved to Paris to continue her career as a chef working at a restaurant that is hoping to go for a Michelin star. Enter James Sullivan, the grumpy head chef who also comes from the states.
The slow burn in this book with the grumpy / sunshine trope was done well. It was fun to feel the tension between them and feel them falling in love. You just want to say “get together already!” I do think the ending was a little rushed however. Everything happened quickly at the end but it’s a romance so of course everyone lives happily ever after!
As someone who has worked in fine dining and met / married their spouse working in such a place, I was so excited to read this! This being a debut novel, I think the author did an excellent job. The plot was fun, with situations and language pretty spot on to what you’d find in a kitchen/restaurant. The way the food, the recipes, and earning a star were described was great. It really felt authentic and exiting.
I give this a solid 4/5 and will recommend to others because it was a fun and enjoyable read!
Claire has recently moved to Paris to continue her career as a chef working at a restaurant that is hoping to go for a Michelin star. Enter James Sullivan, the grumpy head chef who also comes from the states.
The slow burn in this book with the grumpy / sunshine trope was done well. It was fun to feel the tension between them and feel them falling in love. You just want to say “get together already!” I do think the ending was a little rushed however. Everything happened quickly at the end but it’s a romance so of course everyone lives happily ever after!
As someone who has worked in fine dining and met / married their spouse working in such a place, I was so excited to read this! This being a debut novel, I think the author did an excellent job. The plot was fun, with situations and language pretty spot on to what you’d find in a kitchen/restaurant. The way the food, the recipes, and earning a star were described was great. It really felt authentic and exiting.
I give this a solid 4/5 and will recommend to others because it was a fun and enjoyable read!
Thanks to Netgalley for this advance copy of Yes, Chef!
Beware - this book will have you craving croissants and espressos on the daily, it will introduce you to an excuse to have a sweet pastry in the afternoon (le gouter is a thing, y'all), and it will make you swoon for a grumpy, handsome Chef.
Claire Richards wants to step away from her family wine business and make her own name as a Chef. She dreams of getting a Michelin star and loves seeing the faces of people she cooks for. She joins a restaurant in Paris who is on its way to get one - with the help of grumpy, handsome, and very successful chef James Sullivan, who just got a star of his own in the States. When the two start working together, forced to do the morning shopping in the local market, and living next door to each other, their proximity leads to a friendship. That friendship slowly becomes something more - if only ex boyfriends, intrusive mothers, and a Michelin star would get out of the way.
What first captivated me about this book was the title. Then, forced proximity in a hot kitchen, making delicious food, and giving each other looks in between tables sealed the deal for me. This book was so lovely! James and Claire are truly sweet and supportive of each other and I love a man who is not intimidated by a strong, successful woman. The ending felt a bit rushed to me, and I did not get to enjoy them as much as I wanted to, but all in all, this was truly just chef's kiss!
Read if you like:
Workplace romance
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
Closed Door Romance
I highly recommend this book.
Beware - this book will have you craving croissants and espressos on the daily, it will introduce you to an excuse to have a sweet pastry in the afternoon (le gouter is a thing, y'all), and it will make you swoon for a grumpy, handsome Chef.
Claire Richards wants to step away from her family wine business and make her own name as a Chef. She dreams of getting a Michelin star and loves seeing the faces of people she cooks for. She joins a restaurant in Paris who is on its way to get one - with the help of grumpy, handsome, and very successful chef James Sullivan, who just got a star of his own in the States. When the two start working together, forced to do the morning shopping in the local market, and living next door to each other, their proximity leads to a friendship. That friendship slowly becomes something more - if only ex boyfriends, intrusive mothers, and a Michelin star would get out of the way.
What first captivated me about this book was the title. Then, forced proximity in a hot kitchen, making delicious food, and giving each other looks in between tables sealed the deal for me. This book was so lovely! James and Claire are truly sweet and supportive of each other and I love a man who is not intimidated by a strong, successful woman. The ending felt a bit rushed to me, and I did not get to enjoy them as much as I wanted to, but all in all, this was truly just chef's kiss!
Read if you like:
Workplace romance
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
Closed Door Romance
I highly recommend this book.
Yes, Chef is a good book for fans of both Paris and cooking shows like Top Chef, etc. It centered around two chefs in a kitchen in Paris and their goal of getting a Michelin star. I think the book was at its best when it described Paris and the local market, the tourist attractions, etc but then fell flat with the actual romance. I thought the book was pretty cozy though, it was low stakes and low in complications. But it is slow. The characters dont even acknowledge feelings until like 80% in and then it was full speed to the surprising ending of forever. I liked it alright but it felt like the pacing was a little off. I did appreciate no third act breakup, so there is that.
First thought: Love, Love, Loved it!!!!
Claire moved to Paris to escape her past and get a clean start away from her family name and her ex. She is a chef who loves to improvise and she’s hoping that she can help her new restaurant earn their first Michelin star. Her past has different ideas and she soon realizes even moving across the world won’t change things and the only way forward is through. She is not looking for love and even if she was she just simply isn’t ready.
James comes from the a line of celebrity chefs and at a young age he has already earned his first Michelin star. He moved to Paris to help a new restaurant do the same. Little did he know he run into the women of his dreams. James is not one to mix business and pleasure so even though he is falling for Claire he won’t let her know that. Instead he puts up a wall where she’s concerned. He’s a stickler to following the plan, and oh boy does Claire through a wrench in it.
These two have to learn to work together as a team if their restaurant has any chance at that Michelin star. Along the way there will be bumps and roadblocks but with enough time, patience maybe they can become friends or even more.
I absolutely loved this book once I started it, I literally could not put it down and I read it in one sitting. It was just cute and sweet and made me feel back in my teens with the classic romcom movies of the late 90s early 2000s. I could easily see this being turned into a movie, as it makes you fall in love. Run and preorder this 5 star read now!
Claire moved to Paris to escape her past and get a clean start away from her family name and her ex. She is a chef who loves to improvise and she’s hoping that she can help her new restaurant earn their first Michelin star. Her past has different ideas and she soon realizes even moving across the world won’t change things and the only way forward is through. She is not looking for love and even if she was she just simply isn’t ready.
James comes from the a line of celebrity chefs and at a young age he has already earned his first Michelin star. He moved to Paris to help a new restaurant do the same. Little did he know he run into the women of his dreams. James is not one to mix business and pleasure so even though he is falling for Claire he won’t let her know that. Instead he puts up a wall where she’s concerned. He’s a stickler to following the plan, and oh boy does Claire through a wrench in it.
These two have to learn to work together as a team if their restaurant has any chance at that Michelin star. Along the way there will be bumps and roadblocks but with enough time, patience maybe they can become friends or even more.
I absolutely loved this book once I started it, I literally could not put it down and I read it in one sitting. It was just cute and sweet and made me feel back in my teens with the classic romcom movies of the late 90s early 2000s. I could easily see this being turned into a movie, as it makes you fall in love. Run and preorder this 5 star read now!
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Re-read; Feb 27-Mar 5, 2024.
Nov 27-Dec 11, 2024.
Nov 27-Dec 11, 2024.