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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
This has to be unexpectedly, one of my favorite reads this year!
I loved the characters and the story and just how warm i felt reading this book, and after.
THIS book is the reason i have decided to start a book journal to keep track of books I have loved :) and add another shelf to my goodreads titled 'favorites'!
To be honest, I totally skipped 'emily in paris' as that is just not the kind of story i want to see.
and so i was a bit skeptical about a story of a woman in Paris.... but to be honest, it had NO CRINGE ... there were no over-the-top dresses, loves, or pareee this and that, and all those airs.
Instead, what I found was a lovely warm story. I love that she was following her dreams, and living life and not waiting for a man or Paris to happen to her or save her.
The descriptions of their food market trips and kitchen stories were fun and interesting to read. The love story was in fact more warmth and friendship and i really dont know when i got involved in their every morning coffee at cafe routines, but i felt like i was sitting at the next table over.
In a nutshell, recommend this book, added to my favorites list and full marks from me.
I look forward to more works by this author.
I loved the characters and the story and just how warm i felt reading this book, and after.
THIS book is the reason i have decided to start a book journal to keep track of books I have loved :) and add another shelf to my goodreads titled 'favorites'!
To be honest, I totally skipped 'emily in paris' as that is just not the kind of story i want to see.
and so i was a bit skeptical about a story of a woman in Paris.... but to be honest, it had NO CRINGE ... there were no over-the-top dresses, loves, or pareee this and that, and all those airs.
Instead, what I found was a lovely warm story. I love that she was following her dreams, and living life and not waiting for a man or Paris to happen to her or save her.
The descriptions of their food market trips and kitchen stories were fun and interesting to read. The love story was in fact more warmth and friendship and i really dont know when i got involved in their every morning coffee at cafe routines, but i felt like i was sitting at the next table over.
In a nutshell, recommend this book, added to my favorites list and full marks from me.
I look forward to more works by this author.
4.5 stars — A hilariously addicting, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, slow burn workplace rom-com that will make your soul and your stomach growl.
Equally talented and competitive, Claire and James, go toe-to-toe behind the scenes in a trendy Parisian restaurant vying for a coveted Michelin star rating. Claire is a passionate and uniquely gifted sous chef with big aspirations in life that don’t have anything to do with her family’s famous Napa Valley vineyard or toxic ex. James is a young, hot, renowned New York chef with a Michelin star already attached to his name, who was brought in to ensure Teak’s success. Despite sharing the same goal, they find it annoyingly impossible to avoid each other since they work in the same kitchen, frequent the same (and only) café, and share adjoining apartment balconies.
Perfectly cliché and appropriately repetitive, allowing their friendship to bake and love simmer as we walk through their daily routine of coffee and croissants, menu planning, ingredient shopping, and cooking up a storm. I loved how they bonded over books. It was fun to follow Claire through her creative process and interactions with local vendors. As well as watching James’ hard exterior slowly melt with Claire, patiently giving her space as he acknowledged her talent and encouraged her to explore her culinary intuition. I enjoyed their exchanges while visiting each other’s families, which couldn’t possibly be a more different experience. And really appreciated that the story effectively built to the very end without a third act conflict!
This is for all the hopelessly romantic foodies out there. A true laugh-out-loud, clean, feel good rom-com. I devoured this book! I didn’t even mind that any steam or spice was solely dedicated to kitchen creations (read: zero smut). Oh, but the effect of that first 'baby' was evidence of the slow burn that had been climaxing. Plenty of sizzle that left me feeling giddy and marking it as one of my most memorable reads of the year. I am eager to read more from this debut author.
A huge thank you to Waitlyn Andrews for providing an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I feel honored to have been a part of your debut.
Equally talented and competitive, Claire and James, go toe-to-toe behind the scenes in a trendy Parisian restaurant vying for a coveted Michelin star rating. Claire is a passionate and uniquely gifted sous chef with big aspirations in life that don’t have anything to do with her family’s famous Napa Valley vineyard or toxic ex. James is a young, hot, renowned New York chef with a Michelin star already attached to his name, who was brought in to ensure Teak’s success. Despite sharing the same goal, they find it annoyingly impossible to avoid each other since they work in the same kitchen, frequent the same (and only) café, and share adjoining apartment balconies.
Perfectly cliché and appropriately repetitive, allowing their friendship to bake and love simmer as we walk through their daily routine of coffee and croissants, menu planning, ingredient shopping, and cooking up a storm. I loved how they bonded over books. It was fun to follow Claire through her creative process and interactions with local vendors. As well as watching James’ hard exterior slowly melt with Claire, patiently giving her space as he acknowledged her talent and encouraged her to explore her culinary intuition. I enjoyed their exchanges while visiting each other’s families, which couldn’t possibly be a more different experience. And really appreciated that the story effectively built to the very end without a third act conflict!
❝...if you need time, then you need time. Just know that I don't need time, but I'm willing to wait.❞
This is for all the hopelessly romantic foodies out there. A true laugh-out-loud, clean, feel good rom-com. I devoured this book! I didn’t even mind that any steam or spice was solely dedicated to kitchen creations (read: zero smut). Oh, but the effect of that first 'baby' was evidence of the slow burn that had been climaxing. Plenty of sizzle that left me feeling giddy and marking it as one of my most memorable reads of the year. I am eager to read more from this debut author.
A huge thank you to Waitlyn Andrews for providing an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I feel honored to have been a part of your debut.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
This was such a fun read, not only did it make me want to really learn how to cook but it was such a lighthearted, sweet story, and it didn’t have a third act breakup which might have been the best thing ever
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A rom-com set in Paris centered around two chefs? Yes, Please. I'm obsessed with cooking shows and this was a great supplement to my reality tv shows. The book was sweet. I enjoyed the characters and their banter or sometimes lack thereof. There were two beautiful settings and I enjoyed reading about Paris and the vineyard in Napa. It made me want to go to Paris immediately. The atmosphere of the book was lovely. Good, quick read to use as a palette cleanser in between more intense books. A detail I liked was both of the characters love for books. As a reader and lover of books I relate to characters more when we share interests.
The book was a little all over the place. I would have expected more focus on getting the Michelin Star, the menu and prep, etc.. I am ready to suspend belief when reading books like this but giving Claire and James' restaurant two Michelin Stars at the end feels like a stretch. I'm glad they were able to achieve their dreams together and it would have been enough for me for them to get their happy ending in Napa. It went from them being friends and Claire being annoyingly in her head about James to getting married way too fast. Some of the backstories felt unnecessary.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an arc in return for an honest review.
The book was a little all over the place. I would have expected more focus on getting the Michelin Star, the menu and prep, etc.. I am ready to suspend belief when reading books like this but giving Claire and James' restaurant two Michelin Stars at the end feels like a stretch. I'm glad they were able to achieve their dreams together and it would have been enough for me for them to get their happy ending in Napa. It went from them being friends and Claire being annoyingly in her head about James to getting married way too fast. Some of the backstories felt unnecessary.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an arc in return for an honest review.
FMC moves overseas ro escape from a family that doesn't understand her and a cheating fiance after her grandmother passed away and she wasn't able to make it in time to say goodbye due getting into a car accident. In her new city, she hopes to assist the staff in gaining the infamous star for their restaurant, and in comes a famous chef that already has a star under his belt. At first, the attraction wasn't there, but as they became friends, the attraction grew.
It was a great friend's to lover, finding love again when you least expect it. If he wanted to, he would love the story. Easy read grabs your attention from the start.
It was a great friend's to lover, finding love again when you least expect it. If he wanted to, he would love the story. Easy read grabs your attention from the start.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
No miscommunication trope and no third-act breakup, just a delightful romance between two chefs in Paris. Claire and James are adorable, with a little slow-burn and they genuinely communicate with each other about their relationship like say no more; they are soulmates. Considering this is a debut novel, it is already a complete package. This hidden gem deserves to be on every romance reader's radar.
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Gaslighting
This was a cute rom com. I really enjoyed the Paris setting. It was a bit cheesy and featured quite a conservative relationship, which isn't really my vibe. I was rolling my eyes a lot in the last couple of chapters.
If you're looking for a wholesome read, with not much tension or controversy, then I think you'll love this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book to me in exchange for an honest review.
If you're looking for a wholesome read, with not much tension or controversy, then I think you'll love this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book to me in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Loved the book through 75% the last 25% felt rushed. And it had
Content that is not my taste I would have not the book had I know in the first few chapters or if I did any digging. Keep up the work though I see this is your first book. Congrats.
Content that is not my taste I would have not the book had I know in the first few chapters or if I did any digging. Keep up the work though I see this is your first book. Congrats.