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bookishlyyemma's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Drug use, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual violence, and Injury/Injury detail
condls27's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
I had a lot of fun with this and need 500 more books with Jeremy Allen White coded MMCS. My only complaint was the pacing it was a little weird at times and I wanted a touch more angst but overall a very fun read! There are some heavier themes though so take care to check trigger warnings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Classism
ididntknowyouread's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Umm…what?! I went into this expecting a smutty little romance set in a restaurant. And yes, that was delivered, but it also had so much depth and heart.
Ultimately this is a story of two people overcoming their notions of themselves and the worlds that they grew up in to find happiness and love with each other.
It was glorious smut, beautiful revelations, character growth, and some truly memorable moments.
I can tell this book is going to stay in my mind for a looooong time.
Check TWs people!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Ultimately this is a story of two people overcoming their notions of themselves and the worlds that they grew up in to find happiness and love with each other.
It was glorious smut, beautiful revelations, character growth, and some truly memorable moments.
I can tell this book is going to stay in my mind for a looooong time.
Check TWs people!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Rape
mhzking's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
It's everything you ever wanted your relationship with the chefs at work to be, that never happened
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
somnophilia in 2 scenessymonnereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Line cook/Server
Secret Relationship
He falls first
FWB
Pan Rep
Workplace Romance
This was my first Naomi Loud book and certainly will not be the last. I absolutely adored this book.
While this book is a little darker and angstier than I'm used to for romance, it still hit all the spots for me as a romance reader.
I enjoyed the plot in general and thought the tropes that were used were used well. Ozzy being a chef and having that whole Jeremy Allen White feel with his aesthetic was good seeing as I'm a fan of the TV show The Bear, so that was enjoyable. He was messy and also kinda gave JAW's character from Shameless with the family characters vibe. I love how down bad Ozzy was for the FMC, James aka Jimbo. I like that she recognized her privilege and the stereotype of the rich girl playing poor. I like how she was actively realizing and trying to undo and heal her trauma and years or training from her ex and her parents. I also liked the progression of their relationship and how that dynamic was portrayed realistically from the POV of someone dealing with emotional abuse and trauma. This story was a bit dark and trigger warnings should definitely be looked into if you are interested in reading but I feel everything was handled very well. The chemistry between the main couple was off the charts and the spice was plentiful and dirty and well written and definitely enjoyable. The side characters were well written and well placed. I disliked her mother, father and ex, but you are supposed to, so, you do feel like you clearly know who the villains are in the story.
Overall, a book that I sped through because it was so good and got me out of a slump.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
stxrdust_books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
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
5.0
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. this is the only accurate reaction I can give to this book.
at the start of the book James gave off spoiled rich girl vibes but it was over as soon as it started, I was scared I wouldn't like her and find her annoying which would've hurt, cause I'd been waiting months for this book but it was over as soon as it started. I loved her, how she survived and got more confident and badass as time went and when she finally broke up with Zachary, I screamed "thank god" cause I wanted to murder that piece of absolute shit, but thankfully we were done with him. I admire her so much, she grew and healed from her past and trauma. The way that this book doesn't have a third-act breakup has my heart, James didn't let it happen and she's a badass for it.
Ozzy is the love of my life and you can't convince me otherwise. Everything about this man is imperfectly perfect, I love how he grows and learns with James, it's the sweetest thing ever, I love that he finally lets someone in and it happens to be the love of his life. His insecurities killed me, like I'm pretty sure I was physically hurting from it. THIS MAN HAS MADE MY STANDARDS SKYROCKET. LIKE COME ON, HE COOKS FOR HER, HE HAND FEEDS HER OYSTERS, SHARES HIS SNICKERS BARS, AND FREAKING CRAWLS TO HER WHILE SUBMITTING TO HER 😭😭😭😭😭 LIKE WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT.
Thank you to Naomi and Good Girls PR for the arc.
at the start of the book James gave off spoiled rich girl vibes but it was over as soon as it started, I was scared I wouldn't like her and find her annoying which would've hurt, cause I'd been waiting months for this book but it was over as soon as it started. I loved her, how she survived and got more confident and badass as time went and when she finally broke up with Zachary, I screamed "thank god" cause I wanted to murder that piece of absolute shit, but thankfully we were done with him. I admire her so much, she grew and healed from her past and trauma. The way that this book doesn't have a third-act breakup has my heart, James didn't let it happen and she's a badass for it.
Ozzy is the love of my life and you can't convince me otherwise. Everything about this man is imperfectly perfect, I love how he grows and learns with James, it's the sweetest thing ever, I love that he finally lets someone in and it happens to be the love of his life. His insecurities killed me, like I'm pretty sure I was physically hurting from it. THIS MAN HAS MADE MY STANDARDS SKYROCKET. LIKE COME ON, HE COOKS FOR HER, HE HAND FEEDS HER OYSTERS, SHARES HIS SNICKERS BARS, AND FREAKING CRAWLS TO HER WHILE SUBMITTING TO HER 😭😭😭😭😭 LIKE WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT.
Thank you to Naomi and Good Girls PR for the arc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Alcohol
griffieclark's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
“…the unspoken knowledge that if I wanted him to stop, he would have stopped. I held the power. And that makes me feel…invincible.”
**spoilers ahead**
A realistic, dark, contemporary romance that plays out all the fantasies we had watching The Bear. James is an artist from a well off family and Ozzy is the cozy Taurus line cook, with an abrasive upbringing.
When James decides to choose her passion for art over her cushy lifestyle, the real world sets in. Being on her own calls for living with a roommate and working at Orso, a upscale restaurant with a particularly yummy line cook. Only James has a pretty shitty old money boyfriend and Ozzy has a knack for sticking his cucumber in everyone’s salad. (Literally and metaphorically, he’s the salad chef.) The attraction is eminent as James catches Ozzy’s eye from across the dining room. Suddenly the boyfriend is out of the picture — he’s a piece a shit any way — and there’s a snickers bar up James’…ahem.
This book gave me a new affinity for taurus men, domestic bliss, and the color lavender. This book was healing and humorous and comforting. It was just the perfect amount of spice and fluff with poetic one liners throughout. I hope this book brings Naomi out of the kitchen and onto the floor as a pretty stellar romance author.
**spoilers ahead**
A realistic, dark, contemporary romance that plays out all the fantasies we had watching The Bear. James is an artist from a well off family and Ozzy is the cozy Taurus line cook, with an abrasive upbringing.
When James decides to choose her passion for art over her cushy lifestyle, the real world sets in. Being on her own calls for living with a roommate and working at Orso, a upscale restaurant with a particularly yummy line cook. Only James has a pretty shitty old money boyfriend and Ozzy has a knack for sticking his cucumber in everyone’s salad. (Literally and metaphorically, he’s the salad chef.) The attraction is eminent as James catches Ozzy’s eye from across the dining room. Suddenly the boyfriend is out of the picture — he’s a piece a shit any way — and there’s a snickers bar up James’…ahem.
This book gave me a new affinity for taurus men, domestic bliss, and the color lavender. This book was healing and humorous and comforting. It was just the perfect amount of spice and fluff with poetic one liners throughout. I hope this book brings Naomi out of the kitchen and onto the floor as a pretty stellar romance author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
rachelsimmet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
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? No
4.5
I need another book about these characters because OMG I am obsessed. Naomi Loud writes character chemistry like no other. I loved the growth of the characters and what they overcame to be with each other. Ozzy is a top tier book boyfriend. The snickers scene will now be living rent free in my head.
There are some dark scenes, so if you go into expecting a romantic comedy that is not quite what you will get. I really appreciate that the characters use kink as a way to heal past trauma but it was a little tough to read at times (for me personally) so check the trigger warnings!
There are some dark scenes, so if you go into expecting a romantic comedy that is not quite what you will get. I really appreciate that the characters use kink as a way to heal past trauma but it was a little tough to read at times (for me personally) so check the trigger warnings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Medical content
Minor: Alcoholism and Rape
Graphic depictions of CNC and somnophilia.autumnherah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to Good Girls PR and the author for an arc copy in exchange for my honest review
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Yes Chef
If romanticizing things is illegal than lock me and James up. After reading this book I am ready to quit my 9-5 and start working at a restaurant. Naomi knocked it out of the park with this book. It felt real, it was hot, it healed things in me I did not know needed to be healed. A contemporary romance for those dark romance girlies.
After being cut off by her parents James navigates the complexities of an independent life which coincides with her personal growth that leads to an awakening about toxic relationships and a subsequent journey of personal healing.
Ozzy is a hot line cook with a history of being popular with the ladies who comes with a complex back story, but he doesn't let the hard life around him, harden him. He is sweet, caring, takes care of James, and just the right amount of sexually depraved that was sending me absolutely feral.
The tension and heat in the book was absolutely stunning, the payoff in the spicy scenes was chefs kiss, I was absolutely melting over Ozzy cooking for James, and the recipes at the end almost made me tear up a little. We love to see a FMC who becomes a self-assured woman who knows what she wants. Definitely check trigger warnings, but 5/5 would recommend.
Contemporary romance
Line cook x Server
Former rich girl x Play boy
Friends with benefits
Character development
Dirty talk (praise and degradation)
Exhibitionism / voyeurism
Toy play
Quickies
Backdoor action
CNC
Somnophilia
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Yes Chef
If romanticizing things is illegal than lock me and James up. After reading this book I am ready to quit my 9-5 and start working at a restaurant. Naomi knocked it out of the park with this book. It felt real, it was hot, it healed things in me I did not know needed to be healed. A contemporary romance for those dark romance girlies.
After being cut off by her parents James navigates the complexities of an independent life which coincides with her personal growth that leads to an awakening about toxic relationships and a subsequent journey of personal healing.
Ozzy is a hot line cook with a history of being popular with the ladies who comes with a complex back story, but he doesn't let the hard life around him, harden him. He is sweet, caring, takes care of James, and just the right amount of sexually depraved that was sending me absolutely feral.
The tension and heat in the book was absolutely stunning, the payoff in the spicy scenes was chefs kiss, I was absolutely melting over Ozzy cooking for James, and the recipes at the end almost made me tear up a little. We love to see a FMC who becomes a self-assured woman who knows what she wants. Definitely check trigger warnings, but 5/5 would recommend.
Contemporary romance
Line cook x Server
Former rich girl x Play boy
Friends with benefits
Character development
Dirty talk (praise and degradation)
Exhibitionism / voyeurism
Toy play
Quickies
Backdoor action
CNC
Somnophilia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Alcohol