This book was a slog for me. It took me forever to get through it because I simply did not care. I didn’t care about the main character, Simone, a chef for a publication “The Discerning Chef” nor did I care for her new assistant Ray.
This story examines cis and non binary relationships. While I am very interested in the storyline, especially with the backdrop of a cooking show. , I found the plot boring and predictable. Not worth the time.

This was such an incredibly charming read.

I adored both Simone and Ray, and I really enjoyed the way that things developed between them. I love me a good slow burn, and the banter between them was great. This book has some important representation, and I really appreciate how authentic Ray's coming out as non-binary and transitioning felt.

I know they say don't judge a book by its cover (or its blurb) so I did my best and tried a few chapters. I couldn't get into these characters and ultimately DNF. Maybe this is one of those I'll pick up again but for now, I couldn't make it work.

“Whatever we do, I get to do it with my whole self. I get to do it with you. That’s—It’s amazing, okay?”

CHEF’S KISS is a sweet queer romance about a pastry chef/food writer who falls for the kitchen manager, right before they get paired up to help boost their company’s pivot to video content. Simone, the narrator, is a high-strung perfectionist bisexual (hmm, can’t relate) and her love interest is Ray, a friendly, goofy, charming type. Ray is nonbinary, and a big chunk of the plot revolves around them coming out at work and the struggle that turns out to be. I thought Simone and Ray had really good chemistry (though it takes them F O R E V E R to kiss!!) and they’re both a bit oblivious to the other’s feelings, which is a trope I love.

I did find Simone to be painfully self-absorbed at times; I love a good grump/sunshine dynamic but Simone just wasn’t doing it for me. I needed more internal angst I think. Also I was frustrated reading the sections that focus on how hard it is for Simone to adjust when Ray comes out to her as nonbinary - though it is a realistic thing unfortunately and she does learn from her mistakes. I wish we had more of Ray’s perspective (the story is just told from Simone’s POV). My favorite section was the very tender caregiving during Ray’s recovery from top surgery; it’s so beautiful to see that represented in a romance novel. Thank you to Atria Books for the review copy!

Content warnings: deadnaming, misgendering, family rejection, surgery recovery, workplace discrimination

Many thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cute LGBTQ romance. It seems that everything I have read lately has been about food. This is a perfect book for PRIDE Month. I liked the main characters Ray and Simone. Simone is a little stiff and Ray brought out the fun side in her. Perfect match.

I thought this was a cute cooking theme rom-com. I found it was an easy read, as I finished it in two sittings. I thought the slow burn in this book was a little too slow for my liking, and some parts of the story felt forced. I liked the cooking plot in this book. I thought the author did a good job at shining light on some important topics as well. Overall, this book wasn’t for me, but I know others loved it! I would recommend checking out their reviews.

Chef’s Kiss
This is a super cute romance. When Simone gets tapped to start recording cooking videos to save her company from bankruptcy she is not happy about it. She is even less happy about it when she realizes she has to work together with Ray, her coworker, who happens to be a ray of sunshine. Things seem to take a twist when they work together more and Simone starts feeling things she doesn’t think she should.

Read For:
🧁 grumpy x sunshine
🧁 workplace romance
🧁 bi representation
🧁 nonbinary representation
🧁 banter
🧁 baking
🧁 SLOW BURN
🧁 found family

My only problem with the book is that it relied heavily on the miscommunication trope, which is not my favorite.

The book does a pretty good job of explaining the emotional toll it places on LGBTQ people to explain things to people and do hand holding to ensure their feelings as an ally aren’t hurt.

Overall a pretty great read that I would recommend!

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to review! All thoughts are my own!

Simone Larkspur has been at The Discerning Chef for years. She loves it there, inhabiting her corner of the test kitchen to come up with baking recipes for their readers. But they have fewer and fewer readers, so the editor decides to do something different. She wants the chefs to make videos to bring the recipes to life. She hires a producer to help them come up with content, and Simone is nervous about being on film until she realizes that Chase’s vision for the videos is to show just “hands and pans.”

But Simone’s well ordered life is also disrupted by the new kitchen manager. When their previous kitchen manager got hurt and decided to retire, the quiet older woman was replaced by Ray, a bundle of energy with a loud, infectious laugh. And when Ray and the cameraman Petey decide to film Ray talking about the beer she brews at home, and Petey accidentally uploads it to The Discerning Chef’s YouTube channel, it lines up million of views. Since the other videos that have been uploaded have only garnered a handful of views each, Ray’s video going viral is a huge change. But it’s not TDC’s brand.

But the editor loves the video, and she especially loves the crazy number of viewers they’re getting. She orders more of Ray’s homebrewing videos. And when those are equally successful, she suggests that Simone team up with Ray for a new show. Ray comes up with a concept, and talks Simone into taking a chance and trying something where she’d have to think on her feet.

Ray brings in a dish from her Midwestern upbringing, starting with her Yankee salad. The dish is made with cottage cheese, Cool Whip, canned mandarin oranges and pineapple slices, and (of course) miniature marshmallows. When Simone tastes it, with her sophisticated palate and French cooking degree, she is a little horrified. And then, on camera, she has to come up with an idea to make a modern version of it. But looking at Ray, knowing the kitchen manager has her back, takes a breath and thinks up a cheesecake made with cottage cheese that will be lovely with the fruit.

Simone has always been pretty buttoned up in the TDC kitchen. She stayed focused on her work, trying to create the best recipes she could. She’s not good with change. But then Ray came into her life, and Simone can’t help but feel drawn to her. And when Ray comes out to her as non-binary and asks to be called they/them from now on, Simone wants to be supportive. She’s not always sure how, but she is determined to help Ray feel like they are accepted in the TDC kitchen.

But when an employee with a grudge targets Ray and goes to HR with untrue accusations about them, Simone isn’t sure about the company she works for anymore. Will Simone figure out how to stand up for what she believes in, and to finally tell Ray how she feels, even if it threatens the job she loves? Or will she risk it all for love?

Chef’s Kiss is a charming cerebral romance that combines foodie culture with LGBTQ+ characters. Author TJ Alexander has crafted this slow burn romance with lots of life and personality, giving readers the chance to see in a professional test kitchen in New York. And while Simone is a quiet character who keeps to herself and focuses on the work she loves, there are lots of other big personalities who bring balance to her and add liveliness to this story.

I love a good chefy romance, so I was really looking forward to this one. And I have to say that I really loved it. I especially appreciated how sensitive Alexander is about introducing non-traditional characters (or as a woke reader might say, characters), but I feel like those who might not be as comfortable with the LGBTQ+ terminology would find themselves getting a better understanding of what the rules are by listening to the characters talk their discomfort through. I loved that honesty, and the cooking parts with the videos and the retro recipes was just delightful. This book may not be for everyone, but for those of us who do get it and love it, it can be our secret.

Egalleys for Chef’s Kiss were provided by Atria Books through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Did not finish. In the end I did not enjoy the writing style. I thought the plot was fun and had potential but the writing style was not for me. I would still pick this up if you are interested in foodie romances. It had really great potential but I didn’t enjoy it.

"Chef's Kiss" is one of my favorite May reads of 2022 for two reasons: realistic characters and fantastic wording of sensitive topics.

Simone is the type a "ish" chef who has been in the business for ages currently working as a recipe editor for TDC. She likes things prim and proper and hates change with a fiery passion. Yet, change is what she encounters when called into the headquarters and told to start making videos of cooking.

Ray is a delightful kitchen order planner who is trying to make their big break in the cooking industry. They are also a fantastic home brewer: a fact that delights the video producer company. TDC is OBSESSED with Ray's videos and wants to film her with Simone.

Yet, what starts off as a video producing nightmare turns into impactful conversations. Things that need to be said no matter the aftermath. This is where TJ Alexander shines.

"Chef's Kiss" is the perfect read for the upcoming PRIDE month. Alexander takes care with their characters to tell their full story and fights within. Any reader will notice that Alexander adores the book they have written and want to spur up conversation about important topics. I cannot wait to read what this fantastic debut author produces next.

Chef's Kiss is a cute slow-burn romance with a foodie premise, which does seem to be rather popular right now (overly so? Not yet, for me, I'll take all the food-themed romances, thank you very much). I appreciate the frankness and fullness with which topics of gender and queerness were discussed (this might be the first intimate scene in a romance novel I've read that discusses scars from top surgery, and I do love that about it). But that slow burn is...verrrry slow. I love a romance that pushes and pulls, the tension and banter and will-they-won't-they before a couple finally get together, but Simone and Ray don't even know the other is interested in them until the book is almost over. And overall, I just got a bit bored throughout the story, with somewhat uninteresting, merely pedestrian writing plodding along, while I waited for...the characters to realize they're in love, to do something about the toxic work environment, to do something that surprised or interested me. Appreciate the representation, didn't care about the romantic entanglements and characters, just not for me.

Content warnings: Medical/surgery, misgendering, transphobia & homophobia, workplace harassment.

Slow-burn friendship-turned-romance, CHECK! Food descriptions making me hungry, CHECK! Workplace shenanigans, CHECK! This was a fun read I would compare to a warm squishy hug.

My Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐ .5/ 5

This is a charming, grumpy/sunshine-esque, slow burn queer romance about a woman named Simone, a pastry chef who creates recipes for a website called the Discerning Chef. Due to poor readership, they have to pivot to video to stay afloat - which is completely out of Simone’s comfort zone. With the new staff changes, she meets Ray, the new test kitchen manager. They clash almost immediately but are forced to work together and their sparks start to fly.

The writing is great - you feel like you are truly in that test kitchen. At first, the pace was too slow, but as soon as Ray is introduced, it gets better. Their character is non-binary, which is informative to both Simone and myself, the reader, to learn more about and to understand. I am not a big fan of the slow burn and I felt stuck a few times - however it was overall an enjoyable read.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I was extremely excited when I received this ARC and I couldn't wait to dive in.

But...some books aren't for everyone.
I really wanted this book to be for me and it just wasn't so with regret, I DNF, I really wanted to love this but the writing felt too… functional. I didn’t feel any real emotion as I read. I am absolutely positive that others will feel differently, though.

I absolutely appreciate the chance to read and review this book so definitely thank you NetGalley for gifting me this.

Take a slow-burn, queer grumpy/sunshine romance (told from the grumpy perspective!), mouthwatering food descriptions, and absorbing personal journeys, mix all these ingredients together, and you've got this excellent book. I adored every page of it - my only regret is that I don't get to spend any more time with Simone and Ray! Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a galette to bake and a chocolate trifle to assemble.

This was quite a cute story, although for me it wasn’t anything too special to blabber on about. It was just okay for me. It did indeed make me hungry though. Make sure to read after you’ve eaten or you’ll want to try and be fancy with your food and if you’re like me who can’t cook anything you’ll be left with burned food and have to order take out.

Chef's Kiss is such a fun read. It's a smart and fresh foodie rom-com that features features the grumpy-sunshine trope, which is one of my favorites. The grumpy character is Simone Larkspur, a pastry expert and writer for a food magazine, and the ray of sunshine who turns Simone's world on its end is a bubbly, spunky kitchen manager whose name is actually Ray, lol.

Simone's food magazine is struggling to survive in a world where print media is becoming more and more dated. In an effort to modernize, the magazine's owners have decided it's time to embrace social media platforms, which means Simone will have to make videos and social media content, which is not in her wheelhouse. To help facilitate this major change, the owners also bring in new technical staff as well as a new kitchen manager, Ray, to help make the workplace more conducive to filming. Ray is a big hit with all of the staff except for Simone, who finds Ray's exuberance to be flat out annoying.

Things change between Simone and Ray though, as is to be expected as they get to know one another better, and as is expected in a romance novel. I loved the chemistry between them, the banter, the teamwork once they really do start to get along and realize that they're great together both on and off camera, etc.

Chef's Kiss also features wonderful representations that we don't often see in romance novels and definitely need more of. Simone is bisexual, while Ray is nonbinary. The author does a fantastic job of keeping the story romantic and charming, while also addressing some of the weightier issues Ray faces, particularly in the form of prejudice from higher ups in the workplace who, just to be jerks, intentionally and repeatedly misgender Ray.

The food element is of course amazing, filled with delectable descriptions that had me so hungry the entire time I was reading, and I also loved all of the behind-the-scenes looks at how social media foodie videos are created as well as the glimpses of office politics we get to see. The cast of secondary characters is also fantastic and I adored them all, aside from the one jerk mentioned above.

There's just so much to love about Chef's Kiss and I highly recommend it if you're looking for a fresh and fun slow burn romance with excellent queer representation.

What a sweet book!

The premise of this book had me hooked, I love a good romance with food involved and this book took the cake! It was super fun and entertaining, and a unique story! Very enjoyable!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the earc in return for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this was adorable, and I really liked the chemistry between the two main leads. It was a really cute story for the first bit I got into it, but I just couldn't keep invested. I definitely think this was due to a reading slump vs. the book itself, and I will be checking the book out further when I'm looking for a romance.

Heroine Simone works in a test kitchen at a very thinly veiled Bon Appetit as a recipe tester but is soon forced into creating video content. When her kitchen manager, Ray, goes viral, and the magazine attempts to capitalize on Ray's success while also keeping them in the closet, the kitchen and video staff must decide whether to carry on or take a stand. At the same time, Simone is developing feelings for the gregarious kitchen manager, but has made every effort to push them away and can't figure out how to pull them back.

As a HUGE former fan of the Bon Appetit YouTube Channel, this book was SO entertaining. It was a great take on a cooking romcom that was different from all the cooking competition show-based novels that have sprung out in the last few years. Also always great to see nonbinary representation in a lead character, and a unique pacing to the romance that keeps the reader on their toes. All in all, this was a stellar novel and one I supremely enjoyed reading.

Thanks to Atria for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 10/10