2.5 stars, rounded up.
This book was a cute and quick read. It's a second-chance romance centered around two people who originally met in culinary school. Male MC Lucas is now a food reviewer/ critic, and female MC Zoe runs a food truck called Potato Heaven. I mostly enjoyed the foodie aspect of the book, which took place around a large food truck festival in California.
There are some likeable secondary characters, but it almost felt like too many. It seemed like Lucas and Zoe were basically never alone. Side note, this ended up being a "clean" romance with absolutely no spice, which is not my jam at all but surely appeals to others.
So, a decent book if you have a few hours to kill and want to read something sweet that will end up making you really hungry.

This book was an adorable, quick read with just a little spice added to it! I liked the small town aspect and all the side characters were so cute, they were funny and so entertaining.

I didn't completely fall in love with both of the main characters, unfortunately. I found that the way Zoe made decisions wasn't very logical and it got kind of frustrating. Additionally, the "getting kicked out of culinary school" plot point and explanation appeared kind of ridiculous given the importance that was placed on it and what really happened. There was way more conflict happening throughout the book than was necessary—especially with most of it being stupid little things. I wish there was more romantic parts especially because it was a romance book. Lucas and Zoe don't spend much time alone together and there didn't seem to be much development of their relationship.

Overall, it was a cute read but not amazing or groundbreaking. The plot was predictable and the characters were likable—but not lovable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rich Amooi for the ARC in exchange for a honest review!

Thank you, NetGalley, Publishers, and Rich Amooi for gifting me a copy of You Chive Me in return for my honest opinion.

4/5 stars

They call it destiny. I call it a disaster.
What’s worse than crashing my food truck in the middle of nowhere?
Being rescued and cared for by the man who ruined my life.
Lucas Filo.
America’s top food critic.
Ridiculously charismatic.
Appallingly gorgeous.
Positively detestable.
I would rather sell my cast-iron skillets and eat frozen food for the rest of my life than spend another minute with that dream crusher.
No such luck . . .
With just seventy-two hours until the food festival that will change my life, I swallow my pride and ask for Lucas's help, because the man owes me—big time.
What’s the worst thing that could happen?
I would need to dispose of his body?
Surprisingly, the longer I'm stuck with Lucas, the harder it is to loathe him.
Until another disaster happens . . . right on cue.

What I loved
-This was such a well-written book! I was laughing out loud at parts!
-Food truck aspect was such a fun idea!

What I Liked
-Zoe and Lucas were such fun, well-written characters
-The well done, snark was such a wonderful addition.

What wasn't my favorite
-It was a very predictable plotline

Final thoughts
If you don't mind predictable plotlines then this is going to be a favorite of yours. The humor, snark, and character development is phenomenal.

I liked a romcom written by a man?! I can hardly believe it. But You Chive Me Crazy was really good with serious laugh out loud moments. The chemistry was perfect between Zoe and Lucas, I couldn't ask for a better relationship. The food truck antics were entertaining and something that I felt I never read before. The secondary characters were fun and quirky, they definitely added to the story without distracting from the main couple. I'm looking forward to reading more from the author.

I almost DNF'd this book and I am SO glad I did not. If you push past the first couple of chapters, then you are awarded with a funny, sweet, and tension filled clean read.

This book was an ok read from me! It was definitely well written and I loved the characters but something was just missing for me ! I definitely want to read more from this author .

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

As always it was so fun delving into the story, the misunderstandings are always a delicious touch for Rich, he is truly a master of rom coms.

This one did open my appetite more than once, with the mention of such wonderful dishes, the chemistry for these two were undeniable and they were so fun with their antics it was amazingly fast paced and easy to read.

One thing I loved from this author it's that even with all the troubles, you will never find it heavy or too hurtful, it has the perfect amount of everything and that makes his books wonderful.

''You're hobbling like a hobbit.''

What a pair. Lucas and Zoe are delightful, and the author's style makes it so you fly through the book!

Amooi's books are always so easy to jump into and bring a laugh and smile while you're reading! This was yet another cute read that I enjoyed! I always enjoy getting to read a clean, yet cute, romance book too.

Gorgeous book 🤍✨💕

Thank you soooooo much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this book💗
"I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

I'm not going to lie it was the punny title that caused me to pick this one up. I'm glad I did because I loved it. I can't wait to read more books by this author.

This was a cute, cozy, non-spicy romantic comedy that is lighthearted and fun. At times it fell into some standard tropes, but if you love this genre, it's perfect for a nice time.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this book.

I could not put this book down, The cover drew me in and I loved this book! The plot was so different compared to anything I have ever read.

Second chance romance with a lighthearted spicy and banter.
Reconnecting after 10 years to find the door to a relationship is still open. I mean not without a few hurdles! Haha
A clean vocab and sex scenes left out this book still packs a wallop of a punch.

Can’t wait to read more from Rich Amooi! One request - no more potatoes, I’m starving!

Cute. That is the best word to describe this book - it was cute. I was able to finish the book in a couple of hours, so it was a quick read, and there was minimal spice. I will say that I adored the characters that we meet who were also staying at the B&B. They were lighthearted and very entertaining!

With that being said, I was less than impressed with both of the main characters, but especially the FMC, Zoe. At one point she gets really upset with Lucas, the MMC, for submitting her e-mail to a company that sells food trucks and insinuates that he was trying to control the direction of her life post them being kicked out of culinary school. How that could ever make sense to someone with a logical brain cell I'm not sure, but here we are. Also, the whole "getting kicked out of culinary school" explanation seemed minimal considering the gravity that was placed on it, and what actually happened.

A lot of conflict also seemed to happen throughout the book - more than was necessary. Most of it was so ridiculous it was unbelievable. From a romance book perspective, the romance was relatively light; Lucas and Zoe hardly spend any time alone, so how they develop (or "continue") their romance from 10 years prior is beyond me.

I personally read books primarily because I'm trying to escape reality, but this book seemed a bit too realistic while also being unrealistic that I just couldn't buy into it. It was just...cute.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A book that has a plot for food sign me up.

I loved the setting and tbh I really want to try zoe's potatoes so bad. And its enimes to lovers who are once really close, who may or may not have wanted more gets me every. Single. Time.

If you've ever read and enjoyed other books from Rich Amooi, you'll probably also enjoy this one by him. Also, if you've never read him before, this would would be a nice one to start with.

This is the fifth novel I've read by the author. It's a sweet story featuring very appealing lead characters who I found it very easy to like and root for. Like the other books I'd read by Amooi, 'You Chive Me Crazy' (such a great title!) made me smile and laugh a lot as I read it.

My only complaint about it is that the frequent mentions of Potato Heaven, the food truck owned by one of the main characters, made me crave potatoes A LOT as I read the book! Okay, that's not a real complaint since I love potatoes. I just wish that the food truck was real and that it was parked somewhere near me!

If you're looking for a fun romcom to escape into for a little while, 'You Chive Me Crazy' would be a good and entertaining choice.

Synopsis:
Lucas Filo is a famous food critic. But when his plans change, he is reunited with an old friend, Zoe, but unfortunately, she hates him now. Seeing him is the last thing she needs, but he's the only one who can help her. Now, this twist will bring back some old feelings.

Includes:
✨Enemies to lovers
✨Foodies
✨Fake dating
✨Groveling
✨One Bed

🔥Heat Level:
Just Kisses

My Opinion:
As someone who loves and works with food, I had fun reading this book. Love the backstories, food descriptions, humor and plot. I think the plot was a little different from all the stories we're used to these days, which is good. Even if you don't cook, you can enjoy this story. It was a little hallmark-y for me, but sweet books are usually like that and that's okay. And I really liked that most of the chapters are from a male perspective, especially coming from a male writer, it's interesting. I look forward to reading more from him.

This is one of those books that will put a smile on your face as you start reading and will essentially keep it there all the way through.
I love picking up a book by this author, because I am always thoroughly entertained from start to finish. And this book was no different. The characters were well-developed and endearing and you can't help but fall in love with them.
Lucas is a well-known food critic and Zoe is the owner of a food truck. Years ago, they were good friends and went to the same culinary school. Then they were kicked out and things changed after that. But now Zoe needs Lucas' help and he is there for her and they work together to make Zoe's food truck a success. As they spend time together, they realize they still care for each other. These two had strong chemistry and really clicked. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow and the witty banter between them was so much fun. The story was entertaining from start to finish and there definitely was a uniqueness to it. A charming story with fun, humor, romance and also a little vulnerability, which definitely brought a sense of realness to it.
Truly an enjoyable story!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.