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!

Such a sweet, satisfying summer romance! I found myself smiling and gleefully rooting for Claire and James throughout the entire book. It felt like a comfort read and a big adventure at the same time. This is one of the rare books that really makes you feel like you are in the setting with the characters, following them throughout their day, and doing what they do. I loved journeying with Claire and James through Paris, and watching the slow-burn, delicious pining blossom into love! The descriptions of and attention paid to food and its role in the love story were also fun to read. James is the most caring, protective, and supportive hero, and it was so wonderful to read Claire’s journey of realizing who she was and what she wanted, walking away from the parts of her life that brought her down, and just going for it. I literally could not put this book down, and can’t wait to read more from Waitlyn Andrews.

This was lovely, just a sweet healing romance. Reminded me of kdramas that are just very calm, drama but not DRAMA. the micro tropes in this one were so well written.

However at certain places I felt like some stuff was abrupt or not panned out well. The ending was not very satisfactory because the big issue that was hinted at the entire time wasn’t dealt with very well.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC.

Yes Chef

I loved this book! I have to start with my love of food and romance so this combined in a story is a huge plus for me! I loved Claire. She was an amazing chef but unfortunately had struggled at times as well. Claire goes to Paris to work as part of a team and hopefully find huge success. Now enters James! He was great as well. He of course starts off rude and cold but once him and Claire get to know each other things change.
James and Claire have this great romantic chemistry. I just loved it. Add in cooking and food and it is a win win.
Waitlyn Andrews does a wonderful job building the characters, setting the scene, and creating the romance.

This was a great book! I really love the character development and any book that includes cooking. I will be reading more from Andrews in the future!

LISTEN! I have never devoured a book so fast!! The world building and story just sucks you right in. James is the personification of BOOK boyfriend. We all deserve a James, and the fact he respects boundaries -- A++++++!! Although the book had no spice, the slow burn definitely had my heart racing and this book had me smiling the whole time too.

Claire is an amazing chef who has gone through a few traumatic events. Yet, she is so strong and has so much empathy. She goes to Paris to realize her dream of being on a team that gets their first Michelin star. Now, I’m no expert, but I’ve seen some Hell’s Kitchen in my days (more like binge) to know those are so hard to acquire and even harder to maintain. She is focusing on herself, and her cooking career as best as she can. However, she then meets James Sullivan. He comes from two famous chefs already established in the restaurant world and followed in their footsteps. James was recruited to help the restaurant Teaks gain its first Michelin star. He presents himself as a stoic and cold person. But besties, I think we’ve read enough to know the boy fell first and really hard. Claire is blissfully unaware and just the subtle gestures James does makes it even sweeter. As time goes on, James learns of the past Claire is trying to heal from and he is so patient with her. They bond over their love of food and reading and over time CLAIRE FINALLY lets the man appreciate her and love her! I just would’ve loved James' POV. So envious of Claire having croissants almost every morning and enjoying her book to pass the time. I can’t give too much away, but if you like more of a slow burn and no spice, this is perfect for you.

I loved this book! What an amazing writer Waitlyn Andrews is. It's hard to believe it's a debut book. I will definitely be following this author. This is one of the best love stories I've read in a long time! So sweet and pure. Great characters and a wonderful story. You must read this, you will love Claire and James. I recommend this book to all. Thank you NetGalley, and author Waitlyn Andrews for this eARC this is my honest personal opinion, I enjoyed this book and hated for it to end. It's one of those books you start slowing down your reading to make it last longer!

“Yes, Chef” is a debut rom-com by Waitlyn Andrews. Here’s what I liked about the book - it’s a sweet story. The main character, Claire, is a reader and enjoys romance books - but admits that she doesn’t like third act break-ups … and this book doesn’t have the stereotypical 70-75% into the book there’s something that will potentially separate the couple (thank you Ms. Andrews!). Both characters are adults and, surprisingly, act that way. The main characters actually - gasp - get to know each other before starting a relationship. Plus - a rom-com based around cooking - sure, why not? What I wasn’t so thrilled about was how some characters (mainly background ones) were introduced without an explanation for why the person was an issue (for instance, Rachel). Also, while the reader is told multiple times that Claire is an introvert, I don’t know of any introverts after two hours who would consider a couple their friend [acquaintance, sure - but friend?]. Also the term OCD is used a lot in this book but I think OCD means “particular about things being exact” (one may have OCD tendencies but I’m not sure the character had compulsive repetitive tendencies). If you want a cute rom-com with two adult characters without steamy stuff taking place in a restaurant in Paris, France - this may be one you’d enjoy curling up with. I can see this being a cute Hallmark movie one day.

A quick thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Yes, Chef was a food-centered romcom following Claire Richards. Following a devastating break up, Claire has picked up and moved halfway across the globe. She has finally settled in, working at one of the top restaurants in the area, when a new head chef turns her world upside down.

The tall, totally handsome James Sullivan comes across as cold and hyper-critical, but in actuality he has no idea how to act around Claire. Who doesn't love a "these two are totally in love but completely oblivious" trope? The reader gets to see that relationship, albeit slowly, develop in a beautiful slow burn.

I wanted to love this. I really wanted to, but it just wasn't it for me. Firstly, I think this was a tad too long. I felt like this could easily be condensed a bit without losing the slow burn element. Next, the aforementioned slow burn was done really well up until the pet names started. I knew the shift was coming, but I felt like it could've better presented had it happened during a different moment (namely, the panic attack). Lastly, for this being as long as it was, the end felt so rushed. Also, there is no spice. That is not a criticism, but a fact that I did want to mention for anyone out there who needs that element in their romance novels.

That all being said, this was a very cute, romantic comedy for the foodie(s) in your life!

Way too many f-bombs. Not worth my time at all and I do not recommend. It's sad when something the could have been good is ruined by vulgarity.

Perfect blend of foodie heaven, Paris, and romance!

If you’ve ever wanted to experience ‘behind the scenes’ in a restaurant kitchen, this is the book for you.

In this food-focused romcom, Andrews made it easy for me to become part of the team as they focused on their goal of obtaining a Michelin star. I was instantly wrapped up in the intricate relationships that exist within the restaurant and privy to the reality of working behind the scenes in the service industry. I discovered the stress of shopping daily for the menu of the day and the camaraderie that blossomed between the staff and the suppliers. I learned new terms and my inner foodie was excited. I liked the experience of juggling living abroad, with parental expectations, working towards a career goal and indulging in romance. The chapter titles were a nice touch and kept me focused with each chapter.

This closed-door culinary fiction was the perfect distraction this week. I’d eagerly read another of this author’s books.

I was gifted this copy by Waitlyn Andrews and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

If you 💕 an adorable dedication 〰 an excellent debut 〰 learning new cooking terminology 〰workplace romances 〰 forced proximity〰 happily ever afters 〰 a slow burn 〰 closed door romances 〰 Emily in Paris vibes then ➡️ check this book out!

Yes, Chef is the definition of a feel-good warm and fuzzy rom com. I enjoyed the Paris setting and the witty banter between the two main characters. Look up the recipe for a perfect book boyfriend and you will find James Sullivan 👨‍🍳💋. I loved the progression of James & Claire’s relationship except towards the end where it felt a little rushed to me (but that may have been because I wasn’t ready for their story to end). Overall, I thought this was a light and fun rom com that was well-written and a fanatic debut. I can’t wait to read more by this author!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Yes,Chef will be available on August 3rd.

Oh my god, this is the perfect comfort read! I absolutely adored this book. It is well-written and I love how it is mainly set in Paris in the world of gastronomy. Spending the mornings in a café, having a usual, the daily market trips and the ease and comfort of how Claire and James spent their time together really did it to me. I liked Claire so much, being passionate and laid-back despite her background. James is ultimate book boyfriend material, so caring and attentive. I loved how their at-first resentment grew into friendship then deep love. And the food content...it was well-detailed and literally made me drool.
Thank you Waitlyn for bringing back the feeling of 90s romcoms in a book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the book.

This was not for me. I loved the idea of two chefs in Paris, neighbours above a café.

Instead this took a strange turn. I felt this went a "not like other girls" route (constantly talking about being different by not wearing make up, girls being "slutty" and "bimbos" because they're wearing heels and dresses) and it's just so exhausting to always read these same narratives.

I'm not entirely sure why James was so standoffish with Claire at the beginning and it's never fully explained. I didnt really connect with any of the characters.

3.5 Stars
I'd like to start of saying this book was exactly what I was in the mood for. A very light, easy read. I can confirm it does feel like a 90s/early 2000s romcom. I was leaning towards 4 stars most of the book, hence my rating.
Other things to note, this book as a Grumpy/Sunshine feeling, and is fade to black.

There were a lot of things I liked about this book, and a few bigger things that irked me.
I loved the culinary definitions at the beginning of every chapter, I thought it was a very nice touch for a book whose main characters are chefs.
The voice of the author was (for the most part) digestible, so I was able to read through pretty easily, just getting absorbed by the book. That being said, there were a couple things that pulled me out of the story. The first, and biggest one, is the author's use of OCD. It's used in the same way that many people who are Type A might use it to describe their organized/particular tendencies. I find it inappropriate, as it's the incorrect use of a medical condition. It was very frustrating every time the MMC had a tendency described as OCD, because it does not fit the definition of OCD.
I hated how rushed the last 5 or so chapters felt. <spoiler> I don't know what it was about the shift in language of dialogue used in the last few chapters, but it made me cringe a little more than I would like. I normally like the cute fluffy conversations between the MCs, but I did not enjoy it this time. I also thought them getting married at the end of the book was completely unnecessary and honestly, I would've been a lot happier if it was included as a blurb in the epilogue. I fully support the HEA, I just didn't think using two chapters to rush a wedding for characters who have been dating less than a year was necessary. </spoiler>
This is not something I would recommend for everyone, but if you like romcoms or Emily in Paris, you might enjoy this book.

Really liked this one! Great chemistry. The rivals-to-lovers was really fun. Great setting. I've been binging the bear on Hulu, so this was a fun, light-hearted continuation. Very enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I freakin' LOVED this book. I devoured it. I read this so fast it's not even funny.

I really liked the fmc. I didn't find her annoying, which is always a plus, and I like that she was confident in herself and her abilities as a chef.

I FREAKING LOVED the fmc, James.
"Is he trying to make me fall in love with him? Because he’s one more crepe and book adventure away from it, and he doesn't even know it."

I'll be honest, I still don't understand why he didn't like her initially, BUT their banter was fun; seeing them slowly start to trust and like each other (as friends) was super enjoyable. I loved seeing all the tiny gestures he would do for her.

“So, you want to keep me?” “Are you kidding? I’ve wanted nothing more. I want you so badly I’d eat the terrible cruise food for the rest of my life if it meant you’d be sitting next to me.”

Both of them together we actually so cute. like I loved their relationship and that it wasn't insta-love.
AND here's the best part (I could totally be wrong, or it wasn't big enough to notice), BUT THERE WAS NO THIRD ACT BREAK-UP? As far as I remember, there wasn't one, and I LOVED that.
Even the cooking parts of this book was super fun to just read about.

I really, really enjoyed this book; I definitely think you should read this.

This book was adorably sweet! It was the perfect mix of romance and comedy. I even laughed out loud a couple of times which always endears me to a book. The book being set in Paris was just the cherry on top of this slow burn romance.

This was funny, lively, and swoony! I absolutely love chef/foodie/cooking romances and this delivered. There were undeniable sparks and I loved our main characters. The storyline was fantastic as well. This also made me super hungry!

I loved this. I lost a few hours and a meal without even realizing it. Fun story and characters, with good dialogue and a sweet romance.