What a sweet graphic novel! I loved the characters. Found family is one of my favorite tropes and this was so well done. Highly recommend!

Oh this was so wholesome and sweet. I enjoyed this story. By the end of this story, I found myself so invested in these characters and actively rooting for good things to happen to them.

Very cute story! Ben was so sweet and I loved how quirky all of his friends were. I thought Ben's story was very relatable, that sometimes as we grow up our dreams and direction in life can change and that's perfectly fine!

Incredibly cute art style with an equally cute story! I very much am a fan of lgbtq baking/cooking stories and this one did not disappoint!

Welcome Back!

I am beyond excited to talk about today’s read. I have been meaning to read Chef’s Kiss for a long time now and I am so glad I finally did (I also purchased a copy after reading this because it was absolutely adorable and I loved it so much). So without further ado, let’s talk about Chef’s Kiss (and please please please go out and read this book it deserves all the hype).

SPOILERS AHEAD
Ben just graduated college with his undergrad degree and has moved into a new apartment with three college friends who have all also just graduated. One of them is moving on to grad school, another has a job already in tech, and the third friend has a job as well as yoga outside of work. Ben does not have any plans currently on the horizon aside from reading and applying to various jobs in a writing-related industry. However, after several interviews and rejections Ben is running low on money (he is constantly being rejected for lack of experience in a professional setting). Now Ben has to find a job, any job it does not even have to be his passion so he can keep his apartment and continue to apply for the job he wants. On his way home from a terrible interview, Ben runs into a help-wanted sign at a restaurant. He is given a cooking test (that has a very untraditional judge) and lands himself a three-week trial that if he can make it through will get him the job. During those three weeks, Ben stops applying for jobs in writing, hides his new job from his parents, and starts to fall in love with cooking which is rather unexpected. But what happens when Ben has to pick a path. Will he follow this new one or go back to writing?

I absolutely loved every second of this graphic novel. I have already re-read my physical copy just to experience it all again. I loved watching Ben discover a passion that he turned into a job and realizing he does not have to do what his parents decide his life should be. On top of the amazing story and characters, the illustrations were absolutely gorgeous. I highly highly recommend picking up this graphic novel!

Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars (Deserves so many more).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for arc.

Cooking and a magic pig what more could you ask for? This is an adorable story and would recommend to anyone

Absolutely adorable story about finding your passion and pursuing your interests! LGBTQIA+ representation, cooking and a magic pig!

An adorable graphic novel. The chemistry between the two characters was sweet. I also enjoyed the friend group, both at his home and at the restaurant's kitchen. The art was beautiful. It also made me really hungry.

If you're craving a graphic novel that serves up a delightful blend of romance, humor, and a sprinkle of sass, then "Chef's Kiss" by Jarrett Melendez is the perfect dish for you. I devoured this sweet and engaging story, and let me tell you, it left me with a satisfied smile.

The plot revolves around Ben Cook, an English graduate navigating the post-college job hunt with all the grace of a culinary novice in a high-stakes kitchen. The synopsis promises a journey filled with spice, and Melendez delivers. Ben's quest for the perfect job takes unexpected turns when he stumbles upon a restaurant with a "Now Hiring—No Experience Necessary" sign. Little did he know that this decision would stir up a recipe of challenges, culinary tests, and a side dish of self-discovery.

The characters in "Chef's Kiss" are as diverse and flavorful as the dishes being cooked up in the restaurant. Ben, our lovable protagonist, is not just navigating the world of cooking but also finding his way through the maze of emotions, friendships, and a super dreamy chef named Liam. The dynamics between the characters are both heartwarming and relatable, making you feel like you're part of their kitchen escapades.

Now, let's talk about the illustrations. The art style in this graphic novel is a feast for the eyes. The super sweet illustrations bring the story to life, capturing the essence of each character and the delicious dishes they create. The visuals add an extra layer of charm to the narrative, making it a joy to flip through the pages.

The romance in "Chef's Kiss" is not just sweet; it's downright delightful. Ben's crush on Liam adds a layer of warmth and humor to the story, and the LGBTQ+ representation is handled with care and authenticity. The author manages to balance the sweet and sassy moments, creating a perfect blend that keeps you hooked from beginning to end.

While I enjoyed every bite of "Chef's Kiss," I'm awarding it four stars. Why not five? Well, there were moments when I craved a bit more depth in certain character arcs and a tad more exploration of the culinary world. Nevertheless, it's a minor 'issue' in a book that left me with a happy heart and a craving for more graphic novels like this.

"Chef's Kiss" is a treat for the senses—a heartwarming, visually stunning journey through the world of cooking, self-discovery, and sweet romance.

This was super super cute! I loved the dynamics between the central friend group and the journey our main character goes on at work. The art style was simple and portrayed the characters' emotions well. I absolutely recommend this to anyone that enjoys a cute, lighthearted graphic novel romcom!!

This was such a fun read! The characters are so quirky and the story is so sweet. I loved the references to other books and the illustrations are really cute. I do think that the story could use some development.

Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

Chef's kiss was a really fun and sweet read with lovely characters. The story was enjoyable enough and it was a good time to read.

Enjoy very much. Found it fun and light hearted. Really enjoyed the characters, plot, and illustrations

This is fine. It's kinda weird, with some forced-feeling zaniness that hogs the stage. There's a sweet New Adult story about disappointing your parents, finding yourself, friends and roommates, and taking a chance on romance, but the silliness gets in the way. I enjoyed the illustration style. Suggest to readers of [book:Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey|37534577] and [book:Himawari House|55780534].

I didn't get to the NetGalley eARC in time, so grabbed the print from my library.

This comic is just TOO cute. This is a sweet new adult queer romance about Ben, who had just graduated with his (writing of some sort, idk) degree and is attempting to find paying work in his field. Somehow he winds up applying to be a cook at the absolute WEIRDEST restaurant you've ever experienced. I love the wacky hijinks in this comic. Ben is an absolute cinnamon roll, and I adore his friends (who are all various levels of quirky in their own ways) and his potential new co-workers (again, all super quirky in their own ways...) The sheer number of weird individuals in this story had me wishing I could teleport into it and hang out with them all (not to mention eat all that tasty food!)

The artwork was gorgeous and so appealing, it sucked me in with its warm feelings. The story was adorable and had me biting my fist and kicking my feet. I have added this title to my school’s physical library.

I loved the rep in this story! The illustrations were just adorable. I will share this with my audience.

I loved the artwork! Truly beautiful. The formatting was a bit difficult to get, but once I got the flow it was super easy to get into. The characters were lovely, but the main chef. He was a little toxic. My favorite moments of the book is when Ben would blush! It was so cute!

I'm going to be honest. I love graphic novels but this one wasn't for me. I wasn't a fan of the artwork and I found the story hard to get into. The story itself is not at fault, but I think this was very much just a "not for me" kind of novel.

this is a really cute graphic novel. I did have a little trouble, figuring out which bubbles came next but it was a very good story. I’ve been very into graphic novels lately and I can’t wait to see if this author comes out with more.