This was a decent book I didn’t find myself hooked like I had hoped but I’d still recommend giving this a read!

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.

I liked this book a lot and was pleasantly surprised by it. I love Top Chef and am a foodie, so this book was up my alley. I liked courtship and thought it was realistic, even for a rom-com. I'm going to recommend this to my friends and local bookstore. Thank you for the copy!!

Good food, good people and Paris in the autumntime - c'est parfait! 💙🤍❤

Yes, Chef is an impressive debut novel by Waitlyn Andrews and after just watching the two seasons of The Bear it was fun to be back in the kitchen of a restaurant - this time in Paris, though, where Claire Richards and her colleagues are working hard for a Michelin star. Enter James Sullivan, a famous chef from the US, who has managed to get the star once before. Claire and James share a homecountry but couldn't be more different in every other way - little by little they begin to work better together, though, and become friends, which is exactly what Claire needs.

There were morning walks to the market, croissants and double espressos, strolling through the parks of Paris, visits to the wonderful Shakespeare and Company, making the perfect chocolate mousse, and sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine and a good book... The only fault with this book I can find is that it made me miss Paris terribly!

This was a cute rom com. I really enjoyed the Paris setting. It was a bit cheesy and featured quite a conservative relationship, which isn't really my vibe. I was rolling my eyes a lot in the last couple of chapters.

If you're looking for a wholesome read, with not much tension or controversy, then I think you'll love this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book to me in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I understand how much work and anxiety must go into writing a book, especially for a first-time author and the anxiety that follows publication . Having said this, the book did not cut it for me. Although there were many clichés in the romance, and that is acceptable in a romance novel like this one, what bothered me were the characters . I understood where Claire’s insecurities stem from, but sometimes her whining was mildly annoying.

I have no idea how a French restaurant kitchen operates, but based on the hours I spent watching Master Chef in some of its different avatars, I would assume there is a hierarchy. In which case, I thought it would be James Sullivan’s job to micromanage.

Overall, I liked the book in parts, because of particular passages like the depiction of Paris and the food were enjoyable and the story had a good pace. I would have liked the plot more if there had been a good reason to why Claire and James got off to a bad start.

I absolutely adored this debut! As a foodie and romance lover this book was a dream. It was the perfect beach side read. I did find the chapter endings to lack some natural flow, but that is a small critique

This book was so cute and easy to read! I particularly loved all of the food descriptions. I am not from a food background but as an outsider, it seemed like all of the conversations around changing recipes and what would and wouldn’t work were authentic. It always is a pet peeve of mine when authors write about something that they don’t know and you can tell. This was not the case with this book and I loved reading about how the different characters approached food in their own way.

This was a fade to black rom-com which I don’t typically love but I enjoyed the story so much that I didn’t mind.

The one thing that sticks out to me as off now that I’ve finished is that Gabe and Evie go on their date and Claire mentions that neither talk about it and then just nothing ever comes of that and it seems odd to even have it in the story at all? it almost felt like there was a scene that got edited out but they left the first half in the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Waitlyn Andrews for sending me this eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I loved the setting of this book! The restaurant scene was great and it was fun to get a glimpse into that life and career. The Paris setting was perfectly romantic and well-suited to the story. I enjoyed seeing the relationships unfold throughout the book but felt the end was a little rushed. Overall, a great read!

This was a very sweet romance novel with a fun connection to the culinary world. I absolutely loved the food definitions at the beginning of each chapter and the level of detail that was at times used to describe the food featured throughout the novel. The plot is simple and predictable, in a comforting way, like a warm croissant. Claire was a more than decent leading lady, although some of her "character flaws" are such repeated tropes that it felt a little stale. In contrast James was even less intriguing, with little to no backstory or driving force. A lot of the plot hinged on a level of privilege that Claire and James seem to enjoy with little concern for the reality of working in the high end culinary world, lending this to be a rom-com, missing some of the comedy elements that would have created another layer of depth to the novel, I enjoyed this as a break between a heavier thriller and before diving back into some fantasy. The romance in the book would be appropriate for older young adult readers and there is absolutely nothing graphic mentioned at all.

Sweet and optimistic. I appreciate that extra drama wasn’t shoehorned in just to make it follow the formula. The editing slipped a bit as the book went on, which was distracting, and the lack of sex a bit of a shock lol. But a very well-imagined family life for the characters and good writing made this an utterly pleasant journey around Paris and the culinary world.

Thanks to NetGalley for my copy!

Yes, Chef is a delightful, witty romantic comedy that will warm your heart and transport you to the romantic streets of Paris. The reader follows Claire Richards, a talented young chef who is determined to steer clear of romantic entanglements, societal pressures, and her own self-doubt. As she embarks on her professional journey in the city of love, her world takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with James Sullivan, the new head chef at her restaurant. James possesses all the qualities Claire finds unappealing in a man: arrogance, demanding nature, and undeniable attractiveness. However, as they collaborate in the kitchen, Claire gradually discovers that there is more to James than meets the eye. Beneath his striking exterior (of course) lies a kind-hearted, talented, and food-obsessed individual.

Andrews uses well-chosen details to bring the Parisian setting to life. The tantalizing food descriptions found throughout the book will leave you craving a trip to your nearest French restaurant, bistro, or boulangerie.

What sets Yes, Chef apart from many other romances is its refreshing absence of a predictable third act breakup. Instead, it offers a slow-burn love story that will have readers cheering for Claire and James with each passing chapter. The romance unfolds gradually and sweetly. (Closed door.)

In a nutshell, Yes, Chef is undeniably a feel-good read that effortlessly combines sweet romantic comedy, setting, and gastronomy. The "Happily Ever After" will leave you more than satisfied, but you may find yourself checking ticket prices to Paris and craving a croissant. And, for sure, it will have you adding Waitlyn Andrews to your must buy list.

DNF- I tried really hard to read this, but I just coudnt get in to it. I didn’t relate to the characters and the formatting was really strange online. Maybe this is resolved on a kindle? I did try to give it a chance though!

James has very easily become one of my favorite ever book boyfriends! The chemistry in this book was to-die-for, with a slow burn romance that never dragged or rushed ahead. I could so easily imagine this book becoming a gorgeous rom-com movie.
Especially loved how deeply passionate every character was, the way that the restaurant industry and food seems to be more than a hobby, but a soulmate connection.

A fun, light-hearted read which gives hope for true love even to the most cynical of us... Although outside my regular genres, this was a happy, fluffy romance like the romcoms of yore. Set on the beautiful backdrop of the Parisian food scene, it didn't demand too much from a reader and just let me go along for the ride. A nice, easy, summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Waitlyn Andrews for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As someone very interested in cooking and food, I was excited to read this (especially just after watching The Bear). Unfortunately, that's where the excitement ends. The novel reads like a teenager's fantasy, complete with the 'bad guy,' the 'evil mom,' and the gorgeous 'knight.'
It is implausible that Clarie, a culinary school graduate, and Michelin-star wannabe, wouldn't know what apples to use for a tart, was clueless about Jamie's intentions, or would spend more time worried about him than her career. The book's storyline is basically one cliche after another: the horrible ex, the blonde with him is his sister, the brooding jealous love interest, both families are successful, rich, and from the food industry, etc.
Finally, as a foodie, I was really hoping for something more sophisticated than apple butter and chocolate mousse. It did not appear as though much research at all went into Michelin stars or the type of food one would expect to find at such an establishment.

⚠️TW: panic attacks, mention of abuse, ⚠️

Thanks to NetGalley and Waitlyn Andrews on the ARC for Yes, Chef!



Forced proximity ✅ not only at work but apartments as well! They will learn to like each other whether they want to or not.

Family drama ✅ maybe not a favorite trope, but definitely one I understand and can relate to very well.

Slow burn ✅ waiting and waiting for them to acknowledge their feelings..

"Enemies" to friends to lovers ✅ I wouldn't necessarily say they were enemies at first, but definitely unfriendly for the most part.

He falls first ✅ kinda.. I mean, I think they kind of fell together, she has just been fighting and denying her feelings.

Workplace romance ✅ "don't have a messy breakup"

Closed-door romance ✅ it's not my cup of tea. I prefer all the smut and all the spice, give me literally ALL the details. But I'm sure there are many people who prefer it to fade to black.

HEA ✅ my favorite part of a rom-com, the happily ever after ❤️



💭 Overall thoughts:
My second book about culinary delights in the past month. As far as first books go, this one is cute. I really enjoyed the start of it, and the details she uses when describing the background. However, the ending of the story felt a bit rushed. I think they could have gotten together a bit sooner, or even had a time jump before what happens at the end. IDK, maybe I'm just weird. Also I would have enjoyed it more if it had dual perspectives so we could actually see James' side of things. I'm going to give it a 3.5/5 ⭐


👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 characters:
Claire: organized, self-aware in recognizing her fears of not doing something correct, introvert, low maintenance, jealous, a bit delusional denying her feelings, oh I just want to hug her after finally hearing what happened,

James: sounds attractive enough, he's already starting to care, caring in a way I don't think he wants to be, a smidge territorial, protective, respects boundaries, affectionate



⚠️ SPOILERS IN FORM OF MY PLAY-BY-PLAY THOUGHTS AND QUOTES ⚠️

Maybe Chef James has heard of Claire before?

Very interesting restaurant, having the chef also be the waiter to their tables..

He put a straw in someone's drink to try it? I'm hoping it was a different glass and not one that was going to the customers.. 🤢

Why is he singling Claire out by not trying any of her stuff? Again my thoughts are that he knows of her..

As someone who has epilepsy and has seizures randomly which causes other people to have to do things I am capable of doing, I feel for her when she passed out from cutting herself.

Was Claire in a car accident? Is that the cause behind her car aversion and her bum leg when she runs?

Her mom pisses me off. She meddles too much.

Fucking Henry. I bet her mom is partially to blame for him telling people they are still together.

James was only holding back because he assumed she was still with Henry...

Something about a man taking care of a sick woman pulls at the heart strings. I knew I was going to marry my husband when we took care of me when I was sick.

They have at home strep tests? That would be super convenient.

🤦🏼‍♀️ I always thought it was daggummit, I didn't know it was dadgummit..

Did Henry cheat on Claire with Rachel?

She better bring James to the wedding. Let him piss Henry off.

Is the petite blonde James is with his sister? Or is he on a date?

Ope, it's got to be his sister, she said "familiar blue eyes" which I'm taking as she has James' eyes.

Yesss!! Sister! And he told her that Claire was the best. I love it!!

I think he goes still at hearing Claire say she's not with Gabe for 2 reasons, 1. He's had it wrong because he assumed they were together and 2. She said she doesn't date guys from work.

Evie is trying to play matchmaker 😂

James is falling head over heels watching Claire interact with his sister.

I love how comforting James is with Claire, how calming he makes her.

James doesn't understand what a Charlie Brown Christmas tree is??? 😲

Things are about to get real while she spends the holidays with the Sullivans.

This book makes me hungry for gourmet food, which I don't believe I've ever had 😂

He. Called. Her. Baby.

He doesn't want her to wear makeup because it'll cover her freckles. Cute

First girl he's ever brought home ❤️

What's James' fascination with 3? He always squeezes her 3 times..

My heart broke when she told him the story of Henry and the accident.

Dating someone a month isn't too early to know you love them.. I knew I loved my husband BEFORE we were even officially dating.

He wants to build a restaurant with her 🥲

Girl is drinking!

I realized while reading this, I'm not a fan of the term baby. It's not attractive to hear someone say that.

Him squeezing her 3 times was always his way of saying "I love you"?

I'm going to be honest.. the romance moved so slow at the beginning I was enjoying it, BUT the ending seems so rushed. I don't love it.

My stepdad proposed to my mom with a 50¢ machine ring. It was sweet.

"I confirmed your dad would be in the hospital two more nights" ... There is no way to possibly know that. Any number of things could happen between now and then.



💬Quotes:
"You are a badass—if you don’t mind me saying—and what you do, you own. I’ve never met someone more capable.” - James

"I just want you and me to do what we’ve been doing. I don’t want to hide you." - James

"It's worth it. You're worth it." - James

*Review Note: Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy! Which from what I understand was not the completed polished version that was published. This review is based on the unpolished version.*

A cute romance set mainly in the City of Love. I loved meeting all the characters, and I wished at the end there would have been a bigger send off from one place to another. The book did have a very conversational tone and while I think it was still being edited, the acknowledgments hint that the story was written in 14 days. There are parts where that is very evident to me. I don’t mind closed door romance but at times the events were oversimplified and the narrator tended to repeat herself quite a bit.

Debut author Waitlyn Andrews knocked this one out of the kitchen! Yes, Chef is unmistakably a rom-com and a feel good page-turner. Goal oriented chefs Claire and James work at an up and coming restaurant in Paris, the City of Love and are looking for that coveted Michelin star but get gobsmacked by love despite their best efforts to avoid a relationship.

James and Claire are from successful, dynamic, yet totally opposite types of families which play significant roles in their lives. He comes from a loving, playful, supportive family of restaurateurs while her parents are work and society driven vineyard owners who try to manipulate her into marrying a jerk who is very much like her parents. You will meet their siblings (Melissa, Evie, and Lucy) and coworkers who contribute their own playful dynamics. Long story short, love prevails and you won't be disappointed.

Rumor has it that Waitlyn Andrews is already planning book two featuring Amelia Greene, Claire and Evie's favorite romance author.

4/5 stars
Thank You, Netgalley for the eARC of Yes, Chef by Waitlyn Andrews

I love the food aspect of this book and everything else about the book. I also enjoyed the main characters throughout the whole book.

Overall great debut novel