I had to DNF - Way too slow of a burn. I enjoyed the first 40%!

If you like French restaurants, grumpy x sunshine, and slow burns… Yes, Chef is for you! 🥐 🇫🇷

This had all the makings to be a really great book, but unfortunately it fell really…really…flat for me.

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

The premise starts off amazing. A chef, Claire, working at a restaurant in Paris. Said restaurant wants to earn a Michelin star and brings in a renowned head chef hottie James to help make it happen. But that’s where the plot ends. The entire thing felt wholly underdeveloped to me.

This was more a play by play of Claire’s daily life. It felt like reading a fan fiction or someone’s very detailed diary. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing because it was really easy to get into, and we learned a lot about the way the main character thinks and feels … but it lacked supporting character and plot development I wish we had to make cohesive story. There was so many random, dramatic things happening that felt so disconnected from everything else, was just thrown into the story to keep intrigue. and I never really got a pulse on James.

I wouldn’t classify this as a slow burn either. It’s more like nothing happens then there’s a whirlwind romance that makes no sense and honestly leaves me cringing. I enjoyed some of their time as a couple together and wished we had gotten to know them and their dynamic a bit more earlier on. The whole thing was riddled with cliches (in a non ironic way) and lacked proper progression. I found myself rolling my eyes for the entirety of the last 30% of this book.

I loved the little culinary definitions to start each chapter, but they ultimately felt out of place. They held no real significance within the chapters or stories so it seemed more gimmicky than intentional. And for both of them being Michelin level chefs, there’s not much emphasis on the food or their process for working on earning the star. I wish that had played a bigger role and was more integrated into their love story!

Ugh I wish I had more good things to say because this really was set up so well at the start, but unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me.

(I read an ARC of this book and I believe the author has made some updates that may not be reflected in this review)

As a huge fan of the show the bear I saw this title and immediately dug in.

While the food portion of this book shines the romance does not. I did not find that these two had great chemistry, they dance around each other a little too long and I found Claire getting upset with any female that she saw James interact with and call a bimbo got old and tiring. They were acting like teenagers instead of the mid twenties to early thirties ages they are written to be.

Overall the setting and food were the standouts while the pacing of the story felt off with a slow start and then with a fast paced jam packed ending. Unfortunately this didn’t click with me like I had hoped.

I loved this book! The romance book I didn't know I needed! Loved Claire and the French background of the book! Gave if The Bear was a romance novel and a perfect read for after watching that show.

This cute sizzling romcom follows Claire in her life as a chef in Paris, and her mission to help the restaurant earn their first Michelin Star. The tall and brooding Chef James Sullivan is introduced and practically ignores her, only giving negative feedback of her work. That is until a negative article about them gives them the ambition they needed to set off their relationship.

I really enjoyed the characters in this romance, they were quirky and fun. This book sort of has an enemies to lovers thing going on, and I was all here for it- but it felt more like two people who couldn't (or wouldn't) communicate than enemies. I admire Claire's journey and passion in cooking, and James is precisely the man to keep her motivation up.

The pace was definitely slower than I normally prefer with romances, but it fit the mood of the book in a way I can't quite explain. This was also a closed-door romance, so we got to see a bunch of cute moments after James was done with his grump fest.

I really liked the authors simple writing style, and plot development. The ending of the book felt a little rushed, it seemed like they were getting married after only a month of dating- what happened to taking it slow? It just seemed a little unnatural.

I would recommend reading this if you're in the mood for a closed-door, slow burn romance. Thank you to NetGalley and Waitlyn Andrews for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As soon as I saw this title, as a fan of the show "The Bear, I had to read this book. And this book did not disappoint! I'm obsessed with all of it and I cannot wait to see it in circulation at my library!

If you want to read this book because you watched and loved The Bear, don't. You will be disappointed. The food aspect of the book is good. The romance? Not so much.

Giving this three stars for a promising idea and a cute cover, and it started out okay, but then quickly turned me off. James was a complete @$$ for no discernible reason. If he'd been a jerk in a sexy way, I would have been on board with that. But these two had zero chemistry and Claire just seemed uncomfortable around him to the point that I couldn't stomach it anymore. I only got as far as 10% into the book before putting it down. It did not feel like the start of a romance I wanted to experience.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Yes, Chef by Waitlyn Andrews checked off all the boxes of my perfect rom-com read! Enemies to lovers? Check! Workplace romance? Check! Slow burn? Check! This book was well written and the characters are fantastically thought out! James and Claire make the perfect couple and have such a great relationship! This rom-com definitely wasn’t missing any com! I laughed out loud at multiple parts!! Great read and I can’t wait to read more by Waitlyn Andrews!

A perfect foodie debut romance. This was just so sweet!

Read if you like
-Slow burn
-closed door
-food
-forced proximity
-witty banter
-grumpy sunshine
-Paris
-all the warm and fuzzies

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

What a cute, fun book! There was romance and lots of food…what a perfect combination! I got all of the warm and fuzzies reading Yes, Chef, and I bet others will too!

Claire is still recovering from some drastic events which changed her life forever and made her decide to move to Paris for some time. While in Paris she si trying to find her path again and be part of a team trying to win the Michelin star in the restaurant where she works as sous chef. Things go well for Claire. She works hard but loves it, relaxes with a croissant and coffee, ... But then the restaurant gets a new Head chef. The American, tall well-build, blue eyes James Sullivan. As written in the story, too attractive for his own good. Claire promised herself to concentrate on her goal of winning that star, no work relations and keep things going how they have been since she arrived. That the new chef ignores her and behaves as cold to her as possible, makes it only easier for Claire.

After the start was a bit going slow but gave time to get to know Claire, her thoughts and about who she is, things picked up a little bit and you see more about who Claire is. She gets to know herself better and who she truly is, instead of what she has told she is. Midway through the story, the pace starts to change and all kind of feelings, dialogues and situations start to mix with eachother. At that point I was completely hooked and if I had read the physical book, I would have probably turned page after page. This is why I still prefer a physical book instead of any ebook. But I do thank Netgalley to let me giggle like a teenager in the safe surroundings of my balcony and enjoy the drama, smiles, discoveries and beauty of Claire and James's story.

Paris, food and romance - sounds like the best recipe for a sweet rom-com, right?

Unless there is something missing. The idea of the book is what brought me in, however it didn’t spark for me. The first half of the book was a bit slow and then when the relationship started, it felt just rushed.

This wasn’t a bad book, just not enough to keep me on my toes to want to read it and giggle and swoon.

It was just… okay.

Did I pick this book up because I finished ‘The Bear’ season 2. Absolutely. James Sullivan seems so much like Carmy from the show, especially in the beginning which really enhanced my enjoyment of the book. I loved the slow burn of it all, even though it did seem to rush at the end. James is definitely one of my favourite love interests because of the fact that he’s so supportive of Claire and her boundaries.This book could have done with another round of proof reading as there were many grammatical and spelling errors.

What a fun book to read!

An easy, fast rom-com set in Paris - two chefs are trying to earn the Michelin star for their restaurant and butt heads along the way, in the beginning. The characters are easy to love, fun, and witty.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Yes Chef

So. Cute!

So you know when you want an Emily in Paris style, spot on running inner monologue messing with your head, quiet MMC romance with a swoon backdrop, that, you know, also has cooking?

Those are times when you need a book like this.

Was it predictable? Yeah, but was the ride cute (the more important question)??? YUP.

It’s an office romance that takes place in the kitchen, and I’m here for it!

Thank you netgalley for giving the opportunity to review this book!

If you love food and hallmark romcoms this book is for you! The beginning of this book was definitely slower than I normally like. The entire book itself is VERRRYYY wordy, which is why my review is only 3 stars.
My love for James is VERY strong. Such a sweet, dependable man 💗

I LOVE a good chef romance. Ahhhh, this book was the "chef's kiss" to a fun, but serious at times, story about focused Chef Claire who has to contend with the seemingly displeasing Chef James at a restaurant.

Claire deals with so many issues in her life - her past relationship, her family, her family's business, her own dreams, the food that is UHMAZING. But it all goes out the window when Chef James is forced to work with her.

This is the perfect romance for anybody who has a day to kill because you will not want to put it down.

I loved the food talk. It was so descriptive and it felt like I was watching a movie.

My only complaint is James became too perfect once he and Claire got together. We needed more conflict between them and he was a tad bit suffocating. But, I loved the he fell first trope.

Thank you NetGalley and Waitlyn Andrews for an e-copy of YES, CHEF to review.

I rate YES, CHEF four out of five stars.

I used to think I had a type until I read this book. My type used to obviously be dark, brooding, troubled bad-boy turned decent boyfriend. But then I read this book, and I realized I've had it all wrong for so many years and I should be into the sweet, good guy with a personality. (I don't want to ruin or spoil it so that's all I'll say about it).

The premise: Claire, a new chef with a famous family in the food sector flees from something in her past to an up-and-coming restaurant in Paris to attempt to make a name for herself and help them get a Michelin star. It all might come crashing down when she meets the new head chef, James Sullivan, resident hottie & culinary genius. TW: there's some talk of manipulation, psychological abuse and troubled family dynamics.

- I LOVED this book, which is very surprising because it's the total opposite of the kinds of books or more accurately, the characters in the books I read: there's usually a bad boy, who meets a nice girl, they end up having a torrid love affair, then something breaks them apart in the third act and then they end up back together in the end when sense is knocked into them. This book was everything but and I loved it all the same.
- I related to a lot of issues Claire had with her family & her ex, some descriptions hit close to home.
- I looooooooved James' relationship with his sisters and Evie especially is a hoot!!!
- This novel made me swoon and realize I was expecting way too little from men, and there's truly something to say about kindness and finding your way.

Easy read, very interesting tidbits in there about food, dishes, and having lived in Paris for many years, I could see the descriptions as very accurate. 10/10 would recommend & it'll definitely leave you giddy and feeling all the feels with tears in your eyes.

Note: I received an ARC for an honest unbiased review.

This was the first restaurant workplace romance I read and I enjoyed it. As someone who has worked in restaurants, I loved all the details included and it felt real to me. Claire and James have the best build up to their friendship that leads to romance they both deeply wanted. I loved how attentive James was towards Claire. Falling in love in Paris while working together towards their Michelin star. There was no spice in the book but I didn't mind because of all the thoughtful swoon worthy moments in it.