I’m shocked I haven’t heard more about this book! It was adorable and the writing brought me to Paris😍

Claire is experiencing anxiety and trauma from an event in her past as well as a bad break up. She decides to start fresh by putting her culinary skills to work in Paris at a restaurant that’s aiming for a Michelin star. While there, she meets the well-known chef, James Sullivan.

Picture this book as if it were the award-winning TV show 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘳 in an enemies to lovers romance book. Also, don’t let the cover and the Gordon Ramsey vibes (to quote a friend lol) steer you wrong-this is a beautiful and sweet love story. I also ate up (get it?) the beginning of each chapter because it opens with a cooking technique definition or a special dish description.

Read this if if you like love stories that include:
👩‍🍳 Grumpy vs Sunshine
👩‍🍳Forced proximity (he’s her boss & neighbor)
👩‍🍳Slow burn
👩‍🍳Enemies turned friends turned lovers
👩‍🍳She gets sick and he takes care of her
👩‍🍳Anxiety rep
👩‍🍳Paris
👩‍🍳Closed-door romance
👩‍🍳Very brief and limited use of the miscommunication trope

Yes, Chef is out today, go get your copy😍

3.75 stars! This book is a fun mix of cutesy romance, restaurant setting, and Paris. As a foodie, I loved this aspect of the book. And as far as romance goes, who doesn’t love a cute-make-you-smile-feel-good story?! There is no spice in this, which I think some people will enjoy and others will miss. It just depends what kind of reader you are. I am both types & it was a nice change of pace. There were also a few chapters of the book spread across the Holiday season & there was something extra warm & fuzzy about that.

All in all, I think this was a good debut novel and I’d absolutely read more by this author in the future. Thank you NetGalley & Waitlyn for the advanced copy!

📚 YES CHEF by WAITLYN ANDREWS 📚

Publish date: August 3, 2023

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4)
Spice: 🌶 (1)
Format read: 📱(ebook - ARC)
Days read: 🗓🗓 (2)
Distracted radishes: 😴😴 (2)

TW: car wreck, emotional abuse, difficulty family dynamics

Yes, Chef is a sweet story about love and culinary excellence. Claire, a chef whose family is determined to get her back with her ex, and James, an award-winning cinnamon roll of a chef, cook amazing dishes together and struggle to dynamic the romantic tension building between them.

The banter between these two is nearly as mouth-watering as the descriptions of the food they prepare together. I needed a fun, lighthearted story about food apparently because I gobbled this up. Set in Paris, the romantic vibes were off the chart. I could've read 200+ more pages about the romantic Paris adventures they go on together.

I was so ready for the spice to kick it up a notch the whole time, but I respect that the author chose to keep it PG. I also wanted more from James' perspective the entire time. We saw his character development through Claire's eyes but I wanted to hear him fall in love via his own inner monologue.

Waitlyn Andrews, what a debut! I sincerely hope that books featuring chefs, food, etc are your specialty because I could read that micro-genre to no end, turns out!! Italy next, please??

Happy Pub Day to Yes, Chef by Waitlyn Andrews.

To escape her past, Claire moves to Paris in hopes of helping the restaurant she now works at receive its first Michelin star.  James is somewhat of a well-known chef with experience in getting that coveted star, so it is no surprise when he is brought in to help as well.  Though for some unknown reason, he isn’t a big fan of Claire or her love of improvising the night’s recipes.  Or at least that’s what Claire thinks.  But it’s okay, as she has sworn off workplace romances, so the fact that the handsome new head chef is not a fan of hers, is all for the better.  Either way, these two will have to find a way to work together if they have any chance of getting that star.  But maybe even more is in store for these two??

I love to cook and bake so of course I loved the insider’s look at the inner workings of a kitchen and hearing about all the recipes they were coming up with.  I loved the concept of a new menu every night so there were always new things to try and explore and create.  And I loved the market shopping trips and Theo the cheese vendor and how he always enabled Claire’s improvising.  And James was sweet and didn’t push and only wanted what was best for Claire.

While I felt the ending was pretty rushed, this slow burn romance with NO THIRD ACT BREAK-UP was ‘chef’s kiss’.  Excited to see what comes next from this debut author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Waitlyn Andrews for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

If this book had hands, I'd squeeze them three times! IYKYK!

I absolutely loved this book! It sucked me in from Chapter 1. I carried my kindle with me everywhere while reading this so if I had 2 minutes of downtime, I could read some more. It's so sweet and made me so giddy with the anticipation and excitement of Claire & James relationship and hoping they would get the Michelin star. It's a completely different story, but it had me thinking of the movie "Simply Irresistible" with Sarah Michelle Gellar (back in like 1999) and longing for a rom com like this again!

The story is about Claire, who moves to Paris to escape her past and get a clean start away from her ex and her overbearing family. She's a chef who loves to add her own spice to her recipes and is hoping that her hard work and focus will win her a Michelin star while she is abroad. She has all intentions of staying focused on the restaurant, Teaks, and is 100% not looking for love.

James comes from a wealthy family of famous chefs. He already has a Michelin star under his belt and moves to Paris to help Teaks try to win one as well. James had no idea he would be working alongside the woman of his dreams. He's kind of a stickler for not getting involved with anyone at work, so he does his best to not let Claire realize his feelings and gives the wrong impression to Claire at first. He seems to be critiquing her work more than the other chefs at the restaurant.

Seeing them slowly start to trust each other and become friends was a joy. I loved the small gestures that James would do for Claire. I think he was such a sweet guy. I loved how Claire became independent and confident in herself and how she stuck to her values the entire time. This was such a sweet and satisfying romance!

It was a comfort read and also made me so HUNGRY with all the food descriptions, the insane amounts of cheese - anyone who knows me, knows my love for cheese, and this book had my mouth watering! I loved the top of each chapter that explained different types of foods or cooking techniques - this was a fun addition and I loved how it led into what the chapter would revolve around.

I also loved the dynamics in the restaurant. I enjoyed the setting of the restaurant itself with the guests being able to look on at the Chefs as they cooked. I loved the romantic setting in Paris, and their walks to the market every morning, the daily routines, and the romanticizing of mundane things.

This was an easy-going, delicious book and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a palate cleanser that will just make you feel completely full in your heart.

This was a quick, adorable read!

I needed a palate cleanser from some of the thicker books I've been reading lately and this was perfect. I will say I was expecting more of the "enemies to lovers" trope and feel this hit more of a "slow burn" category.

Definitely excited to see what else Waitlyn Andrews publishes in the future as I enjoyed the writing style.

Yes, Chef is the book I needed!! I would have binged the entire thing if I had the time.
Claire Richards is spending her time doing what she loves as a chef in Paris, before inevitably returning to take over the reins in the family business. She’s thriving and healing from her past.
Then Chef James Sullivan comes in as her new boss who pretty much ignores her unless it’s criticism of her work. But Claire can’t help her growing attraction to him, despite how bad of an idea getting involved would be.
The slow burn romance was done better than I’ve seen before. The way that Claire evolves through the story is delightful. The care that James takes with her feelings as she heals from the past is the sweetest thing. You’re rooting for them from the very beginning.
I loved the setting of Paris and how Andrews was able to make you imagine you were there too!
I couldn’t believe that Yes, Chef is Waitlyn Andrews’ first book! It’s incredibly well written and such a clean rom com that was done with the utmost taste!!
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my review

Yes, Chef: A Delectable Debut Romance Novel! 🇫🇷🍽️ 📚

This romantic novel managed to capture my heart in a way that few others have. Claire, a talented and bookish young woman, stole my heart from the very beginning. From savoring espressos and croissants to owning an apartment with a charming balcony, she lives a life that many would envy. What I admired most about her was the unwavering commitment to her principles and the determination to forge her own path, despite familial expectations. She teaches us the importance of following our passions and dreams unapologetically. Her journey to self-discovery and empowerment is a poignant reminder that we all have the strength to break free from unhealthy relationships and embrace a life that aligns with our true selves.

Whereas, the male lead was an absolute delight and the epitome of a book boyfriend. His love for reading, particularly thrillers, instantly struck a chord with my book-loving heart. His patience and unwavering support for the main character emphasized the beautiful notion that "someone being patient with you is one of the softest forms of love." His genuine care and understanding melted my heart, making their romance all the more captivating and relatable.

The slow-burn romance between the two main characters was exquisitely written, allowing readers to savor every moment of their blossoming connection. It was refreshing to witness a relationship built on trust, respect, and genuine understanding. The absence of miscommunication and cheating tropes was a breath of fresh air, showcasing a healthy and realistic depiction of love.

if you enjoy stories about pursuing dreams in a dreamy setting like Paris, with a relatable and likable female lead who inspires you, and a patient and book-loving male character, this book is definitely worth a read.

Wanted to love this one, but ended up only liking it. The plot moved incredibly slow, then incredibly fast. Really cute concept, but could have been better executed.

Set in Paris, in a nice restaurant, Claire's life is looking pretty good. That is until an attractive American invades her space and starts critiquing her work.

I enjoyed the setting and how each chapter started with food descriptions, it kept me very tied to the setting of the book. As this is a slow burn lovers dream, it was hard for me to stay fully invested in the romance. Despite the slow burn, I really appreciated how the author developed the characters and who well rounded their growth was.

Whether you're a fan of romance novels or just seeking a poignant and beautifully crafted story, this is a must-read that will leave you with a warm and hopeful feeling, even after the final page has been turned.

Absolutely OBSESSED with this book. Something about it gave me all the warm and fuzzies while still have complex characters and like real world issues.

As I was reading, I did write out some of my loves and loathes:
- For the most part this was such a fun book to read, I loved the world of an up and coming Parisian restaurant Waitlyn brought us into. I think everything involving food and prep and the kitchen dynamics created a fun and unique read because I spend literally no time in the kitchen lol.
- I did find there were some pacing issues for sure. Certain time jumps, and I guess the quickness of Claire and James relationship for one. Sometimes the when you know, you know trope is a little hard for me to swallow.
- I did notice there were people and subplots introduced and then were left hanging or did not have a good flow or resolution.
- Additionally there were some grammar issues in the second half of the book which I hope are corrected before publication.
- LASTLY, the usage of “OCD” is thrown around quite lackadaisically to describe James’ particularities and idiosyncrasies. It seems to me poor form to keep referring to that actual disorder for a guy who is just a little picky about travel and his chef's table. I didn't really find the humor in those moments in the book -- they seemed to stick out like a sore thumb for me.

But other than those issues about he was an easy 4 stars because I couldn't put it down, I loved that it was in Europe specifically France, and I loved all the usage of food and culinary themes that kept the book together❤️

What a perfect summer read. I wish I had not read the book so quickly because when it was over, I wanted more. I connected to the characters so quickly and love the setting of a kitchen in France, and all of the wonderful places that they get to go maybe want to go as well. Well done!

Claire Richards has sworn off relationships after her last one ended badly, and she's off to Paris to live her culinary dreams. Until Chef James Sullivan waltzes into her space and criticizes everything she does.

This was a yummy food-focused romcom. I always love when romances are based on food! I wouldn't call this an enemies-to-lovers really, but I enjoyed the wordplay and energy between Claire and James. I really enjoyed the French foodie vibe. The romance was fine, but wasn't spectacular for me. Nice beach read if you like fun romcoms or the French food scene!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Yes, please! What happens when you put two brooding chefs together in the city of croissants? Magic. There is something so alluring about a good chef/culinary story. The fast paced kitchen, plus the descriptions of delicious foods and the egos of the chefs equals just the perfect book for me. I really enjoyed the balance of cooking, family baggage and romance. The love story developed slowly, but naturally and the MC’s internal conflict felt realistic and not too heavy. Overall, a really cute, quick read!

My only nitpicks would be the ending, which I felt was rushed. There is a very very late trauma that I think was unnecessary, followed by something that could have been an epilogue. And the actual epilogue really was pure cherry on top. I like an HEA, but I don’t love it to be overly done. 3.75 ⭐️

Thank you so much NetGalley, and to the publisher for this ARC, in exchange for my unbiased review.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me.
I really didn’t like the main character Claire - the way she CONSTANTLY judged and talked bad about anyone in James’ vicinity got on my nerves so bad. I also felt like these two had zero chemistry and the timing of their relationship was so awkward, which the pacing of the book didn’t help with at all. I just was not interested in anything that was happening. I did like the food descriptions and having this set in the food world was a fun idea but the execution left a lot to be desired.

This started off fairly strong for me but then it, unfortunately, completely lost me. The slow burn was terribly executed in terms of the couple coming together at the end and there was so much build-up for such a lackluster and rushed ended. In addition to that there were numerous typos that need editing and were distracting, which is understandable to a certain degree for an ARC but this felt excessive.

I thought this was so cute! I don't think I've ever found the main character being an actual chef (it's either a baker or they run a bakery), but this was so good! Paris, food, and love.

Three squeeing squeezes for this wonderful debut rom-com.

This book is perfection. While I don’t have my physical copy (yet), I absolutely cannot wait to reread (and maybe creepily hug) Yes Chef while eating a delicious croissant. The restaurant atmosphere in Paris is wonderful, the side characters are entertaining, but most importantly Claire and James are an amazing couple. We may have a serious contender for book boyfriend of the year. Can James Sullivan knock Jacob Maddox off his throne?! It’s a tight race and only time will tell.

Yes Chef has a little something for every romance lover. There is a slight sunshine/grump vibe, a caretaking scene, forced proximity, and a cinnamon roll hero. This is a closed door romance and for once, I do not mind. You read that right. There is a first time for everything and the story here was fantastic even with the door firmly shut. The end was slightly too cheesy, but it was exactly what I was in the mood for. Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for Waitlyn Andrews to publish another book. In the meantime, why don’t you pick up a copy of Yes Chef for yourself and fall in love with Claire and James? You won’t be disappointed.

*Thank you to Waitlyn Andrews and Netgalley for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I throughly enjoyed this book it was super cute and I finished so quickly definitely so thankful that I had the opportunity to review and receive this arc !!