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A review by _bookishbrina
Chef's Kiss by Jarrett Melendez
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
(Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book.)
The story is about Ben, a graduate who's looking for a job. Alas, he can't find one, until he stumbles on a restaurant called Le Cochon Doré, which is looking to hire without experience. Ben quickly meets Liam, who is *yummy*. The Head Chef offers him a deal: three weeks, one challenge per week. If the official tester (a lovely pig called Watson. Yes, you read that right, a pig.) loves the meals prepared by Ben, he can stay! Torn between his old friends, his new ones, his parents, his career in writing and his sudden love for cooking, Ben will have to go out of his comfort zone to find himself and what he truly wants.
Book type: comic, romance, lgbtq+
pace: medium-fast (and yet, we know everything that we need to know!)
storyline: ★★★★★
This book was incredibly relatable and down-to-earth. The characters are well-developed, even the secondary ones. I was hooked from the very first page. I like how we see the different types of interaction between the characters, that was well put.
characters: ★★★★★
As said previously, we get to learn enough about each character that they all have their importance. I thought the differences in personality were well established and balanced.
character development:★★★★✩
I can only hope we'll see more! Hence the 4 stars out of five. I could've taken 10 books within this saga. Already excited for the next one! But still, our MC, Ben, went through noticeable changes and it was fluid, not rushed. We still have some place to grow!
writing: ★★★★✩
Sometimes the bubbles feel visually overwhelming, but I think that's just maybe I'm not used to comics. However, I thought every exchange was purposeful and gave us a good feel of what the characters were going through.
diversity: ★★★★★
Not too much 'in your face' that it feels like a bad marketing coup. Some authors make me feel like they have a diversity check-off list and they just check things off along the way to make sure their book is 'trendy'. This was not the case! It was genuine diversity.
attention to detail: ★★★★★
Love the drawings! The color schemes were really nice too. I noticed the use of yellow and blue to reflect how Ben's feeling.
ending: ★★★★★
LOVED IT. So sweet! I hope there's more coming!
originality: ★★★★✩
It's a regular setting for a romance, a nice kitchen and a hot chef, however, the way we get to the kitchen was original.
Will I be reading the next book? Absolutely.
The story is about Ben, a graduate who's looking for a job. Alas, he can't find one, until he stumbles on a restaurant called Le Cochon Doré, which is looking to hire without experience. Ben quickly meets Liam, who is *yummy*. The Head Chef offers him a deal: three weeks, one challenge per week. If the official tester (a lovely pig called Watson. Yes, you read that right, a pig.) loves the meals prepared by Ben, he can stay! Torn between his old friends, his new ones, his parents, his career in writing and his sudden love for cooking, Ben will have to go out of his comfort zone to find himself and what he truly wants.
Book type: comic, romance, lgbtq+
pace: medium-fast (and yet, we know everything that we need to know!)
storyline: ★★★★★
This book was incredibly relatable and down-to-earth. The characters are well-developed, even the secondary ones. I was hooked from the very first page. I like how we see the different types of interaction between the characters, that was well put.
characters: ★★★★★
As said previously, we get to learn enough about each character that they all have their importance. I thought the differences in personality were well established and balanced.
character development:★★★★✩
I can only hope we'll see more! Hence the 4 stars out of five. I could've taken 10 books within this saga. Already excited for the next one! But still, our MC, Ben, went through noticeable changes and it was fluid, not rushed. We still have some place to grow!
writing: ★★★★✩
Sometimes the bubbles feel visually overwhelming, but I think that's just maybe I'm not used to comics. However, I thought every exchange was purposeful and gave us a good feel of what the characters were going through.
diversity: ★★★★★
Not too much 'in your face' that it feels like a bad marketing coup. Some authors make me feel like they have a diversity check-off list and they just check things off along the way to make sure their book is 'trendy'. This was not the case! It was genuine diversity.
attention to detail: ★★★★★
Love the drawings! The color schemes were really nice too. I noticed the use of yellow and blue to reflect how Ben's feeling.
ending: ★★★★★
LOVED IT. So sweet! I hope there's more coming!
originality: ★★★★✩
It's a regular setting for a romance, a nice kitchen and a hot chef, however, the way we get to the kitchen was original.
Will I be reading the next book? Absolutely.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse