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Yes Chef, No Chef
Can kneading bread dough be erotic when your man is behind you nibbling at your ear? And is it always bad manners to refuse an invite into your hunky neighbours greenhouse to examine his glorious courgettes?
Those are just two of the issues Katie has to wrestle with in this sparkling romantic comedy from Susan Willis. When Katie's partner Tim lands a dream job as the head chef at a smart London restaurant, he suddenly changes.
From the sweet-natured, food loving guy she fell for, he becomes unbearably arrogant. 'Yes Chef, No Chef' respond his cowed assistants as he barks orders at them across a steamy kitchen. But when he starts thinking he can treat Katie like that as well, she won't stand for it. After a huge row, she walks out on him.
With the help of her two close friends she rebuilds her single life, starts a catering business -- and soon discovers she can make a huge success of it. As the business grows and grows, Tim realises what he has lost when he let her go.
But when he wants her back, Katie does not know what to do.
Will she say 'Yes, Chef.'
Or 'No, Chef...'
Those are just two of the issues Katie has to wrestle with in this sparkling romantic comedy from Susan Willis. When Katie's partner Tim lands a dream job as the head chef at a smart London restaurant, he suddenly changes.
From the sweet-natured, food loving guy she fell for, he becomes unbearably arrogant. 'Yes Chef, No Chef' respond his cowed assistants as he barks orders at them across a steamy kitchen. But when he starts thinking he can treat Katie like that as well, she won't stand for it. After a huge row, she walks out on him.
With the help of her two close friends she rebuilds her single life, starts a catering business -- and soon discovers she can make a huge success of it. As the business grows and grows, Tim realises what he has lost when he let her go.
But when he wants her back, Katie does not know what to do.
Will she say 'Yes, Chef.'
Or 'No, Chef...'
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2013
23 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
dnf-try-try-again
August 27, 2014DNF
I tried, and tried again and then tried again after that...And I don't think I've ever said this about a book this length, but holy freaking hell, it seriously, seriously needed to be a novella. It's the story that doesn't end...it keeps going and going and going....and half of it, is IMO totally unnecessary...we get descriptions of everything...Every new place gets an overly long and in depth description, and then for most if not all secondary as well as minor characters characters, we get in depth character studies...Because of course, the story can't get told unless we know every little thing about every single character the MC's come into contact with!
Oh and the H is a whiner...and doesn't think anything is his fault. as far as I read, he was a definite negative check mark for the book. Maybe he gets better, I have no idea, but the few bits that came from his POV, weren't exactly fun to read.
Now to be fair, I was expecting a contemporary romance read, not Chick lit, which this undoubtedly is...Very long and drawn out chick lit, but chick lit all the same, if that genre is your cuppa, you may like this, but it's one I usually avoid, so it's a no go for me.
and no rating since I didn't finish it.
I tried, and tried again and then tried again after that...And I don't think I've ever said this about a book this length, but holy freaking hell, it seriously, seriously needed to be a novella. It's the story that doesn't end...it keeps going and going and going....and half of it, is IMO totally unnecessary...we get descriptions of everything...Every new place gets an overly long and in depth description, and then for most if not all secondary as well as minor characters characters, we get in depth character studies...Because of course, the story can't get told unless we know every little thing about every single character the MC's come into contact with!
Oh and the H is a whiner...and doesn't think anything is his fault. as far as I read, he was a definite negative check mark for the book. Maybe he gets better, I have no idea, but the few bits that came from his POV, weren't exactly fun to read.
Now to be fair, I was expecting a contemporary romance read, not Chick lit, which this undoubtedly is...Very long and drawn out chick lit, but chick lit all the same, if that genre is your cuppa, you may like this, but it's one I usually avoid, so it's a no go for me.
and no rating since I didn't finish it.
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June 8, 2020There were elements of this story that were enjoyable and my real complaint is with the main character. She's kind of a doormat and I just find it insulting. Her ex was a jerk, a big jerk and no amount of love could make a confident and intelligent woman take him back. If you can get past tFrankly finding it hard to understand why this was ever published. The characters lack any sort of depth and the actual plot of the book is thin, if even in existence at times.
Very unrealistic progression of time and life (quitting a job and starting a successful food business within a few weeks, finding a gorgeous flat with private garden in London, etc...), and I don't know how we are meant to connect with either of the main characters - all Katie does is whither at the first sign of trouble in her relationship, and all Tim does, when pondering upon the end of his relationship, is think about how Katie looked (if I read 'her full breasts' one more time I think I might scream!) rather than things they did together and what they talked about.
Also, there is terrible punctuation throughout the whole novel - missing commas, inappropriate use of apostrophes, and endless, ENDLESS question marks tagged onto the end of sentences that aren't questions.
A very frustrating read - I simply cannot leave a book once I've started reading it - but this was painful and irritating.hat then you'll find it a decent read.
Very unrealistic progression of time and life (quitting a job and starting a successful food business within a few weeks, finding a gorgeous flat with private garden in London, etc...), and I don't know how we are meant to connect with either of the main characters - all Katie does is whither at the first sign of trouble in her relationship, and all Tim does, when pondering upon the end of his relationship, is think about how Katie looked (if I read 'her full breasts' one more time I think I might scream!) rather than things they did together and what they talked about.
Also, there is terrible punctuation throughout the whole novel - missing commas, inappropriate use of apostrophes, and endless, ENDLESS question marks tagged onto the end of sentences that aren't questions.
A very frustrating read - I simply cannot leave a book once I've started reading it - but this was painful and irritating.hat then you'll find it a decent read.
March 8, 2013
For a free Kindle book this wasn't half bad.
It is very typical chick-lit, the synopsis tells you everything you the key plot points and your common sense tells you exactly how this tale is going to end.
One thing that makes this book stand out from a lot of other chick-lit ones is that you get the viewpoint of the male and female leads (typically it is just or predominantly the females viewpoint) but this book has a pretty much even split (at least timewise, the female point of view was always longer than the male).
Although the story was predictable this was still an enjoying read as it didn't just focus on the characters love lifes but also thier professional ones.
I'd most likely read this author again,
It is very typical chick-lit, the synopsis tells you everything you the key plot points and your common sense tells you exactly how this tale is going to end.
One thing that makes this book stand out from a lot of other chick-lit ones is that you get the viewpoint of the male and female leads (typically it is just or predominantly the females viewpoint) but this book has a pretty much even split (at least timewise, the female point of view was always longer than the male).
Although the story was predictable this was still an enjoying read as it didn't just focus on the characters love lifes but also thier professional ones.
I'd most likely read this author again,
March 16, 2019
Couldn't make it through
This story was just plain boring. I tried to keep reading hoping it would get better. I even tried skimming for good parts but they were too few and far between. Ended up moving to the end of the story on my kindle to review the book.
This story was just plain boring. I tried to keep reading hoping it would get better. I even tried skimming for good parts but they were too few and far between. Ended up moving to the end of the story on my kindle to review the book.
November 14, 2018
Yes Chef, No Chef
When two people who share the same love and support have a falling apart their whole world seems to collapse. He was working longer hours at the restaurant. When he came home he was short tempered with her. The support she needed from him was gone. He didn't care about her feelings anymore. She moved out and he moved onto another. But was it all what it seemed? His demons were getting ready to knock him down. Without her there to catch him. They both were lost souls without the other.
When two people who share the same love and support have a falling apart their whole world seems to collapse. He was working longer hours at the restaurant. When he came home he was short tempered with her. The support she needed from him was gone. He didn't care about her feelings anymore. She moved out and he moved onto another. But was it all what it seemed? His demons were getting ready to knock him down. Without her there to catch him. They both were lost souls without the other.
May 16, 2021
An easy to read foodie book by a wonderfully nice and talented author.
March 15, 2013
I got this book as a free download from Amazon.
The story opens with Katie anxiously waiting for her boyfriend, Tim, to return from work to attend Katie's work-do at the Savoy. Tim is running late due to problems at work and asks Katie to attend without him. Katie is furious and embarrassed at the prospect of attending on her own but she does go as she is looking for a promotion. There she meets the greasy Alex who is related to someone on the Board of her company. Unimpressed by his presence and anxious about her relationship with Tim, Katie cuts short her festivities. When she gets home, Tim is not there so she goes to bed still angry. In the morning, Tim agrees to talk about their problems but Katie is not in the mood to discuss them. After an awkward lunch at Tim's parents, the day does not improve for Katie and after a bitter row with Tim she ends up throwing some things into a bag and walking out.
Katie takes refuge at her friend Sarah's flat and with the support of another friend, Lisa, Katie begins to take stock of her life. She is reluctant to contact Tim directly but eventually emails him to ask (in so many words) 'what now?'. Tim, for his own part is hurt and upset at the course of events so he suggests that the relationship has run its course. Katie duly collects her things from the flat, arranges a monetary settlement from her landlord (also Tim's dad) and begins to hunt for her own place to live. Events at work have also proved to be less than desirable so Katie decides to leave and set up her own business. With the help of Sarah who is self-employed and Lisa, who has little time for Tim anyway, she finds a flat large enough for a semi-professional kitchen to be installed which she will need for her new job - catering for men who can't or won't cook. Inevitably Katie's thoughts turn to the dating scene again as she encounters new men as she starts over especially as rumours of Tim seeing a new girl just serve to confuse her further. But has she really got Tim out of her system yet and should she contact him again to see where they really went wrong?
I have to say that I found this book pretty irritating as it all seemed to be about Katie - Tim barely seemed to get a look-in yet it was supposed to be written from both of their point of view. Tim was struggling with problems at work but Katie never even asked him what was going on. True, Tim was portrayed as the arch-typical buttoned-up English man but he was rather airbrushed from the story. At one point, Katie seemed more concerned with the colour scheme in their bedroom rather than sorting out what had gone wrong in their relationship - I'd have chosen the banshee slanging match option over admiring interior decorating! There were also a few sweeping assumptions about men that I found risible, namely that men can't buy nice gifts or are able to cook nice dishes (depends on the man, surely). Katie also had a large obsession with her deceased father which didn't help her controlling attitudes towards Tim. As it's chick-lit, it's safe to assume a happy ending. I was just glad to finish the book.
The story opens with Katie anxiously waiting for her boyfriend, Tim, to return from work to attend Katie's work-do at the Savoy. Tim is running late due to problems at work and asks Katie to attend without him. Katie is furious and embarrassed at the prospect of attending on her own but she does go as she is looking for a promotion. There she meets the greasy Alex who is related to someone on the Board of her company. Unimpressed by his presence and anxious about her relationship with Tim, Katie cuts short her festivities. When she gets home, Tim is not there so she goes to bed still angry. In the morning, Tim agrees to talk about their problems but Katie is not in the mood to discuss them. After an awkward lunch at Tim's parents, the day does not improve for Katie and after a bitter row with Tim she ends up throwing some things into a bag and walking out.
Katie takes refuge at her friend Sarah's flat and with the support of another friend, Lisa, Katie begins to take stock of her life. She is reluctant to contact Tim directly but eventually emails him to ask (in so many words) 'what now?'. Tim, for his own part is hurt and upset at the course of events so he suggests that the relationship has run its course. Katie duly collects her things from the flat, arranges a monetary settlement from her landlord (also Tim's dad) and begins to hunt for her own place to live. Events at work have also proved to be less than desirable so Katie decides to leave and set up her own business. With the help of Sarah who is self-employed and Lisa, who has little time for Tim anyway, she finds a flat large enough for a semi-professional kitchen to be installed which she will need for her new job - catering for men who can't or won't cook. Inevitably Katie's thoughts turn to the dating scene again as she encounters new men as she starts over especially as rumours of Tim seeing a new girl just serve to confuse her further. But has she really got Tim out of her system yet and should she contact him again to see where they really went wrong?
I have to say that I found this book pretty irritating as it all seemed to be about Katie - Tim barely seemed to get a look-in yet it was supposed to be written from both of their point of view. Tim was struggling with problems at work but Katie never even asked him what was going on. True, Tim was portrayed as the arch-typical buttoned-up English man but he was rather airbrushed from the story. At one point, Katie seemed more concerned with the colour scheme in their bedroom rather than sorting out what had gone wrong in their relationship - I'd have chosen the banshee slanging match option over admiring interior decorating! There were also a few sweeping assumptions about men that I found risible, namely that men can't buy nice gifts or are able to cook nice dishes (depends on the man, surely). Katie also had a large obsession with her deceased father which didn't help her controlling attitudes towards Tim. As it's chick-lit, it's safe to assume a happy ending. I was just glad to finish the book.
June 25, 2013
Yes chef, No chef is a typical chick-lit book of, friendship, drama and love. It is based on the relationship of Katie and Tim. Katie is a pleasurable, hard-working, lovable girl who you connect to more or less straight away. Tim is her obnoxious, arrogant partner who likes a drink and has a huge stubborn streak.
The story watches their relationship crumble and both trying to lead a life apart. Katie with the help of her two best friends Sarah and Lisa. Tim with his colleagues Jessie, Simon and best friend Luke. With both focusing on their careers to help them along, Tim in his new role as head chef and Katie's case a new culinary adventure cooking for Discernible men. Or to you and me men who can't cook.
I connected with both Katie and Tim in different ways. You really do feel for both of them and wish them both not to be so stubborn. Katie ends up in some sticky situations which will have you giggling along to and Tim well you either want to punch him in the mouth or hug him.
The book has been written from both sides of Katie and Tim's relationship. Now, I like books wrote this way, I find it easier to read and gives better depth and understanding of the characters and their personalities. With this book though, it seems to side more with Katie. Even though Tim does have his say, to me it does tend to lean more towards her. Now this may be deliberate, I'm unsure but, it throws you slightly. It also doesn't run very clearly between both either. You end up back tracking a few days with the next person and it loses a bit of depth and anticipation. I also found that sometimes the food references where a bit over powering. It seemed like it was constantly being thrown in my face. I understand the books based on both their love and passion of food and the author felt the need to be foodie, but in my opinion it wasn't necessary, the story was strong enough to hold its own with less food references and less comments about tastes and flavours, well you get the picture.
I liked this book regardless of the few little things that bugged me. The story was good and had me enticed. I really loved the friendships of Katie, Lisa and Sarah. How they reminded you of you and your friends. But most of all I loved the understanding that romance and lost sparks of relationships don't last forever, but are always still inside you somewhere, waiting to be found and waiting to be rekindled.
The story watches their relationship crumble and both trying to lead a life apart. Katie with the help of her two best friends Sarah and Lisa. Tim with his colleagues Jessie, Simon and best friend Luke. With both focusing on their careers to help them along, Tim in his new role as head chef and Katie's case a new culinary adventure cooking for Discernible men. Or to you and me men who can't cook.
I connected with both Katie and Tim in different ways. You really do feel for both of them and wish them both not to be so stubborn. Katie ends up in some sticky situations which will have you giggling along to and Tim well you either want to punch him in the mouth or hug him.
The book has been written from both sides of Katie and Tim's relationship. Now, I like books wrote this way, I find it easier to read and gives better depth and understanding of the characters and their personalities. With this book though, it seems to side more with Katie. Even though Tim does have his say, to me it does tend to lean more towards her. Now this may be deliberate, I'm unsure but, it throws you slightly. It also doesn't run very clearly between both either. You end up back tracking a few days with the next person and it loses a bit of depth and anticipation. I also found that sometimes the food references where a bit over powering. It seemed like it was constantly being thrown in my face. I understand the books based on both their love and passion of food and the author felt the need to be foodie, but in my opinion it wasn't necessary, the story was strong enough to hold its own with less food references and less comments about tastes and flavours, well you get the picture.
I liked this book regardless of the few little things that bugged me. The story was good and had me enticed. I really loved the friendships of Katie, Lisa and Sarah. How they reminded you of you and your friends. But most of all I loved the understanding that romance and lost sparks of relationships don't last forever, but are always still inside you somewhere, waiting to be found and waiting to be rekindled.
July 16, 2016
I very rarely dislike a book so much as to say that I actually "did not like it" or that I actually considered not finishing it at all, but my favourite part of this book was when my Kindle showed I had read 100%. The story follows food technologist Katie (and don't we just know she's a food technologist - every meal she eats is described in vivid, tedious detail) as she breaks up with her partner Tim, a chef, after he treats her badly. Within the space of about three weeks Katie has got a mortgage, left her job of eight years, and set up her own new business (Katie must also be a miracle worker). However the three weeks in question take up about 40% of the book, and describe every conversation, every meal, every feeling, every thought process in great detail, which becomes very tiresome, and Katie's entire relationship is analysed, a number of times, with her two best friends Sarah and Lisa who are, of course, opposite personalities.
There are a couple of "sexy" scenes in the book, but these are very uncomfortable reads, one of them happens as the female is kneading bread while a man stands behind kneading her breasts, and another happens after the male strokes a courgette! I dread to think how many times the phrase "Katie's full breasts" or "'Katie's tiny waist" were repeated through the book, every time she gets dressed or puts an apron on. There was the odd chapter written from Tim's point of view, but these didn't chronologically fit in with the rest of the book, and every single one ended up with Tim having a "straining in his trousers" either because he was thinking about Katie, or thinking about a young blonde piece he'd seen in a cupcake shop.
Without spoiling the ending of the book, I didn't find it a particularly satisfying ending, and felt like the whole process of reading the book had been utterly pointless. I know that other books by this author have been given better reviews, but after reading this one, I do not feel the urge to read any of them. I am just glad it was a free Kindle download.
There are a couple of "sexy" scenes in the book, but these are very uncomfortable reads, one of them happens as the female is kneading bread while a man stands behind kneading her breasts, and another happens after the male strokes a courgette! I dread to think how many times the phrase "Katie's full breasts" or "'Katie's tiny waist" were repeated through the book, every time she gets dressed or puts an apron on. There was the odd chapter written from Tim's point of view, but these didn't chronologically fit in with the rest of the book, and every single one ended up with Tim having a "straining in his trousers" either because he was thinking about Katie, or thinking about a young blonde piece he'd seen in a cupcake shop.
Without spoiling the ending of the book, I didn't find it a particularly satisfying ending, and felt like the whole process of reading the book had been utterly pointless. I know that other books by this author have been given better reviews, but after reading this one, I do not feel the urge to read any of them. I am just glad it was a free Kindle download.
February 21, 2017
It's my first time reading any of Susan's books and would definitely read more.
I loved this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
I loved this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
April 15, 2013
This was a fun read. The primary character struggles in the way that romance characters tend to struggle, but does it with modern sensibilities, which is nice. Unlike most romance protagonists, she takes an "Oh, up with this, I will not put!" stance as a reaction to poor behavior by the love interest. She waffles about it, but still, she walks away from a misbehaving man, even though she loves him. Of course, there's a happy ending. It wouldn't be a romance novel without a happy ending. The auxiliary characters are fun, but sort of feel like "Sex and the City" fan fic. I mean, they're they are exactly like Charlotte and Samantha; only in London. The culinary bits of the book are just sort of the decoration around the primary plot. Those looking for steamy (ha) technique will be left hungry. It's a fast, cute, fan-fictiony beach-read. It was well edited, well laid out in kindle format, and nicely presented.
January 31, 2016
I finished this book out of sheer willpower and determination not to be beaten. It was predictable and the characters were irritating. In addition, the writing seemed lazy at times and the sense of time in the book was all over the place and difficult to follow.
Despite Katie's attempts to be a strong independent woman, she chases any male that comes near her and is conveniently surrounded at all times by men who can't keep their hands off her.
Tim is a pathetic specimen, he seems to think he has a right to touch women just because he can and takes any form of criticism as rejection.
I thought Lisa and Sarah and the minor characters like the parents and Frances were ok though.
It all wrapped up suddenly and far too conveniently at the end as well. Definitely wouldn't recommend it.
Despite Katie's attempts to be a strong independent woman, she chases any male that comes near her and is conveniently surrounded at all times by men who can't keep their hands off her.
Tim is a pathetic specimen, he seems to think he has a right to touch women just because he can and takes any form of criticism as rejection.
I thought Lisa and Sarah and the minor characters like the parents and Frances were ok though.
It all wrapped up suddenly and far too conveniently at the end as well. Definitely wouldn't recommend it.
February 17, 2016
Yes Chef, No Chef is a great title but it was almost the last chapter before the title even made sense. The story idea was good but the book was too long (most times they are too short) but this one just went on and on without any sign of resolution. The three friends being so different in personality was a good idea but by the end it just got a bit old hearing the same type of differences over and over. I was glad to see a happy ending but I didn't think the two main characters would ever even talk again so it was a pleasant surprise. Katie spent too much of the book being upset instead of taking positive action to solve her problem; she came across as rather immature and whinny, not a good combination.
July 6, 2016
Really good book
This is the third book I've read by Susan Willis. I don't understand why they aren't all rated at least 4.5 stars. Yes Chef, No Chef is interesting, easy to read, fun, and even informative about good food and it's preparation. I read a lot and too often begin a book and then put it down when I find it boring. This held my interest and made me love the main characters. If you like fun breezy romance, this book is for you.
This is the third book I've read by Susan Willis. I don't understand why they aren't all rated at least 4.5 stars. Yes Chef, No Chef is interesting, easy to read, fun, and even informative about good food and it's preparation. I read a lot and too often begin a book and then put it down when I find it boring. This held my interest and made me love the main characters. If you like fun breezy romance, this book is for you.
August 31, 2013
This seemed to be more drawn out than it should have been. There was a lot of back and forth chapters - one "starring" Tim and the next Katie but they weren't always in the right timeline. Katie would already be into the next day and Tim still in the previous one.
Didn't like any of the characters too much.
Didn't like any of the characters too much.
March 30, 2013
I downloaded this for free from Amazon. I think that some parts of the book could have been condensed.
May 2, 2013
I started this one after reading Love on a plate by Susan Willis. I wasn't disapointed, it was every bit as good.
September 12, 2013
Lived the ghost esc scene with the bread. The whole time your screaming at the main characters to just sort it out
March 15, 2013
eh it was just ok
May 7, 2013
It was ok. A few amusing moments, a decent romance, but all in all I wouldn't read it again.
July 1, 2013
An easy holiday read. Good chick lit although quite predictable
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