The Chef

by Skylar Platt

Love wasn’t supposed to be on the menu

One punch. Just one, that altered the course of my life.
It cost me everything – my Michelin stars, my restaurant, my husband and worst of all my faith in myself.

One chance. That’s all I have.
Competing on Head Chef and winning. That will show everyone in Chicago who tore me down that they didn’t break me.

One kiss.
One stolen kiss with a blue-eyed, blond-haired hockey player with muscles for days, and suddenly there is way more than redemption on my mind.

The Chef is an age-gap, bi-awakening, standalone MM romance set in the Colorado Grizzlies world.

Genres: Hockey, M M Romance, Sports, Romance, Contemporary, Sports Romance

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2024

About the author

Skylar Platt writes unputdownable swoon-worthy hockey romance with characters who have been described as perfectly imperfect.

She created the Colorado Grizzlies hockey romance series. And when she isn't hanging out with this constantly growing group of characters, she can be found snuggling with her rescued hounds watching the Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche. Or chasing after her chickens....or the fox that is chasing her chickens!

She has always loved sports and was a sportswriter back in the days when the first thing everyone did was open the newspaper to see the scores from the night before!

Skylar loves to hear from readers and learn more about you.

Connect with her here:

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/skylarplatt...

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/skyla...

Newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/23459ee98d0a/news-...

tiktok

https://www.tiktok.com/@skylarplattau...

Reviews

[Bobby's Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

A SEXY M/M Romance between a hockey player and a restaurant chef! With only 194 pages, this steamy romance is perfect for anyone who loves hockey and chocolate! The story follows Grant, a chef, falls for Evan, a NHL hockey player, as one kiss changes everything for him as he is competing in winning for the head chef in a cooking TV show. But is more important? Evan or his chef career? A must read to read during the winter season!

[Deanna Sigai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew this was short, however I wish there was so much more. I wanted more details about the punch and the effects of it, as well as something with his ex showing up to the new place. Idk, I feel like there could have been more to make the story. It was a cute read though, fast paced. I did enjoy the plot.

[Danielle Piper · Rating 3 out of 5]

good story, could be great with a little tweaking

Grant, looking to regain his reputation has become a contestant on the popular cooking show Head Chef. All it took was a false media headline to blowup his old life and change everything for him, with the truth being buried. Winning this contest means more to him than anyone would ever know. Having turned to many outlets to ease the pain and the anger he harbors, it may just be his latest outlet of cooking that helps him heal. During their first challenge where the shows contestants have been tasked with setting up their own booths to feed a group of professional Denver athletes. But one individual stands out in the crowd, Evan Palmer is young, handsome, and much younger.

Evan, a year out of a relationship with famous pop princess CeCe, is focusing on hockey, and getting his business degree. When one of his fellow teammates, a huge fan of Head Chef, has convinced their entire team into joining the food tasting portion of the show perhaps it isn't only the food that is piquing his interest and pleasure receptors? Perhaps it is chef Grant Weaver he’s tall, aged to perfection, muscular, and covered in tattoos.

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

This was my first read by this author I had some points I really liked in the book, I truly enjoyed the characters as well. But the descriptive plot language used just took me out of the story at times. It has good bones but for me personally fell short.

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun, short read featuring a chef and a hockey player and their whirlwind romance. I always love books with delicious descriptions of food and Grant makes the best things.

Because this is so short, the romance happens quickly and doesn't take much time to go from the meeting to them coming out as a couple. I think this would have been a four star read if it slowed down a little and took some time for us to see the feelings develop and them to have more conversations about how things will go.

I still found this entertaining and was happy to read this cute MM romance.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

grant is a ‘failed’ chef competing on a cooking show who starts a relationship with local hockey star, evan.

i liked how they got to know each other over time & bonded over food! but the one thing that kept taking me out of the story was every time grant & evan got intimate grant’s inner monologue kept saying ‘i’ve never been with a straight man’ ‘but he’s a straight man, i can’t go there’ like HELLO evan is a willing participant and he already told you what was going on with his past relationships. but he felt the need to voice it & even say it to evan’s face. of course evan said nothing about it even when it seemed like it annoyed him.

i also wish we got a little bit more of grant’s backstory with the restaurant & his marriage, or even his relationship with brooke.

overall this was an enjoyable short read.

[Aliyah Sims (bookish.blasian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the June Queer BOTM for the Hockey Smut Book Club I am in. It’s not my usual jam, but it sounded cute enough. Plus the length was so short I figured I would try it out. I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed it! It was such a quick, cute, steamy read. I was hooked from the very first chapter. It felt cautiously flirty, like kind of flirting kind of not. That ends up making total sense when we learn that Evan, the hockey player, is very much a straight man… or is he?! Evan and Grant just click from the very first meeting. In Evan’s head, he seems to know he’s attracted to or at least interested in Grant, but doesn’t quite understand it. Grant is all about Evan from their very first meeting, but from his Google stalking he knows that Evan is straight and way too young for him (nearly 20 years). Despite all of that, they end up hanging out together, running into each other, and then eventually becoming a thing. It was adorable watching Evan try to work out and understand his feelings for Grant. When he finally decides to attempt to make a move, it gets steamy quick!! There’s a decent amount of steam packed into this short book. And might I say the “Yes Chef” was better than any “Good Girl” I’ve ever read. It reallllllly works here lol. The first conflict / fight these two have is beyond dumb. Grant ends up acting like an immature idiot and he’s supposed to be the old guy in the situation. The way he handled the whole situation really pissed me off. Aside from that one annoyance, I really did enjoy this book! It is very insta lovey. They are basically in love with each other after a few short meetings. I almost wish it was longer so we could properly dive into some things. Overall, while this book has a dumb conflict and is very insta lovey, it was so much fun to read. It was short, cute, and steamy as hell. I didn’t feel like the story was incomplete, I just personally would’ve enjoyed a longer book if it meant we got a learn more about them and see them together for a while longer before the I love yous.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been ARC reading for Skylar since the beginning of her Colorado Grizzlies Series began. My only complaint- I wanted more of Grant and Evan. This book was a quick, low angst, with a side helping of heat that I devoured. I could have used a whole serving though because Evan and Grant were delicious.

Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Stand-alone: Yes**
Author: Skylar Platt
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating: 2.5/5 🌶
POV: First Person Dual Perspective
Main Couple: Evan and Grant
Trope(s): MM romance, age-gap, hockey, bi-awakening

‘I’ve never felt like this before. This desire…this fire inside threatening to explode. The throbbing inside my sweats. No woman has ever made me this hard. So hard it hurts..’

Grant Weaver is a Michelin star chef whose life was turned upside down. Having lost it all and his reputation in shambles he is competing in the current season of Head Chef. First elimination challenge entails them cooking for all the men’s professional sports teams in Denver.

Evan Palmer is part of the Colorado Grizzlies hockey team and when he meets Grant and tastes the deliciousness that he is serving up he finds himself intrigued by the chef who looks like he belongs in a motorcycle gang, not serving him ravioli.

Evan gives Grant his number on a whim. He is invested in knowing how the competition shakes out. They develop an unlikely friendship. Their upbringings are completely different. The age-gap. But, somehow they click.

And, despite his feelings for Grant coming in from uncharted territory, life becomes crystal clear to Evan.

[Briana Mullis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me I need to read more MM. This hockey romance was a great read and left me wanting more!

🏒Tropes🏒
»MM Romance
»Hockey Player/Chef
»Age Gap
»Bi-Awakening

This novel was a quick read as well as nice and spicy. I really enjoyed the MC’s journey to finding themselves, both in different ways.

Grant is trying to redefine himself after his life seemingly imploded. He decided to participate in Head Chef, a cooking competition. When cooking for pro athlete judges, his first taste tester catches his eye. He’s too young, and probably straight, but his eyes draw Grant in like he hasn’t felt before.

Evan has never felt satisfied in his past relationships, but he never knew why. While judging a cooking competition, he starts at Grant’s table. Grant was handsome and not like what he imagined chefs would look like. He’s intrigued, but not sure why. He strikes up a friendship with Grant and finds he just has never found the right person before their meeting.

Grant’s story kinda broke my heart. His life didn’t go the way he thought it would, but ends up being for the best. He was the bad boy from the streets of Chicago, but cooking helped him become a better person. I was so happy with his growth as a person and as a partner.

Evan was so kind. And sweet. And once he knew what he wanted, he was all in and I loved it! His compassion for Grant really warmed my heart.

The spice was great. The angst was angsty. And I definitely recommend the quick MM romance!

[Nikki Robson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great low angst, gay awakening, age gap read with some good spice and some swoon worthy romance.

Grant is a grumpy chef determined to rebuild the reputation others stole from him. He wasn’t looking for romance but from the moment he met Evan he can’t stop thinking about him. Believing Evan to be straight they strike up the foundations of a friendship which ends up leading to so much more.

Evan is a young hockey player who’s always believed himself to be straight but when he finds feelings he’s never felt before stirring with Grant, he takes time to work out what they mean then jumps in to grab his man by both hands and leads them both into their HEA.

I loved that there was no 3rd act drama, no breakups to work through, just two guys falling in love and learning what that truly means. I loved how Evan was so sure of his feelings for Grant , there was no freak outs just clarity.

A new to me author but one I’ll definitely be looking up in the future.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the story about Grant, who is a disgraced 40 year-old chef, and was targeted by his ex-husband to be a failure. Now Grant is on a television show to find out who is the best chef, Grant is only doing it to prove to his ex-husband/business partner that he has got what it takes to be the best. While doing the entree portion of the competition, he meets Evan who is a 23 year old hockey player, who is helping with the judging of the first part of the competition. Evan is a straight man who, after meeting. Grant discovers that he isn’t so straight after all. This story is about their relationship and how it grows, and eventually they have the kind of partnership that is everything that Grant has always wanted, but never given until now.

I was given an advanced copy of this book to read and I am reviewing with my honest and fair opinion.

[Karen Boozer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read! It is quick, hot and sweet all at the same time. Grant is a chef who is trying to redeem his reputation after it was dinged by his business partner and ex-husband. He is competing in a reality TV show about chef's along with one of his mentees. One day they are providing food for all the Colorado sports teams for judging. In walks Evan!

Evan plays hockey for the Colorado Grizzlies and he is the guest judge for the reality TV show that Grant is on. He loves the dish Grant fixes and he comes back to talk to him after the judging. He also leaves his phone number under the guise of wanting to know how the contest went. Grant has an awakening because he is attracted to Grant but hasn't been attracted to another man before!

I love this book and the author! This is the first book that I have read from the author and the series...it will not be my last!

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 chef kisses

5 chef kisses for this sweet steamy novella. I felt the dimension between these two, they felt the attraction from the start. Evan gets an awakening, one that explains all of his failed relationships or lack of chemistry. He is Grant sexual, he had an instant connection and he wanted him. To have a gorgeous hockey player want you and come after you is seriously hot. Grant has had angst throughout his life, so called people who were meant to love him, took him down, from an already disadvantaged childhood. He is now in a chef competition to prove his worth. Evan is always there, they just fit together. I loved them together, they couldn't keep their hands off each other. Everything is easy, just a sweet love story about knowing when you have found your person.

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5 🌟
Spice: 2.5/5 🌶️
Heroes: Grant and Evan

This was quick and sweet. Grant is a chef that is trying to fix his reputation that was tarnished. Evan is a pro hockey player. They meet while Grant is competing in a cooking competition and Evan is helping the judges in one of the rounds. They are both interested in each other when they first meet. Grant is divorced and out, but Evan has never been interested in men, until Grant. They have almost 20 years between them, but it doesn't feel like it - aside from Grant referencing it throughout. It's a bit instalove and things move very quickly but this is novella length, so I expected that.
It was enjoyable and I'll be checking out more by the author.

[Lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually 3,5.

This was a quick, funny and short read with some spicy scenes in it.

The story is easy to follow and when it comes to the both male main characters so are they quite easy to like from start and I like how different they are plus their journey.

Tropes:
🌸 MM Romance
🌸 Cooking show
🌸 Chef x Hockey player
🌸 Age-Gap
🌸 Grumpy x Sunshine
🌸 Gay-awakening

If you like books with those kinds of tropes then this might be a book for you but you should be 18 or older if you decide to read it because of the sexual content.

I've not read the other books in this series and the only thing I knew about this one was that this is a MM Hockey Romance so I dive in totally blind. Now I will see if I can find the other books and see how they are.

[Ness Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I flippin’ LOVED that. Read in one sitting, didn’t even stop to make a second cup of tea. If you know me in real life, that will tell you everything you need to know. I’m very serious about tea.

Evan and Grant are [fire emoji] which is even more impressive when you realise for most of this book, they are away from each other. When they get together though, my oh my, they are scorching hot!

This is the first book of Skylar’s I have read, but she has achieved something that only happens rarely, with very special characters. I am sad that Evan and Grant aren’t really out there in the world, loving hard on each other and living their lives.

The world would be a little bit brighter with a love like theirs in it.

This is such a great read, I’m sure I’ll revisit it soon!

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sweet age gap MM romance between Grant, a 40 year old chef who is in Denver competing in a TV chef challenge show and Evan, a 23 year old hockey player for the Colorado Grizzlies NHL team. When Evan goes with his team for a visit to the showcase of chefs, he tries Grant’s dish. When they start talking, Evan feels sparks of attraction that he’s never experienced before. After they exchange numbers and start to meet up, the intensity ramps up as Evan wants to get closer to Grant. When they share themselves with each other, it’s Evan who realizes that it’s not just that he’s gay. He loves Grant and takes care of Grant’s fragile heart.

TROPES
- age gap
- gay awakening
- body & soul mates

[Sandra Zumpfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evan 20, an aspiring young hockey player, meets Grant, a 40-year-old gay chef. Grant struggles to rebuild his ruined reputation. Both characters are endearing and sweet. The way they get to know each other and fall in love is simply magical.

The story is a mixture of passion, self-discovery and love. Skylar has managed to build the tension between the two protagonists while showing their vulnerability and strength.

Overall, **"The Chef "** is a beautiful story about love, trust and the power of finding yourself. If you are looking for a book that will warm your heart and leave you with a smile, you should definitely read it

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chef is a quick, sweet, fun read that gives you all the feels!
What you get.......
♡MM Romance
♡Top Chef Style Show
♡Hockey Player
♡Chef
♡Age Gap
♡Bi-Awakening
♡Instant Attraction
♡Spice

Grant is trying to revamp his reputation by joining the Head Chef cooking competition show. This is where he meets Evan.

Evan is a young hockey player who is sampling food for the competition. They both can't stop thinking about each other. Their relationship starts to bloom from there.

They have amazing chemistry, and they grow throughout. It's a beautiful story 🥰

Skylar does a good job at character and world building. I hope we get more!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The gay romance is my all time fav and yet always hard to find a decent story but this one was perfect.

A hunky talented gay 40 year old chef trying to recover from a bad past and fix his reputation by winning a chef comp. But meets sweet charming young blonde boy hockey wizz who melts his broken heart. (Who believed he was straight) and he wins something way better. True love 🥰

Both sweet and sexy moments made this so amazing to read. Both exploring their new found love and attraction they are feeling for eachother.

If you are into male on male relationships and you dont mind an age gap (+17) then this book is for you.

[caffe.and.books (Aimee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick sweet and sexy read and I absolutely adore these two! I loved the little peak back into the grizzlies world while meeting new characters.

This author did an amazing job with all of the details of this story. While it is a very quick read I didn’t feel like anything was rushed or left out. I loved how Evan knew exactly what Grant needed- how he needed him to be in control of certain situations so he could get out of his head! I do hope we get more from these two in future stories.

[Lisa Proskin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a male male romance with irresistible characters. Evan and Grant are very different, but just fit together. They meet in a Top Chef style show where Grant is a chef and Evan is a guest judge. This is a quick read and because of that there is not a lot of build up, but I really enjoyed it. There is more depth and development to the characters than I expected and I felt like I really knew them as the romance developed. I wish this were longer so that there would be more buildup and more hockey. It is a fun quick read with all the feels!

[Kellie Waldron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skylar did it again. Who knew that combining hockey and cooking would be a great hit.

Grant was trying to overcome all the negative media that was put out about him. He was actually trying to help people and it backfired. Everyone turned against him except for a few people. Now he was battling the biggest things in his carrier. Hoping to show people what he could do.

Evan was jus ttrying to live. His relationships were going good. He just didn't feel anything with them. But when he met Grant, something sparked.

This was a great read.

[Thaimelly Rigobello · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is easy to read. It has swoon, awakening, spice, cuteness and love. Grant is a chef restarting his life after so much struggle. Evan is a young hockey player ready to enjoy his life journey. They meet, they like each other, they can’t stop the thoughts. They start hanging out and everything clicks and fits together. It all happens fast and even the age gap can’t stop them. Nice read!! Tks Skylar.

[C.L. Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, chef

I'm a foodie and a food TV lover. So, I absolutely loved that aspect of this story. The way the chef meets the much younger hockey player was so fun and new. This story was different from anything I've read. I love the connection between them and the way they always keep coming back to each other when their schedules pull them apart.

This was my first read by Skylat Platt. It will NOT be my last.

[Lee Rey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grant and Evan have a great chemistry and their love story is effortless. Grant and Evan were similar in they had almost everything they wanted but it was lacking a spark. Grant and Evan find a spark together, and Evan encourages Grant to find his career path. Love that Evan didn't question his feelings and that Grant gave himself a chance to find happiness again. A great installment in the Grizzlies world.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute fun MM novella! Because it’s short the romance is fast moving insta-ish love. I sort of wished I had more details and a longer story because it also it felt as if everything moved too quickly. Not sure why I struggled with the flow for the first few chapters (but that might have been me just getting used to reading a new author.) I got thru those first chapters the characters and storyline were really good!

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author as most of their books are mf and I almost only read mm. I see that this author has some more mm books and as long as it's like this I will keep coming back for more. I will say, while one of the MC's is a hockey player this is not a hockey book, it's very much a short about two men who fall in love.

[Susan shumpert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan and Grant started off a little rocky with one just leaving a bad relationship and the other not sure of what type of relationship he wanted to have. As a reader, you could put yourself into both of the guys role and understand their fears, frustrations, and excitement regarding getting to know someone new. I loved the storyline and couldn't wait to get to the end for a happy-ever-after.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chef is an entertaining insta-love, quick read by Skylar Platt. Age gap is one of my favorite tropes and it didn't get in the way of the strong chemistry between Grant and Evan. They were supportive of each other and stronger together.

If you are looking for a low-angst steamy read that you can devour in one sitting, this is a great book for you!

[Kris Stevenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely would have loved this book if it were longer and a bit more developed. There was so much potential with the plot points and Grant’s childhood trauma and also Evan’s situation as a pro athlete which was so minimal. The story overall was really cute though! It just read as more of a fanfic than a novel.