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Cooking With Chemistry
In this kitchen, love and ambition just might go up in flames…
In the heart of Manhattan, Maple dreams of becoming a chef—but her gift for reading people’s cravings makes any ordinary kitchen the wrong fit. Landing a job at a struggling Italian restaurant feels like fate—until a run-in with the brooding sous chef, Christian, lands her at the dish sink instead of the stove.
Christian has fought hard for his position, but with an envious former colleague watching his every move, he can’t afford distractions, not with his reputation on the line. But when an intriguing new dishwasher with secretive eyes and a surprising talent takes the dishwashing job, he can’t deny the heat simmering between them. And that is very distracting.
When Maple’s unique skill seems like the secret ingredient that could save Christian’s restaurant, will he risk the success of his restaurant and trust the woman nobody believes in or risk losing everything by following his heart?
In the heart of Manhattan, Maple dreams of becoming a chef—but her gift for reading people’s cravings makes any ordinary kitchen the wrong fit. Landing a job at a struggling Italian restaurant feels like fate—until a run-in with the brooding sous chef, Christian, lands her at the dish sink instead of the stove.
Christian has fought hard for his position, but with an envious former colleague watching his every move, he can’t afford distractions, not with his reputation on the line. But when an intriguing new dishwasher with secretive eyes and a surprising talent takes the dishwashing job, he can’t deny the heat simmering between them. And that is very distracting.
When Maple’s unique skill seems like the secret ingredient that could save Christian’s restaurant, will he risk the success of his restaurant and trust the woman nobody believes in or risk losing everything by following his heart?
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About the author
Jenny Rabe
28 books115 followersAfter going on over 150 first dates, Jenny has a a wealth of dating experience. She lives with her husband and three kids near the mountains, drawing inspiration from the constant ups and downs of relationships. When she's not writing clean, swoony romances, she's following some other dream to make a difference in the world.
Check out her inspirational romances under the penname of June B. Anderson.
Check out her inspirational romances under the penname of June B. Anderson.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Jenny has done a fantastic job on touching on these neurological disorders, bringing awareness to them and educated readers on these issues.
This one follows Maple and Christian. Two very different people. Maple is out going, driven and willing to try new things, push the boundaries. Christian is a sous chef and set in his ways but for valid reasons that you come to learn about the more you read. Their first impression of each other isn't the best since they literally run into each other in the kitchen. Christian comes from money, parents that are more than overbearing and controlling and Maple didn't come up that way at all. Both of them have two people interested in them but they aren't into who is into them. Which makes things interesting. Christian as sous chef also has a rule for the kitchen, no dating employees but he might find himself breaking that rule for Maple. Maple also carries a secret ability that Christian doesn't find out about for awhile.
It can't all be smooth sailing there is an accident that Maple suffers that causes her to run from her dream job and her dream man even though Christian tries to be there for her. She looses her special ability and feels like she becomes normal like every other chef. Now, that Maple has pushed away her dream job and dream man and lost her special ability how will things pan out? You've gotta read to find out!
Jenny has done a fantastic job on touching on these neurological disorders, bringing awareness to them and educated readers on these issues.
This one follows Maple and Christian. Two very different people. Maple is out going, driven and willing to try new things, push the boundaries. Christian is a sous chef and set in his ways but for valid reasons that you come to learn about the more you read. Their first impression of each other isn't the best since they literally run into each other in the kitchen. Christian comes from money, parents that are more than overbearing and controlling and Maple didn't come up that way at all. Both of them have two people interested in them but they aren't into who is into them. Which makes things interesting. Christian as sous chef also has a rule for the kitchen, no dating employees but he might find himself breaking that rule for Maple. Maple also carries a secret ability that Christian doesn't find out about for awhile.
It can't all be smooth sailing there is an accident that Maple suffers that causes her to run from her dream job and her dream man even though Christian tries to be there for her. She looses her special ability and feels like she becomes normal like every other chef. Now, that Maple has pushed away her dream job and dream man and lost her special ability how will things pan out? You've gotta read to find out!
February 25, 2025
Cooking with Chemisty is an amazing read, I could not stop reading it. This series is so good, The story is a wonderful, sweet, and clean romance, but you also get to learn about different neurodivergent conditions. Highly recommend
February 25, 2025
I could not get enough of this book. The love squares haha were relatable and something some of us have went through making the books just that much better. I enjoyed the growth of the characters. Breaking out on your own is hard and I think Christian and Maple did it great for their own journeys. I had a love hate relationship with Christian that became just love. Finished this book in less than 24 hours because I just loved it so much. Would have been less if I didn't have to work. Jenny Rabe has done it again.
February 25, 2025
4.5/5⭐️
This has to be my favorite book yet out of the Neurodivergent Love Senses collection! The premise of this entire series is so unique and brings awareness to differences most people don’t know about. I absolutely loved the culinary aspect of this book. It seemed well thought out and researched. I felt like I was also a chef in the kitchen! I would’ve loved to have a longer story, I wasn’t ready to let the characters go. This was such a sweet story that you should definitely check out!
This has to be my favorite book yet out of the Neurodivergent Love Senses collection! The premise of this entire series is so unique and brings awareness to differences most people don’t know about. I absolutely loved the culinary aspect of this book. It seemed well thought out and researched. I felt like I was also a chef in the kitchen! I would’ve loved to have a longer story, I wasn’t ready to let the characters go. This was such a sweet story that you should definitely check out!
February 21, 2026
I enjoyed it. it took me a while to read because I would read it in the school pick up line.
I love the way this revolves around food. I'm convinced a great chef has a similar skill and talent, I've always believed that. But this was a unique perspective and I quite enjoyed it. I have heard of synesthesia, but I did not know it could come in other forms than tasting colors or seeing colors with emotions, auras, etc. It was informative to know it comes in many forms and each person with it has a unique attiribute with it. Though the story is fiction, the idea of someone with the MCs ability is still a possiblity.
I love the way this revolves around food. I'm convinced a great chef has a similar skill and talent, I've always believed that. But this was a unique perspective and I quite enjoyed it. I have heard of synesthesia, but I did not know it could come in other forms than tasting colors or seeing colors with emotions, auras, etc. It was informative to know it comes in many forms and each person with it has a unique attiribute with it. Though the story is fiction, the idea of someone with the MCs ability is still a possiblity.
March 5, 2025
This book is a story about a women who is finally living her dream of becoming a chef. She has cooked her whole life and gets hired in a restaurant. Not only is she a great cook but she possesses a unique gift. She can see what people want to eat. This helps fine tune her passion. Following an accident she loses her special gift. Now what will she do with her life. She had lost her passion and her identity. You must read this to find how what she comes to realize.
March 21, 2025
"Cooking With Chemistry" is the 3rd book in the Love Senses: Neurodiverse collection. This book touches on Synesthesia. This one is my favorite so far from the collection. It was such a sweet story of Maple and Christian. Christian is a chef and Maple is the new hire in the kitchen he works at. First impressions don't go well, but as they work together they find they misjudged each other. I definitely recommend this read. Such a sweet romance!
March 20, 2025
This book was a very clean, sweet romance. This was such a great book. I could not put it down. I read it in less than 24 hours. I love the neurodivergent aspect. It is something that isn't in books as much. I loved the growth of all of the characters throughout the story. If you enjoy a good, clean romance then you will love this book.
April 12, 2025
pretty decent, I wish Justin and Janette didn't end up together but it was still a beautiful story.
Truly heartwarming that the main character, Maple, found her way. Though, I wish she would have continued her "mind reading" skills and made Christians parents weep at their success without their help.
Truly heartwarming that the main character, Maple, found her way. Though, I wish she would have continued her "mind reading" skills and made Christians parents weep at their success without their help.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2025
Another sweet romance by Jenny Rabe. Her characters are so sweet and lovable. I enjoy there isn’t unhealthy obsessions with the main characters. While the neurodiverse topic is quite rare she touches on that with the characters to make it even more realistic. These are absolutely adorable palate cleanser books and I plan to read more of her books very soon.
November 19, 2025
I love this series so much and this book is my favorite so far,
The animosity between Maple and Christian when they 1st meet is so good. Feelings build up at just the right time and temperature.
Maple has a gift of seeing what people like to eat as the Love Sense in this collection and I think it would be so nice to be able to see what people wanted, it would make cooking that much more fun!!
The animosity between Maple and Christian when they 1st meet is so good. Feelings build up at just the right time and temperature.
Maple has a gift of seeing what people like to eat as the Love Sense in this collection and I think it would be so nice to be able to see what people wanted, it would make cooking that much more fun!!
March 9, 2025
This is such a sweet Romance. Throw in cooking and I’m in! I was so happy she threw in about food allergies in there as a person that has server food allergies it was refreshing. This is a quick, light, perfect weekend must read. Enjoy!
June 4, 2025
To have the ability to see what people would like to eat could be a blessing if you like to cook.
A lot of trust issues and miscommunication to work through in this book. Love the life lessons.
The love and support from Maple's mom and grandmother is amazing.
A lot of trust issues and miscommunication to work through in this book. Love the life lessons.
The love and support from Maple's mom and grandmother is amazing.
February 20, 2026
this was cute! I wasn't sure how this was going to end up, but I sure enjoyed it.
June 6, 2025
This is a very clean, sweet romance novel. This book kept me craving for more! Christian is so set in his ways as a sous chef. Which is more or less the opposite of Maple. In the beginning, first impressions don't go exactly as planned, but as time goes on, they realize they judged each other too quickly.
Maple is hired as a dishwasher. She wants to be a chef. She wants to learn everything she can. She can already cook, but to get her foot in the door she has to be a dishwasher first. Things start to move a little quickly for Christian because he realizes one of the other chefs and also one of Maples's friends is teaching her and allowing her to cook a little. At first, this doesn't sit well, but then, after realizing she might be onto something, Christian decides to teach her himself. But she has to follow his rules. Christian is strict when it comes to the kitchen and how food is prepared; it is to be prepared exactly as the menu items state.
During this process, food allergies are brought up. I am glad that the author brought up food allergies, just a tidbit. I have food allergies, and you wouldn't believe how many people shrug them off like it's nothing to worry about.
We get to watch as Christian. This very stubborn walled-up man slowly crumbles, anytime he is around Maple. I love how they interact and have so much tension between them.
It's cute the way they sneak looks at each other and the way he worries about her and then finally, she can trust him with her secret.. and after she suffers an accident, he tries to help her so much, but then he realizes she needs space ( because other things had happened as well).. while at the same time, he is not sure where they are left standing. Are they going to be together? Or will this put a wedge between them?? Watching them both hurt because they miss each other and things happened some out of their control and some things they could... They cannot bring themselves to do what is right until finally, they both just give in and melt into one another. They had been through a lot in a short period. Her accident was one thing - she might have lost her gift forever... How would Christian feel about her now?? What would this mean for his restaurant??
I'm trying not to give away too many spoilers, so my advice would be to get the book. This series is my favorite still so far out of all the books Jenny has written.
I am telling you to get this book. I could not put it down, I had it read in about four hours!
After reading books 1 and 2 of the neurodiverse series, everyone needs to read them all!! They are wonderful!
**Jenny Rabe touches on these rare neurological disorders that most people wouldn't put in a book, but normally when you find them in the book, they are not shown in the best light.
Well, Jenny Rabe deserves an award because she has written 3 books. Wonderfully written, on rare neurological disorders, and she shows how these characters work through them in everyday life, how each character adapts to them. How they do not let them hold them back. And all I can say is allow their disorder to hold them back. I cannot wait to read book 4! Congratulations Jenny you have done it again!!
Maple is hired as a dishwasher. She wants to be a chef. She wants to learn everything she can. She can already cook, but to get her foot in the door she has to be a dishwasher first. Things start to move a little quickly for Christian because he realizes one of the other chefs and also one of Maples's friends is teaching her and allowing her to cook a little. At first, this doesn't sit well, but then, after realizing she might be onto something, Christian decides to teach her himself. But she has to follow his rules. Christian is strict when it comes to the kitchen and how food is prepared; it is to be prepared exactly as the menu items state.
During this process, food allergies are brought up. I am glad that the author brought up food allergies, just a tidbit. I have food allergies, and you wouldn't believe how many people shrug them off like it's nothing to worry about.
We get to watch as Christian. This very stubborn walled-up man slowly crumbles, anytime he is around Maple. I love how they interact and have so much tension between them.
It's cute the way they sneak looks at each other and the way he worries about her and then finally, she can trust him with her secret.. and after she suffers an accident, he tries to help her so much, but then he realizes she needs space ( because other things had happened as well).. while at the same time, he is not sure where they are left standing. Are they going to be together? Or will this put a wedge between them?? Watching them both hurt because they miss each other and things happened some out of their control and some things they could... They cannot bring themselves to do what is right until finally, they both just give in and melt into one another. They had been through a lot in a short period. Her accident was one thing - she might have lost her gift forever... How would Christian feel about her now?? What would this mean for his restaurant??
I'm trying not to give away too many spoilers, so my advice would be to get the book. This series is my favorite still so far out of all the books Jenny has written.
I am telling you to get this book. I could not put it down, I had it read in about four hours!
After reading books 1 and 2 of the neurodiverse series, everyone needs to read them all!! They are wonderful!
**Jenny Rabe touches on these rare neurological disorders that most people wouldn't put in a book, but normally when you find them in the book, they are not shown in the best light.
Well, Jenny Rabe deserves an award because she has written 3 books. Wonderfully written, on rare neurological disorders, and she shows how these characters work through them in everyday life, how each character adapts to them. How they do not let them hold them back. And all I can say is allow their disorder to hold them back. I cannot wait to read book 4! Congratulations Jenny you have done it again!!
March 21, 2025
4.5/5⭐️
This has to be my favorite book yet out of the Neurodivergent Love Senses collection! The premise of this entire series is so unique and brings awareness to differences most people don’t know about. I absolutely loved the culinary aspect of this book. It seemed well thought out and researched. I felt like I was also a chef in the kitchen! I would’ve loved to have a longer story, I wasn’t ready to let the characters go. This was such a sweet story that you should definitely check out!
This has to be my favorite book yet out of the Neurodivergent Love Senses collection! The premise of this entire series is so unique and brings awareness to differences most people don’t know about. I absolutely loved the culinary aspect of this book. It seemed well thought out and researched. I felt like I was also a chef in the kitchen! I would’ve loved to have a longer story, I wasn’t ready to let the characters go. This was such a sweet story that you should definitely check out!
February 27, 2025
I believe that this is my favorite book of Jenny’s so far!! Her neurodivergent books are so interesting! This one is about a girl, Maple, who can “see” the food people crave to eat. She is also a chef. It is wonderful to see her is her unusual sense to make herself and people around her happy. This non has a great pace, no hurry up and let’s move on moments. Give her books a try! I haven’t been disappointed!
February 22, 2025
Clean romance book of two amazing chefs Marple and Christian. I love the banter between them. Marple has a friend from high school working at this Italian restaurant ran by Justin 's uncle. Truly love the characters and cooking chemistry. Marple can tell by looking at someone she knows what they want to eat.
I will highly recommend this book 📚 by Jenny Rabe
I will highly recommend this book 📚 by Jenny Rabe
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews