Yes, Chef

by Grace Reilly

The Bear meets It Happened One Summer in this delicious new romance from USA Today bestselling author Grace Reilly, in which a down-on-his-luck chef and a determined social media maven strike a reluctant deal to bring a beloved restaurant back to life.

If you can’t take the heat…get out of the kitchen.

After a public meltdown in the dining room of one of Manhattan’s most elite restaurants, Chef Jack Hartman is back in his South Florida hometown. Angry, grieving, and saddled with the unwanted storefront his late mentor left him, his life is spinning out of control. And that’s before Poppy Winfield, the blond, bubbly, utterly infuriating daughter of his former boss, shows up at his dock.

Poppy needs to escape. From her disapproving family, her horrible ex-boyfriend, and her reputation as someone who has never taken anything seriously. But more than that, she wants to prove herself—and she has just the plan to do it. Unfortunately, that plan involves Jack Hartman, the most arrogant, prickly, intimidating man she’s ever had the pleasure of throwing a shrimp at.

She knows Jack is desperate to come back from his unceremonious firing, so she proposes a deal: working together to open a revamped version of his mentor’s restaurant. He’ll handle the menu, and she’ll use her skill as a social media influencer to sell the hell out of its grand opening. If she and Jack can make the restaurant a success, it’ll be an accomplishment no one can deny—and a ticket for them both to return to New York.

Jack is intrigued, but only on his terms: if Poppy’s going to work for him, she must learn the ropes of the entire business. Including how to cook. From him.

As sparks fly both in and out of the kitchen and tensions reach a boiling point, Poppy and Jack are left wondering--could they be a perfect pairing? Or is this whole experiment a recipe for disaster?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Forced Proximity, Enemies To Lovers, Food

Paperback

Expected publication July 21, 2026

About the author

Hi! I’m Grace.

I’m so glad you’re here! Originally from Long Island, I now live in Florida, where I pretend the lizards in my backyard are miniature dragons and soak up the sunshine. I can usually be found with a notebook in one hand and a paperback (or my Kindle!) in another. A storyteller at heart with a deep romantic streak, I write what I love to read: stories filled with swoon and steam, laughter and love, family and friendships, and authentic, earnest emotions and growth. I love drawing on my personal passions for my books, which is how my sports fanaticism resulted in the Beyond the Play series.

More about me: I collect earrings, the quirkier the better. I never turn down a good mint chocolate chip ice cream. I listen to way too much sports talk radio. And I adore writing about couples who are stronger together.

Reviews

[Saray]

Yeah, I'm going to eat this one up. pun intended.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for the ARC.

[madi · Rating 4 out of 5]

⋆˙⟡ — 4 stars
⤷⊹ started: march 17th, finished: march 19th

୨ৎ thank you so much to my bestie har for reading this with me!! i loved being able to yap about poppy and jack with you 🥹💗

thank you so much avon and harper voyager and Grace Reilly for the arc!!

♡ ⋆｡˚ thoughts
this book was such a fun and cozy read 😩 i didn’t expect to get so attached to these characters, but their dynamic pulled me in so quickly. the kitchen setting made everything feel so alive, and i loved how much passion both of them had for what they do. i will say, jack will definitely piss you off if you read this 😭

♡ ⋆｡˚ characters

♡ ⋆｡˚ poppy
i loved poppy so much 🤭 she’s bubbly, hardworking, and always trying to prove that she deserves to be taken seriously. i also loved the fact that she was the youngest daughter. i swear i need more characters like her because i related to poppy so much 😩 i really liked how she never let other people’s expectations define her, even when it clearly hurt. she had such a strong presence throughout the story, and watching her grow more confident in both herself and her abilities made my heart so happy 🥹 she really brought so much warmth and personality to every scene she was in 😌

♡ ⋆｡˚ jack
jack pissed me off at first 😭 he’s definitely more guarded and closed off, and there were moments where i just wanted him to communicate better bc how else would they know what's going on?! but once his story started unfolding, i understood why he kept so many walls up. underneath all of that, he’s very soft and protective, especially in the way he shows up for poppy when it really matters 🥹 i still wanted to slap him sometimes, but i can understand why he did certain things.

♡ ⋆｡˚ poppy + jack
these two had such good chemistry together 🤭 i loved the contrast between poppy’s sunshine personality and jack’s more serious energy. their interactions felt playful but also emotional during certain times. watching them learn to trust each other and open up over time made their relationship feel very real. the tension between them kept me hooked the entire time 😩

♡ ⋆｡˚ final thoughts
overall this book was sooo much fun to read and i would definitely recommend this book 🤭 i hope you guys adore poppy just as much 🥹💗

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

— ⋆˙⟡ pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
i can’t wait to start reading this book omg 😩 everything i’ve seen about it has been amazing, so i have a feeling i’m gonna love it 🤭 and ofc i’m reading this with my bff har!! i swear our brs will always be my fav thing 😋 ilysfm and i can’t wait to yap about these two!! 😌💗

thank you so much Avon and Grace Reilly for the arc!!

— ⋆˙⟡ pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
i can’t wait to start reading this book omg 😩 everything i’ve seen about it has been amazing, so i have a feeling i’m gonna love it 🤭 and ofc i’m reading this with my bff har!! i swear our brs will always be my fav thing 😋 ilysfm and i can’t wait to yap about these two!! 😌💗

thank you so much Avon and Grace Reilly for the arc!!

[hailee · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. all opinions are my own.

4.5***

this was so delicious ;) and so much fun!!!!

okay so obviously this book is about a chef & a restaurant so there’s quite a lot of food descriptions - so so vivid and tenderly written i was obsessed (and also hungry). also i love reading about books that very specifically take place over a summer where two characters are working at the same location (especially a restaurant) - this is because i met my boyfriend while working at a beach restaurant in the hamptons and i just eat that up every single time.

the setting was perfect and this had me ready for summer to start asap. i’m from south florida so it was a lot of fun getting to read about a town near many places i’m very familiar with. also pub sub supremacy for real!!!!!!!

i really really adore poppy as a character and i think my favorite thing about her is how human she is. she’s real and she’s flawed and she’s trying her best and i just loved how she navigated her way through her situation and came out stronger and happier.

i loved jack’s journey and being able to see him learn to deal with his grief and allow himself to have vulnerabilities and connections with those around him.

the banter was so much fun and i was genuinely giggling out loud reading a lot of the scenes between the two of them. also the tension was GOODDDD and i had such a fantastic time watching their relationship develop and turn into something solid.

also! the ADHD rep was (in my opinion) very well done & i really appreciated how we got to see the different ways poppy & jack experienced ADHD, what helped each of them vs what didn’t, and the variances between ADHD in men and women.

this was my first book by this author and i’m looking forward to reading more!! highly recommend this, especially for an atmospheric read to get you in the mood for summer.

[megan ◡̈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was everything i’d hoped it would be and more!! i have been chomping at the bit to read this since the moment i saw graces announcement and even more so after getting to yap about it a little with her at a book fest last year!!

everything about this book was perfection from start to finish, i couldnt stop giggling and kicking. my feet in the beginning when poppy and jack were at each others throats and absolutely adored the way the dynamic between the two of them started to slowly shift into friendship and then into real feelings for one another.

the chemistry between jack and poppy was absolutely insane, i think this is my most favorite banter within a romance book i’ve read in a long time. the way these two gave zero fucks about being at each others throats and teasing one another is actually one of the highlights of my year thus far, i can only imagine how much fun these two are going to be when brought to live via audiobook!!

this book while at its core is a cute summery romcom it also had the most amazing emotional depth to it. neither of the characters are perfect but do they try damn hard to be for one another and it was so beautiful to watch jacks journey through grieving and the way poppy was always there when he let down his guard more and more. the way this book handles ADHD rep with so much love and care and the way we get to see the differences of how it affects both poppy and jack in different ways and bringing attention how hard women have to fight for themselves to get diagnoses. the way jack helps reassure poppy that theres just simply nothing wrong with her like she believes there is and really fights for her to believe in herself and try new things as scary as they may be and that she is worth everything and more.

there are so many tender moments through out this book that just melted my heart completely and it was just so easy to fall in love with poppy, jack, gator, kiara, chester, fable and though we only get to know sal posthumously the way he loved was so visceral he was very easy to adore.

this book was just entirely too good and too much fun, i cannot wait to rotate it into my tbr constantly when i get my hands on the audiobook upon release. diamond bay is a place i will forever love to revisit.

[har [busy.] · Rating 4 out of 5]

┆ ⤿ 🍳 ⌗ started: march 17, finished: march 19

4 stars 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
⤿ review with some spoilers.

“put on the jacket, let me be your sous chef, and i'll spend my life believing in you like you believe in me.”

read this with my best friend mads! 💌 i loved yapping and giggling so much with you, mwauh i love you sm!! 🌸💗

thank you avon and harper voyager, netgalley, and grace reilly for the e-arc in exchange for a honest review

tropes: ⋆˚࿔
.ᐟ rivals to lovers
.ᐟ forced proximity
.ᐟ grumpy boy x sunshine girl
.ᐟ chef x influencer
.ᐟ business partners

summary/thoughts: ⋆˚࿔
yes, chef follows jack, a talented but troubled chef who returns to his hometown after a public meltdown, and poppy, a determined social media influencer trying to prove herself. when the two reluctantly team up to revive his late mentor’s struggling restaurant, he handling the food and she handling the branding, they’re forced into close quarters despite clashing personalities. as tensions rise in the kitchen, so does the chemistry, and what starts as a strategic partnership slowly turns into something more as they both confront their pasts and figure out what they really want.

this was such an adorable and addicting read, i was honestly hooked the whole time. i will say… jack frustrated me quite a bit, especially at the beginning when we don’t fully understand his backstory. i get that he’s meant to be grumpy and dealing with a lot, but some of the way he treated poppy just didn’t sit right with me. i kept wishing he would handle situations better and communicate more clearly. but poppy really made this book for me. i loved her character so much. the youngest daughter representation was something i don’t see very often, and it actually made me feel seen in a way i wasn’t expecting. i loved watching her grow, prove herself, and step into her confidence. and the chemistry between them was so good. the tension, the back-and-forth, the slow build… it all worked really well and kept me invested!

overall, this was a fun and emotional read with great character dynamics. even though jack tested my patience at times, the story as a whole was engaging and easy to get lost in

── .✦ characters 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹

poppy winfield: 𖦹₊ ⊹
poppy was honestly my favorite part of this book. she’s bubbly, underestimated, and constantly trying to prove that she’s more than what people assume about her. i loved seeing the youngest daughter representation through her character, it felt so real at times. she carries this pressure of not being taken seriously, but still pushes herself to grow and step outside her comfort zone. watching her become more confident and sure of herself throughout the story was so satisfying

jack hartman: 𖦹₊ ⊹
jack is very much the classic grumpy, closed-off chef dealing with grief and anger, which i understood… but he definitely frustrated me. especially in the beginning, when we don’t fully know his story, some of his behavior towards poppy just felt unfair. he has his moments, and you can see the depth underneath, but i do wish he handled certain situations better. he grew on me over time, but he tested my patience more than once. i had to stop reading at times just to not get mad. but towards the end, everything just made sense as to why he kept running away. he really deserved the biggest hug.

── .✦ quotes 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
“I love you, Poppy. You’re brilliant and clever and mine. On and off the desert island.”

“I love you, Poppy. I—god, I love you so much it terrifies me. You make me want to be a better man. A happy man.”

This is the place where I fell in love with food, and then fell in love with a woman who resists every category,definition, and expectation. There’s no one in the world like Poppy Winfield, and she wanted me, and I set it all on fire just as neatly and completely as I did more than a decade ago, when I could’ve had a family and chose to run. When I told myself I needed to leave for the good of my career.

“What are you doing here? This is a private event.” “That’s what your hostess said.” She pouts. “I was hoping we could—” “If my girlfriend said it,” he interrupts, emphasizing the word girlfriend softly, intensely, as his eyes flick to mine, “then you better listen.”

[bailey! · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟

I had seen many of my mutuals on bookstagram posting about their excitement in receiving this ARC. It made me so extremely curious that I requested it on NetGalley as well. I am so extremely glad that I made that decision. This book is one of the best contemporary romances that I have read in AWHILE. I just enjoyed it so much, it was so fun, and I genuinely could not put it down!

Poppy - my girl!!!! I will be honest when I read that the FMC of this book would be an influencer... I was nervous! I did not think that I would like it at all, but Grace Reilly did such a great job at portraying a quality character who is so much more than an influencer. Reading about Poppy's growth and her finding herself brought me so much joy. I related to her struggles with her mental health, struggling to find herself in a community that she has been around for so long, and her trying to broaden her horizons and step out of her comfort zone! Poppy is such a well-rounded book character. I will love her forever! My sunshine girl!!!
Jack - If you've seen The Bear, Jack is quite literally Carmy!!! His background, the reason he is reviving the restaurant, and his attitude are all so Carmy-esque. It made reading the book so much more fun, connecting it in my mind to one of my favorite shows. He is such a grumpy boy; however, his character development is everything!
The banter between Jack and Poppy literally had me audibly gasping, blushing, and kicking my feet!!! I could not get enough of these two, and I am so excited for release day so that this book can be a part of my bookshelves!
Also, as a Florida native of 22 years... Grace Reilly really captured the essence of Florida perfectly. When Poppy was describing her sweat, so relatable lol. I just had such a great time with this book, and reading it was so fun. Such a light and easy 5 stars!

Thank you, NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager, for this free e-ARC! 🩷

[Berry ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Grace Reilly, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4 / 5 ⭐️

I ATE this book up. (A food pun. heh.)

Yes, Chef is a deliciously cute contemporary romance centered on cooking! Set along the coastline of Florida, this book had me yearning for summer, the smell of the ocean, and delicious food and drink.
Not only did the descriptions of food and cooking the food make me hungry af, I was also very interested in the dynamics and methodology of cooking! Grace Reilly did a wonderful job depicting all of the dishes and techniques chefs use within a restaurant!

Let's get onto the characters.
Poppy and Jack were so fun together. Their banter was entertaining, and their cooperation was even more so! I loved how sweet Jack was once he finally decided to let Poppy in. I felt that throughout the entire book, their chemistry was very prominent!

Poppy is an influencer from a rich family. Her struggles to impress and prove herself to her family were so heartfelt, and I really just wanted to jump into the book to give her a hug :(
I loved her growth, her journey into becoming more confident, and I especially loved the way Jack helped build that confidence up in her.

Jack is a chef who is no longer at his "prime." I could really feel his wants, and his dreams conveyed through the writing of the book! He also had his own insecurities to deal with, and his character growth was so heartwarming. I loved the way he learned to allow himself to be loved.

A good amount of my reasoning as to why this is only 4/5 stars is just because of the third act. I think I saw that third-act-breakup from across the continent lol! That's not to say it was bad, or even frustrating, but it did just feel a little predictable.

Overall, I loooved this book!! This was my first Grace Reilly book, and I'm so overjoyed I got the chance to read it.

♡ pre-read ♡

I can't wait to dig into this!! (There's a food pun in there somewhere.)

[yoanna lea. (semi ia.)]

pre-read⋆˙⟡
insert *another one thank you* meme because YAY I got accepted for another arc. back to back every month lol. I just know this will be a fun read because after reading the synopsis, a girl had to run to netgalley and find it 🙈😆

thank you so much grace reilly, avon & netgalley, for the e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Megan Coggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

The vibes were vibing.
🍍🔪🌴

Ok I love cowboy romances / single dad x nanny don’t get me wrong but sometimes you can only read so many before you need something else.
Something fresher.
Something you haven’t read 100x.
And this was that something.

Jack & Poppy 💕
Chef x influencer
He worked for her dad
Little wrong side of the tracks boy x rich girl
Que the stereotyping.
Grumpy x sunshine
ADHD rep

He teaches her to cook.
She helps him with a restaurant.
There’s a cockroach.
There’s a Gator.
There’s a houseboat.

There’s spunk and banter.
And spice.

It’s hot in the kitchen in Florida.

Netgalley arc review ✨

[Readaholic Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chef Jack Hartman has been having a rough couple of months. Once, at the top of his career he had articles written about him and was given the chance to prove himself to eventually open his own restaurant. A dream he's had since he could remember. But a public melt down has him leaving town, going back to his roots in Florida. Poppy Winfield is a social media personality, something her family doesn't quite grasp. When a break-up gone wrongs makes headlines at her dad's most popular restaurant, Poppy needs a break and a way to prove to her family that she's more than an internet personality. When Poppy's path crosses with Jack's, sparks fly both in an out of the kitchen! Poppy will help Jack get back on track while he revamps his old mentors restaurant. What can go wrong with the both of them spending so much time together?!?

Yes, Chef is my first book by Grace Reilly and I really enjoyed it! I loved the banter between Jack and Poppy. They bickered, but it was so much fun. Yes, Chef is described as The Bear x It Happened One Summer and it totally was! I loved gruff and surly Jack who's secretly a soft teddy bear. And seeing Poppy's growth and how she slowly challenges herself in and out of the kitchen was amazing. Grace Reilly definitely knows how to bring the 🔥! I was living for the tension between Jack and Poppy.

I also really loved how vulnerable Poppy and Jack were with one another. And how real they kept their relationship. They're both going through their own journeys and it wasn't always easy. Some of my most favorite parts were when it was hard for them to show their vulnerabilities, and yet they still tried. I do love myself a swoony romance.

Knocking 1 star, because I could see the third act break up coming and felt like it wasn't completely necessary . Overall, I really enjoyed Yes, Chef.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shoutout to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

4.5 ⭐

If you love grumpy chefs like Carmy from The Bear, then you will absolutely fall head over heels for Jack Hartman, a former foster kid turned James Beard Award winner, who loses himself after the passing of his mentor and ends up getting fired for being a grumpy asshole.

Enter Poppy, the bubbly influencer daughter of Jack's former boss, who, constantly belittled and underestimated by her family, is determined to prove her family (and everyone really) they're wrong about her.

The pair strike up a business venture—Jack remodeling and reopening his mentor's old restaurant, while Poppy uses her social media influencer skills to market and build up buzz around the restaurant. It's not easy going, Poppy and Jack get on like oil and water until they find a mutual connection through their struggles with ADHD. Despite their rough start though, the chemistry betweem them is sizzling and the banter is *chef's kiss*—no pun intended.

Things may heat up in and out of the kitchen for Pops and Jackie boy, but both of them still had a lot of growing and healing to do, which made their happy ending so much more satisfying. I loved seeing Poppy come into herself as she helped Jack, and seeing Jack heal and open up.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
- chef + influencer
- grumpy x sunshine
- mutual ADHD disasters
- forced proximity
- only one houseboat
- friends with bennies
- found family
- cooking as foreplay
- explorations of grief, regret, self-worth, and self-love

[daphne]

“𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐦𝐲 ...” 𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐲. 𝐌𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐲.”

Ah Grace Reilly, how I missed your writing. As soon as I saw the teasers for this one I knew I had to read it. I have to admit I was not immediately sold on these two.. How he behaved towards Poppy was really giving - go get therapy my dude - however this may also be due to the fact that I’m a bit tired of the grumpy x sunshine trope (or the romance genre in general). He did end up growing on me towards the end. I’m also so obsessed with the fact that there was a cat, which is not something I see often (listen I like dogs but where is the cat love?). I also really liked the adhd representation and especially within Poppy and her journey to self-acceptance. A solid read and I do recommend it (because we all deserve a hot chef who learns us how to cook).

the vibes™:
- grumpy x sunshine
- adhd rep
- cat!!
- influencer x chef

👩‍🍳❤️‍🔥✨🎀

[maud ⋆˙⟡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5*

i already can't wait for this book to come out so i can recommend it to EVERYONE. also i just realized that i read 3 books from Grace Reilly back in 2023 and i loved them so now i am not surprised that i adored this one 💕

i fell in love with poppy&jack and i seriously would've taken another 400 pages on them 😍
also the whole chef thing and teaching her really did it for me!!!

thanks to avon for an ARC of this book ❤️

[booksarebetterjess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta read - Full review to come

[ari ୨♡୧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was incredibly easy to fall in love with this story and its characters. It follows the classic (and irresistible) recipe of two people from completely different worlds who can’t stand each other but are forced to work together to achieve their individual goals. The result? An amazing romantic story about finding each other—and discovering who you truly are along the way. It’s beautiful, it’s funny, and it’s so, so romantic.

I truly loved watching Poppy and Jack’s relationship unfold. They don’t exactly like each other at first, but they both understand what’s at stake and are willing to put in the effort to make things work. And what happens later? Let’s just say it’s really good. 😉

I absolutely fell in love with Poppy. She’s persistent, passionate, and knows what she wants. It takes time, but she finds herself in a way that feels genuine and well earned. I especially loved that she didn’t have to change who she was to feel fulfilled—she simply found a way to expand her love for her craft and grow into it even more.

Also, big kudos to the cover. It’s mesmerizing. The illustration of the characters is stunning, and the added details of the ingredients? Chef’s kiss.

Yes, Chef is the perfect story for anyone who wants to fall in love—not just romantically, but with the part of themselves that makes them feel alive.

Thanks to netgalley for the e-arc <3

[Holly Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Grace’s writing for a long time! I remember reading First Down for the first time and just knowing that it was special. That whole series sits so close to my heart! And now we’re here! With something new and different and just as perfect! I feel like I say this every time I read a book so early!! But I can’t believe I got to read this already! It’s SO GOOD! I’m going to have to reread it because truly I think this is Grace at her best!

Jack and Poppy are EVERYTHING! There is nothing better than two people who are so different but also JUUUUST similar enough who then work together to prove themselves and then FALL IN LOOOOOVE on the way. The tension was DELICIOUS! The way they frustrated each other seemingly to no end. But they worked SO WELL together! And of course it helped that they were wildly attracted to each other!! and were able to be vulnerable and feel so safe to be themselves with each other!!

I really appreciated how both of their ADHD was written differently and we got to see what works for each of them and what doesn’t. I loved seeing Poppy really find herself, she’s never felt like she was enough. And with Jack’s she was really able to shine. The same was true for Jack too. He always thought there was something wrong with him, so he didn’t trust anything good that happened. But then Poppy happened and she forced him to see the good, to see a way to live and love and find a home - a home that’s been waiting for him!! And it was BEAUTIFUL!

Thank you so much to Avon for the arc in exchange for an honest review!!!

[Miranda Linton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story just isn’t working for me. By 45% it still hasn’t hooked me at all and I sort of had to just push through the rest. I think there is a market for this but it isn’t me.

The FMC kind of drove me nuts. I really struggle with characters who just cannot get it together. I don’t want to hear any excuses about her having adhd, the person I love most in this world also has adhd and would never do half of this. Being out of control is not a cute character trait.

If this had been a faster pace then I would have liked it. Sometimes the story line would absolutely drag but then it would speed up so fast I thought it was editing errors. There’s just a lot of little things that I couldn’t get past, like everyone knows you don’t wear pearls in water…right? We all know that?

Again, it’s not bad I just didn’t click with it. If you’re into cooking, adhd rep, grumpy sunshine, then this could be for you.

**thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an arc of this book**

[Hali · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sad I didn’t love this book. I really enjoyed the other series she wrote but this one really fell flat for me. I enjoyed Poppy’s character growth and the different portrayals of ADHD, but I HATED Jack. I felt like he didn’t grow at all and was so mean to Poppy the entire book. It wasn’t even just him being grumpy he was just really mean and said hurtful things to her all the way up until the end. I really couldn’t see them as a good couple and almost DNFd multiple times.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc!

[Tee Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟 Yes yes yes this was fabulous and absolutely delicious. I’ve never read a romance which was chef x influencer before but I just adored this. I was sucked in from the start and couldn’t put it down.

I absolutely loved Poppy and Jacks characters, individually and together but especially the representation of ADHD and how it differs from male to female. This is coming from a very chaotic ADHD girl, I feel Poppy in my soul. She was so real in her feelings and flaws, she simply just wanted to do good and be seen for all her hard work. I love how they came into their own, how their characters and mentality changed for the better but they just worked perfectly together. Absolutely chefs kiss.

This was witty and flirting, the tension from Poppy and Jack was oh so good, I was thoroughly obsessed.

I would absolutely recommend this book to romance lovers without a doubt.

Thank you HQ and NetGalley for my arc copy, I absolutely adored this!!

[Jess Hilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced, chaotic, and completely addictive, this was such a fun ride. The restaurant setting gave the whole story this electric energy, and I loved how much heart was tucked in between all the tension, pressure, and buildup. Poppy and Jack had that messy, magnetic, can-you-two-please-just-talk-already kind of chemistry that kept me fully invested from start to finish. 🔥🍽️

There was so much here about fitting in, finding your people, and learning how to let yourself be loved. I especially loved the found family element and the way the story explored ADHD, especially through the lens of a woman being diagnosed later and trying to understand herself in a world that was not built for the way her brain works. Sexy, emotional, healing, and full of energy, this was a really satisfying read for me. Four stars. 💛

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely a cute and fun read, but it just wasn’t a favorite for me. I think I enjoyed the premise more than the actual story. I just always have a hard time connecting with the miscommunication trope and the second act breakup.

While I did laugh out loud a few times and loved Poppy dearly, especially with the amazing ADHD rep, the relationship with Poppy and Jack just fell short for me. I really liked Jack when him and Poppy were together, but then at other times I would really dislike him for coming off as a jerk and just flat out mean. I did feel for him and his past and definitely did see the good in him, I just couldn’t get over some of the things he put Poppy through.

This story may not have been for me, I can definitely see others looking past these issues and loving their relationship as a whole. It definitely made me laugh out loud at times and the spice was definitely top notch!

⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️/5

*Thank you to Netgalley, Avon, and the author, Grace Reilly for the ARC!*

[Miglė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you author and avon/harper voyager for this arc 🫶

Classic grumpy x sunshine trope won’t let you down on a sunny summer day ✨

It is a perfect summer read for sure🫶

I really liked the banter between Jack and Poppy, how they first met and, of course, behind the scenes of restaurant kitchen 👏

[Bellalucina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book however, homeboy needs a better way to process his emotions…maybe some therapy to cope with the death of his mentor

[brooke ୨୧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced copy! 💗 when i read the description i knew i was going to love it, i’ve been waiting on something inspired by the bear after my obsession with it the past few years and even better that it also happened to be a romance! jack and poppy were so fun to read and so was the slow-burn. they pushed each other to grow until the very end. you can also never go wrong with the found family trope!

[Jenna ♡ (Jenna's Corner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to watch the bear. hot asf. chefs can GET IT.

This book was an absolute delight. I thought the character growth from both our MC's was great. The setting made me feel like I was there. By the end I was in LOVE with Poppy's growth. She was so willing & just had a certain drive that you only get when you find your calling. From the very first page this book dragged me in. I couldn't wait to see how Poppy & Jacks relationship developed. And that's the thing... it felt so incredibly natural. They were still their own individuals but together they made so much sense.

If you are a fan of rom coms, books that read like movies, and two sizzling hot main characters (both with a backbone I may add), this is THE book for you!

Thank you Avon for the advanced e-copy. 4.5 stars for Yes, Chef!

full review when i get a chance 😈

[Erin (erinsreadingroom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆ 4.5 stars

Yes, Chef is the new standalone contemporary romance by author Grace Reilly. As a fan of this author’s work in the past I felt very excited to get my hands on this delicious and tantalising tale as early as possible and was not left disappointing in the aftermath. This is a heartfelt story about two struggling people who were raised within opposing circumstances and yet come to realise that they share more in common then they realise, including a sizzling chemistry that threatens to burst with every stolen moment and yearning glance. The characters felt multi-layered and complex which helped to signify just how innately human they are despite being fictional. I love imperfect characters most of all because a journey of self-discovery only feels worthwhile and impactful with clear growth which is something that I believe Reilly has executed beautifully. The ADHD representation was written with intent and impact as we witness the differing experiences that can be between men and woman and the stereotypes that they are forced to endure as a result, and the discussions surrounding how more needs to be done to offer additional support for those in need. I adored the dual-POV narration which enables us as the reader to truly understand and explore both characters intimately as individuals alongside their romantic development for a much fuller experience. I had a wonderful time getting lost into this compelling and enriching romantic story filled with snarky banter, emotional conversations (including the consistent inclusion of grief and life after loss) and found family elements that will leave you struggling to put the book down.

Connecting with the joyous tornado that is Poppy Winfield was an ease from her very first introduction with her bubbly demeanour and unyielding determination as she also continued to win over anybody within her orbit. Getting an insight into her inner thoughts and the turmoil that she has faced felt like a gift as I’ve ended this experience feeling like I truly understand her character. The struggles that she has endured due to the lack of support from her ADHD diagnosis and the way that she felt like an unimportant afterthought to her family truly broke my heart. It hurt to recognise that all Poppy wanted was to be regarded seriously by her peers and to be recognised as the creative, intelligent woman that she knows she is capable of being. I had a lot of respect for her attitude and the way that she refused to back down when things would prove to be difficult. Poppy is just as ambitious and business-minded as her family, and I adored getting to witness her battle against the misconceptions of her character with determination and pride. She is a warm, kind and gentle soul that expresses genuine interest in the world around her which was the perfect contrast to her (eventual) other half. Poppy’s ability to find beauty and joy in the smallest of endeavours made it impossible to find any faults within her intentions, and I loved getting to witness a once struggling and insecure young woman blossom into somebody that takes pride in her actions and in what she brings to the table. She is far from perfect and doesn’t always get things right, especially when it comes to social cues and figuring out the right time to approach a difficult conversation, but there’s no denying that Poppy has a big heart and never makes a decision with any malicious intent. Her growth felt impactful and I couldn’t be happier with the conclusion to her story by the end.

Jack Hartman felt like a difficult character to pin down at the beginning as his struggles with emotional vulnerability greatly reflected on his character and my ability to connect with him on a deeper level. It became clear to me from the beginning how deeply Jack is struggling with the current circumstances within his life and it hurt to see him continue to undermine his personal value as a human being outside of a kitchen setting. He is a phenomenal chef that is widely renowned for his skills that has found his reputation at risk after some poorly made decisions finds Jack scattering to figure out where he truly belongs. What enabled me to connect with his character more was my recognition that the way he reacts is as a result of self-preservation and the way he desperately fears rejection in all manners of life. I fell in-love with him more and more as the continuation of the plot enabled me to further unravel his complicated persona and truly divulge into who he is at him core. Underneath a grumpy and immovable exterior is a soft man capable of gentleness and love. A man that has yearned to love and to be loved, and to finally have a family to call his own. I really enjoyed getting the ability to understand how his ADHD has impacted his life and the way that cooking has become his only safe space to be who he truly is. Jack’s backstory broke my heart and I hated to see how much self-imposed guilt and resentment that he has been carrying upon his shoulders for such a long time. I adored getting to witness his personality soften over time with patience as he slowly begins to entertain the idea of welcoming the love into his life that he both has long feared and yearned for. Jack’s journey felt impactful from start-to-finish and the progress that he makes left me wanting to audibly cheer him on. His imperfections and struggles make him a relatable character to root for and I couldn’t be happier when the life that we see him embrace within the epilogue.

I found the introduction between Poppy and Jack to be utterly hilarious as it is made clear early on that these two characters seem to attract chaos and carnage every time they occupy the same space. They immediately have presumptions and prejudices upon one another which becomes more apparent as unplanned circumstances bring them together in close proximity. I loved getting to see both characters being forced to address their bias as they slowly begin to lower their emotional walls and find themselves coming to the realisation that they share more in common than they initially believed. My favourite aspect of Poppy and Jack’s relationship ability was the way that they continued to push and encourage more from each other with the mutual respect and understanding of their capabilities. It took them a little bit of time to settle on equal ground and recognise the value that they are bringing into their professional arrangement. I loved how messy and imperfect their development was as we see mistakes being made which is further made worse by their struggle to communicate openly. Poppy and Jack really work hard to understand one another which I adored to see come into place with the revelation that they both have ADHD with differing needs. The scenes were Jack teaches Poppy to cook were everything as we can see how desperately Poppy wishes to be taken seriously whilst Jack begins to recognise how wrong he has been in his perception of her. The way that they encourage the best from each other felt like a monumental step forward within their relationship as this proved to me as the reader that they have the willingness to work together and make their relationship lasting. They forged a true partnership built on mutual respect and friendship which was beautiful to see, and most of all I adored that them working together to fix up the restaurant could be a direct correlation of their own personal journeys. Poppy and Jack put in the work and not only learn how to better themselves as individuals but also as a budding couple. Their progression was equal parts vulnerable as it was heat, and I adored every messy moment of their love story from start to finish.

Yes, Chef was as every bit a delight as I had hoped and I already know that I’m going to be yearning to discover what Grace Reilly has been working on next. I never realised just how much I have missed her work until reading this delightful tale, and I cannot wait to see what else Reilly has been cooking in that wonderfully creative brain of hers. Whatever it is… count me in on that release. Yes, Chef is absolutely a ‘must read’ of the summer that I urge all romance readers to pick up no matter what you’re doing. Please trust me and hit that preorder button.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this binge worthy book to the point I read it start to finish in one afternoon. Everything about it worked for me from the grumpy/sunshine vibes to the grumpy chef MMC, Jack, and FMC, Poppy, that wanted to be taken seriously to the difficult family dynamics. The food themed chapter headings were a perfect addition to this story. Although, both the chapter headings and the food references throughout the story made me so hungry while reading this. Make sure you have snacks handy. The banter between Poppy and Jack was top tier. I also really loved the cooking lessons that Jack gave Poppy and the different insights into the culinary and restaurant world this provided. There were also some incredibly hilarious scenes. The oyster commentary between Poppy and Jack will live rent free in my head and also had me laughing so hard. I also adored the sweeter moments like the pop tarts and chef’s coat scene. The friend group in this was everything, and I loved how they welcomed Poppy with open arms. I especially loved the friendship between Poppy and Kiara. Quite simply, this book is a must read.
✨
✨
eARC courtesy of Avon Books

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

No notes. "Yes, Chef" was perfect! The banter and the spice 🥵 I'm still recovering. This was my first Grace Reilly book and it won't be my last! Poppy Winfield and Jack Hartman are the ipedomy of Grumpy x Sunshine and I absolutely loved them! 

Poppy Winfield had something to prove to her family. She wanted them to take her seriously. Jack Hartman just lost his job and followed the dream of his foster dad's restaurant. Both Poppy and Jack brought out the best in each other which made their restaurant flourish! They worked so well toghether in and out of the resturant. I loved that for them. I loved Poppy's spunky personality. Gator the Ally Cat that Poppy adopted was so sweet. 

I loved watching the friendship form between Poppy and Kiara. It was beautiful watching Poppy find herself and her confidence while breaking down Jack's walls and watching him open up to people again. 

The way I devoured this book was insane! This book was Chef's Kiss! 💋❤️


Thank you Avon and Netgalley for my ARC Copy!


Tropes: 

-Grumpy Chef x Sunshine Influencer 
-Forced Proximity 
- Friends with Benefits 
- Found Family 
- Caution: Spicy!
- Dual Pov
- He Teaches her how to cook

[lari · Rating 3 out of 5]

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc and opportunity to read this before publishing!*

3.5 ⭐

Yes, Chef by Grace Reilly was such a fun, easy read with just the right amount of chaos and chemistry.

I loved the restaurant setting, it felt fresh and gave the story a really fun, slightly high-stakes back drop that made everything more interesting. The banter between the main characters was definitely a highlight, and their dynamic had that classic push-and-pull energy that makes you keep turning pages.

That said, I didn’t feel fully invested emotionally. The romance was cute and entertaining, but it didn’t hit quite as hard as I wanted it to, and some moments felt a little rushed, especially toward the end. I wanted just a bit more depth to really sell the connection.

Overall, though, it’s a super enjoyable read if you’re in the mood for something light, flirty, and food-filled. Not my all-time favorite, but definitely worth picking up for the vibes alone.

[bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced Readers Copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you ☺️🤍

love love love this book.

The chemistry between the main characters? Unreal. The slow burn, the forced proximity. I loved how both characters had their own ambitions and struggles, which made their connection feel so real and earned.

And the kitchen setting?? Absolutely delicious. The high-pressure, fast-paced environment added so much tension and made every interaction feel even more intense. It gave major The Bear vibes but with all the romance we crave. Loved “watching” the restaurant come together 🤩🍝🍳🍩🍰🍑