Chef's Kiss Again

by Jarrett Melendez, Irene Flores (Illustrator)

Genres: Graphic Novels, Queer, LGBT, Romance, Ebooks

192 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 20, 2026

Reviews

[Christine Lucia Asha]

...wish they had gotten the same illustrator....

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to an e-ARC for review purposes.

I came across Chef’s Kiss on Hoopla in 2024 and fell in love with the characters and the story. Ben was a character that I not only could relate to but also wanted to be friends with. Liam as a love interest was absolutely perfect for him and I really enjoyed their chemistry. So, when I saw this listed on NetGalley, I requested it immediately!

I really like how this book left off where the first one ended. I didn’t want to miss even a bit of Ben and Liam’s story, so I’m really happy with that decision.

I’m immediately obsessed with Pao. I need that amount of sass and confidence in my life.

The art is stunning and I love all the unique and fun character designs. I especially love the character photoshoot spread and the Thanksgiving table full page art. I love how the story moves forward with montages of just art and no dialogue. That is a super fun way to keep the story moving at a good pace while not skipping a ton of scenes.

The found family aspect really came through in this second book and I’m obsessed. The way the art is drawn makes you feel like a part of the little family yourself.

This was such a fun and fulfilling read and I really loved it. I’m going to miss my friends so bad. What a great group of people. I need so much moreeeeeee, but I did love the ending.

[Denise]

I received this comic as an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. I was very excited to see a second volume come out since I also read the first volume as an arc as well and really enjoyed that one. However, I just couldn’t get into this volume. I kept just skipping speech bubbles and racing ahead because I did not care what the characters had to say. At about one third I had to admit to myself that this wasn’t working and this volume was not doing it for me. The choices for the plot were not engaging, the characters struggles I did not care for, and the resulting relationship moments did not speak to me either. Unfortunately I have to say returning to these characters was not as exciting or fun as I hoped or expected.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series: Chef's Kiss #2
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good

This book picks up a few weeks after the previous book ended. Ben has finished his chef training and is finally starting to do full services. The restaurant has also seen an explosion of business since he wrote his article and it went viral. Now Ben and Liam have to navigate their new relationship, holidays, new meal plans, and Liam being in charge of the restaurant while the chef takes a break.

This was a great follow up to the previous comic. I really loved the original story and my only complaint with it was that we barely get to see Ben and Liam as a couple because they spent that volume flirting and working up to being a couple. This volume fixes that issue and it is all about navigating their new relationship while having time consuming jobs and other commitments. On top of the relationship, we dive deeper into the staff who work at this restaurant, some of whom we didn’t meet in the previous book, and Ben’s friends who have now joined this little found family.

Liam and Ben’s relationship is super cute, but we also get to see them struggling as a couple for various reasons. They both have intensive jobs and a robust friend group so they have little free time on their hands. When the time they usually spend together gets filled with Liam’s new responsibilities we see them both start to crack under the pressure. I really loved seeing the progression in their relationship and how it was being tested. Yes, they probably should have talked sooner, but they are both anxious boys who struggle with how much they like the other and fear of messing up. We have all been there at some point. Basically, their relationship was super cute, and also really relatable.

One of the best parts of this story though was the found family they created with the restaurant employees and Ben’s friend group. This was a wonderful, inclusive, and so happily queer group that supported and looked after each other. I loved it! I especially liked Pao and how over the top they were. They were such a diva, but also a great friend, and I loved them for it! Also, I loved how they pushed Ben and Tom to try drag. It was adorable and fantastic.

Overall, this was a fantastic sequel to the first book. I really loved this couple and their friends. I would totally read more stories with them.

TW; anxiety and panic attacks; emotionally abusive ex mentioned;

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year, I read the first book in this graphic novel series and while it just barely turned out to be a 4 star, it was one that I enjoyed and had characters I wanted to read more about if the chance presented. So when I saw the sequel was available for request on Netgalley? I had to try! And I was so happy to get approved for the ARC cause I didn't think it was going to happen. We step into Ben & Liam's lives again as they work at Cochon Doré while navigating the ups-and-downs of life from the pressures of work, the pressures of fame, the pressures of a new relationship, and more. The world is throwing curve-balls at them, but nothing compares to the ones they aim at themselves as the ghosts of relationships past and the anxieties of self-doubt press in on them. Thankfully they have wonderful friends surrounding them both. I absolutely love, love, love the found family in these graphic novels and feel like it's even stronger in this one. The side characters are such a delight and I'm here for them as much as I am Ben & Liam so I was pleased to see we got to see more development in them as well.

I loved too how we got to progress with Ben & Liam through so many firsts of relationships: the good and the bad. It was so cute. The overall story felt stronger to me in this one, honestly. Not that I didn't enjoy the story in the first one cause I did. Just that this one hit differently as I've been where Ben & Liam both were when it comes to a new relationship. Felt the same fears, the same anxieties from past relationships. Then to have to deal with the stressors of everyday life on top of everything; heightening those feelings whether you want them to or not, and not sure how to move forward from there. . . It's a lot, for sure. I was glad to see so much growth though in these two throughout this book. It was wonderful.

There were also, of course, the other aspects of the story around the restaurant that brought a variety of feelings including humor to the story. Watson was precious and adorable as expected. I definitely had some new favorites in this issue for side characters, and hope that maybe we'll get to see one of those couples be the main characters in their own graphic novels one day. The art, of course, was stunning especially during so many of the holiday aspects outside of the restaurant that we got to experience.

So yeah, definitely one I recommend and hope we get more of this setting and these characters in future.

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chef’s Kiss is one of those feel good graphic novels with a slightly quirky plot that you read and can’t stop thinking about. I read it a few years ago and I still think about it today. Whether it be the art, which is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, or the plot, which is quick, funny, and very queer, it doesn’t matter… I love it all! So finding out that there was going to be a sequel 🤯 blew my mind. I, probably like everyone else, thought it was going to be a standalone. Does this mean there could be more, because I’d be ready as many as possible.

Let’s start with the fact that everyone is so beautiful. Liam (obviously), Ben, Pao, even the pig Watson (he’s friggin’ adorable), but Davis the restaurant owner could GET IT! 🥵 The fact he has the nickname Daddy Davis does not fall on deaf ears. Purrr! Honestly, that is enough to make me come crawling back for more!! I love a man in power… I mean, he’s a chef (cook for me!), but he also runs a successful business. I could be his arm candy. 💍

This book gave us much more of a range of emotions from Liam and Ben. Liam is going through a lot. Not only is he dealing with past relationship trauma and trying not to let it effect his current one with Ben, but when Davis goes on vacation, it brings out a lot more unexpected stress. We get to see a worn down and unhealthy side to him. There is also a great depiction of panic attacks that I really appreciated.

Like I said, I’m sat and ready for as many books as Jarrett Melendez wants to write. I have loved every single one, but especially the Chef’s Kiss books. I’ve read the first multiple times and this one won’t be far behind.

Thank you to Oni Press and NetGalley for my gifted eARC.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Oni Press, and Jarrett Melendez for a copy of the eARC.

This comic made me feel so warm and cozy inside. There are so many tender and heartwarming moments inside this book I just cannot stop thinking about it. The story can be read as a standalone, but there's a prequel to it. There was a little bit of a lack of communication between our two main mmcs, but their friends definitely did good slapping them back into reality. I love how everyone's just so supportive of each other, including the pet pig, Watson. It seems that everyone's so attuned to each other's vibes/feeling that they can always step in when someone starts spiraling.

The art was amazing and made it really fun to read. The characters were all so beautiful, whether in their usual fit or in costume/drag. I love how there's always a pop of color in all the panels. The Halloween and Christmas costumes were were thought out. Even the pig had fabulous outfits. At one point I started thinking about how nice it would to have a pet pig.

I would totally recommend this book to anyone looking for a quirky, fun, and cozy read. There are minor struggles between the character, but it just reminds us that we are all human and can make mistakes. I will most likely be picking up a copy of this to have on my book shelf as I have both a sister in the LGBTQ community, as well as one that works as a chef. I am sure both of them will appreciate this book.

[Off Service Book Recs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben Cook is living a life he could only dream about - he's scored a cooking job at the highly desirable Cochon Doré, he's getting PAID to write, his roommates are his found family, and - the cherry on top - he has a super-hot, super steamy boyfriend. And thanks in no small part to his most recent article, the restaurant is popping off, and reservations are booked solid. It's an exciting - and anxiety-inducing time, and the pressure of deadlines, growth, new responsibilities, and nosy parents may make like a pressure cooker and explode if Ben and his friends can't learn to let loose and rely on each other once in a while.

I loved the first volume of this novel, and thought this was a really cute follow-up - I think it's hard to go bigger when it felt like a lot of the loose ends of the first volume got tied up nicely, but there was good conflict as well as plenty of cute slice-of-life moments here and I really enjoyed revisiting the world. I also can see threads of stories that might be addressed in future novels (fingers crossed), and for those who like a low-stakes, queer-affirming story seasoned to perfection with joy, heartache, validation, and the kind of anxiety you can only get from being an overachiever, this is a story that will leave you asking for seconds (and thirds)!

[Rhiannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Chef's Kiss, I thought Chef's Kiss Again was cute and fun. I like Ben, Liam, and the cast of side characters, and the found family aspect is really sweet. Sometimes it's nice to read a story that features a romance but still highlights the importance of other types of relationships, too.

If I'm being honest, the restaurant aspect of these books isn't overwhelmingly interesting to me, which is what stops me from rating them higher than 3 stars. I enjoy the relationships, both romantic and platonic, but I've yet to find myself very invested in the restaurant, and I'm still not crazy about Ben and Liam's boss, Davis, who seems to be grumpy just for the sake of adding a point of tension to the story. And, while cute, the Watson of it all is, obviously, pretty silly.

I thought this was a solid sequel to the first book, and I liked seeing Ben and Liam's relationship development as well as their individual development and the ways they dealt with their anxiety and panic attacks. Mental health representation is always great when it's done respectfully. That being said, this wasn't a standout for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Oni Press and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. This was so sweet! Ben and Liam are back and business at the restaurant is booming since Ben’s article came out. Watson has become a hit with people and everyone wants to eat the food he approves of. But as the restaurant gets busy so do their personal lives and as the holidays approach, things become slightly complicated for both Ben and Liam. They work through Halloween parties, Thanksgiving dinners, and Christmas drag shows all while trying to find new food items for the winter menu and for Ben, new ideas for articles that he write. Will all the pressure be too much for their new relationship? And what happens if they can’t get the new menu to make customers happy? I thought this was a perfect follow up to the first book and it was nice to see Ben and Liam settle into their relationship and Ben settling into the restaurant. Plus we get to see new characters and Pao was everything! Their relationship with Tom made me laugh and the two are so cute together! A charming story that had me feeling and the warm and fuzzies! Jarrett Melendez, Irene Flores, Gabriella Sinopoli, and Crank due an excellent job with the story and artwork for this one! Highly recommend checking it out!

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2️⃣ in the Chef’s Kiss graphic novel series.
👨🏼‍🍳
Ben Cook is settling into what should be the perfect life: a new job at Cochon Doré, a successful food-writing career, and a relationship with his boyfriend, Liam. After Ben’s viral article brings a flood of attention to the restaurant, both Ben and Liam find themselves juggling new pressures and responsibilities. As holidays approach, Ben becomes fixated on making everything perfect while Liam struggles under the weight of the restaurant’s growing success. Miscommunication, anxiety, and unrealistic expectations begin to create distance between them, forcing both men to learn that healthy relationships aren’t built on perfection but on trust, vulnerability, and showing up for each other.
💋
This is the rare romance sequel that feels just as satisfying as the original. While the first book focused on falling in love, this one explores what happens after the happily-ever-after begins. Ben and Liam’s relationship feels authentic as they navigate anxiety, work stress, and the pressure of wanting everything to be perfect. Their struggles are relatable, and the emotional growth throughout the story is genuinely rewarding. This title releases October 20!

CW: anxiety

[Vanna Book-Mage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our favourite cooking couple, Ben and Liam, are back in Chef’s Kiss Again by Jarrett Melendez and they are just as cute, queer and in love as ever.

The second installment of Chef’s Kiss is serving up slice-of-life, the stressors of adulthood, the craziness of the restaurant business, balancing work versus personal life, friendship, romance, communication and love.

It’s an emotional yet fun depiction of life and love, of finding and asserting confidence in one’s self and trusting those around you; it is a visual depiction of growth and found family and how that culminates to curate your life.

The illustrations were realistic and detailed and the colours chosen made the characters come to life in a warm, fun and cozy way.

Overall, a good continuation of the series in that it still holds humour and heartfelt moments while still giving 3D main characters and solid side characters. My only grouse was that it felt a bit text heavy and I wish we got more moment of wordless scenes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press, for this free arc/copy of Chef's Kiss Again by Jarrett Melendez; all opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just so darned cute and fun. At the center of the story is Ben and Liam's struggle to communicate and be vulnerable with each other, especially during an incredibly stressful time at the restaurant, but this second installment is also a heartwarming and visually-interesting story that widens to encompass the whole staff of Cochon Doré and Ben's roommates. This reminded me of the best moments with found family, both the ones when your friends tell you (gently or bluntly) to get your head out of your ass, and the times full of laughter like shopping at the Christmas market or the drag show. It was refreshing to see (eventual) clear communication between the MCs, and genuine support from friends.

This has big HEA rom-com energy, so even though it deals with serious topics such as the MCs' anxiety, it is knowingly through rose-colored glasses, and a bit ship-ey, as the character Emi reminds us several times that she ships Liam/Ben because they're so adorable 😂 I'm okay with this, though, since it seems like we're all on the same page with the expectation of wanting a feel-good found-family rom-com from this, especially since it's a sequel.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

[m✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Chef’s kiss again picks it back up right after the end of chef’s kiss, and it was quite nice getting back into the groove and learning more about Ben and Liam’s relationship, as it’s just starting.

It was refreshing watching them struggle and try to manage their job with establishing themselves and getting comfortable in a new relationship.

I particularly enjoyed reading about both mental health struggles and drag as it was done in a very respectful way, which I appreciate reading this month as it’s both pride month 🏳️‍🌈 and men’s mental health month 🧠

However, if there’s something I have to say I enjoyed less, is the rush in the restaurant plot. They barely gave it any attention and suddenly it was over.

On another note, you bet your a** i'm going to be trying the recipes includes, because the butternut squash soup from chef's kiss is one of my go-tos.

[Mylene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Chef's Kiss, so of course the second I saw that the sequel was available as an ARC on Netgalley I jumped on it!
I had to reread the first volume though, because I had forgotten a little who was who. I also noted that the art style was different from the first volume, as it is done by another illustrator. However, the characters are still recognizable and, as I got more involved in the story, I noticed the difference less and less.
Chef's Kiss Again alternate between emotional moments and heartwarming joy. The trope of found family plays heavily in this volume and sometimes the situation seemed too perfect, but the drag subplot was so fun to read! I was particularly invested in the exploration of mental health issues, as someone who struggles with anxiety. What I liked less was the Watson-losing-his-palate plot. I found the tension a little too harsh. Thank the gods this little piggy is so adorable.
Many thanks to Oni Press and Netgalley for this unexpected arc!

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be good for readers who enjoy slice of life and books about cooking and running a restaurant.

This has a different artist than the first, but the art is vivid and the panel design is interesting. I enjoyed the drag scenes in particular.

Unfortunately, I am not someone who enjoys slice of life. I found many of the restaurant scenes boring. The main tension of this book - feeling too busy to prioritize your significant other - lacked stakes, especially since we knew the circumstances were short-term. The boyfriend Liam didn't have a personality and I didn't feel any chemistry between him and Ben. I think part of the issue is that, as much as I liked the artwork in terms of scenery, the character faces were flat and I couldn't read any emotion. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but I am not sure this one delivered on the first book's promise.

Thank you to Oni Press and Netgalley for the arc.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute enough follow up to the first Chef's Kiss story, but it felt more drawn out. I got bored half-way through, despite the fact that I wanted to know how things would turn out. There was a long drawn out scene where they had to run the reasturant without the owner, and it seemed to go on and on and on.

Ben and Liam are still in a relationship, but of course all the hard work of the resturant gets in the way of that and there are misunderstandings. Same old same old.

So, well I am happy the book continued, I am disapointed thata the story didn't move me the same way as the first book did. Also it was too bad we didn't have the continuiety of having the same illustrator.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out on the 20th of October 2026.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chef's Kiss is one of my favorite original graphic novels and when I saw there was a sequel coming out, I squealed out loud. This follow-up story takes place almost directly after the events of the first book so we get to see Ben and Liam in their sweet honeymoon phase that quickly gets interrupted by major life events, pressure over new work responsibilities, communication challenges, and past trauma. Where Chef's Kiss Again shines is in the realistic and heartfelt way Melendez shows the growing pains of young adults figuring out new challenges and growing into new identities. I loved getting to hang out with these characters again and would not say no to more stories in the future. Highly recommend for fans of Heartstopper and and all things heart-eyes.

I received an advanced readers copy from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?] · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited when I saw that a comic I found by chance in my local library was about to get a sequel.
And I was even more excited when I got an arc.
(Thank you NetGalley and Onipress 🙏🏻)

The first thing that surprised me was the art style, while still being similar, it did feel different.
I loved the whole found family aspect of the second book and also how the relationship between those two developed into a more complex and intimate way.
Sadly, I still didn’t enjoy it as much as the first one.
I’m not sure what exactly tipped me off, the different art style the sometimes a bit too modern slang words?
Still, it’s an adorable cute story and if you’re in the mood for restaurant drama with a tasting pig and a grumpy boss, look no further this one’s for you.

[Shilo Quetchenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun follow-up to Chef's Kiss. Ben and Liam are so cute together, as are the other couples in the book. I really loved the found family aspect, with the entire restaurant staff acting as one big family. The Watson part is rather silly, as in the first installment, but it is memorable.

This volume focuses heavily on mental health, with stress, anxiety, and panic attacks getting a lot of story time. The subject is handled well and compassionately.

I love the art style! It's very dynamic and colorful, and the characters are very expressive. I especially loved the drag show scenes. The whole drag storyline was my favorite part of the story.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing an early copy for review.

[Ayra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute and a really great follow up to the first book. It was so nice to see how Ben and Liam’s relationship plays out and the overall message of how stressful life can get. The friends these guys have are so wonderful and I appreciated the amount of support and communication from everyone.

I did hate how many times I had to read “cook the cook” from Liam. I wanted to punch a wall.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.

[Shantel (Nixy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chef's Kiss Again is the second instalment to the Chef Kiss Series. This is a book that represents the LGBTQ Community so well. I absolutely love Liam and Ben's relationship they are so cute and sweet to each other. I hope there is more coming to this series or some spin offs in the other characters POV's because I was also enjoying some of the other relationships in this as well. I will for sure be picking up more by the author. I am still kind dipping my toe into watching and reading about Drag Queens but this was beautiful introduction and I also look forward to reading up more on that as well. I highly recommend this series to anyone that likes these topics are just a romance in general.

[ZombiieeX · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Tippy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember really like the first Chef's Kiss but maybe it has been too long since I read it because this follow up didn't feel quiet the same. The art seemed slightly different than what I remember, more mature maybe? Which I guess makes sense in a way for the characters and story. The story itself wasn't bad. The great thing about both graphic novels is that they have great side characters. In this volume, Pao in particular is amazing. It was also nice to see Ben and Liam's relationship progress, though I could have used some more actual romance.