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Chef's Kiss
WILDFLOWER
I played cupid with the only man I ever loved. Pushed him into a marriage I thought I believed in. And somehow lost him in the process.
And now?
He’s divorced.
He’s in Paris.
He’s with me.
Doing my favorite thing in the world. Whisking, tasting, wanting me in ways he shouldn’t, and dicing me open to a point of no return.
My only option is to run, shut him out, protect the fresh start I’d fought for.
Yet I still find myself standing outside our doors, waiting...hoping he’d step out into the night for no reason but that we were spices in the same dish.
SUNSHINE
Cooking was never on any list of dreams I had for my life.
Until the first day I cooked beside her and watched her move like she was crafted from fire and flavor.
After my divorce, Paris called to me, the food, the flavors… and the woman who had always held my heart.
My ex-wife’s best friend.
The one I’ve loved long before she ever knew I existed.
I played cupid with the only man I ever loved. Pushed him into a marriage I thought I believed in. And somehow lost him in the process.
And now?
He’s divorced.
He’s in Paris.
He’s with me.
Doing my favorite thing in the world. Whisking, tasting, wanting me in ways he shouldn’t, and dicing me open to a point of no return.
My only option is to run, shut him out, protect the fresh start I’d fought for.
Yet I still find myself standing outside our doors, waiting...hoping he’d step out into the night for no reason but that we were spices in the same dish.
SUNSHINE
Cooking was never on any list of dreams I had for my life.
Until the first day I cooked beside her and watched her move like she was crafted from fire and flavor.
After my divorce, Paris called to me, the food, the flavors… and the woman who had always held my heart.
My ex-wife’s best friend.
The one I’ve loved long before she ever knew I existed.
405 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 2, 2026
ARC review for Chef's Kiss (3.5 ⭐ & 5🌶️)
This story had such an interesting premise right from the start - three close friends, a marriage that ends before the book even begins, and the added complication of one of them having quietly carried feelings for the ex-husband for years. I was immediately curious to see how everything between them would unfold.
One of the things that stood out most to me was how complicated the history between Tessa and Zaire felt right from the beginning. Their chemistry is obvious almost immediately, but Tessa’s loyalty to Nora, especially after the divorce, made her hesitation feel completely understandable. It also added another layer of tension knowing that Zaire had pulled away from their friendship years earlier, something that clearly still affected Tessa even before the truth behind that decision came out. I completely understood why Tessa struggled with telling Nora the truth, but at the same time I also found myself thinking that if I were in Nora’s position, I would have reacted exactly the same way she did. That balance made the conflict feel messy in a very real and human way.
I also really enjoyed the Paris culinary school setting and the found-family dynamic that formed between the students there. Even though Nora plays such an important role in the emotional conflict of the story, most of the book actually unfolds alongside the friendships Tessa and Zaire build with their classmates, which made their time in Paris feel lively and immersive and added a lot of warmth to the story overall. I especially appreciated how those friendships showed up for both of them when everything finally came to the surface, reinforcing just how important that community had become in their lives.
That being said, there were a few points in the middle where it felt like we were returning to the same emotional realizations more than once before everything finally came to the surface. At times it seemed like new moments between them were being framed as turning points in their relationship, even though I wasn’t always sure how much had actually shifted between them yet. I was still invested in where the story was going, but I did find myself wishing that turning point had come just a bit sooner.
Overall, I really enjoyed the emotional complexity between these characters and the way the story explored friendship, timing, and what it means to move forward when relationships change shape. Watching Tessa and Zaire navigate everything tied to their past, especially with the added weight of their shared history with Nora, made their story feel especially layered and believable, and kept me invested in how everything between them would ultimately unfold. If you enjoy friends-to-lovers romances with layered history, years of unspoken feelings, and relationship dynamics that feel a little messy but very real, this one is definitely worth picking up.
This story had such an interesting premise right from the start - three close friends, a marriage that ends before the book even begins, and the added complication of one of them having quietly carried feelings for the ex-husband for years. I was immediately curious to see how everything between them would unfold.
One of the things that stood out most to me was how complicated the history between Tessa and Zaire felt right from the beginning. Their chemistry is obvious almost immediately, but Tessa’s loyalty to Nora, especially after the divorce, made her hesitation feel completely understandable. It also added another layer of tension knowing that Zaire had pulled away from their friendship years earlier, something that clearly still affected Tessa even before the truth behind that decision came out. I completely understood why Tessa struggled with telling Nora the truth, but at the same time I also found myself thinking that if I were in Nora’s position, I would have reacted exactly the same way she did. That balance made the conflict feel messy in a very real and human way.
I also really enjoyed the Paris culinary school setting and the found-family dynamic that formed between the students there. Even though Nora plays such an important role in the emotional conflict of the story, most of the book actually unfolds alongside the friendships Tessa and Zaire build with their classmates, which made their time in Paris feel lively and immersive and added a lot of warmth to the story overall. I especially appreciated how those friendships showed up for both of them when everything finally came to the surface, reinforcing just how important that community had become in their lives.
That being said, there were a few points in the middle where it felt like we were returning to the same emotional realizations more than once before everything finally came to the surface. At times it seemed like new moments between them were being framed as turning points in their relationship, even though I wasn’t always sure how much had actually shifted between them yet. I was still invested in where the story was going, but I did find myself wishing that turning point had come just a bit sooner.
Overall, I really enjoyed the emotional complexity between these characters and the way the story explored friendship, timing, and what it means to move forward when relationships change shape. Watching Tessa and Zaire navigate everything tied to their past, especially with the added weight of their shared history with Nora, made their story feel especially layered and believable, and kept me invested in how everything between them would ultimately unfold. If you enjoy friends-to-lovers romances with layered history, years of unspoken feelings, and relationship dynamics that feel a little messy but very real, this one is definitely worth picking up.
April 24, 2026
What happens in Paris stays in Paris, unless you are falling for the one man who is strictly off limits. Lilian Oklobia takes us on a journey through the city of lights where the food is exquisite and the tension is high, but the emotinal stakes are even higher. It is a story that explores the thin line between following your heart and staying loyal to the people who matter most, all while surrounded by the most romantic backdrop imaginable.
The story follows Tessa, who escapes to Paris for a much needed getaway only to cross paths with Zaire, a man who immediately sparks a flame she cannot ignore. However, their instant connection comes with a heavy price: Zaire is the ex husband of Tessa's best friend, Nora. As they wander through the streets of Paris and indulge in its culinary delights, Tessa must decide if their intense chemistry is worth the potential betrayal of her closest friendship. The novella navigates their growing bond and the looming shadow of the truth that must eventually come to light.
What I Loved
- The Atmospheric Setting: The descriptions of Paris were lovely and truly transported me to the city. I particularly enjoyed the focus on the food and the various locations, which added a rich, sensory layer to the reading experience.
- The Culinary Focus: As the title suggets, the food play and the appreciation for gastronomy were highlights that made the setting feel even more authentic and indulgent.
Things for Consideration
- Pacing and Plot: At times, the tempo felt quite slow. There was a lack of significant plot development outside of the romance (spice), which made the story feel a bit stagnant in certain chaptars.
- Repetitive Spice: While the chemistry is undeniable, the frequency of the public spice moments became a bit overwhelming after a while. It felt like it took away from the potential for more emotional depth.
- Random Plot Points: There were some unexpected developments that felt disjointed, coming out of nowhere without prior context or necessity for the main arc (I won't 'spoil' for those who want to read the book).
Final Verdict and Recommendations
I am giving this book 3 stars. It is a solid choice for readers who enjoy a very steamy, atmospheric romance set in Paris and do not mind a slower pace. If you are a fan of the forbidden romance trope and enjoy stories where the setting is just as important as the characters, you might enjoy this. However, be prepared for a lot of spice and a plot that moves quite leisurely.
Disclosure
Thank you to Epica Book PR and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
The story follows Tessa, who escapes to Paris for a much needed getaway only to cross paths with Zaire, a man who immediately sparks a flame she cannot ignore. However, their instant connection comes with a heavy price: Zaire is the ex husband of Tessa's best friend, Nora. As they wander through the streets of Paris and indulge in its culinary delights, Tessa must decide if their intense chemistry is worth the potential betrayal of her closest friendship. The novella navigates their growing bond and the looming shadow of the truth that must eventually come to light.
What I Loved
- The Atmospheric Setting: The descriptions of Paris were lovely and truly transported me to the city. I particularly enjoyed the focus on the food and the various locations, which added a rich, sensory layer to the reading experience.
- The Culinary Focus: As the title suggets, the food play and the appreciation for gastronomy were highlights that made the setting feel even more authentic and indulgent.
Things for Consideration
- Pacing and Plot: At times, the tempo felt quite slow. There was a lack of significant plot development outside of the romance (spice), which made the story feel a bit stagnant in certain chaptars.
- Repetitive Spice: While the chemistry is undeniable, the frequency of the public spice moments became a bit overwhelming after a while. It felt like it took away from the potential for more emotional depth.
- Random Plot Points: There were some unexpected developments that felt disjointed, coming out of nowhere without prior context or necessity for the main arc (I won't 'spoil' for those who want to read the book).
Final Verdict and Recommendations
I am giving this book 3 stars. It is a solid choice for readers who enjoy a very steamy, atmospheric romance set in Paris and do not mind a slower pace. If you are a fan of the forbidden romance trope and enjoy stories where the setting is just as important as the characters, you might enjoy this. However, be prepared for a lot of spice and a plot that moves quite leisurely.
Disclosure
Thank you to Epica Book PR and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 8, 2026
Chef's Kiss completely consumed me.
What started as “just a few chapters” turned into me staying awake until almost 4am because I physically could not stop reading. This book is emotional, addictive, romantic, frustrating, tender, steamy, and deeply heartfelt all at once.
One of the strongest parts of this novel is the emotional writing. Lilian Oklobia has a way of making readers feel exactly what the characters feel, the longing, guilt, fear, vulnerability, desire, heartbreak, and overwhelming love all felt incredibly real.
Tessa and Zaire’s chemistry was electric from beginning to end, but beyond the romance, I appreciated how layered the relationships were. The friendship conflict with Nora added emotional weight to the story, and I genuinely found myself anxious about how everything would unfold. No character felt one-dimensional.
I also loved the small details woven into the story:
- the playlists,
- the poetry,
- the cultural references,
- the food descriptions,
- the nicknames,
- and the incorporation of Nigerian culture.
The relationship details felt incredibly intentional and intimate. One of my favorite moments was Tessa gifting Zaire a chef knife engraved with “Sunshine” — the nickname she calls him, while he calls her “Wildflower.” Little things like that made their love feel personal, soft, and deeply genuine.
The proposal scene especially was unforgettable. The symbolism of love being represented through dishes, flavors, spices, memories, and countries was beautifully done and incredibly emotional. The entire scene felt thoughtful, intimate, and perfectly true to who they were as a couple.
And yes — the steamy scenes absolutely delivered 😭
This book felt warm, immersive, passionate, and human. It made me smile, blush, panic, scream internally, and even tear up at some points. I became deeply attached to these characters and genuinely did not want the story to end.
I also appreciated the emotional growth throughout the story, especially seeing Tessa slowly grow from insecurity and fear into someone more confident, loved, and emotionally open. The friendships, the truths, vulnerability, and emotional honesty made the story feel even more authentic.
If you love emotional romance with strong chemistry, friendship dynamics, vulnerability, humor, cultural depth, unforgettable romantic gestures, and characters that genuinely stay with you after the last page, this is absolutely worth reading.
I’ll definitely be reading more from this author because if this is the level of storytelling she delivers, then I already know I’m in trouble.
What started as “just a few chapters” turned into me staying awake until almost 4am because I physically could not stop reading. This book is emotional, addictive, romantic, frustrating, tender, steamy, and deeply heartfelt all at once.
One of the strongest parts of this novel is the emotional writing. Lilian Oklobia has a way of making readers feel exactly what the characters feel, the longing, guilt, fear, vulnerability, desire, heartbreak, and overwhelming love all felt incredibly real.
Tessa and Zaire’s chemistry was electric from beginning to end, but beyond the romance, I appreciated how layered the relationships were. The friendship conflict with Nora added emotional weight to the story, and I genuinely found myself anxious about how everything would unfold. No character felt one-dimensional.
I also loved the small details woven into the story:
- the playlists,
- the poetry,
- the cultural references,
- the food descriptions,
- the nicknames,
- and the incorporation of Nigerian culture.
The relationship details felt incredibly intentional and intimate. One of my favorite moments was Tessa gifting Zaire a chef knife engraved with “Sunshine” — the nickname she calls him, while he calls her “Wildflower.” Little things like that made their love feel personal, soft, and deeply genuine.
The proposal scene especially was unforgettable. The symbolism of love being represented through dishes, flavors, spices, memories, and countries was beautifully done and incredibly emotional. The entire scene felt thoughtful, intimate, and perfectly true to who they were as a couple.
And yes — the steamy scenes absolutely delivered 😭
This book felt warm, immersive, passionate, and human. It made me smile, blush, panic, scream internally, and even tear up at some points. I became deeply attached to these characters and genuinely did not want the story to end.
I also appreciated the emotional growth throughout the story, especially seeing Tessa slowly grow from insecurity and fear into someone more confident, loved, and emotionally open. The friendships, the truths, vulnerability, and emotional honesty made the story feel even more authentic.
If you love emotional romance with strong chemistry, friendship dynamics, vulnerability, humor, cultural depth, unforgettable romantic gestures, and characters that genuinely stay with you after the last page, this is absolutely worth reading.
I’ll definitely be reading more from this author because if this is the level of storytelling she delivers, then I already know I’m in trouble.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2026
The only thing I liked about this book was the cover. 1.5 stars rounding up to 2 stars.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of the book and spoilers ahead.
While reading, I kept checking to see when the book would be over. I thought the pacing was a bit fast. For example, Tessa BARELY just forgave Zaire at the end of chapter 9 and they’re already making out in chapter 10 and by chapter 11 they were already having sex. Mind you, there are 41 chapters in the book. I get that they've been in love with each other the whole time. But I found it unrealistic that neither of them said anything prior to Zaire getting married to Nora, Tessa's best friend. In my opinion, if your feelings for someone are that strong, you would have said something before it got to that point.
Tessa and Zaire keeping their relationship a secret from Tessa is the main conflict in the story. Towards the beginning of the book that conflict is obvious, but drops off in the middle. It's not until chapter 37 (again there's only 41 chapters in the book plus an epilogue) when Nora surprises Tessa in Paris that the conflict is brought up again. There was one other random conflict when Tessa's mom surprises Tessa in Paris and we find out that she was abusive to Tessa. This random conflict got resolved in 2 pages.
I love spice as much as the next person, but there were too many sex scenes. I'm not one to shame for having public sex (because spicing it up can be fun), but why are majority of the sex scenes in public? And why were Zaire and Tessa having sex against some random person's car? Imagine you're coming back to your car and you see that.
I did think Zaire's proposal was romantic, but I was irked that he did it on Ben and Pragya's wedding day. I understand that all of their friends were there, but it's stealing the thunder from Ben and Pragya.
Favorite quote: "I will love you in the afterlife, Tessa Sinclair. Death wouldn’t take that away”
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of the book and spoilers ahead.
While reading, I kept checking to see when the book would be over. I thought the pacing was a bit fast. For example, Tessa BARELY just forgave Zaire at the end of chapter 9 and they’re already making out in chapter 10 and by chapter 11 they were already having sex. Mind you, there are 41 chapters in the book. I get that they've been in love with each other the whole time. But I found it unrealistic that neither of them said anything prior to Zaire getting married to Nora, Tessa's best friend. In my opinion, if your feelings for someone are that strong, you would have said something before it got to that point.
Tessa and Zaire keeping their relationship a secret from Tessa is the main conflict in the story. Towards the beginning of the book that conflict is obvious, but drops off in the middle. It's not until chapter 37 (again there's only 41 chapters in the book plus an epilogue) when Nora surprises Tessa in Paris that the conflict is brought up again. There was one other random conflict when Tessa's mom surprises Tessa in Paris and we find out that she was abusive to Tessa. This random conflict got resolved in 2 pages.
I love spice as much as the next person, but there were too many sex scenes. I'm not one to shame for having public sex (because spicing it up can be fun), but why are majority of the sex scenes in public? And why were Zaire and Tessa having sex against some random person's car? Imagine you're coming back to your car and you see that.
I did think Zaire's proposal was romantic, but I was irked that he did it on Ben and Pragya's wedding day. I understand that all of their friends were there, but it's stealing the thunder from Ben and Pragya.
Favorite quote: "I will love you in the afterlife, Tessa Sinclair. Death wouldn’t take that away”
Review of advance copy received from Author
Chef's kiss by Lilian Oklobia is a beautifully written Romantic book. It revolves around Tessa (wildflower) and Zaire (Sunshine). Their Love bloomed in the 'City of Love' and the chemistry between them was terrific. Not just Physical intimacy, but there was emotional depth between them which can make your heart melt and I can't just get over them. Zaire, the male lead was a man written by a woman and the way he loved Tessa can make one emotional. The best part was he just didn't love Tessa but also made her love herself and the way he helped her overcome her insecurities was heartwarming to read. The character development and relationship growth was really good and it kept me hooked till the end.
I really liked Nora's character and at the end I wished to read more about her and her relationship with Tessa was well written.
I loved the concept of found friendship and I enjoyed the whole group of friends. Belle, Pragya, Ben, Tara , Zara everyone had their own role and It took the story to the next level. Their scenes, dialogue, humor everything was just perfect.
I want to mention the special character chef Aurelia, I loved that Lady and the whole cooking class. The poems and the way she articulated I wished to sit in her classes. The setup of the whole cooking class and the way she explained food as an emotion was just amazing 😊
I did like the adventure part a lot where the whole group of friends travelled to Italy and India. The tight knit bond between them, the way they supported each other, teased and had fun made me smile throughout the book. At the end , I would say Zaire and Tessa stole my heart they were just made for each other.
Overall, I did enjoy this story a lot , every subject and conflict was presented well👍
I really liked Nora's character and at the end I wished to read more about her and her relationship with Tessa was well written.
I loved the concept of found friendship and I enjoyed the whole group of friends. Belle, Pragya, Ben, Tara , Zara everyone had their own role and It took the story to the next level. Their scenes, dialogue, humor everything was just perfect.
I want to mention the special character chef Aurelia, I loved that Lady and the whole cooking class. The poems and the way she articulated I wished to sit in her classes. The setup of the whole cooking class and the way she explained food as an emotion was just amazing 😊
I did like the adventure part a lot where the whole group of friends travelled to Italy and India. The tight knit bond between them, the way they supported each other, teased and had fun made me smile throughout the book. At the end , I would say Zaire and Tessa stole my heart they were just made for each other.
Overall, I did enjoy this story a lot , every subject and conflict was presented well👍
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this book & am so grateful to the author for allowing me to be a part of her ARC team x
The simplicity of this romance story was so sweet and romantic I honestly hated having to put the book down x
Tessa is so relatable I love how the author used her insecurities to explore her personality throughout the story - I felt like the author really made this character one that every reader can relate to & route for x
Only time I felt a bit iffy about Tess was when she slept with Zaire the first time, just felt like she should have had more self control especially since she was so angry for the way he divorced Nora & didnt make any attempt to fight for their marriage x
Don't get me wrong I loved Zaire & Tessa, their relationship is so spicy & fiery that the story was just perfection x
Zaire is the dream man - in my opinion - I want a man who looks at me like how Zaire looks at Tess, I want a man who will protect me will also allowing me to grow as a person & help me with my insecurities like how Zaire makes Tess love all the things see originally resents about herself (Not due to herself but due to her mother & past relationship) x
I loved the additional characters as well - Belle, Tara & Tara, Pragya, Ben, Basille (Such a sweetheart), Chef Auriella & Nora x
I felt like you could really feel the authors love for cooking (or she just done a superb amount of research to make the book more captivating) x Overall this book is worth every star xxxxxx
The simplicity of this romance story was so sweet and romantic I honestly hated having to put the book down x
Tessa is so relatable I love how the author used her insecurities to explore her personality throughout the story - I felt like the author really made this character one that every reader can relate to & route for x
Only time I felt a bit iffy about Tess was when she slept with Zaire the first time, just felt like she should have had more self control especially since she was so angry for the way he divorced Nora & didnt make any attempt to fight for their marriage x
Don't get me wrong I loved Zaire & Tessa, their relationship is so spicy & fiery that the story was just perfection x
Zaire is the dream man - in my opinion - I want a man who looks at me like how Zaire looks at Tess, I want a man who will protect me will also allowing me to grow as a person & help me with my insecurities like how Zaire makes Tess love all the things see originally resents about herself (Not due to herself but due to her mother & past relationship) x
I loved the additional characters as well - Belle, Tara & Tara, Pragya, Ben, Basille (Such a sweetheart), Chef Auriella & Nora x
I felt like you could really feel the authors love for cooking (or she just done a superb amount of research to make the book more captivating) x Overall this book is worth every star xxxxxx
Review of advance copy received from Author
why did no one tell me I needed to be reading Lilian Oklobia sooner??? because now I’m annoyed at myself 😭🫶
this was my first book by her and I LOVED it. like fully invested, couldn’t stop reading, thinking about them after finishing kind of love
Tessa and Zaire??? the TENSION. the PINING. the “we absolutely should not do this” energy??? I ate it up every single time
the whole best friend’s ex husband trope had me a little unsure at first but the way it was done??? so good. you could feel the internal conflict from both of them — trying to do the right thing while very clearly not being able to stay away from each other
and when I say the chemistry was there… it was THERE 🔥 the banter, the looks, the build up — it all made it so satisfying when they finally gave in
also PARIS??? 🥹✨ the setting added such a fun, romantic vibe to the story and made everything feel even more elevated
I loved that this wasn’t just about the romance either — there were real emotions, complicated relationships, and growth that made their HEA feel earned
overall this was such a fun, slightly messy, tension-filled romance with just the right amount of spice 👀
definitely not my last Lilian Oklobia book 💖
this was my first book by her and I LOVED it. like fully invested, couldn’t stop reading, thinking about them after finishing kind of love
Tessa and Zaire??? the TENSION. the PINING. the “we absolutely should not do this” energy??? I ate it up every single time
the whole best friend’s ex husband trope had me a little unsure at first but the way it was done??? so good. you could feel the internal conflict from both of them — trying to do the right thing while very clearly not being able to stay away from each other
and when I say the chemistry was there… it was THERE 🔥 the banter, the looks, the build up — it all made it so satisfying when they finally gave in
also PARIS??? 🥹✨ the setting added such a fun, romantic vibe to the story and made everything feel even more elevated
I loved that this wasn’t just about the romance either — there were real emotions, complicated relationships, and growth that made their HEA feel earned
overall this was such a fun, slightly messy, tension-filled romance with just the right amount of spice 👀
definitely not my last Lilian Oklobia book 💖
Review of advance copy
I went into this not knowing how I’d feel about the trope and chef story line, but it completely surprised me in the best way. The story follows Tessa who travels to Paris and unexpectedly runs into Zaire, her best friend’s ex husband, someone she’s secretly had feelings for since they were younger.
From the start, there’s an undeniable tension between them. Tessa knows getting involved with him would cross a major line, and Zaire is just as aware that pursuing his ex wife’s best friend is a risky decision. That internal conflict added a nice layer to their dynamic and made the slow build feel more realistic.
What I enjoyed most was the push and pull between them wanting to do the right thing while clearly being unable to ignore their chemistry. When they finally give in, it feels earned rather than rushed.
The Paris setting added a fun backdrop to the story, and the supporting characters helped round everything out nicely. There’s also enough spice to keep things engaging without overpowering the plot.
Overall, this was a fun, slightly taboo romance with strong chemistry and an engaging storyline. I’m glad I gave it a chance.
From the start, there’s an undeniable tension between them. Tessa knows getting involved with him would cross a major line, and Zaire is just as aware that pursuing his ex wife’s best friend is a risky decision. That internal conflict added a nice layer to their dynamic and made the slow build feel more realistic.
What I enjoyed most was the push and pull between them wanting to do the right thing while clearly being unable to ignore their chemistry. When they finally give in, it feels earned rather than rushed.
The Paris setting added a fun backdrop to the story, and the supporting characters helped round everything out nicely. There’s also enough spice to keep things engaging without overpowering the plot.
Overall, this was a fun, slightly taboo romance with strong chemistry and an engaging storyline. I’m glad I gave it a chance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Lilian Oklobia for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Chef’s Kiss is the kind of story that just feels good to read—warm, engaging, and completely satisfying from start to finish.
What I loved most was the charm of it all. There’s something about the setting and the character interactions that makes everything feel cozy and easy to fall into, while still keeping you fully invested.
The chemistry between the characters is natural and enjoyable, with moments that balance emotion and lightness in a way that makes the story really shine.
For me, this is an easy 5 ⭐ because it was heartwarming, engaging, and left me smiling by the end.
This is a 5 ⭐ for me because:
• the story has a cozy, feel-good atmosphere
• the character chemistry feels natural and fun
• the pacing keeps you engaged throughout
• it’s a satisfying and enjoyable read
Warm. Charming. Feel-good.
Chef’s Kiss is the kind of story that just feels good to read—warm, engaging, and completely satisfying from start to finish.
What I loved most was the charm of it all. There’s something about the setting and the character interactions that makes everything feel cozy and easy to fall into, while still keeping you fully invested.
The chemistry between the characters is natural and enjoyable, with moments that balance emotion and lightness in a way that makes the story really shine.
For me, this is an easy 5 ⭐ because it was heartwarming, engaging, and left me smiling by the end.
This is a 5 ⭐ for me because:
• the story has a cozy, feel-good atmosphere
• the character chemistry feels natural and fun
• the pacing keeps you engaged throughout
• it’s a satisfying and enjoyable read
Warm. Charming. Feel-good.
April 21, 2026
3.5⭐️ this book was like a rollercoaster ride for me. i liked it in the beginning, then things started getting annoying. phrases in the book were being repeated so much, pet names for the MCs were overused imo & i was annoyed by it. i thought the fmc forgave our mmc way too quick. i think her best friend absolutely should have been told about things way before they finally got out (which was a whole mess). i’m giving it the 3.5⭐️ because i did highlight some things i liked when i was at a point where i liked our MCs. there was also an over usage of the word “f#ck” & by that i mean 10 times on 1 page- just a turn off for me. idk, i think i disliked this one more than i liked it which is unfortunate!
tropes: second chance romance, chef fmc/mmc, best friends ex-husband, found family, open door spice 🔥
tropes: second chance romance, chef fmc/mmc, best friends ex-husband, found family, open door spice 🔥
April 1, 2026
Since before he married her best friend, these two had a connection. When he got a divorce and came to Paris to be near her again. She wanted to be angry, she wanted to be strong enough to send him away. This book is about two people who work to not give into the chemistry and love between them but the love and feelings only grow the more they’re together and they really don’t want them to go away. This is a wonderfully written book. The cast of characters are amazing, each bringing something with them and a depth that pulls you into the little family they’re created. Chef’s Kiss proves some loves are inevitable. This book is full of love, insecurity, vulnerability and two people who can’t and don’t want to fight the love and chemistry between them.
April 4, 2026
Absolutely love this book I thought it was amazing. I love how the author wrote it so beautifully and everything just flowed so beautifully. The characters were absolutely phenomenal. Tessa, Zaire and Nora I thought were wrote very wonderful. I loved how as you read you can kind of picture what was going on between the love and the situations between the friends and the pushing one to marry the other because they thought it was right and the chemistry was right and loyalty lie with you know one and not the other. Overall it was a wonderful book and I'm grateful that I got the opportunity to read the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had to DNF at 50% - just not for me. Sex in weird public places like outside on a random car. Best friend’s ex, I wanted to find out what happened to the best friends relationship but it just kinda of stopped weird heard from the best friends like twice. But half way through I thought the story was coming to an end but really it was starting a different conclusion. just couldn’t relate to the characters or what was happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2026
Absolutely Swooned more than once the puns, the story, the steam, the tension, the world building everything was written to perfection 👌! I literally was enjoying every chapter as if I was living in it and feel like I was one amongst the characters! I didn't expect for a book to do this for me! The cutest of romance between Zaire and Tessa and the way he moved the earth for Tessa!! Ugh wish he was real😭 this story will forever live in my heart
April 5, 2026
Chefs kiss was such a fun read with some really tender and heartwarming moments between zaire and tessa that are emtional in the most beautiful way
The internal conflict for both zaire and tessa added a layer of tension to the story
It was easy to bring the story to life in your head which really helped to immerse you into it and enjoy it even more
The internal conflict for both zaire and tessa added a layer of tension to the story
It was easy to bring the story to life in your head which really helped to immerse you into it and enjoy it even more
May 2, 2026
This one was just really easy to sit with and enjoy.
It has a soft, steady feel the whole way through, nothing too intense or overwhelming, just a nice flow that makes it simple to stay engaged.
The characters also added a lot of energy and made everything feel more fun and full without trying too hard.
It has a soft, steady feel the whole way through, nothing too intense or overwhelming, just a nice flow that makes it simple to stay engaged.
The characters also added a lot of energy and made everything feel more fun and full without trying too hard.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My first Lilian read and it will not be my last! I have never read a chefs story or a cooking based career one. I loved this from the first line to the last and I was left shocked at times and then I was fine. this story was amazing and I definitely wanted more
Review of advance copy
This was my first Lilian Oklobia book and I enjoyed it. I loved the mutual pining between Tessa and Zaire. They had great chemistry and banter. The slightly forbidden best friend's ex storyline was great. They had to navigate a lot of feelings to get their happy ever after.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is my first time reading Lilian’s book and honestly I’m irritated with myself that why haven’t I read her books before. This one is hands down a great one. And the best part where Paris was included. Damn I’m in love with this book
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was so sweet 🥹 I love the inner monologue or our FMC, she is such a lovable character! And the MMC 🥵 I was not prepared for the amount of sexy times in this book but it was well written and definitely left me wanting more 😜
Their HEA was fantastic, I'm really happy they found each other.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Their HEA was fantastic, I'm really happy they found each other.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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