Only one word can describe Chef Jameson Fury… SHAMELESS. He parades around with that sexy smirk and those fabulous abs like he’s the king of the kitchen. Of all the places he could choose to open his new restaurant, why does it have to be right next door to mine? It’s hard enough trying to get my place up and running without having him hovering around and disrupting my business. Not to mention the way my body betrays me every time he’s close. I should despise him. But with every prank, every act of sabotage we take against each other… The tension growing between us inches closer to personal and away from professional. Things are heating up, and not just in our kitchens… All because of this shameless chef.
It was good but didn’t fascinate me. The writing was nice, I liked the banter between the characters and their pranks to each other. I couldn’t connect with the main couple and there were enough cliches in the plot.
Shameless Chef by Gwyn McNamee Contemporary romance. Enemies to lovers troupe. Two Chefs rent half a building to open a new restaurant. They immediately clash and the rivalry is on.
I did not care for the hero in this book until 90%. To me he was nothing more than an arrogant ….chef. He redeemed himself in the end but it was too late for me. The premise was good and I did love the solution in the ending. High heat level.
5 star Review Shameless Chef (Cocky Hero Club) by Gwyn McNamee
This was a fabulous addition to the Cocky Hero Club. From the first to the last chapter I was invested in the story new to me author Gwyn McNamee wove.
Chef Jameson Fury, where do I start with this outrageous man. I have to say I was drawn to him from the start, he just ticked the boxes for me. The chemistry between him and his new neighbour Isabella ignites from the first moment they meet and not always in a good way.
The banter and back and forth of their relationship was witty and had me laughing out loud on a number of occasions. This was one of those books that I read in nearly one go as I just couldn’t put it down. I loved Isabella, she was sassy, feisty and not at all afraid to stand up to Jameson, she could certainly give as good as she received.
Why oh why does the cocky jackass Jameson Fury have to be opening up a restaurant right next door to her?! But Isabella doesn't take his crap, oh no, she sasses back, plays the game as well as the cocky chef with the abs to die for. She just needs to make sure she doesn't fall for the man, because he's got heartbreak written all over his smug, gorgeous face.
Shameless Chef is fun, witty af, and deliciously hot. I loved Isabella and how hardworking she was, how sassy she was and didn't put up with Jameson's bs. Jameson, honestly, he was hard for me to like for a good part of the story, but he eventually redeemed himself. He and Isabella were perfect for each other, taking their place in the Cocky Hero Club.
ARC via Give Me Books Promotions for an honest review.
I’ve not only been a fan of Gwyn’s work for a while, but the Fury brothers also caught my attention from the word go and Jameson just grabbed on to that attention and would not let go! What incredible fun his story turned out to be!
Between the wit & banter and the shenanigans running amok all up in this story, there was never a point where I could take a break from reading, not did I ever want to! A fantastic time from beginning to end! The entertainment level on this one is epic and some might even say it crosses over to maaaaaybe a bit OTT but they’d be wrong LOL (okay, maybe not wrong because no two people ever read the same book and all that jazz) GOOD TIMES, I say!
I really enjoyed the sexual tension above all else. I’m usually one that starts screaming “get on with it already” to my kindle but the push/pull between these two fits so perfectly that it would have ruined the story had the author made a different choice! I have to warn you tho, there are some hidden pockets of #feels all up in this story and when they pop out, be ready with some tissues!
Despite the fact that I wasn't a huge fan of Jameson at the start, there's still a whole lotta goodness in these pages. Isabella is very upset that Jameson is opening up a restaurant right next to hers, but she has to make sure she doesn't fall for him because the sparks are flying. Luckily, she's a sassy type of girl who can go toe to toe with any arrogant male, so the let games begin. I found myself laughing a great deal at the stuff they were doing to each other after I got over really despising him that is. And despite the fact that I really wanted her to punch him in the face a time or two, these two are scorching hot together as they interact so it's only a matter of time before the heat won't be denied any longer. At the end of the day, I really loved Shameless Chef, and I truly believe you'll feel the same way, plus you really need to see how it all plays out! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Isabella’s dream of opening her own restaurant is within her grasp and she has done everything she can to ensure its success so finding out that a competitor is opening an establishment next door has her concerned. After her first interaction with the confident chef, it only makes her more determined to prove him wrong.
Although Jameson is infuriating there is a lot more to him than first appears. He has his own reasons that he needs his restaurant to be a success and he enjoys the reaction he gets from his sexy neighbor every time they interact.
Isabella’s past has made her strong and resilient which makes her the perfect match for Jameson once they realize their feelings for each other are the opposite of hate.
Finding yourself a rich and famous chef for a boyfriend is great, but when said babe and a dollar-sings-for-eyes-kinda-rich bestie (*cough* who's willing to fund any sort of business proposal you dream of AND bank all your medical bills like it's nothing *cough*) come in like a 2x1 package... I guess you really do be living your best life. No complaints there, am I right?
Jameson and Izzy's story was a delight to read! Fantastic story line that was entertaining and extremely steamy held my attention. It also touched on a somber topic of organ transplants and kidney diseases which I thought was informative and gave the book the little bit of angst to make for a well-rounded story. Another five plus star read in the Cocky Hero Club world.
Jameson is a celebrity chef who is ready to stop working in other people’s restaurants and start working for himself. Isabella is a woman who only is able to attain her dream of opening a restaurant because she received an inheritance. Both have things that they are holding close to their chest, unwilling to share with anyone. By page 48, I was so frustrated. I didn’t see how this would healthily transfer into romance. Jameson poached Isabella’s interviews for her restaurant. The back of the book made it seem like they prank each other. That’s not a prank. That’s a straight-up show of disrespect to a woman who has done literally nothing to him but give a bit of lip. At that point, I wanted his dreams to slip through the cracks and out of reach. Screw him. Jameson is so entitled - constantly talking about his dreams and work despite the fact that he has celebrity status, he has a wealthy investor, he has contractors, and everything while she has to put in effort for her dreams. I don’t know. I think I used to find books where sexual attraction and sex were enough to me but anymore I find when characters don’t like each other and are fighting but they get distracted by how attractive the other person is in the middle of being pissed annoying and disingenuous. They never got to know each other, they just seemed to suddenly develop an understanding for who the other person is. The chemistry just wasn’t there. It felt forced. Then, it all just wrapped up too neatly and spectacularly. The gestures were too grand. Nothing went wrong and even when it did, it didn’t. There was too much coincidence and the characters were too all-in with each other with little to no preamble.
The best Fury was saved for last! Don’t get my wrong Bash and Rachel were pretty darn entertaining but Jameson was absolutely fire!
I seriously came close to chucking my tablet because Jameson is such a cocky jerk! My gosh I didn’t know how Gwyn would redeem him but deep down you could see that underneath all the toughness was a man trying to make his mark and rise above his past! He wasn’t as callous as he tried to make you believe he was just deeply misunderstood!
Isabella was his perfect match! She didn’t take his crap and showed him how to truly be humble! Each moment spent together brought them closer and the way this book ended was a huge twist and surprise! I may have shed a few tears...who am I kidding I cried like a baby! I didn’t expect for this book to be emotional but it was and I loved it!
If there is one Fury you need to meet it’s definitely Jameson!
Wow, what an amazing story between Jameson and Isabella. Jameson is cocky, confident and is running from his demons and when he meets the sassy, spunky and fired up Isabella he knows he’s in for a fun time getting under her skin. These two are explosive, both hiding something from each other and what starts as a “friendly” competition turns into something neither of them expected. The banter is off the charts, they had me laughing out loud in the middle of the night, I couldn’t put this one down. I wasn’t sure where Isabella’s story was going and all I can say is have some tissue around you will need it. I loved these two, they were a perfect match and I really enjoyed their story.
If you want a fun, laugh-out-loud rivals-to-lovers read, you have to definitely pick up this one.
Jameson and Isabella have a big problem: They are both opening a restaurant next door to one another. Jameson is juggling several things, including opening his restaurant before Izzy does, pleasing his investment partner, and making Izzy's life hell. Isabella also has her hands full with making her inheritance money last until she opens, and she is none-too-pleased that Jameson is now her problem.
Jameson was such a jerk at the start, but Gwyn McNamee is great in slowly peeling his layers. I always enjoy a family that keeps the main characters' egos in check, and you get that in spades with his siblings Bash and Rachel. Their easy banter was fun to read, and I love how their own partners fit in so naturally with their family dynamic. My only wish was for more of Rachel's interactions with Jameson. I really enjoyed their shopping trip moment, but since then, her giving him advice were mentioned off-book.
Isabella is my favorite kind of heroine. The kind who puts in the work and faces adversity head-on. While she wanted to strangle Jameson, she prefers to use her quick wit and cunning to get even, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
I love the attraction and chemistry in their every meeting. The details in which McNamee injects into their interactions helped build the tension for me. The small touches, the sneaky looks made me root for them to get together. And when they did, let's just say that Izzy's grandmother's chili is not the only thing bringing THE HEAT in this book.
What drew me to this book is that it wasn't a typical rivals-to-lovers. My biggest concerns about quick romance reads like this is that it can become monotonous and forgettable, but that absolutely was not the case here. Jameson and Isabella's story is definitely memorable without being too heavy, and if they gave out Michelin stars for romance books, I would be happy to present this book with one.
** I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book. **
Shameless Chef is part of the Cocky Hero Club, a series of which each book involved is written by a different author bringing you a series of stories inspired by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward's Cocky Bastard series. All of the books can be read as a standalone, and if you're interested in finding out more, here's the link to their website, Cocky Hero Club.
This is my first book from Gwyn McNamee and I am impressed. A lot. Shameless Chef wasn't overly long, meaning that the drama hadn't been dragged out too long. Jameson and Isabella's undeniable (sexual) tension and chemistry started from the first few chapters, Izzy's hate for Jameson soon turning into something different... something more complicated after more encounters with him.
I loved this so much. Halfway through the novel, you could tell that both Jameson and Izzy were hiding something from each other, and while I tried my best to guess, I couldn't wrap my head around it. Severe bruises? Refusing to take off tank top? What was that about? Maybe I'm just plain dumb, or maybe it was just so unexpected and so refreshing from the normal conflicts that we'd see so many times in romance novels. I think it's a bit of both. There were some casual hints dropped here and there, but I didn't take much note of it.
Short conclusion: I loved this. I loved Jameson and Izzy. I plan on reading more from Gywn and I'm recommending this to anyone who's interested.
Jameson and Lizzy share the same dream of opening a restaurant. When their dreams are taking shape, fate placed them next door to each other.
The first time they met, Jameson stole Lizzy’s parking spot, winked at her, then jogged away. When she found out that he’s the Jameson Fury, Winner of Prime Chef and Hottest Chef in New York, she thinks of ways to get her restaurant up and going before him.
The two of them are trying to annoy the other, but before they know it, things get heated between them.
I enjoyed getting to know each character better and seeing what’s beneath the skin and good looks. Jameson’s will change your opinion of him when you get to read it. And Lizzy’s hard work finally paying off makes you feel proud.
This book is hilarious and heartwarming. The two of them fighting was like a funny war between two restaurant owners and then becoming lovers. It’s a good read that has rivals for lovers/neighbors romance. The writing style is flawless.
Strongly recommend this book. It’s a quick, funny read you won’t regret picking up.
This is an enthralling, hard-to-put-down read. I read it one go - it was that good! No stranger to Gwyn McNamee's work, I am still internally squealing about how awesome this book is.
Jameson Fury is the baby of the his family. Taking a hard pass at hockey, he fell in love with the culinary arts in childhood and never looked back. His dream is to own his own restaurant, and finally associate his family's name with something he's good at. But he encounters Isabella as he begins to get his restaurant ready, and suddenly the path to achieving his goals isn't as clear as it used to be.
Isabella has had a dream since childhood: to own her own restaurant and make her own version of her grandmother's recipes for other people to enjoy. She's not going to let a not-quite-normal life interfere with that dream. Nor a cocky, drool-worthy chef who shamelessly taunts her into fighting to make sure that her dream doesn't get eclipsed by his fame.
I enjoyed this story so much. Izzy and Jameson's banter was entertaining and their pranks on each other were hilariously devious. I liked that Isabella never backed down from Jameson; she gave as good as she got - a true fighter.
I recommend this read as an excellent addition to the Cocky Hero Club series, and a fitting end to the Fury family trilogy. Get your copy now and enjoy it!
I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book.
***I received a digital ARC of Shameless Chef via Give Me Books PR in exchange for an honest review***
I was pretty excited to review this one even though I haven't had any time/creative energy to write and take photos. Last year, I binge read all of Rachel Higginson's Opposite's Attract series because the combo of enemies-to-lovers romance, restaurant/kitchen drama, and verbal food porn (food erotica???) was absolutely perfect for me. I have always been obsessed with food and even wanted to become a chef when I was in middle school.
Unfortunately, Shameless Chef missed the mark for me. It was good, quick entertainment after a long day, but I didn't click with either lead character, dulling my enjoyment of the romance. I also wished that more of the book was spent on the restaurant necessities and the food, itself, to make me feel like the author really dug into her research on being a chef.
In many ways, it did feel like a Vi Keeland/Penelope Ward book (this is part of a standalone series inspired by their books): cocky alpha hero, sassy heroine, similar approach to the overall romantic development, etc. If you love their books, don't skip this one because I didn't love it, especially if you're a fan of adults pranking each other and love/hate chemistry. There were definitely some scenes that got me laughing.
This is an enemies to lovers romance pitting two chefs, Jameson vs Isabella against each other as they both try to open their restaurant. Jameson (Whose brother is a hockey player and is featured in another story) and Isabella have a contentious start and while there are some laughs, I actually felt that it was a bit too contentious initially. I have to admit I didn't see their attraction over the anger and I wasn't a huge fan of Graham either (and I know, he was pretty bad in his own book but I feel like his annoying factors were upped in this book). But the general flow went well, good pacing and the audiobook was well done. I absolutely love Aaron Shedlock's smooth drawl and Ava has a gorgeous voice. Her male voice is raspy and I think a little overly done but in general, the narration really did a nice job elevating the story.
Like the adage says: if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen but then you would miss all of the drama and fun between Jameson and Izzy and you do not want to miss one minute of these two! From the beginning, they are fire and spice and this is one storyline that will draw in any reader from its vividly descriptive opening scene. Jameson and Izzy each have their own reasons for wanting to have their own restaurants but somehow, they wind up too close for comfort to each other. One has been doing everything to get out of the box so everyone would recognize the name while the other is starting from scratch. Who will come out on top? This is one well written enemy to lovers story with added nuances that demonstrate the author’s panache for writing. The passion between the two is sizzling and their interactions are penned as if one could be witnessing them in real life. Once again, readers will note the inclusion of Graham and Soraya which is always a YES from me. : - ) This is a wonderful addition to the series! Grab your copy now!
Two chefs in New York are planning on opening their restaurants in an up-and-coming neighborhood. Both want to reap the benefits of being the first restaurant (sit down) for blocks. The only thing Jameson and Izzy don’t realize is that they are opening side-by-side and will be each other’s competition. Jameson, recent winner of a popular televised cooking competition, vows to make business life very difficult for Izzy. Meanwhile, there is an undeniable attraction between them but both are keeping secrets that keep them closed off.
The “enemies” in this enemies to lovers trope is fun. Jameson is infuriating. It definitely gets a little over the top for my tastes at the end which makes it fall apart for me. For what it is, though, it’s very entertaining and a quick read!
Jameson and Isabella are opening up restaurants right next to each other. They play some silly pranks on each other but neither one of them can deny their attraction that is growing between them. Isabella is a sassy character who keeps Jameson on his toes, she does not care that he is some famous chef, she just wants to open up her restaurant. Meeting Isabella is a change for Jameson, he is used to getting what he wants, and Isabella does not do that.
I really enjoyed how they first starting bonding over food and recipes. This is a slow burn, and I did not know how it was going to play out. And the ending...
Another wonderful addition to the world of Cocky Hero’s. This is Chef Jameson Fury and his new neighbour Isabella’s journey and it turns into so much more than just a romance story, this is a heartwarming, emotional yet witty journey that will appeal to a wide range of audiences. I fell hard and fast for Jameson, even though I didn’t want to because this man was prepared to do what ever he needed to do to win over what he sees as competition to his new restaurant. He was outrageously funny as well as infuriating at times but that all added to his charm. I connected with Isabella from the moment I met her and I found myself cheering for her to get one over on her neighbour. I loved everything about this book, I laughed out loud, I smiled, I giggled and at times I shed a tear, I adored the sassy heroine and I loved the outrageous hero and I’m sure you will to if one click this gem of a read. Wonderful addition to the Cocky Hero Club.
HOT! HOT! HOT! Prepare to get burned because Shameless Chef is soooo HOT! 🔥 🔥 The sexual tension between Jameson and Izzy builds to such high levels from the moment they meet. Once these two give into it though, things more than heat up in the kitchen. The rivalry between them and what they do to each other will have you laughing out loud. I love the banter between them. I loved this story so much I didn't want it to end. This is a definite must read 📚
Merged review:
HOT! HOT! HOT! Prepare to get burned because Shameless Chef is soooo HOT! 🔥 🔥 The sexual tension between Jameson and Izzy builds to such high levels from the moment they meet. Once these two give into it though, things more than heat up in the kitchen. The rivalry between them and what they do to each other will have you laughing out loud. I love the banter between them. I loved this story so much I didn't want it to end. This is a definite must read 📚
I was just ready for the serious heart strings pulling turn this one took- totally caught me by surprise. Jameson Fury is a hot up and coming celebrity chef getting ready to open his first restaurant and Isabella happens to be opening a restaurant right next door.
These two are oil and water and watching them fight their attraction is great. And goodness when it gets too hot to hand get your fan out and order some béarnaise sauce- IYKYK. I never saw the secret coming, I knew something of the medical nature was coming but couldn't guess.
Isabella's dreams are stalled due to some medical issues and she pushes Jameson away as he is having his big ahhhhh I love this girl revelation. Just wait and see how he makes his girls dreams come true and saves the day. Such a sweet HEA.
This is my first book from the Hero Club and it was quite enjoyable. However, I think my three star rating is because I kind of didn't like the Jameson and Isabella. Jameson is a cocky chef who feels that he is at the prime of his life and is working towards opening his own restaurant in an area of New York. However, Isabella, has the same goal of opening her restaurant right next door. These two start off as enemies since Jameson has no regards of Isabella's feelings and tries to sabotage all her plans in opening her business first. Jameson was a bit immature for my liking. Isabella fell for him quite quickly after all the not-so-funny ways he sabotaged her. I had to make myself try and finish this story and I'm glad I did because Jameson and Isabella redeemed themselves.
This talented author has once again created a delicious tale full of the perfect amount of angsty build up, witty banter and antagonism that unfolds into a truly heartwarming love. This story kept me on edge with just the right amount of uncertainty along the way, well executed plot twists and the most swoony, endearing surprises that had me rooting for this couple.
Jameson and Izzy may have a common dream however their executions were completely opposite. We all know how opposites attract so it was no shock that the chemistry that sparked between these two unlikely characters could become an inferno. What started as playful and casual soon burned too hot too soon.
I absolutely loved this storyline. Unpredictable endings are my fave and this book delivered!
This funny, fun-loving duo has it all. Jameson opens his new place next to the spunky Isabella. And she is not happy about it. She's also not happy that he is making her body do things she doesn't want it to do. The sparks do fly, but so do other things. Jameson and Isabella will do whatever they can to drive each other crazy in and out of the kitchen. The banter, sparks, laughs, and the story will leave you wanting more.