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Big Boys #7
Big Beast
He’s the city’s top chef. Famously strict, with a trademark scowl.
I’m the waitress who just ruined his night.
Look, I’m not always this clumsy. I never drop plates at work. But for the last two days, the walls have been spinning around me; the floors have dipped and lurched under my feet.
Vertigo, the doctor says. It will go away soon. But in the meantime, a girl’s gotta eat. I need this job–and I figure, how wrong can one shift go?
So wrong. So horribly wrong.
And now Chef Fontaine hates me. He looks at me like I’m dirt on his shoe, and he fires me so loudly, every worker in the whole restaurant hears.
I think I’ve hit rock bottom. There’s no lower I can go.
Then Chef Fontaine turns up at my apartment, that scowl fixed on his face, and I realize… the gorgeous jerk’s not through with me yet.
Big Beast is a short and steamy age gap instalove story, starring a grumpy chef and the waitress who shatters his plates–and his rigid control.
63 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2022
234 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Cassie Mint
152 books1,395 followersCassie writes outrageous, OTT insta-love with tons of sugar and steam. She loves cookie dough, summer barbecues, and her gorgeous cat Missy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
September 29, 2022
3.5 stars
A head chef, a server, a firing, and lots of sweet caretaking. This was a nice installment to this series!
A head chef, a server, a firing, and lots of sweet caretaking. This was a nice installment to this series!
January 30, 2022
The Chef's Kiss
Matthieu is all kinds of over-the-top alpha but when it comes to Chloe, his ability to melt to her wants and needs, despite having fired her, is almost comical. I 💖 the chemistry between them.
In related news, I love Chloe's big heart and how she's as concerned for the elderly neighbor she buys groceries for as she is herself. 🤗 It's so heartwarming and sweet.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Matthieu is all kinds of over-the-top alpha but when it comes to Chloe, his ability to melt to her wants and needs, despite having fired her, is almost comical. I 💖 the chemistry between them.
'I'm breathless with wanting him to keep going.'
-- Chloe Fray
In related news, I love Chloe's big heart and how she's as concerned for the elderly neighbor she buys groceries for as she is herself. 🤗 It's so heartwarming and sweet.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
March 9, 2022
**3/5 stars**
I thought that I would really like this one but in the end I just thought it was okay. The beginning of the story was super cute. My problem was mainly the way the events unfolded and the rushness in the development of the main characters' relationship, especially after what transpired at the beginning.
Chloe was definitely my favorite part of this novella. She was so sweet and likable, I really felt for the situation she was in. She was so kind too, mentioning how she would try to help her loved ones but that it was always one-sided. I could easily relate to her, which made me feel really protective of her. I didn't really understand why she was so attracted to Matthieu, and being her, I would have been a little bit more resentful.
On the other hand, Matthieu was kind of annoying to me. My main issue with him was his personality; I didn't find him attractive at all and the way he treated Chloe at first just didn't sit well with me. It wasn't super bad but with what happened at the beginning and him jumping to conclusions bothered me. And afterwards, even if he tried to redeem himself with Chloe, I just found it hard to forgive him.
Overall, not bad, but I just didn't see the chemistry. And I do think that the situation they were in was not as simply fixed as it was portrayed, if that makes sense.
✔️HEA
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Age gap
✔️Virgin h
✔️No cheating
✔️No OW/OM
🔥 Steam level: 2/5
⚡Content warning
Would I recommend this novella? Yeah, sure! I mean, I do think it wasn't perfect, but it was a quick and nice little read.
**Note that I do not rate novellas and full-length books by the same standards**
I thought that I would really like this one but in the end I just thought it was okay. The beginning of the story was super cute. My problem was mainly the way the events unfolded and the rushness in the development of the main characters' relationship, especially after what transpired at the beginning.
Chloe was definitely my favorite part of this novella. She was so sweet and likable, I really felt for the situation she was in. She was so kind too, mentioning how she would try to help her loved ones but that it was always one-sided. I could easily relate to her, which made me feel really protective of her. I didn't really understand why she was so attracted to Matthieu, and being her, I would have been a little bit more resentful.
I’ve admired this man for so long; I’ve longed for him, in the quiet hours of the night. My crush is private, but no less potent for that fact.-Chloe
On the other hand, Matthieu was kind of annoying to me. My main issue with him was his personality; I didn't find him attractive at all and the way he treated Chloe at first just didn't sit well with me. It wasn't super bad but with what happened at the beginning and him jumping to conclusions bothered me. And afterwards, even if he tried to redeem himself with Chloe, I just found it hard to forgive him.
I’m like a damn puppy, bringing her gifts in exchange for a smile.-Matthieu
Overall, not bad, but I just didn't see the chemistry. And I do think that the situation they were in was not as simply fixed as it was portrayed, if that makes sense.
✔️HEA
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Age gap
✔️Virgin h
✔️No cheating
✔️No OW/OM
🔥 Steam level: 2/5
⚡Content warning
Would I recommend this novella? Yeah, sure! I mean, I do think it wasn't perfect, but it was a quick and nice little read.
**Note that I do not rate novellas and full-length books by the same standards**
Big Boy Series
1. Big Boss - 2. Big Biker - 3. Big Boxer - 4. Big Baker - 5. Big Bet - 6. Big Bratva - 7. Big Beast - 8. Big Brain
December 4, 2022
4 stars
December 14, 2022
4.5 Rounded Up.
As the cycle goes with this series, one book is good, the next book is great. We’re obviously on the great book. The only thing I didn’t like was how adamant he was that she was fired and he had no intention of rehiring her. Not after he found out she had been sick, not even after she got him another chance with the critic. And he really didn’t give a reason for that which kind of annoyed me. Other than that I loved the story of the big burly chef taking care of the sick server.
As the cycle goes with this series, one book is good, the next book is great. We’re obviously on the great book. The only thing I didn’t like was how adamant he was that she was fired and he had no intention of rehiring her. Not after he found out she had been sick, not even after she got him another chance with the critic. And he really didn’t give a reason for that which kind of annoyed me. Other than that I loved the story of the big burly chef taking care of the sick server.
January 21, 2022
So Much Yum
This was a yummy snack sized book - a Chef/waitress romance with an older man too, swoon!
This was another short, sweet and steamy big guy romance from Cassie, exactly what I've come to expect from her!
This was a yummy snack sized book - a Chef/waitress romance with an older man too, swoon!
This was another short, sweet and steamy big guy romance from Cassie, exactly what I've come to expect from her!
July 21, 2023
3/5
TROPES:
~boss/employee
~instalove
~grumpy x sunshine
Chef Fontaine is known as The Beast. Whether it be for his surly attitude or big & burly stature, he's not sure. A critic comes to his restaurant one day and he's determined to get a good review. Server Chloe has watched Mattheiu from afar with hearts in her eyes. The day the critic is there, she's overcome with vertigo symptoms and accidentally makes a big mistake. He fires her. But can he win her back?
This one was okay, definitely not my favorite from the series.
SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate: virgin heroine, unknown past for hero
OM/OW drama: none
Cheating/sharing: none
HEA?: yes!
TROPES:
~boss/employee
~instalove
~grumpy x sunshine
Chef Fontaine is known as The Beast. Whether it be for his surly attitude or big & burly stature, he's not sure. A critic comes to his restaurant one day and he's determined to get a good review. Server Chloe has watched Mattheiu from afar with hearts in her eyes. The day the critic is there, she's overcome with vertigo symptoms and accidentally makes a big mistake. He fires her. But can he win her back?
This one was okay, definitely not my favorite from the series.
SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate: virgin heroine, unknown past for hero
OM/OW drama: none
Cheating/sharing: none
HEA?: yes!
February 14, 2023
Really enjoyed this! Not my favorite from the series so far, but still a fun and cute read.
December 20, 2023
Not bad at all
Cassie Mint appears to be a decent substitute for the beloved Jessa Kane. She's slightly less unhinged but the short & sweet books with possessive men hit the spot nonetheless.
Cassie Mint appears to be a decent substitute for the beloved Jessa Kane. She's slightly less unhinged but the short & sweet books with possessive men hit the spot nonetheless.
November 8, 2022
Not a huge fan of this one. Just no real connection either way I felt like.
January 20, 2022
The big beastly chef and the sweet innocent server. Super sweet and now I am hungry. Bring on these big teddy bears.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 9, 2022
not my fav bc he was SO MEAN to her because of a simple mistake. like r u serious? eh didn’t enjoy this too much and i wish the heroine demanded an apology because SHE apologized for messing up but he didn’t 😢
August 19, 2022
Matthieu, the hero, is the owner of a restaurant. The heroine, Chloe, is a server there. Just diagnosed with vertigo, Chloe comes to work anyway because she needs the tips. It just so happens one of the biggest food critics is visiting the restaurant. During a dizzy spell, Chloe drops food on the critic and is harshly fired by Matthieu. Once he finds out she was sick, Matt shows up to her apartment and starts caring for Chloe as a way of apologizing.
This was another typical Cassie Mint novella. Very instalust. I didn’t quite believe their chemistry, and I wanted more grovel from Matthieu. The caretaking was my favorite part!
TROPES: novella; instalove; chef hero; heroine with vertigo; caretaking
This was another typical Cassie Mint novella. Very instalust. I didn’t quite believe their chemistry, and I wanted more grovel from Matthieu. The caretaking was my favorite part!
TROPES: novella; instalove; chef hero; heroine with vertigo; caretaking
February 9, 2022
A satisfying instalove romance featuring gruff Matthieu the chef and Chloe, his misunderstood server. I enjoyed the premise, the heat, and the happy-ever-after. A quick and sexy read!
Read
October 22, 2022Chefs?? 🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️.
May 7, 2022
3.6 stars
January 5, 2023
I’m reading through all of these and always wish they were longer, but they’re always a good quick read to cleanse my palate.
I didn’t really love this one though - he fires her for a mistake and I needed more oompf from him after to make me like him again.
I understand in the heat of the moment he’d fire her because she spilled a plate on the critic. But she had a history of being well liked and a good waitress, and he constantly says he won’t rehire her, and even the critic is glad she was fired. I’m hoping he just didn’t want to work with her because he had feelings for her but it came off harsh to me.
Otherwise, I definitely wanted more moments of them together, and their first time felt a bit rushed!
I didn’t really love this one though - he fires her for a mistake and I needed more oompf from him after to make me like him again.
I understand in the heat of the moment he’d fire her because she spilled a plate on the critic. But she had a history of being well liked and a good waitress, and he constantly says he won’t rehire her, and even the critic is glad she was fired. I’m hoping he just didn’t want to work with her because he had feelings for her but it came off harsh to me.
Otherwise, I definitely wanted more moments of them together, and their first time felt a bit rushed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2022
4.5 stars
I know I can count on Cassie Mint to always give me what I came for.
And for that reason my inner kinky hoe and I are doing the happy dance right now:
I know I can count on Cassie Mint to always give me what I came for.
And for that reason my inner kinky hoe and I are doing the happy dance right now:
March 23, 2022
This novella was a miss.
The hero fired the heroine. The heroine was so underpaid by the hero (living in poverty) that she couldn’t afford a sick day and was fired for being clumsy at work because she was sick.
Yep.
The hero fired the heroine. The heroine was so underpaid by the hero (living in poverty) that she couldn’t afford a sick day and was fired for being clumsy at work because she was sick.
Yep.
February 13, 2022
*3.5 stars
This is the romance between Matthieu and Chloe
Chloe is one of the waitresses that works at Matthieu's restaurant. One night Chloe is not feeling well, but she still goes to work because she needs the money. Her doctor told her that she has vertigo, so she is extremely dizzy and her balance is off. Because of this, she ends up accidentally dropping one of the meals she is serving on a critic's lap. Matthieu is so mad at Chloe and ends up firing her right then and there. But then he hears she was actually sick and decides to go to her house to take care of her for the night.
This was a fun read! However, I did not care for the severity the hero took to fire Chloe. Wayyyy too harsh for me. And then she forgave him so easily.
TROPES: bigger hero, caretaking scene, foodie romance, kindle unlimited
This is the romance between Matthieu and Chloe
Chloe is one of the waitresses that works at Matthieu's restaurant. One night Chloe is not feeling well, but she still goes to work because she needs the money. Her doctor told her that she has vertigo, so she is extremely dizzy and her balance is off. Because of this, she ends up accidentally dropping one of the meals she is serving on a critic's lap. Matthieu is so mad at Chloe and ends up firing her right then and there. But then he hears she was actually sick and decides to go to her house to take care of her for the night.
This was a fun read! However, I did not care for the severity the hero took to fire Chloe. Wayyyy too harsh for me. And then she forgave him so easily.
TROPES: bigger hero, caretaking scene, foodie romance, kindle unlimited
April 24, 2023
Alright, Cassie Mint. If I’m going to read a novella, I need some spice PRIOR to 70% in, and not just one scene.
Also if you’re a server with temporary vertigo and can’t call in sick, maybe ask for help?? Tell someone?
Also if you’re a server with temporary vertigo and can’t call in sick, maybe ask for help?? Tell someone?
November 18, 2022
awh this was so sweet and spicy!
he took care of her as soon as he realised she was ill and he made up for firing her in the sweetest ways!
he took care of her as soon as he realised she was ill and he made up for firing her in the sweetest ways!
November 22, 2022
Listen, my family has the flu and I don't have the energy to write a review so...
Steamy
Age-gap
Vanilla
Short
Liked it. Didn't love it. It was missing some chemistry.
Steamy
Age-gap
Vanilla
Short
Liked it. Didn't love it. It was missing some chemistry.
June 15, 2023
This didn’t inspire any strong feelings in me but it was sweet and I appreciate that Chloe was black!
December 20, 2023
I liked that the FMC was a curvy woman of color but didn’t like that she was a doormat. They had no chemistry and he never does anything to help her. He was really an unrepentant jerk.
February 2, 2022
The chef and the waitress
When Chloe goes to work sick and dumps a meal in a critic's lap, chef Mathieu fires her. When he finds out she's sick he takes care of her. Sweet.
When Chloe goes to work sick and dumps a meal in a critic's lap, chef Mathieu fires her. When he finds out she's sick he takes care of her. Sweet.
January 22, 2022
Great Read
This is a good read. I have enjoyed this series so far and I am looking forward to the next book.
This is a good read. I have enjoyed this series so far and I am looking forward to the next book.
February 9, 2022
ehhh.. not feeling it. There was nothing between them and no reason for a romance to flourish or work between them.
January 18, 2022
I very much enjoy this authors stories and I can never wait for the next one.
However, I am sorry to say that this book isn't one of the top ones I have read by her.
I loved the idea of the storyline and even the characters and the first part of their story was actually okay, especially the guilt the male carried and then the phone call which I actually found gave his character depth but I think it was near the ending that it fell short for me.
Maybe it was the fact that the female had vertigo but still managed to start a romance with the male and even though being sick she was still able to feel so much attraction.
To be fair I didn't really feel as much chemistry as the characters from this authors previous books and I found maybe a little annoyed by some actions of the characters.
The fact that the male left without a word (lasting days) I really got excited that the female was going to be strong and stand up for herself and whilst we got a hint of that it didn't last long.
I mean their last meeting in the restaurant she was a strong, assertive take no prisoners character and then the next scene in the office everything just seemed to he forgotten so they could rush to their happily ever after without much work from the male to make up for his lack of presence.
I also felt that the male only wanted the female AFTER she had helped to fix a problem with his restaurant as he was okay to leave it days without getting in touch.
The epilogue was also really really good so maybe if I had missed the last third of the book maybe I wouldn't have found it all so frustrating.
I think I liked reading about the characters separately and some scenes together but i think I would have liked a more romantic element from them, even if the steamy scenes were great.
Maybe when I get around to reading it again in the future my opinion might change.
However, I am sorry to say that this book isn't one of the top ones I have read by her.
I loved the idea of the storyline and even the characters and the first part of their story was actually okay, especially the guilt the male carried and then the phone call which I actually found gave his character depth but I think it was near the ending that it fell short for me.
Maybe it was the fact that the female had vertigo but still managed to start a romance with the male and even though being sick she was still able to feel so much attraction.
To be fair I didn't really feel as much chemistry as the characters from this authors previous books and I found maybe a little annoyed by some actions of the characters.
The fact that the male left without a word (lasting days) I really got excited that the female was going to be strong and stand up for herself and whilst we got a hint of that it didn't last long.
I mean their last meeting in the restaurant she was a strong, assertive take no prisoners character and then the next scene in the office everything just seemed to he forgotten so they could rush to their happily ever after without much work from the male to make up for his lack of presence.
I also felt that the male only wanted the female AFTER she had helped to fix a problem with his restaurant as he was okay to leave it days without getting in touch.
The epilogue was also really really good so maybe if I had missed the last third of the book maybe I wouldn't have found it all so frustrating.
I think I liked reading about the characters separately and some scenes together but i think I would have liked a more romantic element from them, even if the steamy scenes were great.
Maybe when I get around to reading it again in the future my opinion might change.
March 4, 2022
Grumpy Beastly Chef and the server who ruined his critic night by spilling the food on the critic's lap ? And he fired her just like that, in front of everyone.
Only to find the reason it happened and he felt horrible as hell. And he went straight to her house. UGHHH I LOVE THAT LITTLE SHIT.
This man actually lit up like christmas lights just for that one smile she gave him . How whipped can he be 😮💨
I LOVE THAT THE WAY HE TOLD HER HE IS GOING TI KISS HER. LIKE BRUHHH CONSENT IS SO SEXY.
HEA. Little angst. Grumpy Chef. Crushes on each other. And of course 🌶🌶🌶
Only to find the reason it happened and he felt horrible as hell. And he went straight to her house. UGHHH I LOVE THAT LITTLE SHIT.
This man actually lit up like christmas lights just for that one smile she gave him . How whipped can he be 😮💨
I LOVE THAT THE WAY HE TOLD HER HE IS GOING TI KISS HER. LIKE BRUHHH CONSENT IS SO SEXY.
HEA. Little angst. Grumpy Chef. Crushes on each other. And of course 🌶🌶🌶
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews