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Chef's Kiss #1
Chef's Kiss
A high-strung pastry chef’s professional goals are interrupted by an unexpected career transition and the introduction of her wildly attractive nonbinary kitchen manager in this deliciously fresh and witty queer rom-com.
Simone Larkspur is a perfectionist pastry expert with a dream job at The Discerning Chef, a venerable cookbook publisher in New York City. All she wants to do is create the perfect loaf of sourdough and develop recipes, but when The Discerning Chef decides to bring their brand into the 21st century by pivoting to video, Simone is thrust into the spotlight and finds herself failing at something for the first time in her life.
To make matters worse, Simone has to deal with Ray Lyton, the new test kitchen manager, whose obnoxious cheer and outgoing personality are like oil to Simone’s water. When Ray accidentally becomes a viral YouTube sensation with a series of homebrewing videos, their eccentric editor in chief forces Simone to work alongside the chipper upstart or else risk her beloved job. But the more they work together, the more Simone realizes her heart may be softening like butter for Ray.
Things get even more complicated when Ray comes out at work as nonbinary to mixed reactions—and Simone must choose between the career she fought so hard for and the person who just might take the cake (and her heart).
Simone Larkspur is a perfectionist pastry expert with a dream job at The Discerning Chef, a venerable cookbook publisher in New York City. All she wants to do is create the perfect loaf of sourdough and develop recipes, but when The Discerning Chef decides to bring their brand into the 21st century by pivoting to video, Simone is thrust into the spotlight and finds herself failing at something for the first time in her life.
To make matters worse, Simone has to deal with Ray Lyton, the new test kitchen manager, whose obnoxious cheer and outgoing personality are like oil to Simone’s water. When Ray accidentally becomes a viral YouTube sensation with a series of homebrewing videos, their eccentric editor in chief forces Simone to work alongside the chipper upstart or else risk her beloved job. But the more they work together, the more Simone realizes her heart may be softening like butter for Ray.
Things get even more complicated when Ray comes out at work as nonbinary to mixed reactions—and Simone must choose between the career she fought so hard for and the person who just might take the cake (and her heart).
Audio CD
First published May 3, 2022
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About the author
T.J. Alexander
6 books884 followersTJ Alexander is an amateur baker and author who writes about queer love. Originally from Florida, they received their MA in writing and publishing from Emerson College in Boston. They live in New York City with their wife and various houseplants.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,280 reviews
October 29, 2021
I dunno, I think it's pretty good.
November 20, 2025
CWs: transphobia, misgendering, deadnaming
so bad i actually wrote a whole review about it lol
firstly, going in chronological order of Things That Happened, not a massive fan of how it brought up biphobia to put down lesbians. yes to conversations about biphobia, but why is it always the only ever mention you get of lesbians in the book?
secondly, the way simone made ray's coming out to her all about herself was. quite something. she spent the entire first half of the book misgendering (by accident, it has to be said), then when ray comes out she's all "i can do pronouns!" (almost genuine quote, barely paraphrased), but spends the next few chapters going "she— i mean, they— oh this is so hard!". she gets called out once for making ray's coming out all about her and STILL keeps going.
OH and i forgot the part where it's like, simone's roommate is trans and, when she comes out to simone, simone asks an insensitive question and then basically asks luna to teach her about trans things. when luna says well i can't do that i'm not here to educate you she's like i'll pay you back in food we can schedule it and luna's like yeah sure. and then those basically turn into therapy sessions, nominally btwn the two of them, but you only ever see simone's. doesn't help me in my attempts to like simone at all lmao.
also she's very judgemental. luna invites her to see a play her friends have put on, warns her it'll be bad, and simone is like "so why are they wasting their time on this". i dunno simone maybe they're having fun!
frankly i just think my problem in this book was just simone. ray was a sweetheart. simone, and the way EVERYTHING in the narrative centred simone (case in point, the struggling with pronouns. case in second point, asking if ray knew what lengths simone had gone to for them by coming out to someone in her defense of ray (during the part i describe below). like, sorry i get coming out is an entirely personal thing etc etc, but are we supposed to give her a medal?), was the let down here. i mean, why should i have sympathy for a cis person who doesn't even correct someone who misgenders and deadnames her supposed li?
AND ANOTHER THING: asking why transphobes are misgendering and deadnaming ray, and accusing them of harassment, when, and i quote simone here, "ray is their meal ticket". it is. a choice! later called ray a coward for not wanting to go through the stress and hassle of a lawsuit they would a. probably lose and b. be subjected to transphobic abuse throughout (a decision which later ray says simone was RIGHT about? hello??). at this point, i stopped writing notes because otherwise i'd just never finish it.
as anna said when i showed them (a lot of) excerpts: "it feels like a book abt the hurdles of being an ally, not an ownvoices book abt being nonbinary".
so bad i actually wrote a whole review about it lol
firstly, going in chronological order of Things That Happened, not a massive fan of how it brought up biphobia to put down lesbians. yes to conversations about biphobia, but why is it always the only ever mention you get of lesbians in the book?
secondly, the way simone made ray's coming out to her all about herself was. quite something. she spent the entire first half of the book misgendering (by accident, it has to be said), then when ray comes out she's all "i can do pronouns!" (almost genuine quote, barely paraphrased), but spends the next few chapters going "she— i mean, they— oh this is so hard!". she gets called out once for making ray's coming out all about her and STILL keeps going.
OH and i forgot the part where it's like, simone's roommate is trans and, when she comes out to simone, simone asks an insensitive question and then basically asks luna to teach her about trans things. when luna says well i can't do that i'm not here to educate you she's like i'll pay you back in food we can schedule it and luna's like yeah sure. and then those basically turn into therapy sessions, nominally btwn the two of them, but you only ever see simone's. doesn't help me in my attempts to like simone at all lmao.
also she's very judgemental. luna invites her to see a play her friends have put on, warns her it'll be bad, and simone is like "so why are they wasting their time on this". i dunno simone maybe they're having fun!
frankly i just think my problem in this book was just simone. ray was a sweetheart. simone, and the way EVERYTHING in the narrative centred simone (case in point, the struggling with pronouns. case in second point, asking if ray knew what lengths simone had gone to for them by coming out to someone in her defense of ray (during the part i describe below). like, sorry i get coming out is an entirely personal thing etc etc, but are we supposed to give her a medal?), was the let down here. i mean, why should i have sympathy for a cis person who doesn't even correct someone who misgenders and deadnames her supposed li?
AND ANOTHER THING: asking why transphobes are misgendering and deadnaming ray, and accusing them of harassment, when, and i quote simone here, "ray is their meal ticket". it is. a choice! later called ray a coward for not wanting to go through the stress and hassle of a lawsuit they would a. probably lose and b. be subjected to transphobic abuse throughout (a decision which later ray says simone was RIGHT about? hello??). at this point, i stopped writing notes because otherwise i'd just never finish it.
as anna said when i showed them (a lot of) excerpts: "it feels like a book abt the hurdles of being an ally, not an ownvoices book abt being nonbinary".
June 17, 2022
About the book: “A high-strung pastry chef’s professional goals are interrupted by an unexpected career transition and the introduction of her wildly attractive nonbinary kitchen manager in this deliciously fresh and witty queer rom-com.”
I read Chef’s Kiss to kick off Pride, and what a way to start the month. It’s the story of two lovable characters; Simone, a pastry chef, and Ray, the kitchen manager, who are polar opposites and slowly fall in love. The emphasis is on the “slow,” careful development because it takes about 2/3 of the book for them to come together.
The book is chock full of equally charming side characters, the friends and coworkers of Simone and Ray. Also, key to the story is “The Discerning Chef,” a cookbook publisher evolving their business to add videos. It’s through their work together on screen that Simone and Ray begin to see more sparks. Then, Ray comes out at work as nonbinary. This leads to mixed reactions, and most notably, outright workplace discrimination, as well as micro-aggressions towards Ray, with their friends working to support and advocate for them.
Overall, Chef’s Kiss is a refreshing delight of a read full of heart and important messaging and inclusivity. I loved the cooking and cooking show aspects and cherished these characters. I was emotionally invested in their story and love. T.J. Alexander has another book on the way, and I am ready.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
I read Chef’s Kiss to kick off Pride, and what a way to start the month. It’s the story of two lovable characters; Simone, a pastry chef, and Ray, the kitchen manager, who are polar opposites and slowly fall in love. The emphasis is on the “slow,” careful development because it takes about 2/3 of the book for them to come together.
The book is chock full of equally charming side characters, the friends and coworkers of Simone and Ray. Also, key to the story is “The Discerning Chef,” a cookbook publisher evolving their business to add videos. It’s through their work together on screen that Simone and Ray begin to see more sparks. Then, Ray comes out at work as nonbinary. This leads to mixed reactions, and most notably, outright workplace discrimination, as well as micro-aggressions towards Ray, with their friends working to support and advocate for them.
Overall, Chef’s Kiss is a refreshing delight of a read full of heart and important messaging and inclusivity. I loved the cooking and cooking show aspects and cherished these characters. I was emotionally invested in their story and love. T.J. Alexander has another book on the way, and I am ready.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
did-not-finish
June 2, 2022DNF @ 19%: Gave this one a pretty good go but I just really didn't jive with Simone's narration. From what I've read so far this definitely isn't a bad book! It just isn't a me book. Onto the next!
January 27, 2023
This book wasn't this high in my tbr list but when today I suddenly noticed that it was on kindle unlimited (it wasn't last time I checked a few weeks ago) I had to read it immediately.
I think the story was entertaining in a way. I really liked that the top surgery moment was included, and I actually enjoyed all the descriptions of the foods, as well as cooking and sharing food as a love language... my problem was the main character and everything she did.
Simone feels very entitled and it's very annoying. She is a cis bi woman who clearly still has to unlearn a lot of heteronormativity. The way she looks at other queer and trans people made me uncomfortable. When she first meets Ray, for example, she has a reaction that almost feels like she thinks that other queer people are not good enough to live comfortably being out, and that she is the only valid one because she's bi but she's being low-key about it.
She also made everyone’s coming out about herself and, from the way she talks about some identities, it’s clear she doesn’t know much more than what concerns her personally.
I'm pretty sure Simone was created this way on purpose to show the readers how to improve and change their mindset (especially when it came to gender) but I believe it could have been done better, especially without making her such an unlikable main character. The book at times really just sounds like a bad example of a "guide to be an ally". I thought it would be a book centering a nonbinary experience but I got a book about a cis woman trying to understand what being trans meant. Everything would have worked better if it was written in Ray's pov.
It also really pissed me off when Simone called Ray a coward for not wanting to jeopardize their job (and surgery) for trying to call out the transphobia at work and possibly exposing themselves to even more abuse, when Simone has literally been hiding she's bi since the start of the book and it basically is not even discussed again. Pretty hypocritical in my opinion.
The racism in the company was also never brought up. Simone has one brief moment of "oh, you're right we're all mostly white" and that was it.
EDIT: I lowered the rating from 3 stars to 2 because I forgot to mention the lesbophobia, and because even months after reading it, all the problems in this book keep bothering me.
I think the story was entertaining in a way. I really liked that the top surgery moment was included, and I actually enjoyed all the descriptions of the foods, as well as cooking and sharing food as a love language... my problem was the main character and everything she did.
Simone feels very entitled and it's very annoying. She is a cis bi woman who clearly still has to unlearn a lot of heteronormativity. The way she looks at other queer and trans people made me uncomfortable. When she first meets Ray, for example, she has a reaction that almost feels like she thinks that other queer people are not good enough to live comfortably being out, and that she is the only valid one because she's bi but she's being low-key about it.
She also made everyone’s coming out about herself and, from the way she talks about some identities, it’s clear she doesn’t know much more than what concerns her personally.
I'm pretty sure Simone was created this way on purpose to show the readers how to improve and change their mindset (especially when it came to gender) but I believe it could have been done better, especially without making her such an unlikable main character. The book at times really just sounds like a bad example of a "guide to be an ally". I thought it would be a book centering a nonbinary experience but I got a book about a cis woman trying to understand what being trans meant. Everything would have worked better if it was written in Ray's pov.
It also really pissed me off when Simone called Ray a coward for not wanting to jeopardize their job (and surgery) for trying to call out the transphobia at work and possibly exposing themselves to even more abuse, when Simone has literally been hiding she's bi since the start of the book and it basically is not even discussed again. Pretty hypocritical in my opinion.
The racism in the company was also never brought up. Simone has one brief moment of "oh, you're right we're all mostly white" and that was it.
EDIT: I lowered the rating from 3 stars to 2 because I forgot to mention the lesbophobia, and because even months after reading it, all the problems in this book keep bothering me.
April 24, 2022
The way I have been blessed with trans romance this year!! I cannot wait to discuss this one with TJ next week.
May 2, 2022
4.5 stars
I enjoyed this book so much I practically wanted to give it a hug when I finished reading the last page. It's a slow burn romance and rather than get a whole bunch of hot and steamy scenes throughout, the author lays the groundwork for a meaningful connection between the main characters. Taking the time to really get to know someone is a key component of a good romance novel but so often it is overlooked by writers. Good character development and yummy food descriptions made this book a fantastic read.
Simone Larkspur is a pastry expert working for The Discerning Chef, a cookbook publication. Her bosses are looking to draw more interest to the company and have tasked Simone with making demonstration videos. The new test kitchen manager, Ray Lyton, has a cheerful, friendly disposition which doesn't exactly jive well with Simone's 'leave me alone so I can work' attitude. When Ray becomes a viral sensation with their homebrewing videos, the higher ups decides Simone and Ray should work together. What could go wrong? Or maybe the more appropriate question, what could go right?
Ray coming out as nonbinary at work is one of the storylines. The nonbinary and transgender discussions gave the book substance and I liked how it was handled in particular when it came to Simone. I think she falls into the category that many of us find ourselves in, that no matter how enlightened we might think we are, there is still opportunity to learn and grow. Even though the story is told from Simone's perspective, Ray was the heart and soul of the book.
Nonbinary characters are still woefully underrepresented in the romance genre, and frankly all genres. Please do your self a favor, and pick this one up. The story has so much charm to it and really warmed my heart.
Thank you to Atria and Emily Bestler Books for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
I enjoyed this book so much I practically wanted to give it a hug when I finished reading the last page. It's a slow burn romance and rather than get a whole bunch of hot and steamy scenes throughout, the author lays the groundwork for a meaningful connection between the main characters. Taking the time to really get to know someone is a key component of a good romance novel but so often it is overlooked by writers. Good character development and yummy food descriptions made this book a fantastic read.
Simone Larkspur is a pastry expert working for The Discerning Chef, a cookbook publication. Her bosses are looking to draw more interest to the company and have tasked Simone with making demonstration videos. The new test kitchen manager, Ray Lyton, has a cheerful, friendly disposition which doesn't exactly jive well with Simone's 'leave me alone so I can work' attitude. When Ray becomes a viral sensation with their homebrewing videos, the higher ups decides Simone and Ray should work together. What could go wrong? Or maybe the more appropriate question, what could go right?
Ray coming out as nonbinary at work is one of the storylines. The nonbinary and transgender discussions gave the book substance and I liked how it was handled in particular when it came to Simone. I think she falls into the category that many of us find ourselves in, that no matter how enlightened we might think we are, there is still opportunity to learn and grow. Even though the story is told from Simone's perspective, Ray was the heart and soul of the book.
Nonbinary characters are still woefully underrepresented in the romance genre, and frankly all genres. Please do your self a favor, and pick this one up. The story has so much charm to it and really warmed my heart.
Thank you to Atria and Emily Bestler Books for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
March 7, 2023
Video to come...
I really enjoyed Chef's Kiss, but I think it's probably important to know what to expect going into it. It's a queer foodie rom-com that is super slow burn between a chef and her new non-binary kitchen manager. The chef, Simone, is super grumpy and prickly (I'm a total sucker for prickly heroines so I was here for it) and Ray is a tall, lanky ball of sunshine. I really loved their interactions with each other.
That said, a few things are important to set expectations. If you're hoping for a fluffy romance centering a casually non-binary character, that's really not what this book is. It's tackling some heavier issues such as workplace discrimination, toxic work environments, and medically transitioning including surgery (and it's quite graphic in terms of depicting recovery).
It's also a book written entirely from Sophie's perspective- a cis, bisexual woman. The author has said in an interview that as a non-binary person, this book contains a lot of what they want cis ally's to know, but don't always feel like saying. So for reviews saying this reads more as a book about being a good ally, yes. You're correct, and that was intentional. Alexander also made the decision to have Ray not come out as non-binary until halfway through the book which means that they are being frequently misgendered and even deadnamed because it's all in Sophie's head. Which is admittedly uncomfortable to read, but at the same time I kind of understand the reasoning from a narrative perspective.
All that to say, know what this book is going in. I think there is a lot of value to be found here, but it's entirely valid that some trans and non-binary people might not want to encounter these things in their romance. Personally, I really enjoyed the dynamic between the leads and liked what this book was aiming to do. I suspect that their next book might be a bit more on the fluffy side since both characters are trans, and I'm interested to check it out.
I really enjoyed Chef's Kiss, but I think it's probably important to know what to expect going into it. It's a queer foodie rom-com that is super slow burn between a chef and her new non-binary kitchen manager. The chef, Simone, is super grumpy and prickly (I'm a total sucker for prickly heroines so I was here for it) and Ray is a tall, lanky ball of sunshine. I really loved their interactions with each other.
That said, a few things are important to set expectations. If you're hoping for a fluffy romance centering a casually non-binary character, that's really not what this book is. It's tackling some heavier issues such as workplace discrimination, toxic work environments, and medically transitioning including surgery (and it's quite graphic in terms of depicting recovery).
It's also a book written entirely from Sophie's perspective- a cis, bisexual woman. The author has said in an interview that as a non-binary person, this book contains a lot of what they want cis ally's to know, but don't always feel like saying. So for reviews saying this reads more as a book about being a good ally, yes. You're correct, and that was intentional. Alexander also made the decision to have Ray not come out as non-binary until halfway through the book which means that they are being frequently misgendered and even deadnamed because it's all in Sophie's head. Which is admittedly uncomfortable to read, but at the same time I kind of understand the reasoning from a narrative perspective.
All that to say, know what this book is going in. I think there is a lot of value to be found here, but it's entirely valid that some trans and non-binary people might not want to encounter these things in their romance. Personally, I really enjoyed the dynamic between the leads and liked what this book was aiming to do. I suspect that their next book might be a bit more on the fluffy side since both characters are trans, and I'm interested to check it out.
July 4, 2023
Chef’s Kiss is both a wonderful read and frustrating. Simone works as a pastry chef at a Bon Appetite type of magazine. She minds her own business, does her work, and is successful in making no connections with anyone but her roommate, Luna. Then the head of the magazine hires a new kitchen manager who is funny, charming, and good looking.
Although the new hire is referred to as Rachael, we learn later on in the book that they are actually non-binary and are actually named Ray. Simone and Ray do a cute back and forth dance where of course, we know they are falling in love but they themselves are oblivious. The author made the decision to have the characters misgender Ray early on which I understand because everything is from Simone’s pov and Ray does not come out until halfway through the book. At that point, a fight against corporate ensues over the right to be visible as lgbtq+. I think the book works as a grouch/sunshine trope. The banter between them is very funny and there are tender moments. But then again, there are selfish, cringe scenes where Simone should know better. Either you respect someone or you are only being considerate when it is convenient. Several reviewers were very upset about the misgendering and deadnaming. I get it but I also understand what the author was trying to do by telling It through Simone’s eyes. I just wonder what the book might have been like if Ray had told the story. I still give the book 4.5 stars because I truly thought the story was well written and the romance was a good one. Also, I respect the author’s story choices. One last mention, the narrator, Em Grosland, is outstanding.
Although the new hire is referred to as Rachael, we learn later on in the book that they are actually non-binary and are actually named Ray. Simone and Ray do a cute back and forth dance where of course, we know they are falling in love but they themselves are oblivious. The author made the decision to have the characters misgender Ray early on which I understand because everything is from Simone’s pov and Ray does not come out until halfway through the book. At that point, a fight against corporate ensues over the right to be visible as lgbtq+. I think the book works as a grouch/sunshine trope. The banter between them is very funny and there are tender moments. But then again, there are selfish, cringe scenes where Simone should know better. Either you respect someone or you are only being considerate when it is convenient. Several reviewers were very upset about the misgendering and deadnaming. I get it but I also understand what the author was trying to do by telling It through Simone’s eyes. I just wonder what the book might have been like if Ray had told the story. I still give the book 4.5 stars because I truly thought the story was well written and the romance was a good one. Also, I respect the author’s story choices. One last mention, the narrator, Em Grosland, is outstanding.
February 20, 2023
4.5 Stars Chef’s Kiss (audiobook) by T J Alexander read by Em Grosland.
This is a really modern take on things getting hot and steamy in the kitchen. There is a little romance and a lot of new social situations covered. I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series.
This is a really modern take on things getting hot and steamy in the kitchen. There is a little romance and a lot of new social situations covered. I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 5, 2022
Is this about….? Nooo…. But it’s a lot like…. Nahhh….
February 16, 2022
**I was provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CW: deadnaming, transphobia, misgendering
When I started Chef's Kiss, I was certain that my review would end up being a negative one. After finishing, my opinion was completely flipped. Early on, I had trouble with the lack of subtext in the story, a stunted dynamic to the writing, and a feeling that it would all end up being too predictable. Either all of that improved over the course of the book or I got so wrapped up in the story and characters that I no longer cared. Either way, by the end of the story I was fully invested, in tears, and in love with the representation presented within its pages.
I am not a pastry chef, but all of the food related content felt like the author had experience in the field and came off as genuine. The dynamic of the main relationship was cute and honest. The fact that it took a backseat for a lot of the book in order to focus on workplace politics and queer representation was appealing. The story become more than just two people falling for each other and having steamy sex all over the pages. It was great to see a nonbinary character as a lead, and the discussions around trans dynamics was great; not overly preachy, but intelligent and informative. And though some people were bigoted assholes in the book, it never came off as sensationalized, but instead, authentic.
Chef's Kiss is a book that will have you rooting for the main group of characters, a book that makes me, as a nonbinary person, feel represented, and despite some of the serious topics it tackles, a book that will have you laughing and smiling.
CW: deadnaming, transphobia, misgendering
When I started Chef's Kiss, I was certain that my review would end up being a negative one. After finishing, my opinion was completely flipped. Early on, I had trouble with the lack of subtext in the story, a stunted dynamic to the writing, and a feeling that it would all end up being too predictable. Either all of that improved over the course of the book or I got so wrapped up in the story and characters that I no longer cared. Either way, by the end of the story I was fully invested, in tears, and in love with the representation presented within its pages.
I am not a pastry chef, but all of the food related content felt like the author had experience in the field and came off as genuine. The dynamic of the main relationship was cute and honest. The fact that it took a backseat for a lot of the book in order to focus on workplace politics and queer representation was appealing. The story become more than just two people falling for each other and having steamy sex all over the pages. It was great to see a nonbinary character as a lead, and the discussions around trans dynamics was great; not overly preachy, but intelligent and informative. And though some people were bigoted assholes in the book, it never came off as sensationalized, but instead, authentic.
Chef's Kiss is a book that will have you rooting for the main group of characters, a book that makes me, as a nonbinary person, feel represented, and despite some of the serious topics it tackles, a book that will have you laughing and smiling.
May 16, 2022
what was the attitude for kelsey🤨🤨🤨
May 2, 2022
I wanted to like this so badly but I couldn’t stand the main character. Everything just made me roll my eyes and that’s such a bummer. 🥺 It just wasn’t for me.
July 8, 2022
There are a lot of really excellent elements in this romance. But a couple of factors held it back from being a top read for me. Simone works for The Discerning Chef magazine writing recipes and is thrown for a loop when a new kitchen manager, Ray, arrives and Simone is told she’ll have to start creating online videos. While at first Simone doesn’t want to get close to Ray, she soon begins to have feelings for her co-worker.
I think people who used to be a fan of the Bon Appétit YouTube channel will recognize a lot of similarities between certain elements of the plot and what was revealed to be going on behind the scenes at BA. I did enjoy the magazine & YouTube elements of the plot. Also, all the descriptions of food were amazing and were making me want to be able to reach into the book and have what they were making. But where I ran into some stuff that I didn’t think worked quite as well was the pacing of the romance and how it’s all told from Simone’s POV.
A huge part of the story is how Ray comes out as nonbinary and Simone has a lot of foot in mouth uninformed cis person moments. It’s pretty frustrating to read from her perspective for a lot of the book. It’s obviously done to show how she grows and comes to understand more about Ray, but I was more interested in seeing the story from Ray’s POV. Also, the book is basically almost over before they get together. I love a slow burn, but I still want to be able to see the couple together for a good amount of time before the story is done.
I think people who used to be a fan of the Bon Appétit YouTube channel will recognize a lot of similarities between certain elements of the plot and what was revealed to be going on behind the scenes at BA. I did enjoy the magazine & YouTube elements of the plot. Also, all the descriptions of food were amazing and were making me want to be able to reach into the book and have what they were making. But where I ran into some stuff that I didn’t think worked quite as well was the pacing of the romance and how it’s all told from Simone’s POV.
A huge part of the story is how Ray comes out as nonbinary and Simone has a lot of foot in mouth uninformed cis person moments. It’s pretty frustrating to read from her perspective for a lot of the book. It’s obviously done to show how she grows and comes to understand more about Ray, but I was more interested in seeing the story from Ray’s POV. Also, the book is basically almost over before they get together. I love a slow burn, but I still want to be able to see the couple together for a good amount of time before the story is done.
July 6, 2022
Kristina says: Three and a half stars. New York pastry chef Simone Larkspur is a work-obsessed creative genius in the kitchen who prefers to keep her personal life, and her bisexual identity, private. The traditional culinary publication she works for is facing financial ruin and to save it, Simone needs to rise to the occasion and help co-host a quirky online cooking show with the charming new kitchen manager Ray Lyton, who shines on camera.
Their undeniable chemistry rakes in millions of views and lots of comments cheering for the quasi-celebrity couple lovingly dubbed “Raymone.” When Ray comes out as non-binary, the company rudely refuses to make accommodations, and even though her career is on the line, Simone’s instinct is to stand up for Ray, whom she’s been crushing on secretly the whole time. Simone and Ray mostly tiptoe around their feelings, but the realistic slow-burn romantic reveal at the end is worth the wait.
This sweet contemporary Own-Voices romance by a non-binary author is recommended for all libraries, but some readers sensitive to topics involving deadnaming, transphobia, and misgendering may appreciate a content warning.
Their undeniable chemistry rakes in millions of views and lots of comments cheering for the quasi-celebrity couple lovingly dubbed “Raymone.” When Ray comes out as non-binary, the company rudely refuses to make accommodations, and even though her career is on the line, Simone’s instinct is to stand up for Ray, whom she’s been crushing on secretly the whole time. Simone and Ray mostly tiptoe around their feelings, but the realistic slow-burn romantic reveal at the end is worth the wait.
This sweet contemporary Own-Voices romance by a non-binary author is recommended for all libraries, but some readers sensitive to topics involving deadnaming, transphobia, and misgendering may appreciate a content warning.
July 9, 2022
I, as a non binary person with a uterus, have a lot to say about this book. You know how Dear White People was criticized for being a show about black people written for white people? I feel like this book is written for cis women. This book would have been infinitely more interesting from Ray's perspective. I do not give a fuck what Simone thinks, especially her faux activism in making her trans friend her only source of information. And I highly doubt a video would get millions of views overnight. Even as an avid Bon Appétit watcher, that never happened. This also just feel like BA fanfic. I wish I had known about the transphobia in this book, I don't like reading about my own trauma, and if I had known I wouldn't have picked it up. I def thought this would have a Schitts Creek approach and was seriously let down. I also felt uncomfortable in how Ray's masculine characteristics were emphasized (being very tall and muscular). It felt like the same way size and body differences are emphasized in straight books. 2 stars for the audiobook narrator and the small bit of info about top surgery.
January 28, 2023
"Slightly slow to start, then turned into a cute romcom."
This quote was my original review and it just goes to show that I shouldn't try to write reviews ages after reading the book because that comment is basically me saying, I can't really remember this book. I came across some very valid critique of this book today and it jogged my memory, so I re-read those sections and jogged my memory properly. Also, I usually use Goodreads as a way of noting books to myself so I can remember their contents, so yeah, not great this time around.
TW: transphobia, biphobia, racist workplace
One of the main characters is non-binary (and the author's website uses they/them for them). The other main character is a bisexual cis woman who hides her queerness and is VERY anxious about everything. It made the book very slow to start.
The bi woman takes a really long time to figure out how to use they/them pronouns, and it was irritating that she kept stumbling and really laboured the point that it was 'hard for her' to learn. It's not. I've seen people figure this out and adjust in real life much faster. Was it the author trying to say they'd forgive people who stumbled? Perhaps but it's certainly drawn out more than it needs to be.
Oh, and what was with the lesbian side character being all 'not a proper lesbian' at the non-binary person?
The racist workplace was dealt with by a rich white woman swooping in like a saviour and investing in the two main character's new business.
There are delightful parts to this book and I did enjoy some of it, enough to write that it was a "cute romcom". Should I have washed over the times I felt 'off' in reading this? No. That's a learning experience for me.
Maybe I should've written - I wanted to enjoy this book and tried to overlook the problems because it was an own voices book, but on balance, I'm not sure how I feel about it.
This quote was my original review and it just goes to show that I shouldn't try to write reviews ages after reading the book because that comment is basically me saying, I can't really remember this book. I came across some very valid critique of this book today and it jogged my memory, so I re-read those sections and jogged my memory properly. Also, I usually use Goodreads as a way of noting books to myself so I can remember their contents, so yeah, not great this time around.
TW: transphobia, biphobia, racist workplace
One of the main characters is non-binary (and the author's website uses they/them for them). The other main character is a bisexual cis woman who hides her queerness and is VERY anxious about everything. It made the book very slow to start.
The bi woman takes a really long time to figure out how to use they/them pronouns, and it was irritating that she kept stumbling and really laboured the point that it was 'hard for her' to learn. It's not. I've seen people figure this out and adjust in real life much faster. Was it the author trying to say they'd forgive people who stumbled? Perhaps but it's certainly drawn out more than it needs to be.
Oh, and what was with the lesbian side character being all 'not a proper lesbian' at the non-binary person?
The racist workplace was dealt with by a rich white woman swooping in like a saviour and investing in the two main character's new business.
There are delightful parts to this book and I did enjoy some of it, enough to write that it was a "cute romcom". Should I have washed over the times I felt 'off' in reading this? No. That's a learning experience for me.
Maybe I should've written - I wanted to enjoy this book and tried to overlook the problems because it was an own voices book, but on balance, I'm not sure how I feel about it.
August 1, 2022
Wow I loved this so much!!!
Rep: white midsize bisexual cis female MC with anxiety, white queer nonbinary love interest, white queer trans female side character, Black cis female side character, Black cis male side character, white cis female lesbian side character, various queer side characters.
CW: deadnaming, misgendering, transphobia/transmisia, general queerphobia/queermisia, medical content, bullying, cursing, blood, alcohol consumption, mental illness (anxiety), misogyny, sexism. Moderate: sexual content, vomit, abandonment, toxic relationship (MC/work environment), racism, dysphoria, injury/injury detail. Minor: fatphobia, car accident, outing, gaslighting.
Rep: white midsize bisexual cis female MC with anxiety, white queer nonbinary love interest, white queer trans female side character, Black cis female side character, Black cis male side character, white cis female lesbian side character, various queer side characters.
CW: deadnaming, misgendering, transphobia/transmisia, general queerphobia/queermisia, medical content, bullying, cursing, blood, alcohol consumption, mental illness (anxiety), misogyny, sexism. Moderate: sexual content, vomit, abandonment, toxic relationship (MC/work environment), racism, dysphoria, injury/injury detail. Minor: fatphobia, car accident, outing, gaslighting.
May 19, 2022
Rating: 3.5-4 stars
This was a sweet story. I very much enjoyed the cooking and food description. The romance was a very slow burn - it could have developed a little faster perhaps but I enjoyed it. Ray was a great character and I loved following their journey, but I struggled a little with Simone. I'm not sure what it was about her, maybe she felt kind of inconsistent at times? I don't know exactly but I just didn't really get her, even though I enjoyed reading about her journey too. As she was the main character this brought the rating down a little.
This was a sweet story. I very much enjoyed the cooking and food description. The romance was a very slow burn - it could have developed a little faster perhaps but I enjoyed it. Ray was a great character and I loved following their journey, but I struggled a little with Simone. I'm not sure what it was about her, maybe she felt kind of inconsistent at times? I don't know exactly but I just didn't really get her, even though I enjoyed reading about her journey too. As she was the main character this brought the rating down a little.
April 12, 2025
my apologies if i return this book to the library with tear stains in it! soon, i will invest in my own copy so that i may cry to my frail heart’s content.
i don’t know why i always find myself at a loss for words when it comes to the books that impact me the most. i stayed up until 4am because i could NOT put this book down & my heart feels so happy. no regrets <3
i don’t know why i always find myself at a loss for words when it comes to the books that impact me the most. i stayed up until 4am because i could NOT put this book down & my heart feels so happy. no regrets <3
June 24, 2022
I don‘t think I‘ve ever felt so much like the exact target audience of a book. Queer romance, so much baking and every food metaphor made me giggle. The romance part felt a bit rushed at the end, after being very slow burn, but apart from that I really enjoyed this.
August 30, 2022
This was BLATANT Bon Appetit test kitchen fanfiction, and while I’m fine with published fanfiction I am not fine with capitalizing on real life struggles that people went through, especially considering the company’s racism in this story was really only addressed as an afterthought
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645808644i%2F7494844._UX200_CR0%2C6%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 5, 2022
Absolutely adorable.
Full RTC.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review
Full RTC.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review
August 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this!
This is such a cozy read with a beautiful relationship developed from friendship.
Plus the entire book revolves around food.
Total win!
This is such a cozy read with a beautiful relationship developed from friendship.
Plus the entire book revolves around food.
Total win!
November 12, 2021
3.5 stars
This was a cute rom-com that I devoured in one sitting. The author seamlessly wove in vital character details in a delicate way that helped me feel immediately attached to their story. Simone and Ray have such a sweet relationship and I liked the cooking element.
This was a cute rom-com that I devoured in one sitting. The author seamlessly wove in vital character details in a delicate way that helped me feel immediately attached to their story. Simone and Ray have such a sweet relationship and I liked the cooking element.
May 1, 2022
This is the MOST delicious, slow burn, queer foodie romance EVER!!!
Full RTC
Full RTC
January 5, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
CW: anxiety, use of dead name, transphobia, toxic workplace environment, discrimination, misgendering,
I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-f/nb office romance
-frenemies to idiots to lovers
-mutual pining
-it annoys me how attracted I am to you
-sick/comfort
-caring for someone by cooking for them
-found family
-slooooow burn
I adored this book. A mix of fiction and romance, all about trusting the world and someone else with seeing your true self. How to be an ally. Both Simone and Ray were flawed in honest and true ways that people are. A slow burn,, and even though I was yelling at these two to realize they both liked each other this book was wonderful. The banter, the frustration, the pining. Completely understandable misunderstandings.
My favorite part might have been the way that food was used to show you care for a person. Both Simone and Ray struggled to show the other that they cared. An amazing debut that I enjoyed every moment of and I can't wait to read more from this author.
Steam: 3
CW: anxiety, use of dead name, transphobia, toxic workplace environment, discrimination, misgendering,
I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-f/nb office romance
-frenemies to idiots to lovers
-mutual pining
-it annoys me how attracted I am to you
-sick/comfort
-caring for someone by cooking for them
-found family
-slooooow burn
I adored this book. A mix of fiction and romance, all about trusting the world and someone else with seeing your true self. How to be an ally. Both Simone and Ray were flawed in honest and true ways that people are. A slow burn,, and even though I was yelling at these two to realize they both liked each other this book was wonderful. The banter, the frustration, the pining. Completely understandable misunderstandings.
My favorite part might have been the way that food was used to show you care for a person. Both Simone and Ray struggled to show the other that they cared. An amazing debut that I enjoyed every moment of and I can't wait to read more from this author.
Steam: 3
May 15, 2022
This was great, it took so many tries to get this book as the first two copies were missing pages but the wait was worth it. It was such a cute book and i wanted them to get together so bad and just so frustrated since it took till the end of the book.
TW: misgendering, transphobia, homophobia, parents kick out child
TW: misgendering, transphobia, homophobia, parents kick out child
June 28, 2022
I think that a lot of us know that we have been given a lot of queer baking books lately and I am certainly not complaining and while we've been blessed by some of them being truly exceptional, there have been some that have been middle of the road and some that have been truly excruciating to get through. I am happy to say, that as a queer baker, I can confirm that this book falls into the exceptional category of queer baking books 🙌🏼
From the very first glimpse we got of Simone and her prickly introverted work focused nature, I knew I was going to like this book. Because I am Simone. I am a fat queer baker who likes to have fun but also is very focused on work and doesn't get pulled away into social interactions or conversations. I find it all very unnecessary and I would much rather stay focused on whatever I'm baking and make sure that it comes out properly. This book starts out with a scene of Simone testing out bread and when the new kitchen manager rearranges her bread she has like a minor conniption and I felt that in my soul.
So anyway, Simone isn't technically fat or asexual but she is mid size and she is queer and so I'm taking it for the win.
Basically Simone works at this hoity-toity magazine testing recipes and then a new kitchen manager comes in and shakes things up alongside a new marketing venture that requires the team to do more social media.
Ray comes into the kitchen a bubbly bouncy extroverted social butterfly and they annoy Simone so much. I found it hilarious because what a mood. I really loved this whole "oh my God I really hate you but you actually are being helpful so I can't really hate you but I want to hate you" mentality Simone head going on in regards to Ray. And then when Simone's like "oh shit I like this person", she doesn't know how to back pedal all of her emotions or her actions.
So basically this whole book is about Simone and Ray figuring out how to interact with each other cordially but then also become friends and then maybe more while also dealing with a workplace that is not nearly as inclusive as it claims to be. When Ray comes out about halfway through the book as non-binary and tells everyone that their pronouns are they them, they get a lot of backlash and there's some really important and vital conversations that come with being out in the workplace.
The ending was literally and figuratively ✨chef's kiss✨ and everything I could have wanted. I'm so thrilled to be able to add another stellar book with queer bakers in it to my ever-growing pile.
Bisexual MC, nonbinary queer MC, trans secondary
From the very first glimpse we got of Simone and her prickly introverted work focused nature, I knew I was going to like this book. Because I am Simone. I am a fat queer baker who likes to have fun but also is very focused on work and doesn't get pulled away into social interactions or conversations. I find it all very unnecessary and I would much rather stay focused on whatever I'm baking and make sure that it comes out properly. This book starts out with a scene of Simone testing out bread and when the new kitchen manager rearranges her bread she has like a minor conniption and I felt that in my soul.
So anyway, Simone isn't technically fat or asexual but she is mid size and she is queer and so I'm taking it for the win.
Basically Simone works at this hoity-toity magazine testing recipes and then a new kitchen manager comes in and shakes things up alongside a new marketing venture that requires the team to do more social media.
Ray comes into the kitchen a bubbly bouncy extroverted social butterfly and they annoy Simone so much. I found it hilarious because what a mood. I really loved this whole "oh my God I really hate you but you actually are being helpful so I can't really hate you but I want to hate you" mentality Simone head going on in regards to Ray. And then when Simone's like "oh shit I like this person", she doesn't know how to back pedal all of her emotions or her actions.
So basically this whole book is about Simone and Ray figuring out how to interact with each other cordially but then also become friends and then maybe more while also dealing with a workplace that is not nearly as inclusive as it claims to be. When Ray comes out about halfway through the book as non-binary and tells everyone that their pronouns are they them, they get a lot of backlash and there's some really important and vital conversations that come with being out in the workplace.
The ending was literally and figuratively ✨chef's kiss✨ and everything I could have wanted. I'm so thrilled to be able to add another stellar book with queer bakers in it to my ever-growing pile.
Bisexual MC, nonbinary queer MC, trans secondary
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