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Knives, Seasoning, & A Dash of Love
In this spicy workplace romance, a hotheaded celebrity chef finds himself drawn to his inexperienced new hire. But when her bubbly attitude collides with his sharp edges, can they handle the heat, or will their love be a recipe for disaster?
Alexander Chen is one of the most talented chefs to ever grace the culinary world of French haute cuisine. He rules his kitchen with an iron fist and fiery temper, so it's no secret that if you can't handle the heat, he'll gladly toss you out with the trash. As one of the first Chinese-American chefs to claw his way to the top, he has a lot to prove and a massive chip on his shoulder.
But he wasn't always like this. Eden Monroe, his newly hired sous chef—who may or may not have (definitely) embellished a lot on her resumé to land herself the job—knew him back when he still went by his real name, Shang. He used to be sweet and helpful and definitely not the second coming of the devil himself.
Eden won't say anything, though, no matter how hot her curiosity burns. Especially if it could cost her this job, which she needs if she has any hope of hiring a private detective to find something she lost long ago.
All she has to do is fly under the radar. It's just a shame that she and her new boss butt heads more often than they fulfill orders. But what happens when things finally boil over, and they discover the feelings between them are spicier than they ever imagined?
Alexander Chen is one of the most talented chefs to ever grace the culinary world of French haute cuisine. He rules his kitchen with an iron fist and fiery temper, so it's no secret that if you can't handle the heat, he'll gladly toss you out with the trash. As one of the first Chinese-American chefs to claw his way to the top, he has a lot to prove and a massive chip on his shoulder.
But he wasn't always like this. Eden Monroe, his newly hired sous chef—who may or may not have (definitely) embellished a lot on her resumé to land herself the job—knew him back when he still went by his real name, Shang. He used to be sweet and helpful and definitely not the second coming of the devil himself.
Eden won't say anything, though, no matter how hot her curiosity burns. Especially if it could cost her this job, which she needs if she has any hope of hiring a private detective to find something she lost long ago.
All she has to do is fly under the radar. It's just a shame that she and her new boss butt heads more often than they fulfill orders. But what happens when things finally boil over, and they discover the feelings between them are spicier than they ever imagined?
364 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2023
About the author
Katrina Kwan
3 books218 followersKatrina Kwan is a Canadian fantasy and contemporary romance author. Follow her on [Instagram] for all her latest book updates.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 419 reviews
August 19, 2024
If you're a fan of workplace romance, the grumpy-meets-sunshine trope blending with the "Bear" series concept, and want to scream with me "Yes, Chef!", this book is a great match for you!
Brooding, perfectionist, critical, moody Alexander Chen (a.k.a. Shang) and sunshiny, gold-hearted, easy-going, always-sees-good-in-people Eden Monroe seem like total opposites, but I loved their palpable chemistry and undeniably magnetic attraction. They're incredibly sweet together and great partners in the kitchen.
Their paths cross once again at French haute cuisine restaurant La Rouge, where Shang has changed his name to Alexander Chang. He's one of the top chefs in the industry leading the kitchen, and Eden is the brand new sauce chef, hired urgently after her predecessor quit. Eden has a big secret: she lied about her previous experience and references on her resume. She also didn't finish culinary school, where she met Alexander 9 years ago. Thankfully, Alexander doesn't recognize her, and he intends to test her capabilities in her position, which she's adamant not to lose. She needs to collect enough money for an important mission and is thick-skinned enough to fight against mean, critical people in the kitchen while keeping a smile on her face.
But she doesn't expect to become friends with the brooding chef who needs her help to create a new menu to satisfy the demanding owner Sebastian, who watches their every move like a hawk. Meanwhile, her colleague Hector is trying to replace her as sauce chef, bullying his way to get what he wants.
As Eden tries to find her way in the industry and searches for a big mystery about her past, she realizes her blooming friendship with Alexander is turning into something more intimate. Could they help each other heal from past burdens, becoming the best partners not just in the kitchen but in a relationship, and find their own paths?
Overall: This is a sweet, angsty, steamy romance you can easily get addicted to! Especially if you're a foodie who enjoys the romance-in-workplace concept, your name is written all over this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for sharing this lovely romance book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Brooding, perfectionist, critical, moody Alexander Chen (a.k.a. Shang) and sunshiny, gold-hearted, easy-going, always-sees-good-in-people Eden Monroe seem like total opposites, but I loved their palpable chemistry and undeniably magnetic attraction. They're incredibly sweet together and great partners in the kitchen.
Their paths cross once again at French haute cuisine restaurant La Rouge, where Shang has changed his name to Alexander Chang. He's one of the top chefs in the industry leading the kitchen, and Eden is the brand new sauce chef, hired urgently after her predecessor quit. Eden has a big secret: she lied about her previous experience and references on her resume. She also didn't finish culinary school, where she met Alexander 9 years ago. Thankfully, Alexander doesn't recognize her, and he intends to test her capabilities in her position, which she's adamant not to lose. She needs to collect enough money for an important mission and is thick-skinned enough to fight against mean, critical people in the kitchen while keeping a smile on her face.
But she doesn't expect to become friends with the brooding chef who needs her help to create a new menu to satisfy the demanding owner Sebastian, who watches their every move like a hawk. Meanwhile, her colleague Hector is trying to replace her as sauce chef, bullying his way to get what he wants.
As Eden tries to find her way in the industry and searches for a big mystery about her past, she realizes her blooming friendship with Alexander is turning into something more intimate. Could they help each other heal from past burdens, becoming the best partners not just in the kitchen but in a relationship, and find their own paths?
Overall: This is a sweet, angsty, steamy romance you can easily get addicted to! Especially if you're a foodie who enjoys the romance-in-workplace concept, your name is written all over this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for sharing this lovely romance book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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November 9, 2023
RATING: 4✨
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
Trope/Setting Highlights:
#️⃣ ~370 page contemporary romance
📖 Chef MCs
📖 Kind of second-chance if you squint and close your eyes like 99.7%?
📖 Chinese-American rep (MMC + family)
📖 Grumpy (MMC) x sunshine (FMC) dynamic
📖 MMC only soft for the FMC
📖 Emotional and sensitive family matters
📖 HEA (with 5+ year epilogue)
🌶️He may be a chef, but MMC loves to eat out (turnabout is very much mutual)
🌶️Some dirty talk, some general (wanted) roughness
Review:
This is an arc review – thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher as always, extremely grateful for these opportunities!
Knives, Seasoning, & A Dash of Love is Katrina Kwan’s debut novel and tells the contemporary romance tale of Alexander (Shang) and Eden, largely set in the fast-paced and demanding kitchen of La Rouge, a French fine dining darling.
Eden, our FMC, was abandoned as a child by her parents, which has led to a life of trust issues and endless searching, the latter of which is costing her exactly $15,000, since that’s how much it takes to hire one of the best private investigators in the country. Her love of food has been one of the only constants in her life, even though she wasn’t able to complete her time in a prestigious culinary school after a foster parent stole her scholarship money. See? She’s got reasons for trust issues.
When a sudden sous chef replacement opportunity pops up at La Rouge, Eden swallows her pride and embellishes her resume enough to secure the job, and a pretty decent salary. She’ll just have to prove she can make it, and hide her secret, in chef Alexander Chen’s kitchen.
Alexander has not only fought through blood, sweat, and tears for his Michelin stars, but also to be taken seriously as a chef at all. He was forced to change his own birthname, Shang, to attempt this. Proving himself at La Rogue, under a nefariously sketchy supervisor, is Alexander’s only goal, a goal that has far surpassed even the love of food that originally made him pursue being a chef at all. Does he even love it anymore at all?
Alexander is another side of the same coin, like Eden, in terms of trust. While Eden has a hard time placing and keeping her trust in others, trust that they won’t abandon her, Alexander has a hard time trusting his coworkers and employees, trusting his own ingenuity and passion, and even trusting the path he followed to get here.
Maybe that’s why Eden and Alexander work so well together.
How to explain their dynamic? There’s was definitely touches of grumpy x sunshine, with Alexander being the grump, or in this case, the overly stern and sometimes outright mean boss, and Eden being the sun, or rather, a ray of warmth that tempers Alexander’s outward coldness. It’s by working together in the kitchen that a sort of family begins to form, everyone seeing each other in new lights. We also get complementary trope to grumpy x sunshine, which is the MMC only being soft or vulnerable with the FMC.
Something that made the main couple so genuinely sweet to watch was that they had shared familial trauma, and helped each other through it (although initially pushing each other away of course), bringing unique and common perspectives to each other’s experiences. Eden was the first to open up, and it was kind of not by choice, since Alexander found out her secret, but Alexander was way more hesitant, which was one of, if not the, main cause of the third-act conflict. Both Eden and Alexander have deeply emotional stories with their families, in different ways, and I’m glad we got to see a resolution for both of them. It really made the story feel full circle, feel complete.
I’m not always a fan of tying up everything with a neat little bow at the end, or rather, having it end with marriage and children immediately in an epilogue, but because the sentiment of family was so prevalent and emotionally relevant to the plot, it really worked here, and felt earned with love.
Spice was great, and Kwan certainly didn’t shy away from adding an extra scene or three, and I for one THANK HER for that.
Also something I want to mention, I was impressed and refreshed by the way Kwan handled the display of male/masculine emotion and vulnerable. It was touching, and wasn’t either glorified and/or underwhelmed. It was just there, normalized, embraced, allowed, returned, and helped. Really love that.
This would’ve been much closer to 5 stars; however, I was a little underwhelmed at Eden’s family conflict resolution. I understand she wanted complete closure, but the resolution was predictable, and kind of obvious. I was actually hoping the ending was going to subvert expectations
I really recommend this book if you’re looking for a light contemporary romance between chefs with surprising emotional depth. It was heartwarming, a little heartbreaking, but so very worth it in the end. Maybe this hit at just the right time, something sweet to sweep away some soul sadness, but I’m more convinced this was just a plain good story.
Katrina Kwan is an author to watch! ❤️ 🧡 💛
For those looking for any sort of safety warnings in terms of the romance, like I always do, I can relay that this is mostly safe, but not COMPLETELY safe. This is definitely something I would want to know from other readers before trying a book, whether to just be aware or to know to skip entirely, so wanted to do the same here! See below, with spoilers:
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
Trope/Setting Highlights:
#️⃣ ~370 page contemporary romance
📖 Chef MCs
📖 Kind of second-chance if you squint and close your eyes like 99.7%?
📖 Chinese-American rep (MMC + family)
📖 Grumpy (MMC) x sunshine (FMC) dynamic
📖 MMC only soft for the FMC
📖 Emotional and sensitive family matters
📖 HEA (with 5+ year epilogue)
🌶️He may be a chef, but MMC loves to eat out (turnabout is very much mutual)
🌶️Some dirty talk, some general (wanted) roughness
Review:
This is an arc review – thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher as always, extremely grateful for these opportunities!
Knives, Seasoning, & A Dash of Love is Katrina Kwan’s debut novel and tells the contemporary romance tale of Alexander (Shang) and Eden, largely set in the fast-paced and demanding kitchen of La Rouge, a French fine dining darling.
Eden, our FMC, was abandoned as a child by her parents, which has led to a life of trust issues and endless searching, the latter of which is costing her exactly $15,000, since that’s how much it takes to hire one of the best private investigators in the country. Her love of food has been one of the only constants in her life, even though she wasn’t able to complete her time in a prestigious culinary school after a foster parent stole her scholarship money. See? She’s got reasons for trust issues.
When a sudden sous chef replacement opportunity pops up at La Rouge, Eden swallows her pride and embellishes her resume enough to secure the job, and a pretty decent salary. She’ll just have to prove she can make it, and hide her secret, in chef Alexander Chen’s kitchen.
Alexander has not only fought through blood, sweat, and tears for his Michelin stars, but also to be taken seriously as a chef at all. He was forced to change his own birthname, Shang, to attempt this. Proving himself at La Rogue, under a nefariously sketchy supervisor, is Alexander’s only goal, a goal that has far surpassed even the love of food that originally made him pursue being a chef at all. Does he even love it anymore at all?
Alexander is another side of the same coin, like Eden, in terms of trust. While Eden has a hard time placing and keeping her trust in others, trust that they won’t abandon her, Alexander has a hard time trusting his coworkers and employees, trusting his own ingenuity and passion, and even trusting the path he followed to get here.
Maybe that’s why Eden and Alexander work so well together.
How to explain their dynamic? There’s was definitely touches of grumpy x sunshine, with Alexander being the grump, or in this case, the overly stern and sometimes outright mean boss, and Eden being the sun, or rather, a ray of warmth that tempers Alexander’s outward coldness. It’s by working together in the kitchen that a sort of family begins to form, everyone seeing each other in new lights. We also get complementary trope to grumpy x sunshine, which is the MMC only being soft or vulnerable with the FMC.
Something that made the main couple so genuinely sweet to watch was that they had shared familial trauma, and helped each other through it (although initially pushing each other away of course), bringing unique and common perspectives to each other’s experiences. Eden was the first to open up, and it was kind of not by choice, since Alexander found out her secret, but Alexander was way more hesitant, which was one of, if not the, main cause of the third-act conflict. Both Eden and Alexander have deeply emotional stories with their families, in different ways, and I’m glad we got to see a resolution for both of them. It really made the story feel full circle, feel complete.
I’m not always a fan of tying up everything with a neat little bow at the end, or rather, having it end with marriage and children immediately in an epilogue, but because the sentiment of family was so prevalent and emotionally relevant to the plot, it really worked here, and felt earned with love.
Spice was great, and Kwan certainly didn’t shy away from adding an extra scene or three, and I for one THANK HER for that.
Also something I want to mention, I was impressed and refreshed by the way Kwan handled the display of male/masculine emotion and vulnerable. It was touching, and wasn’t either glorified and/or underwhelmed. It was just there, normalized, embraced, allowed, returned, and helped. Really love that.
This would’ve been much closer to 5 stars; however, I was a little underwhelmed at Eden’s family conflict resolution. I understand she wanted complete closure, but the resolution was predictable, and kind of obvious. I was actually hoping the ending was going to subvert expectations
I really recommend this book if you’re looking for a light contemporary romance between chefs with surprising emotional depth. It was heartwarming, a little heartbreaking, but so very worth it in the end. Maybe this hit at just the right time, something sweet to sweep away some soul sadness, but I’m more convinced this was just a plain good story.
Katrina Kwan is an author to watch! ❤️ 🧡 💛
For those looking for any sort of safety warnings in terms of the romance, like I always do, I can relay that this is mostly safe, but not COMPLETELY safe. This is definitely something I would want to know from other readers before trying a book, whether to just be aware or to know to skip entirely, so wanted to do the same here! See below, with spoilers:
December 8, 2022
Knives, Seasoning, and A Dash of Love is a full-course meal.
Kwan delivers a debut romance that's the whole package that checks every box and then some. Between lovable characters with chemistry up to HERE, a broody leading man who's only soft for *her*, squirm-worthy tension, multi-chili spice, and a deeply satisfying conclusion that gave the warmest of fuzzies and a heady book hangover, this book literally has it all. I even shed a tear or two (or twelve, who am I kidding?)
The author drops you in the middle of a busy shift at La Rouge. Kwan's unique voice makes the reader feel like a fly on the wall in the best way. It only took I knew from the first page that Alexander Chen was going to own my heart (he may remind readers of a certain lightsaber-wielding dark lord). He's brash and a bit cantankerous, with little patience (none, in fact) for mistakes. Alexander runs a tight ship, has his kitchen staff shaking in their boots, and has chased off a sous chef or two. It's hardly his fault they couldn't handle the heat in his kitchen. He's THE Alexander Chen; he's allowed to have impossibly high standards, or else he'd never have those Michelin stars under his belt.
But something's off. Alexander's passion and creativity have dwindled to nothing--his love for cooking has gone out the window, squashed under the thumb of his master, and past mistakes he's tried SO HARD to forget.
Enter Eden Monroe (who I decided after one chapter that I'd take a bullet for). She's Alexander's new sous chef. She NEEDS this job, she deserves this job, and she won't let an infuriatingly good-looking asshole drive her away.
The pair are instantly drawn to each other (maybe because they've met before?? WHO KNOWS.), and Alexander quickly learns that Eden isn't scared of him like the rest of his kitchen is. In fact, they might even like her better ... La Rouge might even BE better with her by his side. He's almost instantly more inspired the minute they finally cook together. We get to watch the layers come away as Alexander's curiosity about her grows, and Eden opens her heart to let someone finally care for her in a way she's never experienced.
You'll be shouting, "NOW KISS" from the minute Eden and Alexander are alone in a walk-in cooler. You'll scream with frustration as Kwan hits you with a series of exquisite near-misses and cry with them, for them, when we get to witness pivotal moments in their lives.
Kwan's writing is vivid and, at times, poetic. This is one hell of a debut, and I'll be crushing "ADD TO CART" for all of her future titles. She has one heck of a career to look forward to, and our shelves will be blessed by the stories she's bound to create if Knives, Seasoning, and A Dash of Love is only the starting point.
Thank you again to the author for letting me read an ARC. I am now counting down the days until its release.
Kwan delivers a debut romance that's the whole package that checks every box and then some. Between lovable characters with chemistry up to HERE, a broody leading man who's only soft for *her*, squirm-worthy tension, multi-chili spice, and a deeply satisfying conclusion that gave the warmest of fuzzies and a heady book hangover, this book literally has it all. I even shed a tear or two (or twelve, who am I kidding?)
The author drops you in the middle of a busy shift at La Rouge. Kwan's unique voice makes the reader feel like a fly on the wall in the best way. It only took I knew from the first page that Alexander Chen was going to own my heart (he may remind readers of a certain lightsaber-wielding dark lord). He's brash and a bit cantankerous, with little patience (none, in fact) for mistakes. Alexander runs a tight ship, has his kitchen staff shaking in their boots, and has chased off a sous chef or two. It's hardly his fault they couldn't handle the heat in his kitchen. He's THE Alexander Chen; he's allowed to have impossibly high standards, or else he'd never have those Michelin stars under his belt.
But something's off. Alexander's passion and creativity have dwindled to nothing--his love for cooking has gone out the window, squashed under the thumb of his master, and past mistakes he's tried SO HARD to forget.
Enter Eden Monroe (who I decided after one chapter that I'd take a bullet for). She's Alexander's new sous chef. She NEEDS this job, she deserves this job, and she won't let an infuriatingly good-looking asshole drive her away.
The pair are instantly drawn to each other (maybe because they've met before?? WHO KNOWS.), and Alexander quickly learns that Eden isn't scared of him like the rest of his kitchen is. In fact, they might even like her better ... La Rouge might even BE better with her by his side. He's almost instantly more inspired the minute they finally cook together. We get to watch the layers come away as Alexander's curiosity about her grows, and Eden opens her heart to let someone finally care for her in a way she's never experienced.
You'll be shouting, "NOW KISS" from the minute Eden and Alexander are alone in a walk-in cooler. You'll scream with frustration as Kwan hits you with a series of exquisite near-misses and cry with them, for them, when we get to witness pivotal moments in their lives.
Kwan's writing is vivid and, at times, poetic. This is one hell of a debut, and I'll be crushing "ADD TO CART" for all of her future titles. She has one heck of a career to look forward to, and our shelves will be blessed by the stories she's bound to create if Knives, Seasoning, and A Dash of Love is only the starting point.
Thank you again to the author for letting me read an ARC. I am now counting down the days until its release.
Read
May 9, 2024Omg I really loved the cover and title 💗 Haven't read the blurb yet cause I love going into a book without knowing anything 😌
Got an ARC yesterday hopefully it'll be another good read like my previous ARC 😇
Got an ARC yesterday hopefully it'll be another good read like my previous ARC 😇
September 14, 2024
i adored this book! rtc eventually 😭
September 9, 2023
Right off the bat, the book dedication hit me right in the feels. It captured the essence of the struggle that is adult life, reminding us that we're all just trying to make it through each day. It made me feel seen and connected, setting the tone for the heartfelt journey that lay ahead.
One of the standout features of this novel was the much-needed Asian representation. Kwan's portrayal of cultural nuances and the depth of her characters' experiences added layers of authenticity to the story. It was a breath of fresh air to see diverse voices and perspectives woven into the narrative.
The workplace romance trope of "grumpy meets sunshine" is always a favorite of mines. The dynamic between Eden and Alexander was a fun to read, as their contrasting personalities and magnetic chemistry unfolded. I saw right away that alexander's character is giving reylo vibes and I enjoy this even more after realizing🤣🤣🤣
Each character felt real and relatable, drawing you further into their lives and struggles. Alexander's journey as a perfectionist striving to prove his worth in the culinary world struck a chord with me personally, and I found myself empathizing with his journey.
Kwan's handling of spicy scenes was tastefully done, and the palpable chemistry between Eden and Alexander added a delightful layer of magic to the story. The book skillfully built up sexual tension and delivered flirty scenes that left me eagerly turning the pages. It was impossible not to root for this couple!
What truly stood out was the book's willingness to address important social issues, particularly racism. Kwan approached this topic with sensitivity and depth, shedding light on the harsh realities of discrimination while also offering hope and understanding.
This was an enchanting and impactful read that exceeded my expectations. My only complaint is that I wanted more—I simply couldn't get enough of Eden and Alexander's story.
Thank you, Xpresso Book Tours and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
One of the standout features of this novel was the much-needed Asian representation. Kwan's portrayal of cultural nuances and the depth of her characters' experiences added layers of authenticity to the story. It was a breath of fresh air to see diverse voices and perspectives woven into the narrative.
The workplace romance trope of "grumpy meets sunshine" is always a favorite of mines. The dynamic between Eden and Alexander was a fun to read, as their contrasting personalities and magnetic chemistry unfolded. I saw right away that alexander's character is giving reylo vibes and I enjoy this even more after realizing🤣🤣🤣
Each character felt real and relatable, drawing you further into their lives and struggles. Alexander's journey as a perfectionist striving to prove his worth in the culinary world struck a chord with me personally, and I found myself empathizing with his journey.
Kwan's handling of spicy scenes was tastefully done, and the palpable chemistry between Eden and Alexander added a delightful layer of magic to the story. The book skillfully built up sexual tension and delivered flirty scenes that left me eagerly turning the pages. It was impossible not to root for this couple!
What truly stood out was the book's willingness to address important social issues, particularly racism. Kwan approached this topic with sensitivity and depth, shedding light on the harsh realities of discrimination while also offering hope and understanding.
This was an enchanting and impactful read that exceeded my expectations. My only complaint is that I wanted more—I simply couldn't get enough of Eden and Alexander's story.
Thank you, Xpresso Book Tours and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
November 11, 2023
This is a debut novel, so I don't want to be super rude but the author could use some more work on their plot.
The writing was actually well done but the plot was copy-pasted from kdramas. The rich guy x poor girl trope has so much potential but here, it was just exhausting to read about. The characters fell in love immediately, and there is also this one scene which grated my nerves. It happens in the first few chapters but MMC has physical intimacy with another woman and he thinks about the FMC. Like dude, if you think about her so much then don't do the nasty with the other girl. Anyways, it was one of the most uncomfortable scenes I have read about in a long while.
Hopefully, the author can work more on her craft and plot.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
The writing was actually well done but the plot was copy-pasted from kdramas. The rich guy x poor girl trope has so much potential but here, it was just exhausting to read about. The characters fell in love immediately, and there is also this one scene which grated my nerves. It happens in the first few chapters but MMC has physical intimacy with another woman and he thinks about the FMC. Like dude, if you think about her so much then don't do the nasty with the other girl. Anyways, it was one of the most uncomfortable scenes I have read about in a long while.
Hopefully, the author can work more on her craft and plot.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
June 11, 2023
Literal chefs kiss (hahahahha) I loved this book so much! 🩷
This is literally the most heartwarming and soulful debut! Filled with lots of love and laughter, Kwan is an amazing storyteller, bringing to life vivid characters and drool-worthy food. Her writing brings up important topics as well as furthering our connection to the characters through those topics.
I love love love the character development for our two chefs and how well written it was. Each had their own challenges from their past that was thoughtfully and realistically handled. The love and support from one another and then their friends were everything to me. (peter my drama queen 😩🫶🏼)
In particular, I felt the most seen with Alexander’s character and his challenges as a Chinese-American paving his career in an industry that isn’t always inclusive. These topics were highlighted and wonderfully handled and I loved that it was included. His personal growth from very scary (and hot) head chef to what he becomes with Eden is just so amazing.
Eden (sunshine bb🥹) brings a whole new meaning to “knife wife”. She’s incredibly talented as a chef and I love how she balances out Alexander and brings out the best in him professionally and personally.
I loved our side characters and how they brought the best kind of chaos with them. They were the best supporters and so sweet and kind to our dummies in love.
While the spice isn’t a grease fire, it certainly is hot and steamy ❤️🔥😏🔥. I absolutely loved the chemistry between Eden and Alexander and the way they gravitated into each others orbit whenever possible. They are so perfect for one another, being patient and understanding to each other’s own personal issues.
Thank you Katrina for this ARC! I am so honored and happy to receive it and can’t wait to get my gremlin hands on a physical copy to stare at forever😂🩷
This is literally the most heartwarming and soulful debut! Filled with lots of love and laughter, Kwan is an amazing storyteller, bringing to life vivid characters and drool-worthy food. Her writing brings up important topics as well as furthering our connection to the characters through those topics.
I love love love the character development for our two chefs and how well written it was. Each had their own challenges from their past that was thoughtfully and realistically handled. The love and support from one another and then their friends were everything to me. (peter my drama queen 😩🫶🏼)
In particular, I felt the most seen with Alexander’s character and his challenges as a Chinese-American paving his career in an industry that isn’t always inclusive. These topics were highlighted and wonderfully handled and I loved that it was included. His personal growth from very scary (and hot) head chef to what he becomes with Eden is just so amazing.
Eden (sunshine bb🥹) brings a whole new meaning to “knife wife”. She’s incredibly talented as a chef and I love how she balances out Alexander and brings out the best in him professionally and personally.
I loved our side characters and how they brought the best kind of chaos with them. They were the best supporters and so sweet and kind to our dummies in love.
While the spice isn’t a grease fire, it certainly is hot and steamy ❤️🔥😏🔥. I absolutely loved the chemistry between Eden and Alexander and the way they gravitated into each others orbit whenever possible. They are so perfect for one another, being patient and understanding to each other’s own personal issues.
Thank you Katrina for this ARC! I am so honored and happy to receive it and can’t wait to get my gremlin hands on a physical copy to stare at forever😂🩷
December 29, 2023
September 15, 2022:
Super Special ARC Review (Professional):
KSDoL is the perfect book for readers to lose themselves in. This book presents readers with funny and friendly banter everyone adores with a diverse cast of characters from different backgrounds. Kwan beautifully executes these characters and gives them personal challenges all while dealing with real problems that need to be discussed.
I have the absolute privilege of getting a super special ARC of KSDoL and will be forever thankful of Katrina for that.
Super special ARC Review (Personal):
Spice Rating: 4/5🌶🥵
KSDOL is everything I want in a book and more. These characters are so real to me, I want to just pick up a phone and talk to them. The friendship development between the MCs and the ensemble cast is so realistic and feels authentic to the characters. The development between the FMC and MMC is to DIE for. And the spice?? Chef's kiss (pun intended) Aside from all the fun shit, KSDoL brings up important topics that /NEED/ to be talked about more in media of all kinds. It threw me off guard just as it would any of its targets. It made me feel angry and upset for these characters and for those who go through the same issues.
I am absolutely thankful to Katrina for allowing me to read this wayy ahead of time. I don't wanna spoil anything so all I'm saying is 2024 can't get here soon enough😭💗
December 29, 2023 (rr):
I'm biased but this is a 5 star fucking book.
Super Special ARC Review (Professional):
KSDoL is the perfect book for readers to lose themselves in. This book presents readers with funny and friendly banter everyone adores with a diverse cast of characters from different backgrounds. Kwan beautifully executes these characters and gives them personal challenges all while dealing with real problems that need to be discussed.
I have the absolute privilege of getting a super special ARC of KSDoL and will be forever thankful of Katrina for that.
Super special ARC Review (Personal):
Spice Rating: 4/5🌶🥵
KSDOL is everything I want in a book and more. These characters are so real to me, I want to just pick up a phone and talk to them. The friendship development between the MCs and the ensemble cast is so realistic and feels authentic to the characters. The development between the FMC and MMC is to DIE for. And the spice?? Chef's kiss (pun intended) Aside from all the fun shit, KSDoL brings up important topics that /NEED/ to be talked about more in media of all kinds. It threw me off guard just as it would any of its targets. It made me feel angry and upset for these characters and for those who go through the same issues.
I am absolutely thankful to Katrina for allowing me to read this wayy ahead of time. I don't wanna spoil anything so all I'm saying is 2024 can't get here soon enough😭💗
December 29, 2023 (rr):
I'm biased but this is a 5 star fucking book.
August 4, 2023
❝ ―If you two look any more like lovesick puppies, I'm going to have to adopt you both
▪
This book guys! It was on my radar for 1 year- I checked.
And it didn't disappoint. Best feeling ever ❤️🔥
I knew even before starting that I would love the tone and the characters, because, duh! Grumpy sunshine at work with food! This book was made for me
What I didn't expect at all was the pleasure I had reading it. It was light, fast, and sweet like a 90' romcom. I laughed audibly several times and I swooned with our idiots in love. Seeing Alexander falling for Eden while being completely clueless had me giggling.
And then, in the second half -BAM, FEELINGS IN YOUR FACE! 🤌
It's all fun and game until you face the racism, the burnout, the depression, and the "I did all this for nothing ". Seeing the characters being hurt, hurting each other but growing stronger in the end is one of the main reasons why I love reading
so much
The cherry on the top? The epilogue that checked aaaaaall my little personal list and made me close the book- well turn off the e-reader- with a big smile on my face.
A cute rom-com that will make your heart sing and your stomach growl🥺💖
.
For you if you like :
🔪Grumpy sunshine
🔪Workplace romance
🔪Abandonment issues
🔪Idiots in love
🔪He's an asshole but not to her
🔪Food as a love language
🔪Spicy
🔪Sexual tension
🔪Fluff and angst
🔪Work burnout
🔪 He's a dirty talker
.
▪
This book guys! It was on my radar for 1 year- I checked.
And it didn't disappoint. Best feeling ever ❤️🔥
I knew even before starting that I would love the tone and the characters, because, duh! Grumpy sunshine at work with food! This book was made for me
What I didn't expect at all was the pleasure I had reading it. It was light, fast, and sweet like a 90' romcom. I laughed audibly several times and I swooned with our idiots in love. Seeing Alexander falling for Eden while being completely clueless had me giggling.
And then, in the second half -BAM, FEELINGS IN YOUR FACE! 🤌
It's all fun and game until you face the racism, the burnout, the depression, and the "I did all this for nothing ". Seeing the characters being hurt, hurting each other but growing stronger in the end is one of the main reasons why I love reading
so much
The cherry on the top? The epilogue that checked aaaaaall my little personal list and made me close the book- well turn off the e-reader- with a big smile on my face.
A cute rom-com that will make your heart sing and your stomach growl🥺💖
.
For you if you like :
🔪Grumpy sunshine
🔪Workplace romance
🔪Abandonment issues
🔪Idiots in love
🔪He's an asshole but not to her
🔪Food as a love language
🔪Spicy
🔪Sexual tension
🔪Fluff and angst
🔪Work burnout
🔪 He's a dirty talker
.
September 12, 2023
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!
Knives, Seasoning, & a Dash of Love had me hooked from the moment I met chef Alexander Chen and saw the strict kitchen he ran. His personality jumps off the page. He’s particular, precise, and leaves no room for error, but everything changes when he meets Eden Monroe and immediately picks up on all these little details about her that others seem to not notice. Eden is sweet and patient and all for positive reinforcement which I absolutely adored about her and the way it played into her and Alexander’s dynamic. These two have my whole my heart.
Katrina’s writing is definitely something special. It flows extremely well and the food descriptions are so vivid in a way I’ve never encountered before. I felt like I was right there in the kitchen cooking with the characters and that was such a magical and fun experience that it made me want to run to the kitchen just so I could make all these yummy meals. The biggest thank you to Kat for allowing me to read this masterpiece!
Knives, Seasoning, & a Dash of Love had me hooked from the moment I met chef Alexander Chen and saw the strict kitchen he ran. His personality jumps off the page. He’s particular, precise, and leaves no room for error, but everything changes when he meets Eden Monroe and immediately picks up on all these little details about her that others seem to not notice. Eden is sweet and patient and all for positive reinforcement which I absolutely adored about her and the way it played into her and Alexander’s dynamic. These two have my whole my heart.
Katrina’s writing is definitely something special. It flows extremely well and the food descriptions are so vivid in a way I’ve never encountered before. I felt like I was right there in the kitchen cooking with the characters and that was such a magical and fun experience that it made me want to run to the kitchen just so I could make all these yummy meals. The biggest thank you to Kat for allowing me to read this masterpiece!
Want to read
July 29, 202228.07.2022 CHEF LOVE INTERESTS MAKE ME WEAK, i need to jump time to read this now
December 19, 2023
4.5/5
Special thanks to Netgalley, Lake Country Press, and the author for an arc copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This book is incredibly sweet (no pun intended) and honestly it was the kind of book that you can easily get swept up in and just forget about the outside world for a moment. It was also spicy too and of course, you know I appreciate that balance (tehe). It has the perfect blend (haha) of romance, personal growth, backstory, perseverance, and the importance of trusting someone and all of this made for a book that I really appreciated.
A general plot summary: Eden becomes chef Alexander's new Sous Chef and she needs this job like oxygen. But she realizes that she knows him from somewhere and he has completely changed into this cold/mean basically Kylo Ren kind of character. As problems surmount and tensions rise they find themselves in sticky situations where they have to make decisions about their futures. However, the best thing about learning to love someone is the ways in which you care for them, how they navigate this along with life problems and tensions is the main essence of this book.
In terms of the characterization, it's safe to say that the two characters stole my heart easily. But their respective journey's were quite empowering. Like Alexander's ability to trust and how that developed overtime felt very realistic, but he is also so much more than just that. He is loyal, a little hard-shelled at first, but passionate, he takes risks when the occasion arises, and he loves deeply. When he lets her in, it's a completely different side to him and I thought that was incredibly endearing. Eden on the other hand is the sunshine to his midnight rain. She sees the good in others, also is passionate, she is kind to others and thinks of their circumstances before jumping to any conclusions. In this way they really balanced each other out quite well. I think one of my favourite aspects of their growth was that they grow through different traumatic aspects of their lives together and this is exactly what I envision as soulmates in my mind and in every sense of the word, it is a partnership. I also really appreciated the attention to what it feels like to be burned out, like your passion is gone and the effects that it can have on your life. It does not matter what your love language is, both Eden and Alexander will attest to all of them.
I can also safely say that this book ended in a perfect way, I truthfully do not think a book could have ended in a better way and it felt very full-circle. Also it is a page turner, I think I finished it actually in 3 days, maybe even less. It's got strong characters and they are very real people too at the end of the day. I am not even a big food person honestly I despise cooking, but this made me feel really excited about it, which baffles me completely. Another really important part of this is the representation, when you are a minority individual there are instances where you truly wonder whether you are being taken advantage of or treated unfairly and I really liked the way that this was handled in the book.
Overall, honestly this is probably one of the best contemporary romances I have read this year - it was so fun and it really helped to get my mind off of things.
Special thanks to Netgalley, Lake Country Press, and the author for an arc copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This book is incredibly sweet (no pun intended) and honestly it was the kind of book that you can easily get swept up in and just forget about the outside world for a moment. It was also spicy too and of course, you know I appreciate that balance (tehe). It has the perfect blend (haha) of romance, personal growth, backstory, perseverance, and the importance of trusting someone and all of this made for a book that I really appreciated.
A general plot summary: Eden becomes chef Alexander's new Sous Chef and she needs this job like oxygen. But she realizes that she knows him from somewhere and he has completely changed into this cold/mean basically Kylo Ren kind of character. As problems surmount and tensions rise they find themselves in sticky situations where they have to make decisions about their futures. However, the best thing about learning to love someone is the ways in which you care for them, how they navigate this along with life problems and tensions is the main essence of this book.
In terms of the characterization, it's safe to say that the two characters stole my heart easily. But their respective journey's were quite empowering. Like Alexander's ability to trust and how that developed overtime felt very realistic, but he is also so much more than just that. He is loyal, a little hard-shelled at first, but passionate, he takes risks when the occasion arises, and he loves deeply. When he lets her in, it's a completely different side to him and I thought that was incredibly endearing. Eden on the other hand is the sunshine to his midnight rain. She sees the good in others, also is passionate, she is kind to others and thinks of their circumstances before jumping to any conclusions. In this way they really balanced each other out quite well. I think one of my favourite aspects of their growth was that they grow through different traumatic aspects of their lives together and this is exactly what I envision as soulmates in my mind and in every sense of the word, it is a partnership. I also really appreciated the attention to what it feels like to be burned out, like your passion is gone and the effects that it can have on your life. It does not matter what your love language is, both Eden and Alexander will attest to all of them.
I can also safely say that this book ended in a perfect way, I truthfully do not think a book could have ended in a better way and it felt very full-circle. Also it is a page turner, I think I finished it actually in 3 days, maybe even less. It's got strong characters and they are very real people too at the end of the day. I am not even a big food person honestly I despise cooking, but this made me feel really excited about it, which baffles me completely. Another really important part of this is the representation, when you are a minority individual there are instances where you truly wonder whether you are being taken advantage of or treated unfairly and I really liked the way that this was handled in the book.
Overall, honestly this is probably one of the best contemporary romances I have read this year - it was so fun and it really helped to get my mind off of things.
December 20, 2023
Quick Summary: A recipe for love, gen-fic romance
My Review: Knives, Seasoning, & A Dash of Love by Katrina Kwan is a fast-paced, contemporary novel. It is a standalone read.
About the Book: Chef Alexander Chen and his sous chef, Eden Monroe, share a kitchen. That's not all they share. They share a love for food, a desire to reconnect with family, a hunger for what comes next, and an unquenchable need to cook up something beautiful for each other. What happens when they add a bit of special flavor to their partnership?
My Final Say: There were so many life lessons embedded in this story. Essentially, this was a book about living with conviction, trusting in the people who matter (including self), forgiving when and where necessary, eliminating toxic relationships, and embracing love, family, and friendship.
Other: Readers who enjoy stories that offer practical wisdom and that have some spicy heat will really like this book.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 🌶🍬💕
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Lake Country Press & Review), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own.
My Review: Knives, Seasoning, & A Dash of Love by Katrina Kwan is a fast-paced, contemporary novel. It is a standalone read.
About the Book: Chef Alexander Chen and his sous chef, Eden Monroe, share a kitchen. That's not all they share. They share a love for food, a desire to reconnect with family, a hunger for what comes next, and an unquenchable need to cook up something beautiful for each other. What happens when they add a bit of special flavor to their partnership?
My Final Say: There were so many life lessons embedded in this story. Essentially, this was a book about living with conviction, trusting in the people who matter (including self), forgiving when and where necessary, eliminating toxic relationships, and embracing love, family, and friendship.
Other: Readers who enjoy stories that offer practical wisdom and that have some spicy heat will really like this book.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 🌶🍬💕
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Lake Country Press & Review), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own.
September 20, 2023
Knives, Seasoning, & A Dash of Love is a fun, punchy and fanfic-nostalgic read.
Like the patrons of La Rouge and their fine dining plates, I devoured this book. Kwan's delightful twists on the reylo universe were delectable and even as someone who knows very little compared to some of the "fic fanatics," it was a clear and fresh retelling.
From the shared stresses of running a restaurant to their individual threads of trauma, Eden and Alexander come together in a firecracker of a romance. I loved Eden's ability to swoop in and charm even the wariest of foes, and Alexander's prickly-at-first-but-actually-as-gooey-as-chocolate-lava-cake, persona.
Even with two stellar main characters, the side crew threatened (in the best way) to steal the show. From the restaurant crew to Alexander's family the entire cast was the perfect balance between laugh out loud chaos and sweet as pie relationships.
The spice was plentiful and fun and I look forward to anything else Kwan may decide to bless us with in the future.
Like the patrons of La Rouge and their fine dining plates, I devoured this book. Kwan's delightful twists on the reylo universe were delectable and even as someone who knows very little compared to some of the "fic fanatics," it was a clear and fresh retelling.
From the shared stresses of running a restaurant to their individual threads of trauma, Eden and Alexander come together in a firecracker of a romance. I loved Eden's ability to swoop in and charm even the wariest of foes, and Alexander's prickly-at-first-but-actually-as-gooey-as-chocolate-lava-cake, persona.
Even with two stellar main characters, the side crew threatened (in the best way) to steal the show. From the restaurant crew to Alexander's family the entire cast was the perfect balance between laugh out loud chaos and sweet as pie relationships.
The spice was plentiful and fun and I look forward to anything else Kwan may decide to bless us with in the future.
November 19, 2023
3.75 stars
I liked the characters right from the start, and the story hooked me. Shang is a perfect book boyfriend. He was already in love long before he realized it. And Eden is an amazing character, so determined and strong. But even though there are many parts that I loved, I was a bit disappointed with the last 10 chapters; it felt like the story rushed through. I wanted to see more about Eden's search for her parents, and also more development on Shang's past.
Thank you so much, NetGalley and Lake Country Press & Review for sending me this ARC.
I liked the characters right from the start, and the story hooked me. Shang is a perfect book boyfriend. He was already in love long before he realized it. And Eden is an amazing character, so determined and strong. But even though there are many parts that I loved, I was a bit disappointed with the last 10 chapters; it felt like the story rushed through. I wanted to see more about Eden's search for her parents, and also more development on Shang's past.
Thank you so much, NetGalley and Lake Country Press & Review for sending me this ARC.
December 24, 2023
2.5⭐️ this was just very mid. This book had a perfect opportunity for enemies to lovers but no.. they’re basically in love by chap 4/5. They were a nice couple I guess? But I just wasn’t excited by it- I basically didn’t care either way.
The writing was fine, the plot was fine, everything was fine! It passed the time but tbh I’ll have forgotten the entire thing in two days time.
Don’t think I’d recommend but you do you💫💫
The writing was fine, the plot was fine, everything was fine! It passed the time but tbh I’ll have forgotten the entire thing in two days time.
Don’t think I’d recommend but you do you💫💫
December 19, 2023
Okay so I have officially found a new favourite book 🥹
I had the opportunity to read an arc of this book via NetGalley. This is Katrina Kwan's debut novel (although she is a ghostwriter) and her writing just shines in this book. It has great pacing and it is incredibly well-written.
The main reason I personally enjoyed this book so much is the relatability I found within. My husband is a chef, also called Alexander, and there were a lot of strange and specific relatable moments for me as I was reading. I have never highlighted so much in a book! I actually read some aloud to my husband and we spoke about how crazily similar some parts are to us.
Both Eden and Alexander have separate storylines, both of which are family-oriented, which I find so important in romance novels. There is conflict between them both but it's not over-dramatised which is a common complaint of many romance books out there. I also really enjoyed the side characters; they were developed enough to push the story along but didn't detract from the main characters.
This is one of my favourite romances of all time and I really recommend picking up this book when it comes out on December 19th 2023. I will be pre-ordering a physical copy for my shelves too and it will be a perfect Christmas present to myself. Honestly if I could rate this book more than 5 stars I would, this was a true delight to read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Thank you to NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours and Katrina Kwan for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy.
I had the opportunity to read an arc of this book via NetGalley. This is Katrina Kwan's debut novel (although she is a ghostwriter) and her writing just shines in this book. It has great pacing and it is incredibly well-written.
The main reason I personally enjoyed this book so much is the relatability I found within. My husband is a chef, also called Alexander, and there were a lot of strange and specific relatable moments for me as I was reading. I have never highlighted so much in a book! I actually read some aloud to my husband and we spoke about how crazily similar some parts are to us.
Both Eden and Alexander have separate storylines, both of which are family-oriented, which I find so important in romance novels. There is conflict between them both but it's not over-dramatised which is a common complaint of many romance books out there. I also really enjoyed the side characters; they were developed enough to push the story along but didn't detract from the main characters.
This is one of my favourite romances of all time and I really recommend picking up this book when it comes out on December 19th 2023. I will be pre-ordering a physical copy for my shelves too and it will be a perfect Christmas present to myself. Honestly if I could rate this book more than 5 stars I would, this was a true delight to read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Thank you to NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours and Katrina Kwan for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy.
October 10, 2023
I fell in love with this heartwarming romance! I am an absolute, die hard, kitchen romance fan and this book was perfect! If I had to pick three words alone to describe this book, it would be cozy, warm, and delicious.
For context, Eden gets a job at a fine dining restaurant as soux chef. He recognizes the head chef, although he seems more cold and goes by a new name. Luckily Alexander doesn’t recognize her because she may have fudged her resume to get the job. As things heat up in the kitchen, they also heat up between Eden and Alexander!
You can tell that author, Katrina Kwan, put so much love and research into her story. I could taste the food being prepared on the pages. Even the spicy scenes made me hungry!
This was such a compelling and easy read that I think all RomCom lovers will enjoy it!
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.
For context, Eden gets a job at a fine dining restaurant as soux chef. He recognizes the head chef, although he seems more cold and goes by a new name. Luckily Alexander doesn’t recognize her because she may have fudged her resume to get the job. As things heat up in the kitchen, they also heat up between Eden and Alexander!
You can tell that author, Katrina Kwan, put so much love and research into her story. I could taste the food being prepared on the pages. Even the spicy scenes made me hungry!
This was such a compelling and easy read that I think all RomCom lovers will enjoy it!
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 24, 2023
My heart is full after reading Knives, Seasoning, & A Dash of Love.
Readers who comfort watch Food Network or can't wait for the next season of The Bear will find much to love in the drama and romance between chefs Alexander & Eden.
The heat is definitely not just in the kitchen. The spice is Hot Ones Da Bomb burn level. I was left thirsty for more and more.
KSDOL also had me invested in our main characters' personal growth outside of their romantic relationship. I appreciated seeing their career, friendships, and past trauma all get time on the page. There was conscious effort to ensure these characters felt as real as possible. No one was perfect & life isn't magical, but Alexander & Eden chose to do the work for their happiness.
Thank you Netgalley & Lake Country Press & Review for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Readers who comfort watch Food Network or can't wait for the next season of The Bear will find much to love in the drama and romance between chefs Alexander & Eden.
The heat is definitely not just in the kitchen. The spice is Hot Ones Da Bomb burn level. I was left thirsty for more and more.
KSDOL also had me invested in our main characters' personal growth outside of their romantic relationship. I appreciated seeing their career, friendships, and past trauma all get time on the page. There was conscious effort to ensure these characters felt as real as possible. No one was perfect & life isn't magical, but Alexander & Eden chose to do the work for their happiness.
Thank you Netgalley & Lake Country Press & Review for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 6, 2024
Knives, Seasoning, & A Dash of Love is such a palatable romance for someone like me who haven’t had much luck with romance genre. It’s mostly missed and never hits every time I try to dive into the romance world. I finally found the hits but I might be bias since I used to work in the industry.
This book has everything that I’m looking for in a romance :
1. A healthy relationship trope. Since I haven’t read that many romance I’m not even sure if this trope even exist or I just made it up but I like how healthy their relationship is.
2. Grumpy x Sunshine. Technically I don’t really think Shang fall into this category. He’s just overly stern when it comes to work, rightfully so as a michellin star chef but also due to his Alexander’s persona. He’s a soft boy, but only for Eden :)
3. Workplace romance. Since I used to work in the industry, chefs do fall in love with each other (not all the time though) due to our insane working hours we have no time for social life. It might be a bit weird for other industry but it’s pretty common in the F&B business.
4. Emotional depth. I love that their conflict isn’t trivial as miscommunication. I prefer a little bit more chill, mature, wholesome, heartwarming romance that’s more realistic. Both Shang and Eden share a familial trauma and help each other go through it, they are each other biggest supporter. Their dynamic honestly is just chef's kiss. I like that the way Kwan handled the more serious issues in the book, like the racism Shang faced for being an Asian who paved his career in haute cuisine.
5. A satisfying ending. Some people might dislike how neat the ending is but when it comes to romance I prefer happily ever after. My romantic life is suck as it is and I don’t need what I’m reading to mirrored my life lol.
This book felt nostalgic for me and I can't help but to fall in love with their story. The smut scene though... def spicy and tastefully done. Safe sex with consent? Yes chef! All and all, I love everything this book has to offers from the main couple to the charming side characters. The epilogue is the cutest thing on earth and I want more Eden x Alexander, maybe another series on Freddie x Peter? that would be fun!
5/5
This book has everything that I’m looking for in a romance :
1. A healthy relationship trope. Since I haven’t read that many romance I’m not even sure if this trope even exist or I just made it up but I like how healthy their relationship is.
2. Grumpy x Sunshine. Technically I don’t really think Shang fall into this category. He’s just overly stern when it comes to work, rightfully so as a michellin star chef but also due to his Alexander’s persona. He’s a soft boy, but only for Eden :)
3. Workplace romance. Since I used to work in the industry, chefs do fall in love with each other (not all the time though) due to our insane working hours we have no time for social life. It might be a bit weird for other industry but it’s pretty common in the F&B business.
4. Emotional depth. I love that their conflict isn’t trivial as miscommunication. I prefer a little bit more chill, mature, wholesome, heartwarming romance that’s more realistic. Both Shang and Eden share a familial trauma and help each other go through it, they are each other biggest supporter. Their dynamic honestly is just chef's kiss. I like that the way Kwan handled the more serious issues in the book, like the racism Shang faced for being an Asian who paved his career in haute cuisine.
5. A satisfying ending. Some people might dislike how neat the ending is but when it comes to romance I prefer happily ever after. My romantic life is suck as it is and I don’t need what I’m reading to mirrored my life lol.
This book felt nostalgic for me and I can't help but to fall in love with their story. The smut scene though... def spicy and tastefully done. Safe sex with consent? Yes chef! All and all, I love everything this book has to offers from the main couple to the charming side characters. The epilogue is the cutest thing on earth and I want more Eden x Alexander, maybe another series on Freddie x Peter? that would be fun!
5/5
December 29, 2023
I LOVED this book. Just devoured it. Such a cute culinary romance. The writing was also magnificent! Highly recommend this one.
January 16, 2024
Edit: I’m now suspicious that something weird is going on review-wise here. There are two private accounts specifically targeting negative reviews on this book with aggressive comments. Considering what happened recently, I’m really hoping it’s just overly passionate fans and not something more nefarious.
——————
A strong start that got lost in the insta-love sauce and never recovered.
Also “my little wife” ? 🤮🤮🤮 Please remove that phrase from ever being used in any literature again.
——————
A strong start that got lost in the insta-love sauce and never recovered.
Also “my little wife” ? 🤮🤮🤮 Please remove that phrase from ever being used in any literature again.
January 12, 2024
Books are not book-ing like they have booked before, and I don't know how to feel about that.
February 25, 2024
*4 SEASONED STARS*
“Why does anybody have to be tough?"
Well this was cute! I've actually been reading a lot of books with cooking lately, and I really enjoyed this one! An adorable romance, just enough spice, not too much unnecessary drama. I loved the focus on found family and overcoming hardships and past trauma together.
I swear, this book made me want to start cooking more again. Some of the descriptions and recipes mentioned here actually made my mouth water and my stomach growl, damnnnn.
“Why does anybody have to be tough?"
Well this was cute! I've actually been reading a lot of books with cooking lately, and I really enjoyed this one! An adorable romance, just enough spice, not too much unnecessary drama. I loved the focus on found family and overcoming hardships and past trauma together.
I swear, this book made me want to start cooking more again. Some of the descriptions and recipes mentioned here actually made my mouth water and my stomach growl, damnnnn.
December 17, 2023
I adored it! It's sweet and spicy, and I loved the feeling I got while reading it. (Happy ending, anyone?)
Eden has just gotten the job as a sous chef to well-known chef Alexander Chen. He's demanding and a grumpy guy to work under. She's a sweetheart, who's great to work with, and a real team player.
She's also got a big secret. She's totally embellished her work and educational history. She also used to know Alexander. Who was a really sweet guy named Shang. But he has no idea who Eden is, and all Eden wants to do is not make waves and keep her job.
But there's friends to be made at the restaurant and also people who definitely aren't friends. Eden is a great sous chef, but how long will she be able to keep up the charade that she has the work history to back it up?
It's hard when you have the talent but not the opportunity. That's something that happens all too much in the real world as well, so Eden making her own opportunities is understandable. She definitely has the talent. And Alexander is grumpy for a reason.
As part of the "very specific lightsaber weilding fandom," there was a lot to this story that just made me joyful. To think I get to read new worlds and characters be created! <3
Also, shout out to my favorite scene in which Eden gets so angry on Alexander's behalf that he has to carry her out.
Eden has just gotten the job as a sous chef to well-known chef Alexander Chen. He's demanding and a grumpy guy to work under. She's a sweetheart, who's great to work with, and a real team player.
She's also got a big secret. She's totally embellished her work and educational history. She also used to know Alexander. Who was a really sweet guy named Shang. But he has no idea who Eden is, and all Eden wants to do is not make waves and keep her job.
But there's friends to be made at the restaurant and also people who definitely aren't friends. Eden is a great sous chef, but how long will she be able to keep up the charade that she has the work history to back it up?
It's hard when you have the talent but not the opportunity. That's something that happens all too much in the real world as well, so Eden making her own opportunities is understandable. She definitely has the talent. And Alexander is grumpy for a reason.
As part of the "very specific lightsaber weilding fandom," there was a lot to this story that just made me joyful. To think I get to read new worlds and characters be created! <3
Also, shout out to my favorite scene in which Eden gets so angry on Alexander's behalf that he has to carry her out.
October 23, 2023
Okay, please, I started this off thinking it would be a light cheery read and I ended up screaming, crying, hugging (well, in my mind coz it's an ebook) this book, it's one of the best grumpy/sunshine + dual who-hurt-you / hurt-comfort romances I've read 😭
I can never scream enough about the MCs and how they support each other and how they grow through the course of the book. Props to the author for writing burnout and depression and anxiety so well. And for writing support *during* such cases so we'll 😭Like, here's a quote --
---------
"There’s something I want you to do for me."
"What is it?"
"I want you to take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere."
---------
Also, the found family/friend group is so wholesome.
The hea was so cute 😭
TWs - MC experiencing heavy burnout, depression heavily on page, anxiety, racism (long-term subtle racism by someone considered close and scenes where there is blunt racism by strangers), road accident (past but narrated on page in a recollection) that leads to paralysis in a secondary character, child abandoned by parents, loss of education since a parent gambled away the college money, professional sabotage
-- ty to @katrinazkwan @lakecountrypress and @coloredpagesbt for an advanced copy!
I can never scream enough about the MCs and how they support each other and how they grow through the course of the book. Props to the author for writing burnout and depression and anxiety so well. And for writing support *during* such cases so we'll 😭Like, here's a quote --
---------
"There’s something I want you to do for me."
"What is it?"
"I want you to take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere."
---------
Also, the found family/friend group is so wholesome.
The hea was so cute 😭
TWs - MC experiencing heavy burnout, depression heavily on page, anxiety, racism (long-term subtle racism by someone considered close and scenes where there is blunt racism by strangers), road accident (past but narrated on page in a recollection) that leads to paralysis in a secondary character, child abandoned by parents, loss of education since a parent gambled away the college money, professional sabotage
-- ty to @katrinazkwan @lakecountrypress and @coloredpagesbt for an advanced copy!
September 27, 2023
This was pretty good. It definitely felt like a romcom version of Hell’s Kitchen. I enjoyed how Katrina didn’t just include romcom level drama she also included many real examples of how it feels to be a minority. Especially a minority in a cut throat competitive environment where expectations are high. Eden also had trauma and past experiences she was dealing with. So I appreciated how Shang (Alexander) and Eden grew together as a couple. They weren’t always honest but they seemed realistic and flawed.
I think this book had everything from funny banter, many steamy moments and real life struggles. But I did feel that there was a bit of a disconnect for me. The story just felt like it had everything but there was just something missing. Maybe it was that it just almost had too much. The romance felt like it happened very fast and everything always kind of was quickly resolved and never left us a chance to really catch our breath to where it felt a little bit over the top.
Overall this was a decent romcom that would be perfect for fans of cooking like Hell’s Kitchen mixed with some romance.
Thank you Lake Country Press for providing me with an eARC.
I think this book had everything from funny banter, many steamy moments and real life struggles. But I did feel that there was a bit of a disconnect for me. The story just felt like it had everything but there was just something missing. Maybe it was that it just almost had too much. The romance felt like it happened very fast and everything always kind of was quickly resolved and never left us a chance to really catch our breath to where it felt a little bit over the top.
Overall this was a decent romcom that would be perfect for fans of cooking like Hell’s Kitchen mixed with some romance.
Thank you Lake Country Press for providing me with an eARC.
December 22, 2023
This is a well written, face paced book. You could literally read this book in one sitting.
-grumpy sunshine
-I hate everyone but you
-chef
-workplace romance
Eden becomes a chef for Alexander’s new Sous Chef. She needs the job urgently so she lies on her regime. She realises that Alexander is someone she knows from the past. She realises he completely went from a sunshine, caring character to grumpy, mean. Tensions arises between, secrets come out.
I enjoyed reading this book, both Edens and Alexander’s banter was literally the best thing throughout the book. They both easily stole my heart and they’re both so likeable. Alexander’s ability to trust developed overtime and he learns to accept help from others. Eden slowly starts opening up about stuff that are bothering her. Her meeting Alexander’s parents was such a lovely add to this book, his parents literally brought a smile.
This book genuinely ended up perfectly, I was not expecting them to do that once I started the book. The character development help them grow and decide what they fully want to do with their future.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me this arc for an honest review.
-grumpy sunshine
-I hate everyone but you
-chef
-workplace romance
Eden becomes a chef for Alexander’s new Sous Chef. She needs the job urgently so she lies on her regime. She realises that Alexander is someone she knows from the past. She realises he completely went from a sunshine, caring character to grumpy, mean. Tensions arises between, secrets come out.
I enjoyed reading this book, both Edens and Alexander’s banter was literally the best thing throughout the book. They both easily stole my heart and they’re both so likeable. Alexander’s ability to trust developed overtime and he learns to accept help from others. Eden slowly starts opening up about stuff that are bothering her. Her meeting Alexander’s parents was such a lovely add to this book, his parents literally brought a smile.
This book genuinely ended up perfectly, I was not expecting them to do that once I started the book. The character development help them grow and decide what they fully want to do with their future.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me this arc for an honest review.
February 17, 2024
Dnf on Chapter 1
I didn't realise there was a height requirement to be a chef because *cough* "she is a scrawny little thing. Short, no more than five feet to his six. She’s thin, too, any hint of her barely there curves hidden beneath her oversized chef’s jacket."
"he has a hard time believing the tiny woman standing before him is going to be his new sous. She’s so small and quiet and—well—ordinary."
"he’d mistake her for the kitchen porter, or maybe even the dishwasher. She doesn’t look like she belongs here."
She doesn't look like she belongs in a kitchen cause she is 5ft??? oh please this was the fastest dnf i've ever done.
I didn't realise there was a height requirement to be a chef because *cough* "she is a scrawny little thing. Short, no more than five feet to his six. She’s thin, too, any hint of her barely there curves hidden beneath her oversized chef’s jacket."
"he has a hard time believing the tiny woman standing before him is going to be his new sous. She’s so small and quiet and—well—ordinary."
"he’d mistake her for the kitchen porter, or maybe even the dishwasher. She doesn’t look like she belongs here."
She doesn't look like she belongs in a kitchen cause she is 5ft??? oh please this was the fastest dnf i've ever done.
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