Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander (Review by Amanda Gavigan)

4 stars

Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander is a delightful romance filled with friendship, food, and love.

Working for a food and chef-based magazine, Simone creates recipes and writes articles living her dream. Single and satisfied with her quiet life, which included her trans roommate Luna, Simone wasn’t actively looking for more. However, she wasn’t opposed to more either, while embracing her bisexuality. Work kept her happy until everything changed as the magazine pivoted their attention to focus on digital content and demands Simone begin to host her own set of videos. Thrown out of her element, she must now come to terms with her new job requirements and some of the team members who come with them. Recent additions to the new team include arrogant Media Director Chase, and the new kitchen manager Ray.

Ray is now on Simone’s radar after an accident with sourdough bread, and Ray’s accessories signaling sexual preferenece are also catching Simone’s eyes. Ray’s new role and their bubbly personality become an everyday aspect of Simone’s life as the two work together. As an accidental video of Ray becomes viral, Simone must come to terms with who Ray is and what challenges they face, and whether or not there are deeper feelings there.

TJ Alexander writes from Simone’s perspective; however, TJ cleverly illuminates an additional story within the original narrative. Ray has their journey to be undergone; not only is Ray gay, but they are also non-binary with an upcoming surgery. TJ Alexander highlights the journey that Ray is embarking on, as Simone watches. Throughout this time, Simone takes care of Ray while navigating her feelings on the subjects at hand and Ray themselves.

Readers can note the open conversations about what being gay, trans, bi, and non-binary mean, and what it is like to navigate a relationship within. Chef’s kiss is cute, leaving the reader hungry for more, and the delicious recipes described within.