Did someone order a delicious romance? Order up!
Yes, Chef
Romance
Avon
July 21, 2026
Paperback, Ebook, Audiobook
384
"Steamy, romantic, and deliciously fun! Yes, Chef is a delectable morsel of a summer romance and will keep you coming back for seconds.” -B. K. Borison, #1 New York Times bestselling author
A tempting new romance from USA Today bestselling author Grace Reilly, in which a down-on-his-luck chef and a determined social media maven strike a reluctant deal to bring a beloved restaurant back to life.
If you can’t take the heat…get out of the kitchen.
After a public meltdown in the dining room of one of Manhattan’s most elite restaurants, Chef Jack Hartman is back in his South Florida hometown. Angry, grieving, and saddled with the unwanted storefront his late mentor left him, his life is spinning out of control. And that’s before Poppy Winfield—the bubbly, infuriating daughter of his former boss—shows up at his dock.
Poppy needs to escape. From her family, her ex-boyfriend, and her reputation as someone who has never taken anything seriously. But more than that, she wants to prove herself—and she has just the plan to do it. Unfortunately, that plan involves Jack Hartman, the most arrogant, intimidating man she’s ever had the pleasure of throwing a shrimp at.
Poppy proposes a deal: they work together to open a revamped version of his mentor’s restaurant. Jack will handle the menu, and she’ll use her social media influence to sell the hell out of its grand opening. If she and Jack can make it a success, it’ll be a ticket for them both to return to New York.
Jack is intrigued, but only on his terms: If Poppy’s going to do this, she must learn the ropes of the business. From him.
As sparks fly both in and out of the kitchen, Poppy and Jack are left wondering, could they be a perfect pairing? Or is this whole experiment a recipe for disaster?
Yes, Chef is a delicious contemporary romance featuring:
- A grumpy chef and a sunshine-y influencer
- Enemies to reluctant business partners to lovers
- Forced proximity in the kitchen (and on a houseboat)
- Found family, including one adopted cat
- Summer in a small town
- ADHD representation
Catch of the Day
Authors and chefs seem to have the same enviable skill – they can dream up, create, and execute the most beautiful art that is meant to be consumed by others. Grace Reilly found the recipe for a spicy, savory, delicious story that was meant to be devoured in one sitting.
Ingredients
I love an underdog story, so championing Poppy and watching her discover and achieve her dreams and aspirations was a no-brainer. I wanted her to succeed from the very beginning, and watching her prove over and over again how relentless, resilient, and driven she is, regardless of the project, was so rewarding. Also knowing that at no point did she let anyone down, did she throw in the towel, or give in, was sweet, sweet victory.
The only thing I would have modified on my order would have been the grand gesture. Jack could have done more groveling. The grand gesture could have been a little bigger and better. My mom said that the bigger the mess up, the louder the apology, and Jack was a big jerk. He could have been slightly louder with his apology. That being said, I still rooted for him, too.
Et Voila!
“Yes, Chef” is a yes for me. I loved this story and I’m starving for more from Grace Reilly.
I’m Val, and I’m excited to share my love of books with you! I’m a sassy Sour Patch kid from New Jersey, dog mom to Chance the beagle, and much like the rest of the Hive, I’m a coffee lover (I think it’s a requirement to be here). The first book I remember reading voluntarily involved a boy wizard who lived in the cupboard under the stairs, and I’ve been chasing magic ever since. I love Happily Ever Afters, and I love love. My favorite genres are romance and rom-coms, fantasy, and young adult/new adult. If I’m not reading, I’m probably kayaking, watching the Great British Baking Show, or discovering a new craft beer.
