Review: Yes, Chef by Grace Reilly

Yes, Chef was a near-perfect read. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. The story centers on Poppy, a successful influencer who constantly felt that she was falling short in the eyes of her family and compared herself to her “perfect” older sister. In past relationships, she felt nothing more than a “pretty ornament”, and considered herself “too scattered, too frivolous”. She seeks validation from her followers, since it is better than waiting around for her family to take her seriously. Her relationship with her father is particularly layered. It is clear that he cares for her; however, he has never really taken the time to know and truly understand or support her.

As Poppy began working for Jack to reopen Sailfish, she underwent a truly beautiful transition. She began to recognize her strengths and grow more confident in her abilities and her sense of self. Although she had known about the existence of sailfish for such a short amount of time, she really threw herself into it and committed to making sure that it is successful. Her growth felt earned and authentic. I admired that about her, and she’s an outstanding character.

As was Jack. Abandoned as a baby and raised in the foster care system, Jack eventually found a sense of belonging and purpose with Sal and Sal’s daughter, Kiara. Sal owned a restaurant, and through his teachings, Jack fell in love with cooking. He had never felt wanted until he met Sal. However, on the eve of his adoption hearing, he ran away out of fear that he would ultimately disappoint Sal, and that Sal would discard him. That fear is one that followed him into adulthood and shaped his ability to form relationships. Jack avoided returning home and focused on his craft.  After Sal passed, he struggled with his guilt, and that ultimately impacted his work. Left with no other option, Jack returned to South Florida to reopen Sailfish. Though his initial plan was to sell it. Within the story, he is forced to confront his past and his emotions. Also, his past with Sal and Kiara. Sal was not physically present within the book; however, his impact was greatly felt. He has such a huge impact on Jack, and through stories and actions, it was clear how much of an influence he was on Jack. Kiara and Jack’s relationship was great as well. They had just a deep, sibling connection, and it was emotional seeing them reconnect and rebuild their relationship.

As for the romance, it was incredible. Absolutely loved it. It was beautifully developed, and their connection felt raw and genuine. It was built on shared experiences and mutual understanding. The tension was compelling. Chemistry is sizzling and strong. Their emotional growth was incredibly satisfying. They challenged and supported each other in equal measure. It was clear that they truly believed in one another.

I highly appreciated the culinary aspect within Yes, Chef. It seemed like Reilly took the time to study the craft and immerse cooking deeply into the plot. I believed that Jack was an actual chef and that Poppy was too by the end of the book.

There were a few aspects that I didn’t love. There were a few moments where the dialogue felt slightly out of place, and the situation with Jack’s ex didn’t fully land for me. These were minor issues in an otherwise exceptional story.

Final Thoughts:

Yes, Chef was a heartfelt, beautiful, and emotionally rich story. These themes about identity, belonging, and growth are perfectly woven into the narrative. Jack and Poppy’s journeys felt specifically authentic and deeply resonated with me. Thank you to Netgalley for providing this arc! Yes, Chef will be released on July 21, 2026.

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Review: Out of Her League by Ava Rani

Out of Her League had some high moments, but also some low ones. Isa is easily the standout of the novel, and her storyline carries much of its emotional weight. Her struggle to step out from under her father’s legacy while honoring her mother’s sacrifices adds a compelling layer of internal conflict.

Austin’s story is emotional; however, it didn’t quite land as hard at Isa’s. His best friend saved his life when he was a kid, and after losing him to cancer a few years ago, he’s trying to do everything he can to save his foundation. He also needs to decide what to do with his career, as an injury ended it. I enjoyed the choice he eventually made, and I feel it was the right choice for him.

The romance was very promising, but it doesn’t quite live up to its potential. The fake dating and wedding elements introduce a fun and engaging dynamic, but they are surprisingly short-lived. Those moments showcase the strongest chemistry between Isa and Austin. And it was disappointing that the story didn’t linger there longer. Outside of those scenes, the romance feels like it’s missing a certain spark or tension needed to keep it consistently interesting.

Overall, while the emotional depth of the characters—particularly through family and personal struggles—stands out, the romance falls slightly flat compared to what it could have been.

Final Thoughts

Out of Her League has strong emotional moments, especially through Isa’s character and her family story, but it feels uneven overall. The romance shows promise with the fake-dating setup; however, it falls short and lacks the depth needed to stay engaging. Thank you to Netgalley for providing this arc! Hate Me Like You Mean It was released on May 12, 2026.

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Review: It Seemed Like A Good Idea by Lauren Blakely

If you’re in the mood for a romantic comedy with delicious chemistry and small-town charm, Lauren Blakely’s latest, the first in her Darling Springs series, It Seemed Like a Good Idea delivers all that and more. 

In this charming small-town romance, Ripley, a quiet lavender farmer, suddenly finds her peaceful life turned upside down when her movie star twin comes to town to film a major movie. The sudden attention from the paparazzi means she needs protection, and the bodyguard, Banks, assigned to protect her turns out to be the very man she almost spent one unforgettable night with. Enter tension.

At the heart of this romcom captures a typical contrast from the rom com trope of the grumpy bodyguard x the sunshine heroine. She’s sweet, trying to live a peaceful life on her farm and he is intensely guarded, struggling not to cross the line. Each accidental conflict adds another layer to their undeniable attraction.

Beneath their vulnerable moments, the story carries an inevitable truth of their temporary time together. Despite the bliss behind the lavender farm cozy backdrop, that looming expectation makes every stolen moment more intimate and endearing.

The small town setting adds another layer to its charm. The lavender farm, cozy shops and tight knot community give the romance a relaxed vibe that makes the story feel like the perfect escape. It creates a romance that’s light, charming and full of warmth. Beyond Ripley and Banks, the supporting characters bring their own flavor to the story that keeps things fun and interesting. 

Overall, this trope filled romantic escape balances humor, endearing moments and the right amount of tension. If you like small town romances and bodyguard love stories, you will find yourself swept up in this sweat and steamy swoony romance. 

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Review: In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde

In Her Own League had a lot of elements that worked well and some that didn’t quite land for me. Reese and Emmett’s relationship mostly worked for me. They had a truly engaging and enjoyable dynamic. Great chemistry, fun banter.

Emmet had spent much of his life focused on providing his daughter with a stable, loving life. And then once she moved out, he gave everything to the team. When Reese enters his life, it feels meaningful for him to finally have someone who supports him in return. One of the book's strongest aspects is Emmet’s relationship with his daughter, Miller. Their father–daughter bond is truly the heart of the story and adds warmth and emotional depth throughout the novel.

Reese was portrayed as intelligent, determined, and deeply committed to her new role within the team. As the first female owner, she faces a lot of pressure, and every decision she makes is scrutinized by the public and even her employees. The tension created an interesting backdrop for her character, and I wish Tomforde had done it a bit more justice. At times, it felt too in the background, and I would have liked a stronger arc for Reese.

As much as I loved Reese and Emmet’s relationship, the pacing was something I struggled with. One moment, they seem to dislike each other, and the next, they are flirting heavily and moving toward instant attraction. Their romance would have benefited from a slower burn and more conflict or tension between them before things progressed.

Final Thoughts

In Her Own League has enjoyable moments, strong banter, and an amazingly heartfelt father-daughter relationship. However, the rushed pacing and underdeveloped potential in Reese’s storyline make it a weaker entry compared to other books in Liz’s catalog.

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Review: Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood

Two Can Play was an okay read overall. There was something about the characters, and the romance didn’t quite click for me. I also wouldn’t call this enemies-to-lovers, as the conflict is rooted more in miscommunication than genuine hatred. Viola believed that Jesse disliked her for years. That felt underdeveloped and never fully convincing.

Jesse felt like the stereotypical, tall, dark-haired, broody, mysterious lead. There wasn’t enough depth or insight into his character to make him memorable. There also wasn’t much of a clear arc for either of the main characters. However, I really appreciated Viola’s connection to video games and her relationship with her dad. That was sweet and added an emotional warmth to the story. Also, I enjoyed the video game developer setting, especially the team-building retreat and game discussions. Both were fun and engaging and felt like the book's strongest parts.

Final Thoughts

Two Can Play’s plot felt rushed. There wasn’t enough time spent fully fleshing out the characters or the romance. While the concept had a lot of potential, the execution left me wanting more depth and development.

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Review: And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison

And Now, Back to You, unfortunately, ended up being a disappointing read for me. Mostly because the romance is the weakest element. On paper, Jackson and Delilah seem like the perfect opposites-attract pairing. Whereas Jackson strives for structure and routine, Delilah is chaos personified, even being described as a hurricane wrapped in delusion and mismatched pastels by Jackson. The two have had a disastrous series of run-ins over the years and are forced to work together to cover a major winter storm.

Their contrasting personalities should have created a fun, dynamic romance full of tension and growth. However, instead, their relationship felt flat and surprisingly boring. While the romance was disappointing, the non-romantic relationships did work. I will even say they were the strongest parts of the book. Especially, Jackson’s relationship with his sisters. His dedication to them was one of the most moving aspects of the story. Knowing his mother was unable to care for them properly, Jackson spent months carefully planning how to gain custody, and the depth of his love and responsibility as an older brother really stood out to me. These moments added emotional weight and made his character far more intriguing than the romantic plotline.

Delilah’s character arc was another highlight. A producer at her news station has a personal vendetta against her and is doing everything in his power to keep her from reporting the weather. That conflict and her unwillingness to give up were nicely done. Her grandfather was at the center of it all, including her motivation for becoming a meteorologist. It really provided her with a sense of ambition and emotional grounding, which made her journey feel meaningful. Watching both characters grow individually was far more satisfying than watching them fall in love.

Final Thoughts

While reading, And Now, Back to You, I found myself less engaged during the romance and more interested in the heartfelt family relationships and individual character development. The romance felt underwhelming. I wanted more spark from the central relationship, especially given how promising their dynamic initially seemed.

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