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.
Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Paperback | Bookshop.org
