3.75

this was so cute! the art style is stunning and i loved the characters and the idea of the plot. i enjoyed that the characters were older as i usually see graphic novels for middle grade or young adult, so this was a very nice change!

ben and liam were very cute but to me this was more of a story about ben and him finding himself than a romance, which i loved.

some dialogue felt a bit awkward but that is to be expected by a graphic novel. certain aspects of the story were kinda unrealistic to me but if you don’t need books to be realistic then it’s perfect for you.

i had a good time and i now want my own food critic pig.

Food, friendship, romance & writing, a great combination, with solid LGBTQ+ representation. I really enjoyed this Adult GN, it made me want to learn how to cook the recipes Ben created and cooked in the story!

This is a story about a fresh out of college boy named Ben who, like so many of us, struggles to find a job once he's graduated. He basically ends up taking the first job he can just to help pay the bills which is as a chef at a very quirky restaurant. There's a large focus on doing what's right for you, working through the friendship struggles of everyone graduating college and moving on to new things, and just a sprinkle of a romance with a co-chef.

There is a large hole in the industry for books that focus on early 20s adults. I myself am 22 (the age of most of the characters) and I ended up relating to Ben's struggles of doing what he wants versus appeasing his parents who want him in a steady 9-5.

The artwork is absolutely stunning and its so colorful. I would recommend this to just any and all college students or fresh out of college adults because it's a comforting thing to read about someone who is going through what most in that demographic also do.

This graphic novel is super cute! The character designs are really appealing and I like the diversity in the cast, as well as the different body types. All the mains are swoon-worthy and very easy on the eyes! The art throughout is detailed and very impressive. Also I loved the coloring! The story itself was good and I liked that it's new adult featuring recent college grads looking to start careers. Ben's struggle to find a job in the field he majored in is too relatable, especially the way that even entry level jobs require years of experience. Thankfully Ben has other skills and lands a trial position at a unique restaurant. I liked learning about the various recipes and meeting the sous chefs. The head chef was really over the top, especially with all the yelling and insults during the first part of the story. I also felt like some of the friend drama that unfolds was really exaggerated even though it all worked out in the end. The romantic tension/buildup between Ben and Liam, one of the sous chefs, felt really well done and realistic. I like that they took things slow and focused first on their jobs. They're a very cute couple!

This graphic novel handles a bunch of different conflicts in a short time frame but does it well. It also allows for the characters to grow and figure things out. Reading this made me want to try some of the recipes! Overall, a fun, cute, and lighthearted read.

This was cute, the artwork was great, and there were times I felt completely immersed in the story to the extent that I would forget I was reading a graphic novel -- and then the silly bits would happen. And they were just a little too silly for my personal preference.

Those scenes weren't extensive, but they were frequent, and more importantly you have to take them at least a little seriously for there to be any narrative tension for a good portion of the story.

But if you're not someone who needs their graphic novels to feel realistic or contain narrative tension -- and I know plenty of people who don't! -- then I recommend this one.

I loved this graphic novel, it was so cute. The artwork was beautiful and well done, it popped off the page. I really enjoyed the storyline and became very invested in Bens journey. His story was compelling and I rooted for him so hard to get the job and the guy.

I loved the characters, Ben, Liam, Bens roommates and his workmates all had unique and distinctive personalities. I enjoyed each and every one of them and especially loved Watson the pig 🥰🥰🥰.

Ben and Liams interactions were adorable and made me smile, I wanted to see more of them together but was satisfied with what we got ❤️❤️.

My absolute favourite thing about this graphic novel was the humour. I laughed so much throughout this story, the roommates dynamics was hilarious and everything to do with Chef Davis and Watson was brilliant.

I absolutely recommend this book and cannot wait to own a physical copy. I had such a good time with this read 🤩🤩.

I am a bit conflicted right now, not going to lie.
I'm debating between 3 and 4 stars because while some things were really good, others were a tiny bit ridiculous.

First of all, let me just say that this is a really cute graphic novel. The visuals are delightful and most of the time extremely mouthwatering.

Ben, the main character, finds himself in a bit of a pickle after graduation, unable to get a job in the writing industry. Desperate to get a job while figuring things out, he ends up at a restaurant where he's put to the test in order to prove himself as a good fit for the team. I loved the challenges he goes through and it's pretty obvious that he's passionate and quite good at cooking, but... the pig part. I don't get it. I know it's meant to be funny and cute, but it was just too much for me.

I liked Ben's interactions with his friends, they're super supportive and understanding, especially Liz (regardless of that tiny argument).
I also appreciate the approach this book takes toward unemployment after college. It is actually a really stressful time for young adults, especially when you're constantly pressured by family. Been there, done that. It honestly seems impossible to get a job when everyone asks for experience but no one is willing to hire you in order for you to get that experience. Vicious circle and all that.

I really loved that Ben stands up for himself in the end and makes the decision that is best for him, not for the sake of others.
Overall, a really enjoyable read. With a bit of gay romance, which I'm always down for.

We met our protagonist, Ben Cook, right as he is venturing into the adult world armed with one college degree in the arts, three eclectic (& one-dimensional) besties/housemates, and zero job prospects. Ben is timid and always anxious, Ben loves to read fantasy and Ben is a decent home cook; so basically Ben is a millennial. This book taps into the very universal sentiment of feeling lost and confused in your twenties which is what makes it instantly relatable. The illustrations are crisp and some of the panels are truly excellent. However the novel never manages to create any true depth to the characters and therefore none of the conflicts ever manage to create actual tension. The romance also falls flat which is a shame because cooking and cute banter should be a winning premise if done right. Also there is a random pig with maybe magical abilities thrown into the mix and I don’t think it quite works for the book. How can one go wrong with an adorable little pink piggy called Watson? Well a gimmick can only get you so far. I guess some recipes look better than they taste.
Try The Heartstopper Series by Alice Oseman instead. Same vibe, better execution.
[NetGalley ARC]

A Chefs Kiss is a romance comedy graphic novel based around the catering industry.
Ben has been studying towards a writing career but after an unexpectedly hard time finding a job in his planned career he stumbles across a job in a restaurant. This starts a process of trials to secure a new career with a boss that's turning up the heat in the kitchen and Sous chef that's turning up the heat on Ben.

The story is really easy to follow, light hearted and fun. It addresses some issues such as people pleasing and work/life balance to keep some reality to the story whilst making you root for the main character and his development.
Ben as a character grows throughout the story, learning and developing behaviours as a result of experiences in the plot which is always a bonus, no-one loves a dumb MC!
The inner circle of friend appear enough to make you laugh or create an impact to Ben's situation but don't take over the story.
Weston is an interesting addition to the story, he brings it towards a more fun, tongue in cheek read.

I love the art style, a particular scene with a sunset is completely stunning and its style is a really soft pallet of colours that fit the romantic style of the story.
I found it compacted with a lot of text, once I got used to the style it was fine but a particular yoga scene felt a little to longwinded and wordy for me, I would have loved for the illustration to do the talking.

On the whole this was a really nice breath of fresh air, light, cute and left me wanting to continue Ben's story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for an advanced copy of Chefs Kiss

WOW

I am absolutely blown away by this graphic novel!

Chef's Kiss is the story of Ben, who, having recently graduated, is entering the job market with some uncertainties. Interview after interview, he comes to terms with the struggle of finding a job right after graduation. He ends up landing a position in a local restaurant, where his cooking skills are tested before he can officially assume the role of cook.

I really enjoyed the exploration of friendships, parental relationships, queer love, pressure to find a job, and deviating from one's path. This graphic novel has lovable characters, including a food critic pig, great banter, and serious conversations about adulthood and interpersonal relationships. It's definitely one of my favorite reads of the year so far!

Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing me with an ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this one! It took me a minute to get into it because of the compact style. There was a lot of info thrown out there in quick succession and I needed a bit to get used to that. But once I got into the rhythm, it was so cute!!!

I especially loved Watson the pig. He was soooo adorable and I just want to smoosh his cutesy little face!!! Ben was a sweet character and I’m glad he grew a lot in the book. While Watson is my favorite, I have a soft spot in my heart for Ben too. He’s easy to relate to. And I love how he gets so nervous around Liam!! He’s such a cinnamon roll!!! Basically all the characters are fun and add to the story. Even Chef with his abrasiveness.

The plot was super adorbs and I thought it was unique too. I see a lot of graphic novels with the same romance plot over and over, which is honestly a comfort sometimes, but it’s nice to have a new storyline to read. I recommend this to those who like funny graphic novels and a little lgbtqia+ romance.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Oni Press, and Jarret Melendez for the opportunity to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion!!

I've been reading some heavier stuff lately so when Netgalley provided me with an ARC of one of my anticipated reads of the year, I knew I had to bump it up on the list. Chef's Kiss was the epitome of "short but sweet." A fast read but full of laughs and good vibes. A lot of the antics in it reminded me of anime or Disney movies which was fun.

I've seen the book classified as YA, which I could see in the vibe, but I like this book because the characters were my age. It is probably more accurate to describe it as a very wholesome NA book! What I love about NA books is that they have a lot of the vibes of YA books, but the characters are my age (26). The main love interest, Liam, is 25, and our main character (Ben) had recently graduated college.

I would definitely recommend this graphic novel for anyone looking for a short, quick read. Other than a few friendship conflicts and overbearing parents, there's nothing bad in this book. Just pure sweetness and joy.

An ARC of this graphic novel was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Well, this was literally chef's kiss (yes, pun intended). I started to read it and expected to have fun, and I had! Ben was relatable for me in so many ways. Especially in the first couple pages when he was looking for a job after he graduated, I literally saw myself. I'd felt the same pressure, same frustration he felt every time he comes back with empty hands from an interview. So it was pretty easy for me to connect with him. Also, he is a bookworm! How can't I relate?

Another thing I want to say is that our Ben Cook is gay, and Liam is really swoon-worthy! Also I love the diversity in this comic. And can we talk about Watson the Pig?! He is the real show-stealer, I tell you.

Anyway, all I can say is, THIS COMIC IS SO FREAKING CUTE! I LOVE IT! If you really love reading cute, funny, and queer comics, I really recommend Chef's Kiss. Go read it when it released!

Thank you NetGalley and OniPress for sending me this beautiful comic as ARC.

(Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review(

This was such a cute story! Ben (the main character) is an adorable nerd who i loved and he’s friendship group/room-mates where such a fun group of people. The banter between then all was amazing and the romance was very cute.

The illustrations and art style is beautiful and there’s little things in the background here and there that made me laugh. All the food looked delicious and made me seriously hungry but also got me inspired to try new recipes and experiment a little.

Watson the taste testing pig was random but i loved him! There’s a part where the head chef is telling Watson backstory that i just couldn’t help but laugh too.

This was such a wholesome and cute story and i found myself smiling for almost the entire time.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

5/5 stars

Chef's Kiss is a graphic novel that follows a new graduate, Ben, as he tries to get a job in the work force that follows his parent's expectations. Instead of going into publishing, he finds himself as a trial chef at a local restaurant where he has to pass weekly tests judged by the world's cutest pig, Watson.

I really enjoyed the art and storyline of this graphic novel. I think that the way that Watson was drawn was adorable and really gave him so much character. I really enjoyed Liam and Ben and their dynamic both in and out of the kitchen. The food looked delicious as well and the innovation in the kitchen reminded me of the characters from Food Wars. I definitely recommend to check this out once it is published.

This was such a cute read! Once I actually started reading it, it was very fast and flew through the whole thing in 2 sittings. I didn't really expect where the story was taking me, but I enjoyed where we end up a lot! There are some ridiculous aspects, but they were also a lot of fun. I liked the characters and the art was very nice. This is definitely a graphic novel I would like the have on my shelves and I would recommend it to contemporary fans.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me access to an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thoughts:
The art style in this graphic novel is beautiful and so well fitting to the story. The colours and illustrations really bring the characters to life and add so much to the experience!
I really enjoyed chef’s kiss and resonated with the main character in so many ways that I really wasn’t expecting as I went in without really knowing anything about the synopsis. This story is one that I feel a LOT of people will resonate with and gain a lot from and I really did read it at the right time for me. I would definitely read more about these characters and their lives and I just loved how crazy but real the story was. If you’re looking for something fun, fast and super cute I’d definitely recommend!

Recommend? ✅
Reread? ✅

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

I got this book a couple weeks ago, and I just had a chance to sit down and read it. Verdict- it's adorable. It's about a guy who just graduated college and isn't quite sure what to do with his life, and finds passion in cooking. It has friendship, cooking, realizations about what someone wants out of life, and a bit of romance. Plus a pig! The queer rep in this book is there but it is incorporated into the book so perfectly; it is a part of the main character but it is not who the main character is, which is always nice. The friends in this book are great and everything flowed so easily. It is not very long, since it is a graphic novel, but it was super cute and everything I wanted when I just wanted to sit down and de-stress for an hour this morning. It comes out in March and it is definitely worth checking out! 5/5

Thank you to Net Galley & the publisher for this eArc of Chefs Kiss by Jarrett Melendez.

First and foremost the artwork and representation of this graphic novel were brilliant, it is gorgeously presented and the images themselves are clean and inviting.

The story itself perfectly captures what I’m sure a lot of young people go through in regards to wanting to fit in, choosing a career, being undecided or having their parents try to vicariously live through them.

This story is about friendship, overcoming others expectations and prioritising yourself. It was a funny, emotional, heartwarming story with characters I was invested in the whole time.

If there was or is to be a continuation, I would happily read more.

Overall this was short, sweet & wholesome.

This is a sweet story with lovely art about Ben, a man struggling to figure out which passion to follow after graduating college. Despite generally enjoying this book, I did find it overly simplistic. There's no real depth or nuance to either the plot or characters. If you're looking for something fun and straightforward to read in a single sitting, this is a good option. But, unfortunately, I don't think this is the type of book that will stay in my mind for long after I have read it. The biggest redeeming factors of this book are: 1) The art, as I mentioned before, is very nice. 2) The main character, though basic, does face the common struggle of wondering what to do with one's life, which is very relatable. 3) There is a cute pig who does silly things, which I enjoyed very much.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.