Scan barcode
A review by displacedcactus
Chef's Choice by TJ Alexander
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I didn't know that I'd be reading two foodie-themed queer "fake dating a rich boyfriend while the paparazzi follows us around" books* this spring, but that's what I get for not reading the blurb when I see an author I've liked before has a new book!
I wanted to like this book because I enjoyed Chef's Kiss and I honestly don't think I've ever seen a trans-femme/trans-masc relationship in a mainstream romance novel! The problem is, not only does the rich boyfriend fantasy not really appeal to me, but I specifically didn't vibe with Jean-Pierre. I think if he had been allowed to be a POV character, I might have liked him better. However, we only get Luna's POV, and what we see of JP through her leaves a lot to be desired. He's entitled, brusque, he vapes (not as bad as smoking but still gross in my book), and it was hard to get behind his idea to claim his inheritance when he's already rich. I could guess at the reasons for some of the brusqueness (he seems autistic-coded, like he's dealing with some serious dysphoria, and maybe some depression and/or anxiety?) but without spending any time in his head, it was hard to be sympathetic when he'd do something like refuse to help with a chore because he didn't know how.
There were things I did like. I liked the moments when Jean-Pierre or Luna showed how attuned they were to something the other said. I liked how the challenge plot point was resolved. I loved how much Luna and JP appreciated each other's bodies, in really affirming ways. I was amused by the send-up of how ridiculous Fine Dining can be.
I suspect that people who really like fake dating and/or rich boyfriends may enjoy this one more than I did. I do hope that it finds its readers, and that it's popular enough that we continue to see even more trans romances exploring many different tropes, so everyone can find a sweet or sexy trans romance that hits all the right buttons.
(Disclaimer: I'm a pan, demi cis woman, so I recognize am not the main target audience of this book. I just love to read romance from all across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and support marginalized authors)
*The other one was Fake Dates and Mooncakes, and it's a M/M YA romance that also features a cute corgi, so if this combination of tropes is your specific catnip, go read that one too.
I wanted to like this book because I enjoyed Chef's Kiss and I honestly don't think I've ever seen a trans-femme/trans-masc relationship in a mainstream romance novel! The problem is, not only does the rich boyfriend fantasy not really appeal to me, but I specifically didn't vibe with Jean-Pierre. I think if he had been allowed to be a POV character, I might have liked him better. However, we only get Luna's POV, and what we see of JP through her leaves a lot to be desired. He's entitled, brusque, he vapes (not as bad as smoking but still gross in my book), and it was hard to get behind his idea to claim his inheritance when he's already rich. I could guess at the reasons for some of the brusqueness (he seems autistic-coded, like he's dealing with some serious dysphoria, and maybe some depression and/or anxiety?) but without spending any time in his head, it was hard to be sympathetic when he'd do something like refuse to help with a chore because he didn't know how.
There were things I did like. I liked the moments when Jean-Pierre or Luna showed how attuned they were to something the other said. I liked how the challenge plot point was resolved. I loved how much Luna and JP appreciated each other's bodies, in really affirming ways. I was amused by the send-up of how ridiculous Fine Dining can be.
I suspect that people who really like fake dating and/or rich boyfriends may enjoy this one more than I did. I do hope that it finds its readers, and that it's popular enough that we continue to see even more trans romances exploring many different tropes, so everyone can find a sweet or sexy trans romance that hits all the right buttons.
(Disclaimer: I'm a pan, demi cis woman, so I recognize am not the main target audience of this book. I just love to read romance from all across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and support marginalized authors)
*The other one was Fake Dates and Mooncakes, and it's a M/M YA romance that also features a cute corgi, so if this combination of tropes is your specific catnip, go read that one too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Transphobia and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia
Spoiler for consent issues: The first time Luna and JP have sex, he is pretty drunk. Not blackout drunk, but drunk enough that his inhibitions were lowered. This is another example where the book would have benefitted from giving us Jean-Pierre's point of view. I understand that some people find they need to be in a slightly altered state to get past dysphoria, trauma, or other hurdles to sexual enjoyment. But without a sober conversation between them, or a peek into JP's head, we're left with a situation of dubious consent that I didn't feel was really address.