Margins
Yes, Chef book cover
Yes, Chef
A Romance Novel
2026
First Published
4.29
Average Rating
300
Number of Pages

The Bear meets It Happened One Summer in this delicious 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 blond, bubbly, utterly infuriating daughter of his former boss, shows up at his dock. Poppy needs to escape. From her disapproving family, her horrible 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, prickly, intimidating man she’s ever had the pleasure of throwing a shrimp at. She knows Jack is desperate to come back from his unceremonious firing, so she proposes a working together to open a revamped version of his mentor’s restaurant. He’ll handle the menu, and she’ll use her skill as a social media influencer to sell the hell out of its grand opening. If she and Jack can make the restaurant a success, it’ll be an accomplishment no one can deny—and a ticket for them both to return to New York. Jack is intrigued, but only on his if Poppy’s going to work for him, she must learn the ropes of the entire business. Including how to cook. From him. As sparks fly both in and out of the kitchen and tensions reach a boiling point, Poppy and Jack are left wondering—could they be a perfect pairing? Or is this whole experiment a recipe for disaster? TROPES Grumpy-sunshine Forced proximity Friends with benefits Opposites attract Found family

Avg Rating
4.29
Number of Ratings
436
5 STARS
45%
4 STARS
40%
3 STARS
13%
2 STARS
2%
1 STARS
0%
goodreads

Author

Grace Reilly
Grace Reilly
Author · 8 books

Hi! I’m Grace. I write swoony, spicy contemporary romance with heart–and usually a healthy dose of sports. When I’m not dreaming up stories, I can be found in the kitchen trying out a new recipe, cuddling my pack of dogs, or watching sports. Originally from New York, I now live in Florida, which is troubling given my fear of alligators.

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