Grumpy Chef

by Melanie Marchande

I need a job. Notorious celebrity chef Maxwell Dylan needs an employee who can put up with him. It’s a match made in Hell’s kitchen. Like...the actual kitchen, in actual Hell.

But I’m in no position to be picky, despite the fact that I’m still holding a grudge after he made me lose my last stable sous chef position. Turn up the heat, and tempers are bound to flare. But something else happens that I’m not prepared for.

There’s more to Chef than meets the eye. Verbal sparring soon gives way to a grudging mutual respect, and then...sparks. I can't afford to fall for a man like him. But my heart - and my hormones - aren't giving me much choice.

Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2021

About the author

Melanie Marchande is the New York Times bestselling author of His Secretary: Undone. She loves sarcastic alpha billionaires, sassy curvy heroines, and pizza. Not necessarily in that order.

Reviews

[Susan Liberty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy Chef by Melanie Marchande is truly a page-turner. The novel grabbed me from the very first page. I love how each chapter started with excerpts from Dylan: A Lifetime of Recipes. The explanation and definition of cooking terms used to set up the chapters is genius.

The author’s characters, Jillian, Max, Shelly, Beckett, Eric, and even Heidi, Jillian’s pit bull, are excellently developed. The settings and plot are fashioned in such a way, I felt connected to each scene.

The storyline of Jillian and Chef Dylan hit all the emotional buttons: happy, sad, angry, funny, and hope. The romance between Jillian and Chef Dylan did not disappoint. The love scenes were tastefully written.

The book’s flow: easy to read and desperate to know what comes next, earned a place in my top ten best contemporary romance reads thus far in 2021. Five Stars!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. The story was beautifully written and flowed beautifully. The characters were well defined within the story and they had such great chemistry. I loved the ending. If you like the works of this wonderful author, then this book is must-read.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to rate this higher, and I almost did just because the author is so so nice, but it was a solid 3 stars for me. I liked it, but I really didn't like some key things about Max and I couldn't let them go enough to really get into the story. I didn't like how much he just expected that he was this *gift* to Jill, and that of course she would want his body. His inner monologue was unnerving and creepy. I much preferred Beckett. I did really like Jill. I also thought the steamy scenes weren't steamy enough and yet weren't quite fade to black. They were just not fleshed out enough (ha). But solid read, especially for an insomnia read as I read from 1-6am. Thanks!

[Anne Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill was desparate for a job - even if it was working for Maxwell Dylan - who had humiliated her years before.
Getting to know him was a roller coaster - but she learns that all is not always as it seems. Is she really going to develop feelings for this arrogant SOB? And is it remotely possible that he may even return them? When she meets her cheating ex again, she is half tempted to give him another chance - has he really changed? Loved the twists!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe...2.5??
The characters didn't really make sense, they pretty much argued about nothing...I'd find myself seeing they were mad at each other and I couldn't remember why either one of them had a reason to be mad at one another (Maybe I accidently skipped a page??).
The flow wasn't...great. Choppy plot points, everything that happened didn't seem natural it seemed derived. The characters weren't fully fleshed out. And there was next to no chemistry between the main characters. I didn't really buy that they were even all that attracted to each other. There was also barely any visual details, I have no idea what either one of them look like.
This is not typical of Marchande's writing, I REALLY enjoy her writing and characters...but this book is not up to her standard, in my opinion.
Once the sex scene happened, I literally rolled my eyes because I didn't believe it...again, no chemistry.
But, this had potential. I felt like I was reading a first draft vs a published book.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The addition starts with the book cover….yeah…yeah…yeah don’t judge a book by its cover they say ….well we all do it and this one here it is the scratch to your itch or better yet the filling to your oreos! Speaking of filling…..wait, that’s for later. Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with! This is kind of a second chance Max and Jillian met before he become this well know chef and when she applies for a job working with him of course he gave her a chance. Jillian do not take his crap like most and the chemistry between them is off the charts, the magnetic pull is so intense they can’t ignore it but will they give in to it and can they find happiness?

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maxwell and Jill had a history from when they were younger. Now he needs someone to work for him that won't quit because of his attitude. Jill knows that she needs a job and can force herself to tolerate him enough to do the job. Sparks fly between them whenever they are close. Its not long before things heat up between them. Will they give into each other? Will they see that they have something more between them?

This is an amazing story that once I started it I couldn't put it down. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Magali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex recipe
4.5
If we had to compare this story, it would be a dish of meat in sauce that stays on the fire for a long time to cook and tenderize the meat. Here, the story seems to start quickly, with a very tough male character, then it rises very slowly to be more tender, while remaining complex.
However, what I enjoyed most was the turnaround at the end that I didn't see coming between Max and Jill.
The two characters constantly question each other and their choices are all the more unpredictable.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. Jill and Max have a history that did not end so well. She is willing to bite the bullet to begin with but she might just wish someone would use that bullet by the end of a couple of services. Max is as arrogant man, horrible boss but a good chef. He redeems himself as the story goes on. Jill wanted to keep hating him, but she fell all over again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Guylande Jeudy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maxwell Dylan has a tough exterior and he is often misunderstood because he is driven. But for those who got close enough to see past his toughness, they can see his kindness and his gold heart. Jillian is struggling to make it in the restaurant business and received the call that would change her life forever. Is she going to let her past encounter with the famous chef hold her back or is she willing to take a chance?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marisol Rosado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t Get Enough

I’m totally in awe of Ms. Marchande books. I started with the free one,”I Married A Billionaire “. I’m hooked on them all. I brought the complete set of “ I Married A Billionaire “, then got the complete set of “The Secretary “, just finished “ Grumpy Chef”. I just enjoy the characters and her unusual ending.how they show up in each books….can’t really explain it…I enjoy reading your books. I going to see if they are more for me to read. Keep doing what your good at, writing..

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taming the Chef . . .

Notorious celebrity chef Maxwell Dylan needs an employee who can put up with him. Jillian figures she is right for the job – because she needs one, she knew him before he was famous, and she will learn tolerate him. She gives as good as she gets, and this is a tense but fun story of extreme attraction and attempted resistance. Will they finally give in to their passions? Will they finally acknowledge the friendship that has developed along the way?

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts out slow from the romance point of view, but I actually really enjoyed the process of Jill and Dylan getting to know each other while working in the restaurant kitchen. The characters, conversations, and the issues within the restaurant felt very realistic to kitchens everywhere. The writing is good and the characters felt real. Nice romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max and Jill. These complicated characters drove me a little bit crazy! I didn't always understand their thought processes and the way they reacted to each other but hey, I enjoyed it anyway! This funny, slow-burn-romance-with-a-touch-of-angst, held my interest from beginning to HEA. Great read by Melanie Marchande.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bridget Blackwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to put this one in a box. If you ever looked at Gordon Ramsey and thought "I could tame him." this books is for you. Jill and Max had great verbal sparring sessions and even one literal sparring session! I like the story we got but wanted to know more. Maybe more time of seeing them happy together?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[S I · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new author for me and I like her style. It has great characters and the chemistry is popping. Just love the banter and the fire they spark off each other. It has you reading till the end to see what will happen. I think you’ll enjoy it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Misty Goan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable well written fun slow burn  romance.  This engaging storyline is wonderful story of love and growth that is easy to read and include a variety  of emotions like happy, sad, angry, funny, and hope. The characters are likeable, and have chemistry.  I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC. 

[Steve Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun romance about a nice, competent, ambitious sous chef and a driven celebrity chef. Each chapter starts with a little description of a dish or definition of a cooking word. I'm not enough of a cook to know how accurate these things are, but they add to the spice of the book. A couple of hot scenes at the very end of the book.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy Chef by Melanie Marchande is a delicious tale of love and growth. I learned a whole lot about the world of fine dining. Max and Jill are hot in and out of the kitchen. I loved that Jill was a strong female character and makes Max work for it.

[Aimee Lombardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy Chef is a entertaining story and it kept me captivated with its many plot turns and twists.

The characters are loveable and will have you cheering for them and as they try to figure out each other and thier relationship.

[Michele Packard-milam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific Story!

As usual, Melanie Marchande delivers an engaging story with complex characters and interesting plot twists. I really liked everything about this book except the cover and some odd issues with the punctuation, which needs a polishing edit.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy Chef by Melanie Marchande – He’s a butthead, but he’s a very honest one. While she may rather desperately need a job, working for a butthead (even a sexy one) isn’t her first choice. Enjoy the sparks! Happy Reading!

[Lisa M. Baynes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read

It was a good read, but I wish there was an epilogue that told us more about what happened after they finally became a couple.

[Coco.V]

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[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

I enjoyed this book the storyline was amazing Max and Jill finally grew up and admitted there feelings a very sweet story