My Review: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Look out, this graphic novel is bold, hearty, and will have you savoring each page!
Alright, hear me out, the cover design made me buy it, BUT guess what? This book delivers the goods. It's ridiculously fun, light-hearted, and most of all cute. The illustrations are vibrant, quirky, and stunning. It's about a guy named Ben who's just discovering himself and trying to find his place in the world. The story is crafted with life-lessons that are extremely relatable. It's even got a few unconventional twists that involve cooking, a very intellectual pet pig with a fine palette, and a chef that is hotter than the dishes he makes that adds an extra layer of spice and peculiarity to the story.
The story is insanely solid, the characters are all very well-drawn, distinctive, and is creatively developed from start to finish. One of the most satisfying standalone novels I've read, because it doesn't pressure you to a series commitment and it wraps up with a fine conclusion which is really what everyone wants from narrative especially one as delectable as this one.
In addition, the leading chef Liam is a true heartthrob with only good intentions, and it really pushes the connection between Ben and him. Liam is a selfless character who vouches for Ben upon encountering the harsh-spoken owner, who tests and challenges Ben to meet the standards of his restaurant. Ben's trusty roommates are also involved in his journey to unfolding where his true passion lies and they complement and balance his character out with unique personalities and perspectives.
What a terrific little read, finished it within 2 hours, and wish that there were leftovers (pun obviously intended!). YET, cool-enough, there is bonus art at the end along with fun bios of each character which was a truly great plus to the whole thing. OH, and the author even shares the recipes they make in the book for anyone daring to try to chef it up and create the fun dishes.
My Synopsis:
Ben is a shy, talented writer and avid reader who is looking for his first real job in the writing field. Low and behold life decides to throw lemons at him, and so he learns to make lemonade. After many interviews who all expect him to have a plethora of professional experience he stumbles across an opportunity, the only one he can find before he has to call his parents and move back home. He finds himself torn between learning how to cook up some crazy dishes or pursue the dreams he's had of being an employed writer. The kitchen as it would seem has many challenges, especially when the chef is as good-looking as the desserts the restaurant serves up.
Overall, this is the kind of graphic novel to end reading funks, makes you feel happy, blush a little, and laugh a little harder. GRAB IT and ADD IT to your TBR!!
Disclaimer: It's LGBT, with some expletives and innuendos, certainly not suitable for anyone under the age of 17.
