Review: A Cut Above the Rest by Talya Andor

Reviewed by Fehu
A Cut Above the Rest (Appetite #1) by Talya Andor
Less Than 3 Press
Novel: 155pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
Alex always had it easy growing up, indulged by loving, but busy parents as he flitted from one interest to another without settling. Then he discovered the world of fine dining and became determined to be a chef capable of producing such magnificent meals. Despite the doubts of a father who limited his funds, and the difficulties of leaving Germany to live in the United States, Alex stuck to his new goal and graduated the Culinary Institute of America.

Fresh out of school, he is eager to begin work at the restaurant owned by a good friend of his father's, a restaurant well known for the beautiful, innovative meals its chefs create. He is primed to join the ranks of those masterful chefs—until the day he starts, and learns that he is nothing more than kitchen lackey, lower in rank than even the dishwashers.

Worse, his boss is none other than Nik, the beautiful, infuriating, highly talented classmate that Alex could never best—or resist.

Review:
So this was my first book by this author and I was nicely surprised. It was good that I didn't expect a lot of romance or any sex, there was none. The romance part, well there is a love interest, but nothing happens until the very end and they agree to wait until they could meet as equals. If you want a hot romance this will not be the right book for you. However if you like slow burn stories, than Alex adventures in his new work place a high dining restaurant as a new cook, is a nice read.

A lot of the book is about food, might not work for all, but it is a nice and well written story and just the first book in a series, so there is the promise of more romance and cooking to come.

Alex is a new graduate from the Culinary Institute of America and is about to begin a new job in the restaurant of his father’s best friend, far away from his home in Germany. In his school there was only one guy, Nik, who was better than him, and it was just his luck, that they had to meet again, when he was visiting his new work place. Of course Nik worked already as a chef and his meals were fabulous. What was worse is that Alex has to work under him (and I don't mean the fun way), because apparently Nik had much more experience in an actual kitchen, than Alex.

I must say, I like it that Alex did apply himself after some difficulties in the beginning. He didn't pout, didn't go back or asked his parents for help, but actually did the jobs he was given and reacted positive to critique. He comes from a well of family, but was not a whiny brat and tried his best in his chosen field of work. Nik well, I didn't get to know him that well and I hope there will be more of them both in the next book. Mostly this story was about working in a restaurant, delicious meals and finding ones way in a new job. Oh and there is some pining for ones fellow chef. Still it’s well written and I hope for more relationship development in the next book!

4 Pants Off