The Riverside Little Chef

I came from the manga series, and I only read up to Mrs. Cui's letter, so I wanted to check out the rest. It's really well-written! I initially thought the career storyline was already quite good, and I even worried there wouldn't be a romantic pairing. I was slightly disappointed when the male lead appeared, because I've read many stories where the romance felt forced.

The food writing is very good, but the male and female leads seem a bit forced together.

A rare gem of a book, with fluent writing, well-developed characters, and a tightly woven, vivid plot. Each character possesses their own unique charm, and their likes and dislikes are clearly defined. Whether it's Lin Wenxuan at the beginning, Zhou Cheng and Qiaoyun, or Xiao's mother and cousin at the end, each character has their own distinct traits and stance.

This is the second novel I've recommended and reviewed on Douban. It's good, and the feeling of being in a corpse is heartwarming after finishing it. It's not too long, which is suitable for someone like me who doesn't have the patience to read long novels. The male and female leads, as well as their families, all have wholesome values.

I first discovered the manga series, and then followed the novel after finding out there was one too. I personally think it's great. There's no backstabbing or scheming like family, friends, or subordinates betraying each other, and no clichéd female supporting characters who only love the male lead and relentlessly target the female lead. Overall, it's very enjoyable. The supporting male and female characters all have their own paths to follow, which is really rare.

This is a sweet, gentle story that unfolds slowly, without any particularly gruesome conflicts. It's about simple happiness, beginning with love at first sight and gradually blossoming into mutual attraction. I've always thought that many transmigrated female characters in novels I read are particularly adept at asserting themselves, but this female protagonist, despite her culinary skills…

This is a wonderful story. I feel like it wouldn't even need the time-travel setting for the female lead; the entire piece is steeped in classical Chinese style, and the writing is superb! The female lead's clever cooking techniques are truly impressive, and the early, ambiguous relationship between the male and female leads is beautifully portrayed! It's heart-fluttering!

The author's writing is delicate, devoid of scheming and intrigue; the family is harmonious, working together towards a common goal, and the atmosphere between the young couple is beautiful, realistically portraying the first stirrings of love. I hope the author will continue to weave food throughout the story, maintaining the warmth and tenderness. 💕

This is such a wonderful book. The rating is too low; it's a real shame that such a great book is being overlooked. A veteran reader of over twenty years at the time, I can attest to its quality. The writing is delicate, the characters are vivid, the plot is engaging, and there are lots of delicious foods included. It's perfect for listening to while doing housework.

Having read novels for over ten years, I've noticed a few that have a slow and steady flow, and even fewer that are truly well-written. It seems like most books are forever entangled with a vicious female supporting character, a devoted second male lead, or a meddlesome, demanding mother-in-law. This book has none of that!