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Just One Taste, Lizzy Dent

By Garabrandt Reviews on June 29, 2024

Title: Just one Taste

Author: Lizzy Dent

Genre: Contemporary fiction, romance, Italy, food porn

Is this book part of a series? No

I discovered this book via... Netgalley working with Penguin Group Putnam

Publish Date: July 16th, 2024

Olive Stone is about to spend four weeks in Italy with the most beautiful man she's ever hated.

When Olive Stone and her Italian pseudo-celebrity chef father fell out fourteen years ago, annoyingly handsome Leo Ricci slipped right in as his surrogate son and sous-chef. No one is more surprised than Olive when her father wills her his beloved (and now failing) restaurant. Or that his dying wish was for Olive and Leo to complete his cookbook…together.

She's determined to sell the restaurant. Leo is determined to convince her not to. As they embark on four weeks in Italy, traveling from Sicily to Tuscany to Liguria, they'll test each other as often as they test recipes. But the more time Olive and Leo spend together the more undeniable their attraction grows. Olive finds herself wondering whether selling the restaurant might be running away, and what it might be like to try Just One Taste of Leo Ricci. Because he isn't who she expected, and this trip might reveal more about who Olive is than she's ready for.

I was excited about this romance when I read the summary on Netgalley. I love a good enemies-to-lovers, and these two characters seemed amazing. Olive is charming and loyal, sassy and opinionated. Feeling like she came in second in her father's heart to a restaurant messed with her- especially when it seemed she was replaced with hot sous chef Leo. For his part, Leo loves the restaurant, and he loved Frankie, but he saw him clearly. He has ideas for the restaurant, whereas Olive just wants to sell. As the two tour Italy while finishing her late father's cookbook, memories are reshaped- as well as relationships. They work well together, and there is an undeniable chemistry that I loved.

The story was interesting, and the writing had a good flow making this an easy book to lose oneself in. I will say, while there were some funny bits, this is not a romcom. There is pain and raw emotion, beautiful imagery and a real build up to a relationship. We also get a good amount of character growth. I loved it for this, but it is not a light and fluffy book. You want great characters, good descriptions and basically food porn? We got you! I loved eating my way through Italy via Olive and Leo. Five stars!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

As far as adult content goes, there is quite a bit. We have language, drinking, and sexual content. While it is geared towards adults I would say that it's still appropriate for new adults as well.

I was lucky enough to recieve an eARC of this book courtesy of Netgalley working with Penguin Group Putnam in exchange for an honest review. My thanks!