I read The Summer Job and loved it, so when I saw Just One Taste—I was so excited to read. Lizzy Dent’s writing has only gotten better. The Italian scenery made me long for a place I’ve never been. This is my first 5 star book of the year. I loved reading it. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this wonderful book early!

I had a hard time reading this book due to formatting issues. I would definitely like to reread once it is edited and published to form a better review

Thank you to Net Galley & Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of this book!

This story seemed more like a love story for Italy, rather than a love story happening in Italy. If you are someone who loves cooking & Italian culture this would be a great pick for you!

I loved the last third of the book, but it was a very slow start. I felt like there was an overload of background story building, which made the actual plot of the story feel rushed.

With this book coming out this summer I think it it would be a good beach read or a great pick for laying by the pool!

Food critic Olive Stone is forced to confront her past after her estranged chef father Nicolo dies, leaving her his failing restaurant, Nicky's, and instructions to travel to Italy with his protege Leo Ricci to complete his cookbook.

Once again Lizzy Dent crafts a warm and engaging story about grief, fractured relationships and allowing yourself to change direction if you've made life choices to punish someone.

There are so many heartfelt moments as Olive wrestles with her pain and grief for a father she felt loved his restaurant more than her. Her parents' divorce, which left her and her mother struggling financially due to her father's reckless decisions, made her deliberately choose to not go to culinary school and instead become a critic, and guard her heart.

I loved the chemistry between Olive and Leo. There's insta-lust but their story develops slowly as there's too much at stake professionally and professionally. Leo is just the perfect some of hero. He shares Olive's passion for food and matches her banter and knowledge in a way that made their chemistry palpable. Importantly, he is supportive of Olive, even though her decision to sell Nicky's affects his job, and gets her to open up in a way which is just swoony.

Coupled with vivid descriptions of Sicily, Tuscany and the Italian coast, plus all the wonderful meals Olive and Leo sample and banter over, I felt fully immersed in the story. I really wanted to pack my bags and go to all the places they went to! 'Just One Taste' is yet another winner from Lizzy Dent. I devoured it like one of the many meals consumed by Olive and Leo.

Thanks to Putnam/Penguin Group and NetGalley for the ARC.

4 forks out of 5. Do not read if hungry! The author has a magnificent way of making you feel like you are in Italy eating all the dishes. The scenery makes me long for a trip around Italy. Great romance story, but the base of the book is really about how to make amends and grieve an estranged parent. This, plus the romance, was kept at a lighter level though. I think the author could have gotten deeper with both. There was great chemistry in Olive and Leo even being closed/maybe ever so slightly cracked door. I would recommend this.

Thank you Putnam for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Just One Taste is advertised as a romance, but the romance in this felt more like a subplot, with the majority of the focus being on Olive figuring out her life and emotions after her father dies and she inherits his Italian restaurant. Leo and Olive are still very cute together, and I really enjoyed that there was no big third act breakup between them, it was just a very slow burn kind of romance. I wasn't expecting there to be a plot twist, but it definitely made it a more interesting read. Grab a snack, this book will make you hungry! Italy and the foods described were brought to life and I found myself desperately wanting some good Italian food while reading this! Thanks to Netgalley for the e-arc of this book!

"The restaurant is important, but like I said in Tuscany. I have a plan B. There is no plan B when it comes to you. There is only you."

Lizzy Dent's "Just One Taste" is as much an ode to delicious food and Italy as it is a love story between Leo and Olive. Anyone who has traveled abroad or wishes they could will revel in the descriptions of Italy, the restaurants, and the many dishes they share. Even though I would not consider myself a foodie, there is a really clear audience for this book and they will love the many pages dedicated to different dishes, ingredients, and the love of eating.

While a sweet love story does brew between Leo and Olive, it's not always smooth and the undertone is quite bitter. This is mostly due to Olive and her inability to separate Leo from her feelings about her dad, despite his kindness, patience, and repeated efforts to empathize with her. To be quite honest, Olive is insufferable at times and her negativity and behavior is a harsh contrast to the beautiful backdrop of Italy and what I would consider to be a dream trip that most people could only imagine embarking on. It is difficult to believe that Leo would be interested in her at all with the way she treats him and the many harsh and rude things she says (repeatedly telling him to eff off when he hasn't said anything that deserves it).

She must be quite beautiful to get away with acting the way she does, but we never really get details on what she looks like and the image I created evaporated when I hit the bombshell near the end of the book. The way she treated Leo and handled that situation was quite odd for a grown woman. I've known several people who have experienced a similar situation and their responses were very different, so I struggled with her over-the-top reaction and the way she treated everyone involved. Yet, Leo continues to be steadfast, dedicated, and saccharine sweet. I couldn't help but think he deserved better.

There are a couple of inconsistencies in the story that may want to be addressed before final publication. There's a disconnect between Leo as this Hot Chef who can cook literally anything and then the facts that trickle out throughout the book: how the restaurant would only book 4 people a night, that Nicky didn't allow for his input at all, and that he learned on the job (no culinary education) and went from dishwasher to master chef making parmesan cheese cages. You don't learn how to cook like that if you're not actually cooking new things or working in a restaurant that's turning tables. If he was just preparing the same things over and over, but for a restaurant that is empty and failing...it just doesn't make sense that he would become this master chef. Since I"m married to a classically trained chef - this just stood out to me.

In the end, I liked how things were resolved and the ending fits what I think most readers would hope for from these characters. Finally, we see some expression of sincere, positive emotions from Olive toward Leo and we all get a much deserved, and hard fought for, happy ending.

I always enjoy the humor and charm Lizzy Dent brings to her book. I am always invested in the characters in she writes. And adding in Italy and pasta to the mix was a delight! I loved how understanding and supportive Leo is overall, especially to whatever decision Olive makes regarding the restaurant her deceased father left her that Leo is the sous-chef at. Their connection felt genuine and real which is something I always appreciate and look for. I really enjoyed the twist at the end and finding out why Olive's father had started his cookbook in the first place. JUST ONE TASTE was a joy to read. You may start craving some pasta while you're reading!

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

Ah! I loved this one. I want to run off to Italy and eat a lot of pasta. What a beautiful story of love and family. Leo and Olive were sexy and funny. This is a great read.

A cute romance between a food critic and a sous-chef.

After Olive’s estranged father passes away, she is shocked to find out he bequeathed his beloved restaurant to her. The one Leo is now running. Now, Olive and Leo must travel to Italy to complete the cookbook that Olive’s father didn’t get to finish.

While I would have loved for Olive and Leo to have more chemistry, I thought Leo was a sweetheart and, of course, it is always delightful to read about people having a great time eating their way across Italy. Overall, this has plenty of charm. 3.5 stars,

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

What a wonderful read! I loved the Italy setting and the authors writing makes it feel like you are right there with the characters experiencing the sights and smells and vibes.

I also appreciated the nuance and careful handling of tough emotional situations which added complexity and depth to the characters and the plot. Well done!

A charming summer romance from Lizzy Dent!! While this wasn’t my favorite from her, it definitely did make me want to visit Italy.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an advance copy of Just One Taste.

I read The Sweetest Revenge last year and enjoyed it alot so I was super excited when I saw the email that I was approved for the ARC. This was exactly what I had hoped for in a rom com, it had all the right tropes and the characters were very likable.

With Italy as the setting I could totally picture this turning into a Netflix film!

This is genuinely one of the most incredible books I've ever read. "Just One Taste" is about Olive, who just inherited her *somewhat* estranged fathers Italian Restaurant (that she has beef with because she believes it ruined her parents marriage) upon his death, and ALSO now she has to go on a month long Italy Adventure with the "hot" Sous Chef from the restaurant, in order to finish her dad's cookbook.

From start to finish, I found myself smiling on every page, even at times with tears streaming down my face. It's amazing how well Lizzy Dent tackled the complexity of losing a parent that you had a complicated relationship with, while also making me fall in love and laugh *literally* out loud.

The writing of this book is so well done, that while Olive and Leo were traveling around Italy, I felt like I was really there, drinking an Aperol spritz on a patio with fairy lights over my head.

The romance is slow-burn, but the chemistry is there from the VERYYYY BEGINNING.

Each of the relationships in this book were so special and something I will cherish!!!!!!

"I just want you to see clearly that the most important truth in all of this is that you are loved, Olive. By us and your mum and dad. Loved so much."

"The pain is so hollow I find myself desperate for breath. There is nothing there. No way to tell him I love him. No way to thank him. He's gone. My love has nowhere to go, and my regret can never be atoned for."

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley for an ARC of this book! I’ve willingly read and reviewed it. All opinions are my own.

JUST ONE TASTE, Lizzy Dent’s newest novel, is the perfect summer read for those of us still firmly situated in our “Yes, Chef” era. Or those of us who might be, possibly, permanently there.

Olive Stone is a ruthless food critic who unexpectedly inherits her estranged father’s restaurant, his unfinished cookbook and the attractive Sous chef that has been tasked with completing it with her. Olive, though immediately set on selling the restaurant and the building it’s housed in to repay her mother the money Olive believes her owed, promises Leo to think it through while they spend weeks together in Italy, tracing her father’s footsteps, meeting up with his old friends to hear stories that change how Olive ultimately sees her relationship with her dad, and learning more about herself and what she wants out of her life in the process.

Lizzy Dent absolutely made Italy and all the food described in the book come to life. But while this could have just been a sweet romance where two people fall in love over the course of a summer spent being forced to work together, JUST ONE TASTE was so much more. I’ll be the first to admit that it takes a lot to make me cry when it comes to novels, but JUST ONE TASTE had me shedding tears. Olive is not only dealing with the grief of losing her father and losing him unexpectedly, but also the psychological issues their estrangement caused.

I loved Leo and how sweet he was. He truly wanted what was best for Olive, no matter what she ended up choosing to do with the restaurant and supported her throughout her emotionally charged trip. Their relationship, which was truly enviable, is full of banter, attraction, and a love of food. I was also thrilled that there wasn’t a third-act breakup between these characters!

JUST ONE TASTE is filled with colorful imagery and an exploration of some pretty widespread topics like grief, “daddy issues,” and family dynamics, but I would take that trip over and over again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of this book. I really enjoyed it. It was a sweet romance, but not predictable enough to be boring. Lizzy Dent is a good author and similar in style to other authors that I enjoy. I will likely read other books by her!

Olive, the main character, has unexpectedly inherited her somewhat estranged father's restaurant after his death. She has not desire to be a part of the restaurant as she feels that it destroyed her parents relationship. That being said, she has been tasked with finishing her father's cookbook, which involves going to Italy to come up with recipe ideas accompanied by her father's sous chef, Leo. She thinks that it will be a quick trip and then she will sell the restaurant and benefit from the profits. Of course, she gets more than she bargained for when she begins to have feelings for Leo. She also navigates some complicated emotions/grief related to the death of her father. This was a good book. Readers of people such as Emily Henry, Emily Giffin, Abby Jimenez, etc would enjoy it. Thanks for the opportunity to read it and review it!

LIKE: *the setting *so much yummy food talk *the main character dealing with her daddy issues made me cry (in a good way) *there was some enjoyable banter between the two main characters

DISLIKE: Everything about the story felt rushed. I wish we could have slowed down and seen more of the blossoming romance. They liked each other because they were both hot and knew how to cook. But... What else?

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️

What a sweet book. So light and easy to read. It’s such a pleasure to be able to follow a story without needing to go back and check/ remind yourself what is going on. Not too many characters to follow. No annoying and unnecessary drama. Just a simple and happy story. If you are a foodie than this is definitely for you. I feel like I gained 10 lbs. just reading about all,of the delicious Italian delicacies. There is a twist (isn’t there always) and I did shed a tear or two at one point. It’s a love story in many different ways. A love story with Italy. A father/daughter love story and a man/woman love story. This book was such a treat in so many ways (no pun intended ;)..

This was sweet and charming. I loved meeting Olive and Leo and seeing Italy through the lens of their life story. Highly recommended.

I read the first 7 chapters of this book and could not finish it. Detailed explanation on why with suggestions on how to improve is listed below.

Things I Liked:

• The story concept about redeeming the relationship between a daughter and her late father.
• The setting is captivating, with vivid descriptions of the culinary delights and the picturesque Italian coastline. The premise itself is intriguing and rich in cultural detail.

Things I Didn’t Like:

• The file download suffers from poor formatting, along with numerous grammar and spelling errors.
• The romantic dynamics lack clarity. The protagonist’s simultaneous attraction and hatred towards the male lead create conflicting emotions, resulting in a lack of tangible chemistry.
• The use of the term “Sicilian Cava” in Chapter 6 is geographically inaccurate, as ‘Cava’ is specific to Spain, not Italy.

Suggestions for Improvement:

• A prologue could significantly enhance the narrative by shedding light on the origins of the characters’ mutual disdain and the backstory of the estranged father-daughter relationship. Simply stating “things were good until they were bad” falls short in creating an emotional connection with Olive and her father. And just by stating Olive hates Leo in the beginning is not enough to believe it.
• The book might best appeal to readers with a culinary background. However, the use of specific culinary terms, such as ‘Semolina Bread’, could be alienating for those less familiar. Describing the texture and taste of such items instead of just naming them would make the content more accessible.
• The reference to ‘White Lotus’ (chapter 6) feels misplaced and does little to enhance the setting’s description. A more immersive approach would be to liken Olive’s experience to Daphne, a character from ‘White Lotus’, illustrating how the breathtaking scenery momentarily makes her oblivious to her troubles.

Overall Review:
The novel offers a promising blend of familial redemption and culinary escapism set against the backdrop of the Italian coast. However, refinements in character development, geographical accuracy, and approachable culinary descriptions could elevate the reader’s experience, making the story resonate more profoundly with a wider audience.


Would love to do a re-read in later iterations of this story if available, the concept appeals to my taste in books (romance, travel, food, wine, etc).