I really like this author a lot and was so excited to get an early copy of this book. The premise looked brilliant, I mean it has food and Italy, what’s not to love.?

Sadly I was very underwhelmed with the book though, it kind of just never took off for me which is a real shame.

I ended up DNF it as just wasn’t going anywhere for me.

I won’t be sharing this review

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Lizzy Dent's "Just One Taste".

I was first drawn in by the cover art and the blurb provided by the publisher. Unfortunately, I was unable to really connect with the characters or the story. It felt like it lacked emotion, especially in the opening chapters and it lacked the romantic chemistry that I typically enjoy.

Overall, it was well composed and based on the amount of glittering reviews, would easily be enjoyed by most.

I was super excited to read Just One Taste, as I had loved Dent's previous book The Sweetest Revenge. I think she is an excellent romance writer and writes captivating and original stories!

However, I thought Just One Taste was a very mediocre read. The romance was good but I didn't really like the rest of the story... and the plot 'twist' at the end was forced and (in my opinion), not handled very well. But I loved the Italy romance and I thought Leo (MMC) was a GREAT character.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Lizzy Dent's "Just One Taste".

I was first drawn in by the cover art and the blurb provided by the publisher. Unfortunately, I was unable to really connect with the characters or the story. It felt like it lacked emotion, especially in the opening chapters and it lacked the romantic chemistry that I typically enjoy.

Overall, it was well composed and based on the amount of glittering reviews, would easily be enjoyed by most.

This is a story of a food critic Olive and her journey through Italy and deciding what to do with her life after her father passes on. Olive starts out angry as many people do when faced with loss. She manages to get it together to finish the cookbook her dad started writing. She heads to Italy to complete it with her dads sous chef Leo and they quickly find their way to each other.

Truthfully the formatting was so bad I could barely get through this. Maybe will finish when it’s released.

4.5/5 Stars 🌟

Thank you to Net Galley & Penguin for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Wowwwww! I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting and the only thing that would have made it better was enjoying it in Italy. This book gets published the day before I leave for Italy and I think I may have to read it in it's setting.

Olive and Leo start off on the wrong foot, but that quickly becomes sizzling tension and passion. You get to see grief from multiple lenses, and you get to see how the people you once looked up to as a child aren't exactly what you imagined them to be in your head.

This book made me so nostalgic for Italy and the tenion between the characters was very god. I suggest this book for summer book clubs, where you all make dishes inspired by the book. Lizzy Dent is excellent and gives me strong Emily Henry vibes.

Oh, and the plot twist made me stare at the wall for a good five minutes before I picked it up to get to the bottom of what happened.
I love this book and will be picking up more from Lizzy Dent!!!

Delving into Lizzy Dent's "Just One Taste" was a delightful experience, courtesy of Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley. As an avid fan of foodie novels, this one certainly hit the mark.

Olive Stone, a formidable food critic, inherits her estranged father's restaurant and the task of completing his cookbook alongside the charming Sous chef, Leo. Initially set on selling the establishment, Olive's plans take an unexpected turn when she embarks on a culinary adventure in Italy. The narrative skillfully weaves a tale of self-discovery, familial bonds, and the delightful complexities of love.

Dent's vivid descriptions and culinary passion had me practically tasting the dishes on the pages. My only wish was that the author had included actual recipes, as the mouth-watering scenes left me craving more than just words.

Beyond the gastronomic journey, "Just One Taste" delves into Olive's emotional landscape, grappling with the grief of losing her father and the psychological aftermath of their estrangement. The character's growth is artfully explored, making her journey relatable and poignant.

The dynamic between Olive and Leo is a delightful highlight, avoiding the clichéd third-act breakup trope. Leo's unwavering support and their shared love of food create a relationship that's both heartwarming and enviable. Their banter, attraction, and mutual respect elevate the story, adding layers of depth to the narrative.

In conclusion, Lizzy Dent's "Just One Taste" is a savory blend of culinary delights, emotional depth, and heartwarming romance. A must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted story that leaves you both satisfied and hungry for more.

Oh my GOSH I love Lizzy Dent. I have read everything she's released so far and will until the end of time. I love Leo. I love Olive. I love Italy. Lizzy, as always, describes locations and flavors in a way that truly immerses you in the story. I personally have difficult parental relationships, so I was worried this one may be difficult. But even with a big twist at the end, you're just left feeling hopeful. And swooning, duh. I can't wait to see what Lizzy has next!

did not finish. just couldn’t get into this title. very slow to start and couldn’t commit to finishing at this time

Olive and Leo's story pulled me out of a slump. Olive grew up with her parents running an Italian restaurant. When divorce and bitterness draw a wedge between Olive's mother and father, there isn't much to bring her back until her father passes away. After her father's passing not only is she suddenly thrown into having to make a decision about the family business, but she has finish her father's cookbook with Leo, her father's sous chef and what she feels is her replacement. To finish the cookbook Olive and Leo must take a trip through Italy where her father found his love for cooking. But along the way she finds that her father's love for cooking isn't the only thing to be found along the way.
Edit Review

Lizzy Dent’s latest is an absolute delight and everything you didn’t know you needed in a good summer read. It’s part love story and part culinary adventure as Olive and Leo travel through Italy to finish writing Olive’s late father’s cookbook. Packed with sexual tension and witty banter, Just One Taste also delivers the kind of emotional complexity we expect from writers like Emily Henry, Sophie Cousens and Beth O’Leary.

Olive’s relationship with her father and the restaurant he left to her is complicated, and her internal conflict over his final wishes plays out against the gorgeous backdrop of Italian food and culture. (And a super hot chef who’s clearly attracted to her.)

This would make such a good summer book club pick! Pasta. Wine. Romance. Sounds like summer reading at its finest to me!

I really enjoyed this book, especially because it involved Italy, cooking, and food - some of my favorite things! The slow burn romance between Olive and Leo was written well. More importantly, though, the author navigated and wrote about Olive's grief in a realistic and relatable way. It was messy, which I appreciated. Finally, the descriptions of the food was *chefs kiss.

Truly a love letter to Italy and the regional differences that make it beautiful. Olive inherits her dad’s restaurant and the job of finishing his cookbook. The catch, she’ll be traveling through Italy for a month with Leo, the sous chef at her dad’s restaurant. Beautifully done, kept me interested the whole way through.

I really like the premise of Just One Taste because who doesn’t like a book based mostly on Italy and is about finishing an Italian cookbook?? The food descriptions through out the book were so detailed and sometimes I could really picture what they were eating/making. There is the theme of grief due to parent death (off page) and I think it did go through a lot of the stages of grief throughout the story and handled it well.

As for the main characters, their relationship was a real slow burn, but then it went on so fast. A little too fast in my opinion, almost rushed at the end. I don’t mind a slow burn, in fact I love them, but the aftermath of the slow burn has to be worth it.

I generally liked the story and you might too if you’re looking for a quick vacation read!

Wow! This made me immediately want to hop on a plane to Italy and find my own "hot chef." The chemistry between Olive and Leo was off the charts. This is the second Lizzy Dent book that I've read and enjoyed it even more than the first. She tackled the hard topic of grief really well. Highly recommend.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'll start by saying that: this book is not necessarily bad and my rating was based solely on my experience while reading it.

The author did not violate any human rights, that's a positive point, however the beginning is very simple and lacked emotion, which left the story dull, the couple had no chemistry, the narrative construction does not create expectations, the romance is weak, the characters are forgettable and so is the ending, and that made the book bad to me.

Of course, this was my perception of the book, I saw many positive reviews and that is precisely why I advise you not to get so carried away by the reviews. Most of the time, what doesn't work for me will work for someone else and vice-versa.

Holy smokes. Loved this. Adorable. Leo. *chef’s kiss* pun intended.

I need all of the pasta now please and thank you so much.

Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this!
I loved EVERYTHING about this. Blame the Bear: I'm obsessed with anything food and chefs. This story, of a chef and a food critic going to Italy to finish her late father's cookbook, is absolute perfection. Its sweet and really packed for such a simple concept.
This has a great slow burn relationship between the male and female leads. A greek chorus of best friends that are so realistic. Beautiful Italian scenery. Incredible food descriptions. I want to pack my bags today and go to Italy and eat the 'highlighted' ingredients. I also loved how it dealt with familial issues, death, trauma, grief, and finding one's space in their career. I also really loved that the third act drama had nothing to do with the simmering relationship between Olive and Leo: that it was JUST about Olive.
This surprised me so much and I just adored it.

3.75/5 ⭐️ - Rounded to 4
This book was not the run of the mill romance book. Instead of the same structure and linear pathway that most romance heavy books are leaning towards these days, this book provides a new, refreshing look on a fluffy romance. The romance felt as if it were happening in the background of this incredible story of a woman trying to learn herself, and her recently deceased father, while still holding a strong plot line. Learning about the food and culture throughout Italy was intriguing and really provided a great background to the book. The characters were all authentic and fun to watch their growth.

*I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.