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Just One Taste
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.
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.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2024
116 people are currently reading
13157 people want to read
About the author
Lizzy Dent
5 books604 followersLizzy Dent (miss)spent her early twenties working in Scotland in hospitality, in a hotel not unlike the one in this novel. She somehow ended up in a glamourous job travelling the world creating content for various TV companies, including MTV, Channel 4, Cartoon Network, the BBC and ITV. But she always knew that writing was the thing she wanted to do, if only she could find the confidence. After publishing three young adult novels, she decided to write a novel that reflected the real women she knew, who don't always know where they're going in life, but who always have fun doing it. The Summer Job is that novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 699 reviews
July 16, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance -not ROM COM
Food Critic Olive Stone and her Italian pseudo-celebrity chef father fell out fourteen years ago, after her parents divorced, so nobody is more surprised than she is, when he leaves her his beloved restaurant “Nicky’s” upon his death.
She expected it to be willed to his sous-chef and “surrogate” son, the impossibly good looking Leo Ricci, who would be the obvious heir apparent.
She also didn’t expect that her father’s dying wish would be for Olive and Leo to complete his regional cookbook-TOGETHER, during a four week tour.
Olive would pen the introductions to each of the remaining three regions-which had been Nicky’s contribution in the earlier chapters and Leo would continue to provide three recipes which would best represent the local flavor of each of those regions.
Sicily-Tuscany and Liguria.
The food is bountiful and the is liquor is always flowing as the pair taste their way through an Italy filled with old memories in a quest to choose an ingredient to feature in each of the remaining chapters. (There is a LOT of eating !)
Olive would be free to sell the restaurant once the cookbook was completed but as she confronts the past she begins to question her decision.
Perhaps Nicky’s trattoria (and its hot chef ) could be just the recipe she needs for her own life? Fortunately she has two supportive friends in Kate and Ginny to help her sort things out.
We were only privy to one introductory chapter from the cookbook penned by Nicky, and one penned by Olive.
I would’ve loved to get to know Nicky better perhaps by reading a few more paragraphs introducing a region or two from Nicky and all three of the introductions written by Olive. More focus here could have made this just as much of a love story from father to daughter and daughter to father as it was to Italy.
This aspect of the story was stronger for me than the romance.
I found myself a bit teary eyed by the BITTERSWEET ending.
3.75 ⭐️ rounded ⬆️
A buddy read with DeAnn! Be sure to watch for her amazing review!
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the gifted copy provided by NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Food Critic Olive Stone and her Italian pseudo-celebrity chef father fell out fourteen years ago, after her parents divorced, so nobody is more surprised than she is, when he leaves her his beloved restaurant “Nicky’s” upon his death.
She expected it to be willed to his sous-chef and “surrogate” son, the impossibly good looking Leo Ricci, who would be the obvious heir apparent.
She also didn’t expect that her father’s dying wish would be for Olive and Leo to complete his regional cookbook-TOGETHER, during a four week tour.
Olive would pen the introductions to each of the remaining three regions-which had been Nicky’s contribution in the earlier chapters and Leo would continue to provide three recipes which would best represent the local flavor of each of those regions.
Sicily-Tuscany and Liguria.
The food is bountiful and the is liquor is always flowing as the pair taste their way through an Italy filled with old memories in a quest to choose an ingredient to feature in each of the remaining chapters. (There is a LOT of eating !)
Olive would be free to sell the restaurant once the cookbook was completed but as she confronts the past she begins to question her decision.
Perhaps Nicky’s trattoria (and its hot chef ) could be just the recipe she needs for her own life? Fortunately she has two supportive friends in Kate and Ginny to help her sort things out.
We were only privy to one introductory chapter from the cookbook penned by Nicky, and one penned by Olive.
I would’ve loved to get to know Nicky better perhaps by reading a few more paragraphs introducing a region or two from Nicky and all three of the introductions written by Olive. More focus here could have made this just as much of a love story from father to daughter and daughter to father as it was to Italy.
This aspect of the story was stronger for me than the romance.
I found myself a bit teary eyed by the BITTERSWEET ending.
3.75 ⭐️ rounded ⬆️
A buddy read with DeAnn! Be sure to watch for her amazing review!
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the gifted copy provided by NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
February 8, 2024
70% of the time I read about the two main characters, I was tempted to yank my hair out because they were so damn annoying.
They also lacked chemistry.🤗
𝚂𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚎: 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝙼𝚈 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗. 𝙿𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚘𝚛 𝚗𝚘𝚝.🫂
!!𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 & 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗡 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗣 𝗣𝘂𝘁𝗻𝗮𝗺 & 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝘇𝘇𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗰 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!!
(Please ignore the "I have high hopes" part)
જ⁀➴
My arc got approved!!! YAY!!!
I have high hopes for this let’s go🤞🏼🤞🏼
They also lacked chemistry.🤗
𝚂𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚎: 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝙼𝚈 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗. 𝙿𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚘𝚛 𝚗𝚘𝚝.🫂
!!𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 & 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗡 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗣 𝗣𝘂𝘁𝗻𝗮𝗺 & 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝘇𝘇𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗰 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!!
(Please ignore the "I have high hopes" part)
જ⁀➴
My arc got approved!!! YAY!!!
I have high hopes for this let’s go🤞🏼🤞🏼
June 26, 2024
This is for everyone who dreams about vacations roaming the Italian countryside (but also do not willingly leave their house), want to eat allllllllllllllllllllllllllllll the pasta and cannoli (but are actively trying not to be the next person on My 600 Lb. Life), and fantasize about a slow burn turn hot and heavy romance with a new beau (but have been married nearly 30 years).
Olive’s father always chose “Nicky’s” - the restaurant he owned - over their family. It was the catalyst of her mother finally deciding to divorce him and strained her own relationship with him to the point where they shared only occasional phone calls. When he dies and leaves Nicky’s to her with a final request she finish penning the cookbook he had been working on – which she must do by traveling to the final three destinations of Sicily, Catania and Liguria with Leo, the restaurants sous chef – she has to deal with not only the grieving process, but whether to sell/not sell the restaurant and some unexpected feelings she finds herself catching for Leo.
I loved last year’s trip to Scotland where Birdy had to fake it ‘til she made it as a sommelier in The Summer Job. Being that I’m not a wino, but DEFINITELY an eatie, I loved this trip to Italy even more : ) Lizzy Dent is must read for fictional summertime getaways. Oh, and by the time I was done with this one I was all . . . .
So much so that I made spaghetti and meatballs in 100 degree weather.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Olive’s father always chose “Nicky’s” - the restaurant he owned - over their family. It was the catalyst of her mother finally deciding to divorce him and strained her own relationship with him to the point where they shared only occasional phone calls. When he dies and leaves Nicky’s to her with a final request she finish penning the cookbook he had been working on – which she must do by traveling to the final three destinations of Sicily, Catania and Liguria with Leo, the restaurants sous chef – she has to deal with not only the grieving process, but whether to sell/not sell the restaurant and some unexpected feelings she finds herself catching for Leo.
I loved last year’s trip to Scotland where Birdy had to fake it ‘til she made it as a sommelier in The Summer Job. Being that I’m not a wino, but DEFINITELY an eatie, I loved this trip to Italy even more : ) Lizzy Dent is must read for fictional summertime getaways. Oh, and by the time I was done with this one I was all . . . .
So much so that I made spaghetti and meatballs in 100 degree weather.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2024
In 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘛𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦, food journalist and restaurant critic Olive Stone receives an unexpected inheritance from her estranged father—his Italian restaurant, Nicky’s, and the building it occupies. She has not spoken with him much since her parents’ divorce over a decade ago, but he has given her the business and property on one condition. She must go to Italy with his protege and finish researching and writing his cookbook. Olive intends to sell the place, but complications arise as she and chef Leo work on the project together, get to know each other, and deepen their bond.
This is a great premise and writer Lizzy Dent is skilled in writing about beautiful settings and delicious food. Unfortunately, I couldn’t connect with the characters and failed to become invested in Olive and Leo’s romance. Their attraction was clearly there but I personally didn’t find a lot of chemistry, tension, or heat in their scenes. The book overall was a decent read for me but it is possible that others may have a different and more enjoyable reading experience. Thank you to G. P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great premise and writer Lizzy Dent is skilled in writing about beautiful settings and delicious food. Unfortunately, I couldn’t connect with the characters and failed to become invested in Olive and Leo’s romance. Their attraction was clearly there but I personally didn’t find a lot of chemistry, tension, or heat in their scenes. The book overall was a decent read for me but it is possible that others may have a different and more enjoyable reading experience. Thank you to G. P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2024
3.5 stars.
Lizzy Dent's "Just One Taste" is a fast-paced, quick read that will leave you yearning to travel to Italy. It's not entirely lighthearted, but rather a balance of light and darker topics (involving death, grief, family, purpose, etc). Olive's dad has recently passed away. To her surprise, he left his fledgling restaurant to her as an inheritance. It's a surprise because she and her dad were estranged for several years because he always prioritized the restaurant over his family. Olive wants to sell the place as soon as possible. She is a successful food critic and doesn't want to take on running the business. Leo, the restaurant's sous chef and "son" to Olive's dad, wants Olive to keep it open, but modernize and update the dishes, decor, and vibe, because he thinks it will be a thriving, winning business. And thus, the enemies-to-lovers story is born!!! Olive's dad's dying wish was for his in-progress cookbook to be finished upon his death. Olive and Leo embark upon a journey to finish the cookbook as they learn about life, love, regrets, grief, and food along the way. This is the kind of book you can feel, smell, and taste in your bones. Dent's descriptions are expert! You can truly taste the food, visualize the scenery, feel the joy of eating and the happiness of discovery, browse the lush landscapes as if you were there, feel the fizzing drinks on your lips and tongue. The chemistry between Olive and Leo isn't exactly there at first, but as they spend more time with one another, and come to understand each other, a mutual attraction forms, especially on Olive's end. To me, it felt clear that Leo always liked/loved Olive, but the attraction on her end feels more lusty than long-term. Maybe that's why I didn't feel entirely invested in their pairing. I *liked* them together, but I didn't *love* them together. They have some good banter and feel like they could have been better friends than lovers. I will say that it feels like the prose is pretty repetitive. This book could have easily been shorter. It feels like certain conversations and specific instances happen multiple times. Be aware that the theme of grief is heavy in this book, and surprisingly so at times. I think the end "twist" felt a little out of place, but Dent recovered it well at the end. All in all, this is a good book, though I have enjoyed Dent's other works better.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lizzy Dent, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Lizzy Dent's "Just One Taste" is a fast-paced, quick read that will leave you yearning to travel to Italy. It's not entirely lighthearted, but rather a balance of light and darker topics (involving death, grief, family, purpose, etc). Olive's dad has recently passed away. To her surprise, he left his fledgling restaurant to her as an inheritance. It's a surprise because she and her dad were estranged for several years because he always prioritized the restaurant over his family. Olive wants to sell the place as soon as possible. She is a successful food critic and doesn't want to take on running the business. Leo, the restaurant's sous chef and "son" to Olive's dad, wants Olive to keep it open, but modernize and update the dishes, decor, and vibe, because he thinks it will be a thriving, winning business. And thus, the enemies-to-lovers story is born!!! Olive's dad's dying wish was for his in-progress cookbook to be finished upon his death. Olive and Leo embark upon a journey to finish the cookbook as they learn about life, love, regrets, grief, and food along the way. This is the kind of book you can feel, smell, and taste in your bones. Dent's descriptions are expert! You can truly taste the food, visualize the scenery, feel the joy of eating and the happiness of discovery, browse the lush landscapes as if you were there, feel the fizzing drinks on your lips and tongue. The chemistry between Olive and Leo isn't exactly there at first, but as they spend more time with one another, and come to understand each other, a mutual attraction forms, especially on Olive's end. To me, it felt clear that Leo always liked/loved Olive, but the attraction on her end feels more lusty than long-term. Maybe that's why I didn't feel entirely invested in their pairing. I *liked* them together, but I didn't *love* them together. They have some good banter and feel like they could have been better friends than lovers. I will say that it feels like the prose is pretty repetitive. This book could have easily been shorter. It feels like certain conversations and specific instances happen multiple times. Be aware that the theme of grief is heavy in this book, and surprisingly so at times. I think the end "twist" felt a little out of place, but Dent recovered it well at the end. All in all, this is a good book, though I have enjoyed Dent's other works better.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lizzy Dent, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
June 12, 2024
4.5 stars!
In a few keywords….
-A fun, flirty romance.
-Italy
-Food
-Wine
-Family
Did I mention Italy?
•
Just One Taste is a fun and enjoyable homage to Italian cooking. I was swept up in the story and loved the little details of Olive and Leo’s trip.
In a few keywords….
-A fun, flirty romance.
-Italy
-Food
-Wine
-Family
Did I mention Italy?
•
Just One Taste is a fun and enjoyable homage to Italian cooking. I was swept up in the story and loved the little details of Olive and Leo’s trip.
May 5, 2025
I enjoy cooking and would love to visit Italy. This cute rom-com brought these to life in a fun and entertaining way. Would make a good Hallmark movie.
January 10, 2024
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."
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."
May 20, 2024
This book was definitely cute & the Italian food talk was next level. I was quite literally hungry the entire time I was reading this and now I want to travel the world! No but seriously, Lizzy Dent did such a beautiful job in detailing every single bit of the setting. I could almost taste the pasta and feel the Tuscan sun on my face.
I wanted so badly to love Olive & Leo, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing and I struggled a bit to connect with them. I love a slow burn, but this form me was entirely too slow and the romance that we did get was a little lack luster. I definitely found myself skimming for dialogue quite a bit just waiting for something to happen. I did however really enjoy the friendship between Olive, Ginny, & Kate. The bater between them felt so genuine and their dynamic was very relatable.
With all that said, this book was good but it just didn't blow me away. I would recommend this to someone looking for an easy beach read or something to take on vacation.
Many thanks to Penguin Group Putnam & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange of my honest review. All thoughts are my own!
I wanted so badly to love Olive & Leo, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing and I struggled a bit to connect with them. I love a slow burn, but this form me was entirely too slow and the romance that we did get was a little lack luster. I definitely found myself skimming for dialogue quite a bit just waiting for something to happen. I did however really enjoy the friendship between Olive, Ginny, & Kate. The bater between them felt so genuine and their dynamic was very relatable.
With all that said, this book was good but it just didn't blow me away. I would recommend this to someone looking for an easy beach read or something to take on vacation.
Many thanks to Penguin Group Putnam & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange of my honest review. All thoughts are my own!
January 20, 2024
This book.. I laughed, I cried. I loved it.
This book stars Olive, after her father dies she inherits his restaurant and she must finish his cookbook. To do this she travels to Italy to learn more about each region and gather recipes. Unfortunately she has to travel with Leo, her father’s sous chef, who she does not like. The book features such incredible descriptions of the food. If you love romance novels with a culinary element, similar to The Seven Year Slip, you will LOVE this.
This book had such incredible writing. The descriptions of the place made me feel like I was visiting Italy. I just absolutely am obsessed. My new favorite culinary romance.
🇮🇹A summer in Italy
💞Enemies to Lovers
⭐️Forced Proximity
🛌Only One Bed
Also: do yourself a favor and read this book while listening to the “Italian Summer Romance” playlist on Spotify🎶
TW: death of a father. If you are dealing with early stages of grief of losing a father, maybe steer clear of this book. It has beautiful descriptions of struggling with grief, but maybe triggering for you.
This book stars Olive, after her father dies she inherits his restaurant and she must finish his cookbook. To do this she travels to Italy to learn more about each region and gather recipes. Unfortunately she has to travel with Leo, her father’s sous chef, who she does not like. The book features such incredible descriptions of the food. If you love romance novels with a culinary element, similar to The Seven Year Slip, you will LOVE this.
This book had such incredible writing. The descriptions of the place made me feel like I was visiting Italy. I just absolutely am obsessed. My new favorite culinary romance.
🇮🇹A summer in Italy
💞Enemies to Lovers
⭐️Forced Proximity
🛌Only One Bed
Also: do yourself a favor and read this book while listening to the “Italian Summer Romance” playlist on Spotify🎶
TW: death of a father. If you are dealing with early stages of grief of losing a father, maybe steer clear of this book. It has beautiful descriptions of struggling with grief, but maybe triggering for you.
May 11, 2024
This was not the book for me. I found myself skimming the last bit because I was just ready for it to be over 😞 The main characters lacked chemistry and maturity. The book lacked a plot and it was all very predictable. There was one big “twist” and it was completely resolved within a few pages. It just felt like the majority of the book was only describing food…don’t get me wrong, I see the purpose but it was too much. Like cool, that was great tomato, what next?
I really hate being so negative so I will say that the author did a great job of painting the picture. During some parts of the book, I really did feel like I was sitting in Italy, eating great food and relaxing with a spectacular glass of wine.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really hate being so negative so I will say that the author did a great job of painting the picture. During some parts of the book, I really did feel like I was sitting in Italy, eating great food and relaxing with a spectacular glass of wine.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2024
A feel-good story about the joy of Italian food, grieving over the death of a parent, finding love in unexpected places and traveling around Italy. I absolutely LOVED this latest from Lizzy Dent who is an auto-read author for me. It was also great on audio narrated by Sarah Sampino and perfect for fans of authors like Amanda Elliot. Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
August 16, 2024
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Just One Taste by Lizzy Dent is a delicious escape to Italy for a vivid and atmospheric taste of Italian cuisine and culture with a side dish of romance along the way. I absolutely enjoyed the journey, especially the picturesque Italian settings and the Italian dishes and wine. The book is beautifully written and made me feel very hungry!
Olive Stone is a successful food critic, her parents were divorced long ago and she hasn’t seen her father Nicky since she was seventeen, she’s not had much contact since. Olive is surprised when her father leaves her his Italian restaurant ‘Nickys’, his dying wish is that she goes to Italy with his protege Leo and they complete her father’s half finished cookbook together.
Olive doesn’t want the restaurant, she believes it destroyed her parents marriage and intends to sell but things don’t always go as planned.
Olive and Leo her father’s hot Sous Chef set off on the trip to Italy on their culinary adventure and to complete the final chapters of her father’s regional Italian cookbook. In Italy they meet up with family connections and eat their way through multiple delicious regional dishes which was a delight to read.
There’s an unexpected twist towards the end which I didn’t see coming! A heaps enjoyable and heartwarming read!
Publication Day 03 July 2024
Publisher Harper Collins Australia
Thank you so much Harper Collins Australia for a copy of the book to read.
Just One Taste by Lizzy Dent is a delicious escape to Italy for a vivid and atmospheric taste of Italian cuisine and culture with a side dish of romance along the way. I absolutely enjoyed the journey, especially the picturesque Italian settings and the Italian dishes and wine. The book is beautifully written and made me feel very hungry!
Olive Stone is a successful food critic, her parents were divorced long ago and she hasn’t seen her father Nicky since she was seventeen, she’s not had much contact since. Olive is surprised when her father leaves her his Italian restaurant ‘Nickys’, his dying wish is that she goes to Italy with his protege Leo and they complete her father’s half finished cookbook together.
Olive doesn’t want the restaurant, she believes it destroyed her parents marriage and intends to sell but things don’t always go as planned.
Olive and Leo her father’s hot Sous Chef set off on the trip to Italy on their culinary adventure and to complete the final chapters of her father’s regional Italian cookbook. In Italy they meet up with family connections and eat their way through multiple delicious regional dishes which was a delight to read.
There’s an unexpected twist towards the end which I didn’t see coming! A heaps enjoyable and heartwarming read!
Publication Day 03 July 2024
Publisher Harper Collins Australia
Thank you so much Harper Collins Australia for a copy of the book to read.
January 6, 2025
Is the chemistry in the room with us?
January 24, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. Lizzy did such a wonderful job making you feel like you were traipsing around Italy along with Leo & Olive, tasting incredible dishes and bantering over key ingredients & modernized italian food. The tension between Leo & Olive was chef’s kiss (no pun intended), and their chemistry was palpable. I love that they were able to bond through their equal love and understanding of food and their own relationships with Nicky.
Speaking of, Lizzy did a beautiful job of portraying the grief of losing a parent and the complex relationship of a child of divorce and their parents. I cried right alongside Olive, and felt her heart breaking and mending throughout the book.
Overall, I rate this book an easy 5 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley & Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC!
March 31, 2025
In Just One Taste by Kate Spencer, Olive Stone inherits her estranged father’s failing restaurant—and his dying wish for her to finish his cookbook with Leo Ricci, the man who took her place in his life. Determined to sell while Leo fights to save it, they embark on a four-week culinary journey across Italy. As they clash over recipes and their past, unexpected attraction simmers, forcing Olive to rethink what she truly wants.
As if Italy wasn't already one of the places I want to visit the most. After reading this book I am just trying to figure out a way to get there sooner. I have only read one other book by this author and I enjoyed this one a bit more. The story had some depth (not just a rom com, in fact, less rom com and more just contemporary fiction) which I appreciated and I enjoyed the romance aspect but it was secondary for sure. All the descriptions of Italy and all the food made me feel like I was there. I do wish we would have learned more about Nicky and I was so disappointed there were no recipes at the end of the book. With how much food was talked about there needed to be a few!
As if Italy wasn't already one of the places I want to visit the most. After reading this book I am just trying to figure out a way to get there sooner. I have only read one other book by this author and I enjoyed this one a bit more. The story had some depth (not just a rom com, in fact, less rom com and more just contemporary fiction) which I appreciated and I enjoyed the romance aspect but it was secondary for sure. All the descriptions of Italy and all the food made me feel like I was there. I do wish we would have learned more about Nicky and I was so disappointed there were no recipes at the end of the book. With how much food was talked about there needed to be a few!
January 15, 2024
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!
April 10, 2024
This was such a cozy read!!
I really enjoyed this and loved the dynamic between Olive and Leo. This book made constantly hungry and longing for a trip to Italy. Across the few days that I read this, I had to go out and eat focaccia, arancini and cooked soo much pasta for dinner!
I loved the slow burn romance in this! It was heartwarming, whilst I also felt as though I was experiencing the tension that was building between the FMC and MMC.
We love supportive female friendships! Olive’s relationship with her best friends and seeking their advice was one of my favourite parts of this story. My heart also thanks Lizzy Dent for creating some brilliant twists and a complication I did not see coming, but without a third act break up!
I would have loved a couple of chapters from Leo’s POV, but the epilogue had me shedding a few tears at the end regardless!
I think this would make an amazing movie!! I would love to watch Olive and Leo explore Italy in an on screen rom com 🥰
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for this ARC of Just One Taste.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed this and loved the dynamic between Olive and Leo. This book made constantly hungry and longing for a trip to Italy. Across the few days that I read this, I had to go out and eat focaccia, arancini and cooked soo much pasta for dinner!
I loved the slow burn romance in this! It was heartwarming, whilst I also felt as though I was experiencing the tension that was building between the FMC and MMC.
We love supportive female friendships! Olive’s relationship with her best friends and seeking their advice was one of my favourite parts of this story. My heart also thanks Lizzy Dent for creating some brilliant twists and a complication I did not see coming, but without a third act break up!
I would have loved a couple of chapters from Leo’s POV, but the epilogue had me shedding a few tears at the end regardless!
I think this would make an amazing movie!! I would love to watch Olive and Leo explore Italy in an on screen rom com 🥰
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for this ARC of Just One Taste.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 15, 2024
Another contemporary fiction masquerading as a romance. This isn’t a romance!! It’s a story about a woman making peace with the relationship she had with her now dead absentee father through his restaurant and sous chef.
And like sure that’s fine?? But why is the first tag on this book ROMANCE. Clearly I’m repeatedly duped so I should do my due diligence as a reader and read every review prior to committing but the way these books are marketed seems out of hand to me.
Not only that, the romance could’ve not existed at all for the egregious lack of chemistry they had.
So yeah this was boring for me as I was expecting a romance and don’t particularly care to read about people’s emotional journeys making peace with old relationships but if you’re into that you might like it.
And like sure that’s fine?? But why is the first tag on this book ROMANCE. Clearly I’m repeatedly duped so I should do my due diligence as a reader and read every review prior to committing but the way these books are marketed seems out of hand to me.
Not only that, the romance could’ve not existed at all for the egregious lack of chemistry they had.
So yeah this was boring for me as I was expecting a romance and don’t particularly care to read about people’s emotional journeys making peace with old relationships but if you’re into that you might like it.
March 12, 2024
oh my god oh my god oh my god I have no notes, just that maybe this was longer?? can we have a movie??? Can I have a part two?? Can i spend an entire summer in Italy recreating every single scene in this book? WTF I LOVE LIZZY DENT IM BUYING ALL OF HER BOOKS 😭
March 7, 2025
Just One Taste
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️.5
📚 Romance/Fiction
🎶 Fade Into you - Mazzy Star
One sentence synopsis:
When Olive’s father passes away unexpectedly, he leaves her his Italian restaurant and his almost finished first draft of his cookbook which he requested she finish with his sous chef by spending some time in Italy to finalize the last few recipes.
Book Review:
This was definitely so much more of a story about accepting grief and going through that process then it was a romance, but the romance doesn’t hurt. So just know that if you decide to read this going in the grief, part of the story is so much bigger than the romance. It reminded me a little bit of Under The Tuscan Sun and Eat Pray Love all wrapped into one little nice romance book.
With both of those things being said, I do feel like both parts were done very beautifully. Sometimes I feel like an imposter when I read and review books on grief because I’ve been fortunate enough in my life to not have to deal with very much of that, and so my opinion of my experience is reading a book about grief Don’t feel adequate enough. But I will say that with this book I felt deeply for the main character and what she experienced what she was going through. Life is messy enough in general and when you throw in things that you find out about a loved one after they died that don’t go along with what you originally thought, I can only imagine how hard that can be. But I think that it was done well here, for what my opinion is worth.
As for the romance of it all I really liked both characters and I like them together and I loved the setting (Italy!) and the food made me hungry and no one got on my nerves which is always a good bonus. But I also just didn’t feel the chemistry. I think it was there on the page, I just didn’t feel it. I think that’s more of a “this book didnt work in that aspect for me” situation.
Overall, I found this to be a beautiful book and honestly I’d recommend it to pretty much everybody. It’s just not a huge shining five stars because I didn’t personally connect with it and that’s OK.
Thank you @heymollymagee for recommending such a great book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️.5
📚 Romance/Fiction
🎶 Fade Into you - Mazzy Star
One sentence synopsis:
When Olive’s father passes away unexpectedly, he leaves her his Italian restaurant and his almost finished first draft of his cookbook which he requested she finish with his sous chef by spending some time in Italy to finalize the last few recipes.
Book Review:
This was definitely so much more of a story about accepting grief and going through that process then it was a romance, but the romance doesn’t hurt. So just know that if you decide to read this going in the grief, part of the story is so much bigger than the romance. It reminded me a little bit of Under The Tuscan Sun and Eat Pray Love all wrapped into one little nice romance book.
With both of those things being said, I do feel like both parts were done very beautifully. Sometimes I feel like an imposter when I read and review books on grief because I’ve been fortunate enough in my life to not have to deal with very much of that, and so my opinion of my experience is reading a book about grief Don’t feel adequate enough. But I will say that with this book I felt deeply for the main character and what she experienced what she was going through. Life is messy enough in general and when you throw in things that you find out about a loved one after they died that don’t go along with what you originally thought, I can only imagine how hard that can be. But I think that it was done well here, for what my opinion is worth.
As for the romance of it all I really liked both characters and I like them together and I loved the setting (Italy!) and the food made me hungry and no one got on my nerves which is always a good bonus. But I also just didn’t feel the chemistry. I think it was there on the page, I just didn’t feel it. I think that’s more of a “this book didnt work in that aspect for me” situation.
Overall, I found this to be a beautiful book and honestly I’d recommend it to pretty much everybody. It’s just not a huge shining five stars because I didn’t personally connect with it and that’s OK.
Thank you @heymollymagee for recommending such a great book!
July 19, 2024
Just when I thought I couldn't possibly want to visit Italy anymore than I already do, here comes Lizzy Dent with Just One Taste, which is basically a romantic romp throughout the country.
Olive Stone has been estranged from her father, Nicky, an Italian chef and restaurateur for fourteen years. So no one is more surprised than she is when her father dies and leaves her his London restaurant. He also wants her to finish writing his cookbook about Italian food, with the help of his sous-chef and surrogate son, Leo. This means Olive and Leo will have to travel to Italy together and somehow agree not only on recipes, but also on whether or not Olive should sell the restaurant. She intends to sell, and Leo intends to change her mind. Under the Tuscan sun, just how persuasive can Leo be?
This is going to sound strange, but I think I would have enjoyed Just One Taste more if it was a different genre, not a romance. This book is strongest when it delves into Olive's complicated relationship with her father and how she navigates the grieving process when so much between them was left unresolved. And it reads like a love letter to Italian food, with mouth-watering descriptions of Sicilian, Tuscan, and Ligurian dishes. So much of Olive's feelings about her father are tied up in food -- the things he cooked for her, what it was like to grow up in his restaurant, and the way she ultimately believed that he chose the restaurant over her -- and the way all of that unfolds in the narrative is emotionally resonant and poignant.
Because of this, though, the romance feels secondary and not nearly as interesting. It never felt to me like a slow-burn "enemies to lovers" trope, as Olive and Leo were mostly civil to each other from the beginning. There was no real romantic tension, there was never a question as to "will they or won't they" because it was very clear that they would -- and yet I never really felt like they had much chemistry.
Alas, unlike the Italian food described in this book, the romance was quite bland. There was no unexpected ingredient to spice things up, and that affected my overall reading experience. Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons for the early reading opportunity.
Olive Stone has been estranged from her father, Nicky, an Italian chef and restaurateur for fourteen years. So no one is more surprised than she is when her father dies and leaves her his London restaurant. He also wants her to finish writing his cookbook about Italian food, with the help of his sous-chef and surrogate son, Leo. This means Olive and Leo will have to travel to Italy together and somehow agree not only on recipes, but also on whether or not Olive should sell the restaurant. She intends to sell, and Leo intends to change her mind. Under the Tuscan sun, just how persuasive can Leo be?
This is going to sound strange, but I think I would have enjoyed Just One Taste more if it was a different genre, not a romance. This book is strongest when it delves into Olive's complicated relationship with her father and how she navigates the grieving process when so much between them was left unresolved. And it reads like a love letter to Italian food, with mouth-watering descriptions of Sicilian, Tuscan, and Ligurian dishes. So much of Olive's feelings about her father are tied up in food -- the things he cooked for her, what it was like to grow up in his restaurant, and the way she ultimately believed that he chose the restaurant over her -- and the way all of that unfolds in the narrative is emotionally resonant and poignant.
Because of this, though, the romance feels secondary and not nearly as interesting. It never felt to me like a slow-burn "enemies to lovers" trope, as Olive and Leo were mostly civil to each other from the beginning. There was no real romantic tension, there was never a question as to "will they or won't they" because it was very clear that they would -- and yet I never really felt like they had much chemistry.
Alas, unlike the Italian food described in this book, the romance was quite bland. There was no unexpected ingredient to spice things up, and that affected my overall reading experience. Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons for the early reading opportunity.
May 18, 2024
Olive is determined to sell her father’s restaurant. But leo is determined to convince her not to. They go to Italy together to finish what her dad started. A cookbook. They travel from Sicily to Tuscany to liguria to try new recipes. And during the trip she realizes Leo isn’t who she expected him to be.
I really enjoyed this book, and I definitely recommend it for anyone who likes reading about food, or to be more specific italian food, italy, vacation and also two people trying to figure out their feelings for each other. I really liked the setting! I love reading about two lovers in italy!! And I really liked the characters, though I didn't really connect with them as much as I'd like to. And the book was also pretty short and easy to get through. I was a little bored the last 50-70 pages though…
This book deals a bit with grief, since her father died and it’s hard for her to finish something of his. So be aware of that before you read it.
Thanks to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for sending me this ARC through netgalley.
I really enjoyed this book, and I definitely recommend it for anyone who likes reading about food, or to be more specific italian food, italy, vacation and also two people trying to figure out their feelings for each other. I really liked the setting! I love reading about two lovers in italy!! And I really liked the characters, though I didn't really connect with them as much as I'd like to. And the book was also pretty short and easy to get through. I was a little bored the last 50-70 pages though…
This book deals a bit with grief, since her father died and it’s hard for her to finish something of his. So be aware of that before you read it.
Thanks to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for sending me this ARC through netgalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2025
Just One Taste by Lizzy Dent is a warm, satisfying romance between Leo (a sous chef aka. Hot Chef) and Olive (a stone cold food critic) that left me smiling (and craving carbs).
The romance has a great enemies-to-lovers vibe, but what surprised me was how much I liked the family subplot. The plot twist near the end genuinely caught me off guard, adding depth to an otherwise feel-good read.
Fair warning though: do not read this if you're hungry. Dent’s descriptions of pasta, sauces, and rustic Italian dishes will leave you craving a massive bowl of pasta (and a bunch of sides).
Here’s one of my favorite exchanges between Leo and Olive:
"You know what? Forget it. I'm getting a little tired of trying to win you over."
"You've been trying to win me over?" I say.
"You gotta work on your banter, Leo."
The romance has a great enemies-to-lovers vibe, but what surprised me was how much I liked the family subplot. The plot twist near the end genuinely caught me off guard, adding depth to an otherwise feel-good read.
Fair warning though: do not read this if you're hungry. Dent’s descriptions of pasta, sauces, and rustic Italian dishes will leave you craving a massive bowl of pasta (and a bunch of sides).
Here’s one of my favorite exchanges between Leo and Olive:
"You know what? Forget it. I'm getting a little tired of trying to win you over."
"You've been trying to win me over?" I say.
"You gotta work on your banter, Leo."
June 25, 2024
By the end of the first or second chapter, I knew this book was going in my 'keep' pile. If you're a foodie like me, you will adore this book. This combined so many of my favorite things: food, writing, travelling, exploring and sweet romance. Absolutely phenomenal read that had me in tears by the end. I tried to take my time with this one but I kind of blasted through. It was hard for me to put down because even when not a lot was happening it was still interesting to me.
Thank you to Putnam for this book!
Thank you to Putnam for this book!
June 27, 2024
I fully want to live inside this book. I have never wanted to go to Italy or eat pasta more than while I was reading, which is a true testament to Lizzy’s writing.
There are just so many things about this book that I love: Olive’s strong female friendships, her complicated relationship with her dad (been there), Leo’s genuine kindness and support of Olive, and that there is drama toward the end, but it does not revolve around the couple.
I’m really excited for this to be published and think readers will eat it up!
Thank you Putnam and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There are just so many things about this book that I love: Olive’s strong female friendships, her complicated relationship with her dad (been there), Leo’s genuine kindness and support of Olive, and that there is drama toward the end, but it does not revolve around the couple.
I’m really excited for this to be published and think readers will eat it up!
Thank you Putnam and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2024
This is my first Lizzy Dent book and I LOVED it! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC and for introducing me to a new author that I can’t wait to read more of.
‘Just One Taste’ was a quick, cozy read, and with all the talk of food and traveling it truly made me want to jump on a plane and escape the Sydney winter immediately!
Throughout the fun descriptions of Olive and Leo’s travels, the themes of grief and loss were delicately addressed and it felt so real.
‘Just One Taste’ was a quick, cozy read, and with all the talk of food and traveling it truly made me want to jump on a plane and escape the Sydney winter immediately!
Throughout the fun descriptions of Olive and Leo’s travels, the themes of grief and loss were delicately addressed and it felt so real.
November 28, 2024
This was so cute and sweet and funny 😭 I have very little notes
I wish I had gotten more info about Leo’s big ol shlong but I’ll live
I wish I had gotten more info about Leo’s big ol shlong but I’ll live
September 4, 2025
Just One Taste is a flirty romance filled with food, grief, and finding oneself through the exploration of both in Italy. I loved the story, the writing, and the characters; highly recommend!
June 20, 2024
Just One Taste is a quick fun read. After Olive’s chef father dies she must go to Italy with his sous chef Leo to finish her father’s cookbook. It’s a journey about working through your grief, finding your purpose, and maybe finding love.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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