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New York Blades #6
Just A Taste
While trying to keep his retired hockey star brother out of the kitchen, Anthony Dante has turned his restaurant into a Brooklyn institution. But the stunning Vivi Robitaille is giving him some competition with her new bistro. The table is set for a culinary war-until things start getting spicy.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2008
22 people are currently reading
786 people want to read
About the author
Deirdre Martin
29 books580 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
New York Times Bestselling Author Deirdre Martin was six when she wrote her first "book,”a Peanuts parody. In addition to penning bad, maudlin poetry in junior high school and serving as the Arts Editor on her high school newspaper, she was also the Arts Editor at her college newspaper at the University of New York at Buffalo, where she earned her BA in English in 1985. While writing for the student newspaper there, she sold her first freelance magazine article and won a city wide play writing contest. Her play, Spin Cycle, about two lonely people at a laundromat, was subsequently performed in a theater space in downtown Buffalo.
Ater graduating college, Deirdre worked at a series of trade magazines before landing a job at Soap Opera Digest. While she says it was fun working in a place where she got to watch TV all afternoon, she longed to branch out, and after two years, left to begin freelancing full time. Over the course of her twelve year freelance career, her work appeared in a wide variety of publications, including Seventeen, YM, McCall's, Fitness, New Woman, Bride's, Bridal Guide, Inside Sports, Woman's World, Modern Maturity, Islands, Newsday, and the New York Times. In 1998, her first non fiction book was published: Investing for Retirement (Avon). She also contributed to Lifescripts for Managers, Lifescripts for Employees, and Lifescripts for the Self Employed. (MacMillan, 1999).
A fan of the romance genre and of soap opera ("If Dickens were alive today, he'd be writing for a soap," Deirdre maintains), she decided to try her own hand at writing a romance novel. The result, BODY CHECK, was published in March, 2003, followed by USA Today Bestseller FAIR PLAY in 2004, TOTAL RUSH in 2005, THE PENALTY BOX in 2006, and USA Today Bestseller CHASING STANLEY in 2008.
2008 also saw the publication of JUST A TASTE, which made The New York Times Bestseller List. Deirdre returned to the world of the Blades in 2009 with POWERPLAY. 2009 was also when she launched a new series, The Wild Hart Saga, centering around a large Irish American family who own a pub in Manhattan. The first book in the series, WITH A TWIST, was quickly followed by STRAIGHT UP in 2010, and there are plans for at least two more. But the New York Blades keep calling her back: her next book, ICEBREAKER, will be published in 2011.
A resident of Ithaca, NY, Deirdre enjoys hiking and biking with her husband, Mark Levine, co author of the financial bestsellers, Die Broke and Live Rich. When not busy lavishing affection on her beloved Newfie, Rocky, she also enjoys reading, baking, listening to music, yoga, photography, and hanging out with her friends from acting class. She's had the same best friend since she was ten and adores the color purple.
New York Times Bestselling Author Deirdre Martin was six when she wrote her first "book,”a Peanuts parody. In addition to penning bad, maudlin poetry in junior high school and serving as the Arts Editor on her high school newspaper, she was also the Arts Editor at her college newspaper at the University of New York at Buffalo, where she earned her BA in English in 1985. While writing for the student newspaper there, she sold her first freelance magazine article and won a city wide play writing contest. Her play, Spin Cycle, about two lonely people at a laundromat, was subsequently performed in a theater space in downtown Buffalo.
Ater graduating college, Deirdre worked at a series of trade magazines before landing a job at Soap Opera Digest. While she says it was fun working in a place where she got to watch TV all afternoon, she longed to branch out, and after two years, left to begin freelancing full time. Over the course of her twelve year freelance career, her work appeared in a wide variety of publications, including Seventeen, YM, McCall's, Fitness, New Woman, Bride's, Bridal Guide, Inside Sports, Woman's World, Modern Maturity, Islands, Newsday, and the New York Times. In 1998, her first non fiction book was published: Investing for Retirement (Avon). She also contributed to Lifescripts for Managers, Lifescripts for Employees, and Lifescripts for the Self Employed. (MacMillan, 1999).
A fan of the romance genre and of soap opera ("If Dickens were alive today, he'd be writing for a soap," Deirdre maintains), she decided to try her own hand at writing a romance novel. The result, BODY CHECK, was published in March, 2003, followed by USA Today Bestseller FAIR PLAY in 2004, TOTAL RUSH in 2005, THE PENALTY BOX in 2006, and USA Today Bestseller CHASING STANLEY in 2008.
2008 also saw the publication of JUST A TASTE, which made The New York Times Bestseller List. Deirdre returned to the world of the Blades in 2009 with POWERPLAY. 2009 was also when she launched a new series, The Wild Hart Saga, centering around a large Irish American family who own a pub in Manhattan. The first book in the series, WITH A TWIST, was quickly followed by STRAIGHT UP in 2010, and there are plans for at least two more. But the New York Blades keep calling her back: her next book, ICEBREAKER, will be published in 2011.
A resident of Ithaca, NY, Deirdre enjoys hiking and biking with her husband, Mark Levine, co author of the financial bestsellers, Die Broke and Live Rich. When not busy lavishing affection on her beloved Newfie, Rocky, she also enjoys reading, baking, listening to music, yoga, photography, and hanging out with her friends from acting class. She's had the same best friend since she was ten and adores the color purple.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 3, 2009
Rating: 2.5 / 5
For the most part, the only reason I read this was because it was part of a series that I'd already read most of the books of. I don't mind Deirdre Martin's books, but at the same time, they just don't grab me. They're a bit overly simple and basic and generally nothing really pops. Just A Taste didn't differ in any sense. It was a cutesy love story. I don't mind reading this type of book every so often, but I wouldn't want to read a lot of them.
This book is the seventh in the Blades series about players and associates of the fiction New York Blades hockey team, but I think it could probably be read as a standalone. The story is self-contained. The dynamics of the supporting characters might be a bit confusing, though. But I think it could mostly stand on its own.
Just A Taste features Anthony Dante, brother to past character Michael Dante (who has recently retired from hockey). Anthony runs the family restaurant, Dante's. He's also a widower of one year, his wife Angie being killed in the line of duty.
When Anthony finds out a french woman, Vivi, is planning to open a small bistro across the street from his restaurant, he's quite annoyed. He and Vivi clash right from the first moment. The two are in constant competition over who is a better chef. But despite their constant bickering, they can't help but feel a chemistry between them. It isn't long before they land in bed. Both have demons they are battling, though. Anthony is afraid something will happen to Vivi, a fear brought on by the sudden death of his wife. And Vivi has a host of family issues, plus she can't get past thinking Anthony is still grieving for and in love with his dead wife. They'll have to find a way to get past those issues in order to be together.
Ever since I started reading romance, I've always hated reading stories about chefs/cooks and food. I just find storylines like that so boring. Probably because I hate cooking with a passion. So that aspect of the book - and it was a large chunk of the plot - didn't interest me at all. I ended up skim reading the cooking stuff because I couldn't have cared less about all that food talk. Having read the summary on the back and knowing it was going to be about cooking, I wouldn't have read the book if it weren't part of a series I'd read most of the books of.
Aside from that, I'm not sure I liked the fact that Martin killed off Anthony's wife just so she could write a book for him. I'd always liked Anthony and Angie when they'd popped up in the previous books. Angie seemed like a cool character. I think I'd have much rather had Martin do a flashback book to tell how Anthony and Angie met and fell in love. It didn't help that I didn't really enjoy Anthony and Vivi for the most part. Too much bickering and competition between them. And to me, Vivi came across a bit weak and wishy-washy at times.
Vivi's sister, Natalie, annoyed the heck out of me. I mostly just wished she'd go away. She seemed rather superfluous to the story and she wasn't really likable. Which is why I'm not sure I will read Natalie's story, With a Twist. I may get around to it, but no great loss if I don't.
The best part of the book, for me, was the side story about Michael Dante and how he was struggling with life after hockey. He tried to be Mister Mom and wasn't doing well. And there was thing about how he wanted his son, Little Anthony, to play hockey so bad but the boy didn't like it; he wanted to cook like his Uncle Anthony. That was some good stuff. I was much more interested in reading that than in any other part of the book.
So in the end, this was pretty much a take-it or leave-it book for me. I didn't hate it, but I didn't enjoy it much. It was just kinda bland average. I think Martin fans would probably like it, but for those of you who like your romances to have something a little more (more emotion, more zing, more whatever), I'm not sure you'd enjoy this book or this book or this series.
For the most part, the only reason I read this was because it was part of a series that I'd already read most of the books of. I don't mind Deirdre Martin's books, but at the same time, they just don't grab me. They're a bit overly simple and basic and generally nothing really pops. Just A Taste didn't differ in any sense. It was a cutesy love story. I don't mind reading this type of book every so often, but I wouldn't want to read a lot of them.
This book is the seventh in the Blades series about players and associates of the fiction New York Blades hockey team, but I think it could probably be read as a standalone. The story is self-contained. The dynamics of the supporting characters might be a bit confusing, though. But I think it could mostly stand on its own.
Just A Taste features Anthony Dante, brother to past character Michael Dante (who has recently retired from hockey). Anthony runs the family restaurant, Dante's. He's also a widower of one year, his wife Angie being killed in the line of duty.
When Anthony finds out a french woman, Vivi, is planning to open a small bistro across the street from his restaurant, he's quite annoyed. He and Vivi clash right from the first moment. The two are in constant competition over who is a better chef. But despite their constant bickering, they can't help but feel a chemistry between them. It isn't long before they land in bed. Both have demons they are battling, though. Anthony is afraid something will happen to Vivi, a fear brought on by the sudden death of his wife. And Vivi has a host of family issues, plus she can't get past thinking Anthony is still grieving for and in love with his dead wife. They'll have to find a way to get past those issues in order to be together.
Ever since I started reading romance, I've always hated reading stories about chefs/cooks and food. I just find storylines like that so boring. Probably because I hate cooking with a passion. So that aspect of the book - and it was a large chunk of the plot - didn't interest me at all. I ended up skim reading the cooking stuff because I couldn't have cared less about all that food talk. Having read the summary on the back and knowing it was going to be about cooking, I wouldn't have read the book if it weren't part of a series I'd read most of the books of.
Aside from that, I'm not sure I liked the fact that Martin killed off Anthony's wife just so she could write a book for him. I'd always liked Anthony and Angie when they'd popped up in the previous books. Angie seemed like a cool character. I think I'd have much rather had Martin do a flashback book to tell how Anthony and Angie met and fell in love. It didn't help that I didn't really enjoy Anthony and Vivi for the most part. Too much bickering and competition between them. And to me, Vivi came across a bit weak and wishy-washy at times.
Vivi's sister, Natalie, annoyed the heck out of me. I mostly just wished she'd go away. She seemed rather superfluous to the story and she wasn't really likable. Which is why I'm not sure I will read Natalie's story, With a Twist. I may get around to it, but no great loss if I don't.
The best part of the book, for me, was the side story about Michael Dante and how he was struggling with life after hockey. He tried to be Mister Mom and wasn't doing well. And there was thing about how he wanted his son, Little Anthony, to play hockey so bad but the boy didn't like it; he wanted to cook like his Uncle Anthony. That was some good stuff. I was much more interested in reading that than in any other part of the book.
So in the end, this was pretty much a take-it or leave-it book for me. I didn't hate it, but I didn't enjoy it much. It was just kinda bland average. I think Martin fans would probably like it, but for those of you who like your romances to have something a little more (more emotion, more zing, more whatever), I'm not sure you'd enjoy this book or this book or this series.
June 9, 2019
Nice contemporary romance between two chefs.
February 2, 2012
I loved the flowing style and rythm of narration, the pleasant and amusing plot and characters.
This is the seventh book in a series of which I skipped earlier books because I'm not interested in hockey, and the author takes good points in being able to make the story comprehensible without giving the readers the impression that we're missing something, despite the fact that there are characters clearly majorly involved in the early installments.
Story and characters felt very real, and despite there is not even a vague reference to their age and the physical attributes descriptions are sparse, to follow their story is almost like seeing it in a movie, with the text that easily evokes images in the reader's mind, particularly focusing on body language.
Characterization is very good for all actors: main, supporting and secondary characters look credible and not forced or hurried at all. I especially liked Anthony, I found it perfect the way the author has shown him in relation to mourning Angie and his attempts to overcome it and move on, the hesitancy and insecurity in trying to jump back in the love game, his fear (and a bit of - rightful - resentment!) before surrendering to the charmer that had wounded him; I also found very valuable the author's choice to put a male character in a condition in which we'd usually see the heroine and the courage of showing his sweeter and more affectionate sides, sometimes to the point of almost making him give a feminine vibe, without, however, never crossing that limit and not failing to maintain a male perspective and all the proud muscular masculinity of Anthony, even despite that shadow of fat beginning to show on his mid section! ;)
On the contrary, I wasn't able to fully appreciate Vivi: if you look at her not too closely, and according to their different social and familial status, roles might seem reversed between her and her sister, but I find that it's the blondie chef that's a little too insensitive and accustomed to be spoiled. As well as for Vivi, despite understanding their motives and feelings, I found it difficult to sympathize with all my heart for Michael too, neither I liked the way Theresa sort of washed her hands about her son&husband problems, forcing everything on Ant (what a nickname!), Ant that also revealed himself as a very special uncle.
Particularly interesting is Natalie, and her evolution, I' would really like to read more about her: one could imagine that she'll eventually surrender to the journalist in the end, but it would have been nice to see some more progress, along with a usual working day for the two chefs-rivals, even better if setted some time after. Unfortunately, none of the Dantes and their affiliates seem to appear in later books (which, for this, and for the sport-related scenes glimpsed here that failed to win me, I'm not going to read).
Another little negative note is the fact that the Dantes are a little too generalized in their italianness: no one knows exactly their origins, some linguistic expressions and recipes would make you think of Sicily, some other of Campania, but - as an Italian - I raised my brow a bit at reading Madonn!, with the D! I don't know if the Italo-Americans have effectively this slang, but we say "Maronn!" or better yet "Maronna mia!"
Brilliant dialogue, while the most serious confrontations are intense and moving, very funny and enjoyable are the scenes involving culinary disagreements and point of views: if you're on a diet it may be better to not read this book 'cause it triggers an uncontrollable desire to get up and cook something good and delicious to sink your teeth or your fork into!
[I resisted only a little after 50% before hurrying to bake me a coffe cake! Yum!]
This is the seventh book in a series of which I skipped earlier books because I'm not interested in hockey, and the author takes good points in being able to make the story comprehensible without giving the readers the impression that we're missing something, despite the fact that there are characters clearly majorly involved in the early installments.
Story and characters felt very real, and despite there is not even a vague reference to their age and the physical attributes descriptions are sparse, to follow their story is almost like seeing it in a movie, with the text that easily evokes images in the reader's mind, particularly focusing on body language.
Characterization is very good for all actors: main, supporting and secondary characters look credible and not forced or hurried at all. I especially liked Anthony, I found it perfect the way the author has shown him in relation to mourning Angie and his attempts to overcome it and move on, the hesitancy and insecurity in trying to jump back in the love game, his fear (and a bit of - rightful - resentment!) before surrendering to the charmer that had wounded him; I also found very valuable the author's choice to put a male character in a condition in which we'd usually see the heroine and the courage of showing his sweeter and more affectionate sides, sometimes to the point of almost making him give a feminine vibe, without, however, never crossing that limit and not failing to maintain a male perspective and all the proud muscular masculinity of Anthony, even despite that shadow of fat beginning to show on his mid section! ;)
On the contrary, I wasn't able to fully appreciate Vivi: if you look at her not too closely, and according to their different social and familial status, roles might seem reversed between her and her sister, but I find that it's the blondie chef that's a little too insensitive and accustomed to be spoiled. As well as for Vivi, despite understanding their motives and feelings, I found it difficult to sympathize with all my heart for Michael too, neither I liked the way Theresa sort of washed her hands about her son&husband problems, forcing everything on Ant (what a nickname!), Ant that also revealed himself as a very special uncle.
Particularly interesting is Natalie, and her evolution, I' would really like to read more about her: one could imagine that she'll eventually surrender to the journalist in the end, but it would have been nice to see some more progress, along with a usual working day for the two chefs-rivals, even better if setted some time after. Unfortunately, none of the Dantes and their affiliates seem to appear in later books (which, for this, and for the sport-related scenes glimpsed here that failed to win me, I'm not going to read).
Another little negative note is the fact that the Dantes are a little too generalized in their italianness: no one knows exactly their origins, some linguistic expressions and recipes would make you think of Sicily, some other of Campania, but - as an Italian - I raised my brow a bit at reading Madonn!, with the D! I don't know if the Italo-Americans have effectively this slang, but we say "Maronn!" or better yet "Maronna mia!"
Brilliant dialogue, while the most serious confrontations are intense and moving, very funny and enjoyable are the scenes involving culinary disagreements and point of views: if you're on a diet it may be better to not read this book 'cause it triggers an uncontrollable desire to get up and cook something good and delicious to sink your teeth or your fork into!
[I resisted only a little after 50% before hurrying to bake me a coffe cake! Yum!]
“Our appetizer special tonight is crisp fried zucchini blossoms.”
“Only the male blossoms, correct?” Vivi questioned.
Anthony looked insulted. “Of course.”
Natalie looked at both of them in alarm. “There are male and female zucchini blossoms?
“Please, if there’s anything I can do to make your dining experience more pleasant, let me know,” he concluded with a small bow.
“What he really means is, vote for him,” said Michael. The table laughed.
My hero is my uncle Anthony. He runs a restaurant and is a chef. I want to be a chef when I grow up. He shows me how to cook things and even the right way to frost cupcakes. His wife is dead but he’s nice anyway. When I grow up I want to run the restaurant with him and be a good cook just like he is.
Why couldn’t God have designed human beings so they didn’t need to exercise?
June 7, 2010
What do you get when you cross two very arrogant chefs with issues with restaurants across the street with very competitive personalities? Two people who don't like each other very much. I just never felt the love. I never felt the chemistry. The biggest culprit is Vivi, a poor French girl who manages to mangle every colloquialism ever made. Page 25 it's funny. Page 50 it's amusing. But by page 300 it's gotten pretty darn old.
Light and fluffy with no real meat or marrow. I don't mind light and fluffy if I like the H/H. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case here. Maybe I would have liked it better had I read any of the prior Blades series books. I didn't feel lost, but unfortunately I didn't feel connected to anyone either.
It gets a low three rating and a shrug. I probably won't go looking for any more of this series.
Light and fluffy with no real meat or marrow. I don't mind light and fluffy if I like the H/H. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case here. Maybe I would have liked it better had I read any of the prior Blades series books. I didn't feel lost, but unfortunately I didn't feel connected to anyone either.
It gets a low three rating and a shrug. I probably won't go looking for any more of this series.
May 5, 2014
Loved it!!!
July 15, 2020
Antony Dante, brother of former Blades hockey player, Mikey Dante, is head chef of his own restaurant. He's not thrilled that Vivi Robitaille, originally from France, is about to set up a bistro across the street and give him a little competition. Although they argue about who is the better chef, and can't keep from criticizing each other, they also can't help the spark of attraction that ignites between them. Despite their rivalry, a romance develops. But Antony has a few issues to overcome before he's ready...he has to make sure he's well and truly ready to move on after his wife died over a year earlier. But once he is, it's Vivi who realizes SHE isn't ready, as she is dealing with her sister's addiction and the stress of opening a new restaurant. Antony is heart-broken, of course, and Vivi worries that he won't want her once she really is ready.
This is maybe the second or third story that I've read featuring chefs as main characters and I have to wonder if they're all arrogant. Antony and Vivi are good people, but are really divas in the kitchen - boastful, full of themselves and fearful of being out done. No modesty about their cooking talents. I suppose that must be normal. It didn't make me like them as characters all that much...and I kinda found their constant disagreements, nit-picks and competitiveness to be pretty childish. Once they were out of the kitchen, Antony and Vivi were wonderful together. Well...until Vivi backs out of the relationship and leaves Antony, who took a huge emotional risk in opening himself up to that relationship in the first place, hanging in the wind. Absolutely delightful angst going on there. I wanted to hate Vivi for it...for breaking Antony's heart. But, I couldn't really because the excuse she was giving was a valid one. I do wish she'd felt a bit more remorse and regret at hurting Antony....that she'd wallowed in guilt. And I wish that he'd made her suffer just a bit longer when she finally came back to him (and thank goodness it was her that came crawling to him...but she needed much more grovel).
This was a good story overall. Well-written and nicely paced with a lot of push and pull between the H/h (no OW/OM and Antony's dead wife never really presents an actual obstacle, only an incorrectly perceived one). I really enjoyed the secondary character plotlines - especially Little Ant and his father Mike. I do wonder though...what happened to Lorraine (and her storyline was kinda sad and depressing, but I appreciate that Antony was at least kind to her for the most part).
This is maybe the second or third story that I've read featuring chefs as main characters and I have to wonder if they're all arrogant. Antony and Vivi are good people, but are really divas in the kitchen - boastful, full of themselves and fearful of being out done. No modesty about their cooking talents. I suppose that must be normal. It didn't make me like them as characters all that much...and I kinda found their constant disagreements, nit-picks and competitiveness to be pretty childish. Once they were out of the kitchen, Antony and Vivi were wonderful together. Well...until Vivi backs out of the relationship and leaves Antony, who took a huge emotional risk in opening himself up to that relationship in the first place, hanging in the wind. Absolutely delightful angst going on there. I wanted to hate Vivi for it...for breaking Antony's heart. But, I couldn't really because the excuse she was giving was a valid one. I do wish she'd felt a bit more remorse and regret at hurting Antony....that she'd wallowed in guilt. And I wish that he'd made her suffer just a bit longer when she finally came back to him (and thank goodness it was her that came crawling to him...but she needed much more grovel).
This was a good story overall. Well-written and nicely paced with a lot of push and pull between the H/h (no OW/OM and Antony's dead wife never really presents an actual obstacle, only an incorrectly perceived one). I really enjoyed the secondary character plotlines - especially Little Ant and his father Mike. I do wonder though...what happened to Lorraine (and her storyline was kinda sad and depressing, but I appreciate that Antony was at least kind to her for the most part).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2021
This was a cute romance. You have two chefs, one from France, that just moved to Brooklyn in New York to open a bistro, named Vivi. Then you have chef number two, Anthony who happens to have a Italian restaurant that has been in his family, for years. The two meet, and sparks fly, would say it was live at first sight but it took the two chefs the whole book to figure that out.
The book was highly entertaining, and I definitely enjoyed it.
The book was highly entertaining, and I definitely enjoyed it.
June 7, 2025
Such a fun book, she’s a chef and he’s a chef she’s French and he’s Italian. It’s a clash of the cultures told out in food and personalities. I love their witty banter, their cooking challenges and their family life. I love that cooking and recipes and food engulfed throughout the whole story!
November 22, 2017
Si algo me gusta de esta serie es que es fresca y ligera. Fácil de leer.
August 9, 2024
It was pretty good feels like it could be better there was a lot of repetition and sometimes felt to fast paced then too slow but overall it’s a great story with great characters and I love the addition of the recipes at the end of the book
August 13, 2013
I did not like this. But I didn't dislike it enough to give it 1 star.
Anthony has always been a character I didn't quite like. Maybe if I met him in real life, I'd like him. But in this series, what I've seen of him he has always just been a grouch.
Vivi was just as annoying.
Natalie, the sister. I hated the bitch, and even the end where she got her comeuppance, I didn't really feel for her at all. She was a bitch who made her own bed.
I really hope that the hinting at romance between Natalie and shoot I cannot remember the reporter's name. Brian O'Quinn? Or something like that... doesn't actually get a book. I liked him, but I don't think I could deal with an entire book of Natalie.
The constant foreplay/fighting between Anthony and Vivi was just annoying. I didn't like it at all, and I'm a girl who loves to fight.
Michael Dante was being a stubborn idiot when it came to his subplot. But then he's an ex hockey player who is struggling with his new non hockey life style. Poor Little Anthony.
Speaking of Little Anthony, he asked poignant questions to Uncle Anthony about if he believed in Ghosts or not. But then nothing happened with that plot. Given that Gemma sees auras and is a witch, I expected something to happen more with this. Perhaps in a later book, but I doubt it. Guess it'll just be one of those random things that never gets dealt with.
Anthony has always been a character I didn't quite like. Maybe if I met him in real life, I'd like him. But in this series, what I've seen of him he has always just been a grouch.
Vivi was just as annoying.
Natalie, the sister. I hated the bitch, and even the end where she got her comeuppance, I didn't really feel for her at all. She was a bitch who made her own bed.
I really hope that the hinting at romance between Natalie and shoot I cannot remember the reporter's name. Brian O'Quinn? Or something like that... doesn't actually get a book. I liked him, but I don't think I could deal with an entire book of Natalie.
The constant foreplay/fighting between Anthony and Vivi was just annoying. I didn't like it at all, and I'm a girl who loves to fight.
Michael Dante was being a stubborn idiot when it came to his subplot. But then he's an ex hockey player who is struggling with his new non hockey life style. Poor Little Anthony.
Speaking of Little Anthony, he asked poignant questions to Uncle Anthony about if he believed in Ghosts or not. But then nothing happened with that plot. Given that Gemma sees auras and is a witch, I expected something to happen more with this. Perhaps in a later book, but I doubt it. Guess it'll just be one of those random things that never gets dealt with.
November 6, 2012
Vivi is trying to open her own cafe in a new city; she doesn’t plan on meeting surly chef Dante. Dante is a widow, who works at his families’ restaurant, he is not happy with Vivi opening a cafe across from his restaurant. While they are attracted to each other Dante is not interested in getting involved with another woman. He has enough troubles trying to keep his retired brother from changing everything he has worked to build. While they have great chemistry, Vivi's financial problems and Dantes' unwillingness to get emotional involved they have more problems than they can handle. Vivi is a wonderful chef and a self assertive woman, but she has serious blind spots when it comes to her sister. Dante is rude, temperamental and he has no people skills. The story is cute, but I didn’t like Dante and I really did not like how utterly clueless Vivi turned out to be. The story line was good, the struggles and heartache the characters have dealt give the story depth. I just really hated the main characters, if they were more likable I would have loved the book. However, I found myself getting mad at them more often then not, that aspect of it overshadowed everything else which made this book just ok.
January 3, 2008
This book is all right. It's not Martin's best, but it's not her worst either. A few comments:
The character development is okay, not great.
The storyline isn't terrible but I honestly wish the book was about Anthony meeting and falling in love with Angie (his dead wife who was a cop), not about him falling for Vivi, the new chef in town. I never really felt much chemistry between Anthony and Vivi.
Vivi's relationship with her half-sister Natalie seemed superfluous and one-dimensional. I know we're not supposed to like Natalie, but I reallydisliked her.
The main reason why I liked the book as much as I did is because it brought back my favorite characters, Michael Dante and Theresa Falconetti Dante, from Fair Play. Their family is so cute and I loved reading about them and their kids, even though they were just background characters for the most part. I would love to read more about them!
Overall... I would give it 2.5 stars, if possible. It's somewhere between "okay" and "likable" but it could've been a lot better.
The character development is okay, not great.
The storyline isn't terrible but I honestly wish the book was about Anthony meeting and falling in love with Angie (his dead wife who was a cop), not about him falling for Vivi, the new chef in town. I never really felt much chemistry between Anthony and Vivi.
Vivi's relationship with her half-sister Natalie seemed superfluous and one-dimensional. I know we're not supposed to like Natalie, but I reallydisliked her.
The main reason why I liked the book as much as I did is because it brought back my favorite characters, Michael Dante and Theresa Falconetti Dante, from Fair Play. Their family is so cute and I loved reading about them and their kids, even though they were just background characters for the most part. I would love to read more about them!
Overall... I would give it 2.5 stars, if possible. It's somewhere between "okay" and "likable" but it could've been a lot better.
March 10, 2008
I just love these kind of romances. There's a man and a woman, and you just know that they'll end up together by the last chapter. But the fun is in how they get there!
The is one of a series of books featuring the New York Blades hockey team, though, Anthony is the brother of a (retired) hockey player and the chef of his family's restuarant. A nice homey Italian place in a nice, comfortable neighborgood. Then, fresh off the plane from Paris, Vivi shows up with intent to open a cozy, French bistro across the street. Needless, to say Anthony isn't happy especially when the (sexual) tension begins to mount.
A good, light read; but with a little depth, whic is always nice! Anthony is a widower and is still dealing with the death of his police officer wife. And his brother, Michael, is trying to adjust to not being a hockey player anymore and trying to make the job of "house-dad" work for him.
The is one of a series of books featuring the New York Blades hockey team, though, Anthony is the brother of a (retired) hockey player and the chef of his family's restuarant. A nice homey Italian place in a nice, comfortable neighborgood. Then, fresh off the plane from Paris, Vivi shows up with intent to open a cozy, French bistro across the street. Needless, to say Anthony isn't happy especially when the (sexual) tension begins to mount.
A good, light read; but with a little depth, whic is always nice! Anthony is a widower and is still dealing with the death of his police officer wife. And his brother, Michael, is trying to adjust to not being a hockey player anymore and trying to make the job of "house-dad" work for him.
April 29, 2011
Review by Jen:
Anthony has buried himself in his work as head chef at the family restaurant since the death of his wife. But when Vivi decides to open a bistro across the street, he begins to feel alive again. There is something about the stunning French woman that makes his Italian blood boil.
I first picked up a Deirdre Martin book because her hero was a hockey player and that seemed intriguing for me. And I was hooked. In fact, that book was the story of Michael and Theresa… and Michael is Anthony’s (the hero of Just a Taste) brother. After having read this series of books, I was happy to finally get Anthony’s story. His restaurant had been in many scenes and I’d been wondering when we’d get to know him better. And Ms. Martin didn’t disappoint in this story. She gave him a mate who matched his intensity, understood him, and loved him. This was another exceptional book, filled with both laugh out loud humor and heart wrenching emotion.
Anthony has buried himself in his work as head chef at the family restaurant since the death of his wife. But when Vivi decides to open a bistro across the street, he begins to feel alive again. There is something about the stunning French woman that makes his Italian blood boil.
I first picked up a Deirdre Martin book because her hero was a hockey player and that seemed intriguing for me. And I was hooked. In fact, that book was the story of Michael and Theresa… and Michael is Anthony’s (the hero of Just a Taste) brother. After having read this series of books, I was happy to finally get Anthony’s story. His restaurant had been in many scenes and I’d been wondering when we’d get to know him better. And Ms. Martin didn’t disappoint in this story. She gave him a mate who matched his intensity, understood him, and loved him. This was another exceptional book, filled with both laugh out loud humor and heart wrenching emotion.
February 12, 2008
Anthony Dante, Italian restaurant chef is committed to his work since the death of his police officer wife one year ago. Enter Vivi - a French chef opening her own bistro next door. These two are like oil and water, but soon they write their own recipe for love--not without some obstacles along the way, of course!
Another of Martin's romance novels her New York Blades hockey team series (Anthony's brother Michael (Fair Play) has just retired), this one has very little hockey but a lot of food! It was a fun read, although Chasing Stanley is still my favorite of the series. However, I liked the restaurant atmosphere, the humorous errors French speaking Vivi makes trying to use American Slang, and the real issues that, I can only imagine, effect widowers trying to move on after the death of a spouse.
Another of Martin's romance novels her New York Blades hockey team series (Anthony's brother Michael (Fair Play) has just retired), this one has very little hockey but a lot of food! It was a fun read, although Chasing Stanley is still my favorite of the series. However, I liked the restaurant atmosphere, the humorous errors French speaking Vivi makes trying to use American Slang, and the real issues that, I can only imagine, effect widowers trying to move on after the death of a spouse.
February 9, 2012
This book is a perfect example of why I love a series. Since book 1, we've seen Anthony as a background character, so we know just a little bit about him. Now in this book, we get to really be a part of his story.
Because he's Michael's brother and they are so close, we get to see Michael, Theresa and their kids brought to the front again. Michael has now retired from hockey and Theresa has gone back to work full-time at the PR firm she owns with Janna so Michael is now a househusband, which is hilarious! I love seeing him as a father and dealing with missing hockey so much. That was a great addition to Anthony's book.
Vivi is a nice character and she and Anthony definitely have chemistry. So, while the "happily ever after" is a bit predictable that's why we read these books and I would have been disappointed with any other ending.
Another good book in a very good series.
Because he's Michael's brother and they are so close, we get to see Michael, Theresa and their kids brought to the front again. Michael has now retired from hockey and Theresa has gone back to work full-time at the PR firm she owns with Janna so Michael is now a househusband, which is hilarious! I love seeing him as a father and dealing with missing hockey so much. That was a great addition to Anthony's book.
Vivi is a nice character and she and Anthony definitely have chemistry. So, while the "happily ever after" is a bit predictable that's why we read these books and I would have been disappointed with any other ending.
Another good book in a very good series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2009
I was shocked that Deirdre Martin wrote this. It's just average. Maybe it's because she got away from the sports in this book to introduce romance to Michael Dante's chef brother, Anthony. I don't know, but it didn't have the spark that her books normally have. It was a good book but didn't have that wow factor. I found Vivi to be wishy washy and not easy to read. However Anthony retains his normal self from the other books in the series. This can be a stand alone book because it doesn't really delve into the other characters other than Michael and Theresa. However it always helps to read them so you know what's going on. Obviously, I found them to be more enjoyable. This is a good quick and easy read for the beach.
August 8, 2016
Didn't realize this was part of a series...wonder if each book is about a different member of the team. Odd that in this one, the hockey player wasn't the main character. More romance than I expected...probably my fault for not reading reviews beforehand, but I thought it would be more food than romance.
Anthony Dante's wife died in the line of duty a little over a year ago, and he still grieves (understandable!). His family restaurant is his life now, and he has brought it a long way. Vivi Robitaille just moved to town to open a /bistro across the street. Will she be competition for his home-style Italian food? No, she'll be cooking french cuisine. Their tete-a-tetes over the minutia of food are fun. I just couldn't get into the romance.
Anthony Dante's wife died in the line of duty a little over a year ago, and he still grieves (understandable!). His family restaurant is his life now, and he has brought it a long way. Vivi Robitaille just moved to town to open a /bistro across the street. Will she be competition for his home-style Italian food? No, she'll be cooking french cuisine. Their tete-a-tetes over the minutia of food are fun. I just couldn't get into the romance.
March 5, 2008
This book was written by a local author and loaned to me by my Mother. She wanted to encourage me to get back to my own writing. The book feels a little jerky at first, the first few chapters just don't flow very well and the characters seems to take actions that don't always make sense. The main characters each feel they are the superior chef and appear to really not like each other, yet they spend an awful lot of unnecessary time together. I know that kind of formula is common in romance novels, but it wasn't "convincing" here. It was an okay fluffy read, but not humorous enough to be fun.
November 24, 2008
I discovered this author on another vacation and was drawn to the romances because the first one featured a hockey player and a public relations exec. Two of my favorite careers. In a romance. What a fun read. Anyway, the author has produced a few more of these and the stories center around either a New York Blades hockey player or a member of the Dante family. So the other thing I like about these is that the characters from other stories usually make appearances so you can kinda keep up on how they’re doing. Love that.
This story didn’t disappoint - a quick, easy to read, fun, love story.
This story didn’t disappoint - a quick, easy to read, fun, love story.
January 7, 2010
In many ways I felt the surrounding story/stories in this book to be some of the strongest Ms. Martin has included in her series. I enjoyed learning more about Michael Dante and also about chefs and cooking. I even like the main characters and most of the romance plot line. However, while I won't give away plot points, I couldn't understand Vivi's reaction to Anthony the last third of the book. I guess Ms. Martin finally explains it, but I would have liked a little more...something. I ended up unsatisfied somehow. And man, I couldn't stand Vivi's sister Natalie. I am not the least interested in the follow-up book about her.
July 15, 2010
I picked this us as a whim at the library, I've not ever read this author before. I really didn't care for the book overall. The sparring between the H/H did not come across as light and funny or sexual chemistry to me, it just came off as nit picky and trying to one up each other. It really didn't sit well with me when Vivi made some derogatory references about Anthony's dead wife either. Natalie was an overall witch and there was lead in for her to have her own starring appearance in a future book, but don't think I'd read it just from not liking her in this one. Doubtful if I'll read others from the series.
June 30, 2012
It wasn't bad, really. Some parts were entertaining. But the characters were all so annoying. Even the kids. And it made me have like zero sympathy for any of them. And as far as romance .... wasn't there. It was one of those stories that dragged things on too long and threw too much at the couple to overcome. By the end, I was ready for Vivi to go back to France and for Anthony to let Insane Lorraine have her wicked way with him. And Michael. Did I hate him this much in his book? His kids are going to need therapy having him for a father. I think this is the end of the road for me and the Blades. I see no reason to continue on with this series.
July 7, 2014
This has been my absolute least favourite book of this series. I like Anthony and Little Ant but that wasn't enough to keep me from disliking it and the other characters.
February 11, 2009
I liked the book but in some ways I just wanted a bit more. This is the first book I've read from this author so perhaps if I rad more I'll appricaite it as a whole collection. I still couldn't get pass the fact that two french sisters would speak in english to each other when no one else was around. I also had a hard time imagining them to be french due to that fact that their words were not written with an accient. I know that is strange but for me its the little things that make a big difference when reading a story. I will give some of her other books a try.
September 7, 2010
Eigentlich hätte ich dem Buch 4 Sterne gegeben wollen, wenn mich Vivi nicht ab und an aufgeregt hätte. Wieso ist sie eingeschnappt, wenn Anthony Probleme damit hat, in dem Bett, das er mit seiner toten Frau geteilt hatte, mit Vivi zu schlafen?
Außerdem war es daneben, dass sie ihrer Schwester Natalie an den Kopf wirst, ihr Vater hätte sie, Vivi, mehr geliebt als Natalie. So etwas sagt man nicht einmal im Streit.
Außerdem war es daneben, dass sie ihrer Schwester Natalie an den Kopf wirst, ihr Vater hätte sie, Vivi, mehr geliebt als Natalie. So etwas sagt man nicht einmal im Streit.
September 27, 2011
I'm am so glad to finally read Anthony's story. From the first book he was in I enjoyed his character. Vivi was the perfect partner for Anthony. I have to say I enjoyed this book a lot and don't have a lot of complaints about it. One big thing that bugged me, something that I'm sure others would laugh at me about, is how they nick named Anthony, Ant. Every time they called him that I suffered. Other then that its a quick enjoyable read.
November 13, 2011
I've been on a foodie/chef kick in reading romance novels. THere is just something inherently sexy about a man that likes to cook and is good at it. He feeds all of your senses, literally.
I also like stories that the male hero is wounded. Whether it be emotionally or physically (which usually leads to emotional wounds). I didn't really get the full impact of the effect of Anthony's wife's death until towards the end of the book, but when it hit, it was a heart wrencher.
I also like stories that the male hero is wounded. Whether it be emotionally or physically (which usually leads to emotional wounds). I didn't really get the full impact of the effect of Anthony's wife's death until towards the end of the book, but when it hit, it was a heart wrencher.
November 15, 2013
Dante’s Restaurant is a Brooklyn neighborhood institution. Owner Anthony Dante is still mourning his wife, when he meets Vivi Robitaille, a young Frenchwoman who is planning to open a bistro right across the street. Sparks fly between the two chefs, as they compete to see who is the better cook. And of course, it’s not only the food that attracts them to each other. Romance, food, and humor combine for a light, fluffy story
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