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lololovesthings's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Death of parent
ksbielenberg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
thisismarianna's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
kcopenhaver's review
4.0
Okay, this was the cutest slow burn culinary romance! The way Lizzy described Italy and the food really enhanced the journey and the chemistry and romance between Olive and Leo was believable and absolutely there.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this eARC!
🇮🇹 summer in italy
👨🍳 workplace
💗 enemies to lovers
🔥 slow burn
🛏️ just one bed
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this eARC!
🇮🇹 summer in italy
👨🍳 workplace
💗 enemies to lovers
🔥 slow burn
🛏️ just one bed
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
karaarmadillo's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
firststreetbethreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
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