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racy_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Can’t afford a culinary trip to Italy this summer? Just One Taste is the poor person’s gastronomy journey from Sicily to Tuscany to Liguria, all from the comfort of wherever you enjoy reading, however, do not read JOT if you are hungry. I repeat, do not read if you are hungry. The food and the descriptions of the Italian regions visited are the stars of this book. Olive and Leo are just the catalyst for Italy to show off. I just wish there was a recipe or two included at the end of the book.
Olive Stone and Leo Ricci have an insta-love, not my favorite, but they work together well because they are so passionate about food and Italy. Their story is cute and their reason for being together is unique. There is no third act breakup, but there is a twist that is not all that surprising, but not wholly needed either.
Just One Taste is the perfect summer read. I encourage you to pick it up, just not on an empty stomach.
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the digital ARC of Just One Taste.
allhdvm's review against another edition
5.0
I am very excited to be reading this book! My full review to follow.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
vanessa10readsbooks's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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? No
5.0
sam_whit22's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve been in a reading slump for the past couple of months and this book brought me out of it. The romance, the setting, all of the delicious food…I didn’t want to put it down. It made me wish I was in Italy again.
I loved all of the characters and their relationships. Olive is a little prickly (but so am I, so no judgement there) and Leo is adorable. I loved the evolution of their relationship and thought they had amazing chemistry. I also really enjoyed the family and friends they met up with in Italy. The first family felt like a warm hug and they were exactly what Olive needed.
Olive is dealing with grief after the loss of her father, so the book isn’t a completely light read, but I thought it was handled so well and the book never felt too heavy.
This is the best Lizzy Dent book I’ve read so far. 5 stars…LOVED IT!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
lanereading's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
This has to be one of my favourite covers for a book ever! So vibrate and cute! Perfectly represents the main trope of the story being forced proximity.
While this was a fun and easy read, I unfortunately did find that the chemistry was lacking between the two MCs but regardless 3.5 STARS!
Looking forward to reading Lizzy Dent’s future stories!
justabookishbabe's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
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
lightsuplibrary's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
firstly, thank you to PENGUIN GROUP putnam for approving me for this eARC and to lizzy dent for writing it.
aside from books, the second biggest hobby in my life is food and cooking. i am by no means a gourmet level chef but i have a huge appreciation for the craft and really love learning about it. when i read the description for this book, i knew it was right up my alley!
“just one taste” follows food critic olive stone on a journey of italy, courtesy of her deceased father’s last wishes to finish a cookbook he was in the process of. hopefully, she can do it as fast as possible and be done with his legacy. the catch? she has to spend the trip with his restaurant’s sous chef, leo ricci, helping her. as they travel, they try foods, reconnect with old friends, learn about ingredients…and even about each other. it has her thinking maybe saving a legacy with someone by your side wouldn’t be too bad…
having lost a parent, especially one i was estranged from just like olive, i related a lot to her process of grief and i really appreciated that coming through in the writing style. and though i’ve never been to italy, the descriptions were so beautiful, and my mouth was watering pretty much the whole way through this book. (some of that could have been about leo, though! whew.) and olive’s struggle with wanting to sell the restaurant or take a leap and run it with leo felt really fleshed out - it was a decision she couldn’t make lightly and i felt that. also, Y’ALL. the last 20% of this book?! god. that bombshell was something i definitely wasn’t expecting. but i’m really glad for the ending and how it all tied up as nicely as possible.
this book comes out in july, be sure to add it to your tbr so you can pretend you’re going to an italian riviera with a hot guy who will just cook you food and compliment you the whole time. buona lettura!
aside from books, the second biggest hobby in my life is food and cooking. i am by no means a gourmet level chef but i have a huge appreciation for the craft and really love learning about it. when i read the description for this book, i knew it was right up my alley!
“just one taste” follows food critic olive stone on a journey of italy, courtesy of her deceased father’s last wishes to finish a cookbook he was in the process of. hopefully, she can do it as fast as possible and be done with his legacy. the catch? she has to spend the trip with his restaurant’s sous chef, leo ricci, helping her. as they travel, they try foods, reconnect with old friends, learn about ingredients…and even about each other. it has her thinking maybe saving a legacy with someone by your side wouldn’t be too bad…
having lost a parent, especially one i was estranged from just like olive, i related a lot to her process of grief and i really appreciated that coming through in the writing style. and though i’ve never been to italy, the descriptions were so beautiful, and my mouth was watering pretty much the whole way through this book. (some of that could have been about leo, though! whew.) and olive’s struggle with wanting to sell the restaurant or take a leap and run it with leo felt really fleshed out - it was a decision she couldn’t make lightly and i felt that. also, Y’ALL. the last 20% of this book?! god. that bombshell was something i definitely wasn’t expecting. but i’m really glad for the ending and how it all tied up as nicely as possible.
this book comes out in july, be sure to add it to your tbr so you can pretend you’re going to an italian riviera with a hot guy who will just cook you food and compliment you the whole time. buona lettura!
mollified_moments's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Delving into Lizzy Dent's "Just One Taste" was a delightful experience, courtesy of Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley. As an avid fan of foodie novels, this one certainly hit the mark.
Olive Stone, a formidable food critic, inherits her estranged father's restaurant and the task of completing his cookbook alongside the charming Sous chef, Leo. Initially set on selling the establishment, Olive's plans take an unexpected turn when she embarks on a culinary adventure in Italy. The narrative skillfully weaves a tale of self-discovery, familial bonds, and the delightful complexities of love.
Dent's vivid descriptions and culinary passion had me practically tasting the dishes on the pages. My only wish was that the author had included actual recipes, as the mouth-watering scenes left me craving more than just words.
Beyond the gastronomic journey, "Just One Taste" delves into Olive's emotional landscape, grappling with the grief of losing her father and the psychological aftermath of their estrangement. The character's growth is artfully explored, making her journey relatable and poignant.
The dynamic between Olive and Leo is a delightful highlight, avoiding the clichéd third-act breakup trope. Leo's unwavering support and their shared love of food create a relationship that's both heartwarming and enviable. Their banter, attraction, and mutual respect elevate the story, adding layers of depth to the narrative.
In conclusion, Lizzy Dent's "Just One Taste" is a savory blend of culinary delights, emotional depth, and heartwarming romance. A must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted story that leaves you both satisfied and hungry for more.
Olive Stone, a formidable food critic, inherits her estranged father's restaurant and the task of completing his cookbook alongside the charming Sous chef, Leo. Initially set on selling the establishment, Olive's plans take an unexpected turn when she embarks on a culinary adventure in Italy. The narrative skillfully weaves a tale of self-discovery, familial bonds, and the delightful complexities of love.
Dent's vivid descriptions and culinary passion had me practically tasting the dishes on the pages. My only wish was that the author had included actual recipes, as the mouth-watering scenes left me craving more than just words.
Beyond the gastronomic journey, "Just One Taste" delves into Olive's emotional landscape, grappling with the grief of losing her father and the psychological aftermath of their estrangement. The character's growth is artfully explored, making her journey relatable and poignant.
The dynamic between Olive and Leo is a delightful highlight, avoiding the clichéd third-act breakup trope. Leo's unwavering support and their shared love of food create a relationship that's both heartwarming and enviable. Their banter, attraction, and mutual respect elevate the story, adding layers of depth to the narrative.
In conclusion, Lizzy Dent's "Just One Taste" is a savory blend of culinary delights, emotional depth, and heartwarming romance. A must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted story that leaves you both satisfied and hungry for more.
burnt_out_bookworm's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
I really like the premise of Just One Taste because who doesn’t like a book based mostly on Italy and is about finishing an Italian cookbook?? The food descriptions through out the book were so detailed and sometimes I could really picture what they were eating/making. There is the theme of grief due to parent death (off page) and I think it did go through a lot of the stages of grief throughout the story and handled it well.
As for the main characters, their relationship was a real slow burn, but then it went on so fast. A little too fast in my opinion, almost rushed at the end. I don’t mind a slow burn, in fact I love them, but the aftermath of the slow burn has to be worth it.
I generally liked the story and you might too if you’re looking for a quick vacation read!