What first intrigued me about this book was the cover and my love for Italian food! I had to see what it was all about! My dream is to travel to Italy one day and the way the author describes everything as Olive and Leo travel around Italy marked me want to go there so much more to just experience the food and the scenery! I enjoyed the story and how it all came together, this was my first book by this author and I’ll be adding more of her books to my to be read list!

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

4.5 stars
My favorite Lizzy Dent so far. This is a slow burn romance but the chemistry sizzled right from the start. Olive and Leo's banter was great. Her relationship with her two best friends was perfect, loving, and supportive. Lots of laughs throughout. The towns in Italy that they visit become characters of their own. I love how Dent describes everything so you feel you're there with them. I'm not a foodie at all and hate to cook but I enjoyed the premise of watching Olive and Leo fall in love while writing a cookbook on their tour of Italy. The food sounded amazing. And the picnic on the hill? Swoon. If not for the big twist towards the end that was kind of abrupt then quickly put to rest, this would be 5 stars for me.

3.5 Stars

The setting of this story took us all the way through Italy, and it was so fun. This book left me with such intense cravings for authentic Italian food. This was a fun and funny story about two people who really didn't want to like each other, but they did anyway. I wasn't really invested in the ending of the story and somewhat lost interest after the twist, but the book up until that point was really fun and interesting.

ARC from NetGalley and Penguin

i need this book to be a thousand pages long, adapted into a movie, and tattooed on my skin. maybe i’m exaggerating, but i really did love this.

i loved it so much that i ran to my local bookstore and had all of lizzy dent’s books special-ordered. all of them. despite being extremely selective (recently) when it comes to buying books. that’s how much i loved her writing.

where do i even begin?! just one taste ensnared me from the onset, what with its delicious banter, lovable characters, and seriously exquisite descriptions of italy and food. i need to be on a plane headed to italy, asap, with a leo on my arm. pronto. now. i’m not even kidding.

you know the feeling when you start a book, and part of you wants to read it as slowly as possible because you know, deep inside, that it’s going to be good and you want to savor it? but another part of you is desperate to know what happens next… so you down 75% of the book in two hours. that’s what it was like for me—and that includes all the yelps, tears, and banging-my-head-on-the-table-because-i-am-swooning-the-crap-out-right-nows.

i mentioned in my mini kilt trip review that the books are pretty similar in their premise, in the sense that it involves an aspect of travel and grief. just one taste tackles grief a bit differently, one that really managed to rip my heart out, especially towards the latter end. the narrative surrounding olive and her father is incredibly special to me, especially since i’m really close with my dad. believe me when I say that the last 20% of the book will have you reaching for your dad to give him the biggest hug imaginable. that’s what reading this felt like.

lizzy dent has such a way with penning tension and romance—so deliriously delicious and overflowing with the best banter and the funniest antics. i can’t tell you how many times i cackled and clenched my fists in anticipation—the chemistry here was just SO GOOD that i was casting this book in my head. it’s THE book you need for this summer; just make sure you get your wallets ready because you WILL want to go to italy after reading it.

seriously can’t wait for this book to come out so i can scream about it to my heart’s content. the easiest 5 stars i’ll ever give.

You need to read this book if you love Italy and are a foodie. You also need to read this book if you are a picky eater and have never been, like me. Lizzie Dent has a way with words and transported me straight to Italy on this amazing food journey with Olive and Leo. Although an unlikely pair they are forced to take a trip to finish Olive’s late father’s book and Olive must make a decision on whether or not to sell the restaurant he left her. Will falling in love help change her mind or will a twist change everything? Lizzie Dent is a must read author for me since “The Summer Job” and her latest did not disappoint. This was sent to me as an ARC through Netgalley.

Easy going cookie cutter (in the best way) romance about grief, love, and Italy. I like the characters in this book. The female main character has a unique job of food critic and inherits her father's restaurant after being estranged her adult life. The male character is a bit of a doormat, but that's really what makes this romance so swoony. They must travel together to Italy to finish the cookbook her father started and process the stories of his life. I liked the deep focus on the descriptions of italy and the food which made me hungry the entire time. I liked this book. It wasn't so novel and revolutionary but not every book needs to but it was a joy to read.

I am typically a huge fan of this author and found the Italian backdrop of this story to be dreamy, but struggled to connect with or like Olive’s character in this one

I really enjoyed this trip through Italy with Olive and Leo. Olive's estranged chef father dies suddenly, leaving his unfinished cookbook and his restaurant to Olive. I could see the scenery and almost taste the food as Olive and Leo tour Italy. I really enjoyed the characters, and the story flowed for me.

Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC!

Olive's estranged dad unexpectedly passed away, leaving her his restaurant and the chance to help his surrogate son and chef, Leo, finish his cookbook. Olive and Leo travel to Italy to work on the cookbook and as they understand each other more, sparks fly. I love this story of family and love!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4.5/5 Stars 🌟

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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