This is genuinely one of the most incredible books I've ever read I enjoyed this so damn much. I will definitely check out lizzy's future releases

As a lover of “foodie” novels, I was looking forward to experiencing Just One Taste after reading the promotional blurb. Unfortunately, it was not what I anticipated. It had all the hallmarks of a solid story – the descriptions of sumptuous food, the evocative scenery of Sicily and Italy, and an enemies-to-lovers trope – but I never felt engaged with the lead characters.

Olive Stone is struggling with mixed feelings. Her parents’ divorce when she was fifteen left her with chronic anger and bitterness toward her once-beloved father. Now, after his recent death, she discovers that he has left his restaurant to her, the very place that sourced the rift in the family. In addition, she encounters Leo, the restaurant’s sous chef, who wants to continue her father’s legacy while Olive’s first impulse is to sell it and move on. The two embark on a four-week trip to Italy to fulfill her father’s life-long dream of publishing a cookbook celebrating Italian cuisine. During the journey, Olive learns a startling secret that shifts her entire perspective of her life and her relationship with her father.

The chemistry never felt authentic between Olive and Leo and repetition of Olive’s dilemma over her attraction to Leo and her conflicting feelings about her father and the restaurant grew tiresome. Overall, this was an adequate novel with a significant twist, but it missed the mark for me.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

This was just not for me. Found it difficult to appreciate the characters. The chemistry felt very forced and there was some “cringey” language in here.

This was such a cute rom-com! I loved the fact that the romance was between a food critic and chef who inherited her father’s restaurant. Definitely unlike anything I’ve read before. My only complaint is that the build up of their relationship was a bit too slow.

I found this be a charming little novel. Lizzy's last book was the same tone, not rushed just good dialogue.

My desire to travel to Italy is at an all time high. This book follows Olive and Leo as they fulfill her dad’s request to finish his cookbook together after his passing. They go to Italy to find recipes, and end up finding each other instead.

Things I loved about this book:
Olives tenacity, drive, and growth.
The grief. It was so well done. I cried several times.
Leo’s steady and patient love and care.
Those besties and their opposite advice.
Hot chef. 🔥
The Italian food and drink - I was drooling!
That bathroom scene had me cackling.
Only one bed!!
That first kiss in the rain.
The sexual tension.
Stop flirting with me, Chef.
The banter between our leads.
That ending packed a pretty emotional punch. I’m rooting for these two lovesick kids.
Such a sweet story!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! It was paced really well and the romance felt realistic - no "I love yous" after 2 weeks or epilogues ending in a wedding. I also loved how it balanced realtionships with friends, family, and love interests. I genuinely enjoyed both of the main characters and their dynamic. The both were imperfect but so likable and had a very sweet romance.

The descriptions of the food and landscapes made me want to book a trip to Italy immediately. I wrote down a couple of the recipe ideas and even made an orange cake similar to the one they make in Sicily while I was reading because the food was seriously making my mouth water.

Will definitely be recommending this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting access to this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute romance. I enjoyed it. It was sort of similar to an Emily Henry or Tessa Bailey book. I will consider reading books by Lizzy Dent in the future.

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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.🤗

*Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for a DRC. All opinions are my own.

Olive Stone is a restaurant critic with a reputation for her harsh reviews. She never gives 5 stars, after all, there always needs to be room for improvement. When her estranged father dies and leaves her his restaurant, her first thought is to sell it since she blames the restaurant for her parents' divorce. But before she can go through with that, she has to go to Italy for a month with the restaurant's sous chef and her father's surrogate son so that they can finish his cookbook. You know right away that this is going to be an enemies to lovers story, though I wish that Leo had a bit more personality. I did love the connection to food, family, and place. It was a fun book to read, just not my absolute favorite.

In Lizzy Dent's charming and delectable novel, Just One Taste, Olive Stone and Leo Ricci, two individuals with a tangled past, find themselves united by a shared culinary legacy and an undeniable attraction. When Olive inherits her estranged father's failing restaurant, she reluctantly teams up with Leo, her father's surrogate son and sous-chef, to complete his cookbook and fulfill his dying wish. As they embark on a culinary journey through Italy, from Sicily to Tuscany to Liguria, Olive and Leo clash over their contrasting approaches to food and life. Olive, a practical and focused businesswoman, is determined to sell the restaurant and move on with her life. Leo, passionate and creative chef, is equally determined to convince her of the restaurant's potential and to preserve his mentor's legacy. Yet, amidst the simmering pots and fragrant spices, something unexpected begins to simmer between Olive and Leo. The more time they spend together, the more they discover that their initial assumptions about each other were misguided. Olive finds herself drawn to Leo's charm, wit, and unwavering dedication to his craft. Leo, in turn, is captivated by Olive's intelligence, strength, and the hidden depths of her personality. As they navigate the picturesque landscapes of Italy, cooking, laughing, and sharing intimate moments, Olive and Leo's attraction grows stronger. They begin to question their long-held beliefs and consider the possibility of a future together. However, the secrets of the past and the uncertain fate of the restaurant cast a shadow over their newfound connection. With its vivid descriptions of mouthwatering dishes, its exploration of familial relationships, and its heartwarming romance, Just One Taste is a delightful culinary adventure that will leave readers craving more. Dent skillfully weaves together the themes of love, loss, and the pursuit of one's dreams, creating a story that is both poignant and uplifting.

it was cute but not my favorite. leo was a sweetheart and i do wish he had more chemistry with olive. i felt something was missing and towards the end i had a harder time finishing this. it really was the chemistry that needed strengthening. felt the relationship was one sided for a bit.

This is now my fourth book by Lizzy Dent and I just want to say that I love her. Her books are so sweet and easy to devour! This book was no exception I loved it just like the others. For tropes it has single bed, forced proximity, enemies to lovers and I ate that right up!!

Thank you NetGalley! I enjoyed the beginning of this novel, however I struggled. It took me a lot longer to read this than most novels. I didn't connect with the characters and their relationship was off. The enemies to lovers could have been better. This wasn't the book for me.

I adored this rom com and devoured it in less than two days. Who can resist a little enemies to lovers action? The story was heartfelt, the characters were great, but the part I loved best of all? The delicious descriptions of Italian dishes. Talk about mouthwatering! I need some citrus cake and pistachio pesto pasta, pronto!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for my ARC copy!

Olive is a stone cold food critic who finds out that she has inherited her father’s Italian restaurant. Only issue is, she has no interest in keeping it — and has to team up with the restaurant’s very hot chef (Leo) to complete her dad’s cookbook as they travel across Italy.

This book felt like an Italian vacation + perfect meal. I left hungry, so might recommend you have solid snacks (aka bread) while reading; the food descriptions are simply beautiful and definitely mouthwatering. The setting is stunning and instantly transports you to the various Italian cities.

The romance was enjoyable and I liked that the conflict mainly came from Olive’s own personal journey (instead of a contrived last minute lovers’ spat like you usually see).


Delicious and delightful!

A charming sunny read! The male lead was someone to swoon over and although it seemed a little bare bones in the beginning it really picks up and hits you with emotion halfway through. Such a fun read, I would’ve loved more of an initial connection between the two leads and a little more disdain between the two but ultimately it was a satisfactory romance read.

Food critic Olive and sous chef Leo, and the backdrop of Italy makes for a cute romance set-up. The romance at times felt like it took a back-seat to Olive's relationship to food and her father as her inheritance of his restaurant and finishing the cookbook always felt like the plot driver.
The description of the food make me hungry and while I am not a foodie, it sounded authentic to me. I felt as though I could travel to Italy and have the same experiences as Olive.
I would have loved to have more 'tells' for Leo's feelings for her as we do not have his POV in the story.
Overall I enjoyed this story and especially recommended it for anyone who likes to ready about chefs, food, and travel.

Three 1/2 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Lizzy Dent! Every book hooks you from the beginning and they are all so well written! This is definitely a love letter to Italy and it'll make you want to dust off your passport ASAP! The story is definitely cute, but I didn't feel the chemistry like I have in previous books. Certainly worth reading, but it isn't my favorite LD book.

The premise of, “Just One Taste” immediately drew me in, making me nostalgic for my own time in Italy which was strengthened by the accuracy of how the author depicts the different regions. And writing a cookbook in one of the most romantic countries with a hot chef, how could you not melt with a plot like that? The complexity of death and estranged family gave depth to the book, and the author did a nice job of capturing the Italian family experience.

I did find the choice of descriptive words repetitive enough to take notice every time Olive’s skin fizzled, or someone was smug. About 80% through the book I caught myself waiting for it to be over. By that point I felt like I was just reading the same sentiments over and over without any new developments and was a bit bored.

Leo and Olive’s build up was excruciatingly slow despite the overt flirting and her painfully obvious lust toward him. The steamy scene I’d been waiting most of the book for was over as suddenly as it began which was also a bit of a bummer.

All-in-all it’s a fine book for any lover of Italy and Italian food, and would be nice to read on the beach or on vacation.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!