One Last Bite 🍴👩🏻‍🍳
Story: ✨✨✨ 2.9/5
Narration: N/A

For those who don't know me, my name is Chanel and I'm everyone's favorite self-proclaimed Book Tea Spiller.

Sadie has dreams. She also has a past. One that includes a jail sentence, a dead friend and a completely different name.

After being released from prison, Sadie is desperate to find work. She’s currently living out of her car and working in a rundown diner full of unforgiving, touchy-feely customers. As much as she hates her current situation, no one asks about her past. That is until a new opportunity comes along and she decides to take it.

Thistle is a soon to be Michelin star restaurant run by two of the greatest business owners in the culinary industry; Devon and Nora Winthrop. Known for their edgy, out of the box cuisine, it would be nothing short of a dream to be in their presence. So when Sadie is given the opportunity to interview for a role in the kitchen, she wouldn’t dare give any answer but yes. That is until, she realizes the job opening is for a Dishwasher and not an actual cook. While determined to fight her way to the top, Sadie finds herself making questionable choices in order to succeed.

As she tries to climb the culinary ladder, Sadie fails to realize the real character of a restaurant takes place behind the kitchen doors. Find out if fatal dreams are worth the reality it takes to achieve them in One Last Bite.

For those who don't know me, my name is Chanel and I'm everyone's favorite self-proclaimed Book Tea Spiller. ☕️ What did I think of this book? See below for my Final Sip:

The ending of this one kind of…just ended. Again, there was that trusty ⏩ button someone just had to press. And the epilogue? Someone must’ve hit triple fast forward, because this also was tough to digest.

Have you ever seen Ratatouille? That’s exactly what came to mind while reading this book. However, the rats in this story aren’t necessarily animals. If you are left on the edge of your seat after every episode of The Bear 🐻 , then this one’s for you.

One Last Bite by Leah Cupps is a thrilling psychological ride that perfectly combines the world of high-end cuisine with suspense. The story follows Sadie, an aspiring chef who lands a coveted position at a prestigious restaurant, only to uncover dark secrets that threaten to destroy everything. Cupps does an excellent job of creating a tense, fast-paced atmosphere, and the twists and turns will keep you hooked from start to finish. The characters are complex, and Sadie’s journey of uncovering the truth makes for a compelling read. If you’re into psychological thrillers with a side of culinary intrigue, One Last Bite is definitely worth checking out.

One Last Bite by Leah Cupps serves up a suspenseful blend of mystery and culinary intrigue. Chef Sadie Jackson lands her dream job at Thistle, a restaurant owned by the revered Winthrop couple. But as she climbs the ranks, she uncovers disturbing secrets beneath their polished exterior—financial issues, strange bruises, and a shadowy cabin. As the tension builds, Sadie is faced with the dangerous question of just how far the Winthrops will go to protect their reputation. Cupps crafts a gripping tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seat, blending suspense with a deep dive into the darker side of ambition.

**A Thrilling and Deliciously Dark Page-Turner**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Leah Cupps’ *One Last Bite* is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat novel that blends suspense, mystery, and just the right amount of dark humor. From the first bite to the last, this book delivers a story that’s as addictive as it is unforgettable.

The protagonist is a standout—smart, resourceful, and full of grit. Cupps has crafted a character you can’t help but root for, even as they face impossible odds and uncover dangerous secrets. The tension builds expertly, with twists and revelations that keep you hooked until the very end.

The writing is sharp and immersive, perfectly capturing the high-stakes world the story is set in. Cupps’ ability to balance suspense with moments of levity and humanity makes the novel both thrilling and deeply relatable.

What truly shines in *One Last Bite* is the pacing. The story moves at a breakneck speed without sacrificing depth or emotional resonance, making it nearly impossible to put down. Each chapter leaves you craving more, with a plot that’s as satisfying as it is surprising.

If you love fast-paced thrillers with strong characters and unexpected twists, *One Last Bite* is a must-read. Leah Cupps has delivered a masterful novel that will leave you hungry for her next book. Highly recommended!

Foodie thriller…sign me up! This book was a quick read with a surprising twist that kept me guessing until the end! I think I was expecting “the menu” vibes, but it wasn’t that. Still a good read!

Thank you NetGalley!

Really quick read, I was really interested in the first half but the ending came too quickly. It could’ve done with being a teeny bit longer. For reference, I had 10 minutes left in the book by the time the actual ‘drama’ happened at the end lol

Reminded me of a Freida McFadden story. Loved the twist at the end. Having former restaurant experience it gave me some flashbacks. I think Sadie’s character was interesting, but it shows what someone with her past goes threw afterwards trying to live in the world

I gave this book 5 stars. I do not normally read books about vampires. This one was fun from page one. It was well-written and just an overall good story!

One Last Bite is a delightful blend of suspense and culinary immersion that quickly becomes hard to put down. With vivid descriptions of the kitchen and restaurant atmosphere, Cupps brings to life a world where readers can almost taste and smell the cuisine.

The story follows Sadie Jackson, who secures a job at Thistle, a prestigious restaurant run by renowned chefs Norah and Devon Winthrop. Despite starting as a dishwasher, Sadie is thrilled to be in the kitchen of such a high-profile establishment. However, she soon realizes that not everything is as idyllic as it appears. Behind Thistle’s kitchen doors, she uncovers a labyrinth of dark secrets and possible illegal activities. Determined to discover what’s happening in a mysterious cabin across the lake, Sadie is drawn into a sinister and dangerous reality as she digs deeper into the Winthrops' secrets.

While not quite Michelin Star-worthy, <b>One Last Bite</b> is an enjoyable read, serving all the expected elements of a well-crafted thriller. Cupps begins the pacing at a slow simmer, gradually building the suspense with meticulous detail. Once the stage is set, the story rapidly escalates, reaching a boiling point in the second half. Sadie is a compelling protagonist whose flaws and moral ambiguity inject unpredictability into her reactions to the dark characters and ominous environment around her.

Overall, Cupps masterfully weaves a thrilling narrative full of flavor and atmosphere, painting a world where ambition and danger intertwine. The book captivates with twists that draw readers deeper into Sadie Jackson's world of high-stakes gastronomy and shadowy secrets. Despite minor imperfections, the novel offers a gripping story that blends suspense with the allure of mystery. Recommended for anyone seeking a fascinating culinary adventure filled with dark secrets and a thriller that lingers long after the final page.

<b>Disclaimer:</b> I received this ARC from NetGalley. Many thanks to Leah Cupps and Inkubator Books for this copy. All opinions are my own.

Great writing, but I wasn’t really invested in the character. I don’t feel like I had a lot of backstory. I didn’t really like the characters. It was kind of predictable.

I felt this was a little lacking for a really excellent thriller. It seemed to lack substance but I can't really put my finger on why that is.

I enjoyed this glimpse into the competitive restaurant world. This thriller entertained and gripped me from start to finish. There was a twist that changed the direction of the plot that completely took me by surprise.

The Last Bite was a fast paced read that left me wanting a little bit more. While I loved the mystery of the story and how the story line moved quickly, I was not a fan of the main character. There was nothing really appealing to her and the ending fell flat for me. Overall it was an okay read.

I devoured this book. I loved how atmospheric it was, but also accurate in portraying the obsessive, manic, brilliant, and cut-throat personalities that fine dining and professional kitchens can have. It took me back through memory lane of times I experienced in culinary school and in several professional kitchens thereafter. Combining my love for culinary arts and a thriller, this book was perfect.

However, I was craving more backstory from Sadie and wonder if some flashback memory chapters about her childhood leading up to the night that haunts her would have been more impactful.

This was a cozy read overall, but it fell a bit short as a thriller.
The first 60% of the book is pretty slow, with little happening.

I think the main issue is that it reads like the author has little to no idea of how kitchens and restaurants work, and since the book's strong suit is supposed to be its restaurant setting... well.
At some point, the protagonist lands a job as the head chef of a Michelin-starred restaurant despite having zero qualifications. Her recipes are super bland and unconvincing, and I rolled my eyes every time she came up with a new dish. People around her treat her cooking like it's pure genius, when it really isn't...

I get that this is supposed to be an easy, no-pretenses read, but what makes this book stand out is its restaurant setting. As other reviewers mentioned, One Last Bite reads just like Frida McLadden, so the new setting is nice. But if the setting is totally unconvincing, then what’s the point?

The book does pick up eventually but is still ruined by the forgettable writing (so many repetitions!)

Featured quote:
Did I put on deodorant this morning? Apparently I didn't use enough, because the sweat rings are growing under my arms.

Girl what you're looking for is an antiperspirant

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Title: One Last Bite by Leah Cupps
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: April 28, 2024

⭐️ 4/5

𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐞.

✨️ Dual POV + Timelines
✨️ Struggling Chef
✨️ Dark Secrets
✨️ Twisty Thriller
✨️ Loan Sharks
✨️ Short Chapters

Sadie's dream has always been to be the head chef at her own restaurant.
After her stint in prison, she fears she will never get closer to her dream than her current job waitressing at a local diner. Sadie's prospects finally look up when she receives a phone call from Norah, the head chef at a michelin star restaurant, with a job opportunity. Sadie soon notices some strange activities and realizes this opportunity may not be what it's cut out to be.

My Review:

This was a great thriller. Fast paced with short chapters and a writing style comparable to Freida McFadden. Sadie is a fighter, and doesn't mind doing whatever it takes to make her dreams come true, so overall a likeable character. There were several unexpected twists and I couldn't put it down! Definitely recommend.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the digital review copy ❣️

This book was amazing! If you like Freida McFadden's books, this is definitely up your alley.

The plot and characters were well written. But I felt the part where a character killed another character was not really necessary. It felt as if it was done because a murder had to happen because psychology thriller.

Overall, it was a good read and kept me turning the pages.

Not at all what I was expecting! It took a bit to hook me but I'm so glad I didn't give up on this book. I especially loved the twisty ending.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'One Last Bite' by Leah Cupps.

OMG!!! MIND ABSOLUTELY BLOWN!!!! A GRIPPING, DARK AND SUSPENSE FILLED PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT DOWN!!!

I absolutely love, LOVE, LOVED this absolute page turner!! If you are a fan of Shalini Boland, Kiersten Modglin and/or Freida McFadden and just explosive psychological thrillers in general then this is a book for you!! This book is extremely fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. It was one of those true gems where if you had to put it down you had to race back as soon as you could to find out what was going to happen next. The plot is unique which is always a bonus after reading so many psychological thrillers. The storyline is absolutely ram packed with mystery, deceit, secrets, food, lies, tension, suspense and OMG the twists just kept on coming again and again!!! Just when I thought everything that could happen had happened BOOM there was another shocker around the corner. Every time I kept telling myself one more chapter the one I was in ended at a point where there was no way I could stop reading so I absolutely devoured it in one sitting!! I WAS absolutely blown away and considering I read approximately 30 books a month that is certainly no easy feat so a HUGE congratulations on that Leah!! I absolutely loved the delicious restaurant setting, which, again, is something that is unique for me when it comes to books!! Leah does an absolutely amazing job of weaving the multiple protagonists and multiple timelines together to drip feed the reader just about the right amount of information that she wants us to until she absolutely spins everything around again!! The fantastic descriptions really made me feel like I was in the storyline along with Sadie and Naomi and my heart was pounding while I was biting my nails in suspense, I have not got much of my nails left now so thanks for that Leah!!! This is one of those fantastic books that have a small amount of characters but those characters you are constantly left doubting and questioning as you have no idea who has done what, who is hiding what and what they are really after. I just did not want to put this book down as I just had to know what was really going on and I never could have come anywhere near to working this one out!!! In fact I just couldn't put it down and ended up absolutely devouring it in one sitting of several hours, completely sucked into the heart racing plot!! I absolutely LOVED how it ended and I cannot wait to get stuck into the next book by this fantastic author!! I really could not recommend this book any more. If you are looking for something unique, filled with suspense that will leave you guessing and that will blow your mind then this is definitely the book for you!!

DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT READING THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE CLEARED YOUR SCHEDULES AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN!!!

I wasn't just 100% invested in the storyline but also in the characters. Each and every one of the characters were well defined, realistic and strong. Leah wove their chapters together perfectly in a way to give us the bigger picture of their personalities while only drip feeding us the information she wants us to see and when she sees it. Her fantastic descriptions ensures the reader sees, feels and hears everything that the characters are seeing and feeling which leaves their heart racing along with them. It really brings the storyline and the characters to life, for better or worse!! It is one of those books that leaves you questioning who to trust, who is telling the truth and who is playing a game. Needless to say they all worked perfectly together to make this page turner as amazing as it is!!! Congratulations Leah on creating such a group of well defined, realistic and in some cases unnerving characters. I am really looking forward to meeting more of your characters in your previous and future books!!

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Leah on what promises to be a massive best seller!!! I WAS absolutely shocked by so many explosive twists!!! This is why I would like to welcome you to my favourite author list Leah and here's to your next explosive success 🥂!!!

Overall an absolutely addictive, mind blowing page turner that will keep you up with a racing heart until you've finished!!!

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I enjoyed this one! A little slow to start but once things started moving along it was hard to put down! The twists just kept coming.