Just One Taste

“I love, love, love Lizzy Dent.”—Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Olive Stone is about to spend four weeks in Italy with the most beautiful man she’s ever hated.

When Olive Stone and her Italian pseudo-celebrity chef father fell out fourteen years ago, annoyingly handsome Leo Ricci slipped right in as his surrogate son and sous-chef. No one is more surprised than Olive when her father wills her his beloved (and now failing) restaurant. Or that his dying wish was for Olive and Leo to complete his cookbook…together.

She’s determined to sell the restaurant. Leo is determined to convince her not to. As they embark on four weeks in Italy, traveling from Sicily to Tuscany to Liguria, they’ll test each other as often as they test recipes. But the more time Olive and Leo spend together, the more undeniable their attraction grows. Olive finds herself wondering whether selling the restaurant might be running away, and what it might be like to try Just One Taste of Leo Ricci. Because he isn’t who she expected, and this trip might reveal more about who Olive is than she’s ready for.

A PureWow Best Beach Read of the Summer
A Bookbub Buzzy New Romance to Add to Your Summer Beach Bag
A Kirkus Reviews Book That Offers Pure Escapism
An Eater Food-Filled Beach Read for Your Summer Vacation
A PureWow Favorite Novel That Has Reese’s Book Club Energy

“Follow Lizzy Dent to Italy and you will smell the oranges, feel the sunshine and taste the first perfect kiss. Just One Taste is a deliciously romantic and emotional exploration of love and loss, with Dent’s signature humor and sense of fun. Five big stars from me.”—Annabel Monaghan, national bestselling author of Same Time Next Summer

"Dent's cozy, slow-burn romance is a heartfelt journey through Italian cuisine and culture. Readers will delight in the rich descriptions of food and dream of a summer holiday in Italy.” —Booklist

“If you’re a foodie and love vivid detail in writing, Just One Taste by Lizzy Dent is the book for you. You’ll fall in love with the characters, most of all.” — New York Post

“Dent easily balances rom-com tropes with grief. [Just One Taste] doesn’t shy away from examining Olive’s complicated feelings while also indulging in some lighthearted fun. Leo and Olive have serious chemistry that simmers slowly on the back burner as they explore Italy, and the lush descriptions of simple foods like tomatoes, cherries, and oranges will make readers want to book a trip (or at least book a reservation at an Italian restaurant). A delightful, sexy summer read for foodies.” —Kirkus

“In vivid prose, Dent brings the Italian countryside to life while building a simmering attraction between her leads. Hopeless romantics looking for an armchair vacation will want to check this out.” —Publishers Weekly

“Just One Taste had all the things I liked so much in The Summer Job: bubbly writing, a sense of humor, a dreamy setting, and page-turning chemistry.” —Eater

“In Just One Taste, Lizzy Dent serves up a delightful mix of romance, self-discovery, and seriously mouthwatering food descriptions—because yes, the love story is delicious, but so is the way this book captures ambition, second chances, and the quiet longing for something more. With humor and heart, it’s the kind of read that feels indulgent in the best way.” —Camille Styles

"Brimming with glorious landscapes, delectable food, charming leads, and emotional depth, [Just One Taste] delights." —Christian Science Monitor

“[A] love letter to Italy and its cuisine as much as it is a love story…Dent takes the readers on a sensual vacation to four regions of Italy as Olive and Leo absorb the sights, smells and tastes of their surroundings while mulling over what to do about the struggling restaurant and their growing feelings for each other. This pleasure-filled, delicious romance will inspire dinner res­ervations at a fave Italian place—if not a food-centered trip abroad.” —BookPage

Lizzy Dent is the author of The Summer Job, The Setup, and The Sweetest Revenge. She (mis)spent her early twenties working in Scotland in hospitality and after years travelling the world making Music TV for MTV and Channel 4, and creating digital content for Cartoon Network, the BBC and ITV, she turned to writing. She now lives in Austria with her family.

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