Just One Taste

A woman unexpectedly inherits her father’s restaurant in Dent’s delicious latest (after The Summer Job). London food critic Olive blames her parents’ divorce on her father, who prioritized his business over his family, and hasn’t seen the man in 15 years. So she’s shocked when he suddenly dies, leaving her his restaurant—with the condition that she must collaborate with his annoyingly hot sous chef Leo Ricci to finish the cookbook he was writing when he died. Olive is less than thrilled to spend time with Leo, whom she resents for his close relationship with her father, and Leo’s upset to learn Olive intends to sell the restaurant. It makes for an awkward start to their trip through Sicily, Tuscany, and Liguria collecting recipes for the book. The gorgeous sights and tasty bites enhance the romance as Leo and Olive slowly go from enemies to lovers—until a shocking revelation about her parents’ relationship leaves Olive newly afraid of commitment. 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. Agent: Hattie Grunewald, Blair Partnership. (July)