Review: Just One Taste

Just One Taste (A Recipe for Love book) by Louisa Edwards

Publication Date: August 2010
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 335 pp
ISBN-13: 9780312356477
ISBN: 0312356471

(Received for review from Nancy Berland Promotions)

Synopsis (Courtesy of Barnes & Noble):

Bad boy chef, Wes Murphy is dreading his final-semester cooking class Food Chemistry 101 until he meets the new substitute teacher. Dr. Rosemary Wilkins is a feast for the eyes, though her approach to food is strictly academic. So Wes decides to rattle her Bunsen Burner by asking for her hands-on advice on aphrodisiacs.

Rosemary is a little wary about working with Wes, whose casual flirtations make her hot under the collar. But once they begin testing the love-enhancing power of chocolate, oysters, and strawberries, it becomes scientifically evident that the brainy science nerd and the boyish chef have some major chemistry together and it's delicious.

Thoughts:

Louisa Edwards' third book in the Recipe for Love series, Just One Taste, is easily my favorite in the series, so far. Edwards has a love for food that shows in her work. Her characters are food savvy and know how to have fun in and out of the kitchen. The chemistry between her hero and heroine in this book is palpable as they discover that every thing you may have heard about aphrodisiacs, just might be true. This contemporary romance is right on target with the food craze we see today and doesn't disappoint when it comes to the sensual aspects we expect from a good romance.

This book is essentially about what happens when bad boy meets sexy teacher. Wes Murphy is in his last semester of culinary school and knee deep in his Food Chemistry l0l class. He is planning to apply for internship with a New York restaurant but he's about at his wits end when his teacher suddenly takes a leave of absence and the new substitute is a very hot, brainy food geek. The secondary romance between Jess and Frankie also heats up the burners in this one, almost giving the reader a two-for-one deal in this romance.

Wes Murphy's character has everything you would expect from a bad boy. He has a past that is less than stellar but has turned his life around, so he still has that edge that bad boys seem to have, but he's learned his lesson and that's attractive in and of itself. Rosemary is a quirky character that has a lot of spunk. I liked her a lot. She is the star of the romance and is very easy to relate to. She tries to keep Wes at a distance, but it doesn't last for long. Soon she has no choice but to let her hair down and enjoy this romantic ride.

From the witty dialogue to the steamy scenes, Just One Taste, will give the reader that satisfied feeling they get from having a wonderful five-course meal. It is a light, fast read which isn't weighed down by a lot of drama. It's a story that will make you smile and what could be better than that, it's why people read romances. I recommend this one to anyone who enjoys food and romance all rolled into one. It's a great addition to the series and I'm forward to what's next from Edwards.

Just One Taste, as well as the other books in the Recipe for Love series are available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

This one gets 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!




Louisa will be here on September 16th to answer your questions and she has brought along an autographed copy of Just One Taste for one lucky winner, sign up for a chance to win, here.

Here is some additional information about Louisa Edwards.

Louisa Edwards grew up in Virginia and graduated from Bryn Mawr College before moving to Manhattan to work with some of the biggest names in book publishing. She later moved to Ohio where she worked as a restaurant reviewer. She decided to bring her love of romance and cooking together by writing the Recipe for Love series.