An Entertainment Weekly “New Books to Read” Pick • One of Buzzfeed’s “Summer Romance Novels to Read” From talented new writer Yaffa S. Santos, a hilarious and heartwarming rom-com about chefs, cooking, love, and self-discovery—a cross between The Hating Game and SweetbitterLumi Santana is a chef with the gift of synesthesia—she can perceive a person’s emotions by tasting their cooking. Despite … chef with the gift of synesthesia—she can perceive a person’s emotions by tasting their cooking. Despite being raised by a single mother who taught her that dreams and true love were silly fairy tales, she takes a chance and puts her heart and savings into opening a fusion restaurant in Manhattan. The restaurant offers a mix of the Dominican cuisine she grew up with and other world cuisines that have been a source of culinary inspiration to her.
When Lumi’s venture fails, she is forced to take a position as a sous chef at a staid French restaurant in midtown owned by Julien Dax, a celebrated chef known for his acid tongue and brilliant smile. Lumi and Julien don’t get along in the kitchen and she secretly vows never to taste his cooking. Little does she know that her resolve doesn’t stand a chance against his culinary prowess.
As Julien produces one delectable dish after another, Lumi can no longer resist his creations. She isn’t prepared for the intense feelings that follow, throwing a curveball in her plan to move on as soon as possible. Plus, there’s the matter of Esme, Julien’s receptionist, who seems to always be near and watching. As the attraction between Lumi and Julien simmers, Lumi experiences a tragedy that not only complicates her professional plans, but her love life as well…
Clever, witty, and romantic, A Taste of Sage will delight and entertain until the last page.
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This book is very special. In a way, it almost has elements of a modern beauty and the beast retelling, i.e. Lumi is a kind, open, creative, talented chef who lost her business and, to pay rent, has to take a job under Julien, an extremely commercially successful chef who is a bit, or more a lot, of a monster to work for, having lost sight of the soul of his food, and the feelings the food is supposed to give, in favor of perfectionist execution.
Through working together, he’s able to be inspired by her to become a better chef and a better person. However, what makes the journey special and modern is that Lumi has her own arc, her own journey to figure out what she wants in life and how to balance her growing and changing dreams, and more how to accept help without feeling powerless.
The writing is gorgeous and and the descriptions are amazing. The food and recipes really tie back so well to what the characters are feeling that they just work so well as additions to the book (kind of the way the do in Nora Ephron’s Heartburn). I just thought all of it was super fabulous and unique and special.
I really wanted to like this book but it just didn’t work for me. However, it had a super cute cover!
You can check out my booktube video review at https://youtu.be/rz-txQnN3_M
or read my review on my blog at https://lisasiefert.com/book-review-a-taste-of-sage-by-yaffa-s-santos/
This book could have ended multiple times before it did. The recipes at the end of chapters were distracting and I didn’t feel like there was decent character development.
I loved this book! The uniqueness of the shero was new. I can´t wait to read more from this writer!
I really don’t know what to say to describe this book beyond this. The recipes are probably the best part. It has uncomfortable mature content that I largely skipped and was unnecessary. I should have put it in the dnf pile. I don’t mind a little fantasy elements in a book but there was a pivotal scene that came out of nowhere. It was the a big leap into a downward spiral. The setting was typical RomCom with the potential to be special.
Lumi Santana is a chef with a unique gift- she can taste other people’s emotions in their food. After a failed attempt at her own restaurant, Lumi finds herself working as a sous chef at a French restaurant owned by Julien Dax. Julian is known for his good looks and for being hard to work for. Lumi needs the job to make ends meet so she takes it not knowing what she is getting herself into. An entertaining romantic read.
This delightful debut charms the reader with its unique conflict, savory dishes, and engaging characters that warm your heart.
This is my first time reading a by Yaffa, and I truly enjoyed it. Of course, I have also worked in the hospitality field so I understood all the nuances and complexities.
Lumi was a chef and owner of a cute little restaurant that unfortunately, had to close. Trying to pick herself up, with help from a friend, she finds a job as a soux chef from her school’s alumni.
Julien Dax is know to be specific and hot tempered. He expects the best. So when Lumi comes to work for Dax, they often butt heads, but shimmering just below the surface is smoldering heat and admiration.
Lumi has Dax loosening up in ways he never thought he would and Dax has Lumi seeing the rationale for consistency.
I really loved watching these two play out among the pages. This book is definitely worth picking up – one click now.
A Taste of Sage was uneventful, dull, and lacked appealed. The relationship between Lumi and Julien was just about non existent and there was no real connection at all between them beside a physical attraction. It had potential but the author failed to meet them which is unfortunate because I was really looking forward to a culinary romance.