He is a chef. She is a chef. He cooks Italian - continuing the family tradition. She trained in France and is ready to accomplish her dream of opening her own bistro. Anthony's restaurant is a staple of their Brooklyn neighborhood. Who is this French upstart anyway? Vivi thinks he's arrogant, and his flavors are off. Who is he to tell her how to cook? She's come to America to make a new life for herself. It may sound at first, like a superficial story, but Deirdre Martin's writing skill and style makes her book Just A Taste, go down nice and easy.
Anthony is pleased to have met a fellow chef who shares his passion for food. He's a widower and his large well meaning family is trying to get his life in order for him. He disagrees with Vivi on her recipes, but understands her drive to get her own place open. Vivi thinks he is handsome, but really has to concentrate on opening her restaurant and getting her chief investor - her half-sister to come through with the promised money. But when they get together - whether it be to complete in a cooking contest, or to compare contractors - sparks happen.
Martin does a great job making these characters seem as if they are part of your family. Her secondary characters grow and change in the story and the secondary storyline about teaching Anthony's little nephew how to cook is great. Vivi and Anthony are not "perfect" and that makes them and their situation more enjoyable and believable. Nice and frothy. A great summer read. Enjoy.
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