A Taste of Sage: A Novel

by Yaffa S. Santos

Winner of the International Latino Book Award for Best Novel–Romance

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 Sweetbitter

Lumi Santana is a 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.

• ISBN10: 006297484X
• ISBN13: 9780062974846
• Publish Date: 9 July 2020 (first published 19 May 2020)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
• Imprint: HarperPaperbacks
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[girlinthepages]

Loved all of the food elements in this story! There's some great insight into the restaurant business, how different chefs approach their menus, how to keep your restaurant relevant, etc. Unfortunately a lot of the focus on the cooking and chef lifestyle/restaurant business disappeared in the second half of the book and it shifted to full on romantic drama (which wasn't a bad thing, but it got a little overdramatic for my taste). I liked Lumi and loved her (seemingly) magical ability which added a fun and interesting fantastical element to the novel, however I really wasn't a fan of Julian, who transitions from angry superstar chef stereotype to doting love interest way to fast (and I honestly found him to still be a bit problematic even after he softens up- I don't think he really listens to Lumi or gives her the space she needs).

Overall if you love books about food + chefs this fits the bill, but it missed on the romance elements for me.