REVIEW: A Taste of Pleasure by Chloe Blake

A Taste of Pleasure by Chloe Blake is a sexy romance set in Italy with a winemaker and a chef making a business partnership into something more.

Danica Nillson is tired of being a ‘ghost chef’ – the talent behind the success of her partner Andre’s restaurant with none of the credit. When she finds him sexing up the wait staff, she breaks off their business and personal relationship to recoup, and a trip to Milan with her supermodel mother is just the ticket she needs to figure out what she’s going to do next. She grew up there and it will give her a chance to visit old friends, including her mentor Marcello who taught her everything she knows about running a kitchen.

While visiting Marcello, a sudden crisis results in Dani having to take over the kitchen. Little does she suspect that a man she once spent a steamy night with at a wedding will turn out to be Marcello’s nephew and business partner! Antonio ‘Toni’ Lorenzetti is delighted to have a chance to renew his acquaintance with the sultry Dani while she fills in for his uncle. Soon their relationship is crossing all sorts of boundaries. But with Dani’s life back in New York and her stay in Italy temporary, is there really a possibility of a long term future for them?

I enjoyed this culinary romance! The Italian setting makes for great scenery and an excuse for delicious food and wine to be the centerpiece of the story alongside the sexy romance between two people who might butt heads on occasion but definitely have strong chemistry.

Dani is a fuller figured woman and this has been a sensitive subject over the years with a mother who has always had to watch her weight as a supermodel. Dani has at times felt that her mother was embarrassed by her putting a strain on their relationship. Toni loves that Dani isn’t a stick thin model and goes to great efforts to show her how desirable he finds her just as she is. They share some very sexy love scenes as they grow emotionally closer to each other.

But things are complicated for Toni and Dani due to an interfering ex-wife who wants to get back together with him, and Toni’s teenaged daughter who is still struggling with her parent’s divorce. It takes some work for the two of them to find their way to a happy ending, in business and in their relationship. I liked how everything was resolved and recommend this to readers who enjoy sexy foodie romances.
 

Book Info:

Publication: June 19, 2018 | Harlequin Kimani | Deliciously Dechamps #2

Italy is the perfect place for new career beginnings–at least that’s what chef Danica Nillson hopes. But one look at sexy single dad Antonio Dante Lorenzetti, and her plan to keep romance out of her kitchen goes up in flames. The millionaire restaurateur wants stability. Not unbridled passion that makes him lose his senses. Is this beautiful, talented and headstrong chef the one he’s been waiting for?