Synopsis

She didn’t know how hungry she was…Beautiful and talented Catherine Kelly is intent on starting over as a food photographer in Chicago.  With her painful past buried over 2000 miles away, she’s focused on her career and is hungry for little else.  Until she meets William Lambourne, a wealthy bachelor with arresting blue-grey eyes filled with enough tragedy to match her own.  William urges Catherine to step out from behind her camera and fully taste all that life has to offer, stirring an appetite in her she never knew she possessed – and it’s one only he can satisfy.

He couldn’t wait to feed her…A gourmand who takes great pleasure in food and in women, William Lambourne is rich, powerful, and gorgeous — and as talented in the kitchen as he is in the bedroom. Longing for a woman to truly savor, William finds his match in Catherine. From the moment he meets her, he is determined to discover the perfect recipe to unlock Cat’s resolve, awaken her senses, and make her his own.

Theirs is a meal worth savoring…William is as mysterious as he is passionate, but as Catherine begins to fall for the stormy-eyed billionaire, she knows she must reveal her own dark secrets. But first, William must win Cat’s heart to ensure their pasts don’t undo them.

Book 1 in The Epicurean series, A Taste of You will leave you ravenous for more of Cat and William’s story!

My Review

I received an ARC copy of this book from Net Galley for an honest review.

I’d like to start by saying that I am a foodie and a part time baker so when I saw the synopsis of this book I knew immediately that I had to read it.  I am very glad that I read it because it has made certain foods even more enticing.  I cannot look at pain au chocolat the same ever again.

I really loved the characters in this book. They were well written.  Catherine is a beautiful and very real independent woman who has moved to a new city to start off a new chapter in her life.  She is a professional photographer.  Her best friend Beckett, who I truly adore, is her greatest supporter throughout all of her personal and career matters.   Beckett is a food stylist and is responsible for bringing Catherine into the food scene in Chicago.

William Lambourne, III is one of Chicago’s most eligible bachelors.  He is a true Adonis.  His dark brown hair, smoky blue/grey eyes, high sculpted and chiseled masculine jaw along with a gorgeous body and sensuous lips make him not only great to look at but highly sought after by women.  He is also rich, as in old money rich, owning hotels, vineyards, real estate and restaurants.  Yes, he is a total catch.  He is my new book boyfriend.

Catherine and William meet and the intensity of their attraction is strong.  From their first encounter outside of the restaurant, sparks ignite between them. “Stormy Eyes”, as Catherine refers to William, was direct and to the point, a total alpha male.

As their relationship evolves, food and sex are taken to a new level.  William is not only a man who enjoys food, he can cook and knows how to seduce a woman with food bringing a new meaning to pleasure.  He is the type of guy that gets what he wants but also has a romantic and endearing side as well.

Catherine has reservations about starting a new relationship because of her past. She certainly enjoys his sexual expertise but fears a long term relationship with William is not possible.  Both Catherine and William have their own losses to deal with.  Opening up and sharing is difficult for both of them.

Because I am a true romantic, I was rooting for both of them throughout the entire story.  I had a hard time putting the book down since I truly enjoyed the intense connection they both had.   The sexual scenes were hot and trust me; you will look at food through a new set of eyes.

Yes, there were times when I wanted to tell Catherine to let her past go and move on. It is difficult to forget our first love.   There were moments of angst and I wanted to cry along with Catherine.  I did smile, cry, and then smiled some more.  I don’t want to spoil the story but it ends with a cliffhanger.  With that, I am truly looking forward to reading more about Catherine and William as well as more culinary adventures in the next book.

I gave this book 5 delicious stars!

I think these are a perfect Catherine and William.

(I believe Sorcha Grace will agree.)

My favorite Quotes

“That’s the first time in a long while I’ve been called innocent.”

“I always get what I want. Catherine. I always get exactly what I want.”

“Catherine, you have no idea the ways I could tempt you.”

“Let me in and I’ll show you.  I might even let you taste it.”

“Patience, Catherine.”  His breath smelled like chocolate as it feathered over me.  “Good things come to those who wait. You don’t want dessert before the first course.”  His gaze met mine. “Or do you?”

“I told you I want to taste champagne on your skin.”

“I’m going to have you here at some point Catherine. I’m going to claim every inch of you.  There’s no part I won’t own. You’re mine.”

“No, I don’t want you or your people to check on me. I’m not your concern anymore, and I can take care of myself. I can’t be with you, William. I can’t be with someone who isn’t honest. There are too many secrets. And even if I could get past that, I can’t get past the cruelty.”

“You were – are – different. I’ve never seen him act like he’s acted with you. And now…”

“Bullshit. Cat. You don’t believe that. The man is pining over you and – hello—you have been pining over him.  This is your chance. It’s so romantic, like Harry and Sally on New Year’s Eve.”

“Catherine, I know you want to talk, and we can talk all night, if that’s what you want. If that’s what you need.  But right now, I need to be inside you.  I need to take you to bed and make love to you.  Please tell me we can talk later.”

“You, Catherine, are another of my life’s greatest pleasures.”

“As soon as we touched, I wanted you. I wanted to feed you, pleasure you, and take care of you.  I’d never had that response to a woman—an instant response. From that moment on, I needed you.”

“I need you with me, Catherine. I can’t do this alone.”