A Taste of Sage: A Novel (Paperback)
June 2020 Indie Next List
“This book is a tasty, delicious treat! When you mix delicious food and hate-to-love romance in a book, you instantly have me hooked. Lumi Santana is a chef with the gift of synesthesia: She can feel a person’s emotions just by tasting their cooking. When she opens a restaurant and it fails, she takes a sous chef position at a French restaurant with Julien Dax, a celebrated chef known for his good looks but bad attitude. Lumi can’t stand Julien but tastes his cooking because it looks so irresistible, and when she’s overcome with intense emotions she wonders if she wants more. If you are looking for something that’s fun and tasty and will test your senses, you will enjoy this book.”
— Deanna Bailey, Story on The Square, McDonough, GA
Description
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.
About the Author
Yaffa S. Santos was born and raised in New Jersey. She is the author of A Taste of Sage, which won an International Latino Book Award and was named an Indie Next List Pick and an Amazon Editor’s Pick, and the forthcoming A Touch of Moonlight. Yaffa is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied writing and visual art. She enjoys books, coffee, and the beach, and lives in Central Florida with her family.
Praise For…
"This sweet and spicy tale will bring out the romantic epicurean in all who pull it off the shelves." — Booklist
"Santos’s debut blends the rare but real condition of synesthesia into a fast-paced. . .romance. The recipes throughout make this a perfect recommendation to those checking out cookbooks with their romances." — Library Journal
“This delightful debut charms the reader with its unique conflict, savory dishes, and engaging characters that warm your heart.” — Priscilla Oliveras, USA Today Bestselling author of Island Affair