A Taste of Sage
Yaffa S. Santos, 2020
HarperCollins
320 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780062974846
Summary
From talented new writer, Yaffa S. Santos, comes this unforgettable, heartwarming, and hilarious rom-com about chefs, cooking, love, and self-discovery.
Lumi Santana is a chef with the gift of synesthesia—she can perceive a person’s emotions just by tasting their cooking.
Despite being raised by a single mother who taught her that dreams and true love were silly fairy tales, she decides to take a chance and puts her heart and savings into opening a fusion restaurant in Inwood, 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 eclectic venture fails, she is forced to take a position as a sous chef at a staid, traditional French restaurant in midtown owned by Julien Dax, a celebrated chef known for his acid tongue as well as his brilliant smile.
Lumi and Julien don’t get along in the kitchen—to say Lumi is irritated by Julien’s smug attitude is an understatement, and she secretly vows never to taste his cooking. Little does she know that her resolve doesn’t stand a chance against Julien’s culinary prowess.
As Julien produces one delectable dish after another, each one tempting Lumi with its overwhelming aromas and gorgeous presentations, she can no longer resist and samples one of his creations.
She isn’t prepared for the feelings that follow as she’s overcome with intense emotions. She begins to crave his cooking throughout the day, which throws a curveball in her plan to save up enough money and move on as soon as possible.
Plus, there’s also 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 is sure to delight and entertain readers until the very last page. (From the publisher.)
Author Bio
Yaffa S. Santos was born and raised in New Jersey. A solo trip to Dominican Republic in her teenage years changed her relationship to her Dominican heritage and sparked a passion for cooking and its singular ability to bring people together.
Yaffa is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied writing and visual art. She is a member of RWA. She has lived in New York, Philadelphia, Santo Domingo, and now lives in Florida with her family. (From publihsher.)
Book Reviews
[D]isappointingly bland.… Santos’s creativity and humor, however, shine through occasionally in the recipes that accompany many chapters…. Unfortunately, her recipe for romance is not equally inspired.
Publishers Weekly
Santos's debut blends the rare but real condition of synesthesia into a fast-paced if uneven romance. The recipes throughout make this a perfect recommendation to those checking out cookbooks with their romances. —Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash
Library Journal
This sweet and spicy tale will bring out the romantic epicurean in all who pull it off the shelves.
Booklist
[A] thread of magical realism runs through the text in Lumi’s ability to taste emotions in food… and [when Santos] lushly describes Lumi’s culinary creations, the passages shine. But these brief moments are not enough to save the uneven writing and thin plot.
Kirkus Reviews
Discussion Questions
1. Lumi is able to taste food and know what the cook was feeling when they cooked it. If you had this ability, would you want to pursue a career as a chef? Why or why not?
2. Lumi enjoys cooking traditional dishes paired with global elements. Why do you think Lumi does this? Do you have a favorite traditional dish you make with your own modern twist?
3. Julien’s personality was inspired by the larger-than-life short-tempered chef persona you might be familiar with from his various beloved cooking television shows. Did Julien’s personality make you uncomfortable? If so, why? Do you think other chefs also behave this way?
4. Julien is generally regarded as an attractive man, but Lumi is not open to being attracted to him until after tasting his cooking. Why do you think this is?
5. What was unique about the setting of the book? Did you feel it enhanced the story?
6. If you were in Lumi’s position after losing Caraluna, what would you do to make ends meet?
7. Passion can be both beautiful and ugly. How do you think this concept is reflected in Lumi and Julien’s relationship?
8. How did Julien’s character change after Lumi’s accident and during her recovery? Do you think he grew from this experience?
9. Lumi runs into Esme at the end of the book and they share a surprisingly sweet moment. Were you happy to see that there was moment of forgiveness between these two characters? Why or why not?
10. The book ends with Lumi fulfilling her dreams by opening a new restaurant. Were you surprised by her choices in creating the new restaurant? Why or why not?
(Questions issued by the publisher.)
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