ReadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2025

Just a Taste

A feel-good, funny and delightfully delicious Christmas romance from the author of ONE WEEK IN PARADISE

Anise Starre author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Simon & Schuster Ltd

Published:23rd Oct '25

Should be back in stock very soon

Just a Taste cover

‘Fun, fresh and always sexy – Anise Starre knows romance’ HANNAH GRACE

‘This flirty, slow burn romance is filled with fabulous banter and holiday charm’ FARRAH ROCHON

‘I burned through these pages for the hot kitchen scenes and the cold nights’ JOYA GOFFNEY

A Christmas romance featuring a personal chef who is snowed-in with her least favourite client – a sexy but miserable technopreneur.

The only thing personal chef Noelle Jones loves more than cooking is Christmas. She has a roster of extremely wealthy clients, including the elusive and stoic Alexander Hoxton.

When he asks her to cook a last-minute business meal he’s having, offering triple her pay for the short notice, Noelle jumps at the chance. It’s easy money, one of her favourite dishes and she'll still have plenty of time to get to her family’s annual Christmas reunion.

But, when a sudden blizzard leaves Noelle snowed-in with Alexander, she quickly realises he wants absolutely nothing to do with anything festive. Stuck with a veritable grinch, she’s sure this Christmas is about to become one of her worst . . .

'Just a Taste was delightful from page one. With its grumpy/sunshine characters, the snowed-in setting and foodie elements, this novel is the perfect cosy Christmas romance to read this winter season. Though this is my first book by Anise Starre, it won’t be my last' TIF MARCELO

'This flirty, slow burn romance is filled with fabulous banter and holiday charm. Just a Taste has everything I look for in a holiday story. It’s easy to root for Alex and Noelle to find their happily ever after' FARRAH ROCHON

'Just a Taste is so much more than a taste. It’s the entire delicious meal, one I thoroughly enjoyed. And did my heart ever melt when it was revealed why Alex was a bit of a Christmas grinch. He and Noelle are wonderful in this grumpy/sunshine slow-burn romance, and I can’t wait for Anise’s next book!' BEVERLEY KENDALL

'Anise Starre serves up the perfect blend of forced proximity, slow-burn steam and delicious enemies-to-lovers banter. I devoured every page – just don’t read hungry' CAMILLA ISLEY

'I am such a fan of forced proximity tropes, not to mention grumpy X sunshine, and apparently I love Christmas romances, because this HIT. I burned through these pages for the hot kitchen scenes and the cold nights, and to watch how love can thaw an icy heart and an icy room. Anise Starre cooked up a delicious Christmas read with Just a Taste. I couldn't put it down!' JOYA GOFFNEY

'Fun, fresh and always sexy – Anise Starre knows romance' HANNAH GRACE

‘Anise Starre’s books are always the perfect balance of sweet with a little heat, and Just a Taste is no different. Starre combines the sexiness of a wealthy man and the aphrodisiac of delicious food in a way that will have even the Grinch’s cold heart melting. Hoxton and Noelle are enemies with a chemistry that could light up a whole Christmas tree farm, and I was hooked for every page. It’s the perfect romp in the snow this holiday season’ ALLIE SAMBERTS

'Trapped in a mansion, in a snowstorm, with a full pantry and sexual chemistry bouncing off the walls . . . sign me up! Just a Taste is the perfect read to snuggle down with when it's cold outside. Noelle and Alex's sweet and spicy romance warmed the cockles of my heart' JENNY BAYLISS

'Just a Taste serves the perfect blend of sizzling slow burn romance and deliciously witty banter in this sweet, cosy holiday romance. I devoured it and adored every page!’ CHLOE LIESE

‘Anise has a magnetic, tender and butterfly inducing way of writing. Just a Taste gave me all the feels her last books did; giggling, kicking your feet and stuffing your face into your pillow type of romance’ SORAYA NADIA BOUAZZAOUI

‘The perfect cosy Christmas read – getting snowed-in never tasted so sweet!! I adore getting swept up in Anise Starre’s swoony stories’ LIZZIE HUXLEY-JONES

Just a Taste is a wonderfully charming and cosy romance that'll coax you into the holiday spirit (no matter how grumpy you may be)’ DEANNA GREY 

Just a Taste is the perfect antidote to a cold winter’s night: warm, comforting and joyful! Bonus points for making me crave delicious food. Noelle is a Christmas delight!’ JAMIE WESLEY

‘With just a taste, you’ll want to devour this delicious book in one sitting! Anise Starre’s warm, witty writing makes Just a Taste the perfect holiday romance, as sweet and cosy as a cup of tea on a snowy winter day. Noelle and Alex’s love story could make the Grinch-iest sceptic's heart grow three sizes!' KAITLYN HILL 

'The most deliciously cosy, spicy romance brimming with festive joy and heart – I absolutely loved it' ELEANOR VENDRELL

'Sexy and fresh' THAT'S LIFE!

ISBN: 9781398544185

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

352 pages