The story revolves around Hayley, who left her small town to leave in the big city only to find herself homeless, penniless and working in a dinner; and Lauren, the dinner's manager who is content with her life and dislikes change. But when Hayley comes into her life, many things start changing, for both of them.

This story was a bit too realistic for me, I tend to like the happy almost non-realistic stories. However, it is because of how realistic this story was that I gave it 5 stars. I think it is important to highlight all type of stories and women, backgrounds and social status. To me this story was, in a way, a bit of fresh air. I mean I still prefer my happy un-realistic stories, but seeing this stories from time to time, specially stories written so well, it's great. So, thank you C.J. Birch!

I also love that it was set in Toronto, made me miss the city! Overall, it was a great realistic story filled with love and suffering and heartache and new opportunities. Loved it!!

I received an ARC copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

In this book we meet Lauren and Hayley as Lauren looks for a new member of staff after her friend leaves and Hayley finds herself jobless and about to become homeless too.

As the two work and live together after a robbery, sister drama and temptation of each othefer after a situation will the two realise they coukd be happier together?

A sweet slow to unravel love story not just lgbtqia members can enjoy and showing how even in the worst of times, good things can happen.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

This was a sweet, slow romance between a chef and a baker. They were both stuck in a rut until they met each other. I was a little frustrated at their lack of communication (mostly with others) and not prioritizing themselves or asking for help instead just settling with what they had. I liked how they got to know each other and took things slow. And, there was a happy ending.

There was one small moment when there was a bit of bi/pan erasure. (There was a comment like "plenty of gay women have been married to me". But there was no mention of the possibility of bisexuality or pansexuality.) This was a lost moment for me to see better representation.

I should stop reading books that involve some sort of food, it just makes me hungry.

Hayley is done with her small-town life, she moves to Toronto where she will be renting a room and starting in an office job. When she shows up for her first day she is surprised to find the company went under over the weekend. Desperate for a job and some cash Hayley takes a job as a cook in a diner. Lauren has been working at the diner for years, she lives and breathes this diner. Lauren is a bit of a control freak, she likes things in a certain way and she thinks her life is just fine as it is, but that all change when the blue-haired Hayley brings something new and fun to her place of work and her life. When Hayley gets even more down on her luck Lauren decides to take Hayley in. Hayley has felt a pull of attraction from the start, but she is determined not to act on it, after all, Lauren is straight. Lauren has no idea what to do with her feelings for Hayley, for all she knows she is straight, but Hayley does make her question this. She feels something she has never felt before.

I don't fully understand this coupling, it's a sweet story, and I am not talking about just the cakes Lauren bakes, but there is something that is missing for me. I feel like Hayley isn't acting her age, she is 28, but she is acting 18, Lauren is in her mid-thirties and acts like it mostly. She is a bit boring, her character is a bit flat, realising you like like a woman should at least spur some things in you after being married to a man for a decade, but no, nothing. I also feel the HEA is off, maybe because I was expecting something else, which in my opinion would have been a better finish to the story. Overall it was sweet and I like food talk, even when it makes me hungry, but I needed little more in this book.

While reading this I realised that I haven’t read a lot of adult LGBTQIA+ books in my life. And the realisation made me feel sad. But also because I so truly enjoyed this book that I wished I had more of it to enjoy!

The story follows two women - Hayley and Lauren. Hayley wants out of her small town and she’s moved to Toronto to find purpose. The job she was supposed to start no longer exists and she has nowhere to go, no money to spend and basically nothing to call her own. And in the hunt for something to do, she stumbles across Greta’s Diner, where she scores herself a job as a short order cook. And there she meets Lauren. Lauren has been at Greta’s for a while and is the manager, but struggling to replace the short order cook that they had while also keeping the owner and her boss off her back. And if that’s not enough, Lauren also has to deal with her father who isn’t taking care of himself. Lauren and Hayley are unlikely candidates for a relationship or friendship and yet, one thing leads to another, and they strike a bond.

I absolutely adored the two main characters! Hayley is spunky, fun and a bright splash of colour, while Lauren is slightly more controlled and calm. And CJ Birch has created such a wonderful world to put these two women into. With the two women becoming friends against the backdrop of the city of Toronto and Greta’s Diner, you feel like you’re actually part of their world. Almost as if you got a chance to sit in one of the booths at the diner to just watch the world pass you by. Their differences go beyond the obvious - Hayley is openly gay, while Lauren is straight and hasn’t been in a relationship since she ended her marriage. And yet, the obvious attraction between the two is evident.

I’m also a sucker for books that involve cooking. Greta’s Diner has its own little charm with the lingo and the staff, but also all the food! And it’s not just a supporting character, it’s got a pretty important role to play in the book.

So often you get caught up in the romance between the two characters that you don’t pay attention to their individual growth as much as you do to their growth as a couple. But Hayley and Lauren have solid growth as individuals. And it’s nice to see that progression in and out of the kitchen. Partly because Hayley is so wild and free while Lauren is a little more tightly wound, but as the book progresses, you see just how much more controlled Hayley becomes, without losing her essence, while also seeing Lauren loosen up a little.

Ah, the slow burn of this relationship. I wanted to push them together every time I could, just to give us all the satisfaction of their relationship coming together, but I gotta say, the way it all fell into place was better than what I could have hoped for. Conflict within contemporary romances is normal, obviously, but here it didn’t feel forced or unrealistic. Everything that happens to bring them together and then apart was just so great.

“Just One Taste” by CJ Birch is a light, easy, fun and exciting read. The world-building (aka the diner), the characters, the story, the supporting elements - all of it totally won me over. I can’t wait for more people to read this wonderful book!

Meh
Hayley is a small town girl with big city dreams. Things aren’t going so well as she loses her job and place to live in the same day. After altering her plans she bluffs her way into a job at a diner as a line cook. Things are bound to improve…right? Lauren likes everything in her life neat, calm and orderly. She manages Greta’s Diner and when Hayley comes in for a job, she’s not so sure… The blue haired bundle of controlled chaos leaves her unsettled… Its not long before Lauren finds out how rough things are for Hayley and when she does, things will never be the same for wither of them.

I thought this was an ok book. It was well, ok but nothing really stood out… I liked the characters and the premise, but it was rather depressing…. It’s like it was lacking colour and vibrancy. A lot of bad things happen to Hayley (she stays safe though so no need to worry) and Lauren is so stuck in her rut with nothing to look forward to that I felt sorry for her. Eventually things got better for both of them and they had some good times and eventually things seem to work out for them but about that time the book is over. Regretfully there just wasn’t anything for me to get excited about in this book…

This is my second LGBTQ romance book and yeah it was nice.
The storyline is about two young women. Hayley moves to Toronto to get out of her small town.She finds a job as a cook in a diner. The other character Lauren happens to be her boss. They eventually grow closer.
Synopsis: Frustrated with small town life, Hayley moves to the city only to get fired and lose her apartment all in the same day. Desperate, she takes a job as a short order cook in a quaint diner. Now she just has to find a place to live and learn how to cook.

Lauren manages Greta’s Diner the same way she manages everything in her life, with calm and order. All that changes the moment Hayley walks through the door. She’s loud, opinionated, wild, and completely alluring. When Lauren finds out that Hayley’s been sleeping in the diner, she makes a decision that will change both their lives forever.

•I loved the growth of the characters.
•I loved the part of the book where the baking dreams were described.
•The problems faced by Hayley and Lauren seemed realistic.

I deducted a star because umm Hayley was sometimes over dramatic and the romance was a bit slow at the beginning.

This was an enjoyable read which was a nicely paced story by CJ Birch. Just One Taste highlights Hayley who leaves her small town in Canada and is trying to start her life in Toronto. Initially she struggles to find work and a secure place to live. She is eventually hired by Lauren to be a line cook at a small diner that Lauren manages in the city. The story describes how Hayley comes to live with Lauren and how they grow closer. The latter part of the book features a pursuit of baking dreams and how the outcome of those dreams not only impacts their lives but ultimately their relationship.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

C.J. Birch has written a very lovely yet at the same time somewhat poignant contemporary romance with her newest novel Just One Taste. It tells the story of two young women who meet in Toronto. Hayley has just moved to the big city to get away from her small town life, only to lose her job before she can even start. Without a job, she can’t afford her rent, but she refuses to go back home in defeat. She finally finds a job as a short order cook in a small diner, a job she has no experience for, and meets Lauren, her new boss. There is a connection between the two, but events and misunderstandings lead to many missteps that could keep them from finding a life together.

Poor Hayley. Murphy seemed to be practising all his laws on her character in this tale. If anything could go wrong for her in this book, it did, and by extension it ended up affecting Lauren as well. I have to admit there were times I would get really annoyed with Hayley. Her character often acted quite naïve and immature which can be dangerous when alone in a big city like Toronto. This is almost an opposites attract story since Lauren and Hayley are such different characters. I wondered how the two would get together since they were so different. It was interesting seeing how Ms. Birch worked that out in the novel.
The setting is very realistic. Of course, Ms. Birch herself is from Toronto so she would know how to set this story in the big city. I can tell you that she did a great job of describing what it is like there, right down to the raccoon families making the rounds every night in the neighborhoods.

If you like good solid contemporary romance with some angst running through the story and realistic settings, then try Just One Taste by C.J. Birch.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

If I had to describe Just One taste in a word, I would say ‘‘enjoyable’’. It was simple romance book, fast-paced, that I read between two heavy fantasy books. I wasn’t blown away by this book, the story was quite predictable and although Lauren and Hayley were two interesting characters, I didn’t relate to them. The romance was really slow to begin, I wish it had been faster and I thought that they relationship lacked chemistry. I also didn’t like the fact that Hayley kept lying, first about her skills for the job and then about the money she stole. I think the author could have handled that part of the plot better.

Small town girl Hayley moves to the big city to try to make something of herself. But things get off to a bad start right away, She ends up homeless and takes a job as a line cook with no previous experience.

Lauren manages Greta diner where she has been working for years. Besides spending all her time working she triest o take care of her father who neglects his health.

It's a sweet story of tow people finding and helping each other. It's also a story that makes your hungry for diner food.

It only the ending wasn't a letdown. Not an unhappy ending but I expected more of it. It was very abrupt and rushed.

This one is cute. it was super easy read. I liked both characters. I did not feel any depth or felt like this was what the book was aiming for. tho that could be just me.

Recommended for the ppl who love to read love stories with little drama. thank you for the author and her team for the free copy in exchange of an honest opinion

I liked this book about Lauren and Hayley who cross paths when Hayleys job she moved from a small town for, disappears as the company is out of business on her first day and she ends up becoming a line cook in the diner Lauren manages.
Two opposite characters who slowly grow to appreciate eachother, this development goes realistically over some time. I liked both characters and could see both sides of the argument with the rift at the end. That ending feit just a bit too rushed, but that's the only hang up I have... apart from that I really enjoyed reading this romance.

*** An ARC was provided by netgalley in exchange for a honest review ***

Thank you to NetGalley  and Bold Strokes Books for a  copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Will be posting review on my Instagram on date of Book Release: Sept 15, 2020, review available on GoodReads.

What a wonderful book!!
Just One Taste is a quick, easy read. Granted a bit of a slow start but the second half definitely makes hp for it. 
Not only is it an LGBT couple, it's set in Toronto. I live just outside Toronto and am very familiar with it- so places like Kensington Market and Trinity Bellwoods being mentioned transforms me right into the scene, like I am physically watching all this go down. 

Both Hayley and Lauren went through a ton of growth. Where the climatic issue is a very crappy situation,  it handled fairly and efficiently and I like that there was no sprinkling of the feel-good to solve the problem, it was realistic, that is missed in books like this one. 

The plot flows smooth. It's a comfortable,  cuddly read... not sure if that makes sense. It's a feel good book and I will be getting a copy yo permanently have on my shelf upon release.

Small town girl, Hayley, with dreams of making it in the city had her hopes dashed when her new job went up in smoke and had to struggle to keep a roof over her head and make ends meet.

Determined to keep herself in the city, she stumbled upon a diner and in the course of her employment kickstarted her route to independence and survival.

Lauren, married to her job as the diner’s manager for more than a decade has been keeping her life and job the very same way until Hayley steps into the diner, and something about her sets Lauren off.

Both main characters have so much more to give to life than the hands they have been dealt with. Resilient in their own rights, they portrayed women who were not afraid to rough it out, stay the course and to keep the show going. The development of their relationship was sweet but found it a tad lacking in the intensity department.

Overall a 3.5 stars rating for me. And for readers who like animals, that pet of Lauren’s? It has some character (haha).

I just reviewed Just One Taste by CJ Birch. #NetGalley

I had to sleep on this review before I posted it. I actually liked the story. It was really sweet and I did enjoy reading this book. On the other hand, there were some loose ends that seemed to never be pulled back in, so I ended the story with unanswered questions. There were parts that just didn’t make sense and seemed highly unlikely. Let’s be honest, I’m not reading looking for a literary masterpiece, so at face value, it was enjoyable.

Sweet romance between two women who meet when working in a diner.

Hayley: A woman who lives life being positive, except when it comes to dating. Having had a bad break up she decided to leave the small town she used to live in, and move to a big city. Upon her arrival things doesn't work out as planned.

Lauren: Lauren is stuck living a life of working at least double shifts almost every day. She doesn't take risks, and likes a well ordered life.'

Pro:
Sweet and low angst - The story is sweet, and whilst it has some angst, it's well written and it never too much.
Natural progression - I enjoy the fact that the romance in this book progress naturally, as it feels realistic and is relatable.
Kind MCs - Both MCs are kind, and you root for them to succeed. I feel like Birch has succeeded in creating nuanced and loveable characters.
Evil cats

Con:
Abrupt ending - As the romance has progressed slowly, I found the ending to be a bit lacking. It felt too abrupt as I didn't get to see as much of how everything worked out as I wanted.

This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

Hayley is small town girl who wants to experience life in the city. Her life becomes a mess when she gets fire and lose her apartment and now she has to pick up the pieces.

She gets a job working at this diner as short order cook but the things is she not the best cook now she has to learn to cook.

Lauren likes order and calm and she manages Greta diner when she learns Hayley is sleeping at the diner she does something out of character. As they get to know each other a romance is form although they are both different and had to overcome past issues they manage to help each other get out of their way.


I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

A sweet , attractive and inviting book cover. There is something about the mention of food and diners in books that does a number on me and I just follow, HYPNOTIZED. That is exactly what happened here as well.

We follow two women, Hayley and Lauren in this story. Hayley is a small town girl with eye-catching blue-ish hair who moves to the big city to experience the city life. Unfortunately, she gets fired from the job and loses her apartment soon after delving into the city life. Lauren is a women of order, all prim and proper in everything she does. She happens to manage "Greta's Diner" in the city.
After the unfortunate and sad welcome from the city, Hayley desperately looks for a job and place to stay and happens to bag the role of a "line cook" in Greta's Diner. Eventually, all the good things start to brew between Hayley and Lauren who are like chalk and cheese. To find out what it is exactly you need to read the book.

I liked the build up in the story and its a fast paced, fuzzy read. I did have some more expectations from it but nonetheless, its a decent one.

Thankyou NetGalley and the publisher for this e ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, author, and publisher for the ARC. It just really wasn't for me. The very first sentence was rude and I never really could get into the book. I wanted to like it but it just wasn't the best fit for me.