Just One Taste

This was an ‘age gap’ makes sense kind of book and doesn’t need to be a thing. I read the preview and didn’t buy it, but it bugged me for a year as to who was the person selling out and humiliating the heroine. Now that I did read it, I love that the hero came to realize that his BF would not kill him for loving his sister. After all, he trusted no one more in life to protect her. It’s always best to deal with things directly and no lie or avoid. And that an age gap is overcomeable if you don’t see it as an obstacle but something you can agree to work on. I love that this story was more on the low drama and high on the advocate for yourself spectrum.

4.25 stars—JUST ONE TASTE is the seventh instalment in Carly Phillips contemporary adult KINGSTON FAMILY erotic, romance series-a series interconnected with the author’s Dirty Dare /Dare Nation series. This is twenty-one year old model Nicolette ‘Nikki’ Bettencourt, and thirty three year old, owner of Dirty Dare Spirits Asher Dare’s story line. JUST ONE TASTE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Asher and Nicolette) JUST ONE TASTE follows the age-gap romance between twenty-one year old model Nicolette Bettencourt, and thirty three year old, owner of Dirty Dare Spirits Asher Dare. A media scandal has forced Nicolette Bettencourt into hiding. A series of nude images focusing on our story line heroine have been published, and her parents run for the White House is now in question. With the help of her older and over protective brother Derek, and his best friend, CEO of Dirty Dare Spirits Asher Dare, Nicolette finds herself on a private island, under the care of the man with whom she will fall in love. As Asher’s brothers begins a deep dive into what happened and why, Asher finds himself falling for a woman of whom he has been told to stay clear. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Asher and Nicolette, and the potential fall-out as Nicolette prepares to move on by herself.

Asher Dare doesn’t do relationships, and finds himself both put out and intrigued by his island companion. In an effort to keep things temporary, Asher proposes time together but to go their separate ways upon their return home. Nikki Bettencourt has always found herself second or third ‘banana’ behind her parents’ aspirations, a trophy to be looked at and admired, but a black mark on their fight towards political control. After another disappointing and embarrassing media scandal, Nicolette finds herself pushed further to the back realizing that to move forward means to move forward alone.

The relationship between Asher and Nicolette begins as forced proximity but quickly turns into something more. Asher has been warned not to cross the line with his best friend’s younger sister, and Nicolette wants the support and comfort she never got at home. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and seductive without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

There is are large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters: Asher’s parents Serenity and Michael Dare; his brothers Harrison and Zach; as well as the introduction of Nikki’s brother Derek, and their parents Senator Corbin and Collette Bettencourt; island housekeeper Maggie and her son Corey; and Nikki’s friend Winter Capwell. Winter and Harrison’s story line is next.

JUST ONE TASTE is a story of betrayal and jealousy, family and friendships, love and acceptance. The premise is emotional and entertaining; the romance is provocative and steamy; the character are struggling but determined and dynamic.

I’m usually not a fan of “age gap” stories where the man is significantly older that the woman, but in this case, Carly Phillips did a beautiful job writing a story with taste and passion. I surprised myself and really enjoyed this book! The connection between Asher and Nikki is deep and real. It’s not “immature” (which is usually the case on the woman’s part) like some stories that I’ve read and am not a fan of. I truly enjoyed Asher and Nikki’s story and I’m so happy for them! It was a very satisfying read! Loved it! Five stars!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.