Review: One More Taste by Melissa Cutler

Title: One More Taste by Melissa Cutler
One and Only Texas Series Book Two
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

If you can’t take the heat…

Chef Emily Ford has the talent and ambition to make it in the cutthroat culinary world―which is why she refuses to accept her demotion at the hands of Knox Briscoe, the new CEO of Briscoe Ranch Resort. He has grand plans that include bringing in a celebrity chef to helm an exciting new restaurant at the resort, but Emily has plans of her own―to do whatever it takes to change his mind…

ONE MORE TASTE

Cut out of the Briscoe fortune by an old feud that left his family in ruins, Knox grew up dreaming of revenge. Out-maneuvering his uncle for control of Briscoe Ranch is merely the first step in a grand plan that doesn’t include the brazen and beautiful Emily Ford…or the attraction that sizzles between them. With both their futures on the line, can they keep their desires on simmer―or are they headed from the frying pan straight into the fire?e?

Review:

One More Taste by Melissa Cutler is an engaging romance between a chef and a CEO with an agenda.  This newest addition to the delightful One and Only Texas series easily stands on its own, but I highly recommend the previous installments as well.

Determined to right a thirty plus year wrong, Knox Briscoe has cleverly maneuvered himself into a position that will allow him to wrest control of the Briscoe Ranch Resort from his estranged Uncle Ty.  Knox is part owner in a very lucrative investment company and he has carefully planned to take revenge on the branch of the family that cut his now deceased father off without a penny.  With no idea what caused the rift in the family, Knox is finally getting to know his Granny June and assorted cousins, but his need to avenge his dad is the driving force behind his plans for the resort.  While he begins to care for various relatives, Knox has no plans to alter his plans but when culinary genius Emily Ford begins to work her way into his heart, will he change his mind?

Having escaped her dysfunctional family when she was a teenager, Emily considers the resort her home and she has nothing but respect for the entire Briscoe family. She is on the verge of achieving her dream of opening her own restaurant on the ranch when Knox arrives and threatens to derail her plans.  Using her incredible skills for reading people, Emily sets about proving that she is more than capable of owning a high end restaurant.  What she does not count on is how far Knox is going to get under her skin once she figures out what makes him tick. Realizing she needs to face her past so she can have a future with Knox, Emily makes an impetuous decision that could destroy everything she has worked so hard to achieve.

Knox and Emily are both surprised by how much they enjoy  each other’s company.  Emily’s past relationships have convinced her that sex and love are overrated so she is determined to ignore her attraction to her boss.  Knox has enough going on in his life so he is not looking for any type of distraction. He throws out the challenge for Emily to prove herself without thinking things through and he is quite shocked at how much he looks forward to spending time with her. Their sizzling hot attraction leads to a unexpected romance but will their unexpected feelings for one another change their plans for the future?

The reason behind the Briscoe family estrangement is a closely guarded secret that no one will talk about.  Knox’s father died an embittered man who never forgave his family for turning their backs on him.  Knox is merciless as he sets his plans in motion and although he feels a twinge of doubt as he moves forward, he refuses to back down.  When the ultimate revenge is within his grasp, an unexpected betrayal threatens to destroy his family’s legacy.  With his Uncle Ty feeling threatened, he turns on Knox and his shocking revelations turn Knox’s world upside down. Will this newfound knowledge alter Knox’s plans for the Briscoe Ranch Resort?

One More Taste is an absolutely delightful romance that beautifully illustrates how love can soften even the hardest of hearts.  This latest addition to Melissa Cutler’s One and Only Texas series is a wonderful journey of healing for Knox, Emily and the Briscoe family that old and new fans are sure to love.