A Perfumer’s Secret by Adria J. Cimino
I received this book for free from Author for review consideration, opinions expressed are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links as indicated by an asterisk. Purchases from these links provides a small commission to me at no extra cost to you.
A Perfumer's Secret by Adria CiminoPublished by Velvet Morning Press
Publication Date: May 16, 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Women's, World or cultural
Setting: France - Grasse
Pages: 258
Format: eARC
Source: Author
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Goodreads
Blurb:
3* – I LIKED IT! – I have a soft spot for books set in France and enjoyed learning about the talent and artistry of perfumers in creating memorable scents in A Perfumer’s Secret by Adria Cimino.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
“The quest for a stolen perfume formula awakens passion, rivalry and family secrets in the fragrant flower fields of the South of France…
Perfumer Zoe Flore travels to Grasse, perfume capital of the world, to collect a formula: her inheritance from the family she never knew existed. The scent matches the one worn by her mother, who passed away when Zoe was a teenager. Zoe, competing to create a new fragrance for a prestigious designer, believes this scent could win the contract—and lead her to the reason her mother fled Grasse for New York City.
Before Zoe can discover the truth, the formula is stolen. And she’s not the only one looking for it. So is Loulou, her rebellious teenage cousin; Philippe, her alluring competitor for the fragrance contract; and a third person who never wanted the formula to slip into the public in the first place.
The pursuit transforms into a journey of self-discovery as each struggles to understand the complexities of love, the force of pride and the meaning of family.”
My Thoughts:
It’s true that scents can provoke strong memories. Curry reminds me of my mom cooking when I was a kid. Baby shampoo of snuggling with my precious babies who are far too grown now. The cologne my husband wears when we dated of falling in love with him. Have you ever thought about who creates those scents and the art and science behind how they are formulated?
A Perfumer’s Secret by Adria J. Cimino gives us an inside look behind the science and drama behind the perfume industry. Main character Zoe Flore knows the talent for perfuming comes from her mother. Her mother was a master in the industry and created a personal scent that was never bottled for the public. Though her mother has passed, Zoe remembers the signature scent of her mother and knows it would win her a prestigious contract but she cannot quite replicate it.
When she inherits something of “olfactory significance” from a family in France she does not know, she begins a journey about finding her identity, uncovering secrets long buried and fulfilling her destiny. I enjoyed Zoe’s quest for the truth and the mystery behind her past. Learning the truth about her past might just give Zoe the edge she needs to make a name for herself in the industry.
I’ve read other stories by Adria Cimino and I’m always pleasantly surprised by her stories. What made this book unique for me was learning about the science and art behind the creation of these perfumes. Like fine recipes, perfumes are carefully crafted with those secret ingredients that make them unforgettable. The noses that create the scents are fine tuned instruments. The dedication and fierce competition that goes into figuring out the perfect recipe and winning the contract.
Set in the perfume capital of the world, A Perfumer’s Secret by Adria Cimino is an entertaining story about unlocking secrets, achieving dreams and fulfilling destiny.
A PERFUMER'S SECRET by @adria_in_Paris: can Zoe unlock secrets to fulfill her destiny? Share on X
Challenges Satisfied:
Travel the World in Books Reading Challenge – France
Books Like this You Might Enjoy:
Paris, Rue des Martyrs by Adria Cimino by Adria Cimino- 5*, drama set in contemporary France
Christmas, Actually by Various Authors – 4*, short story collection, I loved Adria’s short story, In the Red
In Another Life by Julie Christine Johnson – 4*, historical fiction set in France
Mademoiselle Chanel by C.W. Goertner – 5*, historical fiction set in France based on the life of Coco Chanel
No Ordinary Life by Suzanne Redfearn and Author Guest Post – 3*, inside look at a child actor’s life in the television industry
What books have you read about finding out the truth about the past? Books you enjoy set in France? Your favorite scents and the memories they evoke? Do share and keep the conversation going. As always, happy reading!
Lovely review, Tanya! You express the attractions of this book so well, along with your own memories of the powerful associations of scents. I enjoyed this book very much too!
I really liked this one by Adria! I’m glad you enjoyed it too. You’re welcome to check out my thoughts on it on my review 🙂