Guess I'm just tired of books that bounce back and forth between different generations. ( )

Fluffy and witty, more engaging than expected but could use some more surprise in the twists... I saw it all coming as it unfolded...still a good story! ( )

“Most people assume that a muse is a creature of perfect beauty, poise and grace. Like the creatures from Greek mythology. They're wrong. In fact, there should be a marked absence of perfection in a muse--a gaping hole between what she is and what she might be. The ideal muse is a woman whose rough edges and contradictions drive you to fill in the blanks of her character. She is the irritant to your creativity. A remarkable possibility, waiting to be formed.”
― Kathleen Tessaro, The Perfume Collector

Edited for spelling and content: review itself from awhile ago:

While I enjoyed this book, and loved the settings particularly Paris, I did feel myself sort of rushing through it. I found both stories to be interesting but what I wanted was more about the perfume industry which, based on the book's description, I thought it was going to be about.

For a book that is supposed to be about perfume and its muses, we do not get alot of that. I felt it was a bit Noirish in some places which I generally like but not here. I wanted to be enveloped into the world of perfume. And that did not happen as much as I would have liked.

I also found one woman's story way more interesting then the other. But neither of them really grabbed me if I am being honest.

There was also a "twist". No spoiler..you will be able to guess it. I did. I guessed the twist almost immediately but I kind of felt we were supposed to if that makes sense.

On a positive note, I did get drawn into these women's lives and I cared about them. I think that overall this was an interesting read, just very different then I thought it would be.

SPOILERS:

The ending was not what I expected and not very realistic. The husband barely had a speaking role in the book. I wanted a confrontation between him and Grace.

I guess I have mixed feelings..which is what a 3 rating is all about! Some may love it, some may hate it, I kinda sorta liked it but not all that much.Three stars seems fair. ( )

I learned so much about the perfume industry and there was also a story line. Interesting! I like historical fiction. ( )

I wasn't seeking out this book but it called my name from the library shelf and I'm glad. This a trek through pre- and post-war England and France and the world of perfume creation (not a topic I'd normally care about!). Tessaro tells the story from different time periods and different characters' perspectives. There's one part of the book where I found this cumbersome but, for the most part, it works well. A good read if you like historical fiction not set way into the past. ( )