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176th out of 330 books
—
437 voters
Madame Mirabou's School of Love: A Novel
by
Barbara Samuel (Goodreads Author)
Sometimes real passion means living the life you’ve always wanted.
Nicole Bridges still can’t believe she’s taken up residence in a Colorado apartment complex nicknamed “Splitsville.” She’s still reeling from her husband’s affair, a divorce she never saw coming, and having to leave the upscale, comfortable world she helped make for her ex and their teenage daughter. With li...more
Nicole Bridges still can’t believe she’s taken up residence in a Colorado apartment complex nicknamed “Splitsville.” She’s still reeling from her husband’s affair, a divorce she never saw coming, and having to leave the upscale, comfortable world she helped make for her ex and their teenage daughter. With li...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
March 28th 2006
by Ballantine Books
(first published January 1st 2006)
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Scent of Hours
This is the story of a recently divorced woman named Nikki, who tries to find her way in the world while feeling bitter and bewildered. After (accidentally) blowing up her house, she moves to an apartment complex she dubs "Splitsville," and makes new friends. Her ex-husband and teenaged daughter are in London, living with his new wife.
Nikki's passion is perfume. Each chapter opens with notes from a journal she's kept all her life, outlining various scents and feelings brought abou...more
This is the story of a recently divorced woman named Nikki, who tries to find her way in the world while feeling bitter and bewildered. After (accidentally) blowing up her house, she moves to an apartment complex she dubs "Splitsville," and makes new friends. Her ex-husband and teenaged daughter are in London, living with his new wife.
Nikki's passion is perfume. Each chapter opens with notes from a journal she's kept all her life, outlining various scents and feelings brought abou...more
I listened to this on cd and, altho, it isn't something I would ever pick up on my own (a friend lent it to me as I was between audio books), I thoroughly enjoyed it! Nikki Bridges, recently divorced and still reeling from the impact of it, moves to an apt. complex, called Splitsville." Everybody there seems to be going thru some kind of trauma and she meets up with some pretty eccentric folks. Nikki needs a job and waitressing is a far cry from her plushy, upscale existence in the Colorado subu...more
Okay, this book avoided most of the things that annoy me about a romantic female lead:
--Young
--Skinny
--Comfortably well-off
--Unaware of the world around them
--Careful about offending nobody (unless it's people who don't like sass)
--Helpless
--Yet inordinately brave
Plus, one of the major themes of the book was about assembling perfumes, and I totally geeked out on that.
Smart, painful, funny, broke, overweight and still sexy, dark in spots, fragile in others, and a love scene at the end (it irks m...more
--Young
--Skinny
--Comfortably well-off
--Unaware of the world around them
--Careful about offending nobody (unless it's people who don't like sass)
--Helpless
--Yet inordinately brave
Plus, one of the major themes of the book was about assembling perfumes, and I totally geeked out on that.
Smart, painful, funny, broke, overweight and still sexy, dark in spots, fragile in others, and a love scene at the end (it irks m...more
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At first this book sounds like a sanppy romance, because of the title and yet, it's so not! I loved the story line and (SPOILER ALERT!) the use of recipes for her perfumes. I love using oils and making my own fragrances and this book spoke to me, and how Nikki uses her gift of knowing what fragrance works for each person was great. It's a easy paced read, and one that you can put down and yet still I wanted to know how it ended, what happens to Nikki? and her daughter? and does she end up with N...more
I enjoyed this so much. it was perfect light reading for a day at home nursing a slight cold. I love how the women band together, mostly do the right thing, forgive when necessary. I love that the main character is 40ish, plump and still beautiful, I loved the setting in the mountains of Colorado, enjoyed the sexy parts, and the cat and the perfumes and even Nikki's fear of spiders.
This book is not really about Madame Mirabou or her school of love - it's about a woman finding herself again after divorce. I enjoyed going on the journey with her, especially with her unique sense of smell. It made me want my own custom perfume!
Not sure why the title is named as it is but I did enjoy the main character Nikki and the fact that the book takes place in Co Springs. Pretty good read. Sweet.
I really enjoyed this book. Women after divorces, one in a marriage, but how they dealt with all of that differently.
my kind of chick book, some cultrual diversity thank you, strong woman, and a little sappy but something i enjoy every so often.
Barbara Samuel is one of my favorite authors. None of her books has disappointed me and this book did not. While Samuel's books tend to end on a positive note, the characters are realistic and not everything is tied up in a neat little bow. The theme of her books is women facing negative things that have happened to them, rebuilding lives and the importance and power of female friendship. I feel like I've been out to a girls happy hour each time I read her books. I'm not very literary so I don't...more
Jul 22, 2010
Dianne
is currently reading it
just starting this one..I enjoyed her last book that I read.
I got the title all mixed up. But I enjoyed reading it.
Didn't like the ending as much as some of the author's other books, but enjoyed most of the book.
I really liked this book. Not sure why to be honest with ya. I loved the setting (Colorado).
I guess the whole notion of starting over and doing what you really want is just very inspiring. True, she was forced to do it, but still, she did it, and she had the opportunity to do it.
I don't like the title though. I doesn't really make sense, since Madame Mirabou wasn't really the main character, and she didn't teach anybody anything about love. It should have been called "Scent of Hours", I think.
I guess the whole notion of starting over and doing what you really want is just very inspiring. True, she was forced to do it, but still, she did it, and she had the opportunity to do it.
I don't like the title though. I doesn't really make sense, since Madame Mirabou wasn't really the main character, and she didn't teach anybody anything about love. It should have been called "Scent of Hours", I think.
The book is, on the whole, fluffy and indulgent, just as I hoped it would be... but REALLY... do we HAVE to hear about this woman's sexual fixations? I mean, COME ON. Sure, I tend to favor g-rated books, but... does ANYONE enjoy reading that kind of stuff?
Whatever. Will not rant, as those paragraphs are few and far between, but I SWEAR they get me to exhibit the most contorted expressions of disdain and disgust... what if my face gets STUCK that way??? I'll SUE!
Whatever. Will not rant, as those paragraphs are few and far between, but I SWEAR they get me to exhibit the most contorted expressions of disdain and disgust... what if my face gets STUCK that way??? I'll SUE!
Not one of my favorites from her.
I really love all of Barbara Samuel's books. this was no different. She has an ability to set up landscapes, locations and characters in such a colorful and effective way. I also appreciate her descriptions of the characters emotional states. It is a great book if you want to read something about emotions and hope.
Just finished this book - it was surprisingly good. I tend to veer away from contemporary fiction aimed at women - so much of it seems plasticky and gross. This was pretty good, though - a quick but thoughtful read. Good for vacations - I got through most of it on a 4-hour plane trip.
Girly fun--exploring new beginnings. If you're a divorcee or know one, this book will cheer you and give you a realistic view of life on the other side.
Sometimes you just have to take a chance and live life. All Barbara Samuels characters are on the road to self discovery. I want to write like her one day.
I personally love this author because she is from the Pueblo area!!!! All of her books that I have read have taken place in Colorado. This is a book about a woman coming into herself in her 40s after her divorce. Great Book!!!
The title of this book sounds like a bad romance novel. It's not. This is a great story of a woman finding herself after everything in her "perfect" life goes horribly awry. Really enjoyed this one.
Did not like it nearly as much as No Place Like Home. Seemed a little self indulgent and bitter story of a single Mom and others none to happy around her.
very fast read- started it friday night, ended by sunday afternoon- but not bad...a little juicy in parts, interesting characters.
Surprising book--nothing like the title or the cover suggests. About a woman living through the aftermath of a divorce.
"'Women,' she said, 'need to tell stories about what happens to them. That's how we get it to make sense.'" p. 45
Madame Mirabou's School of Love: A Novel by Barbara Samuel (2006)
Jun 17, 2013
Anna Bowling
marked it as to-read
Jun 04, 2013
Sumiko Curry
marked it as to-read
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Barbara Samuel is a multiple RITA award-winning author with more than 38 books to her credit in a variety of genres. She has written historical and contemporary romances, a number of fantasy novellas with the likes of Susan Wiggs, Jo Beverley and Mary Jo Putney. She now writes women’s fiction about families, dogs, and food as Barbara O’Neal.
Her work has captured a plethora of awards, including six...more
More about Barbara Samuel...
Her work has captured a plethora of awards, including six...more
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