Two unsuspecting lovers stumble upon the blueprint for love . . .
Calliope Allbrook takes a job in lovely, sunny Adelaide, Australia, hoping to lose herself in her work as a balm for her broken heart. And if it weren’t for the handsome hunk renovating the house next door, Calli would never even have looked up from the garden she is designing for her latest client. But rugged Kellen Dee is just the cure the beautiful heiress needs. After all, he has no idea who she is, so he certainly won’t see her as a meal ticket. Then there’s the fact that Kell’s deliciously sexy—and incredibly good with his hands . . .
From the moment Kell takes her in his arms, he knows Calli is more than just a fling. Then the blue collar bachelor learns he’s not sharing his bed with just any woman, but the wealthy daughter of the man who could make Kell’s construction business a success—and Kell the kind of well-heeled man worthy of Calli’s love. But he’ll have to be careful his ambitions don’t trip up his heart . . .
Virginia is a full time writer who used to be a nurse/midwife, a scenic painter and designer, a renovator of heritage houses, and still is an avid gardener. She is also a bad driver, an unenthusiastic cook and a reader of all things bookish.
I have a thing for Tradies. Maybe, I should clarify. A fit and healthy man with a pair of hard yakka navy blue shorts, t-shirt and steel toed boots are HOT!! Now, don’t judge me but I REALLY like it when hubby gets dressed for heading out on site for work. His “uniform” is of the “tradie” variety and it really emphasises his well-defined calf muscles…and other stuff. I think it makes it hotter that he’s really a desk/computer man, who sidelines as a “tradie”. His tradie side is like his Superman costume to me. He puts it on…and I swoon.
Well, now that I’ve got myself all fluttery thinking about hubby in his “costume”, let’s get back to the story.
So, Perfect Scents is about finding out that some plans are meant to go off track. Calli is recovering from a broken heart…or, more frankly, a broken bank account. It’s not always easy to find love when your parents are rich. You have to worm your way past the social climbers, money grubbers and career steppers. Calli seems to have a bad habit of picking the worst of the bunch and it’s time for her to step away and fix the mess of her life. Calli’s on track until she’s tackled by the meth dealers who live next door. Well, she thought they were meth dealers…
Kell has a plan…work hard. Everything around that is just stuff. He wants to make something of himself. Kell doesn’t mind working hard because he knows if he has a nice house, fancy car and high earning business, he’s a success (misguided fool). Women, they have a use but he doesn’t want to keep one. Kell’s on track until he finds a young boy casing the joint next door. Well, he thought it was a young boy…
Turns out, love has a way of messing with plans and these two must work out whether their plans can be tweaked to fit each other in.
I enjoyed Perfect Scents. There were a few times that I felt the characters were a lot older than their years. It wasn’t just their maturity or life experience leading them to grow up early. I just found the terms used and decisions they made were something I would see in someone older. I saw them as aged in their late thirties instead of late twenties. To be honest, I would have loved to see more of their falling in love. We're told it's happening but at times I felt like I blinked and missed it. As per usual, the knuckleheads would have suffered a lot less if they had communicated better…but where would the fun be in that?
It was fun getting to see the renovations as they were being done. I enjoyed watching them discuss the benefits of adding more market value but adding a butlers pantry. Or, whether or not plain white tiles were boring or right for the look of Kell’s investment property. The planting side of things for Calli was interesting too. I can kill a flowering bush from 20 paces so a lot of it was completely new to me.
Perfect Scents was a sweet story about finding love when you’re not looking for it. I liked the characters and was satisfied with their connection.
Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
She was determined to put her broken heart and her ruined reputation among the wealthy elite behind her. Slowly, she was making her own way with her small, one woman landscaping business and the regal home garden she was re-creating would be a feather in her cap, plus it gave her a place to say for several weeks with the owners gone. With careful planning, she could be on her feet again and independent of the taint of being a little rich girl.
Calli never realized her life could soon be coming up roses when she had a run in with the guy next door, the very handsome, very ambitious and hardworking guy next door. Kell is trying to make a living, renovating homes and selling them to finance and expand his small cabinetry/construction business. Serious, determined and very single, no woman has been able to turn his head or make him settle down, until the sassy girl next door stood up to his attitude and peaked his interest.
BUT, there is always a “but,” Kell is a blue collar man who has no idea that the beautiful Calli was once the darling of the uppercrust, will it change his budding love for her? Will he see her as a way to grow his fledgling construction business and make him the man he thinks she deserves? Love doesn’t need a bank account, it needs trust and honesty…
PERFECT SCENTS is a short and sweet romance from Virginia Taylor that puts two people in Cupid’s sights who are both a little on the quiet side, one, bred to be reserved and to hide her painful past, the other, a man who wants no attachments until he has “made it” in the world. Kind of cute, with many endearing moments, some pretty steamy moments and more than one blossoming romance. A perfect romantic escape!
I received an ARC edition from Lyrical Shine in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Romance by Design Publisher: Lyrical Shine (September 26, 2017) Publication Date: September 26, 2017 Genre: Contemporary Romance | Women's Fiction Print Length: 204 pages Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
I received a kindle copy through a goodreads contest. This is a story about people trying to rebuild their lives; to prove to others but mostly to themselves that they are worthy of respect and love. Calli is a garden designer who placed her trust in the wrong person and damaged her professional reputation and was personally bankrupted. Kell is the guy from the wrong side of the tracks who owns a small cabinetry company but who is looking to expand; he is convinced that his worthiness is tied to his success. Both need to find a way to redesign their lives to make room for each other and for one abandoned cat named Hobo. Everyone will love the scenes with the scene-stealing feline.
I really liked the story, especially the humor. The work ethic both had was great and appreciated the fact that they could talk business on dates, though occasionally they used that as a tactic to avoid more personal conversations. It is easy to say Calli and Kell shouldn't have had all their self doubts-- But I did feel for Calli when originally it seems that Trent, Kell's friend and co-worker, might believe the idle gossip he has heard about her; and I did understand how Kell's past with a drunken father and all the stud for hire jokes might undermine his sense of worth--so I accepted the fact they needed to work things out individually and by seeing each other through the other's perspective.
This book is part of a series called Romance By Design but can stand alone. Would recommend. Do wish Ms Taylor would change the title though, maybe Best-laid Plans?
'Perfect Scents' by Virginia Taylor is book Two in the "Romance By Design'. This is the story of Calliope Allbrook and Kellen Dee. I have not yet read the previous book, so this was a standalone book for me. Calli is trying to start over after being taking by a man who she thought cared for her. So she is trying to get away and just work on her landscaping business. Kell is working toward his goal of expanding his construction business and doing so by flipping a house. Kell and Calli each start off on the wrong foot with each other. There is some funny parts in their story but overall this was a sweet easy read. Enjoyed it! "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read." https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H... https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1... https://twitter.com/soapsrus68 https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
With her heart broken and her professional relationship in ruins Calli Allbrook takes a job in Adelaide, Australia giving her time to heal and come up with a plan. With her nose to the grindstone she shouldn't have even noticed him but Kell Dee is too much man to ignore. Maybe he's just what she needs. Kell knows immediately that Calli more than just a fling even if that is all she's looking for. Problems start though when he finds out exactly who she is.
This is a very enjoyable read, The writing is great and the style enjoyable. The characters are well developed and grabbed my attention right away. Definitely a book I recommend for everyone.
This was a sweet book. I loved all the wrong assumptions at the beginning between Calli and Kell. They were so off it was just hilarious! I enjoyed reading the progression of the main characters' relationship, though there were times I wanted to bop both of them on the head. My only complaint with the story was that in the back and forth dialogue between Calli and Kell, the author didn't always put who said what and I'd have to back track to figure that out. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads giveaways.
I don't understand the title, really. The plot was mediocre, and the dialogue was meh. I didn't hate it, but I didn't really like it all that much either.
Calliope 'Calli' Allbrook needs the job she's taken in hopes of staying out of the limelight and to mend the broken heart she suffered when her ex took advantage of her and she lost everything. Now though, she's working hard and is determined to pay back the money she owes. If only she could stay away from her gorgeous neighbour and her desire to help him renovate his home to net him the best price. However, the more time Calli spends with Kell, the more she finds herself falling for a guy that's more interested in one-night stands than forever after. Will Calli give forever after a shot now that she's met her Mr. Right, or will Calli turn her back on their growing relationship because she's scared?
Having really enjoyed the first book of this series, I was looking forward to this second book of Ms. Taylor's Romance by Design series, and I've got to say that this book does not disappoint. Not only because of the intense chemistry between the hero and heroine, but because of their back stories that make these two so captivating and fascinating. The way this story started had me sympathizing with the heroine, as she's in a bit of a bind because of what her ex did. Will her ex end up paying for what he did, especially since her reputation was tarnished because of his actions and the media painting her as the bad guy? Will she ever be able to prove she wasn't at fault? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine met that had me laughing, because of the hero's wrong assumptions when it comes to the heroine.
As for the dialogue, it was well-written and a wonderful combination of intense moments due to the main characters back stories and playful banter and actions by the characters that had me smiling and laughing, especially the moment where the hero realizes that Calli is not what he first thought. How could he be so mistaken when she looks the way she does? Moreover, the heroine is strong, courageous, sassy, hard-working and I liked how determined she is to repay her parents for all that they've done for her. I could also understand her need for secrecy, especially with everything that's happened to her in the past and because of who her family is. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine was that she took a chance on the hero, even though he's more of a one-night stand kind of guy than a man that believes in happy ever after.
While the hero, he's confident, has a nickname that proves he's good with the ladies but is the love-'em-and-leave-'em type, and I liked how driven he was when it came to his career and proving that he has what it takes to achieve his dreams, if he's given a chance. However, what I liked most of all about the hero was that he gave the heroine the benefit of the doubt when it came to her past and that he didn't judge her once he learnt the truth. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero was how determined he was to get everything he wants in life on his own merit. That he didn't take advantage of who he knew and what they could for him, which is proven once he discovers more about the heroine.
Overall, Ms. Taylor has penned a delightful and riveting read in this book where this couple's romance was exciting and definitely does justice to this couple's intense chemistry; the secondary characters were just as entertaining as the main ones; and the ending had me totally enchanted by all that the hero has accomplished when it comes to the house he's been renovating and his job prospects. However, it was how things turned out for the hero and heroine that I absolutely loved, because Kell has to work all of his magic to win the heroine over, as she's stubborn when it comes to their future as a couple or whether they'll go their separate ways. I would recommend Perfect Scents by Virginia Taylor, if you enjoy the mistaken identity trope or books by authors Allison B. Hanson, Sharon Struth, Maggie Wells and Lindy Zart.
Adelaide, Australia. Calliope “Calli” Allbrook high hopes & big plans for Judge Adrian Ferguson new garden. He/his wife were vacationing in the Mediterranean. A stray cat had wondered up to the door. Calli the next day was checking out where everything was in the city.
Hobo (cream Burmese) was taking to the vet for a checkup. OK, other than starved. 1 late night Calli met Kellen “Kell” Dee (28, aka Killer, construction). He told her what she hoped was a wild story about him/brother. Calli (Horticulturalist), Kell, Trent (30, artisan, theater set builder), Steve (renovator), & Emily (nurse, Jogger girl) were having a luncheon together. Kell was taking Calli Opey, Emily, & Trent to Barossa Valley for a wine tasting day. Trent & Kell were putting in the sidewalks for Calli.
Mercia Allbrook (wife/mom) died on impact when her car hit a tree on Strathalbyn Road. The garden & flowers were starting to take shape. Mrs. Haslam’s garden had to be done in 1 more week.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written down-under romance book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great down-under romance movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It was just OK for me so I will rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Penguin Random House Publisher Services; Lyrical Press; Kensington Publishing Corp; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
I received this kindle book through a goodreads giveaway!
Calli just got screwed over by a guy who was just using her to get closer to her rich parents. He basically stole all her money and destroyed her reputation. She takes a job where she can revamp someone's garden while house sitting for 3 months. Kell "Killer" is a working class playboy who invested in the house next door to flip it so he can make enough money to get his new business off the ground. They both make quick judgements about the other which couldn't be further from the truth. Calli and Kell are both very hard workers and have a lot of pride in what they do/create.
I loved when Kells friend yelled his nickname Killer and Calli thought he was telling him to kill her.
I guess I am wondering why Calli and her family didn't press charges and/or try to clear her name more. It seems that would ease the high society snobby but who knows, she really just wanted to work hard to prove people wrong. And this was an insta love relationship and they wanted to get married after only a couple months of knowing each other. So that was a little quick for me.
My honest review is that the book was actually good. Though I got bored towards the end. It happens. Like that due to the fact I am over this book. I was more so over the gardener and cabinet maker throughout the book. Towards the end it was getting back good. Just the same as the beginning it was actually good. But the middle it became dreadful. Good book though.
* I received this book for free from a Goodreads giveaway. *
This is a sweet romance that has the main characters working and playing well together. I had a little trouble getting into this due to the pacing and the sometimes confusing dialogue. However, getting past the issues, I did find it enjoyable.
A very beautiful story about Calliope who is the main character in this story. She takes a job to help her cope with her recent heart break in this book. She never counted on Kellen to enter into her life. Just as she is putting everything into her work to help her forget her loss, here comes Kellen to turn her world upside down. I love it. A must read for any and all book lovers everywhere.
I won this book from a kindle giveaway for an honest review. Calliope who didn't need to work ever decided to take a job for a broken heart and meets handsome Kellen who is working for her family but doesn't know it. Really romantic story. I enjoyed it.
I received this book for free from a Goodreads giveaway. This was a sweet book and the main characters work and play well together. A very good read i loved every minute of it.