The Perfumer's Secret in Aussie Readers

Dec 07, 2016 Brenda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, historical-fiction, own-read, aussie-authors, sent-by-publisher, 2015-release

As Fleurette Delacroix walked on the arm of her elder brother Henri, she knew this was the end of life as she’d known it. The only daughter of the exclusive perfume house in Grasse, the hatred she felt for the man she was headed toward was all-consuming. But Henri knew all the arguments – the marriage of a Delacroix to a De Lasset was expected. Fleurette had to toe the line; the two families, both of perfume empires, needed to unite. Fleurette would marry Aimery whether she wanted to or not. Her As Fleurette Delacroix walked on the arm of her elder brother Henri, she knew this was the end of life as she’d known it. The only daughter of the exclusive perfume house in Grasse, the hatred she felt for the man she was headed toward was all-consuming. But Henri knew all the arguments – the marriage of a Delacroix to a De Lasset was expected. Fleurette had to toe the line; the two families, both of perfume empires, needed to unite. Fleurette would marry Aimery whether she wanted to or not. Her twin brother Felix felt sympathy for the plight his sister was facing, but he too told her she needed to accept what was meant to be…

But World War I was imminent – and when the cathedral bells sounded on Fleurette’s wedding night and her husband immediately prepared and left for the frontlines, she felt nothing but relief. She knew she would eventually have to share his bed, but for now she was safe. Her worry was for her brothers though, as they too boarded the train for the front. Henri and especially Felix would be sadly missed; the all-consuming worry of the women and children left at home was relentless.

The unexpected arrival of a letter from Aimery’s estranged brother Sébastien demanding Fleurette not marry his brother shocked her – the letter was too late, but it also told her nothing. When eventually she learned Sébastien’s secret, her anguish was intense; the disbelief took her breath away. It was a secret so deep it could destroy the two most important families in a heartbeat.

Wow! Australian Fiona McIntosh is an exceptional writer – she is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. Meticulous and detailed research took me through the town of Grasse from 1914 to 1918, where I appreciated the beautifully painted word pictures of the perfume factory, how each of the flowers played their part in the making of the perfumes. I enjoyed (most of) the characters, especially the volatile and outspoken Graciela. And the glimpse of WWI and the angst of the families waiting for news was heartbreaking. My copy of The Perfumer's Secret is beautiful. The beginning of each chapter has a spread of roses at the side, and inside the front cover is a full coloured mass of beautiful pink roses.

I have no hesitation in highly recommending The Perfumer’s Secret to fans of Historical Fiction.

With thanks to Penguin Random House for my copy to read and review. ...more

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Feb 08, 2017 Kathryn rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, australian-authors, reading-list-2017, fiction

I’ve read and enjoyed several other Fiona McIntosh books, and thought this would be similar to her others. The cover is gorgeous, as is the setting, in Grasse, the perfume capital of France, however these were the best parts of the book. My library listed this as historical fiction, but I think it would be more accurate to call it historical romance - with emphasis on the romance rather than the historical.

It was eye-rollingly sentimental and soppy much of the time. It was also quite repetitive, ...more

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Sep 13, 2015 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-are, provided-by-publisher, aussie-author

The Perfumer's Secret is Fiona McIntosh's seventh historical tale of romance. Set in the Provence region of France during World War 1, it's a story of duty, secrets, love, family and perfume.

Dramatic and romantic, the plot of The Perfumer's Secret centers around Fleurette Delacroix. To secure the futures of Grasse's eminent perfumery dynasties, Fleurette is forced to wed Aimery De Lasset by her eldest brother, Henri. Though resigned to her fate, it's a relief when war is declared before the marr
The Perfumer's Secret is Fiona McIntosh's seventh historical tale of romance. Set in the Provence region of France during World War 1, it's a story of duty, secrets, love, family and perfume.

Dramatic and romantic, the plot of The Perfumer's Secret centers around Fleurette Delacroix. To secure the futures of Grasse's eminent perfumery dynasties, Fleurette is forced to wed Aimery De Lasset by her eldest brother, Henri. Though resigned to her fate, it's a relief when war is declared before the marriage is consummated and De Lasset rides off to join the French troops marching against the invasion of Germany. With the men, including Fleurette's brother away at war, it is left to her to ensure that both family business continue to flourish, a challenge she is more than capable of, for Fleurette has 'the nose', a rare ability to distinguish over 3000 scents. But when Fleurette's husband's estranged brother, Sebastien De Lasset, appears in Grasse, he carries a secret that could destroy everything both families have built, and break Fleurette's heart.

Fleurette is a lovely character, from the first pages she demonstrates spirit, courage and patience, and continues to mature over the course of the novel. Given the era she has few options when Henri insists she marries Aimery, but she doesn't let it dampen her hopes that she will find a place in the family business, and she copes admirably with the scandal and tragedy that befalls her. Aimery is an uncomplicated villain, arrogant, boorish and misogynistic, while Sebastien is a traditional heroic character. The romance that develops between Fleurette and Sebastien is easy to root for.

McIntosh's deftly weaves historical fact into her fiction. The story is meticulously researched, in terms of location, period and the specifics of the perfumery industry. McIntosh describes the study she undertook in the back of the book, spending time in Grasse, interviewing perfumers, visiting museums, and creating a signature scent. I don't wear perfume (my husband is allergic) but I still found learning about its production and scents interesting.

An easy, engaging and pleasant read, The Perfumer's Secret is a grand historical love story ideal for francophiles and romantics.
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