A remarkable novel about secrets, desire, memory, passion, and possibility.Newlywed Grace Monroe doesn’t fit anyone’s expectations of a successful 1950s London socialite, least of all her own. When she receives an unexpected inheritance from a complete stranger, Madame Eva d’Orsey, Grace is drawn to uncover the identity of her mysterious benefactor.Weaving through the decades, from 1920s New York … from 1920s New York to Monte Carlo, Paris, and London, the story Grace uncovers is that of an extraordinary women who inspired one of Paris’s greatest perfumers. Immortalized in three evocative perfumes, Eva d’Orsey’s history will transform Grace’s life forever, forcing her to choose between the woman she is expected to be and the person she really is.
The Perfume Collector explores the complex and obsessive love between muse and artist, and the tremendous power of memory and scent.
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Couldn’t put this book down. Many plot twists, well drawn characters, and many interesting things to learn about perfumes.
I love d this book, Learned about perfumery. Loved the characters and the story. I felt that the story fell apart in the last quarter of the book to my dismay.
Outstanding! It was so we’ll written for such an unusual plot. The characters stayed true to form. I was so captivated, I ran out and got Rare Objects. I don’t think you could ever tire of Ms. Tessarro.
A step back in time…wonderfully written. Loved this book and author.
I gave this as a gift to a friend who loves perfume. She is pretty knowledgable about the process of making them and said that this book got it right and was a lot of fun to read.
Loved the interplay of two stories set amid the perfume industry in Paris. Great historical fiction.
Interesting concept but the book moves slow in spots. The price was right I enjoyed the genre.
Well written, I learned a lot about perfume. The sensory descriptions were delicious.
While reading the book I found myself somewhat frustrated at the switching between times (pre- and post-WWII) and hence the switching between character outlooks, but it kept me interested enough that I kept returning to it in order to find out the full story and to see if what I thought had occurred was, indeed, what the author had written.
I really loved this book, but what’s not to love about a slime ball, manipulative husband who gets exactly what he deserves; a best friend who can’t mind her own business; a handsome attorney who also gets what he deserves and a bequest from a total stranger all set in Paris. Love happily ever after books!
A fascinating insight into the world of perfumes.
Different from my usual reading but I found it interesting and seeing the lifestyle that could have been our parents or grandparents was fun and bittersweet.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were so enjoyable and intriguing. I recommend it most highly.
What an interesting book that combines fiction with real life history. I learned a lot about the war through the narrative involving an heiress who don’t know who her benefactor is until almost the end of the book. I found it to be delightful, insightful, and very interesting.
EXCELLENT READ, INTERESTIING AND CHARACTERS ARE SUPER
Loved this book. Couldn’t put it down. Such an interesting topic about perfumery. I learned a lot. Great characters!! Good narrative. A great book.
Hard to put down. I wanted to be there in Paris with these characters.
The story line was different from other books I have read. Grace receives an inheritance from a stranger and she goes to Paris to find out why.
Couldn’t put it down.
The book stretched from WWII to modern times. There were historical facts & I am fascinated by history!