What do you think?
Rate this book
Scent of a Garden
A perfumer in Paris is forced to return to her California roots in an exhilarating novel about family, self-discovery, and taking risks by the author of The Candid Life of Meena Dave.
The daughter of proud Napa Valley hoteliers, Asha “Poppy” Patel chose a different line as a Paris perfumer, gifted with a nose for fragrances and business. Until her heightened sense of smell disappears. Her career in jeopardy, her world now muted, Poppy returns home. Maybe tending to her grandmother’s massive aromatic garden, where Poppy’s gift first flowered, will bring restorative hope.
But when she arrives, Poppy discovers that the land upon which the beautiful garden once thrived has been uprooted and destroyed. She realizes that the years she spent away from her home have loosened so many ties with the past. Torn between a mother who lives vicariously through her and a father who wants her to embrace her family’s legacy, Poppy is determined to chart her own path of rediscovery.
Poppy must juggle family drama, childhood friendships, and a former love to forge a future of her own choosing and, in time, heal an unscented life.
The daughter of proud Napa Valley hoteliers, Asha “Poppy” Patel chose a different line as a Paris perfumer, gifted with a nose for fragrances and business. Until her heightened sense of smell disappears. Her career in jeopardy, her world now muted, Poppy returns home. Maybe tending to her grandmother’s massive aromatic garden, where Poppy’s gift first flowered, will bring restorative hope.
But when she arrives, Poppy discovers that the land upon which the beautiful garden once thrived has been uprooted and destroyed. She realizes that the years she spent away from her home have loosened so many ties with the past. Torn between a mother who lives vicariously through her and a father who wants her to embrace her family’s legacy, Poppy is determined to chart her own path of rediscovery.
Poppy must juggle family drama, childhood friendships, and a former love to forge a future of her own choosing and, in time, heal an unscented life.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2023
1066 people are currently reading
5850 people want to read
About the author
Namrata Patel
4 books365 followersNamrata Patel is an Indian American writer who resides in Boston. Her writing examines diaspora and dual-cultural identity among Indian Americans and explores this dynamic while also touching on the families we’re born with and those we choose. Namrata has lived in India, New Jersey, Spokane, London, and New York City and has been writing most of her adult life. For more information visit www.nampatel.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
December 21, 2022
First of all, I loved that that MC Asha has a career as a perfumer! We don't see enough of those into literature, am I right? Namrata Patel obviously did so much incredible research into scents and the industry, and it really brought Asha's background to life. The same goes for Patel's descriptions of teas as well as hotel life.
I also appreciated that this was one of the first books I've read that seamlessly incorporated COVID-19 in a way that was central to the story; it made a lot of sense that a perfumer would have an identity crisis over losing her sense of smell after contracting the virus.
The biggest struggles I had with this one were repetition and pacing; we got a lot of the same conversations and ruminations for well over half of the novel, and then it only really took off close to the 60% mark. (That final 40% was flying though!) I just wish we'd been able to move along a little quicker and maybe throw in a few different variables.
Still, Scent of a Garden was an interesting and inventive story, and I'm intrigued to read what Namrata Patel publishes next. (I'm also going back to read her debut!)
I also appreciated that this was one of the first books I've read that seamlessly incorporated COVID-19 in a way that was central to the story; it made a lot of sense that a perfumer would have an identity crisis over losing her sense of smell after contracting the virus.
The biggest struggles I had with this one were repetition and pacing; we got a lot of the same conversations and ruminations for well over half of the novel, and then it only really took off close to the 60% mark. (That final 40% was flying though!) I just wish we'd been able to move along a little quicker and maybe throw in a few different variables.
Still, Scent of a Garden was an interesting and inventive story, and I'm intrigued to read what Namrata Patel publishes next. (I'm also going back to read her debut!)
December 23, 2023
Controlling parents, career woes, and cultural expectations. Pretty common foundation, but some spins like unique industries make this an enjoyable read.
June 25, 2023
On the surface, this is an insanely cute, predictable rom-com! Underneath, it had spectacular character and story development! I loved the look inside the the female characters - the grandmother, mom, and Asha. While I cannot relate to story of first generation immigrants and all that entails, I loved the way the story taught me so much about it! This is the second book by this author and I’ve loved both of them! Will continue reading her books in the future!
July 4, 2025
Luckily I liked Neel so that helped give this 3 stars, and not 2. I don’t feel like Asha ever grew to be nice, kind and loving towards him. She would take out her feelings on him, so I didn’t understand the attraction. Honestly it felt like Asha was only physically attracted to him.
January 5, 2023
"I'm a person in my own right, not someone who exists simply to fulfill a path I never choose."
What I really liked from this book was definitely how alive and well-developed the characters are and the relationship between them. It has a fairly slow start as our main character, Asha found herself back at home after failing to do her important job as a perfumer due to her sudden loss of smell. Not knowing where to return after her boss put her into a month-long break, she decided to come home to her family, never expecting it'd bring her insights necessary for her life path and how she navigated herself in the midst of her 'supposed' dream and her actual passion.
I admitted I wasn't a fan of the slow start at first. But the writing had its certain charm to keep you wanting to stay and read for more, and I ended up finishing the book and appreciating how the pace truly make the whole book even more enriching in its flavor. The compelling family dynamic, characters that are given color, and ultimately how we witnessed thoroughly through Asha's lenses of how her life changed gradually was pretty satisfying. I really liked how we were there in every single moment, no matter fickle and futile it was, that the transition and the self-discovery Asha found during her holiday, and how it truly paid off in the end. I also loved her subtle romantic chemistry with Neel, and honestly I'd be lying to say I don't want more of them. I liked the type of relationship they have; petty and subtly bitter due to their past, and yet still steady and mature at the same time.
But aside from all the goodness, it's also true that I didn't particularly feel emotionally attached to all the characters; apart from Asha and maybe a little bit of Neel. I want more of closure about Asha's family dynamic which wasn't exactly the best, and I feel they were given less importance near the end when it should have mattered more. I guess I just want more to make this heart-wrenching to read because it has so much potential to be an emotionally profound read.
Nonetheless, Scent of a Garden is a well-written story of a woman's self-discovery in her dream, family, and love.
---
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing the arc of this book.
July 6, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review
Asha “Poppy” was born into a family who have owned a legacy hotel in the Napa Valley for generations, and she is the sole heir to inherit. But with the encouragement of her Mom and Grandma she fulfilled her dream of being a perfumer in Paris. When her sense of smell is affected and she loses a huge assignment at work, she goes back home with her tail between her legs. At home her family helps her get her sense of smell back but also push her to examine her life, and maybe being a master perfumer is not her true dream after all
I love me and story of finding yourself, but this one did not work for me. I could not get myself to like or relate to the characters at all. All the relationships seemed so toxic. And 60% of the book was the same thing over and over in different words. The characters were all terrible at communicating, and were all whiney. The pacing needed a lot of work. I was so excited about having a perfumer main character, but her growth did not feel organic at all. Overall I was just left feeling very disappointed.
Asha “Poppy” was born into a family who have owned a legacy hotel in the Napa Valley for generations, and she is the sole heir to inherit. But with the encouragement of her Mom and Grandma she fulfilled her dream of being a perfumer in Paris. When her sense of smell is affected and she loses a huge assignment at work, she goes back home with her tail between her legs. At home her family helps her get her sense of smell back but also push her to examine her life, and maybe being a master perfumer is not her true dream after all
I love me and story of finding yourself, but this one did not work for me. I could not get myself to like or relate to the characters at all. All the relationships seemed so toxic. And 60% of the book was the same thing over and over in different words. The characters were all terrible at communicating, and were all whiney. The pacing needed a lot of work. I was so excited about having a perfumer main character, but her growth did not feel organic at all. Overall I was just left feeling very disappointed.
June 15, 2023
“Scent of a garden” is a contemporary fiction written by Namrata Patel which follows the story a daughter of proud Napa Valley hoteliers, Asha "Poppy" Patel chose a different line as a Paris perfumer, gifted with a nose for fragrances and business. Until her heightened sense of smell disappears and decides to return home. Torn between a mother who lives vicariously through her and a father who wants her to embrace her family's legacy, Poppy is determined to chart her own path of rediscovery. Poppy must juggle family drama, childhood friendships, and a former love to forge a future of her own choosing and, in time, heal an unscented life.
One thing that I liked is that it offer realistic portrayals of characters and situations, devoid of overly romanticized moments.Despite her exceptional sense of smell, she faces numerous challenges and struggles, mirroring the complexities of real life.
But the huge drawback was that this story was way to repetitive!! Many chapters began in the same manner, recounting Poppy's morning routine, same conversations leading to a monotonous reading experience. This repetition persisted until the story was nearly 80% complete, detracting from the pacing and creating a sense of stagnation. Additionally, I struggled to develop a genuine connection with the characters. They lacked depth, making it difficult to empathize with them. Furthermore, the interactions between the characters, particularly their relationships with Poppy, felt stilted and lacked a natural flow (one time they expresses their feelings and then again they do the same thing all over again).
The idea of this book was unique and I truly felt that this story had potential but badly executed. I’m disappointed.
At last, I extend my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing ,for providing me with an advance reading copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 2 stars out of 5.
One thing that I liked is that it offer realistic portrayals of characters and situations, devoid of overly romanticized moments.Despite her exceptional sense of smell, she faces numerous challenges and struggles, mirroring the complexities of real life.
But the huge drawback was that this story was way to repetitive!! Many chapters began in the same manner, recounting Poppy's morning routine, same conversations leading to a monotonous reading experience. This repetition persisted until the story was nearly 80% complete, detracting from the pacing and creating a sense of stagnation. Additionally, I struggled to develop a genuine connection with the characters. They lacked depth, making it difficult to empathize with them. Furthermore, the interactions between the characters, particularly their relationships with Poppy, felt stilted and lacked a natural flow (one time they expresses their feelings and then again they do the same thing all over again).
The idea of this book was unique and I truly felt that this story had potential but badly executed. I’m disappointed.
At last, I extend my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing ,for providing me with an advance reading copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 2 stars out of 5.
December 20, 2022
Asha "Poppy" Patel was living in Paris and working at her dream job. Leela and Sapna, grandmother and mother of Asha, recognized that she had a gift when she was a little girl. They charted her steps to become a perfumer in France, the world's fragrance capital. Poppy's world has changed as her sense of smell is gone. She's trying to make it work, but her boss has insisted on a leave. Poppy returns home to California, and for the first time in her life, she pauses in reflection to consider if she's living her dream or that of her mother and grandmother. As an only child, should Poppy carry on the legacy of her grandfather and parents as a hotelier in Napa Valley, or can Poppy finally chart her course? Where will Poppy find fulfillment? A balanced life of work and personal time. A life filled with family, friendships, and love.
The compelling family drama highlights a young woman's search for identity and her place to belong. Through storytelling, the author gives a window to explore whether generational legacy is a burden or pleasure. Regardless of the reader's age, it's easy to empathize with Poppy, especially if you've experienced an unforeseen change in life (e.g., accident, illness, employment downsizing).
A well-written, immersive novel. The author's writing captured the scents of perfume and flowers with words on a page. I was captivated. I’m already wondering what stories the author has yet to tell.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel.
#ScentofaGarden #NetGalley
The compelling family drama highlights a young woman's search for identity and her place to belong. Through storytelling, the author gives a window to explore whether generational legacy is a burden or pleasure. Regardless of the reader's age, it's easy to empathize with Poppy, especially if you've experienced an unforeseen change in life (e.g., accident, illness, employment downsizing).
A well-written, immersive novel. The author's writing captured the scents of perfume and flowers with words on a page. I was captivated. I’m already wondering what stories the author has yet to tell.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel.
#ScentofaGarden #NetGalley
July 5, 2024
Ugh. I wanted to like this so much. Pacing is horrible…so slow and repetitive and then the last 10% of the book’s plot is rushed. How many times can you say she felt left out, she covered her hurt with anger, etc.
Asha is unlikeable. I felt for her…the expectations, especially of an immigrant family, and I highlighted several bits of writing I related to with my own experiences with an immigrant mother. But she wallows in self pity (and I love a good wallowing session myself). Maybe it’s how the writer says the same things over and over that makes it both lose meaning and create something tedious to read. I ended up skimming from about 46% in because so much of what Asha was feeling was already described in the first half, no new feelings or revelations.
She treats Neel like shit and while I understand the pull of a first love especially one known all your life, there’s nothing redeeming enough for Neel to have made the business offer he did. She constantly puts him down and snaps at him because of her own emotional turmoil and it’s hard to believe she’s an adult; emotionally she’s like a 15 year old.
So much time is spent talking about Leela and Sapna, her grandmother and mother, that the wrap up feels incomplete. Same with her father. It’s like the author was on a tight deadline and just rushed to put a crooked bow on the book.
Also it just felt so much like the plot to another of the author’s books. I understand and love she’s trying to write about intergenerational family situations, trauma, bonds, etc. but it felt regurgitated.
Asha is unlikeable. I felt for her…the expectations, especially of an immigrant family, and I highlighted several bits of writing I related to with my own experiences with an immigrant mother. But she wallows in self pity (and I love a good wallowing session myself). Maybe it’s how the writer says the same things over and over that makes it both lose meaning and create something tedious to read. I ended up skimming from about 46% in because so much of what Asha was feeling was already described in the first half, no new feelings or revelations.
She treats Neel like shit and while I understand the pull of a first love especially one known all your life, there’s nothing redeeming enough for Neel to have made the business offer he did. She constantly puts him down and snaps at him because of her own emotional turmoil and it’s hard to believe she’s an adult; emotionally she’s like a 15 year old.
So much time is spent talking about Leela and Sapna, her grandmother and mother, that the wrap up feels incomplete. Same with her father. It’s like the author was on a tight deadline and just rushed to put a crooked bow on the book.
Also it just felt so much like the plot to another of the author’s books. I understand and love she’s trying to write about intergenerational family situations, trauma, bonds, etc. but it felt regurgitated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2023
2.5 stars. I found this book underwhelming, to say the least. I loved the premise and I was eager to read Poppy's story. The biggest problem with this book, though, is the pacing. The first half or so is incredibly slow, spent largely in Poppy's head as she bemoans the status of her life and guilts herself over not coming home in 15 years (even though it similarly seems like her family and friends didn't make too much of an effort to stay in touch--Skype, anyone? FaceTime? Anthing?). Then in the last 40-50% of the book, all these developments happen. Unfortunately, I felt like those developments should have been spread out over the course of the book, so they didn't feel so abrupt or told-not-shown. We read about Poppy's character development and how she's decided perfuming isn't for her, but we only end up with snippets of how that decision came about. The tension with her mother is suddenly resolved in one chapter and then suddenly the tension between her parents is fine! There were also some other characters that seemed to have done an about-face in their personalities.
I think Patel had a lot of good ideas and there are moments where her writing shines. But overall, this feels like a lot of loose threads in Poppy's story that end up forced together, instead of being allowed to develop naturally.
I think Patel had a lot of good ideas and there are moments where her writing shines. But overall, this feels like a lot of loose threads in Poppy's story that end up forced together, instead of being allowed to develop naturally.
March 9, 2025
3.5! In between a 3 & 4. I would be interested in reading another of this authors books. I do feel like she very much rushed the end.
June 8, 2023
Thank you Netgalley, author Namrata Patel, and publisher Lake Union Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own :)
.
.
.
Maybe I'm a sucker for women's fiction, but I loved Scent of a Garden. The characters all felt rich and alive; not just the main character, Asha, but her family and her friends and her coworkers, too. Even if a coworker just stopped by her cubicle for a quick chat, I felt like they had a full life outside of that interaction. One character was never even seen directly on page, as he was the fairly new significant-other of Asha's friend, and he was referred to only as "The Man", i.e. "I'm with the man right now, he's making dinner," and he still managed to feel three dimensional.
My favorite part about this book, though, was how life did not simply stop around Asha. Asha's lived in Paris for the last decade and a half, with her family back in California. Her family has a group chat, her grandmothers are part of a gang of grannies that terrorize local wineries, her best friend is climbing the ranks of a hotel corporation, her high school sweetheart is dating other people. Life goes on without Asha there, because that's how it works in the real world. Many fiction novels will have life seemingly stop because the main character isn't around, "We were waiting for you!" but that does not happen here and I love it. And when Asha goes home to California, her friends in Paris don't stop living, either. The company Asha works for keeps gaining clients even though she's not there, her friends in Paris make plans and socialize without her. Asha may be the main character of Scent of a Garden, but she doesn't have "main character energy" in the best way possible. She's just a person, like any of us, and that makes her relatable.
This book definitely ends with a "Happy For Now" ending. It's not a "Happily Ever After", because things aren't perfect. Some things don't get resolved by the end of the book, some relationships are still strained, and probably always will be. But some things do get resolved, maybe not how Asha wanted, but resolved in a way she can accept and be happy. I feel like that just makes this book that much more powerful: Asha doesn't get everything she wants, and at times, she's outright told no! But she makes do, perseveres, and finds alternatives, and there's definitely a kind of strength to that. I think it takes a talented author to deliver a story that isn't all rainbows and roses, but is still deeply satisfying.
My one critique, if I have to have one, is this book is a bit predictable. Some situations lined up in such a way that, while reading, I couldn't help but think that something was too big of a coincidence, or that something was a real convenient solution or opportunity. In some cases, I was about 40% through the book and thought to myself "You know, I bet..." and when I got to 99%, I'd been right. Every single time. This wasn't disappointing enough to deter me from enjoying the story line, it was just an observation I was able to make from miles away.
Upon further reflection, that could be the reason Scent of a Garden, for me, fell a little shy of 5 stars. I wasn't surprised at any point, and didn't have any really strong emotional reactions, just a few moments of "Yeah, that's relatable. Oh girl, I been there. Ha! Mangos!" *IYKYK*. But it was still enjoyable, and still, in my opinion, masterfully written. I've got some more of Patel's works on my TBR and if they're anything like this, I know I'm gonna love 'em.
.
.
.
Maybe I'm a sucker for women's fiction, but I loved Scent of a Garden. The characters all felt rich and alive; not just the main character, Asha, but her family and her friends and her coworkers, too. Even if a coworker just stopped by her cubicle for a quick chat, I felt like they had a full life outside of that interaction. One character was never even seen directly on page, as he was the fairly new significant-other of Asha's friend, and he was referred to only as "The Man", i.e. "I'm with the man right now, he's making dinner," and he still managed to feel three dimensional.
My favorite part about this book, though, was how life did not simply stop around Asha. Asha's lived in Paris for the last decade and a half, with her family back in California. Her family has a group chat, her grandmothers are part of a gang of grannies that terrorize local wineries, her best friend is climbing the ranks of a hotel corporation, her high school sweetheart is dating other people. Life goes on without Asha there, because that's how it works in the real world. Many fiction novels will have life seemingly stop because the main character isn't around, "We were waiting for you!" but that does not happen here and I love it. And when Asha goes home to California, her friends in Paris don't stop living, either. The company Asha works for keeps gaining clients even though she's not there, her friends in Paris make plans and socialize without her. Asha may be the main character of Scent of a Garden, but she doesn't have "main character energy" in the best way possible. She's just a person, like any of us, and that makes her relatable.
This book definitely ends with a "Happy For Now" ending. It's not a "Happily Ever After", because things aren't perfect. Some things don't get resolved by the end of the book, some relationships are still strained, and probably always will be. But some things do get resolved, maybe not how Asha wanted, but resolved in a way she can accept and be happy. I feel like that just makes this book that much more powerful: Asha doesn't get everything she wants, and at times, she's outright told no! But she makes do, perseveres, and finds alternatives, and there's definitely a kind of strength to that. I think it takes a talented author to deliver a story that isn't all rainbows and roses, but is still deeply satisfying.
My one critique, if I have to have one, is this book is a bit predictable. Some situations lined up in such a way that, while reading, I couldn't help but think that something was too big of a coincidence, or that something was a real convenient solution or opportunity. In some cases, I was about 40% through the book and thought to myself "You know, I bet..." and when I got to 99%, I'd been right. Every single time. This wasn't disappointing enough to deter me from enjoying the story line, it was just an observation I was able to make from miles away.
Upon further reflection, that could be the reason Scent of a Garden, for me, fell a little shy of 5 stars. I wasn't surprised at any point, and didn't have any really strong emotional reactions, just a few moments of "Yeah, that's relatable. Oh girl, I been there. Ha! Mangos!" *IYKYK*. But it was still enjoyable, and still, in my opinion, masterfully written. I've got some more of Patel's works on my TBR and if they're anything like this, I know I'm gonna love 'em.
February 5, 2023
Scent of a Garden by Namrata Patel. Asha Poppy Patel comes back to her hometown to try to recover her scent of smell after her bout with Covid. I loved the story full of romance, love of her grandmothers and her parents. Such a beautiful story.
January 6, 2023
Asha Patel is a young Indian American woman living in Paris, making her name as one of a handful of perfumiers. She's on her way to the top, but Covid did on one her and robbed her of one of the most important senses in the world to her.
After a slight crash and burn, she is sent off for a break and returns home with her parents in Napa.
This story has many facets, including the strength of expectations on many children of Indian families. Asha and one of her childhood friends, Neel, are children of hotelier families. Businesses that have been built by grandfathers and passed down. The thing is, neither is interested in the hotel business.
Sometimes it does take a person a while to pinpoint their true passion, and this is what happens for both characters. They have to swim against the tide of disappointment as they attempt to venture out into the world for themselves instead of following a much easier, well-trodden path with more of a guarantee of financial success and stability. Which is what their forefathers always wanted to leave as a legacy,
Asha and Neel's grandmothers live together after being widowed, and I loved their characters. a mix of pushy and supportive, they gave a much-needed sense of fun to the story.
I enjoyed it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC.
After a slight crash and burn, she is sent off for a break and returns home with her parents in Napa.
This story has many facets, including the strength of expectations on many children of Indian families. Asha and one of her childhood friends, Neel, are children of hotelier families. Businesses that have been built by grandfathers and passed down. The thing is, neither is interested in the hotel business.
Sometimes it does take a person a while to pinpoint their true passion, and this is what happens for both characters. They have to swim against the tide of disappointment as they attempt to venture out into the world for themselves instead of following a much easier, well-trodden path with more of a guarantee of financial success and stability. Which is what their forefathers always wanted to leave as a legacy,
Asha and Neel's grandmothers live together after being widowed, and I loved their characters. a mix of pushy and supportive, they gave a much-needed sense of fun to the story.
I enjoyed it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC.
April 4, 2023
Perfume and tea, what more could you want a book about? Both are in here along with a story about learning what you want (not what your family pushed you toward), what your home is, and that its ok to do things differently than expected/the norm. I love Namrata Patel's writing and this story is something that I believe a regular romance reader can read and enjoy without the main focus of the book being romance.
Quotes:
"Life happend in the waiting. Not at the beginning or end, but in the middle, during growth."
"'There is nothing' - his breath touched her cheek - 'between us that will ever be casual.'"
"Acceptance. It was such a defeatist word."
"Either she was experiencing a break with reality, or she'd finally done what she wanted. For herself."
"I'm a person in my own right, not someone who exists simply to fulfill a path I never chose."
Quotes:
"Life happend in the waiting. Not at the beginning or end, but in the middle, during growth."
"'There is nothing' - his breath touched her cheek - 'between us that will ever be casual.'"
"Acceptance. It was such a defeatist word."
"Either she was experiencing a break with reality, or she'd finally done what she wanted. For herself."
"I'm a person in my own right, not someone who exists simply to fulfill a path I never chose."
January 28, 2024
I haven’t read any other books by this author but the audio and e-book pairing were on KU so I figured I’d take a chance. I appreciate the COVID-19 nod and effects on our female MC. I know a lot of people don’t like reading about this but whether we like it or not - it’s part of our history. If we can read books about various wars & other historical events, we can read about COVID too. But I digress. The job as a perfumer was also a great addition because it’s not a common job used in fiction. Our MC grapples with what she wants to do when she thinks her lack of smell will impact her job back in Paris. We meet her family and some friends along the way. It’s a short read and while some parts felt a little rushed- this is great insight into being able to change your mind & following what you want despite your family’s objection. Some of her problems felt a wii bit repetitive in the beginning but once Asha had a plan on what she wanted her life to look like, the pace picked up by a lot.
October 22, 2024
Asha discovered that she had a superpower (super nose) from a young age and leveraged that into a career as a perfumer in Paris with a prestigious company.
When the worst thing happens, she is placed on vacation and flees home to Napa, CA seeking refuge with her family to regain what she lost. Enter sassy, sunbathing nanis determined to help her in her time of need along with her childhood best friends. Spoiler alert, one of them got hot!
This was a goodreads from a while ago that I finally got around to reading and loved it! Give me a story any day with sassy grannies and I will eat it up! I look forward to reading more by this author in the future! - Brittany
If you would like to check this item out, it can be found in print by visiting: https://davenportlibrary-bett.na2.iii...
When the worst thing happens, she is placed on vacation and flees home to Napa, CA seeking refuge with her family to regain what she lost. Enter sassy, sunbathing nanis determined to help her in her time of need along with her childhood best friends. Spoiler alert, one of them got hot!
This was a goodreads from a while ago that I finally got around to reading and loved it! Give me a story any day with sassy grannies and I will eat it up! I look forward to reading more by this author in the future! - Brittany
If you would like to check this item out, it can be found in print by visiting: https://davenportlibrary-bett.na2.iii...
August 6, 2023
I found this story endearing, about finding yourself, and what is important. I always wonder how perfume is made, now I know why it is so expensive. Seems a perfumer is so complex, and you need a great nose. Poppy has that gifted nose till she gets covid and loses her sense of smell, so she returns home to help her recover.
Her grandmother has her tend to her aromatic gardening, which is starting to bring healing in many ways, including what she really wants to do.
This story is about doing what your parents think is right for you but maybe they have been wrong. Soul searching story that is relatable, finding yourself in the middle of family drama.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this book for my honest review.
Her grandmother has her tend to her aromatic gardening, which is starting to bring healing in many ways, including what she really wants to do.
This story is about doing what your parents think is right for you but maybe they have been wrong. Soul searching story that is relatable, finding yourself in the middle of family drama.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this book for my honest review.
June 23, 2023
4.25⭐️
Asha has a prestigious job working for a luxury perfumer in Paris- until, that is, she loses her sense of smell after dealing with Covid. She retreats to her family home in California, where she finds herself back amidst all the unresolved family tensions, until, working her way through them towards healing, she finds herself.
This is a lovely tale of someone’s personal journey, underpinned by a nice balance of familial, friend, and romantic love.
Thank you Namrata Patel, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
Asha has a prestigious job working for a luxury perfumer in Paris- until, that is, she loses her sense of smell after dealing with Covid. She retreats to her family home in California, where she finds herself back amidst all the unresolved family tensions, until, working her way through them towards healing, she finds herself.
This is a lovely tale of someone’s personal journey, underpinned by a nice balance of familial, friend, and romantic love.
Thank you Namrata Patel, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 22, 2024
I appreciated that this booked explored an Indian family but didn’t center around the immigrant struggle plot as there are many kinds of stories that family of color has to offer. This really hit close to home as there were certain dynamics that also occurred in my household growing up.
Wrapping up the story felt rushed and too sudden which could be the point, but it was a bit too abrupt whereas the first and middle part of the story felt really stretched out.
Wrapping up the story felt rushed and too sudden which could be the point, but it was a bit too abrupt whereas the first and middle part of the story felt really stretched out.
February 26, 2025
While on the surface this seems like a predictable story, I can tell that so much research went into all aspects regarding intricacies of perfumery, florals, and business all intertwined with the signature Indian diaspora plot. I love that the main character is a perfumist because I’ve never read a story about that. The theme of understanding family to understand yourself is so relevant and made it a must read!!
October 1, 2024
A story of family bonds and self-discovery. What do you do when you have lost the person you thought you were all of your life only to discover that is not the person you really want to be any more. Perfumer who has lost her sense of smell returns home to a family she had grown increasing distant from only to discover that is not the life she wants to live anymore.
November 13, 2023
3.5 rounded up - an enjoyable audiobook!
February 12, 2024
*3.5 stars
July 12, 2024
Loved the premise for this book, the characters and all, but it needs editing as far as the redundant backstorys.
July 12, 2024
I really love this author. Her storylines are unique and the character development is exceptional. This was a great read!
August 30, 2024
i honestly had to force myself to finish this book. i felt it was a little drawn out in some places, rushed over all the good parts, and then abruptly ended.
April 14, 2025
Wonderful Book
Loved this book. Characters drew you in and complex dynamics of the family and culture were fascinating. Can’t wait to read more
Loved this book. Characters drew you in and complex dynamics of the family and culture were fascinating. Can’t wait to read more
June 18, 2023
I enjoyed this book. A young woman with gifted sense of smell loses this gift after getting covid. She loses a large account with the Paris perfume developer for which she works and goes home to Napa Valley to recover. Her Indian-American grandmothers help her regain her sense of smell, and she explores where her life might go next.
This was nice, relaxing reading. The characteristics were well drawn and interesting. The plot meandered but kept my interest. The denouement needed to happen a bit more quickly than it did. Overall, I learned a lot about perfume and was glad I read the book.
This was nice, relaxing reading. The characteristics were well drawn and interesting. The plot meandered but kept my interest. The denouement needed to happen a bit more quickly than it did. Overall, I learned a lot about perfume and was glad I read the book.
February 2, 2023
My rating: 4/5 Stars
I am very familiar with the pressure of Indian family pressure, especially around the topic of career. So I related to this hard! Especially how Asha "Poppy" Patel really wanted to live up to the expectations set by her mother and grandmother, who had raised to become a master perfumer (which by the way is a really cool career and one you do not see within Indian families).
I related to and sympathized with Asha, but I also wanted to pour a bucket of ice water over her head. Most of the time she did not act like a 30 year old women, especially when she was around Neel. He was a sweetheart and deserved to be treated better. Also Sanjay sucks and Sapna should have divorced him.
Okay I am done.
I am very familiar with the pressure of Indian family pressure, especially around the topic of career. So I related to this hard! Especially how Asha "Poppy" Patel really wanted to live up to the expectations set by her mother and grandmother, who had raised to become a master perfumer (which by the way is a really cool career and one you do not see within Indian families).
I related to and sympathized with Asha, but I also wanted to pour a bucket of ice water over her head. Most of the time she did not act like a 30 year old women, especially when she was around Neel. He was a sweetheart and deserved to be treated better. Also Sanjay sucks and Sapna should have divorced him.
Okay I am done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews