Asha struggles with her family’s expectation that she become a master perfumer as she discovers herself. ( )

While I liked the setting, the perfume industry information and family dynamics, it somehow missed the mark of something I could sink myself into. Maybe the characters lack of depth or the repetative story. I also realised it was more of a romance than I generally read. ( )

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 ( )