Perfume Paradiso
By Janey Jones
Rated: 5 stars *****

Italy, glasses of Frizzante, beautiful scenery,  the scent of perfume and decisions to be made…. that’s what is encountered in this charming summer book. Find out about the author and the book, plus review below. Thanks to Black and White publishing for sending me an e-book copy and for LoveBooksTours and Janey for inviting me to review.

About the Author

JANEY JONES is a full-time writer with a love for food, fashion and all things French and Italian. She is the author of the fantastically successful Princess Poppy series, with sales of over 4 million copies. Before Princess Poppy took over her life, Janey had always intended to write contemporary fiction, and Perfume Paradiso is her second novel after the very popular Secret Life of Lucy Lovecake (writing as Pippa James).

Blurb

One week in Italy. One week to make her dreams come true . . .

Romance is the last thing on Charlotte Alexander’s mind. Her perfume business is flourishing. And a glamorous new life in New York awaits. Just one more thing is needed: a supply of artisan lavender for her trademark scent.

But when Charlotte stumbles across the infuriating and infuriatingly handsome Alessio Rossini, her plans begin to fall apart. With New York finally in reach . . . should she follow her dreams or her heart?

A captivating, feelgood summer romance set in the beautiful Italian countryside.

Review

Creating a new perfume is harder than you think! Get yourself of Frizzante, the wine of choice within this book, (or whatever your tipple may be) and meet Charlotte and Bryony – this is a chance to follow 2 women who have dreams of expanding their perfume range. Charlotte, with dreams of Provence, France, but then explores Montecastello, Italy. It is fun travelling with her to see where she ends up, if it’s France or Italy or New York and what sort of perfume, if any is created in this original summer romance, that does have some humour within it.

An unfortunate incident with a passing tractor ends up with a messy splattering over Charlotte, which in turn leads to an otherwise rude “farmer”, then finding some kindness in helping her out, where she meets the more delightful and courteous Umberto Rossini, from a valuable family who owns a huge vineyard.

This is a relaxed read for a summer’s day, with a lovely sounding hotel, complete with pool and characters – Umberto and Alessio, who create some friction and a countess who owns Lavandula, the very place where Charlotte and Bryony would like for their perfume business, with all its “green” credentials as they produce perfume using only natural ingredients.

Alessio and Umberto become Charlotte’s interest for romance, but in a deep, profound coversation in the idyllic countryside with Cosimo and a stolen kiss, finds Alessio showing his jelousy, who saw them from afar. Things hot up and get even more interesting when there is talk of a model and how Charlotte’s newly formed acquaintences all link to each other. Things, in quite an unexpected twist, take a darker turn…

The book has the possibilities of romance, the scents of perfume wafting through the air, lovely scenery and delicious food, all with added substance and profoundness. It is worth finding out if Charlotte can live her dream of creating the fragrant lavander and basil scented perfume, the way she wants to or not. It all makes a very good summer read to relax into with that Frizzante (or drink of choice).

Buy Link   https://amzn.to/3eMN8bm

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