Library Loans

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The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister
Published by St. Martin's Press on May 21, 2019
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction

Goodreads

Erica Bauermeister, the national bestselling author of The School of Essential Ingredients, presents a moving and evocative coming-of-age novel about childhood stories, families lost and found, and how a fragrance conjures memories capable of shaping the course of our lives.

Emmeline lives an enchanted childhood on a remote island with her father, who teaches her about the natural world through her senses. What he won’t explain are the mysterious scents stored in the drawers that line the walls of their cabin, or the origin of the machine that creates them. As Emmeline grows, however, so too does her curiosity, until one day the unforeseen happens, and Emmeline is vaulted out into the real world—a place of love, betrayal, ambition, and revenge. To understand her past, Emmeline must unlock the clues to her identity, a quest that challenges the limits of her heart and imagination.

Lyrical and immersive, The Scent Keeper explores the provocative beauty of scent, the way it can reveal hidden truths, lead us to the person we seek, and even help us find our way back home.

After reading and LOVING No Two Persons, I was determined to read more of Bauermeister's work. The Scent Keeper caught my attention due to my love of fragrance. Back in my teens, I had a perfume collection similar to one mentioned in this book. I loved the bottles and all the moods they held within. That love was fed by all the wonderful scent related aspects of this story. From the scent papers to Emmaline's job creating scents, it all captivated me and made me want to learn more.

The exploration of the connections between scent and memory was thoughtful and engrossing. It wasn't just the ideas but how Bauermeister wrote about it. The beauty and lyrical nature of the prose along with the imagery won me over.

Another standout element of this book was the setting. Early parts of the book take place on an isolated island inhabited by Emmaline and her father. I am not sure I would be able to live that way, but I admired their ability to forage and successfully navigate this wild land. From there, we went to the cove and the resort which was a more tame environment, but still quite picturesque.

Then there was the story. I felt for Emmaline when her world was turned upside down again and again, but she was so resilient. She kept moving forward as she learned more about herself and life in general. Leaving her bubble on the island was tough, but Emmaline rose to the challenge and was able to find her way in an alien world. She grew, she learned, she formed attachments, and fell in love. Most of all, she was true to herself

Overall, a beautifully told coming of age tale that was emotional and engaging.

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The Feud by Sawyer Bennett
Published by Big Dogs, LLC on June 25, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

As the oldest of his siblings, Ethan Blackburn bears the weight of responsibility for the day-to-day operations of Blackburn Farms, the largest Saddlebred breeding and training facility in Kentucky. Serious, gruff and solely focused on the success of the family business, Ethan isn’t one to mince words or waste time on anything that doesn’t further his interests. But when his meticulous world is upended by a shadowed secret brought into the light, Ethan is sent into a tailspin.

Marcie DeLeon just navigated her way through a bitter divorce, now intent on reimagining her life as a single career woman. She’s not looking to revisit the burden of a relationship anytime soon but when Ethan turns to her for help, she can’t help but lend a sympathetic ear to the handsome and broody man.

Ethan and Marcie are strangers who find a common thread to weave them together, creating a bond neither were seeking but both are loathe to walk away from. When Ethan faces a high-stakes battle against his family’s bitter enemy, he knows without a doubt there is nothing he won’t do to win the fight. Ready to give of himself completely, Ethan prepares to face-off with his foe hoping that no matter what the outcome, Marcie will be by his side in the end.

The Feud is a friends to lovers novel within the Bluegrass Empires series. All books in the series can be enjoyed as standalones.

I have been a long-time fan of Bennett's hockey romances and was excited when this series was announced. I am thrilled to say this family rivalry was a hit for me.

Straight out of the gate, I was getting vibes that brought me back to the 80s and my nights of watching Dallas and Falcon Crest. There were these two powerful Kentucky families who had been at odds for over 200 years, but now they were forced to deal with each other when a secret baby was revealed to share both Blackburn and Mardraggon blood.

Needless to say, this was a shockwave that shook both worlds, but none more than Ethan Blackburn's. Ethan was a workaholic with no time for much else. He dabbled in flings with no serious relationships on the horizon. That was until his little girl, Sylvie, entered his life. One thing I really loved was the way Ethan grew into his role as a father. Here he had a pre-teen girl who was grieving the loss of her mother and whisked away to a new country to live with a father she had never met.

Things were bumpy, but Ethan was willing to put the time and effort into building a relationship with Sylvie. He was also willing to ask for help bridging that gap between him and his daughter, and that help came in the form of the school principal, Marcie.

Marcie was a phenomenal person. She was intelligent and cared deeply for those who were part of her world. She bore some scars from her failed marriage, and wow! What a jerk her ex was, but in Ethan, she found someone she clicked with, who appreciated her, and treated her with the respect and affection she deserved. I actually thought they were both very good for each other. But it wasn't just how they fit with one another, but also how they fit into each other's world that made them so right.

Bennett did a great job laying the groundwork for this series. She explained the feud while introducing us to the key players. There was a wild twist, too. Never would have seen that coming, but it shifted the families' dynamic in an interesting way.

Overall, I thought his was a fantastic launch to the series, and I am looking forward to returning to the Bluegrass Empire.

Do you have a favorite scent/fragrance?
Let us know in the comments!