Customer Reviews

A WHIFF OF SCANDAL

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was a cute book, but definitely not worth paying $12.95! Matthews was clever to preface several chapters with descriptions of aromatherapy combinations to describe the characters and emotions in the book. That was a fun touch.

It was a light read and the 344 pages went by very quickly. The end of course, was predictable. Matthews introduced several characters and subplots and wrote just enough information about each character and substory to get the reader interested, but she left the reader hanging by leaving out what could have been very juicy and scandalous parts of the book. For example, she could have expounded more on what what happened between Dan and Gardi after Dan spent the night at Rose's house. Matthews could have filled the reader in on the details about what Gardi was doing when she went "shopping" all day to get back at Dan.

Matthews could have also elaborated on the reaction from Frank when he found out the truth about Mel, or share the details with the reader about how Mel and Frank's relationship was working itself out. I would of also liked to hear about Anise's reaction to the relationship between Angelica and Basil, and I definitely would have wanted to read more about the fiasco when Hugh's wife showed up in London.

Overall, it was a cute story, but for a book with "scandal" in the title, I would have liked to read more about the results of the scandals that took place. The subplots were underdeveloped. I did giggle here and there!

It's a good read, but check it out at the library or borrow the book from a friend!

Rose Stevens has managed to fall in love with a married man. She flees London for the countryside and the small village of Great Brayford to set up her own aromatherapy business and escape her broken heart. Never mind that the townspeople aren't sure what an aroma therapist is - they are convinced that there's hanky panky going on at her cottage.

Local building contractor Dan Spikenard never anticipated falling for the new lady that takes up residence in the house that "smells like a tart's handbag," but that is exactly what happens when he is summoned to repair her chimney. But the unthinkable happens -Hugh returns to the picture suddenly single and ready to settle down with Rose. What's a girl to do?

Matthews has created a romantic story with twists and turns and has you rooting for the lead couple to find their way back to each other. Quirky residents, funny situations, and jealous lovers make this a quick and entertaining read!

The Scent of Scandal by Carole Matthews revolves around Rose Stevens, who has fled busy London to settle down in the small village of Great Brayford. After finding out her lover was already married, Rose is crushed and in need of getting away from everything that reminded her of him. She works as an aroma-therapist, but some of her neighbors believe she is doing much more scandalous deeds, and take to spying on her 24/7. What they really should be spying on are the other neighbors- the one who is a hooker, the one who may or may not be addicted to sex, and one who is a Peeping Tom!

Before she knows what has hit her, Rose finds herself falling for the sexy local builder, Dan, but still can't let go about the affair that left her fleeing London. And now to make it even worse- her ex Hugh has somehow found Rose in her quaint village, and he is single and wants her back! Rose struggles with her feelings as the many twists and turns keep throwing apart the characters that you know should be together. I enjoyed the romance and the humor in the novel, but there really wasn't any `scandal' as the title may lead you to believe. Still another good read from Carole Matthews.

This book is just pure fun, perfect for a beach or pool read, perfect for those times when you just don't want to think.

Rose is an aromatherpist/masseuse who has removed herself from her life and career in London to settle down in a small village in order to recover from a romance gone bad. We like her right away; we like her quaint cottage, her sweet ways, and her fascinating job (courtesy of Jessmine Lovage and her encyclopedic information about aromatherapy!).

But all is not QUITE well. Busybody Anise, a lady very much "on in years," is convinced that Rose is running a house of ill repute! She employs her more liberal sister Anjelica (of no small age either) and her swain, Basil, to spy on Rose 24/7. Actually, it's not Rose who is running a naughty house, but I won't spoil the story or the enormous humor in this book.

Well, Rose meets Dan, a builder with the cottage charmingly named "Builder's Bottom," and sparks fly. But nothing seems to work out right for the couple...

Find out what happens to Rose and Dan, Basil and Anise, and all the other remarkably fun villagers in this simply delightful book. It's one of those you can't put down for the sheer fun of it.

I found this to be one of the best Carole Matthews titles that I have read. Carole's books always present such interesting challenges faced by her protagonists when it comes to life and love, and this one is no exception.

Set in a small village on the outskirts of suburban England, Carole does an excellent job in capturing what life is like in a small town, with neighbors watching your every move, speculating and spreading rumors that sometimes only have a sliver of truth to them. She even reveals how wrong people can be about what is innocent, and what isn't in a small town through hilarious antics of a housewife turned prostitute.

The main character, Rose, is trying very hard to start a new life in a small town, but nobody wants to give her a break because they don't understand what she does as an aromatherapist, and mistakenly think she is a prostitute! As she settles in, she begins to fall in love with a local, who is going through his own relationship troubles. However, she is still torn by the affair that sent her fleeing from London. I couldn't stop reading as Rose tries so desperately to make the right decision, faltering for some time but eventually coming to terms with her feelings after a rather muddy encounter!

A definite must for any fan of Carole Matthews, or British chic lit!

I agree with the other reviewer, lots of situations were left unexplored. The other books I have read by this author didn't have multiple, interacting story lines like this book did. It was a quick, fun read but not the best Carole Matthews' book in my opinion.

I bought two books with different titles but same content. It never happend to me before with amazon. I wonder whose fault it is: editor or amazon. Anyway the book was cheap, so no effort worth to complain. But I am disapointed by amazon. If it happens one more time, I will buy books elswhere.

Silviu
Bratislava. Slovakia