Whiff of Scandal [Paperback]

Carole Matthews (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 1999

When Rose escapes from London and Hugh - her devastatingly handsome, intelligent and charming ex-lover - she has no idea that her occupation as an aromatherapist will cause such a scandal in her new country village. All she wants is a bit of peace and quiet, but her weird and wonderful neighbours soon ensure that her life is more complicated and chaotic than it ever was before. Maybe that's because she's in love again...

Editorial Reviews

Review

'If you've a wicked sense of fun, you'll warm to A WHIFF OF SCANDAL' Woman's Realm 'Warmly written' EXPRESS ON SUNDAY

About the Author

Carole Matthews is an internationally bestselling author and her unique sense of humour has won her legions of fans and critical acclaim throughout the world. Carole has presented on television and is a regular radio guest. When she is not writing novels and television scripts she manages to find time to trek in the Himalayas, rollerblade in Central Park, take tea in China and snooze in her garden shed in Milton Keynes.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Headline (January 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747257957
• ISBN-13: 978-0747257950
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,041,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carole Matthews is an internationally bestselling author of hugely successful romantic comedy novels. Her unique sense of humour has won her legions of fans and critical acclaim all over the world.

As well as appearing on the Sunday Times and USA Today bestseller lists, Carole is published in 24 different countries. Her novel Welcome To The Real World was shortlisted for the RNA romantic novel of the year award.

In the USA, the hilarious For Better, For Worse was selected by one of America's top TV book clubs - Reading with Ripa on LIVE with Regis and Kelly - as their book of the month. As a result it went straight into the USA Today and New York Times Extended bestseller lists.

Carole co-edited two editions of the hugely popular Girls' Night In charity series called Girls' Night Out - one for the USA and one for Canada. All proceeds go to War Child. She has recently contributed a story to an anthology for the Romantic Novelists' Association, Loves Me, Loves Me Not. Carole has presented on television and is a regular radio guest.

Born in St Helens, Merseyside, Carole has always been an avid reader and dreamed of being a teacher, an air traffic controller, a travel guide or a hairdresser - writer never featured once. Leaving Liverpool for London after a torrid holiday romance in Torquay, she worked as a secretary, an ice-cream lady, a shop assistant and a beauty therapist. It was when she was working in a completely mad holistic clinic that she first thought 'one day I should write a book about this.' She still hasn't got round to it.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cute, but overpriced!, December 13, 2004

By 

K. Carr "readtorelax" (Boca Raton, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Scent of Scandal (Paperback)

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!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely does not stink!, December 6, 2006

By 

Tracy Vest (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Scent of Scandal (Paperback)

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!

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Much Scandal, December 12, 2009

By 

Samantha J "Chick Lit Plus" (Des Moines, IA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Scent of Scandal (Paperback)

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.