“The Scent of Rain” by Kristin Billerbeck

This is the story of Daphne Sweeten who is a “nose”.  She has a highly developed sense of smell that enabled her to get a dream job in Paris.  She gives it all up to return to the United States to marry, and work as a nose–at a much less than glamorous company–with her new spouse. 

Unfortunately, Daphne is left at the altar, and shortly after, her sense of smell mysteriously disappears.  After being stood up, Daphne’s self-worth and self-confidence disappear, as well. 

What should Dahpne do?  Should she take the new job, where she knows she is the first ever “nose” to work there, so she will probably have to convince them of her worth? Since she can no longer smell, the main requirement for that position, could she possibly pretend she can still smell–and get away with it?  Or should she try to return to Paris, hoping to regain that job, even though her boss made it clear the door there would be closed to her if she left?  Lastly, should she hold out hope her fiancée will change his mind, and return to her? 

Reading this book brought me into the world of scents.  Emotion also plays into the formulating of a perfume.  For instance, what smell makes you think of happiness or success?  Also, scents can be masculine or feminine. The different smells in a perfume are referred to as “notes.”  The top note is the one you smell the strongest in a mixture, one that hopefully invokes the emotion the perfumer was trying to achieve.  All of this information was really interesting, and was an appealing part of the book. 

Daphne’s story had lots of intriguing characters, situations and some other minor story lines.  The main characters were developed well, but the ending felt a bit rushed.  I wish some of the loose ends in the story had more pages devoted to it for the conclusion.  The story would have been more satisfying. 

Some very good Christian thoughts and behavior were present in the main characters, and I thought that was very positive.  I think the book is worth reading, and is easily read.  The reader will come away with a new appreciation, and awareness of the scents around them.    

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Thomas Nelson Publishing for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.

http://www.kristinbillerbeck.com/