The Lost Perfumes of Paris - a young woman struggles to succeed in the world of perfume-making.

Élodie Limeaux's dream is to follow in her late mother Aurore's footsteps as a perfumer in the family business run by her father. It's 1956, and the House of Limeaux in Grasse, France, is struggling after its latest perfume launch failed. The company had brought in wealthy Swiss banker Monsieur Caspari for financial backing and now he is considering major cost-cutting measures. Élodie's father has told her that she will never rise above a lab assistant, and the fragrances she's created lacked passion. She finally gets the opportunity to create a perfume for the Essence of Paris contest run by the French Perfume Institute but must work with the banker's son, Marcelo Caspari. She travels to Paris and stays with her grandmother, who takes her on an eye-opening shopping spree to the top fashion houses, including Dior. Élodie discovers that Marcelo possesses a deep passion for perfume, Paris, and romance. He begins to have a positive impact on Élodie as she seeks to learn more about her mother. 

The Lost Perfumes of Paris is a lovely story that transports us to post-World War II France, as twenty-six-year-old Élodie discovers herself and finds her passion. Author Christine Wells shares her knowledge on the history and art of perfume-making. It's always enjoyable to read about a determined and resilient person in an era when it was challenging for women to succeed. Très bon!

Many thanks to William Morrow for the advance.

Rated 4.25 out of 5 stars.

Historical Fiction.

Publication Date: September 8, 2026.

Please "like" this post if The Lost Perfumes of Paris sounds like a book you’d enjoy reading. I'd love to know. Scroll below the photo and click on the red outlined heart on the lower right-hand side of the page. Comments can also be left below.