Category: Women’s Fiction

A Pinch of Magic by Emily Heil

On By TracyIn Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal / Fantasy, Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Women's FictionLeave a comment

A Pinch of MagicA Pinch of Magic by Emily Heil

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: October 6, 2026

Camillia “Cam” Parker lives a quiet life in Brooklyn, NY working as a cookbook ghostwriter for several high-profile clients. But when she learns her beloved grandmother “Birdie” is in trouble, she races back to her hometown of Silver Cove, Virginia to help her. Only to find a much bigger problem than she ever imagined, she needs to come up with a huge amount of money in a short time to fixed Birdie’s house, so she agrees to ghostwrite a cookbook for a very well-known actress turned internet lifestyle guru and all-around-difficult-to-deal-with person, Izzy Jones. She plans on getting things started for Birdie and returning to NY ASAP, but when does anything ever go as planned?

Things go from bad to worse when she has an inconvenient attraction to Ian McCabe, the builder fixing Birdie’s house, then her cousin Avery shows up unexpectedly, then Birdie volunteers her to cater the town’s holiday fete, in addition to all that she is being haunted by a long-dead ghost named Ada from a cookbook who is demanding that Cam “Find it”, and if that is not enough, Izzy shows up and expects Cam to cater to her. It is enough to make anyone crazy, but Cam handles it all with aplomb and still assumes that she will fix everything and return alone to her quiet life in NY. Good luck with that…

This book is not what I was expecting, but it turned out to be an amazing read. Cam has a lot of baggage and seems intent on being alone but returning to her hometown and being forced to interact with others, she realizes that she has been keeping everyone at a distance in an attempt to not be like her mother, and while helping the ghost Ada find her answers, she learns that letting other in is much more rewarding than the lonely life she has been leading. This story is filled with family, friends, lots of good food, a slow burn romance, healing, a ghost with unfinished business and finally a very sweet and satisfying ending. So, while it wasn’t the magical romance I was expecting, it ended up being a very nice “feel-good” read with a strong feminine lead and wonderful, supportive secondary characters, that I would be happy to recommend.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

The Lost Perfumes of Paris by Christine Wells

On By TracyIn Historical Fiction, historical-romance, Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Women's FictionLeave a comment

The Lost Perfumes of ParisThe Lost Perfumes of Paris by Christine Wells

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: September 8, 2026

Élodie Limeaux is a determined and talented young perfumer striving to establish herself in her family’s fragrance business despite facing constant resistance from her father, Fabrice. Inspired by the legacy of her late mother, Aurore, a celebrated perfumer, Élodie gradually develops confidence in her abilities and learns to trust her own instincts. Marcelo Caspari begins as an assigned collaborator but proves to be a knowledgeable and passionate partner whose appreciation for perfume matches Élodie’s own. Their relationship develops alongside the story, while supporting characters, particularly Élodie’s father, create many of the challenges that drive her personal growth.

Set primarily in Paris and Grasse during the 1950s, the novel follows Élodie as she enters a prestigious competition to create a fragrance that captures the essence of Paris. Hoping to honor her mother’s legacy and secure a future for the family perfume house, she agrees to work with Marcelo under the sponsorship of the Caspari family. As they research perfume history, explore the city for inspiration, and develop their scent, Élodie must also contend with family conflicts, professional discrimination, corporate obstacles, and the secrets contained within her mother’s journals. The competition serves as the central storyline while the search for personal independence and professional recognition unfolds alongside it.

I found this to be an engaging and well written historical fiction novel that blends perfume artistry, romance, and women’s empowerment in a compelling way. The vivid descriptions of fragrances, fashion, and mid-century Paris created a rich atmosphere, while Élodie’s journey from self-doubt to self-assurance made her easy to root for. I especially enjoyed the partnership between Élodie and Marcelo, whose shared creativity added depth to both the romance and the story’s central challenge. Overall, this is a beautifully written novel that offers an interesting look into the perfume industry while delivering a heartfelt and satisfying character-driven story.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *