Scent by Kris Bryant is the fourth in her sensory series and it tantalizes just as much as the others. Through chocolate and welding, she gives us two amazing women that illustrate how important honesty is when love is on the line.
Nico Marshal has the best life. She’s the head of successful company, Tuft & Finley, and she’s about to debut in Chicago’s competitive art scene. The only thing missing is someone to share it with. She’d love it to be with the woman she sees on the train every Thursday, the woman whose sugary scent tantalizes Nico when she passes. If only she had the courage to go over and talk to her. Lucky for Nico, fate is about to give her a push.
Sophia Sweet doesn’t have time for distractions. She needs to focus on keeping her family business, Sweet Stuff, afloat. In a last-ditch effort, she creates a line of sophisticated chocolate. She knows it’ll be the ticket to get Sweet Stuff out of the red. All she needs is a company to create the perfect package to ensure success. Launching a new line takes a lot of her focus, which means no dating or relationships, especially with the charming Nico, regardless of how beautiful her eyes are.
When Sophia recognizes Nico on the train from their run-in at Tuft & Finley, she immediately mistakes her for an employee, not the owner. Nico’s been burned in the past by women only wanting her for her money, so she doesn’t correct Sophia’s blunder. Instead, she’s determined to win Sophia over with her charm. But will her charm be enough to keep Sophia once her deception is discovered?
The Characters
Nico is someone I would love to be friends with. She owns an environment-friendly company while working towards her dream of being a successful artist. In addition, she’s charming, helpful and giving of herself to everyone around her. Most people wonder why she’s still single, and that’s more of Nico’s choice thanks to past relationships with women who saw dollar signs and not the woman behind them. It would make any person wary to get close to someone again, especially when that someone looks as classy as Sophia.
On the outside, Sophia is the physical embodiment of an ice queen. She’s cool, sophisticated and out of Nico’s league. In reality, she’s warm, caring, has a soft spot for her grandmother, and wants to save her family’s candy shop with all her heart. She’s also someone that doesn’t trust easily, thanks to her sneaky brother, but she’s willing to reveal herself to the right person. A person who’s just as caring, just as charming, and as much of a mystery as Sophia herself likes to project.
The Writing Style
Bryant has returned to her comfort zone and given us a wonderful first person story. Honestly, there’s really only one person’s point of view that is important, and it’s Nico’s. She’s such a likeable person and it’s hard to believe she would intentionally deceive someone without reason. That’s the genius behind Bryant’s writing. She gives us enough of Nico’s relationship history so we empathize with and even support her decision. However, at a certain point, common misunderstanding turns into active avoidance of the truth, which translates into guilt for Nico. It’s a delicate balance that Bryant pulls off flawlessly, allowing you to enjoy Nico and Sophia’s developing relationship while simultaneously wanting to smack Nico on the back of the head for her stupidity.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
I really loved how Bryant utilizes sensory recognition. The way Nico notices the clacking of Sophia’s heels as she walks, as well as her sweet scent (this one is real genius), are great in making the story swoon-worthy.
Cons And Heads Up
Okay, let’s face it. This book is predictable, but honestly the predictability made it more fun to read. I was pleasantly frustrated during Nico’s ruse and sighing in relief when the truth came to light because it made the make-up and forgiveness portion of the book more satisfying.
The Conclusion
This was such a fun story. Bryant works her magic, once again, by giving us two compelling, alluring women, who will definitely have to work for their happily ever after. Be ready to scoff, roll your eyes, laugh and swoon over Nico and Sophia. There’s really not another pair like them.
TLDR (too long didn’t read)
Can you build an everlasting love when it begins with an uncorrected misunderstanding?
Excerpt from Scent by Kris Bryant
I scooted by long legs closer to the seat as people jumped on the train. What I wasn’t expecting was the slow tap of heels I’d come to recognize immediately. I looked up and stared right into Sophia’s eyes. She looked at me, hesitated for a moment, and kept walking. I glanced at my phone just to be sure. Wednesday. What was she doing on the train? Once the train started moving, I stood and made my way to the back of the car.
“Hi.”
Annoyance flashed across her face, but coldness immediately replaced it. This wasn’t going well. “Hello.”
I sat down without asking permission. “I wanted to apologize for last week. I didn’t mean to yell at you. We were waiting on a late truck and were short-handed.” Silence. I nodded. Okay. I was going to have to try harder. “I hope you don’t take my rudeness out on Tuft & Finley.”
She turned toward me. Her nearness made me swallow hard. Trish said she was beautiful and had amazing eyes, but I wasn’t prepared to have the wind knocked out of me. “I like the company.” She broke eye contact and looked down at her phone.
“Where’s your box?” I asked.
“Excuse me?”
“Every time I’ve seen you on the train, you always have a little white box with a red ribbon. Today you don’t have one.” I didn’t mention that I knew she was on the train every Thursday.
“First you yell at me and now you stalk me? Should I be worried?”
I snapped back to the conversation and froze when her words sank in. I would have scurried away in complete embarrassment had she not given me a soft smile…
“How long have you worked at Tuft & Finley?”
“Since the beginning. I’m Nico, by the way. It’s nice to meet you. And thank you for forgiving me.”
She cocked her head. “I never said I forgave you.”
I put my hand over my heart. “What? I’m not forgiven?” I leaned forward and whispered to her, “I really am sorry. It was a stressful day because we were shorthanded.”
She abruptly stood. “This is my stop.”
I stood with her, and she gazed at me in alarm. I pointed to my helmet. “Don’t worry, Sophia. I am not stalking you. I need to be with my helmet.
She started to exit the train but turned back to me before the doors closed. “Nico.”
I nodded at her and smiled. Maybe I’d read her wrong and made a good impression after all.
“I wouldn’t say you are stalking me…” She paused and tilted her head. As the doors were closing, her voice picked up. “But then again, I never told you my name.”
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Series
Sensory Series
Scent
Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 9781635557800
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
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