Immortal Rose

by Alexandra Bracken

From Alexandra Bracken, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lore, comes a stunningly original adult fantasy. Set in a sumptuous world ruled by magical perfume, this achingly romantic, slow-burn love story will shatter your heart and leave you breathless.

Members of the ancient House Rosebourne have a strange gift born of a fairy the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating mind, body, and emotion.

When a shocking murder leaves the kingdom of Albion vulnerable to a coup, royal spymaster Hugh Thornton seeks the one person who can Viola Lockhart, the last living Rosebourne and secret heir to a fraught legacy.

Livid at the silver-eyed aristocrat who had her thrown in jail to force her compliance, Viola nevertheless comes to an agreement with him. In exchange for crafting Immortal Rose, the singular perfume capable of saving Albion, illegitimate Viola can seize the life—and fortune—that should have been hers.

As Hugh and Viola race to find the perfume’s lost fairy ingredient, hidden deep in Albion’s dark underbelly, neither can deny the scorching attraction building between them—especially as the attempts on Viola’s life grow increasingly brazen.

But a terrible truth lurks in the heart notes of their kingdom—and while every bargain has a cost, Immortal Rose may demand more than Hugh and Viola can ever pay.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Adult, Fantasy Romance, Fiction, Fae

Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 13, 2026

About the author

Hi! I'm Alex and I write books. Please note that I don't respond to messages here on GoodReads. Please send me a note on twitter or IG @alexbracken. xx A

Reviews

[Mai ༊*·˚]

ˏˋ 📓 pre-read log ˎˊ˗
↳ march 21, 2026

heard this book has a yearning man in it and now I'm seeing for myself 🙂‍↕️


___________________

Thank you to Avon Books for the ARC.

[Liana Gold]

The deluxe limited edition is simply breathtaking. This is an adult fantasy from the famous author of Lore. Immortal Rose focuses on House Rosebourne that has an intriguing gift--the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating the body, mind and emotion. This book loosely reminds me of the famous book 'Perfume' by Patrick Suskind where the sense of smell held intense emotional meanings.

Very excited to jump in it!


Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and th author Alexandra Bracken for an early copy.

Publication date: August 18, 2026

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken
Book Blurb: Members of the ancient House Rosebourne have a strange gift born of a fairy ancestor: the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating mind, body, and emotion.
When a shocking murder leaves the kingdom of Albion vulnerable to a coup, royal spymaster Hugh Thornton seeks the one person who can help: Viola Lockwood, the last living Rosebourne and secret heir to a fraught legacy.

Rating: *****
Feels: Engaged, Enthralled, Enamored, Enraptured
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance
First published August 13, 2026 : 496 pages

The book was surprisingly mesmerizing in the best way. I was drawn in by the idea and every chapter and character further drew me in and held on. I love the idea of magical perfumes with their every day uses for the rich and entitled. The formulation of the perfumes was rather engrossing to read about. Viola, our perfume making darling, was so fun and clever !! I loved her no nonsense style. Hugh was that protective morally grey yet has good sense kinda of guy. This story has a bit of a mystery to solve and lots of twists and turns which I adored finding out as we read. Can I just say this book has a truely fun found family !! I think you would love meeting them. Very unique. Will be thinking about all these twists and that ending for awhile !!!

This book has:
He falls first
Enemies to Lovers
Fake marriage
Found family
Touch her and die (and I will murder everyone )

[⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆ Kim ⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆]

⋅˚₊‧ ୨ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 (3/12/2026): ୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ Guess who got the widget for this today?!👀 I CANNOT WAIT to read this! The concept is SO unique, and the cover art (and the sprayed edges) are just absolutely gorgeous!

(Avon has really been blessing me with widgets and approvals lately, I'm so grateful!🥹)

Thank you to Avon Books, Alexandra Bracken, and NetGalley for the widget in exchange for an honest review. Immortal Rose will be officially published on August 18th, 2026!

[Bookishness]

~Pre-read~ I HAVE AN ARC... so happy about this one! found family, sets and betrayals, slow burn with yearning, this has magic and fae! yes please..... :)

[h i n d]

Auto buy author

[Noi (in & out)]

Hands down stunning

[tai ⋆☀︎. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is Immortal Rose a new release from an author I loved in my teens, it’s also a book I’d been waiting for with a lot of impatience. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely.

The story starts off slowly, with richly descriptive prose that took me a few chapters to fully settle into — but once I did, I was completely hooked. The concept of magic tied to fragrance is beautifully executed. You can tell the author put real thought into it, carefully weaving the system together so everything feels cohesive. I tend to gravitate toward unconventional magic systems, and this one delivered effortlessly.

One of the book’s strongest points — just like in the author’s previous works — is the authenticity of the characters. Hugh and Viola’s resentment toward each other feels genuine, and the gradual softening of that tension is handled with care. The romance develops at a natural pace, leaving you constantly wanting more… 👀

And the twists? I was genuinely shocked. I didn’t expect certain turns at all, and I loved being so thoroughly misled along the way.

An easy 5 stars for originality, execution, and pure enjoyment.

Thank you Alexandra Bracken, Avon and Netgalley for the ARC. 𑣲⋆

[Sarah (berriesandbooks) (sorta back) · Rating 4 out of 5]

regency-era, spymaster, arranged marriage, and yearning from the quotes i’ve seen…i’m so ready for this ✨🌹💕

[Denise Ruttan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sweeping regency romantasy set in a fantastical version of England where fairies once ruled but died out, and now nobility fights for scraps of their now-illegal magic. Into this world bursts Viola Lockwood, a heroine for the ages who retains her agency throughout, when I usually dislike the power dynamics in heterosexual romance.

Viola is a perfumer who seeks to carry on her disgraced mother's legacy, who peddles her wares in a black market. I loved the use of perfume magic and the incorporation of scents throughout the story. And I just love a competent FMC. But she is caught up in a raid and imprisoned, until she is freed by a haughty earl who hopes she can make a legendary perfume that could save the king from a fatal illness using fairyborn secrets.

But the lovingly foppish earl and his household are not all they seem. He's also a spy and there are many layers of conspiracy and palace intrigue afoot as Viola and Foxcourt engage in a battle of wills and soon catch feelings. I usually don't care for plots laden with palace intrigue, but I loved the many layers of this twisty plot that kept me guessing.

Their dynamic in heterosexual romance is one I do love and one I don't see often enough in the queer romance I typically read. A particular brand of enemies to lovers where the tension and heat is sustained just right. It's hard to do enemies to lovers well; either you think they're just not friends and find each other annoying, or it's all hate and no heat. This book got this dynamic just perfect.

I loved Foxcourt and Viola together, even when fiery Viola, who sees marriage as a cage, agrees to marriage to the earl to gain clemency privileges of the peerage. You can tell that she wants to be married to Hugh at this point, and the reader can see that it will be a marriage of equals and not a forced bond.

I did wish that we got more of Viola's work in preparing the perfumes because I found her competence so beguiling. We don't actually get to see her spend much time working, she is mostly dueling mental swords with Hugh or evading capture. I loved their banter though, and how she teased him about nibs and nobs. I found the magic system solidly explained as well and it was intriguing how much of a part of this world scents became.

I appreciated the lush historical setting and how this author finally did not use modern language in the dialogue like so many historical fantasy epics do.

A small quibble, I loathed Hugh's nickname for Viola, "sweetheart." I mean yes she was kind and goodhearted, but what I loved about her was that she was also brash, bold and a big personality. I did not see her as a sweetheart at all. That nickname was a reduction of her fantastic character that stayed consistent even after she found love with Hugh.

I felt the book was also a bit too long, but it had a lot going on.

That ending though, what a cliffhanger! I am eager to read more in this series. What an incredible start. Also can we just take a moment to admire that pretty cover. Finally a cover that lives up to its promise.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jenny P]

6% of the way in and this is already extremely promising! Really excited to have gotten this ARC.

[Ashleu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hells Tits! Bracken's adult debut is everything I've come to love from her writing: a dark action packed story with found family, romance, snark, that's ultimately a fiercely feminist tale that is much needed in the genre. As a bonus, Immortal Rose it's steamy as hell.

Viola and Hugh give a fresh take on falling in love and protecting those who you love (and hate -- because we know what they say about the line between love and hate) and what that means for not only you, but those around you. Using her love of perfume and scents, Bracken takes the reader on a journey from the first page to the last. I can't wait to read the follow up to see how everything comes together (or knowing Bracken's previous works...doesn't come together)

[Chance]

One of my favourite authors releasing her adult debut? Inspired by the regency era? With spice? Yes please!!!

[Olivia | SpilltheTBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

eARC Review: Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken
5 ⭐️ | 1.5 🌶️ (some descriptive scenes)

I am speechless. Writing this review is a feat in of itself. As I wrap my mind around what I just read, I can’t help but stare helplessly at my notes page.

Alexandra Bracken is a master world builder. I have read, countless fantasy, historical fiction, and even historical fantasy, but this books plot feels new. It features a magic system based off of the power of fragrance and perfumes. Our main character can read the intentions and emotions of others based off of their smell. This isn’t something I have ever experienced as a reader and made this book all the more alluring to read. I don’t believe there’s anything like it in existence which feels exciting. I am confident that if you pick this up you will be as in entranced I was.

I trust you to read the summary but wanted to share the barebones of what this story is about. This is a Regency era fantasy story. It is also a slow burn romance and has a mystery that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat. Or if you are like me, falling out of your seat. You will fall for these characters and root for them with all of your heart. These characters are well rounded and undergo great change. By the end you will only wish to read more due to a well placed cliffhanger that left me aching for the next book.

That cliffhanger wrecked me. I need more! I should’ve known that would be the case, after reading her novel Silver in the Bone, but apparently, I am a glutton for punishment.

I’ll admit it starts off relatively slow. For the first 30% of the book I was struggling with getting my bearings. Thank goodness for Kindle’s ability to highlight words and look up their meanings. However, after that 30% mark, I simply could not put the book down.
Alex’s writing will transport you from this world and into hers seamlessly. She paints a vivid picture through her imagery and talented writing. I felt like I could smell everything that she described as if I was there myself. I promise pushing through that first 30% is worth it.

I want to highlight some of the other features of this book that I think will make you want to read this when it comes out on August 18th:

* Regency era society and politics
* Fairy lineage
* Magical perfumes
* Mutual yearning
* Slow burn romance (with a dash of spice)
* Marriage of convenience
* Found family
* Family secrets and betrayal
* Viola and Hugh (you don’t know them yet but you will)


Should this spill into your TBR this August? Yes please so I can talk to somebody about it. I believe if you are a fan of historical fantasy and mystery this story will capture you. I know you’ll fall in love with Viola and Hugh as well as the rest of their friends. Hugh is book husband material for me so if that doesn’t convince you I don’t know what will.

Thank you Alex, Avon and Harper Voyager (Harper Collin’s), and NetGalley for gifting me this advanced eARC copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience. With that being said, I would like to be given immediate access to the next book— please and thank you.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for this early copy of Immortal Rose.

I am obsessed with this book! Imagine if a romantasy book had a baby with Bridgerton, Peaky Blinders, and Sherlock Holmes. You’d get Immortal Rose.

I LOVE the FMC and MMC in this. Their banter is everything. I loved the progression of their relationship and how they each peeled back their layers to be vulnerable with each other. Despite coming from different walks of life, they both understood and accepted each other.

Let’s talk about how my guy, Hugh, yearns. He steals a painting of her mother for her, he saves her life multiple times, and he secretly fears for her safety and won’t let her go anywhere without him. Everything he does for her is done selflessly and in secret because he doesn’t want to open himself up to be vulnerable.

And Viola is such an amazing FMC. She’s got so much confidence in herself despite her upbringing and humble beginnings. She is brave, smart, cunning, funny, witty, and sarcastic. The scene with her and “Drink of the Deep” is one of my favorite scenes in the whole book.

The plot twists and mysteries unraveled slowly but steadily and kept me hooked the whole way through.

Do yourself a favor and read this when I releases in August.

[Izzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up

so after neglecting my duties for a good two hours to read this book, ive decided that 1) i need to stop procrastinating and 2) i am not appreciating my perfumes enough

PLOT: Holy shit.
Immortal Rose is one of those books that just makes sense. The author obviously had a plan and didn't just stick random shit together in hopes of calling it a "plot twist". No, there was a fucking leadup and you kind of suspect them but not really... But also is it them? And then it turns out it's not them and no, it's the other guy that also kind of made sense. But once the twist gets revealed that guys makes MORE sense.
and and and guys they don't just ignore their feelings for some stupid reason that makes no sense and and and and viola makes really really good decisions that truly put the capital c in Common sense.
THEY DON'T YEARN FOR THE SAKE OF YEARNING; NO, THEY YEARN FOR THE SAKE OF EVERYTHING ELSE
As someone who rarely jumps on the "theory" bandwagon, I have to say that this book did indeed accomplish the task of making me have all these ideas as to what's going to happen after that damned ending.

CHARACTERS:
HUGH: The biggest fault about this man was his name. Think Matthew Macfadyen Mr. Darcy, down to the fricking proposal. And the unemployedness... we never saw this guy actually do something to get paid. And he communicates. COMMUNICATES.
VIOLA: She's brilliant. She is so fucking brilliant. Oh my god. For once in my life I have found a book about a competent FMC who doesn't yell about how "she's too tough" for no reason. She takes matters into her own hands but in a manner that's not overly flashy or fighty and isn't a bitch for no reason. Women in STEM but in Victorian times, amiright?
REDDY: heheheheehehehehe how old is he again? bc if the age gaps not terrible then him x elly??? He's funny and he's hot. He's also flirty. Captain Rolfe but upgraded. And he's a POC in Victorian England that is very, very competent.
THE SIDE CHARACTERS: Everyone was so well written. They all had their own personalities and backstories. I will say, though, Mrs. Keyes's backstory was kind of strange in the way that how did Foxwood collect them? And you're telling me she wouldn't have taken matters into her own hand and investigated certain shit? No, her and Mrs. Silver are too fucking badass for that. Kind of out of character.

so yeah. book two hates to see me coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars…I enjoyed the concept of perfume having magical abilities and the uniqueness of that concept. Overall, it was a good read with a sufficient amount of side characters however, I just felt like the writing was lacking in intensity and just had a hard time concentrating and enjoying the story.
#ImmortalRoseDeluxeLimitedEdition #NetGalley

[Lisa Penninga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the use of smell in this book; Viola’s way to describe people is really unique and I love the foreshadowing of it! I adored Hugh’s character, and how Oliver is such a foil to him. It is an epic read with plot twists, quests, and royalty corruptions along the way. It felt like Beauty & the Beast enchantment with a little Crooked Kingdom/Six of Crows world building. I cannot wait to read the next one- what a cliffhanger!

[Alyxus Celine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredible, it took me about 3 chapters to really get into the story because it felt like a lot of moving pieces at once but the pacing for the rest of the book was incredible.
this was also a really fun and different approach to a fantasy novel, i loved the use of perfume as magic and the descriptions of different scents and essence as viola moves through the world.
the pacing for the romance was so good and i cannot wait for the next one!

[Carina Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding the words to describe how perfect this book was to me is going to be pretty much impossible. Then I will end up writing too much, as always. I honestly loved this book with all of my heart. Just like I had hoped to. As I very much adore Alexandra and all her books, with Silver in the Bone being my most favorite book.

And this one ended up being a favorite too. Which makes me so very happy. Five stars, of course. The writing was perfection, no issues. The book was all kinds of long and took time to read. Yet not nearly long enough. It had such a rude ending. Desperately in need of the sequel right now. But oh, how good this story was.

There is honestly so very much I wish to say about this book. Yet unsure how to put it all into words. Will try to remember all I wish to say. There was just so much going on. At all times. It thrilled me so much. And made me all kinds of anxious as well. I loved this book to pieces. I even stayed up past four am reading, as I could not stop for such a long time. It was too exiting. Which is the best thing ever. I'm not sure where to begin with this book. It takes place in the past, very much like Bridgerton, in a way. Which I loved. I think the setting was all kinds of wonderful. It made it all more exciting. There is also a bit of magic. But a different kind, one made with perfume. Which was also done very well. And so interesting to read about. There were so many details.

This book begins with Viola selling her perfumes at the night market with her friend. We get to know her a little. Then she ends up being arrested and thrown in the worst of the jails. The book then skips two days. I'm not fully sure if I am glad for the skip or not. As she was whipped during that time. And we did not get to read about it. Okay, I am glad it was not on page. It was bad enough to read about her getting it healed later. It was heartbreaking to read about her being in prison. As this could have ended up so much worse.

But it did not. As she was sent for by an unknown man. I very much loved their first meeting. Considering he was the one who captured her so she got put in jail. And he is now the one getting her out of it. Viola hates him so much at first. This story is very much an enemies to lovers type. I am just glad the enemies part did not last very long. As it did not take too long for her to realize that he was not that bad. Anyway. He could get her out of prison, if she would make him a perfume. She agrees, not knowing all the details.

Just me, realizing I lied. The book did not begin with Viola. It began with Hugh. Before he got her thrown in jail. We get to know him a little. We get to see him witness an explosion, killing the man he needed to make a special perfume. Which is how he ends up tracking down Viola. She is the last living Rosebourne left. Her family all had magic. Being able to make perfumes with magic that could do so many things. I so loved getting to learn it all. Hugh needs her to make Immortal Rose, to save the king from dying brutally.

Okay. I am truly not sure what I wish to share about the plot. So I think I'm stopping there and just sharing all of my different thoughts about this story. As I have a whole lot of them to share. First, Viola Lockwood. I'm pretty sure she was around twenty-five years old. With Hugh being a few years older, possibly. Viola lives in the poorer parts of this city. Trying her best to live her life alone after her mother died. Which was not easy for a woman during this time. But oh, Viola was amazing. I loved how fierce she was. And smart.

I very much loved her magical perfume gift. As it also came with smell. And it was very exciting to read about. As she could smell pretty much everything about a person. Their lives. Their feelings. It was so good to read about. I loved her gift. It was a little much for her, of course. Yet so awesome. Her past was also so sad. I loved learning a little bit more about it during the book. Viola was special to me. She was such a great main character. I simply adored her to pieces. Loved all the parts we got to know about her.

Then there was Hugh. He gets Viola out of the prison, and takes her back to his home. As he is the Lord Foxcourt. For a long time that is what she calls him. Which I loved. But loved it more when she switched to Hugh. Sigh. And oh, his home was the best part. I loved how she spends so much time there. And the moments between her and Hugh were truly the best parts. They start out as enemies. She is not forgiving him for putting her in prison, even though he felt like he had to, as to be able to save the king from dying.

But she slowly gets to know him. And starts hating him less. And oh, this book just meant so much to me. I loved reading about Hugh and Viola together so very much. And they do spend a whole lot of time being together in this book. That made me even more happy. I'm a little nervous for book two, though. But fully excited. Anyway. The staff in Hugh's home was the very best. Loved how they made Viola feel like home. She was not used to this kind of life at all. And I loved how she got to experience all of it, and loving it too.

I could truly talk about this book forever and ever. And I know I'm writing too much. Yet I cannot seem to stop myself. Of course, there is a chance no one ever reads these long reviews of mine. But that's okay. As these reviews are also for me, for me to write down my thoughts about books. And this book made me feel way too much. And I loved every moment of it. It is full of danger. Viola needs to make a perfume to save the king. It is pretty much impossible. While she searches for items she need, people try to kill her.

And those scenes were all kinds of thrilling to read about. And made me so very anxious as well. It made me so very nervous. It all felt real and dangerous. I loved it to pieces. This book also had several deaths included. Some of them a little brutal. And oh so good. This book was truly all kinds of exciting. I loved all the danger. I loved all the banter between Viola and Hugh. There was a whole lot of it. It so hurt my heart when she hurt his feelings, though. But it did not happen often, thankfully. Most of the time it was just fun.

There was so much going on in this book. It takes place in about a week. They do not have much time to try to save the king. There is a villain in this story as well. And he was the actual worst. Okay, there were so many bad people, but he was the biggest of them. I so loved all the twists that came from it. We got to know the daughter of the king, Eleanor. And she was such a sweet person. I hope to see more of her in book two. I loved how Hugh wanted to protect her. There is also Reddy, whom was such a fun character.

Okay, I really need to stop writing about this book. Yet I cannot. I just loved it so much. It was so long. With so much happening. And so much that I want to talk about. Even though I have written so much, I feel like I have barely mentioned anything. Hugh and Viola were my most favorite to read about. How he very much adored her early on. How he grew to love her so fiercely. And would do anything for her. I so loved his small ways of making amends for putting her in prison. He was the sweetest man. I loved him.

She took a little longer to realize that she cared for him too. As she was too busy hating on him. But she started to care the more she got to know the real him. Learning about what type of person he was. Which was the best kind. He was just so sweet and loving. Okay, also kind of a brutal killer as well. But I did not fault him for that, ha. I loved that he was huge and she was small. I loved how well they fit together. Just loved them to pieces. Sigh. I loved learning more about his past as well. This man deserved all the love.

There is a wedding in this book. Which was one of my favorite parts. Yet it was oh so rude as well. There is some poison as well. And it was all kinds of dramatic and wonderful to read about. It hurt my heart. Yet some parts of it were beautiful. Viola never wants to get married, because of her mother. But she has no choice. And she definitely does not want to marry Hugh, whom she is not fully sure yet that she likes. She had a lot of rules for this marrige. I love how they slowly get broken after. Anyway. It was all very lovely.

I loved the outfits in this book. There are a few scenes where Viola has to dress up. It was so beautiful to read about. There is a moment when they are going to a party club of some sort. Which was such a spicy moment yet also a little bit disturbing, with how it ended. Yet I loved every moment of it. There is spice in this romance. But there should definitely have been more, haha. Small spoiler. As it does not go all the way. I needed it to happen. I yearned for it. This book was too rude. Fingers crossed for the sequel, eee.

There are so many secrets in this book. And I did not guess most of them. How rude. Yet they were all fully exciting to read about. There is a mystery about Viola and her past, who her true father was. That one I figured out early, but it was fun to be right about it. There was a secret about one being revealed at the end of the book. I did not see it coming at all. And it was the saddest secret of them all. It truly hurt my heart. Yet it was oh so good. I honestly loved all the twists in this book. And there were so many of them.

I have not mentioned the other characters that much, and I'm not going to name them. But the found family in this book was so very well done. Hugh lives in a house with a staff. And his staff was the most wonderful people. All of them full of secrets. All of them so kind and loving and loyal. He had the best people around him. And I so loved how they cared for Viola as well. They were perfect for her. There is also a small dog. Which was the cutest little devil. There is a scene of Hugh singing to her. So perfect.

I cannot help but talk a little about the ending of the book too. Because it absolutely destroyed me. I am not sure how I'm going to survive the wait for book two. I need it in my life right now. I simply must know what happens next. Gosh. It was such a rude ending. Yet it set up the second book so well. There is still so much that needs to happen. And I am so worried about all of it. But it was fully exciting too. So much heartbreak at the end. Yet so thrilling to read about. Many secrets revealed. All done so well. I loved it.

Immortal Rose was everything I had wanted it to be and so much more. It was truly perfection. I loved every moment of it. It was such a thrilling story. Filled with romance and yearning. Full of darkness and death. It had all of the best banter. It had the best found family. The romance between Viola and Hugh actually killed me. It was truly so very wonderful. The setting was amazing and fit so well for this story. The perfume magic was done so well and I so loved learning about it all. This story made my heart race.

Just because I cannot stop myself from writing even more about this book. It is my longest review ever written. And I still feel like I have so much to say. I just truly loved Immortal Rose with all of my body. It was such a thrilling story. And the romance simply meant everything to me. It is slow at first. But then it is everything. And I so very much need more of it in book two. This book just had everything that I wanted it to. It made me so very happy. Even when it ruined my heart too. So happy that I got to read it right now.

The biggest thank you to the wonderful Avon Books for sending me a print ARC of this precious book to read and review. It means the entire world to me. And I am so, so thankful. I shall treasure it always. So happy to add it to my Alexandra collection. And thank you so much to my wonderful friend, Becky, whom then sent me the ARC to Norway. I am the luckiest. Now I cannot wait to get all the finished copies of this perfect story. You all need this book in your life too. It will be out in August, and it is going to be so huge.

---

This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2026...

[Dasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell's Tits, indeed!

⭐️: 4.5/5
🌶️: 3/5

TL;DR:
- SO well-written
- Regency era
- Marriage of convenience
- Non-cliché, strong FMC (Viola)
- Yearning MMC (Hugh)
- Unique magic system
- Just the perfect amount of romance
- Exciting plot
- Relationship dynamics are believable and progress naturally
- Ends on a cliffhanger 🥲

The Writing
I know everyone wants to know what the actual book is about first, but I just cannot help but start this review by mentioning the writing. I have ADHD, which means holding my attention is VERY difficult. In 95% of the books I read, inevitabely, I end up just skimming over large chunks of text. And it's not that it's necessarily useless information, it's just written too plainly and I can't help myself but get bored. This book? There wasn't one letter of it that I haven't savoured, and many that I have read multiple times.

Now, I don't want to get everybody's expectations through the sky. Alexandra Bracken is no Jane Austen (yet), but for the Fantasy Romance genre, her writing is unbelievably good. She doesn't infodump (which is the first thing you learn in Writing 101, yet many authors seem to forget that). She describes the world she's built through a plethora of well-placed words, many of which I (a non-native English speaker) had to look up (hail our lord and saviour built-in dictionary). Every sentence she writes serves a specific purpose and doesn't feel repetitive or predictable, if you know what I mean. I'm just a humble reviewer; I cannot accurately describe her mastery, but trust me: it's that good.

Worldbuilding
The story is set in a kingdom of Albion, and I think you can already guess which country served as its inspiration. Even more so, you'll be surprised just how closely it utilizes England's history. The world is inspired by the regency era, and follows it really well. I mean, it's not just them riding around it carriages and wearing some characteristic types of dresses. The author really did a deep-dive on its history, and does a remarkably good job, so much so, were it not for the little bit of magic, this could've easily been a historical romance novel (damn good one at that).

The magic of the world is not thrown in our faces like the most interesting thing there is about this world. Those who wield it are not all-powerful heroes – they are just humans. The story does not rely on them having magic to carry all the burden of novelty in the book – their unique personalities and choices do that instead. Nevertheless, this magic system deserves a lot of praise to be written here.

We are not given a full list of what kinds of magic there really are in Albion. What we know is that fairies used to live there once upon a time, and were driven out by the new monotheistic religion. Though the fairies left, many of the mortals still living in Albion descend from them and have certain types of gifts as the consequence. The main focus of this story is the gift of perfumery – being able to feel smells unlike any other human being, including emotions, and ability to imbue perfumes with various properties: healing, beauty, etc. This magic does not come without a cost – everything given to the perfume must be taken from another human (often the perfumer) through a bargain.

What I love about this magic as it is shown to us in this world (specifically through the FMC, who wields it), is that it is not used exclusively as a superpower that saves the MCs at the last moment. No, it is a huge part of Viola's personality. With the use of her superior abilities, she describes the world around her in a way we might've never imagined before. Everything around her somehow ties to the perception of smell, and this is such a fresh perspective to see a world through.

Structure
The majority of the book is written in Viola's first-person POV, but it's the good kind. At the very least, here I haven't noticed one time when it annoyed me. There are several chapters from Hugh's third-person POV, which are also very well written.

Characters
There are two main characters: Viola and Hugh. For fear of spoiling the joy of reading this book for some of you, I won't recount their histories – just their personalities.

Viola is a truly strong woman with a difficult past. Her strength is not in brattiness or badassery, but in her sharp mind and her decisions. She has principles and she follows them. She values her independance and is not easily tricked. She does not fall in love at first sight the moment she sees a cute face – she thinks her feelings and actions through like a reasonable adult. In summary, I am so glad to finally see a female main character I can respect.

Hugh is secretive and not a man of many words. At first we see him as pridefull and cruel. All of this gets redeemed throughout the book, though, as Viola slowly gets to know him better. Underneath all that coldness is a man worth knowing, and I ask you to read the book to learn more 😜.

Romance & Spice
The romance in this book is something we like to classify as slow-burn in Romantasy, though in reality this is just the reasonable relationship dynamic for any reasonable adult out there. There is tension, and there is yearning. Viola and Hugh's love is not built on looks (Hugh actually admits Viola is not the classically beautiful type at one point), but on the deeper interpersonal connection they built throughout the novel. It is built on acts of kindness and courage, humility and understanding. It is quite beautiful to see, really.

There is spice in the book, though closer towards the end. There are about 3 such scenes total, though none get us to the final act itself. The way these few scenes are written is enough to get your panties wet, though, so by no means is that a downside. The tension is tensing, and the yearning is nearly unbearable.

To sum it all up, I need the second book STAT, or I don't know how I'm going to live through the year. I'm definitely buying a copy for myself when this gets published (Aug 18 2026, btw), and now I'm completely and utterly addicted to this series.

Huge, huge thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the eARC of this masterpiece!

[BookishKB · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌹 Immortal Rose 🌹

I have a feeling this will be a six star read once I get ahold of the audiobook!

I loved the worldbuilding so much. It was immersive, detailed, and easy to get lost in. I can honestly say I have never read a book with magical perfume before, and I loved how unique this magic system was.

I will say, if you do not love long books, this may not be for you. It is lengthy and packed with details, so the beginning can feel a little overwhelming if that is not something you normally enjoy. But for me the worldbuilding made it worth it.

❤️What to Expect
• Magical perfume
• Slow burn
• Enemies to lovers
• Royal intrigue
• Spy x reluctant heir
• Hidden legacy
• Found family
_ _ _

📅 Pub Date: August 18, 2026
📝 Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Heather Pacella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Centuries ago, fairies and the old gods walked the lands of Albion - until they were brutally chased out by mankind's new religion, which decreed their magic a corrupt force that threatened their one true God. However, whispers of the fairies still remain even today, in ancient relics imbued with special powers and "fairyborn" citizens with a drop or two of magic from long-ago fairy lineage. According to the law of the land, all fairy relics are to be destroyed and all fairyborn imprisoned. However, hypocrisy is as natural as breathing in Albion - especially among the high-society Patricians, who bend the rules to suit their every whim, openly buying and selling relics and utilizing the services of fairyborn kept out of jail if they can prove themselves useful. The most powerful among these is William Rosebourne, whose ability to infuse perfumes with magical abilities has allowed him to accumulate untold riches and ascend to a respectable place in society.

Viola Lockwood, the illegitimate and disinherited successor to the Rosebourne legacy, has also been blessed with her grandfather's gifts - though she is forced to make a living selling her magic-infused perfumes on the illegal market of the Albion slums, lest she be thrown into the bowels of Fairgate Prison forever. But when an unknown assassin poisons the king and leaves him clinging to life, Viola soon finds herself at the mercy of handsome-but-infuriating Hugh Thornton, a royal spymaster with his own secret motivations. He threatens Viola with an illusory "choice": use her talents to save the king, or be imprisoned for selling illegal fairy products. She reluctantly agrees to blend Immortal Rose, the only perfume that can save the king, in exchange for her rightful place at the head of the Rosebourne dynasty. However, as Viola and Hugh's search for a rare fairy ingredient takes them through the dark underbelly of Albion, they quickly begin to realize that there are enemies out there who will do anything to guarantee the king's death - including taking Viola's life and ending her bloodline forever. With time running out, the two are forced to decide exactly what - and who - they are willing to sacrifice on their path to vengeance.

Immortal Rose was an incredibly enjoyable mashup of regency romance and fairy mythology! My thoughts on specific aspects of the story are below.

*World-building/Plot: The world of Albion was masterfully fleshed out - the history of the kingdom and its current-day social stratification were very well explained, and the descriptions of different quarters of the city really helped it to jump off the page. Oftentimes I feel like authors struggle with implementing magic systems within more realistic/mundane settings, but Alexandra Bracken did a fantastic job here; she provided just enough fairy magic to keep the story interesting without taking away from the political intrigue, which was the main driver of the story. In particular, the concept of magical perfumes was such a fascinating and unique take on fairy abilities, and I really enjoyed experiencing the perfume-making process that Viola used in the book.

*Character Development: Viola is a tough and resilient FMC that you can't help but root for, and I loved watching her on her journey to take agency over her life and reclaim her family legacy. Though much of the book was from her POV, there were several chapters from Hugh's POV that did a great job of showing how sympathetic and kind he really is, even though he often made choices that hurt those around him (aka Viola). I really appreciated that the story took the time to develop the "slow burn" of their romance - they spend much of the book as reluctant allies solely focused on saving the king's life, and it is only after they get to know each other that an attraction starts to develop. To me, this is so much more realistic and enjoyable than the "insta-love/insta-lust" that is popular in a lot of other books, and it really let them shine as individuals before their romance started to blossom. Perhaps the only downside of this is that because it took them so long to open up to each other, Viola and Hugh were both quite stoic/guarded throughout much of the book, and there wasn't really any of the witty banter/flirtations that I typically enjoy in romantasy (however, I wouldn't expect that to be a problem in the next book!). Besides the main relationship between Viola and Hugh, there was also a great "found family" component between Viola and the staff of Hugh's estate, who all have their own "special" identities.

*Pacing/Writing Style: As someone who enjoys a slow-moving plot, even I will admit that the pacing of Immortal Rose is slowwww. Though the book is almost 500 pages, it takes place over only a week or so of time. But the writing is so beautiful and substantial that I couldn't even tell - I was fully immersed in the story and could not put it down. This more-detailed development also paid off in the form of an absolutely diabolical cliffhanger that promises much more action in the next book to come.

Overall, I would highly recommend Immortal Rose to both fans of regency romance and historical fantasy alike (or really just anyone looking for a unique, well-written book). I can't wait to see what happens in the next book of the duology.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Catrina]

Ordered Audible
August 2026

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Avon books, NetGalley, and Alexandra Bracken for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

What if ordinary perfume wasn't quite so ordinary? What if, in fact, the most coveted and expensive perfumes were instead laced with magic, aiding in everything from getting a crush to notice you to prolonging the life of the ill and informed? This tantalizing idea is at heart of Immortal Rose, a regency-style romantasy by Alexandra Bracken.

The story follows Viola Lockwood, a down-on-her-luck young woman who makes money in the illicit Night Market by selling her unique perfumes laced with a touch of faerie magic. Though now squarely in the poor common class, Viola harbors a tantalizing secret: she's actually the last living descendent of the House of Rosebourne fragrance empire, perfumer to the king and the nobility.

While selling at the Night Market, Viola finds herself at the center of a raid by the king's guard. After the raid ends in Viola's arrest, she is visited by Hugh Thornton, the Earl of Foxcourt, who offers a tantalizing bargain, albeit under duress: create a healing perfume for the ailing king, and gain her freedom and title.

Yet, what initially seems like a simple deal soon devolves into a dangerous search laden with betrayal, sabotage, and more secrets than Viola had ever expected, not only about the perfume's mysterious ingredients but also the members of the Foxcourt household and even her own lineage. As Hugh and Viola race to find the ingredients to make the fabled blend, they soon realize that there is much more at stake than just the king's health.

What I loved about this book:

--First and foremost, the truly unique magic system and the unique world building. Bracken's description of scent and how it relays clues about a character's personality was exquisite, from the snow-white scent of fear to the lethality present in licorice, she layers these descriptions with the characters' actions, motives, and desires. I've read countless novels that have a description of a character's scent in them, but none have built that scent into core parts of their personality, making them an integral part of every scene.

--The yearning. Oh, my goodness. Though Hugh and Viola start with opposing motives, completely at odds with one another, their relationship slowly sparks into a bright ember of longing, threatening to ignite at any moment. Because this is a regency-era novel, these desires are constantly being sublimated in the name of decorum and propriety, to say nothing of duty and obligation. If you're a fan of Pride and Prejudice and the restrained, vulnerable declarations of both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, you'll love the relationship between Hugh and Viola.

--The members of the Foxcourt household. When Viola comes to reside at Foxcourt House for the remainder of her mission, she encounters a host of unique staff members, each with a backstory of their own. Though suspicious of their motives at first and afraid to allow them into her heart, she slowly comes to care for each of them, learning their incredible stories in the process.

--The hints of mystery. Though not a "whodunnit" in the purest sense of the word, the storyline includes so many questions and breadcrumbs that kept me turning pages. The House of Rosebourne has a rival in DeForrest perfumes, and as the novel progresses, we learn much more about their sordid history and exactly what each house was willing to do to keep their supremacy.

--The set and setting. This novel reminds me of the best kind of dark, rainy, mysterious night, where secrets hide in the shadows and yet candles flicker in stained-glass windows. Alexandra Bracken does a phenomenal job of bringing this world to life, and her attention to detail truly made me feel like I was following along with Viola and Hugh. I finished this book in about two days, and I found myself sneaking pages at work because I was so invested in the story.

I think you'll love this book if you enjoy enemies-to-lovers, found family, regency romance, yearning, and a healthy dash of mystery to propel the story along. This book struck an excellent balance of plot-based and character-based structures. It's the first of a duology, and it ends on an absolute power keg of a cliffhanger that left my jaw on the ground. I absolutely cannot wait for book 2, and I'll be happily working my way through the author's backlist in the meantime.

[Dotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immortal Rose is Alexandra Bracken’s debut Romantasy novel following a magical perfume marker and the king’s advisor who procures her services. Viola has been in hiding since the death of her mother, trying to scrape a meager living while hide from her powerful relations. When the king is poisoned, Hugh, one of his advisors, seeks out Viola in less-than-positive circumstances; he throws her in jail and threatens her. Hugh’s deceased uncle was the king’s spymaster and Hugh’s methods can be harsh, but his compassion slips through underneath it all. The two work to find the ingredients that Viola needs and unravel the conspiracy surrounding the king’s poisoning.

First, I have to say: all of the marketing I could find made this look like a standalone. It is not. It ends on a major cliffhanger, and obviously sets up for another book. I don’t know how many books are in the series, but my experience of the ending was affected by my own expectations. If a book is going to be a series, make it clear from the beginning.

This story leans into the perfumery elements in a way that is engaging and thoughtful. The story uses the in-world magic around scent to detect truth from lies, to poison and to heal, and to fight or defend. However, the story also uses the senses of our world: the world feels very concrete as we understand the scents of a place or a person. It’s a clever element that sets this book apart from many of the Romantasy books on the market.

The point of view felt a little strange in the story. Generally, the story is either in Viola’s point of view, but changes into Hugh’s with some frequency. Viola’s point of view is in first person, and Hugh’s is in third. I think I would have preferred to be consistent within the two characters, as it felt jarring to switch back and forth.

The romance was well done, with our characters building trust and tension. There are two explicit scenes in the story, both of which feel earned. Viola has a lot of good layers and characterization, and she’s a character worth rooting for. The book focuses extensively on Viola and Hugh’s class distinctions in a way that is engaging and feels rooted in historical truths.

The setting is advertised as being Regency-inspired, but I don’t see that in the setting as a whole. Regency novels have specific hallmarks that feel that they are missing from this story, particularly the balls, complex social dynamics, and courting rituals. This story has solid descriptions of the fantastic fashions that Viola wears, but none of the complexity or the social dynamics in shopping for them. The story has one ball which doesn’t focus on the dancing or courting rituals; instead, the ball functions as a place for conflict within the story, and could have just as easily been swapped for an opera.

My largest problem with this book is Hugh’s characterization. He’s a spymaster working for the king, with layers of spies in high places and low. He was trained in fencing simply because of the ability to eavesdrop in those spaces. He’s well connected and knows everything that goes on. Yet, he had no idea that the prison would mistreat our main character, or that children are taken off the street. He has no awareness of the many plights of the poor of their city. It felt incongruent with the portrayal of compassionate competence that the book tries so hard to cultivate. I think it would have been easier to believe if he hadn’t thrown Viola in jail, and even in-book, characters address this inconsistency in his character. I just can’t reconcile a spymaster with connections at all levels of society being so unaware of the systemic abuse of women happening in the prison, or the plights of the poor.

Altogether, this book was engaging and entertaining. There were a few problems with the character development of our male main character, but the perfumery elements were excellent and really set this book apart from the genre. The romance was well done and the twists were interesting. This is worth a read if you like Romantasy books and want something with a fun twist. But don’t expect it to be a standalone!

Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy!

[Lia Carstairs · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOOOO STOP IT CAN'T END LIKE THAT?!?! You're telling me I'll have to wait until like summer/fall 2027 to find out the answer to that last sentence??? Oh, that is absolutely evil😩

As a huge fan of Alexandra Bracken's The Darkest Mind series from my teen years, I was absolutely ecstatic when I heard that she was coming out with her adult debut, Immortal Rose! And wow. Guys it was SOOO GOOD. The magic system!! The mystery!! The characters!! The romance!!! Oh my god, the yearning was absolutely everything. Viola and Hugh have my heart, I am in love with them.

Viola Rosebourne is the type of character you will constantly be wanting to hug. She's had it soo rough and seeing her slowly let down her walls and feel comfort at the Foxcourt House with the other characters?? It was so wholesome. I loved her wit, stubbornness, fearlessness and kindness. I laughed so many times because of Viola, she's so funny omg. Especially with Hugh!! (Though Hugh would disagree on it being funny). Viola deserves every good thing to happen to her, I neeeeed her happiness ASAP.

And then there's Hugh. HUGH THORNTON, THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!! If you loved Liam from TDM, then you'll so love Hugh!! Though Liam is more of a cinnamon roll but oh my gosh I was so getting some Liam vibes in Hugh!! These guys are so romantic😩 But truly, Hugh really met his match in Viola, their banter??? The beginning especially had me laughing so much. The whole nib and nob thing was so funny please. And their vulnerable moments??? My heart😭 The way he was soo down bad for Viola, I loved seeing it. He's so sweet and affectionate, I swooned like woww this guy!!!! His desperation to try not feeling anything towards Viola but unable to resist--he truly was in constant turmoil thinking about her HAHA. Getting Hugh's POV was a blessing. And I seriously love everyone else, like Reddy!! Mrs. Keyes and Mrs. Silvers!! Felicity!!! Basically the whole Foxcourt household, they were such a fun cast of characters and I really hope nothing bad happens to them in the next book.

I really loved the world so much. The way society hates anyone with fairyborn magic, and yet the nobles will gladly use the magic from their perfumes for their own use?? Typical coming from high society ugh. It was so interesting see how Viola's magic worked! To be able to glean information on someone based off of their scents, not just their current emotions but also some pieces of their past?? So so interesting. I wonder if there's more to her magic too?? To be continued in book 2 but I'm veryyy intrigued👀 And the plot!! Truly the amount of reveals at the end that made my jaw drop???? It just kept getting more and more wild.

Now for the overall pacing of this book, I do have to say it was pretty slow. I found myself taking awhile to get through the first half and putting the book down many times, but past the midway point, things picked up and I was definitely engrossed. I don't mind slower-paced books so it didn't affect my experience too much, but it really helped that I was loving the characters from the very beginning and was so excited to see how things would play out!

My mind is seriously still reeling over that ending, I NEED book 2 immediately. The second I read that last line I was praying that wasn't the end even though I just KNEW it would be... and unfortunately that was the case. I flipped the next page and genuinely I've never hated seeing the Acknowledgements page more. Like I just wanted one more word!!! One!!! I wanted to confirm something but now I have to wait help... the thought of waiting so long is going to be the death of me. I'm so excited for book 2 I cannot express it enough, I NEED TO SEE VIOLA AND HUGH AGAIN.

Highly recommend Immortal Rose if you're looking to read a slow-burn regency-inspired romantasy with lotss of yearning and a unique magic system!!

Thank you Avon for the ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!!!

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Alexandra Bracken writes a book, I already know two things before I even open the first page.

My emotions are about to be violently rearranged.

Sleep will become optional.

Immortal Rose absolutely followed that tradition.

First of all—magical perfume? Excuse me? Who sat down and thought, you know what fantasy needs… weaponized fragrance? Because whoever had that idea deserves a standing ovation. This world runs on scent—perfumes that can sway emotions, influence thoughts, and manipulate the body itself. Suddenly smelling nice is no longer just a lifestyle choice… it’s political power.

Our heroine, Viola Lockhart, is the last surviving member of the infamous Rosebourne bloodline—a family with a very inconveniently powerful talent for creating magical fragrances. And by inconvenient I mean: people will absolutely kidnap, threaten, imprison, or otherwise ruin your day to get access to it.

Which is exactly how she ends up dealing with Hugh Thornton.

Hugh is the kingdom’s royal spymaster. Polished, controlled, mysterious, annoyingly handsome in that broody aristocratic way, and—very importantly—the same man responsible for throwing Viola into prison earlier. So naturally he now shows up asking for her help.

The audacity. The nerve. The sheer male confidence.

He needs her to craft a legendary perfume called Immortal Rose, something powerful enough to save the kingdom from political chaos. Viola, who has every reason to slam the door in his face, instead sees an opportunity. If she succeeds, she might finally reclaim the legacy that was stolen from her family.

So she agrees.

And thus begins the slowest, most deliciously painful romantic tension imaginable.

This is not the kind of story where two characters lock eyes and immediately fall into each other’s arms by page fifty. Oh no. This book feeds on longing. Suspicion. Carefully hidden vulnerability. The kind of tension where two people are standing too close in a room and suddenly breathing becomes suspiciously difficult.

Hugh and Viola are both walking around carrying emotional baggage heavy enough to qualify as checked luggage. He hides behind duty and control. She hides behind sarcasm and survival instincts. Watching them circle each other, slowly peeling back those defenses, was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.

And Viola? I adored her.

She’s sharp-tongued, stubborn, emotionally bruised but still standing, and absolutely unwilling to play the role society assigned to her. She’s clever, scrappy, and the type of heroine who will absolutely walk into danger if it means taking control of her own story.

The world itself feels lush and layered—full of glittering high society, dangerous secrets, shadowy politics, and a magical system built around scent that somehow feels both elegant and dangerous. The way perfume becomes intertwined with power, identity, and deception is fascinating.

Also, the tension in this story builds… and builds… and builds.

Just when you think you know where things are going, the plot casually reaches over and yanks the rug straight out from under your feet.

And the ending?

Rude.

Deeply rude.

I turned the final page and just stared at the wall for a while like someone who had been personally betrayed. The emotional damage is real. I am now impatiently waiting for the next book like a Victorian woman dramatically fainting on a chaise lounge.

Overall, Immortal Rose is lush, romantic, mysterious, and wildly original. It’s a story full of yearning, secrets, ambition, and magic that lingers in the air long after the final page.

I’m giving this one five intoxicating, heartbreakingly romantic stars, and I will absolutely be first in line for the next installment.

A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for sharing one of the most anticipated romantasies of the year with me in exchange for my honest feedback. 🌹

medium.com
instagram
facebook

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me a chance at reading this.

I don't know how I got lucky on getting this book, but I was given an advanced copy. I love fantasy of manners, historical fantasy (situated in regency / victorian / pre WWI). This is a regency-esque story (not quite clear if France and the rest of the European locations are in this) but that is where we are. We have slums, we have dockside, we have regents, we have gentry, and we have fantasy. The fantasy aspect is gods / goddesses who have left earth years and years (centuries?) ago.

Our female lead is a slum worker who has had a rough life, and she is seen out on the streets peddling shoddy magic perfumes. During a raid, she is captured and sent to jail. Magic users are not welcome in the world we have, but people understand there are perfumers who create magic perfumes. Our female lead comes in contact with the male lead - he needs her to craft a perfume that will help the king become healthy again, for if he dies the crown / world can be disastrous.

We are taken to his home which is filled with the staff who also have secondary identities unknowst to her but of great help to the ML. It is there that while at the house you find out who our villain is and his link to both our FL and ML. And then, the time spent to one another gives way to something that is akin to yearning and desire but with conflicting goals and uncertain future.

Hugh (ML) is one of my favorite male leads. I think its because he has a lot of previous baggage, and that it's hard being a half-brother to the villain. He has kind of locked his heart and mind away from any one because his goal is the country / regency and any personal attachments could be problematic. But: it's his desire to help the FL (Viola) get the outcome she wants - owning the perfumery that was once her grandfather's and establishing herself in the world. Is there a place for him? Is there a place for her? That's the joy of watching the struggles and the heated moments that tip almost into a love scene.

The book has a great way of leading you along and then at the very end pulling the rug out from under you. I will admit that the biggest issue I had with the book was the world building and the important bits that connect with one another. Some if it gets muddled in the prose and it isn't until when something happened that you realize, 'oh, that was important'. I want to say that focus is on the connection to the half-brother and the rival perfume industries.

As someone who loves Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, and the one-off fantasies that pop up with a historical setting, this was candy for me. I look forward to book two when it drops, and I can't wait to buy a copy of this book for my shelves.

[inmyreadingera321 · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHO WAS GOING TO TELL ME THAT THIS BOOK ENDED ON A CLIFFHANGER????

Okay, but seriously, I'm so obsessed with this book that I won't be able to stop thinking about it until the next book comes out, no matter how long from now that may end up being. Alexandra Bracken did something so amazing with this book, because it felt like an entirely new book to me. It was a totally novel experience, not like any romantasy I've read in the past. Firstly, the magic system was so unique -- I loved the idea of this system being based on perfumes and smells. I have definitely not read anything similar to that in the past which made it a great reading experience. I also think the way that she described smells was so beautiful. So many things that I would never take the time to notice, she managed to put into words in such a visual and articulate way. And secondly, I loved that this wasn't the typical (now slightly overused) romantasy plot of a rebellion/war -- the fact that this was more based in political intrigue and espionage was a hundred times more interesting to me because of that. There were some things that felt a little confusing to me in terms of the different poisons and perfumes and the number of spinning backstories to keep track of, but watching everything come together was so satisfying.

In terms of the romance... I was swooning all of the place. Viola and Hugh had my heart from the beginning, but watching them slowly realize that they trusted each other and loved each other was honestly such a privilege. Every time he would call her "sweetheart," usually in moments when she wasn't able to understand the depth of his feelings, had me wanting to cry.

The ending though was CRUEL. I feel like cliffhangers are a thousand times worse when you don't know to expect one, so this hurt me BAD. But at the same time, I thought the way that the loose ends were so nearly tied up only to all unravel again at the end was so masterfully done -- it kept me on the literal edge of my seat until I turned the last page.

Ugh, what an amazing reading experience. What an amazing book. I loved it so, so much.

---------------

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC!