“MOST PEOPLE DON’T know that heartache smells like blueberries. It’s not the only scent, but it’s the main one, and if someone comes to us smelling like blueberry pie, Mother and I turn them away. The heartbroken need time to heal before we can work our magic.”― Stacey Lee, The Secret of a Heart Note
16 year old Mimosa is not your typical teenager, although sometimes she would like to be. Mim is the only child of a single mom and they are the only two aromateurs “love witches” left in the world. Aromateurs have incredibly sensitive noses and are able to pick up on a person’s emotions and their unique essence by how they smell. They use this skill to create elixirs to bring about love matches. The only problem is that if an aromateur falls in love, they lose their ability to smell and therefore their ability to help others. Mim knows the rules but she would love to have a regular high school experience, complete with having a boyfriend. When she accidentally gives a love elixir to the wrong woman, Mim must work with the woman’s son to help fix the situation and she realizes that love is complicated and unpredictable,
This is a fun, heartfelt, coming of age story that reminds us of the challenge of being young and finding your place in the world. Once again, Stacey Lee has crafted a well told tale with a diverse cast of characters that is emotionally satisfying and endearing.
Content Advisory: Bullying