Review by Amber for Love Romance Books Blog

After being taken advantage of by her last boyfriend, Calli lost both her fotune and her reputation. She has been at loose ends, but when a local judge takes a chance on her to renovate his garden while he is on vacation, she can’t wait to get started.

Kell is her next door neighbor during the renovation. He is doing his own renovation of his first flip house. He doesn’t expect to be drawn to the next door neighbor’s gardener, but he can’t stay away.

This was a cute book, even if some of the remodeling details weren’t really my thing. I would give this book 3 stars. I was asked by the author for an honest review.

Calliope 'Calli' Allbrook needs the job she's taken in hopes of staying out of the limelight and to mend the broken heart she suffered when her ex took advantage of her and she lost everything. Now though, she's working hard and is determined to pay back the money she owes. If only she could stay away from her gorgeous neighbour and her desire to help him renovate his home to net him the best price. However, the more time Calli spends with Kell, the more she finds herself falling for a guy that's more interested in one-night stands than forever after. Will Calli give forever after a shot now that she's met her Mr. Right, or will Calli turn her back on their growing relationship because she's scared?

Having really enjoyed the first book of this series, I was looking forward to this second book of Ms. Taylor's Romance by Design series, and I've got to say that this book does not disappoint. Not only because of the intense chemistry between the hero and heroine, but because of their back stories that make these two so captivating and fascinating. The way this story started had me sympathizing with the heroine, as she's in a bit of a bind because of what her ex did. Will her ex end up paying for what he did, especially since her reputation was tarnished because of his actions and the media painting her as the bad guy? Will she ever be able to prove she wasn't at fault? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine met that had me laughing, because of the hero's wrong assumptions when it comes to the heroine.

As for the dialogue, it was well-written and a wonderful combination of intense moments due to the main characters back stories and playful banter and actions by the characters that had me smiling and laughing, especially the moment where the hero realizes that Calli is not what he first thought. How could he be so mistaken when she looks the way she does? Moreover, the heroine is strong, courageous, sassy, hard-working and I liked how determined she is to repay her parents for all that they've done for her. I could also understand her need for secrecy, especially with everything that's happened to her in the past and because of who her family is. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine was that she took a chance on the hero, even though he's more of a one-night stand kind of guy than a man that believes in happy ever after.

While the hero, he's confident, has a nickname that proves he's good with the ladies but is the love-'em-and-leave-'em type, and I liked how driven he was when it came to his career and proving that he has what it takes to achieve his dreams, if he's given a chance. However, what I liked most of all about the hero was that he gave the heroine the benefit of the doubt when it came to her past and that he didn't judge her once he learnt the truth. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero was how determined he was to get everything he wants in life on his own merit. That he didn't take advantage of who he knew and what they could for him, which is proven once he discovers more about the heroine.

Overall, Ms. Taylor has penned a delightful and riveting read in this book where this couple's romance was exciting and definitely does justice to this couple's intense chemistry; the secondary characters were just as entertaining as the main ones; and the ending had me totally enchanted by all that the hero has accomplished when it comes to the house he's been renovating and his job prospects. However, it was how things turned out for the hero and heroine that I absolutely loved, because Kell has to work all of his magic to win the heroine over, as she's stubborn when it comes to their future as a couple or whether they'll go their separate ways. I would recommend Perfect Scents by Virginia Taylor, if you enjoy the mistaken identity trope or books by authors Allison B. Hanson, Sharon Struth, Maggie Wells and Lindy Zart.

I don't understand the title, really. The plot was mediocre, and the dialogue was meh. I didn't hate it, but I didn't really like it all that much either.

while calli and kell start off on the wrong foot in perfect scents, they are inevitably drawn to each other. the thing is, they both have some goals in mind that don't include romance. after all, calli just got taken in by her ex and is certainly not looking for anything serious. and kell is in the middle of trying to expand his business and flipping the house he's remodeling plays a key part of that plan.

the best-laid plans are often thwarted, and finding love in this moment, with each other, is not what either of them have in mind. of course, nothing runs smoothly, especially not true love. and calli and kell struggle with their ability to communicate with one another. but when their issues are sorted out, you are left with a really sweet love story.

'Perfect Scents' by Virginia Taylor is book Two in the "Romance By Design'. This is the story of Calliope Allbrook and Kellen Dee. I have not yet read the previous book, so this was a standalone book for me.
Calli is trying to start over after being taking by a man who she thought cared for her. So she is trying to get away and just work on her landscaping business. Kell is working toward his goal of expanding his construction business and doing so by flipping a house. Kell and Calli each start off on the wrong foot with each other. There is some funny parts in their story but overall this was a sweet easy read.
Enjoyed it!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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With her heart broken and her professional relationship in ruins Calli Allbrook takes a job in Adelaide, Australia giving her time to heal and come up with a plan. With her nose to the grindstone she shouldn't have even noticed him but Kell Dee is too much man to ignore. Maybe he's just what she needs. Kell knows immediately that Calli more than just a fling even if that is all she's looking for. Problems start though when he finds out exactly who she is.

This is a very enjoyable read, The writing is great and the style enjoyable. The characters are well developed and grabbed my attention right away. Definitely a book I recommend for everyone.

good kind of second chance read. quite liked .

A pleasant tale of renovation, reciprocation, revelation, and love.

She was determined to put her broken heart and her ruined reputation among the wealthy elite behind her. Slowly, she was making her own way with her small, one woman landscaping business and the regal home garden she was re-creating would be a feather in her cap, plus it gave her a place to say for several weeks with the owners gone. With careful planning, she could be on her feet again and independent of the taint of being a little rich girl.

Calli never realized her life could soon be coming up roses when she had a run in with the guy next door, the very handsome, very ambitious and hardworking guy next door. Kell is trying to make a living, renovating homes and selling them to finance and expand his small cabinetry/construction business. Serious, determined and very single, no woman has been able to turn his head or make him settle down, until the sassy girl next door stood up to his attitude and peaked his interest.

BUT, there is always a “but,” Kell is a blue collar man who has no idea that the beautiful Calli was once the darling of the uppercrust, will it change his budding love for her? Will he see her as a way to grow his fledgling construction business and make him the man he thinks she deserves? Love doesn’t need a bank account, it needs trust and honesty…

PERFECT SCENTS is a short and sweet romance from Virginia Taylor that puts two people in Cupid’s sights who are both a little on the quiet side, one, bred to be reserved and to hide her painful past, the other, a man who wants no attachments until he has “made it” in the world. Kind of cute, with many endearing moments, some pretty steamy moments and more than one blossoming romance. A perfect romantic escape!

I received an ARC edition from Lyrical Shine in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Romance by Design
Publisher: Lyrical Shine (September 26, 2017)
Publication Date: September 26, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance | Women's Fiction
Print Length: 204 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

5☆
This is my first Virginia Taylor book.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
The humor
Part of a series: Romance by Design
Standalone
HEA

I look forward to reading more from this author.

I will post the link to my review on Amazon when the book goes live.