A perfume creator’s worst nightmare would be losing her sense of smell. This is what happens to the heroine Daphne in Kristin Billerbeck’s The Scent of Rain. Daphne’s loss of the sense occurs when her fiancé abandons her on their wedding day. Reeling from the breakup, Daphne moves to Dayton, Ohio to work at a household products company.

Daphne relies on her chemistry background to hide her problem from her boss Jesse, who is dealing with an overbearing boss and isn’t thrilled part of his budget is being spent on what he calls a professional nose. However, as he gets to know Daphne his attitude changes, but he soon uncovers her secret. Will her deception jeopardize a budding friendship?

This novel is a fun read with a bit of comedy and romance, and Billerbeck works in deeper themes to give the novel substance. Daphne is a likeable character, and I found myself cheering for her as I read. Realistic details give the reader an idea of what the life of perfume creator and professional nose is like.

I highly recommend The Scent of Rain.