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19sjos96's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
lezreadalot's review
3.0
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to kiss you.” Her smile widened. “Not unless you want me to.”
3.5 stars. Really really sweet, and just what I was in the mood for. When I pick up a Lise Gold book, I know what I'm getting, and she delivers every time. This is a romance between an app developer and an escort/perfumer who meet in Rome. Rome (one of the characters) has always believed she was straight, but Nadine's advances soon have her questioning that. The story follows them through their romance, and also a larger plot that involves them both developing their careers, as well as a sexual harassment case.
No matter where she's writing about, Lise Gold always makes me fall in love with the setting. This was absolutely a love letter to Rome, and I adored how we got to see so many parts of the city, big and small, the natural phenomena, the quirks of the people, little historical titbits... It was truly so lovely and made me want to visit immediately. The characters were really charming and easy to like, and they had such good chemistry. Their earlier moments together are my favourite. Nadine especially is super swoony. I guess you could consider this a toaster oven romance, as Rome thinks of herself as straight at first, but once she accepted her attraction to Nadine, things progressed quickly and overall smoothly. Another great thing about Gold's books: not a lot of overdrawn drama, and the characters always communicate well. Honestly, this is a book I think I can highly recommend; it's just not getting a super high rating from me because I could feel myself forgetting it even while I was reading it? The writing was good, but not the kind that sticks with me. Also,
Spoiler
whenever books have characters in sex work/an escort job who then decide to leave that job, it's always discussed in an irritating way. Not overtly judgemental, but Nadine leaving her job for something riskier/more proper had this triumphant, righteous feel that I didn't really enjoy? IDK, maybe I'm reading too much into it.Still, very enjoyable. Another solid book from this author.
Content warnings:
Spoiler
sexual assaultmisthios_pat's review
4.0
It's my first book by Lise and I really really liked, I'm really into stories in which MCs work things out and the author tries to add some drama with plots that don't involve lack of communication as main problem and the scent of Rome just did it. Add to that Italy, I'm hooked.
The chemistry of the MCs were just screaming! Believable to the roofs and things felt somewhat quite realistic. Nothing OTT even with the plot as it is.
The chemistry of the MCs were just screaming! Believable to the roofs and things felt somewhat quite realistic. Nothing OTT even with the plot as it is.
jennabeebs79's review against another edition
5.0
Lise Gold has written another amazing tale. She's really an expert in her craft, as no two of her plots are even even remotely similar. Let me start by saying that in this book, Rome (the city in Italy) is a character and not just a setting. She was able to give the city a vibrancy, mood, and personality in such a way that I feel that it is a character. Now Rome, the woman, and Nadine are fantastic main characters. I loved the dialogue between the two and their chemistry was off the charts. I don't want to give anything away in this review, so I will end by saying that Lise Gold's tale about two intelligent, closed off women, stepping into the ring and letting themselves be vulnerable with one another is fantastic. The topic of sexual harassment in the workplace plays a major role in this book and it is handled with care and respect. I found this book to be excellent in all ways, and I can't wait until I can one day visit Rome.
queerlitloft's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure what i'd make of this book as it isn't my usual go to - but the lure of the city Rome pulled me in.
I think the author did a fantastic job of enabling a reader to visually imagine themselves in Italy; some of the descriptions and scenes literally made me feel like i was back in Rome walking those cramped streets- right down to the culture, architecture, food and people.
I liked that the main characters Rome and Nadine, had professions that were more unusual than i've seen in other books. The characters back stories and jobs seemed throughly researched and made the book a joy to read, as it all seemed plausible in real life.
The supporting characters also seemed a good fit and again in turn were believable - right down to the grumpy neighbour Luca!
Overall this was a sensual read on many levels, with a wonderful depiction of Italy all whilst still covering some serious issues such as abandonment and the #metoo movement.
A joy to read in the end.
I think the author did a fantastic job of enabling a reader to visually imagine themselves in Italy; some of the descriptions and scenes literally made me feel like i was back in Rome walking those cramped streets- right down to the culture, architecture, food and people.
I liked that the main characters Rome and Nadine, had professions that were more unusual than i've seen in other books. The characters back stories and jobs seemed throughly researched and made the book a joy to read, as it all seemed plausible in real life.
The supporting characters also seemed a good fit and again in turn were believable - right down to the grumpy neighbour Luca!
Overall this was a sensual read on many levels, with a wonderful depiction of Italy all whilst still covering some serious issues such as abandonment and the #metoo movement.
A joy to read in the end.
jamietherebelliousreader's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars. This was so good. From the moment Nadine and Rome met I knew this romance was going to be something beautiful and I was absolutely correct. The writing is fantastic. It’s set in Rome and the author really uses that to her advantage and I really liked it. The setting is vivid and made me want to go on vacation. It’s paced well, the characters and their relationship are extremely charming and easy to root for and the biggest win of all is that there’s no third act break up. Rome and Nadine act like adults and actually talk to each other when there is an issue and I appreciated that so much.
Rome is an app developer and Nadine is a high end escort who is passionate about scent and making perfume. Nadine is a proud lesbian, Rome is straight…or so she thinks. I loved the self discovery that Rome goes through here. It’s damn near impossible not to fall in love with Nadine. She’s charismatic as hell and I loved her confidence. She’s so forward and self assured and I’m obsessed with her. Their chemistry was great and their romance made me swoon.
Also, there was this scene that had me going crazy.
”I don’t know what he would have done if you hadn’t shown up.”
Nadine wrapped her arms around Rome and pulled her closer. “Matteo deserved every bit of pain he got.” She stroked Rome’s hair and kissed the top of her head. “I should have just killed him when I had the chance.”
I FUCKING CANNOT PEOPLE. I CANNOT.
The 'touch her and you die' trope….but make it sapphic. Like, I swooned so hard during that scene that I almost passed out. It was everything to me.
Anyway, this review is a mess but I adored this book and I can definitely see myself reading it again. It was absolutely wonderful.
Rome is an app developer and Nadine is a high end escort who is passionate about scent and making perfume. Nadine is a proud lesbian, Rome is straight…or so she thinks. I loved the self discovery that Rome goes through here. It’s damn near impossible not to fall in love with Nadine. She’s charismatic as hell and I loved her confidence. She’s so forward and self assured and I’m obsessed with her. Their chemistry was great and their romance made me swoon.
Also, there was this scene that had me going crazy.
”I don’t know what he would have done if you hadn’t shown up.”
Nadine wrapped her arms around Rome and pulled her closer. “Matteo deserved every bit of pain he got.” She stroked Rome’s hair and kissed the top of her head. “I should have just killed him when I had the chance.”
I FUCKING CANNOT PEOPLE. I CANNOT.
The 'touch her and you die' trope….but make it sapphic. Like, I swooned so hard during that scene that I almost passed out. It was everything to me.
Anyway, this review is a mess but I adored this book and I can definitely see myself reading it again. It was absolutely wonderful.
destijlx's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely, wholehearted love this book. My goodness, no amount of words will be able to describe my love for this book. Man! It's just too too good. This book is so perfect, everyone should read it. I love the characters, the story, the way it's been written...Todo! I love everything about it. A 5/5 star without a single doubt!
netgyrl's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars - Solid Read - 100% worth your time
I love Lisa Gold and The Scent of Rome is another great romance with two really likable leading ladies, set in a beautiful location (Rome) and some interesting plot points: one of the ladies is an escort and there is a whole sexual harassment sub-plot.
Nadine is an escort, but you could think of it more like a professional date. She does not have sex with her clients (unless she wants to, and only the ladies and not for money). But even cooler, imo, is she is a perfumer getting ready to launch her own business with a very special brand of perfumes. The reason I love this bit so much is I have always wanted to have a custom perfume made for me so I got to live vicariously thru Rome a bit.
Rome is a app developer with a cool app she is trying to sell. For me she is a bit to savvy/well dressed and I think it would have been a bit more fun to have her be a bit nerdy-er and awkward. But really it's just a nit-pick. She is a lovely person and I was rooting for the romance the whole way.
The angst is low, the sex is hot. In fact I want to give kudos to Lise Gold to writing a thought-she-was-straight girl's first time in a really realistic way where it doesn't take much to get her over the edge that first time cuz it is so overwhelming. Basically no porn star antics right from the start, which I appreciated.
tl:dr
This is a solid, low angst romance with likable characters, hot ladies having hot sex and a really lovely HEA bow on the end.
I love Lisa Gold and The Scent of Rome is another great romance with two really likable leading ladies, set in a beautiful location (Rome) and some interesting plot points: one of the ladies is an escort and there is a whole sexual harassment sub-plot.
Nadine is an escort, but you could think of it more like a professional date. She does not have sex with her clients (unless she wants to, and only the ladies and not for money). But even cooler, imo, is she is a perfumer getting ready to launch her own business with a very special brand of perfumes. The reason I love this bit so much is I have always wanted to have a custom perfume made for me so I got to live vicariously thru Rome a bit.
Rome is a app developer with a cool app she is trying to sell. For me she is a bit to savvy/well dressed and I think it would have been a bit more fun to have her be a bit nerdy-er and awkward. But really it's just a nit-pick. She is a lovely person and I was rooting for the romance the whole way.
The angst is low, the sex is hot. In fact I want to give kudos to Lise Gold to writing a thought-she-was-straight girl's first time in a really realistic way where it doesn't take much to get her over the edge that first time cuz it is so overwhelming. Basically no porn star antics right from the start, which I appreciated.
tl:dr
This is a solid, low angst romance with likable characters, hot ladies having hot sex and a really lovely HEA bow on the end.
phantomlimb's review against another edition
4.0
A very sweet read. The drama is just enough and the chemistry is perfect. Very satisfying.
mariangb1964's review against another edition
5.0
impressive, I love the MC's. How Lise write them. And specialy the writing of the scents of the city and the perfumes. It was almost that you can really smell it from the book. This was an excelent read.