The Secret of a Heart Note

October 10, 2016
Mimosa has inherited an ultra-sensitive nose. Besides being able to smell people’s moods, she and her mother are skilled at mixing scents to create personalized aphrodisiacs for lovelorn clients. Growing weary of her cloistered life as one of the last aromateurs on Earth, Mimosa enrolls in public school but discovers that her private life and the high school social scene don’t blend as smoothly as the ingredients in her potions. The trouble begins when Mimosa’s algebra teacher requests an elixir that falls into the hands of the mother of popular soccer player Court Sawyer, who is, in turn, on his way to winning Mimosa’s heart. In this tantalizing book of contrasts—science and magic, ancient tradition and contemporary life, and seclusion and exploration, among them—Lee (Outrun the Moon) introduces a cast of memorable characters while tracing the external and internal conflicts of an engaging heroine. The book, a playful departure from Lee’s historical fiction, opens the door to many possible outcomes, and readers will be on the edge of their seats to find out how Mimosa’s snowballing dilemmas are resolved. Ages 13–up. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary.

In this quirky novel, Nancy Wu's mellow tones ably convey the angst of growing up as one of the world's last aromateurs, a person who uses a heightened sense of smell to create love potions. Having finally convinced her mother to let her go to high school, 15-year-old Mimosa works hard to keep up with her classes, the bewildering new world of teen relationships, and the extreme care she and her mother give the plants they use in their work as love witches. Descriptions of the huge array of flora are made clear and vivid through Wu's careful articulation. Although Mim is the focus of this unusual coming-of-age story, especially her blossoming romance, there are many secondary characters. Wu keeps them straight for listeners through her varied delivery. S.G. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine