Book Review: Scent of Secrets

If you follow me on Instagram you know that I have made a pledge to read 50 books in 2016. I am already reconsidering my sanity when I made this pledge but I am very excited. In the summer I shared some of my top beach books with you as well as my love for reading. I find a calm in reading. It's a way that I can actually escape for a few minutes into another world, away from the craziness that is life. I plan on sharing many of the books I read this year here on the blog with quick reviews, also to keep myself accountable and on track to my 50 books.

My first book that I finished in 2016 is Scent of Secrets by Jane Thynne. Set in Europe in the tense run up to World War II the story follows three women and how their lives are affected by Nazi Germany. The main character, Clara is a German actress who is also working for British intelligence. Being both German and British, Clara already finds her self to be an interloper going between the two opposing cultures while trying to establish her own identity and decide what it is she wants. Clara is given the most difficult challenge yet from the British Intelligence when asked to befriend star crazed Eva Braun. The novel follows Clara and her journey and personal tribulations at an exciting pace. It's refreshing to see a historical novel from the perspective of women, I loved how Thynne has given women of pre-WWII Germany a voice when most of the time this historical period is shared from the point of view of men. The novel does an excellent job of incorporating how beauty and fashion meant a great deal at this time when Hitler and his Nazi party were demanding that women meet their "ideal" criteria or face serious social consequence. From Elizabeth Arden to Coco Chanel, true historiacl facts of fashion and beauty and incorporated throughout the novel without feeling forced.

This book is exciting and an easy read. I would have loved to have read it straight through over a couple of days with a blanket and cup of tea as I think it would have added to the intrigue and excitement of the story. If you are looking to escape the winter snow, this is a book for you.