The Scent of Gardenias by Lorraine Haas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a coming of age novel set in America during the 1940’s, and follows one women who is determined to overcome her circumstances and make a better life for herself. I was gripped from start to finish by this historical novel, and due to the authors descriptive narrative and added historical details I felt transported back in time, and was fully immersed in Margaret’s world. Margaret Rose is a determined young women with big dreams and aspirations, who just wants to escape her domineering father and her family’s poverty. Margaret elopes with an older man in the hopes of breaking away from her father, but shortly afterwards war and tragedy prevent her from achieving her ambitions, as the US enters WWII. When her husband’s ship is torpedoed during the war, Margaret trains as a nurse in order to make a future for herself.

However, she then finds out that she is pregnant and so must quit to have the baby. In desperation the young, widowed Margaret who now had no income to support a child marries again, but this man takes her far from home and leads her into more disaster. Margaret must rise above her misfortunes to create the life she deserves. I was captivated by this heartwarming and at times heartbreaking story from page one, and literally could not put this book down. This poignant novel tells the story of a Twentieth-Century woman, struggling to make something of herself during a time when society did not make it easy for women. I loved Margaret, who is an extremely likeable and relatable main character. I found that the storyline flowed well and the plot kept me happily turning the pages. I recommend reading the authors note, as it turns out the book is inspired by her mother’s true story. An enjoyable and engaging read.

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