From Alexandra Bracken, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lore, comes a stunningly original adult fantasy. Set in a sumptuous world ruled by magical perfume, this achingly romantic, slow-burn love story will shatter your heart and leave you breathless.
Members of the ancient House Rosebourne have a strange gift born of a fairy ancestor: the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating mind, body, and emotion.
When a shocking murder leaves the kingdom of Albion vulnerable to a coup, royal spymaster Hugh Thornton seeks the one person who can help: Viola Lockwood, the last living Rosebourne and secret heir to a fraught legacy.
Livid at the silver-eyed aristocrat who had her thrown in jail to force her compliance, Viola nevertheless comes to an agreement with him. In exchange for crafting Immortal Rose, the singular perfume capable of saving Albion, illegitimate Viola can seize the life—and fortune—that should have been hers.
As Hugh and Viola race to find the perfume’s lost fairy ingredient, hidden deep in Albion’s dark underbelly, neither can deny the scorching attraction building between them—especially as the attempts on Viola’s life grow increasingly brazen.
But a terrible truth lurks in the heart notes of their kingdom—and while every bargain has a cost, Immortal Rose may demand more than Hugh and Viola can ever pay.
Read: August 10, 2026 – August 24, 2026
Final Rating: 4.75/5
Thank you to HarperAudio Adult and Avon for a complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions provided are my own.
I absolutely loved this story! Wow! I sometimes struggle with audiobooks but this had my attention from start to finish. Nicola Barber, the female narrator, was PHENOMENAL! Her voices had me gripped during the entire story. I found that I preferred the male narrator’s voices for other people better than his voice for Hugh. Though it had a slow start, I appreciated the world-building of Immortal Rose… the perfumes, the magic system, even the way that the book described scents made me feel as though I was a member of the House Rosebourne.
Viola was a funny character (in a good way). I liked her independence and the ways we could see how her upbringing played a role in her actions. And besides, imagine being able to tell about people from their scent! Hugh was also the perfect broody MMC if that makes sense? Despite his shortcomings, we see character growth on his part and we also begin to realize how he grows to care for and love Viola. All their scenes had me giggling and the slow burn was indeed slow (especially during the middle part of the book) but incredibly rewarding in my opinion.
The story really picks up in the last I’d say 20%? From then, I could barely stand to pause the audio for fear of missing anything. I wish that certain things had happened earlier to spread out the pacing of the story, like the marriage of convenience, but that is a minor gripe as I enjoyed it either way. And that cliffhanger at the ending has me wishing the second book was already out. I loved the juxtaposition of Viola choosing between her heart and her head (inheritance).
And oh boy, I had my suspicions about a particular character towards the beginning of the book anyway but seeing it play out was still shocking.
I have many thoughts about this book that would make this much too long to read but I really recommend it, especially the audiobook if you can find it! Can’t wait for the next book!