I received a free copy of this book from Publisher for an honest review.
This does not affect in any way my opinion of the book nor the content of my review.

The Spice Merchant's Wife by Charlotte Betts
Series: Stand-alone
Published by Piatkus on January 1, 2013
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
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1666. Newly married to a wealthy spice merchant, Kate Finche believes all her dreams of a happy family life are just around the corner until the Great Fire rages through London. She watches in horror as their livelihood goes up in flames, filling the air with the heady scents of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. As the city is devastated, Kate's husband Robert is forced to seek employment to ensure their survival, but when he is found drowned, Kate refuses to believe that he has taken his own life. Widowed and penniless, she seeks refuge in The House of Perfume, the home of blind perfumer Gabriel Harte, who awakens Kate's senses to a whole new world. But as she flees from this forbidden love, her husband's murderer comes looking for her . . .

This book is a long journey through the eyes of the unfortunate Kate Finche, whose suffering becomes yours especially during the latest, tragic events that may bring some unshed tears to your eyes. Indeed, sometimes a reader can’t stop getting emotional . . .

Despite the fire drama, the exciting parts were half-way past the book, when we also finally get to know Gabriel Harte better. We make the acquaintance of this fascinating man in the first part of the story but, even if he makes an apparition here and there, there’s no real interaction with him. At least not the one we would expect. We know from the blurb that he has a main role, of course, but that doesn’t really shine for a long while. Too bad, Gabriel’s company is to crave for, something Kate knows far too well . . .

It was an enjoyable, different historical that kept constantly my attention alert, even if I can’t hide I had a problem with long sentences that slowed my read a bit. Still, I’d like to give good points to the author for making descriptions so vivid that it felt like being there, in a London of another time.

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