This is an ARC I got from Netgalley last month that I finally got around to. This is a cozy mystery with a touch of magic.

I loved the story of the two sisters dealing with the grief differently in their own way. Anna by working too hard and Emilia becoming a hermit never going out. A year to the day of the funeral Anna was fired and got a severance check so she went home to Serenity Falls. While there secrets start to unravel and things are learned about their family.

I will be picking up the next one.

Following the loss of her job, Anna returns to her home in Serenity Falls. A place that she has not returned to since her mother's death. Her sister is convinced that her mother did not die of natural causes and with her grandmother being confined in a home with a failing memory, Anna finds herself returning to a family tradition that tried to leave behind.
This was an easy read, a mystery that had some magical witchy elements. The characters were well developed and the plot gave a cozy easy read vibe. The book had perhaps a bit more mystery than magic than I was expecting but as I like both genre, I really enjoyed the tale.

I really enjoyed this! It was a good read and engaging. I liked the characters and the way it was written! I’ll definitely recommend it!

Fragrance of Forgotten Truths by Iris Applewood is a delightful cozy mystery filled with magic, family, and just the right touch of intrigue. If you enjoyed Practical Magic, this book will likely be a perfect fit. I was completely drawn in by the enchanting setting and the comforting, feel-good atmosphere. The characters are full of charm and personality, making the story both engaging and heartwarming. A lovely and enjoyable read from start to finish!

"Fragrance of Forgotten Truths (A Serenity Falls Cozy Mystery #1)" by Iris Applewood is that first book in a new witchy paranormal cozy mystery series. Anna Attar is returning to her hometown after being let go from her city job. Her last trip home was for her mother's funeral which was after she had left without returning when she graduated high school. Now she's back in the family home with her true crime obsessed younger sister. Since she's not sure what to do now she takes up the family perfume making trade.

While bringing her grandmother a perfume that supposedly helps with memory recall she sees how far her grandmother's memory loss has gotten. Except when smelling Anna's memory perfume. Then her grandmother claims someone murdered Anna's mom. There's plenty os suspects. A rival family that started some rumors about Anna's family. Also, a property and developer dispute her mom was battling.

I love a good small town cozy book and this one fit the bill perfectly!

After losing her big city job, Anna Attar moves back to her family home in Serenity Falls, and joins her sister, Emilia, living in their childhood home. With nothing else to do, Anna decides to rekindle her passion for creating perfumes and begins selling them at the farmers’ market, but when a perfume causes a rare moment of lucidity for Anna and Emilia’s grandmother and she suggests their mother was murdered, things start to look a lot more dangerous.

The book felt kind of slice-of-life cozy up until around the halfway mark, and while that’s not usually my thing, I did appreciate the development we got between Anna and Emilia, and the sense we got of the rest of the town. There is definitely hurt between the two sisters, and I liked that it wasn’t immediately forgiven because Anna had come back.

Once we got to the halfway point I felt the story got going properly with a robbery then a poisoning and an arrest, to name a few things. I found it hard to put down in the last third when I had to get back to work!

I did spent a fair bit of time wondering whether the book would have true fantasy elements or if the talk of magic was just metaphorical. It does become explicitly cozy fantasy, but fairly late in the picture, around the 70% mark or a bit after. I’ll admit at first it was a bit jarring, but I warmed to it.

After this introduction, I’d definitely be interested in reading more about the residents of Serenity Falls if the author chose to write more!

Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you are looking for a witchy/paranormal cozy mystery that is empowering a female protagonist, this is it! It’s well written and scentsational! I’ll be back for more!

First of all, the cover drew me in, it really appealed to me, that's why I wanted to read it. Cozy fantasy is one of my favorite genres, so I had high expectations for the book. Unfortunately, it didn't bring the atmosphere I wanted. The story started off slowly for me, but certain events moved very quickly. I know this sounds strange and a bit contradictory, but that was my impression. I expected a lot more magic in it, but I only really got a taste of it towards the end of the book. Since this is the first part, the magic may be explained much better in the following parts, so I would like to read the next parts, especially since the love story wasn't completely settled and I'm a curious person. Unfortunately, for me, this is now 3/5⭐️.

Loaded with intrigue and family secrets make this read a must! Serenity Falls has some not so common aspects which I found quite captivating. Really enjoyable! Thanks #Netgalley and #EnchantedOwl for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

I really got pulled into this one right from the start. There’s something about the mix of small-town vibes, family secrets, and a touch of magic that just clicked for me! The way the story uses scent as a way to unlock memories and emotions was really cool and added a beautiful layer to the story. It wasn’t just about solving a crime; it was about uncovering what people try to hide, both from others and themselves.

Anna is the kind of character you can’t help but root for. She’s dealing with a lot—her past, her family, and trying to find a place where she belongs. Her relationship with her sister felt real and layered, full of tension and love in equal parts. Watching Anna come back to her family’s traditions and figure out what she wants for herself was one of my favorite parts. It’s slow and honest, but it never feels rushed or fake.

The mystery kept me guessing, with some twists that genuinely surprised me. But what really stood out was the atmosphere. Serenity Falls truly felt alive, with its own history and secrets weighing on everyone. The writing is warm and inviting but also just a little ominous, like you’re wandering through a foggy town where not everything is as it seems.

If you’re into cozy mysteries with heart, a little magic, and characters who feel like real people, this one’s definitely worth your time. It left me thinking about family and forgiveness long after I finished it.

A story full of suspense and magic that captivated me from the very first page. It follows a group of people from different families, all with magical abilities passed down through generations in a charming little village. I was fascinated by how secrets from the past shape the present, especially in the story of the Attar family. It’s a tale that celebrates friendship, family love, and the bond between generations. Cozy, mysterious, and magical; it’s one of those reads you just can’t put down.

Many thanks to Enchanted Owl Publisher, Iris Applewood-author of this wonderful story-, and NetGalley for the Arc.

I find it to be a cozy, magical realism read. At first I was confused over is the narrative fantasy or not until it really gets spelled out for the reader and the protagonist further into the narrative. Part of the reason, which is part of the appeal really, I had hard time deciphering if genre is fantasy or not is any of the fantasy elements present (especially around the perfumed arts) is low and magical realism in nature. Helps hands on craftwork is a magic itself in real life too. Author really got down the perfumery and scented imagery well!

Synopsis: After losing her city job, Anna returns to her small hometown and the painful memories she left behind - her mother's sudden heart attack, her grandmother's dementia, and the town's whispered disdain for her family's herbal perfume business. But Anna's newfound peace relaunching her family's perfume business is shattered when her grandmother suddenly shares in a moment of clearness that Anna's mother's death wasn't an accident. As Anna and her sister uncover the town's dark secrets, there's more to fear than mortal threats as magic stirs beneath the surface and old enemies emerge.

Review: Small town contemporary fiction dealing with family problems just isn't for me, and the magical part of the story was so sudden and unnatural and came far too late to bring me back.

Fragrance of Forgotten Truths by Iris Applewood is a 5 star book! Loved every second of it and I couldn't be more grateful to have read this story.

Fragrance of Forgotten Truth was a cozy, atmospheric read with a slow-unfolding mystery that pulled me in more than I expected. The story centers on Anna, who begins to uncover long-buried secrets about the people she grew up around—and, more importantly, about herself.

There’s a quiet magic woven through the page, but something that lingers. As Anna digs into her past and starts piecing together her heritage, you can feel the weight of history and unspoken truths surrounding her. The small-town setting adds to the intrigue—everyone seems to know more than they’re saying.

This isn’t a fast-paced thriller, but that’s part of its charm. It’s thoughtful, layered, and a little haunting in places, with The Good Witch vibes wrapped in a family mystery. A solid four stars and a great pick if you’re in the mood for something introspective and a little magical.

~ Fantasy, Small-town, Mystery, and more!~

3.5| Fragrance of Forgotten Truths is a delightfully cozy book. The story was unique, and I enjoyed the characters. The relationship between the Attar sisters, Anna and Emilia, was beautifully represented. I especially liked that their past wasn't glazed over with all being forgiven immediately, but instead, we got to see the growth in their relationship throughout the book. The Attar family has a rich history, and I enjoyed that being revealed during the book. The mystery aspect was ok, a bit hard to follow at times, especially towards the end. I think where this book shines is the descriptions surrounding scents. It created a beautifully atmospheric vibe, which added to the story and showed the importance of this aspect to their family. While the atmosphere of the books is cozy and easy to fall into, I did feel like there were some issues with the plot. For starters, everything ramps up a bit too quickly in the end; instead of creating an intense moment, it just felt rushed. I also felt like there were times when things came out of nowhere, like the romance at the end. I will give a little grace since it's the first book in the series, but at times, it felt like there was nowhere else for the plot to go, so something random was added to keep things moving. There is one more thing I have to mention. While it has nothing to do with the plot, at around 20% in the book, a comment is made about "crochet needles". This is incorrect; crochet is done with a hook, and knitting is done with needles. Not important to the book at all, but as someone who both crochets and knits, it felt necessary to mention in this review. Overall, this book was a quick and cozy read, while not perfect, I would still recommend it to anyone who enjoys a nice cozy witchy read.

This was a wonderful read. A mix of magic, mystery and romance tied up with a bow of sisterhood and loss. Magical realism at its finest, this is a story for anyone who enjoys a cozy mystery. It really did keep me guessing right until the end, and now I really want to learn perfumery.

3.25 Stars

Ah, yet another book perfectly suited to my tastes. Another witchy cozy mystery set in a small town. This one follows two sisters, Anna & Emilia, who lost their mother a few years ago, and have both been dealing with the tragedy in different ways. Anna moved away to start a new life, and Emilia tucked herself away at home, becoming isolated. Anna moves back to her hometown with her sister after losing her job. She has to adjust back to her childhood home, Serenity Falls, which she describes as both comforting and disorientating. As she settles back into her old home, old secrets begin to emerge.

When visiting their elderly grandmother, diagnosed with dementia, asks them about their mother's killer. This sparks a litany of events, and both sisters are embroiled in a decades old mystery.

I really enjoyed the bond between the two sisters and their growth over the series. Both Anna and Emilia retreated in themselves in different ways to deal with their grief, and seeing them work through the grief together was very heartwarming and uplifting. The mystery portion was just ok, I think, but it was a good way to maneuver the plot forward. There was enough intrigue to keep me interested, though most of my investment in the story was for the sisters. Some witches, a little magic, and some lovely perfume all coalesced for a pleasant read. There is even a spot of romance and the hint of a love triangle brewing. While the story was not particularly imaginative, I thought it was sweet and am interested enough to continue the series. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy! All opinions expressed are my own.

Genre : Cozy Mystery / Magical Realism
Release Date : July 8, 2025

I enjoyed this! The mystery was solid; it took a few unexpected turns and kept me questioning how everything fit into place.

It gave me The Good Witch and Practical Magic feels, with the witchy vibes, subtle magic, and a small town weary of the 'witchy' Attar family. I loved the use and blend of fragrances and the subtle magic infused throughout the story.

I really enjoyed the characters and the community and would definitely pick up another story from this series.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me a eARC in exchange for an honest review.

All opinions are my own

As I’ve said before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again, I’m always on the hunt for a book that fits into the genres I adore. I requested this one on that premise. I did get a good book, and it fell mostly into the genres I like best. I really liked the Attar sisters, and I thought they had a lot of good growth throughout the book. While I loved the book by the end and definitely want more, this book wasn’t exactly perfect, with a little bit of difficulty in the book trying to decide what genre it wanted to be exactly (romance, suspense, both, magic, no magic, etc). However, once it settled in, it was great. I do want more. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.