Publishers Weekly
10/10/2016
Mimosa has inherited an ultra-sensitive nose. Besides being able to smell people’s moods, she and her mother are skilled at mixing scents to create personalized aphrodisiacs for lovelorn clients. Growing weary of her cloistered life as one of the last aromateurs on Earth, Mimosa enrolls in public school but discovers that her private life and the high school social scene don’t blend as smoothly as the ingredients in her potions. The trouble begins when Mimosa’s algebra teacher requests an elixir that falls into the hands of the mother of popular soccer player Court Sawyer, who is, in turn, on his way to winning Mimosa’s heart. In this tantalizing book of contrasts—science and magic, ancient tradition and contemporary life, and seclusion and exploration, among them—Lee (Outrun the Moon) introduces a cast of memorable characters while tracing the external and internal conflicts of an engaging heroine. The book, a playful departure from Lee’s historical fiction, opens the door to many possible outcomes, and readers will be on the edge of their seats to find out how Mimosa’s snowballing dilemmas are resolved. Ages 13–up. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary. (Dec.)
From the Publisher
Like the most enchanting perfume, this smart, sweet, and romantic story will turn your head and bewitch your heart.” — Laura Ruby, Printz Award-winning author of Bone Gap
“A heartfelt and magical romance that will keep you under its spell.” — Sarah Mlynowski, New York Times bestselling author
“This imaginative and sweet coming-of-age tale is infused with the magic of first love.” — Kirkus Reviews
“In this tantalizing book of contrasts—science and magic, ancient tradition and contemporary life, and seclusion and exploration, among them—Lee (Outrun the Moon) introduces a cast of memorable characters while tracing the external and internal conflicts of an engaging heroine.” — Publishers Weekly
“Lee takes a typical first-crush, coming-of-age tale and adds a touch of magic to it. Mim navigates a twisty path of emotions, and her journey rings true as she uncovers the truth about her family and falling in love.” — Booklist
“This contemporary fantasy takes on all the best attributes of a fairy tale, one set in modern California culture and populated with many diverse characters who are refreshing and well drawn. Give this to readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories featuring romance and magic.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
“Mim and Court’s connection is well developed, particularly in in its heart-fluttery, blush-inducing innocence, while their complicated relationships with their respective mothers add a bit of depth to the froth. Romance lovers will delight in this perky bouquet of romance and heart.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Steeped in teen-angst-driven misunderstandings, the exciting discovery of mutual attraction and the draw of the forbidden, THE SECRET OF A HEART NOTE imparts a deeply romantic warmth with light notes of humor and has the lovely tenderness of coming-into-your-own at its heart. Highly recommended!” — USA Today, Happily Ever After blog
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
This contemporary fantasy takes on all the best attributes of a fairy tale, one set in modern California culture and populated with many diverse characters who are refreshing and well drawn. Give this to readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories featuring romance and magic.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Mim and Court’s connection is well developed, particularly in in its heart-fluttery, blush-inducing innocence, while their complicated relationships with their respective mothers add a bit of depth to the froth. Romance lovers will delight in this perky bouquet of romance and heart.
Booklist
Lee takes a typical first-crush, coming-of-age tale and adds a touch of magic to it. Mim navigates a twisty path of emotions, and her journey rings true as she uncovers the truth about her family and falling in love.
USA Today
Steeped in teen-angst-driven misunderstandings, the exciting discovery of mutual attraction and the draw of the forbidden, THE SECRET OF A HEART NOTE imparts a deeply romantic warmth with light notes of humor and has the lovely tenderness of coming-into-your-own at its heart. Highly recommended!
Sarah Mlynowski
A heartfelt and magical romance that will keep you under its spell.
Laura Ruby
Like the most enchanting perfume, this smart, sweet, and romantic story will turn your head and bewitch your heart.
Booklist
Lee takes a typical first-crush, coming-of-age tale and adds a touch of magic to it. Mim navigates a twisty path of emotions, and her journey rings true as she uncovers the truth about her family and falling in love.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Mim and Court’s connection is well developed, particularly in in its heart-fluttery, blush-inducing innocence, while their complicated relationships with their respective mothers add a bit of depth to the froth. Romance lovers will delight in this perky bouquet of romance and heart.
USA Today
Steeped in teen-angst-driven misunderstandings, the exciting discovery of mutual attraction and the draw of the forbidden, THE SECRET OF A HEART NOTE imparts a deeply romantic warmth with light notes of humor and has the lovely tenderness of coming-into-your-own at its heart. Highly recommended!
Jodi Meadows
UNDER A PAINTED SKY left me speechless. Hopeful. Smiling. Stacey Lee’s debut is a powerful tale of loss, adventure, and sisterhood. Completely captivating.
J. Anderson Coats
UNDER A PAINTED SKY is an exciting new journey into the old west, packed with humor, adventure, and enduring friendships.
Erin Bowman
With a diverse cast, timeless themes, and an addictive plot, this is the YA western I’ve been waiting for.
Barbara Stuber
A sweeping journey into the heart of the west and the glowing souls of two fugitive heroines. A tale so rich, so captivating, so real you’ll be shaking sand out of your boots.
Stephanie Keuhn
With seasoned confidence, a perfect sense of setting, and gorgeous prose, author Stacey Lee has created one of the most thrilling, compelling, and heartbreaking stories of female friendship and survival.
Elizabeth C. Bunce
Under a Painted Sky is a charming read: funny, poignant, and full of heart. Stacey Lee’s tale of unconventional romance in the West is sure to win fans for her intrepid heroines and their adventures.
Sherri L. Smith
Gorgeously imagined, told with wit, insight and characters you grow quickly to love, Stacey Lee brings us a romance adventure of the best order.
Francisco X. Stork
You’re going to love this book. It has heroines that will fill your heart with courage, a plot that will keep your blood rushing, and a love story that will take your breath away.
Ellen Oh
I didn’t know I needed this book until I fell passionately in love with it… Stacey Lee has now become my new favorite author. I’ll read anything she writes!
Kirkus Reviews
2016-08-17
The daughter and apprentice of a famous magic-worker who helps others fall in love doesn’t know the feeling herself. Bay Area residents Mimosa and her mother are the world’s last two aromateurs, “love witches” with senses of smell so precise they, like their ancestors, perceive individual scentprints the way most people can distinguish faces. They dedicate themselves to making pro-bono customized love elixirs for clients. But the cost of being an aromateur is high for 15-year-old Mim: she’s not supposed to fall in love herself, or she’ll lose her “nose” and the ancestral profession will die. When Mim accidentally gives her algebra teacher’s scentprint elixir to school soccer star Court’s newly divorced mother, she must figure out a way to undo the damage before her mother finds out. The cast of characters is refreshingly diverse, starting with the multicultural Mim, her Samoan best friend Kali (who’s also LGBTQ), white Court, his Latina ex-girlfriend, and other identifiably ethnic students. Lee is a synesthete, and her appreciation of natural fragrances and botanicals is evident. Although not as exceptional as the author’s previous historical novels (Under a Painted Sky, 2015; Outrun the Moon, 2016), this contemporary fantasy is charming and likely to resonate with readers who gravitate toward romance or mother-daughter stories. This imaginative and sweet coming-of-age tale is infused with the magic of first love. (Magical realism. 12-16)
