Posted on  13/08/2020 19:49:50

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Believe in yourself.

If you ever felt useless, unworthy or diminished... this book is for you.
If you ever doubted your self and worth ... this book is for you.
And if you ever want to curl up with a heartfelt romance with lots of feeling and meaning... this book is for you.

It totally swept me off my feet and... My word!!! It went straight to the soul!

This is a contemporary romance with a hot rockstar and an older woman but it's so much more!!!
Kim is 40 and coming out of an abusive marriage. Not the kind where physical blows are dealt, but the kind where emotional abuse leads to a damage perhaps even worse. She's not only bruised, but close to breaking. And her mental turmoil and struggles are hauntingly described. The numbness that comes from a decade of abuse, the fear of messing up, of not being able to stand on her own feet... Damn! I feel you woman!!

Kim's tale will engulf you in feelings that leap off the page. Masterfully rendered!

Years of a bad marriage have left Kim numb and unable to feel until she is forced to make a fresh start. With the numbness of the marriage still inside her, she doesn't even want any new man to get close to her, let alone a new love. She doesn't need sex, or love or all the hurt and confusion and compromise that comes with those things.
But fate has other plans and Kim starts feeling again in the most unexpected of ways.
Dylan - of the muscles and tattoos, the hipster briefs and chocolate eyes...


A friend of Kim's sister, Dylan is the singer in a rock band Ally manages. And Kim is swept away into her sister's plans, helping the band out while picking up her forgotten photography career.
This is how their love story starts. One that this author beautifully renders through both hot spicy scenes and gentleness enough to make you tear up.

I loved Kim's journey of self-re-discovery! Every single step of the way so heartbreaking and real! So skillfully done!!

This is not one of those tales where twists and turns are waiting at every single corner. But you'll find the character development and the love story more than enough to compensate. Great characters, a whole range of beautifully penned emotions as well as a lot of feeling that leaps off the page.


The Smell of a Storm is an unforgettable little story of strength, courage and love. I've set it on my shelf of all-time favorites and highly recommend it to all romance lovers out there.

Happy reading everyone!
And always remember,
'This is you, and this is your life, and live it without apology.'



Check out this book and more of Nancy Mackenzie here.