Not me hating mc and also chuckling when she would say the most out of pocket shit??? Disagree with a lot of her takes like the supposed lack of femmexfemme media representation (like hello what??? The media never shows a masc bitch what are you talking about) but so many of her takes I was like…. Yes she is saying what we all are thinking but too scared to say out loud lowkey!!

Astrid Dahl is a middle aged midlist author trying to find inspiration for her next novel, without her beloved vice: the Patricia Highsmith, a unique blend of alcohol, amphetamines, and cigarettes. Messy and a bit problematic, Astrid is just trying to get better and find love, but keeps falling short. I loved and hated Astrid, but I continued to root for her. Perfume & Pain is a must read.

Loved this! From the cover and the title to the experience of reading it--I really did not want to put it down. I can't wait to read what Dorn writes next!

I wanted to love this so much more than I did but If you like to read about messy lesbians making terrible decisions, this is the book for you. #WeSupportWomensWrongs

I did enjoy reading this, even though Astrid had me yelling or rolling my eyes half the time. And while I don't regret reading this book, I'm not sure I'd read another book by the author based on just this story. Riding along for a downwards spiral with a flawed character is fun the first time, less so with every re-run.

Anna Dorn took us for a wild ride in this one. I read this is one sitting because I had to see what happened to Astrid. She was every bit as messy, chaotic, problematic and horny as promised.

Perfume and Pain is messy girl (sorry, woman) lit fic at its finest. The main character, Astrid, is unlikeable yet charming and her proximity to drama is uncanny. She is a near-canceled writer, shallow and addicted to every cliched vice for a millennial lesbian. When she meets her enigmatic neighbor, Penelope, more drama ensues. The writing is engaging, dialogue is sharp, and I felt wrapped up in the soap opera-esque dramatics of these characters. If you're looking for plot or even character growth, maybe skip this one. If you want to read some messy lesbian drama and have a great time with it, pick this up. 4/5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book early.

Dark, intoxicating, and razor-sharp. Anna Dorn writes desire and destruction like no one else. I was hooked from the first page. this one lingers.

Whoops! I read this book ages ago, but I owe it a proper review… still do! I’ve avoided writing a review all year because I liked this book (obviously), but don’t know what to say!

I was greatly entertained! It scratched that soap-opera shaped itch on my brain, that most other books about authors fail to hit. This was socially messy, awkward, and left me a bit tippy.

Thank you Simon & Schuster for blessing me with a review copy. I ended up buying a physical copy of my own!

the premise for this one was so enticing to me, but the characters were far too shallow for me to really get invested. it’s possible to make lesbian protagonists that are bad people but good characters, as it’s been a recent trend in the messy girl lit fic trend, but this one just doesn’t do that. the pop culture references were also a little over the top for my taste.

This is one book that I wish I had read the synopsis before getting into it. I wish I’d been informed that it’s all vibes, no plot. The MC is also a very unlikeable character. These things took me a bit off guard when I started, but as I got into it I started to enjoy it more, I really think I just needed a heads up.

Astrid is often described as abrasive. She’s a writer who has been cancelled after her outburst on her last interview who spends her time meandering between intoxicants and obsessions with different women. Astrid is very unforgettable and unapologetic, and following her was such a relief to see a character who did not try to hide her flaws.

I’ll also add another plug for this book is that it’s narrated by THE Natalie Naudus who has quickly become one of my favorite narrators, and does a killer job on this one.

Perfume and Pain is an incredible novel with thick layers of cultural references, complex characters, and steamy dialogue. I thought this book was fun, exciting & a joy to read. I will be reading more Anna Dorn and have recommended this to everyone I know.

I absolutely loved reading Perfume and Pain. The writing is compulsively readable, and despite a chaotic, self-destructive main character, I still found myself rooting for her. I also loved the nod to 1950s lesbian pulp fiction because it's a world I didn't know anything about. And my favorite piece was all the scent featured in the book.

This smart, quirky, sharp take on messy queer relationships feels more real than alot of queer depictions in media. However, it feels slightly like a nostalgic 80's pulp fever dream...I say as someone who wasn't alive in the 80's and doesn't super love that vibe. The author has a funny, distinct voice and I appreciate the way she leaned into the chaos and though it wasn't my favorite with every twist or character choice, I respect what she's done here and think it would really resonate with the right reader. Regardless, yay lesbian novels allowing them to be messy and chaotic and flawed and human.

P.S. The name of the online writers group is my favorite.

I liked Perfume and Pain, but overall it just didn’t fully land for me. The plot felt kind of meandering and didn’t give me much to hold onto, and the heavy millennial vibe was a bit much at times. I think it might work better for other readers.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Perfume and Pain by Anna Dorn.

Unlikable lesbians deserve more of a platform!!!!! I enjoyed hearing who it Astrid’s life and the chaos caused by her own decisions. Just when you felt she had reached the lowest rung, she always found another. I enjoyed visualizing such a messy lesbian life that I hope never finds me.

I did feel that many parts of the story were rushed, such as the “morning afters” where Astrid was trying to recollect her actions during her binge the night before; but I figure this is how Dorn wanted it to read as the reader was left as in the dark as Astrid was herself. Also….. gay women can say faggot!

Thank you again to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Perfume and Pain in exchange for my honest review.

Anna Dorn writes the most messy, unhinged characters that are entirely unlikable yet compulsively bingeable. After reading Exalted last year and being super entertained, I knew I had to pick up Perfume and Pain and it did not disappoint.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an advanced reader copy.

This really reminded me of 80s and 90s movies while I was reading it. A writer going through the motions while dealing with her very sapphic feelings for her neighbors was a hilarious ride. I thought it was a very easy read, and thought the no-strings-attached thought behind her initial connections with people was different. It was funny and lighthearted, but pretty plain and unassuming.

I'm not sure how I ultimately feel about this book, to be honest. It's a bit of "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" but with a compulsively coupled lesbian writer constantly blacked out and high out of her mind on Adderall and booze. I didn't like anyone in this book and they all sort of felt like caricatures (maybe that was the point with all the nods towards lesbian pulp fiction). Meh.

This was like being in an episode of the Real L Word except everyone is on drugs. Niche early 2000s pop culture references and lesbian drama all as an homage to THE Patricia Highsmith. Reading this inspired me to read PH's lexicon.

5 stars.

I loved this. I love an unhinged female narrator and this delivers. This was like watching a trainwreck in the best way possible. This was fun, funny, and a wild ride through and through. 4.5 stars.