I read her text as I got up from the table: Are you here yet? I need some help. I waved goodbye to Mom and watched Rachael kiss her cheek as we headed out the door. I texted Jasmine to let her know I would be there soon. We walked down our street and up Main Street to school. Along the way, I tried to mentally prepare myself for the upcoming year, wondering if maybe my classmates had decided over the summer to be more mature, but I doubted it. Rachael was quiet for a change. I saw her squeezing the straps of her neon backpack when she walked.

“What’s up with you,” I asked, moving along beside her.

"High school is going to be different than middle school, right?" She tried to smile at me, but it came out unsure.

I gave her a smile back. "Not really. It's just moving into a bigger pond. You'll still have the big asshole sharks, the bitchy, little piranhas, the nerdy little guppies, and lots of neon fish like you and me."

“You’re a neon fish? I think you’re one of those book nerdy guppies that sit around at the bottom of the tank reading the dictionary for fun.”

“I don’t read the dictionary.” I punched her lightly in the arm. “It’s a thesaurus.”

We laughed as we turned the corner and she ran ahead to her friends in the parking lot. As I watched her, I crossed my fingers for luck, hoping her first day would go well and she would stay out of trouble. I liked her friends, but they weren’t the most studious, law-abiding citizens. As long as they didn’t drag her down with them, I tried not to complain too much when they happened to skip a class every once in a while. I waved to them as I walked up the steps into the building. I read her text as I got up from the table: Are you here yet? I need some help. I waved goodbye to Mom and watched Rachael kiss her cheek as we headed out the door. I texted Jasmine to let her know I would be there soon. We walked down our street and up Main Street to school. Along the way, I tried to mentally prepare myself for the upcoming year, wondering if maybe my classmates had decided over the summer to be more mature, but I doubted it. Rachael was quiet for a change. I saw her squeezing the straps of her neon backpack when she walked.

Editorial Reviews:

Reviewed By Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

The Smell of Lilacs is an enthralling coming-of-age tale written by Katie Marshall. Mackenzie Carter is a high school senior who finds herself getting constantly bullied, leaving her feeling insecure. Compounding matters for her at home is her mother's struggle with Cerebral Palsy. She also has a secret crush on one of her closest friend's boyfriends, and when a new student named Cayden shows romantic interest in her, she thinks it must be a joke. As she navigates her way through friendships, boys, and schoolwork, Mackenzie slowly starts to grow more sure of herself. But she gets the biggest shock of her life when her best friend dies unexpectedly in a freak accident. Falling into a pit of despair induced by grief and feeling more lost than ever, can Mackenzie get back up?

The Smell of Lilacs is a thoughtful coming-of-age drama novel that young adults will find highly relatable. Author Katie Marshall spins an absorbing yarn about a teenager discovering herself, masterfully capturing the hopes, dreams, and insecurities associated with typical high school life. The characters are likable and well-developed. Mackenzie is a compelling protagonist for whom you start rooting instantly. The relationships between her and her friends and family drive the plot forward. The author also touches upon some serious topics such as bullying, teenage anxiety, and self-harm. If you're looking for an insightful coming-of-age story, The Smell of Lilacs is the book for you.

Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite

The Smell of Lilacs by Katie Marshall is an engrossing coming of age story that follows young Mackenzie Carter as she navigates school and family challenges during her senior year. She has to deal with high school drama, handle family issues, and struggle to understand who she really is in a world that seems to be spinning out of control. Can she grieve properly and still find her foothold when everything seems to be falling apart?

The Smell of Lilacs is a masterfully written story and a testament to the author’s remarkable ability to create a world where family dynamics and teenage school life are vividly depicted. Readers will see the characters come alive in a setting that is skillfully and expertly crafted. I enjoyed how the relationships are written and how the female protagonist evolves through interactions with her family and friends. The story is told in a gripping first-person narrative voice that brilliantly brings out the point of view of Kenzie. The emotions are real and intense. The author writes about grief in its rawness. The emotional depth of the narrative revolves around the protagonist’s struggle with letting go and her inability to stop blaming herself for her friend’s death. Katie Marshall’s characters are elaborately written. Beyond the protagonist, readers will also be fascinated by Jasmine and Savannah and the support they give each other. The Smell of Lilacs explores a young character’s response to loss and is a realistic and deftly written story that will have readers emotionally engaged from one captivating page to the next.

Reviewed By Lesley Jones for Readers’ Favorite

The Smell of Lilacs by Katie Marshall features protagonist Mackenzie ‘Kenzie’ Carter, who has the same worries and problems as any other teenager. She wonders how her younger sister, Rachael, can have the perfect hourglass figure while she believes her body resembles a butternut squash. At least she has the most amazing friends and together they can face any obstacle. Kenzie realizes that being a high school senior comes with specific pressures to cope with love's complicated emotions. Her friendship with Cayden is deepening daily, but could they ever be more than friends? As Kenzie discovers a horrifying secret about one of her friends, she also has to overcome personal emotional problems. From a bright future ahead, Kenzie’s world is turned upside down. As she struggles to see anything but a future of darkness and sadness, Kenzie must decide whether she will allow her overwhelming grief to define who she is or allow love into her heart. Will she choose Cayden or solitude?

The Smell of Lilacs by Katie Marshall is a fascinating and well-written coming-of-age novel. Kenzie is an excellent character and a great role model for any teenage reader. She is exceptionally kind-hearted and sensitive to the needs of others while possessing very high standards and morals. Every character, especially Aubrey, is believable and the authentic dialogue highlights their personalities perfectly. I love the many layers to the plot that are gradually revealed. The storyline moves forward at a fast pace, which makes for a compelling read. There are some subtle but compelling lessons around body image, self-respect, and peer pressure. I also thought the subject of grief and losing someone dear was handled with much sensitivity and realism. Author Katie Marshall covered teenage self-harm superbly, and the scenes surrounding this issue were poignant and touching. The Smell Of Lilacs is a very healing and cathartic read, filled with characters that promote self-confidence and belief in your unique talents. I highly recommend it.

Amazon Reviews:

Learning to navigate the life you have.

Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2021

Mackenzie Carter is a senior this year, and she has so much to deal with. Even though I am old enough to be these kids grandmother, I could understand all they had to face, the responsibilities they had, and the lessons they had to learn.

Katie Marshall did an excellent job writing this story, and she is a new author to me. It is about teenagers, coming of age, surviving your high school years, and even though times have changed, we have all been there, which is why I think whether you are young or old, you will enjoy this book.