Imaginary Authors is one of those niche perfume houses that relies heavily on storytelling. Each fragrance is presented as if it were the work of a fictional novelist, evoking scenes, moods, and memories. The idea is compelling: fragrance as narrative. But how well do these narratives translate into real perfumes? In this review, I delve into the brand’s identity, its strengths, and weaknesses, and then evaluate five of its fragrances: How to Say Bicycle in French, Falling Into the Sea, In Love With Everything, A City On Fire, and The Soft Lawn. To provide a balanced perspective, I also include statements from real users.
Brand Identity & Philosophy
Imaginary Authors was founded by perfumer Josh Meyer. The brand focuses on merging the literary and the olfactory: Each fragrance is paired with a fictional story, a fictional author, and a moving narrative. The brand focuses on artistic, whimsical, and sometimes unexpected notes—things like “tennis ball” or “burned match” appear in its fragrance descriptions. The presentation is stylized: bottles and packaging often resemble small books or artifacts from stories.
The brand positions itself as a “narrative-driven niche” where creativity and imagination are as central as pure fragrance composition. It markets vegan formulas that are free of parabens and phthalates and offer unisex appeal. Many fans say the sampling experience (selecting fragrances like chapters in a novel) is part of its appeal.
Reviews often say that the brand is compelling because of its concept and that some fragrances truly evoke what you might imagine based on their story, while others seem more like a “cool idea” than a fully developed fragrance.
Fragrance Reviews: Five Picks
Below are my impressions (based on notes, reviews, logic, and community feedback) of the five specific Imaginary Authors perfumes you asked about:
HOW TO SAY BICYCLE IN FRENCH
This fragrance is often described as a fresh, bright scent with citrus notes, delicate florals, a hint of green, and possibly woody or powdery undertones. It evokes an airy, evocative feeling—perhaps a bike ride through a picturesque town with the wind in your hair.
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Strengths:
- A good, fresh scent for daytime. The light, airy main notes fit the concept well. Pleasant for spring/summer.
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Weaknesses:
- Compared to stronger niche fragrances, it can be soft or linear, or fade relatively quickly. For those who prefer a stronger projection, this may seem understated.
FALLING INTO THE SEA
This fragrance has aquatic, oceanic, and perhaps salty/ozonic notes, balanced by softer woody or floral notes to convey the feeling of submerging or drifting toward the sea. The narrative suggests immersion, freshness, and escape from the sea.
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Strengths:
- Can evoke maritime freshness with a crisp, clean side. Good for summer, coastal landscapes, or when you want a fresh signature.
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Weaknesses:
- Aquatic scents sometimes evaporate more quickly or become skin scents. In warmer climates, the maritime facets can drift toward a typical sea breeze.
IN LOVE WITH EVERYTHING
This is one of the brand's more playful, fruity/gourmand fruit blends. Expect notes like raspberry, tropical fruits, sweetness, and possibly creamy or sugary background notes.
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Strengths:
- It's cheerful, lively, and youthful. Good for leisure time, a good mood, or when you're looking for a fun fragrance. It can attract attention and draw attention in a positive, dinner-like way.
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Weaknesses:
- Because of its sweetness, it can feel one-dimensional or artificial on some skin types. Some users say it's linear—less capable of development—so the story may not fully unfold beyond the initial fruity burst.
A CITY ON FIRE
This fragrance is known for its bold, smoky, woody, and resinous notes. It contains notes of burnt wood, berries, and smoky wood and can evoke images of a burning city or nighttime smoke.
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Strengths:
- Striking and bold. Ideal for cooler weather or evenings. The smoky character can be unforgettable. It's often described as a distinctive signature scent in the review community.
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Weaknesses:
- It polarizes. Some people dislike it altogether or reject it outright (calling it "liquid smoke"). In warm weather or indoors, it can be overpowering. Furthermore, heavy notes can overshadow its subtlety.
THE SOFT LAWN
This fragrance combines green, floral garden elements—notes like linden blossom, bay, vetiver, fresh leaves, perhaps even a playful “tennis ball/clay court” nuance in its story.
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Strengths:
- Fresh, green, and atmospheric. It can evoke a sporty, clean, nature-loving aura. Many fans of green-floral perfumes find their charm here. The brand's quirky "tennis" touch gives the fragrance a fun personality.
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Weaknesses:
- Some reviews say the sound barely evolves; it remains in a "green haze" instead of producing fully differentiated notes. Even the more unusual parts (tennis ball) can feel artificial to some noses.
Comparative Impressions & Use-Cases
This is how I see the development of these five:
| Preference / Use | Recommended Scents |
|---|---|
| Fresh, light, easy everyday | How to Say Bicycle in French, Falling Into the Sea |
| Fruity / sweeter / cheerful | In Love With Everything |
| Bold, smoky, statement | A City On Fire |
| Green / floral / garden feel | The Soft Lawn |
If you’re looking for a “safe entry point,” “How to Say Bicycle in French” is probably the least controversial book. If you’re looking for something polarizing and eye-catching, “A City on Fire” is the right choice.
What People Say?
- In fragrance forums, many fans praise the imaginative scents and enjoy the sampling experience. But beware: “Try before you buy—not all of them are good.”
- One reviewer of Soft Lawn describes a fresh, green, herbal scent, but finds it “a bit hazy,” saying the scent never changes dramatically and the “tennis ball” aspect becomes rather artificial on the skin.
- In general review roundups, “A City On Fire” is often described as polarizing—some find it smoky, daring, even “liquid smoke,” while others find the beauty of its bold composition.
- Some users appreciate the brand’s concept, but find the implementation of certain compositions thin or underdeveloped.
- The brand also receives applause for how it packages, presents, and designs fragrances as an art experience that many buyers enjoy beyond the mere scent.
Overall, the feedback suggests that many love the brand’s ambitions and some of its fragrances, but others see a gap between concept and olfactory execution.
Shipping Policy
- Imaginary Authors ships internationally, but with restrictions: Currently, direct shipping is only available to European countries. (If your country is not displayed during checkout, this means the item cannot be shipped to you.)
- For orders over USD 75, standard shipping is free in eligible regions.
- For orders below the free shipping rate, a flat shipping fee (e.g., USD 4.95) will be charged for standard shipments to the USA.
- Standard delivery for US orders typically takes 3-7 business days after the order is processed.
- For faster delivery, express shipping options are available at checkout (1-5 business days, depending on the method chosen).
- If some items are marked as “Not Available” for your country, it means that these items cannot be delivered to your region.
- The brand uses carriers such as USPS and UPS for shipping; tracking is available once the order is shipped.
Return / Refund / Return Policy
- Imaginary Authors accepts returns of unopened, unsprayed bottles/travel sprays within 14 days of order.
- No refunds to the original payment method are possible for opened or used (e.g. sprayed) products.
- Used (opened) items may be returned or exchanged within 30 days for a credit or exchange (equal or lesser value), but not for a refund of the original purchase price.
- The customer is responsible for returning used items. Imaginary Authors does not cover shipping costs for returning used products.
- Samples (2 ml) and sample sets are non-returnable.
- If a return is approved, a refund will be issued to the original payment method. Shipping/handling charges for the original order are non-refundable.
- To initiate a return, customers must contact the brand with their order number. Once approved, Imaginary Authors will provide a free return label for eligible (unopened) returns.
- Returns should be sent to the brand’s return address (in the US).
- An exchange (for other items) is possible, but exchanged items are non-returnable and cannot be returned or refunded.
- In the case of damaged or incorrect items, the brand will assess the condition and work with the customer to obtain a replacement or refund if necessary.
Final Verdict: Does the Poetry Hold Up?
Imaginary Authors is undoubtedly one of the more poetic, concept-driven perfume houses. Narrative and imaginative design is a strong brand characteristic, and some of their fragrances bring their stories to life on the skin.
However, the extent to which individual fragrances fulfill their promise varies. Some are stunning and memorable, while others are less convincing or at times seem too synthetic. If you approach the brand as an artistic experience rather than expecting all fragrances to be perfect, you’ll find much enjoyment.
For anyone who loves niche, unusual, and creative fragrances—and doesn’t mind trying or tolerating the occasional failure—Imaginary Authors is worth exploring. But don’t buy large bottles without testing them, because part of the magic lies in discovering which stories appeal to your own nose.
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