Scent that starts a romance (5)

I believe the answer is:

aroma

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'scent that starts' is the definition.
'aroma' can be an answer for 'scent' (synonyms). I'm not certain of the rest of the definition.

'a romance' is the wordplay.
'romance' becomes 'roma' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'a'+'roma'='AROMA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aroma that I've seen before include "Nose" , "Test of knowledge" , "Distinctive smell" , "Strong smell" , "Distinctive scent" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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