Travel through lifetimes and lavender fields in this immersive, reincarnation-rich novel of love and loss.
When you think of Provence, perhaps you envision lavender fields swaying in the sun, crumbling stone chapels, and fragrant roses blooming under azure skies. But in Whispers in the Forest, Kelly O’Hearn’s mesmerizing second novel in the Arcanum series, Provence becomes much more than a postcard-perfect setting—it transforms into a portal through time.
Told through the eyes of Sarah Fuller, a New York City perfumer who travels to France in search of a rare rose for her next fragrance, Whispers in the Forest invites readers to embark on a sensorial and spiritual journey across lifetimes. What begins as a glamorous business trip soon evolves into a quest for self-discovery, love, and healing—rooted in the mysteries of reincarnation.
A Journey That Transcends Borders and Time
From the buzzing energy of Manhattan to the misty forests of medieval France, O’Hearn crafts a dual-timeline novel that effortlessly bridges the modern world with the metaphysical. As Sarah immerses herself in the natural beauty and rich history of Provence, she begins experiencing vivid visions of a past life—as a healer during the Middle Ages, bound by sacred vows and a forbidden romance.
What sets Whispers in the Forest apart is O’Hearn’s ability to anchor the mystical in the tangible. The lush descriptions of Provence—the scent of roses, the taste of wine, the hum of bees in summer—are as vivid as the mystical memories that haunt Sarah. This attention to sensory detail not only reflects O’Hearn’s background as a sommelier and fragrance expert but also serves the deeper themes of the novel: that memory is not held only in the mind but also in the body and spirit.
Reincarnation as Reflection
O’Hearn doesn’t treat reincarnation as a fantasy trope but as an emotional and philosophical lens through which we can view the patterns of our lives. Sarah’s growing realization that her present relationships and fears may be echoes of the past challenges her to confront what she has always taken for granted—about love, fate, and the power of memory.
The novel raises compelling questions: Are we destined to repeat the same patterns across lifetimes? Can healing stretch beyond a single life? Is love eternal? These are not just plot points but invitations for readers to reflect on their own life journeys. O’Hearn’s gift lies in her ability to take esoteric concepts and make them feel grounded and personal.
Provence as a Portal
The French countryside isn’t just a setting in Whispers in the Forest—it’s a spiritual character in its own right. O’Hearn’s Provence is steeped in ancient wisdom, from the ruins of forgotten abbeys to the whispering groves that conceal more than just herbs and flowers. Here, time seems to dissolve, and the veil between the past and the present grows thin.
Provence becomes the perfect landscape for transformation. As Sarah explores ancient trails and sacred springs, she discovers that her journey is not only about creating the perfect fragrance—it’s about uncovering the truth of who she is and who she once was.
Love That Defies Lifetimes
At its heart, Whispers in the Forest is a love story—not just between Sarah and the mysterious man who appears both in her present and in her visions, but between a woman and her soul’s purpose. O’Hearn skillfully portrays romance not as a fleeting passion but as a soul connection that endures through centuries, trials, and even death.
This depth of emotion is what elevates the novel beyond typical paranormal romance. The relationship dynamics, both past and present, are layered with themes of trust, fear, longing, and redemption. The result is a story that resonates with anyone who has ever wondered whether the people we are drawn to today are echoes from another time.
A Reading Experience Like No Other
For readers who crave stories that combine atmosphere, emotion, and meaning, Whispers in the Forest offers a rare escape. It’s a book that lingers—not just because of its romantic twists or historical intrigue, but because it speaks to something deeper: the soul’s journey.
Whether you’re a fan of metaphysical fiction, historical romance, or simply love to lose yourself in evocative settings, Kelly O’Hearn delivers an unforgettable experience. Her writing transports readers not just to a new place but to a new way of thinking about love, time, and memory.
So if you’re ready to lose yourself in lavender fields, uncover secrets buried for centuries, and perhaps even recognize echoes of your own past, Whispers in the Forest is calling.
To learn more about Kelly O’Hearn and the Arcanum series, visit ArcanumTheSeries.com.