The Scent of Hours: A Novel

by Barbara O'Neal

(Originally published as Madame Mirabou’s School of Love , by Barbara Samuel) Sometimes real passion means living the life you’ve always wanted. Nicole Bridges still can’t believe she’s taken up residence in a Colorado apartment complex nicknamed “Splitsville.” She’s still reeling from her husband’s affair, a divorce she never saw coming, and having to leave the upscale, comfortable world she helped make for her ex and their teenage daughter. With little money, even less work experience, and no idea what to do next, she takes tentative steps–if only to keep her head above water. Along the way, Nikki unexpectedly finds herself falling in with eccentric new neighbors–and being seduced out of her funk by a charming, elusive ex-Londoner. And through her delight in the sensual elements of perfume, she will discover the courage to form bonds she never imagined. When a discarded flyer printed with the name “Madame Mirabou” provides the spark of inspiration, Nikki dares to blend the fragments of her life into a fragrance that’s uniquely and passionately her own.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Womens Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

Audio CD

Published January 11, 2022

About the author

Barbara O'Neal is the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling writer of women's fiction. She lives in Colorado with her partner, a British endurance athlete.

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful read by Barbara O'Neal.
This is the story of Nikki's journey through a crushing divorce and separation from her daughter.
With her life in an upheaval she must find a job to support herself, try to meet new people and try to find herself as a woman in her 40's.
She has a hobby of making custom perfumes for friends and family which she hopes to develop into a business.
A captivating story of self-discovery!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

[SueK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Barbara O’Neal’s books. My understanding is that this is an editorial “refresh,” of sorts.

As a soapmaker who works a great deal with fragrances, the notes of special perfumes that start each chapter were especially enjoyable for me.

Loved the characters, the “finding oneself” after divorce, and the challenges each character brings to the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy. Opinions are my own.

[Gretchen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my third book by this author, and the first I didn’t love. The main character annoyed me, her weight was mentioned too often, a few “sex” scenes which don’t bother me but I wasn’t expecting them, and I didn’t like many of her friends. I liked Niraj. I will still read more of her books, I’m convinced this one just wasn’t for me.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

I guess I'm in the minority here but I'm done listening to this. I'm bored. Characters are one dimensional, only about the pick up after divorce, boring new love interest, journal entries too all over the place. I'm counting this as read because I only had 2 hours left in the audiobook. This book felt like it lacked any sort of real plot. The idea was intriguing but did not live up to the idea or the hype. If you want a GOOD book that features around scent and memories, pick up The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story had such great potential but I felt there were several story lines that weren’t fully wrapped up and left me feeling there were too many loose ends.

[Debbie Leathers · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read about life changing and consequences of not having control. Not one of my favorites from this author.

[Markie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Scent of Hours is really essentially a slice of life novel. It’s about a woman who is navigating life after a divorce. She is basically on a whole new journey from a new place to live, to work and a budding new romance. Her journey is very brave and her insight is very honest when it comes to her exchanges with friends and with her new lover. Her journey is ultimately about resilience and new beginnings. Ultimately a very inspiring work the only downside is I didn’t want it to end so abruptly. What happens next? I want to know more about this fabulous person in this fabulous perfume shop. This gives under the Tuscan sun vibes.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read by Barbara O'Neal. This story is about a woman/wife/mother in her 40s that gets blind-sided by a divorce and has to re-invent herself and her life. Which, of course, leads to love, or at least a lover. All the thoughts and feelings of confusion, self-doubt, learning how to embrace change... are real life contemplations we can relate to. Supporting characters add flaws and flourish. Intimacy scenes are handled with class and comfort. Well done for a summer/beach chic-lit read :)

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Descriptions

Enjoyed her journal entries with the scents that surrounds certain events in her life. Enjoyed that she described emotions in the same scenes.

[Lynda Riggers · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you are in your mid-40s and your husband suddenly walks out, life takes a hard turn. And when you accidentally then blow up your house, things can get dicey.

Nikki finds herself 43, out of a home, out of a husband, without ever working, and with a big dream of being a perfumier. Consenting to allow her 15-year old daughter move to California with her ex, Nikki is on her own for the first time. The Scent of Hours is a good novel, as is all of author Barbara O'Neal's books, that goes much deeper into the reasons behind things than what is initially on the surface.

The Scent of Hours will have you feeling the feels of letting go of what you thought made you, you, of new-found love, and of dreaming big. The Scent of Hours won't change your life, but it will make you smile and sometimes, that's all you need.

Fall in love with author Barbara O'Neal with her re-purposed, The Scent of Hours.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara O' Neal has a mystical way with being able to describe her characters, their location and their emotions with her words.
I loved reading about Nicole and how she journeys to find what she truly wants, not giving in to the lure of continuing to crave Daniel. Her insecurity with Niraj rang true but Nikki finally trusted herself to go after what she has a natural talent for and yearns to do with herself. . Roxanne is a pitiful woman yet with Ms O'Neal's words I felt sad for Madame Maribou.
I very much enjoyed reading The Scent of Hours and thank #NetGalley for giving me a chance to reread this revised edition.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara O'Neal's books always engage the reader - with complex characters and intense situations. The author has a true understanding of people and their problems. "The Scent of Hours" is a prime example of her writing skill.
The novel explores the aftermath of divorce for Nikki. As she said: "Something in me broke with the divorce". As she slowly faces her new circumstances, she finds a job, makes new friends and dares to dream.
I so enjoyed this revised edition I received from Net Galley (thank you!). It drew me in from the beginning and I connected to many of the issues Nikki deals with - her fears, concerns, money, relationships and even her dreams.
I highly recommend "The Scent of Hours" by Barbara O'Neal.

[Mallory Moureau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Barbara O’Neal for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nikki is dealing with divorce, her family home literally blowing up and her ex husband and daughter moving across the country.

Nikki needs to figure out who she is and who she wants to be moving forward.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what story this book was telling for most of it. I guess it was a story of Nikki’s self discovery, maybe second chance at love, little bit of found family.

I wish there was more of a conclusion on how Nikki’s life turned out but overall the book was ok.

[CanditheBookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars - This novel was well-written and the characters were okay. For me, it was just boring. I never felt a connection with any character and /or the storyline. It was a bit jumbled throughout the novel and had very little depth. I did not like the “perfume” recipes which made no sense to me at all. I get the premise of the ingredients but it was Ugh every time she listed what she smelled (sunshine, laundry hung out to dry, kitty fur, anger)…blah blah blah.

[Mary Hladio · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Scent of Hours" by Barbara O'Neal is a beautifully woven tale that immerses readers in the world of scents and memories, exploring themes of family, love, and the secrets that bind or separate us. While O'Neal's narrative is rich with sensory details and emotional depth, the book has elements that may not fully resonate with all readers, resulting in a mixed but overall positive experience.

The novel centers on Nicole, a perfumer who returns to her picturesque hometown to resolve unfinished family matters and rediscover her roots. O'Neal excels in her descriptions of the lush landscapes and the intricate art of perfumery. Her prose is often lyrical, enveloping the reader in layers of scents and textures that bring the setting vividly to life. This sensory journey is one of the book's strongest points, offering a unique perspective on how smells link to personal histories and emotions.

The plot of "The Scent of Hours" weaves together multiple timelines and characters, aiming to create a tapestry of interconnected stories. However, this ambition sometimes leads to a cluttered narrative. The multitude of subplots can be overwhelming, and the pacing uneven, with some stories feeling rushed or underdeveloped. As a result, the emotional impact of each narrative thread varies, and some poignant moments might not hit as intended due to the lack of depth or buildup.

Character development is a mixed bag. While Nicole is well-crafted with a compelling backstory and relatable motivations, some of the secondary characters lack the same level of depth. This can make their contributions to the story feel less impactful or their resolutions too tidy, detracting from the novel's overall authenticity and emotional richness.

Despite these criticisms, "The Scent of Hours" remains an engaging read, particularly for those who appreciate novels that blend sensory experiences with emotional storytelling. O'Neal's skill in crafting atmospheric settings and her deep dive into the world of scents are commendable and provide a unique flavor to the narrative.

Overall, "The Scent of Hours" earns a solid 3.5 stars. It is a novel with moments of brilliance and genuine emotional resonance but is somewhat let down by its ambitious scope and pacing issues. For fans of Barbara O'Neal's lyrical style and those fascinated by the power of scent, this book offers a worthwhile, though occasionally flawed, experience.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read The Scent Of Hours by Barbara O'Neal. It was a wonderful story about a woman finding her way after her divorce.

The story begins when Nikki loses everything, including her daughter and house, after divorcing her husband. After several years of marriage her husband decides the life they've built together is no longer what he wants. She is completely devastated, but she somehow finds it in herself to rent an apartment, make new friends with her neighbors, and find a job after being a homemaker for most of her marriage.

This is such a sweet story about Nikki's struggles to be on her own and the growth that happens for her as she navigates all of the new obstacles that she comes up against in her new life. She not only works her way through the pain she's feeling, but she also becomes stronger and happier in her new life.

She eventually meets a man who she becomes friends with first, but eventually decides she would like to share a relationship with. The author does a fantastic job of showing how divorce often makes a woman feel very insecure and scared about being with someone new. Nikki also finds strength to follow her passion for creating perfumes and she finally maps out a plan to open her own perfume shop.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who knows someone who has divorced or who has gone through a divorce or bad break-up themselves. The story is entertaining and told with such a caring heart.

#NetGalley #TheScentOfHours

[Ashley R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love, loss, and starting over

I enjoyed this book for the most part. I think I would rate it 3.5 stars. The book follows Nikki as she is dealing with divorce and completely starting over. She has lost everything from her husband and daughter down to her home and possessions. I felt the book was a little slow in the middle and I found myself wondering, where is this going because I was more than half way through the book. I wish the meaning of the perfume entries would have been tied into the story a bit earlier and given a bit more significance. I also would have loved a bit more development of the relationship between Nikki and Roxanne. I also would have loved to see more development between Nikki and her daughter. I feel like Nikki starts asking herself very important questions about raising a mixed raise daughter as a single mother but the reader doesn't get to explore it with her on a deeper level, because the questions come so late in the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the relationship between Nikki and Niraj. I also really enjoyed Nikki's overall development in the book but I would have liked to experience more of her standing up for herself when dealing with her ex. I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway and am very happy to have been given the chance to read it.

[KDRBCK · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scent of Hours by B. O'Neal, published by Lake Union Publishing was previously published as Madame Mirabou’s School of Love. Newly re-written and re-edited, re-published.
A witty and fun quick read, 4 beautiful stars.
Blurb:
Sometimes real passion means living the life you’ve always wanted. Nicole Bridges still can’t believe she’s taken up residence in a Colorado apartment complex nicknamed “Splitsville.” She’s still reeling from her husband’s affair, a divorce she never saw coming, and having to leave the upscale, comfortable world she helped make for her ex and their teenage daughter. With little money, even less work experience, and no idea what to do next, she takes tentative steps–if only to keep her head above water. Along the way, Nikki unexpectedly finds herself falling in with eccentric new neighbors–and being seduced out of her funk by a charming, elusive ex-Londoner. And through her delight in the sensual elements of perfume, she will discover the courage to form bonds she never imagined. When a discarded flyer printed with the name “Madame Mirabou” provides the spark of inspiration, Nikki dares to blend the fragments of her life into a fragrance that’s uniquely and passionately her own.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikki Bridges, life changed when her husband said he was divorcing her, and she made the decision that he had more to offer their daughter than she did, and her daughter moved away with her father. Her furnace in the basement didn't come on, and she was too afraid to go down to the basement, and the furnace exploded, blowing up her house. With little money, she moved on and got a tiny apartment, waiting for the insurance money. She didn't have a lot of work experience, but she found a job as a waitress, she had lost everything even herself, but once she got the job, and seeing that she could do it, she got some of her confidence back, and slowly she started moving forward.
The story is everything she went through, finding herself, making friends, and creating a life as she learned who she was now and who she was becoming. It kept me reading, it wasn't a smooth path, but she kept on moving forward and to see who she is at the end of the story, is who she is meant to be. I enjoyed reading her story, and it was another wonderful book by Barbara O'Neal.
I received an ARC from Lake Union Publishing.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole Bridges was a happy mother and wife until her husband left her for another woman, something she had not seen coming.
He moved to California with their daughter, as he had more to offer her, and she stayed in Colorado.
One night alone in her house she realized that the furnace in the basement was not working, but being afraid to walk down there to check it, she thought she would just wait and check it in the morning, but soon after, most of the house was blown apart, but luckily she got out in time.
She moved into an apartment to wait for the insurance money to come through and she new she needed to have a job but had no real qualifications. She finally found a job as a waitress in a health food restaurant, which she ends up enjoying. But her real passion was creating perfumes for people she loved. Her dream is to make perfume her full time job.
At the apartment nicknamed Splitsville, she met other women with similar problems.
At the restaurant she meets more of the locals and maybe a love interest.
This was an interesting story with some complex character, which I enjoyed very much.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Lake union , for a copy of this book.

[Bekka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a 2.5 rounded up.

I felt like it took a long while for the story to pick up. I wasn’t really hooked until chapter 7, and then I was more invested in the main character and her newfound friends.

The journal entries were a bit to all over the place time-wise for me. But I enjoyed reading about the different scents based on the main character’s experiences throughout her life.

I think the pacing could really have used some work on this book because, as I mentioned, the beginning was too slow, but then the ending was a bit abrupt. Her friend burned down a house and then the book kind of just ended. I wish there had been more about her rehabilitation and what she did to help get her through the trauma of the divorce.

Also, I wanted to see how the perfume store did and the story ended before it even opened. The ending of the book just wasn’t very satisfying to me. I wanted a more developed ending rather than the open ended wondering how things worked out for everyone.

[Regina Mastrogiacomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific story about a woman who has come back from a awful divorce and has to reinvent herself and find a new life which she does. The new life involves a very handsome romantic man, a couple of
supportive neighbors and a magical shop that inspires Nikki to bring back a passion she has always had, creating perfume and enjoying it.
I like how descriptive and textured the story is. The way O'neal writes, I can see the details of the clothes, the smells of the perfume, the feel of the weather and the emotions of the character as though I am right there with the characters and experiencing the same feelings. The only problem I had with this story is it ended to abruptly and I felt I wanted more about Nikki's successes.
By the way Barbara O'neal is one of my favorite authors and I have been enjoying her books since reading," A Winter Ballad," in 2014 and been hooked to her stories ever since.

I want to thank Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this wonderful story about a woman dealing with the unexpected.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher, to Net Galley and to the author for the opportunity for review. My review opinions are my own..

Nikki is a is a woman with a talent for making scents which is her joy. Her dream is to be a career perfumier. She has a nice life and marriage that her husband destroys in one day. With her carefully organized life in chaos after her house burns down she is in the world starting over with her talent and a sense of new found independence. Along the way she weaves her love of scent into her new life and finds her life expands in ways she never imagined. New friendships and romance are enriching her life in new ways. She is following her dreams and finds happieness.

I love the author's emotional heartfelt writing. Her characters are strong women and independent. I love that she writes of women that move on in life and do not dwell on their past. The addition of scent into the fabric of this book was so enjoyable to read. I loved this book as I do all of her writing.

[Jill Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been in a reading slump the last few books and thought The Scent Of Hours would be a good book to get me out of that slump. I was right.
Nikki is the kind of heroin I like and can relate to. Newly divorced and on the brink of middle age (been there; done that). How do you find yourself, when you have been someone else for so long? I loved her passion and I loved her failures. She just never gives up.
Roxanne, while a secondary character is so beautifully flared. I would love to read a whole book about her. While this book touches on her pain, and what made her who she is, I feel there is so much more to tell.
I also wanted to know more about Naraj. The book keep commenting on how hard a time he has and but we are never given any real insight to what those hardships were, outside of a few bad relationships. There is a lot more there, and even if it added another 25 pages or so to the book, it would have been worth it.
There were some parts I did not like (ie the spice...) but those are easy to pass over and it does not take away from the story.
I have a few more Barbara O'Neal books downloaded on my Kindle. I will be sure to get to them shortly.

[Anna Bowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbara O'Neal once again brings her A-game to this tale of a woman finding herself, and liking what she finds. Originally published as Madame Mirabou's School of Love, this edition has been revised, and very much worth the read for new and experienced readers alike. The story starts with a bang, literally, as divorcee Nikki's house explodes, which mirrors the rest of her life. From there, it is a story that only Barbara O'Neal can tell, and many can appreciate. From Nikki's passion for perfume (I love her perfume diaries) to her determination to catch a stray kitten (she does) to her first steps at finding love again (oh so worth all that came before) this is everything a women's fiction novel should be. The supporting cast, from Nikki's ex and her new love, to the women friends old and new, who see her through, feel true to life.

In short, what I want most right after reading this novel is another Barbara O'Neal tale, because yes, I have caught the scent.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scent of Hours by Barbara O'Neal is a story about letting go of what you thought made you, a new-found love, dreaming big, and finding yourself. It won't change your life, but it will make you smile and feel all the feels.

Nikki finds her life taking a hard turn when her husband wants a divorce, and she allows her 15-year old daughter to move to California with her ex; making it the first time she is on her own. Nikki slowly faces her new circumstances by reinventing herself; finding what she truly wants for her life. Her new life involves a very handsome romantic man, a couple of supportive neighbors, and a magical shop that inspires Nikki to renew her passion for creating perfume. Nikki deals with her fears, concerns, money, relationships and even her dreams. The Scent of Hours goes much deeper into the reasons behind things than what is initially on the surface.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone in one of my groups mentioned this book and how she was looking forward to it. I saw that it was a KU read & listen, so thought I would give it a try and boy am I glad that I did. There was something about this one that charmed me. And while I'm not divorce, I felt like I could relate to Nikki. Often in life we find ourselves in places we didn't think we would, plans derailed, things didn't happen how we saw them and we're left trying to figure out how to go forward. Seeing Nikki navigate this was great! She stepped outside of her comfort zone so much and along the way found so much too! I loved her new friends, the new venture in her perfume shop and the new man. While her life wasn't how she saw it, it seems like it's better now, she's more firmly herself and that is all we can hope for!

On a side note, I really would love to have a custom blended perfume, like Nikki talks about. How fun would that be!

[Reeca Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nikki is recently divorced and now her house has blown up. The boiler needed to be replaced and she failed to get it done. Now she is living in a modest apartment and waiting tables at a local restaurant. She has dreams that she put on hold in her marriage and she wonders if she can ever make them come true.

Nikki is such a great character. She is truly struggling after her divorce. But, she struggles on! She makes some good and bad decisions. I just love her new friends. All are quirky and have their own issues. But they come together and form a unique family.

I will say, I wanted a bit more about the perfumes and memory connection. I relate to smells and memories and I just expected a bit more in this department. This is minor. The characters and the story are a fun escape you do not want to miss.

Need a story about life, love and happiness…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this author and this book!

I borrowed this from Kindle Unlimited because it was available as there is a book 2 in the series, and we learn what happens with the cast after this story completes a free audible download thru it, and I needed something to listen to on my long road trip. I chose this title without hesitation because I have loved every other Barbara O’Neill book that I have read, and same thing with this book – it did not disappoint. If I had any constructive criticism to offer, it would be that it seemed to end rather abruptly, but maybe that is just me because I really liked the cast of characters, the setting, and how the storyline evolved. The cast of characters were very well developed, and I enjoyed their interactions with each other. I just wish it didn’t end so quickly bc I wanted more to be explained or more info on if the ship became successful, etc

But I totally recommend the book and this author!

[Jasminegalsreadinglog · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scent of Hours by Barbara O' Neal is a republished book. This story is finding yourself and second chances.

Nikki had dreams of being a perfumer, but she dedicates her life to being a good wife and mother. Life has different plans for her, though. She finds herself starting it all over again. Can she restart it all over again?

This book was fast-paced, and I enjoyed the descriptions of the fragrances that are included at the beginning of the chapter. The interactions between Nikki and Niraj sounded a little weird. Some parts I liked and some I didn't. Overall, it was a book I liked, and I would have loved it if the dialogues between these two characters were a little mature.

Thank you, Lake Union Publishing, for this book.