The Alchemy of Flowers is a lush, atmospheric tale that blends romance, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. Through Eloise’s eyes, the garden estate unfolds like a dream—fragrant, enchanting, and tinged with unease.

As Eloise navigates friendship, love, and the estate’s strange rules, the tension builds steadily, drawing the reader deeper into its web of illusions and half-seen truths. The story’s blend of sensory detail and creeping suspense makes for a captivating read, perfect for those who enjoy their mysteries wrapped in petals and moonlight.

Sadly, I had to DNF this book. This book sounded so promising but it wasn't my cup of tea. Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC.

A woman, suffering from losses she can't endure runs across a curious job ad for someone to care for a garden at an isolated castle in France. "Help Wanted: In search of a gardener for the ancient walled Jardins du Paradis in the South of France. Unique and rustic lodging provided. Off the grid in all ways. One must grow flowers from one's merde . . ." it also stipulates that no children are allowed on the premises.
Beautifully written with just a touch of magic it deals with the heartbreak of reproductive issues and the healing balm of love in a mysterious garden. So unique and so very good!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read this ARC. I DNF'ed this title as I just can't bring myself to read another tragic story about infertility. I came for the florals and secret gardens in Europe but unfortunately, with my long list of Summer reads to get through, I had to pass on this to move on to more interesting titles on my list, but thank you again for the opportunity to read this new novel.

A beautiful, emotional tale of a woman’s quest to heal from her past. Retreating after pregnancy losses, divorce and a change in her work life, Eloise seeks solace at a working French chateau in their gardens, where she hopes the flowers can restore her hope and purpose in life. There are rules she and her co-workers must follow too—children are forbidden being the most odd of all, especially after Eloise sees them at the property. Real life and magic start to merge, where Eloise gets assistance from Raphael, the handyman, to navigate the difference. The author showcased raw reflections on endometriosis and pregnancy loss, but wove them together with the language of flowers (grief, remembrance and calmness, gratitude and friendship, love and romance) to create a story of hope, love, and second chances.
I read the first half of this book and finished on audio—both are great ways to experience this story. Cassandra Campbell, the sole narrator, held my attention as her voice was clear and easy to understand: as well as portrayed a wide range of emotions respectively.
4.25 stars

This book was such a wonderful surprise. It was a beautiful story of healing with a mystical mystery intertwined. The plot and world was unique and magical. This is not a romance story but the love that is sprinkled in is the cherry on top. I felt all of the emotions of Eloise and enjoyed going on her journey with her. This was a wonderful unexpected beautiful story.

I think overall the concept here was really interesting. A secret, magic garden in France where you can run away with free room and board but also make money? a dream come true. I think this could have been better if it hadn't been for how irritating I found the main character.

Alchemy of Flowers
This unique novel is the pick for the #over40booktokbookclub for August. Laura’s writing is full of symbolism and beautiful imagery. The magic of this book is in the details. I appreciate the author’s knowledge of the medicinal properties of plants and their ability to heal - beautiful story. I have a full review on my socials.

Eloise is moving to a secret garden in France to escape her failed marriage in America. She had a special knack for flowers, and has spent her life “talking” to flowers and listening to their messages. While working in the gardens, she befriends the others who live and work there.

This setting was beautiful! I loved being among a secret flower garden in France. I struggled a lot with why Eloise had to escape her life (TW infertility), although I did enjoy rooting for Eloise on her healing journey. I wanted a bit more from this one, but I did enjoy the mystery elements, along with the “magical” feel of the gardens. The narrator did a wonderful job bringing this story to life, and I would recommend the audiobook for this one!

A story about a woman who takes a job in a secretive, off the grid garden in the south of France to begin the process of healing herself after her infertility battle, miscarriages, and subsequent divorce. Heavy on the magical realism with a little romance sprinkled in, it was an enjoyable read but I didn't find myself fully engaged in the story or wanting to pick it up when I sat down to read. I loved the concept but the execution fell a bit flat for me. The ending and subsequent reveal felt very rushed in comparison to the very long, very slow, and overly drawn out first 3/4 of the book. I found the FMC to be frustrating, but I did enjoy the other supporting characters.

Exhausted, run down, bitter and lonely, Eloise applies for a job at a garden in France. Once accepted, she arrives, and is given the rules, which state, no staying out at dusk in the garden, no questions about the reclusive owner or anything else, and stay in the garden.

Eloise is thrilled initially, and loves the ambiance of the beautiful garden, as well as the friendliness of the other staff. The garden is just what she needs to get over her failed marriage, her several and painful fertility treatments and multiple miscarriages.

And though it's great in her new home, she is a little put off by the way questions are rebuffed, and she also begins seeing things out of the corners of her eyes. And she begins wondering, what is this place, and are things just too good to be true.

I liked the beginning of the story, but suddenly stopped caring about the main character. It was abrupt, and I can't identify any one thing that put me off, but suddenly, this book no longer worked for me, and that was that.

I want back and forth between the book and audio, and Cassandra Campbell does a great job voicing Eloise and the other characters. I just wish my interest in the story had not suddenly vanished, because the audiobook makes for enjoyable listening.

Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins Focus and to Harper Muse Audiobook for these ARCs.

I kept trying, but as a middle-aged woman who chose not to have children in a loving, supportive marriage, I am not the target audience for this book. As many reviewers have commented before me, I anticipated this book to lean more towards magical realism/fantasy with our FMC, Eloise, being able to talk with flowers and the mysteries of the garden and castle. However, the vast majority of the book has been about Eloise's struggles with fertility issues and the implosion of all her important relationships due to these problems. So little time was given over to the flower witch/secret garden plots (of the way too many plot lines) in favor of Eloise rehashing her issues constantly. Her relationships with her one-dimensional co-workers at the garden were not interesting, and there was no perceptible chemistry between her and Rafael (also, forced proximity when he is the only option feels icky). On a positive note, the descriptions of the garden were lovely.

Thanks to NetGalley, Haper Collins, and Laura Resau for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one! The setting was so unique in a magical garden in France. The struggles and growth that the main character goes through with infertility is so raw and refreshing as I feel this is a topic that is largely underrepresented in women’s fiction.

Thank you NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4⭐️/5

Eloise has been through the wringer physically and emotionally and is pulling up all her roots to start afresh. She’s just taken a strange but very well-paid job on an old estate in Provence. She’s going to live in Paradise, helping to tend to the flowers and gardens. All her needs will be taken care of; she just won’t have running water, electricity or internet.

The mysterious owner stays locked away inside the chateau, while her few employees live on the grounds. Her secretary, Antoinette, makes very clear to Eloise that she must strictly obey the rules: no being outside during the hour at dusk, no gossiping, and absolutely no children. The last is a particular draw for Eloise, who has experienced heartbreak around them.

Eloise has a special touch with plants, and the beautiful, lush grounds of Paradise speak to her. Literally. She generally feels at ease and comfortable in her new home. And the three co-workers on the grounds, who have also left behind difficult circumstances to settle at the chateau, are welcoming and kind.

Eloise is also attracted to the handyman, Raphael. Having guarded her heart and body for a while, she is surprised to find herself opening up to the possibility of romance.

But all is not perfect in paradise: sometimes Eloise wonders exactly what is going on with the secretive owner, and what the real consequences are for breaking her rules. She’s also shaken when she starts catching glimpses of a child in the trees. Children are strictly forbidden, so who is this? Is she imagining things? Is some magic bringing a wood sprite to peek in on her?

As the summer passes, Eloise starts to worry about the child and her safety. Indeed, she worries if she and her friends are in danger. Dare they break the rules?

I wasn’t quite sure what I was reading in about the first quarter of The Alchemy of Flowers. It was a mixture of enchantment and mystery. Where was the story going? But it was intriguing enough to keep me reading to find out. Of course, with my love of gothic stories, the occasional gothic elements were satisfying. I cared about Eloise and her kind co-workers and was especially invested in Eloise’s happiness and healing. The author writes at the end about how personal a story this was for her, and I could really empathize with her and her main character through all she wrote.

I wouldn’t give The Alchemy of Flowers *quite* a full four stars out of five, but I did enjoy it. It transported me and gave me a window on a woman’s particular heartache, which she had an opportunity to heal. That was lovely. (Bonus: all the descriptions of flowers and plants, the lush natural setting, the food the group prepared for each other every day… chef’s kiss.)

If you had the chance to escape to a hidden garden where time moved differently, a place overflowing with beauty, joy, and the promise of healing, would you take it? What if entering this paradise meant surrendering to a strict set of rules, with exile or even death set as the price of disobedience?

Eloise takes that leap, seeking refuge from the pain and weight of the outside world. Within the magical Jardins du Paradis, she hopes to mend what’s broken in her body and soul. But healing is never without cost, and the garden’s enchantments are as perilous as they are alluring.

From the very first page, the author offers a gentle forewarning: “This book is about healing and hope (and maybe a little bit of magic), but it does deal with issues related to infertility, loss, and heartbreak. We hope you find inspiration in Eloise’s journey and your own healing behind the walls of the Jardins du Paradis.”

Filled with wonder, secrets, and just enough danger to keep you holding your breath, The Alchemy of Flowers is a beautifully written story about taking chances, finding hope, and learning what it really means to bloom again.

Much appreciation to Laura Resau, Harper Muse, and Uplit Reads for the #gifted copy of The Alchemy of Flowers.

If a mysterious garden surrounding an even more mysterious castle/chateau/manor that you can't leave in the south of France with a bit of magic and an overseer that you can never meet sounds interesting to you, this may be your book! Eloise decides to apply for a job in France to be the gardener at the Jardins du Paradis as a change to get away from the disaster of her life at home. After moving and meeting the aloof assistant Antoinette, Eloise isn't sure about her choice, but she resonates with her three direct coworkers (most especially Raphael). Each person has their own secrets that you discover throughout the story with major implications by the end of the book.

I have to say, my favorite thing about this book was the author's description of the food and the gardens. While the characters were well developed and their stories were good, they honestly weren't my favorite part. Please just write a long description of a series of garden tours and associated meals and I'd be happy! Either way, I enjoyed this book and would recommend for the imagery alone. Trigger warnings though for death, miscarriage, and underage marriage. I rated this 4.25 stars rounded down. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the advanced readers copy!

One of my favorite reads of 2025, The Alchemy of Flowers has it all! Love, loss, longing, magic, and enough mystery to keep me reading late into the night will keep this one at the top of my recommended reads for years to come!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I think this book a mix of a cozy and mistery book. Our main character feels completely lost and, one day, she sees a job advertisement on the newspaper. With this, she decides to take the job and moves to a special mansion in France.

In general, it was a nice but not very memorable book. I mean, there were these little clues during the whole book but yo actually knew nothing about the rest of the people or about what was going on in the mansion.

I would have enjoyed it more if the action plot took place during a bigger part of the book.

On the other hand, I loved the characters, very realistic and with multiple layers, trying to know themselves more in this garden. You can especially see how the main character is struggling and empathize a lot with her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was so lush and atmospheric and definitely lived up to the Secret Garden comparison! It had the perfect amount of mystery and eerie vibes that I feel like would be perfect to read going into the fall season. Check the trigger warnings— a lot of conversation about fertility and motherhood but after reading the authors note I really valued how she shared this story.

Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC!

I sank into my reading chair and began this book...hours later I realized I was still sitting and reading. It was just that good.

After years of heartache, Eloise is looking for something new. She finds a job offer that sounds perfect. Gardening at a french chateau. Completely off the grid and no children. Her idea of perfection.

The gardens give Eloise the peace she needs, although as the book continues there are dark and magical portions that for me, just added to the books allure.

A well done work.