What a great story. I love the character of Eloise. What a neat thing to be a flower whisperer! For me who has a black thumb this book was beautiful. I loved every character in their own way. I really enjoyed the garden as well.

This was a touching story and I would recommend it.

I want to thank NetGalley and Harper Collin’s Focus for this advanced reader copy and this is my honest review of this book.

Things that worked

- Settings
- Very detailed


Things that didn't work

- Chemistry between all characters
- Eloise's personality
- The mystery unwrapped too quickly


I can do well with settings; for instance, Piranesi spends a very long time on the world building itself which is fascinating; this book made it seem boring. I wanted to run away.


Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this!

I struggled getting through this despite how beautiful the writing is. I went in expecting more of a fantasy novel, and just did not find that. This is listed in the fantasy genre, but I would struggle to call it that; this aligns more with the light and airy magical realism. This novel does touch on incredibly heavy topics such as infertility and child loss. And while I applaud that these are topics that should be discussed more in books, the way it went about just did not connect for me.

This is probably not something I would have picked up if I had known exactly what I was getting into, but it is not something I regret reading and would certainly recommend to people.

Thank you to @lauraresau and @harpermusebooks for the #gifted e-book and the accompanying audiobook.

I picked up this book, drawn in by its enchanting Secret Garden vibes, and it utterly captivated me.

Eloise embarks on a transformative journey to escape the shadows of a failed marriage and the deep-seated heartache of infertility that has kept her feeling trapped. When she seizes the opportunity to work as a gardener in France, she uncovers a rich tapestry of mystery, family ties, and unexpected love.

The narrative unfolds with a heart-wrenching yet uplifting authenticity that brilliantly captures Eloise’s path toward healing from profound loss. Her struggles with helplessness and grief, particularly related to her infertility, resonated deeply with me. The raw and vivid emotions in this story pulled me completely into Eloise’s world, making her journey feel profoundly personal. While this book may not resonate with everyone, its impact is undeniable.

The exquisite writing and lush, vivid descriptions of the garden, vibrant blossoms, and majestic castle transport you to another realm, immersing you fully in the narrative. The threads of magical realism elevate the story, igniting the imagination as the enchanting French gardens and the castle’s secrets unfold. Each character is intricately crafted, their complexities revealed beautifully throughout the story. The elements of slow-burn romance, delightful culinary experiences, and deep friendships intertwine seamlessly, all while exposing the darker undertones as the mysteries of the castle unravel.

The narrator shines in embodying the characters, skillfully bringing the French language and accents to life with authenticity. The snippets of French throughout add a lyrical charm that enhances the reading experience.

At its core, this tale is a poignant exploration of self-forgiveness, the transformative power of love after loss, and the extraordinary beauty of found family. Mark your calendars—this captivating book will be available on July 29, 2025. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this unforgettable story!

Fairy tale meets fantasy in The Alchemy of Flowers. I was drawn in by the reference to The Secret Garden. Some of the story was a little farfetched, but it was still a fun read.

I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book. I enjoyed the majority of it, and I liked its messages. I wish there was a little more polish, but it held my attention, and I wanted to know what happened next, so it was entertaining.

This book is very light on the magical aspects, which I found disappointing. I wish the author had expanded more on Eloise's flower magic and why this garden was so special. I liked that there was mythology around the triple goddesses and the Furies, but it ended up being more mundane than I wanted. Genre-wise, this barely qualifies as magical realism.

The heart of the story is about healing and found family. Eloise struggles with infertility, and the others who work in the garden have their own traumatic history. Each person working there has to go through their own journey towards healing themselves. But they have each other for support and slowly grow together as a family.

The story changes from a slow read to a deeper mystery and then to a crazy, chaotic ending. I liked the happily ever after, but I wish the writing were more consistent. I liked the mystery part more than the beginning, but I found the ending rather disappointing. It's a little rough around the edges, but I did enjoy the book

Tucked far away in the south of France stands a castle surrounded by Les Jardins du Paradis. This magical garden is off limits to children and electronics, one of the main reasons Eloise chooses to seek employment in an escape from her old life in Colorado. Among the flowers she finds solace, she speaks to them and they talk back.

All is well as long as one follows the rules. But when bizarre things start to occur, Eloise starts asking more and more questions. It starts to take a dark turn hinting something wicked is going on. While growing closer with her companions they try to convince her to let it all go and follow the rules so she isn’t forced to leave.

Overall I enjoyed The Alchemy of Flowers. I felt some of the pacing was off and some parts became major info dumps, but the writing was beautiful. I had some suspicions throughout as to what was going on. And I felt the ending wrapped things up pretty nicely.

The Alchemy of Flowers is a whimsical read that took me back to The Secret Garden which is one of my favorite books growing up. It is a story of loss, of healing, and of found family. There are dark and suspenseful moments which is really what kept me going.

<i> Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for this ARC opportunity. This is an honest and voluntary review. </i>

The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau made me wish for an avid green thumb and long for a dreamy home amongst a secret garden in a countryside province in France. This mystical story, at times, filled my heart with sadness, as it provided strong reminders of my own motherhood journey. At the same time, following Eloise's story through harrowing moments and immersive illuminations, it left me yearning to know more about Greek mythology.

While slow at the start, the beautifully written imagery and drawn-out beginning allowed me to become absorbed in the characters, so that by the end of the story, I was just as enthralled in the mystery as they were. The Alchemy of Flowers, at its core, is a story of deep longing, love, and hope.

I had the unique opportunity to read this captivating story and listen to the audiobook narrative simultaneously. It was mesmerizing to read along as each descriptive chapter set the mood, and the narrator shared the voices of the characters within. I was enchanted.

I would like to thank NetGalley, author Laura Resau, narrator Cassandra Campbell, and the publisher Harper Muse for this unique opportunity to fall in love with this story. In my opinion, I give this story five shining stars. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.5 stars 🌟

Right up top: I figured infertility would be discussed in this book because of its description, but I was not entirely prepared for how in depth Eloise goes when discussing her struggles. While I appreciated the author's ability to put beautiful words to an unfortunately relatable pain, I had to put the book down a few times because it stirred up too many tender feelings and put me in a bad headspace. If you're in the same boat then please consider your mental health first before picking this up.

The rest of the review: the descriptions here were top-knotch and I desperately wanted to take a step into Paradise. The flowers, the food, the enchanting tree house Eloise takes up residence in - everything evoked such a cozy, magical feeling, reminiscent of a Ghibli movie. The small mystery (almost thriller?) element was also very interesting, however I did feel that the tone shift from one to the other was often jarring. There were occasionally parts of the writing that struck me as out of place (Amber's secret letters felt like they were written by a 12 year old and it took me out of the book completely), and the characters somewhat flat, but overall I enjoyed my time with this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I remember being so inspired by Laura Resau's YA books as a teenager, so I was thrilled to see she was publishing The Academy of Flowers. The novel is slightly magical, leaning into folklore, and having a hint of a Beauty and the Beast feeling. American gardener Eloise gets a new job in a French garden with strange rules, including not to go outside at twilight. The garden seems to have a goddess, and maybe the Fates of Greek lore. Ultimately, The Academy of Flowers is a magical journey towards self-love in addition to uncovering the source of the mysterious happenings in the garden. I look forward to reading more from Resau in the future too.

This was a beautiful story of healing and personal growth. In this story Eloise leaves her life behind to escape into a mysterious, mystical garden called Paradise in the south of France. It was moving to watch Eloise connect with the other employees of the garden, and heal from her personal pain and trauma. The description of the setting and atmosphere were the strength of this book. As a former French student, I enjoyed the use of French dialogue to strengthen the feeling of the environment. Unfortunately, I found the relationships to be the weakest link. The connections between the characters felt instantaneous and unearned. Very quickly they were supposed to be like family. Eloise's romance also felt very rushed and lacked chemistry. The magical mystery was well done, and paced throughout the story. All in all, this is a heartwarming story with a sense of magic and love.

Content warning: discussion of infertility and pregnancy loss.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for providing an eARC in return for my honest thoughts.

The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau is a gorgeously rendered tale that begins as a fragrant dream—lush, luminous, and brimming with quiet magic. The found family Eloise discovers in the off-grid French garden estate is tender and nourishing, and the early pages unfold like a bloom in slow motion.

But midway through, that dream fractures. The story shifts from gentle magical realism into a taut, almost Sager-esque thriller, threaded with danger and dread. The transition is compelling, but jarring—like reading a novel co-written by Sarah Addison Allen and Riley Sager.

Though the pacing falters at first and the tonal shift is sharp, there’s beauty in the book’s suggestion that paradise without pain is a dangerous illusion. Life, like any garden, thrives not in perfection but in the balance of shadow and sun.

Thank you Harper Muse for the Netgalley ARC and Harper Muse Audio for the ALC.

What a story!
A mix of literary fiction, romance and magical realism.
An American woman, broken by a brutal struggle with infertility, finds a job ad to work as a gardener in a French remote country side chateau. Why not, she has always had a unique relationship with plants and flowers. But the biggest selling point is that children are not allowed on the premises.
She arrives there, meets her colleagues and starts a journey of self discovery, healing, reaching a better understanding of herself and the magical place she ended up in, and finds love in the most unexpected places.
I quite enjoyed this story. The writing is so beautiful and atmospheric; I could visualize the environment and the characters and connect with them.

My issues were that some aspects of the magic were not explored, there was minimal explanation of the main character’s relationship with her magic and knowledge of plants and flowers. My other issue is pacing; the final act was such a big change from the sedate pace of the first two acts in the book, shocking, fast paced and felt a bit rushed.

As I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of the audiobook; narrated by Cassandra Campbell, this review will include me gushing about Cassandra’s narration; beautifully executed, especially with the French accent and the mannerisms of each character. 10/10 job.

When there's nothing left to lose, it's Eloise's decision to make a leap of faith into a veritable mystery job as a compost specialist for a reclusive boss at a vast, walled, commune-like garden around a medieval fortress in the south of France. Her employer has required her to sign a contract with odd requirements, most notably that she cannot enter the garden at dusk, and there can be no children at Le Chateau du Paradis. Despite the initial stilted interaction with her boss' deputy and the presence of eerie white statues, the garden is an Eden, and her new home, a tree house, a marvel. The garden is home to an odd bunch of co-workers who embrace Eloise's presence. As Eloise gets the hang of her job, she is lulled into a sense of belonging she's never experienced, but she keeps seeing a child through the shadowy leaves, and she can't help but feel that the statues are moving...

The mystery of Le Chateau du Paradis reminded me of some of the thrillers and suspense novels I read in middle and high school. There are shades of VC Andrews here, for better and worse. While I liked the description of the garden and was intrigued by Eloise's job, I wished Resau had put more into building her characters. I would class this novel a beach read or airplane read, one that doesn't require the reader to invest too much emotional effort into it to get to the satisfactory conclusion.

My thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley for access to the ARC. Opinions stated herein are my own; I'm not compensated for my reviews.

This is very much about healing and finding yourself. Eloise takes a job at the Jardins de Paradis after her life in the US falls apart. She's mourning her marriage and struggling about her infertility but the gardens, even with all the rules, helps. But she keeps seeing a child, even though no children are allowed. Raphael becomes an ally then a friend and then more. This leans in a bit on the magical realism but is very much grounded in understanding Eloise. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Lovely atmospherics and fine storytelling make it a good read.

🌸 The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau — Review

Genre: Magical Realism / Fantasy-Lite Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (rounded up to 4)

The Alchemy of Flowers is a quiet, atmospheric debut that blends magical realism with a gentle romantic arc—all set against the lush backdrop of a mysterious French chateau.

Eloise Bourne leaves behind her life in Colorado for an unusual job: gardener of the walled gardens at Le Château de Paradis. But from the beginning, there’s something more going on. One of the strict rules? No children allowed inside the gardens. This rule, oddly specific and pointed, hints at a deeper emotional mystery—one that slowly unfurls as we get to know Eloise and her reasons for taking this secluded position.

This is not a high-stakes fantasy; it leans heavily into the magical realism category—think delicate enchantments, intuitive gardening, and nature as a quiet form of healing. There’s a bit of found family here too, especially through Raphael, the sweet love interest. Their romance is a slow burn—tender, if not exactly swoonworthy—and more about emotional healing than grand passion.

The plot does carry a light undercurrent of tension, with a few shadowy secrets, but overall it’s a gentle, comforting read. The real magic here lies in the atmosphere—I wanted to hop on a plane to Provence, wander lavender fields, and devour flaky pastries in the sun.

This is a soft, introspective story that will appeal to readers looking for something soothing, slightly whimsical, and emotionally grounded. A lovely adult debut.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC—opinions are all my own.

The Alchemy of Flowers

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the ARC. This book kept me guessing to the end, and even it had a mystical tone, I appreciate that in the end, there were realistic explanations so it did feel like a real story. I loved the magical setting in France, and the focus on plants and their meanings and uses. The storyline followed a woman as she healed from failing to become pregnant and once she was able to heal, she found a different path to motherhood. The book uses mythology and plant lore which I loved. An interesting read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Eloise, a woman with a deep wound where a family should be, takes a job in France as a gardener. There, she starts to notice little pieces of Bizzarrerie, eerie occurrences, a woodsprite, and the strange rule: do not go out during twilight. All this contrasts with the almost magical way she feels around her coworkers, how, after burning all her relationships, she finally starts to feel little sparks of friendship and belonging.

Perhaps it was my reading slump's fault, but I struggled for most of this book. I loved the imagery and how beautifully Paradise, the garden in which the story took place, was conjured; nevertheless, it wasn't enough to keep my attention for more than a chapter a day. The characters were interesting, the mystery, and the "is it magic or am I tripping?" plot were intriguing, but the pacing was so slow I couldn't move beyond the first half. This is until some of the plot twists started to unravel and our protagonist, Ellie, started to heal from the trauma before working in Paradise. Around 70% things started to pick up, and I felt myself enjoying the characters a lot more. I need to say the last bit needs a trigger warning for on-page sex and gorey fights, but it's nothing too gruesome. Overall, I liked what it could have been more than what it was, and loved the ending.

As soon as Eloise arrives at Le Château du Paradis, she learns that there are a lot of rules to stay and work as Paradise's gardener. There will be no gossiping, no venturing outside at dusk, and no children allowed at Paradise. While wary of some of the rules, she decides it's worth it to leave her life behind her and live amongst the flowers.

Plus, to her, she hopes that the lack of children might make her life easier after trying, unsuccessfully, to get pregnant and to adopt a child.

As much as she loves her new life, especially the flowers and her coworkers turned friends, she quickly grows to question Paradise as she finds new mysteries and dangers behind the locked walls.

The Alchemy of Flowers definitely has moments of darkness, especially when the employees of Paradise share what brought them there. There's also found family, the magic of flowers, romance, and a mystery that kept calling me back to the pages. While I didn't totally love parts of the ending, I still wholeheartedly recommend this book!

Okay this was bea-utiful!! I love me a dark fantasy vibe and this did not disappoint. I was captivated by the French culture, as I’ve always been interested in it throughout school. I want to own a physical copy of this book now!! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the chance to read an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.