While the summary does mention a “broken woman,” and that the MC is “exhausted by fruitless attempts to start a family,” I had NO IDEA how obsessive this book would be on the topics of child loss, infertility, and the breaking of a marriage because of it. I have no relationship with these themes, I cannot tell you if this is a story in which someone would find solace. But I find it sad, very, very tragic, and very unsettling. This theme pervades all aspects of the story and language, I can’t tell you that I would have picked this up if I’d known it the extent to which this book hyper focuses on these topics. The obsession with the MC’s pregnancy, other women’s relationship with fertility, and the frequent use of the adjective “fertile” for both the garden and women, gives Red Pill/trad-wives/incel vibes and just ick.

This aspect of the story and the undercurrent of obsession with "woman-as-creator", made this book incredibly unappealing to me. The idea of nature-magic and talking to the language- a literal language of flowers- and “flower witches” has appeal,l but it’s overwhelmed by the infertility theme. The magic is also so loosely woven that it doesn’t really hold up against the other issues. 

Like others, I’m very annoyed with the cliched use of French terms throughout the novel in a way that feels very touristy and ineffective. The language deployment feels like something from a Duolingo lesson, not native French. 


Overall, I cannot recommend this book. This review is provided in exchange for the free ARC from NetGalley.

This book combines themes of found family, overcoming trauma, magical gardens and folklore into an intriguing read.
I would say there are definitely potentially triggering themes such as child loss, sexual assault, cancer and trafficking however I think they are covered in a considerate way. With the author saying that some of the themes extend from her personal experiences.

This book focuses on a French garden where there are a few set rules to be able to work there, including a no children rule. Which attracts the FMC as she has struggled with infertility. She meets a group of people inside the walls and they quickly become close and into their own family. As everyone has their own trauma that brought them to the garden they bond and quickly realise things aren’t as good as they seem.

The folklore and magic influences within the garden keep you wondering whether things were real and due to the properties of the plants or whether they were just magic.

I will definitely be recommending this book.

The setting is a beautiful fairytale environment, but it is filled with broken people and secrets. Would you choose paradise if all you had to do was follow certain rules? Eloise has answered a want ad to try to heal her broken heart, in paradise. Will the price of following the rules cost her what is left of her sanity?

The Alchemy of Flowers is one of those rare novels that pulls you into its world with such a gentle, hypnotic force, you almost don’t realize how deeply it’s enveloping you until you’re completely lost in its pages. The novel is both haunting and deeply heartwarming, and it perfectly captures the idea that healing doesn’t happen all at once, but in small, almost imperceptible moments. It’s beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and just the right amount of magical.

3.25/5

Loves: The cover and description of this book pulled me in and hooked me on trying this book. I loved the ideas behind this story! The flower magic/communication has a lot of potential and the last bit of the book was fast paced and tense. I felt for Eloise and her healing journey. The mystery little girl was a highlight!

Struggles: The relationship between E and R felt off, I’m not sold on that plot point. I wish Mina and Bao had more depth to their characters. The French phrases sometimes felt forced.

I’m so thankful to have been able to read this ARC!

The Alchemy of Flowers is a curious and intoxicating blend of mystery, tragedy and magical realism.

Resau’s prose is beautifully lyrical and creates an immersive atmosphere, sometimes fragrant and peaceful, other times tragic and violent. It makes for a compelling and unique reading experience, and I found myself hooked, enjoying the twists and turns of this strange garden.

The Secret Garden is one of my favourite books and to some degree it carries a similar mix of gothic and beauty. I think it’s a wonderful read for fans of authors such as Sarah Addison Allen. To note - While impactful, the storyline is a a heavy one, and some readers may like to check triggers about infant loss and infertility before diving into this read.

Thank you to the publishers for an advanced copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Alchemy of Flowers is a beautifully written, lyrical exploration of grief, transformation, and the quiet power of nature—but it didn’t entirely bloom for me.

Laura Resau’s prose is undeniably poetic. The imagery is lush, the symbolism rich, and the emotional undercurrents run deep. There’s a dreamy, almost meditative quality to the story that makes it feel like wandering through a garden at twilight—soft, introspective, and tinged with mystery.

That said, the slow pacing and abstractness sometimes made it hard to stay grounded. I often felt like I was floating through the book rather than being rooted in it. The characters are compelling but somewhat elusive, and while the themes are powerful, they occasionally felt more suggested than fully explored.

It’s a book that asks for patience and reflection—perfect for readers who love gentle, poetic narratives that prioritize mood over momentum. I appreciated it more than I connected with it, but there’s definitely beauty here for the right reader.

Be prepared for a slow burn -- especially at the start. While I ended up really enjoying this book, I did almost DNF it about a quarter of the way in. I thought that the supernatural/mystery element was going to occur a lot sooner than when it did, so for a second I thought that maybe I misunderstood what this book was going to be like. However, once we got into the thick of it, it became extremely enjoyable. Love the characters and I really appreciated the plot twist. Eloise is such a sympathetic lead and I enjoyed going through the journey with her.

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

When I saw this book marketed as The Secret Garden with magic, I thought it would be a somewhat light hearted read (although, the Secret Garden does have quite a bit of sadness and heavy content) but this book ended up being something much deeper. It discusses infertility and can be a hard read. It's still beautiful and magical but much much heavier and more grown up than the beloved classic it's related to. A great read, but be prepared for heartache!

This just wasn’t one that I could get into or relate to the main character at all. I had no idea being childless and having fertility issues was such a huge point of the story. It’s pretty much all that makes up Eloise as a character. The mysterious garden was sort of interesting but very disjointed and I. Opulent being myself to care what the end story was for it.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I'll be honest; I wasn't sure that this book was going to be for me. It's kind of gothic but in this bright beautiful setting in a luxurious flower garden in the south of France, and I just wasn't sure it was going to work. I'm glad I stuck with it though because it turned out to be completely captivating. I loved the garden employees and the found family they formed, and the descriptions of both the flowers and the food were exquisite and worth the read alone. Eloise is a sympathetic heroine over all; although I did find her slightly tedious at times. This does feel, as the book description implies, like an adult version of "The Secret Garden," but with many elements that make it entirely its own. I would recommend it to readers who like both mystery and whimsy with a whole lot of atmosphere and some difficult themes thrown into the mix. I will put forth the warning, however, that there are things in this book that could be troubling to some readers. Be sure to read the description before reading.

The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau is a gentle, atmospheric novel set in a secluded French garden filled with mystery, memory, and just a touch of magic. The premise immediately caught my attention—a grieving woman seeking healing through gardening, drawn into the secrets of a lush, walled estate known as Jardins du Paradis.

Resau’s writing is undeniably beautiful. She paints the setting with such vivid detail that you can almost smell the lavender and hear the whispering leaves. The novel blends elements of magical realism with emotional healing in a way that feels soft and contemplative rather than overtly fantastical.

However, while the atmosphere was stunning, the pacing was quite slow. The story took a while to find its rhythm, and I found myself waiting for a deeper emotional pull that never fully arrived. The characters, particularly Eloise, were sympathetic, but I never felt entirely invested in their journeys. There were moments of beauty and insight, but they were scattered between longer stretches that felt repetitive or subdued.

That said, there’s something soothing about the way Resau allows the story to unfold like a slow-growing vine—deliberate and delicate. Readers who enjoy introspective narratives, character-driven plots, and immersive settings will likely appreciate this novel far more.

In the end, The Alchemy of Flowers didn’t fully bloom for me, but I still admired its beautiful cover, quiet elegance and the comfort it offers to readers looking for solace and slowness in a chaotic world.

An Alchemy of Flowers was, unsurprisingly, a perfect read for spring. It was whimsical, mysterious, and enchanting. The writing style was flowery and descriptive, which allowed the author to beautifully paint the atmosphere and the sense of whimsy throughout the story. For me the writing was the strongest part — I highlighted so many lines that were just so stunning. There was a light thread of magic woven throughout the story that added such a nice touch. This book explored grief, new beginnings, and found family wonderfully.

I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC - I’m leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own.

As a rule I do all I can to not DNF an ARC. I value and appreciate the opportunity to read this book but I couldn’t get through it. Between the cover and the concept of magical realism with secret garden vibes while tackling the topic of infertility, the idea of this book really spoke to me. Sadly I cannot continue and had to DNF at 15%.

The writing came off as repetitive and immature. At 15% nothing had really happened and the characters were very one-dimensional. There was also a LOT of discussion of toilets and poop? I was shocked at the way the MFC talked about herself, saying she’d entered “cronehood” at 37 and had “let her body go.” She described her own wardrobe as shabby, hated her unshaved legs and “ragged toenails, expressed not using any anti aging cream or makeup because who was there to impress? With that kind of view on womanhood, and my own current situation with infertility, for the sake of my mental health I knew it was best to put this book down.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins for the e ARC!

This book is 1 of 2 6 star reads that I have read in 2025 so far! It has taken me a few days to fully process this incredible book and give it the review it deserves! *****spoilers ahead******



As someone who has suffered pregancey loss and whose best friend continues to suffer with infertility this book hit me in a way that I wasnt expecting! I love that Paradise Garden becomes a place of healing and recovery for our three main characters both through the medicinal and almost magical quality of the plants and through their relationships with each other ( I am a sucker for found family). And El Patronne who has created this entire almost other worldly place is the only one who doesnt seem to heal along with the others. This book adresses loss and trauma and grief in such a beautiful and unique way while also keeping a whimsical and magical vibe! I have already recommend this book to my friends!

The Alchemy of Flowers is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant novel that intertwines themes of love, loss, and the power of nature. The story centers around a botanist who, in her quest to understand the secrets of flowers, finds herself grappling with her own personal and emotional struggles. The novel is rich in botanical imagery and metaphor, weaving the beauty and fragility of flowers into the characters’ journeys, making nature itself an integral part of the narrative.

The writing is lush and evocative, drawing readers into a world where the language of flowers holds profound significance. The prose is poetic, creating an immersive experience that is both visually striking and emotionally impactful. The relationship between the protagonist and those around her is intricately developed, revealing layers of complexity and vulnerability.

The Alchemy of Flowers is a deeply thoughtful and touching novel. Its atmospheric writing and introspective character arcs will appeal to readers who enjoy literary fiction and stories centered on personal growth and healing.

The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau is a beautiful exploration of the healing power of nature and the intricate connections between humans and the world around us. Using heartfelt narratives, relatable characters and poetic storytelling, it's easy to get swept away in our protagonist Eloise's enchanting and spiritual journey.

Eloise lands a job in Paris as a gardener, leaving her old home and life behind. Eloise finds sanctuary and friendship within the gardens she's tasked to look after. When that newfound peace is threatened, Eloise must decide whether to look the other way or risk her fragile heart in order to uncover the truth.

The book is an exquisite blend of vibrant prose and vivid imagery. The descriptions of the the teas and the flowers are so well done that they feel tangible for the reader. Every tincture and piece of whispered advice felt real and genuine.

The symbolism and folklore explored in the use of the various flowers throughout the story helps to support the themes of acceptance, growth and resilience. Resau has created a story that encourages readers to connect with the earth and themselves in a way that feels grounding and meditative.

Readers should be aware that there are themes of loss and infertility throughout the book. Having experienced my own infertility journey that lead to growing our family through adoption, Eloise's story really resonates. There are lines directly in this book that I have spoken to myself, to friends and to my child. It was truly an emotional experience to feel so seen by a book that is also so beautifully written.

In conclusion, The Alchemy of Flowers is not just a book—it’s an experience. Laura Resau has created a masterpiece that nourishes the soul and reminds us of the transformative magic found in the natural world.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an ARC of this book.

This book is enchanting. I have been reading Laura Resau's books since she published her first middle-grades novel. Thus, it was a little unsettling to read about sex and see the constant use of the word "merde" but the rest of the book is a dream. The descriptions of the magical, specially built houses are out-of-this-world, as are those of the flowers and teas. She has created a world that I want to visit (minus Antoinette), and gotten me (as a former horticulture professor) interested in learning much more about floral teas and cures.

Ms. Resau is truly a master of magical realism!

If I was asked to pitch The Alchemy of Flowers to you I'd say it felt a bit like a Riley Sager and Sarah Addison Allen Mashup. That's to say, it features sparkling and evocative magic realism that runs alongside a dark and propulsion mystery.

Readers follow Eloise, a woman who's chosen to walk away from her life by accepting an intriguing and mysterious gardening position in France. Upon arrival she soon discovers a healing and haunting sanctuary brimming with mystery and found family. When sinister forces threaten her new utopia, Eloise must decide if she'll turn a blind eye or risk her newly healed heart in the pursuit of truth.

I consider myself an atmosphere over plot reader and this certainly delivered in the atmosphere department! The Garden and it's inhabitants are penned in such a resonate and authentic way. I could taste every brewed herbal tisane, feel every fluttering breeze, and hear the chorus of flowers whispering guidance to Eloise. The love that builds between the gardens caretakers stands as a brilliant ode to found family and the people who truly see us. The sinister/plotty bits of the story played their parts just fine, moving the story along at a nice pace, but they played second fiddle to the world building for me.
All in all, The Alchemy of Flowers left me curious of what the next offering will be from this author. She's definitely someone who weaves a story worthy of notice.

It's worth noting that the MC's healing journey revolves around an intense and visceral infertility struggle. As a child-free (by choice) woman, I invite the opportunity to build my own empathy surrounding such struggles. However, I was disappointed that in a handful of instances, it felt as if the author was implying that becoming a mother was the only sacred and fulfilling path for a woman to choose opposed to saying it was the only sacred and fulfilling path for Eloise. I think the latter approach would have made this story more inclusive, as in those moments, I did personally feel like the story wasn't meant for me.

Adult Fantasy
Found family
Diverse
Heart-warming
Whimsical
No spice

A plaster for the soul.

Eloise leaves behind so much pain and suffering after giving up on herself for failing to stay pregnant after many miscarriages. She finds herself in her new life in paradise surrounded by her new found friends who each came to paradise to heal from their own personal trauma.

I absolutely loved this book with its fantastic world and delightful characters. The writing was very good and I could not put this book down. I could relate to some of the issues the main character went through so for me it was as if I was drinking her tea.

This book I would recommend to a more mature reader. It is a must read in my opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in the review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the e-Arc.