The Alchemy of Flowers AUDIO by Laura Resau was on the one hand, intriguing, and on the other, a little too woo-woo for me. Eloise is broken, her husband gone and her dream of having a child, gone as well. She burned up her life in Colorado (literally) and accepted a job as a gardener at a mansion in France. There she finds three other people and the very odd representative of the Patron, her unseen employer. Slowly she heals, essentially due to the other people there, each of whom have their own stories, and the flowers and herbs in the garden, including the tisanes she brews and those brewed by her predecessor. As she rises out of her fog, she becomes curious about the garden and the very odd rules laid down for the residents by the Patron. The others seem to just accept the oddities but Eloise cannot and it gets her in trouble.

The characters, personalities, and backstories of the three other residents slowly reveal themselves and they open up as Eloise opens up to them. One of the rules disallows children and yet she sees a small, almost feral child, and eventually gets to know her. The mystery of the place gets solved quite by accident and in a pretty dangerous way, but it continues the healing process for all of them. It is a curious mix of danger and calm. The characters are all interesting and well-developed. The mystery is truly a mystery and for what reason? Are there bodies involved? Yes. Are all of them explained? Not really. Had to keep listening. I was mesmerized.

The narrator is Cassandra Campbell, who made the whole thing eerier with her calm and almost monotone reading, although she did come alive as things got solved. An interesting voice to a very interesting story.

I was invited to listen to The Alchemy of Flowers by Harper Muse Audio. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Negalley #HarperMuseAudio #CassandraCampbell #LauraResau #TheAlchemyOfFlowers

Review revised: 7/21/2025

I had the pleasure of rereading this fantastical book in audio format as an accelerated listener copy (ALC) six months after the initial read, so I wanted to revise my review and also speak to the narration.
In short, it is PHENOMENAL. @CassandraCampbell (who audio listeners may recognize from Where the Crawdads Sing) did the impossible by pumping even MORE magic into an already wondrous story. Cassandra adds the most perfect accent to all of the French in the book. She also brings every character to life with a unique voice and accent for each. The listener never has to wonder or question who is speaking or if it’s an inner thought or something spoken out loud. The narration is flawless.
The audio truly enhances the reading experience, especially if you take the immersive route and listen while you read.
If you enjoy consuming your books via audio, or if you just want to know how all of the French in the book is properly pronounced, I highly highly recommend adding the audio to your collection. You will not be disappointed!

What an absolute gem! If I could describe this book in just three words, they would be the following:

MAGICAL, POWERFUL, & BEAUTIFUL.

The description of this book promises magic, mystery, and wonder, and not only does it deliver in a spectacular mesmerizing fashion, but it also unexpectedly gives you SO much more. Besides what is advertised, The Alchemy of Flowers enwraps you in a wondrous story of grief, loss, and the power of love and healing.

We follow Eloise as she flees from her broken life in Colorado to the hidden gardens of Le Château du Paradis, a castle in a small village in Southern France. Within the walls of the magical Gardens of Paradise, Eloise manages not only to heal the shattered pieces of her soul, but find everything she didn’t know her heart was seeking. Love, forgiveness, friendship, a new found family, and even adventure.

The world the author creates is as enchanting as it sounds. The descriptions of the gardens, the smells, the lighting, and even the food enjoyed in the book draw the reader in and make you feel like you are there experiencing it all. The mystery will have you wondering what parts are magical and what parts are paranormal.The loss and pain Eloise expresses are so raw they’re almost tangible and not for the faint of heart. The Alchemy of Flowers is the kind of book that will rip your heart out and neatly put it back together again. Also, if diversity and inclusivity is important to you as a reader, you will not be disappointed. Laura Resau always has a good mixture of cultures and backgrounds in her stories, and this book is no exception.

As I do strive to be completely honest with my reviews I would like to mention a couple of things. First, the pacing is extremely slow at the beginning of the book. There is a lot of mystery in the story as a whole, as well as essential information about the side characters the reader needs to learn about. We are fed the information and clues in the form of teeny tiny breadcrumbs and it does take quite a bit of time to learn everything we as the reader needs to know in order to put the pieces together and solve the mystery. I did become frustrated not knowing more sooner, and even misjudged some of the characters because I didn’t understand their motives until much later in the book. However, once you learn the important details, the story takes off and will have you reeling and reading nonstop until the very end.

Secondly, I strongly believe this book should have a trigger warning. The story being told in this book is an extremely important one, however as powerful as it may be, it is my opinion that the reader should be made aware of what they are getting themselves into as the topic highlighted in this book by the main character may very possibly be triggering to some readers.

SPOILER ALERT AHEAD: If you would like to go into this book completely blind, please discontinue the review here.

The main topic highlighted in this book is infertility. The main character suffers from endometriosis and experiences numerous miscarriages which lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. A lot of this is described in heartbreaking detail. It gives great depth to the mental state and emotional pain experienced, and really forces the reader to empathize with everything the main character goes through. Because of this, I feel that it is important to highlight this in the description of the book, or list trigger warnings at the beginning of the story. If you are someone that is not triggered by infertility, miscarriages, or mentions of suicidal thoughts, this is a beautiful and profound story of acceptance, and the ability to heal.
I never skip the author notes and acknowledgments at the end of the books I read, and this one had me in tears. Thank you Laura for sharing such a vulnerable part of your life, and for the beautiful story you told.

Thank you to @NetGalley, @Harpermuse, but especially to @LauraResau for the opportunity to read this book in advance of its release on July 29th, 2025.
All thoughts expressed here are my own.

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!

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.

When Eloise leaves her Colorado home to board a plane for a new, suddenly acquired, job in the south of France, flight is precisely what she’s after. Her marriage has ended, partly because of her infertility. She has distanced herself from her parents. She has lost her best friend. Not surprisingly, she is wrapped up in a depression with deep undercurrents of grief at the thought of never being able to have a baby. When she is offered the head gardener position at the remote Jardins du Paradis, she grasps at the chance to leave everything behind. She has no real faith that things will get better.

Eloise feels herself a stranger, unknown to her self, her body, her world. The people she meets from her first moment in France are also strange in varying degrees. The owner is known only as La Patronne. The female overseer, Antoinette, is the gatekeeper in every sense. She has the only set of keys and guards everything and everyone, living in the ancient castle on-site with her two younger—and decidedly strange—sisters. There is a long list of intractable rules about socializing inside the walled garden as well as outside in the tiny village beyond. No guests are welcome. No children are permitted. There is no Internet or cellphone service or personal telephones in the strange individual cabins where Eloise and her three colleagues will reside. Is this a paradise garden or a prison camp?

Also strange is the fact that it takes Eloise so long to question what she has gotten herself into. I hear warning bells almost constantly, yet she, an anxious and unsettled young woman by her own admission, hears and sees nothing strange. It helps that she forms a remarkably quick bond with them. Mina is a warm and open-hearted Senegalese woman who is writing a book on world religions. She serves as cook and housekeeper. Bao is a Vietnamese scientist; he ‘fixes’ all things mechanical. Raphael is a French Adonis, charming, captivating, and kind, and something of a stereotype. He is a ´bricoleur,’ a do-it-yourself guy who builds all kinds of things to keep the gardens running smoothly and the crew comfortable. Eloise quickly refers to him, even to his face, as ‘mon bricoleur.’

For all her reserve and despair, Eloise transforms almost instantly into an open-hearted, emotionally available, highly romantic and sexually awakened woman. In fact, although she thinks a lot about the loving bonds of friends and family, especially the new family she has found, I think her real revival is sexual—getting past viewing sex as reproduction to viewing it as a form of self fulfillment in itself, without the baby-making part. All of this, and much else in her new daily experiences, is firmly grounded in garden metaphors, myth, folklore, superstition and magic.
She finds that she can hear the flowers speaking to her, comforting and advising her. She can whisper back and make them grow.

The others have their own mysterious gifts in this regard: they can turn foraged plant life into gourmet food, delicious liqueurs, refreshing teas, healing tinctures. So immersed is Eloise in this garden magic that her occasional sightings of an ethereal little girl, always just beyond reach in the forest, lead her to believe that the child is a wood sprite. The magical realism is enticing, and turns frightening when Antoinette reveals her dark side.

All this develops very slowly, and Eloise spends a lot of time in her own head, with the sole point of view and the first person narration reinforcing that effect. Much of her pondering is about Eloise herself. She thinks about her body constantly, about how the garden has improved it, about her breasts and flat abdomen are not symbols of her failed femininity but worthy of reverence nonetheless. This fits the alchemy theme, but it gets a bit tedious. So do the book’s continual merde references. The alchemy here is mostly about turning merde into gold, or at least compost into flowers. But there are so many such allusions and exclamations that they start to prompt eye-rolling.

Although the writing about the garden is often lush and poetic, the characters seem rather one-dimensional. Eloise’s attempt to use shared suffering to bring people closer gives them each the space to tell their stories. But the stories are self-limited; what they initially withhold is revealed in bits and pieces, here and there, throughout the novel’s first three-quarters. This also leads to repetition, especially in Eloise’s backstory. Then everything gushes forward rapidly in the last quarter. Much of what appeared to be magic is discovered to be human greed.

There is much to like in this mixture of environmental history, myth, folklore and goddess-worship, all of which are intrinsically interesting. I’ve already noted the quality of the writing, and the inimitable Cassandra Campbell’s narration is first-rate as always.
I would give this a 3.5 if half marks were permitted.

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. Cassandra Campbell's audio narration really brings this world to life.

Content warning: discussion of infertility and pregnancy loss.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperMuse Audiobooks for providing an eALC 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.

The narration on audio added another layer of richness to the reading experience, especially with the French woven throughout. It deepened my immersion in the setting and helped bring the atmosphere to life.

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.

🌿✨Mystery, magic, and myth wrapped in blooms.

Alchemy of Flowers is a beautifully written, heart-wrenching tale that weaves together the pain of infertility, the allure of paradise, and the ancient magic hidden in nature’s blooms. Resau paints a lush, intoxicating world where grief and longing take root in soil rich with secrets. There’s a gentle mystery, a touch of the mythical, and a thread of healing that feels both fragile and powerful.

A story about what is lost, what can be found, and how sometimes the most broken hearts bloom in the most unexpected places. Haunting, hopeful, and infused with quiet magic—this book lingers long after the final page.

The narrator did a beautiful job bringing this story to life, her French was beautiful and really made me feel every emotion, every heartbreak, and every grain of hope!

Thank you Netgalley for the ALC in return for my honest review.

Thank you Harper Muse for the Netgalley ARC and Harper Muse Audio for the ALC.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audiobook: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


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.

Laura Resau’s debut is part fantasy, part romance, and part mystery, set in an enchanting secret garden.

This was an easy listen, although the plot progression was a bit slow at times. Resau does an excellent job immersing readers in the French castle garden setting. The lush, haunting imagery of The Secret Garden paired with the whimsical talking flowers a la Alice in Wonderland give it a nostalgic charm. The mystery is set up well enough to build some intrigue, although its conclusion fell short for me.

The story is told from the first person perspective of Eloise, an American woman in her late thirties, consumed by grief after suffering multiple miscarriages, a failed adoption, and divorce. She accepts a mysterious job offer at a secretive French garden estate. There, she meets the rest of the staff, all of whom have their own experiences of loss and trauma involving children.

Although I enjoyed the characters at surface level, they lacked adequate depth. Their stories are adequately compelling, but the characters’ personalities are not explored much beyond those stories. Other than a few minor details, their dialogue and contributions to the plot are not very distinguishable from one another. Unfortunately, this amounts to an entire cast of characters who are very much defined by their traumas.

Despite its shortcomings, I eagerly devoured this book in one sitting. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, engaging read—with just a little sprinkle of spice—set in a world you can easily lose yourself in.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I didn't find any of the characters in this book particularly likeable and I found the reveal to be unsatisfactory.

A very interesting and different read!
And, the author is new, as this is HER FIRST BOOK! So, keep your eyes 👀 open for more from her!!!

*** Please note: THIS HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED!! DUE OUT 7/29/25! ***

Eloise has been going through a rough patch in her life. She was married. They were desperately trying to have a baby. Seems like she was unable to carry to full term…. and her husband was a piece of work…. The marriage did not last.

So, when she hears about a job in France…far from home (USA), and kind of reclusive, BUT, surrounded by flowers and peace… well, she jumps on the chance, and gets accepted for the job! Once there she realizes that she might just be in a bit over her head, as there are a lot of rules to be followed….

But she carries on, and comes to really care for the people she’s working alongside, as well as the gardens and the ‘castle’ they’re living in! And…she begins to heal! ❤️

Just as all of this is coming together, other things begin to unfurl, and she’s placed in an unimaginable position… where she needs to choose… and someone’s life depends on her making the right choices! 😮😫

And, that’s it! 🛑🛑 I’m stopping right there! 🛑🛑

If this sounds like one you might enjoy, please give it a chance! To me, it was definitely worth the read!! (It was actually a bit healing for me too, as I was going through a very rough week..last week.)

#TheAlchemyOfFlowers by @LauraResau and narrated nicely by @CassandraCampbell.

Sweet ✅
Sorrowful ✅
Somewhat magical ✅
Friends supporting friends ✅
Good versus evil ✅

*** THIS ONE HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED!! PLEASE LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON JULY 29, 2025!!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarperMuseAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

I loved this book and recommended to a friend even before I finished reading it. It was romantic and mysterious and just really comfortable even when you had to sit in the pain and suffering of the characters.

To be published July 29, 2025- Thanks to Netgalley for the early ARC.

Eloise takes a chance, she's in desperate need of a change when she comes across a work advertisement in a magazine to tend to a secretive French Garden. It's magnificent, quiet, and while the rules seem a bit strange- Eloise is relieved to be there.
Eloise is enchanted, by the flowers and the company and is healing from the life she left behind. The groundskeeper is cute and they keep sneaking moments, the master of the house is strange and keeps repeating the no children rule, which Eloise can follow-until she thinks she starts seeing a small child running through the woods. Things start to shift into a magical realism kind of vibe at this point and Eloise starts looking for clarity.
It quickly becomes a found family, cozy book for awhile with some excitement at the end. Slight violence but nothing too gory.
The narration was magnificent and kept up well with the flowery writing style.


This would be a great pickup for anyone who loved the Secret Garden as a child.

The Alchemy of Flowers is set up with an intriguing premise--live as a caretaker of a mysterious garden, a magical paradise, and all your needs will be met...but don't break the rules.

I found the narration effective and enjoyed hearing the elements of the French language spoke (though, as someone who doesn't speak French I can't comment on the actual translations/content). I loved the eerie gothic vibes, like the strange statues, the poison garden, and the mysterious assistant.

I enjoyed the magical elements of this story, but sometimes found them at odds with the writing. It felt jarring when the main character would refer to her "LBD" when she was choosing her outfit, for example, and the letter from Amber was so absurdly over-the-top that it was hard to take any of her concerns seriously. The ending, too, felt incongruent with the tone of the rest of the book and I felt unprepared for it.

There is much discussion about fertility and pregnancy loss, and while I appreciate their inclusion and how they shaped the main character's story, they often felt incredibly heavy-handed. I think a little more nuance and finesse here might have made Eloise's healing journey more sympathetic.

Overall, an interesting read but not necessarily a book I'd pick up again or recommend to friends.

A wonderfully immersive story, and beautiful detailed descriptions of the gardens of Paradise. Magical and aromatic. Thank you NetGalley.

Thank you to the book’s publisher and NetGalley for the ARC digital copy. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

The book’s description sounded promising and I was excited to begin reading. Unfortunately, the ARC audiobook was just not enjoyable to me and I chose to DNF, I may try the print version at sometime in the future.

3 stars out of respect for the author.

My thanks for the audio ARC goes to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audio. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Women's Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Fantasy, General Fiction
Spice Level: Fade-to-black sex scenes and not overly descriptive mention of masturbation
Language: Includes French phrases and swearing, especially sh*t related to the mc's job as a gardener
Representation: Gay person, Different races, Mental Illness
Narration: I loved the narrator
Content: Frankly discusses infertility and sex

THE ALCHEMY OF FLOWERS, a garden of secrets and lies, caught me in its web.

This book is compared to The Secret Garden, and I can see it because of the isolation, garden, and family secrets. I enjoyed the nod to mythology and the creepy setting—the gothic elements are incredible. Setting the book with an American in a castle in France increased the isolation that worked very well.

I loved how Eloise is figuring out herself as she's trying to fit into this special garden. She pushes against the mysteries as she takes control of her life. The book also explores the roles of women that makes this book very relatable. I loved the flowers, the escalating danger, and the climax was handled incredibly well.

This is an intriguing novel, and I recommend it.

Happy reading!

THE ALCHEMY OF FLOWERS is a whimsical little story that lives within the realm of magical realism. Thank you @netgalley and @harpermuse for my early reading and listening copies, of Laura Resau’s novel, out today!

Eloise has struggled with infertility and her family has broken as a result of this. She finds the Chateau du Paradis exceptionally appealing because it is a place for her to heal, and children are forbidden, so she doesn’t have that deep sadness looming over her.

On the property are flowers of various uses, from whimsical to dangerous, along with a few residents which Eloise befriends.

As her time at the Chateau progresses, she begins to notice other perplexing oddities, and even feels as if she sees a little girl.

She begins learning that her friends are all there working through their own deep sadnesses and remorses, much like Eloise is.

What she learns about her friends and the mysterious little girl pushes Eloise to grow, putting her past behind her and ultimately step forward doing what she knows needs to be done.

I like this novel, the character growth and the whimsicalness of the storyline. If you like magical realism, you will enjoy this!

I see where the story is going and the writing style is beautiful. It just unfortunately did not capture my attention and I DNFed. I think it was more of a not for me than anything.