I loved the (mostly) slow pacing and the setting of a calm French countryside. I didn't like Eloise at first. She initially seems to be caught under the weight of beauty standards that affect her self worth and esteem. I wanted her to learn that 37 isn't old and that growing older is a privilege, not a curse. But as you get to know more about her life and what brought her to France, she grew on me. As someone with endometriosis, I found this representation incredibly well done. It isn't the focus of the story, but it has shaped Eloise's character in ways that can't be undone. Her bitterness toward her body made more sense and her resentment of having a chronic illness, especially around people who don't, was relatable. She's haunted by her infertility and is still mourning her old life and the future she can't have. She's already learned how to live with the physical pain, but the emotional pain is still throwing her for a loop. Her arc is focused on learning to love again through the pain (both humans and life) in a body that betrayed her deepest desire. I enjoyed the book more and more as it progressed and Eloise unpacks her trauma and connects with the other characters. The last chapters went wild in a way that had me on the edge of my seat!

CW: Alcohol, infertility, chronic illness, pregnancy, miscarriage/abortion, ageism, fatphobia. fire, diet culture, snakes mentioned, swearing, self harm ideation, grief/loss, emesis, poison, sexual content, blood, trauma, cancer, death/murder, rape mentioned, violence

This summer, I found myself utterly enchanted by The Alchemy of Flowers, a debut that blooms with magic, mystery, and the quiet power of second chances.

📚 At a Glance: Eloise Bourne arrives at the secretive French gardens of Le Château du Paradis, where strict rules guard hidden wonders. No gossip. No dusk wanderings. And no children... until a mysterious girl appears among the vines. As Eloise unearths the estate’s secrets, she rediscovers her capacity for hope, healing, and fierce love.

✨ Why I Adored It:

Fairytale Realism: The prose glimmers like morning dew, each bloom feels alive under Lucy’s pen.

Garden as Character: From rose arbors to moonlit greenhouses, the setting pulses with secrets you can almost smell.

Heartfelt Growth: Eloise’s journey, letting go of past hurts and opening her heart, will stay with you long after the last page.

Perfect Pacing: Gentle suspense and lush description balance in a story that feels both timeless and wholly fresh.

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.

The Alchemy of Flowers offers sensory richness and emotional depth wrapped in a dreamy, gothic style reminiscent of childhood fairy tale films. It may not satisfy readers seeking fast-paced stories. However, for those who enjoy vivid settings, stories of emotional healing, and magical realism mixed with grief, it's a highly rewarding read. Set inside the walls of a mysterious, enchanted garden where children are never allowed, a group of strangers quickly bonds and helps each other heal from their traumas. All while living in a mysterious estate that comes to life thanks to Resau's beautiful descriptions of everything from tree houses, showers, and meals to compost and oubliettes, all bathed in a hazy golden light. This is an excellent example of a cozy thriller, perfect for those who enjoy lyrical writing, layered characters, and an immersive setting.

I loved the feel of this book. It was mesmerizing and magical with some mystery. I loved the characters and description of the area. I would love to visit the garden! I liked how each character had their story and reason for being there and that was what really brought them all together.

I enjoyed the narration and the characters were well done/spoken for.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book on exchange for an honest review.

To be honest, this book was not what I was expecting it to be. Despite the interesting promises made in the blurb,I found myself struggling to finish and often needing to take breaks due to boredom. I also felt no connection to the characters, aside from Eloise. I recognize that this does not mean the book is bad, but it certainly wasn't good for me.

Lovely writing, at least, salvaged The Alchemy of Flowers from being a complete wash.

If you are expecting fantasy, mystery, and intrigue. This is not the book for that.

However, if you enjoy slow, introspective works about a woman finding love again after divorce and struggles with infertility, with a somewhat magical background to that narrative, then you would love this book.

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 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. I thought the narrator was perfect for this novel and gave perfect pronunciation for the French as well!

Rating: 4⭐️/5

4.5⭐️ This was a really good read. The beginning was like “IT’S A CULT!”, and I couldn’t help but want to see where the story went. I was very engaged as one thing kept leading to another. The flow of the story was so well done. 5⭐️narration from Cassandra Campbell. It always thrills me to have diversity in the characters and to hear it through the narration.

Eloise is a broken woman. She tried to be the perfect wife and become a mother. But with every attempt, a child never happened for her. Slowly, everything was falling apart. Her marriage and even being at her own job was growing too difficult. Haunted by the dream of a child she always wanted.

One day, Eloise finds an ad in a gardening magazine with an opportunity. It was a chance to start over with no children allowed. All she will have to do is tend the garden of Paradise and follow the rules. Eloise will join three others in a very isolated garden as they are discouraged from all forms of the local community and their family/friends of their old lives. This is an opportunity for healing. But there’s something dark lurking that Eloise can’t seem to shake. Will she be able to handle the secrets of Paradise.

Thank you @netgalley @harpermusebooks and @lauraresau for the advanced listener copy.

absolutely fell in love with this book. I loved every aspect of this book, the setting, the characters, the mysteries. I think the author and narrator both did an amazing job and I'm so glad I read this book!!

Perfect for flower enthusiasts and fans of cozy fantasy, with a dash of mystery and healing from grief.

The Alchemy of Flowers follows Eloise, a woman who has nothing after multiple miscarriages and getting left by her husband. She chooses to shovel shit for the world's more beautiful garden in France, where children are banned and there's no contact with the outside world.

I enjoyed most of the Alchemy of Flowers - I think it nails the cozy vibe, with lots of description of the land and flowers and a cast that becomes a great found family. Eloise's grief is ever-present, which isn't a bad thing but I was getting tired with how often she would explain that she loves children but hates seeing them, other mothers, and feels she's a failure purely because she cannot give birth to a child. For me, it was too much. The mystery is intriguing throughout the story, but I would like more of the supernatural elements to NOT be explained away. Eloise can talk to flowers, why can't there be ghosts?

Overall I recommend with a few only a few things that weren't perfect for me.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. Highly recommend. Kept my interest and cared about the characters.

The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau is a stunning masterpiece that beautifully intertwines themes of love, loss, and the healing power of nature. From the moment I opened the book, I was captivated by Resau’s lyrical prose and vivid imagery. The protagonist's journey of self-discovery, set against the backdrop of a lush botanical world, resonates deeply and speaks to the heart.

Resau's characters are vibrant and relatable, each with their unique struggles and triumphs. I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. The incorporation of flowers as a symbol of transformation and hope adds a magical element to the narrative, making it more than just a story; it feels like an enchanting experience.

The pacing is perfect, with a blend of introspection and action that kept me engaged throughout. Additionally, the themes of family, culture, and connection are thoughtfully explored, making this a rich and rewarding read.

I wholeheartedly recommend The Alchemy of Flowers to anyone who appreciates beautifully crafted stories that celebrate the human spirit and the healing essence of nature. This book deserves every bit of the five stars I’m giving it!

I listened to and read this book. Cassandra Campbell's narration was excellent. She brought life to the story and characters, and her French accent was excellent.

The story was a mix of magical realism and romance with some suspense and mystery. There was a lot of emotion, healing, and drama as infertility was a big part of the story.

The characters were multi-dimensional and interesting. The setting was vividly portrayed and made me long to be in a medieval garden estate in Provence. I really enjoyed the descriptions of food, tea, flowers, and lotions. The Garden felt like an additional character in the story, with its own unique personality.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story and the escape it provided.

Thank you UpLitreads, NetGalley, Harper Muse/Harper Collins, and Harper Muse Audiobooks for an advanced copy of this book.

Thank you to @uplitreads @harpermusebooks & @netgalley for the #gifted 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑨𝑳𝑪𝑯𝑬𝑴𝒀 𝑶𝑭 𝑭𝑳𝑶𝑾𝑬𝑹𝑺 𝒃𝒚 𝑳𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒂 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒂𝒖 published this week!

This is a story of loss, healing, community, and the choices we make in the midst of darkness all told with a sprinkling of magic and balm of nature.

Eloise has endured the worst kind of loss. When an "help wanted" ad appears for a gardener in a walled estate in the south of France, one with a clear message of NO CHILDREN ALLOWED, Eloise makes the leap, hoping for a reprieve from the unending pain she is feeling. The elusive owner is never to be seen, but she begins to make real connections to her fellow companions at this isolated and beautiful estate. She relishes the quiet moments where she can hear the flowers speaking to her again as they guide her to open up to some, and give warning to others. This tiny spot of paradise has secrets, however, in a little woodsprite girl, but also more sinister ones that threaten if the rules are not obeyed.

I was quite enveloped by the magical garden abilities, the atmospheric estate, the quiet and knowing friends, and even the underlying danger. As one who has chosen to be child-free, there was much here I did not personally understand as such, but this is why reading is so wonderful. This is a book that explores the emotions of losing a child (or children) before they've taken a breath, and it was done with such a raw tenderness. This is one of those stories that helps those of us who do not know, to hear and learn from a vulnerable source, hopefully to be more sensitive and caring to those who do know. It is a hope-filled story, despite its heavy themes.

I recommend this book to those who need a feel good story filled with a bit of whimsy and love.

I paired the physical copy, which has a map (I absolutely love a good map!), with the audio and it made for a lovely reading experience. Cassandra Campbell narrates and does a fine job with the cast of diverse characters, but really shines with the emotion of Eloise.

This was an interesting story. I loved all the flowers talking and having personalities in the world where this takes place. It was interesting to hear of all the concoctions they made with the flowers and plants and what they were able to use them for. There were some strange parts where the main character saw apparitions flying by and other strange things happening that she couldn't quite figure out. The way that the book ended was fitting, sweet and surprising.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc audiobook.

Exhausted by fruitless attempts to make a family, Eloise takes the chance of a lifetime to answer an ad in a French gardening magazine. To fly away from her life in the States and tend to both her shattered heart and the flowers of Paradise.

Eloise is definitely broken. She has struggled to find a balance after she is unable to conceive. So, this French gardening post is exactly what she needs…until it is not.

Eloise is a fascinating character. She can hear the flowers talking to her. This helps her on more than one occasion because she is not one to just accept things as they are. When she starts to ask questions at her new job, it does not sit well with “the management”. And trust me, she starts to uncover some amazing issues.

This novel has some very pretty prose. It is atmospheric and I could just picture the chateau and the gardens. Very picturesque! I also enjoyed the mystery surrounding this chateau and the strange rules.

The narrator, Cassandra Campbell, sounded like a native of France. She did a great job!

Need a novel with beautiful prose…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

I don’t usually gravitate toward fantasy, but the premise of The Alchemy of Flowers drew me in—a woman needing a fresh start accepts a mysterious gardening job at a secluded French estate. It had the promise of magic, healing, and a little escape, which sounded perfect.

What really worked for me was the setting. I’m not typically a fan of long scenic descriptions, but Le Château du Paradis genuinely felt magical. The estate was so vividly written that I could clearly imagine wandering its lush, flower-filled grounds. The connection between Eloise and the gardens was beautifully portrayed, especially her sensitivity to flowers and the emotions they seemed to carry.

I also loved the relationships Eloise built with the other workers at the estate. Each of them came with their own burdens, and the way they supported and cared for each other added a lot of warmth to the story. Their found-family bond felt heartfelt and grounding.

What didn’t work as well for me: it was clear pretty early on that something was off at the château, and I found myself often thinking, why aren't we running right now? The fantasy elements—particularly the wood sprite storyline—were interesting, but it felt odd that so much was kept from Eloise for so long. The pacing also felt a bit uneven. There were several slower parts I just wanted to move past so the story could keep moving forward.

Overall, The Alchemy of Flowers was a bit hit-or-miss for me. While the plot didn’t fully come together in the way I hoped, I did love imagining that magical French estate and the healing power of flowers woven throughout the story. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audio for providing me with an ARC of this book.

First, the good. This was atmospheric and the descriptions of food were absolutely lovely.

Second, the not-so-good. Head’s up: there is so much about CHILD LOSS and INFERTILITY in this book, although it’s not really mentioned in the description or named in a content warning. It’s the driving force for the main character and I imagine could be healing for others to read about, but felt very belabored to me. The main character, Eloise, got on my nerves. She has so many questions, tends to ignore red flags, and seemed to possess an aversion to making decisions.

This was a mystery? Quasi-thriller? With a dash of magical realism? Idk, it’s hard to place in a particular genre. I wanted to keep going but there weren’t enough nuggets dropped at a consistent pace to keep me invested.