The Alchemy of Flowers is at its core a magical story of healing and forgiveness. Eloise leaves the States and moves to France to work in a walled off secretive garden. Eloise leaves behind her grief and heartache in search of comfort and healing among the flowers in Paradise. There are hints of magic and whimsy, but also dangers and darkness looms, among the flowers and poisons of the gardens of Paradise.

Trigger warning: Eloise's grief is deeply rooted in fertility struggles. Her journey in the gardens in France was a beautiful read, but may be difficult for some readers.

The narration for the audiobook was splendidly performed by Cassandra Campbell. It was easy to differentiate between characters, as she provided just enough of a change in her voice to make each character clear to me as the listener.

With exception of the pacing, I enjoyed everything about this book. It slowed down a bit too much and felt repetitive in the middle section, and then the story very suddenly ramped up and steamrolled all the way too the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the advanced listener copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I just finished The Alchemy of Flowers audiobook, and I’m completely enchanted. This story has such a soothing yet captivating quality, with the narrator’s voice really bringing the world of flowers and the gardens secrets to life.

It’s not just about flowers—it’s about personal transformation, healing. I loved how each chapter felt like a different bloom unfolding, with new insights and discoveries. I highly recommend this story, such beautifully woven storytelling,

Perfect for listening during a peaceful walk or while winding down after a busy day.

Content warning: infertility, loss of child, drugging, violence

Honestly? I found Eloise whiney and exhausting. Her infertility and endometriosis are brought up in almost every. single. chapter. While I understand that both are life altering, as a reader it felt heavy handed. The fact that Eloise fled her job working with kids because she couldn't have kids was so overdramatic that I automatically didn't want to root for her. I found the other staff of Jardins du Paradis far more interesting and wish we had gotten more of their stories.

Interesting concept, but this one fell short for me.

Cassandra Campbell does a good job with the audiobook narration.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Harper Muse Audiobooks, and Harper Muse in exchange for an honest review.

Eloise is leaving the US to go work in Southern France at the garden of flowers. She will be completely off grid there and her job will be to turn merde into flowers. She's struggled to get pregnant for a decade and slowly drove away all that loved her. Alone and broken she shows up to grow flowers and finds three other broken people (her coworkers) that quickly grow to be her good friends.

The garden has some funny rules, like don't gossip, children are forbidden, and you mustn't go outside during twilight. She is also locked into the garden and only the manager has the key. She never meets the owner. If you break the rules, there are consequences.

There are funny things Eloise notices. She finds things moved, there are sounds like a child and sometimes sightings of a wood sprite. Two previous employees disappeared overnight. She becomes intent on solving these mysteries and also grows feelings for one of her new friend.

This book was nothing I expected and instead so much more. There is heartbreak and tragedy, but there is healing and beauty to match and overwhelm in its stride. As an American who lived in France, it is the most wonderful depiction of the magic that France embodies for us francophiles and I felt at home within the novel in a way I haven’t in a long time. Major trigger warnings for pregnancy loss, fertility and SA, but as someone who has experienced these things it was more of a healing experience reading this than anything else, so definitely gauge your own level of tolerance. Highly highly recommend. Thanks to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for the chance to review!

The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau which releases 29 July 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for my audio ARC. I loved the narrator, Cassandra Campbell’s, way of speaking. She added a lovely lilt to the French words which are scattered throughout the story. Even though I don’t speak French I could understand what the author meant.

Eloise has reached rock bottom in her life with a recent divorce and miscarriage. When she comes across an advert in a French gardening magazine looking for a gardener/floral herbalist at the Le Château du Paradis, it sounds like heaven.

Once she arrives at the station she is met by the caretaker, the formidable Antoinette. Antoinette says the owner has certain rules at the Château. Eloise had to confirm that she would follow the rules which were amongst others: when outside of the grounds no gossiping about the Gardens; strictly no children allowed in the Gardens; and no roaming the Gardens after dusk. The large gates of the Chateau are locked once she is inside and only Antoinette has a key. Eloise feels a mysterious aura settle about her while walking on the grounds.

She finds herself living in a whimsical tree house linked with swinging wooden bridges surrounded by trees and flowers. When she meets her three fellow workers, they all seem to carry emotional baggage from their previous outside lives.

Eloise loves her job working with the flowers and she hears them speak to her while she makes various tisanes and balms.

One day while out working in the gardens she glimpses what looks like a small girl flitting through the trees. It can’t possibly be a real child as children are forbidden in the Gardens, could it be a Wood Sprite? Is the Garden a magical place or is it her imagination?

The book is filled with beautiful French words, goddess statues, stories of the Furies, tisanes made from flowers and intrigue. A magical garden which could turn into a poisonous one if you broke any of the rules.

Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this.

It was very beautifully written, but incredibly heavy on emotion and trauma to a point I struggled - I had thought it would be healing but it was very slow to get to this reflecting back on a lot of heavy subjects that weren't for me.

That is my personal preference though but can see the beauty this book would have for others

3.75 ⭐

This book was different than what I expected and I was both excited about the outcome and maybe a little sad that it was not, in fact, a full on fantasy story like the first chapters suggested.
I'd say this is a mystery clouded in magical realism.
I'd say it's a story of healing, rediscovering life, embracing nature and wonder.
It's a story of loss and motherhood and female power.
Of found family.
It has a distinct magical and whimsical tone to it.

The writing style was not always my thing because sometimes I had the impression it was flat even if the progression of the storyline was exciting.

I really loved the story and all the tisanes and teas, the magic of their little village inside les jardins du Paradis 🌻🪻🌷


Ⓟⓡⓔ—Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ
<s>
I was attracted by the cover, then I read "This debut adult novel is an enchanting, modern-day take on The Secret Garden, sprinkled with magic" and I was sold.
I'm hoping this book delivers 🥹
I've not had the best experiences from my latest ARCs, so... I need a good one!</s>

❁ Thank you to Netgalley, Laura Resau and HarperCollins Focus for the opportunity to read the ARC of this in exchange of my honest opinion ❁

Perhaps I should have read the other reviews before requesting this book, but the blurb and cover enticed me. Ultimately though, I think the book is done an injustice as once I started listening, I just couldn’t get into it. As others have said, this leans very heavily on the topics of infertility and marriage breakdown, which just didn’t appeal to me. I expected more mystery and magic, but actually it was very heavy on emotion and trauma. Eventually, I had to give up. I think this book has plenty of appeal and promise for the right audience, but the blurb and cover just don’t match what’s inside.

That said, the narrator is very good and I felt handled the French well, although as others have said the French did at times feel forced or stilted.

I had high hopes for The Alchemy of Flowers, but ultimately felt like I sat through hours of filler and emotional repetition just to get to the part that finally felt worth the time. While the last 15% of the book picked up significantly—I actually enjoyed the final chapters quite a bit—it was a long, slow road to get there.

Most of the novel centers heavily on themes of infertility, miscarriages, envy of motherhood, and the emotional fallout of divorce. While I understand the importance of exploring trauma and grief as I myself have had miscarriages, the focus on these topics made the book feel emotionally heavy and, at times, repetitive. Readers should be aware that this novel could be very triggering.

That said, Laura Resau clearly has talent. Her descriptive writing is vivid and immersive—I could picture the French estate and garden in rich detail.

However, the novel also seemed unsure of its identity. It weaves through magical realism, witchcraft, trauma, mystery, child loss, and even romance, but the transitions between these elements felt abrupt and unfocused. Instead of feeling layered, the story came across as scattered.

The use of French was another point of frustration. Sometimes translations were offered, but not consistently, which pulled me out of the story as I tried to interpret unfamiliar phrases.

In the end, this book might resonate more deeply with readers specifically looking for a reflective exploration of grief and motherhood. For others, it may feel uneven and emotionally exhausting. If you're willing to push through a slow start and some heavy material, the payoff in the final chapters might make it worthwhile—but it’s not a light or clearly directed read.

Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Muse for providing me an ARC to review.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the audio arc in exchange for an honest opinion.

Unfortunately this one just did not work for me. It wasn’t what I expected and was left disappointed.

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. If you have ever had a miscarriage or have trouble conceiving a baby, I would think twice before reading/listening to this book. It is quite descriptive when the main character recalls losing her babies and being unable to carry a child full term. I would be hesitant to recommend this book. I enjoyed the thought of flowers whispering to you. The call to nature and gardening. There are twists and turns in the book.

Wow. This novel was stunning from start to finish and I rarely feel that way. First, the setting. Does the south of France among gardens of stunning flowers get any better? Oh, I should mention no internet either. A true escape from reality!
The way that Laura Resau is able to beautifully describe every detail in this book without making it annoyingly overdone is true talent. It paints such a vivid portrait of the characters and puts the reader alongside them in the book.
I loved the journey of Eloise as she leaves the broken pieces of her life in Colorado behind to take a chance on a gardener position in France from a magazine ad. As she embarks on a journey to heal both emotionally and physically, she realizes her employer may not be what she seems.
Thank you to Netgalley’s for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A truly wild ride. I think I felt ever possible emotion during this book! Add this immediately to your TBR- this book comes out on July 29!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this arc!

I'm simply going to say that I wasn't the target audience for this one...
I really don't want to make it sound like the book wasn't good, because it definitely was and you'll enjoy it if it's for you. Personally, I just found it a little difficult to follow at times because I just wasn't as involved in the story since it wasn't for me. Which I found very unfortunate because the overall storyline sounded amazing to me. Also, the narrator was perfect for the story!

A good plot with a few different mysteries woven in and likable characters. However, simply put, I don't think this book was for me. If you enjoy mystical and fantasy stories and can suspend belief - eg flowers speaking to the main character - I'm sure it will be up your alley.
The narrator's French and English dialogue was seamlessly perfect making it enjoyable to listen to.
Thanks to Harper Muse and Netgalley for the arc audiobook for review.

A broken woman, a crumbling estate in the South of France, and a job ad that promises solitude, healing, and a strictly no-children-allowed policy—this novel starts with an enchanting premise. Eloise escapes her painful past and finds herself behind the ancient walls of the Jardins du Paradis, tending flowers that seem to whisper secrets and offer solace. But what begins as a gentle, magical escape slowly morphs into a strange and eerie mystery as dusk falls, rules tighten, and flickers of something otherworldly begin to haunt the grounds.

I was genuinely intrigued at the outset. The setup had all the makings of a magical realism story with touches of grief, healing, and found family. I especially enjoyed the early garden scenes, the atmosphere, and the promise of magic hidden in the soil. However, as the plot unfolded, the expected magical elements felt more like red herrings. The narrative shifted into a darker, slightly surreal mystery that left me unsure of what kind of story I was in.

Although Eloise has clearly suffered and carries real emotional pain, I just didn’t quite connect with her. She never felt especially warm to me, which made it harder to fully invest in her journey. That said, I found several of the side characters genuinely lovely and enjoyed the moments of connection and quiet beauty they brought.

The audiobook narration was great—expressive, well-paced, and the narrator did a lovely job capturing the tone of each character. I did find the accent a little tricky to follow at times, but slowing the playback speed slightly made all the difference.

A beautifully written and well-narrated story with an atmospheric setting and themes of healing and mystery, though it wasn’t quite the magical journey I expected.

Verdict: Pretty petals, just not quite my bloom.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

In her debut adult novel, Alchemy of Flowers, Laura Resau delivers a deeply moving and evocative story of grief, healing, and the undeniable pull of human connection. The novel takes us to the secluded Jardins du Paradis in Provence, where Eloise Bourne seeks refuge after the devastating losses of infertility and miscarriage. It is here that Resau explores the fragile nature of healing and the complexity of the scars left by such profound grief.

One of the most striking themes in Alchemy of Flowers is the temptation of denial. Eloise’s journey through the pain of her losses demonstrates that the allure of escaping reality, of retreating into a world of denial, may seem like a paradise at first. But Resau shows us that this paradise is illusory—one that doesn’t exist and only prolongs the healing process. The novel powerfully illustrates the necessity of confronting the past in order to move forward, even if the road to healing is long and fraught with emotional pain.

The novel does not shy away from the taboo topic of miscarriages, diving into the raw, unhealed scars that linger long after the physical wounds have healed. Through Eloise’s experiences, Resau poignantly explores how these losses can devastate relationships, dreams, and self-confidence. Yet, even in the midst of such heartache, Alchemy of Flowers reveals the transformative power of friendship and belonging. Eloise’s interactions with the people she meets along her journey serve as a reminder that the connections we make—no matter how brief—can help us rediscover parts of ourselves we thought we’d lost forever.

Resau’s lyrical prose, combined with her signature blend of magical realism, creates an immersive reading experience. There is an undeniable magic in the story, from the mysterious child Eloise encounters to the flowers that seem to hold the power of healing. It’s a novel about finding the courage to open your heart, even when it feels like the world has broken it beyond repair.

Alchemy of Flowers is a testament to the power of vulnerability, healing, and the connections that shape our lives. Resau’s debut adult novel is a beautiful exploration of the complexities of loss and the beauty of finding our way back to ourselves through love, friendship, and the natural world.

Thank you to the author, publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Eloise has experienced some personal trauma in her life over the past 10 years, so when she reads about a position tending the flowers in the garden of paradise where no children are allowed, she jumps at the chance to apply. The garden and all of its mysteries, as well as the other tenants, help her on a journey of healing - but what price is she willing to pay to follow its strange rules?

This book takes readers on a journey about relationships, happiness and misery and ultimately, the meaning we give to life. The story is full of secrets, mysteries, mythology and more as Eloise balances curiosity and concern with the pleasure of living in a healing garden.

I would classify this as a cozy book with some mystery, though there are some darker elements to the story and in the characters' past (see trigger warnings). I enjoyed the mythological elements (though at times I wish I was more well read about the various deities - not crucial to the storyline) and I enjoyed the magical realism.

The audiobook narrator did well with character voices and had a wonderful french accent. I felt like the pacing was good as well (though I usually listen at 1.5-1.75x speed). I would recommend it for audiobook listeners!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Cassandra Campbell does a great job narrating this story!

Eloise's life is crumbling around her in Colorado and is surprised when she is accepted as a gardener for a rural estate in the south of France. Recently divorced and suffering from other unnamed traumas, she joins other individuals as caretakers of a beautiful, rustic garden and grounds of a home owned by a mysterious owner.

The writing describing the sights, scents and tastes of the garden and food is divine and lends itself to the healing that occurs in the garden. This is a story full of magical realism, the prose is lyrical and the pacing is at a meandering speed. While the imagery is fantastic, I found myself wanting the story to "get on with it" as the protagonist's history is unrevealed for far too long. A little more balance is needed between the meandering of life in the garden and the end result.

3.5 stars rounded up.

The Alchemy of Flowers is a beautifully written, atmospheric tale that blends healing, mystery, and a touch of magic in the lush setting of a secluded French garden. It reads like The Secret Garden reimagined for adults—complete with heartache, hope, and a whisper of the supernatural.

Eloise is a protagonist you root for: broken, brave, and slowly blossoming like the very flowers she tends. The Jardins du Paradis are described so vividly, they feel like a character themselves—alive, mysterious, and tinged with something not quite of this world. The magical realism is light but effective, adding intrigue without overshadowing the emotional core.

The story shines most in its exploration of healing, found family, and the strength it takes to begin again. The pacing occasionally meanders, especially in the first half, and I wished for a bit more development in some of the magical elements. Still, the enchanting tone, lyrical writing, and memorable setting more than made up for it.