I both listened and read this novel and I really enjoyed Cassandra Campbell's narration, especially because I don't speak French and don't always know how to pronounce French words. :) At times the story felt a little sappy or melodramatic, but I did like it overall and the characters were fun to get to know. The setting was vivid and incredibly detailed. I could easily picture myself in a medieval garden estate in Provence, and would love to smell such a place! I also enjoyed the sumptuous descriptions of food, tea blends, and aromatic lotions. The Gardens of Paradise were as important a character as Eloise and her friends. There was plenty of emotion, healing, drama, and a hint of magic in this book, and it was an overall enjoyable read.

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

WOW trigger warnings:
infertility
miscarraiges
child abuse
child neglect
rape
unresolved trauma

I feel like this book was a lot of trauma dumping. For me it was uncomfortable. Maybe for someone who has experienced some of these things, it would feel like they were being seen and relate, but I personally was thinking that it would be hurtful to another person who went through similar experiences.

Eloise takes a job where there is no internet, no "electricity" (but there are solar lights), composting outhouses, and other inconveniences to get away from her heartache from divorce due to infertility and multiple miscarriages. The place promises to be childfree, which is what she feels she needs to recover. But she thinks she sees a child wood sprite in the woods. Her job description is turning "shit into flowers". She takes care of the compost and gardens, and makes healing tinctures. She meets many other people who are also healing from various past experiences and have chosen to be gated off in this remote paradise.

The setting was described well and made it feel like a wonderful place to be. The gardens, waterfalls, treehouse, statues were all described in a way that felt you could be there. The relationships tricky. I felt they became "friends" by just seeing each other, but then one wrong word and they were giving each other the silent treatment. I can't explain, but transitions in feelings between most of the characters was a bit off for me. The only really well developed connection seemed to be Eloise trying to find and connect to the wood sprite.

Once the characters were on a healing path, the book was easier for me to go continue without the issues of trauma. The resolution was creative and satisfying. It just took a long time to settle into the book.

I liked the narrator.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for an advanced audiobook for an honest review

The Alchemy of Flowers is a devastatingly beautiful novel about healing and self-realization. It explores how trauma can shape the way we respond to the world, often leading to an unwanted separation from society. Through its lyrical storytelling, the novel shows how a shift in mindset can inspire deep, transformative growth—and help us reconnect with ourselves and others.

I would love to step into the gardens of Jardins du Paradis—the descriptions of this space were absolutely breathtaking. Paired with the beautiful recipes and the rich infusion of the French language, this novel offers the perfect setup for a dreamy, outdoor picnic read.

The interesting magic system and phenomenal narrator brought the story to life in such a unique way—especially with the beautifully done French accents, which were an added treat for the listener.

Though I found the subject matter heavy at times, the writing, world-building, and character development were so vivid and intentional that the story still carried a cozy, comforting undertone. I truly enjoyed this book. It was dark, it was emotional, it was healing. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse Audiobooks | Harper Muse, and Laura Resau for the advance listener’s copy of this hauntingly beautiful novel. I am voluntarily sharing my honest opinion.

I went into this book a little blind - was I swayed by the flowers on the cover and talk of flowers whispering? Yes, I was! And while flowers play a part, this story goes much deeper and a little darker than the magical realism I was expecting.

Eloise is a woman who is in pain, from the inability to have a family, and now the end of her marriage. She also has the gift, a connection, if you will, to flowers. She takes a job as a gardener at the ancient walled Jardins du Paradis in the South of France, which is a “ refuge for the broken.” And while my heart went out to Eloise, the setting stole the show for me. It felt magical, mythological, and yet it had Gothic undertones, as something sinister may be at play.

Woven into the narrative are several elements: women’s fiction, mythology, magical realism, a touch of romance, and even a hint of thriller, which makes it an intriguing genre blend. It skillfully fleshes out Eloise’s pain and emotions, offering a rich psychological exploration. While I found myself yearning for more magic and enchantment, I can’t deny how transfixing and alluring this story was.

I must caution that the story may be emotionally challenging for those who have experienced similar traumas to Eloise's.

🎧The audiobook, narrated by Cassandra Campbell, was a nice complement to the physical book. I found it especially helpful being able to hear all the French words pronounced correctly - it gave the book the proper atmosphere as well.


Thank you #harpermuseaudio for the gifted audiobook via #NetGalley.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The Alchemy of Flowers wasn’t quite what I expected as I went into it pretty blind; it leaned more into magical realism than fantasy, but it had plenty of emotional depth. It felt simultaneously witchy and therapeutic/reflective. It is set in the beautiful and mysterious Jardins du Paradis in the South of France, which is what initially pulled me into the title. The story is rooted in grief, healing, and found family. The themes of motherhood, nature, and rediscovery are present throughout.

While the poetic writing was beautiful and immersive, it slowed the pacing and was distracting at times; the French phrases were very charming for a while, but then started to feel a bit overused.

It won’t be for everyone, and while I didn’t fully connect, I can see how this could resonate with readers who share the main character’s grief and experiences.

TW: fertility struggles, grief

Mystical and interesting. Delightful audio that is perfect for this story.

A realistic magical/mystical story or is it fiction with mysticism woven in? Either way, the story is deep and rich with mystery wound around every part of the story. However, the mystery feels on the edge for a large part of the book. Until, of course, it can no longer be ignored.

This story felt beautiful not only in the imagery but in the healing and friendship, too. These were surprises to me but very welcome ones.

Advanced listener copy provided by Harper Muse Audio but all opinions are my own.

An emotional and enchanting story of healing, friendship and found family, with a romantic sub-plot.

The writing was immersive, and I enjoyed the unique magical realism elements as well as the country garden setting in the South of France.

This would make a great book club read.

I was fortunate to access the audiobook and the digital book. I really enjoyed the narration by Cassandra Campbell and found myself immersed in the story, as I could listen and follow along with the digital book.

With thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley for an advanced reading and listening copy of this captivating story, in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars for The Alchemy of Flowers audiobook. I was given the ALC by Net Galley and Harper Muse and I wish to thank them both for gifting me the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau and narrated by Cassandra Campbell is a magical read. Our FMC has gone through a lot - she's divorced and went through years of infertility treatment to try to have a child with her now ex-husband. She could not find joy in the happiness of others when they became pregnant and felt herself growing angry and bitter. She takes a job in a mysterious garden in France and moves there from the US. As she befriends other working there, she questions the mysterious rules they must abide by and she hears the flowers whispering to her. This is an intriguing story and it is well told by our narrator, Cassandra Campbell. The garden works its magic on healing Eloise, and much is made of the power of the garden's healing properties - I was worried about the way this book would go, but it did not go for the obvious and easy answers. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and recommend the audiobook. Thank you again, Net Galley and Harper Muse. This book releases July 29, 2025.

I’m giving this three stars because it is well written. It will resonate with those who have had troubles conceiving or have lost babies. It’s a deep personal story. But it wasn’t what I was expecting and it wasn’t really a story for me. It was a little too mystical for me and there was too much sensuality for my liking. But it was an immersive, well written story that will be great for the right reader.

The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau is a gorgeous feast for the senses. Beautifully narrated by Cassandra Campbell, the story mixes French and English in a charming manner.

Eloise, at a crossroads in her life, starts over surrounded by new friends Raphael, Mina, and Bao in the incredible Gardens of Paradise. Here, Eloise must never break one of the three rules: no children, no gossip, and stay in quarters during dusk. When Eloise is visited by a little girl, she is uncertain if the child is real or a wood sprite. There is a fantastical juxtaposition of the real and imaginary throughout the text. As her curiosity gets the better of her, she finds it difficult to follow the rules. Is expulsion from this gorgeous place worth the risk?

While the novel has been compared to The Secret Garden, the novel explores deeper themes than the healing power of nature and friendship.

“Eloise was sad and angry…So she smashed her dishes; she smashed her marriage; she smashed her friendships; she smashed her life…and then, she flew to the gardens. Here, she felt free and full of hope. Here, she can heal.” Through Resau’s beautiful anaphora, the heartbreak of miscarriage and infertility becomes palpable.

Thank you to Harper Muse Audiobooks and NetGalley for providing an advanced review copy of the audio version of this title for an honest review.

I DNF this audiobook ARC at 9%. While the narrators voice is pleasing overall, there isn't enough variation in the tone of her voice for different characters; which made the dialog difficult to follow. Her male voices were also terrible. It's a shame because the book itself is good so far. But I can't get past the narration.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this first by a new to me author about a middle aged woman who blows up her life after getting divorced and struggling for years with infertility. When Eloise sees an ad for a gardener in Southern France she jumps at the chance only to find herself working in an isolated, estate where one of the few rules is no children are allowed.

This had a great blend of found family, healing from nature, starting over and magical realism. I loved that there was the perfect mix of romance, mystery, intrigue, mental health and disability rep (Eloise has endometriosis and has grief from pregnancy losses) and it was EXCELLENT on audio narrated by Cassandra Campbell.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and #gifted physical copy in exchange for my honest review. I am grateful to #UplitReads for getting selected to be part of the promo campaign for this great new release. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Sarah Addison Allen and a wonderful choice to read during #DisabilityPrideMonth !!

I picked this book up after I read. the blurb "This debut adult novel is an enchanting, modern-day take on The Secret Garden, sprinkled with magic." If that is why you pick this book up- be aware, it is a very loose take. There is a garden and there are secrets to uncover, but I didn't get the charm and nostalgia hit that I was anticipating. I'm not saying that it was terrible, just not what I had in mind based on the cover summary.

That being said, I really enjoyed the touches of magic and garden descriptions. It was the constraints of the Perfect job but with conditions that lost me a bit. It seemed a bit forced and at times predictable.

All of that to say, that I did enjoy this one and if the summary interests you, recommend picking this one up. Just skip the parts of the book summary comparisons. If I didn't have that in my head, I probably would have enjoyed it a bit more.

Audiobook feedback: I absolutely loved the narrator's voice and it made me want to continue listening. The pace was good and the narrator did a great job expressing emotions. The only thing I did not like about the audiobook was when the narrator did other character voices- a lot of them sounded the same and the French accent was hard to understand at times.

Book feedback: The story reminded me of a cross of The Haunting of Bly Manor and Julie Chan is Dead. It was an interesting story with magical elements, but I felt like the magical elements weren't explained enough and therefore didn't add much to the story. I also appreciated the accurate depiction of endometriosis in the story. I felt like the author did a great job depicting the mental and physical struggles that it comes with, and how its affects relationships. I did enjoy Laura Resau's writing and would definitely read other work by her.

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.