From the very first lines, The Alchemy of Flowers pulled me in with its rich sense of mystery. The blend of English and French added a dreamy, immersive layer that made the story feel both intimate and otherworldly.

This book is a sensory feast, from a shower nestled in honeysuckle and wisteria to almond and rose oils, to the richly described teas, every detail made me feel like I was walking through a world crafted with scent, taste, and color.

Paradise, the setting of the story, feels exactly like its name suggests: magical and gentle. Just as I found myself struggling to picture its layout, the narrator stepped in with such a complete and lyrical description that I could suddenly see it all.

What surprised me most was the depth of suspense. The mystery only deepens as the story unfolds and by the final 10%, I was completely glued, sitting on the edge of my seat.

A particularly meaningful aspect of this book is the inclusion of real, deeply human experiences like infertility, endometriosis, and loss. Even though it’s woven into a work of fiction, the way Laura Resau integrates these elements made the story feel more grounded and honest. As a warning if you are sensitive to these subjects they hold a place front and center in the story.

And can we talk about the narration? Cassandra Campbell is phenomenal. Her transitions between characters and between languages are seamless. Her pace is perfect. She brings the story to life with a vividness that made it feel like I was living inside the book. I truly don’t think I would have experienced it the same way if I’d read it in print. The audio is absolutely the way to go.

The Alchemy of Flowers is beautiful, dark, magical, and full of mystery. It has completely captivated me. I already want to listen again.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Harper Muse for the audio ARC of this novel. Unfortunately, this is not a “read” I enjoyed. The premise of loss, and comfort being given by flowers that spoke to the protagonist, was too far fetched for me to take seriously. The narrator was difficult for me to understand, at times, and her French verbiage detracted from the prose, at least for me. The characters were shallow and the protagonist was very one dimensional. This was not the type of story I expected from the description. This novel might be a good read for some, but it was not for me. 2 Stars for the effort.

The Alchemy of Flowers presented a beautifully crafted audiobook. This narrative weaves a tale of personal growth and healing through the symbolic language of flowers, showcasing Laura Resau’s lyrical style and profound thematic depth.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy!

This sense of place in this story was so beautiful. I could picture the French estate and gardens so vividly. However, with the storyline falling flat, it didn’t end up mattering much. This one had a strong start and slow middle and finish for me. Heavy trigger warnings for infertility!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the advance copy.

The Alchemy of Found Flowers by Laura Resau (narrated by Cassandra Campbell) is a fast-paced, emotionally rich tale. Eloise finds herself at a crossroads, stuck in a moment where life feels like it can’t get any worse—or any better. On a whim, she accepts a mysterious gardening job across the world, setting in motion a journey of self-discovery and transformation.

This is a suspenseful, heartfelt story about realizing you don’t always know who you are—even when you think you do—and about the unexpected beauty of forming a found family. It begins in grief and despair, stumbles through change, and faces challenge after challenge. I found it both compelling and deeply hopeful.

Equal parts mystical, magical, heartbreaking, and bone chilling, 'The Alchemy of Flowers' tells the tale of an American woman named Eloise, who takes a mysterious position at the equally mysterious Les Jardins du Paradis in Provence.

Seeking to start a new life after a series of unbearable losses, Ellie finds purpose, friendship, and acceptance while living and working within the garden’s hectares. However, the position comes with many strange rules meant to protect the garden's countless secrets, as well as those of her employers.

As Ellie's curiosity gets the best of her, she soon realises that not only is Les Jardins du Paradis not what it seems, but that her life, and the lives of everyone she's come to care for, may be put in danger as a result.

A beautifully captivating novel that seamlessly blends loss, magic, gardening, mythology, romance, and thrilling mystery, 'The Alchemy of Flowers' is wonderfully descriptive, and a difficult novel to put down. From the first chapter to its epilogue, you will find it difficult not to be enthralled by Laura Resau's gothic tale. I genuinely hope Resau’s first foray into adult fiction isn't her last.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse/HarperCollins Focus for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free audio ARC of this title in exchange for my review.

First, I have to say that I feel that this book needs some trigger warnings noted. Our main character is struggling with infertility and loss of embryo, plus end of her marriage. Some of the sections were very graphic and very difficult to listen to. I was not expecting this at all, and it was very shocking. I do not suffer from those triggers, and it was still almost too much for me to deal with.

Second, the audio is narrated by Cassandra Campbell, and she did an amazing job. Her pronunciations of ALL of the French (there is really a lot) sounded flawless to my non-French ears. Campbell is always a great narrator, and she really pulled this one together.

And Third, calling this a Modern "The Secret Garden" gave me the wrong expectations. The Secret Garden is one of my very favorite books, I have read, listened to, and watched versions of the book dozens of times over my lifetime. I suppose the people do go into the garden and find ways to heal from their troubles, but this was more talking to flowers, combining dried herbs and flowers for healing teas, living off the grid and being secluded than replanting a garden and getting some friendship and sunlight.

Overall, I did enjoy the book, once I got over the graphic infertility scenes and this not really being The Secret Garden. The story was captivating and interesting. But the secondary characters seemed a little flat. And there are7? 8? 9? plot lines? It was really a lot to keep track of. I could almost see this as a series of complete short stories, blending together and bound into one volume so all of the different threads could be told in full, fleshed out and complete.

I'm going to go with a rating of 2.5, rounded down. Those infertility scenes were really just too shocking and too much. Going into something like that, you really do need to give your audience a heads up. I'm not saying it shouldn't be included, but the one scene will live in my brain for a very long time, but not in a good way.

Recommend to those who can take the graphic, are ready for a fantasy/magic/escape novel. And I highly recommend the audio. Campbell did a wonderful job.

This book is sweet, with some topics that can be quite hard to talk about. I appreciate this author telling a story like this and doing it respectfully and with nice story telling. The audio narrator was a bit boring and I felt it hard to pay attention.

This is an ethereal walk through a garden of healing. Set in a French castle and its exquisite gardens, the magical realism, secrets, and wonder had me seeing and hearing things.

Eloise needs a change after years of trying to start a family and her husband's departure. After seeing an ad in search of a gardener on the grounds of the ancient Jardins du Paradis, she jumps at the chance. THIS is something she can do. And the best part - no children are allowed. Upon arrival, she is already enchanted by the gardens' beauty and wonder. She feels a connection with the statues and flowers and can almost hear them talking to her. But the rules are strange here. Though she makes friends, no one is allowed to leave the premises, especially at dusk. The tea she's drinking has her questioning reality. Maybe the woodsprite flitting through the trees is real. Who is the little girl haunting her? And is the "goddess of the garden" following her with her eyes? Growing suspicious, Eloise decides to follow her instincts and dig deeper into the mysteries surrounding her. But uncovering the truth might mean facing her buried pain.

The setting is the strength of this novel. The sanctuary Laura Resau creates is breathtaking and otherworldly - a perfect place for a broken character to find healing. I somehow found the themes of flowers and infertility connected, as if Resau had planted a seed of symbolism for the reader without saying it directly. The magical realism elements furthered the plot and heightened my imagination, already enchanted by the French gardens and castle. There were a couple of things that snatched me quickly out of the whimsical world of this story:
1. The spice level of this book was surprisingly high and unexpected for a trope like this. I'm not sure it served a purpose at all, and it landed strangely. Icky.
2. The woodsprite character is grandly underdeveloped. It is mentioned several times, described once, and then has very little to do with the dramatic arc.
3. The ending falls flat, along with the climax. It's a bit too maniacal and deranged. It's almost as if the last quarter of the book is a separate story from the first three quarters. Of course, this is just my opinion.

The buttery voice of Cassandra Campbell captured this story and its characters divinely. Her French accent was whimsical and her storytelling skills are captivating.

A special thank you to NetGalley, Laura Resau, Cassandra Campbell and Harper Collins Focus for this eARC in exchange for my honest review

I requested the audiobook because I was enjoying reading the ebook and was curious. The second half of the book, I listened from audiobook and my thoughts on the story are the same. It's beautiful with a touch of whimsy. This book made my heart ache, bloom, and laugh—often all at once. The author painted such a vivid picture of those gardens that I wanted to just go and live there...lol....It’s a cozy mystery wrapped in floral silk with a side of WTF is going on in those hedges? oh!!! and the treehouse........I want one now...

If you’re a fan of magic realism, slow healing, and flowers that may or may not whisper your deepest truths back to you, The Alchemy of Flowers is a book worth getting lost in.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

This book wasn't really what I was expecting, despite that it was a very solid read. I felt like the sensitive materials/topics in the book were treated with respect. I kinda wish there was more magic in the magical realism. The narrator, Cassandra Campbell, was lovely. Her voice was airy and fit the atmosphere and whimsical tones of the story and Main Character.

Um, yeah solid book, nicely written, likable characters, just not my fav, but that's really just a me thing.

3.25-3.5 (rounding up)

There were two things about this that caught my eye on NetGalley when I requested this audio ARC.
1. The cover art! 😍
2. The Secret Garden vibes??? Yes PLEASE! That's one of the first chapter books I remember reading on my own and so it will always be a fave hehe

For a majority of this book, I was just listening and ~chillin~ but then the last maybe 25% things picked up and moved FAST. So, for me, the pacing was a little off from where I would have wanted it, but that's okay! This is the author's adult debut so that means there's room to grow! 😊

This book does have content of child loss and miscarriage, so heads up with that! In that same space, a LOT of this novel comes back to a lot of feeling talk and emotional processing for the characters. Which could also tie back into the first part of this novel feeling slow. Most of the things that were happening was just the FMC, Eloise, going through a lot of internal processing of her life before coming to the garden and questioning what she was seeing around her within it.

Eloise's employment at the garden was contingent upon her following a list of fairly odd rules, but the other three employees there were wonderful. I loved all of them and it made me want to force Eloise to actually follow the rules (because more often than not, she didn't 🤦🏻‍♀️).

This book has a sense of the fantastical throughout, but everything is pretty firmly based in reality. It's got some romance, it has found family, it has whispers of magic, it has some mystery. I don't know what exactly to categorize this as than maybe lit fic. Which is super generic, but that's the best I can come up with 😂 That being said, I'm not sure what kind of audience I'd recommend this to, but I think it's something most people could read and enjoy to some degree, as I did.

This was a lovely audiobook - great narrator with a soothing voice that paired very well with the story. I felt this story unfolded beautifully, and I was definitely hooked on the gorgeous explanations. I was drawn to this book as The Secret Garden was my absolute favorite novel growing up, and this one offers a similarly enchanting backdrop. An altogether engaging book!

Be warned, the book does talk about infertility and pregnancy loss. If those are sensitive topics for you just be aware that they are discussed.
This book was great, the ending made me cry a little too. I do recommend reading it if you liked the secret garden, it was a little similar but very different. I loved the little journey they went on and finding out the stories of the other characters.

What an interesting fantasy realism book. As the cover can attest to, this book and its characters revolve around a garden of paradise where everything is ideal. Characters have gone there to escape their lives and start afresh so that they can heal from their past.

Our main character arrives to the garden after answering an advertisement for a job posting, heartbroken and stuck in her life. As the story progresses we understand the heartache that she went through and the obstacles she was unable to overcome in her old life. She forms new bonds and attractions and starts to feel better everyday. The only catch is she's also starts to feel suspicious. There are strange rules attached with this striking the perfect opportunity, and questions are not only unanswered but hostily shut down. There are many things to uncover in the garden of paradise. Peace Love and violence.

What a beautiful story.
I loved the atmosphere of it. It was enjoyable to listen to and very uplifting as well. Well written and great narration.

I went into this story blind, with only a general idea of the plot. This ended up being one of those stories that lined up with what was going on in actual my life. Perfect timing universe.

I was greeted with a warm, healing retreat in the French countryside. There was beautiful mental imagery of the scenery, and all of the food descriptions made my mouth water.
Then slowly, it started to become a little darker. As time goes on in this healing estate, it becomes obvious that there is something wicked lying beneath the surface of this healing garden.
It was witchy and therapeutic at times, with some magic realism.

A beautiful book about healing with some fun horror twists and deep takeaways about mending your spirit after traumas.

4.5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley for this arc and allowing me to provide my honest opinion.
I received an audiobook version but I’m definitely buying this upon release. It HAS to be a part of my collection.

Very whimsical and captivating story. Every character had a heartbreaking story that led them to the secret garden on the road to recovery and a heartwarming found family..

I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. I had a very difficult time maintaining focus for the first 60%. Part of me wonders if I’m just not the intended audience. I can certainly see this book offering a kind of community for those struggling with fertility issues, but personally I think a book should offer you more. In short, it was a bit boring and pretty predictable.

A very unexpected read for me! Truly a magical walk through paradise!

I can feel how impactful this story will be to the right person. Overall, I think Laura Resau has a way with words that is particularly kind and gentle in their handling. I really appreciated this novel and found it to be privilege to read it.

Eloise, looking to escape some personal pain, impulsively applies to and gets a job in France as a gardener. She is escaping a failed marriage and infertility and the helplessness that leaves her with. Laura Resau obviously put a lot of personal connection into making Eloise and it shows in the best way possible. Eloise's struggles feel so natural and real. Her trauma is so tangible that, despite the fact that I will personally happily never have children of my own, I could feel myself aching for her and mourning her loss with her. It is felt very deeply and it's about so much more than just not having a child.

Eloise speaks at length about this loss and to some readers, I can understand why it seems like too much, but in my personal opinion that is an output of not having the right expectations for a novel before beginning it. It is absolutely worth noting that this story is very centered around this specific trauma, it isn't a side plot or a simple event that affects things, it IS the vehicle for which this story is told through and therefore it will be prevalent and heavy handed on the topic. The metaphors between the garden, Eloise's body, motherhood, femininity, and female disenfranchisement are really well done and beautifully handled. Laura speaks from a place of personal understanding and pain and that shines through beautifully.

While I didn't have a personal connection beyond sympathy for a fellow woman's pain regarding Eloise's infertility, what really rocked my core and touched me personally were her relationships with other people. The relationship that ends well and almost hurts so much more because of it, the friendship that never goes wrong but you personally hurt too much to have in your life so you let it go, the tentative and horrifying first steps into new connections that are so, so tenuous... all of it coming together to form a truly heartbreaking human experience. What was objectively a very short part of the book had Eloise's new friends in the gardens keeping her at arms length with no prior notice and I personally had to put the book down to sob. I have recently experienced a complete fallout in my life of some connections I had held very dear to me and I relied on, and to have Laura express Eloise's pain in this moment expressed so viscerally and in such relatable terms that I almost couldn't bear it. Eloise is much stronger than I and how the situation gets handled leaves me with so much admiration for Laura Resau herself. She wanted to write a book about healing from a fairly specific trauma and ended up nursing a completely different trouble through the power of her words. And this is the crux of how I know this novel needs to meet the person who needs it right now, I think the relatability presented will be incredibly meaningful to someone in the right headspace to explore their pain and healing through story.

While I loved Raphael, I didn't believe the romance very well but honestly I don't think this detracts from the novel much at all. Unless you are reading for romance, in which I think you should look elsewhere, the romance in this novel is really gentle and I don't mind the tropes around it. Yes, they are very forced proximity attraction but also this book wasn't meant to spice you up and the conflict was never going to be centered on their romance. (yes, there is a very minor conflict in between them but truly the issue is never between them and its all circumstance) That being said, I really just adored how gentle our characters were with each other because it was so healing to read.

This book was magical in a very grounded way. While the garden wasn't literally magical, the manner in which healing occurs through community feels like magic. I highly recommend this novel to those looking for something easy to read that transports you somewhere else for a little while. Somewhere that feels like magic but is comfortingly familiar.

The climax was exciting and stressful and I was locked to my seat while Eloise made her way to the conclusion with the help of her new friends. Laura Resau manages to get you to feel connected to her characters without needing much time with them and it’s very easy to feel like you belong in community with them. I’d love to recommend anyone to give this book a shot, with the knowledge of what the core centers around!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an advance copy of the audiobook.