I'm giving this book 3.5 stars because it's creative, different and snarky, but it's just not my jam.....

The first half of this colorfully illustrated guide provides a brief description of common flowers along with their scientific names and a woefully biting description of each. The second half of the book recommends brilliantly coined bouquets to send to the worst of the worst in your life, a veritable f* you, for nearly every occasion.

This book was a riot of color and silly scenarios, and got several laughs out of me. The tone of the text felt like that snarky friend who always has the latest tea and entertains all of your deepest, darkest, never-to-actually-be-acted-upon revenge scenarios about your latest nemesis. By the end of the 200 pages I still hadn’t decided if it was the perfect pairing or an odd choice with the richly painted floral illustrations, many of the leaves dripping tear-like water drops. I enjoyed reading through the floriography portion of “bad” and “sad” meanings, and the bouquet suggestions were funny, though I can’t see myself taking the time and spending money to actually deliver them to the intended recipient.

My favorite parts were the two-page spread bouquet illustrations, and I could see myself leaving one spread open on the coffee table as a joke for a roommate or partner to discover. I’d be happy to receive this book as a gift, but I wouldn’t buy it for myself.

I received a free digital review copy via NetGalley.

for a floral illustrator, look at Jill De Haan.

Rebecca Fishbein puts one flower on two pages - one a drawing, one a small amount of text highlighting the negative side of the language of flowers. Then at the end she suggests some groupings for bouquets to send to people and institutions and your cat when they have done you wrong. OK fine. Nice art.

Floral estrangement by Rebecca Fiahbein is a hilarious and informational guide on how to tell people off with the symbolism of flowers. Most people want to give flowers to those they love, but what about flowers for those they hate? This book will entrust you with all you need to know, and it does so wonderfully.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

This is one of my favorite books on plants that I’ve found, not only is it comical, but the illustrations are also beautiful.

This book is 100% being added to my forever library. I’ve loved the idea of flowers having meaning (mostly from all the books I’ve read that described it!) but having passive aggressive meanings too?! And great illustrations? Yessss. I loved it all!

A charming guide to flower language with a twist that will delight anyone with a wicked sense of humor. I'd also recommend this to historical mystery writers; this should be a handy reference for some coded foreshadowing. I loved that the book included not just a compendium of flowers and other plants and their less-than-altruistic meanings, but also put together bouquets cleverly combining them into more nuanced messages. Altogether a fun book!

I ADORED this book! I had no idea that flowers had a language all their own, but this book gives a fascinating deep dive into the world of flowers, what they mean, and the messages that can be sent.

This was a really interesting book all about symbolic floral 'estrangements.' It had fun, readable text with lots of fun imagery. I really loved the art style of this book. It is divided into two sections - floriography - information on each flower; and bouquets - information on how to put together fun 'estrangements.' Would recommend to anyone interesting in symbolism, floral arrangements, and gardening/flowers in general. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

First of all, stunning cover. I loved that the glossary of flowers was in the beginning and had pictures! All of the illustrations were beautiful done! I'm obsessed with this!! Floral "Estrangements" and it delivered!!!!

Although not really the one for me, this was a fun and quirky read. Sending flowers to someone you hate is definitely...novel. Sounds like something a child of grumpy/sunshine couple would do. I like the vibrancy of flowers and the macabre twist this book gave to flowers was amusing to read. I think it would be an entertaining read for many women towards whom this seems to have been aimed for.

Thanks to the publisher for this ARC!

Have you ever wanted to send someone flowers…..that you hated? This is the perfect book to find out which type of flowers to send to the person who stole your recent beloved; who got the job you lost to; who made you feel sad, hurt, or was downright mean. View the flowers which are illustrated throughout the book so you can send just the right ones. Revenge has never smelled so good.

This is a sweet book about plants and their meaning with beautiful art included for each plant.

The descriptions are well written, calling the characteristics for each floral and why their meaning is attached. Absolutely lovely curated collection of the language of flowers.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Chronicle Books for the opportunity to read and review Floral Estrangements by Rebecca Fishbein.

Exquisite illustrations of flowers for begrudged individuals.
The concept is excellent, the situations are interesting, the flowers do not require any description, the prose was 3 stars.

It is fun to think that we can do revenge with flowers. Floral Estrangements is the ultimate guide to finding new and fragrant ways to channel your frustrations and fuel your revenge fantasies with some common (and not-so-common) vengeful plants, as well as suggested bouquets to blight your nemeses. Love it....

What a delightful, refreshing, witty, snarky, humorous, entertaining, and beautiful book!!
I would have loved this book with just the illustrations - they are gorgeous! The individual flowers are beautiful, but the bouquets are really stunning!
My daughter just finished a Greenhouse and a Floral Design course in the Agriculture department, and I thought this book would be a perfect gift for her! I didn't fully understand the "estrangements" part of the title at first...
But when you add the titles and descriptions, they absolutely make this book a must!
It is very smartly written - witty - and fun!
I have several favorite bouquets that resonated with me, but the stand out for me right now is "The - You Used to Cover That Medication and Now I Have to Pay $150 for It - Bouquet." It just hits me as perfect for the occasion!!
There is absolutely something for everyone - siblings, co-workers, bad friends, roommates, exes... the list is exhaustive and fun for everyone.
I will definitely want to give this as a gift for my floral loving daughter and share both the beauty and the wit, and the charm of the combination of the two!

What a great "bad" book about using flowers to get back at your enemies. This is not the way I typically think, but the description was too enticing to pass up. There are bouquet ideas for "bad lovers," "bad friends," and "bad everyone else." The illustrations are stunning and I howled throughout, so caught up in the cheeky wit. A total original and wonderful gift idea for anyone harboring a grudge.

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

I thought this was a fun idea. I can't imagine many situations in which you'd waste money to send flowers to someone who slighted you, but I suppose it's a good passive aggressive option. I think the only error I saw was that a pelargonium was illustrated instead of a true geranium. The humor of the situations spoke to me, but I could see how it would appeal to people of a certain generation that enjoy some sarcasm and maybe not so much for older people. Some of it felt repetitive, but I enjoyed it overall.

Scholarly and snarky by turns, with beautiful illustrations of flowers and bouquets, this updated guide to floriography is a perfect addition to any library collection though deciding on where to put it might be a challenge. Gardening? Floral arranging? Communication? All of the above? Like cross stitch collections of social commentary or cookbooks inspired by modern art movements, this book revives an older art to serve the needs of our present day. Perfect for young hobbyists who have never considered floral arranging as well as established crafters who are looking for a fresh outlet for their abilities, Floral Estrangements is a delight from start to finish. Thank you to NetGalley for access to this arc!

Ooh, this is bad, deliciously bad. How and when to insult people using flowers. (The Victorians were apparently skilled at this.) Love it. I'm buying a copy of this book for myself when it's published. Highly recommended