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 ❁

"My dreams were vivid, as if I'd stumbled across another realm, the colors brighter, the sounds more vibrant, the tastes more intense. A realm where I transformed into flowers, one after another, from warm calendula to cool violets. My petals flew in skies full of stars and my nectar trailed like the Milky Way."


3.5 stars. This book was a real surprise. Gorgeous, lyrical writing, but didn't quite hit the level I was hoping. I do think it was quite misrepresented as a fantasy, as there is little to no fantastical elements to it. It's far better suited to the magical realism genre (if even that), or general fiction. I emphasise this because it is outside my usual go to genre, but I was under the impression I was getting a different sort of book. I would recommend for people who enjoy women's lit, personal growth, general fiction, and magical realism.

I also think the plot summary is misleading, it makes it sound far more magical and mysterious than it is. Eloise is running from something in her life, and winds up taking a job as a gardener in a mysterious, isolated garden in France called Paradise. This place doesn't allow phones, internet, or any outsiders in save for those who work there, under the watchful eye of Antoinette, the stern and eerie personal assistant to the actual faceless owner of the garden, "La Patronne".

Although presented as a magical mystery, it reads more like a personal growth book. Eloise is going through an incredibly difficult time regarding fertility, loss of an unborn child (which we find out very early on), and mourning the end of a relationship to boot - these are deep, traumatic things she works through as she learns to heal and grow through working in the gardens. We see her go from incredibly low self esteem and a desire to disappear, to wanting, and screaming, that she wants to live. The other characters in the book all have their own trauma, and it was heavy and humbling to read about their pasts, like Mina and the hell she went through. There is a romance which I wasn't crazy about, but I won't say too much as I don't want to spoil it.

"Eloise, all of us here, we have been hurt - and that is why we are in the Gardens of Paradise"...."This is a refuge for the broken"


The flowers and plants provide a healing presence, and the company of fellow workers, all running or hiding from something, provides beautiful friendship and support. This is where most of the time is spent. Days of frolicking in the gardens, with the flowers, with decadent food.

"The days softened into each other like lemon and butter and sugar on a warm crepe, rich and sweet and oh-so-alive. Bliss, beauty, bonheur around every bend. Gardening, sharing meals, bonding in sunlight, starlight, moonlight."


This is why I say this book is misrepresented - these passages and these chapters were fantastic in showing Eloise's mental journey from what she deemed to be broken, to realising she is whole. But this focus isn't shown in the summary. Readers ought to know this because A LOT of what Eloise goes through is relevant to a lot of people, and so many people out there could resonate with so much of what she thinks and feels, >b>if they only knew that was the content of this book!

There are some elements to the story that can be interpreted as somewhat magical, certainly the flowers seem to possess healing powers and talk back to Eloise or warn her of things. Eloise also operates almost like a herb witch, in the way she brews the flowers in teas for different purposes: love, courage, calm, etc. To me, the flowers, and all the whispers of magic were an allegory for Eloise's mental health, her inner psyche as she heals and learns to love herself and her reality.

Fantasy aside, there are a few mysteries abound. There's the mystery of the 3 shrouded women who stalk the garden at night, the child figure / "woodsprite" that Eloise sees in the shadows, the previous workers who disappeared without a trace, and strange goddess statues scattered around. We get answers towards the end of the book which all wrap up in a dramatic climax that was riveting, but the middle third of the book lagged a tad for me. That's what dropped the rating for me.

Resau's strength lies in her beautiful writing. Some of these passages left me absolutely stunned. I look forward to future writing, and will definitely be recommending to people in my life who I think will get more out of this.

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.

Eloise is newly divorced and ready to get out of Colorado. She applies for a job as a gardener and gets the job, which sets her out to the south of France to care for the garden at a mysterious estate with very specific rules.

I enjoyed the gardening aspect and the description of everything. The writing of this book is stunning, and I very much enjoyed the detail that the flowers were described with. But I don’t think this one was for me, I wanted to know more about Eloise’s past and we were left in the dark throughout the book with only the same bites being revealed. I do think if you are personally going through the same trauma and grief that Eloise is, then this definitely would be for you!

My thanks to HarperCollins Focus and NetGalley for this eARC!

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.
Thanks to Harper Muse and Netgalley for the arc 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.

A beautifully written book with a lush, atmospheric setting and strong themes of grief and recovery, but not quite the magical escape I’d hoped for.

Verdict: Pretty petals, just not quite my bloom.

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

i just couldn’t connect to this plot or characters. the writing is beautiful and atmospheric, but maybe it’s my fault for expecting more fantasy/mystical elements, especially the whole thing of eloise being able to speak to flowers. this is very much focused on the topics of child loss, infertility, failed marriages and other darker topics relating to that which if i had know before i wouldn’t have picked this up. the romance felt lackluster and a bit forced, still i could appreciate the descriptive writing and the overall message of needing to let go of the past and allowing yourself to heal.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC — opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Alchemy of Flowers is a captivating journey to the heart of Provence. This novel is an enchanting blend of mystery, suspense, and heartfelt storytelling that had me hooked from the very first page. Eloise, the brave and curious heroine, takes readers on a path of healing and friendship in the beautiful Jardins du Paradis, where every character is recovering from their own personal heartbreak.

The lush, Provencal garden is the perfect backdrop for this escapist tale that combines the magic of beloved childhood reads with the complexity of adult struggles. It’s a beautifully immersive book that reminds me of Under the Tuscan Sun, but with a modern twist. If you’re a fan of Sarah Addison Allen’s feel-good, charming novels, this one is a must-read!

I received a copy of The Alchemy of Flowers through Netgalley in exchange for a review and was so thrilled as the description of this book really spoke to me.

Eloise’s character is someone who you really want the best for and get so invested in. She has been through such a hard time and her story is so heartbreaking. As the story progresses, we come to understand why Eloise wants a job where she will never see children or come into contact with them.

Parts of the book can be quite triggering due to themes it explores (miscarriage, infertility and loss of a child etc). Personally, I did find this very emotional and can understand how some may find the topics hard to cover. They are done sensitively though and the emotion it invokes is part of the beauty. At the core of it, this book is about healing.

I particularly enjoyed the magic element and Eloise's ability to speak to the flowers. Magical realism always feels so much more special than straight out fantasy as it makes our own world that we live in feel so much more hopeful.

All characters in the book are thoughtfully written and have their own qualities to connect with, rather than feeling like empty secondary support. Eloise and Raphael’s relationship was something I was thrilled about but at times could be very frustrating simple down to miscommunication between the two.

Though heartbreaking at times, this book is honestly so warm and beautiful. I’m almost sad I read it during winter as it would make a beautiful read for sitting out back on a sunny day in summer where you can talk to the flowers also.

While the summary does mention a “broken woman,” and that the MC is “exhausted by fruitless attempts to start a family,” I had NO IDEA how obsessive this book would be on the topics of child loss, infertility, and the breaking of a marriage because of it. I have no relationship with these themes, I cannot tell you if this is a story in which someone would find solace. But I find it sad, very, very tragic, and very unsettling. This theme pervades all aspects of the story and language, I can’t tell you that I would have picked this up if I’d known it the extent to which this book hyper focuses on these topics. The obsession with the MC’s pregnancy, other women’s relationship with fertility, and the frequent use of the adjective “fertile” for both the garden and women, gives Red Pill/trad-wives/incel vibes and just ick.

This aspect of the story and the undercurrent of obsession with "woman-as-creator", made this book incredibly unappealing to me. The idea of nature-magic and talking to the language- a literal language of flowers- and “flower witches” has appeal,l but it’s overwhelmed by the infertility theme. The magic is also so loosely woven that it doesn’t really hold up against the other issues. 

Like others, I’m very annoyed with the cliched use of French terms throughout the novel in a way that feels very touristy and ineffective. The language deployment feels like something from a Duolingo lesson, not native French. 


Overall, I cannot recommend this book. This review is provided in exchange for the free ARC from NetGalley.

This book combines themes of found family, overcoming trauma, magical gardens and folklore into an intriguing read.
I would say there are definitely potentially triggering themes such as child loss, sexual assault, cancer and trafficking however I think they are covered in a considerate way. With the author saying that some of the themes extend from her personal experiences.

This book focuses on a French garden where there are a few set rules to be able to work there, including a no children rule. Which attracts the FMC as she has struggled with infertility. She meets a group of people inside the walls and they quickly become close and into their own family. As everyone has their own trauma that brought them to the garden they bond and quickly realise things aren’t as good as they seem.

The folklore and magic influences within the garden keep you wondering whether things were real and due to the properties of the plants or whether they were just magic.

I will definitely be recommending this book.

The setting is a beautiful fairytale environment, but it is filled with broken people and secrets. Would you choose paradise if all you had to do was follow certain rules? Eloise has answered a want ad to try to heal her broken heart, in paradise. Will the price of following the rules cost her what is left of her sanity?

The Alchemy of Flowers is one of those rare novels that pulls you into its world with such a gentle, hypnotic force, you almost don’t realize how deeply it’s enveloping you until you’re completely lost in its pages. The novel is both haunting and deeply heartwarming, and it perfectly captures the idea that healing doesn’t happen all at once, but in small, almost imperceptible moments. It’s beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and just the right amount of magical.

3.25/5

Loves: The cover and description of this book pulled me in and hooked me on trying this book. I loved the ideas behind this story! The flower magic/communication has a lot of potential and the last bit of the book was fast paced and tense. I felt for Eloise and her healing journey. The mystery little girl was a highlight!

Struggles: The relationship between E and R felt off, I’m not sold on that plot point. I wish Mina and Bao had more depth to their characters. The French phrases sometimes felt forced.

I’m so thankful to have been able to read this ARC!

The Alchemy of Flowers is a curious and intoxicating blend of mystery, tragedy and magical realism.

Resau’s prose is beautifully lyrical and creates an immersive atmosphere, sometimes fragrant and peaceful, other times tragic and violent. It makes for a compelling and unique reading experience, and I found myself hooked, enjoying the twists and turns of this strange garden.

The Secret Garden is one of my favourite books and to some degree it carries a similar mix of gothic and beauty. I think it’s a wonderful read for fans of authors such as Sarah Addison Allen. To note - While impactful, the storyline is a a heavy one, and some readers may like to check triggers about infant loss and infertility before diving into this read.

Thank you to the publishers for an advanced copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Alchemy of Flowers is a beautifully written, lyrical exploration of grief, transformation, and the quiet power of nature—but it didn’t entirely bloom for me.

Laura Resau’s prose is undeniably poetic. The imagery is lush, the symbolism rich, and the emotional undercurrents run deep. There’s a dreamy, almost meditative quality to the story that makes it feel like wandering through a garden at twilight—soft, introspective, and tinged with mystery.

That said, the slow pacing and abstractness sometimes made it hard to stay grounded. I often felt like I was floating through the book rather than being rooted in it. The characters are compelling but somewhat elusive, and while the themes are powerful, they occasionally felt more suggested than fully explored.

It’s a book that asks for patience and reflection—perfect for readers who love gentle, poetic narratives that prioritize mood over momentum. I appreciated it more than I connected with it, but there’s definitely beauty here for the right reader.

Be prepared for a slow burn -- especially at the start. While I ended up really enjoying this book, I did almost DNF it about a quarter of the way in. I thought that the supernatural/mystery element was going to occur a lot sooner than when it did, so for a second I thought that maybe I misunderstood what this book was going to be like. However, once we got into the thick of it, it became extremely enjoyable. Love the characters and I really appreciated the plot twist. Eloise is such a sympathetic lead and I enjoyed going through the journey with her.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

When I saw this book marketed as The Secret Garden with magic, I thought it would be a somewhat light hearted read (although, the Secret Garden does have quite a bit of sadness and heavy content) but this book ended up being something much deeper. It discusses infertility and can be a hard read. It's still beautiful and magical but much much heavier and more grown up than the beloved classic it's related to. A great read, but be prepared for heartache!

This just wasn’t one that I could get into or relate to the main character at all. I had no idea being childless and having fertility issues was such a huge point of the story. It’s pretty much all that makes up Eloise as a character. The mysterious garden was sort of interesting but very disjointed and I. Opulent being myself to care what the end story was for it.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I'll be honest; I wasn't sure that this book was going to be for me. It's kind of gothic but in this bright beautiful setting in a luxurious flower garden in the south of France, and I just wasn't sure it was going to work. I'm glad I stuck with it though because it turned out to be completely captivating. I loved the garden employees and the found family they formed, and the descriptions of both the flowers and the food were exquisite and worth the read alone. Eloise is a sympathetic heroine over all; although I did find her slightly tedious at times. This does feel, as the book description implies, like an adult version of "The Secret Garden," but with many elements that make it entirely its own. I would recommend it to readers who like both mystery and whimsy with a whole lot of atmosphere and some difficult themes thrown into the mix. I will put forth the warning, however, that there are things in this book that could be troubling to some readers. Be sure to read the description before reading.