The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau is a beautiful exploration of the healing power of nature and the intricate connections between humans and the world around us. Using heartfelt narratives, relatable characters and poetic storytelling, it's easy to get swept away in our protagonist Eloise's enchanting and spiritual journey.

Eloise lands a job in Paris as a gardener, leaving her old home and life behind. Eloise finds sanctuary and friendship within the gardens she's tasked to look after. When that newfound peace is threatened, Eloise must decide whether to look the other way or risk her fragile heart in order to uncover the truth.

The book is an exquisite blend of vibrant prose and vivid imagery. The descriptions of the the teas and the flowers are so well done that they feel tangible for the reader. Every tincture and piece of whispered advice felt real and genuine.

The symbolism and folklore explored in the use of the various flowers throughout the story helps to support the themes of acceptance, growth and resilience. Resau has created a story that encourages readers to connect with the earth and themselves in a way that feels grounding and meditative.

Readers should be aware that there are themes of loss and infertility throughout the book. Having experienced my own infertility journey that lead to growing our family through adoption, Eloise's story really resonates. There are lines directly in this book that I have spoken to myself, to friends and to my child. It was truly an emotional experience to feel so seen by a book that is also so beautifully written.

In conclusion, The Alchemy of Flowers is not just a book—it’s an experience. Laura Resau has created a masterpiece that nourishes the soul and reminds us of the transformative magic found in the natural world.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an ARC of this book.

This book is enchanting. I have been reading Laura Resau's books since she published her first middle-grades novel. Thus, it was a little unsettling to read about sex and see the constant use of the word "merde" but the rest of the book is a dream. The descriptions of the magical, specially built houses are out-of-this-world, as are those of the flowers and teas. She has created a world that I want to visit (minus Antoinette), and gotten me (as a former horticulture professor) interested in learning much more about floral teas and cures.

Ms. Resau is truly a master of magical realism!

If I was asked to pitch The Alchemy of Flowers to you I'd say it felt a bit like a Riley Sager and Sarah Addison Allen Mashup. That's to say, it features sparkling and evocative magic realism that runs alongside a dark and propulsion mystery.

Readers follow Eloise, a woman who's chosen to walk away from her life by accepting an intriguing and mysterious gardening position in France. Upon arrival she soon discovers a healing and haunting sanctuary brimming with mystery and found family. When sinister forces threaten her new utopia, Eloise must decide if she'll turn a blind eye or risk her newly healed heart in the pursuit of truth.

I consider myself an atmosphere over plot reader and this certainly delivered in the atmosphere department! The Garden and it's inhabitants are penned in such a resonate and authentic way. I could taste every brewed herbal tisane, feel every fluttering breeze, and hear the chorus of flowers whispering guidance to Eloise. The love that builds between the gardens caretakers stands as a brilliant ode to found family and the people who truly see us. The sinister/plotty bits of the story played their parts just fine, moving the story along at a nice pace, but they played second fiddle to the world building for me.
All in all, The Alchemy of Flowers left me curious of what the next offering will be from this author. She's definitely someone who weaves a story worthy of notice.

It's worth noting that the MC's healing journey revolves around an intense and visceral infertility struggle. As a child-free (by choice) woman, I invite the opportunity to build my own empathy surrounding such struggles. However, I was disappointed that in a handful of instances, it felt as if the author was implying that becoming a mother was the only sacred and fulfilling path for a woman to choose opposed to saying it was the only sacred and fulfilling path for Eloise. I think the latter approach would have made this story more inclusive, as in those moments, I did personally feel like the story wasn't meant for me.

Adult Fantasy
Found family
Diverse
Heart-warming
Whimsical
No spice

A plaster for the soul.

Eloise leaves behind so much pain and suffering after giving up on herself for failing to stay pregnant after many miscarriages. She finds herself in her new life in paradise surrounded by her new found friends who each came to paradise to heal from their own personal trauma.

I absolutely loved this book with its fantastic world and delightful characters. The writing was very good and I could not put this book down. I could relate to some of the issues the main character went through so for me it was as if I was drinking her tea.

This book I would recommend to a more mature reader. It is a must read in my opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in the review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the e-Arc.

What a fantastic, witchy vibe story that draws you in from the beginning.

I was completely immersed in this story and could not put it down. Eloise is a character that is broken (in a way that resonated on a personal level) and she accepts a job in France in a paradise garden.

The author’s descriptions of the garden and the flowers make you feel like you are walking with Eloise and the others who work there, who become her found family.

As with all fantastic books, there are rules that must not be broken, mystery, romance and some twists in the story, whilst going along with all of the characters whilst they heal from past traumas.

I cannot recommend this book enough, but for some readers please be aware that there are themes of loss and reproductive loss.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Laura Resau for an advanced e-copy in return for my honest review.

What a joy it was to read seasoned author Laura Resau's adult debut, THE ALCHEMY OF FLOWERS. This book made me want to sleep in a hammock in a treetop bungalow surrounded by the Jardins du Paradis, the novel’s lush, magic-steeped gardens. It’s atmospheric, poignant, and dreamlike in its weaving of the sights, scents, and flavors of Southern France. Eloise, the book’s heroine, is a woman nursing heartache and deep loss, and her journey to healing will resonate with anyone who’s suffered pregnancy loss or infertility struggles. Every character in the book harbors a secret, and the haunting childlike laughter and footsteps that echo through the gardens add to the suspense. The garden in and of itself is a beautiful, if sometimes dangerous, character in the book, and the enigmatic estate owner and her acerbic assistant Antoinette heighten the story’s mystery. Eloise’s journey to healing is poignant and tender—a testament to the strength of love, the power of tending to earth and growing things, and found family.

The Alchemy of Flowers is a beautifully written cozy yet emotionally hard hitting book.
Environmental descriptions, magic and depth of character are all vividly presented in a thoughtful story.
But! But? It is absolutely loaded with trauma and emotions, which makes this book equal to marmite. Some people will love it and some people will hate it.

I found I got caught up in the garden and magic whimsy and then struggled through the trauma, which is why this gets a 3 from me.

The most beautifully depicted passages where Eloise is shown to us in an honest and vulnerable way. I appreciated how raw this book was while still adding a bit of magic to the story. I personally struggled to read so many of the deeper heartbreaking passages of loss and infertility, it was a much heavier read than I anticipated but the light shown upon such struggles was real and you felt that as a reader. I enjoyed the various characters throughout the book and the writing was breathtaking, it truly gives readers beautiful imagery of this place where flowers speak and broken hearts heal. A very heavy read but one I found equally rewarding.

This was equal parts cozy, heartbreaking, mysterious, magical, and healing. Set in a secret garden in France, Elouise leaves her previous life behind to tend to the flowers of paradise. Mystery unfurls, friendships grow, romance blooms, and wounds heal.

This was a really beautiful story examining trauma, healing, and all of the messy layers that come with it. I loved that every character had their story and reasons for being there, and how sharing that journey brought them closer together. Community truly is everything.

Some of the French was played up a little too much, and I think this book made me realize that I like symbolism and metaphors more than I like being directly told what the underlying trauma/theme/idea is. I also cannot personally relate to the main theme in this book, but I imagine it would be deeply relatable for other folks who have experienced infertility and child loss.

The element of flowers and food and tea and togetherness was pure magic and a wonderful addition to my spring reads.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Alchemy of Flowers has a whimsical Secret Garden-esque French setting, which is as fantastic as it sounds. But be warned...this book has some dark and disturbing overtones. The juxtaposition of warm coziness with delicious creepiness makes this book a compelling read!

As someone who loves the magical realism genre, The Alchemy of Flowers was an enjoyable tale in which to be immersed. With magical realism, we have a real world setting but also have a main female character who has the unusual ability of being able to hear flowers communicate. And again, as is the case with magical realism, we also experience the heartbreak and bitterness of the real world. In the case of The Alchemy of Flowers, the heartbreak we explore surrounds pregnancy and child loss.

There is more information on my blog HERE; www.wilsonhillworks.com/reviews/alchemyflowers

This does have a bit of what I would consider "open door spice" but it is fairly minimal and is an important part of the healing process of the characters so that its role in the plot and character development feels purposeful and not gratuitous.

Content: child loss, pregnancy loss, cancer loss, emotional abuse of some characters, child marriage, cultural discrimination, LGBTQIA+ representation

Thank you to Laure Resau, Harper Collins, and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

This book wasn’t for me, but I can see it resonating deeply with readers who connect with the main character’s trauma and grief. While I struggled to care about the characters and found the use of French more distracting than enriching, the writing itself is lush and poetic. The vivid descriptions, unique character talents, and magic woven throughout is definitely what I loved about it.

As other reviewers have mentioned, The Alchemy of Flowers revolves heavily around the theme of trauma and trauma response. While that may mean the book is not for everyone, I found the story compelling. We all face challenges in our lives that are out of our control, challenges that seem unusually cruel and undeserved, challenges that can break our bodies and our spirits. Resau’s story reminds us that often the path to healing lies in support and friendship. Forming relationships with others helps us to be vulnerable, to face our trauma and the myriad feelings it creates. By admitting we’re broken, we open up the possibility of once again becoming whole.

Eloise embodies all the complexities and contradictions of loss perfectly. She’s angry, sad, desperate, and withdrawn; she wants more than anything to be happy, but she’s also convinced herself that she doesn’t deserve happiness. Her work in the garden is the only time she feels somewhat at peace as she nurtures the delicate beauty she’s helped to create. I loved the way she was able to talk to the flowers and how they became a kind of guide, urging her forward in her journey. I wish we could have seen more of her time in the atelier, though maybe the fact that the merdre far outnumbers the magic is more realistic in reflecting her view of the world.

The other garden workers were interesting and likable, and the setting made me wish I could lose myself forever in the beauty of Paradise (well, maybe without the compost toilets). The connections to the Fates served as a clever reminder of the shared role that choices and destiny play in our lives. While it’s possible that fate is real, Resau makes it clear that we also have a role to play in shaping that fate.

My one criticism of the story is the timeline. Relationships take time. Healing takes time. To me, finding a way to slow the pace down a bit would make for a more authentic story.

Thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very nice, gentle story. It was vulnerable, cozy, atmospheric, with beautiful imagery and with a little bit of enchantment. I loved the relationship development between all the characters and enjoyed the romance.

Overall, I enjoyed it. It was engaging to read and left me wanting to make lemon and lavender shortbread and buy edible flowers online:)

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the arc and I leave this review of my own volition:)

A Lyrical & Hauntingly Beautiful Story

Laura Resau's writing is pure magic. Her descriptions are so vivid that you can almost smell the lavender fields, feel the cool stone walls, and hear the rustling of the leaves in the eerie moonlight. Her prose is poetic and immersive, wrapping the reader in a spellbinding atmosphere that blends beauty with an undercurrent of unease.

The way she weaves French phrases into the dialogue and descriptions adds an extra layer of authenticity, making the novel feel both grounded and dreamlike. If you’re a fan of lush, atmospheric writing, The Alchemy of Flowers will completely captivate you!

I loved how The Alchemy of Flowers instantly took me to a vibrant French garden. Eloise's story, filled with quirky characters and hidden dangers, was both cozy and thrilling. I was completely immersed in the beautiful descriptions and the emotional depth of her journey, especially her struggles with infertility. It's a gorgeous escape to France, and I can't wait to revisit it.

🌺Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌹
3.5 🌟
The vibes in this book were immaculate 🤌. A magic, eerie, garden in a remote french château? Count me in.
The mystery was interesting and compelling to read and the characters, with their little found family, were very comforting.
I'm sure Eloise's struggles with infertility resonated with a lot of readers, and I think it is important to talk about them, but I feel like she never really accepted that not being a mother did not make her less of a woman, and I would've liked the author to explore that more.
All in all, it was a nice, cozy reading 🌹🌺🪻🪷.

The Alchemy of Flowers was a difficult book for me to finish reading. I did not like the scattered ideas strewn about the story. The treehouses and garden of paradise in the story were not compatible with the Provence location and aesthetic. I did not like the literal aspect of alchemy with compost being turned into flowers...I think there could have been a "nicer "way to incorporate alchemy. The cover and synopsis made this book sound flowery and mysterious, but the overall plot did not come together for me. The magical realism aspects felt a bit random and did not have enough whimsy that complimented the floral location of the South of France.

Overall I am pretty disappointed with The Alchemy of Flowers, it sounded better than it was.

Thank you, Laura Resau, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for the early preview of this book.

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

Title: The Alchemy of Flowers
Author: Laura Resau
Format: e-book

Review:

Eloise is an American woman who finds herself moving to France to escape the hell that she has found herself in at this point of her life. She is recently divorced and there’s a backstory that we eventually piece together to see exactly why she moved to this estate for the “no children” rule. Some important trigger warnings should be included, not limited to:
-infertility
-miscarriage/loss
-rape
-murder
-child marriage

These trigger warnings are present throughout the story, but are thoughtfully explained.

This story has so many beautiful messages throughout and I really believe it can be enjoyed and appreciated by all, even if you didn’t connect via the personal problems that the main character experienced. Love can be found in many ways and many different relationships, even when you may have lost hope.

Laura Resau’s writing beautifully flows to illustrate vivid scenes throughout this book. I was completely captivated and felt as if I could not put this down! I loved the touch of French phrases throughout, although we know they were speaking in French throughout the story. My few years of taking French in school appreciated and enjoyed it. I found myself saying phrases and looking forward to having some literal interpretations explained.

I was blown away that I could connect and be interested in learning about each of the characters. Many times I was surprised by what happened and loved how each character fit so beautifully in the plot. I appreciate the realism of these characters holding on to past trauma and being hesitant to share their stories with Eloise.

I found myself questioning why this book was titled The Alchemy of Flowers, and slowly the reasoning trickled in. It really made its point in the last 50 pages. Maybe there could have been more to show how Eloise used the magic of the flowers in the gardens to heal. However, I don’t feel that is NECESSARY.

I loved the ending and felt that I got everything that I wanted out of this story.

I was really drawn to the beautiful cover of this book and the premise sounded promising, filled with magic realism, intrigue and mystery. I think I was hoping for something a bit darker as the blurb felt like this story could take a sinister turn.

Perhaps I am at the wrong stage of my life, but this novel fell short of the mark and the characters didn’t resonate with me. I just couldn’t bring myself to care about them.
The interjection of the French language was somewhat cumbersome and made me feel as though the author was displaying her proficiency in French, rather than enriching the story.
The author does have a rich, vivid writing style, able to convey settings beautifully.

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.

I gave this book a 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5 stars because we can’t give half stars on Goodreads.)

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.