The Alchemy of Flowers: A Novel

by Laura Resau, Cassandra Campbell (Narrator)

A woman takes a job at a secretive French garden to avoid reminders of children; there she meets a mysterious girl needing help. This debut adult novel blends the charm of The Secret Garden and magic realism of Where the Forest Meets the Stars .

"Here lie the bones of those who broke the rules . . ."

There are many rules those who wish to live and work behind the mysterious walled gardens of Le Château du Paradis must follow. One must not gossip. One must not leave their room during dusk.

And most importantly for the newest gardener, Eloise Bourne, children are forbidden.

Although she's locked inside the castle grounds and subjected to strange rules, Eloise's new home enchants her with otherworldly lodging and magical flowers. Best of all, her co-workers—who are also retreating from the world—spark her to heal both body and soul. And she feels surprisingly drawn to the intriguing handyman, Raphaël.

But when she starts glimpsing a mysterious child in the trees, she reels. Is this a human girl? Or a woodsprite? Is it her imagination, or is this place truly enchanted?

As the summer unfolds, Eloise begins to fear the child is in danger. It's not until she breaks the rules and risks her heart that Paradise becomes a prison. Eloise must unearth the gardens' secrets, fight for her newfound family, and ultimately, claim a second chance at happiness.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Magical Realism, Audiobook, Romance, Adult, France

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2025

About the author

Laura Resau is the author of The Alchemy of Flowers, The River Muse (May 2026), and eleven acclaimed books for children and teens. Her books have garnered nineteen starred trade reviews, five Colorado Book Awards, and spots on “best-of” book lists from Oprah, School Library Journal, and the American Library Association. Trilingual, she’s lived in Provence and Oaxaca, and has a background in cultural anthropology, languages, and ESL. She teaches graduate creative writing at Western Colorado University. You might find her writing in her cozy vintage trailer in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she lives with her rock-hound husband, musician son, wild husky, and a hundred house plants.

Reviews

[ari [gin’s vrsn 🩵] [semi ia] · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7⭐

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

spoiler free

15/16+

romance: 6/10 (some kissing, a non descriptive scene where Eloise uses a showerhead to masturbate in the shower, a non descriptive scene where Eloise and Raphael have sex, mentions of Eloise and her ex husband having sex a lot to try and have a baby)

cursing: 3/10 (i’m pretty sure it was just shit, at least in English lol. There were many uses of “my God” in French tho)

violence: 4/10 (it only really got violent at the end, where there was some blood, stabbing, a bomb)

other: alcohol consumed to the point of tipsiness. One character is gay and gets a boyfriend at the end

tw: infertility, grief, miscarriage

tropes: the trope is lwk kinda a spoiler… so don’t look if it don’t it spoiled

single dad

first person, past tense


– OVERVIEW –

This book was a rollercoaster.

I have never been, nor will be for a long while, pregnant but this book made me feel for our main character. I have never lost a child, but I could feel the pain in losing one in the words. It was very obvious that the author has experience with it and my heart goes out to her.

I genuinely have no idea what genre this would be considered as. It’s a romance, but it’s not quite a magical realism, not quite a contemporary, not a fantasy, not mystery enough to be a mystery. There’s an obvious magical feel to this book while everything remains in the realm of reality.

The Secret Garden was one of my favorite books as a kid, and this was incredible.

This book is for dreamers who grew up but never truly did.

It was a daring dance of love and fate, like twirling through a garden of beautiful, yet deadly, flowers.

I was enthralled from the first sentence.

This is the first ever audiobook I’ve reviewed from Netgalley, but it certainly won’t be my last. As some of you know, I am a big crochet girlie (an albeit more recent addition to my ever growing list of hobbies) and it seemed only fitting to crochet a flower bandana while listening.

-the narration-

Absolutely magnifique. I loved her expression and how she spent the time to learn the pronunciation of all the French words. Safe to say if I had actually read this, I would have botched every name, place, and word.

-the writing-

As the name would suggest, the writing was flowery without being overbearing. The prose was excellent. I felt wholly immersed in this mystical, magical garden

This was my first book by Laura Resau and it definitely won’t be my last.


– PLOT –

The first 75% was a more cozy book with a undertone of danger, then that last 25% was like 📈📉📈📉📈📉📈📉 with my anxiety

– CHARACTERS –

Eloise
⤷ She was actually a very likeable character, I felt her pain like it was my own. I want to wrap her up in a tight hug and give her cinnamon hot chocolate.

Raphael
⤷ I love this man sm. He’s so sweet and ahhhhh 🤭🤭


– CONCLUSION –

If you’re okay with the heavy topics and the content, READ IT.



pre-review

owwy

rtc

pre-read

my first arc audiobook 🫣🫣
lwk kinda scared but when i got the email abt this book i was too intrigued bc the secret garden was one of my favorite books when i was younger

[ABCme · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious."

When Eloise moves from The States to France to work at the walled gardens of Paradise, she isn't prepared for this much beauty. Grounds covered in flowers, bees darting, a river, a waterfall, rustique lodgings, a place of joy and abundance.
With this much wealth available, there is no need to venture outside the gates. Eloise and her three collegues are content to work the gardens and enjoy what is provided. Without internet or contact with the outside world life is calm and somewhat magical.
All is well when played by the rules. Once she starts following the whispers of the flowers and questioning what is going on in the nearby castle, a different world emerges.
Dark clouds move in and the feel good story changes into eerie gothic, deep and dangerous.
There's a reason why the four of them are here.

The Alchemy of Flowers is an exchange between light and darkness, healing gardens and poisonous plants, the magical and the mundane. A fast paced story firmly rooted in everyday life. With fairylights at sunset, late night dinners and a dark castle looming.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Muse for the ARC.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Kayla_Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the audio arc in exchange for an honest opinion.

Unfortunately this one just did not work for me. It wasn’t what I expected and was left disappointed

[Lizzy Brannan · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 is great, but the climax toward it is not effective. 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.

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

[Denise Ruttan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently there is now a microtrope of traumatized American women in their 30s traveling to France to work in mysterious, magical locations like gardens and bakeries because this is now the second book I have read with almost the exact same plot. This story reminded me quite a bit of The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris - complete with the shallowly researched Romani influence and whirlwind instalove romance with a dark and handsome stranger who can reawaken the young woman's sexuality.

I liked this one much better than the Mysterious Bakery book, however, mostly because the Romani influence was in the character development and not in the magic system or worldbuilding and didn't seem completely made up.

I thought this book worked best as an exploration of the 37-year-old narrator's struggles with infertility. People who have fresh pain with these struggles should take care in reading this because it was a deep and sensitive exploration of Eloise's issues with identity, body image, childlessness and sexuality. This avenue worked for me much better than the magic system, though I was disturbed at her miscommunication to Raphael making him think she was childfree instead of infertile and her lack of reflection over that.

I was convinced for over half the book that secretive Raphael, who didn't share much emotional intimacy with Eloise, was married with children and hiding a double life, and this made me not care about their romance; his secret did turn out to be something much less smarmy, at least. But then after a mostly physical relationship and friendly flirtation, Raphael becomes The One for Eloise who she wants to build a life with. I needed to be more convinced of their chemistry beyond the physical to care about their romance.

I also was fascinated by Eloise's ability to speak to flowers but disappointed that she was relegated to compost duty, the author seemed overly enchanted with the word "merde," and her ability didn't factor much into the mystery or the plot. The pacing of the mystery and the speculative elements were also off to me. I was ready for creepy secret garden as a backdrop to Eloise healing her issues with her identity as a woman who yearns to be a mother. But her romance almost too perfectly fixed that issue and the story felt confused on how much of the speculative elements to include. There was a lot of dragging and much coziness, which struck an unbalanced tone with the high stakes and danger of leaving or breaking rules, and I found it odd that Eloise wasn't more afraid for her precarious situation. At least she was curious.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 🌻🪻🌷


Ⓟⓡⓔ—Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ

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!

❁ Thank you to Netgalley, Laura Resau and HarperCollins Focus for the opportunity to read the ARC of this in exchange of my honest opinion ❁

[Jo Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Alchemy of Flowers was a completely different book than I expected it to be, and I enjoyed it more than I thought.

I was expecting a full on fantasy, but what Resau has delivered is more a story of Mother Nature a connection to the earth and a story of learning to forgive yourself, and embrace love after loss and found family. It was really quite beautiful,

Eloise, a husk of the woman she once was, accepts a job in the South of France as the gardener of the ancient Jardins du Paradis, on arrival she meets the other staff, and learns of the seemingly endless and unusual rules, and learn to combat the dark forces that seem to be at play. I was surprised at how swept away in the story I felt, I ended up really loving it.

I enjoyed the audio narration too .

Trigger warnings for fertility issues, baby loss and sexual assault.

My thanks to Harper Muse Audiobooks and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading this author, and the story feels like Emily in Paris meets The Secret Garden, with a magical twist—goddesses, forest sprites, healing teas, and whispering flowers included. It’s whimsical, immersive, and quietly haunting.

Eloise Bourne answers a mysterious ad in a French gardening magazine and leaves everything behind for a job at a secluded estate in the south of France. The castle, over 3,000 years old, comes with breathtaking gardens—and strict rules: no gossiping, no leaving the grounds, no wandering at dusk, and no children allowed.

For Eloise, who is grieving a failed marriage and multiple miscarriages, the isolation is welcome. The estate is without electricity, plumbing, or social media, but it offers a kind of healing. She finds connection with other workers, all of whom seem to be escaping something. One of them is Raphael, a gentle handyman who becomes a quiet source of comfort and affection.

Then, unexpectedly, a young girl appears—despite the strict no-children rule. The child seems to know her way around the estate and quickly grows attached to Eloise, who, in turn, warms to her with a mix of tenderness and quiet fear. The bond they form is touching and vulnerable, especially as Eloise begins to worry for the child’s safety and the secrets the castle might be hiding.

The writing is rich and lyrical, filled with slow romance, delicate food, and layered friendships. But there’s an undercurrent of darkness as truths about the castle’s past begin to surface.

Special mention to the audiobook narrator, who flawlessly captures the tone, French language, and accents—truly enhancing the experience.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the ALC! 🎧

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars When Eloise from Colorado takes a job at the Gardens of Paradise in Provence, she is enchanted by the lush, beautiful gardens and idyllic setting. She enjoys her coworkers and finds Raphael particularly intriguing. Eloise has welcomed the move after a failed marriage due to infertility and miscarriage issues. As a flower whisperer, her ability to make magical, healing tisanes is revered as well as her ability to communicate with flowers. They whisper warnings to her and makes her cautious as danger, secrets, and myths are lurking around every corner. The boss, Antoinette, has lots of rules and is strict and often angry. There is no gossip, they prefer you stay on the grounds, and absolutely no children. Eloise finds that among the flowers, there is love, magic, happiness, and possibly a child as one keeps mysteriously popping up to see her while she is working.

I found this to be a great mix of historical fiction, magical realism, mystery, and romance. It intertwines women's issues with Greek mythology. This is a very strong adult debut that is reminiscent of The Secret Garden but unique in its scope. Fans of The Secret Garden or stories with a lot of magical realism will love this one. I supplemented my reading with the audiobook which is expertly performed with excellent French accents when needed by Cassandra Campbell.🎧📚

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse Books and audio, UpLit Reads, and Laura Resau for an advance reader's copy, advance listening copy, and finished copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Suzanne Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[📚 Alana (professional book nerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓸 𝓝𝓮𝓽𝓰𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓛𝓪𝓾𝓻𝓪 𝓡𝓮𝓼𝓪𝓾 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓪𝓻𝓬!

Rtc

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 !!

[Jace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was so lush and atmospheric and definitely lived up to the Secret Garden comparison! It had the perfect amount of mystery and eerie vibes that I feel like would be perfect to read going into the fall season. Check the trigger warnings— a lot of conversation about fertility and motherhood but after reading the authors note I really valued how she shared this story.

Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC!

[Teodora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

Eloise is from Colorado and recently divorced. She applied for a job as a gardener on a whim, and she was accepted, thus starting her journey to the south of France where a mystery awaited her.

This was the first time I listened to an audiobook and I'm not a fan. Also, the narrator wasn't very good. What I did like was the gardens and their descriptions, full of magic and the power of healing.

Warning - infertility and the battle with it.

[Chasing Silhouettes · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALC audiobook review.

Going through the gates of Jardins du Paradis is like stepping into a portal of a fairytale. A magnificent, fantastical realm curated and gathered through eloquent utopic imagery. It is a secluded haven for a select few, sequestered away from the rest of the modern world. But there are rules. Touched by goddesses - real or imagined, ethereal or terrifying. Life and death frolic upon the whispers of flowers. The broken go there to escape the tragedy or trauma of their pasts and as long as they adhere to the rules they can stay and live in paradise.

Eloise found her way there, by fate, by happenstance, by manifestation. It was all she could have ever imagined... and much more.

Full of mystery, of doubt and hope, of loss and healing. Tentative and fragile relationships evolve and strengthen through kindred bonds. Curiousity brings about danger... and discovery. Thrill, suspense, and dark twists. If you've followed my reviews, you know I love a story that combines multiple genres and runs my tender heart through a gamut of emotions. This would be one of those!

Love the journey, the stories, these characters!

ALC Audiobook review. Thank you NetGalley/Harper Muse Audiobooks for providing me with a reviewing copy of this audiobook!

[Gigi Ropp · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite reads of 2025, The Alchemy of Flowers has it all! Love, loss, longing, magic, and enough mystery to keep me reading late into the night will keep this one at the top of my recommended reads for years to come!

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn’t for everyone—myself included. It feels like it was meant for a specific audience, one that shares the main character’s trauma and grief, and would connect with the story on a much deeper level than I did.

That being said, the writing is stunning, florid and poetic. The setting is captivating, with its vivid descriptions, the unique talents of each character, and the magic woven into the whole place. These elements bring the world to life in a way that feels almost tangible.

But for all its beauty, the book has its drawbacks. Descriptive passages often cross into info-dump territory, dragging on to the point of frustration. The protagonist’s past is intentionally kept in the shadows, leading to a repetitive cycle of rediscovering the same fragments of their story over and over again. And then, there’s the excessive use of French phrases, mon ami, mon chéri, merde, which, rather than adding charm, felt forced and overdone.

Albeit the book wasn’t for me, I believe every book finds its reader. This one touches on important, often-overlooked themes, and for the right audience, it may be exactly the story they need.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC~

[KDub · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe I'm just a grumpy bitch, but I'm only 5% in and the FMC seems pretty insufferable already 😂

Hours later...

I tried with this one; I really did.

I wasn't expecting the repetitive nature of the infertility discussions, and I frankly don't want to hear about that. The romance is awkward and forced, and Eloise is just SO twee and irritating. Perhaps I would have enjoyed this more as a physical book as opposed to audio—hearing the French/English combo constantly felt so pretentious and annoying. I was expecting something more cozy and magical, which sadly met neither expectation.

The narrator has an excellent voice for audiobooks, so there's that. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Alchemy of Flowers’ is the perfect read for anyone looking for witchy vibes and a whimsical world to fall into.

I really enjoyed this book. It utterly captivated me, and I was left wanting more with every chapter. This story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming as we follow the main character (Eloise) on a journey to recover from devastating loss with the help of her found family. It’s beautifully written and full of stunning descriptions that really helped to set the scene and transported me to the ‘Garden of Paradise'. Each character has their own set of complexities, which we get to learn about throughout the book, and I think most people will find something in a character they can relate to.

The only thing I would advise people to be mindful of when picking this up is that there are themes and topics throughout, including loss and reproductive health, which some people may find difficult to read.

I would like to thank Harper Focus / Harper Muse, NetGalley, and Laura Resau for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Marina Richie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immersive, magical, haunting, sensory....a delectable feast of a novel that I could not put down-- I can't wait for Laura's next book coming in 2026.

[Sharon Huether · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eloise's life in the US has less meaning since she has no baby and now no husband. She sees an ad for a job in France at Le Chateau du Paradis taking care of a very large garden full of flowers and plants.
She feels the flowers speak to her as she is healing from her past.

A beautifully written debut novel taking the reader on a spell binding journey.

I want to thank Harper Muse for sending me this lovely, finished novel.

[Elle V · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Lata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exhausted, run down, bitter and lonely, Eloise applies for a job at a garden in France. Once accepted, she arrives, and is given the rules, which state, no staying out at dusk in the garden, no questions about the reclusive owner or anything else, and stay in the garden.

Eloise is thrilled initially, and loves the ambiance of the beautiful garden, as well as the friendliness of the other staff. The garden is just what she needs to get over her failed marriage, her several and painful fertility treatments and multiple miscarriages.

And though it's great in her new home, she is a little put off by the way questions are rebuffed, and she also begins seeing things out of the corners of her eyes. And she begins wondering, what is this place, and are things just too good to be true.

I liked the beginning of the story, but suddenly stopped caring about the main character. It was abrupt, and I can't identify any one thing that put me off, but suddenly, this book no longer worked for me, and that was that.

I want back and forth between the book and audio, and Cassandra Campbell does a great job voicing Eloise and the other characters. I just wish my interest in the story had not suddenly vanished, because the audiobook makes for enjoyable listening.

Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins Focus and to Harper Muse Audiobook for these ARCs.

[Jess ❈Harbinger of Blood-Soaked Rainbows❈ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly lovely. I had absolutely no preconceived notions of this book going in and I ended up absolutely loving it. Supposedly a Secret Garden retelling although I feel as if it was more of an interpretation rather than a retelling. I found a lot to enjoy here: exquisite French garden setting, loveable and dynamic characters, surprising depth of themes, and a little action and romance thrown in for good measure. The romance was secondary to the plot which I found refreshing and I also thought it was well-done and fairly free of tropiness I hate. The absolute suspense and tenseness of the ending was completely unexpected and this was the second audiobook I've ever listened to that made me abandon just reading on my commute and in my car to lying on the couch for hours with my earbuds in because I couldn't get enough.

Eloise is a broken woman in her late thirties, coming off a debilitating divorce and a slew of depression and anxiety looking for a fresh start. The only thing that gives her peace and calm is her penchant for gardening and her love for flowers, with whom her most private and intimate conversations are had. She finds an ad for a gardener in her french gardening magazine and applies, thinking living in the Garden of Paradise in France is the perfect fresh start she needs. When she gets the job, she finds herself a fish out of water in the immaculate gardens of Paradise and among the three other residents there, Raphael, Mina, and Bao. Having isolated herself from all her friends, her family, and from society in general back in Colorado after her divorce and a lot of trauma, Eloise at first feels this is the perfect place to start fresh. She finds the rules strange: no being outside at twilight, following the rules is an absolute must, and (the best for Eloise), no children are allowed. She quickly bonds with the other residents, finds attraction and chemistry with the enigmatic Raphael, sisterly friendship with Mina, and a feeling of safety and camaraderie with Bao. The descriptions of the French gardens and the foods they eat, the herbs they collect, an the flowers that are both beautiful and medicinal were exquisite and I couldn't help but become entranced.

The characters were surprisingly dynamic and I loved the layers of depth that came out about each one as the words peeled back. The romance was handled nicely and I enjoyed that Eloise and Raphael were friends first and got to know each other before finding love in each other. Their relationship also was pulled and shaped by trauma on both ends which was nicely handled. I don't want to share too much because the unfolding of this story without prior knowledge was what made it so magical to me. The writing was exquisite and reading how each broken character found peace and healing in Paradise was the bread and butter of this book. The ending was dramatic and surprising and tense and I raced to the end to see how it would all play out! I wasn't expecting some thriller aspects, though there were some allusions to some darker sides of Paradise sprinkled throughout.

There were some very minor magical realism elements sprinkled in which were nice, and though most of the magic was given realistic explanations towards the end, the mysteries of the gardens gave a beautiful darker tone to the novel that I enjoyed. Themes of loss, grief, trauma, bodily dysfunction, mental health issues, and identity were very prevalent throughout and I was not expecting to find such depth in these pages. Eloise's experiences with infertility, loss, and trauma were very realistically portrayed and her healing both inwardly and outwardly as well as coming to terms with her own failures and shortcomings provided a stark contrast to the loveliness of the setting. The magic touch of Eloise's ability to talk to flowers and plants and those plants being a part of her healing journey also touched on a lot of the right notes for me.

The narration of this was tres magnifique and the sprinklings of French strewn in were gorgeous. The narrator blended the French and the English perfectly and gave such a distinct voice to all the characters. The beautiful narration gave such a voice to the story that was a step above reading it on the page. With audiobooks, the narration can make or break the experience and in this case, not only made but improved.

I am very interested in reading more of Laura Resau's books in the future. I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did and I cannot wait to reread this and revisit it in the future.
4.5 stars and HIGHLY recommended!

I received both a copy of this audiobook and this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Brooke Lanier · Rating 5 out of 5]

this magnifique story healed my heart

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good book. I liked that the author encorporated some of her own struggles into the character. You don't see many characters in books with endometriosis and I liked that there was that representation.

audiobook 11:12 hours

[Ifa Inziati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eloise leaves her life in Denver behind to work in France and do the strangest job: turning merde into fleur. The garden she works in is not only enclosed from the outside world but also owned by a faceless, mysterious La Patronne. There are set of rules that must be obeyed, albeit how peculiar it is, and Eloise doesn't mind—in fact, it is why she applies for the job. All is going well and magical until she discovers a dreadful fact about the garden and has to face her darkest, deepest fear.

First of all, the cover has my heart. I really adore the symmetry and typography. It hints the 'secret garden' elements as well as the darkness that's creeping in, giving the vibe of a grounded but fantastical kind of power that this story is going to explore.

Turns out the alchemy part is only a glimpse of Eloise activity in the garden and being some kind of allegory to composting. More technical magic appears in witchy style instead. I didn't really mind it since the warm and unique found family atmosphere also supports this ethereal world's aura, but it did shift my expectation from a tale about floral alchemist to tisane concocter.

The mystery shrouding the garden and castle is initially suspenseful and eerie but unfortunately it fell flat. The revelation feels like a child's play and the resolution went too easy. I wish for more garden or floral magic utilization since Eloise bears the gift of communicating directly to the flowers. And perhaps it could benefit more from third person point of view instead of first person, because Eloise's "I" voice reads rather juvenile to fit the adult theme—except when she talks about her struggle with children.

I really appreciated the nakedness that the author writes here about what Eloise's been through in her old life. It's so vivid I could feel her heart-wrenching experience as if I was there. The connection among elements in her life before and after working in the garden is brilliant; I think this is where the writing is the strongest too (P.S. check the content and trigger warning before reading).

The Alchemy of Flowers brings the charm of southern France garden in an unexpected way: cozy yet hideous. Although the way first person POV is executed isn't what I typically like from an adult novel and thus didn't really deliver the story's potential, the concept is really pretty, and I could find solace in embrace of Mina, Bao, Raphaël, and the woodsprite who light up Eloise's life.

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

[briar ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.7 ★

first, i'd just like to say i could not relate at all to the issues presented in this book. whatever the opposite of relate is, that's what i felt about eloise. the pregnancy/infertility thing is such a major plot point, and if it was actually included in the blurb, i would never have chosen to read this. the descriptions of pregnant women, young women, eloise's desire for children, the one "fresh and fertile" comment??? she kind of thinks like a man at some points. all in all, everything made me uncomfortable to the point of dysphoria, and i'm not transmasc. i'm not even a tomboy, actually. and yet.

moving on to the story elements. plot was underwhelming. everything kind of happened all at once in the last fifth of the book, and i didn't really care for the direction it took. the speaking to flowers element was extremely underutilized for how much it was highlighted in the summary, and then the ending being not supernatural made it more annoying for me. when i picked this up, i was expecting a lot more magical realism.

the characters and their relationships are not particularly well-written either, to say the least. only eloise had any personality, and everyone else is one-dimensional with the occasional info dump trauma backstory thrown in. mina, definitely, was done the worst. i think her types of stories are very important to tell, but i don't think the alchemy of flowers has enough depth to tell it. and it does feel a bit racially charged compared to everyone else's background (escaped child bride from africa vs... fighting cancer and infertility? and i think mina's a muslim too). i know the whole point of the garden is that it's a sanctuary, and everyone has a difficult past, but again, i don't think this was executed well. a lot of it comes out to the fact that her—and everyone else's, to be honest—backgrounds are revealed through info vomiting. it's not natural; it doesn't mesh well with the overall characterizations or story.

none of the characters have any chemistry together, friendship or romance wise. eloise and raphael are just another one of those book couples who get together because of forced proximity and have no development ever. she was a girl, he was a boy, and they're in the same room, so of course they're in love, i guess?

i received an advanced copy from netgalley in exchange for a review.

[Marie Girulat · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.