The Library of Flowers

by L.C. Chu

Rooted in memory and steeped in magic, The Library of Flowers is a radiant exploration of family, identity, and the expectations we inherit, perfect for anyone who has ever carried the weight of a legacy—and dared to make it their own.

For centuries, the Hua women have held sway over the courts of emperors and billionaires with their magical perfumes able to stir hearts and ensure fortunes. And in every fifth generation, an eldest daughter is born with the rarest gift of all: the ability to summon true love.

As a long-awaited fifth daughter, Lucy was supposed to be the miracle her exacting mother had been waiting for. But when her magic failed, Lucy fled Vancouver, her legacy, and the expectations that had nearly broken her. Now, years later, she runs a tiny perfume shop tucked away in Toronto's Kensington Market—crafting beautiful, perfectly ordinary scents and keeping her extraordinary past firmly behind her. That is, until a death in the family brings her home...and saddles her with an unwelcome inheritance: the centuries-old Hua family register, brimming with secrets, formulas, and forgotten truths.

As Lucy unravels the stories of the women who came before her—including the mother whose complicated heart she never could understand—she must confront the tangled threads of love, power, and identity...and ask herself whether her magic was ever truly gone, or simply waiting for her to decide for herself what it means to be a daughter of the House of Hua.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Magical Realism, Canada, Adult Fiction, Adult

400 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 2, 2026

Reviews

[Fanna]

12.05.2022 a woman who hails from a line of ancient Chinese perfumers has the power to create fragrances that bring about true love, how interesting does this sound!

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the synopsis and beautiful cover, but I wasn’t prepared to be swept away by such a fantastic story.

I’m confident that this story about the Hua women and their ability to control emotions with their magical moli fragrances will be a bestseller because the author has tapped into some fundamental experiences that eldest daughters endure regardless of their culture or birthplace. Being able to identify with a character, yet be intrigued by an unpredictable plot, is important for me.

I noted the camaraderie I felt with Lucy as she struggled to measure up to the expectations of her family and felt the weight of the responsibilities she bore as she upheld her cultural traditions. My emotional response was triggered when Lucy’s mom expressed her disappointment at Lucy abandoning her heritage and her gift. Distance allowed me to understand the disappointment and the reasons behind it, but the familiarity of the situation allowed me to walk in another's shoes and see how another navigated a similar experience.

I appreciated the spotlight on the symbiotic relationship between Lucy and her family. She was expected to be the foundation and the keystone to prevent them from falling apart. She didn’t want the pressure of responsibility, yet she knew she needed them. I, too, understand the double-edged sword. I liked the reminder from Lucy about the value of persevering and taking my eyes off myself and putting them on others and the future.

What a terrific book for book club!

Don’t miss this one.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Fatima Anwar · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8/A typical coming home story with a bit of scent and alchemy.

I loved the premise, the grip, the story writing. But it had a lot of things it could have done better. First, let me talk about the protagonist, she is 30 30-something perfumer who is running away from her legacy, her past, her family and especially her powers _ her moli.

Born in a matriarchal family of alchemists/ perfumers, Luling, aka Lucy Hua, is the 5th daughter, the redeemer, the one who will carry her legacy into the future. But as far as Lucy is concerned, she doesn't have her power. Without her power, she is dishonouring her family legacy and their power. 10 years have passed since she left behind her past and her family, but everything changes when her grandmother sends her their family register containing the stories of all the Hua women who came long before her. Her grandmother's death, a disaster with her perfumes and the return of an Old friend may change everything.
I enjoyed the story; the story writing and format were incredible, and I found myself lost in the world of perfumes and scents. I really commend the author for her extensive research on perfumes, flowers and various fragrances. The back story on other Hua women could have been developed better. I believe that most of her characters are well written but lack depth, especially the men in her family. I get that this is a woman-centric story's but the men in this story are just so poorly written. I mean, the author could have explored Eric a little more, his emotions and why he was the way he was or Lucy's father. On the other hand, women were better written, their stories, relationships and friendships were explored. Lucy's mother, Meilin, was such a complex character. I loved the mother-daughter dynamic..

I feel that the love between Lucy and Rafe could have been omitted. Their reunion, even their friendship, felt forced. People change, but after 13 years of no contact, you get a completely new person in the skin of someone familiar. It takes time and effort to rekindle a friendship after so many long years. The author could have developed a better love arc herself or none at all. It wasn't necessary for the story; I think it was enough that she found herself.

[Mai H.]

ANHPI TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark

[rachel x]

"Rooted in memory and steeped in magic, The Library of Flowers is a radiant exploration of family, identity, and the expectations we inherit, perfect for anyone who has ever carried the weight of a legacy—and dared to make it their own"

this sounds so good

[Aura C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a beautifully written story. It feels soft and emotional in a way that slowly wraps around you. The focus on scent, memory, and heritage made everything feel vivid and layered. I enjoyed sinking into the world of perfumes and family traditions, especially how it shaped Lucy’s life in ways she didn’t fully understand until she was forced to return home.

Lucy’s journey felt honest. She’s caught between who she was raised to be and who she wants to become, and that struggle came through clearly. The family moments were some of my favorites, especially the ones that showed how complicated love can be across generations. The writing has this dreamlike quality that pulled me in, and I found myself lingering over certain lines just to feel them fully.

Some parts moved more slowly than others, but the emotional payoff was worth it. I didn’t need the romance as much as I hoped for more growth and reflection, and thankfully Lucy did get that.

Cozy: ☕☕☕☕
Magic: ✨✨✨
Emotion: 💧💧💧

A tender, atmospheric read full of heart, identity, and the quiet power of returning to your roots.

[Jessica Brusven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a stunning book that explores how often family history can be a curse on one’s plans for the future. As Lucy seeks to break out on her own, she’s tested by an ancient family gift that is said to touch the 5th daughter in her family’s lineage. The plot genre bends between rom-com, contemporary fiction and magical realism to deliver a beautiful story about ambition, redemption and connection to the past. I adored the dual timelines and strong female characters. I learned a lot about ancient Chinese fragrance, while remaining enthralled in the present day plot. A Must Read!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes this book utterly compelling is the masterful way Chu weaves together the central narrative with exquisite, yet profound, flashbacks. These glimpses into other centuries—from quiet, shadowed Victorian gardens to bustling medieval markets—are not merely historical anecdotes; they are beautifully integrated windows into the past lives and accumulated wisdom of the characters. This centuries-spanning structure lends the entire story an incredible depth, making the main mystery feel rich and weighted by the passage of time.

[Karen Jaunarajs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fresh and interesting read for a market that's inundated with drivel. Beautiful descriptions of scent that make you want to run out and buy perfume! I wanted to rate this higher, but coulAi Ai. seem to relate to the main character. It seemed that she interpreted EVERYTHING anyone said ir did as insulting or coming from a place of malice. She acted like a bratty 16 year old for 3/4 of the book. I also wanted more of the flashbacks to previous Hua women, especially with Aiai to flesh out the mystery and importance of the Hua line. Great potential, just didn't hit quite right for me.

[Shannon A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy wants nothing to do with her family’s centuries-long tradition of being the purveyors of magical perfumes. What was bestowed on her being the Fifth daughter she hasn’t been able to develop in her own perfume formulas. Shortly after her grandmother dies, her world is turned upside down and Lucy finds herself questioning everything. As the threads of love, family and inheritance unravel, Lucy finally discovers the true meaning behind her power and where she truly belongs.

[Kristen Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to good reads for this advanced reading copy giveaway. I mostly enjoyed this book, however i mostly skipped through the flashback to past generations as i just didn't feel it brought much to the story. I could have done with less fighting between mom and daughter about her moli but overall it was an enjoyable read

[Nancy Mazgajewski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this uncorrected proof to read and review. Sorry, but I was not a fan. I could have done without the fictionalized/fantasy background of the 5th daughters as I felt it confused more than enhanced the read.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. While this book was slow to start, I ended up liking it a lot more than I thought I would. True love doesn’t always have to be romantic, and I think that’s an important message.

Ana was the only character I found likable throughout the story, but Lucy and mom did redeem themselves in the end.

I enjoyed the present day portions quite a bit more than the historical ones. I’m not sure why I found the past harder to follow, maybe just due to not knowing those characters.

**ARC review. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read it early.

[Desig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hey

[Venkatesan · Rating 4 out of 5]

urj4j4krk

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate luling so much in a very loving way(she's too real, all of them are)

rtc

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 🌟

Beyond a beautiful cover, this book was beautifully written.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved the growth we saw in Lucy and the solution to her moli was perfect. The relationships she has and growth she experiences with them throughout the book was great. Ana was a wonderful side character. If you like historical books sprinkled with a little magic, run and grab this book!

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!