You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
blanketed_in_books 's review for:
The Alchemy of Flowers: A Novel
by Laura Resau
DID NOT FINISH: 52%
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion. The story was and intriguing premise but ended up not able to finish this book.
The premise, healing from heartbreak, escaping to a castle, and uncovering its hidden secrets, immediately intrigued me. The slow build in the first 20% focused on lush garden scenes, mysterious disappearances of previous workers, and whispers of a goddess’s favor and wrath. I especially liked the touch of magical realism with Eloise’s ability to hear flowers.
The premise, healing from heartbreak, escaping to a castle, and uncovering its hidden secrets, immediately intrigued me. The slow build in the first 20% focused on lush garden scenes, mysterious disappearances of previous workers, and whispers of a goddess’s favor and wrath. I especially liked the touch of magical realism with Eloise’s ability to hear flowers.
Where I struggled was in connecting with the characters and pacing. By halfway, the relationships still felt surface-level, and a particular scene reflecting on Eloise’s infertility journey pulled me out entirely. While I understand that grief can bring up complicated and sometimes unflattering emotions, the comparison made in this moment struck me as deeply off-putting, and I couldn’t bring myself to continue.
Others may connect more with Eloise’s grief journey and find the slow-burn mystery rewarding. Sadly, this one just wasn’t for me.