Featuring poignant family dynamics, the search for love and identity, and interwoven with the narratives of other Fifth Daughters (from the Tang Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, and the last days of the Qing Dynasty), THE LIBRARY OF FLOWERS is an absorbing story about finding your true heart’s desire.
THE LIBRARY OF FLOWERS
by Lily Chu
Sourcebooks Casablanca, March 2026
(via Laura Dail Literary)
Thirty-two-year-old Lucy Hua comes from an ancient, magical line of Chinese perfumers renowned for their secret ability to manipulate emotions through their ‘moli’ perfumes. Throughout history, they served the rich and powerful, from empresses to taipans and their wives to CEOs. But even among the Hua family, Lucy’s talent is rare: she can create scents that attract true love. It’s a gift that only presents itself in the eldest daughter of every fifth generation.
And her family is hoping that gift will save them now. Ever since immigrating to Vancouver after World War II, the Huas’ fortunes haven’t been the same. Eager to regain their former status and riches, they were waiting for Lucy and her powers to mark the end of their decline. Unfortunately, Lucy’s abilities never manifested and, devastated by her failure, she leaves home to open her own, thoroughly non-magical, artisanal parfumerie…until the day her past finally catches up with her again.
Lily Chu loves ordering the second-cheapest wine, wearing perfume all the time, and staying up far too late reading a good book. She writes romantic comedies set in Toronto with strong Asian characters.
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