I received this book in exchange for an honest review - for a full review check out my YouTube or Goodreads account

'A sumptuous, gothic-infused story about a marriage that is unravelled by dark secrets, a friendship cursed to end in tragedy, and the danger of believing in fairy tales.'

I was definitely expecting something completely different than what I read. This line above gives haunting, dark, magical, eery, otherworldly - what you get is toxic female friendship (which I've finally decided to accept that I hate), trauma, and unease, set in a gothic house which may or may not be sentient. (I'm going to go with may - I did like the house.)

The writing was vague and suggestive, often whimsical (sometimes too much) and atmospheric - I tend to like this style of writing, but it didn't seem to fit with the actual story line. It sometimes ran away with itself and I felt myself getting frustrated at times, as when I realised it was going a whole other direction than I had thought, I just wanted to know what on earth was happening.

I cannot deny this was a page turner though, and the side story of the husband I thought was very well done. But there are a lot of unanswered questions, the whole toxic friendship trope was infuriatingly cliché and I guessed the twist well in advance. If you like all of the above though - then this one is for you! It's a 2.5* from me.

A magically gothic tale about the developing mystery of a bridegroom discovering the truth about his to-be bride and the past in which 2 young girls with the help of a house and an aunt open a gate to the otherworld.
Filled with sumptuous vivid imaginings and underlying dread and sinister jealousy -this is perfect for any gothic fantasy fans.
I loved the tale of indigo and azure in the past as there friendship got deeper it got darker and darker to the point I was wondering how dangerous it would get. With indigo being a force to be reckoned with and her wrath got quite brutal.

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride follows the Bridegroom as he discovers the past of his bride, Indigo, in her mysterious family mansion. Something he promised her he wouldn’t do.

This mysterious magical realistic novel is a very short read that switches between the pov of a man simply called the Bridegroom and Azure, the childhood best friend of his wife, Indigo. Azure disappeared when the girls were teenagers and is a big part of the present day mystery.

Roshani Chokshi’s writing style is absolutely beautiful and was, together with the ending, the saving grace of this book. I struggled through the first part, but really wanted to know what Indigo was hiding so pushed through. And I’m so happy I did! Would really recommend this one if you love magical mysteries, and don’t mind a slower pace

There a danger in believing in stories. Indigio is beautiful and mysterious and is heiress to a fortune. When she finds that her estranged aunt is dying she is drawn back to her childhood home and the secrets she thought she had left behind. Her husband had promised not to pry into her past but when he learns of Azure Indigio’s childhood friend he can’t help but look for answers while feeling echoes with his own lost brother.

Beautifully written and skirting between reality and fantasy I found this an absorbing read.

In Roshani Chokshi's 'The Last Tale of the Flower Bride,' readers are invited into a world that masterfully blends gothic elements with the allure of fairy tales. The novel revolves around an intriguing premise: a scholar of myths marries a mysterious woman named Indigo, bound by a promise never to delve into her enigmatic past. This pact is put to the test when they visit Indigo's childhood home, the House of Dreams, a place shrouded in mystery and rich with forgotten lore.

Chokshi's narrative style is a standout feature of the book. Her prose is lyrical, almost poetic, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that is perfectly suited to the story's fairy tale and mythological elements. The House of Dreams, as a setting, is particularly well-crafted, serving as a character in its own right with its haunting presence and secrets waiting to be uncovered.

The dynamics between the characters, especially the protagonist and Indigo, are complex and layered. Indigo, as a character, is fascinating. She's a blend of mystery, strength, and vulnerability, making her an enigma that both frustrates and intrigues the reader. The exploration of their relationship, strained by secrets and unspoken promises, adds a rich layer of emotional depth to the narrative.

The plot of 'The Last Tale of the Flower Bride' is meticulously woven, with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged. The interplay of past and present, myth and reality, creates a narrative tapestry that is both unique and compelling. Chokshi's skill in storytelling is evident in how she unravels each thread of the story, revealing secrets and truths in a manner that is both satisfying and thought-provoking.

One of the book's strengths is its thematic exploration. It delves into topics such as the nature of love, the power of stories, and the weight of secrets. These themes are explored not just through the plot but also through the rich symbolism and allegory that Chokshi employs throughout the novel.

In terms of pacing, the book strikes a balance between reflective moments and plot-driven scenes. This pacing allows for character development and world-building, ensuring that the reader is fully immersed in the story's universe.

This novel stands out for its beautiful prose, intricate plotting, and deep exploration of themes. Roshani Chokshi has crafted a world that is as haunting as it is beautiful, a story that lingers with the reader long after the final page. For fans of gothic romance, fairy tales, and rich, layered storytelling, this book is a highly recommended read.

3.5 stars

A scholar of fairy tales meets the enigmatic Indigo Maxwell-Castenada, an heiress who is as beautiful as she is mysterious.
When the two marry, Indigo asks that the bridegroom never digs into her past, and the two live happily ever after.
Or, at least, they do until Indigo has to leave for her childhood home because her estranged aunt is seriously ill.
At the House of Dreams, the bridegroom is enticed by the promise of secrets and finds himself unable to stop from searching for answers.
Who is Azure?
Why does Indigo not talk about her and where did she go?

The premise for this book really intrigued me, especially the mystery element.
Out of the bridegroom, Indigo and Azure, I found Azure to be the most interesting character and I enjoyed her chapters the most. I didn't like Indigo very much, but she was a complex character. I felt indifferent about the bridegroom.
The plot was interesting and held my attention, but I wasn't gripped.
The magical realism element was intriguing and made the novel unique.
I enjoyed the writing style and found it easy to follow.
While I did like this novel, I can see other people enjoying it more than I did.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, unique read.

This was a mystical gothic mystery and I really liked it!

It was a bit confusing and hard to get into, but once you’re into the book it’s really good.

This was incredible - I loved every second of this beautifully atmospheric read. It really screamed creepy, disturbing, and gothic from the very first moment and truly grabbed my attention.

The writing style that Chokshi has lends itself amazingly to this type of novel - everything was eerie and scary, but so alluring to read about. The characters themselves were obviously very flawed but held such unique and realistic characteristics that you couldn't help but connect with them. I also really appreciated the pacing of this novel as the story developed quite naturally as a result and the unravelled secrets kept me reading. There’s nothing really I can say in regard to disliking this book - it was truly everything I wanted and more and I would highly recommend it.

TW: abuse, sexual assault, murder, death, domestic abuse

Absolutely speechless what a beautiful gothic tale.

I cannot recommend this highly enough I will even buy it

The last tale of the flower bride was a luxuriously haunting fairytale. Despite having guessed the plot twist before it came it was so spectacularly written that I couldn’t tear myself away from it. The main character was was rageful and conceded in her newfound entitlement. Reading this felt like letting a piece of dark chocolate melt on my tongue.

Once upon a time, a man who believed in fairy tales married a beautiful, mysterious woman named Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada. He was a scholar of myths. She was heiress to a fortune. They exchanged gifts and stories and believed they would live happily ever after—and in exchange for her love, Indigo extracted a promise: that her bridegroom would never pry into her past.

Beyond my personal preference for high/historical fantasy, I think that since this was in the modern world, in OUR modern world, it really killed whatever magical vibe it was trying to accomplish.

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride beckons readers with its sumptuous prose and Gothic atmosphere. However, its plot ultimately falls short.

From the first page, Chokshi's writing casts a spell. Her words are a tapestry of beauty; a seductive dance of lyrical descriptions and haunting imagery that wraps around you like a silken shroud. The book is undeniably a literary feast. If you savour every word, every sentence, for its sheer aesthetic delight, this novel is a banquet waiting to be devoured. Chokshi's gift for language is evident in every paragraph, and her ability to create an atmosphere both eerie and enchanting is truly impressive.

The story unfolds as a man enamoured with myths and fairy tales - the bridegroom - marries the enigmatic Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada. Their union is shrouded in mystery and secrets, and as part of the arrangement, the bridegroom must never pry into Indigo's past. However, when circumstances force them to return to Indigo's childhood home, the House of Dreams, the bridegroom's curiosity gets the better of him. He begins to unravel the enigma of his bride's past.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its portrayal of the toxic friendship between Indigo and her childhood friend, Azure. Chokshi skillfully delves into the complexities of their relationship, revealing how Indigo manipulates Azure despite her own feelings and reservations. The dynamics between the two characters are captivating and add depth to the narrative.

However, despite the book's undeniable strengths, it is not without its flaws. One of the major issues is the alternating viewpoints between the bridegroom and Azure. While this narrative choice could have added depth and complexity to the story, it often falls flat due to the striking similarity in the voices of the two narrators. It becomes challenging to discern who is speaking at times, leading to confusion and disconnection from the characters' individual experiences.

Furthermore, the fairytale aspect of the plot feels disjointed and underdeveloped. While the writing exudes a fairytale-like quality, the fantasy elements never fully mesh with other aspects of the story, such as Azure's troubled home life.

Another significant drawback is the unresolved nature of several plot points. For instance, at the beginning of the book, the bridegroom embarks on a quest to find a grimoire. However, this plot thread is left hanging and is never revisited or resolved.

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is a novel of contradictions. On the one hand, it boasts exquisite prose and a Gothic atmosphere that wraps the reader in its seductive embrace. On the other hand, the plot struggles to live up to its promise of enchantment. If you are a reader who revels in beautiful writing and is content to be swept away by the cadence of words, this book may hold a special allure for you. However, if you seek substance and a tightly woven plot, you may be disappointed.

Personally, I found myself torn between admiration for the ornate writing style and frustration with the book's lack of narrative momentum. Ultimately, The Last Tale of the Flower Bride was a struggle for me to finish. While it may find its audience among those who value style over substance, it was not a wholly satisfying reading experience.

This book was like a crazy rollercoaster ride, and I was hooked from the get-go. I mean, as a reader, you start out wondering if magic is for real in this story and if it actually matters in the real world. You're itching to find out more about these characters and all their juicy secrets. Plus, you're not really sure if you can trust the narrators, so that keeps you on your toes.

Seriously, every single sentence in it was mind-blowing. Okay, I'll admit, the plot gets a bit tangled on purpose, so it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but for me, it was just as awesome as I'd hoped. And let me tell you, there are all these cool folktales and myths scattered throughout, all dark and mysterious, and you're trying to piece together how they fit into the story.

As much as i enjoyed this one, for the whole book i had a feeling that something is missing. I did not care so much for the characters, as just went along with everything that was happening.

But the blurb is misleading, this book is not a romance book, it's about a toxic friendship with mean people in it. I liked the atmospheric writing, the creepy vibes and the mystery around the main characters, but it wasn't to hard to figure out what happened. It was predictable, as i realised after reading some pages.

What a dark gothic fairy tale! I loved how atmospheric this was and the mysterious entangled relationship between the two women Indigo and Azure. I was a big fan of the personification of the house too!
I have so many highlights in this book, the writing is lyrical and flows. The plot twist was shocking and I really did NOT expect it or see it coming from anywhere, it blew me away.

This is my first Roshani Chokshi book but won’t be the last! Beautifully written gothic tale of 2 girls and their friendship. This was told in 2 POV’s. One set in the present day and one set in the past. I really enjoyed the setting of Indigo’s house and loved the twists.

I keep venturing into the horror territory every once in a while just to keep things interesting. I have another of the author's works pending in audio mode that I am struggling with, thanks to the narrators. I hope to finish it sometime this year!
I thought this book's blurb looked interesting, but the most arresting thing about the book was the writing. I am not usually a fan of reading about toxic relationships, especially if everyone involved is extremely aware of the toxicity that plagues their interpersonal relationships.
The menacing aura of a house that has a will to extend on the people living in the house definitely manages to make its presence known.
The story itself was a little predictable. I think my review/rating reflects how surprised I was by my reaction to the book. As I read it, I knew where the story was going, and I was proved right. Despite that fact, I was drawn into the book and kept going until the very end.
We have a dual timeline narrative. A man who meets a woman on some other task ends up marrying her and therefore coming in contact with the house in question. Once there, he is forced to confront his wife's past. In the other narrative, we see two young girls who end up having an unlikely as well as unhealthy influence on each other.
None of the people in the plot were likeable in the least. There is not one action that I felt I could commiserate with, yet as I set the book aside, I couldn't think of a way to talk myself out of rating this book higher than certain others I have recently talked about. It is almost like the house had me in its power as well.
I enjoy the more dramatic ambience-filled books, and this is definitely one of those. I would not recommend this to everyone since the plot lacks a little bit of the surprise element, but overall for someone on the lookout for a different, gothic(ish) filled storyline, this might hit the mark.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Deliciously dark and gothic, The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is full of twists and turns and is the perfect creepy read. I loved immersing myself in Azure's and Indigo's past. A very assured step into the realm of Faerie criticism and I enjoyed every minute. Perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic, this was one of my favourite reads of the year.

Before I get into why I’ve rated this so low, I just wanted to note that the writing was stunning. I had to stop at points just to admire the way the author stitched together words. It honestly blew me away.

However, I sadly didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would. I couldn’t see where the plot was?? I got bored and if it wasn’t for the beautiful writing, I would have quit reading. I was so sad about this because I usually love the authors’ work.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t for me, but I’m sure so many other people will. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher, for a chance to read and review this book.