I actually have the authors earlier novels and have rated them as four stars however this one was not enjoyable. My disenchantment was such that despite normally knocking off her 500 page plus books in two days this one took around a week to read 300 of the 433 pages.

The plot is convoluted and requires perhaps a greater suspension of belief than for most fiction and which I was not comfortable with. It is in its own way rather black and depressing with multiple deaths written in. It seems many storytellers have at least on bad novel and I hope this is the sole example for Harriet Evans. I do have a handful of her books yet unread.

I hate to admit it but this was the very rare occurrence were I decided finishing the book was going to annoy me more than the shame of part reading a novel. I did read the end page .... which mad me glad I had not read it all.. It is a shame because initial the heroine was quite likeable but that wore off reasonably quickly. ( )

Nina is 25 and after a failed marriage is back living with her mother and step-father. Every day she goes to the library where one day she meets a stranger who appears to know her and suggests that her past is not what she's been led to believe. A second strand to the book is the story of Nina's grandmother Teddy.

It took me a while to get into this book which seemed very confusing initially but worth persevering with. As Nina delves into her history the reader is drawn into it with her and wants to know just what is the big secret.

The summer of the title is full of people trying to conform in a world where they just don't fit with consequences which are life-long for those they come into contact.

I received this book for free as a giveaway from Goodreads. An author I haven't read before but will look for again ( )

Originally posted here

This book sneaked up and got to me, right in the soft gooey centre of my heart. It was completely unexpected. When I first started reading The Butterfly Summer I honestly was not sure if this was my kind of book but the writing was so compulsively readable and the plot became so intriguing, that I found myself being pulled into it.

Firstly, the reader is introduced to Nina Parr who resides in London. She is turning 26, has an underwhelming job and recently went through a divorce. Her father died on an expedition to study butterflies abroad when she was a baby, and she grew up quite poor with her American mother who found herself alone and adrift after his death. The story is essentially about Nina discovering who her mysterious father was and learning about his side of the family.

I instantly liked Nina, I really related to her and I really enjoyed untangling her heritage with her. There are many time jumps from present to past as the story unfolds and new characters related to Nina emerge. I think this is a book that is best to go into without too much knowledge of what it is about as there were some fantastic plot twists that surprised me.

Lots of themes were explored in this book and lots of interesting questions arose. Butterflies and the study of them are of a course a big part of the story, butterfly imagery is everywhere often connecting characters to each other in surprising ways. I also found the idea of history repeating throughout the generations of the same family intriguing because of the legacies parents (often unwittingly) pass on to their children. I loved the ending, it felt realistic and poignant. I shed a few tears.

A beautiful summer read, I would highly recommend.

Disclaimer

I received a free proof from the publisher, I was not required to give a review. All opinions stated are entirely my own. ( )

Loved the cover. A hidden Cornish house with a legacy, secrets, family birthrights and lots of butterflies! Told in a dual time frame from the perspectives of Nina and Theodora (Teddy). Sometimes the toing and froing became a bit confusing, especially on a Kindle and it took a little while to get into the story and it wasn't helped by the fact I didn't quite take to either of the leading ladies. Loved the butterflies, the descriptions of Cornwall and the style of writing - a poignant novel, sometimes sad, sometimes funny. Another best seller from Harriet Evans! ( )

An enchanting and bewitching many faceted dual timeframe story with a difference! The main character is a mysterious house called Keepsake, home to the Parrs, which is hidden from public view and has a garden full of the most beautiful butterflies. It's a tale about secrets. The female members of the aforementioned Parr family have dwelled and inherited Keepsake for generations ever since since the days of King Charles II. It is their birthright.

The Butterfly Summer reads very much like a fairytale. It has something of an other worldly feel about it and there's even a fairy godmother type of character! There are many twists and turns. It's quite a mammoth read in some ways - it's a slow burner and quite involved so needs a certain amount of concentration. I thought it was meaningful and compelling with some dark and sad elements. I also found it imaginative and atmospheric. It's beautifully written - the descriptions of the house and grounds are very vivid and easy to visualise.

To sum it up, I was totally absorbed and found the whole book fascinating. It's quirky and unusual, definitely magical. I loved it!

Many thanks to Lovereading.co.uk for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. ( )