About Books #32: Christmas at Butterfly Cove

So I got this book a while ago, but work and life happened and I never got around to reading it. Then, during fall break just a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to start reading it. Which would be the point I realised I made the mistake of not realising Christmas at Butterfly Cove is part of a series. The last part of a series, to be exact. So naturally, I went on Amazon, bought the first two parts, and got discouraged at the thought of having to read that many books. I know, I don’t know what came over me either.

I was offered an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Cut to this past Monday, when I needed something to read in the car on my way home. And there you had it – within three days, I’d read all three books. I’m still a bit hung-over, to be honest. And sad I’ve had to leave the world of Butterfly Cove behind. Because let me tell you – it’s an amazing place to be dropped of by a stranger. (reference to the first book, you’ll get it if you read it)

Story

All she wants for Christmas…

When talented artist Nee Sutherland returns to Butterfly Cove for her sister’s wedding, it’s only a matter of time before she has to face her own bridegroom – Luke Spenser – the man she impulsively married, then left in the middle of the night.

Nee hasn’t picked up her paintbrushes in months, a part of her is broken. She knows Luke might never forgive her, leaving him was the biggest mistake of her life – but could coming home for Christmas be the best decision she’s ever made?

Maybe all she needs is a little Christmas miracle…

(Plot twist: there’s a little Christmas miracle)

Characters

So there’s these three sisters: Mia, Kiki and Nee. They’re all pretty awesome, and they’re all pretty screwed up by their youth. Their mother was a drunk, their father a professor of Greek mythology who – for a college professor – seemed very ignorant to everything that was going on in his own home.

The three sisters carry the consequences of their youth, of course, and in the first two books, Mia and Kiki got to work through some of their issues. This time it’s Nee’s turn.

(Also: the Greek mythology-bit? Well, let’s just say there’s a reason these three girls originally decided to shorten their names)

Then, there’s these three men. Daniel, Aaron and Luke. Aaron and Luke are half-brothers (which comes with its own set of drama, in this case). Daniel is about as close to the brothers as he can get without being connected by blood – maybe even closer.

In the previous two books, Daniel and Mia and Aaron and Kiki got together. This could be all kinds of weird to read about, but somehow, in this story? It just works.

(oh, there’s a bunch of absolutely amazing side-characters as well, ranging from adorable kids to “meddling-we-prefer-to-be-called-fairy-godmothers” and everything in between. It’s amazing.

Narration

You know how the one advantage you have when watching a movie is that the images sometimes translate more naturally into your brain? Like, you don’t have to put any effort into it, it just fits into each other? Well, that’s what this book does.

I read the first two parts just days before, so that might have been part of it, sure. But this book is has a way of building both scenes and scenery… Seriously, I felt as if I were in the middle of Butterfly Cove. I saw the guest house, the artists’ flats, the sea, the everything.

It just flows, so naturally. That’s basically the only way I have to describe it.

Overall: 4/5

I mean, I didn’t want to leave Butterfly Cove. And I’ve tried to start a new book since, but I just can’t. I need more information on how everything goes with everybody. I want to know if there’ll be kids for any of the three duos. Heck, I want to see them grow old together, I want more interaction between the older couples.

I just want more, basically, and if that isn’t a compliment, then I don’t know what is.

If you feel like you might want to check this book (here) or the other books in this series (here and here) out, be sure to do so (affiliate links). And if you’ve already read them, be sure to let me know below what you thought!

-Saar