Every now and again I reserve some me time,put everything else on hold and enjoy getting lost in a what I hope will be an absorbing family saga. I know I’m EXTREMELY late to the party in terms of discovering a Lucinda Riley novel since she has legions of fans worldwide but better late than never eh?

The Butterfly Room is one of those delicious epic family sagas that had me entranced, so that life outside the pages of this book stood still. Set between the past and present, the timeline begins in 1944 when our woman of the hour Posy Montague is just a small child, living in Admiral House Southwold with her French mother whilst her dearly beloved father is flying spitfires as part of the war effort. The author sets the scene with Posy and her father, home on leave, exploring their shared interest in butterfly species, both completely unaware that life is about to take a dramatic turn for all the Montague’s, something that will haunt their family history forevermore.

In the present day,Posy is now a grandmother, still living in Admiral House where she has brought up her two children Sam and Nick singlehandedly following the early death of husband Johnny. The reader is introduced to a wealth of characters from Sam’s wife Amy to Nick’s old flame Evie and Posy’s long lost love Freddie, and the famed author Sebastian Girault to name but a few. Money is tight and the ever pragmatic Posy is considering selling up the family home, perhaps ready to embark on a new chapter in her life. With Nick returning to England having spent the past ten years in Perth, Posy is delighted to have her favoured son back where he belongs but as ever family life is never quite plain sailing and the current day Montague’s provide plenty of drama to keep the reader entertained.

Although it is written in a simple format, going forwards and backwards through time I cannot say I preferred one timeline over the other. I found it fascinating learning of Posy’s childhood with her grandmother in Cornwall, her university days at Cambridge and her early adulthood spent in London, working at Kew Gardens. The present day held as much interest for me, with all the sibling rivalry, marriage and relationship troubles with Posy still at the helm trying valiantly to keep the Montague family ship afloat. Past tragedies, heartache and hardship, love and forgiveness plus a sprinkling of mystery help to make this a show stopper of a saga. Leaving the reader on tenterhooks for the next instalment of each timeline meant I was kept engaged and it’s the characters that are crucial to driving the narrative forward. I lapped up their individual stories and their relevance to past and present.

What I loved most about Posy is her pragmatic nature that she’s developed from childhood through to the present day when she’s on the cusp of her seventieth birthday. It’s the kind of stiff upper lip attitude that she has learnt from her grandmother and had a lifetime to perfect. It’s this no nonsense approach to life synonymous with the wartime era that makes her character so admirable. From the beginning it is clear she’s very much a daddy’s girl, a curious and intelligent child who will follow in her father’s footsteps in terms of his love of botany and despite her many ups and downs over the course of her life she retains a natural warmth to her character that is infectious.

Could I pick a favourite character from such a worthy collection? Of course it has to be Posy but I did retain a soft spot for Sam’s wife Amy, downtrodden and so deserving of a better life which you will understand if you feel compelled to read this book.

I could imagine the grandeur of Admiral House in the past and it’s fading beauty in the present thanks to the author’s atmospheric style of writing. I could picture the Folly in my minds eye, an out of bounds place for the child Posy and a part of the house that remained shrouded in secrecy. Her well tended manicured gardens sounded an idyllic place to restore a person’s equilibrium so I fully understood the wrench it would be to leave such a beloved home that had been part of the family for decades.

With characters that are so richly drawn, I found it impossible to tear myself away from the lives past and present of the Montague family. This is no quick read given that it is over 600 pages in length but I was so immersed in the storyline that I lost track of time. In hindsight I wish I’d rationed myself to a few chapters a day rather than gobbling it all up within 11 hours!! The Butterfly Room is one of those novels that suffused me with a rosy glow, despite the average summer temperature outside. My only criticism is that towards the end events became a little too neatly wrapped up which normally would irritate me but because I’d so thoroughly enjoyed what had come before I was willing to overlook this. As a jokey aside I would say all these characters quaff an awful lot of champagne and wine it’s a miracle they weren’t all raging alcoholics!!
I’m overjoyed to have discovered Lucinda Riley’s writing and look forward to embarking on her Seven Sisters series. This novel definitely suited my mood at the time of reading as it indulged my need for comfort and companionship and I cannot recommend highly enough. In my opinion it is a perfect read for fans of Penny Vincenzi and Fern Britton alike, not forgetting those who already love this author’s writing.
My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

Another lovely, engrossing book from my favourite author. I have read almost all of this author’s books and this stands with the best for me. I am unusual in that I am not particularly enjoying the Seven Sisters series and prefer her stand alone books. The Midnight Rose being my favourite. As always the descriptive passages are excellent helping me to picture Admiral House clearly in my mind. The story is gripping enough to make you not want to put the book down whilst also being relaxing enough to help you escape from current global tensions. Posy was an excellent matriarchal character and I loved her story with its twists and turns. I understand some people may find some of the dialogue a tad annoying, and a bit old fashioned but I found it charming and just thoroughly enjoyed the whole book. The story was nicely tidied up at the end so a very satisfying read . Personally I would love more books like this from this author.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A new Lucinda Riley release is always exciting for me, and while The Butterfly Room seemed a little different from the other books I’ve read from her, I was still intrigued.

And while I’m used to the slow-burn nature of Riley’s books, I feel like this one in particular was a bit too slow and all over the place, with multiple plot threads and many characters who I struggled to sort out, and the result being I was only invested in what I assumed was the main plot, based on the blurb.

The main plot with Posy and Freddie, and the secret that tore them apart is compelling. I was invested in their relationship, as well as Posy’s look back at her life growing up, and felt for her as her initially idyllic life was turned upside down, and later when Freddie’s revelation as to why he left the first time also impacted her perception of her life back then.

And I did enjoy one of the subplots, with Sam and Amy and the way his poor decisions have impacted their marriage, even though it was rather toxic. However, the other subplot between Nick and Tammy, and aside from being marred by pointless secrets as well, I can’t think of much about it that’s particularly remarkable.

Unfortunately, this book was just ok. However, I already was fairly sure it wouldn’t be as epic or engrossing as, say, Riley’s Seven Sisters books. I do think the central plotline makes it worth giving it a try, as it is the most reminiscent of Riley’s style.

Lucinda Riley is a go-to author for me, who I always enjoy reading. This book is no exception. A family drama, spanning several generations, with great characters, a complicated plot, many secrets and an old crumbling home in England.

The Butterfly Room is a family drama set in Suffolk England that occasionally delves into two timelines (the 1940’s and 2006).

Posey, a widow, is the matriarch of the family at 70 years old and dotes on her two sons, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. The story is fairly evenly balanced between being character driven at times and plot driven at others.

While negotiating life’s twists and turns, Posey resides in a 300-year-old grand, although crumbling, country estate called Admiral House. The many descriptions of the house and grounds made it a character of the book itself and I would be interested in reading a follow up were it to concentrate on the completed renovations of this manor house.

While the author raised some serious storylines (alcoholism, physical abuse), they were dealt with in a more light or superficial way in which everything resolved itself quickly and easily; in other words, not very realistically.

I found the writing to be reminiscent of Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy – easy and enjoyable to read, entertaining but a bit “old fashioned” and where everything at the end is wrapped up in a nice, neat bow.

The publication date for this book is July 21, 2020. Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy to me for review. A copy of this review has been posted on Goodreads and will be posted on social media sites, Indigo, Kobo and Amazon on the date of publication.

3 stars out of 5

An excellent and poignant family drama that kept me hooked till the last page.
Great characters and plot, it's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

My rating:

Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Writing: 5 out of 5 stars
Character development: 5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Women’s Fiction
Historical Fiction



Review:

The book is vividly written and very captivating. I was hooked almost from the start. The characters are interesting and you can’t help yourself becoming invested in their lives. The plot centers on the life of Posy Montague and her family. It’s told over two timelines one set in the past telling the story of her childhood and the other set in 2006, following Posy now nearly seventy years old in the present. As usual the two plots are nicely interwoven to create a nice ending.


Overall this is a well written book, with complex and interesting characters. It’s very captivating and the surroundings are vividly depicted, it feels like you are actually there. It’s one of those highly addictive books that pull’s you in from the start and when you finish you feel a little sad that it’s ended already. I loved it

Review copy provided by NetGalley at no cost to me

A beautifully painted family drama of two timelines with all the elements of love, hope, anger, betrayal, sadness. The characters are realistic and the plot is smooth and engaging. The matriarch Posy is able to think and act beyond her age and times. The conclusion is drawn out for an additional 50 or so pages. Something about the fate of the butterfly room could have been included in the end. A feel good book. I was pulled to it by the cover. 4.5 stars

Lucinda Riley is one of my favorite authors YET this is my first time to read one of her books that is not a Seven Sisters novel. I was so excited to see this new release from her.

She does what she does best in the story about a complicated family—she weaves the present and past together to tell a complete story. I loved this book and it’s plethora of strong women. Lucinda writes strong women well and describes their progression well. Some are strong their whole lives, others need to find their strength, and it’s always challenged. I’d be hard pressed to say who is my favorite. Themes include women’s rights, fidelity, coming of age, complicated families, love, home.

Thank you to Netgalley and Blue Box Press for this free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Another story by Lucinda Riley full of twists and expected, yet somehow unexpected, plots. A good summer read.

At first, I was drawn to the book because of the cover. It is stunning!!

This is the first Lucinda Riley book I have read and I truly enjoyed it. I am excited to read some of her other books.

The book is an outstanding multi-generational read starting with Posy and her father in the 1940’s sharing their love of butterflies and later as Posey grows up and has her own family, sharing her love of nature. The characters develop throughout the story so that by the end, you feel as if you know them. You will, especially, fall in love with Posey. I know I did!

I will be recommending this book in my book club and in the online Facebook book clubs I am in.
Thank you NetGalley and Blue Box Press for an advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
#TheButterflyRoom #NetGalley

A wonderful big fat family saga that swings from the 1940s to the 2006. It's focused on Posy, who's 70 in 2006 and trying to decide whether she wants to continue to live in Admiral House. Her sons, Nick and Sam, are as different as can be and they, of course, have different opinions. What's important is the evolution of Posy from her childhood chasing butterflies (of course) as WWII is ongoing to the matriarch of 2006. She's got some secrets which spool out slowly. She's a great character. The sons, well, you will definitely like one more than the other, although you'll come to understand them both. There's relatively little drama for a novel of this scope, which was just fine with me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A pleasant read.

The story begins in 1943, with a young Posy paying at Fairy Princesses with her father. The story of this time period is told with the innocence of posy's voice, of her and her father's shared love of butterflies, her fear of when her father goes to war, and of her relationship with the different members of her family.

From this point, the story switches between then and the present day. A grown-up Posy, her own family, and her love of nature.

This is story of family. Of secrets, heartache, dreams and, above all, love.

Riley writes, as she always does, with an elegance and grace, that makes the words dance through the pages like the beautiful butterflies in Posy's garden. One cannot help but fall in love with Posy. She is a character you undoubtedly want to see have a happy ending. It's a wish you will want for other character's too. But, of course, life is rarely smooth sailing, and misunderstandings and secrets threaten the course of true love... and not just for Posy.

It's not only the characters that are written with beauty. Admiral House, from where most of the story comes, lives and breathes from the pages. I want to explore the rooms and hear it's melody. It may be crumbling in places, but we all need a little more love and care as we age and each 'wrinkle' would have it's own story to tell.

I finished reading this story, a little sad that it had ended, but also feeling privileged to have had a window into Posy's life.


Thank you to #netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review The Butterfly Garden.

Thank you to Lucinda Riley for writing yet another top class novel.

I really loved this book! The Butterfly Room is an wonderful family saga that draws you in from the first page, leaving you feeling that you are a part of the family. Of course, like many families we have the good and the bad. This book weaves a story filled with secrets, love, sadness and happiness. The story is told from 2 different eras, 1940's as Posy grows up in Admiral House and then also in 2006, where Posy is now the matriarch and soon to turn 70 and has returned to ancestral family home, Admiral House. The story is so well written and engaging that you cannot help becoming engrossed, immersed in the story and turninh pages to see what happens next to Posy and her family. This book is wonderfully well written with eel fleshed out characters and an interesting, in depth plot.

I was sad when I came to the end of the book. I will miss these characters. I would like to thank NetGalley, Blue Box Press, and Lucinda Riley for the opportunity to join the Montague family in return for a fair and honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Blue Box Press for the eARC.
This book was a welcome change from my usual mysteries.
Posy Montague is still living in Admiral House in the Suffolk countryside, where she happily grew up spending wonderful hours with her dad, looking for butterflies. Now that her 70th birthday is near she has to decide whether the enormous house is too much for her. Should she sell it?
We meet her first during WWII, and go back and forth from then to 2006.
She has two sons, one of them, Sam, lives near with his family and the other one, Nick, is coming back from Australia. The two men are like chalk and cheese. I disliked Sam, he was selfish and reckless, I couldn't understand how his wife and his mother kept forgiving him, he really needed a boot up his behind. Nick was definitely a much more likeable character. Posy is a strong, youthful woman, her one weakness, unfortunately, is Sam.
There are many secrets in the family, which are aired towards the end of the book, with satisfying results.
This is a lovely read, tense enough to make you keep reading, but soothing at the same time. Perfect for staying inside during these trying times.
Definitely recommended.

The Butterfly Room is an excellent family saga that will draw you in and you will feel you are a part of the family.

Like any family there is good and bad, there are secrets and there is love , sadness and happiness.

The story is told from 2 different eras, 1940's as Posy grows up in Admiral House and in 2006 where Posy is now the matriarch and soon to turn 70 and has returned to Admiral House.

You cant help but turn the pages to see what happens to Posy and her family. I was sad to see the end of the book as I will miss them all.

Thanks to Net Galley and Blue Box Press, Author Buzz for the opportunity to join the Montague family if only for a short while.

Bravo Lucinda Riley! I loved The Butterfly Room. The plot, the characters, the writing - all came together in a perfect combination. The characters were very realistic and their plights evoked emotion. I loved Posey, Amy, Tammy, Nick, and Freddie and felt I knew them at the end of the book. My heart broke several times in the story, and I loved the way Posey dealt with all the problems she faced. She's a perfect grandmother. I admired Amy's sunniness and optimistic outlook on life. I found Tammy to be a strong woman who overcame the sterotype of a model. Nick and Freddie came across as both very honorable, moral characters who looked for the right paths to take and were careful of the feelings of others.

The time I spent with this book was enjoyable. I was absorbed in the story and the lives of the characters. I couldn't put the book down - picked it up every chance I got to read more. I've read all of Lucinda Riley's series The Seven Sisters, so I guess I'm an official fan - I really like her writing style.

Thanks to Blue Box Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Loved this book with its many unforgettable characters, especially the main character Posy. In sections of past and present, we learn how Posy coped with the death of her father as a young girl and how that led to heartbreak later on. The secret of the butterfly room could ruin her last chance for happiness. .

I just loved this book from the very first page! I would recommend it to any and all who love books they can sink into and not come out until its finished. This story will touch you like no other. You will feel the joy and the grief but you will be glad of it all and they will all seem like family in the end. (some you may want to slap very hard but...). I was drawn at first by the name, then I saw the cover, I just knew it was going to be good.

Thanks to NetGalley, Blue Box Press and Lucinda Riley for my copy of The Butterfly Room.
Posy Montague is a widow, about to turn 70 and a mother of two grown up sons. She lives in her families crumbling house in Suffolk, she grew up there and it was home to her and two sons. Widowed at a young age, she raised her boys at Admiral House, when they went away to boarding school she kept her self busy gardening and she spent 25 years creating a beautiful garden. It’s a magnificent garden, but a lot of work and her old house needs major repairs and it’s a money pit.

Just at the time when she’s trying to work out what to do with her old house, her son Nick moves back to England after living in Australia for 10 years and her other son Sam’s marriage is on the rocks. Her eldest son Sam is married to the lovely Amy and they have two young children. Sam is hopeless, he’s terrible with money, his various businesses ventures have failed, and he’s not the best husband or father.

When Posy bumps into her first love Freddie after 50 years, she starts to look back at her life and reflect on everything that has happened to her. Posy’s dad died during WW II; her French mother left her with her grandmother went overseas and never returned. Posy married Jonny and her husband tragically passed away when she was pregnant with her second child. As she explores and looks back at her past, she’s oblivious to a huge family secret and she has absolutely no idea what happened. As you read The Butterfly Room you are taken on a journey, one that goes back to WW II England, current time with Posy’s extremely complicated family and friends. I enjoyed The Butterfly Room it’s about family, secrets, lost love; it’s emotional, heartbreaking and at times very heartwarming. I had to grab the box of tissues a couple of times, I cried and four stars from me.