This wasn’t a bad book but it wasn’t what I had expected, the title and the blurb are a little misleading.

We have two timelines, one in 1868 when Clarrie and Sid try to make ends meet and Theodora paints butterflies. The other in 1922 when Verity gets an invitation for a masquerade ball with a beautiful butterfly costume attached to it, and proceeds to investigate the mystery surrounding the Treadwell Foundation.

This book started off very slow and it took me a while to get invested. The overall pacing felt uneven, the buildup was dragging and some things mentioned in the blurb didn’t happen until about 75% in(!), which was very confusing.

The last ~25%, when the mystery was unraveling were good and I liked the mystery itself. It’s an important topic and the way the characters were all affected by it worked well.

The thing is, however, that the mystery had nothing to do with butterflies; butterflies were just a distracting subplot that didn’t even get a decent closure. I guess it was supposed to tie the story together but it felt contrived and unnecessary.

3,5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Great mystery!

The Butterfly Collector, written by Tea Cooper, is a beautiful historical fiction for me. I can’t as for more.
It holds everything to keep my attention! The characters are charming! Wonderful intrigue well developed and written!
This author is new to me! I thoroughly enjoyed this complex mystery filled with twists and turns.
The author managed to keep my attention until the last chapter.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Muse and NetGalley.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you NetGalley and Tea Cooper for the ARC of this book. I will add to my review once the book is published.

I did struggle with the amount of characters and jumping from the past to the present. There are multiple characters that are intertwined, but it is a matter to figuring it out. The pieces don't fully fit together until the end of the book. It does bring to light the unfortunate events of baby farming from years ago.

I really enjoyed the information regarding butterflies. Makes me want to paint.

The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper is a captivating novel that seamlessly weaves together two timelines, taking readers on a journey through 19th-century Morpeth and 1922 Sydney, Australia. Theodora Breckenridge, a budding botanical illustrator, and Verity Binks, an aspiring journalist, are the central characters in these distinct yet interconnected stories. Cooper's meticulous research and vivid descriptions breathe life into the historical backdrop, making it a compelling read. While the character development is commendable, some relationships could have been explored further. Despite a somewhat ambiguous ending, The Butterfly Collector is a must-read for those who appreciate a blend of history, mystery, and intricate human connections, showcasing Tea Cooper's storytelling prowess and her ability to transport readers to another era.

The Butterfly Collector is a historical fiction novel set in two separate timelines set in 1868 Morpeth and 1922 Sydney. The story started off with intrigue and mystery and pulled me in. The historical details and setting were definitely my favorite aspects of the novel. The author introduced some interesting characters, Verity, Clarrie, Sid, and Theodora were the most memorable for me. However I didn't feel invested in their stories and found myself losing interest. The pacing was a bit slow and the prose a bit repetitive. Historical fiction and mystery are two of my favorite genres, which is why I had such high hopes for this novel. Unfortunately, this book fell short for me.

I absolutely loved this book. 2 timelines connected by 2 women. The story line is based loosely on truth and was a fascinating read. Loved the main characters and couldn’t put it down. Glad women have more rights today

You begin this read thinking it is all about butterflies and gardens. . .it is much more, deeper and darker.

Two timelines, two places in Australia: 1868, in Morpeth, and 1922 in Sydney. Stay with it, and you'll find where they tie together, and what the missing pieces are to this well-told tale. Inspired by actual happenings, the author has created a spell-binding weave of two disparate stories that intersect, creating a worthy read.

Verity Binks reminded me of Nellie Bly, and she has the journalistic chops to follow the story back 3 generations to get to the heart of the solve.

*A sincere thank you to Tea Cooper, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for a free ARC to read and review*
#TheButterflyCollector #NetGalley

Fascinating story of two very independent, strong women. I could not put this down. I loved the descriptive writing, the settings and the mystery in two different time frames. Must read more of this author.

Beautifully written historical fiction. Blending two time frames and two families with a common denominator as a mystery unfolds. Just as a butterfly unfolds its wings so you can see the full colors. I have really enjoyed participating in the discovery. The characters are interesting. The story drew me right in. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a beautifully written story! It has the perfect mix of history, intrigue, and a touch of romance. The characters and setting are enthralling and well written. I would recommend this for any historical fiction fans!

I enjoy historical fiction, especially books set in the 1800s as this one mostly is. It is well written with believable and sympathetic characters. The descriptions of the local Australian landscape, flora and fauna, are rich and precise. An unexpected plot twist at the end was well done. All this said, I would have enjoyed this book 30% more if it were 30% shorter. It was intriguing enough that I wanted to finish it, but I wanted the end to come sooner so that I could move on to another book. Had the book been shorter, I probably would have given it 5 starts instead of 4. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Set in 1922 and 1868 in Australia, this multi~generational novel centers around the historic practice of baby farming but also explores the social injustices to unmarried pregnant women, social/class hierarchy and post war effects on women’s employment. The practice of baby farming I was not overly familiar with so it was a fascinating back drop to a fictional story. The natural imagery of the novel was wonderful. Lives inter~twine as the secrets of the past are exposed throughout the twists and turns of the plot.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Muse for the chance to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.,
I have read all of Tea Cooper's books, and this is one of her best. This is a historical mystery that takes place in Australia. It is told through two timelines-late 1800's and early 1900's. The first timeline involves Theodora Breckenridge, who discovers a butterfly that has never been seen in the area where she lives. Things are going along great, until her companion's baby is reported missing. The later timeline is about a journalist named Verity Binks who becomes involved in solving a 50-year mystery concerning missing babies. The author does a great job tying these stories together. The plot moved along quickly and kept my attention. Tea Cooper will continue to be one of my favorite authors.

“The Butterfly Collector” by Tea Cooper is a beautifully researched historical fiction that takes place in Australia. The story is about a butterfly that was discovered by an illustrator never found in Australia before.. it is also about the dark history of baby farming that eventually led to changes. In the laws in that country. Interesting characters, surrounded in mystery. I think fans of this genre and fans of the author will really enjoy this book, but I was very disappointed in the ending which is why the 3 star rating from me.

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Muse for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The Butterfly Collector is a many faceted historical novel set in two time periods 50 years apart but expertly woven together as the story unfolds. The many characters created the necessity to follow c!oddly to the details that help solve the various mysteries within the tale. It was entertaining and the true facts revealed are disturbing as all historical facts can be

One summer, more than a decade ago, my children and I captured nine Swallowtail caterpillars in various instar stages.  We fed them and watched these caterpillars shed their skins and eat them between stages, make a chrysalis on sticks we provided, overwinter inside and then when it warmed up in spring they emerged triumphantly into butterflies.  It really was remarkable and every year since, much like Theodora, I have watched for their return.  And like Theodora, I have been disappointed. Obviously, I could identify with her fascination with butterlies.

The Butterfly Collector isn't completely about butterflies, as enchanting as that would be.  It's a dual timeline story with two strong FMCs, themes of heartbreak and hope, loss and betrayal.  It is set in Australia and the characters, which span generations, are all mysteriously connected. I had trouble getting into the first half of the story, but it gets better so much better I had trouble putting it down. There was a time, however, when things were not making any sense to me. Believe me, I was trying really hard to figure it ou! Then I encountered an unexpected plot twist and a little gem of a detail was revealed! Voila! Eyes opened! Well done Tea Cooper!

I still don't understand how two of the characters develop an interest in one another.  Well I get how but to my understanding he should be the same age as her father timeline-wise but he isn't written that way.  Maybe I missed something? Maybe he is older? It doesn't matter. It doesn't add or detract from the story, just added to my inability to figure part of this mystery out.

Choose this as your next read if you like:
Monarch Butterflies
Dual timelines
Mystery
Aussie setting
Loveable characters
Clean romance

Content warnings: Some language, physical violence, trafficking

Thank you, Tea Cooper, Harper Muse and Net Galley for the complimentary copy of this book.  The opinions expressed here are my own

The characters in this novel are multi-dimensional and relatable. Theodora's determination and Clarrie's resilience are portrayed with authenticity, making them characters you can't help but care deeply about. Their evolving friendship, amidst the backdrop of a high-stakes mystery, adds depth and emotional resonance to the story.

As the narrative unfolds, it becomes a mesmerizing journey of discovery, not just in the realm of science but also in the secrets and hidden truths that lie beneath the surface. The plot is skillfully paced, with each revelation and twist propelling the story forward, keeping me eagerly turning the pages.

This book is a beautifully written historical mystery that combines art, science, and suspense in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Tea Cooper's storytelling prowess shines through in this novel, and I found myself completely absorbed in the world she created. If you're looking for a book that will transport you to another time and challenge your intellect while tugging at your heartstrings, this is a must-read. "The Butterfly Collector" is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring fascination of the natural world.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Muse through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much!

The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper is a unique story set in Australia. With a fifty year old mystery involving a missing baby and monarch butterflies, Cooper crafted a different story with a twist. I enjoyed the parts of the mystery when the heroine, Verity tried to piece together the pieces to figure out why the butterfly painting looked familiar. Even though the setting is unfamiliar to most American readers, Cooper makes the setting familiar, yet mystic at the same time. The characters are deeply developed with hurts and familiar lifestyles. Surprisingly, something so small as a butterfly could craft an entire story that shows the hurts and betrayals done by certain people that has a butterfly effect fifty years later in a different part of the continent. Overall, The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper was nice to read and captured my attention. Just like all the other Cooper stories that I have read, this one was nicely written and handled.

I received a complimentary copy of The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper from Harper Muse Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Another winner from Tea Cooper! I adored this dual timeline story. Verity and Theodora are fascinating characters, and the format works well to explore their different stories.

The mystery of the butterfly is a wonderful way to connect the timelines.

Thoroughly entertaining and a fascinating exploration of two historical time periods. I particularly enjoyed reading about women's struggles to be independent and in charge of their own lives.

Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction.

And don't you just love that cover??!!

I received a complimentary e-galley from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my review; all opinions are my own.

Absolutely loved this story. It blended seamlessly between two different timelines both in the past from now, one in the late 1800’s and the other in the early 1900’s. So right from the beginning there is a very different and in some ways simpler lifestyle to ours that we get to discover. But simple in some ways became more complex in other ways when women were really looked upon as second grade citizens. Outcast if pregnant out of wedlock and major life decisions sometimes taken out of their own hands without them knowing. We get to know a group of people who’s lives are intertwined in a way that is not fully revealed until the very end. And then woven all through the book is the beautiful storyline about the butterflies. This would be a lovely book to read during a summer holiday or curled up by the fire in winter - just make sure you have plenty of time because it will be difficult to put down once you start.