Thanks to NetGalley and Revell for a digital advanced reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own unless otherwise noted.

I’ve read all of Amanda Cox’s five novels beginning with her first, published in 2020. Like the others, this one is a poignant story of hope, healing, and home. Amanda skillfully explores grief, identity, and redemption in a very readable story of family and forgiveness.

Incorporating bird watching, nature, and its related symbolism, this layered novel tells the story of a ragtag collection of amateur birders who become friends and provide support through their bird watching group. This is primarily Ana Leigh Watkins’ story beginning when “she escapes to Bitter End, Tennessee for a summer break from her kindergarten classroom. But instead of the R&R she hoped for, she becomes entangled in a decades-old feud tied to forbidden love between a moonshiner’s daughter and a preacher’s son.”

Using a dual timeline, we learn along with Ana about a hidden branch of her family tree and discover a “story of finding belonging, reconciliation, and new beginnings in the most unexpected places.”

This was a well-written, heartwarming novel with a touch of mystery and romance.

“We miss out on so much when we don’t listen first.”

It’s another spectacular book by Amanda Cox. The author has a gift for transporting the reader to the past and tying it to the present in such a redemption-filed, emotion-laden story of the heart. This tale is a journey of the soul - the human spirit - and how we can choose to be resilient in the face of so much tragedy because of the One who gave us the spirit.
And there was so much tragedy, both in 1959 and present day Bitter End, Tennessee. Viola’s sweet and loving voice was perfect to take us through 1959. I learned so much about living in the mountains of Tennessee and moonshining. Viola’s father and Trilby’s father were secondary characters but played such vital roles in the story and they made me stop and ponder about our life choices, the heart and reasons behind them, and the consequences.
Ana’s peace-seeking and peace-making heart, Sam’s tortured pastor’s heart, and Marilyn’s content, tranquil heart all made the present day timeline rich and deeply layered. Though there were multiple third person voices, the story flowed smoothly and transitioned between the two timelines flawlessly. And the birds! I’ve never been bird watching but reading this book made me want to invest in a set of binoculars and a field guide to do just that.

This is a dual timeline women’s fiction that will pull at your soul and leave you filled. One of my favorites of 2025, for sure.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell via Interviews and Reviews and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

The Bitter End Birding Society is the fantastic new novel by Amanda Cox. Read this now. Then go read everything else she has written. Ana, considered a hero by everyone except herself, goes to visit a great aunt she barely knows to help prepare for a move. Only Aunt Cora leaves her to the work and heads off on vacation. Ana stumbles upon the birding society one day, led by the one woman her aunt insisted she avoid.

This book is beautifully written with quirky but not stereotypical characters who face real problems. This is a dual timeline story that shows the impact of violence and secrets upon someone and the people around them.

I loved this story and would recommend it to everyone.

This is Christian fiction so expect church, prayer, and discussions of faith.

Thanks to NetGalley and Revell. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A terrific dual timeline story set in the hills of East Tennessee.
From Viola's story in the late 1950's to Ana's later experiences in Bitter End, this engaging read held my interest throughout as their family history was revealed. Full of insight into relationships, particularly in the aftermath of personal traumas, showing the deep need for forgiveness, for oneself and others. Accepting grace and extending it to others was a solid theme in both time periods. A bit of romance is sprinkled in, but it wasn't the real focus.

I loved Marilyn and her eclectic birding group. Her sensitivity to people, encouragement and friendship was a lovely example of Christlike love. It was a good reminder to be still and listen, be thankful, show kindness and hold onto hope. This would be a good read for someone who has been struggling with self-doubt or a crisis of faith. It is a very well-written, character driven story that would be fine for teens and up. Recommend!

I enjoyed this book way more than I should have! First off, Bitter End, TN is a real place!! Look it up! You can even get a shirt. Second, the combination of laugh-out-loud humor with heart-wrenching tragedy just about wrecked me. And third, most importantly, the healing power of nature and the kindness of friends can restore scarred, traumatized, and broken people.
And they find, in their own way and God’s timing, that He comforts and heals hurting hearts through the simple habit of being still in the woods. This was the most important part to me because I’ve experienced the same thing my entire life. As a Christian, Jesus has met me there in the woods, time and again, and restores what is broken in me.
So, I highly recommend this book and hope you can either pick up a copy or find it through your library system. I’ve loved all of Amanda Cox’s books and have even been on a couple other launch teams, but this is the only one of hers I’ve read twice, something I rarely do with any book.

In spite of that fact that I am not a birder, I loved this book!
Amanda Cox has such a way with words!!
Ana had an extremely traumatic event happening to her during the past year as a kindergarten teacher. When she was given the opportunity to go away for awhile, and help her aunt Cora clean out her cottage, she took it. She finds herself in the community of Bitter End.
So many surprises and unexpected things make this an enjoyable yet deeply touching book to read.
Ana makes many new friends, and finds herself with a dog she didn't want, and a part of a birding society, of which she also didn't know or want anything to do with.
As she gets to know some of the quirky and unusual people of Bitter End, she finds herself on a healing path.
This is just a beautiful story. It's not primarily a romance, although there is a hint of romance woven in.
It is about relationships. Love. Forgiveness. Second chances. And much more.
This is a story that will linger with me for awhile.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

What an amazing story. I loved every minute of it! I'm really at a loss for adequate words to express my love for and complete enjoyment of The Bitter End Birding Society.

Amanda Cox has such a way of weaving loveable flawed characters, humor, beautiful settings, a bit of mystery, nuggets of wisdom, and second chances into her compelling stories. I loved the back and forth from the present to the past and back. It kept me turning pages, and I just had to know what happened!

From the first line "Viola Chambers had always wondered at what point in the dying process a person understood they weren't long for this world, and now she'd give anything to unlearn it" to the last line "Because hope and beauty were there somewhere, someway. But only if they slowed down and had the patience to watch for it", I was hooked!

From Viola and Cora, their parents Ruby and Wild Wayne, to the new Reverend & Mrs Quincy Chambers, and their children Trilby and Marilyn sixty years ago, flashing forward to Ana Leigh Watkins, an emaciated dog Pippi (Pip, Piper), Sam, Marilyn, Jake & Inez, and later Cora, and the rest of their ragtag birding society. The birding society started by Marilyn and her husband, saved Marilyn's marriage, now she invites stray people to join her to learn the lessons she learned.

"I'm sorry I laughed, but you have to admit how funny that sounds. Going to a place called Bitter End for a fresh start?"

"Ana wasn't sure if she was more curious about how Bitter End got its name or how Marilyn had collected this hodgepodge troupe of humanity. A shepherd. The proprietors of a mobile wedding chapel. A widow. And now, it seemed, Marilyn hoped to add a runaway kindergarten teacher and a bird dog to the mix."

"When life's clock started to run a little fast, it was funny how the smallest things could bring so much comfort."

Each person is dealing with something that has them reeling (the losses of the past, a traumatizing event, a diagnosis, or a prodigal child). And time in nature searching for birds together impacts them all. This story and cast of characters held me spellbound.

I highly recommend this beautiful story! You don't want to miss it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own. I can't wait for my own preordered copy to arrive and have a prominent spot on my keeper shelf.

4.5⭐️

In this story, you will find:
✌🏻Dual POV
✨Past/present Timeline
❤️Hope & healing
✝️Faith elements
🤭Humor
🐕Dog companion
👨‍👩‍👧‍👧Family dynamics
💫Dash of mystery

Amanda Cox does it again with another wonderful story!

The Bitter End Birding Society is a beautifully written dual-timeline story filled with deeper themes, faith-centered moments, humor, and a whole lot of heart. It’s endearing and uplifting, exploring the power of love, family, and God through well-drawn characters full of depth. Some characters you’ll love right away, some will make you laugh or frustrate you, but in the end, you grow to love them all.

I love books that incorporate relatable characters and themes, ones that aren’t afraid to include harder-hitting topics, and Amanda does just that. She has a true talent for blending pain and struggles with hope, healing, and forgiveness. She does an amazing job at handling delicate themes with care and grace, where the story never leaves you feeling heavy or sad, but rather full of hope, with the beautiful messages intertwined.

"𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝."

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted, feel-good story that will make you laugh, make you think, and leave you wanting to learn more about birds✨

Thank you, Amanda Cox, Revell, and Netgalley, for a complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Content to consider: [None of these are descriptive/heavy]
A few kisses, Grief, Loss of a loved one. Illness, Murder accusation, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Mention of a shooting (not detailed), Mention of a miscarriage (not detailed), car accident

I'm not sure I've ever been hooked so quickly just reading a prologue as I was with this story, and the rest of the book did not disappoint.

True to this author's style, in The Bitter End Birding Society, she married tragedy and difficult life circumstances with redemption and forgiveness, all while taking the reader on an emotional journey to a satisfying, hope-filled ending.

This dual timeline story is not just a book about birdwatching. In fact, we don't really see much about the birding society until the latter half of the book. What we do find is a story filled with deep themes and the author's heart, soul, and faith pouring out through lyrical, quotable moments that make you stop and ponder the deeper meaning of life and the beauty that can blossom despite, and maybe even because of, the hardships we face in this world.

Some of those quotes include:

"What had once been fierce and full of fight inside her chest was light and wispy, as if it was liable to float away like down feathers on the wind."

"Just this once she'd let all she'd been stuffing down spill out. Maybe then she could finally sort through the mess and decide which parts of herself she was meant to keep and let the creek water wash the rest way."

"Just because something is lost doesn't change its worth."

"Real sacrifice don't happen cause you wanna be appreciated. It's done cause it's what's best for somebody else."

"Chilled and tired and aching as they all were, peace found them beneath that crowded overhang, wrapping them in the knowledge that storms end and mornings come."

Do you see what I mean? And that's just a sampling of the richness in this story.

If you're a fan of meaningful fiction with characters who are real and authentic and make you think deeply about life, you don't want to miss Amanda Cox's newest offering!

*I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author and publisher via NetGalley. A favorable review was not required. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Ana ventures to Bitter End, Tennessee to help her great-aunt get her house ready to sell. Ana desperately needs to get away from her community's attention and admiration as she is considered a hometown hero. She goes to seek respite and time alone, but little does she know what awaits for her in Bitter End - reconciliation, family history, found family.

This book was so dear and full of faith, hope, depth, and so much more. I loved all of the characters and felt an immediate connection with them. It was deep and the character's situations caused you to ask yourself some hard questions, but there was humor all throughout that made it such a sweet and delightful book to read.

Thank you Revell and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A book with layers upon layers? That's how The Bitter End of Birding Society felt like to me. Amanda Cox wrote well-developed characters in this one. I would write down which characters were my favorite, but then I'd be listing all of them. I love how thoughtful Ana is, the struggle Sam goes through with his God-given people skills, the spunkiness of Cora, the gentleness of Marilyn, the love of Viola, and the transformation of Wayne, and the attention of Piper.

Cox surprised me with some of the twists she wrote into the novel. There were moments I cried and others when I laughed out loud. Not everything is solved, but so goes life. Just a beautiful story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Revell for this complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.

When you open up a book by Amanda Cox, you will be invited to go on a journey of discovery, forgiveness, emotional pain, and difficult family dynamics. The characters are relatable and you will be drawn into their life stories. This is a dual timeline book that flows freely from one time period to another. Though many deep topics and emotions are revealed through the pages, there were moments of humor that brought a sense of community to the gang of the Bitter End Birding Society. The thread of God’s redeeming love will allow you to see the opportunity for second chances. God can take anyone … a broken teacher, a preacher who sees himself as a failure, a random group of people who explore the birds of the mountain, and has them filled with hope. Rush out and buy this book as soon as it is released. It will be worth every second you spend absorbing the words of wonder sprinkled throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Christian
Christian Fiction
Fiction
Women's Fiction

Thank you to the author, Amanda Cox, and Revell for an ARC copy of The Bitter End Birding Society. The Bitter End Birding Society is a delightful story that completely captured my heart. The characters are well written and full of depth. The main character, Ana Leigh Watkins, runs away from a personal tragedy for the summer. In a small town in Bitter End, Tennessee, she not only finds a piece of her long-lost family history, but she also finds an interesting group of amateur bird lovers. It's through her family ties and her new friends that she finds strength. The story is full of charm and the wonderful balance of humor and emotion kept me turning pages and eager to see what happens next. This book felt both comforting and meaningful, in the best ways. I enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a well-crafted, feel-good story with real heart.

The Bitter End Birding Society
Amanda Cox
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ana Leigh Watkins agrees to spend the summer helping her great-aunt get her house ready to sell. Following a difficult year at the school where she teaches, Bitter End, Tennessee, sounds like a place to avoid the public eye. While hiking, she's drawn in to a group of amateur bird watchers led by the one woman her aunt has told her to avoid.

This was another great story that captivated its readers with a dual time background centered on relationships. We were fully invested in both time periods and how their stories would unfold. Cox illustrated that the story we think we know is seldom the full picture. There was plenty of blame to go around whether it was directed outward or inward. But God’s beautiful creation helped to center these characters through bird watching while becoming silent. Sometimes that is exactly what we need in order to see the truth. We love how Cox can weave together so many pieces to create a wonderful story fully immersing readers into a setting they can almost feel, hear, and touch.

We received an advance copy from the author. This is our honest review

I have never been disappointed by an Amanda Cox book and I absolutely loved The Bitter End Birding Society. I enjoyed the back and forth between the past and the present. It really tied everything together nicely, and helps the reader to understand the feud between Ana’s great aunt and her former best friend.

A story with trauma and healing for more than one person, Bitter End has some interesting characters who enjoy birding. I think I’d like to join them! You don’t have to be into birding to appreciate this book but it would surely help. Or it may boost you in that direction.

A beautiful tale of love, family, and hope, I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review. All thoughts are my own.

This is a ‘forever shelf’ story!

The Bitter End Birding Society surprised me, pulled at my heartstrings, and left me with a ‘to-do’ list for present and future personal growth. I enjoyed this one so much because I saw bits of myself in ALL the characters.

Imagine going to a place called Bitter End for a fresh start!

Ana Watkins is a Kindergarten teacher who’s running away from her life after a traumatic experience in the classroom. She ends up in Bitter End for the summer, and it changes her life. Instead of the R & R she imagined, she gets caught up in a decades-old feud tied to forbidden love between a moonshiner’s daughter and a preacher’s son.

Unravelling the intertwined lineage made for a compelling read; the dual timeline was a great choice as we get to see the effects of a single choice echoed through the generations.

Three things:
1) Joy is an important survival skill; we can learn so much from birds!
2) We don’t need to be defined by our brokenness.
3) Look for opportunities for growth and grace instead of evidence of failure

The characters were AMAZING! Some stayed for the duration of the novel, some for half, and some just popped in once - all had a purpose and a lesson for readers. I loved that there were two teachers and appreciated their lessons and advice; Marylin’s, especially.

I can’t say enough about this quiet, unassuming book. It’s worthy of all the stars and I can’t wait to share it with others.

I was gifted this copy by Revell and was under no obligation to provide a review.

“The Bitter End Birding Society” is one of those books that not only tell a story but impress themselves on your soul.

Through the lives of the characters I found myself examining things in my own life through the lens of God’s loving gaze rather than my own flawed emotions.
Holding onto past hurts and failures gets in the way of healing and leading the full, satisfying life God calls us to.

In this book though mistakes of the past set the path for some to struggle in the future, the lessons of the past open the door to forgiveness both of self and others. This is the advantage of a dual timeline story. You get first hand knowledge of the formative years that contribute to the present struggles, doubts, and see the power of true faith.

I love how the birding society is used as a conduit for peace and reflection in the lives of the characters. How they are drawn into otherwise unlikely friendships, and more.

Amanda Cox has a gift that should be shared and I highly recommend this book.

I was given a copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion of the book.

This was a really sweet and innocent story about finding oneself.. I enjoyed the innocence of a time long past in the telling of this story. Walks in the woods, and simple friendships.

Amanda is an amazing author. God gives her insights to different stories that bring the reader into the midst of the story. Ana is the main character of this particular story. She agrees to go to Bitter End to meet her Aunt prepare her to sell. The mountain (Bitter End) is where her aunt lived. He aunt wanted her to give away her books to people and wanted her to downsize and get rid of things. What Ana didn't know is her aunt was not going to be there to help her. She left her to the task. At first Ana did not know what to do, but she figured it out. Ana went to help because she was trying to deal with the bad incident that happened in her kindergarten classroom. Her mind haunts her with all of the what ifs and should have dones that she didn't do in the moment. She has to learn to forgive herself so she can continue to teach. She meets Sam when she is on the mountain. He is there to check on and keep her safe while she is there. He has his own demons of thinking he caused his wife and child to die, because hewasn't there for them. Marilyn is in charge of the birding society and knows all there is to know about birds. But she is getting older and having issues. She brings people in the mountain together to go on birding adventures to try and find specific birds. Can Marilyn and Ana's other aunt (can't remember her name) get over their anger and resentment from one another. I hope this all makes sense to you. I loved the book very engaging and well written. Thank you for allowing me to be on your team for another book Amanda!

The Bitter End Birding Society
I have enjoyed all of Amanda Cox’s novels. This has risen to the top of favorites. I liked that it was a love story, not a romance. For me a romance can be about two people drawn to each other by all sorts of externals. This story has the threads running thru it of family love, and the reality and struggles of true sacrificial love. I loved the quote “Sometimes things don’t come to a tidy conclusion.”
There were lessons to be learned from this story. Some aspects of the story were a faint whiff of a mystery, that remained hidden just below the surface. But the ending was totally satisfying and brought about a perfect closure to the mystery. The dual time lines running throughout this story were revealed and the conclusion was beautiful.
I felt myself looking back at family, and things that are below the surface that we failed to understand as a child. The inclusion of bird watching as a way to stop and really absorb the beauty and let it help you heal was dynamic. Seeing a bird and studying a bird are different. Being part of a family, and studying a family are different. We miss much when we just see the surface.
I loved the quote, “Real sacrifice don’t happen cause you want to be appreciated. It’s done cause it’s what’s best for somebody else.”
I also thought the essence of the story was “He needed evidence that someone brought to the brink could make their way back and learn to feel whole again.”
There was much brokenness in the lives of the characters in this story, but also a development of wholeness revealed as the story progressed.
It is a lovely story of a fulfilled desire to bring people together who might have ordinarily remained strangers.
It was easily a 5 out of 5 for me. A story that will linger in the way I look at those people whose actual story I don’t yet know.
I was privileged to be on the launch team for this newest novel by Amanda Cox. Thank you Amanda for giving us stories that cause us to pause and examine our own ways of observation and conclusion. Thanks to Revell books for this opportunity to read an advance copy. This book will be available on 8-19-15.