Another beautiful story about healing by Amanda Cox! With a dual timeline setup, this story navigates between 1958/59 and modern day. When teacher Ana Leigh Watkins has a traumatic experience in her kindergarten classroom, she opts to escape for the summer to her great-aunt's home in Bitter End, TN, where no one knows her or her story. Hoping to lay low and lick her wounds, she is in for a rude awakening when she arrives and the summer long visit with her aunt doesn't pan out as expected. While there, she learns about long-buried family history that has led to a modern day feud. The reader is given a glimpse at that past history in the past timeline and getting to see the fuller picture allows for greater clarity on the part of the reader than the characters have. With a unique cast of characters, including a high-energy dog, this story had me both smiling and tearing up throughout.

Primarily character driven as all of our characters have some traumatic event that requires some healing, there was enough plot-line to keep the story moving. There was humor infused through both the dog and the mobile wedding van (and its owners), and the birding society crew was such an odd mixture of characters, bringing its own sort of entertainment. Even though I'm not a fan of birds at all (I rather despise them), I actually enjoyed reading about the bird sightings and the lessons Ana learned through the birding excursions and the healing brought about by the birding society itself. I loved how the story lines entwined to bring healing and wholeness to all parties in the present by facing the past. There was a solid faith thread in this one as well as the needed healing came from God himself. And there was a touch of romance included for those who enjoy that element being in the story. All in all this was an excellent story that had some difficult elements, but never got too heavy and had a satisfactory conclusion. This is one I could easily recommend to fans of all genres within the Christian fiction category. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

After a traumatic school year, kindergarten teacher Ana heads to the Appalachian community of Bitter End to help out her newly discovered great aunt. There, she meets an eclectic group of bird watchers and delves into family secrets. Engaging story with a great message.

One thing that I have discovered about Amanda Cox is that she has a true talent for creating complex characters who will draw you into their lives and stories that will make you think and stay with you for a long time after reading. This one was no exception. This dual timeline novel takes us into the lives of each of these characters--- lives that certainly have their fair share of struggles and heartbreaks. I couldn't help but find myself intrigued be each of them. Despite the harder moments though, this is also a story that has a beautiful message of healing from past hurts and family trauma and strong messages of faith as well. It's definitely a bit of a slower read than I typically tend to prefer, and yet, it works perfectly for this story. If you enjoy women's fiction with faith themes, this is certainly one you'll want to check out for yourself.

**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars ✨

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

The daughter of a moonshiner and the son of a preacher - it was a forbidden romance from the very start. The choices they made would greatly impact both families far longer into the future than they could have expected.

THE BITTER END BIRDING SOCIETY is a story of healing and how to live without letting past experiences define one's life. I had no idea what to expect going into this book but am very happy I read it! Amanda Cox is not an author I've read much of yet, but after reading this book I will definitely be picking up more of her stories.

Amanda Cox tackles a lot of hard topics - generational hurt, estrangement, making poor or difficult choices, moving on from traumatic experiences, & PTSD, to name a few - and she gracefully handles them from a solid Biblical perspective. This character-driven novel is not a fluff read by any means, yet it also isn't a heavy or weighted read either. Each of the main characters have something holding them back from living life to it's full potential. This book is a reminder to the reader that what holds us back from living a life of joy is often not the outward circumstances or difficulties we face, but the perspective and attitudes we cling to regarding those circumstances.

— “Before Bitter End, those conflicting descriptions had overwhelmed her heart with shame. But now the spaces between who she was and who she'd like to be looked like opportunities for growth and grace instead of evidence of failure."

I did find that the story took a bit to take off, even though I was fully invested from reading the prologue already. Although this book is filled in the last half with birds and experiences shared by the birding society, it took a while before the society even came up, making me wonder at first what the title had to do with the book. Like I said though, that prologue had me hooked and even though I was confused, I couldn't put it down.

*I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

Another wonderful &
Inspiring book by Amanda Cox. A story of hard times, forgiveness, redemption & reconciliation. I am honored to have been given the chance to be an eARC reader.

Thank you Revell & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Amanda Cox has done it again with The Bitter End Birding Society—a beautifully written, emotionally rich, character-driven story that swept me away and captivated my heart!

Set in the quiet, rugged beauty of Bitter End, a mountain community near Roan Mountain, Tennessee (an area close to my own heart) this novel perfectly captured the rhythms of mountain life, from moonshine-running legacies to the tender grace found in small-town community. Cox’s immersive storytelling paints every scene with heart and depth, weaving together two timelines: a poignant past of brokenness, loss, and regret, and a present-day journey of faith, healing, and second chances.

What stood out most to me was how skillfully Cox handles hard topics like PTSD, generational hurt, and the consequences of poor choices, without ever losing sight of hope. The quirky, yet deeply relatable, characters of the Bitter End Birding Society brought both humor and warmth to the story, and I found myself laughing, tearing up, and cheering them on. From the richness of family dynamics to the gentle threads of faith and hint at a budding romance, this book is a moving reminder that restoration is always possible, even in the most unlikely places.

I highly recommend this novel for fans of heartfelt fiction with authentic emotion and redemptive themes. It's a story you're sure to enjoy.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox is a delightful and heartfelt novel that combines charming small-town life, evocative nature scenes, and a touch of family mystery. Ana Leigh Watkins, seeking a break from her high-pressure life, finds herself in the quirky town of Bitter End, Tennessee, where she unexpectedly forms bonds with a group of passionate amateur bird-watchers. Their genuine camaraderie and the tranquility of the outdoors provide a much-needed sanctuary for her weary spirit. What I loved most about this book is how it gently explores themes of healing, family secrets, and unexpected friendships. The story takes a turn into a compelling family mystery involving a forbidden love from the past, which adds depth and emotional resonance. The characters, especially Ana and the women affected by the long-ago estrangement, are richly developed and relatable. While some plot elements feel familiar, the novel’s warm tone, lovely descriptions of nature, and heartfelt storytelling make it a satisfying read. This book is perfect for anyone looking for a cozy, character-driven story with a touch of intrigue and a lot of heart. I enjoyed my journey through Bitter End and recommend it to those who appreciate stories of family, renewal, and the great outdoors.

This is a wonderful page-turner! I think this is the first book that has ever made me cry during the prologue. The Bitter End Birding Society deals with some hard topics, yet it’s full of quirky and fun characters so it doesn’t feel like a heavy book. If you’ve experienced any kind of trauma (and I think we all have to one extent or another), go on a healing journey with these characters. I did and I’m better for it. I appreciated that the book isn’t a love story, even though there are love stories in it. It goes so much deeper than that and really dives into different types of relationships, the hurt, the life lessons learned, and the healing that can be found. I not only loved it, I was blessed and encouraged by this book. Author Amanda Cox has another winner on her hands with The Bitter End Birding Society!

What a breath of fresh air! The characters in this book are so well developed that you want to be a part of the story. Amanda Cox comes through on the win again with her endearing similes and analogies. You can close your eyes and visual your sense of place. So much healing in this story, whether it be from trauma, deep family secrets or relationships. I found myself looking up the different types of birds and their calls mentioned while snuggling up with this comforting read.

This is the best Amanda Cox book I've ever read! Wow!
Loved all of the connections in this book and they are what kept me turning the pages.
I just simply couldn't put this book down until Ana and the residents of Bitter End told me their story. It's quite an interesting one to be sure!
I liked the family history that was portrayed. Their emotions and choices were so very real that some of it broke my heart.
Viola is just such a character. I loved her boldness to follow her heart. She's a very brave woman.
There's this thing called life. And it's a hard journey especially in the mountains.
Life's about the choices we make and when.
This is just a fabulous book and it is worth the reread. All her books are!! I was sad to see this end for I'm still thinking about all of these characters and their hearts breaking in certain places of the story.
I loved Piper very much. She stole the show in my opinion!
I did think that Bitter End was a weird name for a community
I really enjoyed learning about all the different birds. Makes me want to go birding. They are fascinating in their own way.
Here's a thought from the story
There's beauty in nature of you only take the time to slow down and listen through birds. We can simply learn by watching and listening to them.
I think I've got the right of it anyway.
5 stars for a job well done! I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine