I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Paper Butterflies follows June Kingston throughout her life from the age of 10. It sees her trapped at home, with a horrific home life, and alone at school. It's only when she meets a boy, called Blister, in the woods, that she starts to recognise the signs of freedom, and sets her on the path to recover and grow strong enough to escape. She's like one of the paper butterflies she and Blister makes, yearning for freedom and the power to grow wings, but will she be able to, or is she doomed to be locked in her world for good?

This book was horrific, and heartbreaking, right from the first page. I've had it on my TBR for a good few years now, and even though I loved Seed, I kept pushing this book further down, but decided enough was enough, and as soon as I started it, I couldn't put it down. June lost her mother when she was only 5, and has had a stepmother and stepsister since she was 6. Her stepmother, Kathleen, was abusive, and on the first page, we see her force June to take drink after drink, refusing to allow her to use the bathroom, and then send her to school where she wees herself. She's already ostracised by her peers for being mixed race, and they regularly are racist towards her, and being known as the girl who wet herself on the school bus hasn't helped. There's more forced feeding, and racist comments, and down right psychological abuse at the hands of both her stepfamily (Megan included) and her peers, and no one helps her. She tries to tell people, alluding to different things that are happening, but no one cares about her, and it's so heartbreaking! Her dad just thinks she's a stroppy brat who's acting against a loving mother figure, especially with Kathleen appearing to be caring when he's around. Once she meets Blister, and later his family, she starts to see what a normal home life should be like, being loved and cared for by parental figures, and I really thought she might end up with a happy ending. Then the book took a turn, and I was completely blown away - it was so out of the blue, I just didn't see it coming. This is a book that is so thought provoking, and it's going to stay with me for weeks to come!

Couldn't really get into this one but it was generally a quick read. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys the genre and is looking for a short read.

Paper Butterflies was a brilliant read - page turning and beautiful, Lisa Heathfield is a writer to watch. Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

Sometimes you just want to read a book that will tug on your heartstrings and cause you to shed a tear or two. That’s certainly what I was expecting when I received Paper Butterflies. The title grabbed my attention and as soon as I read the synopsis I knew I needed to read it. I was in the mood for a good sob (as strange as that sounds) and this book sounded perfect.

June’s life at home is far from perfect. Her mother having died she now lives with her dad, stepmother Kathleen and stepsister Megan. Behind closed doors June is abused both mentally and physically by Kathleen and Megan, with her dad oblivious to any of it. Add that to the bullying she experiences at school and you get one depressed, lonely young girl with no hope. However, when June meets Blister things start to change. As their relationship blossoms she starts to realise that maybe she can find hope and fly far away from her home life and finally be free.

I’m going to be honest here, this book was rather dark, raw and dramatic. There is no creeping around the theme of abuse and some scenes were rather traumatic to read, but I was so captivated that I carried on. I found myself tearing up a lot whilst reading and I got so emotionally invested into June’s story that I just wanted her to finally find happiness and be free of her pain. I have never been a victim of abuse and I don’t think you can fully understand it unless you have been through it, however reading this is, in my opinion the closest you can get to it without experiencing it.

June is a character that you can’t help but love and root for. Like I said, I became so emotionally invested into her story that I just wanted her to have a happy ending. She is the kind of character, that can still see hope even though they are going through terrible times. Her relationship with Blister is probably one of the cutest and also courageous relationships I have read about. I loved how he showed her hope and love when no one else did. He cared for her truly and deeply and you could tell she felt the same. Their relationship was the definition of true love and it warmed my heart.

The themes mentioned in Paper Butterflies such as abuse, racism and bullying really make you think about how the victim feels and also why people do it? I knew something must have stemmed from Kathleen’s past to make her treat June the way she did and it really did get my mind going. The author wrote the story with such honesty and emotion that I couldn’t help but get a lump in my throat and cry.

Paper Butterflies took me on an emotional rollercoaster that although I should’ve got off, I didn’t. It was beautifully written with lots of emotion and honesty. Also, that ending! Let’s just say that it shocked me to the core. If you feel like you can handle the themes mentioned in Paper Butterflies you should most certainly read it.

Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will enjoy. 2

Heart wrenching at times but really good. Highly recommend. It was a little hard hitting for me at times as I felt I related to it so if you’re easily triggered please read synopsis before going into it.

I would like to thank Lisa Heathfield & Egmont Publishing for my copy of the ARC. Due to this kind gesture, I have decided to leave a review.

Well, how was the for a plot twist WHAT EVEN!!!!!

Junes home life is not easy, with a stepmother who puts Lady Tremaine to shame she lives to get free from the house. School isn't much better with the taunts from kids and the racial impact is real. Blister, however, comes to make it that little bit easier, to try and take Junes mind away from the horror that is her life.

Ok, so this isn't my sort of book. Yeah, it was not a bad read, I did find myself skimming at parts but for most of it, I enjoyed even if half of it made me squirm and think how can someone be so nasty to a child. You forget that stuff like this goes on and it's a real snapback to reality when you are reading it.

Your whole body aches for June, I just can't take some of it in. Megan must have been scared out her witts also and these are children who really don't know much better and if someone puts the fear in them and no one will listen, how do we expect them to talk?

I loved how you saw June and Blisters relationship blossom, it literally made my heart swell up like a balloon and I just wanted them to stay in their own little private part of their caravan park where June would be safe forever. Blister is the kindest kid ever and you just want to keep him in your pocket forever.

I DID NOT EXPECT THE EVENTS THAT UNRAVELED, kudos Lisa! You caught me off guard, I cried for our June and thought honestly how can someone have so much bad luck?! As the saying goes, if it wasn't for bad luck she would have had no luck at all. I think I would have rathered no luck.

I also like how the story touched on cystic fibrosis as its a disease that has impacted my life through a few friends, one who we unfortunately lost. It brings light to an illness we hardly ever hear about and it brought back some good but sad memories for me.

If you are into mushy, hard upbringing abusive books, this is for you. It's not my usual type but I would give it 2 and a half stars and I am glad that I got the chance to read it.

"'I love you June.' My breath takes in his words."

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. Unfortunately, it wasn't for me, but I'm sure others will love it.

Wow. This is certainly a book to make you cry. It is very thought provoking and quite excellent, but if I had known exactly what it was about I'm not sure that I would have wanted to read it? The book is fantastic, and I recommend it, but I guess I just prefer books that don't make me quite so sad! However, although I know my review does sound like I keep contradicting myself, I'm not - the book was very good and if you don't mind reading something uncomfortable, I do think it is a subject that should be addressed and discussed. Just have your tissues handy.

This was one that had me sitting with a box of tissues. Such a heart-wrenching story but one I couldn't put down and enjoyed reading. It was a story which showed the importance of hope when all feels lost. A beautiful and powerful read.

I read this book well over a year ago, and I still can't stop thinking about it. It was so powerful and moving, sensitive yet probing... I think everyone should read this. This made me cry so much, but it was 100% worth it. Go and read this book.

This was very well written and handled the painful situations that June was in, respectfully and realistically. I personally couldn't carry on reading as it become too triggering but I may try it again at a later date. The characters were great also!

This is a book that catches you unassumingly - a book that talks about real life monsters . A definite recommendation!

Book Review:

Paper Butterflies was definitely a book that I heard a lot about when it was coming out and then post-release and after reading it I know why. Paper Butterflies is a harrowing and important read that will break your heart and have you reaching for the tissues.

This book is a hard read, dealing with bullying and child abuse (trigger warnings for these topics) and how they affect June. This obviously makes the book a tough read to get through because everything June feels, you feel it too. Due to the heartbreak that you suffer through the book, I really did want a happy ending although this wasn't really the case and because of that, it did shock me. I still did really enjoy Paper Butterflies, overall.

The Verdict:

Paper Butterflies is such an important read that more people should definitely read. Get your tissues at the ready...

BAM. That's how this book hits you.

From the very first page we are introduced to June, at this point five after her mother has recently drowned, surrounded by her new family - stepmother Kathleen and stepsister Megan. Her dad is still around but works, so Kathleen is the main caregiver, and she follows the stereotypical fairytale step-mum: maliciously, uncomprehendingly cruel. Every time June thinks something is going to change, she's let down. 'Oh, look! She's made me a lovely birthday tea with a nice cake!' But all this is an elaborate way for Kathleen to further her torture of June. Unfortunately it's not exactly a fairytale ending with a prince to ride off into the sunset with, but she does find some escape.

She meets Blister, a boy from a house of seven, and finds her salvation. As much as possible, she spends her time with him and with his welcoming family who are the antithesis of her own. Although she tells Blister a little of what goes on at home, June cannot tell him the full story. And no one else knows. She berates herself later for not telling, but how can a child blame themselves when they are that scared? June is convinced that no one would ever believe her. But, as the years go by, she lets Kathleen know she is not beaten, fighting back by not reacting or small acts of retribution. But it doesn't stop.

One form of abuse that I'd never really considered before is the way Kathleen forces June to eat. To eat and eat beyond satiation... 'She wants me to be fat.' So, June's life at school is even harder, when children tease her and call her names. She feels embarrassed eating in front of Blister's family:

'I know what they must think. I want to tell them. I want them to know that me being a bit overweight isn't my fault. That I don't want to eat everything Kathleen puts in front of me but fear makes me do what she says.'

And that's what keeps her quiet: fear. But what child could speak up for themselves in that situation, however hard June berates herself in retrospect.

This is a painful read. It feels odd to give it four stars, meaning 'I liked it,' because I didn't exactly enjoy reading it. But Heathfield has created an entirely compelling read, with a horrific unexpected climax. The ending, a note from Blister (giving away no spoilers), is beautiful. Throughout, you are really inside June's head, and you feel her embarrassment, her shame and her righteous anger. That's the mark of a good author.

But I would definitely warn people away from this book if they have experienced any form of abuse themselves. I can't speak from experience, but I imagine it might be too hard to read.

Apart from abuse, it is also about the power of friendship, and that's the redeeming quality here. Blister and June's friendship starts as childishly innocent, and gradually morphs into a deeper relationship of love. It's wonderful to watch them blossom despite the world around being so dark.

I devoured this book in a day. (Well, an afternoon and a morning). It's a very fast read. I would recommend it, but with that caveat: not for anyone with personal experience, or for people who are particularly sensitive. This book hurts.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this. I really want to go out and get Heathfield's debut novel now, but maybe I'll have to wait until I've got through a few more in my TBR pile...

Excellent. Four stars.

Lisa Heathfield has very quickly become one of my favourite authors and this book has made me fall in love with her writing so much more. Paper Butterflies was an absolutely gut wrenching read. There were so many times where I was ready to yell at the book to make sure that someone knew what she was going through. The shocking twist at the end was not something that I can't completely latched onto and it made me feel a little empty inside for days. Beautifully crafted, I would recommend it to anyone.

June is a butterfly trapped in a net. As she tries to get free, her paper wings are torn and damaged. Paper Butterflies follows June’s dark home life as she gains hope in the form of Blister, a boy in the woods. Will he be able to free her from the net, unbroken?



I haven't read many books about child abuse but the ones I have read have always been so emotional. Paper Butterflies doesn't disappoint in this regard. I teared up in some places because I was horrified for June. Some of the abusive parts are quite graphic and you can really sympathise for June. 

Paper Butterflies shows an overlying issue of racism which leads to both the abuse of the stepmother and the bullying at school. At times I was questioning if this was real. Was it based on a true story? It show's how it's hard to be an outsider and how the systems put in place often fail you when you need them most. It's a small and quick read but there's so much that can be discussed from this book as Heathfield shows so many issues. 

I was worried that the romance aspect would irritate me. As often I dislike reading romance as it seems unrealistic or is made over-important within the plot. Paper Butterflies did not have these issues. The romance was built up over time. It felt realistic, it wasn't forced for the sake of the storyline. It wasn't written that the guy will fix all of the girls problems. So I actually enjoyed and routed for the couple. 

The story is told as 'before' and 'after' and leads you to a big life event for June. I don't want to spoil it, but it was a really big shock to me when we got there. Being written this way also made me want to read more and read faster to find out what happened. Honestly, I recommend everyone should read this book.

Not a bad book, just a very miserable one I wasn't willing to drag myself through. I'd rather there was more clarity in the blurb about the abuse the MC suffers, as I found some of the detail in even the first chapters triggering, so I did not finish and doubt I'll be picking it up again.

This book has ruined my life. I think I may have read it in about two hours and not once did I get up to get a drink or change reading position. I just lay down and binge-read it. The story of Paper Butterflies will stay with me for a very very long time because of how raw, moving, shocking and emotional it is.

June's life at home with her stepmother and stepsister is a dark one—and a secret one. She is trapped like a butterfly in a net.

But then June meets Blister, a boy in the woods. In him, she recognises the tiniest glimmer of hope that perhaps she can find a way to fly far, far away from her home and be free. Because every creature in this world deserves their freedom... But at what price?

Now, when the blurb says that June has a dark home life, it really does mean it. If you follow me on Goodreads at all, you will know that I commented on my progress about 30 pages in saying how disturbing it was. This book is full of abuse, and it starts pretty much at the very beginning. I was absolutely disgusted by how Kathleen treated June and I felt like I was going to be sick half of the time. I genuinely cried for her and I wanted things to get better. And then June met Blister and she was happy. Blister was like a rock for her over the years but I just wish that June had opened up completely to Blister about her abuse. I know that it's mega mega hard to be open about things like that, but Blister could have really helped her.

June's dad just annoyed me so much. I know that he didn't know the abuse was going on but whenever June tried to tell him that her step-family hated her and that they were mean to her, the Dad just brushed it off and told June to stop being silly. I mean, c'mon! That's just crazy! How can a parent be so careless?! He would tell June all of the time how much he loved her but then didn't even listen to what she was saying. Well done, Dad. Well done.





"Your life is precious. Every day that you're on earth is precious. You have a place. You're wanted."

- Lisa Heathfield, Paper Butterflies





The plot itself was a huge rollercoaster. I can't say too much about the plot because of spoilers but when *that thing* happened to June, I cried for her. I felt like it wasn't fair - even though, it kinda was. But still! I just... ugghhh.... I can't even form words that express how I felt when I was reading it. Another thing that I couldn't wrap my head around was what a certain character was saying about forgiving Kathleen. Ummmm no. I'm sorry, but how can you forgive the person that abused you for years and years?! I just can't understand how anyone could do that, I really don't. I also hated how June was bullied and pretty much tortured because she was the only black member of her family (her deceased mother was black, but her Dad, step-mother and step-sister are white) and she also goes to a predominantly white school where there are just sooooo many vile people who are absolutely horrible towards June and the scenes where June is at school just shows how the school failed her as well as her Dad.

And. That. Ending. WHAT?!! I NEED ANOTHER BOOK. I NEED A BOOK TWO. Because Paper Butterflies just can't end like that, it can't. I won't let it. Lisa, you can't just write an ending like that and expect your readers not to go crazy and want a second book! One of the things that shocked me the most at the end was what Megan said, and again, I can't discuss this because of spoilers, but what she said had me reeling, and it was kind of unbelievable but at the same time, I did believe her. Strange.

Overall, this is probably one of the best books that I have read this year; it really is. There are just so many things about it that make it important, eye-opening and gut-wrenching and I think it's a book that everyone should read. If you're going to read one Young Adult contemporary soon, make it this one and I promise that you won't regret it.

Warning: this book contains triggers for mental and physical abuse, mental illness, and death.

Disclaimer: this book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I read We were Liars and loved it but this tops it. I loved June's struggle for freedom from her oppressive home life. I loved the hope that Blister offers her. All in all a great read that pulls at the heart strings. A fantastic ending too- what more could you want.