The Memory of Butterflies is a unique and hauntingly beautiful story. I was slowly drawn in and the details put me straight in the Hollow along with Hannah. I could picture the house, the cabin where she did her sculpting, and the river that flowed out back. Hannah and her grandparents led a pretty secluded life out in the Hollow, I could hardly imagine living so alone and away from everyone and everything. And the secrets that are hidden, there were so many secrets! Greene took me on an emotional roller coaster ride throughout the book, from the highest highs to the lowest of lows; I have not felt so many different emotions while reading a book in a very long time. There was one part where I was crying tears along with Hannah, my heart was suffering right along with her. There were points where I would question decisions she made, I felt so completely a part of this story. This is not your typical book at all. If you want something that makes you feel and think, then this is definitely the book for you. I received a copy of this book via netgalley.

I have loved everything that Grace Greene has written, but the last two books written by her, The Happiness In Between and The Memory of Butterflies have taken her skill set to a new level. I have just finished The Memory of Butterflies, and I was so moved by this story of love, love for a mother for her child, love for a granddaughter for a grandmother, love for a daughter for a mother, and love for your surroundings and where you were raised. It is also a story of forgiveness, forgiveness for what others have done to you and forgiveness for yourself for what you did or didn't do. This book will wring every emotion from you, but I have no doubt that in the end you will say it was all worth it.

I was given an ARC of this book, but want you to know that I have also pre-ordered a copy because it's important to support authors that make you think and feel

A beautifully written book of love, humility,forgiveness, and hope.
A love so deep,only a parent can feel. Humility that comes when you just cannot right the wrong without hurting others, yet must face the truth at some point in time.
Forgiveness that "maybe it happened just as it was supposed to."
Hope that each person will continue their journey and learn from the past errors of love..
I loved this novel! 10 stars!
*Tissues are a must while reading it!"

INTENSE FROM BEGINNING TO END!!

When a family is built, it all starts with the foundation. The Memory of Butterflies is the story of one such family. It is the story of the Cooper family of Cooper's Hollow along Cub Creek, VA. Several generations have lived on the home place. Each generation has brought forth a strong woman. The story is of past, present and future. The early generations of Coopers lived very simplistic lives and kept to themselves. The original home was lost in a tragic fire causing young Hannah Cooper and her daughter Ellen to move to a nearby town. Twelve years later, Hannah decides to relocate and rebuild an entirely different home starting on the original foundation spot. As they start to clear, the debris, she asks them to be careful as she knew her Grandparents had some secret hidden places. It is within the "foundation areas" of the fireplace and another area that certain hidden family secrets are revealed. This is a story built on the foundation of love, truth, loss and acceptance. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this opinion is strictly my own and without influence.

“The workmen, and anyone else who came here, should tread carefully and respectfully among my memories and my past. And not judge me.”

The Memory of Butterflies is a story that leaves you breathless. One in which, upon reading the last page, makes you reluctant to leave the people, emotions, and exquisite setting you’ve sunk into. Definitely a five-star read.

Grace Greene is a new-to-me author, and I’m so touched by her writing. She is a talented storyteller, evoking so many reactions and emotions out of me. And wowza—what a gorgeous cover!

This story displays the intricacies of life and love. Though we often think of things as right or wrong, good or bad, black or white—oftentimes our lives intermingle within the gray areas.

I won’t describe the stories events, twists, or revelations that kept me turning the pages. What I will reveal is this story kept me up late, took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and pricked and stirred my soul.


A Memory of Butterflies is a memorable mother and daughter love story that moved me and inspired me to see others—their faults, circumstances, and choices—in a new and brighter light. It’s a lovely, stimulating tapestry of family, home, love, discovery, and redemption.



5 Stars

Cover: LOVE
Title: LOVE
Pages: 290
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
ISBN: 978-1542045674
First Lines (Chapter One): “I always knew Ellen and I would become separated one day. Not forever, of course, but time moves on, and children grow up.”
I received an ARC of this book from the author and NetGalley.

The Memory of Butterflies is a beautiful, heartfelt, poignant book that left me in tears at the end. I was emotionally invested in this book from the very first page. Hannah is a single mom, trying to do the best she can every day for her daughter Ellen. But Hannah, like her mother and grandmother before her, has made questionable choices, hidden the truth from the people closest to her, and closed herself off to anyone but her daughter. Now, as the lies begin to unravel, Hannah must make sure that Ellen doesn't repeat the mistakes of the past, but by doing so, she risks losing the love of the person that she loves most in the world. I loved the characters in this book....Hannah, Ellen, Gran, and the rest are such loving, flawed characters...people who are willing to sacrifice their own happiness to ensure that their loved ones are happy, secure, cherished. I loved the role that butterflies have in this book, the themes they represent, that all play a huge part in this story. The heart and soul of this story is the love a mother feels for her child; how, no matter what the consequence for herself, a mother makes choices for her child from the moment life begins to stir inside of her, always doing so with the best intentions, and nothing but the purest of love in her heart. I hope that other readers will love this story and characters as much as I do. This book would be an excellent book club selection, with so many events, choices, and themes to discuss! I received a copy of this book from the author, but all opinions are my own.

Powerful thought provoking and emotional
story!!
Many issues ran throughout the story, such
as: loss and grieving, secrets, deceit, choices.
family issues, fear to love, forgiveness, lies,
friendship, personal growth, transition, truth,
faith and love.
Hannah Cooper's life starts in Cooper’s Hollow
which is located along Virginia’s beautiful and
rustic Cub Creek. It is here where she makes
choices that will keep her aloof from others
until the point where she must wipe the slate
clean. Her life as she knows it, love, and
happiness are on the line. What choice will
she make this time?
Intricately woven story creates an utterly
believable storyline that will keep the reader
engrossed up to the last page.
The deep characterization will allow the reader
to loose themselves in these characters. You
will be sympathetic to their situation or plight.
The characters were well fleshed, well
developed plus very realistic. They were
broken people with secrets past trying to keep
them hidden.
You will accompany them on their road to
freedom, independence and redemption.
The fluid description will put the reader as
a part of the story. The running water of the
creek, the field of butterflies, the family
cemetery, working with clay to form treasures,
city living versus country living are so deftly
defined to warm the heart with wonderment.
I will always think of the contents of this book
whenever I see a butterfly?
Overall good development with superb creative
writing and colorful detail. This story will stay
with the reader long past the final word. It is
a keeper.
I volunteered to read The Memories of Butterflies.
Thanks to the author via Net Gallery for the
opportunity. My opinion is my own.

Secrets have a way of coming out--and the longer you keep them, the deeper the repercussions. As Hannah prepares to send her daughter Ellen off to college, she begins rebuilding her childhood home, opening the door to the revelation of long-buried secrets that threaten the foundation of her family life. Hannah must decide whether to sacrifice herself to protect those she loves. Grace Greene has created a world that the reader will picture vividly. Some scenes will make you weep, and there are some good surprises in the story as well!

What a wonderful story! The story begins as Hannah, is on the path to college. She makes a decision that will forever change her future. The author shares a story of family bonds, choices, loss and secrets. Hannah has taken on the roll of single parent and caregiver for her aging Grandmother. Her Grandmother shares a family secret and Hannah has to learn to live with what she's told. Hannah also has been living with a decision she made 15 years ago and it's time she begins to heal and break down the walls surrounding her heart.

I received a copy of this story from the author and NetGalley and this is my personal honest opinion.

Tender story of loss and family. Unexpected events cause lives to be changed in an instant with no warning. Can good arise from devastating circumstances? The author tells a touching story of how people decide to deal with death and the events of the decisions made. Bring the tissues when reading this one. Butterflies will always have a special meaning to me because of this story. Excellent. I received a copy of this story from the author and NetGalley and this is my personal honest opinion.