Flutter by Olivia Evans - Review

I liked the idea of this book, but it seemed a little far-fetched to me. There didn't seem to be any suspense or big shocking reveals. It just... happened. I liked the characters. The ending was so cheesy, yet somewhat satisfying anyway. The loss aspects of the book made the story darker and heavier than I would have liked, so perhaps this was just the wrong book for me at the wrong time.

This was a recommendation and wow! I am so glad I started reading because once I started I didn't put it down. This is a true love story mixed with loss and angst. A plot with a couple twists and turns. And thankfully the author gives a wonderful HEA. I was never bored or tired reading this epic story. A must read.

A love story with a twist. Part of me wanted to step away from the story, the other part of me couldn't wait to turn the page. A story of families and how life throws various curveballs at us all along the way.

Summary – Dylan, a rich teenager from New York loses the love of his life; the girl he grew up with, to suicide after an incredibly traumatic event in their lives. He dedicates his future to helping people of the same persuasion realise that suicide isn’t the answer. In his pursuit of residency at a hospital after graduating med school, he moves to California and finds out about a prestigious psychiatric facility where he meets a doctor and some very interesting patients including a disturbed girl who hallucinates and a young boy with dissociative identity disorder. None of whom are what they seem.

Plot – The plot kept me gripped all the way to the end. I predicted some of Cody’s plotline but had no idea how the rest of it would turn out or what might happen next.

The pacing up to the climax is perfect. The book goes back and forth in time documenting Dylan’s past relationship with Presley and his new life in the future. This literary style usually annoys me because it destroys tension but it worked brilliantly in this book.

Each plot line is equally interesting and though the present day chapters have more suspense, the flashback chapters develop each character wonderfully and let me care for each of them individually.

Dialogue - The dialogue is natural and flowing. I can see it playing out like a film in my head when people are fighting or joking with each other. I also like the fact the book doesn’t pick a side and argue it and then have the opposition back down. It’s not preachy, it gives equally strong input from different viewpoints, which is refreshing.

Characters – Though centred on a New York rich kid who never needs to worry about money, the protagonist and other characters are very likeable and relatable. They’re unspoiled and interesting to read about, having depth and their own insecurities and struggles.

Milly seems to encapsulate pretty much every senior nurse I’ve ever worked with. Her character is written so well that I feel like I know her personally.

I like Dylan’s grandmother Ann and the relationship she shares with Dylan. She is pretty badass in a non-cliché way and a good representation of rich people who aren’t assholes.

Zach is my favourite character. The contrast between him and Cody was fun to read. His clever and exciting scenes propel the plot forward quickly.

Subject matter - The intense subject matter covered in the book is written thoughtfully, compassionately and profoundly. Though I’ve never experienced most of the things the characters go through, I felt I could relate and empathise by the way they are described. I particularly love reading about near death experiences and think this author’s interpretation of it is fascinating.

It’s refreshing to hear a story of abortion that’s different to the only one that’s socially acceptable these days. People aren’t allowed to acknowledge that an aborted baby is still a baby, lest they offend the masses. I applaud this author for having the guts to write about it from another perspective.

Writing - It’s easy to read. Other than the occasional use of passive voice, I love the flow of the prose. It’s atmospheric, verging on poetic without being flowery: ‘The rush of emotions he’d felt seconds before tumbled like boulders off a cliff into the pit of his stomach.’

‘She turned on her side and drew her knees to her chest, the cramping in her abdomen nothing compared to the pain of its emptiness.’

‘The weight of the air surrounding them was nearly unbearable.’

The atmosphere is created by spot on definition, nothing unnecessary is focused on and I didn’t have to sigh my way through ANY filler at all, which makes me very happy. I liked the realistic setting and atmosphere inside the psychiatric hospital. I was impressed by the credibility of all the information and description surrounding mental health patients and their treatment.

Negatives – Some of the writing is a bit repetitive with some of the action words used. There is excessive use of phrases such as: Dylan schooled his features. Presley cut her eyes. Dylan licked his lips. Dylan pushed his hand through his hair. Dylan pulled in a deep breath. Her eyebrows pinched together. The phrase ‘romancing the shit out of me’ was repeated, in my opinion, far too many times.

The ending lacked some of the intensity I’d expected but it was still a satisfying conclusion. There was a lot more romance than I’d anticipated and I wouldn’t really call this book a thriller, however it is brilliantly written and I think it deserves 4 stars.

Didn't really know what to expect with this book as I was drawn in by the stunning cover! But it didn't take long to become completely engrossed in the story of Dylan and Presley. They seem to be the ultimate star crossed couple and their story is told over the timelines of now and then!

We see how they meet at school and how her family do all they can to drive them apart. And we see the timeline now when Dylan is trying to move on with this life after 6 years since Presley was in his life. He doesn't have money worries thanks to his wealthy family, but that doesn't stop his drive to help people as a Doctor and he finds himself working at a very exclusive clinic that has been set up to help very troubled patients.

Some of the patients he meets are really interesting and I loved the character of Cody - his backstory was amazing so would have loved more of him. But the story surrounding Dylan and the deceit and darker side of the clinic is still fascinating reading and really well planned out and approached by the author. It never felt twee or over the top. It was also really well paced with plenty going on to keep you reading and trying to put the pieces together.

An interesting and entertaining read

Flutter is a novel that catches you by surprise. Dylan and Presley were high school sweethearts from affluent families. Presley's parents didn't like their relationship as her father was running for Governor so tried hard to keep them apart. When Dylan heard Presley had died in a car accident in Italy he was devastated and put his heart into studying to be a psychiatrist so he could help people.
Here with the assistance of a young boy with a split personality disorder he attempts to save the woman he loves. A truly original novel which kept me interested with lots of cliff edge moments. It transfers in time chapter by chapter from high school Dylan and Presley to the present day. Well written this is a slow burner but truly enjoyable read.

My very first from this author but is most certainly won't be my last. A well-written and engaging story about a love between Dylan and that still burns brightly despite the years and cruel fate that separated them. I was completely absorbed by this heartbreaking tale and the way the author relayed the horrific use of extreme drugs to control a person's mind by less than honorable doctors. What Presley endured for 6 long years was enough to make me scream. Watching as she lived an existence of no worth was truly awful.

The author very cleverly creates the perfect scenario for Dylan to see Presley again and from that point, it's a race against time to make her whole again. He fights with everything he has and a few secondary characters prove most are dedicated in wanting to do anything they can to help out their patients. And even a younger patient who has multiple personalities more often than not, steals scenes easily and is one unlikely hero when it counts.

It flows well and I was delighted by how the story both unfolds and ends. I probably would have liked a bit more from the conclusion as it felt a bit rushed but I can't deny I was happy as the last words were read. And I wouldn't mind more at some point in the future.

A worthy read for anyone seeking something a bit different.

4 solid stars.

While FLUTTER could have been a moving and poignant examination of the effects of trauma on a high-school relationship and beyond, the key points of the plot were too inconceivable for me to take the novel seriously. Set in the present day, the story flashes back six years to the high school romance of Dylan and Presley and the events and people that drove them apart. Though a relatively typical romantic plot arc ensued, it was marred by absurd plot points and side characters who appeared as simple caricatures of villains or saviors. The murder-mystery element could have been interesting, but it was uncomfortably linked with the story of a young boy's trauma and resulting dissociative identity disorder (DID) with convenient and likely inaccurate portrayals of a misunderstood condition. The writing itself also came across as weak, with continuity errors about Presley's timeline and entirely too many convenient inaccuracies about medical school training and psych ward procedures. While I wanted to feel the love and commitment between the two main characters, it was primarily told, not shown, through declarations of love and lots of face-holding and murmuring, but little else. I'm sure there are many readers who will eat up this story of doomed love recovered, but I needed more character development and plot authenticity.

Wow! Just wow, in a good way. Flutter is one of those rare stories that gets beneath your skin and never leaves.

Dylan and Presley were once young lovers who dreamed of a future together. When Dylan loses her, he loses his spark. But, he's determined to become a doctor (psychiatrist) to help those like he couldn't help Presley. As he starts his residency at an institution, he's still not his old self, he'll never be his old self because Presley is gone. Until one day he sees Presley where he's doing his residency. But how is it possible? She's dead, or so her parents told him.

As Dylan sets out to unravel the mystery of why the dead love of his life isn't really dead, secrets come out and Dylan is even more determined to help Presley. He's devastated that she doesn't even recognize him or remember their love. He uncovers sinister goings on, that the people who were supposed to taking care of Presley weren't, that the people who claimed to love her, didn't. And Dylan and Presley start to fall back into love. Well, they never fell out of love. Dylan had never moved on and Presley still loved him in her heart, the heart and mind fogged up by the drugs forced upon her.

Flutter is at times sinister and creepy, a romantic suspense/mystery that draws you in even while it's making you mad and wanting to junk punch all the people who were supposed to love Presley, who locked her up and took her away from Dylan. There are wonderful secondary characters like Dylan's grandma, Dr. Edmonds, Cody, Zach, Joel, Jenny and Jess. They help round out the story and it wouldn't have been complete without them. But Dylan and Presley are of course, the real stars. So vivid and real and three-dimensional and their love is a touchable, palpable thing. I can't tell you how much I love Flutter and how highly I recommend it!

Not my favorite. The premise was far fetched but interesting and the characters were interesting and sympathetic. I would have been willing to suspend my disbelief but for the unsophisticated writing. Evans does far too much telling and not enough showing. I think she has promise, but this book read more like a YA novel than an adult novel to me. That said, it was certainly a fast paced novel that many will enjoy.

Despair, happiness. Sorrow, joy all emotions I felt while reading this story and so many more. This is not my normal choice in reading material I'm more of a feel good story type of gal but something in the Synopsis hook me and I gave it a whirl and I can't regret that decision cause this was one of the best stories I have read in a long time.

This was a sweet read! Dylan lost his girlfriend, Presley to a car accident six years ago and still mourns her death. But when he is assigned to rotations at Hilltop Hospital and must deal with the mental issues of patients, he is in for several surprises--not the least of which is seeing a delusional Presley there. Now he must unravel the secrets and lies that have kept them apart all this time. Finding an unlikely helper in Cody, a 13-year-old teen with multiple personalities, Dylan works to uncover the mystery. Blending present and past, the novel has a sweet romance at its heart. While I'm not usually a fan of this genre, it felt real and not sappy. A quick read also!

Olivia Evans is a new to me author and I am now a fan. Flutter is such a great story.; There is no real build up, she dives right in. The story of Dylan and Presley is gut wrenching. You can feel the love and loss of both collectively and separate. This struggle has propelled Dylan to enter the field of psychiatry. Thinking if he can help just one person it will ease his pain. Determined to make up for missing the signs Presley had to be showing, his mission is clear... Help prevent suicide.
For Presley, I have to believe that Ms.Evans understood the care she had to take writing her. The tenderness, the guilt, the pain, the suffering... it was so believable. The loss she felt and then the abandonment she must have felt, she wanted help, she agreed to help, only to be taken advantage of. I hated her father and I still do. This book will stick with me for a long time.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. This was such a great read. I couldn't put it down!

This is my first experience reading this author and I was by far impressed with this intense story. This is a 4 star story.

I won't say very much about what the story is about because it as so many twists and turns. I was left speechless by some of them. It plays with ones mind in a major way.
One of the definitions for Flutter is "to throw into nervous or tremulous excitement; cause mental agitation and confusion". If your looking for a classic love story, well look elsewhere. It is a story about love but an original one. I never knew what was real or not, who to trust.

I'm a nurse and I was impressed on information the author had about certain medical conditions and medications. This story does go back in forth in time so it's like reading 2 different stories that cross over and get together at the end.

Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA.

An amazing book you don't want to miss. It's a gripping story from the very first page and you won't be able to put it down. Lots of books touch me for various reasons but this one touched me deep and left me with chills. It's a story of lies, secrets, deception, and a powerful love that in the end is what it takes to unravel the truth. Presley Cooper and Dylan Walker are two characters that will stay with you long after you've finished reading this book. I'm not going to give many details on the story itself. This one needs to be experienced page by page. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

The author has taken on some really big, intense issues in this book and handled them beautifully. Topics like mental health, suicide, teenage pregnancy, abortion are treated with respect and honesty. The characters in this story are full and interesting. The love between Dylan and Presley is always a part of the story, but this is way more than just a romance. This is a story of love and friendship and the lengths that we will go to to protect those we love. I think my favorite character in this whole story is Dylan's grandmother. She is fierce and heaven help anyone who stands in the way of her family.

I loved this story. The premise is fresh. I totally did not expect what happened at Hilltop the first time Dylan went there. I couldn't put the book down and read through it in one day.

I'm giving it 4 stars, though, for several reasons. Although the premise is fresh, the execution leaves a little to be desired. I wanted to give up on it early on. The biggest thing was the dialogue tags.

“I-I like it just fine ,” Dylan stuttered...
“Well, hello,” his grandmother greeted...

I have just read the word hello. Why does the author think I need a big sign pointing to the fact that she's greeting him? Give the readers some credit, we can see what's going on. Using "said" as a dialouge tag might seem redundant to writers, but the truth is, it's invisible to readers. We just flow right through it and don't get taken out of the story. Every time I see one of these other "creative" tags, I'm taken right out. *Especially* in a thriller, you don't want your readers taken out of the story.

These characters exhale, sigh, groan, tsk, laugh, etc. their words. Whisper all you want, but you can't sigh out a long sentence.

Also, more importantly, I was confused on the timeline of what happened to Presley in the past. The author never comes out and just explains that 6 years ago this happens and then 2 years ago this happens. It was really confusing and hindered my understanding of what was going on.

This may seem harsh, but I say all this because this is a well thought out and otherwise well-edited book, and it's a shame that people may not finish it.

Flutter by Olivia Evans published by Expresso Book Tours is amazing! I was given an advanced copy for my honest review and I can’t wait to tell you how AMAZING it is. There are few books lately that I can say that I loved. THIS ONE tops the charts for me it was so good I finished it in one long sitting and it will be one that I recommend to everyone that loves a good thriller. This is my first book by Olivia Evans but I hope it won’t be my last. I originally choose this book because I feel in love with the Cover , what I loved even more is what a significant role this cover actually plays in the way things unfold in the story!
The story is designed around the fragile young love of Dylan Walker and Presley Cooper a love that should have been perfect and beautiful but was shattered by people that were supposed to have the best interest of the couple. I had moments in this book where I laughed, cried and wanted to strangle someone all a few pages apart. I also think that it is important to mention a few things, one being that you should never give up on love and the people who give you those fluttery moments and two this book is not for the faint of heart. The idea of mental illness is a very serious problem you can tell that the author has done a tremendous amount of research not only making the story readable but also making the characters very easy to connect with. The only thing I didn’t like about this book was the fact that it ended one of my favorite reads for 2017!