“Butterfly in Frost” is a short, yet complicated story. Our main characters, Teagan and Garrett, meet when her friend’s dog runs into him. From the start, Garrett is pushy and just too confident. He rather forces himself into her life and, when she gives into her charm, a beautiful romance starts. But the book is not just a hot love story, as there is there is so much more going on with our protagonists.

Her past stays mostly hidden, but we get a glimpse of what Garrett has been through. She’s willing to help, but Teagan has her own depression to deal with. Speaking of which, it is best to mention that if you have any form of anxiety or any form of depression, there are scenes in the book that may send you in an … emotional state. The twist in the end is something that I did not see coming and it puts everything in a different perspective.

There were several things I enjoyed and some that I did not quite like. On a positive note, I loved how well the author created emotions. There were raw states of despair, pure fragility and pain. This was the wow factor for me. The author did not shy away from showing how a traumatizing event can shatter a man and a woman, as well as a couple. She was also not afraid to point out how others treat people with anxiety or depression and how some tend to see in this a reason of embarrassment. Initially, I was enraged, but then I understood the reality in those reactions or opinions.

On the not so positive side, I did not like Garrett’s arrogance and persistent personality. He was annoying and rude, always assuming he knew exactly what Teagan wanted. The reveal in the end explained some things, but it did not make much sense when it comes to her past.

All in all, while I really enjoyed the writing, the emotions and even how Garrett and Teagan rediscovered each other, he was irritating and the ending left some holes.

FULL REVIEW ON FRESH FICTION
BUTTERFLY IN FROST by Sylvia Day is the highly anticipated new story from bestselling author Sylvia Day. While this is a novella, Day packs quite a punch within this shorter format. Both Teagan and Garrett admit to having struggles with depression and it’s clearly depicted on the page - it’s one of the ways readers see them care for one other right away and justifies their immediate attraction and physical relationship. Day’s signature steamy and inventive love scenes explore the deep passion that develops between Tegan and Garrett. The conclusion of this novella is both satisfying and unexpected, but somewhat rushed and abrupt--BUTTERFLY IN FROST definitely could have been a full-length novel. Fans of Sylvia Day will relish this emotional and thought-provoking story, wishing for more time with these characters.

Sylvia Day quickly ascended to top favorite author status for me with her Crossfire Series. So there was never any doubt in my head that I’d read whatever she released after that. It was a long time coming and I added to that time quite extensively. But here we are!!

This is a good quick read. It’s novella length, but not so short that you feel as though the story is rushed is stilted.

<B>Here’s what I loved:</b>
This cover is so super pretty. I was immediately drawn to it. Great plot, amazing writing, engaging characters, and a gorgeous package! It all marries well together.

Garrett and Teagan lit my kindle up! He’s a hot guy alphahole and this was insta-everything! Woot woot! The story is sexy, steamy, and sensual. With just enough amazing sexual tension and angst to keep the reader longing for me.

My only biggest concerns were related to execution and pacing. The book could have been structured a tad differently and definitely have more care to the characters background and descriptions.

Overall, a good read if you’re in the mood for something short and sweet.

DNF

This was by far the blandest book I've read this year. I couldn't muster any interest in the two leads and their romance is as exciting as watching paint dry.

I must admit that I was looking forward to this read. I haven't read a book by this author for a number of years.

This went at a million miles an hour at the start, I had to catch my breathe! But all becomes clear!

'Every day, I push beyond my limits, just to remind myself that I’m technically still alive.'

A quick read with a twist at the end that really came of no where for me!

I started to read this and realized it was a bit of a spin off from the Crossfire series. Originally I never finished the Crossfire series because I got tired of the dysfunctional relationship Gideon and Eva. But since it had spin of qualities I needed to finish the original series before reading it.

Butterfly in Frost can be read not reading the Crossfire series but I felt like I needed to finish it so I had a better taste in my mouth when they made appearances in this story. Thankfully the Cross's appearance is small in this story. Once I got over that I was able to get into this story which revolves around Teagan Ransom and Garrett Frost.

The book starts out slow with getting to know Teagan and realizing her past is a secret. You can tell that she's surviving but not truly living. She has friends and a routine so when the new sexy artist neighbor moves in her live turns upside down.

You feel a weird connection between the two and are a bit confused but that confusion is what keeps you reeled in. If it wasn't for his weirdness happening between the two it may be easy to give up the story. Thankfully I'm stubborn and don't like to give up easily so I kept reading. I'm glad I did because there was quite the twist in the end. I truly didn't see that coming. It was shocking yet poignant for the story. Without this twist Teagan wouldn't have won me over. I liked Garrett right away even though you knew he had some secrets as well. After the twist I was able to see why Teagan was the way she was and it all made sense in the end.

This was a slow burner with a surprising twist at the end. The twist makes the story. Without it, there wouldn't be much of a story.

2.5 stars

I’ve missed Sylvia Day’s writing immensely. So when I saw she has a book coming out, I jumped on it quicker than you can blink. I barely spared the blurb a glimpse, if I’m being perfectly honest here.
I was immediately enraptured in Day’s words and the quick paced story line. This is tied in the Crossfire world, and you get come cameos of Eva here. I don’t remember much of the series beyond the first book, and I didn’t read 3-5, so I can’t say how much of this heroine is introduced in those books. I will say, with the way the heroine and some of the secondary characters are introduced and written, it felt like we should already know who they are.
Unfortunately, right around the 40% mark I began to find myself disengaging more and more. The character development felt lacking. I struggled to truly connect to the heroine. There were also just one too many plot holes. And then the plot twist hits you right over the head I was at a complete loss. Granted, the plot twist is what saved the story for me. I was fairly bored right up until that point and the twist revived it for me. But, and this is a big BUT, it simply wasn’t fleshed out enough to truly pack the punch it was meant to.
This should have been a full length novel. As it was, with the page count, there just wasn’t enough to truly give that amazing twist justice. The ending was too sudden and completely glossed over. This was a story meant for a full length novel. As a novella, it felt lackluster and unfinished.

Sylvia Day is a master at writing a story that readers will devour and that will leave them thinking about it long after it ends. This book was amazing from the beginning to the surprising end. I did not see it coming and absolutely loved the twist thrown in. Both Teagan and Garrett are so damaged and scarred by their pasts that they have everything guarded, but their blossoming relationship is the one bright spot in their lives. Both are talented and well-known but crave the isolation of being alone. Garrett pushes his way in to Tegan’s life and quickly becomes an important part that she can’t imagine him not being there. I was so in to this story that I didn’t want it to end. My only problem with this book was that it was too short.

Gosh! It's been ages since I read Sylvia Day....not by choice though. Her Crossfire Series was my introduction to her world and what a series it was.

It's a welcome change to read her "Butterfly In Frost". She's the master of narration and a pro of her writing and this book will definitely take you by surprise. And that's probably why Slyvia Day is one of the most coveted writers.

It’s the year 2013… I got my first taste of Bared to You. I was hooked with Gideon and Eva story. Crossfire series was one of those series that pushed my limit and gave me a taste of a genre that was completely different. Though I have to say that Fifty Shades of Grey was also one such book.

Fast forward the year 2019…When I found out that Sylvia Day was releasing a book, I wanted it ASAP! Plus, that cover was the completely opposite of the Crossfire series so yes, I was intrigued.

Now I have to be honest, I had a hard time reading this book. I felt like it took me ages to complete it. I stuck around only because it was a Sylvia Day book. Perhaps it’s wrong of me to have had such a high expectation of the book but I loved the crossfire series and Day is one of the OG’s of that genre and trope.

Now, getting back to the story there were a few things that made it difficult for me to tarry on.
I feel like a hypocrite when I say this considering I have loved other books by other others where characters fall instantaneously in love with each other. I don’t mind love/lust/attraction at first sight but everything happened between them too quickly for my liking in this book. It’s not even a question of playing hard to get, Garret and Teagan’s relationship just didn’t add up.

As a reader, Garret and Teagan’s attraction isn’t attractive to read.
Garret is over the top, pushy and has no respect for boundaries! I kept wanting to knock some sense into Teagan because I couldn’t understand why she’d let him (a man she met just a few hours ago) just reign over her like that…letting him trample.
Garrett pissed me off to no end by getting way into her space. He was never disrespectful to her by being mean but his pushiness and stalkerish ability gave me a headache.I wanted to shout at him and say “Privacy is a vital factor dude! Learn it! “.
I felt like wagging my finger at him and saying “Respectfulness is an important character to have found man”. hahaha

But we do FINALLY find out what’s really going on towards the end of the book but I still think it was such a…hmm… I don’t want to say convenient end but that is the one word that popped into my head. Sorry but that wasn’t worth it.

Don’t even me started on Teagan’s friend Roxy. What a stupid woman! Apparently she feels uncomfortable to be around people who are going through grief? What a load of crap! She says she doesn’t know how to be there for a person who is suffering since it’s such a “personal thing”.What kind of friend is that?! Someone who’s uncomfortable during times of need. Teagan should have dropped her! No one needs friends like that- friends who are only there during the good times.

I am sorry but Butterfly in Frost disappointed me so much! My copy of the book is outlined left and right, I marked everything and wrote notes after notes of all the things I hated about the entire thing.

Don’t even get me started again on the fact that Sylvia Day gave a revalation about the fact that Teagan is Half Asian only at the 75th % of the the book. If you blink, you’ll miss that line.

If you can, skip this book. Just remember the good old ‘Crossfire‘ days because this book will burst the ‘I am Sylvia Day’s Fan’ bubble.

Butterfly in Frost is rather slow moving, especially since it's a novella. Garrett pursues Teagan from the start, but she has a past she's still mired in and is determined to take things slow and he (mostly--there are a few kisses and one scene that is much hotter than one when no one removes any clothing should reasonably be expected to be) agrees to let her set the pace. There's a lot of smoldering heat, but also quite a bit of sweetness and care--it's a good mix.

This was my first book by Sylvia Day, so I wasn't sure what to expect--there is an unexpected twist here, but maybe that's her thing? All I can say is that there were odd little things sprinkled throughout the story--I kept feeling like I was missing something, that there was information I didn't know--but still the twist took me completely by surprise. It took me a while to process it (and I had to resist the temptation to immediately go back and re-read the whole thing! As it was, I did re-read bits and pieces, just for clarity) but in the end I decided I liked it overall.

This book is essentially a standalone, though Eva Cross from the Crossfire series is mentioned several times (Teagan is in business with her) and shows up on the page briefly once.

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Sylvia Day returns with an emotional new romance with a huge twist most readers won't see coming. It's the story of two broken people who find solace in each other's arms. Being such a die-hard afficionado of Sylvia Day's writing, I guessed the plot twist early on in the story, so I loved collecting all the breadcrumbs that the author leaves for us along the way. For a novella-length story that is supposed to rely on an economy of details that longer forms demand, there were some unnecessary descriptions of settings that could have been used instead to delve deeper into the past of the characters, but that's just the greedy reader in me talking, wishing every Sylvia Day novel were at least 1,000 pages long.

Moving forward is always a challenge, and when you are still searching for love it's a road that isn't easy to navigate. What will Teagan do when she discovers the one man who could help her is the one who will change everything?

Secrets, fear, forgiveness and acceptance. This book has it all.

QueenZany 4 Star Review
Butterfly in Frost
by Sylvia Day




Butterfly in Frost is uniquely emotional, pull at heartstring, and deeply
sentimental love story. One that wrecked me in the best possible, where my heart needs time just to recover!
Since I have been a huge Sylvia Day for years.
Her writing just brought me back to the Coss Fire Days with a poignant twist!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
I am reluctant to say anything about this book, other than you must read it – and I would suggest that you do it before someone’s review tells you too much.

Two people drawn to each other in such a strong way, yet clearly both so damaged, makes for an abrupt introduction to them, but you absolutely need to have faith and read right to the end.

It works. I plan on reading it again in the next few days and adding it to my reread list.


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
Garrett moves in next door to Teagan at a time in her life when she is dealing with depression. We quickly learn that Garrett is dealing with his own heartbreaking loss. From their first meeting, the chemistry between Garrett and Teagan is strong. Knowing how Teagan is struggling with life, I wanted her to grab a hold of Garrett and just enjoy herself as much as possible for however long she could.

The description in this story is beautiful. And not just the words used to describe the stunning location and views from their homes, but things like the food, Garrett’s paintings, the erotic images of the couple’s physical relationship. This book is luscious.

Butterfly in Frost is wonderful story of love and it is one you will want to re-read as soon as you finish it so you can experience it again.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars

This story is a whirlwind of love at first sight attraction complicated by two damaged characters, both wary of risking their hearts again. This is angsty, passionate romance writing that slips into melodrama more often than not. Both Garrett and Teagan are emotional and somewhat irrational from the start. Difficult past experiences makes Teagan cautious but she can’t deny the attraction that simmers between her and Garrett from the start.

The melodramatic writing style is something readers will love or hate. Fans of Ella Frank or JR Ward might love the overwriting and the brooding, reflective characters but it wasn’t a perfect fit for me. I found the flowery, angsty bedroom scenes almost more comical than sexy and I had to roll my eyes at some of the more impassioned dialogue.

While the heightened emotions and the charm fit artist Garrett, Teagan is supposed to be a scientist and the angst doesn’t always fit her character. I’m not sure I really came to like Teagan and I’m also not sure I was supposed to. She’s a closed book. Her relationship with Roxy is light and superficial but as she doesn’t really share anything of herself with Roxy or Garrett, it is hard to feel anything for her. As a reality TV star, Teagan’s materialism and name-dropping make sense but I wanted to believe she was more than just superficially pleasant and attractive.

Garrett is also something of an enigma – though he is less closed off than Teagan. His initial full-on flirtation with Teagan is slightly frightening and the way he kinda forces himself into her life felt a little off to me. He’s beautiful and charming but from the start, I felt there was something of Jayne Eyre’s Mr. Rochester about him – all charm, secrets, and the ex wife he doesn’t mention. He’s more relatable as he starts to open up but his actions and emotions are really extreme at times.

The pace of this story is a whirlwind. Immediate attraction quickly becomes instalove and I found the speed and force of Garrett’s dramatic confessions of commitment a little terrifying. There’s a jarring revelation at the very end which changes the whole style, tone, and genre of the story and it didn’t quite work for me. Again, without spoilers, it is difficult to explain my reaction in more detail.


Mary J – ☆☆☆☆
3 1/2 stars

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. The premise is something I've rarely come across and I'm not sure if it works or not.

There are a lot of questions that are unanswered for me and I would really have liked to know more about Garrett's son. During most of the book, I thought that something had happened to both his son and his wife. When I found out that wasn't the case, I was very surprised.

Teagan is a very complex character and her depression is all too real. You get a feeling that there is something deeper to her angst other than a divorce, but you can't figure out what. Was it her stint on reality TV? Was it being betrayed by the person she loved?

The end is very much a surprise and explains a lot about both characters.

The cameo with Eva Cross was a nice surprise.

3.5 Pain and Reinvention Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
Sylvia Day is back. She has a career to marvel. I first found out about her like many others through Bare to You, the first entry of the Crossfire series. While I waited for additional parts of the series, I found her older books, Seven Years to Sin and The Stranger I Married. These historicals were just as compelling and sexy as the contemporary work.

It has been a long minute since a new release from Ms. Day so the anticipation may be mixed. Mixed due to those who love her work, which we all do, can't wait for anything she could write...and then those who were concerned with the way the Crossfire Series became this never-ending wait.

No matter what you may initially feel, Ms. Day is back hardcore.

She has created passionate, intense characters who are both equally damaged. Both are trying to reinvent themselves and when they meet in this location each has come to separately, the attachment they both feel immediately/insta is undeniable.

And...isn't that the Day way...Readers need to strap in and get ready for classic Day relationships. Lots of quick attraction, need and an undercurrent of so many secrets. There is an honest look at depression and loss and how it impacts a person.

This is could be the first entry to stories with these characters...but you are not left hanging as to the commitment these two have. Oh, and if you are a Sylvia Day reader than you know the chemistry/sexy times are exactly what you would expect.

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

I wanted so badly to like this book. After all it's by the woman who created Gideon Cross. But it just went down too many paths and lost it's way.

The main character, Teagan, is a plastic surgeon who is working on a beauty product for a famous company. If she mentioned the word ECRA+ one more time...I really started to wonder if the product truly existed and the author was somehow connected to it.

She has some kind of tragedy in her recent past, but it's murky and mysterious. Her best friend Roxy wants her to get out more and keeps referring to her divorce from a famous celebrity. She's intrigued by the new neighbor who's just moved in. Rumor has it that he's rich, and famous.

But there's more to the neighbor than Teagan is letting on. That's when I really started to get confused. Why all this cloak and dagger stuff? Even at the end, I never felt any real connection between these two, just tons of sex and hints at a secret. I had so many questions that remained unanswered. I call it Swiss Cheese Syndrome. Too many holes left open.

There is a twist in the characters but I don't want to spoil the plot. Even this twist couldn't save this story line for me.
9 likes

A poignant read that tugs at your heartstrings, “Butterfly in Frost” will take your breath away. The first few pages hinted at a slow burn romance, but it heats up so fast that you won’t know what hit you.

Dr. Teagan Ransom and Garett Frost are atypical as romantic heroes. First, they are older though still far from middle age. Both are established on their own professions, but they seem to be on a sabbatical at the time of the story.

Their accidental meeting established what kind of relationship they would have. And from there, Sylvia Day took her readers to a rollercoaster ride that began with heartwarming to heartbreaking and then heartwarming again.

Sylvia Day has always created very memorable characters. Cases in point, Eva and Gideon of the highly popular and successful “Crossfire” series. And though chances are this will be the only book dedicated to Gareth Frost and Dr. Teagan Ransom, the bestselling author had made them three-dimensional that you feel as if you know them.

And yes, this might be a novella, yet even the supporting characters Roxanne and Mike are fleshed out. Such is the supremacy of Ms. Day when it comes to storytelling and world building.

I received an ARC of this book and would have written a review the day it came out. But, a check on Audible earlier showed that Emma Wilder and Joe Arden are the narrators of the audiobook.

So, I decided to wait and listen to “Butterfly in Frost” first before I write a review. And, I’m glad I did because Emma and Joe did not disappoint. They were perfect as Teagan and Garrett.

For Emma Wilder, I like her work on the “First Wives Club” by Catherine Bybee where she excelled in her interpretation of the four women protagonists. (Note: There is a 5th book coming). That said, Emma as Dr. Teagan Ransom was flawless – the vulnerability hiding behind her sassiness was seamless.

Joe Arden’s interpretation of Garrett Frost was so heartbreaking that it almost made me cry. I wish that Joe’s part was longer so that I could have had a good cry. Nevertheless, short as it might be, it was a brilliant performance.

Butterfly in Frost is Rated M for Mature due to sexual content.

This was my first Sylvia Day book since reading the Crossfire Series, and I must say I was really looking forward to this and hoping it lived up to the hype - I was not disappointed, I really enjoyed it! It is a relatively short read which I read in one sitting, but the storyline was very intriguing and kept my attention right the way through. A story about 2 broken people, its angsty, full of drama and will bring out a whole boatload of emotions in you as you read through their story.

Dr Teagan Ransom is the heroine of the story, and is friends with Ava and Gideon Cross and is currently working with them on a new skin care range. She was married to a famous movie star and is famous in her own right having had her own reality show having been her husband's cosmetic surgeon after an accident. But their marriage hit problems and she has moved away from all that and out of the limelight, away from men. She has her own problems and suffers from severe depression which she struggles with on a daily basis.

Garrett Frost is a famous photographer and artist, and moves in next door to Teagan. Their paths cross and the attraction between them is instant. Garret is everything a man should be, hot, sexy, masculine and looks like a bad boy through and through - and Teagan has her hands full as Garrett sets his sights on her, and doesn't beat around the bush letting her know! But Garrett is a broken man himself, hiding a painful and soul destroying past.

Beautifully written and covering some very sensitive and emotional topics, this will have your heart racing and pulse pounding with their sexual attraction and deliciously hot sexy scenes. Emotionally I felt for both characters and what they had been through, but be warned about the mega twist in the plot at the end - wow I really did not see that one coming!!!

Well worth giving this a go, definitely ticked the boxes for me.

3.75 stars--BUTTERFLY IN FROST by Sylvia Day is a contemporary, adult, stand alone erotic romance novella focusing on artist Garrett Frost, and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Teagan Ransom. There is a slight cross-over with the author’s Crossfire series.

Told from first person perspective (Teagan Ransom) with one chapter from Garrett Frost BUTTERFLY IN FROST follows the building relationship between artist Garrett Frost, and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Teagan Ransom. The quick and unexpected sale of the house next door found Teagan Ransom face to face with artist Garrett Frost, a man who would be quickly consumed by our story line heroine. From the outset, Garrett is insistent about starting a relationship with our story line heroine. What ensues is the quick building romance and love between Garrett and Teagan, as the past is rapidly reaching towards the present.

Teagan Ransom struggles to move on from the past. Meeting Garrett Frost pulls Teagan out of her comfort zone but in doing so pushes Garrett beyond his own. Two broken and battered individuals come together in an effort to learn to live again, breaking the cycle of grief and loss. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

We are introduced to Teagan’s neighbor and best friend Roxy and her husband Mike, as well as the appearance of Eva Cross, and by way of mention, Cary and Tatiana Cherlin (Crossfire series).

BUTTERFLY IN FROST is a quick read: an erotic, emotional and surprising story with a twist you will never see coming. The premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are broken, battered but beginning to heal. On that note, I was hoping for a little more detail with regards to the twist but such is in the nature of a novella length story,



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