Member Reviews

Butterflies and Hazel Eyes
by Katie Mettner
A sweet romance about two people with challenging pasts and disabilities that make them wary. Charity is a white hat hacker and Gulliver is developing an eco friendly pesticide and someone is trying to steal his research and charity is there to block they . A warm hearted romance with suspense twist and a bit of drama. A bit cheesy in part but enjoyable read 3.5/5

Was this review helpful?

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

Was this review helpful?

Sweet, but dramatic a fantastic mystery solved as you fall in love. I really enjoyed the main characters and I thought it was great that they had disabilities but whilst it was mentioned it was not all that they offered. I also enjoyed the current climate crisis being part of the story in finding ways to save bees and butterflies which is an important issue the world is facing. As well as these awareness raising themes this was also a great story.

Was this review helpful?

This book is no longer on my phone to read. I will borrow it from the library Hopefully you were able to enjoy it

Was this review helpful?

Katie Mettner does it again with Butterflies and Hazel Eyes! If you have not read any of her books you are missing out. Charity and Gulliver are the perfect couple for each other. Without giving to much of the story away there is added suspense to this romance story. How the plot unfolds it sets up the story line for the next book Honeybees and Sexy Tees. I have never been disappointed in reading one of her books.

Was this review helpful?

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day.

Was this review helpful?

Charity Puck has had it rough. Neglected and abandoned by her parents, she went to juvie for the three square meals and an education. Now a white-hat hacker, she travels the country picking up cyber-security jobs and crossing items off her bucket list. Gulliver Winsome has been dealt a bad hand of his own, starting with poverty, illness, and now someone is threatening his work of saving his beloved butterflies. He hires Charity to fix their ailing computer security, though when she rolls into Plentiful on the banks of Lake Superior, neither of them expect the connection that spring up between them. But Charity's life is on the road and when the threat moves from digital to physical, she must decide if Gulliver is reason enough to stay.

This book has great disabled rep. Both Charity and Gulliver are disabled, but neither of them lets it define themselves or their relationship. Instead, we get some beautiful conversations with real vulnerability and the intimacy of sharing a part of yourself that you don't often let others see. I also loved how this communication continued when the relationship turned physical.

I wasn't a fan of the sometimes purple prose, however. Lush descriptions of Lake Superior are poetic, but a similar level of description becomes overblown when describing people. Gulliver's titular 'hazel eyes' are also described as 'caramel orbs' and 'gingerbread', and I'm going to be honest, the mood is broken when Charity refers to her breasts as 'perky white globes'. Breast should not be globes, people. At best, they're hemispheres, but that reminds me of geography class and that's not sexy either.

I did enjoy how the romance has a backdrop of industrial espionage and the passion with which Gulliver talks about butterflies is infection, so there's a lot to like here, but some of the writing put me off so I'll give this four stars.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley; all opinions are my own

Was this review helpful?

Charity Puck makes her living as a white hacker, basically, someone who goes in and prevents black hackers from stealing information. She travels around in her motorhome dubbed Myrtle, and her large mixed-breed dog, Mojo. Since Charity is vertically challenged being only 4'2", Mojo also serves as her protector since she works at night.

Charity pulls into Plentiful, Wisconsin to start a job working at Butterfly Junction. She has a dream job lined up following this one, where she hopes to set down roots. Something she's never done before. One look at the owner of Butterfly Junction, Gulliver Winsome, and Charity is quite smitten.

Gulliver Winsome due to Rickets has deformed legs and requires crutches to get around. Gulliver and his partner, Mathias are in the process of developing an eco-friendly pesticide that is worth billions. They are very close to finishing the formula but have to guard it. Hence where Charity comes in to plug openings to prevent black hackers from gaining entrance to the data.

Trouble extends past computers when Mathias is run off the road, threatening notes are left and boat fires. Gulliver and Charity begin to get closer to one another as they work together, but both carry deep wounds. Despite the pull to be together, they both are fighting their instincts not to get hurt. It takes one terrifying situation to make Gulliver realize just how much he cares about Charity, and Charity to realize that she's grown roots in Plentiful.

This was a very sweet story with a wonderful message about how important our pollinators are to mankind, and using harsh chemicals can lead to the pollinators carrying the chemical back to the colony and killing it. We are very dependent on these insects and should do more to protect them.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley via Breaking Night Press and I voluntarily reviewed this book.

Was this review helpful?

A sweet, heartwarming easy to read story. It deals with two very caring people, both dealing with a physical disability but proving that it can't stop them from being productive in life. Gulliver is intelligent, handsome and runs a very interesting business. When someone tries to steal his research, Charity is the one that comes to try to fix the "hack".

A nice blend of cheeky humor and slow building romance with instant attraction. Add a touch of mystery/suspense, interesting story line, beautiful small town setting, a dog named Mojo and likable characters and you have an enjoyable and heartwarming story.

I received a copy of this book as a gift and look forward to reading more books by Katie Mettner!

Was this review helpful?

I'm bored. I've literally no motivation to move forward. Both Charity and Gulliver were so cheesy. It was cute at first then it was becoming lame. And what's with Charity and her dog? The author seemed to force the dog into the different scenarios. And she wasn't even subtle about it.

Anyway. I'm leaving it after reading 32% and the last two chapter. Don't think I missed much.🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

Was this review helpful?

This book is so much fun! I think this is one of the first Own Voices books I've read that was written by a disabled author, and I won't let it be my last. Charity is a powerful main character who reminds us that women do not require a man in their life, women are perfectly capable of making their own success, and really, as long as you have a dog like Mojo, what else do you need? As we find out, human companionship can also be something that people need in their life, but I like that the author does not allow this to take away from Charity's independence.

Having the mystery element to the book was a fun addition as well. At times it bordered on reading like a thriller because of the high anxiety I felt! It definitely helps drive the story along quickly and keeps you engaged in wanting to see how things will end.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary electronic copy of Butterflies and Hazel Eyes by Katie Mettner. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this book prior to publication. My opinions are my own and nothing has influenced my rating.

Butterflies and Hazel Eyes is a well written, emotional novel set on the shores of Lake Superior with astounding descriptions of that beautiful area and characters that grab you from the first page to the last.

Charity Puck is the heroine, and she has not had an easy life, which makes her wary of trusting others, so she chooses to take temporary positions and live in a traveling home. I enjoyed her struggle with the attraction between her and the hero and how the town wraps her in love and kindness.

Gulliver Winsome is a unique hero, and I thoroughly enjoyed his characterization. It’s unusual to have a beta hero, but the few that are in books always appeal to me. I enjoyed his determination to convince Charity she no longer needs to move from place to place.

The romance between Gulliver and Charity is lovely. The chemistry is strong from the start and builds beautifully as the story progresses. They are perfect for each other, and I truly wanted Charity to realize his value and accept the warmth and caring from the small community.

If you enjoy small-town romance with engaging characters, and an intriguing plot that has a good deal of suspense as well, then you will enjoy Butterflies and Hazel Eyes as much as I did. I look forward to reading other books by Ms. Mettner. Happy reading!

Was this review helpful?

When the Lady of the Lake speaks, she expects you to listen…

Heartwarming, sweet and easy to read.
With likeable characters, a beautiful setting and a bit of mystery this story was emotional and delightful.

Thank you Netgalley and Breaking Night Press for this eARC.

http://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeepleasemx

Was this review helpful?

This was a sweet and easy book to read. I loved that the main characters weren't the typical characters in a romance book. Each had a disability that impacted their lives to a point and emotional baggage from their upbringings they had to come to terms with. I loved how they grew together as a couple and individuals.

Was this review helpful?

This book has it all! It's full of heart, heat and warmth from the second Charity walks into Gulliver's life. I absolutely adored Charity and Gulliver. For me, their intricacies as people made the whole book. They both have physical challenges and we see the pain behind that, but at the forefront is Charity's inner strength and resilience. I loved that right from the get-go. She is someone I would want in my corner! I enjoyed the mix of suspense and romance and was rooting for the mystery to be solved, plus for Charity and Gulliver to get their happy ending. And what can I say about Mojo?! Adorable! This is the perfect small-town romantic mystery.

Was this review helpful?

Charity Puck is a computer expert or as she says, “a server patch technician”. She is a free spirit always ready to travel to a new destination with her beloved dog Mojo. Arriving in Plentiful, Wisconsin, she has no idea how this beautiful town will change her life. Gulliver Winsome and his partner are close to perfecting an eco-friendly pesticide that will help protect the pollinating insects and the waterways. Gulliver hired Charity when an outside source tied to access their computers. When his partner’s car is forced off the road, this is just the beginning of attempts to either steal their research or keep them from completing the project. Charity and Gulliver develop a strong friendship that slowly leads them towards a passionate attraction, but will Charity be ready to move on when the job is finished? They have both dealt with past physical and emotional issues, but have never let those issues define them. A charming romance with a touch of danger. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Was this review helpful?

Butterflies and Hazel Eyes by Katie Mettner is as much of a love story between the two main characters as it is between Mettner and Lake Superior, which is… lovely. The way Mettner writes about Lake Superior and Wisconsin really brings both to life. I can see people who aren’t even sure where Wisconsin is on the map wanting to visit after reading the book.

As far as the romance between Charity and Gulliver it was very sweet and came on very fast, but when you know, you know. I really enjoyed that they were up front with each other and actually communicated. This is a refreshing change of pace from romance books where the two characters keep secrets and are constantly fighting or worried about what the other person thinks of them. Communication is the key to every relationship!

One the other hand, at times all of their talking and declarations of love became a bit much for me. I wanted more action in regards to the mystery, which really doesn’t start to pick up until about a third of the way through the book, or more descriptions of the area, or even more about their jobs as a way to help the story move along faster.

The other wonderful thing about Butterflies and Hazel Eyes is how Mettner writes about the main characters and their disabilities. It is very matter-of-fact and it doesn’t hinder them from living full lives. How they help each other, such as Charity opening doors for Gulliver, who uses crutches, is just something that you would do for a friend or loved one and doesn’t need any fanfare. I also enjoyed that this wasn’t the type of book where the character’s disabilities left them broken and by the end of the book they were fixed.

Another enjoyable sweet romance by Mettner, and I look forward to reading more by her!

Was this review helpful?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a well written small town heartwarming story. Charity Puck was born with dwarfism but does not let that get in the way of life. She loves life but struggles with staying in one place for too long. She is an IT specialist who goes from job to job in her Winnebago named Mrytle checking items off her bucket list. Her traveling companion is an extremely large dog Mojo. She accepts a job in Plentiful, Wisconsin at Butterfly Junction. Gulliver one of the co-owners is working on a safe pesticide for farmers. He struggles with insecurities and has a disability. He works non stop instead of enjoying life. Katie Mettner weaves a wonderful love story dealing with two wonderful people who have realistic social issues. Thrown in is some romantic suspense and wonderful secondary characters. I loved the town of Plentiful. I recommend reading. Can't wait for Matias and Honey's story.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley but I an my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I couldn't resist. Wonderful story
Eventhough they were somehow different, disabeld or just had bad experiences in childgood, I felt in love with them and take the train with them. Maybe even more because they were not perfect, but they were succesful and honest. They experinced many wondrful places. I would take the plane and go see Aurora Borealis there at the lake now. "Life isn't a cometition, it is a journey". I feel soul cleansed. I forgot to mantion Mojo. Most adorable dog. Just a hot dog for him

Was this review helpful?

There is a lot of emotion in this romance/ mystery as computer tech Charity has come to the small lakeside town of Plentyful to help Gulliver save his research from being stolen by an internet thief. As she shears up holes in his cyber space the thief ups the threat by becomes violent, whilst both Gulliver and Charity who carry emotional baggage from their childhood develop feelings for each other, and have to learn to trust each other. Very easy read which I enjoyed, looking forward to reading more from this author.

Was this review helpful?