This was a sweet romance, a chance meeting, a popular guy meeting an everyday vet, their worlds don't really match up does it? These two, it was really interesting how they did fall for each other but were very very weary of what this was. A simple romance read with a happy ever after.

Thank you to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
This. book has a lot of trigger warnings. but. luckily on the very first. page their. is a list of trigger warnings so you know exactly what you. are getting. into.
In this novel we follow Sienna, a veterinarian, and Alex a famous. actor. While Alex is filming his latest show a storm comes and while on a flight meets Sienna who was wounded in the storm helping animals. Alex feels an overwhelming urge to help her which he does. He sees her again at a marathon. that raises money to. help with. the damage that the storm did to the island he was on. Sienna ends up running away after Alex falls and while getting. up accidentally hits her in the face causing her lip to bleed. Sienna was. abused by her foster father and killed him in self defense after cutting the word whore into her back. Sienna hides her scares from everyone but when she and Alex visit his family during Christmas she gets hit in the back by a donkey and his mom and sister see her scars. Sienna shows Alex her scars and he continues to stay. Sienna also heals Alex's dog after he gets cut with some glass. As a thank you he decides to. buy her dinner since she refused to accept money. Sienna and Alex discover that his wicked co-star and manager leaked photos of the two of them and stole the video of Sienna killing her foster father. Sienna later sings in a scene of Alex's tv show and Alex fires his manager. Alex and Sienna get engaged at the end of the novel. Obviously there are some triggering things in this novel but I love the way that Alex and Sienna's friends go out of the way to help her and Alex understand each other and protect each other.

Butterfly - Barbara Russell

A little slow paced, with a background that I was not expecting which helped to develop the characters and enable a connection to them making them quite relatable. I personally was hoping for a more romantic read and instead felt there was a little too much other outside noise from other characters, but overall it was a sweet enough read.

Thanks very much Netgalley and Victory Editing for this e-arc in return for my honest thoughts and opinions.

"Butterfly" by Barbara Russell is a captivating read that'll make your heart flutter with its engaging storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this book.

This book did not hold my attention. I LIVE for the grumpy/sunshine trope and I did not think this book fit.

I had the privilege of receiving this book ARC from @netgalley and @brussellkiwi

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Butterfly is a beautiful novel about two people learning to deal with and getting over adversity. Alex is a famous actor who doesn’t particularly like the fact he is seen as a sex symbol in the industry, he wants to act in films with deeper stories than having his butt plastered all over the big screen - however he is finding himself coming up against sharks.

Sienna has her own issues and past trauma of child abuse. And without seeking any help has grown up with her demons still controlling her life. But she loves all things animals, being a vet.

When her and Alex meet by chance, Alex finds himself wanting to solve the puzzle that is Sienna. No matter how long it takes he is determined to earn her trust and her love in return.

I felt I really connected with Sienna, in the way she deals with her anxiety and pushing people away - also that animals are better than people! Obviously the very attractive Alex owns a Golden Retriever! That was a selling point for me!

I really enjoyed this book, I wished it wasn’t quite as predictable as it was, however it was a great happy novel when you’re looking for something fluffy with a HEA to read! The author beautifully writes about the traumas and abuse described in the book without going into explicit detail, which was definitely a refreshing change. I will definitely be interested in reading more books by Barbara again in the future!

Also that’s she’s a Kiwi gives extra points!

Listen, all I'm saying is that I would've caved and texted Alex the first day being apart. While this book is very spicy and I loved the angst and tension, this book covers some very serious topics with Alex and Sienna, and above all please check the trigger warnings and take care of yourselves <3 Full review to come on my instagram, and BOY do I have quite a bit to share. This was my first book from Barbara Russell and it certainly won't be my last.

I really liked this book. This is the first one I read from this author and it wouldn´t be the last!
Alex is a famous actor who usually performs movies with nudes. He hates them, but his agent is set on him doing those for easy fame and money. He suffered sex abuse from a female director as a younger actor and has some self-confidence issues. Sienna is a vet who suffered horribly things as a child. When they meet on an airplane after they survived a tropical storm on an Atlantic Island, his protective instinct kicks in at seeing her injured and in pain and gives her his phone number. But she never called. Months later they meet by chance in a party and everything changes.
This book is beautifully written, full of aghast and tough moments. I fell in love with both main characters and with his family. Alex is super down to earth and he really ‘sees’ Sienna from the beginning. She is someone who suffered so much pain that it’s almost impossible for her to trust anyone. She frustrated me a couple of times but I could see why she was that way.
The story is deep and engaging and I really enjoyed the journey. Dart in an incredible addition and I was cheering for him all the time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

When Alex and Sienna meet, there is an instant connection. Alex offers his seat on a plane to Sienna, who has been injured during a tropical storm that hits the island they are staying at. However, Sienna does not call Alex, fearing that his celebrity status puts him out of her league. Whilst Alex is a famous actor, he is captivated by Sienna and tries desperately to find her. When they eventually meet again, Alex realises that Sienna has a past that is preventing her from exploring a relationship together.

The trauma suffered by Sienna is intense, but Alex never wavers in his love for her nor his admiration for her courage. Sienna’s battle to overcome her past is clearly a struggle, and despite it all, she has an innocence that is endearing. At times, I did feel that there could have been fewer males with egos and nasty females getting in the way. Thank goodness for Alex’s female relations, who were great secondary characters.
A warning: there are many triggers in the book, that could be confronting. However, they are dealt with in an appropriate manner, by the author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you are in the mood for an emotional and moving romance, then Butterfly by Barbara Russell is for you. Ms. Russell is a new author for me and I plan on reading many more of her book offerings. This is a well-written novel with characters that will leave a lasting impression.

After surviving a deadly storm, Alex and Sienna meet at an island airport while waiting for their flight to the states. They are both enroute to their respective homes in the Los Angeles area. Alex is an actor and was on the island filming his successful TV series. Sienna is a veterinarian and was volunteering her time to help vaccinate the local livestock. The storm took everyone by surprise and as a result, Sienna suffered some bad injuries, while Alex got away with some bruises and scratches. Alex is quite down to earth and giving, considering his fame and notoriety. Sienna is replete with goodness, even after living through a horrific childhood. Their quasi-friendship evolves into true love as they learn about each other's insecurities and secrets.

Butterfly is truly an inspiring and heartbreaking book. It is an emotional read with sexy times that are both loving and steamy. The interaction between Alex's mom and Sienna brought me to tears. Sienna deserves complete happiness, and Alex is more than willing to help her in any way. I am truly looking forward to the author's next contemporary romance.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

3 stars for Alex and Sienna!!
So this book was a little different than I expected. I hadn’t anticipated Sienna’s terrible back story, the girl suffered through so much. She was a sweet character and I felt for her.

I’m not all that sure about Alex though. He proclaimed himself a grade a jerk but we never see him playing that role throughout the book. If he was as much of a jerk as he said he was, there was no way he would have allowed everyone to treat him as badly as they did.

I felt like there were way too many villains in this book. Every time you turned around there was another bad guy. I wish there would have been more focus on the romance rather than all the other drama.

All in all, the writing was good and the book definitely had potential. I’m sure I’ll read a book from this author again.

Thank you NetGalley and Barbara for this arc. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A pleasant romance, one that was enjoyable , but wasn’t quite what I was expecting as I found it was quite slow paced and there wasn’t too much to the story, but , I did enjoy certain the characters and I thought the writing was lovely.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Absolutely beautiful story.

Sienna has a horrible past, one she still has constant nightmares about.
Alex, is a rising Hollywood heartthrob who is sick of always getting roles in which he has to get naked.

When they meet by chance at an airport, Sienna would never imagine that Alex would be completely intrigued by her. She doesn’t think she’s good enough for him. She thinks he’s only being nice. What she doesn’t know is that Alex has his eyes set on her.

And this unfolds the story of how they start spending time together but let me tell you, Alex has to wait a very long time! Sienna makes him work for it! And he’s been more than happy to wait her out.

I loved the characters. How Siennas friends and fiercely protective even though they know nothing of her past. How Alex’s mother is so warm and accepting! Ugh I loved her! She got Sienna to open up and trust her and it just made me so incredibly happy that Sienna was getting the motherly touch she never had.

I would absolutely recommend this book and I’m incredibly happy that I read it. It made me sad in some parts but also incredibly happy in others. It has the spice which I will not complain about! And it has a happily ever after.

This was an intriguing and very satisfying contemporary romance from a writer that usually includes fantasy or paranormal elements in her writing. She’s done a great job of evoking contemporary London, and of showing the contrast between the lives of a famous actor and a young London vet. I loved the emotional intelligence and integrity of the two main characters, Sienna and Alex, and how they tried really hard to communicate with each other, especially around their past trauma. Sienna in particular had the most terrifying backstory. That she was able to let herself love Alex is one of the wonders of this novel.

I didn’t like the one dimensional nature of many of the supporting characters, particularly Emily and Dylan and I’m not sure that all that intrigue was necessary but it was quite the ride! There is tenderness and chemistry and longing and trust and steam between Sienna and Alex. Barbara has created a really authentic emotional bond between these two even though other elements of the novel are a bit silly and unresolved. Looking forward to reading more of Barbara’s contemporary romances.

The cover and the blurb could more accurately reflect the themes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author and publisher for the ARC.

A sweet romance about a celebrity that just wants to be treated normal, who falls for a regular ole gal. I did have high hopes for this book, however it wasn’t what I wanted out to be. I can only give this book a 3/5. I felt as if it was slow paced and not a lot happened. However, I did enjoy certain aspects of the book, for example they both have troubling pasts and that brings Alex and Sienna together. Minus the plot being blah, I think that Alex and Siennas story was beautifully written, their love is definitely like no other.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Barbara Russell for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own!
This title releases on 5.15.23!

Did I just find a new favorite romance!?

Butterfly gripped me from the very first page and I found myself reading it all in one sitting! I loved seeing Sienna learn to love herself and open up more towards others. I loved the dynamic between Sienna and Alex and seeing how they worked through all of the issues that they had come to face.

If you love a good steamy celebrity book then I would highly recommend Butterfly, it is absolutely swoon worthy!

I will say there were a couple moments where I didn’t enjoy the way Alex was towards Sienna in the beginning, but other than that this book was phenomenal!

Please be sure to check for trigger warnings as this book contains some explicit content!

I can’t wait to purchase a copy of Butterfly!

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Barbara Russel for this amazing arc in exchange for an honest review!
Release date: May 15th 2023

This book was honestly a pretty well, thought out read but sometimes it felt like situations were just thrown in left field out of absolutely no where. And I get, it’s supposed to happen but these things would be completely random and I just didn’t really see how they made sense with the plot.

Overall though, a good sweet read and definitely has you going back and forth about a lot of stuff!

One pretty big issue I had was on page 63/257 I definitely don’t think the derogatory word (re*ard) should be used in the book. It made me automatically hesitant to even want to finish the book in that instance. I know a lot of people might think it’s not a big deal, but it is….

Thank you to @netgalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Pub Date: May 15th, 2023

Review will be posted to Goodreads, Instagram and Amazon.

I really loved reading about the progression of Sienna’s story and how she learned to both love herself and allow others to love her. I did feel that Alex could have been more understanding and patient with her in the beginning, but he does a good job of redeeming himself.

It will make your heart melt and at times make you burn. Parts will make you laugh and parts that will make you want to cry. Some drama, lots of feel good moments.

I’m always a sucker when there’s dog in a story and Dart did not disappoint!

Sienna and Alex work through some really intense issues, and though there are a couple of times that I feel like the characters were quick to judge or push Sienna too quickly to trust them without necessarily earning said trust, it’s still obvious they do it out of love.