Will a family that’s so broken ever be able to heal!

Six weeks ago, the Egide family – Leo, Marie, and their three children, Hannah (15), Brendon (12), and Penelope ‘Pen’ (8) – suffered a loss so great that they can no longer live in the house where it happened. So, they’re spending the summer in a small town in New Hampshire, at the large estate Marie inherited from her grandfather twenty years ago, which has sat vacant ever since. The plan is to get it ready to sell, but living in a cabin in the woods on the property is a woman named Davina (whose own life has been marred by tragedy). Davina had a verbal agreement with Marie’s grandfather that she could live at the cabin as long as she needed, and she has no intention of leaving. Battle lines are drawn – a feud that will divide the Egide family, divide the community.

‘It’s easy to cast stones when you’re not the one being asked to make the sacrifice.’

Where Butterflies Wander was a novel about a family in crisis – Marie’s grief, bitterness, jealousy, resentment and anger was often so strong that it hindered her children’s healing journey. Even though I had a huge amount of sympathy and empathy for what Marie was going through, her selfishness and entitlement meant I liked her character the least, so it was a relief that I only had to spend every sixth chapter in her head. Every family member, plus Davina narrated. Davina, Hannah, and Pen were my favourites. The novel was beautifully written, and the multiple POV’s and short chapters meant this was a quick, steady-paced read. The story reminded me a lot of something Jodi Picoult might write. And while it wasn’t as impacting or shocking as Suzanne Redfearn’s, In An Instant, it was still a powerful and emotional read focusing on trauma, recovery, and forgiveness. I’m glad I read it!

I’d like to thank Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Suzanne Redfearn for the e-ARC.