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Butterflies and Hazel Eyes (Butterfly Junction #1) by Katie Mettner
Genre: Women’s Fiction
My Review Rating: ♥♥♥♥
276 Pages | Published: April 22, 2021 by Breaking Night Press
Book Jacket Synopsis
When the Lady of the Lake speaks, she expects you to listen…
Never one to linger, computer security expert Charity Puck doesn’t expect to be romanced by the small-town charm of her latest job. But when her RV rolls into Plentiful, Wisconsin, nestled along the breathtaking shores of Lake Superior, she’s convinced nothing could be more alluring—until she gazes into the delectable hazel eyes of her new client.
Underestimated due to the crutches on his arms and braces on his legs, CEO and researcher Gulliver Winsome doesn’t expect his job to put his life in danger. But as he rushes to bring an eco-friendly pesticide to market, in an attempt to save the pollinators, he finds himself the target of a sinister plot—uncovered by the tiny blonde dynamo he hired to fix his servers.
Someone is trying to steal Gulliver’s research, and they’ll stop at nothing to bury the evidence. With feelings in bloom and the would-be couple’s lives in peril, it’s up to Charity to decipher the clues before they both end up in the Lady of the Lake’s cold-water castle.
Book Links: Amazon
Favorite Quotes
- “The two of us together is proof of nature versus nurture. Our experiences shape us, but our determination and will to improve our situation in life is what makes us.”
- “No one’s life is perfect, Charity. Life will never be a picture. We use pictures to remember our life. Isn’t it better when other people are in them?”
- “I’m underestimated a lot because of my size, but I see that as a challenge rather than an insult. I have enough experience with being the underdog to realize the sum of your doesn’t culminate in your legs. There’s far more to who you are than your mobility aids.”
- “In my opinion, we’re more than the attributes of our physical bodies, right?”
- “I love your enthusiasm for life. You might be bossy, but you’re also positive and bright about everything. Positivity is rare these days.”
Review & Thoughts
Themes, Elements & Review Notes: Overall, I enjoyed this book. If memory serves correctly this was one of the first books I’ve ever read where the main characters have physical disabilities. I enjoyed reading about the author, who also has a disability and really appreciated the bookmark that came with my copy that has information about people-first language when talking about disabilities.
I’m personally a little hard of hearing and I’ve worn hearing aids since I was a little girl so I’ve always found myself to be more aware and understanding of people living with disabilities. Although I’ve always been more aware than the average individual, this book made me realize that I was in need of further education on proper language. I would never want to offend someone by using the wrong language. Check out the author’s people-first language resources for more information.
I enjoyed the budding romance and liked the way the overall story was wrapped up at the end. It had some twists and turns and I’d be interested in reading the next one as this is listed as the first in a series. I would classify this as part women’s fiction / part young adult romance. It was a quick and easy to read book and a great pick if you’re looking to expand the types of books you read. I enjoyed getting perspective on the experiences of people living with disabilities and the discrimination and difficult they face in everyday life. It opened my eyes and made me more conscious of the way I speak.
In a Nutshell: Quick and easy read. Perspective on living with a disability. Own Voices.
Book Format & Source: Paperback copy gifted via the publisher. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Breaking Night Press. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Katie Mettner
Katie Mettner writes small-town romantic tales, filled with epic love stories and happily-ever-afters. She proudly wears the title of ‘the only person to lose her leg after falling down the bunny hill’ and loves decorating her prosthetic with the latest fashion trends. She lives in Northern Wisconsin with her own happily-ever-after and three mini-mes. Katie has a massive addiction to coffee and Twitter, and a lessening aversion to Pinterest— now that she’s quit trying to make the things she pins.
Visit the author’s website.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Arielle! I’m so glad you enjoyed Charity and Gulliver’s story and I loved that you picked some of my favorite quotes from the book too. I love nothing more than a story about underdogs finding their way to the top 🙂 Honeybees and Sexy Tees is out soon and I bet you know the underdog in that story 😉 Thanks again!