Where Butterflies Wander by Suzanne Redfearn

 

My thoughts

I absolutely loved this book. It was a heartbreaker but also had a chuckle in it. It was sad but with so much hope thrown in that I absorbed it. Way to go Suzanne Redfearn. Your books always leave me with a content feeling.

After a tragic loss the Egide family need a change. They travel to New Hampshire to Marie Egide's family home. She is planning on fixing it up and selling it then moving on to a new home. Life may have another plan for this family though. There is a woman living in a somewhat questionable cabin on the land. She's called the river witch. Her name is Davina. 

Davina has a story going on in this book also. She's been a part of this area her entire life. Her mother died when she was a young child. Davina is well known in this town as a healer. She delivers babies and does other things to help people and they all love her. She's a well respected member of their community even though she lives some what as a recluse. She was scared badly in a fire while serving in the military. She lost her husband and daughter when she was recovering. 

The Egide family get to know Davina. Some love her and two very much dislike her. The youngest daughter was frightened of her at first, but once she got to know her she loved her dearly. The oldest, Hannah, suffers from debilitating migraines and Davina helps her with that. Much to Marie's displeasure that is. She wants Davina off the land so they can sell it. Davina has lived there over twenty years with the blessing of Marie's grandfather but that means nothing to Marie. They can't sell the land and move on as long as she's there. Davina must go...

I loved these characters. All except Marie. I never liked her. I just couldn't. She was a cold person even though she suffered such a tragic loss. A person does not have to be so cruel under any circumstance. I thought Brendon, the couples son, was a brat. Yes he felt responsible for some things but he was a very uncaring youngster. He did grow on me later though. I adored Pen. She was a true treasure. And Hannah was also. The Egide's children were good kids. I liked her husband Leo also. He did grate on my nerves a few times but overall he was a good guy. I loved Banjo. Banjo was the family dog.

This book will touch your heart. Make you see a few things in a way you may not have expected. It will show you what empathy can look like. What deep true love looks like also. Not romantic love but the love a woman has for a child. A child she thinks is lost to her forever. 

Thank you #NetGalley, #SuzanneRedfearn, #LakeUnion, for this arc. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

Five huge stars. It's so good y'all... Just have tissues handy when you read it. 

About

From the bestselling author of In an Instant comes the moving story of a family grappling with grief and a woman with the power to help them through it—or stand in their way.

After a tragic accident claims the life of one of her children, Marie Egide is desperate to carve out a fresh start for her family. With her husband and their three surviving children, Marie travels to New Hampshire, where she plans to sell a family estate and then, just maybe, they’ll be able to heal from their grief.

Marie’s plans are thwarted when she realizes a war veteran known by locals as “the river witch” is living in a cabin on the property, which she claims was a gift from Marie’s grandfather. If Davina refuses to move on, Marie won’t be able to either.

The two women clash, and battle lines are drawn within Marie’s family and the town as each side fights for what they believe is right, the tension rising until it reaches its breaking point. And the choice is no longer theirs when a force bigger than them all—fate—takes control.