Sandy M’s review of Butterfly in Frost by Sylvia Day
Contemporary Romance novella published by Montlake Romance 27 Aug 19
It’s been a while for romance readers to read something by Sylvia Day. I believe, though I’m not 100% sure, this is her first release since the last Crossfire book, One With You. Looks that way, though. Which is unfortunate, because Ms. Day is a damned good author. At least for me. So you can imagine I was anxiously awaiting this book after I found out about it, and, of course, hoping it would be great, wonderful, terrific, and every other adjective out there I’d come to associate with one of my favorite authors. Well…
My hope is realized with Garrett Frost and Teagan. This is a lovely, emotional story that will turn you topsy-turvy, not only throughout the book, but most especially at the end, one of those endings you never see coming – even despite the little tidbits of clues that my hindsight now picks up. Garrett moves in next door to Teagan, disrupting her perfect place she’s made for herself since transplanting from New York, where things just got to be too much after a divorce and all that goes with it. She’s made a few friends and is somewhat getting her emotional state in order, though she gets hit hard now and again, depression taking over.
Garrett is a world-renown artist and photographer. He’s also tormented by his past, a horrible time that left him empty. He also is on his journey to living again. Their meeting doesn’t go well first time around, but he wants to try again because there’s just something about her, issues and all. Thus begins the slow build toward what you hope is a happy ending. These two are so broken, but they are good together, helping each other out when one goes a bit downhill. Their pain is palpable and wrenches the heart.
I like that we get a tiny bit of Ava and Gideon from the Crossfire series. They’re worked in quite nicely. I also enjoyed Teagan’s best friends, Roxy and Mike. They’re kind, caring, and protective, just the kind of friends anyone would want to have, especially when life gets so very tough for these two late in the book. The sudden reveal took me by surprise. But Garrett and Teagan end up stronger for it, and I kind of hope we see them again somewhere along the road just to know they’re doing okay.
While I wish Ms. Day would write more books like she’s done over the years, if she continues to give readers stories as emotional and poignant as Butterfly in Frost, I can wait a bit longer for the next one. And the next one and the next one and…
Grade: A
Summary:
Once, I would never have imagined myself here. But I’m settled now. In a place I love, in a home I renovated, spending time with new friends I adore, and working a job that fulfills me. I am reconciling the past and laying the groundwork for the future.
Then Garrett Frost moves in next door.
He’s obstinate and too bold, a raging force of nature that disrupts the careful order of my life. I recognize the ghosts that haunt him, the torment driving him. Garrett would be risky in any form, but wounded, he’s far more dangerous. I fear I’m too fragile for the storm raging inside him, too delicate to withstand the pain that buffets him. But he’s too determined…and too tempting.
And sometimes hope soars above even the iciest desolation.
Read an excerpt.
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