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40x40

Merissa (12545 KP) rated The Lady Who Left in Books

Apr 4, 2025  
The Lady Who Left
The Lady Who Left
Ginny B. Moore | 2025 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE LADY WHO LEFT is a heartwarming and heartbreaking historical romance that deals with emotional abuse on page. If this is a trigger then please be warned!

Marigold has put up with her abusive older husband for years and nothing she does is ever good enough. She copes with it though, for her own sake, but Mama Bear comes to the forefront when he threatens her son, Reggie. She threatens him with divorce, with every intention of following it through, but because he is a Peer of the Realm, no one will touch her with a barge pole. That is until she meets Archie. They have a history between them that neither expected, which only serves to confuse the issue. Archie does take on her case though, and it is make-or-break for both of them.

The connection between Archie and Marigold shone on the page and I loved every scene with them in it. Marigold will do whatever it takes to protect her boys, but that also means she doesn't see them at their full potential sometimes. Archie has had a different life from Marigold, harder in some ways, but that allows him to see possibilities that Marigold can't.

The abuse Marigold goes through is hard reading, especially for someone who has been through it. Remember that trigger warning! And to have Archie's fear become a real possibility was horrifying. I imagine the research into this subject was in-depth and not at all pleasant, but it did make for a great read.

Thoroughly enjoyable and definitely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 3, 2025
  
40x40

Louise (64 KP) rated Paper Butterflies in Books

Jul 2, 2018  
PB
Paper Butterflies
Lisa Heathfield | 2016
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did! I have never read anything by Lisa Heathfield before but I will definitely seeking out her other book ‘ Seed’. This story was harrowing and definitely difficult to read at times but addictive and I managed to read this in one sitting. This is one of those books that you can’t put down and continue to read till the early hours of the morning.

Paper Butterflies follows June, June is 11 years old and living with her father, step mother and step sister. To the neighbours they are just another normal family but behind closed doors it’s a different matter entirely. June’s stepmother is abusive, mentally and physically and even encourages her daughter to do the same. June tries to speak out to her father, but he thinks she is just having trouble settling into life after her mother’s death and adjusting to the new family members. June meets a boy in the local woods whilst riding her bike, Blister is his name and he is charming,non-judgemental and a perfect best friend. With Blister on her side will she be able to spread her wings and fly? will she finally speak out?

Paper butterflies is told from an 11-year-old, increasing to a teenagers POV of the abuse she went through and trying to accept the life she was dealt, and also has alternating chapters from the present day. June is of mixed race and finds herself in an all white family after the death of her mother and feels that she doesn’t belong not only because of her colour but because of her evil step – mother.

June was such a likeable character, the way she was reliving the scenes of abuse was harrowing and I just wanted to comfort her and tell her it would be alright and encourage her to speak out. I wanted her to tell someone, anyone, for someone to pull her out of her miserable existence. The abuse that June is subjected to is shocking and Lisa Heathfield does not hold back, even when it becomes uncomfortable to read.

Blister is the boy June meets in the woods,I loved his character, he is sweet,caring and has a knack of making things out of paper. He hides out in some desolate caravans and there the two of them forge a friendship. Blisters life is so different from June’s and when she is around them she feels free to be herself.

Lisa Heathfield’s writing is so strong and powerful, it’s addictive and certainly packs a punch. This book is an emotional rollercoaster involving, child abuse,coming of age, love, friendship and forgiveness. This book left me feeling hopeful and that there are friends who will be with you through thick or thin.

I recommend this book to anyone that reads YA.

 

Overall I rated this 4 out of 5 stars
*I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*