Paper Butterflies ~ Lisa Heathfield

Paper Butterflies by Lisa Heathfield is a book that I view that everyone should read. I’m not one to cry at books, but both times I’ve read it I have ended the book in tears. 

Paper Butterflies follows June’s teenage years with her abusive stepmother and stepsister and the glimpse of hope she gets when she meets a boy named Blister in the woods. 

This novel has a dual narrative, before and after. It’s not clear what the turning point is for a large portion of the book but you know it’s something big and something that gets June away from her abusive family.

This book is hard to read at some points, but Lisa Heathfield is very good at balancing the difficult parts with moments of hope and happiness. The blossoming romance with Blister is the light in the dark. Despite Blister being June’s saving grace, it isn’t perfect, which is what I think really makes this book all the more real, there are still moments where Blister and June disagree and argue even though it is very easy to look at their romance through rose-tinted glasses. 

It’s so hard to write a review for this book without spoiling it because it is hard-hitting and discussed important topics, abuse being one of them but not the only one and I can’t say anything because it will spoil the ending. So, if you’ve read this book and want to talk about it – message me!

Paper Butterflies is easily one of the most important books I’ve ever read and it broke my heart both times I have read it. For that, it gets five stars.

C🌙