Another excellent family saga from the pen of Lucinda Riley. Set in Southwold Suffolk around a crumbling family mansion Admiral House. Posy the matriarch has had a connection from birth with the house and has to debate whether she can hold onto it any longer. She and it have a checkered history. The book is set across Posy’s lifetime moving to and fro in time to bring a tale of mystery, intrigue, loves won and lost, and betrayal. Each character has a tale to be ably told and some are darker than others. A lengthy but thoroughly enjoyable multigenerational family saga that kept me spellbound.

Posy’s narration switches between past and present, from her 7 year old self in 1943 to 2006 as she is approaching (and reaching) her 70th birthday. I enjoyed watching how her life experiences impacted on her and felt like I knew her well having experienced life alongside her as a child, through those Uni days, as a single mother, a grandmother… I loved that she finally found her tribe, a place to belong. Posy is the character we see grow and develop the most. Posy’s sons, Sam and Nick (and their partners) narrate too, bringing even more emotions and tense scenes. The Montague family left me breathless at times! The format contributed to making this a page turner for me. I wanted to know what was happening for each and every character.

I had suspicions about the secret and although I was right about this one thing I had no idea just how much that one thing affected something else. Something huge. Never having dreamt that the truth was in fact a lie. So much pain and turmoil. But what a strength of character in coming to terms with it.

I also had suspicions about something else and once again, I was right but it wasn’t the whole story. This thread in the story made me cry. I spent the last hour of this story crying. Lots. I loved the ending. Positivity and hope for Posy’s generation and the next.

Lucinda Riley tackles social issues sensitively and with realism. You’ll experience a myriad of feelings and likely get lost in the story just as much as I did. Highly recommended.

What a totally gorgeous read, loved the story, the charecters, everything about it, will definitely read more by this author

If you love family sagas spanning generations then you’ll love The Butterfly Room by Lucinda Riley. This is a standalone novel and the first book by Lucinda Riley that I have read, although I have some of her Seven Sisters series waiting to be read.

The story revolves around Posy Montague and her family home, Admiral House in the Suffolk countryside, a house that had been in her family for generations. The narrative alternates between the different periods of her life from her childhood in the 1940s to the present day in 2006 as she nears her seventieth birthday. It is not a fast paced book but moves in a leisurely fashion through the various decades building a complex picture of her life.

Her early childhood years were idyllic spent with her parents at Admiral House. It was then that her love of nature began as her beloved father encouraged her to draw plants and showed her how to catch butterflies. The Butterfly Room in the Folly in the grounds of Admiral House plays an important role in the book. As a child Posy thought it looked like a fairy-tale castle with its turret made of yellow sandy brick. It was there that her father spent a lot of time on his own and she imagined it as a place where fairies and their butterfly friends lived. However, as the story developed it was clear to me that the Folly was not the wonderful place she imagined – and there is a dark secret hidden behind its locked door.

After a period spent with her grandmother in Cornwall and her time at Cambridge University followed by a job at Kew Gardens, she married and returned to Admiral House where she brought up her two sons. Years later the house is in desperate need of restoration, which Posy can’t afford and she is faced with the prospect of selling it, despite all the memories it holds and the beautiful garden she had created in the grounds.

But life is never straightforward for Posy and her two sons both present her with almost insurmountable problems. Then Freddie arrives on the scene, a man who broke her heart fifty years earlier when he suddenly ended their engagement without any explanation. He is still reluctant to tell her why and much as she wants to trust him she hesitates.

There is so much more in the book than I’ve mentioned here, too much to reveal in this post without spoiling the story. I used to read family sagas like this years ago, books I used to race through and read one after another. I don’t think they have quite the same appeal to me these days, but I did enjoy it, and even though I think it is too long, it kept my attention to the end. Maybe because I read a lot of crime fiction I could see what would happen to some of the characters, but as for the secret of the Butterfly Room, I guessed some of the truth, but not the whole secret! It reads well, is a page-turner, full of interesting situations and believable characters. A minor criticism, which is purely personal, is that I became so tired of Posy addressing her family and friends as darling/dear boy/girl so often.

Many thanks to the publishers, Macmillan for my review copy via NetGalley.

I am a fan of the Seven Sisters series but this is the first standalone novel I have read by Lucinda Riley. It was easy to fall into the story of Posy as she decides to sell her ancestry home and secrets are revealed. There is a strong cast of characters with each having their own story to tell. It was one of those books I had to finish once I started despite it being 457 pages so everything else was put on hold - thank goodness it was a bank holiday.

Absolutely sublime reading. This is a book I wish I could go back and experience again for the first time. Immersive engaging storyline, intrigue, romance and surprises along the way. I loved this book. I will not include any spoilers about the plot as this book needs to be unencumbered by others views and opinions and snippets of plot. If you’ve enjoyed previous books by this author you will love this one. This is masterful story telling at its very best. Pick up, devour and enjoy!

Thank you NetGalley.

In this dual time line novel we learn about the main character Posy by hearing about her life as a small girl, living at Admiral House in Suffolk with her mother and her beloved father.  He is a botanist and Posy loves nothing more than spending time in the garden with her father learning all about the natural world as they run around collecting butterflies.  However it is war time and things for young Posy are about to change dramatically.

The book switches very smoothly between the years Posy grows up, goes away to school, enrols and studies at Cambridge and gets a job at Kew Gardens.  All interlinked with present day where Posy now a grandmother in her 70's is back living at Admiral House.

I hadn't read anything by this author before but after seeing it on NetGalley and seeing that it was based in Suffolk decided to give it a go.  It is very much a family saga novel, with romance, historical fiction and a little mystery thrown in for good measure.

There are a number of elements to the story, with a different story line attached to each character yet they are all brought together well towards the end of the book and this kept me engaged and wanting to read on.

I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the book the most and although I found some parts of the book a little 'saccharine' it still held my attention and I was eager to find out how it all ends.  I thought it portrayed her class very well and particularly liked the relationship between her youngest son and his new 'model' girlfriend.

I read this book over the recent weekend of sunny weather and it would indeed make a great summer/beach read.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the advance readers copy.

The Butterfly Room is published May 2nd.

This started in the 1940s with Posy as a young girl of seven years of age. Posy has a very close relationship with her father but her mother didn’t seem to have any maternal instincts. This story moved seamlessly from 2006 to the 1940s and 1950s. It told the story of Posy’s life and her family, including her sons. There is also someone who comes back into Posy’s life with a secret that he should have told her many years ago. I loved the fact that although Posy was nearly 70, she still had plenty going on in her life and became determined to live life to the full. Several secrets are gradually unfolded. This was quite an emotional read at times but certainly captivating and enthralling. I’ve always enjoyed Lucinda Riley’s books and this was no exception. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

‘The Butterfly Room’ takes you on an atmospheric, emotional journey full of memorable characters and sensual experiences.

Posy Montague spent her early childhood in Admiral House, her most cherished memories are catching butterflies and playing make-belief with her father. He is the driving force in her life, her mother fading into the background when he is around until she discovers something that shatters the illusion.

Moving between Posy’s often difficult childhood years, and her current life in Suffolk, Admiral House is a constant, but its crumbling glory means Posy has to accept, change is inevitable.

Posy’s life journey explores many themes, notably family life and dysfunctional families, women’s position and role in society, love, romance, relationships and money. Posy is a complex girl and woman, with a self-deprecating sense of humour and quirky personality, often associated with only children brought up in adult households.

This story is an effortless read. You are drawn in by the quality characterisation. What happens to the family matters, even though they are flawed, often selfish, and in some cases completely unlikeable. The plot is layered, revealing its secrets gradually until you are spellbound, yet completely unprepared for the final revelations. The last part of the book is suspenseful and poignant as the domestic drama intensifies.

The ending is hopeful and satisfying as Posy and her family finally realise what truly matters in life.

I received a copy of this book from Pan Macmillan via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Oh My Gosh ! I think that maybe this has got to be her best standalone I've read ! It follows the life of Posy Monague, and blimey what a life ! It's a bit of an epic read at 628 pages but well worth it ! Loved it ! 10/10

This was my first time reading a book by Lucinda Riley, and it won't be my last. The Butterfly Room was a slow burn, historical drama laced with mystery and to be honest a story I wouldn't usually think of reading. But the cover captured my attention and after reading to blurb I just had to read it and I'm so thrilled I did.
The two set pieces, timelines within the story were skillfully crafted and enwoven by Lucinda. The relationships, twists and turned kept me on my toes and held my interest from beginning to end. A wonder of a book.

I am sorry but I could not get into this book at all. The characters seemed really shallow and I could not get interested in them at all.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I love reading Lucinda Riley's books. This is a family saga about Posy Montague from her childhood days to her 70's.
Very interesting to read about the different characters and Freddie, Posy's old love from years ago coming back into her life. Excellent long book to read.
Thank you to Netgalley for an Arc.

I am a real fan of Lucinda Riley and have been very much looking forwards to delving into this one. I am a big fan of historical fiction so her books are perfect for me! I love how she is very descriptive and sucks you right into the story. This one really got me and is a real page turner. Posy Montague, all the other characters and the English setting just made it for me. A highly recommended read.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read and review this book.

I'm a fan of Lucinda Riley. She always sucks me in another world, and I enjoy her writing massively. This was no exception.
It's her signature dual timeline story telling as usual. Our lead character is Posy, and we start the story from when she was a little child, then switch to when she was quite old. It's a family saga where we also look at other family members involved, and there's always a mystery :) So, I kept guessing which made this journey a lot of fun.
So, this book is a mesh up of family saga/mystery/history and romance, which will make a perfect summer, beach read. I had a lot of fun and I'd always recommend a Riley book anyway.
If anything, the book was a tad long. Might have been more exciting if it was a little shorter. But, I loved it anyway.

Thanks a lot to the publisher and NetGalley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Yet another fantastic book by Lucinda Riley.

Posy has lived in Admiral house for the first seven years of her life until she is sent to Cornwall to live with her Grandma. While there Posys father does and her Mother moves out of the house back to France leaving Posy in the care of her Grandmother. The story follows Posy through her life with many turns both good and bad.

Lucinda Riley is quite honestly the queen of story telling. A fantastic book. Well done.

The Butterfly Room is the gorgeous new book by Lucinda Riley which features all her usual skill to weave several characters and generations into one neatly-polished tale of sweeping romances and powerful drama. First off, Lucinda Riley is one of my favourite authors and has been for almost a decade. Her books are perfect for a night curled up on a sofa with a huge mug of tea, and this latest offering is one of the warmest of all. Unlike her ongoing Seven Sisters series this one is set exclusively in England but still manages to blend past and present days together into a beautiful story about one family and the people connected to them over the years.

Posy is the matriarch of the Montague family and it is her with whom we travel back in time with to see her childhood beginning in the grand Admiral House towards during WW2. We return to Admiral House as it is becoming difficult for Posy to maintain, to the point of her having to think about whether she can remain in the home that she had spent years catching butterflies in the garden with her beloved father.

The other characters are all quite engaging and hold their own ground in their respective storylines. Posy’s two sons - Nick and Sam - are very different characters from each other; Nick has just came back home from several years in Australia setting up a successful antique business, whilst his older brother is charming on the outside but floats from one failed career path to another.

Add these people, a whole lot of potential love-interests and the gradual uncovering of what really happened to those dear to Posy back in her formative youth and you end up with an easy book to devour. Thoroughly enjoyed this read, it was just a lovely piece of escapism by a writer who I can depend on to provide memorable characters and wonderful reveals of long-buried secrets.

ARC received from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for a review.

I thought this novel was a perfect portrait of the upper classes in the 1940s onwards. At boarding School with the long summer holidays - picnics, boating on the river, village fetes, playing tennis and croquet, strawberries and cream in the garden for afternoon tea. Then the post-war acceptance of girls into the Universities. For Posy it’s Cambridge, and she’s a Botany student, who finally lands her perfect job as a Botanical Scientist at Kew Gardens. Posy is now almost seventy, and she’s still living in Admiral House which is her childhood home. Her husband Jonny is dead and her two sons Nick and Sam are fumbling around trying to make sense of their lives, playing at being adults in a world they don’t understand. Apart from Posy, the strongest character the characters all seem to have lost their way and have taken the wrong paths in their lives. Initially, I assessed Sam as a weak-chinned, whimsical, parasitic loser and certainly, he got out of control and seemed to turn on a sixpence when his life went haywire. It’s a testament to how shallow and cowardly some men can be and how incredibly forgiving love-lorn women can be. Nick’s story was interesting, except I wasn’t sure it was credible, but it was touching. I felt he could have shown more backbone. The novel is a slow burner with the tenuous thread of a secret about Admiral House. It’s interesting on the perspective of relationships, especially messy, clandestine and unfinished relationships. Everyone we meet makes a difference and shapes our lives. Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan.

I loved this book! I was torn between getting to the end and finding out what happened and not wanting it to end. Lucinda Riley has written a delightful novel with a plot which keeps you gripped from start to finish with some great twists, turns and a cracker of an ending. Not only that but we are transported to some lovely settings. The main character is Posy who grew up in a lovely big, old house call a few minutes outside Southwold in Suffolk. It’s called Admiral House in honour of the Red Admiral butterflies that visited the garden and Posy used to love catching in a net with her father. This, and the garden, led to Posy’s chosen degree and profession as a botanist. As the story starts, Posy is on the verge of her seventieth birthday and is now living alone in Admiral House. Posy spent the latter years of her childhood and teenage years living with her paternal grandmother near Bodmin in Cornwall. She returned to live in the family home when she was married but was sadly widowed young while pregnant with her younger son, Nick. Nick is single and has been living in Perth, Australia for ten years but is considering moving back to the UK. His older brother, Sam, is married to Amy and lives with their two children in Southwold near Posy. Sam’s never got his finances under control and goes from one financial crisis to another.

The plot moves back and forth from Posy’s earlier life in the late 1094s and 50s to 2006 but the timeline is always very clear. Other characters are woven into the plot, some of who knew family members in years gone by and it soon becomes clear that there are some buried family secrets. I was pretty sure that I guessed at least one of them about halfway through so I was even more surprised to find how wrong I was. I even re-read a few sections to see how I had been wrong and if I had missed something. The writing is great and well-crafted. I look forward to reading many more of Lucinda Riley’s novels. This was the perfect book to curl up in the sun and just relax for the last few days.

With thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for a free copy of The Butterfly Room in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t suppose many people remember that far back but in the 1960’s magazines for women like Woman’s Realm and Housewife featured twee stories and serials for nice polite ladies to read without being too upset or challenged! I thought this genre had died out until I encountered Lucinda Riley and The Butterfly Room.

The book opens with the central character, Posy, and her beloved Daddy cavorting around a garden in Southwold. It turns out that this idyllic veneer is false. Posy’s mother, Maman, so named because she is a bit French and tarty, is knocking off Uncle Ralph and this is going to have dire consequences which the quite innocent and charming Posy will only find out about in her seventies which is where the story leads us to eventually – although it whizzes backwards and forwards in time on the way.

In the space between leaving and returning to Southwold, Posy has two thoroughly obnoxious sons one of whom, Nick, is good and dependable although misunderstood while the other, Sam, is a swindler and a waster. This is necessary because Amy, his put upon wife, is about to have an affair with an author who has come to Southwold to write a second novel and in Lucinda Riley’s world you can’t shag anybody without a good reason! The author is called Sebastian Girault so you can tell he’s rather posh and charming and that, inevitably, all works out for the best.

Posy also found time to go to Cambridge, with posh girls, bicycles and jolly bedsits. There is a bit of a time warp here since it is an easy calculation to work out she would have been there in the 1960s when students started being a bit political and generally doing something other than looking like bit parts in Brideshead Revisited!

Anyway, having got back to the present, Posy pootles around the family house and meets up with Freddie, an old flame from her Cambridge days who she finds rowing the Walberswick Ferry. They have an on and off relationship which is finally resolved by the central revelations in the novel but you’ll have to read it to find out what those are. They involve some preposterous assumptions but they help Posy to discover herself and, having done that, she can discover Freddie!

Southwold is a key location in the book and is constantly name referenced but isn’t brought to life. It’s actually quite an interesting community struggling with some problems, not just related to the influx of luvvies, like seasonal unemployment and being a nice place without being overwhelmed. Lucinda Riley could have made more of this.

You can tell this wasn’t really the book for me! I found Posy rather snobbish in her view of boarding schools and emotionally rather supercilious – if not smug. Sebastian and Amy were caricatures and Nick had a silly subplot of his own which anyone sensible could have dealt with in five minutes. Having said all that, Lucinda Riley clearly has fans and they will lap this up. It’s a kind of safe, easy reading which some, I hesitate to say older readers, are presumed to enjoy and you could read it at your book club if you have people who can’t stand anything with swearing, too much sex and any politics in!