Review: “Butterflies”
This book came to me via an ARC program, and I chose it because the preview sounded interesting.
The Premise
After her husband leaves her for a younger woman and her daughter heads off to college, Emerson is divorced and feels like the prime of her life is over at 43. Her best friend gives her a luxurious post-divorce gift: an all-expenses paid trip to New York City, with one contingency… she’ll have to see a sex therapist to deal with her abandonment and intimacy issues. Dr. Alexander Jameson is a younger man, and known for his unorthodox therapy sessions. She has a week before she’s off to Paris — can he work his magic on her within that short time frame… and heal not just her, but perhaps also himself?
The Pros
This was a sexy read that will likely appeal to the over 40s female crowd. I liked the dialogue and banter between the two main characters, and the New York City setting with the opulence and crazily expensive lifestyle felt like something out of “Sex & The City” — along with the super-rich characters of her best friend and the doctor, and the types of events they all go to. There were a few laugh-out-loud moments when her snarky mouth rules the scene, and their sexual encounters are racily written to titillate those readers who like a good sex scene. I also loved the interaction with her friend and Dr. Jameson’s sister, and the sentiment of sexual liberation and women connecting with one another and openly discussing their lives in that regard that wasn’t JUST a catty, braggy way (though that was there as well) but in a more intellectual and genuinely caring manner.
The Cons
As a fellow writer I don’t criticise other books/writers without careful consideration, but as an avid reader I appreciate reading reviews that give me a clear picture of what to expect. That said, there is quite a bit to enjoy here (I wouldn’t have bothered writing a review if not) but also quite a lot that didn’t sit right with me. While I was enjoying the story as it went along, I kept expecting something to happen… and ultimately, nothing much did. It played out quite predictably with not much of a plot — just one sexy scene to another, and then she’s off to Paris (as she’d planned) and nothing fundamentally changes but the characters magically have a change of heart and then wind up together (as expected).
I usually love these post-divorce women’s fiction sexual-renaissance stories (I’ve read quite a few and usually they are 4 or 5 stars for me), but in this case I really couldn’t connect much with her character to gain any real depth… her daughter’s role didn’t feel needed at all, I kept hoping the ex-husband (or any other man on the planet) would show up for some kind of drama, or the doctor would do something to hurt her or vice versa, or her friend would have a health emergency or her daughter would be endangered somehow, or a natural disaster would occur… or something… just something. Anything! Literally… ANYTHING! I’m no prude and I love a sexy story but dammit I desperately, desperately, desperately, DESPERATELY needed more of a plot here. I felt like the build-up didn’t have the pay-off I needed… so I was mentally unsatisfied by the end of it.
Conclusion
Overall, I did enjoy the writing style and it was engaging. The banter and sexy scenes were appreciated, but I wanted something entirely different from this book. I can see the value here, but I know I am certainly not the ideal reader — that’s it in a nutshell. My rating is fair and based on that duality I’m fighting with: I know other readers will absolutely love this and rave over it, but I personally expected so much more in terms of a plot (especially with such a great writing style!)… I almost wish the writing weren’t as good so that I could’ve given it up earlier rather than read it to the end only to be disappointed! Ah, well. Still, I would perhaps give this author another chance, because I feel like I may enjoy something else with more of a plot.
