Uptown Oracle Reads… Paper Butterflies

June is a butterfly trapped in a net. As she tries to get free, her paper wings are torn and damaged. Paper Butterflies follows June’s dark home life as she gains hope in the form of Blister, a boy in the woods. Will he be able to free her from the net, unbroken?

I haven’t read many books about child abuse but the ones I have read have always been so emotional. Paper Butterflies doesn’t disappoint in this regard. I teared up in some places because I was horrified for June. Some of the abusive parts are quite graphic and you can really sympathise for June.

Paper Butterflies shows an overlying issue of racism which leads to both the abuse of the stepmother and the bullying at school. At times I was questioning if this was real. Was it based on a true story? It show’s how it’s hard to be an outsider and how the systems put in place often fail you when you need them most. It’s a small and quick read but there’s so much that can be discussed from this book as Heathfield shows so many issues.

I was worried that the romance aspect would irritate me. As often I dislike reading romance as it seems unrealistic or is made over-important within the plot. Paper Butterflies did not have these issues. The romance was built up over time. It felt realistic, it wasn’t forced for the sake of the storyline. It wasn’t written that the guy will fix all of the girls problems. So I actually enjoyed and rooted for the couple.

The story is told as ‘before’ and ‘after’ and leads you to a big life event for June. I don’t want to spoil it, but it was a really big shock to me when we got there. Being written this way also made me want to read more and read faster to find out what happened. Honestly, I recommend everyone should read this book.

I received Paper Butterflies* by Lisa Heathfield as an e-book from the publisher via Netgalley. This is an unbiased and honest review.