Review: The Glass Butterfly by A.G. Howard

Title: The Glass Butterfly
Author: A.G. Howard
Series: Haunted Hearts Legacy #3
Publication: August 15th 2018
Genre: New Adult Gothic Romance
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: 4/5★

For close to a decade, twenty-five-year-old Felicity Lonsdale has masqueraded as a dowager almost twice her age—selling caterpillars to butterfly consortiums—enabling her to hide an ill-fated past while raising her late brother’s daughters. Together, the three live on an isolated Irish estate bequeathed by a dying earl. When the earl’s estranged son arrives to claim his inheritance by threatening to expose Felicity’s true identity, she longs to pack up her nieces and run. But a ghostly secret within the castle’s turret holds her captive.

Nick Thornton—a Roma viscount’s heir—is also captive. After a tryst with an investor’s wife nearly destroyed his family’s holiday resort, Nick forsook everything to elope with her. However, a tragic mistake at his hand led to her and his baby’s deaths. Refusing to turn to the family he shamed, Nick travels to seek the countess who once co-wrote a romance with his sister. There’s rumor of a special butterfly in her keep—a transparent-winged species with ties to the afterlife. Nick hopes to contact his dead wife and child, for only their forgiveness can free him.

Upon his arrival to Felicity’s estate, Nick offers to help her defeat the earl’s son, on the condition she allow Nick to investigate her glass butterflies. Felicity agrees, though fears the closer he gets to the ghosts of his past, the closer he’ll come to uncovering her own. As Nick spends time with Felicity and her nieces, he realizes the mystery enshrouding this fragile countess and her castle is more intriguing than the ghosts he originally came to find. And perhaps putting his dead to rest and helping her do the same will be his true path to redemption.

I was really excited to finally read Nick's story (Nick is the twin brother of Julian from the previous book) along with Felicity's. Both of the characters had a very rough past but when they came into each other's life it was like puzzle pieces finally fitting together. I thought Nick was just perfect for Felicity and vice versa. Their romance was a delicious slow burn, just the way I like it. 

I also loved Nick's interactions with Felicity's nieces. It was super adorable the way they all bonded. It really warmed my heart to read about it all. Another thing I feel like I just need to mention is that this story was set in Ireland. Some of my all time favorite books are set in Ireland so I really enjoyed reading another one that was set in it. It's the perfect setting for a spooky gothic romance.

As always A.G. Howard managed to create a compelling story with her gorgeous writing and fascinating characters. Unlike the two previous books I felt like this one was unquestionably much darker, which is something that I loved so much. It all added so much more to the atmosphere of the entire novel. I've always been a sucker for darker stories so this was perfect for me.

Overall, The Glass Butterfly was a beautiful slow building story and romance. I just couldn't help falling in love with Felicity and Nick. Their love story was one I was rooting for right from the start and I definitely wasn't left disappointed. 

About the author:
A.G. Howard is the #1 NYT & International Bestselling author of several young adult retellings and spinoff novels, including her gothic Alice in Wonderland Splintered Series, and RoseBlood, a Phantom of the Opera inspired adaptation.

When writing, A.G. is most at home weaving the melancholy, magical, and macabre into her settings and scenes. In her downtime, she enjoys rollerblading, gardening, and visiting 18th century graveyards or abandoned buildings to appease her muse’s darker side.
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