The Butterfly Garden: A BRAND NEW heartbreaking historical read from Rachel Burton for 2024

Written by Rachel Burton

Narrated by Imogen Church

A gripping and beautiful tale of love, loss and secrets. Perfect for fans of Rachel Hore, Lorna Cook and Kathryn Hughes.

1963: When Clara Samuels buys Butterfly Cottage, she knows the scandal she’ll cause. A single woman buying property is not the ‘done thing’, especially not in a village like Carybrook. But Clara has been in love with Butterfly Cottage, and its garden, since she used to play there before the War. And when she reconnects with her childhood friend James, her decision feels serendipitous. But the true scandal is yet to come, because within six months, Clara will leave England under mysterious circumstances, and Butterfly Cottage will stand empty for more than 50 years.

2018: No one is more surprised than Meredith when she’s bequeathed a cottage by a great aunt she’d never heard of. She hopes, briefly, that the inheritance could be the answer to her financial problems. But when she arrives in Suffolk, she is shocked to discover a man is already living there. A young gardener, who claims he was also bequeathed half of Butterfly Cottage.

As the pair try to unravel their complicated situation, they unearth a decades old mystery involving Clara, the garden, and a stack of letters left unread for over 50 years…

Readers love Rachel Burton's books:

'Enticing and atmospheric... Packed with love and mystery that will keep you wanting more from the first page to the last' Lauren North, author of Safe at Home

'A wonderful escape... I adored the characters, the headiness of their first loves, and vulnerabilities as they hoped for their own happily-ever-afters' Jenny Ashcroft

'With her signature nostalgia, swoon-worthy hero and wistful setting, this is a romance to whisk you away any time of the year' Victoria Cooke

‘I was hooked on this book practically from the first paragraph.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Beautifully written, intriguing characters, lost loves, betrayal and lies. This book captivated me and I read it in two sittings, eager to uncover the truth at the end. Fabulous and highly recommended.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Such a heartwarming story which I devoured in one sitting.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘What a brilliant book! It was such a good read. I loved how it dipped through many histories and kept it flipping seamlessly through many peoples histories.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Beautifully written, I loved the unexpected twist at the end. A definite five stars from me.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘This novel really holds you fast, all the way to a lovely twist of an ending that warms the cockles of your heart. Just the ticket for **the perfect escapist read. **Rachel Burton, you have a new fan!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘As the secret is revealed and the mystery solved, the reader will be surprised til the final paragraph. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘A wonderful tale of love, family and so much more!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘There are so many untold secrets and lies, and the truth, once revealed, is very satisfying. Love, romance, mystery and family secrets - what more could I want? Highly recommended.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Language: English
• Publisher: Boldwood Books
• Release date: Jun 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9781835337875

Rachel Burton

Rachel Burton has been making up stories for as long as she can remember and always dreamed of being a writer until life somehow got in the way. After reading for a degree in Classics and another in English Literature she accidentally fell into a career in law, but eventually managed to write her first book on her lunch breaks. She loves words, Shakespeare, tea, The Beatles, dresses with pockets and very tall romantic heroes (not necessarily in that order) and lives with her husband in Yorkshire. Find her on Instagram and Twitter @RachelBWriter

Reviews for The Butterfly Garden

[Andrea Author · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When Meredith inherits Butterfly Cottage from an unknown great-aunt, she hopes for a financial lifeline. Instead, she finds it occupied by Zach, a young gardener who claims to be a co-heir. As they unravel their shared inheritance, they uncover a long-buried secret about the previous owner, the garden, and a trove of unread letters, dating back decades.

I enjoyed this dual-timeline women’s fiction. The characters are relatable, and the plot kept me guessing. The writing has a haunting quality.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.