The last thing Emerson Rose expects is to fall for his best friend, Rhys, especially since he’s never been attracted to a man before. Everything in his life is already complicated enough. He’s put his own future on hold to raise his two younger siblings, and confusing feelings for the guy who always has his back muddy the waters even more. But then something astonishing happens. For one perfect … perfect moment, he thinks Rhys might feel the same—only to have his world come crashing down around him a second time.
Rhys Lancaster has always known he’s gay and that Emerson isn’t. Best friends since childhood, their easy companionship has usually been enough. Between his job, his adrenaline-filled adventures, and hanging out with Emerson and his siblings, he has it good…until he wakes up in the hospital with no memories of the last year of his life.
Like they normally do when things go horribly wrong, Rhys and Emerson support each other. Frustrated by all he’s lost, Rhys stays with Emerson during his recovery, and Emerson helps Rhys through the fog, while pushing those other feelings aside. To make matters worse, Rhys knows Emerson’s keeping something from him. Everything feels different now when he looks at Emerson, and as they fall into a comfortable routine, that aching desire doesn’t stay buried for long.
But Emerson has a family to raise, and Rhys is struggling to figure out what’s going on inside his head. Unless they can push past the doubts and fears to seal that connection between them again, this tragedy might become the one each has to weather alone.
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A rating. I loved this book. My favorite trope…friends to lovers with a dash of amnesia and hurt thrown in (which totally hits my sweet spot) and this book was EVERYTHING I love. I adored every moment of reading Rhys and Emerson’s story. LOVED IT!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
4.5*
A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies was such a heartwarming love story. It’s a story of best friends who have always been there for each, through all the ups and downs of their young lives, through the tragedies and triumphs, discovering and creating a family of their own. While this could have been a very heavy, emotional book due to the hand Emerson had been dealt in life and everything Rhys was going through, Ms. Lee instead gave us a truly endearing friends-to-lovers story.
Emerson is such a wonderful character- so caring and loving with his younger sister and brother. I adored the little family they created, along with Ryhs. And Rhys is such an incredible friend, not only to Emerson, but to his sister and brother as well.
I really enjoyed being along for the journey as Rhys and Emerson’s friendship turned to love. They truly are the sweetest and were so lucky to have each other. A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies left me with a smile on my face and a happy heart.
Are you looking for that one book that grabs you from the start and wraps you up in a warm hug by the end, if so then this book is for you. Christina Lee has an innate ability to bring her characters to life. She is very good at character building, story telling and scene setting. I could picture the characters in my minds eye, hear their voices, feel their pain and envision the scenes depicted. Books like this are why I love to read, especially this genre. I couldn’t put it down.
Kaleidoscope of Butterflies is about friendship, grief, heartache, love and how two young men cope with it all and come out the other side transformed. I was teary eyed throughout this book and fell in love with Rhys and Emerson. They are now my favourite couple.
There are two other characters in this book that stood out for me, Sam and Audrey. Audrey for her maturity for such a young girl and Sam for his nerdy sweetness.
There is always a point in a book where the title makes sense and in this book it was very apropos. It could have been titled Kaleidoscope of Emotions because I went through so many while reading.
5 stars doesn’t do this book justice. .
I received this as an ARC in exchange exchange for an honest review.
Wow wow and wow. I adored this book. It’s a beautiful, feel good, romantic friends to lovers trope. I usually can’t stand amnesia plot lines, as they’re overdone and predictable, but it absolutely fit the story and was written well. I love all the characters, especially the kiddos. There’s some delicious unresolved tension that eventually leads to some of the most emotional intimacy I’ve ever read.
I could go on and on – this is absolutely one of my favorite reads of 2020. Definitely add it to your list. Happy reading!
3.5 Stars
A new to me author who wrote a book about a friendship between two boys. It takes us on a journey looking into the relationship between a gay male and a heterosexual male. The acceptance, awakening, trust and a giant leap of faith. It was a beautiful story and I loved watching the reaction of those around the main characters. Sometimes we worry about what people will think, but they blow us away with their opinions. An enjoyable and easy book to read.
Rhys was gay and knew since he was a teenager. Emerson wouldn’t hold that against him, treating him as he always had. When his parents died tragically in a vehicle accident, Emerson stepped up to look after his younger siblings. Rhys has a passion for adrenaline and mountain climbing, whilst Emerson prefers to have both feet planted firmly on the ground. Emerson witnesses something, which raises an influx of emotions and makes him question himself. He is a thinker and questions every little thing, after taking some time to sort through his confusion. Emerson is ready to face things head on, however Rhys has an accident and it changes everything. Now he needs a bit of a shove and he gets it from someone you’d least expect to do it.
A wonderful friends to lovers romance, very much a slow-burn story with an original take on the amnesia trope. It has a touch of OFY as well, with Emerson’s awareness of his own sexual identity gradually growing. Really liked how the author wrote that in and that it wasn’t a cause for angst or any negative plot twist. I love friends to lovers stories, and this one was even better than I expected, sweeter, but also more emotionally intense. Not so much based on sexual attraction and discovery (though it’s there!), but steeped in small and big emotions, and so much longing. Rhys and Emerson are wonderful , three-dimensional characters, their journey together beautifully written and an inspiration.
This book is all heart. The emphasis on family is very present as well, how it can define us and make us stronger, heartwarming and heartbreaking both. I loved reading the scenes with Emerson’s siblings, as well as Rhys’s mom. I adore the title, its significance and the beauty it evokes (figuratively and literally), and how it plays out in the story.
This was an enjoyable read for me. I was excited after reading the blurb and the best friends to lovers trope is my hands down fave. I liked the concept, loved Em and Rhys, but despite some very beautiful and tender moments, their story never quite took flight for me. That being said, it was enjoyable and definitely worth a look. 3.5 stars.
I absolutely loved this book! It is totally my jam.
Friends to lovers books are my favourite and this one was written so, so well! I adored Rhys and Emerson.
Emerson the gorgeous red head who becomes the guardian of his younger sister and brother after a tragic accident is everything! He has the biggest heart. He gives up on his dreams to take care of his siblings. His life goes on hold but he has the friendship of Rhys to keep his spirits up.
Rhys is the openly gay man who worships his straight best friend. An accident has Rhys reeling but Em will be strong enough for both of them. See! Adorbs!
Damn those boys they have my total and utter devotion. Christina Lee take a bow – this book is bloody brilliant!
A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies is a wonderful friends to lovers story. It is such a beautiful, heartwarming love story that will capture your heart from beginning to end. These two have been through it all together, or so they thought. When life throws the ultimate curve ball what do you do?
Go along on the journey of Emerson and Rhys and you will not be sorry.
There’s romance, heat, family and so much more in this outstanding story. I think this is my favorite from Christina Lee! Loved it!