The Last Butterfly - by Paul Sean Hill

Book Synopsis

A young Jo Deming will find an explosive stash of evidence at exactly the wrong time, and she may become just another lost butterfly in a weary and darkening world.

We don't always see the butterflies in our midst and in our lives - the people who bring us life changing, "butterfly-moments." We also often recognize these moments only in hindsight, those "I dodged a bullet" or "only by the grace of God" experiences without which our lives would not be the same.

Literally born out of tragedy, Jo's mother, Jodie, is a butterfly who naturally and effortlessly renews hope and joy in those who meet her and raises Jo in her image. Most definitely not butterflies, Ed and Margo Schmutz put schemes in motion to remind the world that nothing in life matters, and there is no enduring happiness or beauty that can't be taken away.

Follow the interwoven journeys as their lives take dramatically different paths after similar tragedy and heartache but different choices in their "butterfly-moments." The Last Butterfly reminds us of the treasure and fragility of talent, hope, and goodness in an often-harsh world and in each of us, and the profound and often widespread influence the smallest gestures and interactions can have in guiding us to future success and happiness or failure and misery.

Review Quotes

Intensely moving. Combines tragedy, pathos, hope, and beauty all within one sweeping narrative. Few books are capable of moving this cynical old man to the point of tears but The Last Butterfly was certainly capable of doing just that. Paul Sean Hill has drawn his characters to the extremes of good and evil for a reason -- to evoke our emotions -- and he does exactly that. - Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Thought provoking; vividly portrayed characters; dialogue feels so realistic that the characters could be right there with you in the room. The Last Butterfly inspires a reflective experience, reminding us of the interconnectedness of our lives and the significance of the choices we make, both big and small. - K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

I absolutely loved The Last Butterfly. Hill has such well-developed characters that we truly do feel like we know them. This is a well-written, thought-provoking, and wonderful story that I have no doubt will be embraced by readers who value intelligent fiction. - Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

The Last Butterfly, is a work of literary genius. Potently blunt and honest. -Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

A beautiful literary novel. The author assuredly has a unique talent in that the reader is able to feel those emotions as they are portrayed. I can say with certainty that reading this book is a butterfly moment in itself. -Ronél Steyn for Readers' Favorite

Grief at the levels made palpable through the pages of this book only works when they are stabilized by hope, and The Last Butterfly has hope in abundance. The Last Butterfly is a book for literary fiction lovers of big epics taking shape in small towns. It's beautiful. Very highly recommended. - Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite