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Release Review: A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies: Christina Lee

by - Thursday, April 02, 2020

A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies
Christina Lee
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Release Date: April 2, 2020

Cover Design: Kanaxa
Cover Photography: Eric David Battershell
Cover Model: Johnny Kane

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 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.

This is a beautiful story of friendship, loyalty, and love. Emerson and Rhys have been friends since childhood and have stood by each other through thick and thin. And life has sure thrown them some curveballs. 

As twenty-somethings, Emerson is now the guardian for his two younger siblings. He is dependable, caring, and self-sacrificing. He has given up some of his own dreams to be a caretaker and generally plays it safe. He has not had time for relationships and in the past has dated a woman, but recently he has been questioning his attraction to a certain someone. 

Rhys has known he was gay since he was young and he thrives on adventure and adrenaline. He loves everything active and has made a career out of it.  He has always just assumed his best friend was straight until a couple of events that have called it into question. And one moment has the potential to be a turning point, but then their world crashes around them again.

When Rhys unexpectedly loses his recent memories, it brings anxiety, worry, and fear into his world. But as he begins to reinvent himself, it also brings clarity to his life.

This is an emotional, somewhat angsty, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers story about transformation and the trials of life, loss, love, and family. 
The title weaves into this beautifully written story perfectly.  These two are such wonderful guys and make a great team. They have such a special bond and are always there for each other. Their feelings run deep, but they have so much to lose. Emerson is especially guarded and feels he needs to protect himself from more loss. And Rhys is just trying to figure out his new normal and how to move on. Their relationships with Emerson's siblings also add depth to the story. 


Can these two find a way back to the point where there is a possibility of more or are they destined just to be the closest of friends? Both have their secrets, fears, and doubts, and they are afraid of losing their friendship. Is the risk worth the possible reward?

Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son–her two favorite guys. She’s addicted to lip balm, coffee, and kissing. Because everything is better with kissing.

She writes mostly MM Contemporary as well as Adult and New Adult Romance. She believes in happily-ever-afters for all, so reading and writing romance for everybody under the rainbow helps quench her soul.

If you’d like to keep up with her on a daily basis, join her reader group on Facebook called The Swoon Room. Or join her newsletter to be notified of sales and/or new releases.

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