The Butterfly Circle

by Mary Carroll Leoson

It’s 1948 and Eliza Kendall’s father has just dropped her off at Prescott House, a home for unwed mothers. Pregnant and alone, Eliza finds comfort in her three roommates, whose friendship gives her hope despite abuse from a bitter headmistress. Caught between adolescence and womanhood, the friends seek refuge in what lies beyond the veil of sleep and dreams, to the hidden passages in the house itself, rumored to be part of the Underground Railroad. While exploring, the girls discover a plot to hide the bodies of other pregnant women. To survive, they must lean on each other and the wisdom of those who have come before them—the butterfly sisters.

Is their bond more powerful than the threats they face?

Genres: Historical Fiction

301 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 18, 2023

About the author

Leoson is a Pushcart Nominee and Member of the Horror Writers Association who specializes in paranormal, historical, and literary horror fiction. The Butterfly Circle, the first book in a trilogy, was published in July of 2023 by Manta Press. Leoson's writing has also been featured in the The Lost Librarian's Grave Anthology, Castabout's Halloween Anthology, Free Spirit Historic Tales Anthology, Twisted Vine Literary Journal, Coffin Bell Journal, Untoward Magazine, Underwood Press' Horror Journal ("Black Works"), GNU Journal, The Gyara Journal, Genre: Urban Arts, and Obra/Artifact. She holds a Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy & Literature, an MFA in Fiction, an MA in English, and an MS in Psychology. When she's not writing about ghosts or co-hosting the podcast Exhuming the Bones (Ohio Chapter of the Horror Writers Association), she teaches English composition, literature, and creative writing at the college level in Nashville, TN. You can learn more at www.maryleoson.com

For an inside look at The Butterfly Circle and the next two books in the trilogy, check out this interview on Exhuming the Bones: https://exhumingthebones.buzzsprout.c...

Reviews

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Liza is dropped off like a bad secret at the home for unwed mothers, she is distraught and thinks her life is over. The first person she meets is Rosa Rosa is also an unwed mother. Little does Liza know but her and Rosa will bond and when Bridget and Lily Grace join the group they will be four but become one the butterfly circle and Rosa will introduce all the secrets but it isn’t the secrets that Rosa tells the girls but the ones they find them selves that change everything. they say everything in the dark comes to the light but sometimes what’s left in the shadows should remain there could this put the girls in danger or are they already in trouble? When I read the summary for this book I had no clue how phenomenal the story would be I don’t want to give too much away because OMG this was a great story if you like paranormal realism embedded in a great plot then you will love The Butterfly Circle make no assumptions about this book when you read the summary which is a great summary just know you are in for so much more this is a great book and one I totally inhaled in one setting and couldn’t put it down I loved it and highly recommend it. I received the book from Book Sirens but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Melanie Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to read an arc copy of this book and I am so glad!

Absolutely loved this book! I was so impressed with how well written it was!
For a first time author I am so impressed and will be getting a physical copy as soon as I can.

I am not usually a big YA reader but this is by far the best I have read so far.

I felt like I really got to know the characters and the setting they were in. It had me gripped all the way through! I really liked the way the author trickled bits of information into the story so you build the plot of the story through a steady pace that keeps you guessing bit is still engaging!

If you like anything to do with ghosts and horror I feel like this would be a perfect book to edge your way into this genre!

Well done Mary! Cannot wait to read any future work from you 😊

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was beautiful!

I was struck by the unique premise of this book - a mystical, historical fiction based in a home for young women who are pregnant out of wedlock, with elements of the supernatural.

I loved the dynamic between the four girls, though my favourite was actually Bridget - I loved her her fiery ways, devout loyalty, pride for her Irish routes and her pride for her sexuality. This was an element that I hadn't expected to find in this book, and it was very refreshing to read about a queer character(s) in 1948. And to have four girls from similar circumstances come together so quickly and form a sisterhood was just beautiful - despite the horrific situations that they were in.

One of my favourite parts of this was just how beautiful the writing was. There were so many wonderful metaphors and visual imagery and the prose was just so lyrical I found myself highlighting so many lovely quotes.

I also loved all of the mysteries: the foreshadowing, Eliza's visions and the passageways, and though I found it to have a slightly slow start, by 25% I was completely hooked. My only hesitancies would be that I like almost everything to be wrapped up before the sequel, so that the sequel follows a slightly different thread. Nevertheless I will definitely be reading the sequel once it is published, as I have to find out that everything works out.

Congrats Mary on a wonderful debut!

I recieved an ARC for free and I am leaving a voluntary review.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

overview:

The Butterfly Circle by Mary Carroll Leoson is a YA historical thriller that follows four teenaged girls in the 1950’s who have been sent to a home for unwed mothers. This home feels neither comfortable nor safe, and the girls must rely on each other and those who came before them to survive such a haunted and dark environment.

my thoughts:

☀️I feel as though the girls are written in a way where readers can see elements of themselves in one or all of them. I love it when that happens in a book!

☀️these characters are teenagers who really appear to be teenagers. I feel like this can be rare sometimes. It’s is so easy to feel for how they are grappling with parental expectations, questioning religious standards, and attempting to come to terms with motherhood.

☀️So I recently discovered that this book is the first in a trilogy, and I cannot wait for book two. I see a number of ways that M.C.L. can take this story and I’m excited to see what comes next!

things I loved:

☀️The historical accuracy

☀️the bonds of sisterhood linking current and past butterfly circles

☀️I really appreciated how the elements of mysticism added to the story. They add a sort of dark edginess but still allow for Eliza, Rosa, Bridget, and Lila Grace to remain the central focus.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stacey Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here’s a confession… I wasn’t sure about this book while reading the blurb before requesting it. I couldn’t make up my mind if I was going to get a horror novel or a novel full of mysticism. So, I was skeptical.

After having read “The Butterfly Circle,” I’m impressed. It was a really good novel and so very well written, especially by a first time author.

Story takes place in the 50’s at a home for wayward and unwed and pregnant girls. The ‘home’ is not warm and cozy and kind. As the girls attempt to come to terms with situations and circumstances, the home harbors secrets and darkness.

Here is where some of the mysticism creeps in. However, the author did a fantastic job with weaving the magical with the reality and it adds depth and substance to the situation and circumstances the girls are in. The story is edgy, yet it is also a story of love, loss, and the strength of female friendships.

I felt drawn to each character. The story is vivid and immersive. It is definitely a combination of horror and ghost story too. What was in the past, has come to the present and the girls must come together to resist, fight, and survive.

Well done Mary Carroll, well done.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty interesting and had a nice Gothic undertone.

A slow paced YA historical thriller, we follow three young women who are sent to a home for unwed mothers. Creepy thing start going down in this home and the girls discover hidden passages underneath. As the girls slowly uncover the mysteries behind this house, the horror and mysticism grows.

I quite enjoyed this, although I wish the creepy factor was turned up just a notch. I also felt that the latter half of the book went just a little too quickly and wrapped up fast.

Based on the ending, this book does feel like there will be a continuation and I would love to see it. I feel like there are more mysteries to uncover and I do enjoy this authors writing style.

A solid read that I recommend to my historical fiction fans.

[Thank you to BookSirens and the author for sending me a copy in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own].

[deidra · Rating 5 out of 5]

there are books you read and enjoy and then there are books that touch your soul. The Butterfly Circle by Mary Carroll Leoson is one such book. set in yesteryear when an unwed pregnancy was just about the worst thing that could happen to a young woman and her family. the shame, the scandal. four young women are sent to an unwed mother's home to be hidden away, to be shunned. interestingly, very little is made of the young men, their lives continue on and they can spread their seed to more unlucky women to be shut away because it's all the women's fault anyway, isn't it.
the women become blood sisters and soon discover the horrors of the past have a way of bleeding into the present.
i loved this book. it took me by surprise and completely drew me in. the characters were amazing, full of life and i have to admit, by the end of the book, i was sad to see them go. a sequel, Ms. Leoson?
highly recommended.
5 stars out of 5.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I greatly enjoyed and would recommend this book. It was well written. The first chapters were like poetry though not so heavily descriptive to make reading it a chore. The characters were interesting and their stories captivating. I was concerned that it would be too creepy or too heavily saturated with supernatural but it was not. It was just used to advance the story. It ends with a few unanswered questions which makes me wonder if there is a sequel possible. Very satisfying read.

[‧₊˚ ellie ♡ (إيلي) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Mary Leoson and BookSirens for a complimentary copy. I am so happy to be given the opportunity to provide an early review of this. This doesn’t affect my opinions in any way. This book comes out on July 18th!

“If God was a woman, maybe the world might be different.”

The year is 1948. And The Butterfly Circle follows the story of four girls: Eliza, Rosa, Bridget, and Lila Grace; all sent to Prescott House, also known as the home for unwed mothers in Cleveland, Ohio. All pregnant and in dire need of company, the four of them seek refuge with each other, sharing stories of their past lives all the while enduring the abuse and cruelty of the appointed headmistress. But as the days pass by, the girls find mysterious, dark things happening to the pregnant women and their babies. And as they try to seek the truth of what was occurring, they soon uncover hidden passageways and underground tunnels that perchance holds the truth to everything. Will they survive to find it out? Or will they perish to the shadows consuming the house?

CWs: Homophobia, Misogyny

Note: No man is the knight-in-shining armor here, women ONLY.

I LOVE WOMEN. This book was written BY a woman FOR us women. Such an exceptionally beautiful and emotional story about feminism in the 1940s. The girls had contrasting personalities yet had a wonderful dynamic together. The author has done a wonderful job getting her readers’ interest with a grappling story about queer love and sisterhood. Yes, QUEER LOVE. SAPPHICS. Not only was this book able to tackle prejudice against unwed, single mothers, but it also openly traversed through empowering women by giving them a voice to choose for themselves. The main characters here are so unapologetic and incredibly strong. Especially given that they came from different families and backgrounds, this novel discussed Catholic guilt, as well as the injustice of Christianity and Catholic beliefs on women and queer people. And as a Catholic, I am aware of the harmful impact on the church’s beliefs against women’s rights. This book exceptionally reminded me of every right we’re still fighting for as women in the 21st century.

Suffice it to say, this was open-ended, and I’d love to see where the story takes us next, since I have taken hints at where we’ll be for the sequel *wink wink*

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I absolutely loved this book. I read this book in one day, I could not put it down.

The only thing that would have made it better was to find out what happened to all the babies.

[Paperwitches ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy, and lucky to have received this advanced reader copy of The Butterfly Circle. It is by far one of my new favorite books of all time. I will absolutely be buying a physical copy upon release.

This first time author is absolutely a great one. You learn the characters inside and out, and grow extremely attached - and to a point protective, of each one. I felt like I was reading a story about my best friends, or my daughters, or my sisters. I felt protective kinship with them, one that made me sympathetic while not taking away from the curiosity I had or the horror.

It’s pacing differs, at times it feeds you information slowly - but as it nears its climax it seems too rushed. It has such a unique premise, that I have not seen repeated anywhere - that I do wish it took more time to explore it.

The prose is stunning, a lyrical genius, without being too overwhelming. The historical elements are refreshing and well introduced, too many times to books and entertainment not take serious measures to immerse you in the decade they take place in. I would highly recommend this to anyone regusrdless of their favorite genres as it has something for everyone that is both easily digestible and entertaining.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of The Butterfly Circle by Mary Carroll Leoson. I am of the rare minority that did not enjoy the book. I thought, from the synopsis that I would enjoy it, however there was too much of the supernatural for me to embrace it. Fantasy is not a genre I tend to read. I did appreciate the bond that was formed between the girls but it relied too heavily on the fantasy world. It is not a book I would recommend unless you enjoy fantasies and the supernatural. I gave it a 3 star rating and I felt generous with that!

[Review Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Book was provided for an honest review* (Manta Press)

What do you do with a pregnant teenager?

It's 1948 and being an unwed mother and pregnant teen is considered shameful. Families with the financial means and acceptable skin tone ship their daughters off to maternity homes and make up stories about mysterious aunts no one has ever heard of to explain the girls’ absence.
Their babies were taken away from them, often without even being held or seen by the mother, and sold to adoptive parents.

The girls were unaware of their rights and received poor care because the white babies ' valuable commodity was of concern to the supervisors.

“The Butterfly Circle” takes you inside one of the maternity homes to follow a group of girls dealing with being underage and pregnant. They form a society similar to the “Midnight Club” (on Netflix.) This home holds mysteries both in their present but also in an alternate time period. The building has secret tunnels that used to be part of the Underground Railroad, a mysterious tombstone, as well as the question of what happens after the birth of their babies, all to figure out.

Though not a favorite device of mine, the MC discovers she has supernatural powers, with which the girls are able to solve some of the mysteries. There may be too much going on in this book, so I don’t feel each storyline/mystery got the attention it deserved. Perhaps if the author had stuck to fewer storylines the book may have been a bit cleaner. It felt crowded and each mystery wasn’t given the desirable amount of time to fully unroll.

Which also made for an ending that does not satisfactorily wrap all things up. There is absolutely a clear setup for a second book, so perhaps some of these issues will be better resolved in the future.

What this book gets right is the main group of girls. They each have well-developed, individual characteristics making them interesting enough to carry the story, even when it does get bogged down by too many side quests. We get an explanation for how each of them ended up in this position, which carries over well into how they behave in the story.

The girls also evolve through the story as they become more aware of their own strengths and ambitions. I would read another book in the series simply to follow these characters.

The book is marketed as YA, but it handles some very adult topics. Nothing explicit, however, some might find several of the details disturbing. I don’t believe in censoring books so I cannot give age recommendations. 4 Stars.

For more info on maternal homes: https://www.thelily.com/a-shame-fille...

[Bee_thebookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

When four young women find themselves in a home for unwed mothers, they begin to uncover the horrible truth behind the house and those who came before them. The Butterfly Circle by Mary Carroll Leoson is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of friendship, sisterhood, relationships, societal attitudes towards women and the treatment of women.
The level of detail and description given throughout the book was wonderful and created depth in the story. The author gave a detailed insight into the surroundings, thoughts, emotions and experiences of the girls which makes the reader feel connected to them and their stories. The characters were well-written and well-developed, each having a distinct personality that shone through at various points throughout the book. The author created each character in such a way that the reader cannot help but care about them and the hardships they face.
The pacing of the book was perfect, never feeling rushed or slow. New information and details were revealed in such a way as to keep the reader engaged with the story without overloading the book with paragraphs of unnecessary information. Details and descriptions were well integrated throughout the book, adding depth that did not feel forced or unnatural and that always added to the story.
The storyline of the book was interesting and was executed very well by the author. The supernatural elements laced throughout the story helped to maintain the pace and intrigue of the book, constantly making the reader want to know more about the events and what the girls were facing. The main storyline of the book was resolved well by the end, leaving enough unfinished to facilitate what I am sure will be an equally wonderful sequel.
Overall, I found The Butterfly Circle to be extremely enjoyable. The level of detail and description throughout the book makes the reader feel connected to the story and helped to keep the pace of the book going until the very end. The storyline was interesting and engaging, and the book was beautifully written; I didn’t want to put it down. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a while.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sally Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for allowing me to read and review your book. I received an advance review copy free of charge and am leaving my review voluntarily.I appreciate the target audience is young adult and I am not actually a young adult anymore 😅 So there may be elements of this book that would appeal to them more than they did to me. For me a 3 means a book that kept me interested enough to finish, but didn't really grab me to the degree that I put aside daily life to disappear back into the book.

I have read young adult fiction before and not realised until after that it was young adult. This book did feel like young adult from the way it was written. In places the story line felt like it was moved on a bit too abruptly, like it was simplified. This may be exactly what you were aiming for,in which case you have succeeded 😊 As I said, I am not strictly speaking your target audience and my review should be considered in this context. The writing at times felt simplified,but some of the subjects touched upon in the story feel very mature.

There are a lot of elements to this story and each element could be expanded further. At the same time, it felt like the story was a little cluttered with the many different elements introduced. There wasn't space to expand the elements enough and some felt like they could be missing entirely and the story would not suffer for it. For me to have enjoyed the book further I would have appreciated fewer elements,with deeper exploration and expansion.

I enjoyed seeing Rosa and Eliza reach a safe place and to see how Harriet's story came into the present day, but it was kind of disappointing to see that the story for Bridget and Lila-Grace was left unresolved. I wasn't sure if the book was finished or missing some pages when I got to the end and saw two entries from Trill's diaries which appeared to be reopening the story rather than wrapping it up.

[Lisa Noble · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Butterfly Circle is the story of a group of young women, sent to a home for unwed mothers. They connect strongly with each other, and through their various gifts, connect to the mysterious history of the home they are staying in. It becomes abundantly obvious that all is not well in the home, and the 4 young women have to figure out if and how they can help each other survive. It has elements of historical fiction, horror/ghost story, creepy mystery and thriller, as well .

Many elements of the book work really well. Mary Leoson builds realistic relationships between the young women. Eliza, the main character and Rosa, a young woman of Romany heritage, are particularly well drawn. Bridget, the third in their circle, is also appealing and draws the reader in. The reader needs to know more about Lila Grace, the fourth arrival. There are plot elements that revolve around her and more in-depth understanding of her character would be helpful.

For this reader, the book tried to be too many things. The elements of historical fiction were fascinating, and the conclusion of the book pulls those together for a strong finish. However, it takes a long time to get there, with a lot of side threads, some of which don't feel necessary, other than to set up a possible second book. High school readers who love a little horror shiver along with their reading could enjoy this one, but at times, it got a little creepy for me. There are also some very uncomfortable parallels to residential schools, and a content warning might be helpful around that. It could enable some excellent comparative study of homes for unwed mothers and residential schools, but would require some really sensitive teaching.

There is some very strong writing in the story, and an excellent finish. Overall, I felt it was a bit unsure of what kind of story it was attempting to be. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this unique setting for a story that can't easily be slotted into any particular genre. When this caught my eye, I thought it was a historical fiction/mystery, but it was more than that. At its core is the friendship between four girls who end up being sent to a home for unwed mothers. They have been rejected by all who know them, including their parents, and they are considered a shameful secret in their previous life. The author did a great job of showing us how these girls were very different from each other, but this thing that made them castoffs in society also drew them together. Over time, we start to learn the circumstances of their arrival at the home as these girls open up and share their secrets with each other. The house itself seems to be alive, or at least haunted by a previous inhabitant, and the home is being run by a cruel, allegedly Christian woman who is feared even by the other workers. The mix of history with the supernatural is never overdone, and you fear for these girls even as you root for them. The connection with the underground railroad was interesting, but I feel like this book just touched the surface! I look forward to finding out more in the next books.

I read an advanced review copy, so there were some minor errors, but despite the errors, the writing was beautiful and really drew me into what was happening. The story flowed naturally, and there were many moments when I found myself holding my breath and reading as quickly as I could to find out what would happen next. I didn't realize until I got to the end that this is the first of a trilogy, but although the story is not yet complete, you feel satisfied with the first stage of the journey. That said, I am looking forward to the next book.

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens and the publisher, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Natalie House · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens and the author for letting me read an ARC of The Butterfly Circle! 4.5/5 stars

I typically don't enjoy books that tackle religion, simply there are often gaps in what the religion preached and what the author says it preached. I haven't run into that problem with The Butterfly Circle, which is really nice.

The book presents a world that toes the line between fantasy and horror in its presentation. The descriptions of people and places are just beautiful enough to set you on edge, and the darker elements are woven in right from the beginning, so there's no confusion as to the nature of the places in the book.

I loved each of the characters, as well as the reliance they had on one another. The only reason I am giving this four-and-a-half stars instead of five is because I feel that Lila Grace's character was a little too eager to rely on the girls early on. What I LOVED about her character was her obvious early-on inconsistency and wavering between the girls and her father. It's very clear in her character that she wavers between past and present. The wavering really sells her character for me.

I'm really, really excited to get my hands on a physical copy of this because I know I'm going to have fun picking it apart and reading it where I can write notes in the margins. And, when the time comes, I hope to review the second book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jan Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an intriguing story about four friends who form a sisterhood to endure the gritty reality of a home for unwed mothers in 1948. The house is filled with secrets and ghosts whisper in the hallways. The four are barely women, caught in the various traps the human heart sets when it wants to express itself. They preform small acts of rebellion and magic as the past begins to impose on the present, the future coming full circle through the past.
The story is well written, and the characters finely drawn. It would have been too easy to muddle the young women up, but this is not the case here. Each one of them stands out with a remarkable story and voice. The atmosphere is claustrophobic, as it should be, with a creeping feeling of dread around every corner. The cruel headmistress, the secrets the house begins to reveal, and their impending deliveries kept this reader on the edge of her seat.
This is the first of a planned trilogy, and I highly recommend it to readers of YA historical dark fantasy and gothic horror.

thank you Book Sirens for a copy of this book to read and review.

[K.L. Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the 1950s in a home for unwed mothers, The Butterfly Circle quickly immersed me in the lives of four young women. Eliza is shy and unsure and considers herself a weed among flowers. Rosa is superstitious and religious. Lila Grace is a spoiled rich girl with bizarre ideas and capricious moods. Bridget is strong, unflappable, and self-sacrificing. I see parts of myself in each of them.

The "home" is not a nurturing, safe place of refuge in which the girls can come to terms with their circumstances and the choices that brought them there. It has secrets within its walls, and it harbors dark and corrupted spirits.

Without diminishing the very real struggles the women face, Mary skillfully weaves mysticism into the story. The magical elements are subtle and add depth and edginess, enhancing the plot but not overwhelming it. Mary's beautiful, immersive style underscores themes of love, loss, family, and the strength of female friendships. I highly recommend this book to teenage and adult readers.

[Pat Trattles · Rating 5 out of 5]

1948, pregnant out of wedlock, Eliza is unceremoniously dropped off at a home for unwed mothers. She quickly makes friends with her three roommates: Rosa the superstitious Romani with a heart of gold, rich and spoiled Lila Grace, and Bridget, the complicated Irish girl with secrets of her own. But this is no loving home the girls have been thrust into. Rather it is more of a prison run by a stern and unlovable matron who sees her only role is to punish the girls for their sins. And the house itself holds secrets within its walls, harboring dark secrets of the girls who have passed through it previously. The author also wove magic and mysticism into the story, which added a depth to the narrative and enhanced the plot. Not realizing this was the first part of a trilogy, I was extremely disappointed in the ending. It felt incomplete and unsatisfying. However, after realizing there was more to come I could see how it set readers up for the next installment. I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. 4.5 stars rounded to 5.

[Moona · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Butterfly Circle" by Mary Carroll Leoson is a poignant historical fiction set in 1948. The story follows Eliza Kendall, a pregnant teenager sent to Prescott House, a home for unwed mothers. Amidst the harsh treatment from a bitter headmistress, Eliza forms a deep bond with three roommates, finding solace and strength in their friendship.

The narrative explores themes of adolescence, motherhood, and survival as the girls uncover hidden passages in the house, rumored to be part of the Underground Railroad. Their discoveries lead them to a horrifying plot to hide the bodies of other pregnant women. Leaning on each other and the wisdom of the butterfly sisters, they navigate these dark times.

Leoson’s writing is evocative, capturing the era and the emotional depth of her characters. The friendships and their struggle for survival make this a compelling read, highlighting the power of unity and resilience. "The Butterfly Circle" is a gripping tale that combines historical intrigue with a heartfelt story of friendship and courage.

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because I enjoy the time period it’s set in. The sisterhood between characters and paranormal activity were a bonus.

The story follows four teen girls who are sent to a home for unwed mothers by their families. The girls believe that they will stay in the home until they give birth, and then each has a different plan for after. Of course, this is not how anything happens. It quickly becomes clear that the girls babies are disappearing, even those whose mothers wanted to keep them. As the girls continue to investigate and Eliza’s ability continues to give her insight of the homes history, events happen that separate some of them. In the end, some of them find themselves running from the head of house, Ms. Trill, in a desperate attempt to save themselves and their babies.

Trigger warnings: abuse, child loss

Disclaimer: I was given an ARC of this book by @booksirens and am writing this review of my own volition. I was not compensated in any way for my review.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to #BookSirens and #MaryCarrollLeoson for the ARC of #TheButterflyCircle. A haunting blend of historical fiction, magical realism, and sheer Girl Power, The Butterfly Circle, the first in a planned trilogy, brings the reader into the lives of young pregnant women left at a home for unwed mothers in 1948. To call the establishment a “home” is a complete mislabeling, for it provides few comforts of home. The girls are fed (barely) and housed (barely), but that is it. They are there to have the sin of premarital sex washed from them, but banding together they find forces far more sinister than the unkind house mother they must contend with. Finding tunnels rumored to be remnants of the Underground Railroad, the girls unearth mysteries of the house leading them to missing friends and even dead bodies! This is a great first installment and I definitely will look forward to book two.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Christina Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. Not quite what I initially expected, but enjoyable. The plot revolves around four girls who are sent to a home for unwed mothers in 1948. Each has her own unique story, though each story is also similar in many ways. I was surprised by the supernatural elements to the book, though not in a negative way. The ending was left open for a second book and the four main characters' fates were not revealed. I would be interested in reading a second book to discover the rest of their stories.

The underlying premise of the book - the home for unwed mothers - seems poised to resurface in our present-day world of restricting women's rights to control their own bodies and their own destinies. The current political environment in the US makes this story line all too relevant and a warning to those who are paying attention.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Booksirens!

[Atkah Yahya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sooooo good! I loved it. The book had a really good plot and the mysteries featured in this story line were great.

Abandoned by their families and lovers, the girls forged a strong bond of friendship that was genuinely inspiring. The characters were well developed and relatable. This story contains all the elements of a classic gothic horror, and the slow build of tension is very effective.

I can't get enough of books with strange sounds surrounding the house, creepy buildings that keep centuries-old secrets, things that go bump in the night; Absolutely spine-tingling!

This book was so engrossing and well-written, give it a chance.

I received an advance review copy through Booksirens in exchange for my honest review

Received date: 06/06/2023
Date started:06/06/2023
Date finished:08/06/2023

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as a review copy from Booksirens, this is an honest review. The Butterfly Circle is an amazingly mysterious and poignant thrill ride; with its characters of the young women at the heart of the story are well written and deeply complex in the chaotic world they've been thrown into. Eliza, Rosa, Bridget and Lila Grace have disgraced society in 1948 by becoming pregnant before being married and have been sent to Prescott House to give birth and be taught how to be a proper young women to re-enter society. While those that run the place are work the young women hard to be better than they are- no matter how strict their rules and punishments were; the girls bond over their friendships and discover that Prescott House is a place of dark secrets no one was suppose to know about and will do anything to escape its stone prison.

Highly recommended.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This YA historical fiction is told in a short two month’s span. It starts in June 1948 when Eliza who is 16 years old is dropped off by her father at Prescott House, a home for unwed mothers. She develops very strong friendships with Rosa, Bridget and Lila Grace in the room they share. This home has hidden passages claimed to have been made during the Underground Railroad and the four girls get into some scary and fun adventures discovering where they go. The story was very well written and descriptions were so vivid and activated all my senses. It was emotional with the unwed mothers’ stories and dark and creepy with supernatural elements. Who escapes the horrific treatment of Headmistress Trill and who does not? I think there may be a sequel!

Thanks to Mary Leoson, Manta Press, Ltd. and BookSirens for the ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars


Knowing the story was set in an unmarried mother's home, in the 1940's, I expected a story of abuse and heartbreak. I didn't really expect the supernatural twist which was not disappointing. Or the slowly unravelling mystery, that showed itself through the dreams of one of the unmarried mothers.

The writing was good, though rather simple. An easy, quick read. Some of the descriptions didn't really ring true, for example 'clover feeling like silk gainst her feet' This made it hard to connect with the imagery and reduced the number of stara.

This was an imaginative story of sad and terrible events in our history. The characters worked well togethor, and I really enjoyed their voices.

Over all I rated this 3.5 stars for a good imaginative tale of history.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jennifer Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man! Where do I start? This book made my heart ache for these young girls and how quickly their own families were to try to get them away! Hide it! Save your good name! Ugggg that makes me furious! Then to know what kinda care they were given or lack there of had me wanting to burn the building down too!! How in the world did people get away with this??? But times were certainly very different back then. So this book definitely has all the feels for sure! Characters you will fall in love with and root for. And some you’ll love to hate! I’m glad to be given the opportunity to read this book! Thank you booksirens!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.