The Butterfly Bush

by Josephine DeFalco

A gripping exploration of the enduring conflict between the past that defines us and the future that beckons us…Growing up and figuring out who you are has never been easy. When Leandra’s mama yanks her off the family farm in Appalachia to fulfill her own big city dreams, Leandra learns that survival is best accomplished by pushing aside her country identity to fit into city life. Yet her Appalachian ways call to her heart, pulling her back to Mamaw, Papaw, the butterfly bush, and home.While her rich, city boyfriend makes plans to start college, she struggles to find work while juggling family issues. As Mama turns to alcohol to ease her disappointment with her new husband, Leandra is left to look after her little brother burdened with trouble of his own. Soon she discovers she doesn’t belong in the city or the country and must see her journey to the end. But where that journey will lead remains both a mystery and a surprise, especially to Leandra.“Josephine DeFalco gives us an unflinching, honest look at the struggles of the Appalachian people.”Fannie Flagg, Actress, comedian, and author of the book and Academy Award nominated screenplayFried Green Tomatoes. “Prepare to get caught up in the twisting heart of a young girl on her journey from farm country life in Appalachia to the urban streets of New Jersey. A southern girl at heart, Leandra Barker must change to survive and thrive in her new environment. Ill-prepared for the difficulties that lie in store as she navigates a tumultuous home life, she finds the courage and resolve to create a life of meaning and ultimately realizes that following your dreams can get in the way of what is important in life.”Susan Pohlman, Founder and Director of the Phoenix Writer’s network and author of Halfway to Each How a Year in Italy Brought our Family Home.

300 pages, Paperback

Published February 8, 2024

About the author

Jo divides her time between an urban farm in Arizona and a rural farm in Wisconsin. With three adult children and six grandsons, a multitude of pets and wild things in her life, she finds ample material for her stories. An extensive background in health care as a dietitian, nurse and EMT means she will rescue anything with fur, feathers, or skin as long as it promises not to bite. Her expansive gardens grows organic vegetables and fruits, and she enjoys sharing her experiences with readers via her monthly newsletter.
Born and raised in Arizona, the southwest desert inspired her first historical novel, The Nightbird's Song, reflecting on the hardships of the early desert settlers in Bisbee, Arizona. Her second novel, The Butterfly Bush, set in the Eastern United States debuted in 2024, followed by the second book in the series, The Butterfly’s Secret published in 2025. You can find her website at www.josephinedefalco.com.

Reviews

[Kelly Hollingworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the Appalachian mountains, teenager Leandra Barker is forced to leave the family farm and her Mamaw and Papaw when her mum marries for the second time. This is not a good time for Leandra or her troubled younger brother Ray. The family move to New York city and this more fast paced way of life is unknown to country girl Leandra. She struggles to settle in a number of ways and her already complicated life soon becomes even more so. I really felt for Leandra and her unstable childhood through to early adulthood - caring for others, burdened by responsibilities beyond her years and trying her best to survive and provide.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The setting of the Carolina mountains was particularly well written and I felt as though I was there, amongst the tobacco crops and livestock, visualising that magnificent and symbolic eight foot high butterfly bush. This is a tough read in many ways with several powerful and emotional themes which I thought were all handled sensitively. I am very much looking forward to reading book two in this series.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say that this was a very touching story that taught so many valuable life lessons. Sometimes the stylish glamorous life you want outside of you mundane and dull you live isn't really so glamorous once you have it and I think that Leandra soon realized that. You really can't be mad at these characters because a lot of the behavior was the norm of the time period but when you think about a lot of these issues still exist in this day and age.

I am super thankful that I took the time to read this book because it really opened my eyes. I feel like I learned from the life lessons that Leandra faced. There is also another book that comes after this so I look forward to the adventure that one will bring.

[Tabatha_Reads_Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was emotional and deep, and you really feel like you are living life alongside a friend as they grow. Leandra’s life events were well written, even in the most heartbreaking moments and also for the time period that the book was written. You find yourself as a reader wanting to see her succeed, while also feeling her hurts and struggles throughout this very much emotional roller coaster of a story.

The author did a wonderful job of painting a picture of the scenery in this story and was really able to make you feel like you were there. The writing flowed very well, the pacing was good and I felt like I wanted to keep reading to see what was coming next. I am very much looking forward to the next book!

[Sam Oneill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leandra - lived on her families farm growing up. Her father passed away in WW2 when she was a child in the war.
One day, her momma moved to the city with her new husband, Leandra had to move with her momma and her younger brother. Growing up in the city wasn't always fun for Leandra. Her momma turned to alcohol and her brother kept getting into trouble.

This is a beautifully emotionally written novel of a young girl who we see grow into a young woman. Her life wasn't always easy.

She lost her father when she was a young girl. She lived and worked on her families farm until her momma moved them to city life.

We see Leandra's life through the years with snippets from the past and present times.

This book was an emotional roller coaster, with how Leandra's life was, not only losing her father and being moved away from her grandparents, she lost two other people in her life.

She moves away from the city back to her old life in the country. Will she get a happy life in her old roots.

This is the first novel by this author I have read and I can hands down say it will not be the last, I can't wait to see what this author has in store for us next!

[Veronika Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Leandra as a character. I felt every sympathy for her living a life that is totally out of my experience. It’s the early 1950s, just before I was born, and Leandra is still a child. Her father was killed in the war and she lives with his parents, whom she calls Papaw and Mamaw, and her mama. She has a little brother Ray, who is a bit ‘slow’.

Everything is fine until mama starts dating, and finally decides to marry Roger, and move with him to New York. The children are understandably devastated. They don’t want to leave their grandparents, their home or the butterfly bush which means so much to them.

Life is very different in the city, and it takes a while for Leandra to get used to it, but she makes friends with some girls at school, an Italian boy named Sal, their neighbour Mrs Scuderi and of course the boys who are not averse to her looks.

But for Ray it’s another matter. Sent to a Catholic school, he struggles with every aspect. He finds anything academic beyond him and is bullied and told he is stupid. Ray’s story is so sad, as no-one apart from Leandra seems to understand his unhappiness. Nowadays, he would be sent to a specialist school, where he could be helped and encouraged, but things were very different then.

So much of Leandra’s life is sad, with her alcoholic mama, her troubled brother who she has to take care of, and the dreadful Roger. I think I would have taken Ray and gone home to Mamaw and Papaw. There is so little light in the darkness and things only get worse. I just hope Leandra finds her happiness in Book Two.

Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of #TheButterflyBush blog tour.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Set in the 1950s and following Leandra and her family moving from Appalachia to New York after the passing of Leandra’s father, dealing with the struggles of life, being a new place and her mothers turn to alcohol.

This book is both emotionally written with the intricate story and beautifully thought out all the way through.
The plot flowed well, with plenty of detailing to the characters and the story being told.

And may I mention just how beautiful the cover of this book is, the gorgeous eye attracting colours use really make you pick it up and want to know what’s within its pages.
I would definitely recommend this to others who enjoy the genre and would devour the story.

Due to its decade, readers should be aware that language from these times is within the book.

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in an unstable home with responsibilities beyond her years—had me rooting for Leandra all the way. This book pulls at the heartstrings; it’s packed with life lessons about survival, family, and the realization that glitz can’t compare to the strength of your roots. The setting was so vivid I could smell the tobacco and see the butterfly bush swaying in the breeze. While it’s a tough read at times, the emotional themes are handled with care and depth. A powerful start to the series—I can’t wait to see where book two takes us!

[Krystal Kraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought The Butterfly Bush was a beautiful book! It sort of drew you in without even having to try, introduced you to characters that each made you feel something different and took you on an adventure full of so many emotions. It was written in a way that made it seem like you were right there with them. Which made you feel much more for the characters with the situations that they were in. Less than ideal additions added to the family that uproot you from all of what you know. Having to figure out who you are basically on your own, grow up with lots of instability, but no need to underestimate the strength of Leandra! She’s a very strong character and I am looking forward to reading what this next chapter of her life looks like!

[Tracey Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Butterfly Bush is the first book in The Butterfly series. Set in the Appalachian mountains we see Leandra a young girl living with her family. After a change in circumstances, we see the family move to New York where life is completely different and fast-paced from what they are used to. This is where we see Leandra start to struggle being away from her family farm and we see her trying to survive and adapt to everything new.

This was such an enjoyable read which is both beautifully written and emotional throughout. The details in this book are descriptive and very powerful that has you visualising the story as you read.

Overall, this was a touching and very moving read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm looking forward to picking up the second book in this series.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. It did take me a few chapters to get into this book. I loved the cover. That's what drew me to sign up for this tour. It did take me a few days to read this book. I had to get used to the writing style. I wasn't sure how I felt about the characters. It was a very emotional and moving read. I did feel for Leandra. I just wanted to jump in and hug her. I'm really looking forward to the next book.

[Catherine Norselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story quietly sneaks up on you. Butterfly Bush follows Leandra as she’s uprooted from her Appalachian roots and dropped into city life in New Jersey. Between a crumbling family, a lost sense of identity, and the pull of home, she has to figure out who she really is and what “home” means when you feel split in two.

I loved this book so much. There’s family drama, heartbreak, addiction, and resilience, but also that flicker of strength that makes you want to root for Leandra the whole way through. The butterfly bush becomes a perfect symbol, how something fragile and wild can bloom anywhere, even in broken soil.

So yeah, pour yourself a double espresso martini and get ready to feel things.