Summer on Butterfly Bay

by Judith Natelli McLaughlin

People can change…like the colors in a sunset.

Young widow, Ali Mitchell Ford, needs a reset, and she knows it. That’s why she let her mother convince her to rent a home on Butterfly Bay for the summer, the largest one the island, close to her parents and right on the water. Ali soon discovers the house comes with its own built-in man and his mega-model girlfriend. Ali’s first instinct is to run. But where? Living with her parents would be a heart attack in the making and she had already sublet her place.

Out of options, Ali is forced to endure the Great Summer Share with Brooker Knight, a wealthy entrepreneur who hopes to heal the gaping hole in his own heart by marrying Sloane Stevens, the newest face of the luxury makeup empire, Nourrir le Coeur.

Can a mystical, elderly woman, a furry rescue dog, and the healing waters of Butterfly Bay help Ali rekindle a vibrant and worthwhile life, or will she be strangled by grief forever?

275 pages, Paperback

Published June 18, 2024

About the author

Judith Natelli McLaughlin grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey. Two of her favorite past times were reading and writing. She wrote and illustrated her first book at the age of seven. "The Bunny and The Eggs" is a first edition classic bound with masking tape and treasured forever.

At Ralph S. Maugham School she discovered Shel Silverstein's poetry and Laura Ingalls Wilder's books. Her hunger for reading and writing was forever fed. She graduated from Maugham, moving up to Tenafly Middle School, then Tenafly High School and finally Villanova University. She graduated Villanova in 1987 with degrees in English and Honors.

Currently she lives in Millburn, New Jersey with her husband, Brian, her three daughters, Katie, Lindsay and Maggie and a West Highland White Terrier named Duke.

This Moment is her first novel.

Poems on Fruits & Odes to Veggies - Where Healthy Eating Starts With a Poem is her first children's book.

Reviews

[Bbecca_marie]

Summer on Butterfly Bay by Judith Natelli McLaughlin

Thank you so much to the author and publisher for the eARC.

Blurb:
People can change… the colors in a sunset.

✨ My thoughts:
This book is so special! I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy. I loved and appreciated Tessa and her magic. This story touches on grief and the choice you make to either let yourself drown in it or choose to heal from it and both being hard to do. Grief is a difficult thing to go through and Judith McLaughlin addresses it with so much love and care. Summer on Butterfly Bay is a beautiful story of the journey of healing and being present while you can. So many readers are going to love this book when it comes out 6/18/24!

“And that was the final key to life, she knew. People could be broken, but all their broken pieces make up the most beautiful mosaic that was the artwork of their soul. And then they just had to find for someone whose mosaic work of art is a compliment to theirs”

“Run while you can. Eat ice cream. Read a book all day. Connect. Live your life. Perhaps that was the best advice she had to offer.”

“If you are open to receiving, signs will multiply; believe in signs.” 🦋

Happy reading! 📖

[Life__with__books]

I ADORED this book!! Wow! This is a heartwarming story full of love. It’s absolutely perfect. The author did a fantastic job developing the characters. I felt so drawn into Butterfly Bay, I was finding myself wanting to keep reading and waiting for the next moment I could pick up my kindle and read more. This is also a story of loss and grief. There are so many tid bits throughout the novel that I saved (having lost my dad a couple of years ago). I was sobbing and laughing throughout. Perfect read! Add to your list!

[Laura Wonderchick]

Ali Ford heads to Butterfly Bay to try to heal her heart after the death of her husband Sean. With prodding from her parents she rents the grandest house, Highmore, to find it’s already been rented by Brooker and his narcissistic girlfriend Sloane. Ali meets 2 new friends including a dog and an elderly woman named Tessa who both lead her to a path of forgiveness for living. With the wise words of advice “Don’t be sorry. Be present”, Ali finds her way. And so does Brooker.
For fans of Sheila Roberts and Susan Mallory comes an inspiring tale of survival, forgiveness and moving on that will leave you thinking long after you turn the last page.

[Kate Czyzewski]

Summer on Butterfly Bay🦋🏖️📕
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I met @judithnatellimclaughlin by happenstance here in Seaside Park…. Fast forward, I’m reading the sweetest story of friendship, healing and a beautiful summer in Seaside Park!
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With mentions of our beloved barrier island, an iconic summer home and some of our favorite go-to hang outs- Summer on Butterfly Bay will give transport you to my most favorite place on earth- our beach town!
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Characters Ali and Brooker’s banter throughout had me laughing and also wishing for a cappuccino☕️
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For fans of Annabel Monaghan and Sarah Morgan, this one’s for you!
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Plus- she’ll be at @thunderroadbooks this Saturday at 11am!
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#bookstagram #alwaysareader #mustread #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookblogger #bookstagrammer #readersofinsta #booksofinstagram
#bookclub #bookaddict #bookish

[Jennifer]

Summer on Butterfly Bay was a heartwarming tale of second chances and a sweet romance. The small town was charming and silly and or broken characters. It’s an overall uplifting story. The characters had real feelings with messy parts. Overall uplifting and a HEA. I enjoyed it.
Thanks to the author for my gifted eArc. All thoughts were my own.

[Krystal - nerdy_book_lover_1987]

This is the perfect summer read! It's heartwarming, cute and atmospheric! I loved Ali and Brooker's story. They both were living with past pain and not really moving on. They were just there... being. I loved watching them both fall for each other, especially toward the end. I loved Tessa as well as the dog Kob. Such a sweet romance full of all the summer vibes that I was looking for. It's fast paced and so hard to put down! You quickly grow attached to these characters and their story! Highly recommend.

[Nicole | readingwithnicole]

Butterfly Bay is the perfect summer read with heartfelt characters who are undeniably strong. Warmhearted, powerful and wonderfully written are three words I would use to describe Butterfly Bay!

[Francesca Mollicone]

I thought it was a really good summer read. I was interested in this book last year when it came out. the author on one of the New York stations. I did like the book a lot, but somewhat predictable. I did really enjoy how each of the characters had interesting backgrounds, and how it all came together. I would recommend the book.

[ReadaholicDeb]

"𝐿𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑗𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑙𝑜𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑠. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑠, 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒."

This is a touching story about grief and connection. There is some romance in the end, but it's not the focus of the story. This is a story about healing, friendship, and moving forward.

It's part emotional, part sweet, and a little bit magical. I found myself intrigued and reading with anticipation for what was going to happen.

Ali is still grieving the loss of her husband 18 months ago. At the instance of her overbearing mother, she agrees to spend the summer in Butterfly Bay. After putting her foot down about staying with her parents, he mother arranges for her to stay at the beautiful and grand Highmoore. What her mother forgets to tell her is she will be sharing the house with Brooker and his snobby girlfriend.

I enjoyed Ali and Brooker and the way they created a friendship. The only downfall was Brooker's girlfriend...ugh. I don't think I disliked a character and wanted them to go away more than I did Sloane. Parts did give Hallmark vibes, but the plot is so much deeper and more emotional.

[Emily Quid]

Read if you like
- forced proximity
- friends-to-lovers
- a cutie pup named KoB
- cappuccinos
- grief rep
- Sun to Me by Cleo Margot

This book was adorable. I am incredibly impressed with how far Judith has come in her writing because this book…gave me ALL the feels.

I loved my time with Ali and Brooker, as well as Tessa. It was inspiring to see how Ali and Brooker dealt with their past and became better people as a result. Their romance was a slow-burn and happened when the two of them were truly ready. It made such a swoony, cute romance.

Summer on Butterfly Bay is all about learning to live in the present, generosity, and listening to the world around you. I loved all of Tessa, Brooker, and Ali’s bits of wisdom here and there, as well as all of the signs and symbols littered throughout the book.

What a wonderful way to begin my summer, truly.

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy!

[Brittany]

Happy Release Day! 💙🦋

Summer on Butterfly Bay is a sweet and emotional read that is sure to pull on your heart strings. Main characters Ali and Brooker have both had their fair share of hardships, and find themselves at Butterfly Bay seeking healing and a second chance. The rich history, monarch butterflies, and magical people that make up this special place are one of a kind, and Ali and Brooker get to experience that in full effect throughout this story.

If you’re looking to pick something up that will leave an impression on your heart, and make your cheeks hurt from smiling at the same time, this is it. It not only tells a love story, but opens up the heart to navigating life after loss. It is a perfect read for anyone experiencing grief and hesitant to begin again.

Thank you to the sweet Judy for sending me an advanced copy of Summer on Butterfly Bay 🦋 I am so appreciative 💙

[Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie]

You had this Jersey Girl at a grand ole house on the bay at sunset & butterfly friendly gardens set in our beautiful state of NJ! Beach read season is officially here and there's no better way to kick it off than with Summer In Butterfly Bay!

[Andrea]

Perfect summer beach read! McLaughlin's latest introduces us to young widow Ali Mitchell Ford, who lets her mother convince her to rent a home on Butterfly Bay for the summer. What Ali doesn't know is that she's sharing the home with Brooker Knight, an entrepreneur, and his girlfriend, model Sloane Stevens. Brooker is mourning the loss of his mother, and thinks that the picture perfect life he's building -- that Sloane will complete -- will be what fixes him. Despite themselves, Ali and Brooker begin to connect... I loved Ali's independence, and her love for the stray dog that attaches himself to her. This is a sweet, magical romance perfect for fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey and Carley Fortune.

[Melissa Maley]

Such a fun summer read. A story about love and loss and a little magic!! And there is a dog! ❤️. A great book to read on porch down the shore.

[Cathy Doto]

Touching and uplifting

This book was an extremely encouraging and heartening story about moving on after loss. I could relate to this story since I too experienced the loss of my husband. I too would love to live on Butterfly Bay. Great beach read!

[Bookish Heidi]

This is such a sweet, second chance romance! Set in a little seaside town of Butterfly Bay, Ali and Brooker share a rental house for the summer and love slowly kindles between them. They have real, messy feelings, and that just adds to the genuine storyline. Throw in a quirky rescue dog and a fun Butterfly Bay native and you've got the perfect summer read!

[Dana Pace]

add to TBR! a local author, Seaside Park, and a big beautiful house on the bay makes this a perfect summer read! Genuine characters, real feelings, and a cute dog is all you need to keep turning the pages of this one 🦋

[Lisa Galván]

An amazing summer read! I read this so quickly and didn’t want it to end! 🦋

[C R T]

Charming storytelling and truly interesting characters. This book explores the way we deal with grief and unexpected challenges in our lives. Do we let them overwhelm us or do we get through to the other side and become a better version of ourselves? And of course it's a love story too! :)

[Michele ✨]

Truly enjoyed my time on Butterfly Bay! A heartwarming story with sweet and funny moments in every chapter. Within the main novel, there is a short-story weaved in; all of which wraps up with a happy ending. The characters are lovely and the book is a charming, easy read. Would recommend!

[Hannah Gruer]

I loved the story! I loved Ali’s story of learning how to heal, how to change and discover love again. I could really picture everything happening in my mind as a I was reading and that’s a testament to great writing.

[Tracey]

The perfect summer read!! Judy has a way of drawing you in to the characters from page one!! Couldn’t put to down!