And By The Way . . .: A Butterfly Novel

Butterfly #3

by Denise Deegan

At Strandbrook College, we are Kids Of. Kids of diplomats, media stars, musicians, artists, actors, oh, and wealthy people who aspire to all of that. I'm the kid of a rock star. Means nothing to me.

When Mum died, six months ago, I didn't just lose her, I lost my dad - to work. The only thing he does now is annoy me. He hires people like 'The Stylist' who wears bullets in her belt and makes him look like a hobo. Seriously.

But 'The Rockstar' isn't the only person who drives me mad. There's David McFadden, a guy in my class who could have helped but didn't. Now, it's too late. I don't want his help. Because I'm not going to trust anyone, love anyone, rely on anyone. That way I'll never be hurt again.

If only I could solve the problem of Rachel, my best friend, who won't let me pull back just like that. Even David McFadden won't stay out of my face. But I'm not going to fall for his blue eyes, his windswept hair or the plaited leather on his wrist.

And when he says he wants to help, I'm sure as hell not going to listen....

Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance, High School

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2011

About the author

Award-winning and best-selling author, Denise Deegan lives in Dublin with her family where she regularly dreams of sunshine, a life without cooking and her novels being made into movies.

Denise has been a nurse, a china restorer, a pharmaceutical sales rep, a public relations officer, an entrepreneur and a college lecturer. Her most difficult job was being a checkout girl, although ultimately this experience did inspire a short story…

Denise writes for both adults and teenagers. Her novels have been published by Penguin, Random House, Hachette and Lake Union Publishing. Writing under the pen name Aimee Alexander, Denise's contemporary family dramas have become international best-sellers on Kindle.

Under her own name, Denise has written a much-loved contemporary Young Adult trilogy, the Butterfly Novels, the second of which was nominated for an Irish Book Award.

Denise's most recent novel, Through the Barricades, won the international SCBWI Spark Award.

Reviews

[Glire · Rating 3 out of 5]

No tan bueno como el anterior pero aun así mucho mejor que el young adult promedio. Me encanta como esta autora es capaz de tratar temas importantes de una manera significativa, sin hacer oscura o pesada la historia. Una serie linda que se merece mayor reconocimiento del que tiene.

[Sinead · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it's the third book in a series, I knew this book was going to be good. This one is from Rachel's point of view. From the first two books, I got the impression that Rachel was the "good girl" of the group. Straight A's in everything, two parents that love each other, amazing boyfriend, and has a solution to every problem. But, just like with Sarah, this girl had a lot more going to her than what her friends first believed.

When she was younger, Rachel experienced bullying, and it hurt her so much she was forced to change schools. When she's confronted by one of those bullies from her past, she doesn't know how to deal with it. Should she believe that people can change, or be wary of the new girl?

Deegan writes beautifully in this book. Just like in And By The Way... I truly believed that she had experienced bullying in real life because she writes it so realistically. I haven't ever faced bullying but I could definitely believe Rachel had.

While I didn't cry like I did at Sarah's story, I still couldn't put this book down and would recommend it to anyone who likes reading.

[Gcireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third book in the butterfly novels is pure genius. It is the only way I can describe it. Rachel thinks her life is right on track and everything id going great. Until someone from her past shows up, someone she never wanted to see again. Deegan describes perfectly what it's like to be bullied, the feelings are spot on. Anyone who has been bullied can tell you that's exactly how they felt. Rachel tries to deal with the unexpected person from her past, without anyone finding out about the past she had buried, but soon finds it becomes impossible with the person trying to wriggle their way into her life. She tries to deal with the return of one of her bullies without letting anyone knowing how bad things get, to avoid what happened last time the bullies were in her life. I would recommend this book to everyone, especially those who have been bullied or know someone who have been bullied. It is an amazing read, you won't be able to put it down. I read it in one day!

[Luna's Little Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The last of the Butterfly Novels is Rachel’s story. While I didn’t cry like I did with book two I did still get very emotional about Rachel’s plight.

And Actually is a story about bullying and for anyone who’s suffered this will definitely hit a nerve. I think this would be a great book for anyone wanting to understand bullying better. Unlike the obvious physical bullying Rachel’s is emotional, subtle and designed to chink away at her self-esteem.

I really loved one of the new characters, Maisie. She’s by far one of the best adults in the series. Rachel’s story picks up two weeks after the events of book two and while I think you can read this book as a standalone reading the others will make Alex and Sarah’s characters much more important and understandable.

The Butterfly Series has been some of the best reading I’ve done this year And Actually is an excellent way to end it. I do wish there were more.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! Just as amazing as the other two books :D

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

just finished reading it and love it

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah's book is still my favorite, but I did love this one too.

[Alea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am Anfang hat mich das Buch nicht überzeugt, aber dann wurde ich positiv überrascht und konnte dann doch gut einsteigen. Ich fand es interessant einen Einblick in das Leben eines Schauspielers zu bekommen, also mit was sie so in ihrem Inneren zu kämpfen haben, wie z.B. Essstörungen. Oder auch was ein einziger fieser Kommentar auslösen kann. Allerdings hat es mich verwirrt, dass die Hauptperson 16 Jahre alt sein soll, ihr Freund aber schon Auto fährt und eine ihrer besten Freundinnen schon verheiratet und die andere schon ein Kind hat. Da habe ich mich gefragt, ob die beiden einfach älter sind, allerdings hat sich das im Buch nicht aufgeklärt.

[Forever Young Adult]

Graded By: Meghan
Cover Story: Improved, But It Still Looks Like a Tampon Commercial
BFF Charm: Sure
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: Straight Up
Bonus Factors: Prime Time Soaps, Kickass Gram
Relationship Status: The Drama Queen You Can't Help But Love

Read the full book report here.

[Toughnandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

And actually was the final book in the butterfly novels.it was written in the perspective of Rachel.i always thought Rachel was one of those people who always had everything going for her and that she just got to where she was.i didnt realise how much to had to work to get what she wanted and to get away from her past.

this was a beutiful book and i really enjoined reading it.

[Leahisnotonfire~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is as good as the other two butterfly novels, so hard to put down! I can't recommend them enough, you'll love every page. The characters will get in your mind and take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, I still haven't stopped thinking about it.

[Sairah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. in fact i just love all of these books, its funny how a person can have so much in their past...does that make sense? i mean i never really thought twice about Rachel, i liked her but just didnt know her that well. I love this book, I thoroughly recommend it, its awesome!!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was brilliantly written as it was written in a modern day teenager's life-meaning that it was very easy to connect with emotion ripples through every page..Also there was a bit of Irish to it! 5/5

[Laura Tyrrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I am keeping all three butterfly novels for my daughter when she's older. Wonderfully insightful.

[Alixx · Rating 1 out of 5]

It won't let me read it :(( how can u read it

[Kate Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant as usual

[Ammiey Comey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still didn't read this book. I can't find it in my country since it launch. Please help me to get this boos ;(

I have read the "And for your information" and "And by the way".

[crizangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Rachel. Among the three friends, she’s the one I love the most. It was a great journey to find out more about her story and a bonus that I get to get a glimpse of Alex and Sarah’s life.

Mark has won me over in the end. I knew how much he loves Rachel from the first book but couldn’t get why he wouldn’t tell Rachel just how much he does.
But after everything was explained, how could I not root for him? For the both of them?

The entire series tackled so much issues that happens in one teenager’s life or another. Passing away of a parent, a loved one, teen pregnancy, bullying, shoplifting, splitting up of parents... While the message it was trying to give was good, I think the way they were handled in the series could be better. I’m not saying it was handled poorly, but it could be better.

I would’ve loved to see Alex and Louis’ life together though or what would have happened to then when they’re all grown ups? Because really, a lot can change from when you’re 17. 😉

Overall, the series wasn’t the best out there but it surely is worth reading.