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Chasing The Butterflies
They fell in love once without trying.
Now they have to choose each other on purpose.
Fifteen years ago, Emma fell headfirst into forever with Steven Jones. She put her dreams on hold to chase a life with him, never expecting it to be anything less than perfect. But life happens, people change, and now, with a newborn on her hip and chronic anxiety coiled tight around her, Emma can’t remember the last time they felt like partners.
Steven loves his family enough to break himself for them. He spends his days saving strangers and nights drowning in the exhaustion that follows. He’s stretched thin, working so hard to provide, completely forgetting how to be the husband and dad he swore he’d be. Yet, he knows there’s always a solution, even for his wife.
But when an accident steals fifteen years of memories, Steven wakes up married to a woman he doesn’t recognize and a life he doesn’t remember building. They might be strangers now, but remembering their marriage matters. To him, it isn’t something to fix. To her, it isn’t something to grieve. But for both, it’s something to rediscover.
In the timeline before, they’re falling in love. In the timeline after, they’re learning how to see each other again. Because sometimes loving someone means learning them all over again.
A clean, wholesome, spice-free book. Closed-door romance novel from an interconnected standalone series. Perfect for fans of Katherine Center, Courtney Walsh, Sarah Adams, and Abby Jiminez. Gilmore Girls meets Abbott Elementary vibes.
Now they have to choose each other on purpose.
Fifteen years ago, Emma fell headfirst into forever with Steven Jones. She put her dreams on hold to chase a life with him, never expecting it to be anything less than perfect. But life happens, people change, and now, with a newborn on her hip and chronic anxiety coiled tight around her, Emma can’t remember the last time they felt like partners.
Steven loves his family enough to break himself for them. He spends his days saving strangers and nights drowning in the exhaustion that follows. He’s stretched thin, working so hard to provide, completely forgetting how to be the husband and dad he swore he’d be. Yet, he knows there’s always a solution, even for his wife.
But when an accident steals fifteen years of memories, Steven wakes up married to a woman he doesn’t recognize and a life he doesn’t remember building. They might be strangers now, but remembering their marriage matters. To him, it isn’t something to fix. To her, it isn’t something to grieve. But for both, it’s something to rediscover.
In the timeline before, they’re falling in love. In the timeline after, they’re learning how to see each other again. Because sometimes loving someone means learning them all over again.
A clean, wholesome, spice-free book. Closed-door romance novel from an interconnected standalone series. Perfect for fans of Katherine Center, Courtney Walsh, Sarah Adams, and Abby Jiminez. Gilmore Girls meets Abbott Elementary vibes.
380 pages, Paperback
Published March 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
March 9, 2026
Chasing Butterflies was such an achingly beautiful story. I LOVED IT SO MUCH! It is by far my favorite out of the three on this trilogy, although I love them all. I just felt so connected to this one that it’s became a part of my heart. This story broke my heart, spoke to me in so many ways, and healed me all in one. As a mother, I felt seen in this novel. Oh how many times I’ve felt just as Emma has. Minus the whole husband forgetting me part, thank goodness. Although I absolutely loved that aspect of this book and how well Grayson told the story. I’ll always love an Amnesia trope and this one will stand out from the rest. I was completely immersed into this world and kept rooting them on, even when things seemed a little hopeless. It made the ending so much sweeter and it brought tears to my eyes. I’m so proud of Grayson. She truly out did herself with this book and I know so many Mamas out there will read this beautiful love story and feel seen, just as I did. Well done my friend!
You’ll like this book if you like:
✨Second Chance
✨ Marriage in Crisis
✨ Amnesia
✨Small Town
✨”That’s my wife”
✨ Dual POV
You’ll like this book if you like:
✨Second Chance
✨ Marriage in Crisis
✨ Amnesia
✨Small Town
✨”That’s my wife”
✨ Dual POV
February 24, 2026
⭐️5
~ ARC review ~
Oh my word this book was so achingly beautiful! It broke me and healed me at the same time.
Steven and Emma’s marriage seems like it’s crumbling and on top of that Steven has an accident at work which leaves him not remembering the last 15 years. Let’s say that scene broke my heart.
My heart broke again when Steven was trying so hard to remember, when he was mad at himself for forgetting. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing Emma or of hurting her. Emma, oh sweet Emma. She was trying so hard to hold all of her broken pieces together while being a good mom. I definitely related to her on so many different levels. Like with anxiety and trying to hold it all together.
After they both realized how much they need and love each other they began healing. They began growing, and falling in love again. It was so beautiful to see. Their character growth was truly amazing.
Also shout out to Sawyer, Emerson, and Josie. They’re adorable.
When Steven met the kids again after the accident was devastating.😭 Just thinking about it makes me tear up.
Chasing the Butterflies is really a perfect title for this book.
The amount of times I teared up and cried in this book is a lot lol. But it just tells you how good it was. The writing was impeccable, the characters felt so real, as well as the side characters. I genuinely really loved this book!
tropes:
🩷second chance
🦋amnesia
🩷marriage crisis
🦋small town
🩷“My wife”
🦋anxiety rep
🩷they take care of each other
🦋doctor MMC
🩷dual pov
CONTENT:
- kisses and innuendo between a married couple (fade-to-black)
- no language
~ ARC review ~
Oh my word this book was so achingly beautiful! It broke me and healed me at the same time.
Steven and Emma’s marriage seems like it’s crumbling and on top of that Steven has an accident at work which leaves him not remembering the last 15 years. Let’s say that scene broke my heart.
My heart broke again when Steven was trying so hard to remember, when he was mad at himself for forgetting. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing Emma or of hurting her. Emma, oh sweet Emma. She was trying so hard to hold all of her broken pieces together while being a good mom. I definitely related to her on so many different levels. Like with anxiety and trying to hold it all together.
After they both realized how much they need and love each other they began healing. They began growing, and falling in love again. It was so beautiful to see. Their character growth was truly amazing.
Also shout out to Sawyer, Emerson, and Josie. They’re adorable.
When Steven met the kids again after the accident was devastating.😭 Just thinking about it makes me tear up.
Chasing the Butterflies is really a perfect title for this book.
The amount of times I teared up and cried in this book is a lot lol. But it just tells you how good it was. The writing was impeccable, the characters felt so real, as well as the side characters. I genuinely really loved this book!
tropes:
🩷second chance
🦋amnesia
🩷marriage crisis
🦋small town
🩷“My wife”
🦋anxiety rep
🩷they take care of each other
🦋doctor MMC
🩷dual pov
CONTENT:
- kisses and innuendo between a married couple (fade-to-black)
- no language
April 2, 2026
This made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me feel so understood. The characters were so relatable with real life problems that were obviously hard for them but they showed up for each other in the best ways possible. Not perfect, just human. This book shows how much a little effort goes a long way.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*Review of advance copy received from Netgalley*
Going into Chasing the Butterflies, I knew absolutely nothing about the story. I picked it up purely because the cover caught my eye, the title intrigued me, and the genre felt like something I’d enjoy.
At its core, the story explores a marriage that has been slowly unraveling over fifteen years. The female main character is dealing with postpartum depression and the overwhelming pressures of motherhood, while her husband seems to be trying, sometimes awkwardly but sincerely, to hold their family together. At first, I wasn’t entirely sold on his character, but as the story progressed (especially after their therapy session), I found myself softening toward him. There was something quietly heartbreaking about watching two people who once fit so perfectly now struggle to even understand each other. Or to be specific, making each other feel loved.
I especially loved the flashbacks scattered throughout the story. They added so much warmth and intimacy, showing us a softer, cozier side of the couple in their earlier days. Those glimpses of how deeply they once loved each other made the present day struggles in their marriage feel even more heartbreaking.
Then comes a twist I genuinely did not see coming: the accident and the memory loss. It gave the story a touch of 【movie】*The Vow* except that here, it’s the husband who loses his memory. One of my favorite moments was when he first saw his wife in the hospital after the accident, not remembering her, yet still blushing as he looked at her. It was such a small but magical scene, and it perfectly captured the emotional heart of the story. Watching their relationship slowly find its way again after that was incredibly moving.
If I had one small criticism, it would be that the first half of the book occasionally drags a little. There are several chapters focused heavily on the female main character’s anxieties her worries about her children, her newborn, and the overwhelming mental load she’s carrying. At times, those sections felt repetitive and a bit slow to read. However, in hindsight, I can also see why they were important. They paint a very honest picture of her emotional state and the mental space she was in before everything changes. So while those parts tested my patience slightly, they ultimately added depth to her character.
Overall, Chasing the Butterflies turned out to be a surprisingly emotional and tender read. It’s a story about love that changes shape over time, about the fragility of relationships, and about finding your way back to someone even when everything seems lost.
Going into Chasing the Butterflies, I knew absolutely nothing about the story. I picked it up purely because the cover caught my eye, the title intrigued me, and the genre felt like something I’d enjoy.
At its core, the story explores a marriage that has been slowly unraveling over fifteen years. The female main character is dealing with postpartum depression and the overwhelming pressures of motherhood, while her husband seems to be trying, sometimes awkwardly but sincerely, to hold their family together. At first, I wasn’t entirely sold on his character, but as the story progressed (especially after their therapy session), I found myself softening toward him. There was something quietly heartbreaking about watching two people who once fit so perfectly now struggle to even understand each other. Or to be specific, making each other feel loved.
I especially loved the flashbacks scattered throughout the story. They added so much warmth and intimacy, showing us a softer, cozier side of the couple in their earlier days. Those glimpses of how deeply they once loved each other made the present day struggles in their marriage feel even more heartbreaking.
Then comes a twist I genuinely did not see coming: the accident and the memory loss. It gave the story a touch of 【movie】*The Vow* except that here, it’s the husband who loses his memory. One of my favorite moments was when he first saw his wife in the hospital after the accident, not remembering her, yet still blushing as he looked at her. It was such a small but magical scene, and it perfectly captured the emotional heart of the story. Watching their relationship slowly find its way again after that was incredibly moving.
If I had one small criticism, it would be that the first half of the book occasionally drags a little. There are several chapters focused heavily on the female main character’s anxieties her worries about her children, her newborn, and the overwhelming mental load she’s carrying. At times, those sections felt repetitive and a bit slow to read. However, in hindsight, I can also see why they were important. They paint a very honest picture of her emotional state and the mental space she was in before everything changes. So while those parts tested my patience slightly, they ultimately added depth to her character.
Overall, Chasing the Butterflies turned out to be a surprisingly emotional and tender read. It’s a story about love that changes shape over time, about the fragility of relationships, and about finding your way back to someone even when everything seems lost.
February 28, 2026
Oh my word… this book was achingly beautiful. It broke me and healed me at the same time. 🦋🤍
From the very first chapters, I felt completely immersed in Steven and Emma’s world. The characters felt so real, like I was right there with them through every heartbreaking and hopeful moment. This story doesn’t shy away from real life — the good, the messy, and the devastating.
⚠️ Content includes: miscarriage, dementia, memory loss, assault, death of a parent, marriage struggles, parenting stress, job-related trauma, and anxiety.
Every heavy topic was handled with such care and respect. Nothing felt sensationalized — just honest and deeply human.
Steven and Emma’s marriage already feels fragile… and then Steven’s accident leaves him without the last fifteen years of memories. That scene absolutely shattered me. Watching him try so desperately to remember, feeling angry at himself for forgetting, and terrified of hurting Emma — it was heartbreaking.
And Emma… sweet, strong Emma. Holding herself together for her children while quietly falling apart inside. As someone who understands anxiety and the pressure of trying to “keep it all together,” I connected with her so deeply.
When they begin to find their way back to each other — learning, growing, falling in love again — it felt earned and beautiful. Their character growth was incredible. And the children? Sawyer, Emerson, and Josie completely stole my heart. The scene where Steven meets them again after the accident… I will never emotionally recover. 😭
The title is absolutely perfect. Chasing the Butterflies captures the fragile, fleeting, hopeful nature of this story so well.
I cried more times than I can count — and that’s how I know it was special. The writing was emotional, immersive, and deeply authentic. I truly loved this book.
Tropes & themes:
🩷 Second chance (within marriage)
🦋 Amnesia
🩷 Marriage in crisis
🦋 Small town
🩷 “My wife” energy
🦋 Anxiety representation
🩷 Mutual caretaking
🦋 Doctor MMC
This one will stay with me for a long time. 🤍
From the very first chapters, I felt completely immersed in Steven and Emma’s world. The characters felt so real, like I was right there with them through every heartbreaking and hopeful moment. This story doesn’t shy away from real life — the good, the messy, and the devastating.
⚠️ Content includes: miscarriage, dementia, memory loss, assault, death of a parent, marriage struggles, parenting stress, job-related trauma, and anxiety.
Every heavy topic was handled with such care and respect. Nothing felt sensationalized — just honest and deeply human.
Steven and Emma’s marriage already feels fragile… and then Steven’s accident leaves him without the last fifteen years of memories. That scene absolutely shattered me. Watching him try so desperately to remember, feeling angry at himself for forgetting, and terrified of hurting Emma — it was heartbreaking.
And Emma… sweet, strong Emma. Holding herself together for her children while quietly falling apart inside. As someone who understands anxiety and the pressure of trying to “keep it all together,” I connected with her so deeply.
When they begin to find their way back to each other — learning, growing, falling in love again — it felt earned and beautiful. Their character growth was incredible. And the children? Sawyer, Emerson, and Josie completely stole my heart. The scene where Steven meets them again after the accident… I will never emotionally recover. 😭
The title is absolutely perfect. Chasing the Butterflies captures the fragile, fleeting, hopeful nature of this story so well.
I cried more times than I can count — and that’s how I know it was special. The writing was emotional, immersive, and deeply authentic. I truly loved this book.
Tropes & themes:
🩷 Second chance (within marriage)
🦋 Amnesia
🩷 Marriage in crisis
🦋 Small town
🩷 “My wife” energy
🦋 Anxiety representation
🩷 Mutual caretaking
🦋 Doctor MMC
This one will stay with me for a long time. 🤍
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went in thinking this would be an emotional second chance romance. It is that. But it is also so much deeper and more raw than I expected.
Emma and Steven were not a perfect couple before the accident. They were tired. Stretched thin. Loving each other but missing each other at the same time. And then Steven wakes up without fifteen years of memories. Fifteen years. A wife he does not recognize. Children he does not remember holding as babies. That moment? I had to put the book down.
Watching him try to piece his life back together hurt. He is frustrated. Angry at himself. Desperate to feel something familiar when he looks at Emma. And Emma… she is barely holding it together. New baby. Anxiety creeping in. Trying to be strong for her kids while her whole world feels like it is slipping through her fingers.
As someone who has been married for a long time, this hit even harder. The quiet distance that can sneak in. The exhaustion. The loving someone deeply but still missing each other sometimes. I felt Emma in my chest. The pressure to keep it all together. The fear of what happens when life shifts and you cannot control it.
What got me the most is that this story does not pretend love fixes everything overnight. It is messy. It is awkward. It is two people choosing each other again when it would be easier to shut down. The rebuilding feels slow and real and completely earned.
And the kids. Sawyer, Emerson, and Josie own my heart. The first time Steven has to meet them again as their dad? I was done. Absolutely done.
This book feels human. Not shiny. Not dramatic just for the sake of it. Just honest. It shows how easy it is to drift. How hard it is to fight your way back. And how sometimes love is not about butterflies at all. It is about staying.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. These thoughts are my own.
Emma and Steven were not a perfect couple before the accident. They were tired. Stretched thin. Loving each other but missing each other at the same time. And then Steven wakes up without fifteen years of memories. Fifteen years. A wife he does not recognize. Children he does not remember holding as babies. That moment? I had to put the book down.
Watching him try to piece his life back together hurt. He is frustrated. Angry at himself. Desperate to feel something familiar when he looks at Emma. And Emma… she is barely holding it together. New baby. Anxiety creeping in. Trying to be strong for her kids while her whole world feels like it is slipping through her fingers.
As someone who has been married for a long time, this hit even harder. The quiet distance that can sneak in. The exhaustion. The loving someone deeply but still missing each other sometimes. I felt Emma in my chest. The pressure to keep it all together. The fear of what happens when life shifts and you cannot control it.
What got me the most is that this story does not pretend love fixes everything overnight. It is messy. It is awkward. It is two people choosing each other again when it would be easier to shut down. The rebuilding feels slow and real and completely earned.
And the kids. Sawyer, Emerson, and Josie own my heart. The first time Steven has to meet them again as their dad? I was done. Absolutely done.
This book feels human. Not shiny. Not dramatic just for the sake of it. Just honest. It shows how easy it is to drift. How hard it is to fight your way back. And how sometimes love is not about butterflies at all. It is about staying.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. These thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the 3rd book of the Glendale Series. While the story can be read as a standalone, to get the best reading experience you'll need/want to read the first two books in the series.
This book is emotionally tugging and deals with some heavier topics as Emma and Steven's marriage is in trouble. However, Grayson does an amazing job of handling the heaviness with care and weaves a story that tugs at your heart but has you rooting for the characters. This story is also a good reminder of how important communication is. And that while life can become mundane as we go through our routines, it is critical to continue to show love to those we hold dear.
While Steven and Emma are trying to work on saving their marriage, Steven has an accident and loses his memory and can't remember that past 15 years. He doesn't remember his wife, his kids, his career. Through the Dual POV and chapters giving us flashbacks, we can see the love they both have for each other, but the frustrations in not being able to express their needs and how they have ended up where they are at. Both of them just hold stuff in until there is no where else it can go but out. One of my favorite moments in the story is when they both learn to fight for each other and also find a way that works for them to safely express all their big emotions.
This is a book/series that you are going to want to check out.
I received an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Quotes:
"...it's a beautiful thing to have something to miss...It means I had something worth missing."
"You're worth it."
"It's strange how we convince ourselves we have to hold it together, to swallow weakness and be steady for everyone else. But in the end, even the strongest of us need someone to hold us up."
"You don't have to be alright all the time."
"Life is hard."
This book is emotionally tugging and deals with some heavier topics as Emma and Steven's marriage is in trouble. However, Grayson does an amazing job of handling the heaviness with care and weaves a story that tugs at your heart but has you rooting for the characters. This story is also a good reminder of how important communication is. And that while life can become mundane as we go through our routines, it is critical to continue to show love to those we hold dear.
While Steven and Emma are trying to work on saving their marriage, Steven has an accident and loses his memory and can't remember that past 15 years. He doesn't remember his wife, his kids, his career. Through the Dual POV and chapters giving us flashbacks, we can see the love they both have for each other, but the frustrations in not being able to express their needs and how they have ended up where they are at. Both of them just hold stuff in until there is no where else it can go but out. One of my favorite moments in the story is when they both learn to fight for each other and also find a way that works for them to safely express all their big emotions.
This is a book/series that you are going to want to check out.
I received an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Quotes:
"...it's a beautiful thing to have something to miss...It means I had something worth missing."
"You're worth it."
"It's strange how we convince ourselves we have to hold it together, to swallow weakness and be steady for everyone else. But in the end, even the strongest of us need someone to hold us up."
"You don't have to be alright all the time."
"Life is hard."
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝘐 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵!!
──🎀──
𝕊𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕞𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ 🦋
𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆! 𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑰 𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒕���𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆. 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆, 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑰 𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒔𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕, 𝒏𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒂 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒔. 𝑨𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔, 𝑰 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆! 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆-𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒕𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒇𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆. 𝟓/𝟓 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔!
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ 🦋
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟏.𝟓 (𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬.)
𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟏𝟑
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟓/𝟓 ⭐️
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: (from the author) 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟: 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬, 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 (added by me) 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ 🦋
𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎 ℕ𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢:
✦ I loved the memory loss aspect and how they had to work to save their marriage. It was so cute to watch Steven fall back in love with Ellie again and I am oh so glad that it was an HEA because I don’t know what I would have done if it wasn’t
✦ I realllyyyyy loved the lines: “I think I have a crush on my wife.” and “I thought I made myself clear. I’m not looking for anything serious right now.” “You did say that, but I also know a man’s brain isn’t fully developed until age 25, so I, unfortunately, can’t accept that as fact.” They were especially cute but the entire book was just so cuteeee. (imagine me squealing over this 😍)
✦ Sawyer, Easton, and Josie were adorable you can’t change my mind. “Yeah, yeah you love each other, let’s go!” was so adorable
✦ I really resonated a little bit with Emma and her panic attacks and I thought that it was sweet how Steven was the one who calmed her down from an attack (even if he did cause them occasionally)
Thank you to Grayson Long and NetGalley for giving me an Advanced Readers Copy. All thoughts expressed are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.
──🎀──
𝕊𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕞𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ 🦋
𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆! 𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑰 𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒕���𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆. 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆, 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑰 𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒔𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕, 𝒏𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒂 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒔. 𝑨𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔, 𝑰 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆! 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆-𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒕𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒇𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆. 𝟓/𝟓 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔!
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ 🦋
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟏.𝟓 (𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬.)
𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟏𝟑
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟓/𝟓 ⭐️
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: (from the author) 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟: 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬, 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 (added by me) 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ 🦋
𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎 ℕ𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢:
✦ I loved the memory loss aspect and how they had to work to save their marriage. It was so cute to watch Steven fall back in love with Ellie again and I am oh so glad that it was an HEA because I don’t know what I would have done if it wasn’t
✦ I realllyyyyy loved the lines: “I think I have a crush on my wife.” and “I thought I made myself clear. I’m not looking for anything serious right now.” “You did say that, but I also know a man’s brain isn’t fully developed until age 25, so I, unfortunately, can’t accept that as fact.” They were especially cute but the entire book was just so cuteeee. (imagine me squealing over this 😍)
✦ Sawyer, Easton, and Josie were adorable you can’t change my mind. “Yeah, yeah you love each other, let’s go!” was so adorable
✦ I really resonated a little bit with Emma and her panic attacks and I thought that it was sweet how Steven was the one who calmed her down from an attack (even if he did cause them occasionally)
Thank you to Grayson Long and NetGalley for giving me an Advanced Readers Copy. All thoughts expressed are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.
May 18, 2026
This story was emotional, heartfelt, and painfully real in the best way. Instead of focusing on the excitement of falling in love, it explores what happens after years of marriage, exhaustion, stress, and becoming people you barely recognize anymore. That made it feel different from a lot of romances I’ve read.
Emma and Steven were easy to root for because neither of them was the villain. They were just tired, overwhelmed, and struggling to hold onto themselves while raising a family. Emma’s anxiety and loneliness felt honest, and Steven’s pressure to provide for everyone while losing himself along the way was equally heartbreaking.
The memory loss storyline could have easily felt overly dramatic, but here it worked beautifully. Watching Steven rediscover Emma — and watching Emma see the man she first fell in love with again — gave the story so much emotional depth. The dual timeline added another layer, showing both the sweetness of their early romance and the sadness of how far apart they had drifted.
I also appreciated how clean and wholesome the romance was. The emotional connection carried the story completely, and it never needed spice to make the relationship feel meaningful. The small-town warmth and family moments gave it a cozy energy while still dealing with serious topics like marriage, mental health, and burnout.
Overall, this was a touching second-chance-with-the-same-person romance about choosing love every day, even when it’s hard. Quietly emotional, hopeful, and full of heart.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Emma and Steven were easy to root for because neither of them was the villain. They were just tired, overwhelmed, and struggling to hold onto themselves while raising a family. Emma’s anxiety and loneliness felt honest, and Steven’s pressure to provide for everyone while losing himself along the way was equally heartbreaking.
The memory loss storyline could have easily felt overly dramatic, but here it worked beautifully. Watching Steven rediscover Emma — and watching Emma see the man she first fell in love with again — gave the story so much emotional depth. The dual timeline added another layer, showing both the sweetness of their early romance and the sadness of how far apart they had drifted.
I also appreciated how clean and wholesome the romance was. The emotional connection carried the story completely, and it never needed spice to make the relationship feel meaningful. The small-town warmth and family moments gave it a cozy energy while still dealing with serious topics like marriage, mental health, and burnout.
Overall, this was a touching second-chance-with-the-same-person romance about choosing love every day, even when it’s hard. Quietly emotional, hopeful, and full of heart.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
As a romance reader, of course, I love a good meet cute and watching two people fall in love for the first time... but seeing a couple who have faced life and all its struggles choosing to fight for each other? Well, I think there's something even more beautiful about that type of love story! So, a romance that mixes marriage in crisis + amnesia? Yes, please! I was very excited for Emma and Steven's story, and it absolutely did not disappoint. I think their story is one that so many who have been married awhile can relate to... but it's also a beautiful reminder that marriage is worth fighting for. I loved seeing glimpses of their life together- past and present. Seeing those moments of how they fell in love... and how they fell apart... only made me root for their second chance at a happily ever after that much more. Admittedly, amnesia can be a trope that can be hard to pull off, but I thought Grayson did so beautifully in this story. It was emotional and tender, dealing with anxiety, marriage and postpartum is ways that felt very genuine... and I loved every minute.
Chasing the Butterflies is a closed-door romance with implied intimacy within marriage and minor language. It is the third book in The Glendale Series, but I do think it could be enjoyed as a standalone as well. There are a few topics discussed within this story that could be triggering for some readers, so be sure to check out the author's note before reading, if you need them.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Chasing the Butterflies is a closed-door romance with implied intimacy within marriage and minor language. It is the third book in The Glendale Series, but I do think it could be enjoyed as a standalone as well. There are a few topics discussed within this story that could be triggering for some readers, so be sure to check out the author's note before reading, if you need them.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
April 5, 2026
"We don't have as much time as we think we do. These moments, these memories, they are fleeting."
"But the moments we have right now?....They don't wait for anyone."
Steven and Emma Jones are at a crossroads in their marriage.
Facing the pressures of raising small children, high pressure jobs, ailing family members, the tension and resentment builds between them, until neither one seems to know the other as a person anymore.
In the midst of all these demands, as well as counseling sessions in an effort to save their relationship, Steven suffers an attack by a mentally violent patient at the hospital where he works as a doctor.
Suddenly, the last 15 years of his life-his entire marriage-is completely erased.
Including most of the memories of his wife.
Can their marriage be salvaged?
Is this perhaps a second chance for both Steven and Emma to get things right between them?
Greyson Long is to be commended for such an emotionally intelligent, thoughtfully written story about two people desperately trying to find their way back to each other. Sharp dialogue, insightful commentary on the human condition, and two main characters who are BOTH flawed. I in turn wanted to root for and give a smack to Steven and Emma for their actions! Oftentimes stories like these have the reader gravitating towards one of them, but I had equal interest in both! Bravo, Ms. Long, it is no small feet to present the flaws and attributes of both equally!
If you enjoy love stories with plenty of yearning and slow burn romance, pick this one up today!
"But the moments we have right now?....They don't wait for anyone."
Steven and Emma Jones are at a crossroads in their marriage.
Facing the pressures of raising small children, high pressure jobs, ailing family members, the tension and resentment builds between them, until neither one seems to know the other as a person anymore.
In the midst of all these demands, as well as counseling sessions in an effort to save their relationship, Steven suffers an attack by a mentally violent patient at the hospital where he works as a doctor.
Suddenly, the last 15 years of his life-his entire marriage-is completely erased.
Including most of the memories of his wife.
Can their marriage be salvaged?
Is this perhaps a second chance for both Steven and Emma to get things right between them?
Greyson Long is to be commended for such an emotionally intelligent, thoughtfully written story about two people desperately trying to find their way back to each other. Sharp dialogue, insightful commentary on the human condition, and two main characters who are BOTH flawed. I in turn wanted to root for and give a smack to Steven and Emma for their actions! Oftentimes stories like these have the reader gravitating towards one of them, but I had equal interest in both! Bravo, Ms. Long, it is no small feet to present the flaws and attributes of both equally!
If you enjoy love stories with plenty of yearning and slow burn romance, pick this one up today!
March 28, 2026
5⭐️
🌶🌶 (between a married couple)
🟢
"That’s the kind of love he’s talking about. The kind you choose again and again, even when it hurts. Especially when it hurts.
And it is the kind I want to give Emma."
The emotion and depth of this book >>>
The feelsss!!! I'm feeling the feels 😭😭😭. Grayson made those emotions so palpable that you have no choice but to be completely immersed in them.
The amnesia trope is easily becoming one of my favourites. Plus the yearning of this mannn >>> 😭
I needed this book. We're so used to reading stories that end with a happily ever after without actually seeing what comes after. When the butterflies in your tummies get tired, when “after” truly begins… what happens then? With kids, jobs, and life in general, how will that relationship stand?
This book showed such a beautiful representation of what can happen when you lose yourself in the busyness of life and forget to consciously maintain the love and keep choosing each other, even as things change.
Seeing the progression of their relationship, the moments and situations that brought them to this point, walking through it with them and feeling every step of it, everything felt like pieces fitting together to form a complete picture.
And when they chose to truly fight for themselves? Literal perfection.
I'm absolutely enamored with Grayson’s writing. This book was ittt! And it is definitely worth picking up.
🌶🌶 (between a married couple)
🟢
"That’s the kind of love he’s talking about. The kind you choose again and again, even when it hurts. Especially when it hurts.
And it is the kind I want to give Emma."
The emotion and depth of this book >>>
The feelsss!!! I'm feeling the feels 😭😭😭. Grayson made those emotions so palpable that you have no choice but to be completely immersed in them.
The amnesia trope is easily becoming one of my favourites. Plus the yearning of this mannn >>> 😭
I needed this book. We're so used to reading stories that end with a happily ever after without actually seeing what comes after. When the butterflies in your tummies get tired, when “after” truly begins… what happens then? With kids, jobs, and life in general, how will that relationship stand?
This book showed such a beautiful representation of what can happen when you lose yourself in the busyness of life and forget to consciously maintain the love and keep choosing each other, even as things change.
Seeing the progression of their relationship, the moments and situations that brought them to this point, walking through it with them and feeling every step of it, everything felt like pieces fitting together to form a complete picture.
And when they chose to truly fight for themselves? Literal perfection.
I'm absolutely enamored with Grayson’s writing. This book was ittt! And it is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚" 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒚.
I want to thank Long for giving me the opportunity to have me read this beautiful story in advance.
In this story we follow Steven and Emma, a couple together for 15 years, with 7yo twin boys and a 3 month old girl. Our dear couple is going through a very rough patch at the moment. The love is clearly there, but the communication, the anxiety and "life lifing" is causing hurt, stress and distance between them.
When Steven looses 15 years of memories - aka the whole relationship and kids - both seem to feel the strong connection and love that was present from the beginning. The easiness of the start is back, the strong connections too. But will this be a second chance they desperatly need or will everything thumble down when his memories might come back?
With the story jumping between timelines - now vs the course of their relationship - we slowly unravel what made them work as a power couple and the things that wedged between them leading them into the crisis they are at.
Long's writing is great, with so many beautiful quotes between the lines. You feel with the characters and are swept away by the story. It ain't the classic romcom, it's an emotional read that needs some headspace. But I feel it is great in its genre, def. worth the try!
I want to thank Long for giving me the opportunity to have me read this beautiful story in advance.
In this story we follow Steven and Emma, a couple together for 15 years, with 7yo twin boys and a 3 month old girl. Our dear couple is going through a very rough patch at the moment. The love is clearly there, but the communication, the anxiety and "life lifing" is causing hurt, stress and distance between them.
When Steven looses 15 years of memories - aka the whole relationship and kids - both seem to feel the strong connection and love that was present from the beginning. The easiness of the start is back, the strong connections too. But will this be a second chance they desperatly need or will everything thumble down when his memories might come back?
With the story jumping between timelines - now vs the course of their relationship - we slowly unravel what made them work as a power couple and the things that wedged between them leading them into the crisis they are at.
Long's writing is great, with so many beautiful quotes between the lines. You feel with the characters and are swept away by the story. It ain't the classic romcom, it's an emotional read that needs some headspace. But I feel it is great in its genre, def. worth the try!
March 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
What an emotional ride this was. I couldn’t put it down, I felt so much of this book so deeply. A story about second chances for a marriage in crisis.
Something I loved is that you weren’t siding with one over the other you felt both of their pain, you wanted them to figure it out.
Emma is a school principal returning to work after her third baby, she has crippling anxiety which she’s dealt with since she was very young. Steven is a busy doctor who wants to make his marriage work but doesn’t know how. They’re in therapy, trying all the things except they can’t communicate effectively how they’re feeling which is just so relatable.
An accident forces them to rewind when Steven loses his memories of the last 15 years. The journey through this honestly broke my heart, imagining what it was like for him, his wife and his kids brought about all the tears.
This is a closed door spice book, which I actually enjoyed. It helped to focus on the growth in their relationship required to move forward together.
Chasing the Butterflies is emotional with depth and heart. And that ending tore me apart just a little bit.
“What a gift it is to witness a life that leaves an impression. What a gift it is to have someone worth missing.”
What an emotional ride this was. I couldn’t put it down, I felt so much of this book so deeply. A story about second chances for a marriage in crisis.
Something I loved is that you weren’t siding with one over the other you felt both of their pain, you wanted them to figure it out.
Emma is a school principal returning to work after her third baby, she has crippling anxiety which she’s dealt with since she was very young. Steven is a busy doctor who wants to make his marriage work but doesn’t know how. They’re in therapy, trying all the things except they can’t communicate effectively how they’re feeling which is just so relatable.
An accident forces them to rewind when Steven loses his memories of the last 15 years. The journey through this honestly broke my heart, imagining what it was like for him, his wife and his kids brought about all the tears.
This is a closed door spice book, which I actually enjoyed. It helped to focus on the growth in their relationship required to move forward together.
Chasing the Butterflies is emotional with depth and heart. And that ending tore me apart just a little bit.
“What a gift it is to witness a life that leaves an impression. What a gift it is to have someone worth missing.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2026
OH HEARTBREAK 💔 this book absolutely wrecked me and then stitched my battered heart back together ❤️🩹 Marriage in crisis books hurt and Grayson wrote the most beautiful, painful, love story.
Emma. Oh Emma. She’s hurting, deeply. She’s angry, feels unseen and forgotten, anxious, and lonely 💔 Grayson did a beautiful job portraying postpartum depression and anxiety through her and my heart ACHED for her ❤️🩹 I absolutely adored how Emma cared for her kids, and watching her fall in love with Steven again was heartbreakingly beautiful 🥹😭
Steven. ugh and HES HURTING TOO. I loved how we got to see before the accident from his POV so we could understand how he was feeling about the relationship ❤️🩹 And then after? Oh my gosh I was WRECKED 😭 I loved how Steven embodied loosing yourself in work 🧑🏾⚕️ and how he fought tooth and nail for not only his memories, but for the life he had let slip away 🦋
These two are struggling and it’s not pretty 😭 But their love is evident 💕 🦋 The flashbacks to the first time the fell in love paired with them falling again was absolutely perfection 💖 and I was up until 4:30 am NEEDING resolution. So amazing 🥹
⚠️ CW: she has them at the start of the book that list them, including spoilers, but here are some vague ones to avoid spoilers! I highly encourage looking at them beforehand. Guard your heart ❤️
Postpartum depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s, amnesia, FTB between married couple, divorce/separation, therapy, etc ⚠️
Emma. Oh Emma. She’s hurting, deeply. She’s angry, feels unseen and forgotten, anxious, and lonely 💔 Grayson did a beautiful job portraying postpartum depression and anxiety through her and my heart ACHED for her ❤️🩹 I absolutely adored how Emma cared for her kids, and watching her fall in love with Steven again was heartbreakingly beautiful 🥹😭
Steven. ugh and HES HURTING TOO. I loved how we got to see before the accident from his POV so we could understand how he was feeling about the relationship ❤️🩹 And then after? Oh my gosh I was WRECKED 😭 I loved how Steven embodied loosing yourself in work 🧑🏾⚕️ and how he fought tooth and nail for not only his memories, but for the life he had let slip away 🦋
These two are struggling and it’s not pretty 😭 But their love is evident 💕 🦋 The flashbacks to the first time the fell in love paired with them falling again was absolutely perfection 💖 and I was up until 4:30 am NEEDING resolution. So amazing 🥹
⚠️ CW: she has them at the start of the book that list them, including spoilers, but here are some vague ones to avoid spoilers! I highly encourage looking at them beforehand. Guard your heart ❤️
Postpartum depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s, amnesia, FTB between married couple, divorce/separation, therapy, etc ⚠️
February 20, 2026
I went in expecting a clean, closed-door romance with a grounded look at marriage and early parenthood, but the execution didn’t work for me on either the emotional or technical level.
The story leans into very real, relatable stressors for a couple with young children, especially the mental load and the strain of dividing responsibilities. For me, though, the relationship dynamic between Emma and Steven felt heavily rooted in a traditional marriage framework where his career and priorities are treated as the default center, and Emma’s overwhelm is framed as something she needs to overcome. I was hoping to see more mutual responsibility and growth from both characters, and I never fully felt that balance on the page. Because the conflict felt so grounded in real life, that messaging landed especially strongly, and it wasn’t something I could overlook.
On top of that, the writing felt under-edited. I noticed frequent typos and awkward phrasing that pulled me out of scenes and made the overall reading experience feel unpolished.
Readers who enjoy a more traditional marriage dynamic may connect with this more than I did, but I ultimately couldn’t get invested.
The story leans into very real, relatable stressors for a couple with young children, especially the mental load and the strain of dividing responsibilities. For me, though, the relationship dynamic between Emma and Steven felt heavily rooted in a traditional marriage framework where his career and priorities are treated as the default center, and Emma’s overwhelm is framed as something she needs to overcome. I was hoping to see more mutual responsibility and growth from both characters, and I never fully felt that balance on the page. Because the conflict felt so grounded in real life, that messaging landed especially strongly, and it wasn’t something I could overlook.
On top of that, the writing felt under-edited. I noticed frequent typos and awkward phrasing that pulled me out of scenes and made the overall reading experience feel unpolished.
Readers who enjoy a more traditional marriage dynamic may connect with this more than I did, but I ultimately couldn’t get invested.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5⭐️ Best yet for sure! So many raw moments on anxiety displayed in two ways. A husband throwing himself deeper into work rather than be home because he doesn’t know how to fix what’s wrong. A wife so overwhelmed with motherhood and can’t verbalize her needs. I couldn’t help but want to hug them, yell at them, and root for them. The little moments of them feeling their love and attraction throughout the book gave me all the feels.
Emma’s anxiety is at an all time high while she is balancing her three children and her marriage feeling like it’s crumbling. Steven wants to provide for his family, but he inevitably runs from the issues he feels he can’t fix.
When an accident causes Steve to lose his memory over the last 15 years, will this be the final strike for their marriage? Despite not remembering Emma, Steven can’t help but feel the attraction to Emma. But will he be able to remember enough for them to work through everything? Will Emma have enough strength left to handle the kids and a husband who doesn’t remember her?
Thank you so much to @thegraylong for the advanced copy through @netgalley
Emma’s anxiety is at an all time high while she is balancing her three children and her marriage feeling like it’s crumbling. Steven wants to provide for his family, but he inevitably runs from the issues he feels he can’t fix.
When an accident causes Steve to lose his memory over the last 15 years, will this be the final strike for their marriage? Despite not remembering Emma, Steven can’t help but feel the attraction to Emma. But will he be able to remember enough for them to work through everything? Will Emma have enough strength left to handle the kids and a husband who doesn’t remember her?
Thank you so much to @thegraylong for the advanced copy through @netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Author
SOBBING! 🦋 BLUSHING! 🦋 ALL THE FEELS!
This book was so amazing🥰
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑵𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆.
Steven and Emma Jones are not the perfect couple; far from it in fact! They face the stress of his work, her anxiety, and raising three kiddos. And with all of that, they are stretched to their breaking point.
When an accident leaves Steven with no memories of the last 15 years, he can’t even remember marrying the girl he met at a college party!
This duel timeline book allows us to see them through the memories of falling in love, the birth of their children, and their overall love story. Yet in the present Steven fights to get his memories and his marriage back while Emma struggles with postpartum anxiety and wanting her husband back how it used to be.
We watch them fall in love again. Choose each other again. And do hard things for each other to save what matters the most.🥹
Grayson Long is an amazing author who includes all the swoon with kisses only, closed-door romance. Her descriptors of their romance will have your own butterflies fluttering!🦋
This book was so amazing🥰
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑵𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆.
Steven and Emma Jones are not the perfect couple; far from it in fact! They face the stress of his work, her anxiety, and raising three kiddos. And with all of that, they are stretched to their breaking point.
When an accident leaves Steven with no memories of the last 15 years, he can’t even remember marrying the girl he met at a college party!
This duel timeline book allows us to see them through the memories of falling in love, the birth of their children, and their overall love story. Yet in the present Steven fights to get his memories and his marriage back while Emma struggles with postpartum anxiety and wanting her husband back how it used to be.
We watch them fall in love again. Choose each other again. And do hard things for each other to save what matters the most.🥹
Grayson Long is an amazing author who includes all the swoon with kisses only, closed-door romance. Her descriptors of their romance will have your own butterflies fluttering!🦋
February 25, 2026
3.25 stars
I really struggled with this book because while I loved the way the author wrote the book, I feel like the troupes kind of made it hard for me.
For one, it was a marriage in trouble book. Now sometimes I feel like if it’s miscommunication then it can be fixed. This book however gives us multiple instances where one of the MC’s does something that is hurtful to the other and we never see it resolve, just the two of them moving on. Even the FMC made comments saying (at 70%) that she wasn’t sure if she still wanted to try with the marriage.
For second, there is the amnesia troupe. Which I feel like was a bit of a cop out because it is basically turning the MMC into his own hater and saying how he is just a terrible person now.
It felt like the book played the MMC as this clueless guy who just did things out of the goodness of his heart for others knowing they would hurt his wife. Then he loses his memory and basically calls himself an idiot for those decisions.
I think for me personally it was the troupes, but I love the writing and other books by the author!
I really struggled with this book because while I loved the way the author wrote the book, I feel like the troupes kind of made it hard for me.
For one, it was a marriage in trouble book. Now sometimes I feel like if it’s miscommunication then it can be fixed. This book however gives us multiple instances where one of the MC’s does something that is hurtful to the other and we never see it resolve, just the two of them moving on. Even the FMC made comments saying (at 70%) that she wasn’t sure if she still wanted to try with the marriage.
For second, there is the amnesia troupe. Which I feel like was a bit of a cop out because it is basically turning the MMC into his own hater and saying how he is just a terrible person now.
It felt like the book played the MMC as this clueless guy who just did things out of the goodness of his heart for others knowing they would hurt his wife. Then he loses his memory and basically calls himself an idiot for those decisions.
I think for me personally it was the troupes, but I love the writing and other books by the author!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is so different from any other book I've ever read--in the absolute best way possible! I'm not even sure how to put into words all this book made me feel. I couldn't stop reading--I HAD to figure out how they were ever going to get through this. Without giving any spoilers, I absolutely adored the way Grayson ended this chapter of Emma and Steven's story, because like the rest of this novel, it was REAL. I've read a few other reviews, and I think Grayson writes in a way that highlights the imperfect realities of life--and while that might make some people uncomfortable, it makes others feel seen. I am not married, yet I could relate to Emma in a way I've maybe never related to a character before. Their relationship was TOUGH, but also SO full of love. Everything about this story was beautiful and heartbreaking and just felt so... human. Grayson, you have gained a forever fan in me, and I can't wait to read the rest of this series and whatever comes next. To any potential reader--this book is a YES!
Review of advance copy received from Author
WOW!! 🦋 ❤️🦋 A story that's going to leave you crying, laughing, and not wanting to walk away from the story. I couldn't put it down! Grayson Long truly wrote this book in such a beautifully woven story of past and present with Stephen & Emma's love story all the way back to when they met to now with Stephen's sudden loss of almost all his memories of Emma and all that has happened in the 15 years since they met. The beautiful intertwining to tell the story of their family and the highs & lows in their story is so well written by Grayson Long.
This book was closed door. There is passionate kissing, touching, and it ends with a closed door(almost always closing literally) or leaving the married couple before it goes past being clean.
There is severe anxiety & panic attacks in Emma's life. We go with her and those supporting her through her struggles with her anxiety.
Language - There is some mild swearing but no negative given since God & Jesus's name were not used that I remember.
I received a ARC from the author but I am giving my own honest opinion about the book.
This book was closed door. There is passionate kissing, touching, and it ends with a closed door(almost always closing literally) or leaving the married couple before it goes past being clean.
There is severe anxiety & panic attacks in Emma's life. We go with her and those supporting her through her struggles with her anxiety.
Language - There is some mild swearing but no negative given since God & Jesus's name were not used that I remember.
I received a ARC from the author but I am giving my own honest opinion about the book.
March 27, 2026
This story has all the feels in it! Grayson wrote this story about a mom with anxiety and a workaholic husband who’ve lost their way to one another and got caught up in life, but after Steven loses his memories they fight to find their way back and fall in love all over again!
The anxiety representation was so good! The feeling of the world collapsing in during a panic attack, the heaviness that makes your chest ache, the weight we feel on top of this as moms fighting to give our kids the best life. And the “married to your job” husband and Dad is such a real thing. Working to provide so much you don’t even realize all you’re sacrificing, working because it’s your passion but losing the passion at home, and finally seeing that you’ve devoted your life to your job and possibly risking losing everything because of it. This story shows there’s hope when things go wrong, that you can move forward and find your way back, or create a whole new path.
It was a great read.
Thank you to Grayson Long for allowing me to ARC read Chasing the Butterflies
The anxiety representation was so good! The feeling of the world collapsing in during a panic attack, the heaviness that makes your chest ache, the weight we feel on top of this as moms fighting to give our kids the best life. And the “married to your job” husband and Dad is such a real thing. Working to provide so much you don’t even realize all you’re sacrificing, working because it’s your passion but losing the passion at home, and finally seeing that you’ve devoted your life to your job and possibly risking losing everything because of it. This story shows there’s hope when things go wrong, that you can move forward and find your way back, or create a whole new path.
It was a great read.
Thank you to Grayson Long for allowing me to ARC read Chasing the Butterflies
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a story that will wreck you.
Then slowly piece you back together.
The "then and now" timeline showed the couple falling in love in two different time periods while not sugarcoating the difficulties of married life with children. Anxiety was a big part of the FMC's story and I found it to be portrayed realistically, and could genuinely feel for her.
My heart broke with their struggles but stitched itself back together with the ending.
When Grayson calls this a "marriage in crisis" she's not kidding.
There was hurt and longing and love. One of my favorite quotes:
"I think I have a crush on my wife." It was just so cute and fit the moment perfectly.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good no spice romance.
A little note: there was swearing in this book but it was very minor and didn't bother me, it was just something I felt needed noting to anyone who may be sensitive.
RATINGS:
💋💋
17+
Then slowly piece you back together.
The "then and now" timeline showed the couple falling in love in two different time periods while not sugarcoating the difficulties of married life with children. Anxiety was a big part of the FMC's story and I found it to be portrayed realistically, and could genuinely feel for her.
My heart broke with their struggles but stitched itself back together with the ending.
When Grayson calls this a "marriage in crisis" she's not kidding.
There was hurt and longing and love. One of my favorite quotes:
"I think I have a crush on my wife." It was just so cute and fit the moment perfectly.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good no spice romance.
A little note: there was swearing in this book but it was very minor and didn't bother me, it was just something I felt needed noting to anyone who may be sensitive.
RATINGS:
💋💋
17+
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Emma's anxiety is at an all time high while she is balancing her three children and her marriage feeling like it's crumbling.
Steven wants to provide for his family, but he inevitably runs from the issues he feels he can't fix.
When an accident causes Steve to lose his memory over the last 15 years, will this be the final strike for their marriage?
Despite not remembering Emma, Steven can't help but feel the attraction to Emma. But will he be able to remember enough for them to work through everything? Will Emma have enough strength left to handle the kids and a husband who doesn't remember her?
What I loved:
-closed door scenes
- real life struggles in marriage
- love can’t fix everything
What I didn’t love:
-But after the MMC had his accident and he forgets his wife and kids everything goes a little downhill. It all became very repetitive.
-The jumping between then and now was also very confusing.
Often times it didn't make sense why we were going back to that specific time.
Steven wants to provide for his family, but he inevitably runs from the issues he feels he can't fix.
When an accident causes Steve to lose his memory over the last 15 years, will this be the final strike for their marriage?
Despite not remembering Emma, Steven can't help but feel the attraction to Emma. But will he be able to remember enough for them to work through everything? Will Emma have enough strength left to handle the kids and a husband who doesn't remember her?
What I loved:
-closed door scenes
- real life struggles in marriage
- love can’t fix everything
What I didn’t love:
-But after the MMC had his accident and he forgets his wife and kids everything goes a little downhill. It all became very repetitive.
-The jumping between then and now was also very confusing.
Often times it didn't make sense why we were going back to that specific time.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a beautiful literary fiction novel. It will break your heart in ways you won’t expect but mend it along the way back to each other. This book is about resilience in the face on an impossibly hard situation. It poses the question of “when we forget what made us fall in love, can we find our way to each other again?”.
The story brings us a couple who fell madly in love in college, pursued dreams, had children and in the mix of real daily life, anxiety, postpartum, an accident and the pressure of expectations lost their way and let their love and marriage dwindle. From there the story develops into a beautiful tale of finding their thread again, awakening the love they have tucked away and forgiving themselves in the process.
Lovely writing that is easy to understand, two people perspective and lots of exploration of the human heart.
The story brings us a couple who fell madly in love in college, pursued dreams, had children and in the mix of real daily life, anxiety, postpartum, an accident and the pressure of expectations lost their way and let their love and marriage dwindle. From there the story develops into a beautiful tale of finding their thread again, awakening the love they have tucked away and forgiving themselves in the process.
Lovely writing that is easy to understand, two people perspective and lots of exploration of the human heart.
March 20, 2026
E-ARC Honest Review
I thank the author for giving me the privilege of reading this book ahead of time.
What I liked
Instantly, I could relate to the challenges she was facing as a mum, being one myself.
The part about how she met her husband was sweet and nostalgic.
What I didn’t like
I found the book to be really slow and sometimes repetitive. It also didn’t hold my attention. I wasn’t really looking forward to what would happen next. At a point, I was just skimming through, trying to get to the end. The dual timeline didn’t work for me in this case.
Ultimately, this book was not up my alley, but the author writes well. You might like it if you enjoy stories about a marriage in crisis, amnesia, slow-paced, small-town, dual-timeline romance.
I hope to read her other books and fall in love with one.
💓🌺🦋💍📝✨
I thank the author for giving me the privilege of reading this book ahead of time.
What I liked
Instantly, I could relate to the challenges she was facing as a mum, being one myself.
The part about how she met her husband was sweet and nostalgic.
What I didn’t like
I found the book to be really slow and sometimes repetitive. It also didn’t hold my attention. I wasn’t really looking forward to what would happen next. At a point, I was just skimming through, trying to get to the end. The dual timeline didn’t work for me in this case.
Ultimately, this book was not up my alley, but the author writes well. You might like it if you enjoy stories about a marriage in crisis, amnesia, slow-paced, small-town, dual-timeline romance.
I hope to read her other books and fall in love with one.
💓🌺🦋💍📝✨
February 28, 2026
Firstly thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Chasing the butterflies.
This book was fantastic! The characters were so relatable and I was hooked by the story. It felt very real and like I was there with each character.
Real life situations (good bad and heartbreaking) were shared in this book and it really opened your eyes to what life can throw at you.
Trigger ⚠️ warning ⚠️: miscarriage, dementia, loss of memory, attack on person, death of parent, struggles of every day life, marriage problems, struggles at parenthood, job stress.
Each “trigger warning” was held with respect and such decency
Book release date: 19th March 2026
This book was fantastic! The characters were so relatable and I was hooked by the story. It felt very real and like I was there with each character.
Real life situations (good bad and heartbreaking) were shared in this book and it really opened your eyes to what life can throw at you.
Trigger ⚠️ warning ⚠️: miscarriage, dementia, loss of memory, attack on person, death of parent, struggles of every day life, marriage problems, struggles at parenthood, job stress.
Each “trigger warning” was held with respect and such decency
Book release date: 19th March 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the author for the gifted eARC!
What a sweet story about the realities of being with your partner for years and years! I love when romance novels take us beyond the typical early relationship stages and go to the later years. While the amnesia trope is not one I typically enjoy, I felt the author approached it very well!
If you are someone who wants to read a book with great motherhood and postpartum rep, along with a marriage in crisis and anxiety rep, I highly recommend! The book deals with multiple heavy topics, so check your triggers if you have any surrounding pregnancy loss, Alzheimers, etc.
What a sweet story about the realities of being with your partner for years and years! I love when romance novels take us beyond the typical early relationship stages and go to the later years. While the amnesia trope is not one I typically enjoy, I felt the author approached it very well!
If you are someone who wants to read a book with great motherhood and postpartum rep, along with a marriage in crisis and anxiety rep, I highly recommend! The book deals with multiple heavy topics, so check your triggers if you have any surrounding pregnancy loss, Alzheimers, etc.
March 15, 2026
This book takes you on a journey filled with many twists and turns, allowing you to experience a wide range of emotions, from heartbreak to healing.
When the question arises about whether their marriage is worth fighting for, both Emma and Steven face a difficult decision. The story follows Emma, who struggles with anxiety as she tries to be a good mother, and Steven, who grapples with memory loss after a terrible accident, endeavoring to recall the last 15 years of his life.
This was my first book by Grayson Long, but it definitely won't be my last.
Thank you, Grayson Long, for the ARC! I am excited to read more of your books! 🤍✨🦋
When the question arises about whether their marriage is worth fighting for, both Emma and Steven face a difficult decision. The story follows Emma, who struggles with anxiety as she tries to be a good mother, and Steven, who grapples with memory loss after a terrible accident, endeavoring to recall the last 15 years of his life.
This was my first book by Grayson Long, but it definitely won't be my last.
Thank you, Grayson Long, for the ARC! I am excited to read more of your books! 🤍✨🦋
March 20, 2026
Thank you so much NetGalley and Grayson Long for letting me read an ARC of Chasing the Butterflies!! I love Glendale so much and every time I get to learn about more of the characters I am thrilled! Grayson's writing makes you feel like a part of their tight knit group and the character developments across the books are amazing! After hearing about these two for multiple books I was very intrigued about their story. I was especially unsure how she would get me on Steven's side after he hasn't been my favorite character in previous books, but she really pulled out the big guns for this one! It was such a unique story and I highly recommend it!
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