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Spotless #4

Butterfly in Amber

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He's waiting for you...

Under a blanket of snow, surrounded by dark woods and a frozen sea, lies an ogre's castle. There lives a little princess, trapped in the maze of her own mind.
On a battlefield where the past meets the present stand a fairy godmother and a pirate, an old ice cream man and a knight in shining clean armor...
The clock is ticking fast, and to pierce the ogre's secrets and defeat him, Island Chaptal will have to fight to remember...and stay alive.

Can the Lions and the Roomba cats be stopped before it's too late?

454 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 12, 2017

172 people are currently reading
615 people want to read

About the author

Camilla Monk

12 books695 followers
Camilla Monk is a Canadian author who rose to dubious fame with a romantic suspense series starring an OCD-ridden hitman and a wide array of strange and occasionally angry animals. These days she shares her writing time between high-octane adventures in the same vein and fantasy, her secret love (but with weird animals, too.)

She grew up in Paris in a Franco-American family, has lived in Tokyo, and spent ten years in advertising, building rickety websites for M&A boutiques and hedge funds. All of that somehow landed her in Montréal, where she keeps a close watch on the squirrels and complains on a daily basis about the egregious number of Tim Hortons.

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798 (50%)
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535 (33%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
Profile Image for Meredith (Trying to catch up!).
878 reviews14.2k followers
May 1, 2017
I loved every moment of this series...I had extremely high expectations for Butterfly in Amber, and I was pleased with the way it ended. However, I am also, at the same time, very sad that it's over.

Once again, there’s nonstop action, some twists and turns, and, of course, romance. The one difference from the other books in the series is that Butterfly in Amber has a much darker tone. It's definitely an emotional roller coaster ride, but all finally settles down in the last 10% (or so).

I think that I am going to go back and start at the beginning to help me cope.

I’m not going to say much more--just read the Spotless series! Spotless (Spotless, #1) by Camilla Monk

Thank you Camilla Monk for creating books and characters that make me giddy!

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Aisling Zena.
634 reviews521 followers
May 21, 2017
3.5-4 stars

I can't make up my mind about the rating of this book. I absolutely adored the previous books and a big reason for that was the unique and humorous voice of Island Chaptal. I accepted the literary blue balls and endless cockblocking, the constant being in danger with no reprieve and honestly I enjoyed most of the twists and turns. But losing Island's "voice" for most of the book really disappointed me. Though we had some moments where she shined through, it just wasn't enough for me. I've rated it with 4 stars because regardless of my disappointment, it was gripping, edgy, original and overall a fantastic series.

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P.S. Don't read the spoiler if you're planning on reading the series please. MAJOR SPOILERS and mini rant:


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Prior to reading.
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Profile Image for Stacey.
1,446 reviews1,127 followers
June 29, 2020
One of the best heroes ever…and the heroine’s pretty cool too.

In the nicest possible way, I think Camilla Monk has one of the weirdest minds around. Her imagination to think up the Spotless series is awesome. The characters and storylines are a little warped, a teensy bit creepy, kind of gruesome but so very, very interesting. If she didn’t have such a smutty mind I’d let my 13-year-old son read it. KIDDING!! Like, really kidding. Honest to goodness, I think this is the first series I have ever read (slight exaggeration) where the author has made me wait for the fourth book to get to the sexy times. The funniest part…I can honestly say that I would have loved it even without it AND THAT IS A BIG CALL!!

So, you read the blurb for Butterfly in Amber and you might think that the author has written a mad fairytale. Well, anyone who has stepped into the Spotless world and met March and Island would know that Camilla has given it to us in a code to decipher.

****

He's waiting for you...
(The sloth is under the bed waiting for his cuddle)

Under a blanket of snow, surrounded by dark woods and a frozen sea, lies an ogre's castle.
(In the middle of bloody nowhere, there’s a baddie living in a castle)

There lives a little princess, trapped in the maze of her own mind.
(Island is drugged to her eyeballs to distract her from her mission.)

On a battlefield where the past meets the present stand a fairy godmother and a pirate, an old ice cream man and a knight in shining clean armor...
(Her warden thinks he’s giving her exactly what she wants but the fairy wand is really a lock to keep her imprisoned. The pirate is insane, the ice cream man holds the key to her escape and the knight is cleaning as he goes)

The clock is ticking fast, and to pierce the ogre's secrets and defeat him, Island Chaptal will have to fight to remember...and stay alive.
(If they manage to escape from the baddies, Island must fly to mars, fight the - astronauts, men in black, sea monsters and T-Rex, to grab hold of March…and never let go)

Can the Lions and the Roomba cats be stopped before it's too late?
(Island and March must fight gravity to save the world)

***

Aren’t you glad I’m such a good reviewer? I’m sure you’re all saying *Thank goodness Sassy’s here to make sense of things.* NOT!! Sorry to say, but the number of crazy shenanigans in Butterfly in Amber would take a three-page review to cover. Island is the heroine (I know, crazy name) and March is the hero (yep, crazy name). The Lions is a group dedicated to...ummm doing stuff. The fairy godmother, pirate and ice cream man are just a few of the crazy character you meet if you step into the Spotless world.

Honestly, the Spotless series has been one of my all-time favourites. It’s quirky, nutty and silly with a Mission Impossible/Bourne Identity/Bridget Jones/Hot Pursuit vibe that leaves you busting a gut laughing, then biting your nails in trepidation. While at times I was left scratching my head wondering where it will go next, I always knew I would be chuckling. Island and March are two of the most original characters I have ever come across. But…March steals the show. How could I not fall in love with an obsessive clean-freak, killer who would change his career, kerb his natural instincts and risk his life for his love of Island.

If you don't mind a little crazy mixed into your suspense, I really suggest you give the Spotless series a go. You must start at the very beginning, a very good place to start....

Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
Profile Image for Jaya.
486 reviews245 followers
October 13, 2017
4.98-I-am-in-love-with-the-author-stars
Such a complicated book.
One needs to read the entire series to realize the significance of this installment. A curious amalgamation of break-neck thriller, part mystery/suspense with Monk's singular style of dark yet whimsical humor where you can't help but fall for the protags all over again. The romance part oh god!!! Island and March, they just make me so happy. We get glimpses of a more humane(?) side of March
Don't think am making much sense here, because you know

and partly because I am still not ready to say goodbye to these characters yet (I did take a lot of time to finish this book than I usually need to finish one)
To sum it up, the entire series has been one hell of a roller-coaster ride, with Monk's unique style of storytelling, she is truly kick-ass

One of my best discoveries for this year. I am definitely going to re-read the entire series before this this ends...

c'est vraiment magnifique
Profile Image for SamJ ★Needs a HEA★.
615 reviews893 followers
May 17, 2020
Check out this and my other reviews at My Blog, Facebook, Google+, Twitter and Pinterest



Copy received from Author in exchange for an honest review

★Book Basics★

Genre : - Cont. Romance
Series : - 4th
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating - 5++ stars


★Review★

I think this gif perfectly describes my feeling about this entire series, not just this book.



I actually finished this, and just went back to page one and read it all over again straight away!

I loved how she took this last book in the series. It was sooooo not what I expected, but it was pure brilliance.

And how much March felt for Island was just so obvious in every page he was on, and every interaction they had.

I am just not good enough with words to describe how much I have adored this entire series, and this one, for me was the best in the series. It was just so full of emotion, and danger and completely unexpected. It blew me away. It was darker than previous instalments, but so much more emotional due to that.

So original, funny, exciting, and overall a fantastic love story with a hero and heroine I will never ever forget about.

But now, I have to deal with not being able to look forward to another book about these two. Not sure how I will manage that. Since the first book, I just fell in love with this author and how she writes. I am missing March already.

5 stars, but in reality there are not enough stars in the sky for how much I have enjoyed this series.

So Camilla Monk, the person who brought me bad sex sloth memes, creepy pictures of ostriches, The Cost of Rica

This is for you...

Profile Image for Lillian ☁ Cloud 9 Books ☁.
575 reviews342 followers
June 16, 2017
***** 4.5 Stars *****

Cannot be read as a standalone.

Will March keep getting cock blocked?

Is Island finally going to lose her virginity?

Will criminal organizations always threaten March and Island?

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You'll just have to read this book to find out!!!

Butterfly in Amber is a bit darker than the previous books in the series, but it's still full of hilarious events and suspenseful moments.

I love this series so much... I'm not sure what to do with myself once this is over.

EVERYONE... JUST READ THIS BOOK!

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Profile Image for Renegade ♥.
1,339 reviews
January 4, 2022
4 1/2 to 5 stars

This was pretty much my mindset at the outset:



I wanted answers.

Needed to find out what the heck happened after how things ended in the Crystal Whisperer.

And I eventually got them.

(Whew...)

Gotta say that I was thrilled to finally be back in March and Island's world. That being said, this one had a different feel from the first three books for reasons. That difference was intentional and it worked for me because I got what the author was going for.

So, to be intentionally vague on that point (because you need to read this for yourself and less is more in this case), can I just say that I adore these two? And when that level of adoration is added to all of the non-stop action and intense emotion? Then mixed with some wild (and sometimes disturbing) crazysauce, a blend of honest tenderness, as well as real love in its many forms?



Well, that's just my cuppa...

(Really appreciate that Tom dropped by to demonstrate that... *happy sigh*)

I'll be diving into the Spotless novella soon, Apache Strike Force, because I've been wanting to read it for ages -- and also in preparation for the fifth novel in the series, Island Chaptal and the Ancient Aliens' Treasure. Since I originally thought this book was going to be the final one in the series, that's totally bonus.





Can't wait!
Profile Image for Sharon.
507 reviews319 followers
May 1, 2017
*deep breath* Wowowowowow. I don’t even know what to say right now. As I was finishing up the last chapter, I found myself wanting to read slower because my heart was not ready for this series to end! This series was a neverending fuckin’ rollercoaster, and it just did NOT let me breathe… but when it did finally start to let me breathe towards the end, I somehow find myself missing it and wanting to dive back into the craziness and chaos.

Plot
Anyway, for a final book, yes pretty damn epic. It was slow in the beginning, especially when I was waiting for my favorite *cough* hitman *cough* to show up. This series was crazy. That was the word I thought of most… just…crazy, crazy, crazy - And I loved it. The action, the adventure, the humor, the romance – all on point.

It was not afraid to go THERE. It was not afraid to rip our hearts out and feed it to the pigeons. However, it also had scenes that made me feel so touched, made me smile, made me feel at peace in a way. I found myself getting emotional in certain scenes, especially towards the end – both happy and sad at the same time.



Characters
Ughhh the characters were so cute.
– Island: I loved Island. She was just so incredibly likable – not perfect, but honestly likable with her down-to-earth-ness and relatability. I liked her determination and her compassionate heart, even to the bad guys. I found her hilarious a lot of the times, and hey – any girl who literally kicked a guys’ balls once, twice… or maybe 3 times, for the sake of saving herself, her love, and the world – I have full respect for that.

She did get frustrating in the beginning because she kept on pushing away people who loved her and being so damn distrustful – breaking the characters’ hearts, and thus, mine as well. However, it was understandable in a way, and she grew stronger and became more like herself after that bump.
– March Such a unique character. I adored him too. He was so sweet throughout this book. He was a perfect mixture of badass killer and adorable, protective boyfriend. My heart melted when he doted on Island.

One of my favorite things about him was how he got shit done. No remorse. Just efficiency. It led to some very fast-faced, crazy action scenes.
– Other Characters: I love Dries. He’s so scary and funny and I honestly have a soft spot for him. I love how protective he is of Island, and gets all “stern father” when Island and March are being all lovey-dovey. Stiles. His Roomba cats – I can’t. Everyone who March and Island have met and who have helped them – love them and their crazy life.

Romance
This is honestly the kind of romance I would like to have. And here, I pause to ask myself, “Wait. You want to be in a romance with a hitman?”
“Yes, yes I do, if it comes in the exact shape, form, presence, and personality as March.”
March and Island were just the cutest couple. They were both weird, as individuals, and together, more weirdness. I felt so content and at peace seeing them together. It just felt right, y’know?

Final Thoughts
This series will be etched in my mind forever. I’m giving it 4 solid stars. It’s truly creative and entertaining and plain badass. The characters are also so lovable and endearing. They can be silly at times – in a good way, and I love how Camilla Monk is able to create these vibrant, unique characters. Their individual personalities really come through. With that being said, I really hope there will be a 5th book (full novel or novella) because I want a bit more of an epilogue – to get some closure.

Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Is there a happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scene?
What age level would be appropriate?

NOTE: I am reviewing the ARC edition. I requested it, and I promised a completely honest review.

----------------

Someone please hold me while I cry at the sheer joy of getting this ARC. I thought I would have to wait for another month for the release, but hallelujah for this.
Also, after the cliffhanger of the last book, I. AM. DYING. INSIDE. and need to finish this series quick, but slowly, but ASAP, but must go slow enough to savor, etc.
Profile Image for Cassandra.
205 reviews
April 25, 2017
Yikes. So, I'm not sure how I'm feeling right now....

Camilla Monk said this would be a darker read and she was right. I really don't want to say anything (much) since I can't think of what to say without spoiling the entire last book. (I'm definitely not over the shock) And god, that right there is adding so much to this .... severe funk I'm in.
A lot happens, some good, some (really, really) sad, but it all gets wrapped up.
Although there isn't a pretty pink bow on it. It'd be more of a teary, soggy, blood red bow.

Damn, of all the series I've read, this is the only one that I wish wasn't ending. Not sure I'm going to get over March and Island never getting another adventure...

*really big sigh*
Profile Image for Sherwood Smith.
Author 168 books37.5k followers
Read
April 21, 2017
The best summation I can think of, as usual, is visual. (I'm a visual reader.) If you've ever seen the movie Silver Chief, it's that last fifteen minutes, as you know the characters are approaching Chicago's Union Station, and yet the train just keeps accelerating.

Well, that's how I felt reading this, the last in the "Spotless" series.

The interesting thing is, unlike most endings-of-series, a new reader could actually begin with this one, because we open with our heroine, Island, living in a remote castle as she recovers from what she was told was a catastrophic accident to a resort she'd been visiting on vacation with her roomie Joy. Joy didn't survive, and Island is all alone in the world, except for Mr. Stiles, who takes care of her (but is really, really good with knives), and intermittent visits from her psychologist . . . and oh, a massive security team.

Island cannot remember anything, and is frustrated at having nothing to do, so to experiment, she starts barfing up her meds. As her mental state slowly changes, she begins noticing anomalies, but not fast enough . . .

Just in the nick of time, everything changes, and she finds herself in the hands of a new set of people. On the run. And these all expect her to recognize them, especially the one who keeps shooting their pursuers, the one everyone calls March.

It's a great cap to the series, with emotional drama tightly wired into the accelerating action (you will not believe where the climactic encounter takes place!), and lots of humor. We only get one "romance novel" quote, but it's a doozy. Meanwhile there are so many great bits, including the intrusion of the orange-toupeed President Steed in the background . . .

Lots of vivid description, white-knuckle moments swerving into funny moments (an invasive sloth! Named Hadrian! In the middle of a high tech, sinister military compound!) swerving to to tender moments, accelerate to a runaway train of intensity. I loved this book, though I wish the ending had been a bit longer.

I came away knowing that I will be rereading the entire series, and looking forward to what Monk writes next.

Review copy provided by author.
Profile Image for Hilda.
1,321 reviews290 followers
April 23, 2017


Coming in I knew this book would be different. Crystal Whisperer ended in a bad place and there was so much blood. Our MC's suffered really dangerous wounds. I knew it would be different and I knew it would be great BUT I wasn't ready for all the feels. It was such a great read!! This was such a good final book and a great way to wrap up this series. I don't want to say goodbye to these two but I'm so happy I got to go along this crazy ride with them.

I loved Crystal Whisperer so much because you saw how much March loved Island, and vice versa. Their love was growing and becoming so much more. In this book you see a different side of this love. March is scary and you see what "The Devil in Love" is capable of.

If you hurt her, I will kill you all. I will carve up every single one of you until there's only meat left.

There was even more action, bullets, lots of blood, and even more death. Seriously, that death toll must be huge. I lost track. I keep thinking each book can't get better or crazier but it does and I love it. Lecherous dads, super villain uncles, double crossing agents, one eyed pirates, under bed slots, old and new characters. This book had it all and I'm amazed Camilla Monk can come up with such great stories.

This is a must read!! Pick up Spotless as soon as you can, you won't regret it!

Profile Image for Debbie "Buried in Her TBR Pile".
1,902 reviews297 followers
May 11, 2018
3 stars

I was a little disappointed in this one. Don't get me wrong, I love Island and March. But this book took some turns that just didn't fly with me. Sometimes I wanted to DNF. I think a big disservice was done with Island's story line in this one. Books 1 - 3 had her grow and become a great female character. In this one, she was hampered by a weird story line and reduced to a scared and almost helpless little girl again. Everything happened to her instead of her taking the reins of her life. We lost a character in this one that was upsetting as I had become endeared to him. Some plot twists bordered on just ridiculous. I know there is a novella and another book coming in this series (I think the last.) Will I read them - yes but may not be in such a hurry.

I love the author's writing style, originality and subtle humor. Just disappointed in this book in the series.
Profile Image for Ivy Deluca.
2,377 reviews329 followers
April 23, 2017
Full review to come closer to release date of May 12, 2017. In the meantime...

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Possibly the most emotional entry of the series, I adored every moment of it, and I even teared up a bit at the end. I have a bit of a book hangover (seriously read late into the night, so a bit tired right now), so it will take me a moment to draft a full review. If you have not read this underrated gem of romantic action-adventure series, you are missing out. Highly recommend. Ok, Ms. Monk, what’s next?


**ARC provided by author for review**

For more reviews, visit
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Profile Image for Sally.
189 reviews18 followers
December 23, 2017
This book was different from the first three.. It was a bit on the dark side and it wasn't as funny as the others. It was amazing, nonetheless. The Spotless series holds a special place in my heart! It's simply one of a kind... I don't remember ever rereading any series so many times, as much as I reread this one. It was just so well written and fun and quirky in it's own way.
The reason this book didn't get a 5 star rating is because there was so much death in it. Don't get me wrong.. Butterfly in Amber was very well written and the plot was very entertaining and I couldn't put it down. But as a matter of personal taste, I don't enjoy falling in love with characters and then crying over their deaths :(

I loved all, and I mean all, the characters in this series (the good ones and the bad ones)... yes, even Mr Morgan (even if he was an abusive jerk with a temper) and Anis (actually, no.. I really hate Anis).

Dries' death made me cry. :( I just can't believe that he just let himself get killed like that...and I'm really really hoping that he.. was plotting something and wanted everyone to think he's dead or I don't know... he somehow, lived or was saved by Dominic or something!!!... it just that, after the big role he played in the Crystal Whisperer, to me, he became an essential part of this series and I don't know if I can enjoy the next book without him and his twisted humor!

Anyway, this book was amazing in it's own way and I really enjoyed it (minus all the deaths in the last few chapters).

P.S. Please bring Dries back to life.. we're all begging here! :'(

Full Review: http://letters-on-canvas.com/2017/12/...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for itsmeesahara❤️.
294 reviews
September 7, 2019
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Island & March

What happened here?😲 This book was different from the first three books in the series.. We still have the action-packed scenes💥 “violence, heartbreak💔, dark secrets & sexual frustration” but I miss Island’s wild thoughts 😂. I felt March pain and admire his tenacity,(still wishing for his POV, hehe).

I really love March & Island's adventure, the way they always find themselves in a bizarre situations. The way March always saves Island and the way Island always foils March's plan is what got me hooked in this series. Good thing that there’s two more books to read.

Overall I highly recommend this series. Kudos to Camilla Monk 👍🏻👏🏻
Profile Image for TinaNoir.
1,890 reviews337 followers
June 10, 2017
I've had this book forever and read it the same day I got it. But I had a very hard time writing a review for it because honestly, I think I would just reiterate what I've said about the last three books in the series.

Which makes sense because this is a continuing narrative. It isn't just a series of sequels, this is one story that takes place over four volumes.

So I suppose I am going to give some thoughts about the series in general.

I loved this series. If you look at my shelves for it, you will see this book fits on just about every genre shelf minus fantasy or horror. I think part of my enjoyment is because the series is such a genre bender. I love that it was action and mystery and suspense and romance with a dash of that chick lit humor built around two incredibly fun and charismatic characters.

This book was a bit darker and felt a little out of sync with the rest of the books. But I realized that is because our heroine Island felt a little off kilter. Her personality and voice have been the barometer by which the mood in all the books in the series are measured. So having her not really herself made this book feel a little apart. But that was ok (if a teensy bit frustrating) because I was sure our adventure would work out in the end.

It does. And I loved it. Such a cool series and I enjoyed the mad roller-coaster ride of the whole thing!
Profile Image for Simii Khanom.
335 reviews
May 20, 2017
Holy crap, what a bloody exhilarating ride!

Butterfly in Amber delivers everything; action, thrills, romance, angst and sacrifice❤️

It was an honour to be along this journey with Island Chaptal and her sweetest beloved OCD Hitman, March November (I love this man too much!)
Also Dries... took me a while to navigate through love hate relationship I had with him but in the end, he couldn't have been more amazing and protective father he tried to be for his "Little Island" (excuse me, while I go cry some more). I loved him in this book... he made me laugh at times with his dry sense of humour and had me cheering on when he's badass.

Now the villains here, you'll definitely despise and repeatedly chant: "die you SOB, die!" - they get their comeuppance, of course and it's satisfying :)

Fans of Island and March since day 1, prepare for an angsty and bittersweet reunion after book 3 but it was oh-so worth it, at last :))) I was squealing like a psychotic fan girl!

I do not have the heart to say goodbye to Island and March... I need more!❤️
Thank you, Camilla Monk for introducing me to this series and for being such a tremendously kickass author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
5 reviews
April 21, 2017
I received my ARC of this yesterday and didn't get off my sofa until I'd finished it.

So, is it a fitting end to the 'Spotless' series?

It's more somber in tone than the earlier books. The poignancy of Island's loss of memory and the pain this causes March in the earlier part of the book would have made too much humour jarring. Although the ice cream van and most sinister clown ever was a lovely touch. That's not so say there's no humour in the book. Hadrian the sloth anyone?

Hard to say too much about the story without issuing major spoilers, but there's world travel, mass destruction, some familiar faces and names and a baddie with James Bond villan levels of craziness. I'm talking wearing underpants on the head levels of nuttiness!

The return of the romance quotes at the chapter headings was really moving when the reason for it became clear and the ending was lovely.

Is Island still a virgin at the end of the book? Not telling 😀

Is this a fitting end to the 'Spotless' series? YES!!!!
Profile Image for jay.
1,087 reviews5,929 followers
December 8, 2023
i did very much enjoy the amnesia plotline but this series should have been over three books ago, who the fuck cares about all of this.

at least they did finally have sex cause that joke has been getting pretty old but nevermind as it was the most awful thing i’ve ever read, should have stayed celibate
Profile Image for Beatrix.
547 reviews94 followers
August 2, 2017
3.5 stars

March is the perfect boyfriend.

And I love Dries, flamboyant asshole & supervillain dad.
Profile Image for *The Angry Reader*.
1,522 reviews341 followers
May 18, 2018
It’s no secret that I’m in love with this series. Camilla Monk is a genius. Characters, plot lines, and science! Everything is thoughtful and intense.

This book had a different tone than the first three. The first half of it was so difficult to read. But I think things needed to happen to even the playing field for March and Island. They’d been on a journey towards one another - and then they had to take a really difficult trip together.

I’m a Monk-devotee for life. A Monkee if you will. I’m going to read her new book soon - after I get through a couple of ARCs. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us from this fantastic, unique author.


Profile Image for Kim Howard.
812 reviews15 followers
April 16, 2018
Camilla Monk, if I had a French beret, I would tip it to you. This book was just awesome. Knowing this one was the last book in this series, I tried to slow down my reading to make it last. I wasn't successful.

Without giving too much away, this book is slightly different than the previous three books. It has a different feel to it, but I gobbled it up anyway. There's confusing parts, sad bits, out of this world adventure, and a happy ending. I couldn't ask for more except I will. I want another book in this series! I'm off to read the novella (4.5). Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Bookgyrl.
1,343 reviews23 followers
April 26, 2017
Yesterday, I was crazy happy I received an ARC so I could FINALLY get past the cliffhanger of the last book. Today I am still crazy happy, but I also have a major case of book hangover.. as I assume it's called when you're really sad the book is finished. Really really sad. And this does not happen to me very often.

I will not spoil anything, so let me just say this book is - again - freaking awesome. Just like the other books the author takes you on a rollercoaster ride and I felt so many emotions while reading. I love Island and her stubborn tenacity. While she is no gun-wielding badass, she is badass in other ways and really smart. And March.... big sigh.

If you have not started the series yet, do so now! And let's all hope and pray that maybe, maybe! the author will write another book in this series or some novella, or a Christmas story. I will take anything!!
Profile Image for Alisia.
158 reviews11 followers
April 21, 2017
It's no secret that I am a huge fan of this series. I kind of stumbled across book one, enjoyed it and never looked back. It has just got better and better with each book.

As a final book this is a great wrap up to the Island and March story, but plenty happens from where we left the last book to where this one finishes.

And oh the feels. Be prepared to feel equal parts devastated, elated and highly amused. From a series that has been so entertaining I certainly wasnt expecting the emotions but man, did I relish it.

Well done Monk, very well done.
Profile Image for Celestine.
952 reviews132 followers
May 15, 2017
Dazed and Confused

Devious, devious Camilla Monk. My first notes as I read through the fourth (and final) book in the Spotless series were: "I am feeling this complete confusion. Did I forget how the last book ended?" Cheater that I am, I went back to look at Crystal Whisperer, and nope, I remembered correctly how I was left gritting my teeth at the edge of the cliff. Problem was that Island, the heroine of said series, did not. Take the blurb at face value when it says, "Island Chaptal will have to fight to remember...and stay alive." Monk wants you to be dazed and confused at the beginning of Butterfly in Amber.

Everything about the tone of this book is different than the previous three in the series. It is somber and tentative and has this closed-in feeling. It is remarkable - the loss I felt of Island's effervescence, her joie de vivre, her ebullience. I mourned it. Island truly is a butterfly caught in amber, and the subdued voice of the heroine is the epitome of that image. She is tentative and muddled and complacent. Who is this woman? And what did she do with my favorite ballsy moppet?

Unfortunately for Island - and readers who love her - it takes a long, long, long time to find her mojo memory. While this book is filled to the brim with outlandish adventures, spectacular constructs, and villains who could be first cousins to Hugo Drax from Ian Fleming's Moonraker, it was nearly bereft of the humor and wittiness that characterized the first three books. (Well, with the exception of the cat costumes purchased from Etsy - "where the boldest names of feline fashion gather"). Clearly competing to be the Queen of the Slow Burn, Monk proves it here. Just when you think that the romantic/physical relationship between March and Island is finally, finally going to progress to, well, third base or home plate, suddenly everything is back in the batter's box. I mean, she doesn't even recognize the guy. I wanted to cry.

"I have no walls for this man." The saving grace is that on a deep, instinctual level, Island knows March. They even have a few, quiet interludes that are classic to their relationship despite Island's captive memory. Plus, she still lusts after his chest hair (thankful prayers to Raptor Jesus for that). The recovery of her memory is the plot line I wanted to pursue, but nope, off we go on an Odyssey to Russia, Romania, Ecuador, Paris and beyond, plus every side character from the first three books is resurrected. *sigh*

What does come through in this book is a more mature, complete Island. Early on she is handicapped by her memory loss and a chemical fog, but the lion-like alphas around her begin to recognize her value. March has the ultimate proper response to where he is going to stash his woman when he replies, "I'm sorry. I'm afraid I have no control over this untamed Amazon." Island's father, not so much.

There is action-adventure, discovery, flashes of humor, great imagination, and tragedy in this final installment of the Spotless series. The most consistent humor stems from Dries's hound dog behavior. We are taken to the height of overblown megalomaniac ambition. The touching moments have a depth and resonance not seen in previous books. Our hero, March, did exactly what I expected of him. However, I have to argue with Monk's - and Island's - assessment that Island truly knows the meaning of carpe diem. Overly considerate and kind Island wouldn't know how to seize the day if it bit her nether regions.

3.5 frustrated stars rounded to 4.

Book source: ARC from the author.
Profile Image for Heather Blair.
Author 22 books219 followers
January 11, 2023
Book hangover? Pfffft. I am on a book high.

Book wasted. TOTALLY.

I was tore up most of this book. It. Was. Agonizing.

It’s like my heart is continuously breaking in slow motion, piece by piece.

You and me both, Island.

But it was all worth it in the end. March might just be my favorite character of all time. I don't just mean my favorite H, okay? I mean, favorite CHARACTER of all time. He's that good. Cold-as-ice, finger-chopping, trunk-imprisoning hitman, combined with a nose-tapping, furry-chested OCD teddy-bear, after this book, he's officially the world's best boyfriend.

This author is also a new fave for me. I wasn't sure about her voice at first, but as the books went on, I felt like she just got better and better until I was a bit in awe. She's one of those people you really want to be besties with, but are a little afraid she might be too smart for you. The wit in this series is both razor sharp and goofy as fuck.

My only complaint?

I want MORE.
NOW.

Oh thank Raptor Jesus, there's a novella.....
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews131 followers
Want to read
May 17, 2018
💝FREE on Amazon today (5/17/2018)!💝
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