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Butterfly Trap
Can two tortured souls find the beauty in each other? Party girl, Nikki Kraemer is terrified when she wakes up tied to a dirty mattress in a basement that bleeds and breathes death. Her reality grows more terrifying as she battles her addiction at the mercy of her deadly captor. This is no ordinary day. Issac Burns has a dangerous secret that has eaten away his moral integrity for ten years. This is the day he will confront his inner demon . . . but Nikki is no ordinary woman. She is certainly not what Isaac expected. This romantic thriller dives into some dark subject matter and is not for the faint-of-heart. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2018
63 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
T.L. Fisher
5 books26 followersTL Fisher is an author of angsty love stories and domestic thrillers.
I am an avid believer in the philosophy; life isn’t about finding yourself as much as it is about creating who you want to be. We are the architect of our own destiny.
When I tell a story, my main goal is to make you feel. If you haven’t laughed out loud, breathed a gooey sigh, curled up in a blanket with the night light left on or wiped snot from your nose, I feel like I haven’t done my job.
My motto in life is—when nothing goes right—go left.
My best advice—never make eye contact while eating a banana.
Find her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/authortl.fis...
Instagram: @tlfisherauthor
Visit her author page at: http://www.amazon.com/TL-Fisher/e/B01...
Or her website at: http://authortlfisher.wixsite.com/tlf...
I am an avid believer in the philosophy; life isn’t about finding yourself as much as it is about creating who you want to be. We are the architect of our own destiny.
When I tell a story, my main goal is to make you feel. If you haven’t laughed out loud, breathed a gooey sigh, curled up in a blanket with the night light left on or wiped snot from your nose, I feel like I haven’t done my job.
My motto in life is—when nothing goes right—go left.
My best advice—never make eye contact while eating a banana.
Find her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/authortl.fis...
Instagram: @tlfisherauthor
Visit her author page at: http://www.amazon.com/TL-Fisher/e/B01...
Or her website at: http://authortlfisher.wixsite.com/tlf...
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 2, 2018
★ 1 star!! ★
Infelizmente esse livro não foi pra mim.
Apesar de achar o enredo interessante e até gostar do início, eu sofri com a leitura... foi cansativa, repetitiva e muito arrastada. Histórias com poucos diálogos, como foi o caso aqui, geralmente causam esse efeito... aquele sentimento de ler o livro há dias e nunca chegar ao fim.
Não consegui me conectar com os personagens, até mesmo quando o passado dos dois foi se revelando, não senti simpatia ou empatia em nenhum momento.
Ao meu ver, a autora acabou se perdendo pelo caminho e nada do que li me convenceu... principalmente de que o tal amor que os personagens principais—repentinamente—declararam ter, era de fato verdadeiro. Sem um desenvolvimento mais profundo, uma elaboração que ao menos seja consistente e crível nessa parte em especial, acho sim que rolou um caso de síndrome de estocolmo aqui, mas essa é a minha opinião.
Não sei se sou eu, mas me incomodou demais ter a impressão que havia uma certa justificativa para as ações e atitudes erradas deles.
Enfim... esse livro não foi nada do que eu esperava e a leitura não foi tão agradável.
“We all hold our dark secrets. We hold them until they no longer torment us. Our own secrets are always somehow more acceptable. . . less ugly. . . than someone else's secrets. A liar lies, but condemns a thief. A thief steals, but condemns a rapist. A rapist violates, but condemns a murderer. We all sin. What makes our sins any worse than someone else's?”
Infelizmente esse livro não foi pra mim.
Apesar de achar o enredo interessante e até gostar do início, eu sofri com a leitura... foi cansativa, repetitiva e muito arrastada. Histórias com poucos diálogos, como foi o caso aqui, geralmente causam esse efeito... aquele sentimento de ler o livro há dias e nunca chegar ao fim.
Não consegui me conectar com os personagens, até mesmo quando o passado dos dois foi se revelando, não senti simpatia ou empatia em nenhum momento.
Ao meu ver, a autora acabou se perdendo pelo caminho e nada do que li me convenceu... principalmente de que o tal amor que os personagens principais—repentinamente—declararam ter, era de fato verdadeiro. Sem um desenvolvimento mais profundo, uma elaboração que ao menos seja consistente e crível nessa parte em especial, acho sim que rolou um caso de síndrome de estocolmo aqui, mas essa é a minha opinião.
Não sei se sou eu, mas me incomodou demais ter a impressão que havia uma certa justificativa para as ações e atitudes erradas deles.
Enfim... esse livro não foi nada do que eu esperava e a leitura não foi tão agradável.
June 4, 2018
This was amazing!!
May 2, 2018
I WAS CONSUMED. Utterly fascinated with this story from the first page. The story isn't full of secrets, everything is laid out for you on a platter. Its straight forward. Until you're literally smacked in the face by this book and your soul shatters.
"This freedom didn't last long. Just like all clouds purge their moisture, I fell back to earth and the dirt absorbed me like a sponge. The bright colors faded to darkness. Heroin soon became my vacuum. He sucked away the light. He sucked away the hope.
When we break down the story, Nikki is basically kidnapped. To her luck, Issac becomes infatuated with her and helps her come clean off of the heroin. From there their love blossoms and the story really takes hold. Nikki has a rough past (*trigger warning for sexual abuse*) and she finally confides in someone who listens, who also is her captor. Their love grows from them slowly opening up to eachother and finding peace in one another.
"So, you are a serial killer?" She shakes his head, his focus still adverted, "I don't know, I don't think so."
It truly is hard to write a review for this one. I went in blind, I hadn't even really read the description on Amazon, not until now that I am writing this. I'm really glad I didn't. The synopsis does not truly grip what this story holds, and you really need to experience it for yourself. Your heart will crush for Issac and Nikki. You think the found happiness when they found love in eachother but that really is just the beginning of their journey. And the ending. Guys. Ugh. You just have to experience this one for yourselves.
“ I want to pour my love for Issac in a glass and drink it.”
"This freedom didn't last long. Just like all clouds purge their moisture, I fell back to earth and the dirt absorbed me like a sponge. The bright colors faded to darkness. Heroin soon became my vacuum. He sucked away the light. He sucked away the hope.
When we break down the story, Nikki is basically kidnapped. To her luck, Issac becomes infatuated with her and helps her come clean off of the heroin. From there their love blossoms and the story really takes hold. Nikki has a rough past (*trigger warning for sexual abuse*) and she finally confides in someone who listens, who also is her captor. Their love grows from them slowly opening up to eachother and finding peace in one another.
"So, you are a serial killer?" She shakes his head, his focus still adverted, "I don't know, I don't think so."
It truly is hard to write a review for this one. I went in blind, I hadn't even really read the description on Amazon, not until now that I am writing this. I'm really glad I didn't. The synopsis does not truly grip what this story holds, and you really need to experience it for yourself. Your heart will crush for Issac and Nikki. You think the found happiness when they found love in eachother but that really is just the beginning of their journey. And the ending. Guys. Ugh. You just have to experience this one for yourselves.
“ I want to pour my love for Issac in a glass and drink it.”
May 18, 2018
Beautiful Tragedy. That's how I can best describe this book in two words. Let me break it down even more. Beautiful because not only was it written captivating well, the love that pours through the pages between these two characters is unmistakably overwhelming. Tragedy? Yep. In every sense of the word. The lives these characters lived were tragic. The outcome? Let's just say that the outcome is still tragic, but of so beautiful.
Nikki is a junkie. She's spent more years on the run, living day to day not knowing what it will bring, than she lived happy in a loving home. She finds herself in quite the predicament though. She's tied to a bed in a basement and is now facing not only withdrawals from the drugs, but the demons from her past.
Isaac is the monster who's kidnapped Nikki. The one who comes in the room and listens to Nikki purge her demons in hopes he'll release her. He's also a beautiful man with just as many demons as Nikki. And now, instead of killing her, he has a new mission. One that sets so many things in to motion that lives will forever be changed.
Like I said, this is a beautiful tragedy. I was pulled in to this story from the very first chapters and kept turning the pages, falling deeper in to the love and potential hope. Is this a thriller with twists and turns? Not really. But I'd consider it a psychological thriller that will force you to remember that with every action, there is a reaction or consequence. That not everything is as it seems. But most importantly, that no matter what you believe you know, you don't. Not unless it's YOU living through the moments.
I received this book from Stephanie's Book Reports in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion.
Nikki is a junkie. She's spent more years on the run, living day to day not knowing what it will bring, than she lived happy in a loving home. She finds herself in quite the predicament though. She's tied to a bed in a basement and is now facing not only withdrawals from the drugs, but the demons from her past.
Isaac is the monster who's kidnapped Nikki. The one who comes in the room and listens to Nikki purge her demons in hopes he'll release her. He's also a beautiful man with just as many demons as Nikki. And now, instead of killing her, he has a new mission. One that sets so many things in to motion that lives will forever be changed.
Like I said, this is a beautiful tragedy. I was pulled in to this story from the very first chapters and kept turning the pages, falling deeper in to the love and potential hope. Is this a thriller with twists and turns? Not really. But I'd consider it a psychological thriller that will force you to remember that with every action, there is a reaction or consequence. That not everything is as it seems. But most importantly, that no matter what you believe you know, you don't. Not unless it's YOU living through the moments.
I received this book from Stephanie's Book Reports in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion.
June 10, 2018
This book is my “only one more chapter “ ❤️ Seriously.. I was absorbed in this book from the first chapter. I couldn’t put it down. I read it in a few hours.
Butterfly Trap is dark, suspenseful, intense, sad, sexy and beautiful. TL Fisher made me feel.. a few times I needed to stop and take a breath. I was shaking and crying.
This is a story about two broken people who deserve to be understood, happy and loved.
🦋 🦋 🦋 “Isaac and I are two irreparably broken souls, like broken glass, shattered into useless pieces. Together, we form a beautiful mosaic, a masterful work of art” 🦋 🦋 🦋
The story about strong and unconditional love.
I absolutely love every single word. It’s hard for me to explain all my feelings.
Amazing book. I highly recommend it!
❤️ “You are the blood in my veins that feeds my beating heart” ❤️
••I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book ••
Butterfly Trap is dark, suspenseful, intense, sad, sexy and beautiful. TL Fisher made me feel.. a few times I needed to stop and take a breath. I was shaking and crying.
This is a story about two broken people who deserve to be understood, happy and loved.
🦋 🦋 🦋 “Isaac and I are two irreparably broken souls, like broken glass, shattered into useless pieces. Together, we form a beautiful mosaic, a masterful work of art” 🦋 🦋 🦋
The story about strong and unconditional love.
I absolutely love every single word. It’s hard for me to explain all my feelings.
Amazing book. I highly recommend it!
❤️ “You are the blood in my veins that feeds my beating heart” ❤️
••I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book ••
May 21, 2018
Actual rating 2.5 stars. I rounded up. It’s my review. I do what I want. {insert clever Cartman meme or MySpace emo lyrics here}
Full disclosure: I was given an ARC copy of this book. Even fuller disclosure: This book was not my cup of tea. I can be a total D*** when I have strong opinions, but I’ll try real hard to reel it in. Hopefully the author won’t cut me off like the other discarded member(lol) in this book. But if she does, maybe she won’t wait until the end to casually mention that Lorena move (read the book to fully appreciate this last bit).
“Not my cup of tea” and “reel it in” are idioms. Other important terms for this review: analogy, metaphor, simile, purple prose. And yes, I know I’m top shelf level douchebag for identifying parts of speech. Hang in there. Somehow I only get higher on the jackass totem the further you read.
Dear TL Fisher,
Girl, you abused all those things too much. Your heavy-handed usage of descriptors that fall into the above categories pulled me away from your story. I wanted to love this plot. I’m totally into a good revenge kill with a side of heroine redemption. Nikki transformed, actually became the damned butterfly right there on the pages, but it was lost.
I know I’m being critical, but I also recognize that there are likely tons of readers who will fall head over heels for this type of romance. It’s the all-in romance. The consumption. The two joined souls. The hardcore, Four Seasons love stuff. It just wasn’t for me.
If I’m being really honest, I wanted to stop reading pretty quickly after she starts to develop feelings for her captor. Before you assume that I wasn’t into the Stockholm Syndrome like story line, just know that I was here for that. In fact, I almost wish that had been more obviously included. What killed it for me was that any small amount of suspense and danger that the author had built was immediately doused in gasoline, lit on fire, and replaced with sentences upon sentences of sappy love metaphors. “Her eyes, our souls, his voice, my heart, the wind, a song...”
My puke.
Apologies. That wasn’t exactly “reeling it in”.
If the writing had kept the danger, kept the unknown, this would have been much more entertaining.
Darling, you missed a brilliant opportunity with the parents and rodent. You had villains waiting to be annihilated, but you just rushed through them. Now, I realize that when you write, the story sorta tells you it’s direction. So probably, the direction you took this was as it needed to be for you. Unfortunately, that left me wanting more.
You didn’t need all that fluffy prose to sell this story. SAY THAT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK. You had a solid concept, but you wrote it safe. You wrote it like you were marketing to a romance reader. But you forgot that there are plenty of romance readers that like to mix and match. We like the darkness. We abandoned Fabio in the 90’s. Step outside that box and your next book could be fantastic.
Sincerely,
A reader that didn’t hate the book, but didn’t love it either.
I’m putting the author on my list to read future books. I think Nikki might not be the only transformation opportunity here. (How cheesy and amazing was that sentence? Yes! I am just nailing it right now.)
Fullest disclosure: this was a 1-1.5 star book for me until I realized that the ending got me. I was sniffling. I’m not a sniffler (autocorrect changed sniffler to smuggler three times. I am not a smuggler either damnit). I always add a star for emotional reactions. If you can get me to cry (remember, I’m kind of a d***), then you earned that extra star.
Also, who the f*** taught me to use parentheses? It’s like there was a punctuation sale happening and I filled my whole damn shopping cart. Some days I need a babysitter. Or an editor. Probably an editor.
Probably the babysitter too.
Full disclosure: I was given an ARC copy of this book. Even fuller disclosure: This book was not my cup of tea. I can be a total D*** when I have strong opinions, but I’ll try real hard to reel it in. Hopefully the author won’t cut me off like the other discarded member(lol) in this book. But if she does, maybe she won’t wait until the end to casually mention that Lorena move (read the book to fully appreciate this last bit).
“Not my cup of tea” and “reel it in” are idioms. Other important terms for this review: analogy, metaphor, simile, purple prose. And yes, I know I’m top shelf level douchebag for identifying parts of speech. Hang in there. Somehow I only get higher on the jackass totem the further you read.
Dear TL Fisher,
Girl, you abused all those things too much. Your heavy-handed usage of descriptors that fall into the above categories pulled me away from your story. I wanted to love this plot. I’m totally into a good revenge kill with a side of heroine redemption. Nikki transformed, actually became the damned butterfly right there on the pages, but it was lost.
I know I’m being critical, but I also recognize that there are likely tons of readers who will fall head over heels for this type of romance. It’s the all-in romance. The consumption. The two joined souls. The hardcore, Four Seasons love stuff. It just wasn’t for me.
If I’m being really honest, I wanted to stop reading pretty quickly after she starts to develop feelings for her captor. Before you assume that I wasn’t into the Stockholm Syndrome like story line, just know that I was here for that. In fact, I almost wish that had been more obviously included. What killed it for me was that any small amount of suspense and danger that the author had built was immediately doused in gasoline, lit on fire, and replaced with sentences upon sentences of sappy love metaphors. “Her eyes, our souls, his voice, my heart, the wind, a song...”
My puke.
Apologies. That wasn’t exactly “reeling it in”.
If the writing had kept the danger, kept the unknown, this would have been much more entertaining.
Darling, you missed a brilliant opportunity with the parents and rodent. You had villains waiting to be annihilated, but you just rushed through them. Now, I realize that when you write, the story sorta tells you it’s direction. So probably, the direction you took this was as it needed to be for you. Unfortunately, that left me wanting more.
You didn’t need all that fluffy prose to sell this story. SAY THAT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK. You had a solid concept, but you wrote it safe. You wrote it like you were marketing to a romance reader. But you forgot that there are plenty of romance readers that like to mix and match. We like the darkness. We abandoned Fabio in the 90’s. Step outside that box and your next book could be fantastic.
Sincerely,
A reader that didn’t hate the book, but didn’t love it either.
I’m putting the author on my list to read future books. I think Nikki might not be the only transformation opportunity here. (How cheesy and amazing was that sentence? Yes! I am just nailing it right now.)
Fullest disclosure: this was a 1-1.5 star book for me until I realized that the ending got me. I was sniffling. I’m not a sniffler (autocorrect changed sniffler to smuggler three times. I am not a smuggler either damnit). I always add a star for emotional reactions. If you can get me to cry (remember, I’m kind of a d***), then you earned that extra star.
Also, who the f*** taught me to use parentheses? It’s like there was a punctuation sale happening and I filled my whole damn shopping cart. Some days I need a babysitter. Or an editor. Probably an editor.
Probably the babysitter too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2018
First read by this author, it was a great read. I was a bit uncomfortable with their relationship at first but then I just got into the story. I will read more by this author and I loved her piece of advice in the about the author.
November 10, 2019
I had to take a couple of days after finishing this novel to put my thoughts and words to it, and I still may not be able to truly articulate my feelings.
This story feels unique, even tho the arch of the story is not. It's not just about a girl held captive and her captor, it's about how we hold ourselves captive. How we give others power over our safety, our physical and mental well-being.
The craft of this story is beautiful. Full of analogies, metaphors, and vivid imagery. This may be a distraction for some, but for me, I soaked it all up, intrigued and floored by some of the comparisons and imagery used that was unexpected. What lost me were some of the plot lines that were too unrealistic to me. Yes, Stockholm Syndrome is real. But how the police treated her; the marriage; her mother... Maybe my hopes for Nikki clouded how I interpreted the plot points.
Overall, this was a great novel and I'm excited to read more works by this author!
This story feels unique, even tho the arch of the story is not. It's not just about a girl held captive and her captor, it's about how we hold ourselves captive. How we give others power over our safety, our physical and mental well-being.
The craft of this story is beautiful. Full of analogies, metaphors, and vivid imagery. This may be a distraction for some, but for me, I soaked it all up, intrigued and floored by some of the comparisons and imagery used that was unexpected. What lost me were some of the plot lines that were too unrealistic to me. Yes, Stockholm Syndrome is real. But how the police treated her; the marriage; her mother... Maybe my hopes for Nikki clouded how I interpreted the plot points.
Overall, this was a great novel and I'm excited to read more works by this author!
May 21, 2018
In the begining, I struggled with this story. It was altogether too familiar to one of my favorites. As the story continued to unfold, something shifted. I began to see how truly different it was and it came to life all on its own. This is not your typical romance. It's dark, gripping, and beautiful in its own right. Do not go into this one without being prepared to have your emotions wrecked in the end. Be warned all you weary souls, you may find redemption here.
April 26, 2018
Stockholm syndrome
Examples Word Origin
noun, Psychiatry.
1.
an emotional attachment to a captor formed by a hostage as a result of continuous stress, dependence, and a need to cooperate for survival.
Origin of Stockholm syndrome Expand
after an incident in Stockholm in 1973, during which a bank employee became romantically attached to a robber who held her hostage
Examples Word Origin
noun, Psychiatry.
1.
an emotional attachment to a captor formed by a hostage as a result of continuous stress, dependence, and a need to cooperate for survival.
Origin of Stockholm syndrome Expand
after an incident in Stockholm in 1973, during which a bank employee became romantically attached to a robber who held her hostage
April 25, 2018
The book was very well written. Extremely detailed. I loved how well articulated she detailed Nikki’s withdraw from heroin. The relationship between Nikki and Issac was a little weird for me at first but I can see how she could love him in the end. I don’t always read these genres of books but again very well written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2018
Loved it. Absolutely loved it.
June 3, 2018
The very first thing that made me fall in love with this book was the beauty of the writing. T.L. Fisher has a style of writing that is detailed, so incredibly fluent, and full of beautiful analogies and metaphors that pulls the reader in and allows their imagination to run wild with magnificent images. Beyond the beauty of the writing, I was drawn to the characters who were both wonderful and horrible in their own way. Both Nikki and Isaac had their own deep, dark secrets that have led them down a dark path more than once. Nikki's addiction is born of her past and horrible for her to live with daily, but it just might be the path that brings her a future she never thought she could have or deserved. Isaac's past has left him with an unacceptable craving that seems to be dissipated by having Nikki in his life. They both have to find a way to leave their past behind them and move forward into a peaceful and fulfilling future. As we follow the journey through Nikki's withdrawal to her learning to deal with her pain without the dulling and numbing effects of heroin, we learn what it takes for her to allow herself to open up, learn to trust, and to feel emotions again without becoming too overwhelmed by all of it. As we find out more and more about Isaac, we learn he isn't a hero with good intentions, but maybe he could become much more like that. While the reader is not likely to be taken by surprise by anything contained in this story, they are going to feel so many emotions and be blown away by the characters and the images the writing brings to the surface.
May 31, 2018
In her Forward, T.L. Fisher describes Butterfly Trap as "a new and somewhat awkward pursuit" in comparison to her usual romance novels. This is the first book I've read from Fisher so I have no means of comparison, however, I will say the story is not only creative but also daring and brave.
The story of Nikki Kraemer and Isaac Burns is a journey down some of the darkest paths any person could embark upon. As Fisher states in her synopsis, "read at your own risk". Readers will likely find it hard to relate to some of the disturbing subject matter contained in these pages. However, the reality is that these are matters that are a very real part of many people's lives. Abuse, addiction, life choices that send us down paths we never wanted for ourselves. So keep an open mind and let this book take you down some dark, often overlooked paths of our society. In the end, Butterfly Trap is a story of redemption, finding ways to forgive ourselves for our failures, and overcoming some of the worst of what life has to offer.
Add to that a rather unexpected yet steamy, whirlwind romance between two tortured souls and Butterfly Trap is a recipe for a very intriguing romantic thriller that is dark and ultimately, beautifully tragic.
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The story of Nikki Kraemer and Isaac Burns is a journey down some of the darkest paths any person could embark upon. As Fisher states in her synopsis, "read at your own risk". Readers will likely find it hard to relate to some of the disturbing subject matter contained in these pages. However, the reality is that these are matters that are a very real part of many people's lives. Abuse, addiction, life choices that send us down paths we never wanted for ourselves. So keep an open mind and let this book take you down some dark, often overlooked paths of our society. In the end, Butterfly Trap is a story of redemption, finding ways to forgive ourselves for our failures, and overcoming some of the worst of what life has to offer.
Add to that a rather unexpected yet steamy, whirlwind romance between two tortured souls and Butterfly Trap is a recipe for a very intriguing romantic thriller that is dark and ultimately, beautifully tragic.
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
June 1, 2018
wow...that ending! Everything about this book has the true architecture of romantic thriller. The writing and pacing were executed very well. I will be reviewing this book in full on my blog www.bookishkat.com including some of the many beautiful words I highlighted.
"In the end, we all are thieves of the lives that surround us. We all determine each other's fate."
"In the end, we all are thieves of the lives that surround us. We all determine each other's fate."
April 2, 2020
Intense and enjoyable!
THE BUTTERFLY TRAP by T.L. Fisher
Definite trigger warnings are necessary: drug abuse, alcohol abuse, addiction, abandonment, withdrawl, child abuse, rape, murder, language, stockholm syndrome, etc. Dark material. Not for everyone.
This book is beautifully written and intensely manipulative. A great read for emotional release and burying yourself in the hurt and pain of broken characters.
"We all hold our dark secrets. We hold them until they no longer torment us. Our own secrets are always somehow more acceptable . . . less ugly . . . than someone else's secrets. A liar lies, but condemns a thief. A thief steals, but condemns a rapist. A rapist violates, but condemns a murderer. We all sin. What makes our sins any worse than someone else's? Acceptance is measured by our own moral standards and standards are set by our situations and our surroundings."
As I read this book, my emotions and reactions were a proverbial rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. I had such a wide range of reactions to this book, that I am frustratingly uncertain how I'm going to rate it. "The Butterfly Trap" has all the makings of being an amazing revenge kill story, complete with Stockholm syndrome (which I'd be lying if I failed to mention that I didn't feel like it was delved in to enough or brought to it's fullest potential as a whole), and a strong dish of heroine redemption.
“Let the past remain in the past and evolve. Evolution exists as long as life exists . . . and you, my dear, are still very much alive. You are a butterfly. Never forget the power to transform lies within you. Set yourself free. Spread your wings and fly."
I was hooked from the beginning and found myself hurriedly turning pages!
... until getting further into the book. When our protege, Nikki, fell in love with her kidnapper, Isaac. That's when I started to feel the urge to skim parts of the story. NOT because I can't get behind a good fall-in-love-with-your-captor romance. And I am well aware of how real Stockholm Syndrome is and how it effects the human psyche. My frustration was with the excessive flowery, mushy-gushy love proclamations that completely detracted from the darkness and suspense and realism. It just felt so unrealistic to me. And I feel like labeling this a Dark Romance would be more fitting than a Romantic Thriller.
Now, I have NO doubt that a lot of romance readers would love this aspect of the book. It was an all-consuming, reality-suspending, heart, mind, spirit, and soul-investing love story. And I can set aside my reactions enough to recognize that TL Fisher did an amazing job at exploring the unhealthy enmeshment of two very broken people meeting the darkness within each other. But I felt as though she could have ALSO achieved that without the meandering, overly romantic waxing on that felt stifling and inauthentic. With the focus put more on keeping the dark, suspenseful undercurrent tangible and keeping the characters a bit more raw and guarded instead of flowery and romantic and full of, "Oh, my love! How will I live without thee!"'s I would have found it more believable. But I'm a dark, pessimistic (read: realistic. Tomato/tomato) person at heart and that tends to bleed into how I elucidate romance novels and romantic situations as a whole.
But no one cares about my interpretation of love, right?
At no point did I DISLIKE this story, nor did I fail to appreciate Fisher's prose and writing style. It was beautifully written and full of analogies, metaphors, and vivid imagery that I not only appreciated, I relished. I was sucked in and brought through waves of emotion by some of the comparisons and imagery used.
"Nikki, your mind is like this cup of tea. It stores your worries. If the cup is too full, any bump or jolt in your life will cause it to spill and blister your skin. You need to empty your cup."
Finally, the ending was satisfying and I was once again brought back to thoroughly enjoying the book. As I got closer to the end of the book, I was partially dreading it because I saw it moving towards a traditional HEA (happily ever after). I can say without hesitation that that would have ruined the book for me. But upon turning the last page, I breathed a sigh of relief. I am very happy with the way Fisher ended it and wrapped it all up.
4 stars. I feel that TL Fisher did a beautiful job. And regardless of my initial frustrations, I will more than likely seek out more of her books in the future.
THE BUTTERFLY TRAP by T.L. Fisher
Definite trigger warnings are necessary: drug abuse, alcohol abuse, addiction, abandonment, withdrawl, child abuse, rape, murder, language, stockholm syndrome, etc. Dark material. Not for everyone.
This book is beautifully written and intensely manipulative. A great read for emotional release and burying yourself in the hurt and pain of broken characters.
"We all hold our dark secrets. We hold them until they no longer torment us. Our own secrets are always somehow more acceptable . . . less ugly . . . than someone else's secrets. A liar lies, but condemns a thief. A thief steals, but condemns a rapist. A rapist violates, but condemns a murderer. We all sin. What makes our sins any worse than someone else's? Acceptance is measured by our own moral standards and standards are set by our situations and our surroundings."
As I read this book, my emotions and reactions were a proverbial rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. I had such a wide range of reactions to this book, that I am frustratingly uncertain how I'm going to rate it. "The Butterfly Trap" has all the makings of being an amazing revenge kill story, complete with Stockholm syndrome (which I'd be lying if I failed to mention that I didn't feel like it was delved in to enough or brought to it's fullest potential as a whole), and a strong dish of heroine redemption.
“Let the past remain in the past and evolve. Evolution exists as long as life exists . . . and you, my dear, are still very much alive. You are a butterfly. Never forget the power to transform lies within you. Set yourself free. Spread your wings and fly."
I was hooked from the beginning and found myself hurriedly turning pages!
... until getting further into the book. When our protege, Nikki, fell in love with her kidnapper, Isaac. That's when I started to feel the urge to skim parts of the story. NOT because I can't get behind a good fall-in-love-with-your-captor romance. And I am well aware of how real Stockholm Syndrome is and how it effects the human psyche. My frustration was with the excessive flowery, mushy-gushy love proclamations that completely detracted from the darkness and suspense and realism. It just felt so unrealistic to me. And I feel like labeling this a Dark Romance would be more fitting than a Romantic Thriller.
Now, I have NO doubt that a lot of romance readers would love this aspect of the book. It was an all-consuming, reality-suspending, heart, mind, spirit, and soul-investing love story. And I can set aside my reactions enough to recognize that TL Fisher did an amazing job at exploring the unhealthy enmeshment of two very broken people meeting the darkness within each other. But I felt as though she could have ALSO achieved that without the meandering, overly romantic waxing on that felt stifling and inauthentic. With the focus put more on keeping the dark, suspenseful undercurrent tangible and keeping the characters a bit more raw and guarded instead of flowery and romantic and full of, "Oh, my love! How will I live without thee!"'s I would have found it more believable. But I'm a dark, pessimistic (read: realistic. Tomato/tomato) person at heart and that tends to bleed into how I elucidate romance novels and romantic situations as a whole.
But no one cares about my interpretation of love, right?
At no point did I DISLIKE this story, nor did I fail to appreciate Fisher's prose and writing style. It was beautifully written and full of analogies, metaphors, and vivid imagery that I not only appreciated, I relished. I was sucked in and brought through waves of emotion by some of the comparisons and imagery used.
"Nikki, your mind is like this cup of tea. It stores your worries. If the cup is too full, any bump or jolt in your life will cause it to spill and blister your skin. You need to empty your cup."
Finally, the ending was satisfying and I was once again brought back to thoroughly enjoying the book. As I got closer to the end of the book, I was partially dreading it because I saw it moving towards a traditional HEA (happily ever after). I can say without hesitation that that would have ruined the book for me. But upon turning the last page, I breathed a sigh of relief. I am very happy with the way Fisher ended it and wrapped it all up.
4 stars. I feel that TL Fisher did a beautiful job. And regardless of my initial frustrations, I will more than likely seek out more of her books in the future.
February 13, 2021
Butterfly Trap was a good read by T.L. Fisher. Nikki Kraemer is a party girl who wakes up tied to a dirty mattress in a basement. She's terrified and her reality becomes more terrified as she is withdrawing from her addiction. For the last ten years, Isaac Burns had a dangerous secret that has killed his moral integrity. He is confronting the demon head on but Nikki isn't what he expected. This is a romantic thriller that has some dark subject matter; murder, sexual abuse, and drugs.
February 5, 2019
Heart wrenching!
Oh my goodness, this is such a heart wrenching story. You actually feel their pain and sorrow but you can also feel their love. There are trigger warnings for this book. Please be aware of those warnings, it is a hard read in places but it is a means to an end. I do recommend this book but with caution.
Oh my goodness, this is such a heart wrenching story. You actually feel their pain and sorrow but you can also feel their love. There are trigger warnings for this book. Please be aware of those warnings, it is a hard read in places but it is a means to an end. I do recommend this book but with caution.
July 20, 2023
The writing is well done. The contents of the story itself wasn’t anything to brag about. I immediately recognized Stockholm syndrome and couldn’t help but yell at the main character for romanticizing her captor. It’s essentially Beauty and the Beast with a dark twist. I would not recommend anyone read this book.
February 1, 2020
Butterfly trap
This story was a pretty good story but way too "out there" in the romance department. So much so that i couldnt connect to the characters. It was just mushy and corny in my opinion.
This story was a pretty good story but way too "out there" in the romance department. So much so that i couldnt connect to the characters. It was just mushy and corny in my opinion.
September 3, 2023
Riveting!!!!
I couldn't put this story down. I just had to know the ending before I could think of doing anything else. And what an amazing story it was. TL Fisher really brings the characters to life.
I couldn't put this story down. I just had to know the ending before I could think of doing anything else. And what an amazing story it was. TL Fisher really brings the characters to life.
January 3, 2024
Good but not great
The story doesn’t develop the relationship between the characters enough for the storyline to be believable. It had some great moments and twists, but could have developed the characters a little more.
The story doesn’t develop the relationship between the characters enough for the storyline to be believable. It had some great moments and twists, but could have developed the characters a little more.
February 19, 2019
That was all kinds of messed up! Like a train wreck....I just couldn't look away!!
February 26, 2019
A very good read
December 2, 2019
I enjoyed this book. I was so sad when then ending played out, but I won’t say more. I don’t want to spoil it. Both characters endured a lot.
January 23, 2020
Dark romantic thriller. This hook is not for the fail of heart and has several traumatic triggers... but beautifully written and BRILLIANT!!
January 26, 2020
Meh
A bit way to corny lovy-dovy. A good story line but some of the dialogue was just barfing love. Happy reading
A bit way to corny lovy-dovy. A good story line but some of the dialogue was just barfing love. Happy reading
January 31, 2024
I was intrigued with the story, but noticed a lot of grammatical and spelling errors that I struggled to ignore.
April 30, 2024
This book started me with dark romance
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