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Boggy Creek Valley #1
The Butterfly Effect
The butterfly effect — one small change, one moment in time that impacts the future.
At twenty-six years old I never dreamed I’d walk in on my husband in bed with my best friend. At twenty-seven years old I found myself divorced, and the mother of a one-year-old son. Never mind I was learning to take the reins of my family’s apple orchard business. There was no way my life could be any more complicated…or so I thought.
Can a woman who’s lost all trust in men help a man who can’t even trust himself?
Aiden O’Hara was my brother’s best friend, and I would be remiss if I said I hadn’t always found him utterly attractive—and the passing of time or circumstances didn’t change that. But when he moves back to Boggy Creek Valley after serving his time as a Navy SEAL, I cannot deny the pull I feel between us.
Aiden is haunted by his own demons—demons that seem bigger than the both of us—and my heart warns me to stay away. I’d been burned already and didn’t need that added complication in my life, or so I thought. But one moment in time changes everything between us, and neither one of us can deny the hidden feelings we share.
Our pasts want to keep us apart…our future will be up to the wings of fate.
The Butterfly Effect is book one in the Boggy Creek Valley series and is a stand-alone novel.
At twenty-six years old I never dreamed I’d walk in on my husband in bed with my best friend. At twenty-seven years old I found myself divorced, and the mother of a one-year-old son. Never mind I was learning to take the reins of my family’s apple orchard business. There was no way my life could be any more complicated…or so I thought.
Can a woman who’s lost all trust in men help a man who can’t even trust himself?
Aiden O’Hara was my brother’s best friend, and I would be remiss if I said I hadn’t always found him utterly attractive—and the passing of time or circumstances didn’t change that. But when he moves back to Boggy Creek Valley after serving his time as a Navy SEAL, I cannot deny the pull I feel between us.
Aiden is haunted by his own demons—demons that seem bigger than the both of us—and my heart warns me to stay away. I’d been burned already and didn’t need that added complication in my life, or so I thought. But one moment in time changes everything between us, and neither one of us can deny the hidden feelings we share.
Our pasts want to keep us apart…our future will be up to the wings of fate.
The Butterfly Effect is book one in the Boggy Creek Valley series and is a stand-alone novel.
319 pages, Paperback
Published April 6, 2021
671 people are currently reading
1360 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Elliott
116 books6,504 followersKelly Elliott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author. Since finishing her bestselling Wanted series, Kelly continues to spread her wings while remaining true to her roots and giving readers stories rich with hot protective men, strong women and beautiful surroundings.
Her bestselling works include, Wanted, Broken, Without You, and Unconditional Love, to name just a few.
Kelly has been passionate about writing since she was fifteen. After years of filling journals with stories, she finally followed her dream and published her first novel, Wanted, in November of 2012.
Kelly lives in central Texas with her husband, daughter, and two pups. When she’s not writing, Kelly enjoys reading and spending time with her family. She is down to earth and very in touch with her readers, both on social media and at signings.
To find out more about Kelly and her books, you can find her through her website.
www.kellyelliottauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews
April 17, 2021
This book was so good! It included many of my favorite tropes, like best friend's sister, single parent, military romance and damaged hero. It was enjoyable and well written. It gave me scenes where I laughed, I swooned, I needed a fan and I even teared up. I loved how it talked about trauma and PTSD, but it also did it in a very respectful way , in my opinion at least. Maybe I'm not the expert to speak about it, but I definitely liked the way our heroine handled it.
My only issue with this book was the transition from him seeing her as a tomboy/ best friend's little sister to a female that he was attracted to. It was very abrupt and just because she changed her fashion style and put some make up on. I'm sorry, but this didn't sit well with me and the fact that they kept mentioning this moment as a trivial point in their relationship, it just made me cringe every time. Thankfully it was my only issue, but still.. I'd rather have this come more naturally, than just a single moment and because of the reasons that I mentioned.
Overall, I really enjoyed this romance and the small town element and I'm glad that this one was the first in the series, because I'm definitely invested in the secondary characters and their stories, so I'm here for them too!!
My only issue with this book was the transition from him seeing her as a tomboy/ best friend's little sister to a female that he was attracted to. It was very abrupt and just because she changed her fashion style and put some make up on. I'm sorry, but this didn't sit well with me and the fact that they kept mentioning this moment as a trivial point in their relationship, it just made me cringe every time. Thankfully it was my only issue, but still.. I'd rather have this come more naturally, than just a single moment and because of the reasons that I mentioned.
Overall, I really enjoyed this romance and the small town element and I'm glad that this one was the first in the series, because I'm definitely invested in the secondary characters and their stories, so I'm here for them too!!
April 11, 2021
Willa and Aiden
Willa has known Aiden since she was very young. Aiden and her brother Hunter have been friends forever. When willa turns 15 Aiden has to take a double look. Willa has grown into a woman. When Aiden graduated from high school he leaves to join the Navy. Then he becomes a Seal and his life is complete. Except for willa the girl he left behind.
Willa has known Aiden since she was very young. Aiden and her brother Hunter have been friends forever. When willa turns 15 Aiden has to take a double look. Willa has grown into a woman. When Aiden graduated from high school he leaves to join the Navy. Then he becomes a Seal and his life is complete. Except for willa the girl he left behind.
April 6, 2021
When I decided to pick this book up, I thought due to the title it would be a lot more of an impactful and emotional read, so I’m not going to lie when I say I am let down.
What I liked - the small town setting of Boggy Creek, NH. It’s a nice change of pace for Elliott, as most of her small town romances are based in the South. I loved the apple orchard and wished there were more scenes here. I also liked the PTSD representation and being inside Aiden’s head. When all you know for the past ten plus years are to keep your feelings to yourself, watching him struggle and rebuff everyone’s attempts at talking was very sad. I also appreciated that Kelly provided the hotline and other information for people seeking help. Side note - the illustrations were so cute!
What I didn’t like - look, sex scenes are meant to be hot. And I’m sorry, but nothing irks me more when reading a sex scene where all it is is exclamation marks and cheesy dialogue. Ugh. What a turn off. I was cringing and skipping past them. Now speaking of sex scenes, where was the connection between Aiden and Willa? There was no spark between them. They claimed to be in love with each other but who are they kidding?? Seriously.
Kelly Elliott’s books are very hit or miss for me and I’m sorry to say this one didn’t work. Hopefully the next one will be better. Three stars.
arc received in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked - the small town setting of Boggy Creek, NH. It’s a nice change of pace for Elliott, as most of her small town romances are based in the South. I loved the apple orchard and wished there were more scenes here. I also liked the PTSD representation and being inside Aiden’s head. When all you know for the past ten plus years are to keep your feelings to yourself, watching him struggle and rebuff everyone’s attempts at talking was very sad. I also appreciated that Kelly provided the hotline and other information for people seeking help. Side note - the illustrations were so cute!
What I didn’t like - look, sex scenes are meant to be hot. And I’m sorry, but nothing irks me more when reading a sex scene where all it is is exclamation marks and cheesy dialogue. Ugh. What a turn off. I was cringing and skipping past them. Now speaking of sex scenes, where was the connection between Aiden and Willa? There was no spark between them. They claimed to be in love with each other but who are they kidding?? Seriously.
Kelly Elliott’s books are very hit or miss for me and I’m sorry to say this one didn’t work. Hopefully the next one will be better. Three stars.
arc received in exchange for an honest review.
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February 23, 2021I absolutely love the worlds that Kelly Elliott creates and Boggy Creek is no exception. A perfect small-town blend of sweetness, swoon, humor, and a story that will tug at your heartstrings. The Butterfly Effect had me falling in love with Aiden and Willa from the very first pages and taking me on the most beautiful journey I won’t forget anytime soon.
August 6, 2021
Willa is fkn annoying. Dnf. This book was literally about how hot Aiden and Willa are and nothing else. There was no chemistry or connection.
April 8, 2021
One of my favorite sayings is "Never work harder on someone's life than they do." This heroine chased, begged, coaxed, cajoled, pleaded, manipulated and otherwise did every single bit of the work in this relationship.
This is the second book I've read where the heroine puts her life aside to heal a man with PTSD. Not only is it not romantic to read about, it's wildly inaccurate -- therapy for trauma requires incredibly hard work and willingness on the part of the patient, not his desperate would-be girlfriend.
This is the second book I've read where the heroine puts her life aside to heal a man with PTSD. Not only is it not romantic to read about, it's wildly inaccurate -- therapy for trauma requires incredibly hard work and willingness on the part of the patient, not his desperate would-be girlfriend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2021
As soon as I see Kelly has a new book series coming out I get all giddy about it. I read anything that she writes and I end up loving each book just as much as the last one. I just love reading the first book in a series. Getting to meet all the new characters and then falling in love with the two main characters.
This story is about Willa and Aiden *sighs*.. Willa has always had a crush on Aiden who's her brothers best friend. He's always seen her as his younger sister but when Willa is 15 and starts becoming a woman they start to kind of flirt with eachother. But with Aiden going to join the Navy he doesn't want to start something with her because he doesn't want Willa waiting for him all that time when she could be with someone else who's present and not out fight a war and wondering if he's ever going to come home.
Willa years later eventually meets someone and boy does that end badly. I swear I wanted to jump in the book and slap the guy for what he did to Willa. Then Aiden comes home after being discharged from the Navy and he carrying alot of demons from the people he's lost along the way.
The story touches on subjects from people who leave the military and have alot of problems like PTSD and other kinds of things. I loved that Kelly broached the topic and showed us how they help deal with someone who has like bad nightmares/dreams, PTSD from being in the military...
This was such a breathtaking, beautiful, sweet, sexy, loving, informative and swoony story. I had all the hand in the heart moments whilst reading this lovely story
This story is about Willa and Aiden *sighs*.. Willa has always had a crush on Aiden who's her brothers best friend. He's always seen her as his younger sister but when Willa is 15 and starts becoming a woman they start to kind of flirt with eachother. But with Aiden going to join the Navy he doesn't want to start something with her because he doesn't want Willa waiting for him all that time when she could be with someone else who's present and not out fight a war and wondering if he's ever going to come home.
Willa years later eventually meets someone and boy does that end badly. I swear I wanted to jump in the book and slap the guy for what he did to Willa. Then Aiden comes home after being discharged from the Navy and he carrying alot of demons from the people he's lost along the way.
The story touches on subjects from people who leave the military and have alot of problems like PTSD and other kinds of things. I loved that Kelly broached the topic and showed us how they help deal with someone who has like bad nightmares/dreams, PTSD from being in the military...
This was such a breathtaking, beautiful, sweet, sexy, loving, informative and swoony story. I had all the hand in the heart moments whilst reading this lovely story
April 7, 2021
A sweet, if underwhelming read
April 29, 2021
Sweet and juicy like fresh apple, shiny with emotions of love and fragrant like an orchard. Kelly has woven a story of chances, sacrifices and immense power of love in this book which helf me captivate by the cover itself. Let me tell you, the story inside is equally fresh and poignant.
Willamina Turner is born in a small town and attached to its land which bears fruits of labor, red and pink and gala.
Boggy Creek Valley Apple Orchards . Her heart is in the soil, the trees, the red fruits, the scent, the people.
Her childhood crush is her brother Hunter's best friend - Aiden O'Hara. Aiden's destined to join the Navy to continue his family trend and he can't afford to see Willa being a wait-at-home gf so he sacrifices his love for her freedom.
“One small, innocent smile had a ripple effect on my entire life.
Like the Butterfly Effect”
The years apart change their lives drastically and not in a good way for both of them. Fate gives them a second chance at love and they'd be fools not to grasp it.
Two things I loved at this point. Willa's heart is as big as the orchard acreage. She can give and give continously. Aiden is in the pit of despair and PTSD but she never lets go. Her compassion and tenacity ultimately heals Aiden.
Secondly my heart just swooned when Aiden asks Ben for the special favour. It's one of those tiny gestures that just make me all gooey-melty with love.
Bite into this heavenly delight, rich and aromatic. Chew slowly and let your senses burst with all the flours of love
4.5 stars for Mama Dada Bird
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
Willamina Turner is born in a small town and attached to its land which bears fruits of labor, red and pink and gala.
Boggy Creek Valley Apple Orchards . Her heart is in the soil, the trees, the red fruits, the scent, the people.
Her childhood crush is her brother Hunter's best friend - Aiden O'Hara. Aiden's destined to join the Navy to continue his family trend and he can't afford to see Willa being a wait-at-home gf so he sacrifices his love for her freedom.
“One small, innocent smile had a ripple effect on my entire life.
Like the Butterfly Effect”
The years apart change their lives drastically and not in a good way for both of them. Fate gives them a second chance at love and they'd be fools not to grasp it.
Two things I loved at this point. Willa's heart is as big as the orchard acreage. She can give and give continously. Aiden is in the pit of despair and PTSD but she never lets go. Her compassion and tenacity ultimately heals Aiden.
Secondly my heart just swooned when Aiden asks Ben for the special favour. It's one of those tiny gestures that just make me all gooey-melty with love.
Bite into this heavenly delight, rich and aromatic. Chew slowly and let your senses burst with all the flours of love
4.5 stars for Mama Dada Bird
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
September 15, 2021
Willa has always had a crush on her older brother’s best friend, Aidan. But when Aidan left to become a Navy SEAL, his departure crushed Willa’s hopes of them ever having a future. She married another man and had a son, but now she’s nearing 30, divorced and a single mom. Just when Willa is questioning what to do with her life, Aidan shows back up.
After a career-ending injury, Aidan returns home, but not without some physical & emotional scars. Aidan’s feelings for Willa have never faded and now that she isn’t tied down to the wrong man, now is finally his chance to prove to her just how much he wants her.
But with Aidan’s return, he brought back nearly debilitating PTSD. And now he’s worried that his mental wounds will keep him from finding his HEA.
The Butterfly Effect by Kelly Elliott is book 1 in the Boggy Creek Valley series. This had so much potential: small town, brother’s best friend, mutual pining, ex-military damaged hero. Unfortunately, the pacing of this romance was a little off. I needed more buildup to Aidan & Willa’s almost-instant romance. What I did enjoy was the discussion of PTSD and how vital of a player it was to the story. I may continue on with the series eventually. 3/5 stars.
After a career-ending injury, Aidan returns home, but not without some physical & emotional scars. Aidan’s feelings for Willa have never faded and now that she isn’t tied down to the wrong man, now is finally his chance to prove to her just how much he wants her.
But with Aidan’s return, he brought back nearly debilitating PTSD. And now he’s worried that his mental wounds will keep him from finding his HEA.
The Butterfly Effect by Kelly Elliott is book 1 in the Boggy Creek Valley series. This had so much potential: small town, brother’s best friend, mutual pining, ex-military damaged hero. Unfortunately, the pacing of this romance was a little off. I needed more buildup to Aidan & Willa’s almost-instant romance. What I did enjoy was the discussion of PTSD and how vital of a player it was to the story. I may continue on with the series eventually. 3/5 stars.
April 6, 2021
See the full review & more at HarlequinJunkie
This! This heartwarming story was an incredible beginning to a new series from one of my favorite authors, Kelly Elliott, who infused The Butterfly Effect with depth and heart, making this small-town romance an utter delight to read.
I was so excited to get my first look at Boggy Creek Valley, Kelly Elliott’s brand new series set in a whole different part of the country than normal for her work: New Hampshire. I’m a New England girl through and through so the setting was already a winner for me. Then I “met” the cast. It was a wonderful ensemble, with Willa and Aiden taking the lead this time, but there are a whole lot of other interesting people who deserve their HEA as well. So Elliott has left room for several characters to get their own book in the future. (Yay!!) Read More
This! This heartwarming story was an incredible beginning to a new series from one of my favorite authors, Kelly Elliott, who infused The Butterfly Effect with depth and heart, making this small-town romance an utter delight to read.
I was so excited to get my first look at Boggy Creek Valley, Kelly Elliott’s brand new series set in a whole different part of the country than normal for her work: New Hampshire. I’m a New England girl through and through so the setting was already a winner for me. Then I “met” the cast. It was a wonderful ensemble, with Willa and Aiden taking the lead this time, but there are a whole lot of other interesting people who deserve their HEA as well. So Elliott has left room for several characters to get their own book in the future. (Yay!!) Read More
March 12, 2021
MY HEART! Full Review as always on my Blog -> CLICK HERE
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May 7, 2022Maybe I'll finish and maybe I won't. TOO many cliches and tropes.
August 17, 2021
I felt no chemistry in this book. It had a lack of a lot of things for me. Sadly I really want to love it I just cant.
April 6, 2021
So I don’t know how I feel about this story. On the one hand I enjoyed it. Some parts were a bit sad and others I loved. And the other hand I felt like Will should have left Aiden to get back into the swing of things. I felt like everything with them was so rushed. I know they were away from each other for so long and they wanted to be with each other, but the man just got back from being in the navy seals for how long and he needed a minute.
Aiden and Willa were sort of in love with each other since Willa was a teenager. But Aiden also knew that he wanted to be one of the best Navy Seals ever and that’s why he let Willa go. After a while she figured out that she needed to move on with her life, so she got married and had a little boy. But her husband was a total douche and a cheater. Now she is a divorced single mother raising her little boy and running her family’s orchard. Until the day Aiden came home. Is this finally their time to be happy together? Or will Aiden’s past and dealing with his PTSD be too much for them to have their happily ever after?
I have to say that I admired the fact that Willa wanted to help Aiden. She stood by him even when he pushed her away and she went that extra mile to see that he got help. Aiden even though he loved Willa, he didn’t want to have her hooked to someone who wasn’t whole. But when he was with little Ben and Willa it seemed like he was at peace. Aiden needed to find help and work on himself first before he could be with Willa and her son and im glad that he got that. I am also excited to read the next story. I am most excited to read Arabella and Hunter’s story 😊 ♥
Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner
Aiden and Willa were sort of in love with each other since Willa was a teenager. But Aiden also knew that he wanted to be one of the best Navy Seals ever and that’s why he let Willa go. After a while she figured out that she needed to move on with her life, so she got married and had a little boy. But her husband was a total douche and a cheater. Now she is a divorced single mother raising her little boy and running her family’s orchard. Until the day Aiden came home. Is this finally their time to be happy together? Or will Aiden’s past and dealing with his PTSD be too much for them to have their happily ever after?
I have to say that I admired the fact that Willa wanted to help Aiden. She stood by him even when he pushed her away and she went that extra mile to see that he got help. Aiden even though he loved Willa, he didn’t want to have her hooked to someone who wasn’t whole. But when he was with little Ben and Willa it seemed like he was at peace. Aiden needed to find help and work on himself first before he could be with Willa and her son and im glad that he got that. I am also excited to read the next story. I am most excited to read Arabella and Hunter’s story 😊 ♥
Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner
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April 4, 2021
This story has all the feels! It takes you on an emotional journey that is completely worth it in the end.
Aiden is best friends with Willa’s older brother and she’s been crushing on him since they were kids. Aiden eventually noticed Willa and was crushing on her, but new he wasn’t the man for her and that he could never be the man she truly needed. He broke his own heart to protect hers. Aiden continued his time in the Seals and Willa moved on with her life, got married and had a family…until a decade or so later she is a newly single mother and Aiden is back in town for good.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED Aiden and Willa! They had so much chemistry between them and add in how adorable Aiden is with Willa’s little boy, Ben. Seriously, swooning over that! They were both single, however, they both fought their attraction towards each other. Aiden still didn’t feel like he could ever be good enough for Willa and now Ben, he was going through his own struggles that he needed to work out. However, Willa was supportive of him and wasn’t going to give up on the only man she ever truly loved. Their story is a journey and emotional at times but completely worth it in the end.
This is the first book in a whole new series and can be read as a standalone, but it does an amazing job at introducing you to other characters and I can’t wait to return to Boggy Creek Valley for more!
If you’re looking for a small town, slow burn romance with so many emotions this is one to check out!
Aiden is best friends with Willa’s older brother and she’s been crushing on him since they were kids. Aiden eventually noticed Willa and was crushing on her, but new he wasn’t the man for her and that he could never be the man she truly needed. He broke his own heart to protect hers. Aiden continued his time in the Seals and Willa moved on with her life, got married and had a family…until a decade or so later she is a newly single mother and Aiden is back in town for good.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED Aiden and Willa! They had so much chemistry between them and add in how adorable Aiden is with Willa’s little boy, Ben. Seriously, swooning over that! They were both single, however, they both fought their attraction towards each other. Aiden still didn’t feel like he could ever be good enough for Willa and now Ben, he was going through his own struggles that he needed to work out. However, Willa was supportive of him and wasn’t going to give up on the only man she ever truly loved. Their story is a journey and emotional at times but completely worth it in the end.
This is the first book in a whole new series and can be read as a standalone, but it does an amazing job at introducing you to other characters and I can’t wait to return to Boggy Creek Valley for more!
If you’re looking for a small town, slow burn romance with so many emotions this is one to check out!
April 4, 2021
5 star reviews The Butterfly Effect (Boggy Creek Valley #1) by Kelly Elliott
I was so excited when I learnt that Kelly Elliot was writing a new series. The Butterfly Effect is the first book in her latest series, Boggy Creek Valley and from the first chapter until the last I was riveted to the story that Ms. Elliott wove.
All it takes is one moment in time to change the course of ones life forever and for Willa that is exactly hat happens. I love stories set in small towns, add in that Willa is a single mum and that our hero Aiden is a retired Navy SEAL and I was all in. The writing was descriptive and I could easily visualize Boggy Creek Valley as I read. As I have come to expect from Kelly Elliott the characters were engaging and drew me in .
Can two broken hearted souls come together to find peace, love and in doing so take a leap of faith, creating a future together? This was a beautifully written story full of love, family, hope, angst, passion and determination to face ones past and in doing so create a beautiful future.
I was so excited when I learnt that Kelly Elliot was writing a new series. The Butterfly Effect is the first book in her latest series, Boggy Creek Valley and from the first chapter until the last I was riveted to the story that Ms. Elliott wove.
All it takes is one moment in time to change the course of ones life forever and for Willa that is exactly hat happens. I love stories set in small towns, add in that Willa is a single mum and that our hero Aiden is a retired Navy SEAL and I was all in. The writing was descriptive and I could easily visualize Boggy Creek Valley as I read. As I have come to expect from Kelly Elliott the characters were engaging and drew me in .
Can two broken hearted souls come together to find peace, love and in doing so take a leap of faith, creating a future together? This was a beautifully written story full of love, family, hope, angst, passion and determination to face ones past and in doing so create a beautiful future.
April 6, 2021
4.5- stars!
The Butterfly Effect by Kelly Elliott is a wonderful start to a new series. The story was emotional, charming and full of so many feels. Willa has been in love with her brother’s best friend, Aiden, since she was a teenager. But the choices Aiden needed to make meant walking away from her. It broke them both, but life moved on. Now, years later, Willa is trying to find her new normal after her divorce and being a single mom. Aiden is finally back home for good, but what does that mean? Is it finally their time?
Willa’s heart always belonged to Aiden, even when she tried to move on. She was sweet and caring, if currently a bit lost. Aiden has ghosts he carries from his time in the military. Willa has always owned his heart, but he wanted her to have a better life than he could give her. He stole my heart with how he was with Ben, Willa’s son. He was so caring and protective to both Willa and Ben. But with so much time gone by and changes in their lives, could they now find their way to each other? I loved their journey so much. This story had great characters and kept me reading until I reached the end. I loved it.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
The Butterfly Effect by Kelly Elliott is a wonderful start to a new series. The story was emotional, charming and full of so many feels. Willa has been in love with her brother’s best friend, Aiden, since she was a teenager. But the choices Aiden needed to make meant walking away from her. It broke them both, but life moved on. Now, years later, Willa is trying to find her new normal after her divorce and being a single mom. Aiden is finally back home for good, but what does that mean? Is it finally their time?
Willa’s heart always belonged to Aiden, even when she tried to move on. She was sweet and caring, if currently a bit lost. Aiden has ghosts he carries from his time in the military. Willa has always owned his heart, but he wanted her to have a better life than he could give her. He stole my heart with how he was with Ben, Willa’s son. He was so caring and protective to both Willa and Ben. But with so much time gone by and changes in their lives, could they now find their way to each other? I loved their journey so much. This story had great characters and kept me reading until I reached the end. I loved it.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
April 9, 2021
Small town romance, a heartbreaking journey with years of longing for the one she can't have.
But, that love and that longing are mutual.
After 9 years the situation is finally changing. With difficulty and a lot of effort and love and affection and will they are finally home where they should be.
After 9 years, they can finally love themselves as they deserve and create the life they always wanted and dreamed of. Only them. Only love.
And with this wonderful story and the supporting characters we met, who will hopefully get their own stories, begins a wonderful series of small-town romances.
April 6, 2021
Kelly has done it again . I found myself transported away to her new world of Boggy Creek Valley. I don't believe anyone writes small town romance like Kelly she has a knack of tapping into that part of me that yearns for romance and love. Aiden and Willa's story is multi layered so don't go in thinking all your getting is a love story it is so much more.
I loved all the secondary characters and how they get involved whether their help is wanted or needed. The way Aiden's struggles were written was done sympathetically and with a heart and understanding that made them so realistic but not sensationalised. Willa and especially her little boy stole my heart, him because he is the cutest little guy and Willa for her inner strength and determination. This book had humor and so much love it left me smiling from ear to ear when I finished.
I loved all the secondary characters and how they get involved whether their help is wanted or needed. The way Aiden's struggles were written was done sympathetically and with a heart and understanding that made them so realistic but not sensationalised. Willa and especially her little boy stole my heart, him because he is the cutest little guy and Willa for her inner strength and determination. This book had humor and so much love it left me smiling from ear to ear when I finished.
April 6, 2021
A great intro to a new series!
Aiden and Willa’s story will take you on an emotional journey. It's heartbreaking at times but it's so worth it to go on that emotional roller coaster ride. I laughed, I cried, and I swooned throughout the book. Aiden is definitely a swoon-worthy book boyfriend. So you don't want to miss him. But I am already so excited for the rest of the series!
Aiden and Willa’s story will take you on an emotional journey. It's heartbreaking at times but it's so worth it to go on that emotional roller coaster ride. I laughed, I cried, and I swooned throughout the book. Aiden is definitely a swoon-worthy book boyfriend. So you don't want to miss him. But I am already so excited for the rest of the series!
April 11, 2021
I’m always a sucker for a second chance, friends to lovers romance. While The Butterfly Effect isn’t exactly a second chance romance, it definitely felt like it since Aiden and Willa had such a deep connection when they were younger. Sparks were flying everywhere but yet Aiden going the Navy and Willa moved on. Now that Aiden’s back for good and Willa’s done with her previous relationship, their connection is slowly heating up again.
The Butterfly Effect has me obsessed with Boggy Creek and the local residents. From Willa’s family and friends, there’s so much to explore here and relationships to develop! Willa and Aiden are a sweet romance that have some stumbling blocks to overcome. Kelly Elliott paid respect to Aiden’s PTSD and the challenges that come with entering civilian life after the Navy. Their story is beautifully written and melted my heart! I can’t wait for more in the series.
The Butterfly Effect has me obsessed with Boggy Creek and the local residents. From Willa’s family and friends, there’s so much to explore here and relationships to develop! Willa and Aiden are a sweet romance that have some stumbling blocks to overcome. Kelly Elliott paid respect to Aiden’s PTSD and the challenges that come with entering civilian life after the Navy. Their story is beautifully written and melted my heart! I can’t wait for more in the series.
September 23, 2023
3.75⭐️: Surprise. It might’ve took me four months but I did it.
April 6, 2021
The Butterfly Effect is the first book in a new series and it’s great! It’s a small town brother’s best friend romance with a ton of feelings and emotion. It’s heartbreaking at times but Kelly mends your heart with her beautiful story. When you finish your heart will be full and happy and you will be glad you read it. You won’t be disappointed! Go one click!
An arc was provided for an honest review.
An arc was provided for an honest review.
August 2, 2021
The Butterfly Effect is book one of Kelly Elliot’s Boggy Creek Valley series, about a small town in New Hampshire and its residents.
This one follows Willa, a single mother who is in charge of her family’s apple orchard, and Aiden, her older brother’s best friend. Willa’s been in love with Aiden since she knew what love was, but Aiden didn’t start seeing her differently until right before he left to join the Navy. He didn’t want her to have to wait for him, so he never made his move.
He’s now a retired Navy SEAL, medically discharged from service and grappling with civilian life. He’s haunted by what he did and saw, and doesn’t think he’d be good for recently-divorced Willa or her son with all his baggage.
It was heartwarming but underwhelming for me. I liked the characters, I understood their perspectives, it was just missing that certain spark. I didn’t really care what happened, and the next book in the series is about a side character I wasn’t interested in so I think I will skip it and see who the remaining books are about before I decide if I will continue.
The pacing felt a little off to me, the conflict between the couple was resolved and then the book dragged on for another 20%. It just felt like filler, I would have rather just read a shorter, substantial book.
I liked the book enough overall, but again this is why I don’t trust cute covers. This is adorable, I didn’t realize it was going to be about PTSD. It doesn’t get super heavy, but still heavier than I expected from the cover that kind of looks like a children’s book.
This one follows Willa, a single mother who is in charge of her family’s apple orchard, and Aiden, her older brother’s best friend. Willa’s been in love with Aiden since she knew what love was, but Aiden didn’t start seeing her differently until right before he left to join the Navy. He didn’t want her to have to wait for him, so he never made his move.
He’s now a retired Navy SEAL, medically discharged from service and grappling with civilian life. He’s haunted by what he did and saw, and doesn’t think he’d be good for recently-divorced Willa or her son with all his baggage.
It was heartwarming but underwhelming for me. I liked the characters, I understood their perspectives, it was just missing that certain spark. I didn’t really care what happened, and the next book in the series is about a side character I wasn’t interested in so I think I will skip it and see who the remaining books are about before I decide if I will continue.
The pacing felt a little off to me, the conflict between the couple was resolved and then the book dragged on for another 20%. It just felt like filler, I would have rather just read a shorter, substantial book.
I liked the book enough overall, but again this is why I don’t trust cute covers. This is adorable, I didn’t realize it was going to be about PTSD. It doesn’t get super heavy, but still heavier than I expected from the cover that kind of looks like a children’s book.
July 31, 2021
Willa and Aiden had literally the entire town and both their families rooting for them to get together. Willa has always had a crush on Aiden since she was a child what she didn’t know was that when she got a little older he also had feelings for her. But Aiden didn’t want to hold her back and let her live for a bit. When he returned he came with a mission and Willa was there but it was perfect timing. But Aiden wasn’t the same anymore after seeing some horrible things while being in the military but the way he bonded with Willa’s son was heartwarming. These two had moments that were funny and moments that were heartbreaking but one thing they had was a very genuine love towards each other. The secondary characters were fun and I can’t wait to read their stories.
December 27, 2021
How does this book have as high of a rating as it does?? I had to stop reading at 30%! There’s no personality in these people. The dialogue is terrible. I felt uncomfortable when people were talking about how sexy others were when they were like 15 🤢 now they’re in their late 20s/early 30s and they still only think about who’s sleeping with whom. All of the women are gross, is anyone a lady or gentleman in this town? And maybe come up with some normal hobbies, or at least one hobby please that doesn’t involve sex. People are deeper than that, or at least people worth reading about are anyways.
April 7, 2021
Not my most fav troupe, best friend little sister.
He 3 years older I think.
He wants to go into the military so doesn't want to leave a woman waiting for him, although he says he's in love with the heroine.
The heroine gives up waiting, dates, gets pregnant by other man, gets married/divorced.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
Hero, a comment is made that he is with other women while a SEAL.
Pushing away from the Hero, due to not dealing with PTSD.
HEA.
Breadcrumbs dropped for future books in series.
He 3 years older I think.
He wants to go into the military so doesn't want to leave a woman waiting for him, although he says he's in love with the heroine.
The heroine gives up waiting, dates, gets pregnant by other man, gets married/divorced.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
Hero, a comment is made that he is with other women while a SEAL.
Pushing away from the Hero, due to not dealing with PTSD.
HEA.
Breadcrumbs dropped for future books in series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2021
2.5 Stars
This book was vapid and cheesy, I thought there would be some depth but alas there was not. Also these two main characters had almost no chemistry and I just hate an overly perfect hero. Pretty disappointed but I feel like that’s how I’ve felt with the last few Kelly Elliot releases.
5/10 wouldn’t recommend
This book was vapid and cheesy, I thought there would be some depth but alas there was not. Also these two main characters had almost no chemistry and I just hate an overly perfect hero. Pretty disappointed but I feel like that’s how I’ve felt with the last few Kelly Elliot releases.
5/10 wouldn’t recommend
January 6, 2022
super disappointed with this. willa was just annoying. It felt like she was only there for aiden and that’s all. her kid was seriously only ever mentioned to make aiden look good and that’s all she ever talked about aiden this aiden that. there were absolutely no chemistry and their dialogue was so dumb. she was so clingy it just ruined the book for me. i’m not even going to talk about aiden.
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