A delightful novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Hopeless Romantic and A Place for Us

'Heart-stopping and wonderful . . . an epic, sweeping, romantic story told brilliantly' Sophie Kinsella

It begins and ends with Keepsake, the house that holds its shadows too tightly.


Nina Parr's mother has lied to her for most of her life. But when Nina inherits Keepsake, a long-forgotten house in Cornwall, she pieces together a sad truth that reaches back to the outbreak of war in the 1930s. A must-read for fans of Kate Morton and Santa Montefiore.

What magic is this?

You follow the hidden creek towards a long-forgotten house.

They call it Keepsake, a place full of wonder . . . and danger. Locked inside the crumbling elegance of its walls lies the story of the Butterfly Summer, a story you've been waiting all your life to hear.

This house is Nina Parr's birthright. It holds the truth about her family - and a chance to put everything right at last.

Two things happen when you are a Parr girl: when you are ten, you are told about your future role.

The second thing that a Parr girl at some point must learn is harder to tell of.

It is a dark work indeed, the business of this house, hidden from the world.

Praise for The Butterfly Summer:

'Loved it' Gill Hornby

'A delightfully engrossing read' Red

'Moving, gripping, heartbreaking' Kate Williams

'Great characters, gorge house, intriguing mystery, what's not to love?!' Lucy Diamond

'Multi-layered, heartbreaking and as beautiful as a butterfly wing' Veronica Henry

'A crumbling house in Cornwall and a family with lots of secrets are brought to life by the evocative writing in The Butterfly Summer' Good Housekeeping

'Gorgeous' Stylist

'Harriet Evans' writing is just perfect' Linda's Book Bag