I couldn’t pass this one up. Not only do we share a family name, but we share a family obsession with birds. I’ve been on my share of birding adventures, and really enjoyed that aspect of the book. However, it’s the dual timelines, tragedies, and threads of healing and hope that really solidified this story into my soul.

One might think that nothing good can come of Bitter End, but that is definitely not the case. When Ana returns, she finds herself deep into an age-old mystery, with branches of her family tree to discover, and current emotions to sort through. I thought the author did a beautiful job of tying the past and the present together with all kinds of tangly strands, allowing for the mending of many things as situations are sprinkled with friendship, love, resolution, acceptance, and restorative notions.

Not only are these characters wonderful, but the plot and storyline is superb. I loved the experiences from the bird outings and the meaningful relationships that resulted. This story is a beautiful encounter from start to finish–loved it!

Content: themes of religion; mild romance; off-page trauma/tragedy

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*

Amanda Cox’s latest has all the elements that I’ve come to love about her novels: a community emphasis, forgiveness and healing, and a sweet thread of faith woven throughout.
Ana is looking to escape the imposter syndrome she feels in her hometown by going to (she thinks) take care of her ailing and elderly great aunt. Upon arrival, however, she finds her aunt packed up for a trip, and Ana the designated house sitter.
What follows is the story of Ana’s own healing, as well as her discovery of family secrets and misunderstandings. Throw in a gentle shepherd, a rescued dog, and a lovable but eccentric cast of characters, and you’ve got a cozy and warmhearted fall read. Oh, and we can’t forget the birding society itself! So charming.
The ending might read too sappy for some, but in my opinion, I found the storyline in the past of the “morally gray” character and his interactions with the town minister to be refreshing. Things are not always what they seem, and this novel oozed with grace for people’s stories without tipping over into syrupy sweet territory.
I’m a big fan of Amanda Cox as an author, and this book confirmed that. Many thanks to Netgalley and Revell for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.

Amanda Cox delivers a gentle, emotionally layered story about grief, healing, and unexpected community in a small Appalachian town. The characters are well-developed, and the dual timeline adds depth to Ana Leigh Watkins’ journey as she navigates personal trauma and family secrets.

The birding society itself is a quirky, endearing ensemble, and Cox’s writing has a quiet sincerity that invites reflection. That said, the pacing is slow, too slow for me, which may not suit every reader. It’s a book that asks you to settle in rather than race through.

Recommended for those who appreciate introspective fiction, character-driven narratives, and stories that explore restoration with a soft touch.

I don’t tend to read the back covers of books unless I’m considering whether or not to buy them. This book was an automatic pick-up for me; ever since I picked up my first Amanda Cox book, I’ve known that she’s one of my favorite authors. And as soon as I got within the pages of this story, I remembered all over again why I enjoy her books!

This is another split-time story, which I absolutely loved. I found myself invested in both times, and while the book leans more heavily on the present storyline, I couldn’t wait to figure out what happened in the past, too (and that preface? Yikes—that definitely had its part in keeping me moving through the story!).

Then there are the characters. I loved Ana, even with her brokenness and struggles to figure out how to forgive herself. Marilyn was just a dear, my heart went out to Cora, and I really liked Sam. Plus, Piper was a hoot—and I’m not even a dog person!

This is a story of friendship, of deep internal work, of seeing ourselves honestly, and perhaps most importantly, of forgiveness. If you enjoy gripping Christian fiction with a hint of mystery and realistic romance, love birdwatching or other outdoorsy things, and/or love family stories, I’d highly recommend you check this book out. It took me unexpected places, made me laugh and sometimes made me want to hug certain characters, and in the end, I put the book down with a sigh. It was a great read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

The Bitter End Birding Society
by Amanda Cox
Pub Date: August 19, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book is so good and it is my first from this author! I loved the writing style and the characters!
Hometown hero Ana Leigh Watkins ventures to Bitter End, Tennessee, to help her great-aunt prepare for retirement. A town called Bitter End seems an ironic place for Ana to refresh her weary spirit, but she's desperate for respite from the attention and unwarranted admiration of her community. While on a hike in Roan Mountain, a ragtag group of amateur bird-watchers takes her under their wing--a little against her will. However, she quickly warms to these genuine souls seeking solace in the great outdoors.

But when Ana's adventures in Bitter End lead her to a severed branch of her family tree--one that involves the forbidden love between a moonshiner's daughter and a preacher's son--what began as a getaway to help her great-aunt becomes a transformative journey that binds together two women who, though they live on the same street, have been estranged for sixty years.

An immersive faith-based novel of finding belonging, reconciliation, and new beginnings for fans of southern fiction. This narrative of friendship and community makes for a perfect book club selection.

This is such a good book and my first from this author. I loved the characters and story. They moved me in many ways, their struggles, their triumphs. All of them so were done. I really enjoyed how it was written. The dual time lines mirrored each other so well. The way the author passes time in both is flawless. I enjoyed how certain events are told. Cox leaves just enough bread crumbs, so keep you gripped to the story and the payoffs were excellent.

There are strong lessons learned in both timelines. Lessons that even take years. Some of my favorite scenes were the birding trips. I loved hearing about the species of birds that were mentioned and what they meant to the characters.

Anna, Sam, Cora, V, Trill, Margaret, Wayne, they will stay with me a long time. The characters and the page turning plot of the past and present drive this story to the bitter end.

I can’t wait to read more books from this author.

I received an eARC from the publisher. All views are my own.

“…Even in a broken world, there was still wonder and delight to be found.”

In The Bitter End Birding Society, Amanda Cox weaves a heartfelt, beautiful journey through past sorrows, loss, & 2nd chances. This dual time period, slow burn mystery had me eagerly turning the pages as soul-deep characters, each with their own personal stories, find healing & hope in Bitter End. It’s the story of triumph over tragedy all brought about by the inspiring, peaceful hobby of bird watching.

Ana Leigh Watkins endured the unimaginable & became the hometown hero. But the accolades feel hollow & she’s ready to escape to find peace. Hoping for a new beginning, she iconically ventures to Bitter End, Tennessee to help a long lost great-aunt ready her home to sell. But, when Ana arrives, she finds an intriguing mystery as she sorts through her aunt’s past. Unearthing a severed branch of her family tree, she discovers a forbidden love story between a preacher’s son & the local moonshiner’s daughter, a tragic murder, & family secrets.

As she delves into the past, she also finds a group of unlikely new friends when she’s adopted into the local Bitter End Bird Watching Society. Her aching heart soon finds respite & answers to not only the past, but her troubled future as she & her fellow bird watchers share their hopes, fears, & own sorrows. Reconciliation, new ways forward, & healing are all found while admiring the beauty of nature & God’s inspiring creations.

I loved this story & the endearing characters. I enjoyed going back & forth from the 1950’s to present day as each clue is slowly unraveled. I loved seeing Ana & her new neighbor Sam find solace in one another’s company & a renewed hope for the future. Cora’s & Marilyn’s story was both sad & touching. I enjoyed seeing these old friends turned enemies reconnect. The 1950’s mystery was a lesson in regret & second chances. I was touched in learning what happened that fateful day & the courage & sacrifice of a father.

I loved spending time in Bitter End & the inspiring faith messages woven throughout. Highly recommend to those who enjoy a slow burn, inspirational mystery. I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own & provided voluntarily. 4.5-5 stars!

I loved this story both for its unique focus and its examination of the ways our family history impacts our current realities. We get to know Ana, a kindergarten teacher whose traumatic work experience is now impacting how she feels about herself and her ability to do her job well. After discovering genealogical ties to a forgotten mountain town with the confusing name of Bitter End, Ana spends her summer doing something she’s never done before, but something she won’t soon forget…joining a bird society and discovering the world of ornithology.
Through unlikely friendships and the discovering of forgotten family secrets, Ana finds herself taking part in a journey toward healing for the ones she loves, and within her own heart.

I loved how this story portrayed the value of slowing down; the gift of taking time to wonder and awe over God’s creation. I also loved how realistically it depicted what healing in our lives looks like as we continuously pursue grace - both for ourselves and others.
The ending was definitely my favorite part: some characters experienced God’s forgiveness and redemption, a unique approach to schooling was celebrated and the possibility of “healing-ever-after” was characterized to be something possible and good.

The 'birding' details and slow pace of the story might bog down some readers, but others may relish in those aspects! If you love a story about family history, with rich themes of healing, and small threads of romance & mystery woven in, this is the book for you! Amanda Cox is one of my favorite authors for books featuring characters that face difficulties with courage & hope, whose journey portrays what it looks like to seek peace & belonging this side of eternity. Her stories have beautiful threads of the gospel that point to the Greatest Story of all.

Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Bitter End Birding Society is exactly what you’d expect from an Amanda Cox novel. This story is packed full on nuance, emotional intelligence and character growth. Throw in a few shocks along the way and you’ve got a real page-turner.

The story features teacher Ana Lee Watkins who has finished the school year after protecting her students from a violent intruder. Physically recovered, Ana is happy to head to the mountains and help her great aunt prepare to sell her house. Instead, she finds herself with a lengthy to do list as her relative heads out on a travel adventure.

Ana begins the work but along the way discovers far more about her family heritage than she could ever dream. Moonshine, murder, and marriage all intertwine with faith and failing health and family devastation. Meanwhile, Ana finds herself coerced into joining the Birding Society and discovers a whole new world while healing from hurts she didn’t fully realize were there.

Brilliantly, there’s a twist for Ana the reader can see coming before it hits her and wow, that made me keep to turn the pages. This is a beautiful, delicate, clever story and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

I received a copy of The Bitter End Birding Society from the publisher via NetGalley, the opinions are my own.

Amanda Cox at her finest! This was a fantastic story with complex characters who I loved! Highly highly highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Another absolutely incredible book by a very talented author. She writes such rich characters with complex character development and growth. I love how each character has to deepen their faith as they navigate a difficult past or a trauma that influences their current life. The characters felt so real and authentic to me! And I love how quirky the birding society is with such unique personalities! The romance is clean and realistic, and I really enjoyed reading about the couples from both the past and present timeline. I had such a hard time putting this book down as I fell in love with the characters and was invested in their stories. Highly recommended!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This dual time line novel is incredible. Ms. Cox has been a favorite author of mine for quite some tiike. She’s a masterful storyteller and what a story she has to tell in this one.

I loved the characters in both timelines, they have real challenges to face. They also have a lot of love to share.

There are several surprises within the story, along with a somewhat unusual bird warning group. I was fascinated by the group and felt like they would be a fun group to spend time with.

Overall, I loved everything about this one and highly recommended it.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy.

I have to say, this book was one of the most unique stories I've read in a long time. Made me want to start a birding society of my own. Interesting characters and story line. Take a chance on this one.

The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox is a heartfelt reflection on reconciliation, faith, and the healing nature of community. Each story in Cox’s growing oeuvre promises to instill a sense of hope, even when addressing sensitive subject matter. On that front, this novel succeeds spectacularly. With its tender characters and uplifting moral, Cox’s latest work nourishes the soul, leaving readers a little less burdened upon flipping the final page.

Amanda Cox’s dual storyline novels always include two tales in which the reader becomes deeply invested. The Bitter End Birding Society is no exception. (Also, isn’t the title the best?)
Ana volunteers to help pack her aunt’s home in Bitter End and ends up house sitting the home. Ana is there to heal her soul and body while on summer break as a teacher. While she’s there, she tries to Amanda find out the secrets of her family origin. New friends, including a potential love interest, help her find rest and her family history,
This is going to be a favorite for many readers and the perfect book to read on a cooler fall day with a cup of tea!
I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to Revell Publishing and NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

🐦 The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox

💜About This Book:
- Women’s Southern Fiction
- POV: Viola and Ana
- Dual Timeline: 1958 and Present Day
- Set in Tennessee
- Small-Town Feel
- Fractured Family
- Finding Belonging
- Forbidden Romance
- Birdwatching
- Published 2025
- Parents Guide: kisses only, no swearing

🌿My Thoughts:
I absolutely loved Amanda’s book He Should Have Told the Bees, so when I saw her latest release, I knew I had to read it. Amanda has such a magical gift for storytelling. She creates characters who feel achingly real and weaves themes that linger long after the final page. This book was no exception. I was completely drawn in by the heartfelt journey of these characters. The birding aspect, was fun for me! I even found myself googling the different birds as I read, just to see them come to life. It’s a story that tugs at the heartstrings in the most beautiful way, and one that will stay with me for a long time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Heartfelt and Genuine…A Must Read-

If you like mountain tales and southern fiction, this one is special. Amanda Cox intricately weaves past with present in this redeeming tale of healing and forgiveness. At its core, two families with opposing beliefs and opposing purpose…leading to unspeakable pain, broken friendships and lost family connections.

Cox delivers a poignant story with expert pacing, a beautiful spiritual arc and parallel themes, tying it up with a community of misfits…each unknowingly needing to heal from their own experiences. Each finding resolve to move on in a way they would have never chosen themselves. Dear Marilyn. You are a wise one.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review.

I'm feeling rather bitter that this story had to end!

The dual timeline story was a fantastic way to tell this story. It gave a chance for the reader to understand the complexity of the story and the choices that were made.

My favorite characters were Marilyn and Piper. I loved how Marilyn overcame so much in her life and still maintained her joy!

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

I greatly enjoyed the most recent, beautiful, and poignant story by Amanda Cox. As with her previous stories, The Bitter End Birding Society is filled with beautiful souls who are finding their way back from painful circumstances often not of their own making. It is truly an encouraging story of beauty from ashes, beauty once hidden by loss, despair, and self-reproach and rediscovered by being re-introduced to the Creator through His creation. Nature has a way of healing hurting hearts when one allows oneself to sense God's presence and to let down one's defenses.

This story is the type that makes me very stingy with five star reviews because I need something to separate the truly special stories, like this one, from those that are merely very good. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Bitter End Birding Society from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

“…joy is an important survival skill too.“

When I think of places that sound great for a fresh start or a period of soul-restoration, a town called Bitter End wouldn’t ordinarily top my list. But that’s before I read Amanda Cox’s latest novel and found some grace for my own spirit there too. This author – a master of insightful character arcs – brings a handful of broken people to that tiny Tennessee mountain community and tenderly orchestrates the start of healing. Not the kind that happens overnight. Not the kind that ties everything up with an easy solution. Not the kind that makes everything all right. But the kind that makes you all right, eventually, if you stick it out and do the work and let God do His thing. And in between the broken moments, Cox weaves in perfectly-placed humor, joy, faith, birdsong, belonging, and even a dash of romance … along with a multidimensional ‘tale of two families’ that ripples across six decades.

I couldn’t stop myself from falling in love with each of those wounded characters she brought together in Bitter End – either in the 1958/59 timeline or the present day one – but I have to say my favorite has to be Piper. My guess is that you’ll understand why once you officially meet her, but on the off chance you do not, I’ll say this: her story, to me, acted as a beautiful picture of Ana’s own search for belonging in this novel. God tends to teach me heart-lessons through characters like Piper in real life too, so I naturally gravitated to her presence in Ana’s life. The ‘ragtag group of amateur bird-watchers’ that enfold Ana into their midst made me smile every time they were on the page too, even in the deeper moments, because I could so easily picture – and hear – them in my mind as I read.

Bottom Line: Amanda Cox consistently writes books that remind me why I love reading fiction, and The Bitter End Birding Society sings with the same heartfelt storytelling I’ve come to expect from her. The gripping scene that begins our story, its profound affect on the present day, and the perceptive placement of each new element to the ‘full story’ kept me absolutely transfixed, even more than my hopes that Sam and Ana would fall in love (and we ALL know how difficult it is to distract me from any romance subplot lol). Cox’s lyrical writing brought every scene, every voice, to life, and I loved immersing myself in the setting. The friends I made on these pages, their grace-filled personal & spiritual transformations, and the poignant nuggets of wisdom they discover in the process are lasting treasures I’ll be taking away from this novel. This is the kind of story that leaves you a little more whole by the last word than you were when you started – don’t miss it!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)