The beginning was a tiny bit slow for me, but soon the story picked up. I always enjoy Amanda Cox's writing. This is another spellbinding southern tale about long-held grudges, secrets, and redemption. There is a lot of depth to this story, which I appreciate.

Both timelines are entertaining, and they combine nicely. In both timelines, Cox does a great job of immersing the reader into the scenes. She is very skilled at providing just the right amount of sensory detail.

The characters' growth is a joy to experience. While nothing is wrapped up too neatly (which would be unrealistic), the ending is very satisfying. Wisdom and life lessons flow gracefully throughout the narrative.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

Since I’m not really a bird watcher, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story. But I’ve read Amanda Cox’s books before, so I dove in and I’m thrilled that I did. First of all, I loved how she creatively connected the characters and the storylines of both time frames. Next, her bird watchers were unique flawed characters dealing with a variety of life issues. The group involved family and some friends that wouldn’t naturally fit together yet Cox beautifully intertwined their lives. I especially appreciated the impactful faith lessons along the way. Since reading this book, I have been noticing birds in a different way and remembering these characters. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book, but I fell under its spell as the story unfolded. The Bitter End Birding Society is a novel that holds a depth of sorrow and a beaming ray of hope. With characters who each face their own demons of the past, Amanda Cox weaves a story of restoration and healing. Through romance, stray dogs, a birding society, and the majesty of the Appalachian Mountains, this book is about rebuilding what was torn apart and finding hope when all seems lost.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Cox is an insta-buy author for me, but she blew this one out of the water. Appalachian mountains, long-held rumors and grudges, stories of healing and forgiveness and letting go of what you hold too tight. Grief. And healing found in nature. Cox weaves an intricate, beautiful story in THE BITTER END BIRDING SOCIETY and it was one I was not expecting. What a beautiful surprise and a story I plan to revisit.

*I read an early copy; all thoughts and opinions are my own!*

I read my first Amanda Cox novel - her debut - a few years ago and loved it so much. I knew then I’d be reading whatever she wrote.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect from this story. Birdwatching isn’t exactly on my list of things I like to do! However, I love nature and Amanda Cox’s writing so I felt quite secure that it would be a great journey. And it was, even more than I could have imagined.

Both timelines are so captivating and they flow together so well. The characters are all so well-defined and clear in my mind. The author’s writing has a way of making everything so detailed but without bashing you over the head with it. No words are wasted or superfluous. Sounds, sight, smells, tastes, etc are woven into the two time periods as if they’re characters in the book.

I appreciate how the flaws and strengths of the characters are included and that things are not completely wrapped up in a big, fairytale bow. WHY? Because we are all on a journey. We see a lot of growth, realizations, courage, and healing in the characters. We see how God can bring things, people - and even birdwatching - into our path to help and guide us. No matter our situation, hurts, trauma, etc., He is always on the journey with us to light the way. We just need to open ourselves to that truth and embrace it.

I highlighted in several places and this is one of my favourite quotes: “And if I had to wager, I think birds sing for the joy of it." She put an arm around Ana's shoulder and pulled her to her side. "Because joy is an important survival skill too."

I could go on and on about this novel and how it touched me personally. I cannot recommend it enough.

*** Gargantuan thanks to Revell and Net Galley for an advanced reader copy of this novel. My honest review is voluntary and in my own words.

Amanda’s stories are ones I never miss. She has a special knack for weaving stories full of heart, emotion, family ties & drama and creating stories that are near impossible for me to put down while reading. I really loved the emotional journeys the characters in this book took and the gentle wisdom sprinkled within the story. The birding elements are really neat and I love what they brought to the characters journeys throughout the story. I adored this book!

I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Really lovely and heartfelt, real and raw. The book centers around people dealing brokenness from guilt, disappointment or bitterness, who find healing in community and nature, slowly allowing for God’s grace for themselves and others.

The author did a really great job at handling difficult and heartbreaking situations in each of the character’s lives, and making a path for each of them with hope and perseverance as they supported one another. I loved how it showed the importance of community especially when it’s the last thing you want to do when you’re in pain. And how seeing the beauty of God’s creation can open us up to hearing his heart, especially when it’s been hard to find.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

I absolutely loved this book! It has complex characters, an interesting plot, endearing characters, and romance. I loved how Ms. Cox had things that were wounded appear throughout the story. I was able to see the correlation between them and the brokenness in people and relationships. There was also humor of the mobile wedding chapel that had me chuckling and shaking my head as it was used for more than its original intent.

I loved that Marilyn created a birding society, which ended up being more than looking for winged creatures (although I was interested to see what each member picked for their bird of the BIG Month). Marilyn asked people to join her who needed to have time to just relax in nature and observe the small things, which in turn helped Ana and Sam recover from their hurts and look forward to the future.

Things to love:
small town
Appalachian Mountains
teacher
bird watching
Pip
mystery
humor
book mobile
stories of the town’s name
faith message
forgiveness

Some favorite quotes:
“I want to plant seeds in the lives of my students that blossom into flowers, not thorns.”

“Real sacrifice don’t happen cause you wanna be appreciated. It’s done cause it’s what’s best for somebody else.”

I highly recommend this book. I cried at several points because of the things the characters experienced and the message that God really does care for us just like he does the birds. This is the first book of Ms. Cox’s that I have read, but I plan on reading her other books and look forward to reading more what she writes in the future.

I received a copy of this book from the Baker House/ Revell and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Ana who is trying to process an act of heroism at her elementary school, goes to Bitter End, Tennessee for the summer to help her Great Aunt Cora downsize. What she discovers is a quirky hamlet with quirky inhabitants and a family secret waiting to be revealed. The Bitter End Birding Society not only took bird watching excursions but bonded and helped eachother navigate life.
This book brought back many memories of watching birds from my kitchen window : from the diverse varieties in Wisconsin to a hawk perched on my patio next to a busy highway in St. Louis and those fiesty hummingbirds no matter where we lived.
This author writes complex but significant stories that entertain and also teach valid spiritual wisdom. If you are looking for a great romance, a spunky sidekick dog and wonder how Bitter End got its name - take a chance on this lovely book.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

As a fan of dual timeline stories, I was immediately drawn to The Bitter End Birding Society. 4.5 stars!

Amanda Cox has penned a lovely meandering heartwarming story through the past and present lives of Ana Leigh Watkins family. I loved the Roan Mountain cabin setting, the bird descriptions, the found pup and the host of quirky charming characters. As the story unfolds, pain and hurt are revealed, healing and forgiveness bestowed and friendships renewed. Love and second chances abound.

With a talented author like Amanda Cox there are plenty of memorable quotes. Among Marilyn's attic suitcase of stored memories is one particularly poignant one that touched me,
"She was the last remaining witness to his genius. That's what a marriage was-a determined witness to someone else's life. To decide that out of eight billion people on the planet, that person was counted most important."

I enjoyed The Bitter End Birding Society, so thought provoking and reflective of the highs and lows life takes us through. I appreciate Revell Publishing making a copy available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

It another outstanding book by this author!
I was caught up in the story from page one and wasn’t quite ready for it to end. I enjoyed the birding part of the book, it made me want to go out looking for birds.

The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox is one of my favorite books of the summer.

At the start of The Bitter End Birding Society, a character is in a sad situation. Initially, I wasn't sure I wanted to read this book because it would be sad. However, I have read all of Amanda Cox's books up until now, so I thought I better keep going. I am glad I did. Yes, there are sad places. This book deals with some complex situations. However, it also has some light moments in between. It just feels like it could be a real life story of a family that faced difficult challenges and how that looked through the years.

The Bitter End Birding Society is a split time story. In the modern time line, There is Ana Leigh Watkins who is staying at her Aunt's house for the summer to take a break from working as a kindergarten teacher after a difficult school year. She reluctantly joins The Bitter End Birding Society and we meet a variety of interesting characters.

In the past timeline, readers learn the story of Ana's family tree that faced a difficult challenge as forbidden love between a moonshiner's daughter and a preacher's son fall in love. I found this story to be more painful to read but it was also beautiful in the end.

I enjoyed the whole story. I finished reading the book in less than 24 hours as I could not put it down. I highly recommend it.

I finished reading this book days ago and it is still on my mind. That usually says a lot about a good story. I think this is my second favorite book by Amanda Cox and it really touched on some special things. There is a lot going on with many different characters and it flips back and forth from the present to the past. Once you get in the flow of reading it all makes sense but it did take me a minute.
The characters are so real to life and well developed that I feel like I know them well enough I could spend time with them and their bird society. So many issues are dealt with such as bitterness, death, grief, trauma, regret, love, family connections, and value in God's eyes. There is even a delightful dog that shows up on the scene. This story also includes a mobile wedding chapel that I did not see coming. From laughter to tears, this story is heartfelt and one to savor until the end. I highly recommend!

Five Stars.


"I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own."

Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox is a very highly recommended faith-based domestic drama that follows two timelines. It explores trauma, forgiveness, healing, and redemption along with enjoying nature and others while bird watching.

Teacher Ana Leigh Watkins protected her kindergarten class from a shooter, but now she needs to escape from the attention and heal herself. When her great-aunt Cora asks her to spend the summer in Bitter End (Roan Mountain), Tennessee helping her prepare her house to sell, Ana accepts the offer to get away. When she arrives, Cora is leaving for a cruise, but she leaves lists of tasks for Ana along with contacts should Ana need help or have questions. Ana meets neighbor Sam, a shepherd who also needs healing, Jake & Inez, and Marilyn, Cora's sworn enemy who seems perfectly nice. Marilyn leads the Bitter End Birding Society, a small group of amateur birders, and Ana joins them (along with a dog she adopts).

The second story line is set in 1959 and follows Ana’s grandmother Viola Whitt, Cora's older sister. They were daughters of Ruby and the local moonshiner Wild Wayne. When the new Reverend and Mrs Quincy Chambers and their children Trilby and Marilyn arrive to keep a small church going, Marilyn and Cora are immediately best friends. Viola and Trilby fall in love, which results in her father disowning her. All of this history still was unknown to Ana.

This is really a beautiful, well written novel with a faith based message. All of the characters are experiencing some kind of emotional and physical issue and need healing, forgiveness and redemption in their lives. Ana's goal to escape actually results in a transformative journey and the healing that all the characters need to experience. Each of them have to face their past event to find freedom from the emotional burdens they are carrying. Their birding adventures help to assist in this.

This may be the tale of a family's extended history and healing, but it is also a character driven drama. The novel is successful not only because of the message embedded in the narrative, but also because all the characters are realistically portrayed as unique, fully realized individuals with both strengths and weaknesses. All the characters are struggling with something and need healing and restoration in some way. They all learn to trust God to get them through

Bitter End Birding Society is a great choice for those who enjoy Christian based fiction and a tales of healing and friendship. It would also be a perfect book club selection. Thanks to Revell for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Every time I read a new Amanda Cox book, I think, "this is her best one yet." Number five does not disappoint. This story is wonderful on so many levels.
Thanks to Netgalley and Revell for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox is an extraordinary story about a long history of family.

Ana Watkins is a kindergarten teacher who has gone through a harrowing experience with her kindergarten class. She is asked by her Great Aunt Cora to come visit for the summer and help pack up her house at Bitter End Tennessee. Ana is more than happy for a little escape. What starts as a hope to reconnect with her long lost aunt, turns into a discovery of tainted family ties.

Amanda Cox has written a moving story that digs deep and moves seamlessly through a dual time story. Paced and well developed, the struggles her characters face are relatable. The descriptive details, settings and the birds were brilliantly painted as Amanda writes a deep story of pain, tragedy, forgiveness and family. Amanda Cox is an exceptional author and I would highly recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ecopy of this book which I received from Net Galley. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Another wonderful book by Amanda Cox!! I loved the dual timeline, and the anticipation of how each would tie together. The realness and rawness of the characters and their stories are so relatable to so many people, and are such heartfelt demonstrations of the redemption that Christ offers! Loved this one!!

The Bitter End Birding Society, by Amand Cox, is a dual timeline story that takes place in Tennessee. Ana grew up without knowing her mother’s family. While doing research she has found a great aunt and is planning to spend the summer with her and learn about her past. When she arrives at her aunt home, her aunt is leaving on a cruise and has plans for Ana to take care of cleaning out her home so she can move into senior housing.

This is a well written story with so much substance to it. I like how the story gives detailed background to Ana’s family. It’s interesting to see how what happened so many years ago, still affects her great aunts. I enjoyed how quick Ana was to make friends and join the birding group. I found the interaction between her and Sam, her aunt’s neighbor, to be interesting. Both are struggling with events in their lives yet are caring and helpful toward each other when the need arises. I found the birding group to be a nice blend of characters with different personalities to keep the story interesting. I especially enjoyed the story behind how the town got its name. I found Ana’s idea for teaching her students a second year to help them overcome the incident from the previous year to be an inspiration. I appreciate the honesty of Sam and his struggles with his faith following his wife’s death. This is a great story of family secrets, overcoming tragedy and restoring faith.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.

This story was completely engrossing, with a plot that presented an extremely powerful story of estranged family members and individuals with pasts that needed to be overcome before they could move forward to a more promising future. Ana is a kindergarten teacher who had a terrible encounter with evil that has kept her from thinking that she can ever again be an effective teacher. Ana takes the opportunity to escape her current reality to go to a small town where her Aunt Cora lives. Cora has asked Ana to come help her pack up and get ready to move into a new home, and Ana is happy to be able to help someone as well as to hopefully escape her memories of the past. Once in Bitter End, Ana meets up with a rag-tag bunch of people who form the local birding society under the leadership of her Aunt Marilyn. The relationships between the people in this group form the foundation of the story as they explore not only the woods and record the birds that they see, but they also explore their own feelings of inadequacy and support each other in being willing to step out into an unknown future. I think that this book was a delight to read and I got invested in the lives of each character, my favorite one being Sam, the shepherd who is like a lost sheep himself. I loved the multi-generational element of the story, with its dual timeline and backstory about characters who aren’t present physically but who affect the current stories of the characters in imaginative ways. The rich, descriptive details of the setting and the birds that the group discover gave the story a high sense of believability as well as forming a wonderful setting for the intricate plot threads that were so well woven together. Infused with spiritual truth and enriched with authentic details, the entire book was a pleasure to read and I was sad to see it end although the conclusion was more than satisfactory. It was a heart-warming and thought-provoking story that everyone who is questioning a past choice or decision needs to read.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I also purchased my own copy since I collect the books by this author. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Wow. More than 5 stars for this book. Amanda Cox is an extraordinary author! The way she crafted this story with its dual timelines that brought the hurt and brokenness of the past to healing and restoration touched my heart.

The characters are written brilliantly! They are relatable and I soon found myself wrapped up in their lives. Viola is a complex character. She loves her family and life in Bitter End but she also wants to travel and find love. She does find love in church of all places! Cora touched my heart the most. It seems like she has to endure one sad circumstance after another. I'm so glad that she found healing for her heart.

Bitter End certainly lives up to its name. But, it also becomes a place that offers respite and peace.

I enjoyed learning about birding. It's been an interest of mine for a while!

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Revell via NetGalley through Interviews and Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.