Amanda Cox has written another winner with The Bitter End Birding Society. This story could be considered a dual time book as characters recall many events from their past as though it was happening in the present. Cox’s style has the ability to draw readers in and keep them wanting to learn more. The story is not fast-paced, but its pace reflects the less complicated and slower pace of the remote Tennessee hills where it is set.

The author delves deep into past hurts and injury of more than just one or two characters. Her treatment of each character makes the people seem real and as a reader, I become truly invested in how each one felt. This is hard to do in a single novel and yet it is done so well here. Their quirks and their challenges come to light in an enjoyable fashion. The portable wedding chapel was so fun to imagine.

The depiction of one person in particular stands out as truly amazing and quite well done. It is the father of Viola. The depth of his personality and strength of character is phenomenal. He truly shows what it means to care for and love others. He had his flaws for sure, but underneath it all, he knows how to love deeply. Something about him really stuck out as the author navigated complex issues related to him.

Review of an Advance Reader Copy Provided by the Publisher

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: None

Violence/Gore: Many references to characters being murdered; report of a character being involved in a school shooting; a character indicates her father beat both her and her mother; report of people being killed in disputes over moonshine.

Sex/Nudity: Non-married characters kiss and embrace; there is a vague reference to sex on a wedding night.

Mature Subject Matter:

Death of close family members; post-traumatic stress disorder; suicide.

Drug/Alcohol Use:

Report a man is a moonshiner; a reference to people consuming moonshine.