Bayou Dreaming by Lexi Blake

New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake’s heartfelt contemporary romance set in Louisiana's Butterfly Bayou.

Roxanne King left the big city looking for a simpler life, but after years of proving herself on a SWAT team in New York City, being deputy in a sleepy Louisiana parish is something of an adjustment. She's settling in, but she knows she made some mistakes in the beginning--Zep Guidry being the worst of them. Zep drifts through life on his looks and Cajun charm. Roxie learned the hard way he's not for her.

Zep is a man who knows what he wants, and what he wants is Roxie. He's just not sure how to get her. They spent one hot night together a year before and now all the lovely deputy seems interested in doing to him is arresting him. He's not used to a woman he can't charm, but Roxie seems immune. He's determined to win her back by any means necessary. Including becoming the kind of man she desires.

And when Roxie's past comes calling, it might be the opportunity Zep needs to show Roxie that the town bad boy might just be the man of her dreams.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Butterfly Bayou series!
For book one, Butterfly Bayou, click HERE.
For book two, Bayou Baby, click HERE.

 

 

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is such a fun read. Papillon’s notorious bad boy Zep Guidry and transplanted New York cop Roxie are thrown together when the Sheriff's department sends them to investigate a string of werewolf sightings. As Roxie slowly finds her place in a town that seems completely crazy, she also starts to see Zep in a whole new light.

Papillon is at its absolute best in this third book. Between the eccentric characters, the Cajun superstitions, the bizarre town hall meeting, and wonderful warmth of the community, the town itself is almost the main character in this story. I fell in love with Papillon alongside Roxie.

Roxie’s transition from big city New York to small town Louisiana isn’t an easy one and a messy divorce doesn’t make it easier. Like the other books in this series, this one is almost more about Roxie’s journey than it is a romance. I love the growth we see in Roxie in this book and I love the unexpected sense of belonging she finds.

Like the previous books, female relationships are at the heart of this story. Unlike the previous books, this one also belongs to Zep. At the start of the story, he is just as lost as Roxie and I love how he slowly becomes more aware of himself. As much as Roxie has to adjust as an outsider, Zep has to find his place as an adult in a town that still sees him as an irresponsible boy. I love that Roxie and Zep grow together, lending each other strength and insights.

I really love this series and I can’t wait for the next book.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series – and I would recommend that you read them in order, as you would have a better understanding of the characters, and would know of the background to these two fun individuals, particularly Zep. Or would you? As actually we learn a whole load more about the truth behind Zep.

I really did enjoy learning more about the wayward player of Butterfly Bayou, and once again one is reminded that the opinions held of others is often tarnished by a lack of actual knowledge. As the layers of masks are unpeeled on Zep's truth, we get to understand far better what type of man he really is – and thankfully Roxanne also finds that her instinctual attraction to him is not, in fact, misplaced at all.

I loved watching these two very likeable people find out that they absolutely deserved their own happiness and that they were responsible for ensuring it, as their families may not be the most genuine at looking out for their interests. A very enjoyable and fun story... those old ladies never fail to amuse and cause trouble alongside the burgeoning romances that these books deliver.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Roxanne has slowly made a place for herself in the sleepy little town of Butterfly Bayou. After losing her dream job in New York, she retreated to Louisiana to lick her wounds and regain the confidence that she had lost.

The only fly in the ointment is Zep. Zep’s reputation for playing fast and loose with the ladies is well known. Their one night together was just that, yet Zep can’t seem to get the message.

When the sheriff pairs them together on a work assignment, Roxanne begins to see a side of Zep that he keeps hidden. He doesn’t complain about the fact that he had to put off his dream of college to help his family nor about how people see him as a good time guy, never holding down a real job.

I really enjoyed this book and the development of the characters. There was no rush to get to the romance, but rather a slow burn that made the story more relatable.

I’m rather fond of Butterfly Bayou and can’t wait for the next book in the series.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Romance

Roxanne left her job, her husband, and her parents all in one swoop. With an unsupportive family and home life, she knew that getting away was what she needed. What she didn't expect was to find a community of people who she could truly help. The small town operation that she joined was supposed to be temporary. But with urban legends, the town playboy who she just can't seem to stop thinking about, and a less chaotic life, could she have found the right place for her?

Zep is the town playboy. The one everyone believes never takes anything seriously. However, if you truly knew Zep and all that he's sacrificed for his family, he would look completely different. Zep was never one to turn down a beautiful woman. When he made the decision to stay back and help his family, he did so without any selfishness. He also helps out anyone and everyone who might need it around town, and he's the town animal whisperer.

After he and the new deputy have a one-night stand, he can't seem to forget her. And while she has a funny way of showing it, he knows she can't forget about him either. Afterall, she gives him a ticket or hauls him in to jail whenever she can.

When Zep and Roxanne are paired together to help figure out the neighborhood mystery behind some crazy "sightings," Roxanne also gets a surprise from her family and now Roxanne has to scramble. This is a sweet story that shows how a person can grow and change throughout their life. I truly enjoyed this story and can't wait to see what comes next.

 

 

LEXI BLAKE is the New York Times bestselling author of the Courting Justice novels, including Order of Protection, the Lawless novels, including Ruthless, Satisfaction, and Revenge, and the Masters and Mercenaries series, including Love Another Day, For His Eyes Only, and Submission is Not Enough. She is also coauthor with Shayla Black of the Perfect Gentlemen series, including Big Easy Temptation and Seduction in Session, and the Masters of Ménage series, including Their Virgin Mistress and Their Virgin Secretary.

Connect with Lexi

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Bayou Dreaming (Butterfly Bayou #3) by Lexi Blake to read and review.