Bayou Beloved by Lexi Blake

When a woman returns home to Louisiana's Butterfly Bayou, her high school crush finally notices she exists, in a small-town contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake.

Quaid Havery always planned to follow in his father’s footsteps. He went to law school and then came home to take over his dad’s legal practice. Being the only lawyer in small-town Papillon, Quaid is pretty sure he’s seen everything. After all, he was once asked to sue an alligator for defamation of character. He’s prepared for anything the town can throw at him, until he encounters Jayna Cardet. She’s gorgeous, smart, funny, and unlike any woman he’s met before... Except he has.

Jayna never thought she’d return to Papillon, but when her life gets turned around she must learn to live in the close-knit community again. She certainly never dreamed she would practice law in her little town, but she finds herself in the courtroom, and the opposing counsel is her former high school crush, Quaid. It wouldn’t be so bad if the man had developed a beer belly, but Quaid is more handsome than ever. And instead of ignoring her like he did in high school, he’s made it plain that he wants to get to know her.

Thus begins a courtship destined to end in a wedding or a war. Either way, the locals are popping some corn and eagerly awaiting the outcome.

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.
For book three, Bayou Dreaming, click HERE.
For book four, Bayou Beauty, click HERE.
For book five, Bayou Sweetheart, click HERE.

 

 

Book 6
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
Berkley (PRH)

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the sixth book in the series, and I would definitely recommend that you read them all and in order, because they are all a lot of fun, but should you choose to start here, do consider reading back.

If you are a fan, then you will really enjoy catching up with all the previous couples and also reacquainting yourself with the unique inhabitants of Papillon. Quaid is the town's lawyer, and he lives with his widowed mother, running his father's practice. And whilst he always knew he would work there, his father's early demise has forced him to be his mother's carer far too young.

Jayna escaped Papillon after high school, and never intended to return. She became a lawyer and married well to further her career. That has all fallen apart, and she has to come home to her mother's trailer to regroup. She is inevitably resentful of this, and frustrated that the power wielded by her ex's family is closing doors to other jobs she wants. So, as much as to pass the time as anything she finds herself working in her hometown, with her long-time, high school crush as opposition.

As these two take to the ring in a fight to be seen and heard, to straighten out misunderstandings, and to cope with the intense chemistry, we have front row seats. Jayna is a wounded animal, and likely to lash out, and Quaid is unaware of some of her pressure points, but we know that they will fight it out and come out of it together.

I love the side stories, the crazy and the deep feelings, which are completely believable – that is the real talent of this author, to make me care.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

This book is part of a series, but you don't necessarily have to read the books in order. Each book describes the quirky town that everyone loves.

Papillon is a town where everyone knows everyone and even when they fight, they still care and love each other.

Jayna has found herself somewhere she never thought she'd be. On the wrong end of a lawsuit, in trouble with the bar association, and back home in Papillon. Jayna's life has been knocked out from under her, and while she's happy to see her sister and her family, Jayna never wanted to settle in Papillon. Jayna had dreams that stretched beyond Papillon.

Quaid is the resident attorney of Papillon. He has stayed even though he could have gone. His family life is a wreck and despite his amazing friends, Quaid knows that a lot has passed him by. When he finds himself in court against Jayna, he can't help but be intrigued.

Jayna and Quaid have a great respect for their abilities as attorneys. It's nice to see their mutual respect. Because both characters have family trauma, both make missteps while trying to figure out what they want out of their temporary relationship.

Jayna believes that she needs to leave again as soon as possible and Quaid doesn't know if he can give more of himself than he already is.

While I really enjoyed the "drama" of the story – especially between neighbors – this book had some strange stops and goes; it felt rushed in some areas and dragged in others. The flow was somehow interrupted when it felt that it should have been smoother.

That being said, I still really enjoyed the book.

 

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author LEXI BLAKE lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. Since starting her publishing journey in 2010, she’s sold over three million copies of her books. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings.

Connect with Lexi Blake

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  TikTok  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Lexi’s Literary Universe

 

 

ARC provided by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided with a free copy of Bayou Beloved (Butterfly Bayou #6) by Lexi Blake to read and review.