A traumatic event causes Lila Daley to move from Dallas to Papillon Bayou in Louisiana. Her youngest sister Lisa recently settled into what the locals call Butterfly Bayou, and Lila is looking to both hide away and make big changes in her life. So she moves her home, life, and career to where Lisa is. Lila survived a rough childhood, but in order to do so she had to hold herself apart and not open up to people. After a near death experience, she has reorganized her life. She wants to no longer feel so alone.

Town sheriff Armand (Armie) LaVignes has been going through the motions of life the last few years as his focus has been on his daughter Noelle. She survived a car accident that killed her mother and left her wheelchair bound. He feel guilt and a deep sense of responsibility to protect his only child.

Armie feels a spark for the first time in years upon meeting the complex and challenging Lila.

I liked the romance between Lila and Armie. They were upfront and honest with each other about their wants and needs. The drama comes in two forms. Lila tries fit in and be accepted as the proprietor of this quirky small town’s only medical clinic. Also, Armie becomes torn between his love for Lila and his need to protect his daughter, who may have an opportunity to become more independent, if Armie can let go of some of his overprotective tendencies. These conflicts are explained from both Armie’s and Lila’s points of view and the second chances extended make sense.

I am a fan of Lexi Blake, especially her Lawless and Courting Justice series. Butterfly Bayou has all the drama, romance, heat, complex characters, and great writing I have come to expect from Lexi Blake.

There are lots of characters with compelling backstories in this small town to build a wonderfully charming series. I look forward to upcoming stories from the Butterfly Bayou.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishers for the ARC

Lexi Blake has written another hit. This new series is awesome. I absolutely love the characters in this town. I can’t wait fir more!!

I was surprised to hear Lexi Blake was writing a small-town romance series, but I gave it a go.
I enjoyed Lila and Armie’s story. They had both suffered and the author does a wonderful job of having them grow and learn. My one issue was Armie’s back and forth and the ease Lila forgave him. I understand where he is coming from, but being stuck in his issues hurt her multiple times, and she kept giving him another a chance. The author set up Lila’s reasoning for doing so, but I couldn’t quite believe it.
The setting reminded me of Bliss as did some of the characters, which was a lot of fun.
Overall, this is great start to a new series and I look forward to spending more time in Pappilou.
Solid 3.5

Loved it!! Very well written, a definitely good steam factor to it, it was funny, a little suspense, action, drama all around great read! It touched on some difficult subjects it was very entertaining! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!