I love Lexi Blake books! I was so excited to see this new small-town contemporary romance series. This is the third book and it’s Zep and Roxanne’s turn to fall in love. I really did crack up at their semi-flirting stage. I don’t really know what to call it. Roxanne left the NYPD and ended up in Papillon, Louisiana as a police officer because she had met Armie, her boss, at a law enforcement conference. He hired her when she came to him looking for a job. She needed a fresh start: new job, new town, new state, new friends. When she got there, she met the town bad boy and made what she thought was a bad decision. Zep wanted more and Roxie thought he was in it for the chase. She kept him sort of close and kept arresting him. Only in a small town could you throw someone in a jail cell to just keep an eye on them. I really did crack up at their semi-flirting stage. I don’t really know what to call it. I love that Zep didn’t really complain about it…I’d say he kind of looked forward to it because it was the only time Roxanne would spend with him.

I loved this book so much that I read the ARC three times! A woman could easily fall in love with Zéphirin Guidry. OMG! So hot, sexy, smart, funny and kind. What more can a woman want? As the reader, you can see right away how much he gave up and my heart just hurt for him. The sex scenes were off the charts and I love the emotion that was detailed in them. So hot! The chemistry was amazing. Zep was so there for everything she needed. I love how the author made Zep show he cared by helping. All men need to learn from Zep 😉 His zest and enthusiasm for life was contagious. I could also feel Roxanne’s annoyance and frustration with her mom. I mean, who wants to hear that their eggs are shriveling up? And from their mother!?!?! You really get the sense that she was searching for where she belonged. Love, Love, Love!!! Read this book today. It just came out and I promise, it's soooooo good.

"There was a joke around town that the only thing Zep Guidry knew how to finish was a beer."

Oh, how I'm loving this Butterfly Bayou series...sigh. It takes place in a sleepy Louisiana parish where everybody knows everybody as well as all their business. While sometimes the gossip mill is entertaining other times it's a pain, especially for Zep. His past precedes him and his reputation doesn't seem to be dying down even though he's trying to make positive changes in his life.

Roxie thinks Zep isn't good for anything but to scratch an itch. He already scratched hers, but it doesn't seem to be going away. Every time she sees him, and even when she doesn't, she remembers their unforgettable night together. He knows how to push her buttons and doesn't even mind getting arrested as long as it means he gets to spend some time with her. She knows she needs to stop taking him into custody if she wants to get over him, but tell that to her itch.

I'd already met bad boy Zep in previous books and couldn't wait to spend time with him. He won me over almost immediately and I was rooting him on as he pursued the stubborn Roxie. I fell even harder for him when I learned about his love for animals, even Otis. Get ready to giggle, gasp, and grin as you dive into this sweet, sexy, and suspenseful tale. I'm addicted to this series and if you gave me a lie detector test I'm not sure if I could tell you which is my favorite. I love them all. Right now, I'm really favoring this one...but that's only until the next one. The line forms here...

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.

I love those books that have characters you can't wait to read about. That's how it was for me with Zep. I just knew, or should say, hoped there was more to him than what we've been shown in the two prior books.

I was so right! He's such a complex character with many layers. You really don't get him until he shares with us who he really is. I really felt sorry for him and wanted to hit anyone who was mean to him. And let me tell you so many people he knew didn't bother to look underneath what he showed the world, not even his family.

I also liked Roxanne and didn't mind how she kept throwing Zep in jail. I knew for her it was more like flirting. My only issue with her is that she couldn't see what she really wanted in life. She talks about her grandfather a lot and how he was on the job but doesn't notice that it's how she is right now in this job.

Together they work. Zep needs someone to believe in him and push him when he tries to hide behind his carefree attitude. Roxanne needs someone how helps her have a little fun. She forgets to do that.

I will say Roxanne's family is a little hard to take. At times I wanted to reach inside the book and slap them upside the head. The way they treated Roxanne is horrible. They might love and care about her but have trouble thinking about her first. They made me like her more.

The story ends well and made me happy. I can't wait to see what's next in this series. I've really been enjoying it.

4.5 Stars for Bayou Dreaming ( Butterfly Bayou, #3)
This is the third book in the Butterfly Bayou Series but I do believe it can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone , if you love small town romance this book and this series should definitely be on your must read list. I love my visits to Papillion and I was excited to be returning and getting Zephirin Guidry and Roxanne King’s story and this book was everything I expected and more.
Zep has a gift, he loves working and dealing with animals and they seem to respond to him but a promising veterinarian career was cut short when he gave it all up to help his family....
Roxanne is a former New York SWAT team member and when her marriage feel apart she heads to the hills or should I say Papillion where she takes a job as the deputy in the small town.
A series based in a quirky small town with wonderful characters, great plots and even a alligator named Otis wondering around was always going to be a fun, entertaining read but this author has a knack she brings her stories to life with her wonderful descriptions and her witty tales. I loved this book, I laughed, I smiled and at times I wanted to bang Roxanne and Zep’s heads together, this is a series I highly recommend because I can’t get enough of the residents of Papillion, South Louisiana.

5 She May Actually Love Living In A Small Town Stars!!!

I absolutely LOVED the first two books in this series but Bayou Dreaming is hands down my favorite. Roxie is a woman that immediately connected to with her smarts, independence and knowing what she wants and when the person that’s supposed to be on her side does the exact opposite, well, that’s her signal that it’s time for a change. Little did she know she’d end up in the Louisiana Bayous and meeting all sorts of characters that are residents of Papillon, Louisiana!!

Her life changes in so many ways the night she ends up being helped by Zep Guidry and I have to say I was chuckling quite a bit at this point. Zep is so good looking and he knows it and while they had one night that was incredible, Roxie is definitely not a “friends with benefits” kind of woman and Zep doesn’t feel he’s the marrying type. He’s had a few dreams that have been put on hold because of his family so he’s living footloose and fancy free!

With each chapter of this book, I was reminding why I love this series and these characters. Ms. Blake writes these books with I think are the types of people we expect that live in the bayous and these people are down to earth, friendly, caring and have all their own idiosyncrasies! Apparently there’s a Rougarou in Papillon and it’s wreaking some havoc… at least that’s what we think is going on!

I loved the chemistry between Roxie and Zep. Roxie really came into herself when she made this change to small town life and it allowed her to slow down and appreciate some of the simpler things in life. And with Zep she helps him come to be the man he’s supposed to do and does a fabulous job of getting him to see everything he’s done that he thought was a sacrifice for others really was what was supposed to be.

I flew through this book because once I started I couldn’t put it down. I loved seeing all the characters throughout that we’ve focused on in the previous two books and how everyone is everyone else’s business because that’s small-town Louisiana life at its finest.

If you haven’t started this series you’re truly missing out and I highly encourage you to start reading these books as soon as possible!!

I thought the first two books in the series were amazing but this one even topped those--if that's even possible. Lexi Blake has outdone herself with this book. She's the master of character development, sexual tension and humor and this book was no exception. Roxanne King is the deputy sheriff of Papillon, Louisiana and Zep Guidry is the "bad boy" in town. I really enjoyed reading the development of their relationship unfold and their overall growth as a couple and individually. These characters had great chemistry. This town is fun and the author did a great job of bringing the story to life. I can not wait for the next book in this series.

This book is absolutely perfect. Papillion is such a great little town filled with some very interesting characters. Zep and Roxi are as different as two people can be, but when they come together their romance is off the charts. I loved Zep! There is so much more to him than he lets everyone see. This book is very entertaining and emotional. There were laugh out loud moments and moment that made me cry. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read the next one!!

Love this small-town series! I could not wait to get my hands on Bayou Dreaming and revisit Papillion for the long-awaited story between Zéphirin Guidry and Roxanne King. These two characters have danced around each other, teasing me since book one, and I've longed for their romance. Unsurprisingly, Lexi Blake penned yet another eloquently written heartwarming tale with all the feels. Sizzling passion, relationship drama, a misunderstood hero, a stubborn heroine, an adorable dog that occasionally stole the spotlight, and a cast of memorable characters - had intrigued me from beginning to end. There's so much goodness to savor when the strong-willed big-city cop fights her attraction for the town's sexy lothario.

I absolutely adored Zep. From the onset, I just knew there was so much more to his character than the portrayed shallow man-whore.
Perception was not reality when it came to this charming Cajun hottie. On the surface, Zep appeared to be a laid back, unambitious, good-time Charlie. But deep down, there beats the heart of a gentleman who's soulful, sincere, genuinely compassionate, and self-sacrificing. The more Zep unraveled, the more I fell for him.

Zéphirin had a special gift for dealing with animals and local wildlife, a talent and connection shared with his late dad. His goal was to become a veterinarian, and secretly, Zep worked hard for his college acceptance. But life threw a curveball. Unknowing to all, he sacrificed a promising future and stepped in when his family was in financial need. Giving up a dream of obtaining a degree, Zep settled for odd jobs to help his single-parent sister, Seraphina. I found Zep to be incredibly honorable for carrying this burden. I adored how he consistently recognized the needs of those he loved and doing all he could to help. And when it came to Roxie, he quickly accepted the challenge to prove himself to be a respectable man deserving of her affections. All in all, Zep was the perfect sweet and swoon-worthy hero.

Roxanne faced challenges as well. Divorced and trying to re-establish a law enforcement career, this former New York SWAT team member fled the big city to accept the deputy's position in Papillion temporarily. Eventually, she planned on leaving this small town behind for a better opportunity. It turns out Zep and all his charms are tempting Roxie to stay and take a chance on love.

Stubborn and judgmental at times, it took me a while to warm up to Roxanne. She was too hard on poor Zep at every turn when trying to win her over. However, I relished the relationship push-and-pull these two had. When she finally realized the true man behind the playboy mask and could no longer fight the attraction, Roxie earned my affections for her character. Together, this couple had a magnificent chemistry, and I loved their journey.

Another fantastic and sexy read that I enjoyed. Highly recommend this book and the entire series to fans of lighthearted contemporary romances. As always, I'm looking forward to Blake's next publication.

Arc received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 STARS
Deputy Roxanne King has spent the last year in the bayou town of Papillon learning about all the quirky and strange things that go one in a back-water Louisiana town. Roxanne’s policing job is as far as possible from her former assignment on a SWAT team in New York City. Because of a bad divorce and ex-husband who derailed her career, Roxanne is quite closed off mostly just working and staying home. Her one wild night with the town’s bad boy has led to them having an odd relationship. She keeps arresting Zep Guidry while he finds reasons to be frequently incarcerated in Papillon’s small-town pokey.

Zep Guidry is a victim of sorts to his less than stellar reputation though most of the negatives about him are not deserved. He is certainly handsome, charming, and winsome; however, Zep quietly goes about helping out the townsfolk when they need it. He gave up his own dreams of being a veterinarian to help out his sister, Sera, raise her baby and pay her medical bills. Even Zep’s family treats him as an unreliable slacker although he is anything but lazy. When Roxanne’s parents make a very unwelcome and unexpected surprise visit, she ropes Zep into playing her pretend boyfriend.

Zep has been trying to figure out a way to get back into Roxie’s good graces rather than his usual place in the back of her patrol car. Now, Zep has the opportunity to show her that he is more than a lightweight when it comes to a real relationship. Both Zep and Roxie have some family angst and other issues to overcome in order to not only have a real connection, but figure out what kind of life they each truly want. Roxie is not a gal to be in touch with her feelings while Zep hides his emotions behind a charming facade. They both have difficulty expressing their true feelings to each other as well as their families. This quirky town made up of some over the top characters is a fun read. Third in the Butterfly Bayou series, this book can be read as a standalone.

Roxanne King leaves the big city of New York after serving for years on a SWAT team and not getting the respect she deserves. She becomes a deputy in a small Louisiana parish where life is so much simpler. She has to learn to make adjustments as she settles in. One of those adjustments involves Zep Guidry and his cajun charm.

Zep is known around town as the man who can get any woman he wants. He wants Roxie but is not sure how to get her. They spent one hot night together but Roxie seems to be more interested in arresting him rather than getting together with him. But looks can be deceiving. Both Roxie and Zep put up a front instead of saying what they really want.

Zep Guidry has made some mistakes in his life, but he has also made his life into one that matters. Unfortunately, his early days have colored the way that the people of his hometown perceive him, and it isn't always flattering and doesn't always reflect his current reality. Roxanne King-Nelson has earned a spot in the New York City Emergency Services Unit, but is being harassed by her chauvinistic boss. When she tries to get it stopped, her husband--who is the liaison to the office and should be in her corner, decides to ignore her complaint and have her transferred out instead. This is the nail in the coffin that ends her marriage. After being blackballed from working in the New York area, Roxanne ends up in the sleepy little town of Papillon, Louisiana. She thinks of it as a stop-gap measure; a place to start over, but not stay for very long. She's on her way to her next large city--either Dallas or New Orleans. Her path intersects with Zep and they share one-night together. Afterward, she ignores him, except for when she arrests him for fighting. A year later, they end up on the same call in the middle of the night and end up talking again.

At first Roxanne sees what she expects to see in Zep. After talking to people, and getting to know him better, she begins to look beneath the surface and realizes that she doesn't really know him like she thinks she does. It's nice to read a book where the protagonists spend time getting to know each other instead of just assuming their assumptions are correct. This leads to multiple situations where Roxanne and Zep each stand up for the other as a sign of respect and understanding. In the end, it boils down to genuine communication Without it, both are lost, but with it, some magic happens. Also included in the story are a few rougarou (werewolf-like swamp creature) sightings, a variety of land and aquatic animals, some hilarious family dynamics, and a few little white lies, and this story gets increasingly interesting.

The pace is steady throughout the story. This book includes some cute and funny parts as well as some awkward situations mixed with some assumptions and incorrect conclusions. Lexi Blake does a wonderful job of defining the conflicts for each protagonist, and setting the stage for the satisfying conclusion. This is an entertaining story with a lot of heart and more depth than expected. Both protagonists grow a lot during the course of the book, and the fictional town of Papillon is the perfect setting for this story.

Bayou Dreaming by Lexi Blake, published by Berkley Publishing Group, is book three in her Butterfly Bayou Series and can be read as a stand-alone. For best reading experience I recommend to read the books in order. The previous books are Butterfly Bayou and Bayou Baby.
Roxanne King was a big city girl, part of a SWAT Team in NYC. Now she's Deputy in a Louisiana County, life is slower for the divorcee.
Zep Guidry is a good guy. Mistakes from his pastv still follow him and he seldom can catch a break. He knows what he wants and how to get it, only Roxie is unavailable for him, it seems. In general he's a good guy, an animal lover, cares deeply for his family.
BD is a great read, a slow burn with twists and turns that had me in susprnse from start til the end. Loved the story, 5 stars.

Oh my freaking god. Clutching my pearls here and practicing my Lousiana drawl :D
I loved the previous two books in this series, but this one smashed right through my expectations and lifted them indefinitely higher than ever.
Zep and Roxi were teased in the previous books and I thought this would be clean cut: the charmer charmes the pants of his girl off. Easy, right?
It was NOT easy. Zep is so much more than "just" charming. He was EVERYTHING. I loved to discover the different layers of his character, loved to see him being completely different than I expected and I adored the fact that he basically gave everything up for his family. Damn I cried so much during all of these revelations and during getting to know Zep better. Seriously. I cried and it was awesome!
I can totally recommend reading this book as standalone, but I think you can appreciate everything better if you read at least Seraphina's book before.

5 Star Review of Bayou Dreaming (Butterfly Bayou #) by Lexi Blake
This is book three in the latest series from Ms.Blake and it fun being back in Papillon, Louisiana also known as Butterfly Bayou. The writing is so descriptive that I can easily see myself transported to the Bayou. Papillon is a quirky small town full of characters that are quirky and entertaining, add in Otis the alligator who roams the town as though he owns it and you know there are going to be shenanigans ahead.
This is Roxanne (Roxie) King and Zep Guidry’s story and I have to say I have been looking forward to his story. After spending years as a member of a SWAT Team in New York, Roxie made the move to Papillon to become a deputy.
Zep is a charming Cajun free spirit who does his best to rile Roxie up. Despite not taking him seriously and regretting the one night they shared together, Roxie is still drawn to him. Zep however, knows she is the one for him but convincing her has proven difficult, to say the least. The chemistry between them sizzles and I loved seeing familiar faces pop up whilst reading.
When Roxie’s past comes back to haunt her, Zep will step up in a way that will leave no doubt that he has her back and is the man for her. I love how Lexi Blake writes about the characters and all the interfering that you only get from a small town, it really adds an additional layer that makes this such an entertaining read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Bayou Dreaming by Lexi Blake is the third book in her Butterfly Bayou series. Ms. Blake has created a unique little town in Papillon, Louisiana. The residents are warm, caring, a little nosy and quite a bit quirky. The heroine of this story, Roxanne King, is a deputy sheriff there. She ended up in Papillon after events at her NYPD job led her to quit and divorce her high-ranking NYPD husband. Zep Guidry has always been known as the "bad boy" of Papillon. Sometimes opposites attract and in this case the attraction between Roxanne and Zep is magnetic. This storyline was very entertaining. I smiled and chuckled the whole time I was reading the book. Butterfly Bayou is a fantastic series and this book was a delightful read!

These books are charming and the characters delightful. This book is centered around Sera’s brother Zep. Zep is the hot, lazy, man whore who no one takes seriously. Roxy is a deputy that made the mistake of having a one night stand with Zep after she moved to this small Louisiana town. It was a one time thing for her, but not for him. Roxy has no real plans to stay in this small town. Zep only knows the comfort and familiarity if it. Roxy’s family show up unexpectedly with intentions of dragging her back to NYC. This forces Roxy and Zep to question that one night together and the realization that the is suddenly more to explore.

Lexi Blake is an awesome writer. Her books are filled with wonderful characters and stories. Bayou Dreaming tells the story of Zep and Roxanne. The emotions in the story are wonderful. I highly recommend this book.

A sweet, sexy, emotional, filled with all things normal but not normal in a Southern Louisiana town story. I was hooked from the very beginning and did not put it down. I may have actually read all night. Roxie is a tough as nails former New York cop now Deputy who looks for reasons to arrest Zep. Zep is the playboy, no care in the world, that all women want. However, there is only one woman he wants. These two are pushed together due to a snake and a lie. Will they both come out on the other end whole or will there be heartache? I loved how this story unfolds and we see what shaped them both into who they are today. They both deserve a HEA.

I did not realize or know this book was part of a trilogy - it didn't matter when push came to shove. Yes you could read the back stories of other characters in previous books, but this stood alone very well. Smart authoring and marketing to allow a person to enjoy a book without having to know every detail in the previous ones. As a new deputy sheriff in a small Louisiana parish Roxanne keeps running in to the local bad boy He starts out annoying her and then.........well why should I tell you that? But look out for Otto as you read this book, you simply cannot put it down.