As sometimes happens, or often happens, I wanted to crawl into this book and smack Major more than once. The man needs to get out of his own way. He's such a great guy but thinks way too much about the potential issues in any relationship, especially with Brynn. Not that she's exempt from the urge to smack. Sure she's a household name but she's also sort of the girl next door. Though she doesn't know any other life, she's pining for normal. A place she can be herself, pursue her art, just relax for once. Major and she hit it off so well and he's a bit of that normal she's been seeking. They have their ups and downs as her real life interferes in unwelcome ways including her sister and mother and a persistent rumor about her co-star.

I really enjoyed this story, the entire cast of characters was interesting. For personal reasons, I really liked the story of Major's dad and his illness. The dilemma was fascinating and the arguments for both sides valid and compelling. It added a lot to the story and was a highly interesting side story. I love that Major is the kind of guy to put his life almost on hold for his father.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Major is working as a Deputy in Papillon and taking care of his father who has dementia. He's had a lot of bad blind dates and he's more or less given up on finding love when Brynn turns up. She's been acting all her life, pushed by her stage mother Diane, and she's in town now to make a movie and some decisions. These two- from the moment Brynn saves Major and his pups from a bog, you know the heat will eventually come on. Brynn's got some decisions to make about her own future which might imperil their relationship and the HEA. No spoilers from me. It's a nice small town romance which wraps in more serious issues that make the characters more realistic. AND, there's Brian the raccoon! This might be part of a series but it's perfectly enjoyable as a standalone (those who have read the earlier books will relish seeing some characters reappear). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Bayou Sweetheart by L. Blake, published by Berkley Publishing Group, is a stand-alone and bookm five in the Butterfly Bayou Series.
Brynn Pearson and Major Blanchard, the Hollywood actress and the ex-military now Deputy man. He's settled nicely into the life in Bayou till Brynn shows up and needs help, a knight in shining armor maybe.
A beautiful story, the perfect summer/beach read, 5 stars.

Bayou Sweetheart by Lexi Blake is the fifth book in the Butterfly Bayou series. Former child actress Brynn Pearson arrives in Papillon, Louisiana before filming on the movie she hopes will move her into a new leading lady career. Brynn meets deputy Major Blanchard when she rescues him in a scene that will make readers laugh. Brynn and Major find themselves attracted to each other. But Brynn will only be in Papillon for a short time while the movie is filmed so they don't think a relationship between the two of them can go anywhere. Plus they both have complications in their lives, especially Major. Major is dealing with his father suffering from dementia which is a heartbreaking condition. Brynn and Major's path to a HEA seems to be doomed. But is it?

I felt invested in this story from the very first chapter. This storyline brings love, friendship, family and dealing with sad times to the forefront. I enjoyed so much about this book: the happy times, the crazy times and the poignant times. Ms. Blake writes all these feelings and brings readers a very entertaining story.

A Hollywood Sweetheart and a small town Deputy plus some Trash Panda Pandemonium this book was just the book to lift your summer reading right out of the slump!
I love this small town series from Lexi Blake. The joy and heart in these stories leave me desperate to visit the bayou of Louisiana. I love all the quirkiness and shenanigans that comes with the town of Papillon. There is also a beauty in the way the author cares for these characters and stories.
Brynn is a veteran of Hollywood at the ripe old age of 25. She has spent 20 years acting to help support her mom and sister. She is not spoiled or entitled. While physically beautiful, she also has this soul shattering beauty in the way she listens and cares for the people she loves. I really loved Brynn. I loved how she views the world without skepticism. She easily could have been a brat and jaded instead she just wants peace. She wants the quiet moments to draw but she also is very aware of how her celebrity status effects people in her life.
Major Blanchard is a man with the world on his shoulders mostly because he put them there. He has moved to Papillon to care for his father. Major is a care taker. He feels a soul crushing responsibility for everyone and everything. I really wanted to give him a hug. He is that guy that steps up when ever needed. He is the guy that you can count on. He is BOOK BOYFRIEND GOLD!
The evolution of their relationship was natural and so unexpected. So many lighthearted and caring moments. The fact that they could sit in the quiet with out need for explanation is lovely. There is a moment when Brynn was trying to look at the sky and trips and misses the beauty of the covers. To help her Major lays in the grass to capture the pictures of it for her because the clouds set in. She did not ask him; he just knew he needed to do it for her.
Of course, there are shenanigans because this is a town full of characters and quirkiness. The meet cute between Major and Brynn had me laughing out loud. Trash pandas, quicksand, alligators and Zep make for one the best reads of the summer.

How can you not fall in love with that gorgeous corgi dog on the cover? Bayou Sweetheart by Lexi Blake is the fifth in the series of the Butterfly Bayou. I have not read the other books, but still was able to enjoy. I found this a Notting Hill type of story. A movie star, Lexi Blake, comes to the Bayou and falls in love with local deputy, Major Blanchard, after saving his life and his dogs from a bog.

The story follows their journey as both characters soul search to find out what really matters to them and they both have to decide if they want the past to dictate their future. The secondary characters are funny and add to the story including a cast of rogue racoons.

Bayou Sweetheart has small town charm, great characters, and the right dash of humor to be a good summer read. A perfect beach read.

Thank you to the publisher for my copy and I was not required to write a positive review.

"Sparks fly in Louisiana's Butterfly Bayou when a Hollywood starlet falls for a local deputy in a small-town contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake.

After leaving the military, Major Blanchard moved to Papillon, Louisiana, to be with his aging father, where he's taken a deputy position with the sheriff's department. Now that he's settling into life on the bayou, he's trying out the dating scene. Every single woman in town seems to be pining after the handsome newcomer. But so far, nothing's worked out, and he's had some spectacularly bad dates. Major's getting ready to give up on love when a new lady roars into town to film a movie and turns his world upside down.

Actress Brynn Pearson is trying to make a successful transition from child star to leading lady. Now that she's landed her first lead in a major film, nothing can stop her. She's committed to focusing solely on her work, so romance is the last thing she needs - too bad she can’t get her mind off the dreamy deputy she keeps running into. He’s gorgeous, and something about him makes her feel safe. As Brynn’s feelings for Major deepen, she starts to wonder if maybe there’s more to life than her career.

When a family crisis throws Major's life into a tailspin, he turns to Brynn for support, and hopes their budding relationship will shine brighter than Hollywood lights."

A little southern comfort of a lazy summer day.

Once again, I am won over by this charismatic small town named after a butterfly. When it comes to sweet romances, Ms. Blake consistently delivers high quality over and over again. This feel-good story is about self-discovery. The journey for Actress Brynn Pearson is stressful as she is being pulled in multiple directions by well-intentioned people. This is a must-read and can be read as a standalone.

Brynn Pearson takes us into the dark side of Hollywood life, especially as a child star growing up into adult roles. The nastiness of rumours and sexual allegations is unbalanced in its bias against women. This is particularly true for females who have roles that are supposed to be "good" and "wholesome". It always surprises me when people attribute an actor's role to their real life. Do people not realize an actor is . . . acting? Makes me loath people and the greedy destructive tabloid reports are a close second.

Brynn is a genuinely nice person who is supporting more than just herself. Her livelihood was so critical to keeping a roof over her family's head as well as food on the table. The amount of responsibility on Brynn is incredible. It is surprising she hasn't had a breakdown with all the pressure. Do normal people have this kind of pressure? Yes? But those who have been given a chance to grow into their adulthood with support and the slow building of responsibility are better suited to handle this kind of stress. I am glad that Brynn is able to come to a place that gives her a new perspective and helps her find herself.

Major is a complication Brynn doesn't need and yet she does. His steadfast manner is calming. His understanding of her secret passion to paint is what sparks their chemistry. Boy does their chemistry fly. These two are so good together if others would just get out of their way. Major does have his own baggage and it is heartbreaking to see him try to work through his fears. The connection between Major and Brynn's mother is through a devastating deteriorating illness of a loved one. Brynn's mother may be channeling Devil's Wear Prada but she does have a heart. Her back story explains her eccentricities so much.

What I like about this story is how Ms. Blake shows that relationships are complicated. There are two sides to every story. No one is fully evil or good. Right or wrong is depending on the perspective of the character. Seeing how family members and loved ones work through their issues together because at heart they want the best for each other is the magic Ms. Blake creates. If only more families would aspire to these types of relationships. This heartwarming story is recommended to contemporary romance readers who love small towns filled with big hearts.

The little town of Pappilion in southern luoisana is full of delightful charming characters. This installment doesn’t disappoint. Although Otis doesn’t make an appearance, there are some great bayou adventures to be had. This is story of Major the deputy. He is the one who adopted the puppy Zep finds in a previous book. He is the blind date king, having had twenty something dates over the last several years after settling I Pappilion. Brynn has been a child star since she was five. A movie location has brought her and her crew and family,y to small town Louisiana. When a blind date for Major ends badly, the evening isn’t a total bust because in walks Brynn, the charming folks of the town, and a pair of tighty whities.

Bayou Sweetheart follows actress Brynn Pearson and Major Blanchard, two very different people who find love when they least expect it. Brynn is a layered and endearing character, and I liked her journey over the course of the story. At a crossroads in her professional life, Brynn is not sure she wants to continue acting. But with many people relying on her, a domineering and meddlesome mother/manager, and self-doubt, Brynn doesn’t know what her future holds. Being in this small and charming town, Brynn begins to find herself and understand that her wants and needs should be a priority.

Major is also dynamically developed, and I loved his growth throughout the story. He is one of the only people who sees Brynn for who she is. Not the actor, not the wealth, just her. And I love when he explains his feelings toward her. He often compares her to light and the sun, which is so powerful considering he feels a lot of darkness in his life. With a deteriorating father, many pressures on his shoulders, and much loss in his life, Major finds peace with Brynn despite her chaotic life in front of the camera.

Brynn and Major have a swoon-worthy romance that begins with a comical meet-cute that goes viral. While trying to do damage control, Brynn begins to spend more and more time with Major. This couple had an instant connection, and the gradual development of their love story, though not without some major obstacles, is my favorite part of the book.

I also love the town and the strong sense of community. From nosy and opinionated neighbors to word friends to characters from the first four books in the series, the people of Papillon add so much charm, as well as a sense of kinship and comraderie to the story. It sounds like a wonderful place to live, with the exception of the gator and army of terrorizing raccoons. Lol. Brynn’s mother, sister, and father figure are other interesting secondary characters and explain so much about why Brynn struggles with her life changing decision.

A lovely contemporary romance about family, friendship, finding oneself, and more, Bayou Sweetheart is a charming story, and since I haven’t read the other books in the series, I fully intend to go back and read them all. Special thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

I adored Bayou Sweetheart. This was such a fun small town contemporary romance. I really enjoyed Lexi Blake's writing style. Normally I'm not big fan of third person, but it worked for me in this book. I connected well with the characters and the transitions between characters were easy to follow (one of my big pet peeves about third person narration). 

The whole premise of this romance was cute. Child actress Brynn is in Papillon, Louisiana to film a movie. She happens upon Deputy Major in a precarious position and lends a hand. Hijinks, chemistry, and drama ensue from that point on. Neither Brynn nor Major want a relationship at this point in their lives. They're busy with their careers and parents, so their attraction to each other throws them both off. It was a highly entertaining, messy (but not angsty) romance. I adored both Brynn and Major. I felt for them and the problems they were facing. I liked what they brought to each other's lives. Their relationship worked in the best ways. 

Brynn and Major were just two of the characters to love in this book. Brynn has an amazing co-worker/father figure. Her mom was the best worst stage momager and her wannabe actress sister is someone I need a book for. Major's dad was such a special character. I loved him and his insight. The other townspeople were so much fun that I want to go back and read the first four books in the series. Plus, Brynn and Major's dogs were adorable. Oh! And I can't leave out Brian. Brian was hilarious. 

This book is set in Louisiana and has some really gorgeous scenery. I loved reading about the bayou and islands. I wish I could have been out there with Brynn and Major. I also loved the descriptions of the sky and weather. The setting was just so cozy!

Bayou Sweetheart was one of those books that hits my contemporary romance sweet spots. Despite some of the deeper things it dealt with, it managed to stay light and sweet. It would be a great summer or beach read. Or any time of year, really.

Thanks to Berkley for my advance copy.
This is such a fun read and I am glad I was introduced to Lexi Blake's Butterfly Bayou series..
It took me a while to finish the book because I decided to read the other 4 books in the series first. I am glad I did!
Welcome to the world of Papillon where characters both ordinary and odd take center stage making this small-town setting a magical place where butterflies and bayous mingle with rougarous and raccoons.
Don't let the wholesome book covers fool you as the stories sizzle with steamy _ _ _ and book 5 is no exception.
I enjoyed that there was a meaty plot in "Bayou Sweetheart". Brynn, an actress all her life, meets Major, who has devoted his life to serving his father and his community. When Brynn comes to a crossroad in her career, she has to make a choice whether to venture into something she has always wanted to do or to continue with chasing after one acting project after another. Major has to decide whether he fits into her grand scheme of things or whether he needs to stay out of it so she can be free to make her choices.
A story is always colorful when there is a colorful cast of supporting characters and it is certainly not lacking with Brynn's stage mother, Diane, and antsy sister, Ally. Recurring characters from previous books make cameos here and there which is a nice way for readers invested in the series to get updates on their favorite characters. Critters are a recurring theme in Blake's books. Though Otis the gator had a brief cameo in this story, it was Brian the raccoon who stole the show. I also wouldn't be surprised if someone decides to start a Guber (golf cart Uber) though Major will have to remind you that it is really not street legal.

Disclaimer: All eyes must be open and watching for Brian at all times. Any lost or stolen items are the fault of the author and not this reviewer. Read with caution.


Lexi Blake has created a town I would love to call home. Crazy neighbors, wildlife, and good people- what more could you want!?! Oh and a smoking hot deputy. Now life is complete...well, except for the wjole Hollywood actress part.

Coming home to a place you've never been before has never been easier than Papillon.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Brynn and Major. Brynn is an actress she has come to town to make a movie. Major is a sheriff. One day at the B and B Brynn is staying at, she decides to go to the dock. When she gets to the dock, Major is stuck in the mud. He was trying to rescue his dog that had gotten stuck. There was an immediate attraction. They start dating, but it doesn’t last. They each have issues from his father, her sister, her mother, whether she wants to continue to be an actor and the press. They eventually work them out together and fall in love.

Oh my lord!! I honestly went into with zero expectations but I ended up fully loving and adoring the characters. Also, I really loved how well paced it was. And, the word building was amazing too. Moreover, never for a second I felt out of the touch with the characters, like, generally I do while reading a celeb romance. I really loved all the angst and the chemistry. Overall, it was a full 5 stars read for me.