I love being back in the small quirky town of Papillon. Quaid Havery, and Jayna Cardet made quite the interesting pair. I loved Quaid, but it took me a little bit to warm up to Jayna. Their witty banter inside and outside of the courtroom was great. They both had a lot of family drama and emotional baggage to work their way through to find their HEA. This book was very entertaining and I really enjoyed the town's crazy antics. This is another great addition to the Butterfly Bayou series and I look forward to more!

4.25 stars--BAYOU BELOVED is the sixth instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult BUTTERFLY BAYOU romance series. This is attorneys Quaid Havery, and Jayna Cardet’s story line. BAYOU BELOVED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives BAYOU BELOVED follows in the wake of the return to Papillon, Louisiana of Jayna Cardet. Jayna wanted out of Papillon, and the trailer in which she was raised but a successful practice in New Orleans ended with an ethical review, a divorce, and her tail tucked between her legs. Hoping to spend a few weeks considering her future, Jayne finds herself representing a few of the local riff-raff, representing against the man she lusted after years before. Enter attorney Quaid Havery, a man whose family has deep roots and even deeper pockets in Papillon, Louisiana, and the man whose heart Jayne is about to destroy. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Jayna and Quaid, and the potential fall-out as Jayna is offered a new opportunity, far away from the man with whom she is falling in love.

Part of Quaid Havery’s family comes from old money, and the snobbery to match rankles many citizens of Papillon Louisiana. His brother Paul’s addictions, and his struggling Hollywood career have followed him home, and the threats are becoming personal for everyone involved. Quaid never expected to fall in love with Jayna Cardet, a woman he cannot remember but the woman with whom he has fallen in love; and Jayna knows that her time in Papillon has an expiry date, an expiry that is reinforced with her family’s history of trailer park trash.

The relationship between Jayna and Quaid begins as opposing council but Jayna quickly finds herself homeless, and living with the man with whom she will fall in love. Jayna’s return to Papillon comes with plenty of baggage, but Quaid’s extended family has baggage of their own. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are interesting and colorful including several locals who are fighting town ordinances and often, one another.We are reintroduced to Roxie and Zep (Bayou Dreaming), Seraphina (Bayou Baby), Lila and Armie (Bayou Butterfly), Sylvie and Rene (Bayou Beauty), Remy Guidry, as well as the introduction of Quaid’s brother Paul, and their mother Marian; Jayna’s sister Sienna, their mother Lissa, Jayna’s ex-husband Todd Shale, as well as several townies, and Judge Brewer.

BAYOU BELOVED is a story of family and dysfunctional relationships; power and money; discrimination and snobbery, acceptance and love. The premise is entertaining and edgy; the romance is tender and compelling; the characters are sassy and animated.



THE READING CAFÉ: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/bayou-beloved-butterfly-bayou-6-by-lexi-blake-review-giveaway/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5154080579


AMAZON COM: https://www.amazon.com/review/R3IPV732PUTCZT/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B0B5CJMVM5


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1404292430



B&N (Sandy_thereadingcafe) posted

Ibooks (Sandy Sch) posted

GOOGLE PLAY (Sandy Sch) posted

Quaid Havery has always lived in his small town except for his college and law school years. He knows everyone in the quirky town and tries to do his best by them and help them out of any situation they find themselves in now that he's the only lawyer available to them since his father's passing. Well, that was until Jayna showed up and started accepting clients.

Jayna Cardet has just returned to Papillon, Louisiana, after her life turned upside down, it's the one place she never wanted to go back to, but life threw her a curve ball. Jayna couldn't wait to get out of the trailer park she lived in as a kid and knew the only way out was to go to college, so she did everything she could to ensure she would get a scholarship to make that happen. Her time here is only temporary, though; she is determined to get herself a job with a different law firm and move to wherever the job takes her.

Quaid and Jayna have great chemistry both inside and outside of the courtroom. They also have family issues, so there is a bit of drama there, especially with Quaid's brother. There is a courtroom case that will have you laughing out loud; the people of Papillon are fascinating.

Lexi Blake has gifted readers with a childhood crush that comes to fruition and a small-town romance with lots of steam and heart. BAYOU BELOVED is the sixth book in the BUTTERFLY BAYOU SERIES, but each of the books can be read as a standalone

I recommend this to those who enjoy Steamy Contemporary Romances, Small Town Romances, or Opposite Side of Tracks Romance.

Happy Reading!!!

Bayou Beloved has all the southern charm and heat that I have come to expect from a Lexi Blake book.

I think this is my favourite book in this series. I have to say I was completely blown away by how much I loved this book and how much it sucked me in. I was up all night reading it, and I have no regrets. Why did I love this book so much, you ask? It was this wonderful combination of a fun, interesting story with characters that I just instantly connected with. This story has a lot of delicious drama; some of it is ridiculously funny, and then the rest of it is more serious in nature. I love the town of Papillon and always enjoy my time there. In this book, we get to experience the town through a more legal angle, which you think wouldn’t be fun, but it was. The cases and things that Jayna and Quaid take on as the town’s only lawyers are hilarious. There was this real Neighbourhood War vibe to the feuds that were going on in Papillon. But what made these conflicts so enjoyable was that even though there were conflicts between neighbours and families, there wasn’t this real vicious motivation for these conflicts. Honestly, it felt like some people in town were bored and wanted to stir up drama for some entertainment. I’m not complaining because I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

Lexi hooked readers right from the first few chapters. We meet Jayna, who has just returned home and is now trying to work as a lawyer in Papillon. She is waiting not so patiently in court for the defence attorney to show up, so she can argue her client’s case in front of a judge. But things are not going as planned for Jayna; the judge is laid back and has no problem waiting because it would mean he would miss his doctor’s appointment (which he doesn’t want to go to), and then everyone in court decides to play a game of hangman while they are waiting for this late attorney. Jayna doesn’t know what the heck is going on, but she does know that she wants to destroy the defence attorney, Quaid, a man she hates. Jayna decides to take it upon herself to get Quaid, and when that man first lays eyes on Jayna, he is completely blown away and knows he wants her in his life. The only problem is they went to high school together, and Quaid doesn’t remember her at all, which only pisses Jayna off even more. There was so much delicious tension between these two; I just needed to see how things would unfold. Lexi does not disappoint me; the rest of the story is so damn good.

Jayna’s story is one of coming home defeated. She is coming out of a nasty divorce, lost her job, and is broke. She never wanted to return to Papillon because it had always felt more like a cage to her. Her family has a bad reputation in town for being criminals and never amounting to anything. Jayna doesn’t want to be there. The only bright light in this situation is that she can spend more time with her sister and her nieces. Jayna is one incredible, badass, smart heroine. I don’t always like more prickly heroines, but I loved Jayna. She has this confidence about her that you can’t help but admire. She handles anything that comes her way and is a fantastic lawyer. There is this more vulnerable side to her that only Quaid seems to be able to bring out. I loved watching this man work through those walls Jayna had built around her heart.

Quaid is pretty fabulous. He definitely has that southern charm and truly loves helping people. But he does feel this weighted responsibility as the town’s only lawyer and responsibility to take care of his family. His family is wealthy and considered this old blue-blooded southern family. Underneath that easy going personality is a man with a strained relationship with his brother (who is back in town). He wants a better work-life balance, something he has never been able to have because he is the only lawyer in town. But now that Jayna is back, he finds that working with her gives him a new spark in his life.

These two are my favourite couple in this series! I could not get enough of them. When they are arguing a case in court, working in the same office, or sharing the same apartment, there are just so many sparks flying between them, and their chemistry is phenomenal. Lexi blends a few tropes to create this mouth-watering romantic relationship. There is forced proximity, workplace romance, and reverse grumpy sunshine tropes woven into this story. These two are perfect for each other. The patience and understanding this man showed her as she struggled to deal with the aftermath of her divorce was utter perfection. Jayna became Quaid’s cheerleader when it came to his writing, giving him the courage to keep pursuing this writing career that he has always wanted. As they start this new relationship, they also have to deal with rumours going through town, their families not wanting them to be together, and plenty of misunderstandings that crop up between them. There wasn’t a moment I didn’t like, and Quaid’s grand gesture at the end of this book was so sweet and made my heart melt.

Bayou Beloved is a perfect southern romance to curl up and spend hours getting lost in.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 Stars

Back to Papillon and it’s shenanigans!

If you want a hilarious and steamy small town romance, with a quirky twist, then you need to take a trip to Papillon, Louisiana. A small town where you never know what will happen or who will show up on your doorstep, or in your courtroom. Quaid is the small town lawyer from old family money, and Jayna is the girl from “the wrong side” of town who left, made a name for herself, and is back when her world crumbles. This is not your typical small town romance though because this is definitely NOT your typical small town, the residents are a bit nutty, the animals a bit crazy and our hero and heroine are a bit jaded, but together they begin to see the world in a different light!

Cara - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

So many feelings generated in this latest book in the Bayou series. I am in love with this series. Each on of these generate feelings of hopelessness and displacement which then moves into character growth and wonderful finding one's place in the world. This can be read as a standalone. I still recommend reading all the previous books in this series. Reading the previous books helps build a better picture of this quaint small town with big ideals.

Quaid Havery is now the main focus of this book. He has been the side kick and buddy of several men in the previous books. He comes across as a good ole boy lawyer with his family background as well as how he manages his case loads. It is definitely not a New York type litigation. He is going through the motions and set with his lot in life. It is not a bad life but it isn't his passion. Along comes Jayna Cardet. Whilst Quaid may not remember Jayna, she certainly remembers him.

The set up of this story is pretty straight forward with a second chance romance. Some may quibble that this is a cliche set up. That may be. I would like to point out that the way Ms. Blake creates her characters and how the world is not black and white that makes these romances so good for me. I am at first wincing at Jayna's aggressive stance. I completely understand where she is coming from, trying to be taken seriously and following the business rules as she knows it. But Papillon is not a large urban city. It is a small town reminiscent of Mayberry. I loved the Andy Griffith Show growing up. This world Ms. Blake builds hearkens to that era with a modern twist.

Jayna's entry back to her hometown is laden with past hurts. Coming home victorious is one thing; returning after being wrongfully beaten down is another. As the story unfolds, I'm feeling less frustrated and embarrassed for Jayna. Instead I'm feeling sad and angry at what she has suffered. Quaid is seeing Jayne in a new light as he learns how the girl he conveniently forgotten is someone who is unforgettable. I love it. Quaid's character is also hiding his light under a bushel and as he exposes his dreams to Jayna, they start to grow closer together.

For me, this entire series is a nod to how a caterpillar becomes a beautiful butterfly. There is a hard work and effort in order to become this butterfly and each of the characters go through their own painful yet rewarding metamorphose. Character progression stories are highly appealing to me and always give me a feel good that lingers. This romance pushes endorphins through me as I am taken through various emotions and end with a satisfying happily ever after. I grew to love these characters. I love how they deal with their difficult family members. The second chance for love, redemption, and understanding is heartwarming. This romance is highly recommended to readers who enjoy excellent character development, sweet world-building, and a Hallmark-esque plot.

This is the sixth book in the butterfly bayou series. This is currently one of my favorite small town series written by one of my favorite authors, Lexi Blake. This time we have Jayna returning to her hometown of Papillon because of career issues and she wants to get back on her feet. She very reluctantly start practicing law in her hometown. Of course the first opponent she has in the court is her old high school crush Quaid. This is a really cute, charming small town book. Of course, one of the best things about books, being certain Papillon is all of the myriad of characters that are always part of the story. The towns people interfere, of course, and observe as Quaid and Jayna get closer to one another. They both have to deal with issues from their past, but you can see it from the beginning that they are meant to be . It’s a fun cute story that keeps you entertained from start to finish.

5 She’s the Center of His World Stars!!!

I LOVE being back in Papillon! I’ve been so looking forward to Quaid’s story since this series began and Lexi Blake delivered!! Quaid has definitely met his match is Jayna… although they spent quite a bit of time together in high school, except he doesn’t remember. Adds a little something to their “reunion” so to speak LOL!

Jayna is a woman that wanted to get out of Papillon as fast as possible with no intentions of coming back. Unfortunately, life handed her some surprises, even though she did the right thing, and she finds herself not only back in Papillon but also back living with her mom; which trust me is no picnic! Since she’s an attorney, she’s now competition for Quaid since he’s been the only attorney in Papillon for as long as anyone can remember… but is she really competition? I have to give her kudos for the way she’s finding clients… this town is full of people that truly had me smiling almost the entirety of this book.

One thing neither one of them can ignore is the sizzling chemistry adding an unwanted tension in the room every time they’re together. While they agree to scratch that itch there’s a definitive end date… but will they be able stay in the friends with benefits zone? One question I can answer without giving anything away, is that being back in Papillon may not be what she was expecting in all the best ways.

Along with plans changing for both Jayna and Quaid as they get closer, Jayna’s relationship with her mom and sister goes through a metamorphosis as well. Aside from the shenanigans of the residents in this small southern town, this reconnection was one of my favorite aspects in this book.

Overall, this book was one that I thoroughly enjoyed and I was a little sad when I turned the last page because I didn’t want to say goodbye for now to Papillon.

Second chance romance between two small town attorneys. Jayna comes back to town after her divorce devastates her life and career. Quaid is the hometown boy that everyone looks to for help. Jayna really dislikes him because he didn’t recognize her. Quaid is instantly entranced with Jayna. She’s really not all that likeable.

I think it would be better to start this series from the beginning.

Bayou Beloved ( Butterfly Bayou #6) is the perfect addition to this entertaining series. I love my visits to Papillon, Louisiana and I was excited for Quaid Havery and Jayna Cardet’s story and all I will say is I wasn’t disappointed, this read was everything I expected and so much more.
Jayna finds herself back in Papillon, it wasn’t what she planned but she needs to make the best of the situation. What she didn’t expect was to find herself as opposing council to her high school crush, Quaid and this is where the fun and games begin……
This town is full of quirky characters who like to meddle in everyone’s life and they take it on themselves to push Jayna and Quaid together and off course we wouldn’t be in Papillon without a visit from Otis the local alligator. I loved everything about this entertaining read, I adored the characters and I giggled and I smiled a lot as I joined this couple on their journey. A wonderful addition to a series that I highly recommend.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley

Second Chances and New Beginnings . . .

Once she left after highschool, Jayna Cardet had no plans of ever returning to Papillon for more than a very short visit. But, when a divorce takes everything she has and an ethics review puts her job prospects in jeopardy, she has no choice but to return to the small town she never truly felt like she belonged in and tried to leave behind forever.

Quaid Havery always knew he would take care of the town he loved, just as his father had. And, while many of the legal cases he oversaw were more than a bit quirky, he didn’t mind. But, the life he felt fairly settled in flipped upside down when Jayna came back into town and court suddenly became much more appealing than it had in a long while . . . especially when he found himself arguing for a chance with the new attorney in town.

Lexi Blake does quirky small town so well! Both Quaid and Jayna got bogged down in expectations. For Quaid, it was his father’s and for Jayna, it was her own. It made it hard to see what else could be, and even when it was in front of them, it terrified them both to take that chance at having a broken heart again. These characters have so much depth and so many emotions. While banter is always a strong suit with this author, the fact that both were lawyers set the bar extremely high! Their chemistry was off the hook and their own personal demons were pushing them both hard.

I love the little town of Papillon and all of the people that live there. I adore that everyone shows up to court to see what happens next and that gossip spreads through the town even as the event they are gossiping about is still playing out. It’s beautiful to watch a town care so much about the people that live in it even when they don’t understand them all.

Bayou Beloved is all about second chances of all kinds of relationships, including parental, sibling, neighbor and romance. It’s about new beginnings for those brave enough to take a chance. And, it quickly became one of my favorites in this series. 5 stars!

Bayou Beloved by Lexi Blake is the sixth book in the author's popular Butterfly Bayou series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Story Recap:
Jayna Cardet has moved back to her hometown of Papillon after her high-powered law career in New Orleans. When she left Papillon, she didn’t expect to ever return.

Quaid Havery always knew his path in life. After high school, he went to university and law school and returned to Papillon to take over his father’s law practice. As the only law practice in town, Quaid knows everyone in town and is comfortable in his hometown.

Now Jayna and Quaid are on opposite sides of the courtroom and drama ensues.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this story very much. I enjoyed the characters very much. Jayna was a bit difficult to like at first, but I admired her grit and determination, and eventually, I really warmed towards her and was rooting for her to get her HEA. Quaid was a terrific character all through the book. A small-town lawyer and just a nice guy.

Jayna’s and Quaid’s banter both in and out of the courtroom was fun to read and I enjoyed their arguments. I loved the setting very much. The small town of Papillon is exactly the kind of small town I love reading about. There are quirky characters and plenty of gossip and friendliness that make a small town special. This book has a definite Hallmark movie feel about it.

Recommendation:
I highly recommend Bayou Beloved to anyone who enjoys romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Berkley Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion.

Genre: Romance
Spice Level: Bit high (On page 2x—I skipped it because spice is not my jam.)
Tropes: Grumpy/Sunshine, Rich/Poor, Small Town/City, Jock/Nerdy Girl

Oh my goodness! This book had me laughing more than most romcoms. There are some lines that are so amazing. And the banter between the love interest is spot on! The cover does not do this book justice. But I can see why this author is a New York Times Bestseller. This is my first book by this author.

Jayna is back from working in the city, beaten down from a nasty divorce and a hearing in the works about her ethics as a lawyer.

Quaid never left his hometown (except for attending Harvard) and is run ragged trying to keep up with all the legal needs in his community.

The story starts out like a lot of books with Quaid being the former football star who was shallow, popular, and just kind of a jerk. While Jayna was the nerdy girl with her head in a book, dying to get out of town—completely forgettable. And of course, Jayna had a crush on Quaid.

After the set up is where the story becomes unique. Their families' dynamics are messy. The courtroom antics—that's right, antics, since the cases are larger-than-life, ridiculous, and farcical. Also throughly enjoyable.

I'm glad we didn't have too much with the friends interrupting the main storyline. Keeping the focus on Jayna and Quaid was perfect for this story. I read this story in ONE day—I just couldn't stop myself.

One thought I have to share: I didn't feel like there was much racial diversity in the story. (Did I miss it?) I would've expected more side characters to be Black &/or Latinx because this is based in the south. I understand if the author is caucasian then her main characters won't be BIPOC, but I missed that real world element to make the town realistic.

For any adult who wants a romance and laugh-out-loud fun, I highly recommend this story.

Happy reading!

PS: Will Brian the raccoon have a love interest? Inquiring wildlife wants to know.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This was the first book I read from this author and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by this novel. At first looking at the cover I didn’t know what to expect (guess that’s why you’re not supposed to judge a book by it 😅) it completely exceeded all expectations. (Did I mention I may or may not have stayed up till 3am reading once I started it because I just HAD to finish 🙈) I loved following Jayna’s story and how she needed to be knocked down a peg. You can tell she puts way too much pressure on herself and simply needs someone to change that view. This was definitely a reverse grumpy x sunshine for me. I wasn’t even expecting to gain a new bookish beau but Quaid definitely makes the list. This romance is both refreshing and challenging as it is an enjoyment to read. I would happily visit this quaint little Bayou again 🤍

Jayna and Quaid’s story is full of family dynamics with each having a sibling and a mother that believes they know best. This is a story with all the previous characters making appearances although Oscar only gets a mention, Brian on the other hand has his own lawsuit. The scenes in the courtroom are hilarious and the cases Quaid and Jayna present are wonderful. Once started I couldn’t put this story down and it is now my favourite Butterfly Bayou book. It is funny, poignant, sad at times, full of family discord and reconciliation and hope for the future and a love story what more could a reader ask for.

So I have, finally, found the opportunity to read this author.
While reading the blurb, I expected more an office romance sets in the countryside, but it was very much not this trope.

Quaid and Jayna come from two opposite backgrounds, each with its own struggles and hardships.
The golden boy and the trash girl.
And while they are flawed and reject being affected because of someone's inability to choose their place of birth, they let past wounds dictate their every step.
Jayna could not run fast enough to leave Papillon, with only her brain and will she managed to dig her way to the top, but one personal decision and everything spiraled down, bringing her back to where everything began.
Nonetheless, she will bounce back and rebuild herself once more.
Quaid never left, he followed the path dictated by his father, and while he has other aspirations, he does what he must for his community. Why he is running in circles.
Until a competitor who makes his blood boil enters the scene. She is everything he would want as a colleague, and for more if she is willing to give him a chance to seduce her.

Yet while sparks fly, quips ans banters are exchanged, and barbs are traded in the courtroom, they have to face their past, old and more recent wounds, and new truths to navigate the murky roads of their two different upbringing and present circumstances. Quaid is a bit a control freak, but for Janna he will have to learn to trust others to make the right choice.

I loved Jayna’s sister and Quaid’s brother, they are great supportive characters, owning their errors and learning from them. The cases are hilarious and even the heroes’ mothers while needing some bashing come out as wounded people.

A 5 stars tale with no real villain but their ill-advised pride, ingrained prejudices, uncertainties and damaged ego.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen light lovemaking scenes

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Quaid has long been the only lawyer in Papillon, Louisiana—until Jayna comes back to town looking fine and proving herself a worthy adversary. Will these courtroom rivals find love?

The banter between Quaid and Jayna is laugh-out-loud funny, and their sensual tension is irresistible. The family relationships are complex, and it's fun to see them work through the obstacles between them.

I love this series and highly recommend the audiobooks.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Papillon in Louisiana is a quirky town with its characters like the gator who greets visitors, the judge who prefers fishing to being in court and townspeople who get up to all kinds of shenanigans. It's no wonder that this has become one of my favorite contemporary series and I look forward to every new release.
Quaid is one of the scions of Papillon and has followed his father's footsteps and opened a law office where he does his best to help all the townspeople. True he settles more cases out of court and takes kind rather than cash for a lot of his cases but it's a reasonably good life. 
Jayna was the trailer trash, the nerdy poor girl from the trailers, the butt of jokes of the other school children. She couldn't wait to shake the dust off her hometown and settle down as a high-powered lawyer in New Orleans married into a prominent legal family in the city.  When she stood on the side of Right, she found herself facing a disbarment hearing, divorced and penniless and forced to come back to her hometown with her tail between her legs.
Down but not defeated, Jayna decides to use her legal training to give Quaid some competition in the legal arena. She takes on cases that force him to go to court to the dismay of the judge who has to curtail his fishing. What a riot those court appearances are. Also, Quaid discretely steers business her way that might actually net her money rather than just the vegetables and other goods that she's getting compensated in.
Quaid might not have remembered Jayna from school, but she definitely stirs his libido now. With Jayna's feisty championship of her sister, her determination to succeed despite the obstacle's life throws in her path, and her determination to take no help that might be considered charity, she makes for an interesting colorful character.
 This is a great story that encourages taking chances and shooting for the moon and breaking out of the mold that one is born into.  Plus of course there's the bonus of catching up with all the characters from the previous books in the series. I absolutely loved this one and can't wait to see what comes next.

Second chance romance to rivals to lovers set in a delightful small town! Quaid never left Papillon and Jayna never wanted to return but here we are- and both of them are attorneys. Is the town too small for the two of them? Well, no, but they find themselves facing off in court (and never mind the, ahem, holes in legal parts of this because this isn't a legal novel, it's a romance novel). Both of them have family issues and Jayna is still struggling a bit after the run in that led to her problems with the Bar. She's also still navigating the fact that her family is from the lower end of the economic scale in town. The banter is good as are the other characters (love the Judge!) and it's entertaining. Don't worry if you haven't read the earlier books in the series- this makes a fine standalone but know that fans of the series will be pleased to see cameos from those installments. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

3.5 rounded up for NetGalley

Butterfly Beloved is book six in Lexi Blake’s Butterfly Bayou series and I have enjoyed the previous books- small town romance, quirky cast of characters, meddling animals - unfortunately, this one fell flat for me. But it’s Lexi Blake so even a book that I don’t love is still good.

Jayna has come back to Papillon after a failed marriage, in a legal battle with the ethics committee, only to go against her high school crush in a court battle over trees. Quaid has been working his tail off for the citizens of Papillon and has no memory of high school Jayne, but is totally into Jayna 2.0. They have pretty instant chemistry so when Janyna needs a place to stay and work, Quaid offers up his office and apartment. Between their families, the town, her adorable dog and their jobs they have to really work for their HEA.

I struggled with liking Jayna, the plot and the pacing. Jayna just came off so snobby and even with her backstory, I wanted her to have more faith in Quaid. This one was slow in spots, with the conflict of family not that exciting and lacked the drama that I love in a LB book.

I enjoyed the other characters- Quaid’s debutante mom, his trying to turn his luck around brother, Jayna’s sister and nieces plus appearances from the main couples of the previous books kept me entertained. Lexi Blake teed up the next couple (Sienna and a certain deputy or maybe I am just manifesting that) I am interested in how that goes!

Thank you to the publisher Berkley and NetGalley for an e-ARC. All thoughts are my own. Bayou Beloved has a pub date of March 28, 2023.