ARC Review: Bayou Beloved by 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.

I have to start off with saying that hands down this has been my favorite story of the series. I just loved it. Both characters made my heart happy. So much was packed into this story and by the end I felt like I went on an emotional cleanse. 

Admittedly these two or at least Quaid feel for each other quickly. I often don't like that in anything other than paranormal romances. But for some reason it really worked with these two. You right away felt their connection. He loved her uppity ways. For Quaid it was a turn on. She liked having someone to talk to that was her equal. 

As you read the story you will see that wherever they faulter the other one shores them up. I think it's one of the best thing about this story. I'm not saying that they are perfect because they are far from it. Quaid babies his family and then gets pissed that they can't stand on their own. He also either doesn't listen to them or really talk to them and share his feelings so instead he buries it all inside himself and wonders why he can't find happiness.

Jayna is no better at times. Now she shares a lot more of what's going on in her life with Quaid but she also doesn't want to see the happiness that's right in front of her. Don't get me wrong I don't blame her for wanting to get as far away from her mother as she can. But here's the thing, if they talked it might have been better for them both. I love her relationship with the sister. The was she works on making sure her sister has a better life touched me. She wasn't about to let their mother keep her sister in a state of need. 

At times you want to sit both of them down and yell at them, but you also know where all of this is coming from. But, when you have someone who is as supportive as Jayna is, you don't take a chance at losing that. Not only will you enjoy them the other characters from the series help to add some good humor into the story. I really enjoy this town. 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo