Bayou Dreaming by Lexi Blake

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Title: Bayou Dreaming
Author: Lexi Blake
Series: Butterfly Bayou #3
Published by: Berkley
Release Date: December 1, 2020
Format: eARC
Pages: 336
Genres: Romance, Contemporary
Source: NetGalley
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2020 Netgalley and Edelweiss Challenge, Lenoreo's 2020 New Release Challenge, Lenoreo's COYER Quarantine Edition
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ iBooks ✩ IndieBound ✩ Book Depository
My rating:

Blurb:

New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake’s heartfelt contemporary romance set in Louisiana's Butterfly Bayou.

Roxanne King left the big city looking for a simpler life, but after years of proving herself on a SWAT team in New York City, being deputy in a sleepy Louisiana parish is something of an adjustment. She's settling in, but she knows she made some mistakes in the beginning--Zep Guidry being the worst of them. Zep drifts through life on his looks and Cajun charm. Roxie learned the hard way he's not for her.

Zep is a man who knows what he wants, and what he wants is Roxie. He's just not sure how to get her. They spent one hot night together a year before and now all the lovely deputy seems interested in doing to him is arresting him. He's not used to a woman he can't charm, but Roxie seems immune. He's determined to win her back by any means necessary. Including becoming the kind of man she desires.

And when Roxie's past comes calling, it might be the opportunity Zep needs to show Roxie that the town bad boy might just be the man of her dreams.

My Review:

I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

4.5 stars — I feel like this series is just getting better and better…or maybe it’s that I was really excited about Zep and Roxie’s story, and while it took me on a wild ride, it definitely lived up to my expectations.

Zep was a COMPLETE surprise for me.  I mean, I knew there would be more to him, b/c duh…but I guess I didn’t anticipate the depths, or the reasons behind his carefree façade.  He honestly broke my heart and made me want to hug him over and over and over again.  He was so sweet and kind and caring, mixed in with super sexy charm and humour.  He’s basically book boyfriend material for me.  He’s not without flaws, and he makes a doozy of an error at the end, but I loved that he listened to the people smacking him upside the head, b/c they had some fabulous wisdom to impart.

I was worried I wasn’t going to love Roxie as much, but I did.  I hurt for her too, and at the same time she frustrated the SHIT out of me on MULTIPLE occasions.  But I kind of loved that while she would make these boneheaded errors, she ended up having her eyes open to SO MUCH around her when she was confronted by it.  She was strong, sassy, and passionate about her job.  I loved having this female deputy be so admired and appreciated in her town, even if she didn’t always know it.

There were so many moments with the two of them together that made me want to stand up and cheer.  It made up for all the moments where they totally did what I thought they were going to do and made me roll my eyes.  I loved that those bad decisions weren’t dragged out, but that they would make little inroads with each other at each step, and obviously at the end.  Plus, they were super steamy.  😉

This town just amuses the crap out of me.  They are SO ODD and QUIRKY and yet have great intentions, and you just love them anyways.

And as an animal lover, I adore the dog character’s in each one, and Daisy was no exception.

I can definitely see wanting to reread this series whenever I need a pick me up.  I’m so glad there is still more coming, because I am here for that.