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witandsin's review
5.0
My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2013/10/review-barefoot-by-sea-by-roxanne-st.html
Tessa Galloway has a job she loves and a family-by-choice anyone would envy, but her life isn’t complete. Though she can make flowers bloom in the most difficult of circumstances, Tess can’t seem to grow the one thing she wants most in the world: a baby. Her friends are convinced she’ll find the right guy to make her dreams come true, but Tess believes they’re wrong. Until John Brown is hired as the new chef for the resort Tess and her friends run. John’s utterly irresistible and seems to be falling as hard for Tess as she is for him, but she can’t seem to shake the feeling that something about the man is too good to be true.
Ian Browning is a man with many secrets. Over three years ago, his life was shattered and he was forced into a witness protection program. Now living in the US and going by the name of John Brown, Ian is determined to do anything to be reunited with his children, who are in a different program in Canada. Thanks to a heavy amount of red tape, Ian’s window of opportunity for getting his kids back is closing fast. He needs to prove that he’s a model citizen, complete with a steady job and a wife. The first is easy, but the second leaves him conflicted. He knows Tessa’s deepest desire and he also knows he can’t possibly fulfill it. Nevertheless, he pursues her, all-too-aware that she’ll hate him forever when she learns of his deception. The more time he spends around Tessa, the more in love with her Ian is. But how can he be the man she needs without sacrificing his children?
Barefoot by the Sea is the beach read you’ll want to have with you all year long! The final installment of the Barefoot Bay quartet features secrets and heartbreak that can only be overcome by determination, love, and hope.
I loved this book, plain and simple. Tess is a heroine who spoke to me. She’s hardworking, loyal, and caring, but not perfect. She tends to be too focused when she sets her mind on something, and not seeing the bigger picture hampers her in some ways. She almost defines herself by her inability to have a child, and what made Barefoot by the Sea special was watching her come into her own over the course of the story.
Ian is definitely Tess’s catalyst for change, and man, oh man, does Roxanne St. Claire deliver when it comes to Ian. Much like Tess, I hate secrets and they’re normally a big red flag for me in books. However, Ian’s the exception that proves the rule. How can you hold his actions against him when the entire reason for his deception is rooted in a tragedy he had no part in creating? Ian’s a father willing to sacrifice everything to be reunited with his kids and his love and devotion to his children would alone be enough to make him a great hero in my eyes. Add in his culinary skills, innate sexiness, and obvious love for Tess and I’m a goner.
Neither Ian nor Tess live the lives they’d originally mapped out for themselves, but watching them find love and happiness in the lives they do lead was absolutely wonderful. Their romance was by turns sensual and touching and I was so drawn to them as a pair that I couldn’t put Barefoot by the Sea down.
Barefoot by the Sea is the fourth book in the Barefoot Bay quartet but it can be read as a standalone. Tess’s best friends, Lacey, Jocelyn, and Zoe (the heroines of Barefoot in the Sand, Barefoot in the Rain, and Barefoot in the Sun) all play strong supporting roles, as does Lacey’s daughter, Ashley. Tess’s relationships with these women is every bit as important to the story as her burgeoning romance with Ian is. And speaking of developing romances, fans of the series will undoubtedly be pleased to learn that Barefoot by the Sea provides a lead-in to Ms. St. Claire’s next series, the Barefoot Brides. Here’s hoping that Tess, Lacey, Jocelyn, Zoe, and their loved ones show up in the Barefoot Brides books.
Barefoot by the Sea is a compelling, emotional read that will grab you by the heart and not let go. I absolutely loved Ian and Tess, and their story is a shining example of Roxanne St. Claire’s talent as an author. I can’t wait to re-read Barefoot by the Sea over and over and over again.
Tessa Galloway has a job she loves and a family-by-choice anyone would envy, but her life isn’t complete. Though she can make flowers bloom in the most difficult of circumstances, Tess can’t seem to grow the one thing she wants most in the world: a baby. Her friends are convinced she’ll find the right guy to make her dreams come true, but Tess believes they’re wrong. Until John Brown is hired as the new chef for the resort Tess and her friends run. John’s utterly irresistible and seems to be falling as hard for Tess as she is for him, but she can’t seem to shake the feeling that something about the man is too good to be true.
Ian Browning is a man with many secrets. Over three years ago, his life was shattered and he was forced into a witness protection program. Now living in the US and going by the name of John Brown, Ian is determined to do anything to be reunited with his children, who are in a different program in Canada. Thanks to a heavy amount of red tape, Ian’s window of opportunity for getting his kids back is closing fast. He needs to prove that he’s a model citizen, complete with a steady job and a wife. The first is easy, but the second leaves him conflicted. He knows Tessa’s deepest desire and he also knows he can’t possibly fulfill it. Nevertheless, he pursues her, all-too-aware that she’ll hate him forever when she learns of his deception. The more time he spends around Tessa, the more in love with her Ian is. But how can he be the man she needs without sacrificing his children?
Barefoot by the Sea is the beach read you’ll want to have with you all year long! The final installment of the Barefoot Bay quartet features secrets and heartbreak that can only be overcome by determination, love, and hope.
I loved this book, plain and simple. Tess is a heroine who spoke to me. She’s hardworking, loyal, and caring, but not perfect. She tends to be too focused when she sets her mind on something, and not seeing the bigger picture hampers her in some ways. She almost defines herself by her inability to have a child, and what made Barefoot by the Sea special was watching her come into her own over the course of the story.
Ian is definitely Tess’s catalyst for change, and man, oh man, does Roxanne St. Claire deliver when it comes to Ian. Much like Tess, I hate secrets and they’re normally a big red flag for me in books. However, Ian’s the exception that proves the rule. How can you hold his actions against him when the entire reason for his deception is rooted in a tragedy he had no part in creating? Ian’s a father willing to sacrifice everything to be reunited with his kids and his love and devotion to his children would alone be enough to make him a great hero in my eyes. Add in his culinary skills, innate sexiness, and obvious love for Tess and I’m a goner.
Neither Ian nor Tess live the lives they’d originally mapped out for themselves, but watching them find love and happiness in the lives they do lead was absolutely wonderful. Their romance was by turns sensual and touching and I was so drawn to them as a pair that I couldn’t put Barefoot by the Sea down.
Barefoot by the Sea is the fourth book in the Barefoot Bay quartet but it can be read as a standalone. Tess’s best friends, Lacey, Jocelyn, and Zoe (the heroines of Barefoot in the Sand, Barefoot in the Rain, and Barefoot in the Sun) all play strong supporting roles, as does Lacey’s daughter, Ashley. Tess’s relationships with these women is every bit as important to the story as her burgeoning romance with Ian is. And speaking of developing romances, fans of the series will undoubtedly be pleased to learn that Barefoot by the Sea provides a lead-in to Ms. St. Claire’s next series, the Barefoot Brides. Here’s hoping that Tess, Lacey, Jocelyn, Zoe, and their loved ones show up in the Barefoot Brides books.
Barefoot by the Sea is a compelling, emotional read that will grab you by the heart and not let go. I absolutely loved Ian and Tess, and their story is a shining example of Roxanne St. Claire’s talent as an author. I can’t wait to re-read Barefoot by the Sea over and over and over again.
jonetta's review
4.0
Tessa Galloway just wants a baby and every man who looks like a hookup possibility also looks like a potential sperm donor. When she meets John Brown in a bar, things zing along swimmingly until she asks for a donation. When their encounter crashes, things get even dicier when he shows up as the much needed chef for the resort. But John has a big secret...he's in the UK witness protection program and they've more in common than she knows.
I must admit I wasn't looking forward to Tessa's story and put off reading it until now. Big mistake as it turned out to be one of my favorites of the series. John/Ian is refreshing in that on the surface he seems like he's carefree and a lover. Scratch just a bit below the surface and you discover all his complexities and passions, making him an appealing character. His reasons for being in the program will break your heart and Tessa's history makes her much more sympathetic.
This was a fine ending to a wonderful series. I regret having put off reading this story.
I must admit I wasn't looking forward to Tessa's story and put off reading it until now. Big mistake as it turned out to be one of my favorites of the series. John/Ian is refreshing in that on the surface he seems like he's carefree and a lover. Scratch just a bit below the surface and you discover all his complexities and passions, making him an appealing character. His reasons for being in the program will break your heart and Tessa's history makes her much more sympathetic.
This was a fine ending to a wonderful series. I regret having put off reading this story.
mslizalou's review
5.0
These books get better and better!
Release date 10/29/13 Forever Hachette Book Group
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC from the author at RWA this summer (Thanks Rocki!!!). I'm a huge fan of Roxanne St. Claire and with great restraint, made myself wait until closer to the release date to read this book.
I'm a huge fan of the Barefoot Bay series and was excited for Tessa to finally get her happily ever after. I've said over and over again how much the friendship between Tessa, Zoe, Lacey, and Jocelyn is one of my favorite things about this series. I see my friends and myself as I read each of these books, even though there are 7 of us. However, much like Tessa and her friends, my friends and I give each other a hard time, joke and laugh like crazy, and most of all are always there for one another.
Tessa need she her friends now more than ever, since she has decided to go it alone to have a baby. I almost fell off my sofa laughing as the friends sat around a table in a bar giving names to sperm. Of course, this would be when the perfect man happens to walk into Tessa's life. John Brown/Ian Browning really is perfect for Tessa; except for one tiny flaw...he is in the witness protection program and can't be truthful about anything. Oh how I fell for John/Ian just like Tessa. Even knowing he was keeping secrets from her, she couldn't seem to keep her hands off him if they were in the same area together. The biggest secret John/Ian is keeping is the fact that he has toddler twins. So not only is he the perfect man for Tessa, but he comes with children, which are her biggest dream ever.
It totally killed me that John/Ian couldn't be truthful with Tessa about everything, even as I knew they were both falling in love with each other. When they are picked to be the test wedding at the resort, I was hoping it would be forever for them both. Tessa continued to fight her feelings for John/Ian because she knew he was keeping something from her and John/Ian seemed to be fighting his feelings just as hard. I won't lie and say this book didn't make me cry, because it did...several times in fact. However, I tend to cry when reading many of Rocki's books, so I pretty much know to keep tissues handy. I also tend to laugh, and I did so many times with this book.
I'm sure I've said this about other books in the Barefoot Bay series, but Barefoot by the Sea is my favorite in the series so far. Really of the 4 books out now, it is so my favorite book. Rocki pulled all the emotions out of me with this book and I loved every single minute of it. As soon as I finished reading it, I wanted to re-read it right away. I’ll also say this book can be read as a stand alone, even though it is the 4th book in the series. I do however suggest reading the other books in the series first. I'm pretty excited this book isn't the end of our time in Barefoot Bay. We will again get to be with the Barefoot Bay characters starting next year with the Barefoot Bride books. Woohoo!!!
Release date 10/29/13 Forever Hachette Book Group
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC from the author at RWA this summer (Thanks Rocki!!!). I'm a huge fan of Roxanne St. Claire and with great restraint, made myself wait until closer to the release date to read this book.
I'm a huge fan of the Barefoot Bay series and was excited for Tessa to finally get her happily ever after. I've said over and over again how much the friendship between Tessa, Zoe, Lacey, and Jocelyn is one of my favorite things about this series. I see my friends and myself as I read each of these books, even though there are 7 of us. However, much like Tessa and her friends, my friends and I give each other a hard time, joke and laugh like crazy, and most of all are always there for one another.
Tessa need she her friends now more than ever, since she has decided to go it alone to have a baby. I almost fell off my sofa laughing as the friends sat around a table in a bar giving names to sperm. Of course, this would be when the perfect man happens to walk into Tessa's life. John Brown/Ian Browning really is perfect for Tessa; except for one tiny flaw...he is in the witness protection program and can't be truthful about anything. Oh how I fell for John/Ian just like Tessa. Even knowing he was keeping secrets from her, she couldn't seem to keep her hands off him if they were in the same area together. The biggest secret John/Ian is keeping is the fact that he has toddler twins. So not only is he the perfect man for Tessa, but he comes with children, which are her biggest dream ever.
It totally killed me that John/Ian couldn't be truthful with Tessa about everything, even as I knew they were both falling in love with each other. When they are picked to be the test wedding at the resort, I was hoping it would be forever for them both. Tessa continued to fight her feelings for John/Ian because she knew he was keeping something from her and John/Ian seemed to be fighting his feelings just as hard. I won't lie and say this book didn't make me cry, because it did...several times in fact. However, I tend to cry when reading many of Rocki's books, so I pretty much know to keep tissues handy. I also tend to laugh, and I did so many times with this book.
I'm sure I've said this about other books in the Barefoot Bay series, but Barefoot by the Sea is my favorite in the series so far. Really of the 4 books out now, it is so my favorite book. Rocki pulled all the emotions out of me with this book and I loved every single minute of it. As soon as I finished reading it, I wanted to re-read it right away. I’ll also say this book can be read as a stand alone, even though it is the 4th book in the series. I do however suggest reading the other books in the series first. I'm pretty excited this book isn't the end of our time in Barefoot Bay. We will again get to be with the Barefoot Bay characters starting next year with the Barefoot Bride books. Woohoo!!!
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