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kaydanielsromance's review against another edition
5.0
A sweet return to the Bayou in Blake's charming town of Papillon, LA.
Lexi Blake's Bayou world is a slow stroll down charming neighborhoods and visits with old friends. It's a vacation from the intense adventures of her Masters and Mercenaries world, but still just as enjoyable. The characters are well written and the entire plot is flushed out. It's a place I enjoy revisiting time and again.
Papillon is a small town where everyone knows everyone, but in times of need they all rally together to lend a helping hand. It is certainly how Rene became so close to Sylvie's family growing up even given their economic differences, in a town their size those differences didn't matter in the eyes of children looking to play. As time wore on Sylvie developed a huge crush on Rene, but their age difference allowed them to grow apart, now with time and distance out of the way there is nothing holding them back aside from a cavern of years between them. They have to learn about each other all over again, but this time there is a ticking time clock working against them. Rene now has to marry to save his company and time is literally not on his side. When will they ever get a break?
It took a little bit to jump into the chemistry between Rene and Sylvie, but once they clicked the story really took off. I'm not talking about heat between the sheets either, I'm talking about their spark, their flirting, their mutual "I want you, but I can't have you" vibe. It was like the zipper was off track at first, but it didn't take long before they became unstuck and then zipped together, if that analogy makes sense.
There is a bit of a mystery that goes along with this story. The element of "who is behind the mask" is always fun to figure out while the characters are sorting out their feelings for one another. A sweet romance, with a bit of intrigue, to add to any summer reading.
Lexi Blake's Bayou world is a slow stroll down charming neighborhoods and visits with old friends. It's a vacation from the intense adventures of her Masters and Mercenaries world, but still just as enjoyable. The characters are well written and the entire plot is flushed out. It's a place I enjoy revisiting time and again.
Papillon is a small town where everyone knows everyone, but in times of need they all rally together to lend a helping hand. It is certainly how Rene became so close to Sylvie's family growing up even given their economic differences, in a town their size those differences didn't matter in the eyes of children looking to play. As time wore on Sylvie developed a huge crush on Rene, but their age difference allowed them to grow apart, now with time and distance out of the way there is nothing holding them back aside from a cavern of years between them. They have to learn about each other all over again, but this time there is a ticking time clock working against them. Rene now has to marry to save his company and time is literally not on his side. When will they ever get a break?
It took a little bit to jump into the chemistry between Rene and Sylvie, but once they clicked the story really took off. I'm not talking about heat between the sheets either, I'm talking about their spark, their flirting, their mutual "I want you, but I can't have you" vibe. It was like the zipper was off track at first, but it didn't take long before they became unstuck and then zipped together, if that analogy makes sense.
There is a bit of a mystery that goes along with this story. The element of "who is behind the mask" is always fun to figure out while the characters are sorting out their feelings for one another. A sweet romance, with a bit of intrigue, to add to any summer reading.
parke20j's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jigsawgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I have been enjoying the Butterfly Bayou audiobooks. I think the narrator does a great job.
As much as I enjoyed this book, it was not my favorite. I didn't pick up on much chemistry between Rene and Sylvie until almost the end. Don't get me wrong, I liked both of the characters. I liked that they weren't perfect. I didn't mind the struggle as they tried to come together as a couple.
Red and gold hair, green eyes, and sharp jawline, tall and lean. This was the description for Rene. Rene's description occurred in the very beginning of the book.
Quiet beauty, elegant, sweet, soft, liked designer clothes, beautiful, intelligent, loyal, and kind. This was how Sylvie was described. The audiobook showed an intro and then started with chapters. So, by a third of the way in chapter 3, I had no idea what Sylvie looked like. Other than an assumption she was black. That assumption was based on a statement in the intro about Rene and his best friend Dre (Sylvie's brother) being an unlikely pair because Dre was black and Rene was white.
In all honesty, I went back to the beginning of the book to try and figure out what Sylvie looked like. That was because toward the end of the book something about Sylvie's skin tone was mentioned. I had no idea through the entire book she was possibly a WOC.
In my mind's eye, I can normally visualize the couple. Sylvie's description was so vague or none existent, that I couldn't. All the descriptors regarding Sylvie were very positive. I think that had something to do with the lack of chemistry I felt between Rene and Sylvie. If I missed the physical description of Sylvie, then that's on me, but I never remembered hearing it.
I thought there were both witty and funny moments as well as sweet, kind ones. Rene's cousin Charles was pretty despicable. His cousins were crazy. I liked Sylvie's mom, Dre, their mother, Louie, and Rene's mom.
This book could be considered as a second chance romance. There was some intrigue. There were secrets revealed. I liked the overall storyline, arranged marriage and second chance romance. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.
As much as I enjoyed this book, it was not my favorite. I didn't pick up on much chemistry between Rene and Sylvie until almost the end. Don't get me wrong, I liked both of the characters. I liked that they weren't perfect. I didn't mind the struggle as they tried to come together as a couple.
Red and gold hair, green eyes, and sharp jawline, tall and lean. This was the description for Rene. Rene's description occurred in the very beginning of the book.
Quiet beauty, elegant, sweet, soft, liked designer clothes, beautiful, intelligent, loyal, and kind. This was how Sylvie was described. The audiobook showed an intro and then started with chapters. So, by a third of the way in chapter 3, I had no idea what Sylvie looked like. Other than an assumption she was black. That assumption was based on a statement in the intro about Rene and his best friend Dre (Sylvie's brother) being an unlikely pair because Dre was black and Rene was white.
In all honesty, I went back to the beginning of the book to try and figure out what Sylvie looked like. That was because toward the end of the book something about Sylvie's skin tone was mentioned. I had no idea through the entire book she was possibly a WOC.
In my mind's eye, I can normally visualize the couple. Sylvie's description was so vague or none existent, that I couldn't. All the descriptors regarding Sylvie were very positive. I think that had something to do with the lack of chemistry I felt between Rene and Sylvie. If I missed the physical description of Sylvie, then that's on me, but I never remembered hearing it.
I thought there were both witty and funny moments as well as sweet, kind ones. Rene's cousin Charles was pretty despicable. His cousins were crazy. I liked Sylvie's mom, Dre, their mother, Louie, and Rene's mom.
This book could be considered as a second chance romance. There was some intrigue. There were secrets revealed. I liked the overall storyline, arranged marriage and second chance romance. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.
chrissy3562's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored Sylvie and Rene's story. Their history made their falling all the sweeter and Sylvie's brother added a fun aspect to the story. This quirky town is fun to read about and we got to see most of the other couples from previous books. This book is a standalone, but once you read it you'll want to go back and see what happened in this town previously. I can't wait for the next book in this series and I definitely recommend reading this book.
nicandbooks's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful story about letting love in and sharing the load!
I really enjoyed this next installment in the Butterfly Bayou series. Rene and Sylvie have been friends since childhood and were an "almost" an one stage but when Rene needs a wife to ensure he can continue running his family business... who better to ask then the only women he has ever really been himself with?! What ensues is a beautiful story about learning to let in love, learning to share your problems with your partner and shoulder the load together and a chance to catch up with our favourite Papillion residents. Plus a sneaky Easter Egg that connects this world to Bliss and you've got one happy Lexi Blake fan right here!!
I really enjoyed this next installment in the Butterfly Bayou series. Rene and Sylvie have been friends since childhood and were an "almost" an one stage but when Rene needs a wife to ensure he can continue running his family business... who better to ask then the only women he has ever really been himself with?! What ensues is a beautiful story about learning to let in love, learning to share your problems with your partner and shoulder the load together and a chance to catch up with our favourite Papillion residents. Plus a sneaky Easter Egg that connects this world to Bliss and you've got one happy Lexi Blake fan right here!!
aspygirlsmom_1995's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
syndi3's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Bayaou Beuaty makes me feel like joining into a gossip club in a small town. The gossip is juicy and the ladies are fun. Their banter is sassy and alive. I love it. It certainly makes my day interesting and fun.
What is missing is the chemistry between Rene and Sylvie. Miss Blake does not invest much on the tender moment nor the sexual attraction. The romance between Rene and Sylvie more telling than show. Which is suck in romance. I need more telling than show.
Well despite that, I still enjoying the gossiping ladies.
What is missing is the chemistry between Rene and Sylvie. Miss Blake does not invest much on the tender moment nor the sexual attraction. The romance between Rene and Sylvie more telling than show. Which is suck in romance. I need more telling than show.
Well despite that, I still enjoying the gossiping ladies.
a_ab's review against another edition
2.0
Well written, but completely superficial and empty. This goes both for the story and the characters. The whole book is hinged on atmosphere, family connections, politics and business machinations. There is much talk of love, but nothing beyond the talk, unfortunately.
Also, I am now plain afraid to touch books about the American South. I was hoping for something fluffy and romantic with beautiful countryside descriptions. What I got is another book about yet another way in which the south is corrupt rotten to the very core. Oh well ..
Also, I am now plain afraid to touch books about the American South. I was hoping for something fluffy and romantic with beautiful countryside descriptions. What I got is another book about yet another way in which the south is corrupt rotten to the very core. Oh well ..