Bayou Beloved

4.25stars-sassy and animated characters

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 our 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.