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Barefoot Bay Brides Trilogy #2
Barefoot in Lace
Kick off your shoes and fall in love again in with the Barefoot Bay Brides!
Destination wedding planner Gussie McBain needs a man . . . specifically, a wedding photographer. Just her luck that the shutterbug she runs into is more used to snapping pictures of glamorous models in couture gowns than brides in white lace. But Gussie's never been one to let bad odds stop her from a good gamble, so she asks for a favor she never dreams superstar TJ DeMille will actually grant.
Tom DeMille lives his life exactly as he pleases—always alone. In fact, he’s got that motto tattooed in Greek on his arm. But when Tom is suddenly saddled with guardianship of his twelve-year-old niece, he'll lose more than his freedom if he can't figure out how to take care of her. Then an alluring young woman with pink hair and a sassy mouth shows up at his door, and he agrees to do the unthinkable . . . photograph a wedding in exchange for some help with his niece.
As they work together, Tom begins to take down the walls Gussie has erected around herself to discover a truly beautiful and tender woman he knows he could love. But will his own heartache and refusal to lay down roots prevent him from giving Gussie the family life she craves . . . or could she be the one woman who can finally break his vow of solitude?
Destination wedding planner Gussie McBain needs a man . . . specifically, a wedding photographer. Just her luck that the shutterbug she runs into is more used to snapping pictures of glamorous models in couture gowns than brides in white lace. But Gussie's never been one to let bad odds stop her from a good gamble, so she asks for a favor she never dreams superstar TJ DeMille will actually grant.
Tom DeMille lives his life exactly as he pleases—always alone. In fact, he’s got that motto tattooed in Greek on his arm. But when Tom is suddenly saddled with guardianship of his twelve-year-old niece, he'll lose more than his freedom if he can't figure out how to take care of her. Then an alluring young woman with pink hair and a sassy mouth shows up at his door, and he agrees to do the unthinkable . . . photograph a wedding in exchange for some help with his niece.
As they work together, Tom begins to take down the walls Gussie has erected around herself to discover a truly beautiful and tender woman he knows he could love. But will his own heartache and refusal to lay down roots prevent him from giving Gussie the family life she craves . . . or could she be the one woman who can finally break his vow of solitude?
364 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2014
929 people are currently reading
1533 people want to read
About the author
Roxanne St. Claire
265 books1,832 followersI don’t know about you, but when I check out an author's bio, it’s usually because I’ve read a book I liked and wondered about the person behind it. Let's skip the formal bio and I'll give you the inside scoop on who Roxanne St. Claire really is.
First of all, call me Rocki. Everyone does. Evidently, when my mother brought me home from the hospital I seemed too scrawny and small to pull off “Roxanne” (she’d read Cyrano de Bergerac while pregnant or I would have been Judy) so they called me Rocki.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, the youngest of five (overachievers, every one), and fell in love with words and stories the summer I read Gone With The Wind. That year, for my twelfth birthday, my parents gave me a typewriter (with italic font – it was the coolest thing) and from that day on, I’ve had my fingers on a keyboard, pounding out love stories for fun. My AP English teacher taught me the two most important lessons an aspiring author ever needs: 1) verbs are the key to life and 2) a writer should get a real job. After attending UCLA and graduating with a degree in communications, I tried acting and television broadcasting. Oh, they aren’t real jobs? I learned that the hard way. I changed my last name from Zink to St. Claire because a news producer told me Roxanne Zink had too many harsh consonants for a TV personality – apparently Katie Couric didn’t get the memo. I got some fun gigs, and even met Tom Hanks when I did a guest appearance on Bosom Buddies. I liked on camera work, but wasn’t too crazy about starvation, so I moved to Boston and got that “real” job. In fact, I placed my foot on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder and didn’t look down until I’d climbed all the way up to the level of Senior Vice President at the world’s largest public relations firm. On the way up, I met the man of my dreams in an elevator. Two years later – in the same elevator! – he asked me to marry him and I wisely said yes.
I stayed in PR, moved to Miami, had a few babies, lost my home in a hurricane, built another one a few hours north and all along, I kept writing my “stories” for fun. One night, I read a particularly fabulous romance novel that changed my life for good. That night, I decided I wanted to make someone else feel as whole and happy as that author made me feel. (Everyone asks! It was Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.) With two small children and one big “real” job, writing my first novel wasn’t easy, but I did finish a manuscript that managed to get the attention of a literary agent. She told me to do one thing and one thing fast: write another book. (The first one is usually a “learner” book, honestly.) That second manuscript sold to Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books and was released in 2003 as Tropical Getaway. Since then, I’ve written almost thirty more, in multiple genres, and long ago replaced the corporate ladder with the rollercoaster of publishing as a full-time novelist. Finally, writing is my real job.
Today, I live in a small beach community in Florida with my husband and two dogs. Our kids are off to college and law school, which means my nest is empty! I spend my time writing, working with the kids at my church, enjoying my husband's gourmet cooking, and hanging with my many writer friends. Of course, I love to read. I’m still crazy about words and stories and hope to write at least a hundred books in my lifetime. And, yes, verbs are the key to life. My favorites? Love. Work. Believe.
xoxo
Rocki
First of all, call me Rocki. Everyone does. Evidently, when my mother brought me home from the hospital I seemed too scrawny and small to pull off “Roxanne” (she’d read Cyrano de Bergerac while pregnant or I would have been Judy) so they called me Rocki.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, the youngest of five (overachievers, every one), and fell in love with words and stories the summer I read Gone With The Wind. That year, for my twelfth birthday, my parents gave me a typewriter (with italic font – it was the coolest thing) and from that day on, I’ve had my fingers on a keyboard, pounding out love stories for fun. My AP English teacher taught me the two most important lessons an aspiring author ever needs: 1) verbs are the key to life and 2) a writer should get a real job. After attending UCLA and graduating with a degree in communications, I tried acting and television broadcasting. Oh, they aren’t real jobs? I learned that the hard way. I changed my last name from Zink to St. Claire because a news producer told me Roxanne Zink had too many harsh consonants for a TV personality – apparently Katie Couric didn’t get the memo. I got some fun gigs, and even met Tom Hanks when I did a guest appearance on Bosom Buddies. I liked on camera work, but wasn’t too crazy about starvation, so I moved to Boston and got that “real” job. In fact, I placed my foot on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder and didn’t look down until I’d climbed all the way up to the level of Senior Vice President at the world’s largest public relations firm. On the way up, I met the man of my dreams in an elevator. Two years later – in the same elevator! – he asked me to marry him and I wisely said yes.
I stayed in PR, moved to Miami, had a few babies, lost my home in a hurricane, built another one a few hours north and all along, I kept writing my “stories” for fun. One night, I read a particularly fabulous romance novel that changed my life for good. That night, I decided I wanted to make someone else feel as whole and happy as that author made me feel. (Everyone asks! It was Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.) With two small children and one big “real” job, writing my first novel wasn’t easy, but I did finish a manuscript that managed to get the attention of a literary agent. She told me to do one thing and one thing fast: write another book. (The first one is usually a “learner” book, honestly.) That second manuscript sold to Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books and was released in 2003 as Tropical Getaway. Since then, I’ve written almost thirty more, in multiple genres, and long ago replaced the corporate ladder with the rollercoaster of publishing as a full-time novelist. Finally, writing is my real job.
Today, I live in a small beach community in Florida with my husband and two dogs. Our kids are off to college and law school, which means my nest is empty! I spend my time writing, working with the kids at my church, enjoying my husband's gourmet cooking, and hanging with my many writer friends. Of course, I love to read. I’m still crazy about words and stories and hope to write at least a hundred books in my lifetime. And, yes, verbs are the key to life. My favorites? Love. Work. Believe.
xoxo
Rocki
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
February 12, 2015
See the complete series review on The Book Nympho
Gussie McBain's signature look is one that changes daily, always a colorful wig and lots of makeup. Only her partners know the true reason why she wears the wig but when she runs into Tom DeMille, a famous fashion photographer, he sees what lies beneath and her life changes in extraordinary ways, and so does his. He has some serious baggage from his past and both touch each other in ways that heal them both, creating the most lovely of relationships.
Tom recently became guardian of his 12-year old niece Alex following his sister's death and it's not going well. When she bonds with Gussie, Tom finds yet another connection and reason to admire Gussie. Their romance was incredibly special as they both transformed before each others' eyes. It's never a question of their feelings but their willingness to risk them. Tom's metamorphosis was particularly emotional and Gussie's was amazing
I'm still in love with this story and can't seem to let it go. It will always be one of my favorites.
Gussie McBain's signature look is one that changes daily, always a colorful wig and lots of makeup. Only her partners know the true reason why she wears the wig but when she runs into Tom DeMille, a famous fashion photographer, he sees what lies beneath and her life changes in extraordinary ways, and so does his. He has some serious baggage from his past and both touch each other in ways that heal them both, creating the most lovely of relationships.
Tom recently became guardian of his 12-year old niece Alex following his sister's death and it's not going well. When she bonds with Gussie, Tom finds yet another connection and reason to admire Gussie. Their romance was incredibly special as they both transformed before each others' eyes. It's never a question of their feelings but their willingness to risk them. Tom's metamorphosis was particularly emotional and Gussie's was amazing
I'm still in love with this story and can't seem to let it go. It will always be one of my favorites.
September 17, 2016
Roxanne St. Claire has done it again. I loved Gussie and Tom. So many touching moments. She put me on a roller coaster of emotions with this story...
When Gussie meets TJ DeMille aka Thomas Jefferson DeMille big time photographer at the Super Min. which is run by Charity. The scene that unfolds in the store in the store is pretty funny, and Gussie comes to Tom's aide.
When Gussie is thrown a curve ball when she returns to the office and is confronted with her partners and the pretty angry mother of the bride she blurts out Tom's name to save the Barefoot Brides rep. She has not one iota of how to pull it off, but she will do her darnedest.
Tom is at his ends wit when he is offered a fantastic job in France, but only way Alex his niece will go is if Gussie goes to as she has become very fond of her. That gets really interesting. In one brief moment your heart will be soaring. It's so touching. It moved me.
So now what will Tom and Gussie to about there attraction to one another? Tom as already told Gussie he isn't a home body. He is a traveler, but now he to persuade Alex to travel with him. She is not having none of that.
With Tom's past hunting him he can't move forward. He ends up telling Gussie everything.
Alex is a confused teen, but she knows what she wants so to speak. She see's something Gussie has and wants that too.
The best way to make Alex and Gussie happy Tom thinks is to give Alex exactly what she wants, but he needs to put the past to rest.
The story is gripping. It will pull at you. At one point it gets so intense you don't know what to do. The emotions are mind blowing. The ending in my personal opinion is a turning point it's epic. No other book has ever done to me.
I can't wait for Barefoot In Pearls.
When Gussie meets TJ DeMille aka Thomas Jefferson DeMille big time photographer at the Super Min. which is run by Charity. The scene that unfolds in the store in the store is pretty funny, and Gussie comes to Tom's aide.
When Gussie is thrown a curve ball when she returns to the office and is confronted with her partners and the pretty angry mother of the bride she blurts out Tom's name to save the Barefoot Brides rep. She has not one iota of how to pull it off, but she will do her darnedest.
Tom is at his ends wit when he is offered a fantastic job in France, but only way Alex his niece will go is if Gussie goes to as she has become very fond of her. That gets really interesting. In one brief moment your heart will be soaring. It's so touching. It moved me.
So now what will Tom and Gussie to about there attraction to one another? Tom as already told Gussie he isn't a home body. He is a traveler, but now he to persuade Alex to travel with him. She is not having none of that.
With Tom's past hunting him he can't move forward. He ends up telling Gussie everything.
Alex is a confused teen, but she knows what she wants so to speak. She see's something Gussie has and wants that too.
The best way to make Alex and Gussie happy Tom thinks is to give Alex exactly what she wants, but he needs to put the past to rest.
The story is gripping. It will pull at you. At one point it gets so intense you don't know what to do. The emotions are mind blowing. The ending in my personal opinion is a turning point it's epic. No other book has ever done to me.
I can't wait for Barefoot In Pearls.
June 1, 2019
My very first audiobook, & I loved it so hard, I nearly lost control of the riding mower several times while listening. It also gave me the sniffles a couple times...but in the very best way! <3
September 15, 2014
This is truly a romance for the ages... It may read as a contemporary romance but it has elements that in my opinion transcend era and time period because it speaks to each of us through characters that share a common denominator.... A tragic experience in their past that has shaped them into the people they have become. Can love, forgiveness and acceptance help them to overcome their own fears and insecurities?
This is the journey that the author weaves in an epic tale of three beautiful and thoroughly fleshed out characters - the hero, Tom, Thomas Jefferson "TJ" DeMille also known as Uncle Tommy, and Gussie or Augusta McBain, one of our three Bridal Consultants at Barefoot Bay, and of course the loose end that ties them both together, TJ's barely teenage niece, Alex.
Tom is an internationally-renowned fashion photographer whose work is in the very highest demand 350 days per year in exotic locations around the world. He loves his globe-trotting lifestyle while his career is at it's all time high and for which he has no plans or desire to change it. Gussie is happy launching her third part of the Barefoot Brides business located at the Casa Blanca Resort as their premier stylist but is clearly awe-struck when the infamous photographer TJ DeMille lands in Barefoot Bay. And Alex? Well, sadly Alex has met with a recent tragedy and it's here where our two main characters will find that their worlds intersect and fate may have conspired to lend a helping hand in bringing our hero and heroine together in some of the best ways possible ;D
There's a little of everything in this book, obviously an incredible romance that leaves you breathless with anticipation while you ride on a roller coaster of emotion, including a great deal of laughter, tears, joy, fun, truly heartwarming family moments, excitement, fear, sadness, forgiveness, sizzlingly hot and steamy scenes, but most importantly love and acceptance above all else which shines as the overwhelming theme and radiates off the pages! It's better than a 5-star! Definitely worthy of a RITA! I don't know how St. Claire manages to continue to create these inspiring fictional works of art, I'm just so thrilled that she does and honored to get to read them. The characters honestly feel real to you and you don't want to let go of them at the end of the book. I could honestly see this one being made into sequel. Can't wait for the next one, Barefoot in Pearls!! I hope we get to see more of Tom, Gussie and Alex :)
I am always honored to receive an advanced readers copy for an honest review.
This is the journey that the author weaves in an epic tale of three beautiful and thoroughly fleshed out characters - the hero, Tom, Thomas Jefferson "TJ" DeMille also known as Uncle Tommy, and Gussie or Augusta McBain, one of our three Bridal Consultants at Barefoot Bay, and of course the loose end that ties them both together, TJ's barely teenage niece, Alex.
Tom is an internationally-renowned fashion photographer whose work is in the very highest demand 350 days per year in exotic locations around the world. He loves his globe-trotting lifestyle while his career is at it's all time high and for which he has no plans or desire to change it. Gussie is happy launching her third part of the Barefoot Brides business located at the Casa Blanca Resort as their premier stylist but is clearly awe-struck when the infamous photographer TJ DeMille lands in Barefoot Bay. And Alex? Well, sadly Alex has met with a recent tragedy and it's here where our two main characters will find that their worlds intersect and fate may have conspired to lend a helping hand in bringing our hero and heroine together in some of the best ways possible ;D
There's a little of everything in this book, obviously an incredible romance that leaves you breathless with anticipation while you ride on a roller coaster of emotion, including a great deal of laughter, tears, joy, fun, truly heartwarming family moments, excitement, fear, sadness, forgiveness, sizzlingly hot and steamy scenes, but most importantly love and acceptance above all else which shines as the overwhelming theme and radiates off the pages! It's better than a 5-star! Definitely worthy of a RITA! I don't know how St. Claire manages to continue to create these inspiring fictional works of art, I'm just so thrilled that she does and honored to get to read them. The characters honestly feel real to you and you don't want to let go of them at the end of the book. I could honestly see this one being made into sequel. Can't wait for the next one, Barefoot in Pearls!! I hope we get to see more of Tom, Gussie and Alex :)
I am always honored to receive an advanced readers copy for an honest review.
January 13, 2015
For me the big attraction of this book was Gussie. She was so fun and loving of life, an interesting fact as you learn about a big event from her past. I loved that Gussie didn't let that drag her down. It seemed like everyone that came into contact with Gussie fell in love with her, even Tom, as much as he didn't want to.
I really had a hard time warming up to Tom, he seemed so cold and an asshole. It was only when you learned a secret from his past you realize that the cold was put in place to protect himself.
I really liked how both Tom and Gussie were able to get past their issues and build a new family, something they both desperately needed.
I really had a hard time warming up to Tom, he seemed so cold and an asshole. It was only when you learned a secret from his past you realize that the cold was put in place to protect himself.
I really liked how both Tom and Gussie were able to get past their issues and build a new family, something they both desperately needed.
September 29, 2015
This book me forever to get through, not gonna lie. There's nothing wrong with it exactly, but none of the characters really stand out and the plot seems to drag on forever without much of anything happening. It's a perfectly pleasant run of the mill plot but it never managed to be interesting to me.
Want to read
November 29, 2014Roxanne sent me this book and I found this at the beginning...big smile on my face! <3
April 19, 2019
This, the 6th book in the Barefoot Bay series continues to maintain the level of excellence set by the previous books in the series. I think instead of the usual star rating system I should rate this book in boxes of Kleenex. It is IMHO an anomaly, a rare thing in contemporary romance books based upon my fairly broad reading experience of the genre. First and foremost the romance between our heroine Gussie (Augusta) and Tom is almost secondary to the other story lines. A warning. Ms. St. Claire is not very complimentary to the French in this book beyond their food and drink. So if you’re French you may find her take on the French people insulting.
You have Alex, Tom’s almost thirteen year old niece. Her mom, the only relative she knows passes suddenly leaving her in the care of her Uncle Tom whom she has never even met. And Tom while he feels obligated to care for Alex isn’t the least bit happy about this new responsibility that interferes with the nomadic, no emotional attachment lifestyle he’s built for himself. That resentment is not lost on Alex. Alex’s struggles with the reality that her beloved momma is gone, her dreams that her long absent father will suddenly swoop in and want her, her growing attachment to Gussie and her difficulty with bonding with her uncle made my heart ache for her.
Another anomaly for me was our hero Tom’s rationale for not wanting to give his heart to someone again. In almost every romance novel one if not both main characters have their reasons for guarding their hearts, not trusting love. And 99% of the time I find those reasons somewhat lame. I mean who hasn’t had their heart broken a time or two? Half of all marriages end in divorce. But in real life most people get over the heartache and disappointment of a broken heart/dream and dare to love again. But in Tom’s case, I got it. In fact considering the tragically sad history of the people he’d loved I was sort of surprised Gussie wasn’t afraid to love him.
Then there’s our heroine Gussie. Gussie has a closet full of insecurities and a healthy helping of guilt because of a terrible accident that occurred 15 years ago when she was 15. Also rare for a contemporary romance Gussie has a noticeable physical imperfection as a result of that accident that makes her insecure about her appearance. She also feels guilty believing her accident (which she feels responsible for) caused the destruction of her once close knit loving family.
Gussie longs to belong to a family again like the one she once had. Now turning 30 she’s looking for a man to build a home and start that family with. Tom is the worst possible candidate to fill that need. He’s a man who works hard to avoid deep relationships and he makes no bones about it. But neither can resist the pull of not only physical but emotional attraction to one another.
This is just a beautiful story on so many levels. My only complaint is that other than one mention of Lacey our four charter member women of the series don’t even get a mention in this story. We get Charity but none of the Fearsome Foursome? Come on Roxanne. How can you not give even a cameo appearance to any of the characters who formed the foundation of this series when a good part of the story takes place at the resort?
You have Alex, Tom’s almost thirteen year old niece. Her mom, the only relative she knows passes suddenly leaving her in the care of her Uncle Tom whom she has never even met. And Tom while he feels obligated to care for Alex isn’t the least bit happy about this new responsibility that interferes with the nomadic, no emotional attachment lifestyle he’s built for himself. That resentment is not lost on Alex. Alex’s struggles with the reality that her beloved momma is gone, her dreams that her long absent father will suddenly swoop in and want her, her growing attachment to Gussie and her difficulty with bonding with her uncle made my heart ache for her.
Another anomaly for me was our hero Tom’s rationale for not wanting to give his heart to someone again. In almost every romance novel one if not both main characters have their reasons for guarding their hearts, not trusting love. And 99% of the time I find those reasons somewhat lame. I mean who hasn’t had their heart broken a time or two? Half of all marriages end in divorce. But in real life most people get over the heartache and disappointment of a broken heart/dream and dare to love again. But in Tom’s case, I got it. In fact considering the tragically sad history of the people he’d loved I was sort of surprised Gussie wasn’t afraid to love him.
Then there’s our heroine Gussie. Gussie has a closet full of insecurities and a healthy helping of guilt because of a terrible accident that occurred 15 years ago when she was 15. Also rare for a contemporary romance Gussie has a noticeable physical imperfection as a result of that accident that makes her insecure about her appearance. She also feels guilty believing her accident (which she feels responsible for) caused the destruction of her once close knit loving family.
Gussie longs to belong to a family again like the one she once had. Now turning 30 she’s looking for a man to build a home and start that family with. Tom is the worst possible candidate to fill that need. He’s a man who works hard to avoid deep relationships and he makes no bones about it. But neither can resist the pull of not only physical but emotional attraction to one another.
This is just a beautiful story on so many levels. My only complaint is that other than one mention of Lacey our four charter member women of the series don’t even get a mention in this story. We get Charity but none of the Fearsome Foursome? Come on Roxanne. How can you not give even a cameo appearance to any of the characters who formed the foundation of this series when a good part of the story takes place at the resort?
June 4, 2019
I woke up at 3am and couldn’t get back to sleep so finished this book 😊This story has so much heart ❤️ This romance gives you amazing flawed characters that come together to heal and become a family. It’s a nice mix of romantic fantasy and dealing with the reality of loosing loved ones and creating new bonds of family. This is a really great series that I highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 12, 2018
Romantic, emotional and interesting. A strong cast of characters. Loving this series.
April 4, 2019
Likable characters and an interesting story line.
September 23, 2020
4.5 stars
March 30, 2015
My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2015/03...
Prepare to fall in love with Barefoot Bay all over again in Barefoot in Lace . Artistry and style are a gorgeous backdrop for a romance filled with heartbreak, hope, and new beginnings. Roxanne St. Claire definitely knows how to blend sensuality, emotion, and escapism into a great story and Barefoot in Lace has all these things in spades.
Who wouldn’t want to get gussied up with Gussie? The beautiful stylist excels at her job and is one of those genuinely nice characters you wish were real, just so you could be friends with them. But Gussie also has some very real scars that she hides – and I’m not talking about the physical ones. Tom sees beneath the wigs and bravado from the start to the woman within. His determination and care bring Gussie out of her shell and are the catalyst for her deciding to start truly healing from the incident that shattered her life long ago. And speaking of Tom, he’s not without scars of his own, though he guards his ghosts more fiercely than Gussie. Tom is also nearing the end of his rope. He’s just lost his sister and his life is in chaos as he tries to figure out how to balance his life and job with the challenges of raising his niece, a girl who is feeling lost and alone herself. Alex is every bit as important to Tom and Gussie’s story as our hero and heroine themselves. The three of them are clearly meant to be a family, but conflicting wants, views on how their lives should be, and old wounds make things difficult. Ms. St. Claire makes Tom and Gussie work for their happy ending, and the reward is definitely worth the journey.
Barefoot in Lace is the second book in the Barefoot Bay Brides series, a trilogy set in the larger world of Barefoot Bay. That being said, Gussie and Tom’s book can easily be read as a standalone, though I defy you to read it and not want to at least dive in to Gussie’s fellow wedding planners’ stories. Willow and Ari continue to delight and the love and friendship between these three wedding planners is simply wonderful. I finished Barefoot in Lace both wanting to re-read Barefoot in White (Willow’s book) and eager to dive into Barefoot in Pearls (Ari’s book).
Barefoot in Lace is every bit as lovely and romantic as the weddings Gussie puts on. I adored Gussie and Tom and I look forward to revisiting them in the future.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Prepare to fall in love with Barefoot Bay all over again in Barefoot in Lace . Artistry and style are a gorgeous backdrop for a romance filled with heartbreak, hope, and new beginnings. Roxanne St. Claire definitely knows how to blend sensuality, emotion, and escapism into a great story and Barefoot in Lace has all these things in spades.
Who wouldn’t want to get gussied up with Gussie? The beautiful stylist excels at her job and is one of those genuinely nice characters you wish were real, just so you could be friends with them. But Gussie also has some very real scars that she hides – and I’m not talking about the physical ones. Tom sees beneath the wigs and bravado from the start to the woman within. His determination and care bring Gussie out of her shell and are the catalyst for her deciding to start truly healing from the incident that shattered her life long ago. And speaking of Tom, he’s not without scars of his own, though he guards his ghosts more fiercely than Gussie. Tom is also nearing the end of his rope. He’s just lost his sister and his life is in chaos as he tries to figure out how to balance his life and job with the challenges of raising his niece, a girl who is feeling lost and alone herself. Alex is every bit as important to Tom and Gussie’s story as our hero and heroine themselves. The three of them are clearly meant to be a family, but conflicting wants, views on how their lives should be, and old wounds make things difficult. Ms. St. Claire makes Tom and Gussie work for their happy ending, and the reward is definitely worth the journey.
Barefoot in Lace is the second book in the Barefoot Bay Brides series, a trilogy set in the larger world of Barefoot Bay. That being said, Gussie and Tom’s book can easily be read as a standalone, though I defy you to read it and not want to at least dive in to Gussie’s fellow wedding planners’ stories. Willow and Ari continue to delight and the love and friendship between these three wedding planners is simply wonderful. I finished Barefoot in Lace both wanting to re-read Barefoot in White (Willow’s book) and eager to dive into Barefoot in Pearls (Ari’s book).
Barefoot in Lace is every bit as lovely and romantic as the weddings Gussie puts on. I adored Gussie and Tom and I look forward to revisiting them in the future.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
September 18, 2014
Review courtesy of ROmance Junkies
Gussie McBain runs a wedding consultant business in a Floridian resort, with the help of two others. She is the one responsible for transforming the brides and her bridesmaids from plain Janes to stunningly beautiful. On the side, she writes a blog dedicated to fashion, style, and the weddings her business has done. Gussie always dreamed to one day work as a stylist for either a top-notch fashion magazine or a highly known photographer. When their original wedding photographer cancels, she calls in the favor Tom owes her.
Thomas Jefferson DeMille, known to the public as T.M. DeMille, is a famous photographer in the fashion world. He has spent most of his life traveling from one shoot and site to the next without putting down permanent roots. The death of his younger sister leaves him in custody of a dejected, preteen niece. He feels that he is not qualified for such a daunting task. Tom reluctantly agrees to fulfill Gussie’s favor only if she helps him understand and get through to his despondent niece.
Gussie, in my opinion, is the best role model for both males and females to emulate. Despite a scar she received as a teen, she did not let it defeat or lessen her. Instead, Gussie used that scar to propel her closer to her interest and passion in style. And she easily won my heart with her warmth, caring, and understanding with Alex. Gussie shows how important family is to her and her potential as a mother or nurturing guardian.
Tom’s ability to see Gussie’s inner beauty hidden beneath the make-up and wigs melted my heart and helped him become my new favorite hero. Even though he has his own emotional and mental demons, he doggedly worked to show and convince Gussie that even though she’s scarred, it does not detract from her beauty. He and Gussie both have deep emotional scars that dictated their lives and behavior. I believe that similarity is what made the couple necessary for one another to accept who they are and what happened to them, finally heal, and take that final step of moving past it. I did enjoy Tom’s eagerness to whip off his shirt and detected a growing theme among THE BAREFOOT BAY BRIDES’s heroes: their need to take things off. I hope the author continues that fun quirk with the hero of the third installment.
BAREFOOT IN LACE is a heartrending with a deep, embedded moral to the story. The story encourages people that even a flawed person can be seen as beautiful. The author punctuates that point with Gussie. BAREFOOT IN LACE is book two in Roxanne St. Claire’s THE BAREFOOT BAY BRIDES series, earns Romance Junkies’ Five Blue Ribbons for its heartfelt message.
Gussie McBain runs a wedding consultant business in a Floridian resort, with the help of two others. She is the one responsible for transforming the brides and her bridesmaids from plain Janes to stunningly beautiful. On the side, she writes a blog dedicated to fashion, style, and the weddings her business has done. Gussie always dreamed to one day work as a stylist for either a top-notch fashion magazine or a highly known photographer. When their original wedding photographer cancels, she calls in the favor Tom owes her.
Thomas Jefferson DeMille, known to the public as T.M. DeMille, is a famous photographer in the fashion world. He has spent most of his life traveling from one shoot and site to the next without putting down permanent roots. The death of his younger sister leaves him in custody of a dejected, preteen niece. He feels that he is not qualified for such a daunting task. Tom reluctantly agrees to fulfill Gussie’s favor only if she helps him understand and get through to his despondent niece.
Gussie, in my opinion, is the best role model for both males and females to emulate. Despite a scar she received as a teen, she did not let it defeat or lessen her. Instead, Gussie used that scar to propel her closer to her interest and passion in style. And she easily won my heart with her warmth, caring, and understanding with Alex. Gussie shows how important family is to her and her potential as a mother or nurturing guardian.
Tom’s ability to see Gussie’s inner beauty hidden beneath the make-up and wigs melted my heart and helped him become my new favorite hero. Even though he has his own emotional and mental demons, he doggedly worked to show and convince Gussie that even though she’s scarred, it does not detract from her beauty. He and Gussie both have deep emotional scars that dictated their lives and behavior. I believe that similarity is what made the couple necessary for one another to accept who they are and what happened to them, finally heal, and take that final step of moving past it. I did enjoy Tom’s eagerness to whip off his shirt and detected a growing theme among THE BAREFOOT BAY BRIDES’s heroes: their need to take things off. I hope the author continues that fun quirk with the hero of the third installment.
BAREFOOT IN LACE is a heartrending with a deep, embedded moral to the story. The story encourages people that even a flawed person can be seen as beautiful. The author punctuates that point with Gussie. BAREFOOT IN LACE is book two in Roxanne St. Claire’s THE BAREFOOT BAY BRIDES series, earns Romance Junkies’ Five Blue Ribbons for its heartfelt message.
September 11, 2014
I've loved Roxanne St. Claire's books since I first discovered her Bullet Catcher series years ago. I found I love her contemporary romances every bit as much as her romantic suspense books. Barefoot in Lace is one of my favorite books ever from Roxanne St. Claire.
Barefoot in Lace was a very emotional read for me. I openly admit to crying multiple times while reading this book. I wanted to know more about Gussie from the moment we met her. Gussie wears wigs of every color and style all the time. After learning why Gussie wears her wigs, I just wanted to hug her and it made me love her even more. I loved the meet-cute between Gussie and Tom (TJ) in the convenience store. It made me laugh and I could already feel the attraction between them.
While I loved Gussie right away, Tom was harder for me to love. He was totally honest with Gussie that he came with an expiration date, as his motto was "Always Alone", yet he needed Gussie to help him learn how to connect with his 12-year old niece Alex. Tom's sister had died suddenly and he was named as Alex's guardian. Tom and Alex have such a hard time connecting, yet Gussie and Alex connect as soon as they meet. I honestly loved the relationship between Gussie and Alex from the moment they met. I think I connected very quickly to Alex because my mom died when I was 12 and I understood every feeling Alex was having about her mom. I loved how Gussie stepped in to help Alex deal with her loss and help Tom to learn to connect with his niece.
Gussie and Tom did work for me as a couple. They had really great chemistry and I loved they got each other so quickly. As I said before, I was a bit hesitant to believe Tom would get past his "Always Alone" motto, especially once he shared his reason for his feelings. I knew that Tom loved both Alex and Gussie, yet was afraid to admit his feeling and risk losing them because of his past.
I highly recommend Barefoot in Lace to any readers who love contemporary romances. Barefoot in Lace can be read as a stand-alone story, I think you see more about the characters if you read the books in order.
Barefoot in Lace was a very emotional read for me. I openly admit to crying multiple times while reading this book. I wanted to know more about Gussie from the moment we met her. Gussie wears wigs of every color and style all the time. After learning why Gussie wears her wigs, I just wanted to hug her and it made me love her even more. I loved the meet-cute between Gussie and Tom (TJ) in the convenience store. It made me laugh and I could already feel the attraction between them.
While I loved Gussie right away, Tom was harder for me to love. He was totally honest with Gussie that he came with an expiration date, as his motto was "Always Alone", yet he needed Gussie to help him learn how to connect with his 12-year old niece Alex. Tom's sister had died suddenly and he was named as Alex's guardian. Tom and Alex have such a hard time connecting, yet Gussie and Alex connect as soon as they meet. I honestly loved the relationship between Gussie and Alex from the moment they met. I think I connected very quickly to Alex because my mom died when I was 12 and I understood every feeling Alex was having about her mom. I loved how Gussie stepped in to help Alex deal with her loss and help Tom to learn to connect with his niece.
Gussie and Tom did work for me as a couple. They had really great chemistry and I loved they got each other so quickly. As I said before, I was a bit hesitant to believe Tom would get past his "Always Alone" motto, especially once he shared his reason for his feelings. I knew that Tom loved both Alex and Gussie, yet was afraid to admit his feeling and risk losing them because of his past.
I highly recommend Barefoot in Lace to any readers who love contemporary romances. Barefoot in Lace can be read as a stand-alone story, I think you see more about the characters if you read the books in order.
September 11, 2014
This is Gussie and Tom's story and Oh! what a story it is!! Ms. St.Claire developed these characters so real that I felt I was right there with them.
Gussie is so dynamic and has such an 'old soul' wisdom. Just when I thought she would explode or be hurt over something she'd come out with patience, understanding and affection, most of the time anyway. She's a very strong woman, yet due to her 'imperfections' she's also very vulnerable.
Tom is an amazing character. He's so talented and passionate in his photography. He's world renowned and sought after, yet he has a dark sadness that is so heart-wrenching it brought me to tears...lots of tears! (rarely does this happen)
Tom's niece, Alex, was equally well developed as a 13 year old girl that had her whole world shattered.
The three of them, as well as other wonderful characters, weave a story that is packed with emotions and is unforgettable.
I see a NY Times Best Seller on the horizon!!
Gussie is so dynamic and has such an 'old soul' wisdom. Just when I thought she would explode or be hurt over something she'd come out with patience, understanding and affection, most of the time anyway. She's a very strong woman, yet due to her 'imperfections' she's also very vulnerable.
Tom is an amazing character. He's so talented and passionate in his photography. He's world renowned and sought after, yet he has a dark sadness that is so heart-wrenching it brought me to tears...lots of tears! (rarely does this happen)
Tom's niece, Alex, was equally well developed as a 13 year old girl that had her whole world shattered.
The three of them, as well as other wonderful characters, weave a story that is packed with emotions and is unforgettable.
I see a NY Times Best Seller on the horizon!!
September 4, 2014
An absolutely captivating story and group of characters. These two injured souls have approached life differently after tough life events but together they might just make each other whole. Roxanne St. Clair once again brings Mimosa Key to life and in this story we also get a glimpse of France. Incredibly well written it is a book you won't put down. Highly recommended read.
June 6, 2015
Two-haiku review:
She always wears wigs
He's photographer, sees her
Beauty without them
Again, deep issues
Both characters have to deal
Family is all
She always wears wigs
He's photographer, sees her
Beauty without them
Again, deep issues
Both characters have to deal
Family is all
May 30, 2016
I enjoyed this sweet, predictable romance although I see a trend in all of the "barefoot" books. They all start and end pretty much the same.
March 9, 2018
I liked the concept, but the actual story didn’t really grab me and suck me in. It was more of a simple read with a HEA. I gave it 2.6 stars.
September 13, 2014
I like this series, although I wanted a little more from this book.
B-
Full review to come
B-
Full review to come
March 19, 2018
Wow! This book taught me a lesson in love ♥️
I've been reading/listening to so many love stories this past month that just had the usual ending...blah
Barefoot in Lace is a book I completely forgot I downloaded & thought last night was the time to read/listen. I was up all night...I finished this morning. It was touching, emotional, and a true gut-wrenching, see right through the person you want to know for a life partner...love story.
It wasn't ’bubblegum’ or sex on every other page, mind you there is sex, but not literally every time they see each otger. Sure, the sex was discussed, lingered verbally about, but its what a couple that's totally infatuated with each other does, flirt and then some. Hence the word infatuated with..’Gussy’ is a true energetic almost 30 yr old that doesn't want her heart broken but in reality, can't let down her past that she's hiding from. She meets Tom, a by himself raising his niece Alex because his sister had just died. He is a famous photographer & travels all over the world. Alex cannot be reached through her ’mask’ & basically doesn't want to be living with Tom.
’Gussy’ has a bridal beach business with her friends & basically bumps into Tom in the street. She hooks up with him later because she needs a photographer. He likes her energetic, bouncy self and she likes his gorgeous tattooed body...total infatuation...until...all 3 of them need their ’masks’ taken off in order to be free.
I do have to admit I wanted to knock a bit of sense into Alex, she just wouldn't & couldn't let Tom in, she loved ’Gussys’ personality because she acted like a kid, Tom needed that, but they soon need more from each other.
One more thing, this book is about taking our ’masks’ off. We all have thsm, they're hidden wherever we want them, and if we don't want to change we’ll always remain the same...FYI from me. 👍
I highly recommend and it's a true 5+++++stars..just beautiful.
I've been reading/listening to so many love stories this past month that just had the usual ending...blah
Barefoot in Lace is a book I completely forgot I downloaded & thought last night was the time to read/listen. I was up all night...I finished this morning. It was touching, emotional, and a true gut-wrenching, see right through the person you want to know for a life partner...love story.
It wasn't ’bubblegum’ or sex on every other page, mind you there is sex, but not literally every time they see each otger. Sure, the sex was discussed, lingered verbally about, but its what a couple that's totally infatuated with each other does, flirt and then some. Hence the word infatuated with..’Gussy’ is a true energetic almost 30 yr old that doesn't want her heart broken but in reality, can't let down her past that she's hiding from. She meets Tom, a by himself raising his niece Alex because his sister had just died. He is a famous photographer & travels all over the world. Alex cannot be reached through her ’mask’ & basically doesn't want to be living with Tom.
’Gussy’ has a bridal beach business with her friends & basically bumps into Tom in the street. She hooks up with him later because she needs a photographer. He likes her energetic, bouncy self and she likes his gorgeous tattooed body...total infatuation...until...all 3 of them need their ’masks’ taken off in order to be free.
I do have to admit I wanted to knock a bit of sense into Alex, she just wouldn't & couldn't let Tom in, she loved ’Gussys’ personality because she acted like a kid, Tom needed that, but they soon need more from each other.
One more thing, this book is about taking our ’masks’ off. We all have thsm, they're hidden wherever we want them, and if we don't want to change we’ll always remain the same...FYI from me. 👍
I highly recommend and it's a true 5+++++stars..just beautiful.
August 30, 2019
TJ DeMille is a world renown fashion photographer who is in Barefoot Bay after his sister died and he's been chosen as his 12-year-old niece's guardian. Tom lives his life on the road and prefers to be alone - he has no idea what do with a young ward! Gussie McBain is a wedding stylist and is surprised to run into TJ on her small island. When she is unexpectedly in need of a wedding photographer, she decides to ask Tom, even though, as she thinks in the story "it's like asking Picasso to do a paint-by-numbers painting." Tom agrees if Gussie is willing to help him with his niece, Alex. Both Tom and Gussie have scars, some physical and some emotional, that they don't talk about to anyone. Except when they start to reveal things to each other. When Tom gets a lucrative photography assignment in Nice, France, he gets Gussie and Alex to accompany him and lots of things change. I enjoyed this book, especially when they were in France! This is the first book in this series I've read and it can easily be a standalone. I listened to the audio version, and I'm kind-of on the fence about the narrator - she did some characters great, but other times she seemed a little over the top with her enthusiasm.
March 8, 2018
Based on the title, cover and description, I expected this to be a frothy, pass-the-time read. I was wrong. It does start off that way but the author subtly lured me into being emotionally vested in the characters. This is a story of damaged people, and hope and second chances. Gussie is a Florida wedding planner, who hides her vulnerability behind colorful wigs and too much makeup. Tom is a hunky world famous fashion photographer. His damage is summed up in the tattoo on his wrist – panta monos – always alone. The emotional trauma of Tom’s niece, Alex, is much more obvious. She is twelve years old and her single parent mother has just died and he father wants nothing to do with her. She trusts no one at first, especially her wayward and long-absent uncle who has received custody of Alex after her mother’s death. And then, there’s Luke, Gussie’s brother whose scars are as deep as her own because of his guilt over what happened to Gussie. Gussie’s mother and father are victims, too.
The author skillfully leads us through this maze of guilt, heartbreak, loneliness, forgiveness, reconciliation and second chance love. I enjoyed the story.
The author skillfully leads us through this maze of guilt, heartbreak, loneliness, forgiveness, reconciliation and second chance love. I enjoyed the story.
July 14, 2018
Loved this book. World-famous Photographer gets guilted - sort of - into stepping in as wedding photographer for the Barefoot Bay Wedding Organisers. It soon becomes apparent that both the wedding designer and the photographer have huge burdens from the past influencing their lives, and on top of that, the male protagonist has to deal with his niece who rejects his being guardian after the recent death of his sister.
A book for all us imperfect persons. A book for everyone who seeks courage to overcome genuine and imagined flaws. I think any reader will find someone in this book with whom he or she can identify, which is always a big bonus. Add to that a good plot and narration style, and very lovable protagonists, and you will have hours of bliss while reading this story. I just wish someone had gone over spelling and grammar editing again...
A book for all us imperfect persons. A book for everyone who seeks courage to overcome genuine and imagined flaws. I think any reader will find someone in this book with whom he or she can identify, which is always a big bonus. Add to that a good plot and narration style, and very lovable protagonists, and you will have hours of bliss while reading this story. I just wish someone had gone over spelling and grammar editing again...
July 21, 2019
To Love Again
This is a stand alone HEA book. It was the second I had read of T Barefoot Bay series and glad I did. The characters Gussie McBaine, Thomas DeMille & his niece Alex, all had carried around emotional baggage for some time. Gussie & Alex wanted to belong to a real family and Tom wanted to be alone. Meeting each other by accident turned out to be the best thing of their lives. I laughed & I cried. In the end Real Love came up & bit them all in the butt before they knew it. I definitely would recommend this book to those who enjoy a good Contemporary Romance.
This is a stand alone HEA book. It was the second I had read of T Barefoot Bay series and glad I did. The characters Gussie McBaine, Thomas DeMille & his niece Alex, all had carried around emotional baggage for some time. Gussie & Alex wanted to belong to a real family and Tom wanted to be alone. Meeting each other by accident turned out to be the best thing of their lives. I laughed & I cried. In the end Real Love came up & bit them all in the butt before they knew it. I definitely would recommend this book to those who enjoy a good Contemporary Romance.
July 21, 2018
Barefoot in Lace
This is Gussie and Tom's story. She is the stylist for the destination wedding group in Barefoot Bay. She and her friends and partners need a photographer for a weekend wedding asap. It helps when she befriends a very sought after photographer. But he doesn't do weddings, just photo shoot for fashion layouts. But he is in town to take care of his niece after his sister died. Can these two come to an understanding that together anything is possible?
This is Gussie and Tom's story. She is the stylist for the destination wedding group in Barefoot Bay. She and her friends and partners need a photographer for a weekend wedding asap. It helps when she befriends a very sought after photographer. But he doesn't do weddings, just photo shoot for fashion layouts. But he is in town to take care of his niece after his sister died. Can these two come to an understanding that together anything is possible?
September 25, 2018
Ahhhhhh I loved this so much. The tropes were predictable, but I love predictable tropes (done well, of course). I loved Gussie, and I loved Tom. I loved Alex, and how much Tom and Gussie love Alex. There was so much goodness to this, and it was only helped, not hampered, by being set outside of Barefoot Bay for the majority of the romance.
*dreamy sigh*
Even the ending didn't want me to pull my teeth out, which almost ALWAYS happens with ContempRoma. 6/5 stars.
*dreamy sigh*
Even the ending didn't want me to pull my teeth out, which almost ALWAYS happens with ContempRoma. 6/5 stars.
March 9, 2018
This wasn't bad & it wasn't outstanding. The characters are a bit cookie cutter & the premise a bit far fetched, but hey, it's romantic fantasy, so who am I to bitch. Read this when you need a HEA without doing any heavy lifting - it's light, despite some heavy plot elements, it's well written, it's put together by the numbers, it delivers.
March 17, 2018
I really liked this book. There was amazing chemistry between the characters & lighthearted banter between Tom and Gussie that kept the story flowing. I had a really hard time putting down this book. It was a reminder of why I love St.Claire's books.
Plus, there was a ton of emotional drama in the book, which I LOVE. It made the book seem much more realistic.
Plus, there was a ton of emotional drama in the book, which I LOVE. It made the book seem much more realistic.
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