Sparks fly in Louisiana's Butterfly Bayou when a Hollywood starlet falls for a local deputy in a small-town contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake.
After leaving the military, Major Blanchard moved to Papillon, Louisiana, to be with his aging father, where he's taken a deputy position with the sheriff’s department. Now that he’s settling into life on the bayou, he’s trying out the dating scene. Every single woman in town seems to be pining after the handsome newcomer. But so far, nothing’s worked out, and he’s had some spectacularly bad dates. Major’s getting ready to give up on love when a new lady roars into town to film a movie and turns his world upside down.
Actress Brynn Pearson is trying to make a successful transition from child star to leading lady. Now that she’s landed her first lead in a major film, nothing can stop her. She's committed to focusing solely on her work, so romance is the last thing she needs—too bad she can’t get her mind off the dreamy deputy she keeps running into. He’s gorgeous, and something about him makes her feel safe. As Brynn’s feelings for Major deepen, she starts to wonder if maybe there’s more to life than her career.
When a family crisis throws Major’s life into a tailspin, he turns to Brynn for support, and hopes their budding relationship will shine brighter than Hollywood lights.
NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn't until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.
Her first novel, Their Virgin Captive: Masters of Ménage, Book 1, was a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black. There are five more books available in the series: Their Virgin's Secret, Their Virgin Concubine, Their Virgin Princess, Their Virgin Hostage, and Their Virgin Secretary. The next book in the series, Their Virgin Mistress, is releasing this April.
In addition to the Masters of Ménage series, she is the author of the Masters and Mercenaries series. There are eight full-length novels and four novellas available now, with more coming in 2015.
In 2013, Lexi also began releasing her urban fantasy series, Thieves. The first five are available now, with Ripper, a spin-off to the series, coming in 2015.
I'm a big fan of LEXI BLAKE'S Suspenseful and Erotic writing so when we get a chance to see this softer side that is just as steamy I am all for it. The BUTTERFLY BAYOU Series may not be full of action and suspense but the stories will pull at your heartstrings and are just as hot!
In this fifth book of the series we have Deputy Major Blanchard who finds himself in a precarious position when he meets the beautiful Brynn Pearson. This was a perfect Meet Cute and had me laughing up a storm.
Major may be the new guy in town but over the last year he's been on plenty of dates but none of them really held his interest. He has also been dealing with his Father's illness which has been taking a toll on him.
Brynn is transitioning from child actress to adult actress, at twenty five she has landed her first leading movie role and she is excited to be making this change. When she arrives in Papillon to begin her research she is taken not only by the quaint small town but also by it's Deputy.
The chemistry between Brynn and Major is great and they are perfect together. Lexi Blake not only gives us a Main Couple to root for but she gives us secondary characters that grab the pages they are on too. I will say that I LOVED Brynn's sister Ally and I really hope at some point we get her story too.
If you enjoy Steamy Contemporary Romances, Small Town Romances, Law Enforcement Romances, or Romances with a great Meet Cute I would recommend this book to you.
Bayou Sweetheart is a much more complex story than Lexi Blake’s usual plots, and Major Blanchard is almost an anti-hero.
He is a cop in Papillon, Louisiana, caring for his father, who has Alzheimer’s. Just about the time a new drug is helping his father, Brynn Pearson comes to town to research a role in a movie. A former child star, she needs to decide if she wants to pursue a career in film, or become an artist. While the attraction between the two is strong, the distractions are even stronger. Complications with his Dad, her Mom, co-star and sister and the town itself keep the two dancing around each other.
Can Major find a way ease up on his controlling side while letting her find herself? Can he let his father decide his own fate? Can they overcome the gossip mill, the family interference, and the nature of their professions to come together? As always, the town characters are part of the entertainment factor for the Bayou books, and the animals are integral to the story.
I wouldn’t start the series with this book, but it does provide a good tool to use to learn about the characters from the earlier books.
Bayou Sweetheart follows actress Brynn Pearson and Major Blanchard, two very different people who find love when they least expect it. Brynn is a layered and endearing character, and I liked her journey over the course of the story. At a crossroads in her professional life, Brynn is not sure she wants to continue acting. But with many people relying on her, a domineering and meddlesome mother/manager, and self-doubt, Brynn doesn’t know what her future holds. Being in this small and charming town, Brynn begins to find herself and understand that her wants and needs should be a priority.
Major is also dynamically developed, and I loved his growth throughout the story. He is one of the only people who sees Brynn for who she is. Not the actor, not the wealth, just her. And I love when he explains his feelings toward her. He often compares her to light and the sun, which is so powerful considering he feels a lot of darkness in his life. With a deteriorating father, many pressures on his shoulders, and much loss in his life, Major finds peace with Brynn despite her chaotic life in front of the camera.
Brynn and Major have a swoon-worthy romance that begins with a comical meet-cute that goes viral. While trying to do damage control, Brynn begins to spend more and more time with Major. This couple had an instant connection, and the gradual development of their love story, though not without some major obstacles, is my favorite part of the book.
I also love the town and the strong sense of community. From nosy and opinionated neighbors to word friends to characters from the first four books in the series, the people of Papillon add so much charm, as well as a sense of kinship and comraderie to the story. It sounds like a wonderful place to live, with the exception of the gator and army of terrorizing raccoons. Lol. Brynn’s mother, sister, and father figure are other interesting secondary characters and explain so much about why Brynn struggles with her life changing decision.
A lovely contemporary romance about family, friendship, finding oneself, and more, Bayou Sweetheart is a charming story, and since I haven’t read the other books in the series, I fully intend to go back and read them all. Special thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Brynn's meet cute with a grumpy but gorgeous guy in the small town she's come to film a movie, is the stuff of rom-com dreams. Too bad Major (yes, that's his real name) wants nothing to do with her, or so he says, because she wouldn't mind spending time with him while she's here. But does Major really not want to spend time with Brynn? What if he can't get this ray of sunshine off his mind? What if he feels at peace when he's with her, when the rest of his life is chaos?
Major has a lot going on in his life. He's come back home to care for his father, he's the deputy sheriff, and the entire town keeps setting him on dates that never go anywhere. Then a gorgeous sunshiney woman rescues him and his dog from the mud bog and suddenly his life takes on a layer he never expected. But she's not going to be in town forever, and he'll have to remember that, even if his heart ends up wanting her to stick around forever.
Oh God...small towns are a lot. I know because I grew up in one, and it was too much for me, it's why I got out after college, moved to the big, bad Bay, and will never move back. But I digress...I know small towns, and this depiction is spot on, from the gossipy, obnoxious neighbors, to the meddling snoops, but with heart that might not be found in a big city. I actually enjoyed the setting, and it was perfect for this couple. Brynn certainly took to it and fit in as if she had lived there her whole life. As she came to a crossroads in her life, one way leading to more Hollywood craziness, the other leading to fulfillment with someone and something that made her happy, I applauded her character growth. Major experienced his own growth, though not as much as Brynn's, and only came about after a very revealing talk with his dad (whom I loved!). Grumpy/sunshine with two lovable, layered characters, a ton of heart, and a supporting cast full of family and friends. There's not much more you could ask for in a good contemporary romance.
ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR for an honest review.
This is not a NEW to me author but it's been a while since I have read this author. I picked this up during a 'mood' so to say and by the time I got around to the ARC I was feeling different because I knew what style this author writes. That said I gave this a full chance and go. This small town romance was all kinds of sweet, real and even a little odd. What I will say is that this was a sneaky one with the heat amount, I honestly didn't think I'd get any sizzle in this but boy did it deliver on that. This is a opposite-attract and these two couldn't be more different in life if they tried. It was a fun and exciting read, didn't expect it to me due to the cover but the side characters and some critters later, I really enjoyed this read!
3.75 Stars. Started great, but then it was a little too instant-hookup for my tastes. I wanted their romance and attraction to build a lot more. The quirky town and people were fun, the secondary Hollywood characters were fleshed out really well, but I could have had more dog and nosy neighbor interactions, especially after the stellar beginning. Brynn had a great arc, and Major was okay for the most part, but his backstory was weighed down by just his Father’s illness. I somehow felt like I didn’t really know him. It was all still great reading, though a little repetitive at times with as many people as there were gnawing over the same things from different perspectives. I loved the wrap-up and would still recommend.
Bayou Sweetheart by Lexi Blake is the 5th book in the Butterfly Bayou series. This is a series that is set in the small town of Papillon, Louisiana, but the characters are different in each book so they can easily be read as standalone stories. In this book, we meet Major Blanchard (yes, that is his first name, not a rank) who has returned to Papillon to care for his aging father, who is working as a Deputy in the Sheriff's office. When his dog falls into a muddy bog area, he wades in to help and gets stuck. A woman he has not met before, helps rescue both of them. He doesn't watch TV or movies, so has no idea that she is actress Brynn Pearson, who is in town to shadow the local female Deputy for a movie being filmed there. When the video from a bush camera of the rescue goes viral, the fun begins. Neither Major or Brynn are looking for a serious relationship, but there is chemistry and when they keep running into each other, they become friends. Can a Hollywood star and an introverted small town deputy make a go of a relationship?
This is such a fun book and their "meet cute" was hilarious as well as the result of it. I have to say that I smiled throughout most of this book. Major has been going on blind dates to find someone now that he has returned home and the telling of some of them is also so funny. I loved both Brynn and Major. I felt for them and the problems they were facing. I liked what they brought to each other's lives, and the way Brynn bonded with Major's father was so sweet. The secondary characters were also well-developed and even though I didn't like her mother or sister when we first meet them, with their growth and issues revealed and resolved, I sure did by the end. Of course all the books in this series feature dogs and both Brynn's and Major's dogs were great additions to the cast of characters. Having never visited Louisiana, I always love the descriptions of the area. When Brynn and Major go out on his boat, the islands and bayou sounded beautiful. Overall, this was an enjoyable story with humor, great characters and slow developing romance that ends in a HEA.
Bayou Sweetheart by Lexi Blake is such a swoon-worthy love story.
Brynn Pearson has been a successful actress since she was 5 years old and is now, at 25, transitioning to more leading lady roles. Her latest job finds her in Papillon, Louisiana where she meets Major Blanchard, a former military member who is now law enforcement in this small town. He moved back to Papillon to care for his aging father with dementia. Tired of being the single guy in a small town whom everyone tries to set up, he has had his fair share of dates but nothing compares to the chemistry he feels being around Brynn. But of course, life, careers, and family makes the path together a difficult one. Will they be able to weather the storm and find their happy ending?
Brynn and Major were such fun characters and their meet cute is a hilarious and memorable one for sure. I loved their chemistry and the way this one built the story around them. And oh man, let’s talk about Major. He is such a great and complicated character. He and I are sole mates as when talking about how he doesn’t watch TV and says “I’m more of a sports and books guy. I know those sound like they don’t go together, but they do.” 🙌🏻 Sports and books is my life for sure! The town and all the people in it also added such a great layer to this story which is so key for a good small town romance.
Overall is enjoyed this charming book and would recommend picking it up. The story is fun and will keep you reading and the great characters make this one that it hard to put down.
Thank you to Berkley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
I'm a big fan of LEXI BLAKE'S Suspenseful and Erotic writing so when we get a chance to see this softer side that is just as steamy I am all for it. The BUTTERFLY BAYOU Series may not be full of action and suspense but the stories will pull at your heartstrings and are just as hot!
In this fifth book of the series we have Deputy Major Blanchard who finds himself in a precarious position when he meets the beautiful Brynn Pearson. This was a perfect Meet Cute and had me laughing up a storm.
Major may be the new guy in town but over the last year he's been on plenty of dates but none of them really held his interest. He has also been dealing with his Father's illness which has been taking a toll on him.
Brynn is transitioning from child actress to adult actress, at twenty five she has landed her first leading movie role and she is excited to be making this change. When she arrives in Papillon to begin her research she is taken not only by the quaint small town but also by it's Deputy.
The chemistry between Brynn and Major is great and they are perfect together. Lexi Blake not only gives us a Main Couple to root for but she gives us secondary characters that grab the pages they are on too. I will say that I LOVED Brynn's sister Ally and I really hope at some point we get her story too.
If you enjoy Steamy Contemporary Romances, Small Town Romances, Law Enforcement Romances, or Romances with a great Meet Cute I would recommend this book to you.
I absolutely love Papillion. I love all the people in the town and Lexi Blake does a fantastic job bringing it to life. My favorite story is still Jeb's story, but Major's didn't disappoint. I can't wait to read the next book. If you love a good romance with humor, I recommend the Butterfly Bayou series. Set in Louisiana, it has all the charm and characteristics that the people from Louisiana bring to the world.
5 LOVED IT STARS!! I needed this book in my life....it touched my heart in so many ways. The characters were great and kept me flipping pages. I can't wait to read more by this author.
Very sweet story. I really liked the main characters and thought their reactions were realistic. Very happy with how things ended! Well narrated by Jessica Almasy.
Wow! We really enjoyed Brynn and Major's story. Talk about a book having drama, there was a ton of it. We really enjoyed all the characters, from the busy bodies of the town to the overprotective mom and especially the sassy sister Ally.
Loved the way this couple met if not for Major's predicament who knows if they would have ever met but, I have a feeling fate was at play with this couple.
Work brings Brynn to town, and she was hoping for some downtime, as she really needed it bit, fate had other plans for her. We loved the characters, she was funny and just had a great personality, and she may be famous but, we felt she was just a down to earth kind of gal who at this point in her life seems to be at a crossroads of what she wants out of life beside fame and acting.
Major what a riot that man was constantly messing up and failing miserably at this dating thing. He is a great guy, though loves his Dad with great passion and pride is loved by the town and its people have a great sense of humor and sexy and handsome and has a great sense of humor. Perfect for Brynn in every way and Brynn agrees, she calls him her catnip!
The story was full of tons of drama and emotion, both characters had a lot going on in their lives, not just their lives all the characters were dealing with something there were a lot of twists and turns and ups and downs keeping you engaged in the story that made you laugh, and sometimes you feel like crying! The story brought out so many emotions in the reader, and we just loved that.
Once again, I am won over by this charismatic small town named after a butterfly. When it comes to sweet romances, Ms. Blake consistently delivers high quality over and over again. This feel-good story is about self-discovery. The journey for Actress Brynn Pearson is stressful as she is being pulled in multiple directions by well-intentioned people. This is a must-read and can be read as a standalone.
To read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website.
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆ This is the fifth book in the series. I would recommend reading them in order as you will get a better sense of the fun (Otis) in this town and enjoy the earlier romances.
Brynn is in town to get ready for her first acting role as an adult. In the business since she was five, she’s a household name, but about to make the transition. Wonderfully, the people of the town are respectful, and she is realising the appeal of small town life, questioning her future career, and, it turns out, falling for the local deputy – Major.
As they discover the intensity of feelings between them, they both have to decide whether it’s worth the risk and the likely heartache when she leaves town… they also have to navigate the strong influence that Brynn’s manager mother has on her life and career!
As the press interfere and spread malicious rumours, the whole family has to decide how to move forward, and we get two romances for the price of one – the second not entirely unexpected, but fun nonetheless.
I’ve not mentioned the fun to be had due to the locals, the raccoons, or the girl time, but they all added to the whole.
Another fun installment in this series, thank you!
Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆ M/F Romance
Major is living life in his small town and is relatively happy. He loves his job, the people keep things interesting, and the wild life is hysterical. When Major's dad starts to have more bad days though, he knows that his time with his dad is limited.
Brynn is living the life most dream of. She's a successful actress and has a long career ahead of her. She has a sister who works for her and a mom too. Both are great at their jobs but the tension among them can sometimes be a lot.
Brynn dreams of a life when she can just sit, relax, and do her art. She goes to the new movie town early to try and see the town through her own eyes – to get her character's life down for the movie. When she meets Major, it's unconventional, sweet, and hilarious, all wrapped in a yummy, muscled hunk of a man.
Brynn and Major have to weather their own storms and the storm that they create together. Each is learning a new way to live. For someone else. This is a sweet story where the characters grow together, all while finding themselves.
You won't be disappointed in this story. The raccoons will steal your hearts and the characters are easy to relate to.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
4.5 stars — Man, I love this series. I love that I can always count on Ms. Blake to give me all the eccentric townspeople, all the truly good and caring friends, and new people to learn to love. As with any series, I always end up having my favourites, but no matter what I’m thoroughly entertained and full of squees.
Major and Brynn had the most hilarious meet cute. Not only did I fall in love with them, but who could resist the wildly different Duke and Dolly?
Brynn was so sweet and kind and could be really sunny. It was her career and anything Hollywood that dimmed that sunshine. Unfortunately, that included some of her family. Wow, that was a dysfunctional bunch. And because of the way she grew up, and her strange family dynamic, Brynn could be a bit of a doormat as well. The thing is, I actually genuinely got where it stemmed from. I wanted better for her, it was frustrating, but it made sense for me. And her growth was realistic and so satisfying as a result.
Major was somewhat dichotomous himself. He could be so sweet, but he was also the grumpy in this grumpy/sunshine story. There were times he was so thoughtful, but he was also filled with a lot of fear and anxiety about being alone. He made some seriously fucked up decisions as a consequence, both with his Dad, and with Brynn.
In a twist, I really appreciated how Major fucked up in the end. 1) It was realistic. Sometimes people make huge mistakes, and it takes them a long time to learn and grow. 2) It shows just how powerful fear and anxiety can be. 3) It gave us the opportunity to see how much Brynn had grown throughout the book, and we got to root for her as she put her foot down and didn’t accept less than she deserved. I know that seems like a conundrum, because I’m cheering Brynn growing but Major not growing…but Major was actually really close…this was like his last fuck up in a way. I don’t know, it worked for his character.
They were definitely not perfect characters, and they weren’t even a perfect couple. BUT they were a couple you rooted for, because the good between them was GOOD. I loved seeing them connect, seeing them care about one another. And the steamy scenes were both sweet and steamy — my favourite kind.
As always, the town was hilarious. I love these characters, and can’t wait to read more.
Major’s situation with his Dad was so complicated, and I appreciated the glimpse into that situation. His Dad was also a sweetheart teddy bear.
Brynn’s family was…well, as I said, complicated. I have mixed feelings about them, but in the end I could see them being early versions of the Rose family from Schitt’s Creek — definitely potential for good.
So yeah. Another hit. Someday I’ll go back and reread from the beginning, but for now I’m impatiently waiting for the next book to find out if Brian’s life of crime continues. 😛
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
I adored Bayou Sweetheart. This was such a fun small town contemporary romance. I really enjoyed Lexi Blake's writing style. Normally I'm not big fan of third person, but it worked for me in this book. I connected well with the characters and the transitions between characters were easy to follow (one of my big pet peeves about third person narration).
The whole premise of this romance was cute. Child actress Brynn is in Papillon, Louisiana to film a movie. She happens upon Deputy Major in a precarious position and lends a hand. Hijinks, chemistry, and drama ensue from that point on. Neither Brynn nor Major want a relationship at this point in their lives. They're busy with their careers and parents, so their attraction to each other throws them both off. It was a highly entertaining, messy (but not angsty) romance. I adored both Brynn and Major. I felt for them and the problems they were facing. I liked what they brought to each other's lives. Their relationship worked in the best ways.
Brynn and Major were just two of the characters to love in this book. Brynn has an amazing co-worker/father figure. Her mom was the best worst stage momager and her wannabe actress sister is someone I need a book for. Major's dad was such a special character. I loved him and his insight. The other townspeople were so much fun that I want to go back and read the first four books in the series. Plus, Brynn and Major's dogs were adorable. Oh! And I can't leave out Brian. Brian was hilarious.
This book is set in Louisiana and has some really gorgeous scenery. I loved reading about the bayou and islands. I wish I could have been out there with Brynn and Major. I also loved the descriptions of the sky and weather. The setting was just so cozy!
Bayou Sweetheart was one of those books that hits my contemporary romance sweet spots. Despite some of the deeper things it dealt with, it managed to stay light and sweet. It would be a great summer or beach read. Or any time of year, really.
You can find this review and others like it at A Novel Glimpse.
Yayyy! Back to Papillon! I love this town. I love these people.
Here we have the sheriff and the actress. They find love but is it really meant to be? Major (yes that is his first name) returned home to take care of his aging father and he accepted the deputy position. He's dabbled in the dating scene but no one seems to stick. He's about to give up on love when Brynn comes to town in her first lead in a major film. She is trying to transition from a child star to a leading lady. Romance is the last thing she wants but she can't get her mind off of Major after she saves him.
Major and Brynn are sooo sooo sweet. I loved, loved, LOVED their meet-cute. Adoraaaablllleeee.
But yesss, they both love their families so much. This made me so sad especially with Major's papa. Dementia/Alzheimer's is tragic. I felt so bad for Brynn especially when we learn the backstory of why/how she was put into the limelight as a kid. Like I get it, but man.....being a kid in that industry isn't great.
Loved seeing old couples make appearances but I do think this would do okay as a standalone. You won't know the backstory but it does fine. The author gives you enough.
There is a big fight between Brynn and Major but it made sense and it was resolved easily enough. I do wish we would've seen a touch more of their rekindling or more of the epilogue. Sure there is one more book so we might get to see these guys and the aftermath. We shall see.
I did the narration this time around...but tbf....reading the text is just as enjoyable. The narrator is great. Her voices are perfect for everyone.
All-in-all, I did really enjoy this. Loved our H/h and their meet-cute. This was funny and heartwarming and made me tear up. All the feels. The narrator was good. I do wish there was a touch more at the end. I'll give this 4 stars.
Moving to Papillon, Louisiana to be with his elderly father, Major Blanchard has settled in as one of the newest deputies in the quirky backwater bayou town. As a former military man, Major likes law and order so he tries to carefully control all aspects of his life. Major, being that rare bird of an eligible bachelor in Papillon, has had a myriad of blind dates; however, none successful indicating perhaps the problem is with him not any of the fine ladies he has met. An incident where he is stuck in the bayou mud trying to save his dog goes viral after Major is rescued by a former child star, Brynn Pearson, who is in Papillon to make a movie.
Brynn, whose professional name is Bria, has been an actress since the age of five. Now in her twenties, Brynn is looking to make her mark in adult roles although at this point, she is very nearly burned out on the whole life in the spotlight gig. Brynn and Major begin spending time together before the rest of the crew and her very intense, extremely bossy mother who is also Brynn’s manager come to town. Brynn’s role involves being a police officer so she is scheduled to shadow one of the other deputies.
Brynn may not be looking for an emotional involvement but one comes her way although she and Major have several obstacles to overcome including her career, lurking tabloid reporters looking for a story, her very irritating mother, and Major’s stubborn ideas about what is good for Brynn. Major’s feelings about his father’s failing health complicate matters as well.
While I liked Brynn, Major’s attitude and mule hardheadedness got a little old. Brynn’s mother is also hard to take; however, her younger sister, Ally, kind of stole the show for me. She is quite entertaining and has some of the best lines. In this story the main couple do not actually spend all that much time together. This book focuses quite a bit on Brynn’s angst about her career as well as Major dealing with his father’s mental and physical decline. This is the 5th book in the Butterfly Bayou series.
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the fifth book in the series. I would recommend reading them in order as you will get a better sense of the fun (Otis) in this town, and enjoy the earlier romances.
Brynn is in town to get ready for her first acting role as an adult. In the business since she was 5, she’s a household name, but about to make the transition. Wonderfully the people of the town are respectful, and she is realising the appeal of small town life, questioning her future career, and it turns out … falling for the local deputy - Major.
As they discover the intensity of feelings between them, they both have to decide whether it’s worth the risk and the likely heart ache when she leaves town… they also have to navigate the strong influence that Brynn’s manager mother has on her life and career!
As the press interfere and spread malicious rumours, the whole family have to decide how to move forward, and we get two romances for the price of one - the second not entirely unexpected, but fun nonetheless.
I’ve not mentioned the fun to be had due to the locals, the raccoons or the girl time, but they all added to the whole.
Another fun installment in this series, thank you!
5 Star Review of Bayou Sweetheart (Butterfly Bayou #5) by Lexi Blake Oh how I love my visits to Papillon, Louisiana also known as Butterfly Bayou. Ms. Blake’s writing is so descriptive that I could easily imagine myself in the Bayou. Papillon is a quirky little town with characters who are fun, entertaining and often meddling. They all have an opinion and are determined to express it which can make for some laugh out loud moments. There’s also a wandering alligator named Otis who pops up at the oddest moments. This time it is Major Blanchard and actress Brynn Pearson who are front and centre. Major Blanchard has recently moved to town and is a deputy sheriff and all the lades want to date him. However it isn’t until Brynn arrives in the town that his interest really spikes. The last thing Brynn needs is to fall for the deputy, she’s there to do a job, not find love, but the heart wants who the heart wants and complications quickly arise. As they get to know one another, lines will be crossed and an emotional connection is forged. Could Major be the one to challenge Brynn’s belief in love? Bayou Sweetheart is a well written, emotional, witty story that will draw you in and leave you wanting more.
Bayou Sweetheart (Butterfly Bayou #5) by Lexi Blake 4 stars M/F Romance I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Major is living life in his small town and is relatively happy. He loves his job, the people keep things interesting and the wild life is hysterical. When Major's dad starts to have more bad days though, he knows that his time with his dad is limited.
Brynn is living the life most dream of. She's a successful actress and has a long career ahead of her. She has a sister who works for her and a mom too. Both are great at their jobs but the tension among them can sometimes be a lot.
Brynn dreams of a life when she can just sit, relax and do her art. She goes to the new movie town early to try and see the town through her own eyes - to get her character's life down for the movie. When she meets Major, it's unconventional, sweet and hilarious, all wrapped in a yummy muscled hunk of a man.
Brynn and Major have to weather their own storms and the storm that they create together. Each is learning a new way to live. For someone else. This is a sweet story where the characters grow together, all while finding themselves.
You won't be disappointed in this story. The racoons will steal your hearts and the characters are easy to relate to.
I love being back in Papillon and what a wonderful meet-cute there is between our H/h Major and Brynn. Major has moved home to help care for his father and Brynn a Hollywood star is in town to film a movie. The last thing either of them was looking for was love… but when you meet the way they did, which includes mud and dogs, there was no question in my mind that these two were destined to be together.
I loved the pace of this book and how the story percolated. Their instant attraction was shocking to them both… Major especially given his les than stellar dating experiences since moving home and well Brynn was concentrated on her upcoming film. Some of the best scenes in the book are filled with laughter and swoony moments. On their way to being the loves of each other’s lives however, is a major hurdle that had my heart hurting… I so related to this story arc and I loved how Ms. Blake stayed true to what was happening in Major’s life. But especially loved how Brynn was there for Major which just solidified their feelings for each other.
This is such a perfect addition to this series. We get new characters to love and adore and we see some of my favorite characters returning as they’re a definite part of Major and Brynn’s love story!
I've been enraged about other books I've read this week for a minute now, but let me tell you, a trip to the Butterfly Bayou is just what the doctor ordered. Major (yes it's his first name) left the military, he moves to Papillon so he can be with his sick father, and takes the deputy job. It's a small town with a lot of nosy people who have good intentions, but getting set up all the time with terrible dates isn't doing him any favors LOL! Actress Brynn Pearson was a child actress who is doing her best to transition to the adult actress & as y'all well know, there's a big difference. She's in his neck of the woods to research things for her part, and their meet cute had me rolling but it also made sure they would have to spend more time together despite the fact that both have a lot of things going on in their lives with romance being put on the back burner, however, fate can be wiley. I LOVED this story so much as I rooted for this couple throughout, and the supporting cast definitely made me laugh so much which is always a plus (which is big draw to small town stories), so yeah, everyone needs this story & this series in their lives as I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
I love the Papillon books! They are all so heartwarming and easy to read, you can just dive in and have a few hours of peace. Nothing matters in Papillon, but the shenanigans of the protagonists and their friends. I wasn't really sure what to expect from Bayou Sweetheart since we hadn't seen the two main characters so far, but as soon as I started, I fell in love with them. I love the sunshine-grumpy trope and there was a lot of grumpiness as well as a lot of sunshine. I love how Brynn and Major needed both to change to get where they wanted to be and stay together. I loved the side characters, especially those from the direct family and I just loved to revisit older characters from Papillon. I really enjoyed reading this book, because as usual the author managed to wrap serious topics in an easy wrapping, so that I could enjoy reading about them without having a heavy heart. I really hope we see more of all the new characters that popped up and cannot wait for the next book!
As a child actress Brynn has known no other life and she now finds herself transitioning into adult roles which is how she finds herself in Papillon. The lifestyle in this idyllic town is unlike anything she has experienced and that as well as Major, the Deputy, has her reconsidering the future she truly wants.
Due to his father’s declining health Major has left the military and has returned to his hometown where he is now working in law enforcement. He is the town’s most eligible bachelor but is seems like the only woman he wants is the one he shouldn’t have as her career will whisk her out of town as quickly as she arrived.
Both Brynn and Major are dealing with family issues even if they are quite different however in each other they find a serenity and respite that has been missing. The chemistry between them was never in question but I enjoyed seeing them be there for each other for all the other challenges that life threw at them.
3.0 generous stars. It was the cute dog on the front that lured me in just when I thought I was ready to let this series go. But even the cute Corgi wasn't enough to save me from this books saturation of drama.
Hollywood comes to Papillon, Louisiana. Brynn the actress and Major the local deputy were an odd couple, each battling their own seperate issues. Major with his dad's dementia and treatment. Brynn unsettled and unhappy with her actress lifestyle. She's in town to film for an upcoming show. When her family hits town the story goes downhill fast. Brynn's overbearing, overprotective mother and all the arguing, bickering and manipulating, add in Brynn's sister and the family friend and it was over the top. This is the majority of the story.
Brynn and Major don't really get together until much later in the story both too overwhelmed with their respective families. And me underwhelmed with this story. The rushed HEA at the end wasn't enough to keep me invested in this series.