A heartwarming contemporary romance set in Louisiana’s Butterfly Bayou from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake. Seraphina Guidry loves Butterfly Bayou. A young, single mom, she’s trying to find a place for herself in the town she cherishes, but past mistakes have made her wary. She adores her son but has sworn off men. She’s dedicated herself to restoring an historic house and … historic house and building her own business. A quiet life is all she wants.
Harrison Jefferys never expected to find himself in small-town Louisiana, but he has a job to do and a family to reconnect with. After years in the Army, he’s happy to spend time with his Aunt Celeste and his cousins in such an idyllic spot. When he meets Seraphina, he starts to think Papillion might be a great place to call home. But a secret from Sera’s past rears its head and threatens to tear the community apart.
Caught between the woman he’s coming to love and the only family he has left, Harry knows he has to follow his heart and with the help of the crazy, loving, meddling locals find a way to keep them both.
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“He and Sera had heat. Whether or not that was enough to build a fire, he couldn’t know if he didn’t spend more time with her.”
I’m loving the Butterfly Bayou series. The colorful characters are so much fun, even Otis the gator. The delicious anticipation of waiting for Harry and Sera to finally build that fire that was burning between them was so satisfying. I giggled and sighed and laughed and raged my way to the end. At times I was wishing for a voodoo doll to poke pins in and at other times I was a puddle of goo on the floor.
I’ve totally fallen for several other characters as well that I hope to see featured in future books in the series. I highly recommend this small-town romance that is guaranteed to check all your boxes for an enjoyable read. I can’t wait to get my hands on Bayou Dreaming. The line forms here…
I listened to the audiobook. I enjoyed the characters in the small bayou town of Papillion. There were lighthearted, witty, and funny moments. There were also many introspective moments as people worked to deal with there issues.
I liked Harry. I was on the fence about Sera for a while, and came to like her. I didn’t like Celeste at all and didn’t imagine I would. Yes, I was proven to be wrong about her. I was glad to see Harry and Sera be together.
There were a number of secrets being held in Butterfly Bayou, and as they started to be revealed, the healing began. Harry, Sera, Celeste and her two children all need up with their HEA in this book.
Seraphina (Sera) Guidry is a young, single mom who loves living in Butterfly Bayou. She’s trying to make a place for herself but past mistakes have made her wary. Now she has a historic house and the means to save it as well as the possibility of a business. Harrison (Harry) Jeffreys never expected to be in such a small town but he has a job and has a family to connect with. When he meets Sera, he starts thinking Papillion could be home. But when a secret from Sera’s past comes to light, he may have to choose between her and the aunt he’s coming to know.
I’ve really enjoyed this series and I loved this book. Harry and Sera are great together and I liked the way Harry’s aunt comes to term with herself and her life. The book’s well-written with a wonderful cast of characters and the author captures the essence of small town life. I was drawn into the story from the start and didn’t want to put the book down. I’m very eager for the next book. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order for the most enjoyment and benefit.
Quick, fun read with great characters – and an alligator!
This is a wonderful book, full of secrets, passion, family drama, quirky characters, and love. The story is a heartwarming tale of growing up, living with regrets and learning from them, of making the changes to become a better person, of learning to trust. The author does an excellent job of helping the reader feel all the emotion, angst, and chemistry the characters experienced. I loved it and am excited that the series continues!
What a sexy fun read! It had everything: great characters, romance, sexy scenes and a problem to overcome. I enjoyed every minute of this book!
Another amazing book by Lexi Blake. This was so incredibly well written and the build up was perfect. I especially loved that even characters I kind of hated in the beginning were given depth and showed growth to where I ended up liking them in the end. Harry and Sera are the type of characters that are impossible to not fall in love with. The progression of their relationship was steady and often funny. And their obstacles were unique and further added to my enjoyment of the story.
I loved reading and listening to this book at the same time. Not only was the story itself one I loved but so was the narration. This narrator is one I’ve only heard once before this. Not only have I loved her southern accent but I love her different tones for the characters and the way this felt like a real performance and not someone just reading words on a page. I hope she continues to narrate this series because it will be an auto buy for me.
This is the second in the Butterfly Bayou series, and I thought it was a great story, dealing with the social ‘strata’ of the deep south, even today.
Celeste is one of the most-important people in Pappillon, LA, mostly because of her late husband’s money. She wasn’t brought up rich, but has had all of it drummed into her by her late husband and his mother. Serafina is what she considers white trash — her mother is a character ( she thinks she’s a seer but is really very harmless), her youngest brother is in and out of jail due to bar fights, and her oldest brother runs the local restaurant with his wife. Sera also has a secret — the father of her toddler Luc. Who just so happens to be the deceased son of Celeste. Enter Celeste’s nephew Harry, who takes one look at Sera and falls head over heels.
Lots of family angst, lots of secrets held and accidently told, lots of relationships both romantic and not. Lots of tears and laughter and making up. Can’t wait for the next story!
I find my self just loving this small town that Lexi Blake has created. All the characters, the quirky things, and the couples she matches up. It just all works and works really well. I’m from a small town myself so I can relate to what I see happening.
Sera was such a great heroine. I liked how the author showed that even beautiful people don’t have it easy. I felt outraged on Sera’s behalf with some of the judgments and misinformation that was spread about her. She handled it way better than I ever would have. That made me like her even more. She just handled things with grace.
Harry was just as great. He’s also one of the beautiful people but also with a rarely seen beauty from the inside. He wasn’t an arrogant man most good looking men portray. He was humble, respectful and just all around nice guy. Plus he had an awesome German Sheppard.
Great book, and so far great series!
I absolutely love small-town romances, so I was excited to read Lexi Blake’s Bayou Baby set in Louisiana’s Butterfly Bayou.
This book had some big secrets and family loyalty and drama, and I was there for it all. While there was drama, overall, it was a sweet and sexy family story. I definitely did not want to stop reading because I was having such a good time reading this one!
Bayou Baby is a single parent romance that will leave you in love with this small town and wanting to get your hands on more books so that you can see more of the folks from Butterfly Bayou.
5 stars
Seraphina is a single mother in a small town in Louisiana. She is trying to make a good life for her son and after her aunt leaves her a house, she might be able to start a job she likes. Harry is in town to visit his aunt, Celeste, and redo a gazebo for his cousin’s wedding. Celeste cannot stand Seraphina and warns Harry to stay away. The first time Harry laid eyes on Seraphina, he was hooked. But Seraphina is done with men and turns him down every time. When Seraphina’s secret comes to light, will she lose everyone she loves?
So let me say… this was so good. I almost cried and I totally cracked up laughing. A little sexy but totally different from her other books. I truly loved it and can’t wait for the next one.
Another sweetly sexy and thrilling adventure in Butterfly Bayou. This emotionally thrilling journey is filled with intriguing and engaging charters, witty dialog, heart racing twist and undeniable passion.
One heartwarming story! It’s beautifully written like any other Lexi’s books and the characters she wrote are just unique on their own. This is so entertaining that I wished it was longer. There are so many feelings swirling around when reading this one. I highly recommend it!
So beautiful. Bayou Baby is full of sweet southern charm and quirky characters I’d love to hang out with. And the personal growth and depth was a joyous journey capped off with Sera and Harry’s happily ever after. Also loved the nod to the Dallas restaurant Top. Lol. Lexi Blake writes brilliantly and this latest tale is no exception.
Lexi Blake’s Butterfly Baby was one heck of a romance and one hell of a female empowerment story!
Seraphine Guidry, single mom and a bit lost in where her life is headed. She’s true and loyal to her friends and family, and amazing mom, and is also keeping a life changing secret.
Harrison Jefferys is feeling adrift since he was discharged from the military. He’s in town to visit family and help out for his cousin’s wedding. But, Sera Guidry may just be the reason he needs to stay in one place.
But, there is bad blood between Harry’s Aunt Celeste Beaumont and Seraphone Guidry, and Papillon is a small town.
I really enjoyed Butterfly Baby! I loved that a house renovation was the beginning of more change than anyone could have realized. I adored Harry slowly working his way into Sera’s house to help with the renovations while also finding his way right into her heart! And, watching Sera go from a mouse to a lion in order to protect her child was everything!
The drama surrounding the Beaumont family was heartbreaking, but I also loved watching the family break apart in the hopes that they could rebuild stronger. And Celeste . . . I will let you judge for yourself, but I just knew her transformation would be amazing and emotional and it was really something to see!
Sweet yet full of grit. Fun yet sexy. And all the quirky small town characters you could possibly want in a book. 5 stars!
Bayou Baby is the second book in the Butterfly Bayou series by Lexi Blake. Each story is stand-alone and some of the characters might be familiar from the first book. I liked the first book, so I was eagerly waiting for this one and in the end, I was a little disappointed.
What bothered me the most is that this book felt more like Seraphina and Celeste’s book rather than Seraphina and Harry’s. I could have sworn that we got more chapters from Celeste’s point of view rather than his. Heck, I even felt like Harry’s dog got to interact more than him with Luc, Seraphina’s son.
Seraphina and Harry were both great characters with strengths and weaknesses. They might not be perfect, but there was something about them that couldn’t make me dislike their actions. Harry caused a lot of trouble but it really was accidental and he thought that he was doing something right. Seraphina stood her ground for so many years and she is a devoted mother and I couldn’t ask for anything more. Celeste is the most complex character and to be frank her journey was not the most convincing. The change in her character was too rushed in my opinion.
Zep’s book is next and I cannot wait for it. We have been teased about him and Roxie since the first book and soon it will be time to see this player getting tamed. The secondary characters are one of the book’s strongest selling points. I liked Seraphina’s family and Harry’s cousins and I hope they will get a happy ending too.
Bayou Baby was not the book I was expecting to read, but on the other hand, it wasn’t bad either, so I will remain neutral on the recommendation.
I inhaled this book, I loved Sera and Harry, the small town of Papillon, and the transformation of a bitter woman.
Seraphina has lived in Papillon her entire life and as a young single mother who refuses to name the father of her child the people in the small town think the worst of her. This makes things difficult for her but when her great-aunt passes and leaves her her beloved home Sera believes she can fix it up and sell it so she is able to move and make a fresh start for her and her son.
Harrison Jerfferys is in town to help his Aunt Celeste with his cousins wedding. He spent years in the Army and now that both of his parents have passed he is looking forward to reconnecting with his mothers side of the family in the beautiful small town. Harry
When Harry and Sera meet for the first time you can tell there were sparks but it took a while for the flame to build, which I loved watching. This story was one of secrets, patience, friendship, love, growth, and forgiveness. I loved that this story had much more of the small town feel than the first book did and Otis is always a fun addition. In addition to the Romance between Sera and Harry we have the feud between Celeste and Sera which in all honesty is a major point of this story. Celeste detests Sera and considers her beneath her which is why she hated when her son Wes was friends with Sera and blamed Sera for Wes joining the Army, which is where he was killed by an IED.
If you enjoy Small Town Romances, Military Romances, Single Mom Romances, or are just looking for a good read I would definitely recommend this book to you.
Happy Reading!!!
4.6 stars
This is the second book in the Butterfly Bayou series and it can be read as a standalone. Ms. Blake really knows how to pen a storyline that has that authentic feel as the setting itself, The Big Easy, but it is anything but. Aunt Celeste kept reminding me of the mother in The Thornbirds as she was a strong matriarch who wanted to do what she could for her family and would not let anyone take what she felt was hers. Harrison is Celeste’s nephew who comes to town and becomes impressed with Seraphina, aka Sera. Sera is a single mother and is somewhat shunned by her community for having a child. Not one to take things to heart, Sera goes about living her best life for herself and her son. Watching the weaving of Celeste’s dysfunctional family is nothing less than riveting and seeing her get hers will leave readers enthralled even more. The chemistry between Harrison and Sera is beautifully illustrated and observing their growth forged the bonds that will keep them strong together. I cannot wait for the next book to see where this talented author takes readers next with these characters that could be real friends. I volunteered to read a copy of this book provided by Netgalley.
4.5 Stars
I’ve been waiting for this second book in the series since I finished the first book. I just love this series. The characters are just great in this small bayou town. They suck you right into the story and don’t let you come up for air. I loved Sera and Harry. You’re going to fall for Harry right off the bat. His description is yummy, but his caring protective side is what truly puts him over the edge. Harry’s dog Shep and Sera’s son together are just too adorable for words. One of the highlights of this book for me. There is one character that I wasn’t too wild about, but I must say they surprised me and redeemed themselves. Everything is happy and fun for Harry and Sera. but secrets are being kept that could change everything. This book made me laugh, smile, and cry. There is plenty heart and feels. There is also the right amount of humor. I mean a book with Zep in it is definitely a guarantee for humor and laughs. I can’t wait for his story. This is a must read book and is the first book in the series!
Harry has come to Papillion to help his aunt prepare for his cousin’s wedding and reconnect with his family. Seraphina has just inherited her great-aunts’ house and has been tasked to renovate it. As a single mother, she believes this is a way for her and her son to start a new life. Harry is intrigued by the sassy Sera and wants to get to know her even though his aunt told him to stay away from her. Seraphina is keeping a secret that will tear everything they have come to know and love apart. Bayou Baby is the second book in the Butterfly Bayou series.
Bayou Baby had me experiencing every emotion from anger to tears to ear to ear grinning. I loved the banter between Harry and Seraphina when they first met and Harry’s subtle determination to convince Seraphina that they should give each other a chance. Aunt Celeste really got on my nerves throughout most of the book and I still do not like her but have learned to tolerate her. I fell more in love with Seraphina’s brother Zep in this book and can not wait for his story. This series is on my highly recommended list.
*ARC generously provided in exchange for my honest review*