New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake is back with an all-new heartwarming, small-town contemporary romance series set against the spicy southern backdrop of Louisiana’s Butterfly Bayou. Life in Dallas took a tragic turn for nurse practitioner Lila Daley. In need of a fresh start, she retreats to Papillon, Louisiana, a tiny town on the bayou. Sure she’s greeted by a gator, finds herself in … a gator, finds herself in the middle of golf cart wars, and unwittingly adopts a scruffy dog, but Lila remains undaunted. She’s focused on running the town’s medical clinic, but fitting into the quirky community is harder than she imagined.
As a single dad, Sheriff Armie LaVigne embraces routine. But there is nothing routine about the town’s newest resident. Lila is a gorgeous fish out of water and he’s ready to catch her. In fact, in no time at all, Armie knows Lila is the woman for him and he plans to win her heart. But when the past threatens their happiness, Armie will have to decide if he has the courage to trust Lila enough to find a true happily ever after.
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“I wanted to kiss you the first time I saw you. Lust at first sight.”
I really enjoyed my visit to Papillon, Louisiana and Butterfly Bayou. The small-town residents are a handful and gave Lila a hard time when she moved in to run the local clinic. Not only was she an outsider, but she was also a woman. It didn’t matter that the retiring doctor who sold her the clinic was up in years and would rather be fishing. They trusted him…even if they sometimes shouldn’t.
The only welcome she got was from Otis the alligator and her sister. It seemed that for every step forward she ended up having to take three back. If she couldn’t make some progress with the local residents, find a way to get them to trust her, the clinic would not survive. She could save lives, but she couldn’t save her job if she didn’t have any patients, right?
This engaging tale had some spice and spite as well as some love and laughter. I could not resist the #SexySheriff and neither could Lila. But she ran into more roadblocks along the way, not including Otis. The headstrong nurse practitioner was determined to help where it was needed, whether her help was wanted or not. She stirred up a pot of trouble that not even one of Madame Martine’s spells could fix. I couldn’t put it down until I turned the last page and sighed with satisfaction.
This is the first book that I’ve read by Lexi Blake and I’m not sure what took me so long? I absolutely loved this book. It grabbed me right from the first page and held my attention all the way to the end. Lila is a very up tight NP that after a tragic incident needed a change of scenery. She decided to head to the Bayou where one of her siblings lived. Right as she got to town she was met with a huge surprise. Then she met the Sheriff and was in for another surprise. And let’s not forget, Peanut. Her journey was not uneventful, that’s for sure. She bought a house without seeing it and that was definitely, a surprise. This book had me smiling and laughing so much. Then there was the not so good surprises. These just made me tear up! Lila had to learn how to adjust to a life that was so different than she was used to, that she struggled a bit. No one liked her, she was an outsider. But she didn’t let her get her down. When she met the sexy sheriff, Armie, things were looking up. But they did have there moments. Armie is a single father and he is just taking each day as they come. Trying to not have anything that would upset his daughter. Making him and her as comfortable as they can be. But when Lila comes into his life, things start to get shaken up a bit. Lila ends up having some difficulties with some of the bayou residents. Only because she stepped in to help one of them out. Her and Armie also having different views on certain things, which causes a rift in their relationship. But with all these challenges can these two make it work? Can Lila become a part of the Bayou community? This is a must read that will keep you turning page after page to see what is going to happen. Can’t wait for more!
I listened to the audio book. I would give this 3.5 stars. I liked the small town atmosphere. Some of the characters were humorous, but this was not a lighthearted, sweet read.
There were some painful, sad, and tragic moments in this book. I thought I wouldn’t like Lila. Her character developed to the point of showing her inner strength, hiding behind a mask to protect herself, and showing how deeply she cared for family and friends.
That first scene in the PT facility was brutal on several levels. Hoping Lila had finally pushed Noelle into action, and finally resulting in the barbs Armie threw her way. The second scene was heartwarming.
This book did contain some violence. It was a really long audio book, and I think it would have been interesting with both a male and female narrator. I did think the narrator did an excellent job in reading both genders.
I will continue on with the series. I have grown fond of some of the characters. I want to see how their stories play out.
What a fantastic book. There were moments when I was laughing so hard and other times, I was gripping my seat in concern as the characters were in a fight for their lives. I’ve been a fan of this author, Lexi Blake, from her Mercenary series and she brings some trademark humor into some really pretty serious topics.
Lila was a victim of a shooting; well, her friend died from the shooting but she was there and she was sure she would lose her life. She didn’t, in this case, but it scarred her. For someone used to being in total control, this made her life unbearable and led her to move to Papillon Louisiana to be closer to her sister. She meets Armie, the sheriff there and the meet had me tearing in laughter.
But the heart of the book addressed some serious topics such as PTSD, abuse and loss and all these topics were beautifully balanced with the humor so that, as the listener, I ended the story feeling happy and content.
Overall, it was a well done story and the narration by Jessica Almasy was another bright point. She’s a new to me narrator but overall, I think she played all the roles well, clearly differentiating the different characters and even playing male roles in such a way that I had no trouble listening.
Nurse Practitioner Lila Daley’s life in Dallas took a very tragic turn. In need of a fresh start, she moves to the tiny bayou town of Papillon, Lousiana where her younger sister lives. She’s taking over the town’s medical clinic but things aren’t going as well as she’d hoped. Sheriff Armie LaVigne is a single father who loves routine but Lila promises to be anything but although they have something together. But Armie is going to have to learn to truly trust Lila if they’re going to work out.
I loved this book which is first in a series that promises to be excellent if judging by this book. The book’s well-written with wonderful characters and it captures small town life while dealing with some serious issues. I was drawn into the story from the start and fell in love with both the town and the characters. I’m really looking forward to the next book and highly recommend this one.
A really enjoyable listen. Great story, great characters and character development, a really quirky small town, two people absolutely not looking for love and yet finding and fighting it and everybody watching and gossiping like they’ve got nothing better to do. A great start to the series.
A complex mix of emotions fill this contemporary romance novel. Nurse practitioner Lila Daley is one of the toughest heroine’s I’ve ever encountered in a book. At times, the story was hard to read. Sheriff Arnie LaVigne is a tough, good-hearted guy. His life has centered around his wheelchair-bound daughter, Noelle, until he met Lila. Taking over the local medical practice in a town that doesn’t trust outsiders is hard. But Lila is hard-headed. Even when someone is set on killing her for interfering in their plans. Steamy sex, explicit language.
This book is a little bit of a deviation from Lexi Blake’s usual, but it is no less amazing. Lexi Blake is gifted with words, and no matter what she is writing she gives you a well thought out, well written, sometimes heartbreaking tome that makes you need more. We meet Lila and Armie, and they meet when Armie pulls Lila over for speeding. Things do not go so well, and they are at odds with each other for a while. I think that the relationship of Lila with Armie’s daughter Noelle is one of the best parts of this book. Noelle has some physical limitations because of an accident, and has been stagnant. Lila sees the potential she has and tries to help, but both Noelle and Armie are hard to convince, and this leads to big things is the book. And not all of them good. Armie and Lila are two strong characters who are both a little bit broken, but they are healing. They heal apart, they heal together, and they become better people because of it. If you haven’t not made the decision to read these books because you want that BDSM that Blake always gives us, this one is just as steamy. You will NOT be disappointed in this book!
I Love love love Lexi Blake. Her books are a great escape with excellent character development and a wonderfully well built universe!
This was such a fun read with quirky characters that really resonated with me. I loved the wit and humor sprinkled throughout the story as it helped to deal with some of the heavier topics that were being introduced.
There was something about this hero that captivated me and I wish I could put my finger on what exactly it was. He wasn’t the typical alpha hero and yet he was very protective. Whatever this author imbibed him with, I loved it.
The conflict between this hero and heroine was unique and there were moments when their drama made me tear up. There really isn’t anything better than a book that can make you laugh and cry. So glad a book buddy yelled at me to read this one.
Butterfly Bayou is a small town romance but it’s not a typical small town romance. If you’re expecting light-hearted, and easy, this isn’t it. For which, I was grateful. I love Lexi Blake for her characters and stories. While this one had a few minor things that didn’t draw me fully in, overall it was a great book as well as, a great start to a new series. Lila and Armie are two strong characters that I hope to see more of. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book by Lexi Blake which made me go back and read everything by her!! I forgot how she weaves a story like a spider weaves a web. It was an intricate story of love, family and growth. I love her as an author and storyteller. This was one of my favorites.
Awesome! I’ve volunteered to review this book for United Indie Book Blog. This is the first book in the Butterfly Bayou series. This is my first time reading one of Lexi Blake’s books. This is Lila and Armand’s story. Armand is the sheriff in a small town in Papillon Parish, Louisiana. Lila is an NP from Dallas. She needed a fresh start on life, after a life changing event while working in the ER. I love the chemistry between Lila and Armand. Where is my Armand at? He is so sexy when he speaks french. You will be drawn into this story just like I was. I couldn’t put it down until the end and then I wanted more. I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed in this story. I can’t wait to read more from this author. Keep up the amazing work!
A great read to a new series from the talented Lexi Blake.
5 Reshaping Her Life Stars!!!
I’m a huge fan of all things Lexi Blake so when I heard we were getting a new series that revolves around a small town and second chances I was giddy with happiness. And I’m happy to say this book is everything and so much more than I was expecting. It’s a story that is intense at times, angsty at times, sizzling with passion and overall a fabulous a second chance love story!
Lila is a woman that’s experienced a life changing event that had me on the edge of my seat because holy moly talk about having my heart beating out of my chest. Because of this tragedy, Lila decides she needs a change of pace and moves to Papillion, Louisiana which is the exact opposite of Dallas!
Upon arriving in Papillion, she meets the Sherriff Armie and it wasn’t a happy occasion. While this man enforces the laws of his town, he’s also the best dad to his little girl Noelle which just had my heart melting! I loved how Lila and Armie traversed their relationship. It’s a bumpy ride to say the least, but their chemistry and connection can be felt coming off the pages!
Overall, this is a great start to this new series and I was left with a smile on my face when I turned the last page. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series!!
I loved everything about this story!!! Lila is such a badass,hardworking woman and I really loved her relationship with Noelle and the way she didn’t give up on her even though Noelle and Armie definitely gave her reason to. Otis was one of my favorite characters:) I’m so looking forward to more of this series!!!
I started this book at 9 pm and couldn’t put it down until I had finished it. A great set of characters in a Bayou town that made me feel like I was back in Louisiana.
I adored this book, I loved how it had the signature humor of Lexi Blake’s Master’s and Mercenaries series and all the emotions. I loved how she was able to make a character that I didn’t like in another books into a character that I adored. The main character was portrayed in a different book as a snob and too good for others and yet this book I was able to see why she was that way, what made her the way she was. Lexi Blake did a fantastic job of making me root for her and make me feel what she was feeling.
The sheriff, whoa! He was someone I adored at the beginning of the book and, yet again, the author was able to make me so angry at him. When it was all said and done, I couldn’t get enough of these characters, and all the characters from the Bayou.
I am anxiously awaiting for the next book in this series because it feels like it comes from the heart and I can’t wait to see what these characters have in store for us next!
Awesome book
I’ve never met a Lexi Blake book that I didn’t love. Her stories are just so engaging that it’s very easy to get caught up in the romance, suspense and action. I find her characters to be vibrant, intelligent, complex, and emotionally driven. There are always deft touches of humor that will make you smile or laugh right out loud.
Lila Daley has been skating the edge ever since witnessing a brutal murder. She needs to make changes…big ones. Moving from the big city to a small bayou town and quitting a fast paced ER job in order to run a small clinic are about as big about as big as she can get. Butterfly Bayou and its residents don’t exactly welcome her with open arms. Heck the sheriff, Armie LaVigne, gave her a ticket on her way into town for the first time. Did I mention he’s insanely gorgeous? Armie is attracted, for the first time in what seems like forever, to the prickly Lila. His life has been on hold for too many years. After their rocky start he becomes her protector and her safe place. She makes inroads into the community and gains acceptance but she also makes enemies when she does her job. In addition, the relationship that she and Armie start to build hits a major snag. Lila finally discovers, after years of self sacrificing, that she’s deserving of love and will not settle for less even if it means she has to let Armie go.
One thing about Butterfly Bayou is that it is aptly titled right but there is so much more than what is titled. We have Lila who is a strong woman but what happened to her friend has well made her afraid in some ways. Then we have the bad and sexy Sheriff of this small town tempting her making her believe that she can outcome anything. The thing is both of them are afraid of certain things and it takes a whole lot of faith to overcome these fears. I personally loved Sheriff Armie in this book not only for his work as a Sheriff but how attentive he is to his daughter. Then we have Lila who just wants to make things right even if it means going against a whole family was wow. Everything she does is not for her own praise but for the townspeople even the ones that are well iffy about her professional. All in all Lexi Blake brought this town to life not with just Lila’s love but her determination to not giving up even when thos around her don’t stand by her. Loved it.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”