Can people truly change?
Two things keep Holly Campbell grounded: her precocious son and preserving her forty-year-old family diner in the face of expansion and change. She doesn’t need a blast from the past like Luke Saxon, who’s back in Butterfly Harbor after more than a decade away. The hard-luck kid who nearly destroyed her family, leaving her to pick up the pieces, is taking over as … pieces, is taking over as sheriff. She can’t trust him, even if Luke’s ideas for the town’s upcoming anniversary seem to show he’s trying to give back to their community. Has Butterfly Harbor found its unlikely savior? And has the widowed single mother finally found a man she can believe in, rely on…and love?
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I mistakenly thought that I could go back to the first story in the Butterfly Harbor series and get the general feel of this series since I had purchased the recent release of Bride on the Run without realizing that I hadn’t started the series. Yeah, the blurb was that good that it drew me in without double-checking myself. My intention had been to go back and slowly get caught up while keeping up-to-date on the newer releases — yeah. Right. I was hooked by the first story, The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor, and came to realize that each story builds somewhat on the previous ones, so a slow catch-up was not in my future. I needed to continue and did so with a week-long binge-read a few weeks ago. I regret nothing. I’ve fallen in love with these characters, the real battles and issues they each face in their own ways, and the community that Butterfly Harbor truly represents. This series is so good, if you haven’t discovered it then please check it out for yourself.
Luke is returning to Butterfly Harbor a far different man than the teenager who had left years ago. Second chances will do that for you, take something bad and turn it around into a life well-lived with purpose. Now, Luke is hoping for another second chance from the residents of Butterfly Harbor as he takes on the difficult job of finishing out the local sheriff’s term as he heads into a somewhat forced retirement from the position by the new mayor. He owes so much to Jake, only he knows that Luke isn’t here for the long term but he couldn’t say no to Jake. Facing the good folks of this small town won’t be the easiest task, but it’s also not the worst thing he’s had to deal with.
To say that Holly wasn’t thrilled to learn that Luke was the man taking over her father’s job would be the understatement of the century. She’s angry and not afraid to let Luke know exactly what she thinks of him and his return. Unfortunately, Holly’s son Simon was there when angry words were said – and Simon is the most precocious, wise beyond his years, crazy schemes trouble finder you’d ever encounter. And he takes his mother’s words to heart.
The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor is exactly what I search for in the opening story of, what has become a long series. Yes, we have a slow-growing romance between Luke and Holly, but there is so much more here. Second chances, perhaps several of them. Redemption. Forgiveness. Learning from past mistakes. Redefining the future. Allowing love to flow between two supposed enemies, an action that will change lives forever. And the uniqueness of a small harbor town that beautiful butterflies flock to – and perhaps add a magical, mystical touch to those who live here.
There is not one single thing I didn’t enjoy about this story. The growth of the main characters, the shenanigans of not only youngsters but oldsters as well. The close-knit community, and the chance to make a difference in lives far beyond the moment. I loved every second I spent in this world, and returning to it for a binge-read was a given once the final words arrived. If you enjoy a romance that so much more than two people falling in love, then this story, this series would be perfect for you.
I own a Kindle edition of The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor. It was a 4.5-star rating read for me. (Reviewed at my “Happily Ever After Romance” blog.
Luke Saxton had a horrible childhood with an abusive, alcoholic father. He made an awful mistake as a teenager that altered many lives, including Holly and her father, Jake. He is now back in Butterfly Harbor to take over from retiring Jake as Sheriff. Widowed Holly has her hand full running her diner, raising her precocious son Simon, and worrying about her father. Of course, Holly hates Luke for the mistakes he has made and that he is taking over her fathers job, but he is a different man now. Luke is back to make amends to Jake and Holly, and to Butterfly Harbor. This is a nice clean romance where Holly has to learn to forgive and Luke needs to get past his guilt. This is the first in the series, and the author does a nice job introducing characters that will be in future books without detracting from Luke and Holly’s story. I won the first four books in this series from Harlequinjunkie.com and the author and am giving my honest review.
When the Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor Jake Saxon returns to take over as Sheriff one person isn’t happy at all. Holly Campbell can’t believe that Jake is back in town and is taking her dads job.
It was bad when her son Simon picked up on her negative feelings towards Jake.
What Holly didn’t know that Jake was not telling her the truth about what happened the night of
The accident. The night her father was hurt.
When she realizes what happened she sees him in a whole new light.
Buy the book and see what happens.
Holly’s father Jake was being forced to retire from the Sheriff’s dept and Holly was not happy about it. She really wasn’t happy when she found out the new Sheriff was the man who caused her father to walk with a limp. Butterfly Harbor’s bad boy Luke.
Luke knew coming back to Butterfly Harbor was going to be hard but he owed Jake and Jake asked him to take over the rest of his term so he would.
As you read the story there are ups and downs. But Ms. Stewart has a way of making you feel like you are living in Butterfly Harbor and you are part of the story. It is a fast paced book that will keep you in your seat from start to finish . I found it so hard to put down. Now I can”t wait to start the next book.