Found it hard to empathize with the heroine, especially when she always down-played herself and shone the perfect light on her sister. The sister character also grated on my nerves - nobody can be this perfect without being so sweet it makes teeth hurt. The story itself, and the romance, were nice but found the POV heavy and dragging and not very enjoyable to follow along

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Renee has played it safe by avoiding relationships. She has seen her mother's failures with men and will do anything to avoid being like her. She has a younger sister, Cait, who is getting married, and she has surprised Renee with a visit for a month prior to the wedding. Cait also wants Renee to drop everything to "help" plan her wedding. Renee is willing to help because she has had a big part of raising her younger sister and wants to make sure the wedding is perfect. Cait is demanding and spoiled and while it starts to get under Renee's skin, she does her best to keep her emotions in check.

Renee is also surprised to learn that her childhood crush has moved in next door for the summer and it seems as if the sparks are still there. Luc let's her know that he has feelings for her and the two decide to see where it will take them.

Renee and Cait's mom makes an early arrival to the wedding which upends the balance that Renee has been feeling and it also contributes to the insecurities that Renee had felt growing up.

The story had a strong premise and at times you felt you were reading two storylines that were intertwined together, but it lacked depth, and I wish there could have been more feeling from the characters.

Renee's ordered life is first knocked off balance when her sister requires help planning her fast-approaching wedding, and then upturned completely when her first summer fling moves back in next door. Over the course of the summer, she has to confront her choices and wonders if she's really as happy as she thinks.

Despite the age of these characters (I think Renee's in her mid-thirties), this almost feels like a coming of age book as Renee learns to set boundaries and let go of her painful past. I loved how her relationship with Luc grew naturally from the awkward re-meeting to adults having honest conversations about feelings and a future together. By the end of the book I had fully bought into them as a couple.

In fact, I was pleasantly surprised at how uplifting this book is. There's no clear antagonist, scheming exes, or even particularly catty women. The biggest barrier to Renee's happiness is herself which is both rare and realistic.

However I have to say I was not a huge fan of Renee's sister Cait. She came off as a bit selfish and rather manipulative especially in her dealings with Renee. While most of her actions came from a place of youthful naivety, I found myself getting more and more annoyed with her - and by extension, with Renee for putting up with her. Some of those boundaries Renee needed definitely related to her sister and I can't help but wish they'd had a proper conversation about that and cleared the air, rather than Renee squashing her feelings. After all, good boundaries also include realising when something is someone else's fault and not yours.

Despite my annoyance with Cait, this was a charming, uplifting read, perfect for the beach (or when you wish you were on one!)

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

Being a fan of Katlyn Duncan’s books I was looking forward to her latest novel and I was not disappointed, Barefoot on the Beach is a wonderfully heartwarming and uplifting romance about second chances at love. I was hooked from page one and fell in love with the characters especially Renee and Luc, the chemistry between the two sizzled off the page and I loved how their relationship developed throughout the story. Renee Clarke is happy as she is, single, having witnessed her mothers two failed marriages she has vowed to be on her own. However she is happy organising her sisters wedding even though she does not believe in true love herself, when she learns that her teenage first love who she had a summer romance with, Luc Hardy has returned to West Cove and moved in next door to her. Luc just happens to also be even more handsome then she remembers. As their relationship develops Renee starts to believe that maybe she can put aside her reservations and find love, but just as she decides this her mother returns boasting about her latest conquests and this just reaffirms Renee’s lack of faith in love. Therefore it is up to Luc to convince her that true love exists and that it can last forever.
I found this a lovely read as it is wonderfully written with a romantic storyline and family drama that had me hooked from the beginning and which flowed nicely. The characters are likeable and relatable and I felt fully immersed in the beautiful scenery thanks to the authors detailed descriptions, a perfect wedding destination. I was cheering Renee and Luc on hoping they would get their happy ever after. No spoilers, as I thoroughly recommend you read this book to find out!

Recap: Renee's younger sister is getting married and dumps all the organising on Renee's plate. Then her first love reappears and she doesn't know what to do about it.

Review: I liked the ending and the misunderstanding. I thought the sister relationship and dynamic was great and the sister's friends were portrayed well. Renee came over a bit odd - we kept being told she was so organised and OCD and no fun and then we'd get that she was massively promiscuous and she dropped all her plans just like that so it was hard for me to reconcile that. Dialogue was good and the slow burn between Luc and Renee worked. I came away thinking yeah, that was alright.

I'm not quite sure what I was expecting when picked this book up, but it wasn't this. It seems to centre far more on Renee's dysfunctional family than the romance aspect of the book. Renee has so many issues going on around herself and her family that she's completely blind to the changes happening right in front of her. It meant we got to see at lot more of her family, the gorgeous area they live and the fantastic seaside delicacies.

Renee's living with her dad by a gorgeous stretch of private beach. The house next door has been up for rent for ages but has finally been rented out. The last thing Renee was expecting was her previous summer fling and first love, Luc, moving in next door. As if that wasn't enough of a shock, her sister turns up out of the blue and expects Renee to drop her workaholic tendencies and plan her entire wedding for her because she can't handle it.

I'll be honest and say that I couldn't relate to Renee at all and felt frustrated by her until just before the very end of the book. She seems to not notice anything going on around her and acts like a complete doormat for everyone else. As soon as her Cait (her sister) comes home, she's given up her bedroom and has two slobbering and demanding dogs at her beck and call constantly. Anything her sister needs must be done immediately and she even tries to sabotage Renee's career for her own needs. I was just so desperate for her to just open her eyes and stand up for herself!

That being said, there were plenty of characters I loved. Luc, Renee's dad and Cait's husband-to-be were all fantastic and tried their best to help Renee and their families throughout. It's not a lighthearted romance, which is what I think I'd prepared myself for reading beforehand. It features so much more about families and how they interact with one another. I found myself yearning to be on the beach playing volleyball as soon as we are able to!

I was given an Arc from NetGalley in exchange for an independent review.
The relationship between Renee and her sister Cait was a bit odd. Cait is fairly spoilt and demanding and expects her sister to help with the planning of her wedding whenever she needs it. Renee doesn’t really seem to want to get married, bruised by her parents failed marriage.
Enter Luc, her first boyfriend who is back in town for the summer. Both are interested in each other but can Renee get over her fears?
A sweet romance but lacked depth and intensity.
3 stars

If you're after a gentle, easy read with all the nods to romance, then this novel will be right up your street.

When I say 'easy read', I mean that as a complimentary phrase, just to clarify. I'm finding reading quite difficult just now and heavy novels are avoided wherever possible. I need books which aren't too heavy, too serious, or too taxing, and I really feel that 'Barefoot on the Beach' ticked those boxes for me.

The only similarity between Renee and Cait is that they're related. That's it. They really are like chalk and cheese as Renee is more organised and sees things through, whereas Cait expects things to be done for her as and when she chooses. It's safe to say that she comes across quite spoilt, whilst also having a really unapproachable personality - i didnt gel with her much at all.

Whilst I could see how obligated to do what her sister asked of her, I wish Renee put her foot down. Yes, she may have been a motherly figure for her growing up, but that was then. It annoyed me that whenever Cait clicked her fingers Renee would come running, putting her own happiness on the back burner.

I did enjoy reading this book. I loved the setting, the doggy antics and the sweet romance that was gently interwoven into the story, however I felt like certain situations went on for much longer than they should have. For example, the row the sisters had just kept going backwards and forwards, not really adding much content to what the author had already built up. I felt like the delivery on some things could have been a bit more punchy than it was. That is only my opinion though, and I still really enjoyed the book despite that.

During an uncertain time in our own lives, one thing we can count on is the certainty of a happily ever after; something which Katlyn Duncan delivered on greatly.

3.5 Stars Rounded

Expecting light and fluffy – this story never came close to that. Nuanced, layered and often quite deep, this is a story of a family full of broken relationships, dysfunctional communication and often unknowable choices with lingering effects. Renee, the elder sister in this family, is planning (last minute planning, mind) her little sister’s wedding. Cait is her half-sister, and while Renee loves her and would do almost anything for her, the wedding and her feelings about marriage were destroyed as a child after her own mother’s rather haphazard attention and bad choices. Furthermore, Cait never lived in West Cove, neither did her prospective groom, and there really isn’t a solid reason why it was her choice of venue except to have Renee, organized, capable and willing, to take over. No matter what the timeline.

Renee, meanwhile is dealing with the return of her high-school crush and first love, after spending most of her life after him in a guarded to hate relationship with the idea of ‘happily ever after’. From the stress from her sister’s arrival and dumping everything (including a dog) in her lap, to the reappearance of her mother, to Luc moving next door – emotionally Renee’s plate is full. Fortunately we are given plenty of information and backstory to understand the relationships and where and why they are in trouble, perhaps a bit more information than was strictly necessary as there were places where the storytelling slowed in the showing, but all of the information did point to chasms and causes- chasms and causes that are reparable and others not.

Throughout the story, Duncan manages to set the scene and give us plenty to work with – even with characters that are spoilt and unthinking (Cait) and a bit stuck in a rut and laden with hero-complex (Renee) and a totally self-indulgent and absorbed mother. Not to say that the men in the story are without their issues – quite frankly it seemed as if they chose the ‘women’ to fit their own particular brand of ‘dysfunction’ that allowed them to continue on. Far from relaxing, this is a deeper dive into humanity with all of it’s good, bad and frankly distasteful behaviors, reactions and the effects on relationships and personal psyches. Well-written, it’s not quite the ‘holiday escape read’ I was hoping for – but still solid enough to engage and distract with plenty of moments that may reflect on your own life.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aGV /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

If you are looking for a sweet romance to disconnect for a few hours this weekend, buy this book, it will transport you to a better place!
This is the story of Renee Clarke, she seems to have the “perfect life”, the only thing that is missing is a partner, but she is not really interested in finding one. Her mother had two divorces and quite a few partners, so she thinks is better to be alone than have the same life as her. But, yes, there’s a but, she never expected to meet her first love Luc, maybe he will make her change her point of view about couples? You’ll have to read the story if you want to know more about it!
I loved Renee’s character, she is brave, intelligent and loves very much her little sister, but I didn’t like the relation between them. It felt like she uses her as much as she can without any explanation or thanking her, I don’t have any brothers or sisters, but I think their relation is more of a mother/daughter.
The relation between Renee and Luc is much more deeper than we will think in the beginning, they have some background together and separately, if they want to stay together they will have to talk about their fears and pain. As I always think, a relation is not easy, you have to trust and confide on your partner, if there’s no dialogue between them, there’s no couple to save!
Barefoot on the Beach is a quick and refreshing read, it will make you travel to the sea where the only problem you’ll have is not to be burned! Ready?

This is a lovely escapist read if you want to burrow your head in a book and escape the late Spring rain showers. It's a second chance story as Renee helps to plan her little sister's wedding and tries to juggle everything in her life as well. There are some complicated relationships, especially with her parents and her sister, Cait, who I can admit to losing patience with on several occasions!

The beachside setting is idyllic and seems part of the whole story. The family pets add quite a bit of humour and there is a nice role reversal with Renee's father, Marcus, skulking around, hiding his own romance from his grown up daughters. Whether Renee can untangle her complicated views on dating and commitments remains to be seen but you do follow her story with interest and wonder what will be the outcome for her future family relationships.

In short: A beachside escape.

Thanks to the author for a copy of the book

So, this is one of those that I saw the cover and instantly knew I had to read! A great book to enjoy whilst relaxing in the sunshine. I loved the location the story was set in and Renee was a character who we got to know more throughout the book.
This is my first read by this author, definitely won't be the last. I have consumed this book in just one sitting and found this book a great distraction. Not only do we have a beautiful setting and likeable characters, we are also invited to a wedding. 
This is an extremely talented author who has pulled me into the pages and made it impossible to leave until I had finished the story. I highly recommend this beautiful book which is definitely worth more than five stars to show how great this one is. 
I literally cannot say anything negative about this one. It is a great read by an extremely talented author.

A delightful read with believable characters.

Thirty-three year old Renee is happy with her single life and lives in her family home with her father in the coastal resort of West Cove.

Her much younger and spoilt sister Cait arrives a month before her due wedding day requesting Renee's help to finalise the plans for her wedding. Renee immediately discovers that Cait has barely started the planning, expecting her big sister to take over all the organising for a dream wedding.

Renee's next shock is learning that Luc, her first boyfriend from her teenage years, has moved into the beach house next door to renovate his aunt's property.

While Renee is busy organising her sister's forthcoming wedding and attempting to suppress her mother's bad behaviour, she recognises her feelings for Luc haven't changed, however she still doesn't believe that marriage is for her. Renee imagines that a summer romance will be enough for her but Luc intends to convince her that he is her 'happy ever after'.

ARC supplied by NetGalley, this review is my honest opinion and completely unbiased.

Barefoot on the Beach is a second chance romance with family drama. The multilayered plot delves into dysfunctional family dynamics. It explores how children may be affected by the success or failure of their parent's relationship. Renee is anti-marriage because of her mother's influence, even when she meets Luc again, she is wary of falling in love.

As she plans her sister's wedding, she reacquaints with Luc. Their chances of happy ever are remote in the face of their internal conflicts and past nurturing. The setting is well described and immersive, the perfect wedding location.

A gently paced story because of Renee's internal analysis of her family relationships and her view of marriage, but the romance is lovely and eventually finds a way to win. Believable, strong characters and simple but effective plotting tell an engaging story of family relationships and love in an iconic New England setting.

I received a copy of this book from HQ and the author in return for an honest review.

Not a book I would normally read however, a book that involves a beach and a wedding is sure going to put a smile on your face, and sure enough, Barefoot on the Beach does that, but it also has plenty of drama to keep you hooked. I found this to be a very charming read that is a must for the beach. A lovely story with believable characters.

Full of sunshine and holiday spirit, Barefoot On The Beach is perfect for those wanting to read and create a holiday atmosphere with a cold fruity drink during these difficult times. 

After previously reading a lovely Christmassy novel by Ms Duncan, it was an easy decision to read her latest novel. 

Renee Clarke agrees to assist her sister Cait with her wedding plans but it's a bitter-sweet gesture because marriage is something she'll never do herself. So when she finds out Luc Hardy has rented the next-door holiday home, it brings back memories of the teenage summer romance they shared. The boy she remembers has turned into a handsome man she'd like to get reacquainted with, but is it worth getting involved in another holiday romance when he'll be leaving West Cove after a few weeks? 

Luc Hardy's never forgot the girl he met as a teenager and is thrilled to find she still lives in the house beside his aunt's. He's in West Cove for a short time and eager to get to know Renee again and discover if she's still like the girl he lost his heart to all those years ago? 

Barefoot on the beach is so much more than a second chance romance. Renee comes from a complicated family and has a toxic relationship with her mother. Her little sister, Cait turns her life upside-down when she comes to stay before her wedding. Her presence highlights the difficult relationships Renee has in her life. The author portrays her as someone who is the product of a dysfunctional family and how those close to her have caused her great pain. She overcompensated by letting her sister walk all over her when she should stand up for herself. Having Luc back in her life allows her to start seeing her life from a contrasting perspective, only it's her divorced parents who finally show her how their behaviour had a negative impact on how she views certain people. 

Everything ties up satisfactorily with a happy ending, although I felt this was a little rushed but overall, I enjoyed this summery novel with appealing characters set again a cosy coastal backdrop. 

3.5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of HQ Digital via NetGalley***

This book is a testament to the complexity of human relationships. Various relationships between women (mother-daughter, sister-sister) are explored, with emphasis on the failings and strengths of each person.

Several angles are described — the impact of a mother’s life choices on her daughter’s view of marriage and relationships, the effect of a small town’s narrow minds on the way one views women, the way a sister keeps compensating for her mother’s lack of interest in parenting.

All of it was a study in human psychology, the way the human mind works.

Of secondary interest is the contrast between the relationship of an older couple (leisurely and comfortable) and the relationship of a younger couple (full of chaos and Instagram updates).

Renee and Luc’s relationship (or the lack of it) is somewhere in the middle. The two tiptoe around their physical attraction and teen summer history, and have several false starts before they finally accept that love does not have to be painful and conditional.

I got a crash course in organizing a wedding, and I realized that no matter which country and culture it is, a perfect wedding requires meticulous planning, good people skills to smooth over ruffled feathers between family members, and a calm temperament.

Cait’s wedding preparations and choices were dreamy and beautiful, but her reason for dumping the planning on Renee at the last minute was not convincing enough. Seeing how Renee had taken it upon herself to “raise” Cait since their mother (Isla) was too busy elsewhere, Cait should have had a freer relationship with Renee.

The book feels quite long, especially where it delves deep into the estranged relationship between Isla and Renee (and how Renee cannot shake off thoughts of whether her mother would approve of her actions), and the sections where Cait selfishly dumps her work on Renee, but strangely she can’t refuse to do it.

I may not like the characters at all, including Renee and Luc, but I cannot deny that this is the truth about human relationships. People are not perfect; people do make the same mistakes over and over again without learning a thing from them. Even Luc and Marcus are unnecessarily reticent in the garb of giving other people their privacy, where a bit more candour and communication could have solved issues earlier.

Barefoot on the Beach features some enthralling descriptions of sunny beaches and rolling waters, which offset the estranged relationships between the various characters. The writing is fluid and polished, and the story never falters despite the complex subject matter.

Sweet and sandy. Katlyn Duncan has written the perfect feel good beach read. Renee doesn’t do relationships the last thing she wants is to end up like her mother. Instead she has summer flings with the tourists that visit her cute little beach town in New England. And that was working just fine for her until Luke the first and possibly the only boy she ever fell in love with shows back up in town. But is it worth it to give Luke her heart again for him just to leave at the end of summer? A delightful story packed with wedding plans, little sisters, hidden relationships, Beach walks, dogs, volleyball, cookouts, and complicated feelings.

I really liked Renee, but the girl frustrated me and she seriously needed to grow a backbone. Her little sister Kate comes marching into town and expects Renee to drop absolutely everything and plan her wedding. Kate was a very selfish character, not to mention I could not figure out why she was having a wedding all the way across the country from where she lives? But to each their own, I guess. Then there was Renee‘s approach to relationships, never really made sense, how never getting in a serious relationship would stop her from being like her mother? I kind of thought it made her even more like her mother? Renee really needed a good friend to tell her what’s what, and I think Sadie did try she probably just needed to be a little more blunt. I think Renee’s flaws made the story more interesting even though it frustrated me. The romance was super sweet and I was very satisfied with how the story ended. This was the perfect way to visit the beach without all the sand or a need to stop social distancing.

This book in emojis 🏖 🏐 👙 🐶 👰🏼 🛠

*** Big thank you to HQ Digital for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

Reading this book left me feeling all beachy and summery and wanting all the sunshine and summer love!!!
Renee’s sister unexpectedly shows up early for her wedding and seems to expect her to plan what’s left...which is everything. Renee has always taken care of her younger sister and can’t seem to say no. Another surprise came in the form of Luc, her teenage sweetheart one summer he came to West Cove to spend time with his aunt. Many surprises, many relationships, and a great set of conflicts and issues to deal with.
I really like the character of Renee. She is definitely a pushover (which I don’t love), but she has a kind heart, has issues she needs to work through, and seems genuinely happy to be in her shoes and living her life. Cait, on the other hand, drives me absolutely nuts. While she is nice and encouraging, she has an entitled attitude and doesn’t even realize it because she is so used to getting what she wants. She is certainly not without her flaws, and Duncan wrote her character very well (if there were to be a villain she is one for me haha.) Luc is the perfect main male and his character is light, relaxed, fun, and very happy. He embodies the ease and contentment I feel we all aim to have!!!
This story deals with family issues and how the actions of our parents can stick with us and shape who we are/what we think. It also deals with love and secrets and relationships and the complexities of those relationships.
It was a really fun read, and while it’s a light story, it does come with deeper issues that help round it out. I could definitely see myself heading back to West Cove and visiting these characters again!!!

This was a surprising read, much more family drama than I'd anticipated with somewhat toxic family relationships impacting on those involved in the present. The community, friendships and delicious food all add to the story.

Renee Clarke is living with her father in a delightful location near the beach. She's something of a workaholic and will do anything for those she loves, which includes her half-sister, Cait. When Cait decides to get married in this location she turns up to enlist Renee's help organising it . . . actually she dumps everything on Renee, including her dog. Renee doesn't have positive feelings about marriage after all their mother put her through and she's certainly not looking forward to her turning up, either, but she'll do anything to help Cait.

When Renee's first love, Luc Hardy, returns to live in his aunt's home next door to Renee will this be a second chance romance for them? Can he help convince her that love doesn't have to be a toxic relationship? How will Renee's Mum turning up impact on their potential HEA?

This is a story about relationships, expectations, history and dynamics. I definitely thought Cait acted like a spoiled brat and Renee like a resentful doormat for much of the story. Marcus, Renee's Dad is lovely and so is Cait's husband to be. Poor Luc must have felt he was on a roller coaster ride with all the twists and turns his romance with Renee underwent! This is a moving story, definitely not the light hearted second chance romance I'd expected, it is much more about family dynamics and interactions. The setting, West Cove, is beautiful and definitely made me want to visit the beach again soon - lockdown permitting. 

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.