Overall:
Beautiful, at the same time, fun read. Cozy small town romance with good story plot.

What I like the most about this book and author?

I've never read any of the other works by the Author, but I liked her way of writing and plot. Not dragging, not too short either. It's apt. It's easy to read and I read in one-sitting. I liked how all there is equal character growth has given to everyone. No one is left out. I'm eager to read other books in this series.

The Plot:
Jayna, born and brought up in small town tried everything in her potential to get rid of the town, only to return to the same pavillion after a decade. The town doesn't seem so bad as once it looked to her. Is it because of Quaid, her childhood crush, or because of her nieces or big town glamour doesn't look so glamorous anymore? Whatever the reason, you'll have to read to know about it.

Those who are looking for easy, cozy, heartfelt small town romances, this book is for you .

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the sixth book in the series, and I would definitely recommend that you read them all and in order, because they are all a lot of fun, but should you choose to start here, do consider reading back.

If you are a fan, then you will really enjoy catching up with all the previous couples and also reacquainting yourself with the unique inhabitants of Papillon. Quaid is the town's lawyer, and he lives with his widowed mother, running his father's practice. And whilst he always knew he would work there, his father's early demise has forced him to be his mother's carer far too young.

Jayna escaped Papillon after high school, and never intended to return. She became a lawyer and married well to further her career. That has all fallen apart, and she has to come home to her mother's trailer to regroup. She is inevitably resentful of this, and frustrated that the power wielded by her ex's family is closing doors to other jobs she wants. So, as much as to pass the time as anything she finds herself working in her hometown, with her long-time, high school crush as opposition.

As these two take to the ring in a fight to be seen and heard, to straighten out misunderstandings, and to cope with the intense chemistry, we have front row seats. Jayna is a wounded animal, and likely to lash out, and Quaid is unaware of some of her pressure points, but we know that they will fight it out and come out of it together.

I love the side stories, the crazy and the deep feelings, which are completely believable – that is the real talent of this author, to make me care.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

This book is part of a series, but you don't necessarily have to read the books in order. Each book describes the quirky town that everyone loves.

Papillon is a town where everyone knows everyone and even when they fight, they still care and love each other.

Jayna has found herself somewhere she never thought she'd be. On the wrong end of a lawsuit, in trouble with the bar association, and back home in Papillon. Jayna's life has been knocked out from under her, and while she's happy to see her sister and her family, Jayna never wanted to settle in Papillon. Jayna had dreams that stretched beyond Papillon.

Quaid is the resident attorney of Papillon. He has stayed even though he could have gone. His family life is a wreck and despite his amazing friends, Quaid knows that a lot has passed him by. When he finds himself in court against Jayna, he can't help but be intrigued.

Jayna and Quaid have a great respect for their abilities as attorneys. It's nice to see their mutual respect. Because both characters have family trauma, both make missteps while trying to figure out what they want out of their temporary relationship.

Jayna believes that she needs to leave again as soon as possible and Quaid doesn't know if he can give more of himself than he already is.

While I really enjoyed the "drama" of the story – especially between neighbors – this book had some strange stops and goes; it felt rushed in some areas and dragged in others. The flow was somehow interrupted when it felt that it should have been smoother.

That being said, I still really enjoyed the book.

A lovely return to Papillon and the Bayou. With interesting twists and turns this book is a great weekend read, bringing emotions, humour and friendship. Looking forward to the next instalment with anticipation

I've got to say that I think that this is my favourite of the series so far. There is an underlying tone of humour which underpins the relationship between the two protagonists, and which makes the relationship work in a way it wouldnt without it.

And for that reason, this is my fave. They are both strong willed characters, and there is clear chemistry on the page with them, but this still warms the heart.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book

This one is full of banter in and out of the courtroom. Jayna used to tutor Quaid back in high school when he was also a rich popular football player. She was the trailer park nerd that now has to come home after years away after a bad divorce. This is a super funny lawyer romance with small town Papillion aka Louisiana craziness. These two have some issues that come back to hurt them that they have to figure out. Another wonderful HEA for this town.


This is the sixth book in the Butterfly Bayou series but can be read as a stand-alone. I hope we get some more of this Louisiana small town romance series.

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

3.5 Stars

All of these books are just fun. The characters, the town, the tone in which they are written...just fun. And, this one was no different. Reading it is a lighthearted pleasure, and the depth of the story, the characters and the story sort of sneak up on you while you are reading a story about a small town.

Quaid and Jayna are rival attorneys in a small town in which there really isn't enough work to go around, well, at least it seems like there isn't, but maybe one of the attorneys has other ideas about the life he wants to live. Add in their chemistry, her desire to not be back in town, and the rest of the town and you have an enemies to lovers story that is funny, and charming, and really sexy.

I enjoyed and recommend this title.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Full of charm, heart and humor, Bayou Beloved is the irresistible new contemporary romance from Lexi Blake.

Jayna Cardet couldn’t wait to leave the small town of Papillon, Louisiana behind and make a new life for herself as far away from this close-knit community as possible. She never imagined that she would set foot in her home-town ever again, but fate does seem to have a twisted sense of humor as not only does she find herself back in Papillon, but she is also practicing law in the little town where the opposing counsel is none other than her former high school crush, Quaid Havery! During their school days, Quaid barely knew Jayna existed, but a lot has changed in the intervening years and the handsome lawyer makes it perfectly clear that he wants to get know Jayna better…

As a lawyer practicing in a small town full of eccentric characters like Papillon, Quaid believed that he was ready for whatever challenge came his way – until he finds himself crossing swords with Jayna Cardet in the courtroom. Jayna is fiery, intelligent, spirited and so beautiful, he is unable to think straight when she is around. Quaid has never met a woman quite like Jayna before and although he had ignored her in high school, he is not about to make the same mistake twice!

As temperatures in the bayou rise, the attraction between Jayna and Quaid quickly intensifies and giving into temptation soon proves inevitable. Will Quaid end up giving Jayna a good reason to stick around town for the foreseeable future? Or does her future lie elsewhere far from Papillon – and Quaid?

I’m a huge fan of Lexi Blake’s series set in the enchanting small town of Papillon and Bayou Beloved is the latest gorgeous feel-good contemporary romance from this terrific writer that cannot fail to brighten every reader’s day. Sprinkled with wit, warmth, sass and sensuality, Bayou Beloved is heart-melting contemporary romance at is best.

Full of sizzling repartee, red-hot chemistry, tender romance and intense emotion, Lexi Blake’s Bayou Beloved is a delight from start to finish.

Jayna finds herself at a crossroads in her life, both personally and professionally, which leads her back to the hometown she couldn’t leave fast enough. Due to her past, she has had no choice to stand up for herself which makes her a good lawyer however she never expected that her first client would have her battling against the boy who claimed her teenage heart.

Quaid’s upbringing couldn’t have been different from Jayna’s as he follows the path that his father chose for him. He may have left town to attend college but he always knew that he would return and take over his father’s legal practice, but Jayna makes him feel more alive than he has felt in a while.

This is a heartwarming story about family and love as despite all the challenges they faced they proved they make the perfect partners both in life and love.

Welcome back to Papillon and you will be very happy to return with the sixth book in the Butterfly Bayou series. All the fun and magic of a small town is effortlessly brought to life with Jayna and Quaid, two attorneys from different sides of the tracks and personalities to match. Quaid comes from money and when he was young, he did not have a care or pay attention to what was going on around him. Jayna grew up in a double wide and had to do everything she could to fulfill her dream of leaving her hometown. She was not exactly popular but had a reputation for her intellect which assisted Quaid with his French class. After fifteen years, Jayna has returned and runs into Quaid. He has no idea who she is and that just irks her more. Just when things cannot get worse for Jayna, look out…but sometimes when going through the storm the aftermath brings a rainbow. The verbal sparring alone is enough to one-click this gem. When you add in the courtroom hijinks, some elder exhibitionism and the return of the raccoon bandits prepare to have a laugh fest and finish off with a big smile on your face.

Lexi appears to write in a few different tropes (not a bad thing at all) and often co-writes with another author. This series is her's alone and the key words that seem to come from this series is heartwarming, charming, small-town and heartfelt.

Nice escapism books to separate yourself from the real world for a few hours.

I love anything by Lexi Blake and this is no exception. It is a wonderful addition to the series. Both the hero and heroine learn to look inside for what is truly important and that they need to reach out to grasp what they what out of life. We meet Quaid before at a couple of the card games and he is a welcome addition to the hero’s of this series. Jayna Is a new character to us but she fits right in back in Papillon. And as always it was great to see my old favorites. Can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out.

Blake's third installment of the Butterfly Bayou series features a heartwarming romance between a former big-city cop and a small-town bad boy. The vivid and charming bayou setting is the perfect backdrop for the well-drawn characters that will captivate readers. This cozy romance is a delightful read that is sure to please.

BAYOU BELOVED is a laugh-out loud, lively, novel starring two lawyers in a quaint small town called Papillon. Jayna Cardet, a smart, sexy attorney, is back home living in her mom's trailer after her high profile job falls apart. She is resentful that her ex derailed her career. To make the best of a bad situation, she takes a job in her home town as an attorney. Then she runs into her high school crush, Quaid. He is drop dead gorgeous! Oh boy, not good!

Quaid Havery is the town's resident lawyer. He lives with his widowed mom and runs his father's firm. His dreams of being a writer were derailed after his dad died young, leaving Quaid to care for his mom. He can't count on his brother who is bad news. He thinks he's seen it all in court, but then Jayna enters his life and boy is she stunning! She's intelligent, makes him laugh and his heart go pitter-patter. As they fight in and out of the court room, the whole town of Papillon is taking bets on whether they will fall in love. Do they put down their mitts long enough to notice their chemistry?

This is a fine follow up to Bayou Sweetheart in the Butterfly Bayou series. BAYOU BELOVED is a warm family drama full of heart, emotional struggles and romance. Ms. Bond delivers true salt-of-the-earth characters that expertly combine in a humorous, dramatic, passionate tale overflowing with affection and love. Jayna and Quaid battle it out in the court room leaving the town to wonder what is up between them. Both are struggling with family issues and they have to learn what is more important to them. Their careers, family or love for one another or can they have it all? Come along on a hilarious, rollicking ride in Ms. Bond's new novel.

Bayou Beloved is the sixth book in the Butterfly Bayou series.

OMG I love this LOL series! What does a crazy alligator named Otis and a raccoon named Brian have in common? They are animals in this Butterfly Bayou series. And sometimes the stars of this series.

This book is the story of Jayna Cardet and Quaid Havery.

I thought early on that both Jayna and Quaid’s mothers are useless. Well now I think they were just misunderstood, and I quickly changed my mind. Yes, they might be interfering, but they love their kids. Quaid and Jayna hit it off pretty early on, but their relationship isn’t without turmoil. (But then whose relationship isn’t with turmoil).

I love this whole series and think everyone should start from the beginning so you can know all the characters, including Otis and Brian. But if you can’t. Then you can get started with this book. It can be read as a standalone.

I give Bayou Beloved 5+ STARS. I highly recommend it!

Quaid is the town hero, if you will. Being the only lawyer, he looks out for the residents. Jayna had no plans to return to Papillon, but life hadn’t gone as planned. She finds herself back and taking clients. Soon, she and Quaid are adversaries. This story was fun to get lost in! I enjoyed the banter between Quaid and Jayna. The chemistry between them was just right and undeniable. They may have had to face each other in court, but that didn’t stop them from seeing what was between them. They had each other’s back. I really enjoyed going back to Papillon and seeing what everyone was up to!

4.5 stars

Starting anew and second chances

Jayna never thought she would return to Papillon, but life has other plans for her. Quaid loves to care for the people of Papillon, but has he set his expectations a little too high?

Jayna and Quaid have to find happiness within themselves, and can they do it within the quirky small town? Settle in for fun and laughs these characters and their neighbors bring to the story.


Review submitted to Barnes and Noble as Julie Booklover

I have loved this series from book one and the small town Papillon is a character in itself. Quaid is someone that has been on the periphery of the series, a part of it, but not at the same time. His family is one of the wealthiest of the town, and that has given him a reputation. Some of it earned, some of it not.

Jayna returns to Papillon after ten years with her tail between her legs. Her world has fallen apart after she stood up for herself on a case, and also her divorce has been finalized.

This story is about so much more than just Quaid and Jayna. It is about Jayna’s sister and Quaid’s brother and mother. Yes, we get the romance, but it is almost second fiddle to the meat of the story. I enjoyed this book; it gave me what I wanted and needed. But at the same time, I felt like there wasn’t as much a focus on the relationship of these two.

The siblings and Jayna deal with a lot of healing, growth, and self-discovery. Quaid’s mother has some realizations about her life and belief systems. What I wanted though, and why I gave the 3.5 stars was more of the town itself. I needed an Otis sitting not just a mention. I wanted more interaction between the main characters and the townspeople. This is a strong story, but it didn’t tie into the community in the way in which some of the previous books did, and I wanted more of Jayna and Quaid.

It is a great read though, and I definitely will continue to recommend this story and series to anyone who will listen.
POV: 3rd Person Multi
PoP: 50%
Tropes: Small Town; Childhood Crush; Returning to Hometown
Series: Butterfly Bayou book 6
Type of Series: Series of Standalones
Rate: 3.5/5 Stars

I have to start off with saying that hands down this has been my favorite story of the series. I just loved it. Both characters made my heart happy. So much was packed into this story and by the end I felt like I went on an emotional cleanse.

Admittedly these two or at least Quaid feel for each other quickly. I often don't like that in anything other than paranormal romances. But for some reason it really worked with these two. You right away felt their connection. He loved her uppity ways. For Quaid it was a turn on. She liked having someone to talk to that was her equal.

As you read the story you will see that wherever they faulter the other one shores them up. I think it's one of the best thing about this story. I'm not saying that they are perfect because they are far from it. Quaid babies his family and then gets pissed that they can't stand on their own. He also either doesn't listen to them or really talk to them and share his feelings so instead he buries it all inside himself and wonders why he can't find happiness.

Jayna is no better at times. Now she shares a lot more of what's going on in her life with Quaid but she also doesn't want to see the happiness that's right in front of her. Don't get me wrong I don't blame her for wanting to get as far away from her mother as she can. But here's the thing, if they talked it might have been better for them both. I love her relationship with the sister. The was she works on making sure her sister has a better life touched me. She wasn't about to let their mother keep her sister in a state of need.

At times you want to sit both of them down and yell at them, but you also know where all of this is coming from. But, when you have someone who is as supportive as Jayna is, you don't take a chance at losing that. Not only will you enjoy them the other characters from the series help to add some good humor into the story. I really enjoy this town.

Bayou Beloved by Lexi Blake, is the sixth book in the Butterfly Bayou Series, and you can read it without having read the previous ones as it is a standalone.
In this story we have Jayna Cardet, who is beautiful, intelligent and funny, but after a divorce that left her with nothing but her dog Luna, she finds herself back in Papillon, after being gone for more than fifteen years to search for the life she had always dreamed of as a child. There she meets the boy who made her sigh as a child, Quaid Havery, he was the popular, rich and beautiful boy in high school, who, now a man, continued on the path that his father prepared for him and is the town lawyer. , and even if she wants to stay away from him, Quaid will not be willing to do it and if as children he never noticed her, now if he notices this beautiful woman and is determined to get to know her better.
This story takes place in the midst of crazy situations, completely insane court cases, with a town where everyone knows everyone's business, which results in a light, fast-paced, funny story, with very particular and special characters, with moments of laughter, some tears, sweet moments and love.
I was delighted with this story and I will be waiting for what comes from this author. Highly recommended!!

Quaid Havery back home in his small town of Papillon, and he has a duty to fulfill. He has taken over his father’s legal practice, and is about to discover that meeting Jayna Cardet is about to change the course of his life.

As Jayna is now an attorney, the last place that she thought she would practice law was in Papillon, where she was born and raised. Finding herself facing a handsome lawyer in the laidback courtroom catches her by surprise. But the lawyer is not just any handsome fellow, he is none other than her high school crush. However, although he does not seem to recognize her from school, he definitely likes what he sees and angles to get to know her better.

Will the couple get on now? Also, how will the small town have room for two lawyers? With text messaging and well meaning neighbors, there is no doubt that Jayna and Quaid are destined to be together. With delightful banter and likable characters, this sixth book in a warm and engaging series was a pleasure to read.

Many thanks to Berkley Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.