🏄‍♂️ Bad boy x good girl
🌊Runaway bride
☀️It’s always been you
🌻Road trip
🏄One bed / one hotel room
🌊Second chance
☀️Summer love
🌻Incredible vibes

This was so good. Loved it so much. Admittedly I’m a sucker for a summer romance. The angst was doing its thing. Immediately starting Wicked & Wildflower. I love Sarah Bailey's writing and I'm extremely invested in the Pacific Shores crew.

This book violently tore my heart out, gave it a little kiss, and popped it straight back in my chest.

Heathen and Honeysuckle is a second chance romance following Leo and Darby. After first meeting at 17 years old, fate and toxic family tear them apart, despite them truly being a once-in-a-lifetime love.
Fast forward ten years and Darby is about to walk down the aisle to another man when her sister whispers the word “Honeysuckle”. From there, we watch as Darby and Leo reunite in the most bittersweet moments - figuring out what truly happened between the two all those years ago.

I genuinely enjoyed every minute of this book. I took my time with it, savouring each special moment spent watching Darby and Leo fall back in love. The grief, heartbreak, and healing that happens over the course of this book is enough to keep a romantic heart, like mine, nourished.

The characters are well rounded, the story is gripping and heartbreakingly beautiful, and the ending was exactly what I hoped for.

An instant favourite.

Thank you NetGalley, Page and Vine, and Sarah A. Bailey for the eARC of Heathen & Honeysuckle!

Heathen and Honeysuckle is one of those stories that wraps around your heart slowly, then squeezes it when you least expect it. I just know the Pacific Shores series is going to WRECK me. I went in thinking I was getting a swoony, surfer-boy summer romance (and yes, Leo delivers)—but what I didn’t expect was just how deep this book would cut emotionally.

And, Darby. This girl has been carrying the weight of so much—guilt, shame, pressure, all thanks to parents who never really saw her for who she was. Her dad? Manipulative, cold, obsessed with control and appearances. The way he twisted her life (and her sister's) and choices to serve his image made my blood boil. And the trauma from that runs deep. You can feel it in every decision Darby makes, every time she questions herself, every time she tries to be good instead of free. Leo, on the other hand, is her light. Her safe haven. Her one chance to be wild and soft at the same time. He meets her when she’s 17, all locked up in expectations, and instead of pushing her to change, he just lets her be. He sees her, builds her up, and teaches her the true meaning of love. And that kind of love? Yeah, it’s beautiful, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. Their summer fling turned soul-deep connection had me hooked, but when Darby leaves without a word—and we find out why years later? My heart f*cking shattered. The fact that Leo still shows up years down the road because of a letter she didn’t mean to send? That man. THAT. MAN.

The dual POV + then/now timeline works perfectly. The pacing, the buildup, the spice (it’s open door and it’s SPICY)—it’s all so well done. And the emotional weight behind it all? I was not ready. This isn’t just a love story. It’s about breaking free from the people who tried to define you. It’s about finally choosing yourself. And it’s about finding the kind of love that never asks you to shrink.

Darby and Leo = Mom and Dad forever.
Darby’s dad: go fall in a hole or a raging pit of fire.

oh no i am not ok after this book. you know the blurbs you read as a romcom lover. you know the ones that are going to make you ache and fall hard. you dont want them to. you want to hold on to your reality cynicism. but you no because of all those things you wont, you just wont and infact you will fall harder for these gorgeous kind of stories. yep. this book is another one of those. and boy am i glad they exist haha. i loved this book.loved it. and i melted for it.
from the moment i met Leo and Darby in the blurb i new id be into this. and i was right. but even more so once i met them in the book.wow.
these two were together for one summer. than they werent. she left just like that. but he never gave up on her, or it wasnt possible for his heart to. and they never forgot each other.
poor Darby though. she had my heart. this poor young woman who was ruled by her need to do right, and the right person. keep to the rules, follow expectations. but as you learn when you grow older, this never actually brings you to be a good person. it means you under the control and bend of others. it makes you very unhappy and should never be the dictator of a good person. and someone who truly love you would know that. enter Leo. hes saw Darby and allowed her to be just as she was, perfect as she was in all her flawed and successes. just her.
when we meet them years later you are wondering how this could possibly come together. Sarah cant break us readers hearts too can she? because under the instruction of her father Darby is due to be married. oh, oh, oh no!
but just read this book. you wont be let down. and you will fall for it like i did.
the moving parts all work together perfectly.
the characters are spot on.
the love and hope and bits even the reader needs to heal from is all in this book.
i couldnt say enough about this book. it goes into my top top reads list for sure.

Heathen and Honeysuckle had some standout moments—especially when it came to the spice. Those scenes were written with intensity and emotion, and they definitely held my attention. I appreciated the raw vulnerability in some of the character interactions and the atmospheric writing style.

That said, the overall pacing of the story dragged for me. While I was initially intrigued by the premise, I found myself waiting for the plot to pick up speed or for the stakes to feel more compelling. There were stretches where not much happened, and I struggled to stay engaged.

If you’re looking for a slow-burn romance with poetic prose and a few steamy highlights, this might be a great fit. But for readers who crave a tighter plot and more momentum, it may fall a bit short. Still, I’m glad I gave it a try—and I’ll be curious to see what the author does next.

Heathen & Honeysuckle by Sarah A. Bailey is a great sports romance, featuring tropes of right person wrong time, second chance, runaway bride, road trip, and it's always been you. This book has a dual timeline that I really enjoyed! I can't wait to read more by Bailey.

4.5 stars!! I LOVE this authors writing! I am so so excited to continue this series.

I loved the dual timelines, but definitely preferred their lives in the present tense, so I know the rest of this series will be incredible!!

Leo is too good for this world! There were so many heartfelt moments and some swoony, fun scenes. And the quotes!! Just listen to how incredible this writing is:

“You remind me of honeysuckle. Nectar sweet as honey, like the sound or your voice. But the berries are deceiving-poisonous if consumed… Beautiful and deadly.”

“You did hear me say your name. The name I’ve been moaning every time I fuck my fist for the last ten years.”

“Despite the fading daylight, she remains shrouded in brightness, the most golden thing in existence.”

“You’re still the sunlight shining through the cracks of my shattered soul.”

AND SO MANY MORE

Ok this book will continue to be a favorite of mine for years to come. It was phenomenal! My first read by this author but def will not be my last. Leo was everything in this story. Surfer boy and rich girl meet and fall in love. But life has twists and turns and man it was a ride. Second chances are always a way to my heart!
Leo and Darby
Heathen and Honeysuckle
So so good! Must read!

This was such a sweet second chance.

I really enjoyed the story of Darby and Leo. This was I can't put down kind of story.

The duo POV and timeline of past and present really rounding out that once in a lifetime romance that started out one summer when Darby and Leo were seventeen. Heathen & Honeysuckle had it all. Heartbreak, fun times and finding oneself again.

Darby had a strict father who had plans for his daughters, one already rebellious and Darby breaking out her shell and seeing her worth with the help of Leo when she was sent out to California to be away from her sister. Both Leo and Darby had things to work through and they helped each other be the light when their worlds got dark. Leo is that fun loving adventurous surfer who has lost a lot with the help of his unofficial foster family and friends he lives life to the fullest. I liked that fact that is wasn't just Darby finding herself again with Leo's help and reigniting a love that never went away but it was also Leo healing from what and why Darby left.

I loved it and highly recommend picking this book up and it'll make you want to continue with the next book in the series.

What a sweet second chance romance novel. This is something that anyone can relate to. The story line and characters were well written. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this e-arc.

I don't think I've ever read a book that completely swept me away like Heathen & Honeysuckle did. I was so enchanted by the story and the characters that I didn’t even notice time passing, I read it all in one sitting, and honestly... I regret that just a little. Not because the book disappointed me, but because I wish I had made it last longer. I want to live in this story forever.

This isn't just a five-star read. It deserves stars, moons, galaxies. It deserves its own constellation.

The writing is stunning, some of the best I’ve ever read. The double timeline (which I usually don’t love) worked so beautifully here. Each chapter revealed a new layer, and I could feel the shift in time, in atmosphere, in emotions. It was like watching hearts grow, break, and rebuild in real time. You see the characters evolve, you feel their pain, their love, their everything. And I was right there with them, heart pounding.

This book pulled me out of a months-long reading slump. It reminded me why I love books so much, why I adore getting lost in pages. It’s now one of my all-time favorite books, and I will forever treasure the feeling it gave me.

Thank you, NetGalley, and thank you, Sarah A. Bailey, for sharing this masterpiece with me. I’m so grateful I got to read it early, and I cannot wait for the rest of the series.

This was so much more than I expected. To be honest, I was drawn in by the cover when looking for books that I would like to sell in my store. Once I got the book I was a little disheartened to see that it was two timelines.. because it's not usually my thing. I have never been so glad to have been wrong in my life. The timelines had me unable to stop reading.. I just had to know what happened next in both eras of their lives. This book had everything, the angst, the resentment, the never-ending love, and the SPICE. It was so good. I was so thankful to have been given an advanced copy of this book and will definitely be purchasing it for my shop!

Second chance
Spicy

Loved this second chance d romance. You get past and present views. Dual POV. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style.

This is a heartwarming story about love and obligations. I was hooked within the first few pages. I am purchasing the audiobook that comes out soon so I can relive the story via narration. It’s so good.

Seventeen year old Darby is sent by her domineering to spend a summer with her grandmother in California. There she meets Leo, with whom she has an instant connection.

When Darby leaves unexpectedly, Leo hopes she will return. Ten years later, he receives a letter from her, and he knows he has to rescue her from a marriage she doesn’t want.

Told with two timelines - then and now- Darby and Leo’s story unfolds.

Beautifully written. A treat to read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Sarah A. Bailey for the opportunity to read this eARC.

Honeysuckle and Heathen is a great second chance romance that is absolutely perfect for the summer. It has a sunny and swoon worthy beach setting with lots of angst and sweetness.

This is a dual pov but also dual timelines and I feel like it worked really well. There’s a distinct shift between the timelines and it helps to establish the character growth. Leo is described as a bad boy but to me he seemed very respectful and a genuine friend. Darby is the perfect and virginal girl next door who wears a purity ring. Darby is sweet and kind and I loved seeing her come into her own and find her voice.

I really enjoyed this story and felt like the reason Darby needed to stay away from Leo was actually super valid and not just the standard miscommunication trope. I also loved the secret tattoos! I’m very eager to continue the series even tho I am sure there will be lots of heartache.

This book was an absolutely breathtaking and possibly my favorite book I've read this year!! This book was pure magic—haunting, tender, unforgettable. From the moment Leo and Darby met in the golden light of a Pacific Shores summer, I was spellbound. She was the sheltered girl with a purity ring and a quiet longing for more. He was the boy who saw her—really saw her. Their love bloomed, until one day she vanished without a word. Ten years later, on the morning of her arranged wedding to a man she doesn’t love, a long-lost letter finds its way to Leo. And just like that—he comes for her. I adore a good second chance, and this one is filled with longing, fate, and the kind of love that never truly fades. Their past and present weave together so beautifully, each moment pulling at your heart. When she called, he came. That alone undid me. If you're craving a love story full of yearning and hope—this is the one. It will stay with you long after the final page. Also as a girl from Wichita, and a Kansas girlie, this book meant even more to me!

4.5 🌟
Spice: open door

Low key kicking myself for not reading this one sooner. This is such a heartbreaking story with a beautiful second chance. I instantly fell in love with Leo, he is such a great example of a book boyfriend. If I could reach through this book and punch Darby's dad, I 1000% would. The hospital scene had me raging for real. My only complaint was the jumping back and forth in timelines. I often felt like I missed important stuff until we returned to the past. I would have preferred maybe the first half be the past, then the second half be now. If that makes sense.
I will definitely want to read the rest of the series.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

3⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and Sarah Bailey for an e-ARC of this book.

This book comes strongly recommended by a few of my friends. I wanted to love it more than I did, but the way their story ended? *chef’s kiss* 🤌🏽

This story was told in an alternating timeline (that grew on me eventually) about Darby (Honeysuckle) and Leo (Heathen)’s pasts. I think the pace of the book itself was a bit slow and I found myself skimming at times, but once I hit 40%, the story really broke its stride.

I love Leo. LOVE. He is the kind of protective man who would’ve gladly burned Pacific Shores for Darby and he was so cute. I loved how even though they were no longer in touch, he still came to save her without hesitation. A MAN. I also really liked Darby- she was shy, introverted but kind and resilient. She is under the thumb of her father, but eventually, she finds the courage with Leo to do what she needs to do for herself. The ending? The news part?? So cute 😭

I think what held me back from loving this book was my personal ick, which is nicknames. I just… did not love Honeysuckle at all. I was able to get behind Heathen, but I cringed every time I read it (which was frequent). Now, this is my personal opinion/preference, but honestly, the author’s writing was gorgeous and I loved it. I would still recommend this book 🤍

Oh wowww. What an emotional rollercoaster this one was. Totally not what I was expecting but I absolutely loved it. Amazing second chance romance.

Heathen & Honeysuckle completely swept me up in its sun-soaked nostalgia and aching second-chance romance. Sarah A. Bailey has such a way with emotional tension, it’s soft when it needs to be, sharp when it stings, and real throughout.
The story flips between then and now, and I genuinely cared about both timelines. Teenage Leo and Darby had that perfect, golden-summer energy—equal parts tender and electric. Their chemistry was instant but believable, and their dynamic felt alive in every scene. Fast forward ten years, and the stakes are heavier, the feelings more complicated, and the pull between them even stronger. I especially loved how Bailey explored the tension between expectation and authenticity, and how both Leo and Darby had to confront the choices that shaped their lives.
Darby’s journey from being the “good girl” to someone who dares to want more: more love, more freedom, more her, was incredibly satisfying to watch. And Leo? Messy, stubborn, loyal Leo. He’ll stay with me for a while. There were a couple of moments in the pacing that felt a bit rushed, and I would’ve loved just a bit more closure on a few of the side plot threads. But overall, this was a beautifully written, heartfelt story about first love, second chances, and the wild, messy hope of starting over.

Highly recommend if you love emotional romance with just the right amount of angst and heart.