All the stars. I am OBSESSED with Leo and Darby.

I love a second chance romance, RUNAWAY BRIDE?! I cried most chapters because I felt a connection with Darby and not wanting to disappoint my family while also not living my own life.

I have no words other than perfect.

Wait this was really great! It started kind of slow, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about it, but once we got to the wedding, I was absolutely hooked, and didn’t want to put it down.

The dual timeline combined with the dual narration was a really effective way to tell this story - the tension that comes with slightly unreliable narrators made this book fly by. I’m not sure if this book was well-paced or just too addicting to put down, but I don’t care because I had a good ass time. I appreciated how raw and melodramatic Leo’s and Darby’s teenage love felt on the page, and the uncertainty that love developed into once they were adults with a decade in between them. Darby grew so much as a character in both timelines, and I was so proud of her.

This was a four star read for me because of the strength of the romance and chemistry, and the well-written side characters, whose subplots felt just as important as Leo and Darby’s. I couldn’t give it five stars because I had some qualms with how flowery and repetitive the dialogue was at times, because poor Darby couldn’t catch a break from weeping in either timeline, and because I felt like Leo stayed pretty static throughout the book. I would have liked to see him have a similar amount of growth to Darby, who he supported so wholeheartedly. Even with these qualms, I enjoyed this book so much, I couldn’t rate it lower than four stars.

I’d recommend this to fans of puppy love, soulmates, and good girls corrupted by bad boys with hearts of gold.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
OH MY GOSH 😭😭
This was so good I went in completely blind I had no idea this was also already released !!
I loved this story it was so amazing. The FMC and MMC I absolutely loved them together going back 10 years and back to the present was done so well !
Darbys dad was the worse!!! I could not stand that man the venom he told her was so uncalled for.
Leo and Darbys love story was just so amazing 🥹 so real they never fell out of love.
Overall great great read !!

Thank you NetGalley !!

Heathen and Honeysuckle broke me and put me back together in a thousand different ways. It delivered everything I could ever want from a Summer romance; tears, heartache, swoony moments, laughter, and hope.

Set in a coastal town, the story follows Darby, a Christian girl raised within the confines of strict rules and expectations, and Leo, a wild soul with no boundaries and no apologies. From the moment they meet, it’s magnetic, truly an unstoppable force of nature.

What begins as a slow burn friendship quickly deepens into a summer romance brimming with angst, longing, miscommunication, and a heavy sense of uncertainty. Their connection leaps off the page, raw and breathtaking. What they have isn’t just a summer fling, it’s the kind of love that leaves a mark.

But not all great love stories have a straight path. Jumping between timelines, Darby’s engaged to a man she’ll never love. Leo’s been running from the ghosts of their past for ten years. Just when everything feels irreparably broken, one letter makes its way home and changes everything.

I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN. Do yourself a massive favor and add this to your TBR immediately.

Book Rating: 4.75/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

There are times in life when the world feels too loud, too cruel—and all you want is to disappear into your shell. Heathen and Honeysuckle is the kind of book you reach for during those moments. Because it doesn’t just offer escape—it makes you feel seen. It made me feel seen in a way no book ever has.
Set in the quiet charm of Pacific Shore, California, this story follows Darby—a Christian girl raised within strict boundaries—who steps into a town where happiness is raw, wild, and unapologetically free. What begins as a reluctant vacation becomes the summer of her dreams. The kind of dream you see with your eyes closed, when the real world becomes too much to bear.
There’s angst, yearning, divine timing, miscommunication, and above all—love. A love that burns and breaks, comforts and devastates.
One quote from Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous kept echoing through my mind:
“You once told me that the human eye is God’s loneliest creation... The eye, alone in its socket, doesn’t even know there’s another one just like it, an inch away, just as hungry, as empty.”
This book is that quote brought to life.
When Honey (Darby) meets Leo, it’s not just a meeting—it’s a collision. A heathen surfer with pain etched into his soul, and a girl who’s only ever known control and fear. Together, their broken pieces start making sense. Their friendship, born from chaos and honesty, is the kind of connection that doesn’t ask for permission—it simply exists.
Leo isn’t your typical book boyfriend. He’s raw, rebellious, and achingly real. “A heathen is someone who doesn’t practice organized religion,” he says—and it’s not rebellion, it’s survival. He chooses to be good not out of fear, but out of intent. That shakes Darby’s world to its core.
If you’ve ever been a child shaped by toxic love, you’ll see yourself in Darby. You’ll recognize the ache to burn, to be punished, to believe you deserve less—until someone comes along who shows you how to want more.
What starts as a summer fling turns into a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love... until it all shatters. Darby’s getting married to a man she’ll never love. Leo’s been running from his pain for a decade. And just when all hope seems lost, one letterfinds its way home.
This story broke me. I threw my Kindle. I cried. I screamed. And then I dove right back in because I had to know.
The plot twist? My heart was in my mouth.
My only regret? Misjudging Diane—Darby’s grandmother. I owe her an apology.
This book is for the women who were taught to be small. For those told to be quiet, obedient, and ashamed simply for existing. It’s also about finding the kind of man who makes you feel like the center of the universe—and hands you the map to your freedom.
It’s about reclaiming your identity, your voice, and falling—headfirst—into the wild edge of love.

Thank you for the ARC
I am adding the links of review.

Mind. Blown. I loved this story so much. It was truly one that tugs at the heartstrings. I adored how all-in Leo was and how he helped Darby find her inner strength and ultimately escape her cage. I can’t wait to continue this series !!

This book put me right in my feels from the very start. It was such a beautiful read and made me feel all the feelings the characters were feeling and this is why I read. This is gonna be a book I recommend to everyone everywhere.

Leo was the softest guy ever. His love for Darby is the purest thing I’ve seen. He loved her from the moment he laid eyes on her.

Darby was running from so much and she found solace in Leo. It was beautiful to see she finally found somewhere to belong.

I’m excited to read ‘Wicked and Wildflower’ I’m in love with this world now.

This book is a second-chance romance that hits deep. It flips between past and present, telling the story of Darby who was raised in a controlling household, and Leo, a local surfer she fell for one summer in California.

Years later, Darby is about to marry a man her father chose… until she runs, straight back to Leo. Now a pro surfer, Leo is everything. protective, patient, devoted, and so hot. Those spicy scenes? 😮‍💨

Darby and Leo’s story is about breaking free, finding your voice, and healing from the kind of manipulation that leaves lasting scars. I ached for Darby, but watching her reclaim her life was beautiful. Leo’s love never wavers. He gives her space, strength, and some seriously swoony moments. Loved it.

I am looking forward to continuing the series and getting to know the other characters stories. Especially Elena’s.

3.5 / 5 Stars
I felt a LOT of things reading this book and to me that is a good thing. Sometimes I read and it truly goes in and out of my brain never to be thought of again and I certainly will be thinking of this book again. This is a second chance romance about Darby (the titular honeysuckle) and Leo (the titular heathen – who, if you ask me, got the raw end of the deal with that nickname). They fall in love as teenagers, something mysterious happens to make Darby leave, and they reconnect ten years later when Darby is a runaway bride at her wedding. And we jump back and forth between present and ten years ago.

My two biggest gripes with second chance books is that 1) I need to feel like the characters have changed in some way so that they actually stand a chance of working this time around and 2) the reason they broke up has to not be dumb or insurmountable. And in the case of this book, I feel like we just barely passed on both 1 and 2.

This book started off really strong. If I had any Canva skills and even an ounce of patience, I would have been making a beautiful, aesthetic Instagram carousel of Leo’s quotes. Some of them hit HARD. And then some of them feel repetitive and childish. For every quote that slammed my heart (in a good way), we got a “suck, honey” which made my eyes roll back into my head. Like sir, are you using WORD PLAY in the middle of sex? Pardonne-moi?

The characters both spoke in big declarative statements and on the nose metaphors which I think worked really well when they were teens because teen brains function that way (at least mine did). But I wish that Darby and Leo’s thought processes and language skills matured over those ten years. And maybe they were mentally stuck at 17 years old but the things they said started to feel repetitive. And it also started to feel like tell instead of show.

I felt like Leo’s character was really well developed. You could see how his traumas shaped him and how Darby impacted his life. Darby felt a little flat. I think it is because she spends a lot of time in the present crying. Which, don’t get me wrong, I am a big cry baby so no hate here, but I wanted to read about her getting angry or frustrated or anything else so that her character had a little more umph.

Darby’s parents, especially her dad, were almost cartoonish in how horrible they were. I thought we’d see him twirling his mustache and tying her up on some train tracks at some point. I don’t remember if there was a content warning in the beginning of the book but he should have his own section in a content warning. The villains in books don't need pages upon pages of backstory but I think knowing anything about why he is the way he is (even if it is that he is truly just a psychopath) would have made him feel a little more dimensional.

I will not spoil the reason that Darby left but I will say that it was a big frustration for me. We don’t find out what it is until around 85% of the way into the book. Because of that, 1) you have to listen to Darby talk about how horrible it is over and over (which again feels repetitive) and 2) there is not a lot of time for the characters to process the reason so that part felt rushed and it also felt very surmountable (oh we wrapped this up in two paragraphs? Why was it such a big deal then?).

All of that being said, will I be reading the next book? OF COURSE. I, too, am a heathen who needs to know what happens to Dahlia (Darby’s sister who truly should have the biggest daddy issues in the world).

Thank you to Page & Vine and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.

This book was sweet, but the flashbacks stopped the plot from moving in any way. I would have liked more things to happen in the plot and more growth to happen with the characters. Its a sweet summer romance with a lot of time spent during their teenage years. Also very spicy.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the eARC of Heathen and Honeysuckle! ❤️‍🔥💐 I thoroughly enjoyed the read!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ . 5 / 5 (detailed but not overflowing with spice. Some of the best smut I’ve read in awhile)

Leo Graham is the epitome of perfect book boyfriend. TOO perfect. He is the gushing embodiment of, “fictional men written by women”. And I ate it up! Quite a bit of this book had me blushing HARD. I was blushing whether it was from the 30 minute spicy chapter (yes, 30 minutes, but soooo worth it) or a loving whisper of reassurance. This story is a PERFECT summer read if you want some sugar, spice, and everything nice. 🤭

I’m not gonna lie, some of the dialogue was a little cringey/cheesy to me, but I think that’s because I don’t think any man would say all the perfect things that came out of Leo’s mouth, so I suppose it feels foreign to me when the men in these fiction books say the most endearing, reassuring, and beautiful things. As disappointing as that sounds, it was so sweet to read it. I’m surprised my eyeballs didn’t somehow get a cavity from reading the sickly sweet words that Leo and Darby both said. Cheesy? Yes. But I fucking love cheese.

I loved all the characters and their personalities too (except one… cough cough). You’ll know after you read it. 🤫

Heathen and Honeysuckle made me swoon, broke my heart, then mended it back together again. I really enjoyed reading this, even if it’s a bit far-fetched and such a dream for two people to love like this (especially on the man’s side of things), but that’s exactly why I loved it. Imagine loving someone so much, that everyday feels like the honeymoon phase forever. And now, if I ever smell the scent of honey and/or citrus, I’ll think about this book. If only there was a scratch & sniff sticker to come with it. 🤭😮‍💨

I don’t know if it was the plot, the characters, or the way it was written, but I just couldn’t put this book down.

If you enjoy lovey dovey second chance romances, an all-too-perfect MMC, an emotional FMC that goes through a lot of character development, and very detailed spice that leaves you breathless after a few sentences, I highly recommend this book! ✨

This book was incredible. 100/5 stars, I loved it and would recommend it to anyone. I don't highlight passages in my kindle, but I couldn't stop for this book!

Darby and Leo - I loved the dual timelines, showing you how they fall in love, while also showing how they reconnect in the present day. I loved all of the storylines - forbidden love, Dahlia, Leo's past, the friend group, the tattoos (and how it came up in the present)... every single plot line in this story felt so thoughtfully added.

I am absolutely heading to buy book #2 right now and will pre-order #3 and 4.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, in exahnge for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.


Wow. If you're looking for a light hearted, second chance romance...this is not that book. This is a deep story told using dual timelines, and it covers 27 years worth of trauma, not just for our two main characters, but from all of the side characters as well. Everyone in this book has had something horrific happen to them at some point, and this kind of bonds them all together. Darby and her sister Dahlia have been raised in a home without any love or support from their parents. They're super close, and Darby is sent away by her parents one summer to stay with her Grandmother in California because Dahlia has "messed up" in the eyes of her parents. It's there that she meets Leo, who lost his parents when he was younger, and they begin to form their relationship. Getting to watch them grow together at age 17, be ripped apart for ten years, and then find their way back to each other (thank you Dahlia!!!), had me in tears multiple times. Their emotions felt so raw, and they needed each other to be able to properly breathe. It's a heart breaking story, but thankfully has one of the best HEAs I've ever read.

I'm not a fan of second chance romance. I'm not a fan of dual timeline romance books. I'm not a fan of teenage summer romance going wrong. I loved this book. Sarah A. Bailey did everything right to make me love a book with tropes that I normally don't like. The writing was beautiful and the yearning was amazing. Leo was so supportive of Darby and he literally FLEW ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO SAVE HER. He just wanted to be there for her. There was no third act break up and the miscommunication made sense. I devoured this book in a day and I immediately went to see if I could get my hands on the rest of the series.

Beautiful!

This was so good! Sarah Bailey’s got some sort of black magic in her writing because Leo had a chokehold on me and I could not put this book down. Leo and Darby have the sweetest love story and this might be my favorite second chance romance of all time! Bring on Wicked And Wildflower!!!

I absolutely loved this book. It is my first book by this author, and i am really looking forward to reading the rest of this series! The story follow Darby and Leo. We jump back and forth in time, to when they first meet and to currently day. It felt quite like insta-love, which I don’t normally appreciate, but it was very tastefully done which is why I didn’t mind at all. I was left kicking my feet, giggling like a school girl and blushing. I loved the banter and the friendships. I wish we would have been able to explore the dynamic between Darby and her parents more, but I’m very happy with how the story unfolded all in all.

It is perfect if you are looking for a summer read with meet cute, friendships, flings and drama.

Thank you so much for the ARC.

Heathen & Honeysuckle is a beautifully bittersweet story about first love, second chances, and the aching pull between who we’re told to be and who we truly are. The chemistry between Darby and Leo is undeniable, sun-drenched and nostalgic, with just the right amount of angst. The California setting adds a dreamy, golden haze to their reckless, youthful summer, and the emotional weight of their reunion years later hits with just enough heartbreak. While some plot points feel a bit familiar, the raw vulnerability of the characters and the tension between freedom and duty give this romance real depth. A swoony, emotional read perfect for fans of love that lingers.

Heathen & Honeysuckle by Sarah A. Bailey is book 1 in the Pacific shores series. This is a dual POV and dual timeline (current day and 10 years ago) second chance romance. Darby is spending the summer with her grandma in California, a sheltered 17 year old who has been controlled by her parents her entire life. Leo is an extremely talented surfer who has been trying to live a full life while hiding from his ghosts. Wow. Seriously, I was blown away by this book! The connection and emotional depth the author was able to convey between characters was breathtaking and I found myself wrapped up in their love and world. There are certainly very difficult obstacles that each character has gone through in their lives and the author was able to beautifully articulate their feelings and motivations. I cannot wait to read more by Sarah Bailey!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a gripping, beautiful, and heartfelt story! I've long since wanted to give into this author's work, and I'm so glad I finally dove into this charming second chance love story. This book is peak "it's always been you" energy. With a green flags hero, and heroine who's been through so much, and the most rewarding story of healing and reconnection. Gasp, I'm so in love.

Leo and Darby share a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love—sweeping, emotional, life changing. Their journey is anything but simple, even if the love they share is. Told in dual timelines, the story begins when 17-year-old Darby is sent to spend the summer with her grandmother in the quiet coastal town of Pacific Shores. There, she meets Leo—a soulful surfer with striking blue eyes and a heart as big as the sea. What starts as a sweet friendship quickly evolves into a deep and passionate connection. But just as their bond begins to solidify, Darby abruptly leaves, vanishing from Leo’s life without explanation. He’s left behind, desperate for answers.

Ten years later, just days before her wedding, Leo unexpectedly reappears with a letter and a promise—forcing Darby to confront the past she’s kept buried and choose between the life she’s built and the love she never forgot. She carries secrets, heartbreak, and the real reason she left all those years ago. The question is—can two people, shaped by pain and time, find their way back to each other?

Leo is the kind of romantic hero that stays with you—thoughtful, steady, emotionally intelligent, and protective without being overbearing. Even at 17, his maturity and kindness shine. As an adult, he’s only grown more magnetic, a perfect balance of grounded and irresistible. Darby, once the bright and eager-to-please golden girl, finds her spirit dimmed after years in a toxic environment. Oh my how my heart felt for her. Her summer with Leo opened her up to joy, independence, and the beauty of being fully herself. Now, a decade later, her journey back to that girl—and back to Leo—is so emotionally rich. Heartbreak with healing. It's mesmerizing watching her find her way back to herself, while also finding her way back to Leo.

Darby and Leo’s story is a soul-stirring, beachside romance that captures the whole heart. It's somehow the perfect beachy summer read while also being a heart-piercing, existential one all at once. Sarah’s writing is lush and emotional, and I found the emotional aspects both resonant and authentic. This is such an easy story to fall for (and I just think it would be gorgeous on audio, I think I'll re-read by listening!) What a beautiful story of hope, healing, and second chances.

What to Expect:
-Surfer Hero
-Runaway Bride
-Good Girl x Bad Boy
-Second Chance
-Forced Proximity
-Roadtrip
-Dual Timeline
-right person, wrong time
-it's always been you

This was an ok read for me. I was hoping to enjoy it more than I did, but I couldn’t really connect with the story.