Barefoot in the Sand

Barefoot in the Sand is the 1^st book in the Barefoot Bay series by Roxanne St. Claire. From the author’s website.~

When all you hold dear is taken away . . . 

When a hurricane roars through Lacey Armstrong's home on the coast of Barefoot Bay, she decides all that remains in the rubble is opportunity. A new hotel is just what Mimosa Key needs, and Lacey and her teenage daughter are due for a fresh start. And nothing, especially not a hot, younger architect, is going to distract Lacey from finally making her dreams a reality. 

A second chance is the only thing you have left.

Love has already cost Clay Walker everything. And if he's going to have any chance of picking up the pieces of his life, he needs the job as Lacey Armstrong's architect. What's not in the plans is falling for the headstrong beauty. Her vision of the future is more appealing than anything he could have ever drafted for himself. Will Clay's designs on Lacey's heart be more than she can handle, or will she trust him to build something that will last forever?

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of Barefoot in the Sand from NetGalley. I’m a huge fan of Roxanne St. Claire’s books and was super excited to read her new book early. I love Rocki’s romantic suspense books, but might just love her contemporary romances even more. The official release date for Barefoot in the Sand was April 24, 2012.

I’ve never been through a hurricane, but did lose everything in a house fire when I was a pre-teen, so I totally understood what Lacey and Ashley were feeling when they lost their home. I loved Lacey’s plan to rebuild and make a home for her daughter. When Lacey’s 3 best friends show up to help following the hurricane, I felt like I could be reading about me and my friends. I loved the connection between Lacey, Zoe, Tessa, and Jocelyn. I too have several best friends I met in college and we are always there for one another just as Lacey and her friends.

Clay was a bit of a surprise to me. Although Lacey was older than him, and technically a “cougar”, he seemed older than his years. I absolutely loved watching them fall for one another. Their chemistry was amazing and it only got stronger the longer they were together. Many smexy scenes between Lacey and Clay for all to enjoy. Not that their relationship was without issues. Lacey’s ex-boyfriend and Ashley’s dad shows back up trying to start back up a relationship, Clay isn’t totally honest about his past, and some townspeople of Mimosa Key are trying to stop Lacey and Clay before they can get her new hotel off the ground.

I loved Barefoot in the Sand so much! I suggest you either run to your favorite bookstore or online retailer today to get your copy. I’m already counting down until the October 30, 2012 release of book 2 in the Barefoot Bay series, Barefoot in the Rain.