Barefoot by the Sea

A Barefoot Bay Novel

When you think you know your heart's desire . . . 

Tessa Galloway is a gifted nurturer-her verdant garden at Barefoot Bay's new resort is living proof. If only the woman who can grow anything could grow what she wants most: a baby. Her friends think the right guy will come along, but Tessa doesn't want to wait. All she needs is the perfect donor to make her dream come true. Then John Brown is hired at the resort. If anyone could make beautiful babies, it's this gorgeous, mysterious man. So why does Tessa suddenly find herself wanting so much more?

Can you give up all your dreams for love?

It's been three long years since John Brown had to leave his old life. Forced into the witness protection program, he's desperate to be reunited with his toddler twins. When he gets that chance, there's a catch-he must prove he's got a steady job and a new wife. Landing a gig as a chef in Barefoot Bay is easy enough. And falling for lovely Tessa is even easier. The hard part? Can he win the heart of a woman who prizes honesty-when the truth may shatter it?

Release date 10/29/13 Forever Hachette Book Group

I was lucky enough to be given an ARC from the author at RWA this summer (Thanks Rocki!!!). I'm a huge fan of Roxanne St. Claire and with great restraint, made myself wait until closer to the release date to read this book. 

I'm a huge fan of the Barefoot Bay series and was excited for Tessa to finally get her happily ever after. I've said over and over again how much the friendship between Tessa, Zoe, Lacey, and Jocelyn is one of my favorite things about this series. I see my friends and myself as I read each of these books, even though there are 7 of us. However, much like Tessa and her friends, my friends and I give each other a hard time, joke and laugh like crazy, and most of all are always there for one another.

Tessa need she her friends now more than ever, since she has decided to go it alone to have a baby. I almost fell off my sofa laughing as the friends sat around a table in a bar giving names to sperm. Of course, this would be when the perfect man happens to walk into Tessa's life. John Brown/Ian Browning really is perfect for Tessa; except for one tiny flaw...he is in the witness protection program and can't be truthful about anything. Oh how I fell for John/Ian just like Tessa. Even knowing he was keeping secrets from her, she couldn't seem to keep her hands off him if they were in the same area together. The biggest secret John/Ian is keeping is the fact that he has toddler twins. So not only is he the perfect man for Tessa, but he comes with children, which are her biggest dream ever. 

It totally killed me that John/Ian couldn't be truthful with Tessa about everything, even as I knew they were both falling in love with each other. When they are picked to be the test wedding at the resort, I was hoping it would be forever for them both. Tessa continued to fight her feelings for John/Ian because she knew he was keeping something from her and John/Ian seemed to be fighting his feelings just as hard. I won't lie and say this book didn't make me cry, because it did...several times in fact. However, I tend to cry when reading many of Rocki's books, so I pretty much know to keep tissues handy. I also tend to laugh, and I did so many times with this book. 

I'm sure I've said this about other books in the Barefoot Bay series, but Barefoot by the Sea is my favorite in the series so far. Really of the 4 books out now, it is so my favorite book. Rocki pulled all the emotions out of me with this book and I loved every single minute of it. As soon as I finished reading it, I wanted to re-read it right away. I’ll also say this book can be read as a stand alone, even though it is the 4^th book in the series. I do however suggest reading the other books in the series first. I'm pretty excited this book isn't the end of our time in Barefoot Bay. We will again get to be with the Barefoot Bay characters starting next year with the Barefoot Bride books. Woohoo!!! 

***As today is my birthday, I've decided to give 1 (one) digital copy of the Barefoot Bay book of the commenter's choice. Please make sure your email address is posted with your comment so I can contact the winner.  Open from 10/29 to 11/02. I'll draw the winner using random.org***