Barefoot in the Sand by Roxanne St. Clair (Barefoot Bay #1)
Contemporary Romance
May 1, 2012
Grand Central

Reviewed by Mandi

Favorite Quote: “How’d it go with the big stud? That’s an architectural term, you know.”

I believe this book is the first foray into contemporary romance for Roxanne St. Claire. I saw Nicole tweet that this book has a very "Ford-esque” (Ford from Jill Shalvis’s Lucky Harbor series) feel, and when someone compares a book to my beloved Ford, I pay attention. I’m glad I did.

Lacey Alexander and her fourteen year old daughter Ashley survive a hurricane in their Florida town of Mimosa Key. But unfortunately, their house did not. Instead of wallowing in pity, Lacey decides to take advantage of the insurance money and build her dream bed and breakfast. She has always admired the designs of Walker Architecture, and nervously calls them to see if they can design her B&B. To her surprise, Clay Walker is already in Mimosa Key, sniffing around her property. But it is the wrong Clay. She expected Clayton Walker (senior) and in his place is his son, the young and cocky Clay.

Clay has had a big falling out with is father. Although he has gone to college, he has yet to sit for the final architect exams, needing one big project under his belt to qualify. Knowing this town would be in need of an architect after the hurricane, Clay zeroes in on Lacey’s job. But Clay has grander plans for Lacey. Not just a bed and breakfast, but a resort. Sharing her love for the movie Casa Blanca, he incorporates a grand vision, and draws up something spectacular.

“of all the gin joints in all Mimosa Key…”

Her glossy lips lifted in a smile that rivaled the blistering sun he’d spent the day under. “You walk into mine,” she finished.

Oh, man. He’d just met his match.

Although Lacey refuses to acknowledge him or his drawings at first, once she sees what he has come up with, and with the push from her two best girlfriends, Lacey tentatively takes the leap with Clay to go forward with this amazing design.

However, much drama unfolds as the small, traditional town doesn’t want a large scale resort being built. Personal drama unfolds as the 37 year old Lacey starts to fall for the 29 year old Clay. Her fourteen year old daughter and someone from Lacey’s past are not too pleased with this development.

There are many things in this book that I really enjoyed and a few things that annoyed me. Let’s start with the fun stuff. The sexual tension in this book is really great. Clay is this laid back, surfer-type dude who takes Lacey by storm. While Lacey is hesitant at first, and a little stand-offish, she soon warms up to him. I really like that Lacey apologizes for being cold to him and that she admits to herself early on that she really is into him. While she is hesitant to start something with him, at least she never lies to herself or feels bad that she is attracted to him. When her two best girlfriends arrive in town to lift her spirits from dealing with the hurricane, I enjoyed getting to know them. They are fun, flirty, and give Lacey that push to do naughty things with Clay.

This book really has a fun, light, flirty tone to it. Until we get into the second half and for me, a little too much drama is introduced. There is drama with a certain family who doesn’t want Lacey to go forward with a large resort. There is drama with her teenage daughter. There is drama with Clay and his father, Lacey and her mother and much drama between Lacey and someone from her past. It honestly wore me out and it took a lot of page time away from scenes with just Clay and Lacey, something I think this book lacked. I loved them together, and really wanted to see them together more.

With all that being said, I still liked this book and the author teases you with very curious backstories of both Lacey’s best friends, who each get a book, so I must continue reading to find out what is up with them!

Barefoot in the Sand has warm, sexy characters that are really fun to get to know. A little too much drama that exhausted me, but I’m definitely on board with this series.

Rating: B-

Recent Reviews:
The Book Pushers – A
Cocktails and Books – 4/5
My Reading Room – 4.5/5
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