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Bayou #1
Sweetheart Reunion
The last person Alma Blanchard expects to waltz into her bayou café is Julien LeBlanc.
If seeing him again weren't painful enough, her handsome ex-beau announces that he aims to settle down with her. The boy she broke up with in high school was not the settling-down type! As his courting continues, though, Julien softens her heart with his devotion and faith. But how can she ever forgive him and put aside her fear that he'll break her heart again?
Alma has always believed a happily-ever-after just wasn't meant for her. What will it take for Julien to prove her wrong?
If seeing him again weren't painful enough, her handsome ex-beau announces that he aims to settle down with her. The boy she broke up with in high school was not the settling-down type! As his courting continues, though, Julien softens her heart with his devotion and faith. But how can she ever forgive him and put aside her fear that he'll break her heart again?
Alma has always believed a happily-ever-after just wasn't meant for her. What will it take for Julien to prove her wrong?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 20, 2012
20 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Lenora Worth
277 books380 followersLenora Worth has written 75 books for three different publishers. She reached a milestone when she received her 50th book pin from Harlequin. Her books have won both regional and national awards and she now has millions of books in print and is a NY Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author. Currently she is writing both Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense and Tule Publishing. Married to her childhood sweetheart, Lenora has two grown children and lives in Florida.
Pen name: Lenora Nazworth
Pen name: Lenora Nazworth
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 12, 2012
Alma and Julien had a past that had hurt Alma terribly but Julien set out to make things right in the situation and he would stop at nothing until Alma realized that they were meant to be. As time goes on, Alma learns a great deal about love and forgiveness. I always look forward to Lenora Worth's books and I enjoyed this book the more I got into it. It held my attention until the very last page. I think that this book had some very good characters and great tension. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a nice love story!
June 22, 2023
I've read some not-at-all-good Lenora Worth books, and some amazing ones, so when I pulled this series from the bookshelf to try, I figured there was a 50-50 chance, either way.
So delighted to tell everyone that this book was FANTASTIC.
Cajun to the very heart, the story takes place in the Louisiana bayou, and incorporates the French of the locals in it (which I loved, as I speak it, myself). It features cypress trees, alligators, gumbo, etouffee, and more. It has the flavor of New Orleans and small-town Americana with a back-in-the-swamp twist to it, which made the story all the more fun.
I loved how Julien has known Alma since they were young. I love that the heroine is called Alma - such an old but unique and fun name! I love how he sets his mind to something, and whole-heartedly pursues it, whether shrimping in the bayou, courting his girl, or helping his brother get over deep losses.
The writing in this one is amazing, too - Lenora let her pen draw astonishingly lovely pictures with words, making the story even richer and deeper. It was SO well done, I can't do it justice with my own little review, here, I'm sure.
It's not often that you find a 'Love, Inspired' that makes you want the story to go on, but this is definitely one of those. If you can pick up a copy, do!
So delighted to tell everyone that this book was FANTASTIC.
Cajun to the very heart, the story takes place in the Louisiana bayou, and incorporates the French of the locals in it (which I loved, as I speak it, myself). It features cypress trees, alligators, gumbo, etouffee, and more. It has the flavor of New Orleans and small-town Americana with a back-in-the-swamp twist to it, which made the story all the more fun.
I loved how Julien has known Alma since they were young. I love that the heroine is called Alma - such an old but unique and fun name! I love how he sets his mind to something, and whole-heartedly pursues it, whether shrimping in the bayou, courting his girl, or helping his brother get over deep losses.
The writing in this one is amazing, too - Lenora let her pen draw astonishingly lovely pictures with words, making the story even richer and deeper. It was SO well done, I can't do it justice with my own little review, here, I'm sure.
It's not often that you find a 'Love, Inspired' that makes you want the story to go on, but this is definitely one of those. If you can pick up a copy, do!
February 16, 2017
Alma Blanchard broke up with Julian LeBlanc in high school, so why is he now so determined to court her? Alma does not see Julian as the settling-down type, although he has declared that he wants to settle down with her. Can Alma forgive Julian and come to trust him not to break her heart? Julian has matured since high school and is ready to settle down, but the only girl he wants is Alma. Can he convince her that he has changed and that they can be happy together?
I loved this book. Alma has problems trusting, but her doubts are not so overwhelming that it is hard to read the book. She is an enjoyable and lovable character, who takes care of her loved ones. Julian is also pretty fun to read. He has a hard time believing that Alma can ever love him, but he is a good character with a good heart, one who cares deeply about his family. I love the way Julian cares for his family. The story flows very well and has a host of side characters that are very enjoyable as well. Overall, this is a great book and well worth reading.
I loved this book. Alma has problems trusting, but her doubts are not so overwhelming that it is hard to read the book. She is an enjoyable and lovable character, who takes care of her loved ones. Julian is also pretty fun to read. He has a hard time believing that Alma can ever love him, but he is a good character with a good heart, one who cares deeply about his family. I love the way Julian cares for his family. The story flows very well and has a host of side characters that are very enjoyable as well. Overall, this is a great book and well worth reading.
June 30, 2017
The description is misleading but the story was good anyways.
Alma and Julien lived in the same town in the years following their breakup, so they obviously saw each other often. In fact, they conducted business together ! Julien announces he plans to win Alma back, but family struggles, business ventures, and their own fears complicate things. There was not a lot of mentioning of God, except when they prayed.
Alma and Julien lived in the same town in the years following their breakup, so they obviously saw each other often. In fact, they conducted business together ! Julien announces he plans to win Alma back, but family struggles, business ventures, and their own fears complicate things. There was not a lot of mentioning of God, except when they prayed.
December 3, 2020
She caught him kissing another girl on Prom Night. They broke up and 10 years later he comes back for coffee at her bayou cafe and tells her he wants her back. Fun romance and sad at times to. Loved it
February 12, 2025
Only made it to page 34 before ditching it, I read a lot of terrible books and try and get through them, but just couldn’t with this one,
September 12, 2023
Nice read... dragged on a bit for me. Julien and Alma rehashed their issue over and over and over. Just seemed to be a bit much for me.
December 15, 2013
It took me a while to get into this book. There was no lightning stricke when the couple met, they'd know each other all their lives. There was no Lord or Lady, playboy millionaire, or runnaway heiress. Just two normal, hardworking people. A cafe owner and a fisherman with real problems and real famiily relationships. It was a satisfying read.
February 13, 2016
Alma and her two sisters lost their mama a few years back. Julien LeBlanc and his brother lost their father about a year ago. After a prom break-up they've been tolerating each other for years. Can they reunite to make a family that stays in the bayou? Or will one need to leave for the big city for work?
May 22, 2022
Such a great story! Being a southern girl, I loved all the references to the south, and I recognized the names of several places I’ve traveled to. I fell in love with Alma and Julien’s reunion romance, and I would recommend this book to everyone. Lenora Worth’s storytelling flows so beautifully and effortlessly. I can’t wait to read more of her work soon.
July 27, 2012
Loved this one. I hope there are sequels telling the stories of Alma's two sisters!
May 2, 2013
Too slow.
January 19, 2016
Interesting setting and a good read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews