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Barefoot Bay #2
Barefoot in the Rain
They say you can never go home again . . .
When "Life Coach to the Stars" Jocelyn Bloom is embroiled in scandal, the only place she can hide is the one place she wishes she could forget. She left Barefoot Bay-and the boy next door who knew all her secrets-years ago. Now nothing about the tiny island off the coast of Florida is quite how she remembers it, especially Will Palmer. He's even more gorgeous and tempting . . . and still capable of turning her world inside out.
But what if someone is waiting for you?
To Will Palmer, Guy Bloom is more than the elderly, senile neighbor he looks after-he's the last connection to Jocelyn, the woman Will loved and lost. But the reunion with Jocelyn doesn't go smoothly. Shocked by the change in her father's personality, Jocelyn struggles to reconcile her dark childhood with the sweet, confused man who has grown close to Will. Jocelyn has guided countless clients to happiness-but can she escape the rainy days of her past for a new sunny future with Will?
When "Life Coach to the Stars" Jocelyn Bloom is embroiled in scandal, the only place she can hide is the one place she wishes she could forget. She left Barefoot Bay-and the boy next door who knew all her secrets-years ago. Now nothing about the tiny island off the coast of Florida is quite how she remembers it, especially Will Palmer. He's even more gorgeous and tempting . . . and still capable of turning her world inside out.
But what if someone is waiting for you?
To Will Palmer, Guy Bloom is more than the elderly, senile neighbor he looks after-he's the last connection to Jocelyn, the woman Will loved and lost. But the reunion with Jocelyn doesn't go smoothly. Shocked by the change in her father's personality, Jocelyn struggles to reconcile her dark childhood with the sweet, confused man who has grown close to Will. Jocelyn has guided countless clients to happiness-but can she escape the rainy days of her past for a new sunny future with Will?
411 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
45 people are currently reading
1240 people want to read
About the author
Roxanne St. Claire
265 books1,832 followersI don’t know about you, but when I check out an author's bio, it’s usually because I’ve read a book I liked and wondered about the person behind it. Let's skip the formal bio and I'll give you the inside scoop on who Roxanne St. Claire really is.
First of all, call me Rocki. Everyone does. Evidently, when my mother brought me home from the hospital I seemed too scrawny and small to pull off “Roxanne” (she’d read Cyrano de Bergerac while pregnant or I would have been Judy) so they called me Rocki.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, the youngest of five (overachievers, every one), and fell in love with words and stories the summer I read Gone With The Wind. That year, for my twelfth birthday, my parents gave me a typewriter (with italic font – it was the coolest thing) and from that day on, I’ve had my fingers on a keyboard, pounding out love stories for fun. My AP English teacher taught me the two most important lessons an aspiring author ever needs: 1) verbs are the key to life and 2) a writer should get a real job. After attending UCLA and graduating with a degree in communications, I tried acting and television broadcasting. Oh, they aren’t real jobs? I learned that the hard way. I changed my last name from Zink to St. Claire because a news producer told me Roxanne Zink had too many harsh consonants for a TV personality – apparently Katie Couric didn’t get the memo. I got some fun gigs, and even met Tom Hanks when I did a guest appearance on Bosom Buddies. I liked on camera work, but wasn’t too crazy about starvation, so I moved to Boston and got that “real” job. In fact, I placed my foot on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder and didn’t look down until I’d climbed all the way up to the level of Senior Vice President at the world’s largest public relations firm. On the way up, I met the man of my dreams in an elevator. Two years later – in the same elevator! – he asked me to marry him and I wisely said yes.
I stayed in PR, moved to Miami, had a few babies, lost my home in a hurricane, built another one a few hours north and all along, I kept writing my “stories” for fun. One night, I read a particularly fabulous romance novel that changed my life for good. That night, I decided I wanted to make someone else feel as whole and happy as that author made me feel. (Everyone asks! It was Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.) With two small children and one big “real” job, writing my first novel wasn’t easy, but I did finish a manuscript that managed to get the attention of a literary agent. She told me to do one thing and one thing fast: write another book. (The first one is usually a “learner” book, honestly.) That second manuscript sold to Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books and was released in 2003 as Tropical Getaway. Since then, I’ve written almost thirty more, in multiple genres, and long ago replaced the corporate ladder with the rollercoaster of publishing as a full-time novelist. Finally, writing is my real job.
Today, I live in a small beach community in Florida with my husband and two dogs. Our kids are off to college and law school, which means my nest is empty! I spend my time writing, working with the kids at my church, enjoying my husband's gourmet cooking, and hanging with my many writer friends. Of course, I love to read. I’m still crazy about words and stories and hope to write at least a hundred books in my lifetime. And, yes, verbs are the key to life. My favorites? Love. Work. Believe.
xoxo
Rocki
First of all, call me Rocki. Everyone does. Evidently, when my mother brought me home from the hospital I seemed too scrawny and small to pull off “Roxanne” (she’d read Cyrano de Bergerac while pregnant or I would have been Judy) so they called me Rocki.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, the youngest of five (overachievers, every one), and fell in love with words and stories the summer I read Gone With The Wind. That year, for my twelfth birthday, my parents gave me a typewriter (with italic font – it was the coolest thing) and from that day on, I’ve had my fingers on a keyboard, pounding out love stories for fun. My AP English teacher taught me the two most important lessons an aspiring author ever needs: 1) verbs are the key to life and 2) a writer should get a real job. After attending UCLA and graduating with a degree in communications, I tried acting and television broadcasting. Oh, they aren’t real jobs? I learned that the hard way. I changed my last name from Zink to St. Claire because a news producer told me Roxanne Zink had too many harsh consonants for a TV personality – apparently Katie Couric didn’t get the memo. I got some fun gigs, and even met Tom Hanks when I did a guest appearance on Bosom Buddies. I liked on camera work, but wasn’t too crazy about starvation, so I moved to Boston and got that “real” job. In fact, I placed my foot on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder and didn’t look down until I’d climbed all the way up to the level of Senior Vice President at the world’s largest public relations firm. On the way up, I met the man of my dreams in an elevator. Two years later – in the same elevator! – he asked me to marry him and I wisely said yes.
I stayed in PR, moved to Miami, had a few babies, lost my home in a hurricane, built another one a few hours north and all along, I kept writing my “stories” for fun. One night, I read a particularly fabulous romance novel that changed my life for good. That night, I decided I wanted to make someone else feel as whole and happy as that author made me feel. (Everyone asks! It was Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.) With two small children and one big “real” job, writing my first novel wasn’t easy, but I did finish a manuscript that managed to get the attention of a literary agent. She told me to do one thing and one thing fast: write another book. (The first one is usually a “learner” book, honestly.) That second manuscript sold to Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books and was released in 2003 as Tropical Getaway. Since then, I’ve written almost thirty more, in multiple genres, and long ago replaced the corporate ladder with the rollercoaster of publishing as a full-time novelist. Finally, writing is my real job.
Today, I live in a small beach community in Florida with my husband and two dogs. Our kids are off to college and law school, which means my nest is empty! I spend my time writing, working with the kids at my church, enjoying my husband's gourmet cooking, and hanging with my many writer friends. Of course, I love to read. I’m still crazy about words and stories and hope to write at least a hundred books in my lifetime. And, yes, verbs are the key to life. My favorites? Love. Work. Believe.
xoxo
Rocki
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
October 18, 2015
15/10 - I started reading this (and by 'started' I mean I read about 15 pages) back on the 3/9, but due to more pressing library due dates and visiting family members it (and the rest of the series) has been put on the back burner, but with only five days left the Barefoot Bay series has now become the most pressing library due date. I have five days to read seven books all of which have already been renewed twice, and so therefore can not be renewed again without the librarian's permission, and considering there are seven of them I don't think that's likely. The one good thing in the situation is that I have signed up to participate in Dewey's 24 hour reading marathon, so at least I have plenty of reading material and good motivation to make an effort to truly read for as many of those 24 hours as possible. To be continued...
17/10 - I understand Will's attitude towards putting Guy in a care home, but he has to realise that there comes a time when in home care is no longer an option. Often when a person's memory gets as bad as Guy's is they tend to forget more than just the past, they forget to take care of themselves - bathing, eating, and toileting. When that happens it can become very difficult for family members to continue to care for their relative themselves as there are often times when the person doesn't make it to the toilet in time and this can be quite distressing for all involved.
My grandad has a type of dementia called Dementia with Lewy Bodies, which causes severe and constant auditory and visual hallucinations. We are currently managing his care through having him live in a granny flat within steps of our home. He is capable of making himself toast and mashed egg or microwaving some soup but we no longer trust him to use his stove or oven without hurting himself - pots of hot water tip in his hands, he neglects to properly protect his hands from the inside of a hot oven, he forgets to turn off gas elements after he finishes cooking, he burns food nearly to the point of fire in the oven - so we cook all his main meals for him. He is no longer physically capable of managing any housework more strenuous than sweeping his kitchen floor (which is the size of a medium floor rug) or wiping the bench, so we have cleaners come in to take care of everything else once a fortnight. Grandad sees people in the yard who aren't there, hears what he believes are builders working during all hours of the night, tells stories of his past that didn't happen (corroborated by his daughter, my mum, who was there and can say for certain what did and didn't happen), and has become quite paranoid about what the neighbours are doing (even though they aren't actually doing anything). There will come a day, probably within the next 12 months or so, when Grandad needs 24 hour supervision and care whilst toileting, which we can't provide. We are just fortunate that he remembers all of his family member's names and faces. If/when he starts to forget us it will definitely be time to consider more professional care.
I also question Will's determination to get Jocelyn to forgive her father for his behaviour while she was growing up. Just because he no longer remembers doesn't mean she can forgive and forget. The abuse he heaped on her (and her mother) growing up permanently changed her life. And because he doesn't remember what he did he can't even ask for her forgiveness or make amends. He just acts like it never happened, because for him it didn't. Asking Jocelyn to forgive her father when her father's behaviour has only changed because his brain is degenerating, rather than because the person she knew as a teenager is actually remorseful, is not fair. It's like not jailing a murder because they got hit on the head and no longer remember their crimes. Just because they don't remember doesn't mean they're not guilty.
I have noticed a couple of awkwardnesses with St. Claire's writing. On page 173 there is this unfortunate sentence
'He rocked his erection into hers.'
In case no one caught it, 'her' is a woman and she doesn't have an erection. Maybe St. Claire meant pelvis?
Then on page 189
'Still lost in pools of brown eyes...'
Is it just me or is everyone else imagining a swimming pool full of brown eyeballs and a guy swimming around trying, but failing, to get out? Not my idea of the right image for a romance... but I'm not the author. To be continued...
A few hours later - Okay, now I understand that Will didn't realise the extent of the abuse Jocelyn and her mother were suffering at the hands of Guy and that's why he was so blasé about the whole 'forgive and forget' idea. What I don't understand is why he didn't realise. I mean he lived next door and was BFFs with one of the occupants of the house, how did he not notice. My neighbours on one side are very loud arguers - with each other and with their teenage children - if you happen to be outside while they're arguing inside you can actually catch the gist of the argument (let alone if one of the arguers is outside). Whenever the yelling reaches a certain level of loud that's scary to listen to, I always make a point of listening (instead of just accidentally hearing) to make sure yelling is all that's happening. There is no way we could miss hearing domestic violence going on, and we're not exactly what you would call 'friendly' with these neighbours. To be continued...
18/10 - 3.5 stars. I felt like the plot of this focussed more on Guy and his illness than it did on Jocelyn and Will's relationship. Everything circled back to him - Jocelyn's decision to leave and to not have sex, Will's original passivity regarding Jocelyn's departure and the lack of a call from his agent, then Jocelyn's decision to stay while Will left (or so she thought). Community awareness of Alzheimer's is very important but I felt like that theme took over the whole book, leaving little room for romance. The romance felt rushed, like they had to fit it in between crises with Guy, almost like they were still teenagers trying to avoid getting caught by their parents. Generally I liked Jocelyn and Will, but I didn't feel like I knew Will very well. I wanted more information about his baseball career, where his parents were and what his relationship with them was like. I felt like the characterisation of the main characters was a bit one-sided in Jocelyn's favour. Looking forward to getting started, and maybe finished for the Dewey 24 hour Readathon, on Zoe's story.
17/10 - I understand Will's attitude towards putting Guy in a care home, but he has to realise that there comes a time when in home care is no longer an option. Often when a person's memory gets as bad as Guy's is they tend to forget more than just the past, they forget to take care of themselves - bathing, eating, and toileting. When that happens it can become very difficult for family members to continue to care for their relative themselves as there are often times when the person doesn't make it to the toilet in time and this can be quite distressing for all involved.
My grandad has a type of dementia called Dementia with Lewy Bodies, which causes severe and constant auditory and visual hallucinations. We are currently managing his care through having him live in a granny flat within steps of our home. He is capable of making himself toast and mashed egg or microwaving some soup but we no longer trust him to use his stove or oven without hurting himself - pots of hot water tip in his hands, he neglects to properly protect his hands from the inside of a hot oven, he forgets to turn off gas elements after he finishes cooking, he burns food nearly to the point of fire in the oven - so we cook all his main meals for him. He is no longer physically capable of managing any housework more strenuous than sweeping his kitchen floor (which is the size of a medium floor rug) or wiping the bench, so we have cleaners come in to take care of everything else once a fortnight. Grandad sees people in the yard who aren't there, hears what he believes are builders working during all hours of the night, tells stories of his past that didn't happen (corroborated by his daughter, my mum, who was there and can say for certain what did and didn't happen), and has become quite paranoid about what the neighbours are doing (even though they aren't actually doing anything). There will come a day, probably within the next 12 months or so, when Grandad needs 24 hour supervision and care whilst toileting, which we can't provide. We are just fortunate that he remembers all of his family member's names and faces. If/when he starts to forget us it will definitely be time to consider more professional care.
I also question Will's determination to get Jocelyn to forgive her father for his behaviour while she was growing up. Just because he no longer remembers doesn't mean she can forgive and forget. The abuse he heaped on her (and her mother) growing up permanently changed her life. And because he doesn't remember what he did he can't even ask for her forgiveness or make amends. He just acts like it never happened, because for him it didn't. Asking Jocelyn to forgive her father when her father's behaviour has only changed because his brain is degenerating, rather than because the person she knew as a teenager is actually remorseful, is not fair. It's like not jailing a murder because they got hit on the head and no longer remember their crimes. Just because they don't remember doesn't mean they're not guilty.
I have noticed a couple of awkwardnesses with St. Claire's writing. On page 173 there is this unfortunate sentence
'He rocked his erection into hers.'
In case no one caught it, 'her' is a woman and she doesn't have an erection. Maybe St. Claire meant pelvis?
Then on page 189
'Still lost in pools of brown eyes...'
Is it just me or is everyone else imagining a swimming pool full of brown eyeballs and a guy swimming around trying, but failing, to get out? Not my idea of the right image for a romance... but I'm not the author. To be continued...
A few hours later - Okay, now I understand that Will didn't realise the extent of the abuse Jocelyn and her mother were suffering at the hands of Guy and that's why he was so blasé about the whole 'forgive and forget' idea. What I don't understand is why he didn't realise. I mean he lived next door and was BFFs with one of the occupants of the house, how did he not notice. My neighbours on one side are very loud arguers - with each other and with their teenage children - if you happen to be outside while they're arguing inside you can actually catch the gist of the argument (let alone if one of the arguers is outside). Whenever the yelling reaches a certain level of loud that's scary to listen to, I always make a point of listening (instead of just accidentally hearing) to make sure yelling is all that's happening. There is no way we could miss hearing domestic violence going on, and we're not exactly what you would call 'friendly' with these neighbours. To be continued...
18/10 - 3.5 stars. I felt like the plot of this focussed more on Guy and his illness than it did on Jocelyn and Will's relationship. Everything circled back to him - Jocelyn's decision to leave and to not have sex, Will's original passivity regarding Jocelyn's departure and the lack of a call from his agent, then Jocelyn's decision to stay while Will left (or so she thought). Community awareness of Alzheimer's is very important but I felt like that theme took over the whole book, leaving little room for romance. The romance felt rushed, like they had to fit it in between crises with Guy, almost like they were still teenagers trying to avoid getting caught by their parents. Generally I liked Jocelyn and Will, but I didn't feel like I knew Will very well. I wanted more information about his baseball career, where his parents were and what his relationship with them was like. I felt like the characterisation of the main characters was a bit one-sided in Jocelyn's favour. Looking forward to getting started, and maybe finished for the Dewey 24 hour Readathon, on Zoe's story.
November 26, 2012
Book and review courtesy of Romance Junkies, also posted at TBR Mountain Range.
For a feel-good story full of emotion, Jocelyn and Will's journey to a happy-ever-after is filled with secrets from their past waiting to be revealed. If you love a full cast of great friends supporting each other through a crisis with laughter and tears, then this novel is definitely for you.
Jocelyn Bloom, thirty-something girl-next-door, is all grown up and a life coach to the rich and famous in Los Angeles. Will Palmer, minor league baseball player, is working as a carpenter at an up-and-coming resort on Mimosa Key, while waiting on a second chance at his baseball career. Fifteen years ago, the night Will told Jocelyn that he loved her, seems like a lifetime ago, and yet, it seems like yesterday if the fresh pain of love lost is considered.
The man who caused their break-up, in more ways than Will knows, is also Jocelyn's father, now a helpless, aging man living next door, who remembers very little of his past. Plagued with Alzheimer's, Guy Bloom has earned Will's compassion and friendship.
Involved in a scandal with one of her famous clients, Jocelyn needs somewhere to hide from the media until the paparazzi forgets about her. Logically, Mimosa Key, where she grew up, is the destination, since Jocelyn's college roommate has a secluded place for her to stay. Jocelyn doesn't expect to find her love from the past acting like her estranged father's best buddy, nor a father who has lost all memory of her to Alzheimer's.
Of course, Tessa and Zoe have to join Lacey in supporting Jocelyn through a crisis. That's what friends do, but can Jocelyn keep her secrets contained, when so many people who know her best surround her?
BAREFOOT IN THE RAIN is exquisitely staged so that the reader falls for all the characters, sometimes in sorrow, sometimes in anger, but mostly in laughter. Even though you should hate Guy Bloom as much as Jocelyn does, you can't help but love the man he's become. He engages Jocelyn's friends too, so resistance may be futile for the woman who, at one time, was happy as daddy's little girl. Will has also discovered Guy's charm, but what he doesn't realize is that Jocelyn has secrets that may keep her forever from his grasp, as well as from her father's.
I couldn't find anything not to like about this book. It made me laugh like a romantic comedy movie does, and yet, it still covers some very serious subjects that many of us may experience in our lifetime. The best part? It's filled with realistic good friends, like the ones you've known for a lifetime, who can make you smile even when you're at your lowest.
If you're considering this book, you might want to read book one, BAREFOOT IN THE SAND, even though I wasn't confused by missing it. I'm anxious to read more about these charming characters, so I'll go backwards before the next book comes out. If you like to be teased, there's a snippet of book three in the back of BAREFOOT IN THE RAIN, as well as a letter from Roxanne St. Claire describing a part of her life that was the seed that germinated book two. Don't miss that tidbit because it's an endearing story.
BAREFOOT IN THE RAIN is a laugh-out-loud, gasp-at-the-heartache, rollercoaster of love. Author Roxanne St. Claire orchestrates a full cast of characters, amongst a complicated story, jam-packed with emotion, encased with seamless flow. It's brilliant, modern, sophisticated and yet, feels like coming home. I can't wait for Zoe's story in BAREFOOT IN THE SUN.
For a feel-good story full of emotion, Jocelyn and Will's journey to a happy-ever-after is filled with secrets from their past waiting to be revealed. If you love a full cast of great friends supporting each other through a crisis with laughter and tears, then this novel is definitely for you.
Jocelyn Bloom, thirty-something girl-next-door, is all grown up and a life coach to the rich and famous in Los Angeles. Will Palmer, minor league baseball player, is working as a carpenter at an up-and-coming resort on Mimosa Key, while waiting on a second chance at his baseball career. Fifteen years ago, the night Will told Jocelyn that he loved her, seems like a lifetime ago, and yet, it seems like yesterday if the fresh pain of love lost is considered.
The man who caused their break-up, in more ways than Will knows, is also Jocelyn's father, now a helpless, aging man living next door, who remembers very little of his past. Plagued with Alzheimer's, Guy Bloom has earned Will's compassion and friendship.
Involved in a scandal with one of her famous clients, Jocelyn needs somewhere to hide from the media until the paparazzi forgets about her. Logically, Mimosa Key, where she grew up, is the destination, since Jocelyn's college roommate has a secluded place for her to stay. Jocelyn doesn't expect to find her love from the past acting like her estranged father's best buddy, nor a father who has lost all memory of her to Alzheimer's.
Of course, Tessa and Zoe have to join Lacey in supporting Jocelyn through a crisis. That's what friends do, but can Jocelyn keep her secrets contained, when so many people who know her best surround her?
BAREFOOT IN THE RAIN is exquisitely staged so that the reader falls for all the characters, sometimes in sorrow, sometimes in anger, but mostly in laughter. Even though you should hate Guy Bloom as much as Jocelyn does, you can't help but love the man he's become. He engages Jocelyn's friends too, so resistance may be futile for the woman who, at one time, was happy as daddy's little girl. Will has also discovered Guy's charm, but what he doesn't realize is that Jocelyn has secrets that may keep her forever from his grasp, as well as from her father's.
I couldn't find anything not to like about this book. It made me laugh like a romantic comedy movie does, and yet, it still covers some very serious subjects that many of us may experience in our lifetime. The best part? It's filled with realistic good friends, like the ones you've known for a lifetime, who can make you smile even when you're at your lowest.
If you're considering this book, you might want to read book one, BAREFOOT IN THE SAND, even though I wasn't confused by missing it. I'm anxious to read more about these charming characters, so I'll go backwards before the next book comes out. If you like to be teased, there's a snippet of book three in the back of BAREFOOT IN THE RAIN, as well as a letter from Roxanne St. Claire describing a part of her life that was the seed that germinated book two. Don't miss that tidbit because it's an endearing story.
BAREFOOT IN THE RAIN is a laugh-out-loud, gasp-at-the-heartache, rollercoaster of love. Author Roxanne St. Claire orchestrates a full cast of characters, amongst a complicated story, jam-packed with emotion, encased with seamless flow. It's brilliant, modern, sophisticated and yet, feels like coming home. I can't wait for Zoe's story in BAREFOOT IN THE SUN.
October 18, 2012
Reviewed on: http://readyourwrites.blogspot.com
For Read Your Writes Book Reviews
Barefoot in the Rain is the first full length novel by Roxanne St. Claire, I have read. In the past, I’ve read two of her novellas. They were sweet, touching, and a little hot. I was expecting the same thing with this book. That wasn’t exactly what I got. Barefoot in the Rain is part of The Barefoot Bay Series, it is the second of four books. I didn’t read the first book, Barefoot in the Sand, and I don’t feel it’s actually necessary for you to have to read that book, to read, understand, and fall in love with Barefoot in the Rain.
I have to say this upfront. This isn’t going to be a review where I tell you what happened with the book. I don’t want to spoil ANYTHING. What I will tell you is that this is a book you HAVE to read. Have you ever had one of those books where the scene was so intense, you actually forgot to breathe? Barefoot in the Rain is one of those books. The Prologue alone will have your heart racing. It’s emotional, heartwarming, and heart-wrenching, and at times frustrating.
I don’t know about you, but there are some romance novels where I wish I was the heroine. This isn’t one of those books. There are times as readers we just want to scream at the characters to get their acts together, this isn’t a book you can do that with. This book really touched me. Having my own personal experiences with the subject matter, it really played with my emotions. I found myself questioning my humanity, because I didn’t know who I was supposed to feel for.
The three main characters in the book are: Jocelyn Bloom, Will Palmer, and Jocelyn’s father, Guy. Barefoot in the Rain deals with domestic abuse and Alzheimer’s disease.
In the summer of 1997, Jocelyn and Will were both preparing for the beginning of the rest of their lives. Each were going to go to college and experience life outside of Barefoot Bay, thinking, hoping, and dreaming that their lives would become one, until one horrible, life changing night.
Fast forward fifteen years and everything has changed. Will’s big dream of playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers hasn’t come true and he’s back in Barefoot Bay, living in his old house, next door to the Bloom household. Jocelyn is a Life Coach to the rich and famous in Los Angeles. In order to seek refuge from a national scandal she’s a part of, she escapes back to Barefoot Bay for what is supposed to be some peace, quiet, and tranquility. She runs into Will and he shatters all of that.
Some of the questions asked in the book were, “What are you willing to sacrifice?” and “What are you prepared to die for?" For Jocelyn, it’s the same answer to both questions.
Jocelyn Bloom is an abuse survivor. Guy Bloom is her father who is supposed to love her, protect her, and keep her safe. Instead, Guy was her bully, tormentor, and abuser. Guy took away everything that Jocelyn loved and held dear. Now, Guy has Dementia and Will of all people is taking care of him.
Barefoot in the Rain is a wonderfully, fantastic story of love, loss, second chances, healing, and forgiving. This book will truly take you on a emotional roller coaster. Having a box of tissue handy is highly recommended. If you weren’t a fan of Roxanne St. Claire before reading this book, you definitely will be. Roxanne gave real insight to the life of an abuse survivor as well as to the life of a person with Alzheimer’s and those family members who are willing to give up everything to take care of that person out of love.
Source: NetGalley
For Read Your Writes Book Reviews
Barefoot in the Rain is the first full length novel by Roxanne St. Claire, I have read. In the past, I’ve read two of her novellas. They were sweet, touching, and a little hot. I was expecting the same thing with this book. That wasn’t exactly what I got. Barefoot in the Rain is part of The Barefoot Bay Series, it is the second of four books. I didn’t read the first book, Barefoot in the Sand, and I don’t feel it’s actually necessary for you to have to read that book, to read, understand, and fall in love with Barefoot in the Rain.
I have to say this upfront. This isn’t going to be a review where I tell you what happened with the book. I don’t want to spoil ANYTHING. What I will tell you is that this is a book you HAVE to read. Have you ever had one of those books where the scene was so intense, you actually forgot to breathe? Barefoot in the Rain is one of those books. The Prologue alone will have your heart racing. It’s emotional, heartwarming, and heart-wrenching, and at times frustrating.
I don’t know about you, but there are some romance novels where I wish I was the heroine. This isn’t one of those books. There are times as readers we just want to scream at the characters to get their acts together, this isn’t a book you can do that with. This book really touched me. Having my own personal experiences with the subject matter, it really played with my emotions. I found myself questioning my humanity, because I didn’t know who I was supposed to feel for.
The three main characters in the book are: Jocelyn Bloom, Will Palmer, and Jocelyn’s father, Guy. Barefoot in the Rain deals with domestic abuse and Alzheimer’s disease.
In the summer of 1997, Jocelyn and Will were both preparing for the beginning of the rest of their lives. Each were going to go to college and experience life outside of Barefoot Bay, thinking, hoping, and dreaming that their lives would become one, until one horrible, life changing night.
Fast forward fifteen years and everything has changed. Will’s big dream of playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers hasn’t come true and he’s back in Barefoot Bay, living in his old house, next door to the Bloom household. Jocelyn is a Life Coach to the rich and famous in Los Angeles. In order to seek refuge from a national scandal she’s a part of, she escapes back to Barefoot Bay for what is supposed to be some peace, quiet, and tranquility. She runs into Will and he shatters all of that.
Some of the questions asked in the book were, “What are you willing to sacrifice?” and “What are you prepared to die for?" For Jocelyn, it’s the same answer to both questions.
Jocelyn Bloom is an abuse survivor. Guy Bloom is her father who is supposed to love her, protect her, and keep her safe. Instead, Guy was her bully, tormentor, and abuser. Guy took away everything that Jocelyn loved and held dear. Now, Guy has Dementia and Will of all people is taking care of him.
Barefoot in the Rain is a wonderfully, fantastic story of love, loss, second chances, healing, and forgiving. This book will truly take you on a emotional roller coaster. Having a box of tissue handy is highly recommended. If you weren’t a fan of Roxanne St. Claire before reading this book, you definitely will be. Roxanne gave real insight to the life of an abuse survivor as well as to the life of a person with Alzheimer’s and those family members who are willing to give up everything to take care of that person out of love.
Source: NetGalley
October 15, 2012
ARC provided by Nightowl
This sig the second installment in the Barefoot Bay series. I have to say that this book is better when the first. It brings in things that can happen in real life into a story that makes you completely relate to the characters.
Jocelyn is a life coach from Los Angeles. Her career just blew because of a scandal that happened between her and a client’s husband. At least that is what the media thinks. Jocelyn really did to help a friend out. She decided to move back home for a while so that the scandal can blow over and she can rebuild her life. She did not know that her father, the man he hated, was sick. She also did not now that the boy she loved fifteen years ago grew up and was taking care of her father. Her organized life just got completely unorganized and she does not really know how to handle it. Little did Jocelyn know that all she needed was some help from her three best friends and the man she still loved to get her life back on track
Will grew up as the typical jock. He was the star baseball captain whose dream was going to the majors. He made a choice when he was younger not to defend the woman he loved because she did not want him to give up his and his father’s dream of a major baseball career. He has always regretted it because in his heart he will always love her and wished he could go back in time and change everything. Since he could not do that, he decided that he could take care of her father then. Since he lived next door, that was fairly easy to do. When his love, Jocelyn, came back into town, he did not know how to react. Al that he knew was that he would not let her go again.
Throughout the book there were always conflicts going on. Conflicts between father and daughter, and conflicts between a man who loves a girl. There were even conflicts between friends. Friends wh9o never liked secrets kept from each other.
I completely loved reading this book. I fell in love with the characters from the first book and looked forward to this one as well. I loved that the storyline was different then the first one yes it was similar. It was similar because the female character closed herself off from love. It was different because not every situation about love is the same. This storyline made me fall more in love with the characters.
I highly recommend this book to others to read. This is a book that everyone who has conflicts in their lives. This book shows you that you can resolve anything even if it means losing the shell around your heart.
This sig the second installment in the Barefoot Bay series. I have to say that this book is better when the first. It brings in things that can happen in real life into a story that makes you completely relate to the characters.
Jocelyn is a life coach from Los Angeles. Her career just blew because of a scandal that happened between her and a client’s husband. At least that is what the media thinks. Jocelyn really did to help a friend out. She decided to move back home for a while so that the scandal can blow over and she can rebuild her life. She did not know that her father, the man he hated, was sick. She also did not now that the boy she loved fifteen years ago grew up and was taking care of her father. Her organized life just got completely unorganized and she does not really know how to handle it. Little did Jocelyn know that all she needed was some help from her three best friends and the man she still loved to get her life back on track
Will grew up as the typical jock. He was the star baseball captain whose dream was going to the majors. He made a choice when he was younger not to defend the woman he loved because she did not want him to give up his and his father’s dream of a major baseball career. He has always regretted it because in his heart he will always love her and wished he could go back in time and change everything. Since he could not do that, he decided that he could take care of her father then. Since he lived next door, that was fairly easy to do. When his love, Jocelyn, came back into town, he did not know how to react. Al that he knew was that he would not let her go again.
Throughout the book there were always conflicts going on. Conflicts between father and daughter, and conflicts between a man who loves a girl. There were even conflicts between friends. Friends wh9o never liked secrets kept from each other.
I completely loved reading this book. I fell in love with the characters from the first book and looked forward to this one as well. I loved that the storyline was different then the first one yes it was similar. It was similar because the female character closed herself off from love. It was different because not every situation about love is the same. This storyline made me fall more in love with the characters.
I highly recommend this book to others to read. This is a book that everyone who has conflicts in their lives. This book shows you that you can resolve anything even if it means losing the shell around your heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2012
My Review:
If you've been following my book review blog/reviews for any length of time, you probably already know that I am a Roxanne St. Claire fan. I adore her books. I fell in love with her writing through her romantic suspense novels, but am finding that she does contemporary romance just as well. She brings so much emotion to a story...I love that!
This is the second of the Barefoot Bay stories and I was surprised by how much I loved Jocelyn. We met her in book #1 and although I was intrigued by her story/issues, I wasn't so sure I was going to like her as a character. BUT that was before I realized just what exactly her issues were.
And this is where Roxanne's suspense writing skills shine through even though this isn't a suspense novel. The entire story in this book starts on a night 15 years ago between Joss and Will. On the verge of heading to college, they decided to go all the way, but Jocelyn's abusive father caught them and threatened everything Will had worked for. Throughout most the book, you don't really know what happened to Jocelyn that night after he sent her home although you get glimpses. That alone would have kept me reading this book. I couldn't put it down...I wanted to know exactly what happened.
The most interesting twist to it all though was that now it's 15 years later. Jocelyn has made it a point to never go home and has never contacted Will. The irony, her father has dementia (which has created an entire personality change) and Will, as his next door neighbor, is basically his care-taker and best friend. Everything about this situation is heartbreaking. Will and Joss lost each other 15 years ago because of her father. But now he's this wonderfully nice broken man who likes to do needlepoint and has an obsession with hgtv. He doesn't remember Jocelyn is his daughter, but thinks Will is his son...seriously...HEART.BREAKING.
Neither Will nor Jocelyn has ever forgotten or gotten over what the other person meant to them. Will is one of those guys...just too nice and sweet. He doesn't understand Jocelyn's hatred of her father especially in view of who he is now. Will knew he was abusive to her mother (Will was Jocelyn's refuge when things got bad at home growing up) but he never knew what happened that night after she went home.
There are several great secondary story lines to this book too: Jocelyn's infamous "affair" with a hollywood movie star, Will's floundering baseball career, the resort that Lacey and Clay continue to build (seriously, I want to go stay at this resort when it's done!!!), and all four girls are back in Barefoot Bay.
Zoe's story is next and the angst coming through the snippets you get to see of that story line make my reader's heart happy. I can't wait!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
If you've been following my book review blog/reviews for any length of time, you probably already know that I am a Roxanne St. Claire fan. I adore her books. I fell in love with her writing through her romantic suspense novels, but am finding that she does contemporary romance just as well. She brings so much emotion to a story...I love that!
This is the second of the Barefoot Bay stories and I was surprised by how much I loved Jocelyn. We met her in book #1 and although I was intrigued by her story/issues, I wasn't so sure I was going to like her as a character. BUT that was before I realized just what exactly her issues were.
And this is where Roxanne's suspense writing skills shine through even though this isn't a suspense novel. The entire story in this book starts on a night 15 years ago between Joss and Will. On the verge of heading to college, they decided to go all the way, but Jocelyn's abusive father caught them and threatened everything Will had worked for. Throughout most the book, you don't really know what happened to Jocelyn that night after he sent her home although you get glimpses. That alone would have kept me reading this book. I couldn't put it down...I wanted to know exactly what happened.
The most interesting twist to it all though was that now it's 15 years later. Jocelyn has made it a point to never go home and has never contacted Will. The irony, her father has dementia (which has created an entire personality change) and Will, as his next door neighbor, is basically his care-taker and best friend. Everything about this situation is heartbreaking. Will and Joss lost each other 15 years ago because of her father. But now he's this wonderfully nice broken man who likes to do needlepoint and has an obsession with hgtv. He doesn't remember Jocelyn is his daughter, but thinks Will is his son...seriously...HEART.BREAKING.
Neither Will nor Jocelyn has ever forgotten or gotten over what the other person meant to them. Will is one of those guys...just too nice and sweet. He doesn't understand Jocelyn's hatred of her father especially in view of who he is now. Will knew he was abusive to her mother (Will was Jocelyn's refuge when things got bad at home growing up) but he never knew what happened that night after she went home.
There are several great secondary story lines to this book too: Jocelyn's infamous "affair" with a hollywood movie star, Will's floundering baseball career, the resort that Lacey and Clay continue to build (seriously, I want to go stay at this resort when it's done!!!), and all four girls are back in Barefoot Bay.
Zoe's story is next and the angst coming through the snippets you get to see of that story line make my reader's heart happy. I can't wait!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
January 28, 2013
Roxanne really has a winner with this series. The Barefoot series is so different from her Bullet Catcher books (only series by her I read) but still so engaging and good.
We met Jocelyn in the first book (Barefoot in the Sand). She was so mysterious and left readers curious about her alienating ways. Yes, she always hung back, very hesitant.
Very briefly we met William. So Roxanne doesn't keep us wondering. The first scene was a cute one, seeing just how close Jocelyn and William were.
So in a way this is a reuniting book... But I like the way she did this one. We got a glimpse back in time before the present.
Now this book touches on two touchy subjects. I learned about the one from a blog interview. The one touchy subject/sensitive subject is Alzheimers. Side character has the awful disease, and I have some experience. My grandfather had it before he passed.
the other touchy subject deals with phsyical abuse, which we get a glimpse in the first scene and how it involves the heroine and the decisions she lives with after that.
Wow! Despite the touchy subjects woven within the story and plot, the read was well worth it! Actually brought tears to the eyes. It makes me anticipate the next book in the series. Zoe is whacky and zanny so.. it'll be awesome to finally get her story...
August 30, 2012
I couldn't put it down!
I love reunion stories, and Barefoot in the Rain is one of the best ever. Gripping emotion and sizzling attraction in an incredibly beautiful setting—these are hallmarks of Roxanne St. Claire’s books. And in Barefoot in the Rain, she brings them all together to tell Jocelyn and Will’s story.
This second book in the Barefoot Bay Series starts out with a brief, but so important, glimpse into Jocelyn and Will’s past. The event that shattered their love made me ache for them to get back together. It also gave this reader an incredible insight into why Jocelyn has such strong, protective walls around her heart. Will might be a gorgeous hunk of a baseball player, but reuniting these two takes much more than good looks. Other things that set this book above the norm, were the unfolding of Charity’s character and the touching way in which Roxanne handled the challenges of dealing with Alzheimer’s. I laughed. I cried. I couldn’t put this book down.
I was lucky enough to win an advanced copy of this book and I eagerly look forward to the next installment in the story of Mimosa Key in Barefoot in the Sun.
I love reunion stories, and Barefoot in the Rain is one of the best ever. Gripping emotion and sizzling attraction in an incredibly beautiful setting—these are hallmarks of Roxanne St. Claire’s books. And in Barefoot in the Rain, she brings them all together to tell Jocelyn and Will’s story.
This second book in the Barefoot Bay Series starts out with a brief, but so important, glimpse into Jocelyn and Will’s past. The event that shattered their love made me ache for them to get back together. It also gave this reader an incredible insight into why Jocelyn has such strong, protective walls around her heart. Will might be a gorgeous hunk of a baseball player, but reuniting these two takes much more than good looks. Other things that set this book above the norm, were the unfolding of Charity’s character and the touching way in which Roxanne handled the challenges of dealing with Alzheimer’s. I laughed. I cried. I couldn’t put this book down.
I was lucky enough to win an advanced copy of this book and I eagerly look forward to the next installment in the story of Mimosa Key in Barefoot in the Sun.
November 28, 2012
Life Coach to the Stars Jocelyn Bloom finds herself smack in the middle of a scandal, and the only place to hide is the one place she never wanted to return... home. She left Barefoot Bay and the boy next door years before, but she's finding Will Palmer and the connection they once had, still as strong as ever. Now, her father, and the man who made her childhood hell, is sick with Alzheimer's, and she's discovering that the only way to find true happiness and love is to forgive.
I loved the first Barefoot Bay book, and couldn't wait for this one. Hearing Jocelyn's story was heartbreaking, and I never rooted for a heroine more. Will was loveable and the perfect hero for her. This was a perfect blend of St. Claire's humorous wit and tender story-telling. I thought I'd find myself hating Will for helping her dad, or for Jocelyn leaning toward forgiveness, but I never did. St. Claire's grasp on Alzheimer's was astoundingly accurate and realistic. And as before in the previous book, the four friends were great as secondaries, as was the town. I cannot wait for Zoe's tale next. Not to be missed.
I loved the first Barefoot Bay book, and couldn't wait for this one. Hearing Jocelyn's story was heartbreaking, and I never rooted for a heroine more. Will was loveable and the perfect hero for her. This was a perfect blend of St. Claire's humorous wit and tender story-telling. I thought I'd find myself hating Will for helping her dad, or for Jocelyn leaning toward forgiveness, but I never did. St. Claire's grasp on Alzheimer's was astoundingly accurate and realistic. And as before in the previous book, the four friends were great as secondaries, as was the town. I cannot wait for Zoe's tale next. Not to be missed.
December 10, 2012
Wow! I really enjoyed this book! The 2nd in her latest series. Jocelyn and Will have quite the past together. Jocelyn seeks refuge back home after a huge scandal breaks out in LA (where she's a life coach to the stars). Great subjects are covered: abuse, dementia, etc. Will and Jocelyn have a lot of obstacles. Will is so sweet and tender-hearted. Guy (Jocelyn's father)...what a roller-coaster of feelings.
I love how the story developed..it was all very smooth. I laughed out loud and I cried. I only wished that there was more of a wrap-up with Guy. Charity..and even Zoe brought up some valid ideas, and it didn't really have a conclusion. Other than that, I loved this book. Cannot wait for Zoe's!
I love how the story developed..it was all very smooth. I laughed out loud and I cried. I only wished that there was more of a wrap-up with Guy. Charity..and even Zoe brought up some valid ideas, and it didn't really have a conclusion. Other than that, I loved this book. Cannot wait for Zoe's!
September 28, 2014
Amazingly good. Touching romance with a lot of depth. The characters not only have to deal with their own issues, history and conflicts, but also with a parent with Alzheimer's and domestic abuse. And it's all done stunningly well. Good friendships are a big support in this series.
Loved this book. Laughed. Cried quite a few times. And loved.
Loved this book. Laughed. Cried quite a few times. And loved.
November 5, 2012
One of best books I have read covering abuse and Alzheimers. I love these characters and I cant wait to read Zoe and Tessa's stories. The way Will and Joss finally find each other after 15 years made me cry.
November 5, 2012
Loved it. Made me cry. Very much like real life that the characters have issues that have to be dealt with and resolved.
Not sure if I could have resolved them the same way but it did seem right for Jocelyn.
Looking forward to Barefoot in the Sun the next chapter in this series.
Not sure if I could have resolved them the same way but it did seem right for Jocelyn.
Looking forward to Barefoot in the Sun the next chapter in this series.
March 22, 2013
WOW!! This series only gets better! Humor, romance and emotion jam packed in this story set in a Florida Beach Community. As many laugh out loud moments as grab the Kleenex moments. Couldn't put the book down until I was finished. Can't wait for the next one!!!
February 15, 2013
This book will remain in my mind and my heart. St. Claire always writes heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time but this book has that extra something that you can't define but makes it a keeper.
November 21, 2012
Karla says: This second installment in the Barefoot Bay series is just as good as the first book. The characters are likeable and the story line is smooth. Excellent read - Recommend!
April 28, 2014
My favorite of the series! I'm pretty sure I cried 90% of the book.. AMAZING. Will is just the sweetest thing and I need to find him and steal him from Jocelyn ;)
August 19, 2018
A beautiful story! Sexy romance with great characters you'll want to revisit.
October 24, 2012
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Jocelyn has run back to Barefoot Bay after being linked to a scandal with Hollywood’s “It-Couple”. She’s the other woman, accused of sleeping with the actress’s husband and she’s being hounded by the media, losing clients in her life-coaching business and needs a place to hide. Her best friends all gather at the new resort and spa in Barefoot Bay that’s taking shape and it lends the perfect place for Jocelyn to hide. But she has too many demons from her past in this small town and it’s past time that she faces them all; the two biggest being the love of her teenage years, Will and her father.
The book is really a story about Jocelyn, dealing with her past, trying to figure out her present and deciding what she wants for her future. She has a lot of pain to deal with. Her father snapped when she was younger and started having episodes that made him abusive, the majority of the time his abuse was directed at her mother, but after he caught Will and Jocelyn together as teens, he lost it. He threatened Will and his promising baseball career, but took all his anger out on Jocelyn. After she healed physically, she left for college and never came back, except for her mother’s funeral, years ago. She has such deep hatred for her father that it comes as a shock to find Will caring for him, his next door neighbor. Her father, Guy, has Alzheimer’s and no memories of the past that was so painful for Jocelyn.
That’s where this storyline gets so tricky. As a reader, I wanted to hate Guy and side with Jocelyn, completely agreeing her feelings early on, but it was hard because we don’t really know Guy as the abuser. We see him as he is now, a forgetful, kind, funny and quirky old man who, oddly enough, wouldn’t hurt a fly. I felt guilty for liking him, knowing that he was an abuser and caused so much hurt and was the reason that Will and Jocelyn weren’t able to find out if the love they had for each other as teens could have turned into something more as adults. It was well done story wise, but I had a hard time letting myself feeling anything for Guy. It wasn’t until later in the story, as Jocelyn starts to come around and deal her with conflicting feelings, that I was able to accept who Guy is now, and that revelation is a big one for Jocelyn to come to and that’s exactly what I needed to see for her to make the entire relationship with her father work in the present.
“We never finished,” she said softly.
“This morning?”
“That night. This morning. This whole life. Everything with you is like…unfinished business.” She managed a shaky smile. “You know that kind of thing drives me almost as crazy as the permanent grass stains I’m getting on my favorite cargo pants right now.”
“It’s good for you,” he said. “You need to be driven crazy, Joss. Let go and let me…”
She didn’t move, the only sound their evenly matched, and slightly intensified, breathing. “Let you what?”
“Drive you crazy.”
The other large portion of the story dealt with Will and Jocelyn and all the things they left unsaid for the past 15 years. They let her father come between them and neither one reached out to the other for all those years. They were each other’s best friend and that part comes back fairly easy to them, but the love takes awhile. I enjoyed their relationship. It’s slow moving, Jocelyn needs a best friend more at this point in her life than a lover, but Will’s determined to be both and I liked his attitude through the whole journey. He’s there for her, he refuses to make the same mistakes twice and he’s just a good guy. I’d have liked a little more romance though, it’s very light in the sexy department. I’d probably call this a straight up contemporary series, as opposed to a romantic contemporary, and possibly that’s how it’s labeled. I just usually go into a Roxanne St. Claire book ready for some romance and it’s very subtly done here.
I’m really enjoying the heart of this series being about four best friends who all come together in good and bad times for each other. They all have, or are going to, face their past and deal with everything that comes from that, but they’re doing it together and I like that aspect of this series. We also get more details on the remaining two friends, Zoe and Tessa and maybe a small idea about what each of them might need to deal with when their book comes up. Will and Jocelyn are a very sweet couple to get to know. My rating is down just a little because I would have liked more romance between them, but it’s a solid story and I’m looking forward to more.
Jocelyn has run back to Barefoot Bay after being linked to a scandal with Hollywood’s “It-Couple”. She’s the other woman, accused of sleeping with the actress’s husband and she’s being hounded by the media, losing clients in her life-coaching business and needs a place to hide. Her best friends all gather at the new resort and spa in Barefoot Bay that’s taking shape and it lends the perfect place for Jocelyn to hide. But she has too many demons from her past in this small town and it’s past time that she faces them all; the two biggest being the love of her teenage years, Will and her father.
The book is really a story about Jocelyn, dealing with her past, trying to figure out her present and deciding what she wants for her future. She has a lot of pain to deal with. Her father snapped when she was younger and started having episodes that made him abusive, the majority of the time his abuse was directed at her mother, but after he caught Will and Jocelyn together as teens, he lost it. He threatened Will and his promising baseball career, but took all his anger out on Jocelyn. After she healed physically, she left for college and never came back, except for her mother’s funeral, years ago. She has such deep hatred for her father that it comes as a shock to find Will caring for him, his next door neighbor. Her father, Guy, has Alzheimer’s and no memories of the past that was so painful for Jocelyn.
That’s where this storyline gets so tricky. As a reader, I wanted to hate Guy and side with Jocelyn, completely agreeing her feelings early on, but it was hard because we don’t really know Guy as the abuser. We see him as he is now, a forgetful, kind, funny and quirky old man who, oddly enough, wouldn’t hurt a fly. I felt guilty for liking him, knowing that he was an abuser and caused so much hurt and was the reason that Will and Jocelyn weren’t able to find out if the love they had for each other as teens could have turned into something more as adults. It was well done story wise, but I had a hard time letting myself feeling anything for Guy. It wasn’t until later in the story, as Jocelyn starts to come around and deal her with conflicting feelings, that I was able to accept who Guy is now, and that revelation is a big one for Jocelyn to come to and that’s exactly what I needed to see for her to make the entire relationship with her father work in the present.
“We never finished,” she said softly.
“This morning?”
“That night. This morning. This whole life. Everything with you is like…unfinished business.” She managed a shaky smile. “You know that kind of thing drives me almost as crazy as the permanent grass stains I’m getting on my favorite cargo pants right now.”
“It’s good for you,” he said. “You need to be driven crazy, Joss. Let go and let me…”
She didn’t move, the only sound their evenly matched, and slightly intensified, breathing. “Let you what?”
“Drive you crazy.”
The other large portion of the story dealt with Will and Jocelyn and all the things they left unsaid for the past 15 years. They let her father come between them and neither one reached out to the other for all those years. They were each other’s best friend and that part comes back fairly easy to them, but the love takes awhile. I enjoyed their relationship. It’s slow moving, Jocelyn needs a best friend more at this point in her life than a lover, but Will’s determined to be both and I liked his attitude through the whole journey. He’s there for her, he refuses to make the same mistakes twice and he’s just a good guy. I’d have liked a little more romance though, it’s very light in the sexy department. I’d probably call this a straight up contemporary series, as opposed to a romantic contemporary, and possibly that’s how it’s labeled. I just usually go into a Roxanne St. Claire book ready for some romance and it’s very subtly done here.
I’m really enjoying the heart of this series being about four best friends who all come together in good and bad times for each other. They all have, or are going to, face their past and deal with everything that comes from that, but they’re doing it together and I like that aspect of this series. We also get more details on the remaining two friends, Zoe and Tessa and maybe a small idea about what each of them might need to deal with when their book comes up. Will and Jocelyn are a very sweet couple to get to know. My rating is down just a little because I would have liked more romance between them, but it’s a solid story and I’m looking forward to more.
June 15, 2013
As promised, here is my review...
When we first meet Jocelyn "Joss" Bloom, she is this helpless young girl, who had no control over her situation in life. She is wildly into the boy next door, Will Palmer, star athlete at her high school. She is one of those teenage girls that was the perfect wallflower at parties, and school dances. Her goal was to blend in, without causing a tremor, which was pretty much how she had to live her home life. After the prologue, St. Clair artfully brought us to present day, and the chaos of Joss' life. She is a "Life Coach to the Stars" who found herself in an untenable situation. Her name, once heralded through Hollywood is now spoken with disdain throughout the Hollywood Hills. So, she had to don disguises to escape rumours and a mob of paparazzi, and go back home, a place she never expected to turn to for solace. The seeds of wonder, now sown by St. Claire, pushes you to continue, then she veers off to the hero of the story, Will Palmer.
Will is your quintessential boy next door, major hottie who finds himself at home, trying to find his way back to what he was. His life is now in stasis while he waits for The Call, the one that will give him a career he desperately wants and needs. However, he finds himself doing the unexpected, and once that is revealed it creates a nice external conflict for him to battle with Joss. This layer of tension between them, made watching them come together that much more appealing Throughout the twists and turns of the novel, we see both, Will and Joss, grow and change. Through their conflicts they had to recognize and admit their faults, as well as realize that their feelings for each other were not buried as deeply as they thought.
When they came together, Joss finds herself being "coached" by Will, who helps her to see that she is more than what she wants people to see. Both scarred by life, and scared by their feelings and desire for each other, Joss and Will relearn each other. They learn that depending on others for help is not a bad thing, and that in life, you need to find that someone who gets you, who understands you for who you are. Joss had to learn to love herself, as she was as a child, and overcome her feelings about her father. With Will's help, she learned to look beneath her dad's faults, to see the changed man he was. His disease changed him dramatically, and Joss found that she now had to be the parent to this man whom she felt terrorized her life. The sexual tension between Joss and Will was quite palpable, and I loved watching them dance around the issue, well, Joss dancing around the issue since Will was not at the top of her "list". I loved the scene where they first come together; it was reminiscent of her high school days after all, and who wouldn't want to make it around the bases with the captain of the team?
I loved, how, St. Claire didn't make sex the central theme of this story. The overarching conflict conflict was front and center, coupled by the internal conflicts both Will and Joss had to deal with, it made for an interesting read. We learned a few things about the resident hoyden of Barefoot Bay, Charity Grambling, as well, and I was pleasantly surprised after looking beneath her external armour. No, I didn't fall in love with her, I mean she is a terror when it comes to keeping things the same after all, but what she did for Joss helped to reveal her humanness, and gave some insight as to who she really was beneath that tough exterior. It was the multifaceted nature of tis book that caused it to leave an indelible mark on me. Watching Joss try to navigate her new reality made me think about my own insecurities and the way I deal with things in my life. Her childhood was somewhat emblematic of my own, in the sense that the emotions she dealt with were mine, though the situation was different. I cried a lot during the reading of this book, and I'm sure that as I continue reading the other books in the Barefoot Bay series, I will need many boxes of Kleenex :) You should check it out for yourselves.
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Stop by my blog for a little more insight. Here's the link: http://peacenlovepaula.blogspot.com/2...
When we first meet Jocelyn "Joss" Bloom, she is this helpless young girl, who had no control over her situation in life. She is wildly into the boy next door, Will Palmer, star athlete at her high school. She is one of those teenage girls that was the perfect wallflower at parties, and school dances. Her goal was to blend in, without causing a tremor, which was pretty much how she had to live her home life. After the prologue, St. Clair artfully brought us to present day, and the chaos of Joss' life. She is a "Life Coach to the Stars" who found herself in an untenable situation. Her name, once heralded through Hollywood is now spoken with disdain throughout the Hollywood Hills. So, she had to don disguises to escape rumours and a mob of paparazzi, and go back home, a place she never expected to turn to for solace. The seeds of wonder, now sown by St. Claire, pushes you to continue, then she veers off to the hero of the story, Will Palmer.
Will is your quintessential boy next door, major hottie who finds himself at home, trying to find his way back to what he was. His life is now in stasis while he waits for The Call, the one that will give him a career he desperately wants and needs. However, he finds himself doing the unexpected, and once that is revealed it creates a nice external conflict for him to battle with Joss. This layer of tension between them, made watching them come together that much more appealing Throughout the twists and turns of the novel, we see both, Will and Joss, grow and change. Through their conflicts they had to recognize and admit their faults, as well as realize that their feelings for each other were not buried as deeply as they thought.
When they came together, Joss finds herself being "coached" by Will, who helps her to see that she is more than what she wants people to see. Both scarred by life, and scared by their feelings and desire for each other, Joss and Will relearn each other. They learn that depending on others for help is not a bad thing, and that in life, you need to find that someone who gets you, who understands you for who you are. Joss had to learn to love herself, as she was as a child, and overcome her feelings about her father. With Will's help, she learned to look beneath her dad's faults, to see the changed man he was. His disease changed him dramatically, and Joss found that she now had to be the parent to this man whom she felt terrorized her life. The sexual tension between Joss and Will was quite palpable, and I loved watching them dance around the issue, well, Joss dancing around the issue since Will was not at the top of her "list". I loved the scene where they first come together; it was reminiscent of her high school days after all, and who wouldn't want to make it around the bases with the captain of the team?
I loved, how, St. Claire didn't make sex the central theme of this story. The overarching conflict conflict was front and center, coupled by the internal conflicts both Will and Joss had to deal with, it made for an interesting read. We learned a few things about the resident hoyden of Barefoot Bay, Charity Grambling, as well, and I was pleasantly surprised after looking beneath her external armour. No, I didn't fall in love with her, I mean she is a terror when it comes to keeping things the same after all, but what she did for Joss helped to reveal her humanness, and gave some insight as to who she really was beneath that tough exterior. It was the multifaceted nature of tis book that caused it to leave an indelible mark on me. Watching Joss try to navigate her new reality made me think about my own insecurities and the way I deal with things in my life. Her childhood was somewhat emblematic of my own, in the sense that the emotions she dealt with were mine, though the situation was different. I cried a lot during the reading of this book, and I'm sure that as I continue reading the other books in the Barefoot Bay series, I will need many boxes of Kleenex :) You should check it out for yourselves.
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Stop by my blog for a little more insight. Here's the link: http://peacenlovepaula.blogspot.com/2...
February 10, 2015
Good romance that also deals with a couple tough issues, those of abuse and Alzheimer's. Will and Jocelyn had known each other and been best friends since they were ten years old. Will lived next door and had also been Jocelyn's place of refuge and escape when her father's abuse would get bad. The summer before they were to leave for college, their friendship began to change into something more. Just as they were about to do something about it, they were caught by her father, who threatened to kill Will, or at the very least find a way to end Will's baseball dreams. Wanting to protect Will, Jocelyn left Barefoot Bay, but not before her father nearly beat her to death.
Fifteen years later, Jocelyn is trying to escape a trumped up scandal. The only place she can go is back to Barefoot Bay, where her three college friends can hide her. For the first time in those fifteen years, she sees Will again, and is reminded of all she felt for him. He's working as a carpenter and living in his parents' old house, still next door to her father. She's stunned to find out that Will has been caring for her father, who is suffering from Alzheimer's, for the past year. Even worse, her father has totally forgotten her existence and believes that Will is his son. Jocelyn hasn't been able to forget what her father had done and is determined to put him in a home and forget about him.
Will has come to terms with his relationship with Guy and doesn't want to see him taken from the only place he remembers. He is determined to make Jocelyn see that there is a better way. At the same time, he'd really like to rekindle his relationship with her and see where it might go. In order to do that, he has to find a way to get past the walls she has built up around her heart. I loved his kindness and patience with Guy, even though he was responsible for Will's loss of Jocelyn. He also has to face up to what he sees as his own shortcomings when he discovers the truth of what had happened the night that Jocelyn left Barefoot Bay.
Jocelyn has a hard time reconciling her memories of her father and his cruelties with the man he is today. Instead of the vicious abuser, Guy is nice, spending his time doing needlework and watching television. He mistakes her for the host of a television cleaning show who has come to help him. Though she starts out as coldly determined to have him put away, with Will's help her feelings toward her father start to change. Her feelings for Will also begin to grow. At first it is a rekindling of their friendship, as Will helps her with her father, but the attraction to him is still there. She doesn't see anything coming of it, as their lives are now too different. But being back in Barefoot Bay gives her a chance to reevaluate her life, and the support of her friends shows her she has options. All she has to do is take a chance on her feelings.
I liked seeing Will and Jocelyn getting to know each other again. The chemistry between them is fantastic. I loved the scene at the baseball field and how that moved them closer together. Beyond that, they have to learn to trust themselves. Finding out what had happened to Jocelyn has Will questioning himself and his own self worth, and the guilt he feels affects the way he looks at their relationship. Jocelyn has to find a way to let go of the past so that she can move forward.
I loved the ending and Will's ultimate effort to help Jocelyn with the scandal that has been causing her the problems. What he did showed, not only his love for Jocelyn, but also the basic goodness of who he is.
Jocelyn's father Guy was an interesting character. After the viciousness of the prologue, seeing him as he is now was quite the change. Seeing things through his eyes gave an interesting perspective on the disease. A surprise discovery gave Jocelyn and Will a chance to understand what may have been the trigger for Guy's actions. I also liked seeing Jocelyn's friends and the way they rallied to help her. Their support gives her the courage to face her demons and make a grab for a better future.
Fifteen years later, Jocelyn is trying to escape a trumped up scandal. The only place she can go is back to Barefoot Bay, where her three college friends can hide her. For the first time in those fifteen years, she sees Will again, and is reminded of all she felt for him. He's working as a carpenter and living in his parents' old house, still next door to her father. She's stunned to find out that Will has been caring for her father, who is suffering from Alzheimer's, for the past year. Even worse, her father has totally forgotten her existence and believes that Will is his son. Jocelyn hasn't been able to forget what her father had done and is determined to put him in a home and forget about him.
Will has come to terms with his relationship with Guy and doesn't want to see him taken from the only place he remembers. He is determined to make Jocelyn see that there is a better way. At the same time, he'd really like to rekindle his relationship with her and see where it might go. In order to do that, he has to find a way to get past the walls she has built up around her heart. I loved his kindness and patience with Guy, even though he was responsible for Will's loss of Jocelyn. He also has to face up to what he sees as his own shortcomings when he discovers the truth of what had happened the night that Jocelyn left Barefoot Bay.
Jocelyn has a hard time reconciling her memories of her father and his cruelties with the man he is today. Instead of the vicious abuser, Guy is nice, spending his time doing needlework and watching television. He mistakes her for the host of a television cleaning show who has come to help him. Though she starts out as coldly determined to have him put away, with Will's help her feelings toward her father start to change. Her feelings for Will also begin to grow. At first it is a rekindling of their friendship, as Will helps her with her father, but the attraction to him is still there. She doesn't see anything coming of it, as their lives are now too different. But being back in Barefoot Bay gives her a chance to reevaluate her life, and the support of her friends shows her she has options. All she has to do is take a chance on her feelings.
I liked seeing Will and Jocelyn getting to know each other again. The chemistry between them is fantastic. I loved the scene at the baseball field and how that moved them closer together. Beyond that, they have to learn to trust themselves. Finding out what had happened to Jocelyn has Will questioning himself and his own self worth, and the guilt he feels affects the way he looks at their relationship. Jocelyn has to find a way to let go of the past so that she can move forward.
I loved the ending and Will's ultimate effort to help Jocelyn with the scandal that has been causing her the problems. What he did showed, not only his love for Jocelyn, but also the basic goodness of who he is.
Jocelyn's father Guy was an interesting character. After the viciousness of the prologue, seeing him as he is now was quite the change. Seeing things through his eyes gave an interesting perspective on the disease. A surprise discovery gave Jocelyn and Will a chance to understand what may have been the trigger for Guy's actions. I also liked seeing Jocelyn's friends and the way they rallied to help her. Their support gives her the courage to face her demons and make a grab for a better future.
November 13, 2012
Growing up, Jocelyn had to live with a father, named Guy, that was very abusive to her mother. She becomes best friends with Will next door, and often took refuge at his house when things got bad at home. Right before college starts, their friendship takes a turn towards romance, but before they could get down to business, Jocelyn’s father barges in, enraged and ready to take Will out. Will is a star baseball player with a scholarship he needs to keep and Jocelyn’s father threatens to cry rape if he goes near her again. So after Jocelyn flees the house,Will takes the safe way out – by never contacting Jocelyn again.
Now Fifteen years later, Will’s baseball career has come to an end, and he is back in his hometown working in carpentry, helping to build the new resort. When he first got back to town, he discovered Guy was no longer the town bully, but rather a sick old man with dementia. Will takes pity on him and starts to help him cook dinner and take care of himself. Jocelyn left for college and never returned home, except for her mom’s funeral years ago. She has estranged herself from her father and has no idea he is sick.
Jocelyn works in Hollywood as a life coach, but the tabloids have reported that she has slept with a big star’s husband. On the run from gossip, she flees back home to hide. She reunites with Will, and is shocked and confused, when she finally sees her father again,.
This book has a nice beginning with an interesting set up. Guy is a really vicious father and when we move fifteen years into the future I was excited about Will and Jocelyn reuniting. But my excitement was never quite fulfilled. Jocelyn has very mixed feelings when she finds out her father is sick. He is a changed man. He doesn’t remember anything about being an abusive person, and he doesn’t remember her. He thinks Will is his son. He is kind and gentle. Jocelyn can’t reconcile this. She wants to throw him in a home and be done with it. I understood this, as he was an awful person. But her character never grew on me. She was so cold and defensive, and just prickly. I felt like she just stalls and doesn’t move forward with either hating her father, or coming to terms with who he is now.
Will has had puppy dog eyes for Jocelyn forever, but feels his inaction all those years ago when her father caught them, drove Jocelyn away. Again, he just kind of bumbles along in this story waiting for Jocelyn to make up her mind about him as well. The romance takes forever to unfold and never grabbed my attention. I got tired of the Guy storyline by the second half and was ready for everything to be resolved way before the story actually ended.
Not sure if I’ll continue this series, as I didn’t love the first book either, I might have to wait for reviews on book three to decide.
Rating: C
Now Fifteen years later, Will’s baseball career has come to an end, and he is back in his hometown working in carpentry, helping to build the new resort. When he first got back to town, he discovered Guy was no longer the town bully, but rather a sick old man with dementia. Will takes pity on him and starts to help him cook dinner and take care of himself. Jocelyn left for college and never returned home, except for her mom’s funeral years ago. She has estranged herself from her father and has no idea he is sick.
Jocelyn works in Hollywood as a life coach, but the tabloids have reported that she has slept with a big star’s husband. On the run from gossip, she flees back home to hide. She reunites with Will, and is shocked and confused, when she finally sees her father again,.
This book has a nice beginning with an interesting set up. Guy is a really vicious father and when we move fifteen years into the future I was excited about Will and Jocelyn reuniting. But my excitement was never quite fulfilled. Jocelyn has very mixed feelings when she finds out her father is sick. He is a changed man. He doesn’t remember anything about being an abusive person, and he doesn’t remember her. He thinks Will is his son. He is kind and gentle. Jocelyn can’t reconcile this. She wants to throw him in a home and be done with it. I understood this, as he was an awful person. But her character never grew on me. She was so cold and defensive, and just prickly. I felt like she just stalls and doesn’t move forward with either hating her father, or coming to terms with who he is now.
Will has had puppy dog eyes for Jocelyn forever, but feels his inaction all those years ago when her father caught them, drove Jocelyn away. Again, he just kind of bumbles along in this story waiting for Jocelyn to make up her mind about him as well. The romance takes forever to unfold and never grabbed my attention. I got tired of the Guy storyline by the second half and was ready for everything to be resolved way before the story actually ended.
Not sure if I’ll continue this series, as I didn’t love the first book either, I might have to wait for reviews on book three to decide.
Rating: C
October 5, 2012
Jocelyn Bloom has a thriving business in L. A. as a life coach to the elite of Hollywood. She's now embroiled in a scandal involving the famous husband of one of her clients and she's come home to Barefoot Bay to take cover. Her friends rally around her, including Will Palmer, who once was her lifeline during her miserable childhood. Jocelyn has been estranged from her father since she left Barefoot Bay for college and is stunned when she discovers Will has been seeing to his care because of his senility.
Will and Jocelyn have an extremely complicated past, which unfolds gradually throughout the story. It's pretty clear that Jocelyn's father, Guy, was abusive to her and was the catalyst to her leaving Barefoot Bay. What's not so easy for Jocelyn is Will's new relationship with Guy. It's also tough for Will to accept that Jocelyn may have had an affair with her client's husband. The two of them grapple with their memories of who they were from the past and who they want to be with each other now. Their romance is passionate and troubled but so realistic. It was interesting to see both try to rebuild their fractured trust while continuing to harbor secrets from each other.
Jocelyn's relationship with her girlfriends is also a crucial aspect of the story. I really like how their friendship is portrayed and how they support each other, even when it just means giving Jocelyn space. It's one of the strengths of this series and it plays out nicely in this story, especially when it's clear that one of the other friends, Zoe Tamarin, is also hiding something. It was perfectly set up for the next book and I'm dying to read it.
The conflict in this story involving Jocelyn and Guy was a pretty tough one and the ending was a little puzzling. However, it more than compensated with the romance between Jocelyn and Will and the heartwarming relationships between the girlfriends. I'm still loving this series and am looking forward to Zoe's story.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
Will and Jocelyn have an extremely complicated past, which unfolds gradually throughout the story. It's pretty clear that Jocelyn's father, Guy, was abusive to her and was the catalyst to her leaving Barefoot Bay. What's not so easy for Jocelyn is Will's new relationship with Guy. It's also tough for Will to accept that Jocelyn may have had an affair with her client's husband. The two of them grapple with their memories of who they were from the past and who they want to be with each other now. Their romance is passionate and troubled but so realistic. It was interesting to see both try to rebuild their fractured trust while continuing to harbor secrets from each other.
Jocelyn's relationship with her girlfriends is also a crucial aspect of the story. I really like how their friendship is portrayed and how they support each other, even when it just means giving Jocelyn space. It's one of the strengths of this series and it plays out nicely in this story, especially when it's clear that one of the other friends, Zoe Tamarin, is also hiding something. It was perfectly set up for the next book and I'm dying to read it.
The conflict in this story involving Jocelyn and Guy was a pretty tough one and the ending was a little puzzling. However, it more than compensated with the romance between Jocelyn and Will and the heartwarming relationships between the girlfriends. I'm still loving this series and am looking forward to Zoe's story.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
May 29, 2013
Barefoot in the Rain: Roxanne St. Claire
This Is ONLY My Opinion!
What can I say? I Loved Roxanne's Bullet Catcher Series So This Was Different For Me. I Fell In Love With The Love Story And Was Distraught Over The Father/Daughter Story.
Will Palmer And Jocelyn Bloom Are Trying To Find There Way Back To Each Other After Being Torn Apart By Her Abusive Father Fifteen Years Ago. Jocelyn Is A Life Coach. She Returns After A Scandal Has Hit The Tabloids About Her And Will, Who Is A Baseball Player Turned Carpenter Is Taking Care Of Her Father Who Has Alzheimer's.
Jocelyn Is Estranged From Both Of These Characters And Must Find A Way To Knock Down The Walls That She Has Surrounded Around Herself. She Gets A Second Chance With Both Men, One Is An Honest To Goodness Love Story And The Other Is An Emotional Tale Between Father And Daughter. One Breaks My Heart And The Other Touches My Heart... This Story Also Involves Her Three Closest Friends Who Arrive On The Scene To Help A Dear Friend Out. We Get To Learn About Them Too And Know There Stories Are Next.
OUTSTANDING ARE ABOUT THE ONLY WORDS THAT DESCRIBES THIS BOOK FOR ME!!!
This Is ONLY My Opinion!
What can I say? I Loved Roxanne's Bullet Catcher Series So This Was Different For Me. I Fell In Love With The Love Story And Was Distraught Over The Father/Daughter Story.
Will Palmer And Jocelyn Bloom Are Trying To Find There Way Back To Each Other After Being Torn Apart By Her Abusive Father Fifteen Years Ago. Jocelyn Is A Life Coach. She Returns After A Scandal Has Hit The Tabloids About Her And Will, Who Is A Baseball Player Turned Carpenter Is Taking Care Of Her Father Who Has Alzheimer's.
Jocelyn Is Estranged From Both Of These Characters And Must Find A Way To Knock Down The Walls That She Has Surrounded Around Herself. She Gets A Second Chance With Both Men, One Is An Honest To Goodness Love Story And The Other Is An Emotional Tale Between Father And Daughter. One Breaks My Heart And The Other Touches My Heart... This Story Also Involves Her Three Closest Friends Who Arrive On The Scene To Help A Dear Friend Out. We Get To Learn About Them Too And Know There Stories Are Next.
OUTSTANDING ARE ABOUT THE ONLY WORDS THAT DESCRIBES THIS BOOK FOR ME!!!
January 31, 2013
I absolutely love this series. Barefoot In The Rain continues right where book one left off. I love the intense storyline taking place right along with the spa's building and developing.
This is Jocelyn's story. Her lifelong love of her next door neighbor Will. I loved watching Joycelyn come to grips with her family situation and the love she has always had for Will. Will is a very strong and generous leading man. You can't help but love him. I also loved getting to know more about the town. This is a great book. I can't wait for book 3 in the series: Barefoot In the Sun.
This is Jocelyn's story. Her lifelong love of her next door neighbor Will. I loved watching Joycelyn come to grips with her family situation and the love she has always had for Will. Will is a very strong and generous leading man. You can't help but love him. I also loved getting to know more about the town. This is a great book. I can't wait for book 3 in the series: Barefoot In the Sun.
December 20, 2012
It's interesting the things we surpress make us stronger for it. Jocelyn Bloom left home and never looked back when she left home where she had an abusive father. Doing so she also left her high school sweetheart. Jocelyn sacrifices what means the most to her for the safety of her friends. Very interesting read with lots of unexpectied twist. Will gladly re-read this book over and over. Looking forward to reading more by Roxanne St. Claire.
November 3, 2012
I truly enjoyed every word of this book. It held my attention with every page and I had a hard time putting it down. The story line was unique and up to date on topics of interest to everyone. The characters were wonderful and very believable. I could feel every hurt and pain they felt. She has a wonderful way of telling a loving story filled with pain and suffering. This is my favorite book by Ms. St. Claire.
November 13, 2012
Roxanne St. Claire is the goddess of writing. Barefoot In The Sand was phenominal! Not only was it a wonderful romance, it was a heart wrenching story. Roxanne dealt with issues of abuse, dementia, self esteem issues beautifully. The book was not a downer or too heavy for the heart. She had her characters grow, learn forgiveness, and learn to love the not so perfect issues in life.... and had a great romance as well. Highly recommend!
October 7, 2012
I would have thought Jocelyn's painful back story would detract from her love story with Will, but it didn't. It INTENSIFIED it. Made it worth it. And made Will's journey so very palpable as he rose to meet the woman he loved.
I was lucky enough to score an ARC for this book (hits shelves 10/12), and I'm so glad I did. Roxanne St. Claire is one of my new favorites!
I was lucky enough to score an ARC for this book (hits shelves 10/12), and I'm so glad I did. Roxanne St. Claire is one of my new favorites!
March 23, 2013
This was one of the best books I have read this year. This book has everything, love, romance, drama, female friendship and the power of forgiveness. This book has everything. I would recommend this series to everyone.
November 9, 2012
This book was so powerful, wow, gave you many things to think about, loved Will, sigh, 10 stars for sure, looking forward to the next book in this series
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