Publisher: Forever
Publish Date: Out Now
How I got this book: NetGalley
When running is all you’ve ever known . . .
Caught between fight and flight, Zoe Tamarin has always picked flight. Since she was rescued from a nightmare childhood by her great-aunt Pasha, they’ve been on the move, never staying in one place long enough to risk exposing their precarious past. But now that they’ve reached the sun-baked shores of Barefoot Bay, Zoe may have to stay and fight–for her aunt’s life . . . and for a love she ran from years before.
Sometimes the bravest act of all is to stand still.
Oliver Bradbury came to Florida to start over, as both a doctor and a father to his eight-year-old son. He never expected life to hand him a second chance with the woman he lost years ago–but one look at Zoe Tamarin and he knows he’ll do whatever it takes to prove that this time, he can be the man she needs. But when demands of family and friendship threaten to shatter their rekindled passion, Oliver must heal Zoe’s lifelong wounds with more than hot kisses . . . but will that be enough to keep her from flying off with his heart?
*Blurb from Goodreads*
I was really excited to read Zoe’s story, because her history was so shrouded in secret and mystery. Given the interaction we got to see between her and Oliver in the first two books in the series, I knew we were in for a second chance love story treat.
Zoe has been running her whole life. From her childhood, the law and Oliver. The one thing she wants most in life (a home), is the one thing she continues to run from. Now that her great-aunt Pasha is sick, Zoe knows that they will have to stay in one place for a while so that they can get her the kind of care she needs. Since only Oliver knows her secret, she is going to have to confront him once again, and see if he will be willing to treat a woman on the run.
Oliver never stopped loving Zoe, despite going on with his life. Coming to Florida to work in a practice at the cutting edge of cancer research, and having his son for the summer is everything he could want. But when Zoe walks in his door, he knows that he still has feelings for her. But getting Zoe to admit those feelings and stick around to try and make it work will be the great challenge of Oliver’s life.
I loved getting the chance to finally get all the details about Zoe’s backstory, and what an amazing story it is. I couldn’t believe the things she had been through, and the secrets she was keeping. I adored her, and the more that her story unfolded, the more I understood her reactions to events from past books. I was a little bummed that it took her so long to realize that she didn’t have to run forever. I wanted her to rely on her girlfriends, her security in their love and friendship and realize that she had a safe haven with them.
I liked Oliver and his son. I thought they were super sweet and made a wonderful little pair. Oliver was a little clueless about being a father, but I liked that he was able to figure it out as he went. I also liked that his son was a super genius. It let St. Claire play with the fact that his dialogue was older than a normal child, and he was a little more perceptive than most children, and yet he had an air of innocence about him as well. It was very well done.
The relationship between Zoe and Oliver was frustrating at times. It was obvious that Oliver was head over heels in love with Zoe, yet Zoe was so quick to run. It was almost as if she was afraid of life itself. I was glad that Pasha and all of Zoe’s friends tried to push Zoe toward Oliver, I was glad to see so many positive influences in her life trying to force her into the land of the living.
All in all I really enjoyed the third installment of the Barefoot Bay series. I loved getting Zoe’s backstory, and I liked once she and Oliver finally were able to settle down with one another. I’m so excited and anxious to read Tessa’s story. I adore her, and can’t wait to see how her HEA ends.
I give Barefoot in the Sun a B