Reading is believing. This story is marvelous. Barefoot With A Bad Boy answers so many questions about Gabe. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Barefoot With a Bad Boy is the final link in the chain of a series that is laden with suspense, powerful performances by well developed characters and an exceptionally gifted writer. Ms. St. Claire's writing expertise is put on full display with Gabe and Isa. As a reader the more complicated the plot I tend to shy away from but this read just would not let me go. There were so many puzzles I had to solve that it was easy to become wrapped up in this amazing story of love, hope, forgiveness and second chances. This is a mind game worth the trip. This series has exceeded my expectations but I adored this story most because it's a story of how love can survive the worst of circumstances.
( )

Barefoot with a Bad Boy by Roxanne St. Claire is a 2016 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed every one of the books in the Barefoot Bay series. I like that you can read them in order or not, read the trilogy arcs, or the entire long running series, this being the fourteenth installment.

In this story, Gabe Rossi, is the hero who lost everything he ever wanted when his beloved Isadora left him for an undercover assignment, never to return. If this were not heartbreaking enough, he found out he was a father, but the child had died before he was able to locate him.

Now five years later, as his family celebrates Christmas, Gabe meets a woman who claims to be Isadora. Only she calls herself Lila, and looks nothing like the woman he loved all those years ago. She claims Gabe’ son, is also still alive, and if Gabe wants to see him, he will have to trust her.

Caught between wishing woman was his long lost Isadora, and being unable to believe this incredible story, or trust her, Gabe must make some hard choices and do whatever he can to keep his son safe.

Spy stories can be a hit or miss with me sometimes. I love the intrigue, the action, and the suspense, but at times the plot lines are just too outrageous, with all those convenient gadgets and over the top dialogue. But, when it comes to romantic suspense, the spy game is always a nice fit.

In this case, I had no idea if any of the situations detailed about Lila’s transformations were realistic or not, but I figure this type of thing probably goes on, at least to some extent. So, do we trust Lila? Is she really Isadora? Is she playing Gabe? The questions were many, and the murky details of Lila’s undercover days do nothing to quell the uneasiness I felt about her sudden reappearance and what her agenda might be.

For a long time, I was solidly in Gabe’s corner, feeling all the intense emotions he was struggling with, worried he was in danger or about to get his heart broken. Naturally, Lila was a much tougher sell, since her trademark is the cold outer shell she uses to play the part of Lila. Her struggles are hard to understand at times, as she fights to find her true identity, guard her health, and keep her son safe and happy. I can’t say I warmed up to her the same way I did with Gabe, as progress is slow as molasses, and the truth hangs in the balance so long I couldn’t make myself believe in her.

I did guess, at least partially, who might be behind some of Lila’s issues, but was blown away at what transpired, in the fast paced, white knuckled, final showdown. Wow, did not see that coming.

So, as you can tell, the story is complicated, but very absorbing, moving along with a precision that realistically builds the suspense and the romance. While the spy game and all the its complexities are a huge part of the story, ultimately this is one of the most unique second chances at love stories I’ve read in a while. The ending swoon worthy romance at its finest, with Gabe finally able to grab his elusive HEA.

Overall, this is another stellar heart pounding novel of suspense, as well as a unique and original romance. This is simply one of the best series out there in this genre and I can’t recommend it highly enough. ( )