Barefoot in the Dark by Suzanne Enoch is a 2018 NYLA publication.

This light romantic caper is delightfully fun and smart!

“Former’ cat burglar, Samantha Jellicoe is now engaged to billionaire entrepreneur, Richard Addison. Trying to keep Samantha out of trouble and out of the spotlight, Richard spirits her away to a crumbling Scottish estate where he plans to introduce her to a few of his relatives. However, Richard is never able to completely tame Samantha, and sure enough, before long she’s pilfering through the attic looking for something of value, while doing a bit of ghost hunting.

This alone is enough to make Richard’s anxiety levels rise, but Richard’s cousin is very serious about locating a booty of treasure. The treasure map is believed to be hidden in the castle. This situation causes a deep family rift, but also raises Samantha’s antennae.

Searching for the long- lost map leading to the treasure is just the type of challenge Samantha loves. She's enjoying it all the more because Richard seems to know more about this treasure than he’s telling, and appears quite determined to keep the treasure hidden. Hilarity, clever banter, and adventure ensues as Samantha outwits Richard, his relatives, and charms everyone on the estate despite their skepticism.

I have always known Suzanne Enoch as a prolific Historical Romance author. I’ve read her books off and on for many years. Well, apparently, somewhere in the early to mid- 2000s, Enoch published a handful of contemporary novels centered around Samantha Jellicoe. I had never heard of this series before now.

If have my information straight, there was a ten -year gap between the last Sam Jellicoe installment and the release of this book. It is somewhat confusing as this book is listed as ‘Samantha Jellicoe #6', but is also listed as the first book in the 'Samantha and Rick' series.

So, to be clear, Samantha and Richard have a back story that sounds interesting, and it would be great fun to locate some of the previous installments in the Samantha Jellico series for kicks and giggles, but this book works just fine as a stand-alone.

When I finally queued this book up on my Kindle, I realized it has been languishing in my ‘Currently reading’ folder for an entire year!! No, it didn’t take me a full year to read this delightful romantic mystery.

My intentions were good, but the book kept slipping down the list, despite my best efforts. I do wish I’d gotten to it sooner, but as they say better late than never.

I’m thrilled to have stumbled across this contemporary series by Susanne Enoch and will be looking for more installments in this series. If you like treasure hunts, ghost hunts, old Scottish castles, family drama and quick -witted dialogue, this fast -paced adventure will keep you entertained and rapidly turning pages. As much as I adored Samantha and her biting sarcasm, I think I may have developed a huge crush on Richard!!

Clever, light and oh so fun!!

4 stars ( )

I received an ARC of this book to read in exchange for a fair review. Barefoot In The Dark by Suzanne Enoch is the sixth book in her Samantha Jellicoe series. Yes you could read this as a stand-alone but I recommend reading the entire series because it’s such a fun series, Samantha Jellicoe is a fabulous character and watching her relationship with Richard Addison grow as they learn to trust each other is well worth the time invested. In order to escape prying paparazzi Sam and Rick retreat to a fairly decrepit castle in Scotland that belonged to his mothers family. Rick has invited his Aunt,Uncle and cousin as well in order to introduce them to Samantha. Rick’s plans for a quiet family vacation come to naught when his cousin Reginald with reality television absorbed girlfriend in tow conduct an obsessive search for a rumoured Highwayman’s treasure. Fun, sexy with snappy dialogue and familiar supporting characters reading this book was like running into old friends and getting to spend time with them once again. Quite Steamy Publishing Date August 15, 2018 #BarefootInTheDark #NetGalley ( )