Barefoot by the Sea by Roxanne St. Claire follows a woman named Tessa Galloway, who desperately wants to have a child, but life keeps getting in the way. Tessa is known as the nurturer in her friend group and is a talented gardener, managing to create a prolific and beautiful garden at the resort in Barefoot Bay. However, the one thing she wishes to grow the most remains out of her reach.
Tessa yearns to be a mother. While her friends believe that the right guy will eventually come along, Tessa is unwilling to wait. She is searching for the perfect donor and is not interested in just anyone. Her fortunes might change when the resort hires a gorgeous and charismatic new chef, John Brown, who sparks her interest and makes her wonder if she wants something more with him.
John Brown is on the run and desperate to reclaim his old life. It has been three years since he was placed in the witness protection program, forcing him to leave his toddler twins behind to keep them safe. To regain custody of his twins, he must prove that he has a stable life, which includes having a wife. John finds himself falling for Tessa, but she seeks someone who can be honest and open with her. Unfortunately for John, he harbors many secrets that could jeopardize the safety of those he loves if revealed. Will this pair find a way to achieve their desires?
This book is the fourth novel in the series, and although I read the previous book, Barefoot in the Sun, I believe I could have followed the story without reading any others in the series. I didn’t enjoy this novel. It felt like there was too much filler, and the overall storyline seemed far-fetched. I don’t understand how being married would make someone a better father. Also, why would he be unable to get his children back if the police managed to capture the bad guys?
The romance and the element of Tessa’s alleged infertility felt unbelievable, and it was annoying how everything was neatly resolved at the end. In the previous book, Tessa discusses her desire for children, so it seems odd that she assumes she is infertile without a medical diagnosis.
While the characters in this book weren’t completely insufferable, they still had their annoying moments. There was one recurring character, Zoe—the lead in the previous novel—who continued to be bothersome in this book. When Zoe noticed her friend struggling with the idea of a fake wedding, she selfishly chose not to help her. Tessa herself could be quite unbearable; she despises it when others keep secrets, yet she conveniently keeps them from her friends. The dialogue between some characters was cringe-worthy, leaving me to wonder if people truly acedlike that; it felt exaggerated and over the top.
I did enjoy Tessa's interactions with her friend’s daughter, Ashley. However, Ashley’s subplot was cute but predictable and likely unnecessary. After reading two books from this series, I've concluded that I am not a fan of the author. She tends to write implausible stories with largely annoying and obnoxious characters. If you enjoy steamy beach romances and don’t mind outlandish storylines, you might find more enjoyment in this novel than I did.
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