Thursday 30 April 2020

New Release Spotlight & Review: Barefoot on the Beach by Katlyn Duncan



Barefoot on the Beach by Katlyn Duncan
Genre: Contemporary romance/Women’s fiction
Publication Date: April 29, 2020
Publisher: HQ Digital


Renee Clarke is perfectly happy just the way she is…
Renee may be thrilled to be planning her sister’s wedding, but after witnessing her mother’s two failed marriages, she has always vowed that she is better off on her own.
But when Renee discovers that Luc Hardy has moved next door, her world is knocked off kilter. Luc was her whirlwind summer romance as a teen and, more importantly, her first love. Now he’s back in West Cove, looking more handsome than ever.
There is no escaping the romance in the air this summer. With the wedding planning in full swing, Renee begins to believe that she might be able to put her childhood reservations about marriage aside.
Yet when her mother arrives, she stirs a torrent of emotions in Renee’s heart.  She's up to her old tricks again–boasting about her latest conquests–reaffirming Renee’s lack of faith in love.
As Renee’s happily-ever-after hangs in the balance, will Luc be able to convince her that true love can last forever?


AmazonUS         Amazon UK


Full of sunshine and holiday spirit, Barefoot On The Beach is perfect for those wanting to read and create a holiday atmosphere with a cold fruity drink during these difficult times. 

After previously reading a lovely Christmassy novel by Ms Duncan, it was an easy decision to read her latest novel. 

Renee Clarke agrees to assist her sister Cait with her wedding plans but it's a bitter-sweet gesture because marriage is something she'll never do herself. So when she finds out Luc Hardy has rented the next-door holiday home, it brings back memories of the teenage summer romance they shared. The boy she remembers has turned into a handsome man she'd like to get reacquainted with, but is it worth getting involved in another holiday romance when he'll be leaving West Cove after a few weeks? 

Luc Hardy's never forgot the girl he met as a teenager and is thrilled to find she still lives in the house beside his aunt's. He's in West Cove for a short time and eager to get to know Renee again and discover if she's still like the girl he lost his heart to all those years ago? 

Barefoot on the beach is so much more than a second chance romance. Renee comes from a complicated family and has a toxic relationship with her mother. Her little sister, Cait turns her life upside-down when she comes to stay before her wedding. Her presence highlights the difficult relationships Renee has in her life. The author portrays her as someone who is the product of a dysfunctional family and how those close to her have caused her great pain. She overcompensated by letting her sister walk all over her when she should stand up for herself. Having Luc back in her life allows her to start seeing her life from a contrasting perspective, only it's her divorced parents who finally show her how their behaviour had a negative impact on how she views certain people. 

Everything ties up satisfactorily with a happy ending, although I felt this was a little rushed but overall, I enjoyed this summery novel with appealing characters set again a cosy coastal backdrop. 


***arc generously received courtesy of HQ Digital via NetGalley***

Coming from a small town, Katlyn Duncan always had her head in the clouds. Working as a scientist for most of her adult life, she enjoyed breaking down the hows and whys of life. This translated into her love of stories and getting into the minds of her characters.
When she’s not writing, she’s obsessing over many (many) television series’.
She currently resides in Connecticut with her family. Check out more about her writing and current TV addiction in her newsletter, on Youtube, and Instagram and Twitter!

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/katlyn-duncan