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A review by scoutmomskf
Bayou Vows by Geri Krotow
4.0
Good conclusion to the series. Like the previous book, Bare Devotion, portions of this story overlap the earlier books, this time from Jeb and Jena's perspective. A big part of the first book was Brandon dealing with Jeb stealing fifteen million dollars from their boat-building business and disappearing. In this book, we learn that Jeb took that money to save Brandon's sister's life. Jena was taken by a drug cartel and would have died without the ransom that Jeb provided. But there was more to the story.
Jeb grew up with the Boudreaux kids and was especially close to Jena. As they grew up, their childhood friendship grew into a college romance. After graduation, Jena broke it off when she decided to work for the CIA, but the attraction between them never died. A few years later, they reconnected and entered a "friends with benefits" relationship. That relationship took a hit when Jena's capture showed Jeb that he hadn't really known her after all. Though he did get Jena back to New Orleans, Jeb feels that his relationships with Brandon and Jena will never be the same and decides to move on. However, that turns out to be more difficult than he imagined.
Getting Jeb and Jena to a future together was a complicated process. Both of them have kept secrets from each other, and regaining trust isn't going to be easy. At the top of the list is that their feelings for each other have deepened, but neither dares to admit it. Jeb wants more from Jena but no longer feels that he deserves it. He also has some trouble reconciling her career with the CIA and how he has always viewed her. Jeb is a man who, thanks to his past, is compelled to take care of others. His ego takes a hit when he realizes that Jena is well able to take care of herself. Jena is very independent, and admitting that she sometimes needs Jeb is tough for her.
The struggle between Jeb and Jena felt very realistic. They had to learn to talk honestly with each other about their needs and dreams for the future. I ached for Jeb because he thought his actions made it impossible to stay in New Orleans, despite assurances otherwise. Jena faced her own problems of adjusting to civilian life and overcoming her need to keep part of her separated from everyone. Complicating matters was the intense attraction that made it challenging to keep their hands off each other. Some good scenes showed Jena and Jeb sharing things they hadn't shared with anyone before, and some sweet scenes that reminded them of the good parts of their past together. It all looks very promising until Jena's past comes calling and throws everything into turmoil. There are some tense moments for Jena that also prove to be eye-opening. The ending was wonderful. I loved the scene at their tree as they finally opened up fully to each other. The epilogue was a perfect wrap-up for all three couples.
Jeb grew up with the Boudreaux kids and was especially close to Jena. As they grew up, their childhood friendship grew into a college romance. After graduation, Jena broke it off when she decided to work for the CIA, but the attraction between them never died. A few years later, they reconnected and entered a "friends with benefits" relationship. That relationship took a hit when Jena's capture showed Jeb that he hadn't really known her after all. Though he did get Jena back to New Orleans, Jeb feels that his relationships with Brandon and Jena will never be the same and decides to move on. However, that turns out to be more difficult than he imagined.
Getting Jeb and Jena to a future together was a complicated process. Both of them have kept secrets from each other, and regaining trust isn't going to be easy. At the top of the list is that their feelings for each other have deepened, but neither dares to admit it. Jeb wants more from Jena but no longer feels that he deserves it. He also has some trouble reconciling her career with the CIA and how he has always viewed her. Jeb is a man who, thanks to his past, is compelled to take care of others. His ego takes a hit when he realizes that Jena is well able to take care of herself. Jena is very independent, and admitting that she sometimes needs Jeb is tough for her.
The struggle between Jeb and Jena felt very realistic. They had to learn to talk honestly with each other about their needs and dreams for the future. I ached for Jeb because he thought his actions made it impossible to stay in New Orleans, despite assurances otherwise. Jena faced her own problems of adjusting to civilian life and overcoming her need to keep part of her separated from everyone. Complicating matters was the intense attraction that made it challenging to keep their hands off each other. Some good scenes showed Jena and Jeb sharing things they hadn't shared with anyone before, and some sweet scenes that reminded them of the good parts of their past together. It all looks very promising until Jena's past comes calling and throws everything into turmoil. There are some tense moments for Jena that also prove to be eye-opening. The ending was wonderful. I loved the scene at their tree as they finally opened up fully to each other. The epilogue was a perfect wrap-up for all three couples.