My Heathen & Honeysuckle Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
Heathen & Honeysuckle by Sarah A. Bailey is an emotional second-chance romance set on the sun-drenched coast of Pacific Shores, California. The story is told in dual timelines—then and now. As a teenager, Darby Andrews spends a summer with her grandmother to escape her controlling family. She meets Leo Graham, a local surfer with a wild heart and an even bigger capacity for loyalty. Their friendship quickly becomes a love neither of them forgets. But just as things heat up, Darby disappears without explanation, leaving Leo reeling.
A decade later, Darby is engaged to the man chosen by her father, still haunted by the choices she made. Just before her wedding, Leo turns up with a letter Darby never meant to send—a letter that cracks the careful life she’s built wide open. The past and present crash together, forcing both of them to face heartbreak, old wounds, and a connection that never faded. The book unfolds with each timeline revealing why Darby left and if she and Leo have a chance to rewrite their ending.
Why I Love This Book
I love how Heathen & Honeysuckle delivers real, raw emotion. The dual timeline works perfectly—I’m as invested in the rush of first love during those golden teenage summers as I am in the more complicated, grown-up reunion. Darby’s struggle to break free from her father’s expectations feels painfully honest. I root for her every step of the way as she pushes herself to choose her own happiness after years of putting everyone else first.
Leo is unforgettable. He’s tender and fiercely loyal, scarred by the past but never defeated by it. Seeing him refuse to give up on the person he loves—even after years of silence—got to me. Their chemistry sizzles, and the heartbreak, longing, and hope that run through every page made the emotional payoff worth every ache.
The setting of Pacific Shores is almost a character itself—a gorgeous, close-knit coastal town with wild energy and secrets. The side characters, like Darby’s grandmother and the found family of friends, add so much heart. Small gestures, like “four squeezes” of a hand, made me swoon. Some moments feel convenient or over-the-top, but I truly didn’t care—this book made me feel it all.
Who Will Like This Book
If you love second-chance romance with a strong emotional core, you’ll want this on your list. Fans of summer love, found family, runaway bride moments, dual timelines, and “good girl/bad boy” tropes will be satisfied. It’s especially good if you crave angsty, heartfelt plots mixed with steamy scenes that don’t overshadow the emotional journey. I recommend it to anyone who wants to read about choosing yourself—even if it means breaking hearts along the way.
Tagged As
contemporary romance, second chance romance, dual timeline, small town, opposites attract, good girl/bad boy, surfer hero, runaway bride, road trip, forced proximity, found family, emotional healing, summer love, angsty romance, explicit romance, tattoos, HEA, indie romance, Pacific Shores series.
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️🌶️ | Moderate
There’s definite spice—steamy, open-door scenes that push the romance forward without taking over the story. The chemistry is palpable, but the emotional connection always stays at the center. It hits a balance where the heat makes the love story more real, not just more intense.
