Sarah A. Bailey’s debut in the Pacific Shores series delivers a poignant exploration of lost love, personal agency, and the magnetic pull of destiny through Heathen & Honeysuckle. This second chance romance weaves together past and present with the delicate precision of honeysuckle vines climbing toward sunlight, creating a narrative that is both achingly beautiful and refreshingly authentic.
The Heart of Pacific Shores
Set against the sun-soaked backdrop of Pacific Shores, California, Bailey crafts a small-town romance that feels lived-in and genuine. The coastal setting becomes more than mere scenery—it’s a character unto itself, representing freedom, possibility, and the untamed spirit that both Leo Graham and Darby Andrews desperately seek.
The story unfolds through dual timelines and alternating perspectives, a structural choice that serves the narrative exceptionally well. We experience the innocent intensity of teenage first love alongside the complex reality of adult second chances, watching as past and present blur together like watercolors in the coastal mist.
Characters That Breathe and Bleed
Leo Graham: The Golden-Hearted Heathen
Leo emerges as a compelling romantic hero who defies typical alpha male conventions. At seventeen, he’s the town’s charming surfer with hidden depths and a tragic backstory that never feels exploitative. Bailey skillfully avoids the orphaned bad boy cliché by grounding Leo’s character in genuine emotion and realistic trauma responses.
His evolution from teenager to professional surfer and business owner feels organic, and his unwavering loyalty to Darby—even after a decade of silence—speaks to the author’s understanding of true devotion. Leo’s protective instincts never veer into possessiveness, making him a refreshingly healthy romantic lead.
Darby Andrews: The Caged Songbird Finding Her Voice
Darby’s character arc represents the novel’s strongest achievement. Bailey masterfully portrays a woman trapped by familial expectations and societal pressures without making her a passive victim. Her journey from the controlled “good girl” of Crestwell, Kansas, to someone willing to chase her own happiness is both believable and inspiring.
The author handles Darby’s emotional abuse at the hands of her controlling father with sensitivity and realism. Her struggle to break free from generational patterns of control resonates deeply, particularly in scenes where she must choose between safety and authenticity.
The Supporting Cast and Their Complexities
Bailey peoples Pacific Shores with a vibrant ensemble that avoids small-town romance stereotypes. The Ramos family provides Leo with genuine warmth rather than convenient plot devices, while Darby’s sister Dahlia serves as both conscience and catalyst without becoming preachy.
Jackson Montague, Darby’s former fiancé, could have easily been a one-dimensional villain, but Bailey gives him enough realistic motivation—career advancement, social expectations—to make him feel human, if thoroughly unlikable.
Narrative Structure and Pacing
The alternating “Then” and “Now” structure creates delicious tension as readers piece together what went wrong ten years ago. Bailey parcels out information with careful precision, maintaining mystery without frustrating readers. The pacing occasionally stumbles during the middle sections, particularly during some of the Utah road trip sequences, but recovers strongly for the emotional climax.
The use of “honeysuckle” and “heathen” as chapter headings is initially charming but becomes somewhat gimmicky by the novel’s midpoint. However, this minor irritation doesn’t detract significantly from the overall reading experience.
Writing Style and Emotional Resonance
Bailey’s prose shines brightest in quiet, intimate moments. Her descriptions of physical and emotional intimacy feel authentic rather than performative, and she has a particular gift for capturing the weight of unspoken words. The author’s background as a Pacific Northwest native shows in her vivid, sensory descriptions of coastal California.
The dialogue feels natural, particularly between Leo and Darby, whose banter carries the easy familiarity of shared history. Bailey avoids the overly dramatic declarations common in the genre, instead letting emotion build through accumulated moments and gestures.
Themes That Matter
Personal Agency and Breaking Cycles
The novel’s exploration of how family dynamics shape individual choices provides unexpected depth. Darby’s journey to reclaim her voice after years of being controlled by her father resonates far beyond romance readers. Bailey handles themes of emotional abuse with care, showing both the immediate effects and long-term healing process.
The Nature of Home
Both protagonists struggle with concepts of belonging and home, making their eventual reunion feel like a return to themselves rather than just each other. The Pacific Shores setting reinforces this theme beautifully—it’s where both characters feel most authentic.
Second Chances and Forgiveness
Rather than glossing over the pain of their separation, Bailey forces both characters to confront how their past choices affected each other. The forgiveness arc feels earned rather than convenient.
Areas for Improvement
While largely successful, the novel has some notable weaknesses:
- Pacing Issues: The middle section drags slightly, particularly during travel sequences
- Resolution Speed: Some emotional revelations feel rushed in the final chapters
- Jackson’s Motivations: While realistic, his character could have been developed with more nuance
- Supporting Character Development: Some secondary characters feel underdeveloped, particularly Elena and the Ramos family members
Spice Level and Content Considerations
Bailey delivers steamier content than typical small-town romance without it feeling gratuitous. The intimate scenes serve character development and emotional progression, though readers should note the author’s content warnings regarding explicit sexual content.
The emotional content may be triggering for readers with experiences of family emotional abuse or controlling relationships, though Bailey handles these themes with appropriate sensitivity.
Comparison to Similar Works
Heathen & Honeysuckle shares DNA with beloved second chance romances like Colleen Hoover’s It Ends with Us and Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation, but Bailey’s work feels more grounded in realistic relationship dynamics. The small-town California setting evokes similarities to Melissa Foster’s Seaside Summers series, while the dual timeline structure recalls Taylor Jenkins Reid’s approach in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
Recommended Similar Reads
For readers who enjoyed “Heathen & Honeysuckle”, consider:
- Beach Read by Emily Henry – Similar coastal vibes and emotional depth
- The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy by Jenny Han – Coming-of-age romance with beach setting
- It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover – Themes of breaking free from controlling relationships
- The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas – Strong heroine finding her voice
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – Character-driven romance with authentic emotional growth
Final Verdict
Heathen & Honeysuckle succeeds as both an engaging romance and a thoughtful exploration of personal growth. Bailey demonstrates impressive skill for a debut author, creating characters readers will root for and a love story that feels both aspirational and achievable.
While the novel has minor pacing issues and could benefit from deeper development of some supporting characters, its emotional authenticity and gorgeous setting make it a worthwhile read for romance enthusiasts. The promise shown here suggests the Pacific Shores series will be worth following.
In Heathen & Honeysuckle, Sarah A. Bailey has crafted a love story that honors both the giddy rush of first love and the deeper satisfaction of choosing each other every day. Like the honeysuckle that gives the novel its name, this romance is sweet, persistent, and likely to linger long after the final page.
- Recommended for: Readers who enjoy second chance romance, small-town settings, dual timelines, and emotionally complex characters navigating family dysfunction while finding their way back to each other.
- Perfect for beach reading: Yes, literally and figuratively—pack this for your next coastal vacation and prepare to fall in love with Pacific Shores.