In Isabeau’s Eyes is a contemporary adult erotic romance novel by Lora Leigh. This is book one of a new series by the author called Kentucky Nights. At fifteen years old, Isabeau Boudreaux was blinded in a violent attack that ended the lives of her parents. Ten years on, parts of Isabeau’s vision are returning, but a series of accidents coined ‘bad luck’ have her friends convinced that someone wants her dead. After a near-fatal incident involving Isabeau and a friend, her friend’s brother, Tracker Calloway, almost reluctantly steps in. Tracker is offering to put an end to this string of ‘bad luck’ Isabeau seems to have; he knows how to protect people, and that’s his job, but why did Isabeau have to be irresistible and damn near impossible to stay away from?
I am kicking myself that I have not explored more books by Lora Leigh before now. I state more often than not that she is one of my favourite authors because I devoured the entire Breeds series (including the novellas) in a matter of months. I would have easily read In Isabeau’s Eyes in one day if life did not involve adulting. I always absolutely love both main characters and get so excited to see what other characters in the book may get a story of their own. Lora Leigh creates a world I would love to be a part of—not for the troubles they face but just to socialise with the people within.
Isabeau Boudreaux has a fire and strength within her that I admire. She has been made to feel as though she is a burden, whether that was intended or not, it is nonetheless how she felt. It is as if she has had to hide parts of herself and lessen her emotions to suit the people around her and not offend or upset them. This has caused her to feel isolated and alone, as though she cannot correct the behaviours of those close to her because their motives are only to protect her. Isabeau is selfless, willing to walk the dangerous road by herself if it meant no one else would be harmed. When she met Tracker, it was instantaneous; a switch was flipped, and she could be unapologetically herself. She allowed herself to feel all of it with the full knowledge that her feelings may get hurt, but she was not going to shy away from the potential heartache because she was wanted, desired, and alive. When Tracker paid the band to dance with her, my heart was gone, and I was preparing myself, along with Isabeau, for the heartache to come.
Tracker Calloway had me at his first honest, cocksure line, but he was immediately bumped up to be sweet when he started to describe the Lake House to Isabeau. He never once lied to her; he always allowed her to know what was happening at almost every stage as it was for her protection, and she deserved to know. He is an alpha male, full of impossible-to-deny protective instincts that were glorious to read, and the one-liners about punching people had me laughing a lot; he had me laughing a lot anyway just by his confident comments. One thing this man is not missing is an abundance of confidence. Tracker’s craving desire to have and claim Isabeau despite knowing that doing so would only cause them both trouble when he inevitably had to leave was beautifully painful to read—especially considering his reasons for not hoping to ever fall in love again, if he even was before—because what she and he have is indescribable. Both Tracker and Isabeau made my heart ache with their worries that they were quickly becoming lost in each other, to the point that walking away would become next to impossible. I always forget that I have never read a Lora Leigh novel that did not end with a HEA, which always makes the ending all the sweeter.
There were only two minor, and I repeat, minor, things that annoyed me about this book and prevented me from increasing the star rating; if I believed in half stars, this book would have earned one. The first being that at times I felt it was slightly repetitive in the sense that both Tracker and Isabeau were fighting with themselves about how strongly they felt about each other, and their thoughts became a little repetitive. The second is more of a pet peeve of mine; it irritates me when a kink is repeatedly mentioned but never executed. I often ask why it was brought up if not just to tease. Even though I loved Tracker and Isabeau’s chemistry and, at times, their good-natured banter, the aforementioned dislikes caused me to drop a star. Therefore, I am rating this book Four out of Five Stars.
I have been waiting very patiently for the next instalment in the Breeds series by Lora Leigh, so when I saw this book released, I thought I might as well branch out and try another book series by one of my favourite authors, and I am so glad I did. I cannot wait for more of this series to be released. As with every Lora Leigh book I have read so far, the spice is very much eighteen and over, and you never have to wait long for the heat to dial up. The authors’ books are very spice-heavy, but there is always a decent plot that is easy to follow at its undercurrent. Therefore, I’d recommend this book to an adult audience; an honourable mention for the ladies: we love a man that provides aftercare. In Isabeau’s Eyes holds some mystery, suspense, violence, an undeniable connection, seduction, and, as always, a HEA.
Favourite Quotes
“How sad that was, Isabeau had thought at the time, that the monsters of the world existed to destroy lives in such a way.”
page 23
“Damn her. She was pushing a boundary he wasn’t certain she was brave enough to cross, despite her bravado.”
page 57
“Maddening, overwhelming, irresistible rapture fragmented through her until she was certain, clear to her soul, that she would never be the same again.”
page 146
““I can walk,” she assured him, but her arms were still wrapped around his shoulders, her face buried at his neck. “And I can carry you just fine.” He heard the darker tone of his voice and almost winced at the sound.”
page 162
““Tracker, I don’t know whether to be offended or turned on,” she finally stated consideringly. “Well, baby, when you figure it out, you just let me know, then I’ll answer accordingly.””
page 166
““Don’t you know, princess, pleasure and pain, like love and hate, are the most intimate of friends.””
page 266
Finer Details:
Title: In Isabeau’s Eyes
Author: Lora Leigh
Pages: 286
Publisher: Berkley An Imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
Publication: 2023
Language: English
Rating: 4/5