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Indigo Bay #4
Sweet Illusions
Eva Malone was very young when her mother forced the family to join a violent doomsday cult, but she remembers a little about how normal life used to be. As a young woman, she escapes the cult with the help of an aid organization and relocates to Indigo Bay, South Carolina to pursue her dream of peaceful anonymity.
After several tumultuous years as a policeman in Atlanta, Ben Andrews has had enough. He returns home to Indigo Bay and joins the Indigo Bay PD, where the most exciting part of the job is getting a kitten out of a tree or rescuing tourists who lose their keys at the beach.
Eva and Ben are immediately drawn to each other. But as the prophesied date of the apocalypse draws near and the cult steps up its efforts to find her, Eva realizes she can’t maintain her sweet illusion forever.
After several tumultuous years as a policeman in Atlanta, Ben Andrews has had enough. He returns home to Indigo Bay and joins the Indigo Bay PD, where the most exciting part of the job is getting a kitten out of a tree or rescuing tourists who lose their keys at the beach.
Eva and Ben are immediately drawn to each other. But as the prophesied date of the apocalypse draws near and the cult steps up its efforts to find her, Eva realizes she can’t maintain her sweet illusion forever.
ebook
Published September 1, 2020
About the author
Jeanette Lewis
47 books148 followersJeanette Lewis is a USA Today bestselling author of over 20 books. She's known for depth and detail, strong characters, and of course, plenty of sweet, swoony kissing scenes!
Dreaming up stories has always been one of Jeanette's favorite things. Other favorites include her family, good friends, crisp Autumn days, and having adventures.
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Thank you so much for your interest in my books. I try to respond to messages I receive here, but they don't always come through. If you need to reach me, please consider emailing me at AuthorJeanetteLewis@gmail.com
Thank you!
Jeanette
Dreaming up stories has always been one of Jeanette's favorite things. Other favorites include her family, good friends, crisp Autumn days, and having adventures.
FREE BOOK!
Get a free ebook when you join Jeanette's VIP reader's club.
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/volt732elo
Hi Bookworms!
Thank you so much for your interest in my books. I try to respond to messages I receive here, but they don't always come through. If you need to reach me, please consider emailing me at AuthorJeanetteLewis@gmail.com
Thank you!
Jeanette
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 6, 2017
I can't even imagine growing up in a way as terrifying as Eva did. Escaping a cult wouldn't be easy and adjusting to the "real world" would be daunting. Yet Eva is very sweet and hard working, and a little skittish, especially towards Ben. Speaking of Ben, he's always been the type to be a hero and to save the day for those around him and he can't help but to be drawn to Eva.
I love the hesitant way this couple comes together. Both Ben and Eva have issues from their past to overcome and they are each strong in some ways and weak in others, which makes them seem realistic. Discovering the roots to their issues really brings out their characters, especially as the mysteries surrounding each other unfolds.
I love this setting and how each author is able to bring a new light to Indigo Bay, yet maintaining it's small town, beach charm. I love to see familiar characters pop up and enjoy watching new couples find love. This one took me by surprise with it's sense of danger and suspense, but it's still sweet and enjoyable.
Content: mild violence (vague mentions of rape/attempted rape, death, etc); mild romance (kissing, some implied innuendo).
I love the hesitant way this couple comes together. Both Ben and Eva have issues from their past to overcome and they are each strong in some ways and weak in others, which makes them seem realistic. Discovering the roots to their issues really brings out their characters, especially as the mysteries surrounding each other unfolds.
I love this setting and how each author is able to bring a new light to Indigo Bay, yet maintaining it's small town, beach charm. I love to see familiar characters pop up and enjoy watching new couples find love. This one took me by surprise with it's sense of danger and suspense, but it's still sweet and enjoyable.
Content: mild violence (vague mentions of rape/attempted rape, death, etc); mild romance (kissing, some implied innuendo).
Read
June 16, 2017I loved Ben and Eva. They're perfect for each other and looking for the calmness of a small town like Indigo Bay. Their past might catch up with them though! (Love how Ben gets to be a hero at the end!)
P.S. I really enjoyed the layered sensory details in this book. It wasn't too heavy, didn't slow the book and gave me a fun sense of the lives of these two, really bringing the story alive.
P.S. I really enjoyed the layered sensory details in this book. It wasn't too heavy, didn't slow the book and gave me a fun sense of the lives of these two, really bringing the story alive.
July 20, 2017
I loved Indigo Bay! This was my first book in this series but I loved the sweet idyllic and charming town. I used to live on the coast and this brought back many memories of some of the smaller tourist towns. In fact I imagined myself at one of those towns and walking from the chocolate shop to the promenade and boardwalk on the beach. All the grasses growing along the beach blowing in the breeze and the smell of the ocean coming in on that same breeze. The tourists, the fun summer days, walking and just enjoying being outside in such a beautiful place. Happy sigh!!!
Miss Eulalie's chocolate shop brought back fun memories too. I had a favorite little old time candy store that made the old fashioned salt water taffy, caramels and chocolates and popcorns. I loved walking into that shop, even if I didn't buy anything but just for the fun nostalgia. My grandma was the postmaster for her small community for give or take 45 years. She had a room in her house that served as the post office and a little store. Everyone in town came to her house nonstop to get their mail and stop and chat. I loved the people in the community. Not all were related but they were a close knit community. One of my memories was the old fashioned candies that she would sell in her store. When I'd go visit, she'd give me and my cousins a small paper sack and let us pick either a small box of candies(lemon heads, candy breakers(think jawbreakers), boston baked beans, grapes) or we could pick a handful of penny candies. Remember the day when you could get a piece of candy for a penny? Well this fun candy store carried several of the same things my grandma would sell so I loved going in there. Also when my children were younger, my friends and I would do co-op preschool groups together. We'd take turns teaching different topics. We met two days a week, one day for lessons and activities and the other for field trips(or crafts or play at the park). Each year one of those field trips always consisted of going to this candy/chocolate shop and the owner would demonstrate how to make the different old fashioned candies for the preschoolers. I think the adults probably had more fun watching that and the kids just kept thinking they couldn't wait until they got some candy. Lol. Oh good times and great memories!
So, needless to say, I enjoyed reading this book and the memories that came back from my life. Now, don't let those fun and sweet memories make you think this book is all peaches and cream because it's so much more. The book is perfectly titled if you ask me. It is sweet and then it's intense and it's fast paced and it's full of sorrow and healing.
Eva and Ben have some very different backgrounds and when they meet, they both are harboring secrets and pain. The question is can they trust each other with their secrets and allow healing and peace to come into their lives.
I loved Eva. I ached for all that she had seen and endured in her life. The sacrifices made that she didn't have a choice in the matter. Yet I loved her determination. I couldn't imagine living how she did. I have bad days but my bad days are relative in comparison to many others that I try to remember that and be grateful for my struggles and know that I am truly blessed.
Ben, he was great! From the first moment that we as readers meet him to the very end, I liked him. I kept cheering him on. There were a few times I wanted to grumble at him but hey, if I didn't feel that way about him then there wouldn't be any angst to the story and I wouldn't see his character growth and change. But I really liked him at the end. Especially when he had his wake up moment. He and Eva were a fun couple to read about.
Jeanette Lewis can definitely write a good suspense novel and a sweet romance. I loved the storyline and characters, the setting and the writing. I really didn't want to put the book down until I learned what happened to all the characters.
Content: Talk about a cult, gangs, some fighting, murder(nothing graphic-just know it happens), attempted rape(again nothing graphic). Some of the topics were a little heavier but I would say this is a clean read. Some sweet kisses and a few more passionate kisses but nothing past that in the relationship. I would recommend for more mature readers.
I received a copy from the author. No review was required. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Miss Eulalie's chocolate shop brought back fun memories too. I had a favorite little old time candy store that made the old fashioned salt water taffy, caramels and chocolates and popcorns. I loved walking into that shop, even if I didn't buy anything but just for the fun nostalgia. My grandma was the postmaster for her small community for give or take 45 years. She had a room in her house that served as the post office and a little store. Everyone in town came to her house nonstop to get their mail and stop and chat. I loved the people in the community. Not all were related but they were a close knit community. One of my memories was the old fashioned candies that she would sell in her store. When I'd go visit, she'd give me and my cousins a small paper sack and let us pick either a small box of candies(lemon heads, candy breakers(think jawbreakers), boston baked beans, grapes) or we could pick a handful of penny candies. Remember the day when you could get a piece of candy for a penny? Well this fun candy store carried several of the same things my grandma would sell so I loved going in there. Also when my children were younger, my friends and I would do co-op preschool groups together. We'd take turns teaching different topics. We met two days a week, one day for lessons and activities and the other for field trips(or crafts or play at the park). Each year one of those field trips always consisted of going to this candy/chocolate shop and the owner would demonstrate how to make the different old fashioned candies for the preschoolers. I think the adults probably had more fun watching that and the kids just kept thinking they couldn't wait until they got some candy. Lol. Oh good times and great memories!
So, needless to say, I enjoyed reading this book and the memories that came back from my life. Now, don't let those fun and sweet memories make you think this book is all peaches and cream because it's so much more. The book is perfectly titled if you ask me. It is sweet and then it's intense and it's fast paced and it's full of sorrow and healing.
Eva and Ben have some very different backgrounds and when they meet, they both are harboring secrets and pain. The question is can they trust each other with their secrets and allow healing and peace to come into their lives.
I loved Eva. I ached for all that she had seen and endured in her life. The sacrifices made that she didn't have a choice in the matter. Yet I loved her determination. I couldn't imagine living how she did. I have bad days but my bad days are relative in comparison to many others that I try to remember that and be grateful for my struggles and know that I am truly blessed.
Ben, he was great! From the first moment that we as readers meet him to the very end, I liked him. I kept cheering him on. There were a few times I wanted to grumble at him but hey, if I didn't feel that way about him then there wouldn't be any angst to the story and I wouldn't see his character growth and change. But I really liked him at the end. Especially when he had his wake up moment. He and Eva were a fun couple to read about.
Jeanette Lewis can definitely write a good suspense novel and a sweet romance. I loved the storyline and characters, the setting and the writing. I really didn't want to put the book down until I learned what happened to all the characters.
Content: Talk about a cult, gangs, some fighting, murder(nothing graphic-just know it happens), attempted rape(again nothing graphic). Some of the topics were a little heavier but I would say this is a clean read. Some sweet kisses and a few more passionate kisses but nothing past that in the relationship. I would recommend for more mature readers.
I received a copy from the author. No review was required. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
June 5, 2017
This book pulled me in immediately! I was so intrigued by Eva and wanted to know her story. What a story she has! Her character was written so well. I could feel her hesitancy and fears. And I could feel her joy as she fell in love with Ben. She is so sweet! I loved watching her confidence and self-assurance grow.
Ben is wonderful! He is so patient and kind. He is very real, with strengths and vulnerabilities. I think everyone would relate to his struggle, though, hopefully, with circumstances that are less dire. His family is great! I loved the close relationships they all shared. And his brother is a riot!
Again, Jeanette Lewis has written a book that I loved. The romance between Eva and Ben was so sweet. There were great heart pounding moments. I just couldn’t put it down!
I received a copy of the book, which I voluntarily reviewed. I have given my honest opinion.
Ben is wonderful! He is so patient and kind. He is very real, with strengths and vulnerabilities. I think everyone would relate to his struggle, though, hopefully, with circumstances that are less dire. His family is great! I loved the close relationships they all shared. And his brother is a riot!
Again, Jeanette Lewis has written a book that I loved. The romance between Eva and Ben was so sweet. There were great heart pounding moments. I just couldn’t put it down!
I received a copy of the book, which I voluntarily reviewed. I have given my honest opinion.
June 6, 2017
Sweet Illusions is a fun and exciting book with characters that draw you into their story. This is not a book that you will want to put down before you finish. First of all, these are characters that you care about and you want to know how it all works out for them. Second, it is a sweet romance where you are rooting for the couple. And third, it has all the excitement and suspense you expect in a well written murder mystery. If you like the Agatha Christie/Miss Marple type mystery with evil explained enough that you are aware of just how bad the bad guys are, but not so gory that you feel entrenched in evil, this is the book for you! I truly enjoyed the story-line with the mystery, which is different than the usual sweet Christian romances that Jeanette Lewis writes. She continues to be one of my favorite authors!
* I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
* I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 25, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Fast, clean read with great people to get to know and really identify with. I love the good family moments. (As well as the comparisons between the two "families" in the story.)
The truly fascinating (and frightening) parts were about being raised in a cult environment and really thinking about how difficult that would be to overcome, both the mentality and the physical limitations.
I found myself really wondering as I read. What illusions are in my life? Which ones are good for me and which are bad? Which are imposed by others? How can we see the truth, about ourselves and others? Prepare to really be emotionally invested in some hard but mostly sweet situations. (Warning: Death of a family member included)
This book was great as it entertained, allowed me to escape life for a bit, and made me think a little about the world outside my comfort zone.
The truly fascinating (and frightening) parts were about being raised in a cult environment and really thinking about how difficult that would be to overcome, both the mentality and the physical limitations.
I found myself really wondering as I read. What illusions are in my life? Which ones are good for me and which are bad? Which are imposed by others? How can we see the truth, about ourselves and others? Prepare to really be emotionally invested in some hard but mostly sweet situations. (Warning: Death of a family member included)
This book was great as it entertained, allowed me to escape life for a bit, and made me think a little about the world outside my comfort zone.
June 29, 2017
This book is perfect for summertime. I loved the whole feel of the book. Indigo Bay feels like a town that you would have fun getting lost in as a tourist, simply strolling and enjoying yourself.
I really liked Eva. I liked the way she feels mysterious, especially in the beginning. As the story unfolds, you find out more about her, but she was almost as much a mystery to the reader for most of the story as she was to Ben.
I liked Ben too! I liked that he is happy to return to his hometown, even though he was sure it was the most boring place on earth when he left to work in Atlanta. I liked the way he was drawn to Eva, even though he wasn't sure he wanted to be.
I loved the plot of this one. Especially all the twists and turns near the end that take you to the resolution. This is a cute love story! I really enjoyed it.
I really liked Eva. I liked the way she feels mysterious, especially in the beginning. As the story unfolds, you find out more about her, but she was almost as much a mystery to the reader for most of the story as she was to Ben.
I liked Ben too! I liked that he is happy to return to his hometown, even though he was sure it was the most boring place on earth when he left to work in Atlanta. I liked the way he was drawn to Eva, even though he wasn't sure he wanted to be.
I loved the plot of this one. Especially all the twists and turns near the end that take you to the resolution. This is a cute love story! I really enjoyed it.
June 22, 2017
I have been provided with a copy of Sweet Illusions by the author for an impartial review. I absolutely loved this book and getting to meet the Ben and Eva. This book is a part of the Indigo Bay Sweet Romance series and I loved getting to go back to this town and see some of the returning characters. This is the first book that I have read by Jeanette Lewis and it will certainly not be the last. I absolutely loved her writing and she just drew me into Eva and Ben’s lives and she created a world with beautiful characters that just tugged at my heartstrings. I was left wanting more. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
May 22, 2019
Unusual!! The reason this story hit me as unusual is because you don’t find many romances out there that involve a cult, even if it a round about involvement. I very much enjoyed that angle for a romance.
Eva is a woman trying to escape to freedom from the cult she was raised in. Ben is a man (cop) who is looking to leave his demons behind him so he’s come home to Indigo Bay.I thought Ben was the perfect man for Eva until he passed judgement on her for something she had no control of. But then he very much redeemed himself and I fell in love with him again.
This story is a little suspenseful, and a little heart breaking but also a sweet romance with a very happy ever after.
Eva is a woman trying to escape to freedom from the cult she was raised in. Ben is a man (cop) who is looking to leave his demons behind him so he’s come home to Indigo Bay.I thought Ben was the perfect man for Eva until he passed judgement on her for something she had no control of. But then he very much redeemed himself and I fell in love with him again.
This story is a little suspenseful, and a little heart breaking but also a sweet romance with a very happy ever after.
June 20, 2017
Does the environment you were raised in determine who you will become? Eva was raised in a cult but she did not agree with their ways and eventually escaped. She struggles to overcome her fear and their brainwashing to create a new life for herself. Then she meets Ben and though she is reserved around him, he is determined to get to know her better. Ben has some things he is struggling with too. Can the two overcome their struggles together or will they tear them apart?
June 30, 2017
I can't imagine life in a compound. The Author does a really good job painting the picture of how horrible that life would be. The strength and bravery she gives to Eva just makes you fall in love with her. This book will leave you so emotional but in a good way. I was drawn in from the first page and could hardly put it down. Once again this Author writes an amazing story. Loved it for sure! I think I need to add some of the other from this series to my list!
September 24, 2020
After escaping a cult, Eva Malone longs for the anonymity and peace of a small town. When she meets a local police officer, sparks fly. Eva keeps her past a secret, but Ben wants to know more about the mysterious woman capturing his heart. Will the secrets he uncovers lead to a happy ending or...heartbreak?
How can a book not be good when it starts in a candy shop? I enjoyed this read. Just the right amount of tension and conflict. And lots of sweets.
How can a book not be good when it starts in a candy shop? I enjoyed this read. Just the right amount of tension and conflict. And lots of sweets.
September 14, 2025
Sweet Illusions (Indigo Bay #4) was a great read by Jeanette Lewis. When Eva Malone was very young, her mother forced the family to join a violent doomsday cult. She escapes the cult with the help of an aid organization when she was a young woman. Ben Andrews is a policeman who returns home to Indigo Bay and join the police department. Both Eva and Ben are immediately drawn to each other. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.
July 15, 2017
I liked this story about Eva who escaped from a cult and found love with police officer Ben. But when her past catches up with her will Ben be able to deal with her past, or will he be too late when her life is in the balance? Beautiful setting, love and suspense, all good things in a story. I received a complimentary copy and chose to voluntarily review.
July 31, 2019
Eva has fled the cult her mom forced her and her brother into. She is just starting to feel safe when she meets Ben, a police officer. Can she trust him and really be free from the cult? A person from the past shows up and gives her hope but is everything as it seems? A suspenseful romance that has some bittersweet moments.
June 19, 2017
Cult Crime
Eva comes to Indigo Bay to establish a new life. Ben returns home, to Indigo Bay, to escape the cruel Atlanta streets. They meet and develop a relationship. All goes well until Eva's past interferes with her well-being and their relationship.
Eva comes to Indigo Bay to establish a new life. Ben returns home, to Indigo Bay, to escape the cruel Atlanta streets. They meet and develop a relationship. All goes well until Eva's past interferes with her well-being and their relationship.
July 13, 2017
What a horrible so-called family life this girl came from! I can't even imagine the horror she went through. It was great to watch her come out of her shell and become a strong women and gain her independence. It was a story about falling in love and learning to move on.
June 18, 2019
This is a sweet romance, the characters are likeable and the setting is beautiful. I enjoyed the way the story built giving Eva's background and the details of the cult in a gentle caring way. There are lots of emotions in this story.
February 17, 2025
Enjoyable romance
Eva escapes from a cult and moves to Indigo Bay. Ben is a police officer who has returned there after his partner is seriously injured. Eva is afraid of opening up to Ben. Read it to find out what happens.
Eva escapes from a cult and moves to Indigo Bay. Ben is a police officer who has returned there after his partner is seriously injured. Eva is afraid of opening up to Ben. Read it to find out what happens.
February 23, 2026
Sweet illusion
This is just like the title says, sweet. I liked Ben and Eve's story, he is so sweet and understanding. There were things that happened that surprised me. This is a very enjoyable read.
This is just like the title says, sweet. I liked Ben and Eve's story, he is so sweet and understanding. There were things that happened that surprised me. This is a very enjoyable read.
June 7, 2017
Wonderful Read! It was thoughtful, suspenseful, and dangerous. The book really drew me in from the first page....his family is wonderful, everything hers is not. Great book!
July 21, 2018
Interest reading
I kept reading this book. It kind of knew that things would have been resolved to the best conclusion for all
I kept reading this book. It kind of knew that things would have been resolved to the best conclusion for all
May 18, 2019
A good addition to the series and an easy read
July 31, 2019
i did enjoy the book but it wasnt amng my favorites of the indigo bay series,wasnt crazy aboult the cult theme,
Did Not Finish
May 12, 2020Started off with the heroine afraid of the hero. Got about 15% in and decided I’m not in the mood for that dynamic.
May 29, 2020
Emotional Read: Eva is escaping her life in a Doomsday Cult, trying to find her place in Indigo Bay.
The characters of Ben and Eva are very well written.
The characters of Ben and Eva are very well written.
November 30, 2020
This was the best of the four I read.
August 21, 2021
Sweet but a bit darker than the usual romance.
August 1, 2024
In this Indigo Bay story, no one was staying in a colorful cottage! But, the story was interesting and had some sad twists. My heart breaked for Eva.
its-a-no-for-me-dawg
January 5, 2026Not interested - 🧼
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews