Zoe Tamarin Is the third of the four college friends to get her own story in the Barefoot Bay series. Zoe has a convoluted past, one that has been carefully hidden from everyone, including her three closest friends. Both Zoe and her 'Aunt' Pasha have been running for many years from tragedies in their pasts; picking up roots and moving on when they feel they are threatened or in danger of being discovered. Nine years previously, Zoe had been in a glorious, one month love affair with Oliver Bradbury, which ended abruptly and disastrously due to unforeseen events. There was a very nice flashback in the beginning of BAREFOOT IN THE SUN detailing their past love story and tragic separation. Oliver shows up briefly near the end of the previous book of the series, Barefoot In The Rain; and it is made known to the reader at that time that he is a 'person of interest' in Zoe's past.

Now they have been thrown together again in Barefoot Bay, after a 'meet cute' event. Zoe appeals to Oliver, an oncologist, to treat her Aunt Pasha's cancer. Oliver is recently divorced with a young son, and wants to try again with Zoe. Oliver has always loved her, and never forgot her after she disappeared on him so many years before. Zoe, however, holds back on him repeatedly, unwilling to commit. This creates a lot of unnecessary drama. Oliver is a very good hero, and has good interaction with the players of the story. He is willing to help medically in any way that he can, and he has a very nice, interesting relationship with his son Evan.

The story as a whole was enjoyable, even if some of the parts didn't quite add up. Zoe, Pasha, and Oliver all had pasts and secrets; some of which were 'throwaway' events designed to add drama and angst to the story that it didn't really need. Readers could probably do with a little less of Pasha's past indiscretion and issues, and more concentration on her current dilemma. On top of all the drama running rampant, there was a Cold Case murder investigation thrown in for good measure, and a possibly corrupt law enforcement official after Zoe.

BAREFOOT IN THE SUN is a very nice story, even if the plot could had been a little tighter and more straightforward, and less dependent on everyone's past issues. There is a lot of interaction with the other couples and past characters in the series; and a nice catch-up with what is currently going on in everyone's lives. BAREFOOT IN THE SUN is a good addition to a consistently well written series.