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The Callaways #3
Falling for a Stranger
From #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes the third book in the popular Callaway Series, an emotional and suspenseful novel of love, family and dangerous secrets.
Ria is as sexy and sultry as a warm tropical night and as beautifully dangerous as the island drinks she serves at the beachside bar on Isla de los Suenos -- The Island of Dreams. But Ria is not as carefree as she appears, and the pretense is wearing her down. One night she risks everything to escape from reality.
Drew Callaway is a former Navy pilot and rescue operative looking for his own escape from a life that has seen too much tragedy. Meeting Ria is like embracing the sun, and their single night together is life-changing. But the dream quickly fades when Ria is killed in a tragic accident at sea.
Months later, thousands of miles away from where they first met, Drew sees a woman who looks just like Ria. She claims her name is Tory, and that they've never met before, but he can see that she's in trouble, and he can't walk away. He's going to save her whether she wants it or not.
Drew isn't afraid of a little danger, but can he risk losing his heart to a beautiful stranger?
** FALLING FOR A STRANGER is the third book in the connected family series, The Callaways. Book #1, ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS and Book #2 SO THIS IS LOVE are currently available for purchase.
Ria is as sexy and sultry as a warm tropical night and as beautifully dangerous as the island drinks she serves at the beachside bar on Isla de los Suenos -- The Island of Dreams. But Ria is not as carefree as she appears, and the pretense is wearing her down. One night she risks everything to escape from reality.
Drew Callaway is a former Navy pilot and rescue operative looking for his own escape from a life that has seen too much tragedy. Meeting Ria is like embracing the sun, and their single night together is life-changing. But the dream quickly fades when Ria is killed in a tragic accident at sea.
Months later, thousands of miles away from where they first met, Drew sees a woman who looks just like Ria. She claims her name is Tory, and that they've never met before, but he can see that she's in trouble, and he can't walk away. He's going to save her whether she wants it or not.
Drew isn't afraid of a little danger, but can he risk losing his heart to a beautiful stranger?
** FALLING FOR A STRANGER is the third book in the connected family series, The Callaways. Book #1, ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS and Book #2 SO THIS IS LOVE are currently available for purchase.
180 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2013
1497 people are currently reading
1798 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Freethy
136 books2,675 followersBarbara's love of writing developed out of a love of reading. Growing up in an all-boy neighborhood, she spent quite a bit of time reading through her mother's large library, many of which were romantic novels. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara, she went into Public Relations, but soon discovered that writing was her true passion.
Barbara was traditionally published for many years, then formed her own publishing company FOG CITY PUBLISHING in 2011 and has since sold over 10 million books! She has published 75 novels ranging from mystery thrillers to romantic suspense and contemporary romance.
Her book SUMMER SECRETS was a #1 New York Times bestseller! And twenty-five other novels have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. She is currently writing two ongoing series, a contemporary romance series set in Whisper Lake and a romantic suspense series: Off The Grid: FBI Series. She is also known for her bestselling Callaway Family Series, which offers up fourteen books and two novellas.
When Barbara isn't writing or publishing, which isn't very often these days, she is playing tennis, hanging out with friends and family in beautiful Lake Tahoe or reading books!
For a complete list of her books, visit her website!
Barbara was traditionally published for many years, then formed her own publishing company FOG CITY PUBLISHING in 2011 and has since sold over 10 million books! She has published 75 novels ranging from mystery thrillers to romantic suspense and contemporary romance.
Her book SUMMER SECRETS was a #1 New York Times bestseller! And twenty-five other novels have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. She is currently writing two ongoing series, a contemporary romance series set in Whisper Lake and a romantic suspense series: Off The Grid: FBI Series. She is also known for her bestselling Callaway Family Series, which offers up fourteen books and two novellas.
When Barbara isn't writing or publishing, which isn't very often these days, she is playing tennis, hanging out with friends and family in beautiful Lake Tahoe or reading books!
For a complete list of her books, visit her website!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
April 7, 2015
Drew Callaway is a former Navy pilot, who now flies helicopters for the coast guard. He has been unable to forget Ria, a girl he had spent a passionate night with and then failed to save. When he sees someone like her in his hometown, it is like seeing a ghost… He cannot get his mind off her and then he sees her again. Drew is determined to solve the mystery that Ria is and not let her step out of his life ever again. Ria is on the run and she is not alone. When she had spent a night with Drew, she had hoped to never see him again. But Drew is back in her life and she seems to be unable to shake him off. But the secret that she carries could put everyone in danger and the sensible thing to do would be to pack up and leave. But the heart wants what it wants. Will Ria be finally be able to let her guard down and let someone in her life?
Drew’s predicament was hinted at in So This Is Love (Callaways #2) and I so was ready for another big mystery and Barabara Feethy delivered it well.
Drew Callaway comes off as a bit aloof from rest of the Callaways. He is used to keeping his experiences with the Navy bottled up within himself and guard his heart closely. Things change when he meets Ria on an island. From the very beginning there are sparks between them that neither can ignore. While Drew and Ria make a good couple, it is Megan who stole my heart in this instalment. She is a teenager who is slowly coming out of her shell after some life altering incident. She is bubbly and fiercely loyal. The plot had its twists and we soon find out what Ria is running from. Also, for a change there’s a major action scene in the book and while the scene could have been better, it provided a nice change in flow of the story. Also, besides the individual stories that each instalment provides, there’s a much larger mystery that surrounds the Callaway family. It has been hinted at from the first book itself, but it presents itself more openly in this book and I cannot wait to find out what grandma and grandpa Callaway have to hide! I also cannot wait to read Nicole and Ryan’s story next and see more of Brandon.
Awesome book for a light read that provides full on entertainment.
Drew’s predicament was hinted at in So This Is Love (Callaways #2) and I so was ready for another big mystery and Barabara Feethy delivered it well.
Drew Callaway comes off as a bit aloof from rest of the Callaways. He is used to keeping his experiences with the Navy bottled up within himself and guard his heart closely. Things change when he meets Ria on an island. From the very beginning there are sparks between them that neither can ignore. While Drew and Ria make a good couple, it is Megan who stole my heart in this instalment. She is a teenager who is slowly coming out of her shell after some life altering incident. She is bubbly and fiercely loyal. The plot had its twists and we soon find out what Ria is running from. Also, for a change there’s a major action scene in the book and while the scene could have been better, it provided a nice change in flow of the story. Also, besides the individual stories that each instalment provides, there’s a much larger mystery that surrounds the Callaway family. It has been hinted at from the first book itself, but it presents itself more openly in this book and I cannot wait to find out what grandma and grandpa Callaway have to hide! I also cannot wait to read Nicole and Ryan’s story next and see more of Brandon.
Awesome book for a light read that provides full on entertainment.
August 18, 2015
3.5 stars
So this was the third book in the Callaways I was reading. It was interesting to read story upon story and wonder how it must be to have so many siblings.
I’ve never before read an NYT #1 author and this chance I got from Novel Publicity, I completely sapped it up and opted to review all the 8 novels. Albeit during the blog tour, I ended up reviewing only 2, I have read 6 at the moment and I am on the way to finishing the 7th and the 8th! Phew!!
What I really like about Barbara Freethy’s books is that she involves you in the story completely. You feel a part of the characters lives and you just can’t stop reading. Also, I’m beginning to soften up towards Romantic Suspense and I think that is great for me because I love Suspense as a genre.
So this book picked up on Drew Callaway’s life. He digressed from the usual Callaway line and worked with the Coast Guard. This itself set the book apart because the Callaways are a firefighter family.
So Sean meets this woman, who changes his life in one night. The next day, she is killed in a boat accident. Sean is devastated.
But all is not as it appears. Ria, the woman who stole Drew’s heart, is hiding in San Francisco, from her sister’s druggie brother-in-law. She is harbouring her niece, who she wants to protect from a degenerate life.
What happens when Drew finds Ria in the crowd. Will he stop to finding the one woman who stole his heart? Will Ria’s past catch up with her? What will happen to this love story?
As most of the men in books, Drew is brooding, quiet and keeps to himself. I feel, this isn’t a very good quality for men to have. I mean, I feel men should be allowed the power to express what they feel.
Any way, my feelings about Drew changed as I read through the book. I saw how he changed because of his interactions with Ria and how he wanted to be more cheerful when he was with her. And that was the true power of love. Changing you for the better.
I could feel Ria’s predicament about how she felt so much more grown up than she was because of the difficulties she was facing. I also felt bad for Megan, Ria’s niece. She just wanted to discover a new life for herself and the life she had in San Francisco was so much better than she had. Her naivete endeared me to her.
I felt, mystery wise, this book did not have that great a mystery. It wasn’t that thrilling and page turning. Drew and Ria’s increasing chemistry made me flip through page after page to find out what happened next.
This was a good book and I really jumped straight into the next book right away.
My Rating: 3.5/5
So this was the third book in the Callaways I was reading. It was interesting to read story upon story and wonder how it must be to have so many siblings.
I’ve never before read an NYT #1 author and this chance I got from Novel Publicity, I completely sapped it up and opted to review all the 8 novels. Albeit during the blog tour, I ended up reviewing only 2, I have read 6 at the moment and I am on the way to finishing the 7th and the 8th! Phew!!
What I really like about Barbara Freethy’s books is that she involves you in the story completely. You feel a part of the characters lives and you just can’t stop reading. Also, I’m beginning to soften up towards Romantic Suspense and I think that is great for me because I love Suspense as a genre.
So this book picked up on Drew Callaway’s life. He digressed from the usual Callaway line and worked with the Coast Guard. This itself set the book apart because the Callaways are a firefighter family.
So Sean meets this woman, who changes his life in one night. The next day, she is killed in a boat accident. Sean is devastated.
But all is not as it appears. Ria, the woman who stole Drew’s heart, is hiding in San Francisco, from her sister’s druggie brother-in-law. She is harbouring her niece, who she wants to protect from a degenerate life.
What happens when Drew finds Ria in the crowd. Will he stop to finding the one woman who stole his heart? Will Ria’s past catch up with her? What will happen to this love story?
As most of the men in books, Drew is brooding, quiet and keeps to himself. I feel, this isn’t a very good quality for men to have. I mean, I feel men should be allowed the power to express what they feel.
Any way, my feelings about Drew changed as I read through the book. I saw how he changed because of his interactions with Ria and how he wanted to be more cheerful when he was with her. And that was the true power of love. Changing you for the better.
I could feel Ria’s predicament about how she felt so much more grown up than she was because of the difficulties she was facing. I also felt bad for Megan, Ria’s niece. She just wanted to discover a new life for herself and the life she had in San Francisco was so much better than she had. Her naivete endeared me to her.
I felt, mystery wise, this book did not have that great a mystery. It wasn’t that thrilling and page turning. Drew and Ria’s increasing chemistry made me flip through page after page to find out what happened next.
This was a good book and I really jumped straight into the next book right away.
My Rating: 3.5/5
April 7, 2015
Falling for A Stranger (Callaway #3) by Barbara Freethy
3 stars
This story dragged for me. We were fifty percent through the book before we had even a snippet of what Ria/Tori’s problem was, and about seventy percent through before we had all the information. The majority of the book was spent knowing she was hiding, but not what from and to be honest being kept in the dark was boring. All the action began and ended in the blink of an eye and could have been expanded on to give the story some umph, instead it fell flat in the water.
I didn’t like how the drama ended, I wanted Drew to be the hero, I suppose he was in a way but it was Ria’s actions that ultimately freed herself and Megan. I didn’t like her being in that position or the way she had no real remorse over what she had to do to end it all. It really wouldn’t be that easy for a normal person to do what she did and get on with her life without it having any emotional backlash.
The romance between Drew and Ria was so-so, it happened way too quick to be totally believable, just one night together before her initial disappearance had Drew mourning her for over a year…WTH? Add this to the fact that some of the writing was off, it felt very amateurish in parts which isn’t in keeping with what I know of this author.
On the upside Grandma let out some other morsels of information on the family secret keeping that sub plot going from the previous books and it is nice that we are updated on other members of the family whose stories we have already seen. But overall this read was disappointing.
Copy supplied for review
3 stars
This story dragged for me. We were fifty percent through the book before we had even a snippet of what Ria/Tori’s problem was, and about seventy percent through before we had all the information. The majority of the book was spent knowing she was hiding, but not what from and to be honest being kept in the dark was boring. All the action began and ended in the blink of an eye and could have been expanded on to give the story some umph, instead it fell flat in the water.
I didn’t like how the drama ended, I wanted Drew to be the hero, I suppose he was in a way but it was Ria’s actions that ultimately freed herself and Megan. I didn’t like her being in that position or the way she had no real remorse over what she had to do to end it all. It really wouldn’t be that easy for a normal person to do what she did and get on with her life without it having any emotional backlash.
The romance between Drew and Ria was so-so, it happened way too quick to be totally believable, just one night together before her initial disappearance had Drew mourning her for over a year…WTH? Add this to the fact that some of the writing was off, it felt very amateurish in parts which isn’t in keeping with what I know of this author.
On the upside Grandma let out some other morsels of information on the family secret keeping that sub plot going from the previous books and it is nice that we are updated on other members of the family whose stories we have already seen. But overall this read was disappointing.
Copy supplied for review
October 19, 2019
Falling for a Stranger: Callaways Book 3 is by Barbara Freethy. This third book is about Drew who had joined the Navy instead of the Army like the others. He was somewhat of a loner and liked it like that. He disliked answering questions about himself.
Ria Hastings worked in the bar on Isla de los Suenos off the coast of Costa Rico. She had been there several months. She did not make a habit of allowing a customer to get close to her; however, tonight, she felt restless and wanted to do something wild. She felt she should because after tomorrow, she may not even be alive. She noticed Drew when he came in with his friend Tom. Instead of getting to know the women in the bar, he kept his eyes on Ria as she worked. She felt drawn to him. Finally, they got together and talked. He was alone and not married. He was simply attracted to her. She allowed herself to go with him but she didn’t answer his questions about her.
The next morning, Drew went down to the marina looking for her before his plane left. She had said she had sailing lessons to give. He saw her boat sailing out of the bay and lost sight of it. As he was leaving, a huge explosion came from her direction. He jumped into a boat and took off to see what he could do. After all, as a Navy SEAL, that is what he did. Unfortunately, there was no sign of life when they got to the wreck. There was nothing more he could do, so he left to go home.
Possibly because of the suddenness of her death, he thought a lot about Ria and one day, he was convinced he saw her down on the docks and that she had recognized her. His friends and brothers were concerned that he was obsessed with a dead woman and tried to talk him out of thinking he saw her. However, he kept looking. Did he see her or not? Why couldn’t he get her out of his mind?
Ria Hastings worked in the bar on Isla de los Suenos off the coast of Costa Rico. She had been there several months. She did not make a habit of allowing a customer to get close to her; however, tonight, she felt restless and wanted to do something wild. She felt she should because after tomorrow, she may not even be alive. She noticed Drew when he came in with his friend Tom. Instead of getting to know the women in the bar, he kept his eyes on Ria as she worked. She felt drawn to him. Finally, they got together and talked. He was alone and not married. He was simply attracted to her. She allowed herself to go with him but she didn’t answer his questions about her.
The next morning, Drew went down to the marina looking for her before his plane left. She had said she had sailing lessons to give. He saw her boat sailing out of the bay and lost sight of it. As he was leaving, a huge explosion came from her direction. He jumped into a boat and took off to see what he could do. After all, as a Navy SEAL, that is what he did. Unfortunately, there was no sign of life when they got to the wreck. There was nothing more he could do, so he left to go home.
Possibly because of the suddenness of her death, he thought a lot about Ria and one day, he was convinced he saw her down on the docks and that she had recognized her. His friends and brothers were concerned that he was obsessed with a dead woman and tried to talk him out of thinking he saw her. However, he kept looking. Did he see her or not? Why couldn’t he get her out of his mind?
October 11, 2018
Drew has never been able to forget Ria after a one night stand. He believes she died in a boat explosion. When he sees someone who looks just like Ria he is shocked. When he realizes it really is Ria he wants to reconnect. Ria tries to brush him off but he is persistent. He knows something is wrong and is determined to help, Ria just has to learn to trust him.
This was part of the Callaway series but it could be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed Drew and Rias story. I also enjoyed connecting with characters from previous books in the series. This book is a romance mixed with danger. I recommend this book or any other in this series.
September 11, 2018
I absolutely love going back to the Callaways family. So tight nit and lots of love, laughter and in between. I just love reading about Drew and Ria. From the moment he first saw her, he knew something special was going to happen between them. It was great to see all the obstacles and then some that they went through. I can't wait to continue on with this series..
October 28, 2020
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December 19, 2020
2.5 STARS
I did not enjoy this one as much as the first two books. With the insta love and unrealistic ending, I struggled to finish. I hope the next book is more inline with previous Freethy.
I did not enjoy this one as much as the first two books. With the insta love and unrealistic ending, I struggled to finish. I hope the next book is more inline with previous Freethy.
April 15, 2015
I spent most of this book cackling on the inside. Like even when it was about a third of the way through and it got good (because the two main characters and the secondary cast are pretty great), I was still shaking my head because how this book started and how it continued for the next 180 pages.
Basically Ria and Drew met one evening at a bar, had mad passionate sex for like three hours before Ria died (or did she die? dun dun dun) and Drew never forgot her. And Ria never forgot him. Even when they met like two years later Drew was all "our eyes met and I knew it was her". Cue me laughing on the inside because seriously, come on.
And I get it. This author wants them to have a connection and bond but it's been one and a half years since that night, they should have moved on. Every time one them referred to that night and how spectacular it was I rolled my eyes. I can see if maybe they had any other things in common but they didn't talk much that night, they basically just had sex and they "never felt that way about anyone ever before". Cue me snickering. Oh book. It was good overall and I loved how strong Ria and Megan are but I kept getting distracted by how Drew and Ria they met and how that played into their relationship. Which was probably not the point of this book but that's how I took it. Oh well.
Basically Ria and Drew met one evening at a bar, had mad passionate sex for like three hours before Ria died (or did she die? dun dun dun) and Drew never forgot her. And Ria never forgot him. Even when they met like two years later Drew was all "our eyes met and I knew it was her". Cue me laughing on the inside because seriously, come on.
And I get it. This author wants them to have a connection and bond but it's been one and a half years since that night, they should have moved on. Every time one them referred to that night and how spectacular it was I rolled my eyes. I can see if maybe they had any other things in common but they didn't talk much that night, they basically just had sex and they "never felt that way about anyone ever before". Cue me snickering. Oh book. It was good overall and I loved how strong Ria and Megan are but I kept getting distracted by how Drew and Ria they met and how that played into their relationship. Which was probably not the point of this book but that's how I took it. Oh well.
July 27, 2013
While I still enjoyed it; I didn't like it as much as the previous two and I was looking forward to Drew's story. Drew always seemed more angst ridden in the previous books and I didn't feel that in this book. I wish he had been more developed. I just couldn't get fully connected with this couple like with Emma & Max and my favorites Aiden & Sara. Ria was likable enough but I actually liked Megan better;which was how they were written I guess. Megan was the teen who wanted to live life and went ahead and did it (as much as her aunt let her)while Ria fought to blend. But I think what I really didn't like was the way the ending seemed rushed and coincidental.
I do love that Freethy still keeps the readers involved in the previous couples' lives (YAY for Aiden and Sara!)I can't wait to see what Aiden finally decides as a career and why. Other waited for plotlines: Nicole and Ryan's strained marriage (my son is also an Aspie...autism spectrum...and it did add strain to other problems which led to a divorce though I'm hoping for a better ending for Nicole)and, of course, the mystery of the Callaway grandparents.
I do love that Freethy still keeps the readers involved in the previous couples' lives (YAY for Aiden and Sara!)I can't wait to see what Aiden finally decides as a career and why. Other waited for plotlines: Nicole and Ryan's strained marriage (my son is also an Aspie...autism spectrum...and it did add strain to other problems which led to a divorce though I'm hoping for a better ending for Nicole)and, of course, the mystery of the Callaway grandparents.
May 3, 2015
My blog review of Falling For a Stranger by Barbara Freethy-
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March 30, 2015My favorite Callaway novel yet. Barbara Freethy just keeps getting better and better! Looking forward to jumping into Nicole's story next :-)
April 4, 2015
Two-haiku review:
He thinks she was killed
Then thinks he sees her again
Is it really her?
Had to keep reading
To find out the back story
Action-packed ending
He thinks she was killed
Then thinks he sees her again
Is it really her?
Had to keep reading
To find out the back story
Action-packed ending
August 3, 2017
Author: Barbara Freethy
First published: 2013
Length: 292 pages, 3363 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Isla de los Buenos, Costa Rica, and San Francisco.
Sex: Hand wavy. Infrequent.
Hero: Coast Guard helicopter pilot.
Heroine: Sailing teacher.
Includes: Excerpt from Between Now and Forever by Barbara Freethy
Another nice, simple, romantic suspense. Continues with the overall family plots - difficulties between Nicole and Ryan, weddings of past characters, Grandma’s Alzheimers - while giving Drew his resolution for who’s that girl?.
It works well and is enjoyable, albeit another lust/love at first sight and rapid climactic resolution.
Nothing spectacular but also nothing problematic. An easy read.
The Callaways:
Book 1 On a Night Like This - Aiden Callaway and Sara
Book 2 So This Is Love - Emma Callaway and Max Harrison
Book 3 Falling for a Stranger - Drew Callaway and Ria
Book 4 Between Now and Forever - Nicole and Ryan
Book 4.5 Nobody but You - Spencer Harrison and Hallie
Book 5 All a Heart Needs - Sean Callaway and Jessica Schilling
Book 6 That Summer Night - Reid Becker and Shayla Callaway
Book 7 When Shadows Fall - Colton Callaway and Olivia Bennett
Book 8 Somewhere Only We Know - Burke Callaway and Maddie Heller
The Callaway Cousins:
Book 9 If I Didn’t Know Better - Mia Callaway and Jeremy Holt
Book 10 Tender is the Night - Kate Callaway and Devin Scott
Book 10.5 Take Me Home
Book 11Closer to You - Ian Callaway and Grace O’Malley
Book 12 Once You’re Mine - Dylan Callaway and Tori Hayden
References:
Author's website: http://www.barbarafreethy.com/callawa...
(ISBN 9780988662063)
-CR-
First published: 2013
Length: 292 pages, 3363 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Isla de los Buenos, Costa Rica, and San Francisco.
Sex: Hand wavy. Infrequent.
Hero: Coast Guard helicopter pilot.
Heroine: Sailing teacher.
Includes: Excerpt from Between Now and Forever by Barbara Freethy
Another nice, simple, romantic suspense. Continues with the overall family plots - difficulties between Nicole and Ryan, weddings of past characters, Grandma’s Alzheimers - while giving Drew his resolution for who’s that girl?.
It works well and is enjoyable, albeit another lust/love at first sight and rapid climactic resolution.
Nothing spectacular but also nothing problematic. An easy read.
The Callaways:
Book 1 On a Night Like This - Aiden Callaway and Sara
Book 2 So This Is Love - Emma Callaway and Max Harrison
Book 3 Falling for a Stranger - Drew Callaway and Ria
Book 4 Between Now and Forever - Nicole and Ryan
Book 4.5 Nobody but You - Spencer Harrison and Hallie
Book 5 All a Heart Needs - Sean Callaway and Jessica Schilling
Book 6 That Summer Night - Reid Becker and Shayla Callaway
Book 7 When Shadows Fall - Colton Callaway and Olivia Bennett
Book 8 Somewhere Only We Know - Burke Callaway and Maddie Heller
The Callaway Cousins:
Book 9 If I Didn’t Know Better - Mia Callaway and Jeremy Holt
Book 10 Tender is the Night - Kate Callaway and Devin Scott
Book 10.5 Take Me Home
Book 11Closer to You - Ian Callaway and Grace O’Malley
Book 12 Once You’re Mine - Dylan Callaway and Tori Hayden
References:
Author's website: http://www.barbarafreethy.com/callawa...
(ISBN 9780988662063)
-CR-
November 6, 2020
I absolutely loved Falling for a Stranger by Barbara Freethy. It is the third book in the Callaways series. I could not put it down and I loved every page. Each book in the series keeps getting better and better. Who doesn't love big families, hot men, strong women, and love stories? Barbara Freethy continues to show that she is an incredible storyteller. Falling for a Stranger is a love at first sight love story and is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. I love the lighter moments where I find myself smiling and laughing out loud and the bittersweet moments. Falling for a Stranger is filled with such moments, and with so much emotion. It is filled with all those things that we have come to love and expect in a love story, especially the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. Falling for a Stranger is the story of Ria Hastings/Tory Harper, bartender/sailing instructor, and Drew Callaway, former Naval and current Coast Guard helicopter pilot. Ria and Drew meet while Drew is vacationing on a tropical island before changing careers and Ria is the bartender at the hotel bar. They share a night of passion and Drew wakes up alone. Drew goes in search of Ria only to witness the explosion of the boat that Ria was on. He searches for her and the only thing he discovers is her necklace. Drew returns home to San Francisco and begins working for the Coast Guard. Drew sees her in San Francisco several months later, but by the time he gets there she has disappeared. Drew is at the marina looking at his grandfather’s boat, The Eleanor, that he and his brothers, Burke and Aiden and looking into buying. He sees Ria again and runs after her, and this time catches up to her. She has changed her name to Tory Harper and is raising her sixteen-year-old niece, Megan who she says is her sister. Ria does not want to get involved with Drew, because she does not want to put his life in danger. Ria is running from her past and does not want to involve Drew in that. The more Ria and Drew fight their feelings, the more they realize how much they have in common. I loved that Falling for a Stranger is a romantic thriller, both Ria and Drew must work together to keep Ria and Megan safe. Barbara Freethy kept me guessing as to how they would be discovered and how they would be saved. I love that Barbara Freethy writes about strong women with their own careers and the hot men who are attracted to them for more than just their looks. I love all the descriptions of the tropical island and the San Francisco setting that Barbara Freethy detailed. I love the Callaways and am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. Falling for a Stranger felt like a family reunion of sorts, because you get to catch up with all the Callaways. I love the bittersweet moments with Eleanor who suffers from Alzheimer’s, and how she switches between her lucid moments and the past. Once again, I really enjoyed the poignant and bittersweet moments in the story as well as the plot twists. I loved trying to figure out when and how Enrique Valdez. I love how Ria and Drew share the secrets of the past and Ria is willing to forgive Drew even though his searching for her caused Enrique to discover her location. I loved the relationship between Ria and Megan. I thoroughly enjoyed Falling for a Stranger, who does not love big loving families and dynamics of those families. I really loved the ending and the happily ever afters.
February 15, 2018
It seems that I have had read this novel prior... when??? But in the process of retreading it, I could not remember one character, nor the plot/ premise of the book.
Drew, Tory, and Megan... Love Triangle With The Good Guys Winning! 3.25*****
Victoria/Ria/Tory staged her fiery boat explosion to rescue her niece from her Drug Lord Uncle Enrique Valdez, after he killed Megan’s parents, but not before sleeping with Drew Callaway, former military EMT/ helicopters pilot for the Coast Guard. He is haunting by what could have been, until he sees her two years later. They reconnect, she fesses-up, he rescued her from another abduction, and the get engaged to form and instant family of three. What surprised me was the inconsistencies between novels, Burke’s dead, pregnant, cheating finance in book#8 was called Leanne, but here she is called Hailey??!??... and Eleanor and her ramblings were about the battered women and their drama group’s ‘underground railroad’, but here the Winthrop building fire has upset her?!?! The apartment as per Drew was sparse and bare, as though they could pick up and disappear at a moment’s notice and they had no money, yet both Drew and Megan are playing a video game on a console?!? Why would she, Tory, spend money she did not have on a gaming console?!?!... Also if she did not want to meet Drew again, she should not have returned to San Francisco, as he told her that is where he live. Too many loose ends, for a predictable plot, and glaring inconsistencies in the story line. I can see why it was so ‘ forgettable’!
Drew, Tory, and Megan... Love Triangle With The Good Guys Winning! 3.25*****
Victoria/Ria/Tory staged her fiery boat explosion to rescue her niece from her Drug Lord Uncle Enrique Valdez, after he killed Megan’s parents, but not before sleeping with Drew Callaway, former military EMT/ helicopters pilot for the Coast Guard. He is haunting by what could have been, until he sees her two years later. They reconnect, she fesses-up, he rescued her from another abduction, and the get engaged to form and instant family of three. What surprised me was the inconsistencies between novels, Burke’s dead, pregnant, cheating finance in book#8 was called Leanne, but here she is called Hailey??!??... and Eleanor and her ramblings were about the battered women and their drama group’s ‘underground railroad’, but here the Winthrop building fire has upset her?!?! The apartment as per Drew was sparse and bare, as though they could pick up and disappear at a moment’s notice and they had no money, yet both Drew and Megan are playing a video game on a console?!? Why would she, Tory, spend money she did not have on a gaming console?!?!... Also if she did not want to meet Drew again, she should not have returned to San Francisco, as he told her that is where he live. Too many loose ends, for a predictable plot, and glaring inconsistencies in the story line. I can see why it was so ‘ forgettable’!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2019
Falling for a Stranger by Barbara Freethy is the third book in the Callaway series. The story opens with Ria, tending bar when she meets Drew Callaway. After a night of flirting, they have one night together. The next morning, she is gone. Fast forward fifteen months later, Drew is home in San Francisco and trying to move on when he thinks he sees Ria at Fisherman’s Wharf. After days of searching, happenstance allows him to run into her. It’s Ria under a new name and looking over her shoulder. She tries to push Drew away, but he is persistent. He is determined to learn her story and protect her from whatever she’s running from. Will she allow Drew to be close? Will she tell him why she’s running? Will there a happy ending?
When I bought Falling for a Stranger, I didn’t realize it was the third book in a series. However, it was a great story and if there were hints to the previous books, there were so subtle that it didn’t impede with the story. It had a great love story with lots of drama and action. I also enjoyed the hints at a greater mystery that will, no doubt, be revealed in the other books. I want to read the other books in this series. Not only to discover the truth of the mystery but to read the love stories of other members of the Callaway family. Ms. Freethy has created a family of characters that are interesting and feel very real. I recommend Falling for a Stranger.
Falling for a Stranger
and other titles in the Callaway series
are available in hardcover, eBook and Audiobook
When I bought Falling for a Stranger, I didn’t realize it was the third book in a series. However, it was a great story and if there were hints to the previous books, there were so subtle that it didn’t impede with the story. It had a great love story with lots of drama and action. I also enjoyed the hints at a greater mystery that will, no doubt, be revealed in the other books. I want to read the other books in this series. Not only to discover the truth of the mystery but to read the love stories of other members of the Callaway family. Ms. Freethy has created a family of characters that are interesting and feel very real. I recommend Falling for a Stranger.
Falling for a Stranger
and other titles in the Callaway series
are available in hardcover, eBook and Audiobook
April 10, 2018
Predictable but Endearing
Ria has a secret that she can't tell anyone. Not even the man that took her breath away: Drew Callaway. Though the story moves slow and the dialogue is pretty much what you would expect from a serious romance, you cannot help but feel the constant tension surrounding Ria and her assumed daughter, Megan. Ria lives a life where she is walking on eggshells and every step of the way, you are certain one of those eggshells will crack. Ria embodies all of the worries or single mother except on sterioids, constantly having to worry about especially dangerous people from the past coming back into here life. You should find yourself rooting for this stubborn and resourceful young woman. Rooting for her to allow for herself one moment where she is not looking over her and Megan's shoulder. A moment where she can rest her ear to Drew's muscled chest and not have a single fearful thought run through her mind. Most mothers do not have to worry about being chased by criminals, but we all know the mother, like Ria, who just needs to rest her mind every once in a while -- even though you know she deserves much more.
Ria has a secret that she can't tell anyone. Not even the man that took her breath away: Drew Callaway. Though the story moves slow and the dialogue is pretty much what you would expect from a serious romance, you cannot help but feel the constant tension surrounding Ria and her assumed daughter, Megan. Ria lives a life where she is walking on eggshells and every step of the way, you are certain one of those eggshells will crack. Ria embodies all of the worries or single mother except on sterioids, constantly having to worry about especially dangerous people from the past coming back into here life. You should find yourself rooting for this stubborn and resourceful young woman. Rooting for her to allow for herself one moment where she is not looking over her and Megan's shoulder. A moment where she can rest her ear to Drew's muscled chest and not have a single fearful thought run through her mind. Most mothers do not have to worry about being chased by criminals, but we all know the mother, like Ria, who just needs to rest her mind every once in a while -- even though you know she deserves much more.
February 9, 2023
The Callaway Family books are just a fun set of romances with a big Irish family of eight brothers and sisters who are all in firefighting or military service, set in San Francisco. FALLING FOR A STRANGER, the third book in the series, is Drew and Ria’s book. After a one-night stand on an island, Drew tries to follow Ria out to the dock to see her again, only to see the boat she was on explode. Her body is never found and she is presumed dead. Then he believes he sees her years later, but she doesn’t recognize him and goes by a different name. Ria is living with Megan, her sister or niece? One quibble I had with this book versus the previous two in the series is that it hinges on one character keeping a big secret about why Ria is on the run and chapters alternate between Ria and Drew’s perspectives and it takes until 75% of the way through the novel to get any answers at all which is a long time to drag that out without anything progressing in the plot which for me made it a weaker read than the previous two books. 4/5 stars.
February 15, 2024
Ria ist so sexy und sinnlich wie eine warme tropische Nacht. Auf jeden Fall wird sie so im Buch beschrieben. Drew kennen wir vom Hörensagen schon etwas. Als die beiden das erste Mal auf dieser Insel aufeinander treffen. Wow, die Leidenschaft, die Hitze ist beim Lesen total zu spüren. Man glaubt, das kann nur ein Happy End geben. Drew und mir wurde das Herz gebrochen und man versucht, mit dem Leben weiterzumachen. Bis zu dem Moment, wo man sie wieder sieht. Es ist spannend, leidenschaftlich und bricht mehr als einmal das Herz. Doch wird das immer wieder geheilt. Drew lässt manchmal sagen los, wo einem nur das Herz schmelzen kann. So schön und am liebsten will man, dass man in das Buch eintauchen kann. Ria ist am Anfang sehr geheimnisvoll und man fragt sich, was das alles auf sich hat. Man ahnt schon etwas, aber sicher war ich mir nie. Bis es zum Ende des Buches ging. Wow, wurde da es noch spannend, actionreich und das Verhalten der Figuren war einfach grandios. Ich mag die Reihe.
March 22, 2019
I first came upon the Callaways series a few years ago and read a couple of the books and enjoyed what the concept of a family of eight siblings. In this title Drew the retired Navy pilot who now is a coast guard is finding hard to forget the one night stand he had over a year ago and what made it worst knowing Ria the woman he was with seemed to have died in boat accident the day before he leaves the island he met her on.
One day while walking down Fisherman's Warf he sees someone like Ria and tried to track her down only to lost her. We the readers soon find out it truly is Ria and the reader begins to wonder hows that possible. Great mystery and intrigue surrounds Ria when Drew finally meets up with her and finally after knowing her truth and why she pretended to be dead he wonders if the feeling he has with her is worth the risk of getting involve.
One day while walking down Fisherman's Warf he sees someone like Ria and tried to track her down only to lost her. We the readers soon find out it truly is Ria and the reader begins to wonder hows that possible. Great mystery and intrigue surrounds Ria when Drew finally meets up with her and finally after knowing her truth and why she pretended to be dead he wonders if the feeling he has with her is worth the risk of getting involve.
June 15, 2019
Secrets
Ria is planning her demise and escape from the Island of Dreams. As a bartender she meets a lot of different people and never dates any of the men.
Drew is a retired Navy pilot who is totally taken by surprise at the unusually strong pull that makes him want to know Ria.
After an incredible night of getting to know each other physically, Drew can't seem to get Ria off his mind. As he moves to talk with her before he leaves, he watches the boat she is on explode with no survivors. Upon returning home he is plagued by her memory and one day he swears he sees her.
Ria has changed her name, hair color and is protecting her niece from her abusive and drug Lord uncle. When Drew finds her and refuses to leave her alone, it takes all she has to entrust him with her secrets. Can he really protect them or will they all die at the hands of her niece's uncle?~
Ria is planning her demise and escape from the Island of Dreams. As a bartender she meets a lot of different people and never dates any of the men.
Drew is a retired Navy pilot who is totally taken by surprise at the unusually strong pull that makes him want to know Ria.
After an incredible night of getting to know each other physically, Drew can't seem to get Ria off his mind. As he moves to talk with her before he leaves, he watches the boat she is on explode with no survivors. Upon returning home he is plagued by her memory and one day he swears he sees her.
Ria has changed her name, hair color and is protecting her niece from her abusive and drug Lord uncle. When Drew finds her and refuses to leave her alone, it takes all she has to entrust him with her secrets. Can he really protect them or will they all die at the hands of her niece's uncle?~
December 2, 2019
A good story with some intrigue and romance. The buildup started in the previous book and now we saw how Ria and Drew met and how their relation developed. The family stories were detailed and I am even more intrigued by what the grandmother kept alluding to. The date truly was a perfect blend of their likes and sweet. This can be read as a stand-alone but I would recommend reading it in order to see how Drew was when he first thought he saw Ria, how Emma and Max met and the start to Sara and Aidan who had their wedding in this book.
The intrigue was fun, but it did take a long time to get to the details. The build up was drawn out for over half the book and then once we had the details it felt like the worst case scenario happened immediately. However, The way it was resolved was fast paced and fitting for the superhero.
The intrigue was fun, but it did take a long time to get to the details. The build up was drawn out for over half the book and then once we had the details it felt like the worst case scenario happened immediately. However, The way it was resolved was fast paced and fitting for the superhero.
March 17, 2019
This book might have been a 4 star but the description was deceptive leaving it a bit disappointing. We’re led to believe that Drew comes across a different woman who claims to not know him but that’s not the case at all. The description says she claims they never met and her name is Tory, but no she didn’t deny who she was or that she didn’t know him she gave in immediately! The description sounded a whole lot more mysterious than what actually happened. It would have been a lot more exciting if she had actually tried to hide her identity from him for a bit. And then he just continued to use her real name all over like it didn’t matter. Overall the story was pretty good it just wasn’t what I thought it would be going in.
August 3, 2020
Love Story, Interesting Storyline,
I'm not a huge fan of series books. But I love Barbara Freethy books. This was a good book. The story was interesting and the characters well developed. The Callaway that was the main character of this book was Drew and his love interest was Ria. Ria was raising her niece. Me. Freethy writes good stories with believable characters. The Callaways could live down the street from you and be your friends. Because of Ria's situation and family history, you might know of her. I'm glad I read this book. I won't tell anymore of the story but I will say you won't be disappointed in a book written by Barbara Freethy.
I'm not a huge fan of series books. But I love Barbara Freethy books. This was a good book. The story was interesting and the characters well developed. The Callaway that was the main character of this book was Drew and his love interest was Ria. Ria was raising her niece. Me. Freethy writes good stories with believable characters. The Callaways could live down the street from you and be your friends. Because of Ria's situation and family history, you might know of her. I'm glad I read this book. I won't tell anymore of the story but I will say you won't be disappointed in a book written by Barbara Freethy.
January 15, 2023
Drew Callaway meets the woman of his dreams while on an island vacation, but she disappears and then dies in a boat explosion. Back home he can't stop thinking of her and what might have been, when he thinks he sees her! Ria and her niece have changed their identities and moved to San Francisco, but Ria sees all her hard work at hiding falling apart when she runs into Drew - the man she almost fell in love with. But Drew is determined not to lose Ria a second time and will do everything he can to make her safe. For the most part I enjoyed this book - 3.5 stars.
January 14, 2019
I still am hooked on the Callaways but, this one didn't have enough of them in it for my liking. Drew and Ria's (aka Tory)story I felt was more about Ria and her Niece/sister then about Drew and the Callaways…. still read it and still good because it does give more insight on the "secret". Highly recommend ….. At this right with the people being added and the large Callaway Clan this series can go on forever!!!!Love it!!!
March 21, 2024
This is book three in the Callaway Family series and we finally get to meet Drew Callaway who did not follow the family as a firefighter but the military route and flying. After getting out of active duty, Drew went with the Coast Guard as a helicopter pilot but on a free week at a resort island, he met Ria Hastngs. The story follows their journey from a blown up yacht to a discovery that made Drew believe in miracles again. Great story.
May 21, 2017
I enjoyed this 3rd installment in the Callaways series. It was a bit predictable, but fun and kind of mindless. Because of the illness of my mother, this is the perfect read for me right now. Mindless, predictable romance is what I need at the moment and this fits the bill. Will attempt to read the rest of this series and will look forward to it.
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