“Such a truly beautiful story! The writing is gorgeous, the scenery is beautiful… You should definitely pick up this one! Superb, unique, and sexy.” -Author Tia Louise
-What impact would it have when everything suddenly faded to black? For Mia, a crowded subway ride changes her entire life. Retreating to the wilderness helps her cope with a world that is suddenly too loud, too turbulent. Her … wilderness helps her cope with a world that is suddenly too loud, too turbulent.
Her existence safely contained to the small cottage on the lake, she is unprepared for the neighbor that moves across the bay
A career-ending injury has Jared permanently benched. His reputation as The Enforcer won’t survive the unanticipated responsibilities awaiting him.
Away from the public eye, he adjusts to his new reality, under the quiet observation of the intriguing hermit on the other side of the water.more
A Change in Tide
Northern Lights, Volume 1
By: Freya Barker
Narrated by: Charley Ongel, Tor Thom
New authors always add a little trepidation to a listen, but I was immediately hooked into this fabulous listen! Freya Barker invested my heart in an unlikely couple. Jared is a retired hockey player, living with his pregnant sister. Mia is a divorced, agoraphobic woman just trying to live day to day. These two meet, but become closer as Mia uses her skills a trained midwife to help with Jared’s new nephew. It’s such an easy story to fall into, each having their own issues, but finding a rhythm that works for them. Not to say that there aren’t some twists and turns in their lives along with a little suspense, but Barker easily takes my heart and lets me live through these two. There is so much in this story too. The dealing with PTSD and agoraphobia, finding a new normal after leaving the hockey team, and even dealing with a newborn all gave me a sense of reality and true life experiences. It’s a wonderful listen, and I have to go in search of more Freya Barker listens now.
Casting Tor Thom and Charley Ongel is pure gold for this listen. A team that has a chemistry that is felt with each line makes this couple. Thom lets Jared find his new place in life, from the disgust he feels changing diapers to coaching. Ongel shines as Mia, letting us feel her fear and her new found love. It’s magic and I loved it!
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This was a wonderful book that deals with topics that I’m not used to reading in romance. The characters are a little bit older. He’s 39, She’s 43. She’s had a tragic past and he is figuring out his life now that things have changed for him. Its beautiful writing. Couldn’t put it down.
What an outstanding launch to a new series by Freya Barker!!! She never ceases to amaze me with her dazzling characterization, superior writing style, perfect pacing and unfettered flow. Throw in the ideal setting of Canada’s scenic cottage country, and the backdrop alone distinguishes this book from any other.
A Change in Tide is an emotionally uplifting story about loss, love and adapting to new realities. Jared and Mia’s love is one that will fill your heart and stay with you weeks after you’ve finished the last page.
I found myself thoroughly invested in both of these characters, as well as the supporting crew. They are both victims of circumstance and I enjoyed witnessing their evolution. I was cheering them on as they healed and progressed to their HEA.
Kudos Ms. Barker! You pulled me in and wouldn’t let me go until I read the very last word.
Note: I have seen a few reviewers show discontent at the first chapter. I personally feel it is a true representation of Jared’s last hurrah before things are about to get serious. You would totally be missing out on a mesmerizing and beautiful story if you stopped there.
This intriguing and smoothly written story immediately drew me in. The pacing is good and the characters are interesting and have a lot of chemistry in this sexually charged story. This is the first audiobook I have requested from Netgalley and while
I enjoyed the book and the narrators did a great job, the app is difficult to use and needs some work.
When Jared moves into the house across the lake from Mia it changes her life forever. Up until this point, Mia has been content living her life in peaceful solitude. Jared changes everything when he moves in and suddenly Mia’s world is filled with noise and distractions. At first Mia is not happy with Jared and makes some untrue assumptions about him. Mia has demons she is trying to deal with and finds it easiest to keep to herself.
Jared is thirty-nine and a newly retired hockey star. He has led a wild life until now, but is willing to settle down and be there for his sister. Underneath this tough hockey player is a protective guy with a kind heart, who will do anything for those he loves. Jared is so thoughtful and patient with Mia, he stole my heart. Mia intrigues Jared. She is vulnerable and mysterious and completely different from the women he normally comes into contact with.
Jared and Mia have to go through a few hurdles before they can be together. They help each other learn, grow and become better people. Although they are both very different, they have some things in common. I enjoyed Jared and Mia’s story.
3.5 stars. A sweet love story with a beautiful setting (rustic Canadian lake). Well written, and well read by the audiobook narrators. I liked Jordy and Ole (and Griffin the dog!) as supporting characters, as they added realism and life to the story. As is typical with me and romance stories, the hero’s and heroine’s hangups and miscommunications started to grind on my nerves after a while and that bit dragged on too long for me (as did the bit with the paparazzi). But this story had some interesting twists (the mountain lion – I did NOT see that coming) and kept my interest.
*review for audio version*
A great read. It has alot of realistic elements to it. It hit home for me with Mia having an anxiety disorder. I really appreciated how this author handled that topic. And Jared’s struggle with his past in the NHL and how he deals with it and comes to terms with it.
It starts right off with a very steamy voyuer moment, that I did not see coming. Mia make assumptions about Jared from the start but quickly realizes it’s not what she thinks. I really loved her character. I loved Jared and Mia together, the banter they shared was highly entertaining.
Jared is a rugged, drop dead gorgeous former athlete that caught my attention right from the start. He’s trying to change his past ways now that he has a big responsibility in his life now. He brings all the heat when he and Mia finally reach that point. It’s a slow burn but packs the biggest punch that’s worth the wait.
An overall great listen and I’m excited for more in this series! Also the narrators did an amazing job!
Two healing hearts find strength in each other.
In an unusual start, the shocking first chapter forces both the reader and the heroine to detach emotionally from the hero. If you’re prone to clutching your pearls, you might want to skip that part. I thought it was a perfect way to show us not only the current mindset of the book’s hero, but also the extent to which our heroine has shut herself off from the world as a result of PTSD and its related effects.
After that raw introduction, we get to know both Jared and Mia separately before an emergency thrusts them into each other’s lives. I loved the slow-burn approach, the way they both blossomed around each other, and the intensity and depth of their connection. There are more than a few hilarious moments, especially as Jared has to come to terms with his changing family. The secondary romance was also swoon-worthy all by itself, and I wish we’d been able to see more of them.
The story pulls no punches with the realism and stark natural beauty. I could feel the setting so viscerally that I felt like I’d been there on vacation by the time I was done reading. Not only is the HEA sweetly satisfying, but the years-later epilogue was an extra bonus and wrapped things up beautifully.
I received an audio ARC through NetGalley, and read along with the book on my Kindle. The female voice was wonderfully articulate and gave just the right amount of emphasis to differentiate between the characters. The male narrator was deliciously growly with a deep, sensuous voice that was perfect for Jared, and he was able to transition between the various speaking characters very nicely.
Once again the voice acting duo of Tor Thom and Charley Ongel team up to bring Freya Barker’s, A Change In Tide, to life.
A Change In Tide is the start of the Northern Lights series by Freya Barker and new to audio.
The story is a fast paced easy ‘read’, although I’d personally suggest changing the speed in which this is ‘delivered’ when listening.
I found the story to be an interesting take on a reclusive woman and a recently retired hockey star. The melding of their lives and the way their relationship develops, is fairly classic.
There was lots to like about this series and will certainly be looking for others as they become available.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and had it in audio and the narrators did a wonderful job! Mia is suffering from PTSD and agoraphobia and so moved to the woods to live quietly. Her new neighbor is a surprise when first she catches him with one woman and then almost immediately moves in another…a pregnant one. The biggest surprise is when the pregnant one turns out to be his sister and she ends up delivering that baby. Jared is newly retired from the NHL after a career ending injury. All he wants is the quiet and to help his sister raise her baby. The neighbor is pleasant surprise. The chemistry between them is slow to build but unmistakable. Definitely a recommendation from me!
This is my first by this author. I am officially a fan. I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook and the narration was wonderful. It was a really pleasant change to listen to a well written interesting story about adults, mostly adulting or at least trying to. We meet Mia, who suffers from debilitating panic attacks and is a borderline agoraphobe. Her world has become very small and though she is working on it does feel somewhat resigned to being where she is at. She lost her husband due to her issues, had to give up her work as a mid-wife, which she absolutely adored and has created a small, quiet, but lonely life. Across the way is Jared, a recently professional hockey player who she initially does not like at all based on her first “sighting” of him. Our initial intro to him shows him a a jerk’’ish kind of unrepentant jock who as he can’t play his beloved game any more is floundering. First impressions are not always right. Also there is his pregnant sister who is just out of a terrible relationship with a horrible man. We get to go along on their journey while figuring out how to navigate their complicated lives, learning to trust, love and move forward. I am looking forward to the next in the series. Hopefully also available as an audiobook!
Though I’ve only read and/or listened to just a handful of stories by this author, each one has been riveting and about mature and older individuals that have had to face the ups and downs of life. This one was no excepting.
This story centers around Mia and Jared. Unbeknown to them, an incident over 10 years ago changed both their lives.
Mia, once an outgoing and successful midwife, is now a shell of herself suffering from panic attacks and agoraphobia. She left the city for the quiet of a small town and lives near a lake. While Jared’s career as a successful NHL player ended after a devastating injury. He’s known as a “player” and recently moved near her cottage to a mansion.
Chance brings them together. But can Mia trust him enough to let go of her fears? Can Jared become the man she needs and help her overcome her past and her fears? Can each offer the other what they need or will they each go their separate ways never knowing if they could have a future together?
This story , at times heartbreaking, was also heartwarming and touching. A reminder that our past experiences can deeply affect us to the point of changing our lives, our goals and even our character.
Though I had purchased and read the ebook, I enjoyed more the audio since it brought the story to life. The audio was well narrated and though I am not used to having two different narrators, they blended well and we always knew who was speaking .
I was entrusted the audio by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
A Beautiful, Heartfelt Story! Awesome Narration & Listen
A Change in Tide
Northern Lights, Volume 1
By: Freya Barker
Narrated by: Charley Ongel, Tor Thom
Wow, I loved everything about this book, from Freya Barker’s wonderful writing style, the story and characters she created to the perfectly casted narrators, Charley Ongel and Tor Thom who truly brought the story and characters to life. It is a beautiful story, it swept me right in, captivated both my attention and my heart the entire book. It is the type of book, once you start you can not put it down. The characters are realistic and easy to relate to. I adored the lead characters, Mia & Jared, Jared’s sister, Jordy, played a great support role too. Mia Thompson lived in a lake side cabin on Spencer Lake, she liked the quietness of the area and the solitude it offered. It was quiet until her new neighbor arrived across the lake. She got a birds eye view of his steam escapades. Jared Kesla, newly retired NHL enforcer bought his new home on Spencer Lake with his sister and her unborn child in mind, he wanted a good location and family life for them. He was having his last hoorah before she moved in. Mia was surprised to see another woman in his home, a pregnant one no less. I loved the interaction on the lake when Mia comes to the rescue, it was the start of them getting to know each other but Jared was a typical male freaking out over his sisters situation. It was great to learn more about each character, her issues and struggles, how she was coping and getting through them. Jared, transitioning into his new life and possible career, in a way trying to find himself in his new life. This book takes you on an emotional and heartfelt journey, I love how well plotted it is and that there is never a dull moment. In addition to Mia and Jared’s story I enjoyed Jordy and John’s storyline and was happy to see they got a happily ever after too. Freya Barker thank you for this beautiful story and the emotional roller coaster ride, great job handling mental health issues and keeping it real.
I listened to the Audible edition, Charley Ongel and Tor Thom are fabulous narrators and voice artists. They did an amazing job portraying the characters, humanizing them, giving each their own voice and personality. You could hear how much heart they put into their work as they capture the character’s emotions and project them into their performance. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another awesome listen
Sweet, sexy, slow burn love story, I really enjoyed this book, the first I’ve read by this author.
Jared is a recently retired ice hockey star, known as The Enforcer. As per Mia, I had to look up what that was (being English is my excuse) and he certainly lived up to his nickname. Protective to the core he would do anything for his family. His caveman reactions to his 36 year old sisters new man did make me chuckle, but honestly who wouldn’t want a loyal, loving, fiery man like him in your corner!
Mia has lived alone and away from people for years thanks to her chronic agoraphobia and PTSD. She’s alive but not living, existing day to day with her dog Griffin. I really felt her emotional struggles and fears. My heart broke a little for how hard life had been for her and what she’d lost, but I loved the way Jared cared, calmed and gave her hope, confidence and the space to deal with the huge changes to her existence he brought, even as she did the same for him and his sister Jordy. Tragedy had affected them both, their connection was sweet and slow building but grew to something wonderful and steamy!
“how is it possible that when I thought I already had everything—beyond anything I could ever have conjured up—there is more yet?” ~ Jared
Although it seems chapter 1 wasnt for everyone, I’d urge anyone to carry on reading. I had no issues with it at all. Yes there’s an ow, but Jared is single! Of course he should have been more sensible about it and being drunk isn’t an excuse. However, I think it was an important scene for Mia as I saw her reactions as the beginning of her jump start back to life.
A Change in Tide was a beautifully written heartwarming story about looking inside yourself and deciding life is too short to not live it. Where finding the right person to trust can lead to a soul healing love.
I’m looking forward to reading more from this author as I really enjoyed this.
Jared is a retired hockey player. Mia is just trying to escape the craziness of life. These two become neighbors and slowly get to know each other. I loved the realistic way Jared was written. Fame always comes with athletes and stars. in the hockey world, “the Enforcer” is either loved or hated, never a gray area. Barker writes this so realistic. Her description of Jared and his fame is spot on. Any hockey player I have known is always one of the kindest people I know. Hockey breeds men and Jared is just that. Personally knowing an “enforcer”, I loved Jared even more. Mia has enough struggles without adding a man in her life. This causes Jared and Mia to become friends first. The slow start of their relationship was worth every word. I really enjoyed following them getting to know each other. I cannot wait for more volumes in this series. I will be following Freya Barker now.
Charley Ongel and Tor Thom have a natural chemistry that brings Jared and Mia’s relationship to life. Charley and Tor compliment each other and always have a wonderful performance. Tor’s deep voice brought out the toughness in Jared, yet Tor easily narrated Jared’s softer side as well. Charley narrated Mia exactly as I imagined her. Charley has such a sweet voice, but she always brings out the strength in any character she is narrating. I easily get lost in Tor and Charley’s narration and I can never stop listening until the end.
Audiobook: Narrators – Charley Ongel & Tor Thom
These narrators did a great job of bringing the hero and heroine to life for me. Both of their voices were the perfect pitch for my ear and kept me engaged. However, I must admit that I struggled with both of their secondary characters’ voices. None of them sounded real or authentic. It was difficult to listen to at times, although likes and dislikes of voices are completely subjected so I suggest you listen to a sample.
I enjoyed this story of an older couple as it lacked the unnecessary drama that arises for characters in their twenties. There really isn’t a lot of drama that drives this story as it’s mostly built on two people getting to know one another, trusting each other, and falling in love. Both Jared and Mia have some baggage they’re dealing with but they’re doing it in a mature manner.
I loved Mia. My heart hurt for her and she was such a sweet woman with a heart of gold. She’s a prisoner of the past but as she gets to know Jared and his sister she began to find her strength.
I was pretty disappointed by my introduction to Jared. I felt it wasn’t necessary and I found myself prejudiced against him afterwards. After moving onward, I was finally able to put it out of my mind and found myself actually liking him. And as all of this author’s heroes – he was completely protective and possessive. Score!
This is pretty steamy and has some scenes that I was looking around my empty home to be sure no one could hear what I was hearing. With a few secondary characters that helped to showcase the strengths of the hero as well as the heroine, and a touch of humor, I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a low angst, steamy in the extreme read.
Mia is trying to live a quiet life, with obstacles from a form of PTSD that she suffered after the big blackout – that changed her life on a crowded subway. Trying to live quietly in a cottage near a lake, in the rural area, she’s lost everything. Her career, her husband, her freedom, all from not being able to control the panic attacks when in loud, crowded places.
Jared, a famous ex-hockey player moves in across the lake, disrupting her quiet life. Circumstances push the two of them together, and along with Jared’s little sister, Jordy and her baby Ole, Mia life will never be the same. Whether it’s enough – remains to be seen, and read.
This is a great book and the author does a great job bringing the reader into the story. This is a sexy & fun book and you may need a tissue box for this emotional book, and the characters are perfectly human. Don’t miss this one
I loved this book. As a Canadian, I was nice to read a story taking place somewhere I’d actually been to. I loved the characters. I don’t usually enjoy reading romance featuring people in their 40s but I liked this one.
“What I mean to say is; how is it possible that when I thought I already had everything—beyond anything I could ever have conjured up—there is more yet?”
~ Jared
This was the chest clutching/heart squeezing moment for me in Jared and Mia’s story.
Unbeknownst to them, their lives and their heartbreak intersect with a single widespread event that will dictate all the days of their future. Each suffering their own tragedies and finding the strength to move forward. Jared channels his loss into determination and success while Mia merely learns to exist. Surely there must be more?
A delightful cast of characters, family and friends, bring this wonderful story about struggle, trust, acceptance and love, to life in a soul satisfying conclusion that will stick with you long after you close the cover.
I’m on a binge read of Freya Barker’s backlog of books because I have become a big fan of her writing. Her books never fail to pull me in and keep me completely engrossed in the story. I feel like her characters are older, more mature with more mature problems they face. It’s a nice change from reading about 20 year olds and the games you find in most books with younger characters.
Jared didn’t start the book off very well. He is a newly retired hockey player that has lived the hockey life with women and booze. The first but small introduction to him was a vivid painting of him with some random blonde. The good thing is, it was the last of that you will see in the book.
Jared is expecting his pregnant sister to come live with him and he had already made the decision he needed to settle down and he was true to his word. I loved him after that. His reactions to his pregnant sister were pretty comical but he was also a very protective big brother and protective hero to Mia.
Mia’s character was just as like-able. You don’t know what she went through to cause her to shut herself off from life and that had me anxious to find out. I admit my imagination was much worse than what really happened. Despite her become a recluse, her character doesn’t constantly bring you down. She was in the right setting enough to show what kind of woman she is when she isn’t having panic attacks in public.
Bonus material had us seeing a second couple falling in love. I almost wish they had their own book cause I really wanted more of John. What small parts he had in the book, I loved him.
It’s not a surprise that I love the books that Freya Barker writes and A Change in Tide is no exception. However, this book seems a bit different from many of her other works. In my opinion it feels like a more personal, intimate story. It might be that this is the first book set in the author’s homeland, Canada, rather than the United States or maybe the use of Canadian spellings. Whatever the difference is, I am a big fan. I had a difficult time putting the book away because Jared and Mia’s story is so compelling.
Both Mia and Jared had their life turned upside down by the same event. However, each of them handled their loss in different ways. For Jared, he threw himself into his career, while Mia lost hers and so much more. At first glance, Jared and Mia’s relationship should not work. One is reclusive and the other used to being in the spotlight. Yet, when they share the losses they have endured, their simmering chemistry shifts into high gear.
At first Jared appears to be an ass, yet Mia can’t seem to keep her eyes off of her new neighbor. Once Jared takes on an unanticipated responsibility, he settles and leaves his playboy ways behind and is intrigued by his neighbor across the bay. After losing his career, Jared seeks to be out of the limelight, which is exactly where he finds Mia, whom he tries to draw back into society. Unexpectedly thrown together, their attraction becomes magnetic, although they fight their feelings.
I love that Jared knows, most of the time, how to prod Mia gently out of her comfort zone. But like all men, he often puts his foot in his mouth, a fact that his sister enjoys pointing out. Mia struggles with the feelings she develops for Jared, and has to often step back and regroup to handle the things that overwhelm her.
I refuse to give spoilers but I will say that this story is beautifully written and tackles some tough issues for the characters. Love and loss often go hand in hand, but in this book Ms. Barker uses love to heal the losses of the past and create an unexpected relationship and HEA. There are intriguing plot twists and some very personal, true to life events and relationships, even beyond Jared and Mia. Jared might not always be perfect, but he’s flawed just enough to endear him into the readers heart for a long time to come.