Once a man who lived by the letter of the law.Newt Tobias will do anything for his little girl. Even take early retirement, sell his city home, and move to cottage country, hoping that the simpler life will provide a better balance for his troubled teenage daughter. Yet, not long after they’ve settled, he finds himself toe-to-toe with a stubborn, fiery tempered woman with pretty brown eyes.Once a … woman with pretty brown eyes.
Once a recluse preferring to live alone.
Working with troubled adolescents, Frederique Marchand doesn’t suffer fools and won’t put up with bullies. Especially handsome strangers like Newt who think they can run roughshod over her. She loves her work, but on her own time she much prefers the company of her menagerie of animals.
But with the welfare of a teenager at stake, she must put aside rocky first impressions and work with a man who needs her as much as she’ll come to need him.
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Another great book in the Northern series.
I love small town romances and single dads and this one was just how I love them.
Freddy was such a strong woman after everything she went through.
Loved Newt. He was such a wonderful dad. He did everything he could to help his daughter.
I had so many emotions while reading this book and with a little suspense that I love in my books.
5 stars!!
Once again, Freya Barker has taken us on another beautiful journey to the Great White North with “A Change of Pace,” the third in her Northern Lights series, where her ordinary characters do extraordinary things.
Newt Tobias, an ex-cop in his late forties, moves himself and his troubled daughter away from the city in hopes that an easier life might renew his daughter’s broken spirit and help to heal her self-inflicted physical pain. Millie is at that age—fourteen years old—when misplaced hormones play havoc with every young teen’s mind and body as it is, so to throw her into a new school with only a few weeks left until summer vacation doesn’t bode too well for either of them.
Frederique Marchand, or Freddy as she prefers to be called, is a therapist in her mid-forties, who has a practice but also counsels kids in the Parry Sound school district. She’s smart and sassy with a beautiful heart who has had her own enormous share of pain. One of the more frightening moments in this story revolves around the reoccurrence of a past disease.
Any time Freddy sees her patients, she brings her own secret weapon in the form of her service dog, Boulder. As a matter of fact, Freddy has a bunch of animals, all who have a special supporting role in this story. There’s Timber the goat who’s best buddies with George, her pot-belly pig; next, there’s Chester, the old lovable rescue horse, the three cats, Larry, Moe, and Curly, and finally, Boulder, the best dog ever in the history of … well, dogs!
While helping Millie, Freddy and Newt become completely drawn to one another. It’s a slow process, one which I love, because to me it mirrors real life. Also, these two are not in their twenties, and as much as they are attracted to one another, they’re wise enough to realize that Millie’s well-being is what’s most important.
Let me just say that when they do get together, it’s amazing. Go us older folks!!!
Okay, forties aren’t old anyway. Newt is one smokin hot, bossy alpha—oh yes, he is! As a matter of fact, he just may be my new fave book boyfriend. Then again, I think I’ve said that every time Freya has released a new book.
It’s sometimes so difficult to put pen to paper when reviewing one of Freya Barker’s books. I think the reason might be that there are always side stories going on with other characters that are just as important. These stories are always so filled to the brim with such a spectacular supporting cast. In this case, Freddy’s uber-protective brother, Alex, and especially his twin sons, Luke and Josh, really pull Millie out of her angst-ridden head. Jordan, is another lost kid, who gets bullied in school and becomes Millie’s best friend. Sgt. Jim Baldwin of the local police department redeems himself after some bad history with Freddy, and he does it again by stepping up to be a better dad to his son, Jordan. Add in a plethora of others who all fall perfectly into the mix, and the result is a full and beautifully written story. The epilogue was quite moving and warmed my heart.
A Change of Pace is another treasure from author Freya Barker. She never disappoints with her brilliant storytelling—this one is no exception. Five stars and a must read! Reviewed by Lisa Cullinan
Newt moves his daughter, Millie, to a small town hoping to put the past and all its pain behind them. It is his hope that the move will bring his daughter emotional healing. Unfortunately, there are still issues she must deal with and Newt is lost as to how to help her.
Freddy is a teen counselor that uses her dog as an instrument to reach her patients. She first meets Millie at the high school and recognizes that the girl is hurting but that she has an instant affinity for Freddy’s service dog. When she takes on a new patient at her clinic, she is shocked to learn it is Millie and that she is the daughter of the man she has had a few run in’s with lately. None of them pleasant expect for the piercing eyes that seem to see through her.
I enjoyed all of these characters as this story is not just about the hero and heroine but includes Millie to the hundredth degree. Newt was such an amazing dad. He was strong and protective and yet knew when to draw the line even as he was able to share his soft side with both Millie and Freddy.
Freddy was an incredible heroine. Her past included so much loss over a short amount of time that it was a miracle she was still standing. The love she shared with those around her made her shine as did the care and attention she gave to her menagerie of animals. Freddy was the type of character you wish you had for a friend.
Millie was portrayed in the perfect teenage angsty light. Even as she begins to grow from her wounded soul, she never completely loses the fact that she’s fifteen and all teenager. I loved the strength she slowly gained and then eventually latched hold of and used to form her into the woman she would one day become.
This was a slow burn romance that covered the pain of loss and the methods that some teens deal with their loss of control and how the adults around them handle those issues. The first portion of the book was very slow but definitely lays the groundwork for character development. However, there was plenty of drama toward the last 25% and the epilogue was enough to bring tears to my eyes.
Overall, this was a heartwarming read that left me feeling satisfied at its conclusion.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For every one of my favorite authors (there aren’t that many), there’s one book that just touches my heart and soul deep. Sometimes I know why, sometimes I don’t. A Change Of Pace has become that one from Freya Barker. Maybe it’s because of my past, maybe it’s because I know what she’s gone through in the past couple of years and can see it in her writing of this story. I don’t know. All I know is this is her best.
Her writing style has always been one of my favorites. She doesn’t sugar coat, she doesn’t tell her characters stories through rose colored glasses, her characters are real, someone I’d want to be friends with, someone I’d admire and respect, like I admire and respect her. But with this book, I was drawn into their lives and found myself wishing over and over that I could find these people and make friends with them, be their neighbors, be invited over for holiday picnics and barbeques.
Grab this book, you won’t regret it
An emotionally addictive read for the mature romance audience. A Change of Pace is one of my favorites in the series. It deals with issues such as cancer, alcoholism, mental health and so much more. Newt brings his daughter to the country life for a change of pace. He retires and tries to give his daughter the happiness she deserves. Freddie is an extraordinary counselor, combining words with the healing therapy of her animals. When life inevitably throws it’s emotional curve balls at these amazing characters, you will not want to miss a single word, a single moment of their story. Be prepared to have tissues at the ready. Oh be sure to have a good nap ahead of time as well. You will not be putting this book down!
An emotionally addictive read for the mature romance audience. A Change of Pace is one of my favorites in the series. It deals with issues such as cancer, alcoholism, mental health and so much more. Newt brings his daughter to the country life for a change of pace. He retires and tries to give his daughter the happiness she deserves. Freddie is an extraordinary counselor, combining words with the healing therapy of her animals. When life inevitably throws it’s emotional curve balls at these amazing characters, you will not want to miss a single word, a single moment of their story. Be prepared to have tissues at the ready. Oh be sure to have a good nap ahead of time as well. You will not be putting this book down!
Freya Barker always writes an incredible story. Each book of hers I’ve read has been beyond amazing, but A Change Of Pace just may be one of her best books ever. Every book she writes draws me in and steals my heart but there was something absolutely magical about the way this book hooked me deeper than ever before. I just can’t even begin to explain how much this book not only captivated me but dug deep into my heart. There is something uniquely special about Freddy, Newt, and all the amazing characters in this story that not only grabbed me but made me fall completely in love.
Of course there’s a heart pounding romance here. Newt and Freddy made for an amazing couple with a deeply moving and extremely sweet romance. But there’s so much more in their story than just their incredible love. However I’ll start there with my unending list of things I loved in A Change Of Pace. Freya Barker has a wonderful talent in writing couples that have an incredibly deep connection that is real and true to life but without any unnecessary drama.
Her couples being more mature is one of the things I love most in her writing. I’m not talking drama free here. Both Newt and Freddy are amazingly real characters and life always comes with drama, plus lets be real here a little drama makes it fun, but these two don’t have the ever present in the genre unnecessary drama. And when life knocks them down these two come together becoming even stronger for it. All and all I adored them #FreddyAndNewtForever
Take that incredible romance and toss it with a beautiful young lady in the form of Newt’s daughter (that’s right folks! Single dad alert!) Millie was an outstandingly beautiful character. I related so much to this young girl because I was very much once a young girl like her. Freya beautifully and honestly detailed the feelings and turmoil Millie had in a way that more than once brought me to tears. Much like Millie and Freddy my love of animals and the strong bonds I formed with them helped me many times throughout my life and I absolutely loved what a huge part they played in this book.
To sum it up, A Change Of Pace is pure beauty. I will forever cherish and go back to read this book just to feel the magic it brought me. A truly emotional read, this book makes you FEEL while you become lost to the words in a way that is completely breathtaking.
A man who will do anything for his daughter, including taking early retirement and moving to a new town to change their environment.
A troubled teenager struggling to find a way to cope with the emotional turmoil of losing her mother to cancer and the fact her only remaining parent has a dangerous job.
A woman who has beaten down the challenges life has thrown her way and focuses on helping others while taking in strays of all kinds.
Sound good? Then go get your 1-click on for Freya Barker’s newest contemporary romance A Change of Pace!
Newt Tobias is doing the best he can to raise a teenage girl who lived with her mother most of her life. When Esther was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, he moved both her and their daughter Millie into his home and cared for her through the final stages, and he and Millie have been doing their best to find their way forward together ever since. When he makes a discovery about Millie’s emotional well-being, he decides to take early retirement from the police force and start a new chapter in their lives in Ottawa’s cottage country. Unfortunately the move hasn’t had the positive impact he has hoped for, and it doesn’t take long before the head of Millie’s new school is recommending that Newt connect with the local psychologist Freddy Marchard. Of course Freddy’s full name is Frederique, and they have already met with less than desirable results… let the fun begin!
A Change of Pace was a very enjoyable read! I love the fact that this author’s characters are ones that I find relatable from their ages to their personalities that make them seem like someone I would find living next door to me. Millie is an adorable sassy teenager when she starts to come out her shell and find a way to deal with the issues that keep her up at night. And Freddy’s ever-growing menagerie of animals made me smile too. Add in a dash of drama with some frightening/ stressful moments for the main characters from multiple sources before all is said and done and you have a recipe for wonderful story in my opinion!
Favorite Quotes:
You realize this is supposed to be a bonding exercise, right? I swear the two of you make it feel more like the Hunger Games than euchre night…
I hardly think you’d qualify as a spinster. You don’t wear the prerequisite sensible shoes.
Seriously, you’d think he was pushing out triplets the way he’s moaning and grunting. Nothing worse than a sick man… Married bliss, they say. A load of jabberwocky. Wait ‘til pretty boy gets a cold, the romance will evaporate fast then a fart in a fan factory.
My Review:
I adore Freya Barker stories and I particularly relished how she employed the uncommon twist of a selfless and nurturing single-parent dad for this one. Newt was a relatively awesome dad despite only stepping into the full-time parent role a few years prior. But then, I always enjoy picking up a Freya Barker book. Her stories are relevant, unique, and original, yet easy to sink into and feature realistic people with real-world issues while also providing entertaining side servings of romance, sensual steam, and levity. As with all her books, the primary and secondary characters featured in Change of Pace were recognizable and realistically flawed, yet endearing and well-meaning with each valiantly struggling with their own foibles, choices, and concerns. The writing flowed smoothly and was comfortably easy to follow while also emotive and engaging. I appreciate and marvel at her observant insights and thoughtful touches which deftly insert each thread into a cohesive storyline. Plus, I scored the added bonus of learning a new word – garburator, which according to Mr. Google, is what our friends to the north call the garbage disposal.
A Change of Pace by Freya Barker
Northern Lights Collection #3
Every time I am lucky enough to read a book by Freya Barker I am thrilled. Why? Because this author tells a story that makes me feel and care and make me wish I could meet the characters she has created. They are so real and their feelings and lives so well presented that I just…well…there are not words to fully tell you how much I enjoy her work.
This book is about a man who puts his fourteen year old daughter first. He is a man who has given years of his life to the police force to make the lives of others safer. He believes that a change of scenery might help his daughter adjust to whatever has caused her to change from the bubbly happy girl she once was. The meeting of Newt and Freddy is abrupt and sets both their antenna waving with perhaps unjust and untrue first impressions. When Freddy is suggested to Newt as a therapist for his daughter and they meet again well, their perceptions of one another change big time.
I loved the mature slow-growing warm and caring growth of the feelings between Newt and Freddy. I enjoyed the way they handled issues that arose and the way they interacted with one another and others. Both strong characters they were willing to reach out for what they wanted in life. They so deserved their HEA and Millie was blessed to have both of them in her life – as they were to have her in theirs.
There was a side story that added a further dimension to the book and added some suspense.
Thank you to the author who bequeathed me an ARC through NetGalley – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
I wanted to gobble up this book in one sitting but, alas, life gets in the way. Kids need fed, husband needs me to square up his facial hair (totally not joking, he’s more needy than me sometimes) and the house needed some serious TLC. But I finally finished this incredible story and man, it was fantastic.
Story Line: Newt is a single dad. His daughter Millie is 14 years old – so let’s do some simple math here – putting daddy Newt in his 40’s. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book about a sexy silver fox. And, oooo Lordy, he is absolutely delicious. He’s a handy guy, great father, and treats his lady like a queen all the while allowing her to be sassy and independent. He’s the total package. When Freddy and Newt meet, it’s not perfect. But there’s definite magnetism. Don’t get me wrong, I love me a good insta-love, but deep in my soul, these slow burns that are so real it almost hurts? These are my jam.
Freddy is total #goals. She rescues animals like it’s her job – yet her real job is a counselor. She has a therapy dog – Boulder – who sounds like the greatest dog that ever lived. And one of her rescues is a horse. Yeah, I’m a horse person. I actually have a horse. So I was hook, lined and sinkered at this point. But my horse, who is 11 (and Chester is 12 in the book) would like Freya to know that 12 is not “old man” status in horse years ;). 12 year old horses are like 36 year old humans. But I told my horse, B, that Chester probably just has an old soul, and that of course no one thinks 12 is ancient in horse years. Yes, that is absolutely a conversation I would have with my horse. Don’t judge.
Interaction: What is absolute perfection about this book is how completely down to earth and REAL it felt. Newt is a dad. He can’t just run off and sweep Freddy off her feet at the drop of the hat. He has to plan dates, move his schedule around, and keep his sweet daughter as a priority. I LOVED that. And Freddy doesn’t allow sleep overs for quite a while – also keeping things so realistic. These two allow one another to be exactly who they are and accept one another at face value. They don’t go into the relationship expecting big changes. There’s just total acceptance. And the natural flow of how their feelings develop and grow made me feel like I was falling in love all over again. Sigh.
Laundry: Brace yourselves. It’s a slow burn. But don’t you dare give up on reading this because you haven’t read a dirty laundry scene in the first 50 pages. Slow your roll. These two need time. And once they’ve had that, it’s soooo good. I keep trying to figure out a better word than “real” to describe these two, but I’m drawing a blank. So, I’ll go with it. Their laundry is real too. There’s jiggling and bending over and laundry in the bed like most couples now a days do things. It’s not all ropes and chains and gags and uber kink-master-flex up in here. It’s REAL. And it’s PERFECT.
Depth: First of all, I don’t think I can go into the depth this book has without crying. There are two very big plot twists in this book that each had me in tears. The twists are not related and they don’t even pertain to the same character. UGHHHHHH at one point I groaned “You’re killing me” out loud. Thankfully, I was given some emotional relief in the end and out popped the sun and dried up all the rain. Did I just quote a nursery rhyme? I have a 10 month old baby, so yes, yes I did.
A Change of Pace is the perfect down home, all the feels, REAL romance read. It was refreshing, heartbreaking and beautiful. I would recommend every single one of you pick it up on release day!
Once a man who lived by the letter of the law.
Newt Tobias will do anything for his little girl. Even take early retirement, sell his city home, and move to cottage country, hoping that the simpler life will provide a better balance for his troubled teenage daughter.
Yet, not long after they’ve settled, he finds himself toe-to-toe with a stubborn, fiery tempered woman with pretty brown eyes.
Once a recluse preferring to live alone.
Working with troubled adolescents, Frederique Marchand doesn’t suffer fools and won’t put up with bullies. Especially handsome strangers like Newt who think they can run roughshod over her. She loves her work, but on her own time she much prefers the company of her menagerie of animals.
But with the welfare of a teenager at stake, she must put aside rocky first impressions and work with a man who needs her as much as she’ll come to need him.
What an emotional story, love everything about it. a Change of Pace is a page turner and will have you on the edge of your seat. The characters were amazing. Millie, it nearly broke my hear reading about what she was going through. It’s as if I was apart of the book.. You will fall in love with the characters as well as the animals. If u haven’t read any of Freya’s books please make it this one. Can’t wait to see what she has planned next.
Newt changes his home, and town and life for his girl Millie. They move to a new place but Millie has some dark helpless thoughts she needs to get a hold of or really needs help. Newt runs into Freddy and Freddy is a well known Psychologist that sees that Millie has something hidden but is more afraid that her only parent will leave her just like her mom did with cancer. Newt tried to not be attracted to Freddy but it’s a no go. She and newt have an instant attraction that they can’t stop since they are running into each other in places and want more with the looks they give each other. There is a lot that goes on in this book. Kidnapping and abuse with alcohol and cancer that makes you not want to put it down to see if everyone is ok.
Wow a father and daughter trying to get past a city life that ended in death and to many bad things. Cop who decided that he needed to step down from being a policeman and work on being there for his daughter. A daughter who has been through a lot and trying to figure out how to deal with it all. She meets a dog that she feels a connection too and the owner is someone who helps people figure out what they are going through. Great story and the author really made it believable which is refreshing.
This is such a wonderfully real series !
Newt and Freddie are a breath of fresh air. Freddie is a sassy, smart psychologist that has been taking care of herself and her land for years. She enjoys doing things her way and does not like to ask for help. Newt is a single dad and recently took early retirement as a detective to move his 14 year old daughter Millie to a better town. She is a bit of a troubled teen and could use some TLC. This couples meeting is by chance and Freddie shall we say kind of tells him off for his bossy alpha way. They soon realize that this is the beginning of many meetings and soon they can’t fight the attraction that they feel for one another!
Such a story of love, caring and healing !!
~~Michele McMullen ~~