Living in Durango, Colorado for the past eighteen years allowed Ollie Rizzo to build her own business and carve out a quiet existence for her and her teenage daughter. She’s used to going it alone. However, their new silver-haired neighbor might present a problem—not only is he handsome—he’s also Durango’s new chief of police; a complication she can’t afford.For recently widowed Joe Benedetti, … Benedetti, the job offer as Durango’s new chief of police came at the right time. With life, the new job, and his two young sons settling into a comfortable routine, he does his best to ignore the beautiful and intriguing woman across the street. Yet when he discovers she’s caught the attention of the FBI, there is no way he can stay away.
Their worlds collide with the appearance of FBI Special Agent Cruz Livingston. The agent has a warning to deliver, one that spins life in Durango out of control, giving Joe a crucial mission—keep Ollie alive.
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This book was so good! I Couldn’t put it down. I love the chemistry between Ollie and Joe. Freya always writes characters that are easy to love and easy to falI for. I highly recommend if you are looking for mature main characters, then you should definitely read this book.
Joe and his boys moved to Durango, Colorado for a change of pace after the death of his wife. Taking over as Chief of Police, Joe is doing a good job at balancing his job and his boys, with help from the babysitter, Trinny, that lives across the street. For Ollie, it has always been her and Trinny. Having moved to Durango in order to get away from a bad situation, Ollie has never looked back and has just focused on raising her daughter. Of course she notices Joe, but Ollie knows it’s better to just rely on herself than to get involved with anyone. When the two end up spending a lot more time together, to dealing with Ollie’s drama, will the walls that they have come tumbling down? Or is this just until the drama is over?
This was such a good read! I enjoyed every bit of it, the drama, danger, the nicely done naughty bits, the side characters that have you giggling out loud. This story just flowed off the pages and before I knew it, I was done. I give this 5 stars.
Covering Ollie by Freya Barker
On Call Series #2
Sitting here with a smile on my face 🙂 Why? I am thinking about Olivia “Ollie” Rizzo and Joe Benedetti and the joy of reading their story and it makes me smile because they are so GOOD together! Ollie says what she thinks, has a thriving landscape business and devotes her all to giving her daughter Trinny a safe and wonderful life. I fell in love with this woman who had more personality and strength than many characters I have met in books. I would love to be her friend! And Joe…my, oh my, oh MY…a widowed silver fox hunk, police chief and father extraordinaire. When the two finally meet it was…kismet…or something like that.
This is a romantic suspense and providing protection for Ollie and Trinny is one of the main focuses of Joe’s police force but also of the FBI…all due to something that happened in the past. This had some scary moments and some twists and turns I did not see coming and…it was a delight from beginning to end.
This is an author I know will provide wonderful characters and a solid story that holds my interest from beginning to end. The people in the stories she creates are ones I can relate to and would love to meet in real life. I look forward to reading her books when they come out and can’t wait for the next one to be finished.
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Lord this story. It shows what love is, a mother doing everything to raise her daughter in a safe environment. A dad moving and changing jobs to make life better for his sons after the loss of their mother, his wife.
Ollie is a normal mom working and raising her daughter in a small town.
Joe chief of police her neighbor, raising his boys. Her 17 year old daughter his baby sitter.
Then it hits the fan and the FBI and criminal activity enter their lives. A fast paced action with strong lovable characters.
You will not be able to put it down u til your finished.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Freya Barker has a way of writing characters that you love within a story you can’t put down!
Covering Ollie is the perfect combination of romance and suspense and you will be rooting for a happy ending while needing to know who would want to harm this family.
Joe is a sexy, widowed father of two boys that lives across the street from Ollie, the sassy independent neighbor and her sweet daughter Trinny. When Ollie’s past puts her and her daughter in danger, Joe, the new chief of police, can’t help but put on his alpha protective hat and do everything to keep them safe.
When he and Ollie are forced to live under the same roof for her safety they realize that they are both attracted to the other and the chemistry is off the carts, but first he has to find the bad guys!
This is a great read! Take and chance! You won’t be disappointed!
To say Freya pulled me in from the very beginning would be an understatement, I found myself sitting up in the middle of the night reading, then claiming a quiet day and plunked in my chair until I finished Joe & Ollie’s story.
Ollie had my praise with a you go girl very quickly. She is a single mom that has spent the past almost 18 years trying to do best for her daughter. All of this while learning to no let her disability slow her down. Ollie is a woman full of strength & courage, doing her best to show Trinny that she too can do anything she sets her mind to. Making a living they can both be proud of. Watching Trinny take charge of her new job intent to get the job done, it is clear that she has instilled good values in her daughter. Ollie loves hard but is skittish to put herself out there recognizing it affects more than her.
Joe and his boys are slowly adjusting to their move to a new town. Joe has taken on the task of Chief of Police and is doing the hard balance of work and raising his children. With a solid babysitter to help with the boys after school he seems to be doing OK so far. Mason and Ryder are adjusting well but lets face it the loss of a parent is not easy to get used to. Everyone deals with loss and grief differently. He is a loving father that makes time for his children. When Joe crosses paths with Ollie she brings to the table some new feelings that he hasn’t had in a very long time. It is an adjustment to get his heart and mind on the same page.
True to her fashion of romantic suspense Freya gives a great mix in the story. A very well planned plot with enough suspense to keep you looking for answers while drawing you into the lives of her wonderful characters. She does a wonderful job of mixing the children into the mix and reminding us that it takes a bit more to sort through when they are involved but it is more than worth the risk in the end. Family weather they are blood or not is still family and we are usually most happy when we can count on our family.
I am loving the On Call series and the mix of characters. It was also fun treat that she brought us back a few characters of the past. Looking forward to the next adventure.
*** Advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
This is a great second book in the On Call series, Ollie is a independent and strong woman with a past she doesn’t want to revisit and just wants to keep her daughter protected. Joe is fairly new to town and isn’t looking to be with anyone he just wants to do a good job and care for his 2 boys however Trinity Ollie’s daughter connects them together and that means they can try and deny things but yeah fate is going to do what it wants. There is plenty of suspense, twists, romance and tension while not only do Ollie ad Joe work out their feeling for each other but try and work out who is after Ollie. I can not wait for the next book in the series and really hope they continue to be about older couples ie 40ish as I am really loving this type of read and connect with it a lot more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There is drama, suspense and of course romance in this well written and cleverly thought out book. Both single parents Joe and Ollie work hard to provide for their kids. Although the circumstances that made them single parents are different they are both determined that their kids have a full and loving childhood.
Joe moves in across the street and Ollies daughter becomes his go to baby sitter to look after his boys who are still adjusting to lide without their mum.
When strange and dangerous things start to happen its clear Ollies past ia catching up with her so Joe steps up to help. The sexual tension doesn’t take long to spill over and they begin to explore their newfound attraction to each other.
Throw in some quirky and funny side characters and you have another great read from Freya.
I really enjoyed this book and just loved that Joe and Ollie were a little bit older. These two are great characters Joe has been raising his sons alone since his wife passed away and has had no interest in moving on that is until he meets Ollie and her teenage daughter. I liked this book it had a good interesting plot with lots going on and I thought these two had great chemistry.
Joe and Ollie’s story was outstanding! I wasn’t sure if it could measure up to the first book in the series, “Burning for Autumn” and I was happily surprised to find it was just as good. Joe is a widower with two sons and a new position as Chief of Police and Ollie is a single mom with a teen age daughter who is currently babysitting Joe’s kids. Joe is protective and Ollie is used to doing everything on her own but when Ollie’s past association with a mob figure brings danger into her present, Joe and his friends are beside her every step of the way. If you love alphas and books with a big shot of suspense, you will love this story. Personally, I couldn’t put it down and thoroughly enjoyed every page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
GAHHHHHHH, there aren’t enough words in the English language to explain how Freya Barker’s words make me feel! Her writing makes you feel like you’re right there, sitting alongside these wonderful characters who consume you, a part of their lives, watching as they deal with life’s ups and downs, falling in love, making the day-to-day seem somehow extraordinary! Her words paint the canvas so vividly, so fluently, the characters truly become REAL…Covering Ollie is no exception. Joe and Ollie will forever be ingrained in my mind and in my heart!
The only thing I can say is, this book is one that needs to not ONLY be read, it needs to be experienced…like ALL of Ms. Barker’s books!
This was such a great story by Freya Barker. It had the perfect blend of romance and suspense to keep me hooked right the way through the book. The characters were endearing but, as expected, not without emotional baggage which made the story even more thought-provoking. For me, I think this was one of Freya’s best stories to date.
The main characters, Ollie Rizzo and Joe Benedetti were immediately loveable and you fell for their charms right away. Their children were equally as sweet despite the tragedies and traumas they have faced in their short lives. We also got to revisit characters from the first book in the On Call series which I really appreciated. It’s those little touches which make stories all the more rewarding in my opinion. The way Ollie and Joe came together was sweet and the immediate attraction they felt towards each other definitely transcended the pages.
The drama was felt right from the start and this story even had an organised crime element which piqued my curiosity even further. There was laughter and sadness and I adored the family elders, they were a hoot. Grace is my new idol!
What I love most about Freya Barker’s books is that the characters feel real and are (I hate this word) *mature* in age! Their stories are not forced but come naturally and seem to evolve in front of your eyes. Their personalities are warm and welcoming and the romantic proclivities are passionate without being overbearing.
I haven’t read any of Susan Stoker’s books so I can’t comment on how well the cross-over worked and I didn’t feel at any point that I’d missed out by not reading anything by her but I am definitely intrigued to give the author a read or two when I get chance.
Definitely, another recommended read from me!
Great book in the series. We first get introduced to Joe, the new Chief of Police in Burning Autumn. This follows his story, his 2 sons and their neighbours Ollie and her daughter Trinny. Ollie, unknowingly, was dragged into dating the son of the mafia by her brother. Once she found out who they were and a hit was carried out on her boyfriend she fled, only to discover she was pregnant. She has managed to keep Trinny off their radar for 18 years but events begin to crash down around her and its Joe her neighbour who steps in to protect her. Love all the books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There are so many things I love about this story, where to start…
This story is about an older couple … well in their 40s … if you consider that old. I don’t.
Each one has experienced loss and are doing the best they can to provide a safe life for their children and protecting their hearts from further hurt.
But life has a way of moving forward and bringing two families together, healing hurts, and replacing it with love.
“Covering Ollie” has a great cast of characters and world building, it’s filled with passion, humor, suspense, romance, action and an HEA.
Oh, and a bunch of cute, feisty Italian mommas.
Bellissimo!
Happy Reading!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The second in the crossover between Freya Barker’s & Susan Stokers worlds & Covering Ollie is another awesome read.
We have already been introduced to Joe Benedetti in book 1 – Burning Autumn and Covering Ollie brings him slap bang onto centre stage.
Moving to Durango after the death of his wife and with 2 young sons with him, he is introduced to Ollie by her teenage daughter Trinny , who is the boys babysitter.
In Burning Autumn, Freya Barker gives us a glimpse of Joe, that temps you to want to find out more about him & his family.
Another perfectly layered cast of characters , written with complexity that Freya Barker excels at. You find yourself invested in the characters and feeling all the feels as their story develops.
Yet again Freya pulls you In, wraps the characters round you and doesn’t let you go.
10/10. 5 perfect shiny stars – perfect
All Ollie wants to do is raise her daughter and live a peaceful life. Joe is the new chief of police for their town and Ollie’s daughter babysits for his children. Their lives change on one phone call. When Ollie’s brother contacts her to inform her of danger in his life, it sets in motion a series of drama that draws Ollie and her daughter. Joe has to come to the rescue but will he be able to keep both Ollie and Trinity safe?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ollie’s story was so intriguing and her neighbor, Joe, was there for her every step of the way. It sucked me in from the very beginning.
Another amazing story from this author- I read Covering Ollie in one sitting as one fiercely independent single mom meets her match in the sexy alpha silver fox across the street!
It’s been a year since Joe lost his wife to cancer, and he and his sons have left Denver in search of a new start in the smaller, quieter town of Durango. His teenaged neighbor Trinny has been a godsend when it comes to keeping his boys occupied and in line after school while he is at work, and 12 yr old Mason may have a teeny crush on the vivacious girl. When Joe is left feeling like he has been steamrolled after his first encounter with Trinny’s mom, he has no idea how familiar he will become with that sentiment.
Ollie is a force of nature at times! She has fought hard to become a successful business woman while raising Trinny on her own, and it has been a very long time since any man has piqued her interest. The sexy chief of police’s ability to leave her tongue tied is as frustrating as it is confusing to her but she can’t deny he ticks all the right boxes for her. His love for his boys is unquestionable, and he most definitely has a bossy side that can be both a turn on and a trigger for her fiery temper. Fortunately they both cool off just as easily as they get fired up, and that fire definitely translates to sexual tension and into the bedroom when they finally give in.
His protective side comes out in full force when Ollie’s past unexpectedly comes back to haunt her placing both Ollie and Trinny in the crosshairs of some very dangerous people she has been hiding from for years. The pressure builds as Joe tries to navigate the demands of his new job, town politics, the unknown forces that keep coming at Ollie and Trinny, and the minefield that is trying to navigate his complex feelings for Ollie while being sensitive to the still-fresh loss of their mom when it comes to his boys.
Joe has his typical man moments along the way but fortunately he doesn’t hesitate to pull his head out of his butt with some well placed motivation by family and friends. There are a lot of familiar faces from past stories that make an appearance, and Ollie’s firecracker elderly friend Grace is an absolute hoot!! God save us from well meaning but interfering parents too because Joe’s mom made me want to lose my mind, but I loved that Ollie didn’t even bat an eye when it came to standing up to her. All in all, Covering Ollie is a well written mix of suspense, humor and heat that kept me glued to my seat from start to finish so don’t hesitate to grab this one and dive in!
Covering Ollie is another fabulous book by Freya Barker! The story of Ollie Rizzo and New Chief of Police Joe Benedetti kept me riveted until the very end. Both are single parents that have been doing okay alone taking care of their children, but when they meet the attraction is there but are hesitant to move forward. Ollie is an incredible mother to her 17-year old daughter, Trinny. She is fierce, strong and does not let what happened to her in the past keep her down. Her main focus has been on making a good life for the two of them. Joe, a widower of 2 years moved with his two sons to Durango to start fresh. The good fortune of having Trinny as the babysitter has made the transition easier for them all, so the thought of starting anything with her mother made him not want to further pursue his attraction. It was, however, through the kids that starts the ball rolling for Ollie and Joe. I loved the first contact between these two.
It is not until Ollie’s past that puts both mother and daughter in danger that Joe realizes that he can not stay away. He is fiercely protective of them both and will do whatever he has to to keep them safe. The chemistry between Ollie and Joe is off the charts, Joe was amazing with how he treated Ollie; not as an invalid but as the strong woman she is. The suspense portion of the book kept me on my toes and it was a real treat to see so many characters from so many other books.
I have been so fortunate to have the opportunity to receive this advance reader copy and I can not wait for others to get their chance. This was an awesome book and I highly recommend it.
This author knows how to draw a reader in with well fleshed out characters and engaging story lines and this book is no exception. Joe is Durango’s new police chief and after a personal tragedy 18 months ago is creating a new normal for himself and his two boys. Ollie Rizzo is a hard working single mom who lives across the street from Joe and his boys. The two meet through Trinity, Ollie’s daughter and babysitter to Joe’s boys.
Watching the relationship develop between these two was great reading and of course, there is a suspenseful side to the story too. A scene-stealer is a 75 year old lady named Grace – loved her! I loved how all the pieces come together in the end and thoroughly enjoyed this read.