From #1 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 … 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?
more
Another great visit with the Calloways. This is Drew’s story. Ria has a secret that she’ll keep hidden at any cost even if it means she loses her chance at love.
New Beginnings
Ria & Drew met when he was in vacation with his friend Tim, they had one wonderful night. He thought he lost her when her boat blew up the next day. Now back in San Francisco he thought he saw her. Ria & Megan faked their deaths that day now they were in hiding in San Francisco and she saw him. Can they connect.
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.
This was a terrific read with interesting characters and a good plot
I have loved all Barbara Freethy’s books. They touch family, adventure, mystery, romance, and humor in just the right blend to make it seem it’s happening on your town.
When our hero was sure that the one night stand woman for him had perished in a fiery boat crash, he tried to move on. But, years later and miles away he sees her again. Though she tries to pretend it is not her, he is certain and will not let up. I loved the tragic chasing, and then she just caved and admitted it, The rest of the story is spent with trust and respect and wonderful story line.
The book was enjoyable to read. Sorting the characters if you haven’t read the other books about the same characters could be a little challenging. A good read though, you will enjoy it.
Great story with compelling characters!
Another great read from Barbara Freethy! Such a great story with many twists and unexpected turns.
I read everything she writes
This book was difficult to put down….
Must read!
Enjoyed the entire series. Loved characters.
A little different twist to the story line. I enjoyed it.
Found the insecurities and guilt in the characters believable. Interesting read.
This novel is a a good and very entertaining read. Though this is the third book of a series, it works as a stand-alone book. The characters are likable and well done. The plot is good adventure, well told, paced and allows easy suspension of disbelief. Enjoy!
Love this story and the anxiety that went with it. Excellent!!!!
Wonderful story! It kept me entertained through the last page.
Really good read.
One of my favorite authors. As usual couldn’t put it down.