Loving this series. The first thing to know is this book really is a standalone so don't worry if you haven't read the other two. This was such a heartwarming story of a single father with a troubled teen, small-town romance with normal adults - such a breath of fresh air. Great pacing and storyline. And who doesn't love a story with cute animals. Highly recommend. 4.5 stars.

Both the narrators are new to me and they did a great job. I especially loved Stephanie Nemeth-Parker's narration, would love more from her.

Thank you to Spectrum Audio and Netgalley for the ALC; all opinions are my own.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It has been published in November 2020.

"A Change of Pace" by Freya Barker is a heart-warming romance novel telling the story of Newt Tobias, a single father of a troubled teenage girl, and Frederique Marchand, a therapist specialised in troubled teenagers.
I loved the way each character in this story is relatably imperfect, they all feel like real people, going through the struggles we can all empathize with: the loss of a loved one, a serious illness, moving home, getting a puppy...
That's probably the reason why I didn't enjoy the final part of the novel as much as the rest, because when the big drama happens (I'm not going to spoil it for you), it feels out of place, out of tune with the kind of story we had been reading.
Also, the ending feels a bit banal, simplistic: almost every single character finds his or her happy ending, even the ones who really didn't deserve one and who had been self-sabotaging since the very beginning of the book.
Anyway, the story is overall good and entertaining. The dialogues sound authentic, the banter is witty and lively.
Kudos to the author for making some interesting choices about the pets her female protagonist owns (besides the usual cats and dogs).
Both narrators performed well, especially Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, who narrates the chapters from Frederique's point of view: she has the most soothing, musical voice ever--I could have listened to her reading the phone book and still enjoy it.

Audiobook: Narrators - Stephanie Nemeth-Parker & Matthew Maddux

Wow! This narrating duo totally rocked this book! I had read this, and loved it, when it first released but listening to it just shot it into orbit! This was pure perfection in both performances. I hated that it ended and I’ll definitely be looking for more books narrated by both of these narrators.


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 audio was a bit slow but 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 listen that left me feeling satisfied at its conclusion.

This was a great romance with a mature couple in their 40s. I really enjoyed the interaction between the couple, as well as the supportive cast. I loved Newt as a romantic lead but also a single father and his love for his daughter was so well written and characterized that I was totally enthralled with that role. He was also an amazing friend and love for Freddy, so supportive and lovely. And Freddy was such a fantastically strong character who was as supportive and loving. So the strength of this book lies on the wonderful characters, both leading and supporting. Beyond just a romance, there were tense moments as the characters had to face some villains. The book was fast moving and well done. The narration in the audiobook was also really well done and I liked both narrators who played multiple characters well.

Note for NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you for the early listen. Just a note though that there were some editing issues- Chapter 12, for instance, about 5 minutes before the end of the chapter, there was an abrupt transition from Newt to Freddy and there was an overlapping of voices. Also, I felt that the transition from Newt to Freddy, overall, tended to be so fast that every chapter almost overlapped and may benefit if the transition from character to character would slow down a bit.

What an incredible and emotional story about a single father struggling to help his troubled, teenage daughter. It's such a nice change of pace to read a story about a couple in their 40's who have lived and seen hard times. Where the issues in the story are about real life struggles.

This story follows three main characters. Newt Tobias, a retired police officer and hottie single dad to Millie. Millie 14 year old troubled teen struggling with the death of her mother. Frederique Marchand, the town's therapist for troubled teens who has been through her own history of hard times. These three characters come together in a beautiful and sometimes heartbreaking way.

I really enjoyed this mature storyline, these fantastic main characters and all the side characters that made up the small town of Cottage Country. While it did seem a lot happened to these three, it also brought us a vulnerability to the characters that you just can't help but love to see them get their happily ever after. It was beautiful and I can't wait to read more in this series.

Newt would do anything for his daughter Millie and that includes leaving his career in law enforcement and relocating to a small town to help her handle a tragic loss. She is finding the adjustment a little more difficult than anticipated so he is encouraged to engage Freddy to help her with the transition.

Freddy specializes in using her menagerie of animals to assist her when it comes to counseling children. From her first meeting with Millie she knows that she is troubled and that she has an affinity with animals. Even though she and Newt didn’t get off to a great start they both want what is best for Millie.

Not only do Newt, Freddy and Millie draw you in but there is a great cast of secondary characters that draw you in as well. The plot manages to balance romance, intrigue and all the feels into a heartwarming story. I listed to an audio copy and thought the narrators did a great job with the characters and the story.

Change of Pace by Freya Barker follows Newt and his daughter as they move to a new town. Newt had hopes that this small town would help him and his daughter heal after some tragedy. Frederique comes into their life and they all help each other.

This is the third book in the Northern Lights Series. Each book is stand alone, and you do not need the others to follow the story. It was an easy read and the dual narrators help to really separate the characters. This was a story full of healing and love. I highly recommend.

Thank you Net Galley, for my copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

#AChangeofPace #NetGalley

This was a wonderful (audio)book. The narration was terrific and added to this emotional story of what a parent will do to take care of his child. We first meet Newt, a single dad struggling to raise his daughter Millie. while dealing with the aftermath of losing her mother to cancer and who is struggling emotionally. Millie lived with her mom as her parents weren’t married, but had made the conscious choice to remain close and be the best parents they could be to raise their child with love and with the knowledge that she was and will always be loved and cared for. They raised her together, but seperately. When her mom died after a terrible battle with cancer Millie became a while other version of herself. She became depressed, withdrawn and starts to harm herself. After trying all he could think of Newt is at a loss so decides to take drastic measures. He retires from his job in law enforcement, sells their home and moves to a small town in hopes of finding a calmer healthier life for them both. A new beginning so to speak. His initial meeting with Freddy is riotous. There are fireworks, but not the pretty July 4th kind! She is a no prisoners taken, independent, woman who has had her own truly terrible bumps in life road and still doing all she can to move forward and be the vest version of herself that she can be. She is also a therapist who becomes a huge part of their lives I many ways. It is a well written beautiful love story of a parent and his child, a man and woman who both had pretty much given up on finding love, some incredibly invasive quirky nosy and yet wonderful towns people, friendship and a whole bunch of amazing animals. It was so refreshing to listen to a book about people over the age of 25 who experienced some real life issues with real life solutions. I loved that they weren’t starry eyed dreamers, but people with a life of history, love and still with so much ahead for them. Love can find you at any time and you just need to be open to it. I cannot wait for the next in this wonderful series.

4 1/2 Stars for this emotional read!

This series has been just great! The characters are ordinary people with everyday troubles. Freddie just cracked me up ... even though she is a counsellor, she preferred the company of her animals. And Newt changed his whole life for his daughter ... that just melted my heart. This was an audiobook and I really like the voices, they had emotion and paused in the appropriate places ... it didn't feel like they were just reading the words.

Newt retires from the Ottawa Police force so that he and his troubled daughter can move to a small town ... and he can keep a closer eye on her. He never expected to meet someone like Freddie and fall head over heels for her ... especially when she yelled at him the first time they met. But Freddie had this calming effect on him and his daughter took an instant liking to her. This story is very emotional and deals with tough issues, but it also made me laugh and swoon. A great addition to a great series!

I received an audiobook courtesy of Spectrum Audio through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Though I have only read/listened to only a few stories by this author, I always know it will be engaging and thought provoking.
This time the story centers around Newt Tobias, his teenage daughter Millie and Frederique/Freddy Marchand.
Newt and his daughter are newcomers in town. He’s left his job as a cop and moved away from the city in hopes to helping his daughter. A daughter who is struggling emotionally with her emotions and loss.
Freddy, a woman that works with troubled teens, is feisty, and a daredevil. She also has a soft spot for abandoned animals and has a full menagerie in her barn.
The first meeting of these two was less than stellar but as a friendship and attraction develops, she not only helps Newt and Millie, but they too help her.
From the beginning to the end , you will be transported into the story.
Aside from the plot, the author reminds us of the reality of domestic abuse, as well as the struggles some adolescents go through.
Lastly , I was very happy to listen to a story about a couple in their 40s.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.