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Off the Grid: FBI #1
Perilous Trust: Off the Grid: FBI Series, Book 1
It was one dark night that brought Damon Wolfe and Sophie Parker together. They were two tortured souls, looking for escape, and they weren't supposed to see each other ever again...
Four years later, Sophie's FBI father, who is also Damon's mentor, is killed in a suspicious car crash after leaving Sophie a cryptic message to trust no one from the agency. When Damon shows up looking for her, she isn't sure if he's friend or enemy, but she knows he could easily rip apart what is left of her heart.
The last thing Damon wants is to get involved with Sophie again. It was hard enough to walk away the first time. But she's in trouble, her father's reputation is under attack, and the lives of his fellow agents are at stake if there's a traitor in their midst.
When someone starts shooting at them, they have no choice but to go on the run and off the grid. Everyone in their world becomes a suspect. They want to uncover the truth, but will it turn out to be the last thing they expect? Proving her father's innocence might just cost them their hearts...and their lives...
In Perilous Trust, number one New York Times best-selling author Barbara Freethy brings you the first book in a new romantic suspense series! These breath-stealing books are filled with action-packed plot, heart-stopping romance, and pause-resisting suspense.
Also
Perilous Trust Reckless Whisper Desperate Play Elusive Promise Dangerous Choice Ruthless Cross
Four years later, Sophie's FBI father, who is also Damon's mentor, is killed in a suspicious car crash after leaving Sophie a cryptic message to trust no one from the agency. When Damon shows up looking for her, she isn't sure if he's friend or enemy, but she knows he could easily rip apart what is left of her heart.
The last thing Damon wants is to get involved with Sophie again. It was hard enough to walk away the first time. But she's in trouble, her father's reputation is under attack, and the lives of his fellow agents are at stake if there's a traitor in their midst.
When someone starts shooting at them, they have no choice but to go on the run and off the grid. Everyone in their world becomes a suspect. They want to uncover the truth, but will it turn out to be the last thing they expect? Proving her father's innocence might just cost them their hearts...and their lives...
In Perilous Trust, number one New York Times best-selling author Barbara Freethy brings you the first book in a new romantic suspense series! These breath-stealing books are filled with action-packed plot, heart-stopping romance, and pause-resisting suspense.
Also
Perilous Trust Reckless Whisper Desperate Play Elusive Promise Dangerous Choice Ruthless Cross
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First published August 1, 2017
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About the author
Barbara Freethy
153 books2,694 followersBarbara's love of writing developed out of a love of reading. Growing up in an all-boy neighborhood, she spent quite a bit of time reading through her mother's large library, many of which were romantic novels. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara, she went into Public Relations, but soon discovered that writing was her true passion.
Barbara was traditionally published for many years, then formed her own publishing company FOG CITY PUBLISHING in 2011 and has since sold over 10 million books! She has published 75 novels ranging from mystery thrillers to romantic suspense and contemporary romance.
Her book SUMMER SECRETS was a #1 New York Times bestseller! And twenty-five other novels have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. She is currently writing two ongoing series, a contemporary romance series set in Whisper Lake and a romantic suspense series: Off The Grid: FBI Series. She is also known for her bestselling Callaway Family Series, which offers up fourteen books and two novellas.
When Barbara isn't writing or publishing, which isn't very often these days, she is playing tennis, hanging out with friends and family in beautiful Lake Tahoe or reading books!
For a complete list of her books, visit her website!
Barbara was traditionally published for many years, then formed her own publishing company FOG CITY PUBLISHING in 2011 and has since sold over 10 million books! She has published 75 novels ranging from mystery thrillers to romantic suspense and contemporary romance.
Her book SUMMER SECRETS was a #1 New York Times bestseller! And twenty-five other novels have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. She is currently writing two ongoing series, a contemporary romance series set in Whisper Lake and a romantic suspense series: Off The Grid: FBI Series. She is also known for her bestselling Callaway Family Series, which offers up fourteen books and two novellas.
When Barbara isn't writing or publishing, which isn't very often these days, she is playing tennis, hanging out with friends and family in beautiful Lake Tahoe or reading books!
For a complete list of her books, visit her website!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 441 reviews
March 12, 2019
I can hardly believe how fast I flew through this romantic suspense! Must have been the ‘hottie’ FBI agent involved ;)
Book five of this series “Dangerous Choice,” just recently released. It sounds like a very interesting read, but has over lapping characters, so figured I would start from the beginning, seeing as I am a series junkie!!
I was definitely hooked right into the storyline and drawn to the past history between the mc’s. Just couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
It has been years since I read Barbara Freethy, but have always enjoyed her writing style. I am happy to report she did not disappoint! Just enough suspense, just enough romance.
I am excited to continue on, as this has the potential to be a great series. So will catch back up with you after reading book two!
September 25, 2023
Check out all my reviews at: http://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
4.5 Stars (Rounded up to 5)
PERILOUS TRUST (Off the Grid: FBI Trilogy #1) by Barbara Freethy is an exciting start to a new romantic suspense series. This is a fast paced story loaded with action, suspense and romance. Each book features one of five friends who formed a secret group while in Quantico with the promise to always help the others.
Sophie Parker is an archeology instructor at NYU, who receives the devastating news that her father was killed in a car crash. Her father was the head of the Organized Crime Unit in the NY FBI field office. When she gets a chance to check her phone, she listens to her father’s last frantic and cryptic messages with instructions she must follow and to not trust anyone including his fellow FBI agents.
FBI agent Damon Wolfe cannot believe what he is hearing. His mentor and reason for being in the NY FBI office is dead and his daughter is missing. Four years ago, Damon and Sophie came together for one night of solace and life-affirming passion over the death of a mutual friend. They never contacted each other again, but now Damon knows he has to find Sophie and help her.
Sophie does not know if she can trust Damon, but as the bullets start flying, they flee together to follow Sophie’s father’s clues and hopefully solve his murder and eliminate the threat to Sophie’s life.
The plot is an intricate puzzle and has a lot of players that need to be kept straight. Besides Damon and Sophie, you are introduced to Bree and Wyatt, who are members of the five from Quantico. Sophie’s father had a lifetime group of friends from Yale that may be involved in his death and his job as head of the Organized Crime Unit also brought in several players. Keeping everyone straight was my only problem while reading this book. Other than that, it was a surprise for me when all the pieces where discovered.
Damon and Sophie’s chemistry was intense and pretty much instantaneous from their one-night-stand four years ago. While on the run, they get to know more about each other’s pasts and families. It brings them closer and their relationship builds from there. The sex is hot, but not explicit and well balanced with the feelings of loss and fear during other parts of the story.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series and getting to know more about the other friends from Quantico.
4.5 Stars (Rounded up to 5)
PERILOUS TRUST (Off the Grid: FBI Trilogy #1) by Barbara Freethy is an exciting start to a new romantic suspense series. This is a fast paced story loaded with action, suspense and romance. Each book features one of five friends who formed a secret group while in Quantico with the promise to always help the others.
Sophie Parker is an archeology instructor at NYU, who receives the devastating news that her father was killed in a car crash. Her father was the head of the Organized Crime Unit in the NY FBI field office. When she gets a chance to check her phone, she listens to her father’s last frantic and cryptic messages with instructions she must follow and to not trust anyone including his fellow FBI agents.
FBI agent Damon Wolfe cannot believe what he is hearing. His mentor and reason for being in the NY FBI office is dead and his daughter is missing. Four years ago, Damon and Sophie came together for one night of solace and life-affirming passion over the death of a mutual friend. They never contacted each other again, but now Damon knows he has to find Sophie and help her.
Sophie does not know if she can trust Damon, but as the bullets start flying, they flee together to follow Sophie’s father’s clues and hopefully solve his murder and eliminate the threat to Sophie’s life.
The plot is an intricate puzzle and has a lot of players that need to be kept straight. Besides Damon and Sophie, you are introduced to Bree and Wyatt, who are members of the five from Quantico. Sophie’s father had a lifetime group of friends from Yale that may be involved in his death and his job as head of the Organized Crime Unit also brought in several players. Keeping everyone straight was my only problem while reading this book. Other than that, it was a surprise for me when all the pieces where discovered.
Damon and Sophie’s chemistry was intense and pretty much instantaneous from their one-night-stand four years ago. While on the run, they get to know more about each other’s pasts and families. It brings them closer and their relationship builds from there. The sex is hot, but not explicit and well balanced with the feelings of loss and fear during other parts of the story.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series and getting to know more about the other friends from Quantico.
August 2, 2017
I get excited each time I see a new RS series and ‘Perilous Trust’ for a moment there, did get me going with a great opening, a death amidst suspicious circumstances and several parties implicated when that actually happens. Throw in an awkward ‘second-chance’ so to speak and ‘Perilous Trust’ does seem like a good mix to get into when the daughter of a dead FBI agent has her life upended and another upcoming agent who pops back into it just as things start to get messy.
But I thought that was also where storytelling faltered as well. Apart from some dialogues where characters’ speech patterns don’t seem to mirror how people actually talk, Sophie and Damon find themselves cleaning up a mess that's caused by a peripheral (and dead) character that actually drew in quite a large cast of secondary characters and villains.
There’s also some back history of their friends and their hookup 4 years ago that felt randomly inserted into the mix, which as a result, made me feel more and more like a shipwreck survivor bobbing alone at sea than an invested party in the story clutching at anything and everything to see how it plays out. In other words, the action had 'spiralled' outwards so far from where we first started that it was not just difficult to get the connections down, but that I found myself becoming indifferent to them.
That for me, did take the shine off Sophie/Damon’s developing relationship and consequently, I couldn’t exactly buy into them as a couple, let alone believe that what they felt for each other could really go beyond the constructed closeness that sudden danger can bring.
This isn’t to say they aren’t likeable characters on their own though, because they are—for most part. There aren’t TSTL moments, nor random outbursts of hysterics or out-of-character childish behaviour that can tank a story for me, but I didn’t find myself on the edge of my seat or entirely anxious for Sophie/Damon to get their HEA. Perhaps it would have been easier to relate to their relationship had Barbara Freethy spent more time exploring the consequences of what they did 4 years ago but the balance of romance and suspense as always, is a difficult one to master—and please every reader as well.
‘Perilous Trust’ isn’t a bad start though and as said earlier, every new take in RS is something that gets me moist with excitement. I just wished I’d stayed moist the whole time.
But I thought that was also where storytelling faltered as well. Apart from some dialogues where characters’ speech patterns don’t seem to mirror how people actually talk, Sophie and Damon find themselves cleaning up a mess that's caused by a peripheral (and dead) character that actually drew in quite a large cast of secondary characters and villains.
There’s also some back history of their friends and their hookup 4 years ago that felt randomly inserted into the mix, which as a result, made me feel more and more like a shipwreck survivor bobbing alone at sea than an invested party in the story clutching at anything and everything to see how it plays out. In other words, the action had 'spiralled' outwards so far from where we first started that it was not just difficult to get the connections down, but that I found myself becoming indifferent to them.
That for me, did take the shine off Sophie/Damon’s developing relationship and consequently, I couldn’t exactly buy into them as a couple, let alone believe that what they felt for each other could really go beyond the constructed closeness that sudden danger can bring.
This isn’t to say they aren’t likeable characters on their own though, because they are—for most part. There aren’t TSTL moments, nor random outbursts of hysterics or out-of-character childish behaviour that can tank a story for me, but I didn’t find myself on the edge of my seat or entirely anxious for Sophie/Damon to get their HEA. Perhaps it would have been easier to relate to their relationship had Barbara Freethy spent more time exploring the consequences of what they did 4 years ago but the balance of romance and suspense as always, is a difficult one to master—and please every reader as well.
‘Perilous Trust’ isn’t a bad start though and as said earlier, every new take in RS is something that gets me moist with excitement. I just wished I’d stayed moist the whole time.
August 16, 2017
It’s been quite some time since I’ve read a book by Barbara Freethy. Even before I noticed who the author was, the cover caught my eye – do you even need to ask why? And add words FBI and Agent and I’m your guinea pig. I love a good crime drama – almost as much as I love those hunky agents in suits and ties.* Add in an inside job, along with foreign mafia family-related business and Perilous Trust was an unexpected find and a terrific romantic suspense book.
The intriguing Prologue gets things rolling fast in setting readers up with a big question: What kind of trouble has daddy dear gotten himself involved in??? From there, we meet Sophie Parker, the distraught and broken-hearted daughter, who received a rather mysterious and strange phone message from dear old dad to follow the yellow brick road of directions he has left for her. Along said brick road, she meets up with a former one-night stand, who stole her heart and then left her before she opened her eyes the next morning. That was four years ago. Oh, and her dear old dad just happens to be lover boy’s mentor at the Bureau – that’s the Federal Bureau of Investigation a/k/a FBI!
Together Sophie and Special Agent Damon Wolfe create sparks and mayhem as they set out to find who is responsible for Alan Parker’s (dear old dad’s real name) death and the ruination of his reputation with the FBI. Toto and Dorothy had their own version of a wild ride, but I don’t remember that it included any guns blazing and head-shots, and millions of dollars in silver metal suitcases or stolen vehicles – or mountain cabins and 5-star hotel suites where the heat outside has nothing on the temperature rising inside. I admit that I certainly wouldn’t mind a trip off the grid with Agent Big Bad Wolfe!
The chemistry between Damon and Sophie was amazing. The witty banter and their sexy foreplay provided some steamy fun. And the “grand finale” was what I would describe as under cover seduction.
Cleverly plotted and highly suspenseful, this one had just the right amounts of both romance and suspense. It may have been a little top heavy with extras vying for spots on the Most Wanted List. However, this overload of characters was a definite contributing factor to this being one of the best of late in keeping the big reveal until the very end. A total surprise even then – not what I had concluded in my mind. Never would have figured the whole shebang out to solve the case -- making it all the more exciting and intense.
I must admit that this was a real surprise package. I absolutely had the best time reading the introduction and first book in Freethy’s brand new five-book Off the Grid FBI Series.
Now I’m in it for the long haul. There were too many interesting characters remaining with stories to be told, and especially one undercover agent, who has piqued my interest and I must know more.
*I didn't mean to leave out the more-than-capable female agents that were a part of the team. They were very intelligent, well-qualified and lovely agents working right alongside the hunks, as well. The FBI does not discriminate -- but I guess I do by putting the hunks before the beauties.
The intriguing Prologue gets things rolling fast in setting readers up with a big question: What kind of trouble has daddy dear gotten himself involved in??? From there, we meet Sophie Parker, the distraught and broken-hearted daughter, who received a rather mysterious and strange phone message from dear old dad to follow the yellow brick road of directions he has left for her. Along said brick road, she meets up with a former one-night stand, who stole her heart and then left her before she opened her eyes the next morning. That was four years ago. Oh, and her dear old dad just happens to be lover boy’s mentor at the Bureau – that’s the Federal Bureau of Investigation a/k/a FBI!
Together Sophie and Special Agent Damon Wolfe create sparks and mayhem as they set out to find who is responsible for Alan Parker’s (dear old dad’s real name) death and the ruination of his reputation with the FBI. Toto and Dorothy had their own version of a wild ride, but I don’t remember that it included any guns blazing and head-shots, and millions of dollars in silver metal suitcases or stolen vehicles – or mountain cabins and 5-star hotel suites where the heat outside has nothing on the temperature rising inside. I admit that I certainly wouldn’t mind a trip off the grid with Agent Big Bad Wolfe!
The chemistry between Damon and Sophie was amazing. The witty banter and their sexy foreplay provided some steamy fun. And the “grand finale” was what I would describe as under cover seduction.
Cleverly plotted and highly suspenseful, this one had just the right amounts of both romance and suspense. It may have been a little top heavy with extras vying for spots on the Most Wanted List. However, this overload of characters was a definite contributing factor to this being one of the best of late in keeping the big reveal until the very end. A total surprise even then – not what I had concluded in my mind. Never would have figured the whole shebang out to solve the case -- making it all the more exciting and intense.
I must admit that this was a real surprise package. I absolutely had the best time reading the introduction and first book in Freethy’s brand new five-book Off the Grid FBI Series.
Now I’m in it for the long haul. There were too many interesting characters remaining with stories to be told, and especially one undercover agent, who has piqued my interest and I must know more.
*I didn't mean to leave out the more-than-capable female agents that were a part of the team. They were very intelligent, well-qualified and lovely agents working right alongside the hunks, as well. The FBI does not discriminate -- but I guess I do by putting the hunks before the beauties.
December 25, 2020
Fast Paced, Interesting Characters
Sometimes I'm just really in the mood for fast paced, romantic suspense. This book definitely fit in with my craving. I really enjoyed both the characters and the plot. There was a good balance of intensity and space that allowed me to get to know the characters. Sophie and Damon are both interesting and engaging. They begin the story with some history that has sparks flying. The set up of secondary characters was great and I'm so interested in the next stories! I wouldn't label this book clean but see my content disclosure if you are interested in that.
Content: some swearing, maybe a handful of times. Innuendo, intimate relations with some early details that fade to black. Peril, violence, death.
Sometimes I'm just really in the mood for fast paced, romantic suspense. This book definitely fit in with my craving. I really enjoyed both the characters and the plot. There was a good balance of intensity and space that allowed me to get to know the characters. Sophie and Damon are both interesting and engaging. They begin the story with some history that has sparks flying. The set up of secondary characters was great and I'm so interested in the next stories! I wouldn't label this book clean but see my content disclosure if you are interested in that.
Content: some swearing, maybe a handful of times. Innuendo, intimate relations with some early details that fade to black. Peril, violence, death.
March 22, 2021
This book gave me strong White Collar vibes. Wyatt could totally be Mozzie lol. RTC!
August 2, 2017
Perilous Trust (Off the Grid: FBI Trilogy #1) by Barbara Freethy
4.5 stars!!!
This seems to be the week of new to me authors…totally not planned but loving the way that this week has panned out. I love taking that chance but it normally takes something to make me notice and for this one it was the word FBI. I love my crime books and add romance into the mix and I’m totally sold. This was a fantastic romantic suspense, that underlying current of attraction all the while enveloped in the suspense and intrigue of a fast-moving, well thought out plot. I totally loved it.
Barbara Freethy starts this series with a bang, and if this is a sign of things to come then this series cannot come quick enough. The majority of the characters that are going to appear were introduced in this book and as each agent gets their story told I am sure there will be some crossover. This book though concentrates on the story of Damon Wolfe and Sophie Parker and wow what a tangled web Barbara Freethy weaved.
Sophie Parker is a teacher and archaeologist and her father is a prominent figure in the FBI. From field work to training recruits at Quantico her father has done it all, all the while keeping the horrors and stress of his work away from his daughter. When Sophie’s father is seemingly murdered and her life becomes in danger, Sophie doesn’t know where to go and who to trust. There is a mole in the mix and no-one from law enforcement or the FBI can be trusted.
Damon Wolfe is one of Sophie’s fathers most trusted recruits, when he becomes aware of the situation that Sophie finds herself in he goes above and beyond to find the woman he once had a one-night-stand with, not only because he cares, but also, he would do anything for the man that had been more than a mentor.
Perilous Trust was packed full of mystery, suspense, intrigue, betrayal and was full of action. This book had my mind running a mile a minute trying to fathom out who was bad and who was good all the while totally captivated by the chemistry and obvious attraction between Sophie and Damon. Damon was a hero, he puts his career and his life on the line all the while keeping Sophie safe and stable.
For those that love a fast-paced, action filled, brain muddler of a book then this is a perfect read. I cannot wait to see how this series progresses, I loved the secondary characters and am intrigued to know their story too, especially Wyatt. Bring it on!!
www.theromancecover.com
4.5 stars!!!
“…I might be exactly what you want in the night, but I will never be what you want in the morning.”
This seems to be the week of new to me authors…totally not planned but loving the way that this week has panned out. I love taking that chance but it normally takes something to make me notice and for this one it was the word FBI. I love my crime books and add romance into the mix and I’m totally sold. This was a fantastic romantic suspense, that underlying current of attraction all the while enveloped in the suspense and intrigue of a fast-moving, well thought out plot. I totally loved it.
Barbara Freethy starts this series with a bang, and if this is a sign of things to come then this series cannot come quick enough. The majority of the characters that are going to appear were introduced in this book and as each agent gets their story told I am sure there will be some crossover. This book though concentrates on the story of Damon Wolfe and Sophie Parker and wow what a tangled web Barbara Freethy weaved.
“But in all honesty, my life has never really been normal. It has its moments, sometimes years, where things seem like they're going along smoothly, and then bam—everything changes. The floor drops out from under me. You'd think I'd be used to it by now, but it always takes me by surprise. I wonder when it won't.”
Sophie Parker is a teacher and archaeologist and her father is a prominent figure in the FBI. From field work to training recruits at Quantico her father has done it all, all the while keeping the horrors and stress of his work away from his daughter. When Sophie’s father is seemingly murdered and her life becomes in danger, Sophie doesn’t know where to go and who to trust. There is a mole in the mix and no-one from law enforcement or the FBI can be trusted.
Damon Wolfe is one of Sophie’s fathers most trusted recruits, when he becomes aware of the situation that Sophie finds herself in he goes above and beyond to find the woman he once had a one-night-stand with, not only because he cares, but also, he would do anything for the man that had been more than a mentor.
Perilous Trust was packed full of mystery, suspense, intrigue, betrayal and was full of action. This book had my mind running a mile a minute trying to fathom out who was bad and who was good all the while totally captivated by the chemistry and obvious attraction between Sophie and Damon. Damon was a hero, he puts his career and his life on the line all the while keeping Sophie safe and stable.
For those that love a fast-paced, action filled, brain muddler of a book then this is a perfect read. I cannot wait to see how this series progresses, I loved the secondary characters and am intrigued to know their story too, especially Wyatt. Bring it on!!
www.theromancecover.com
January 10, 2018
Excellent start for a new series! Can't wait for the others.
August 12, 2020
My first book by Barbara Freethy. And, I liked it - a lot! Onto the next one in the series. ;)
November 8, 2021
4⭐⭐⭐⭐ because it was exactly what I needed to read. This is my first book by this author, but not my last. This is a fast paced, intriguing, romantic, suspense novel. Sophie discovers multiple voice mails from her father who was killed right after leaving them. Those voice mails lead Sophie on a dangerous scavenger hunt with a hot FBI agent with whom she had a hot one night stand with four years earlier. I'm ready for the next book in this "Off The Grid" series!
July 28, 2017
I recieved this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you publishers for giving me the chance to read it!
Barbara Freethy is one of my favorite author's. I normally can't get enough of her books, especially her Bridesmaids and Callaway books. I even liked the Lightening series and have doubles of her books in ebooks and paperbacks. (I almost have a whole shelf full of her books in paperback!)
This one was a bit harder for me to get into though. I actually liked the beginning part of the story. It was enough to hold my interest through about half the story and I liked the two characters Sophie and Damon by themselves. (I did actually really like Damon!)
But for some reason their connection had me lost after about a halfway and I felt like their connection was missing in the romance part. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with this book, the connection just felt missing for me this time.
I even think this book series will definitely be great for people who liked the mystery part of the story best since it seemed more suspenseful then romantic to me. (Again, there's nothing wrong with that! Barbara Freethy still has a great writing style!)
I finished the book though it was just a three to me this time since I felt like the connection was lost to me this time.
Barbara Freethy is one of my favorite author's. I normally can't get enough of her books, especially her Bridesmaids and Callaway books. I even liked the Lightening series and have doubles of her books in ebooks and paperbacks. (I almost have a whole shelf full of her books in paperback!)
This one was a bit harder for me to get into though. I actually liked the beginning part of the story. It was enough to hold my interest through about half the story and I liked the two characters Sophie and Damon by themselves. (I did actually really like Damon!)
But for some reason their connection had me lost after about a halfway and I felt like their connection was missing in the romance part. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with this book, the connection just felt missing for me this time.
I even think this book series will definitely be great for people who liked the mystery part of the story best since it seemed more suspenseful then romantic to me. (Again, there's nothing wrong with that! Barbara Freethy still has a great writing style!)
I finished the book though it was just a three to me this time since I felt like the connection was lost to me this time.
April 24, 2020
The first book in the Off The Grid series by Barbara Freethy. Sophie Parker learns of her father's death and then finds out he left her voice mails to tell her to trust no one. So she follows her father's instructions to run. Damon Wolfe was recently brought to the NYC FBI office by Sophie's father, Alan. But he had not been given any assignments yet. He and Sophie shared a night four years ago and he thinks he might know where she is.
Interesting twists and turns to finally get to the finale. I liked it and it wasn't totally predictable. I will continue the series.
Interesting twists and turns to finally get to the finale. I liked it and it wasn't totally predictable. I will continue the series.
June 19, 2022
4.5 rounded up!
December 14, 2017
My Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book at the current price. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
What it’s about…
Sophie Parker’s Dad works for the FBI. His voice message told her to run and not trust anyone. It gave her some instructions in a riddle and then it ended abruptly. Now they are telling her he’s dead.
Her Dad? Dead? Run! So Sophie is running just like he said…
Damon Wolfe is FBI. Alan Parker just had him transferred from Quantico for a special project. No one knows what it is. But Alan Parker is dead now. And now Sophie is missing. Damon goes out for coffee and doesn’t come back to the office. He takes a ride to see if his hunch about Sophie is correct, since he and Sophie have shared history.
Sophie is shocked when Damon shows up at the summer cottage. Can she trust him? With her life?
Technical Tidbits…
The cover is very eye-catching and does relate to the book. Is this the face of the only man you can trust when your life is on the line?
The storyline is excellent. This one was hard to tell if it was more romance or more thriller/mystery. It was so tightly wrapped I couldn’t separate the two. It was totally engaging the whole time. This one was really hard to set down.
The characters are pretty awesome. Under this kind of stress, you get to know people. And these people already knew each other and had been out of touch but still connected through other people for several years. So their relationship was a getting-to-know-you again sort.
The pace was flat out. No breaks. These two people are on the run from the FBI, so that means they’re on the run from the world!
The tension? It starts out on a serious moment that is so full of stress you could wring it out and fill a coffee cup and it goes from that to more events of the same high caffeine content.
Writing quality is a foregone conclusion when you are talking about Barbara Freethy. She has a talent for writing books that suck you in on the first line and then spit you out on the last one needing the next book big time! She writes dialogue the way people really speak. She writes action scenes the way people really move. And she gives you enough scene so you know where you are. And don’t forget the heat, because she sure doesn’t.
And this is where you STOP if you don’t want to see any SPOILERS…
The good, the bad, and the ugly…and how much it lit up my life… ✰✰✰✰✰
This was an awesome book to read. It really does suck you in at the very beginning. Here you are with Alan Parker in his car and he suddenly realizes the FBI has caught up with him. You’re with him that last few minutes before his car goes over the cliff. While he is making that message to Sophie. She’s the last person to hear from him. They are really close and the author sets you up right there at the beginning for the emotion side of this all. This is a guy that everyone liked and respected. They are having a really hard time believing that he was dirty. The feeling of disbelief and betrayal were tough for people to accept and handle. Everyone was off balance and having a difficult time making decisions. Everyone except the bad guys, of course. But in case, it’s really hard to tell the bad from the good unless you just go with your feelings. I had a feeling almost at the beginning and it proved to be correct, which was really weird. Part way through the book, I decided I had been wrong, but it ended up being correct.
Sophie had done exactly what her Dad had told her to do. She ran. She stopped at the ATM very close to her apartment and took out as much cash as it allowed for the day and then she got as far away as she could. She went where her father’s riddle told her to go. This escape had been set up years ago because the family had vacationed there under another name. The cottage was bought under this other name so that there were no ties to them. So Sophie went there and then got the key that was there and went from there with the clues. But before she left the cottage, she picked up a friend. She was ready when Damon walked in. She had her gun out and was ready for whoever it was that was walking in. She was shocked that it was Damon, but he was probably the only one she could have trusted at that point. The fact that they’d had a relationship before and hadn’t seen each other in several years and yet had been connected through her father meant that they still knew what was going on in each other’s life. Their relationship was still alive in a very subtle sort of way like an ember in a fireplace. It was just waiting for something to give it some fuel and fan it to life. Once fanned, the feelings went deep and strong. Neither one of them could ignore those feelings. This was not a fun book to read. The feelings were too intense in it for that. But it is a really great read that I hope you will try.
Highly Recommended
I purchased a copy of this book at the current price. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
What it’s about…
Sophie Parker’s Dad works for the FBI. His voice message told her to run and not trust anyone. It gave her some instructions in a riddle and then it ended abruptly. Now they are telling her he’s dead.
Her Dad? Dead? Run! So Sophie is running just like he said…
Damon Wolfe is FBI. Alan Parker just had him transferred from Quantico for a special project. No one knows what it is. But Alan Parker is dead now. And now Sophie is missing. Damon goes out for coffee and doesn’t come back to the office. He takes a ride to see if his hunch about Sophie is correct, since he and Sophie have shared history.
Sophie is shocked when Damon shows up at the summer cottage. Can she trust him? With her life?
Technical Tidbits…
The cover is very eye-catching and does relate to the book. Is this the face of the only man you can trust when your life is on the line?
The storyline is excellent. This one was hard to tell if it was more romance or more thriller/mystery. It was so tightly wrapped I couldn’t separate the two. It was totally engaging the whole time. This one was really hard to set down.
The characters are pretty awesome. Under this kind of stress, you get to know people. And these people already knew each other and had been out of touch but still connected through other people for several years. So their relationship was a getting-to-know-you again sort.
The pace was flat out. No breaks. These two people are on the run from the FBI, so that means they’re on the run from the world!
The tension? It starts out on a serious moment that is so full of stress you could wring it out and fill a coffee cup and it goes from that to more events of the same high caffeine content.
Writing quality is a foregone conclusion when you are talking about Barbara Freethy. She has a talent for writing books that suck you in on the first line and then spit you out on the last one needing the next book big time! She writes dialogue the way people really speak. She writes action scenes the way people really move. And she gives you enough scene so you know where you are. And don’t forget the heat, because she sure doesn’t.
And this is where you STOP if you don’t want to see any SPOILERS…
The good, the bad, and the ugly…and how much it lit up my life… ✰✰✰✰✰
This was an awesome book to read. It really does suck you in at the very beginning. Here you are with Alan Parker in his car and he suddenly realizes the FBI has caught up with him. You’re with him that last few minutes before his car goes over the cliff. While he is making that message to Sophie. She’s the last person to hear from him. They are really close and the author sets you up right there at the beginning for the emotion side of this all. This is a guy that everyone liked and respected. They are having a really hard time believing that he was dirty. The feeling of disbelief and betrayal were tough for people to accept and handle. Everyone was off balance and having a difficult time making decisions. Everyone except the bad guys, of course. But in case, it’s really hard to tell the bad from the good unless you just go with your feelings. I had a feeling almost at the beginning and it proved to be correct, which was really weird. Part way through the book, I decided I had been wrong, but it ended up being correct.
Sophie had done exactly what her Dad had told her to do. She ran. She stopped at the ATM very close to her apartment and took out as much cash as it allowed for the day and then she got as far away as she could. She went where her father’s riddle told her to go. This escape had been set up years ago because the family had vacationed there under another name. The cottage was bought under this other name so that there were no ties to them. So Sophie went there and then got the key that was there and went from there with the clues. But before she left the cottage, she picked up a friend. She was ready when Damon walked in. She had her gun out and was ready for whoever it was that was walking in. She was shocked that it was Damon, but he was probably the only one she could have trusted at that point. The fact that they’d had a relationship before and hadn’t seen each other in several years and yet had been connected through her father meant that they still knew what was going on in each other’s life. Their relationship was still alive in a very subtle sort of way like an ember in a fireplace. It was just waiting for something to give it some fuel and fan it to life. Once fanned, the feelings went deep and strong. Neither one of them could ignore those feelings. This was not a fun book to read. The feelings were too intense in it for that. But it is a really great read that I hope you will try.
Highly Recommended
April 25, 2024
I was in the mood for romantic suspense and #McFaddenMay was fast approaching – so I decided to dive in. This was my first time experiencing Barbara Freethy and I loved it.
I luuuuurrrrvvveee romantic suspense where the mystery, intrigue, and danger are as much as or even more of the story than the romance. Freethy balanced them well here and I enjoyed the world she built. As a listener I was able to discover the truths, right along with the characters, as events unfolded. So many twists and turns and not knowing who to trust. Everything I enjoy in suspense.
Damon & Sophie kindling a romance out of the embers from 4 years earlier was weaved perfectly throughout. Their HFN at the end was believable. I enjoyed the epilogue and hope to catch more of them in future books.
I enjoyed meeting all the secondary characters and can’t wait to learn even more about Bree in Reckless Whisper.
Narration:
Amy McFadden again cements her place as my favorite narrator. I enjoy her voices for the various characters and really feeling all of the emotions (and Freethy definitely took them on a wild ride!). Such a great listen I was hesitant to push pause on.
I luuuuurrrrvvveee romantic suspense where the mystery, intrigue, and danger are as much as or even more of the story than the romance. Freethy balanced them well here and I enjoyed the world she built. As a listener I was able to discover the truths, right along with the characters, as events unfolded. So many twists and turns and not knowing who to trust. Everything I enjoy in suspense.
Damon & Sophie kindling a romance out of the embers from 4 years earlier was weaved perfectly throughout. Their HFN at the end was believable. I enjoyed the epilogue and hope to catch more of them in future books.
I enjoyed meeting all the secondary characters and can’t wait to learn even more about Bree in Reckless Whisper.
Narration:
Amy McFadden again cements her place as my favorite narrator. I enjoy her voices for the various characters and really feeling all of the emotions (and Freethy definitely took them on a wild ride!). Such a great listen I was hesitant to push pause on.
August 6, 2017
This book has a great premise and a solid start--it had me hooked from the very first page, and I was on the edge of my seat to see what would happen next for Damon and Sophie and to a lesser degree, Bree and Wyatt. Damon and Sophie had a (brief) history as well, which also piqued my interest, and kept me turning pages, wanting to see what they would do with it. The suspense part of the story was solid, I honestly didn't know who did what and exactly why until the end, when all was revealed. (Quick question--do real-life antagonists really tell all in the end to the heroes, even if they think they've already won? It really seems more like convenient fictional exposition than realism...still, at least we get to know the truth.)
Somewhere in the second half of the story, though, the suspense became more real than the romance. It felt like Sophie and Damon went from "let's try and forget about that awkwardly-ending night four years ago" to love a little too fast, skipping some crucial steps in between along the way. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to believe in their relationship, but it didn't feel like there was enough foundation laid down for what it was supposed to be becoming. Still, I did like them together and their epilogue was darn cute.
The next two books will be Bree and Wyatt's, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for them. Even though this story wasn't perfect, Ms. Freethy definitely grabbed my interest with her characters and I'm looking forward to more gotta-find-out-the-truth suspense.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Somewhere in the second half of the story, though, the suspense became more real than the romance. It felt like Sophie and Damon went from "let's try and forget about that awkwardly-ending night four years ago" to love a little too fast, skipping some crucial steps in between along the way. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to believe in their relationship, but it didn't feel like there was enough foundation laid down for what it was supposed to be becoming. Still, I did like them together and their epilogue was darn cute.
The next two books will be Bree and Wyatt's, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for them. Even though this story wasn't perfect, Ms. Freethy definitely grabbed my interest with her characters and I'm looking forward to more gotta-find-out-the-truth suspense.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
March 17, 2022
A lovely start to the introduction of Ms. Freethy's Off the Grid series. Sophie Parker has just finish teaching her class at NYU when she begins to listen to cryptic voice messages left by her FBI father. He mentions that he is sorry for everything and then his phone goes radio silence. So begins this steady pace mystery suspense of who has killed Alan Parker and why.
Sophie takes the clues from the messages her father leaves her and goes on the run, unbeknownst to her Damon one of her father's recruit to the FBI goes in search of her hoping to protect her. Damon and Sophie has somewhat of a history years ago they had one night stand and she never heard from him again. At first she is not trusting of him since one of her father's messages was not to trust anyone in the FBI. When an incident at her families lake house nearly left her dead and Damon protected her she realizes she can trust him. The scenes where they are trying to survive without been caught is as good as any tv crime/mystery series. As I begin to suspect who is involve the twist and turns gets even better. Again great start to the series.
Sophie takes the clues from the messages her father leaves her and goes on the run, unbeknownst to her Damon one of her father's recruit to the FBI goes in search of her hoping to protect her. Damon and Sophie has somewhat of a history years ago they had one night stand and she never heard from him again. At first she is not trusting of him since one of her father's messages was not to trust anyone in the FBI. When an incident at her families lake house nearly left her dead and Damon protected her she realizes she can trust him. The scenes where they are trying to survive without been caught is as good as any tv crime/mystery series. As I begin to suspect who is involve the twist and turns gets even better. Again great start to the series.
July 24, 2017
Perilous Trust (Off the Grid: FBI Trilogy) by Barbara Freethy
Getting tangled up with Perilous Trust is a rush. Barbara Freethy set the adrenaline level so high that it takes a while to come back down to solid ground. A tortured love affair sets off a chain of events that are explosive and deadly. It will take some fancy footwork, complete trust and admitting some hard truths to save them from the danger on their trail and in their hearts. The suspense is killer, the danger is intense and the electricity generated between Sophie and Damon is off the charts. All come together to create a lethally seductive thriller.
Getting tangled up with Perilous Trust is a rush. Barbara Freethy set the adrenaline level so high that it takes a while to come back down to solid ground. A tortured love affair sets off a chain of events that are explosive and deadly. It will take some fancy footwork, complete trust and admitting some hard truths to save them from the danger on their trail and in their hearts. The suspense is killer, the danger is intense and the electricity generated between Sophie and Damon is off the charts. All come together to create a lethally seductive thriller.
September 26, 2017
I am new to Barbara's writing ... this was a great read and my go to genre ... loved it!! one critique I might give would be to hear or know more about Sophie and Damon's relationship ... I love knowing lots and a love story you need lots of info and I found that the mysterious info was more. I would have preferred more of the mushy gushy side. That is just me. I love that!! Such a great read ... I won it in a Goodreads giveaway ... such a must read. LOVED IT!! took it on a camping trip and it was one of seven I did read and it was not enough ... I love reading should have taken even more. Go check this read out!! ( ;
Read
July 31, 2021DNF at 30% This has a rushed feel to it as if the author wrote a draft version and never re-read to edit redundancies, repetitions, etc.
And then this:
Damon has just spent AGES explaining to Sophie all about the secret chat forum and its clear he knows all the people in the group.
Then, 2 pages later, I read this:
'Getting back to your group,' Sophie said. "It sounds like one of the members is a woman. I might be able to figure out who's in the group if I think about Jamie and his time at Quantico and who he talked to."
WHAT?? That made no sense at all to me. Or am I missing something??
Anyway, I'm done.
CBA rating at this moment in time.
And then this:
Damon has just spent AGES explaining to Sophie all about the secret chat forum and its clear he knows all the people in the group.
Then, 2 pages later, I read this:
'Getting back to your group,' Sophie said. "It sounds like one of the members is a woman. I might be able to figure out who's in the group if I think about Jamie and his time at Quantico and who he talked to."
WHAT?? That made no sense at all to me. Or am I missing something??
Anyway, I'm done.
CBA rating at this moment in time.
August 9, 2020
Liked first 10% and then almost DNF. Best for romance readers who like a Hallmark channel movie with lots of inner dialogue in alternating chapters. Sappy, cliched insecurities for both MC. So frustrating to read paragraphs of over thinking about decisions, feelings and the past by Sophie and then the next chapter to have Damon's same thoughts about the same decisions. Sigh. Finished just to figure out FBI organized crime mystery. Not nearly enough action and chemistry between MC.
January 9, 2022
HOW THIS BOOK IS DAMN LEGIT AND HOW NO ONE’S TALKING ABOUT IT THIS IS INFURIATING
I devoured Perilous Trust in one sitting like a champion. The crime-thriller takes presumably 80% of the story and everything is finely tucked and plotted. I read the last chapters super slowly since I don’t wanna part with Sophie and Damon. Their chemistry and lovely dialogue left me wanting for more!
;;KOBO FREE EBOOKS DEAL JANUARY 2022
I devoured Perilous Trust in one sitting like a champion. The crime-thriller takes presumably 80% of the story and everything is finely tucked and plotted. I read the last chapters super slowly since I don’t wanna part with Sophie and Damon. Their chemistry and lovely dialogue left me wanting for more!
;;KOBO FREE EBOOKS DEAL JANUARY 2022
August 26, 2017
Great Book!!! I really enjoyed this new book!!
October 31, 2017
Plot: 4/5
Characterisation: 4/5
Prose: 3.5/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
Characterisation: 4/5
Prose: 3.5/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
August 3, 2020
Review coming soon!
September 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this kick off to the Off The Grid series! It's a solid 50/50 romance/suspense blend, which is hard to find these days.
February 15, 2021
Fast paced, easy to read, and the characters were interesting. There is even romance! I enjoyed this book and can’t wait for her next book with one of the previous characters from this book.
October 1, 2021
I love FBI thrillers and this book hits all marks. Great characters and a terrific story.
November 5, 2021
Barbara Freethy writes a perfectly balanced romantic suspense! I loved this one and can’t wait to continue the series!
February 2, 2022
Brilliant one of those books you have to read in one go - that is if you can I did it in two. and already got the next in this great series starter.
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