Closer To You

The Callaways #11

by Barbara Freethy

Renowned scientist Ian Callaway believes in numbers, logic and reason. His life is an equation that always adds up, until his mentor asks him to do him a small favor. This favor sends him out of his lab and smack into Grace O'Malley, a free-spirited, beautiful elementary school teacher, who believes in love and miracles.

He was only supposed to deliver a package from Grace's estranged father, but a sudden snowstorm, a gathering of world leaders, and unexpected danger changes everything.

Ian doesn't know if he wants love, but he could sure use a miracle. If he can find a way to believe in Grace and the impossible, he might just get both.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 29, 2016

About the author

Barbara'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!

Reviews

[bookjunkiejane · Rating 1 out of 5]

What an awful heroine... One of the worst I've come across..

[Bette Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

Not my personal favorite but a good story nonetheless as the Calloway series continues with Ian's story. Nice romance blended with intriguing suspense. Recommended

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have to love these bigger than life Callaways. An adventure into the rarefied world of serious scientists with likable characters and unexpected behaviors. With just a hint of trouble brewing in the life of a brother, Ian overcomes his natural reticence and finds the absolute love of his life.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I think Barbara Freethy books can't get any better I read this one.I really wish the Callaway's were real people.I will never understand how authors come up with their ideas for books.
Ian Callaway is one of the nicest people I've ever read about.He's nicknamed The Sexy Scientist by Barbara Freethy. I think he probably would be in real life.He goes to deliver a package as a favor for a friend and ends up falling in love with the friends daughter who he's delivering the package too.
I really liked how Ian and Grace were both willing to relocate to be together.I don't know how that would work in most relationships.They are so great together.
If you're not reading Barbara Freethy books then what are you waiting for?

[Caffenero · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. I've no other definition for this novel.
I like BF'books but this one keep me wondering if she wrote it.
No action, silly banter and a TSTL main female character made me want to skip pages.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

CLOSER TO YOU is part of the Callaway Cousins spinoff series. Ian Callaway is the scientist in the Callaway family, and has always felt like a bit of an outcast from his brothers, who have followed the more traditional firefighting family path. He’s a big brainy nerd and doesn’t have time for romance. Grace O’Malley is angry at her father (a renowned scientist) for having cheated on her mother and hid the fact that he had a second family and other children. They have to work together to figure out who attacked Grace’s father and what scientific project he was working on when the people who targeted him come after Grace. I enjoyed this book okay, but it definitely wasn’t my favorite in the series. I was most interested in the development of some of the side plots with Emma and Max. 4/5 stars.

[Anne Blyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another amazing story from Barbara Freethy in the Callaway series. Ian and Graces story ticks all the boxes as they are brought together by Grace's estranged father. Their attraction is immediate although Grace fights against it. There is a young boy Grace is caring for who immediately tugs on the heartstrings, mystery as Grace's house and Ian's room are ransacked. They have something that someone wants and no idea what or who wants it. Grace's father is attacked and in a coma and she is conflicted as to whether she wants to see him or not. I was invested from the start as I love the Calloway family.

[Suzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story, Characters, Suspense, Romance

A well-written and edited novel with a good story line. The main characters, Ian and Grace, have depth and their personalities are relatable. The whodunit aspect of the story provides tension and suspense without "Too Stupid To Live" actions by anyone. The romance unfolds quickly but rationally within the condensed timeline of the story. There are a few scenes of nudity and heavy petting between Ian and Grace but no graphic sex scenes. Oh, no billionaire main characters!

[Pamela A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓, 𝒊 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔!! 🥰🥰🥰

𝑾𝒐𝒘! 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒌𝒆𝒑𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒈𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒅 𝒈𝒖𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒔, 𝒊 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒈𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒊 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏'𝒕. 𝑨𝒃𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒎𝒎𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒆𝒎𝒎𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒖𝒔𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒅, 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒔! 𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔!! 𝑰𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔. 😘😘😘🙌🙌🙌😊😊😊

[~serenity~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars~

I loved the beginning. It was going at a good pace. They were getting to know each other, the mystery was keeping me hooked. But idk somehow the last few chapters felt a bit rushed. I wish the epilogue was a bit more realistic. That's why I gave this a 3.5

I love the characters though. I was really looking forward to the story mostly because of the characters.💚

[Judi Radtke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Callaway cousins

I like the combination of romance with the suspense in this book. This book continues with Ian's story from the book featuring three of the cousins. This was a great story with some good twist and turns

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to read the Callaways

I started years ago and have slowly gotten through all of the stories. This one has some light suspense, some laughter, some neediness...and is just as good as the rest.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Intrigue, suspense, danger, international drama, close family ties, revenge, and more. I like the characters and the locations. A HEA is always nice. There were a couple of errors that better proofreading should have caught, but I enjoyed the storyline.

[Bookworm2721 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grandma sends 3 of her grandkids back to her Country

Burke, Emma, and Ian were given a challenge. Each one was given a quest from grandma. Find out what their grandma has in store for them. It may change there lives.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense and romance

This book is Ian and Grace's story. The characters are wonderfully written and the story is full of suspense and Ian and Grace's unfolding romance. It is such an entertaining and enjoyable book!

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I simply loved Ian a d Grace’s story. I wondered how everything would resolve itself. Once again we had drama, intrigue and suspense. Cannot wait to read the next book now

[Valerie R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery and romance

My favorite combination, an enchanting romance and a tantalizing mystery. And my most important requirement, characters that I care about.

[Maci Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Another amazing Callaways book by Barbara!!! They always seem pull you in and not let go until you spent all day reading and still don’t want to put it down!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Callaway continue to keep me interested

I haven't read all of this series, and certainly haven't read them in order, but have really enjoyed all the Callaway books I have read. This one really kept me reading and included just the right amount of romance and intrigue. Barbara Freethy does not fail to keep my interest!

[Geraldine DEIBERT · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good story with a twist.

[Valerie Colquhoun · Rating 2 out of 5]

So so romance/ mystery

[Debbie Oliphant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always make time to read a new Barbara Freethy novel and I can't get enough of the Callaways. I would urge you to read the novella that precedes this book, Take Me Home, (and it is a quick read) but it lays the groundwork for Ian and Grace's story.

Ian met Grace's father while on a trip to Ireland and the two had bonded over their love of science, but Seamus had asked Ian for a favor and deliver a package to his estranged daughter, whom he had not seen for over 10 years. Ian agrees to do so when he returns home. Ian decides to drop off the package while on his way to a science convention. Grace does not want to accept the package and explains to Ian that she does not want to have a relationship with her father.

Their meeting is awkward because she also explains that her father chose science over her family and believes this to be true of other scientists, even if she finds Ian to be very handsome and likable. A snowstorm hits during the visit and Ian is stranded. Grace lets him stay at her home, but it is clear that the two are attracted to one another and she is hoping that when the weather permits, he will be on his way and she won't have to act on her feelings.

When the weather clears, the two find it harder to stay away and soon discover that trouble has followed the two of them. Grace's home and Ian's hotel room have been broken into and Grace's father was assaulted at his office. They realize that the events are tied together and as they discover what Grace's father has been involved in, they also realize that they are in danger and they no longer know who they can trust.

What I loved about this story was how you were sucked into the story in the first chapter and then taken on a wild ride. Ian and Grace have many layers and do not hesitate to try to figure out where each fit with one another. I would have liked more of Emma's storyline. She is a force in the Calloway family and it would have been nice to give her story more depth. But Ms. Freethy delivered again and I can't wait to read Dylan's story next.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of Closer to You by Barbara Freethy in exchange for an honest review.
Note: this review contains spoilers!
Ian Callaway is not like the rest of his family. Instead of being a firefighter, Ian is fascinated by science. Most specifically how to get clean water to everyone. It's easy for him to get so engrossed in his work that he forgets other things like Thanksgiving dinner with the entire extended family or having fun, or going on a date. So when he receives a package of his grandfather's journals from Seamus Donelan in Ireland. Along with the journals is a box that Seamus wants Ian to take to his daughter Grace O'Malley. Seamus has sent her packages before, but she has always returned them unopened. Since Grace lives in the same city where Ian is going to attend a conference, he'll drop off the package and still have time to get in some skiing. The weather in Tahoe and an injured soldier have different plans. A fast moving blizzard moves in just as Ian gets to Grace's home where she is now taking care of her best friend's son while she goes to Germany to be with her injured husband. The snow piles up quickly on Grace's steep driveway so Ian stays for dinner and then for the night. Returning to Grace's after sledding, they find the front door slightly ajar. Although nothing seems to be taken, Grace is fairly certain someone has gone through her things. That's only the first thing that goes wrong. At the conference, Ian is told of an attack on Seamus right around the time he mailed the package. A couple of days later, Ian's hotel room is trashed, later Grace is attacked in the school parking lot, and then Grace's home is trashed.
The side stories of adoption and Kevin's surgeries add depth and more interest to an already sizzling plot. Grace and Ian also deal with their growing attraction to each other and Grace's distrust of scientists who get too caught up in their work.
Spanning Tahoe, lonely back roads, and Ireland Closer to You takes the reader on a nonstop adventure of romance, mystery, international intrigue, trust, and love.

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC copy for honest review with no compensation and what a way to continue the Callaway series! ! !
This story is about Ian Callaway the scientist and Grace O’Malley (Donelan) second grade teacher (who says she doesn’t like science).

Ian was in Ireland (book Take Me Home sets up the story line) and meets Seamus Donelan, Grace’s estranged father who has Ian’s great grandfather’s journals and while together they bond over the journals and their love for science. Ian sees a picture of Grace on his desk and his heart beat quicken but he doesn’t understand why. Not long after coming back to the US, he received a package from Seamus which he knows are his great grandfather’s journals but also included in the box is another box addressed to Grace. Seamus asks Ian to deliver the package while he attends a science conference in her hometown.

Grace, who has been estranged from her father for over 10 years, doesn’t want to accept the package from Ian when he arrives at her home. She tries to explain to Ian that she wants nothing to do with her father or any package he has sent. When Ian asks why she explains that he chose science over his family so they severed all ties to him and that all scientists choose science over family. Their interaction with each other is awkward but has an underlining sexual tension that they both try to deny.

After spending the night together, snowed in by a severe snowstorm unusual things start happening and they soon discover that trouble has followed them….homes being broken into, hotel room destroyed and a race against time to figure out what all this means……and who they can trust….

So many twists, turns, ups and downs that takes you on a wild ride….you will want to keep reading until you get to the final word of the book! ! Barbara Freethy sure knows how to keep you reading and wanting more of the Callaway family…..can’t wait for the next Callaway book…Dylan! !

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Closer to You: Callaway Cousins Book 3: Callaways Book 11 is by Barbara Freethy. Just when you think Barbara has run out of ideas for a new book, she surprises you with another one that is even better than the one before. Her writing is flawless and her word choices bring the story to life. When you can not stop reading a book in spite of any disruptions in your life and not feel guilty for ignoring everything around you, you know you have been reading a fantastic book. Although it is predictable and is destined to have a happy ending, it is still an adventure to read. You never know what will happen next.
Ian Callaway was a serious scientist who all his life had preferred to be alone with his books and studying. He could join his large family in different activities; but his preference was to be with his books. Lately he had been working very long hours on an invention to help bring clean water to those who have no access to clean water. He was going to Tahoe and attend a conference and then spend some time skiing. First, however, he had to deliver a package to Grace O’Malley from her father, Seamus Donelan. Grace and Seamus had been estranged for at least ten years and she had sent all his letters and packages back unopened. So, Seamus sent a package for her in a box he was sending to Ian and asked him to personally deliver the package. Little prepared was Ian for everything that happened next.
Grace O’Malley and her sister had been taken from Ireland by their Mother after she left their Father. She wanted nothing to do with him and made it her business to make sure the girls felt the same way. Until Ian brought her the package, she had managed to become invisible to Seamus. Then, Ian began to poke holes in her desire to hate her Father. While he was doing this, someone was after Grace and Ian by association. Could he protect Grace from the unknown? Why was someone after them?

[Cinthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading the Callaways for some time now, with each new book I think, I wish I had been born into a family like this... Ian is the genius, the scientist, the quiet, which despite loving the family with all its might he Feels excluded, doesn't interact much, but is as wonderful as his cousins and brothers... as a Callaway.

In 'Take Me Home' we met Ian, when he traveled with Emma and Burke to Ireland as a gift from the grandmother to the three, so that each of them would find a future or reencounter themselves. Since then I've been curious about Ian's love story.

Ian met a great scientist on his trip to Ireland, Seamus Donellan, was a pupil of Ian's great-grandfather, and gave some advice to Ian... since then Ian has worked on his head a way to slow down the work, trying to find the balance between work and life. When Seamus sent a box with Ian's great-grandfather's diaries and asked him to deliver an order to his daughter Grace in Tahoe, Ian didn't resist and went to 'pay' the debt to Seamus.

Little did Ian know that his life was going to change completely, and that he would live an intense week, with a lot of adventure, but a tension that will be worth it so that he not only thinks about his next steps, but that makes him walk in a new and Wonderful life, a complete life, with love and family.

Grace doesn't see, has not spoken to her father for more than 10 years, can't forgive what he did to her, her mother and sister, but when she receives from her father, an order she doesn't want to receive but that has come to be delivered by a handsome, sexy, charming man but a scientist like her father... she can't resist, tinkering with her past, to make a wonderful future with a charmingly intelligent and loving man.

The Callaway family appears in this book in charming ways, with great news and always showing how important family is to each of them.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace has been estranged from her father for years. He put his work as a scientist ahead of his family & betrayed them by having an affair. When Graces mother left him & moved her & the girls back to the states, Grace assumed he created a new life with his new daughter. Decades of bitterness, hurt & anger are difficult to break through. Can Ian break through it?

Ian Callaway met Graces father when he was on a trip in Ireland. Weeks later, Ian received his grandfathers journals in the mail along with a request. Could he deliver a package to Grace? That one simple request started a journey that no one expected.

The Callaway's stories always seem to find a way to touch your heart & your emotions. Ian was a workaholic but is trying to change his ways. The twists & turns in the plot enhance the mystery & the journey to each other. Grace is a strong confident sensitive teacher that has tried to forget her feelings for her father for her mothers sake. The chemistry between these two sparks immediately as does Grace's anger when she finds out why Ian is seeking her out. The reminder that there are two sides to every story & one isn't necessarily more right than the other is woven throughout the story. I really enjoyed Ian & Grace & their story. I would recommend this story, like all of Barbara Freethy's, to anyone who likes their romance sweet with a little mystery included.

[R J Mckay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review.

The newest Callaway Clan book brings focus to Ian Callaway, the scientist in the family, who feels more comfortable with facts that he can prove rather than emotions. But when he is tasked with delivering a package to Grace O’Malley, daughter of one of his mentors, Ian finds himself entangled with those emotions.
In addition to the sexual pull Ian experiences toward Grace, there is also the need to protect her when is seems someone is after her. And to make it worse, she has no idea why.
Grace has shunned the scientific community ever since she was a teen and she watched her parents’ marriage dissolve. She blames her father whose attention was always on his latest research and not on his neglected family. So when this new, incredibly handsome, scientist comes into her life, Grace wants as much distance from him as possible. But fate has other ideas.
And as any reader of the Callaway books knows, where there is one Callaway there are more. When Ian is in need of help, he knows just who to turn to. Because with a family like the Callaway’s family always comes first.
A beautiful blending of romance, intrigue and a healthy dose of family will warm the readers heart.

[Connie Davé · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Callaway series. Once you start this series all of the Callaways and their partners make you feel like you are part of their family. This book is about Ian Callaway and Grace Donelan. Ian is a scientist who has met Grace's estranged father in Ireland. He sends a package to Ian with a box inside that he asks Ian to deliver to Grace. When he does there is instant attraction, even though Grace does not like scientists. As they start to fall in love and get to know each other the suspense starts. There is a great balance of romance and suspense in this book, along with a couple of side stories that give you some feel good moments. It was fun to watch Ian lose just a little bit of his analytical side and see that fate and destiny might be something he can start to believe in. You also get to watch Grace see that not all scientists are like her father. This is a beautifully written story with a lot of chemistry, feel good moments, suspense and romance.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seamus and Ian met while Ian and his 2 cousins went to Ireland on a trip in a previous book. Seamus sent Ian his great grandfathers journal but also sent him a package to deliver to his daughter Grace. She wanted nothing to do with her father, the package, or scientists which made this delivery difficult. While there a snowstorm come through which forces Ian to spend the night and makes the sparks between Grace and Ian hard to ignore. Suddenly both Grace's home and Ian's hotel room have been broken into. Is this a coincidence or does it have something to do with the package? I'm not going to go any farther as I don't want to give the whole story away. You must read this book you won't regret that. You don't need to read the whole series before this book but I highly recommend you do although you do need to read the previous novella Take me home before this book. I really enjoyed this book .