From #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes a page-turning, poignant and thrilling romantic suspense novel about love, courage and risking it all!
Firefighter Dylan Callaway is no coward when it comes to running into burning buildings but running into love with a beautiful and seriously annoying brunette is another story.
Dylan first met Tori Hayden in college when she was the irritating little sister of one of his best friends. Ten years later, Tori is a determined news reporter, who believes Dylan holds the key to solving a mysterious fire that may be part of a cover-up for blackmail and murder.
Tori would have rather worked with anyone other than the ruggedly sexy Dylan, who had been the star of many of her teenaged fantasies, but she needs help to get to the truth and to get justice for someone she loved.
Sparks fly as Dylan and Tori put out one fire only to start another one—one that might consume them both.
ONCE YOU’RE MINE is the 4th book in the Callaway Cousins, a spin-off of the NYT Bestselling Series The Callaways. All the books in this family series are standalone novels and feature a riveting plot along with a heartwarming love story! Feel free to jump into the series with any of the books.
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!
I like Barbara Freethy books. You know you’re going to get solid writing, a good plot, and excellent character dialogue.
Once You’re Mine is the story of Tori, a journalist who had recently returned to her hometown of San Francisco, and Dylan, a firefighter who is best friends with Tori’s older brother.
When Tori follows a stranger into an abandoned building that explodes, she is rescued by Dylan. Together, they begin to investigate the explosion, which then brings up questions about her father’s death 17 years earlier. It was all a bit predictable, but still an enjoyable listen, nonetheless.
The aspect of this book I didn’t care for was the whole “you don’t get involved with your best friend’s little sister” schtick. It’s a trope that is used frequently, but seldom makes sense to me - especially when the best friend is a good guy. If the guy is an ass, why are you friends with him? Anyway...thankfully it wasn’t overplayed here. Once Dylan decides he has feelings for Tori, he doesn’t push her away. Tori’s brother doesn’t ever give Dylan grief about it, either.
It’s always good to discover that an author whose books you like to read is one whose books you like to listen to as well!
This is the newest book in the Callaway series. This book focuses on Dylan who is a firefighter and Tori who is a journalist. She is his best friend Scott's little sister. Dylan runs into her while working the fire at an old building she happened to be inside. Tori is trying to uncover what story her father was working on shortly before he died. Dylan is trying to help her figure this out as well as keep her safe since this story seems to bring on danger. The attraction and sparks are off the charts for these two and Dylan doesnt want to do anything with her just because she's his bestfriends sister. Tori gives him a choice to either stay and have one night or leave. What will he choose and do they ever uncover the story her father was working before he died? This was a great book and one that I finished very quickly since I couldnt put it down.
I received an Arc from the author in exchange for a review
I have LOVED the Callaway’s since I read the first book…and I love the Callaway cousins just as much. This whole extended family is a loving, caring, let’s pull together family. If everyone was this way, the world would work much more smoothly!
This is Dylan and Tori’s story. Dylan, a firefighter carrying on the Callaway legacy in San Francisco, has been friends with Scott, Tori’s brother for his whole life. Tori, was the tag along sister with a huge crush on Dylan when she was a kid, but she’s not a kid anymore!
Tori is carrying on in her deceased father’s footsteps as a newspaper reporter in San Francisco, when an explosion and fire has Dylan reconnecting with Tori on the fire scene. As the ignition of the fire points to arson, Dylan and Tori find themselves looking for clues that may lead them back 17 years, to other unsolved arsons.
I love romantic suspense and this story has more than a little of both! Some of the twists and turns you see coming, others, not so much. A great story and a must read in my opinion.
Barbara Freethy is an auto buy for me. I love her voice and look forward to her next book.
Once You’re Mine: Callaway Cousins Book 4: Callaways Book 12 is by Barbara Freethy. This book is intriguing and very action packed. It deals with deception, intrigue, arson, murder, big business, and love, of course. It is well-written and definitely keeps you on your toes and into the book. The action keeps going throughout the book and you are never sure what will happen next. Of course, the presence of many of the Callaway Cousins and Callaways makes it seem like a family reunion as they help each other out. Once you start, you can’t put the book down. This makes the title seem much more appropriate. Tori Haden is a journalist who has come back to San Francisco from the East Coast. She finally came home. Luckily, she was able to find a great job and a secure apartment, although they were on the other side of town from her family. She was investigating the homeless situation in San Francisco and had been interviewing some homeless people in the city. However, she felt someone was following her. She noticed a man looking at her and thought he looked familiar. She went across the street to follow him as he slunk off. She followed him into d condemned building but felt something was wrong and turned back. The blast that followed threw her out of the building. Was the explosion deliberately set off to kill her? How would they know she would be coming into the building? Who was she following? When the firemen showed up, so did her brother’s best friend Dylan Callaway. He helped her up and then went into the building to make sure the man she followed was not in there. He found no one before being forced back out of the building. Later, a body was found along with a wallet with and ID in it. Was the body Neil Hawkins like the ID said? Why did Tori say he looked like her Dad? As her brother’s best friend, Dylan felt it was his responsibility to look after Tori while Scott went on his honeymoon. Could he look after her as impartially as he used to or was it different now that she was grown up? Could he keep her safe?
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review.
Opening up a new Callaway book is like stepping into a family reunion, because that is what the Callaway’s are…a strong family that has each other’s back.
Dylan Callaway remembers Tori as his best friend Scott’s younger sister, a slightly pesky little sister, who was always asking questions. When he runs into her again standing outside a burning building, she is anything but. Firefighting is in Dylan’s blood and he would be the first to run into a burning building, but put him in a romantic situation and he will run in the opposite direction. And besides, Tori is his best friend’s baby sister. The ‘bro code’ should apply. Shouldn’t it??
Tori has had a crush on Dylan since she was a teen. And now that she is all grown up, seeing him again has fanned those memories into an inferno of lust. But she’s on the trail of a news story and it appears that someone isn’t happy about all of her snooping around. To keep her safe, Dylan tries to protect her as best as he can, while still keeping his emotional distance, but trying to keep things light between the two of them isn’t really working for him. Especially when Tori takes the first step and kisses his. And what a kiss.
And just who is the man Tori followed into the burning building? The man who looks strikingly like her Father…her dead Father. Dylan sees no other option than to call his family for help. Into the fray comes the Callaway clan to help with the investigation.
Once You’re Mine is a perfect blend of intrigue, suspense, action and smoldering romance and author Barbara Freethy has outdone herself once again.
🌺 “Let’s be imperfect together.” Dylan, Once You’re Mine
This is my new fav Callaway book!! One of the biggest thing this book has made me realize is that no one is ever perfect (not that I didn’t know it before but it just hit different). And that it is okay to sometimes put your feelings out there (it doesn’t make you weak). It’s the most courageous thing you can do. So I guess it’s easier to be vulnerable if you really understand no ones perfect. And if someone doesn’t accept you the way you’re, maybe it’s not worth it.
Now coming back to the book, it’s about Tori Hayden, a determined news reporter, and Dylan Callaway, a firefighter. Tori is back in San Francisco to work with Bay Area Examiner. Three weeks being back into the town, she gets blown away (literally) by a fire. She had followed a man inside an empty building which ends up exploring. Dylan gets there because of his job and the minute he sees Tori, he recognizes her: his best friend’s little sister. But something has changed and he can’t seem to take ignore the vibe between them. The fire was not just a fire, it was part of something bigger. Tori is determined to get to bottom the issue. And Dylan is someone who can help her with the resources he has. Will working with her childhood crush be simple? Or will it bring forth more complications? Read to find out!
This is simply not a romance novel. Yes, romance is a part of it but it has so much more to it. Thrilling suspense, mystery, complex situations and characters, family secrets and more. I love love love this book! I don’t think I can emphasize it enough. I literally cried at the end.
This is the latest book in the Callaway series of books, an offshoot of the books which are about the Callaway family in San Francisco, concentrate on the cousins in the fault. This book is about Dylan, a firefighter, and Tori, a newspaper reporter and sister of his best friend Scott. Dylan and Tori meet again after many years at a fire, sparks fly in more than one way! The story centers on Tori's father, and the story he was working on before he died. Tori is determined to find out what's going on after she was warned off investigating, putting herself and other members of the Callaway family in danger. A really well written story with well crafted characters, something you expect in all of Barbara Freethy's books. Well worth a read, can be read alone but better read in the series of books. I'm looking forward to the next book already!
(Bought this book for cheap at my local library book sale)
I was about to give this a one star but I was curious to know the ending so I thought it deserved two stars.
The epilogue I didn’t give a crap about.
Tori and Dylan we’re mostly immature and annoying in my opinion and I guess the writing wasn’t my taste either. Couple funny parts but the others parts were unreadable. It’s one of those book for me where it was good then bad then terrible then ok then bad. Yikes. For a moment I was curious about the other books in the series, but reading what they are about made me feel like all the stories might be too similar...
The suspense wasn’t fun for me. I wanted to be immersed in the story and what was to come...I was mostly bored as opposed to being on the edge of my seat.
Also the words “blue eyes” are mentioned way too much.
Another solid Callaway story. More on the suspense and action side and I am here for it. The romance is sweet and brings up the sister of the best friend idea, but for me the magic in this story was the investigation into the story and arson.
I adore Emma and after reading the novella where grandma said she was the heart of the next generation I can see it in each story and I love that connection throughout the series. She and Max are adorable and I love how they are always willing to try for family. Dylan had an interesting type of baggage and I thought it was a unique take on the firefighter romantic image. The ending was heartfelt and left a fun take on what would you do in that situation.
ONCE YOU’RE MINE is the fifth in the Callaway Cousins spinoff series, featuring firefighter Dylan Callaway and Tori, who is the younger sister of one of his best friends. Tori had a crush on Dylan way back when, but back in high school the age difference was too much. Now they’re both grown up, Tori is investigating a fire she believes is connected to the disappearance of her father years ago, and believes she may have found a conspiracy. She works to reopen the investigation her father was trying to report on twenty years ago when he was killed when he and two friends went out on the bay and their boat sank. The suspense plotline was especially good in this novel, with lots of surprises and good pacing. 5/5 stars.
I always enjoy stories about the Callaway clan and this one did not disappoint! Tori Hayden is an investigative journalist, who has just moved back to her home town. While investigating a source for her piece on the homeless, she is injured in a building explosion/fire and comes face-to-face with her brother's best friend...and the guy that she's crushed on since HS...Dylan Callaway! Sparks fly...pun intended...and Dylan is desperately trying not to violate the 'bro code' on little sisters. Will they or won't they? Will Tori survive unearthing a huge money making scheme, that involves many influential people? After much ado...and many surprises...we have a beautiful HEA.
I know in every Callaway book I claim its my new favorite but this book might stay my favorite for a while. It gripped me from the beginning and never let go. I loved getting to know Tory and Dylan. Dylan is part of the Callaway family that we have all fell in love with threw out several books. This book has some mystery and parts of it are easy to figure out and other parts keeps ya guessing until it is reviled. This book can be a stand alone but if you haven't read about the rest of the family be sure to go back and read the others because its a great family to get to know.
This was the first book I've read in this series and it was okay. The writing is decent, it's not the best book I've ever read, but it was certainly readable.
My issues stem from the ridiculous "twist" towards the end of the book, the fact that the book barrels to a rushed ending, and the weird thing with the main character's brother and his wife (they are getting married, they are so in love, she literally says nothing in the entire book??? Very strange.)
I could see myself picking up another book by this author, but I think there are better contemporary romance novels out there.
If you enjoy romantic suspense books then The Callaway series is definitely for you. I kept trying to figure out the mystery.I had the main mystery figured out early in the book.The rest kept me trying to figure it out until the end. I'm really excited for the next installment in this series. If you're not reading Barbara Freethy books,then what are waiting for?
Once again another Callaway finds love. Firefighter Dylan falls for his best friend's sister. Tory is an inquisitive journalist whose persistence will lead to threats to her life. An explosive, surprising truth will be revealed that will change lives.
Tori and Dylan’s story drew me in from the very beginning. It started off with a bang making it hard to put the book down. The plot was fast paced and kept me guessing. I couldn’t quite believe how it turned out in the end which I loved. I loved the banter between Dylan and Tori. Their friendship was evident from the beginning, and I loved the way it built into something more. Again, I loved the glimpses and updates into the stories/lives of past couples. I loved the feeling of family this story evoked. I can’t wait to see what the next story takes me.
I am in the minority, but this is a DNF for me at 75%. This story is so slow and it feels like it's being told to me rather than written through the characters. I also did not feel the chemistry between the two lead characters. It felt like they were going round and round in circles. Even the story behind the death of her father was just not interesting enough to hold my interest.
Thoroughly enjoyed this installment in the Callaway series. Tori and Dylan are believable characters and the plot has some surprising developments along the way that kept me guessing Heartwarming ending. Can't wait for the next one!
I started reading the Callaway books about a year-and-a-half ago. I was able to read most of them back to back so it was really hard to have to wait for the next one to come out but it was well worth the wait and I'm waiting on the next one
There is like little to no romance in this novel. Like four parts . The majority of the novel was intrigue. I get that all novels need a storyline but when I click romance I expect to see romance... not a good balance in this one.
Love the Callaway books. The cousins are just as good to read. Very large family with unconditional love and support. Some suspense light...not dark. Good read.
I do not think there is a better fiction writer. I have read so many of Barbara's books, some more than once, and will continue to do so. As a series or individually, there is not a bad one in the bunch.
This was a light entertaining read with a mystery and some suspense built around a budding romance between Tori and Dylan. Easy to read in a short amount of time. Perfect for a lazy day or when sitting on the beach.
Dylan decides to take a break. He goes to an island to relax. He meets Tori and sparks fly. The next day Tori was gone. A boat explodes and Tori is dead. Then Dylan sees her again. Everything works out in the end. Good book.