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Whisper Lake #1
Always with Me
After her third broken engagement, Gianna Campbell comes home to help with the family business and to heal her heart, only to realize that she has become the town joke—dubbed the runaway fiancée. If that wasn't bad enough, who should show up in town but her former crush Zach Barrington, a man who has other reasons to hate her.
Zach returns to Whisper Lake not only for a job opportunity but also for a chance at personal redemption. The last person he wants to see is Gianna, who once got him kicked out of the only place that made him feel whole. But when an accident sends her into the lake, their first face-to-face meeting in years leaves them both breathless.
And suddenly the past feels a lot closer…
Zach and Gianna back away as fast as they come together, both wary of more danger to their damaged hearts. But the recovery of a missing locket sends them on a search for a truth that leads to surprising secrets, life-changing revelations, and the chance for a love more powerful than they ever imagined. Can they trust each other the second time around?
Zach returns to Whisper Lake not only for a job opportunity but also for a chance at personal redemption. The last person he wants to see is Gianna, who once got him kicked out of the only place that made him feel whole. But when an accident sends her into the lake, their first face-to-face meeting in years leaves them both breathless.
And suddenly the past feels a lot closer…
Zach and Gianna back away as fast as they come together, both wary of more danger to their damaged hearts. But the recovery of a missing locket sends them on a search for a truth that leads to surprising secrets, life-changing revelations, and the chance for a love more powerful than they ever imagined. Can they trust each other the second time around?
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First published June 5, 2019
3625 people are currently reading
1771 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Freethy
143 books2,684 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 271 reviews
May 25, 2019
I love reading Barbara Freethy books, they are so familiar, interesting and entertaining. This book kicks off a new series, Whisper Lake, and it introduced a lot of new characters that have you engaged immediately.
Gianna comes home to Whisper Lake to help her aunt with her business. She is welcomed by her family and friends and it feels the comfort of home is exactly what she needs after calling off her engagement, which happens to be her third. She feels she needs time to stay away from men because of the guilt she has for the hurt she has caused. This does not last long as she is reunited with her first love from summer camp, Zach. He rescues her after she falls into the lake. Gianna is not too thrilled at first because she blames him for breaking her heart and stealing a locket that was priceless to her. Zach assures her that he never stole it and she finally believes he is telling the truth, but what about her broken heart? The two cannot seem to avoid each other and realize the times that they are together is igniting the intense feelings they used to have for each other.
Gianna is met by an unexpected visitor at her aunt's business and discovers there are secrets that are starting to reveal themselves. These secrets will impact Gianna and Zach and their future.
This pace of this story was immediate and was consistent throughout the book. It had suspense, romance, and that sense of community where you connected with each of the characters. I am so looking forward to the next installment as the first laid out more suspense to come.
Gianna comes home to Whisper Lake to help her aunt with her business. She is welcomed by her family and friends and it feels the comfort of home is exactly what she needs after calling off her engagement, which happens to be her third. She feels she needs time to stay away from men because of the guilt she has for the hurt she has caused. This does not last long as she is reunited with her first love from summer camp, Zach. He rescues her after she falls into the lake. Gianna is not too thrilled at first because she blames him for breaking her heart and stealing a locket that was priceless to her. Zach assures her that he never stole it and she finally believes he is telling the truth, but what about her broken heart? The two cannot seem to avoid each other and realize the times that they are together is igniting the intense feelings they used to have for each other.
Gianna is met by an unexpected visitor at her aunt's business and discovers there are secrets that are starting to reveal themselves. These secrets will impact Gianna and Zach and their future.
This pace of this story was immediate and was consistent throughout the book. It had suspense, romance, and that sense of community where you connected with each of the characters. I am so looking forward to the next installment as the first laid out more suspense to come.
September 15, 2019
As women's fiction, it's not a terrible book. There's a fair bit of realistic drama (and some over-the-top drama and reactions sometimes but that happens often in books), decent characters, and supportive relationships. The dialogue is a little awkward and unrealistic--it often comes across as stilted and unnatural--but it's not impossible to ignore.
As a romance, however, this book kind of fails. We're repeatedly told them have a connection but Zach and Gianna have no chemistry whatsoever. They're perfectly sweet together, but I don't buy them as deeply in love. Both of them are carting around issues, which certainly doesn't help, since I don't think a romantic relationship is what either of them need. Their issues are the main bulk of their conversations too and it's hard to root for a romance that rarely seems playful or happy.
I also would have liked more talk about Gianna's birth mother and more meetings between them. It was definitely not the main plot, but I think room could have been made for it. I didn't feel it was given enough time.
As a romance, however, this book kind of fails. We're repeatedly told them have a connection but Zach and Gianna have no chemistry whatsoever. They're perfectly sweet together, but I don't buy them as deeply in love. Both of them are carting around issues, which certainly doesn't help, since I don't think a romantic relationship is what either of them need. Their issues are the main bulk of their conversations too and it's hard to root for a romance that rarely seems playful or happy.
I also would have liked more talk about Gianna's birth mother and more meetings between them. It was definitely not the main plot, but I think room could have been made for it. I didn't feel it was given enough time.
November 14, 2020
Nu vāks. Man jau tā pēdējā laikā nekas no lasītā nepatīk, bet šī bija ekstra garlaicīga lasāmviela.
Visu romāna gaitu pilnīgi nekas nenotiek, izņemot galveno varoņu rakņāšanos savā un viens otra pagātnē. 80% teksta ir dialogi (un ne tie saturīgākie!), turklāt daudzi no tiem vairākkārt atkārtojas.
Visu romāna gaitu pilnīgi nekas nenotiek, izņemot galveno varoņu rakņāšanos savā un viens otra pagātnē. 80% teksta ir dialogi (un ne tie saturīgākie!), turklāt daudzi no tiem vairākkārt atkārtojas.
June 5, 2019
Thrilling new series. Evocative descriptions of the mountainside made me feel as if I were in the mountains breathing in the fresh air and hearing the sounds of nature. This is so exceptionally well written. Gianna is so relatable and Zach sounds composure-annihilating. Loved that there is a crossover with the Callaways. Promising. Can't wait for more.
November 3, 2020
3.5 STARS
It has been years since I have read a Freethy book, and I forgot how enjoyable her heart-warming stories are. Sadly, I did not realize this was tied to another series, but it was evident with all the secondary couples/backstories. I was never lost, but did miss the connections. I am going to backtrack and read the Callaway Series first.
Overall, a promising beginning to a series, and I look forward to more.
It has been years since I have read a Freethy book, and I forgot how enjoyable her heart-warming stories are. Sadly, I did not realize this was tied to another series, but it was evident with all the secondary couples/backstories. I was never lost, but did miss the connections. I am going to backtrack and read the Callaway Series first.
Overall, a promising beginning to a series, and I look forward to more.
October 29, 2019
Between 3 1/2 and 4.
Want to read
May 9, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/9/2020)! 🎁
October 5, 2020
A great love story! Past love, new love and future love!
April 16, 2022
I've become a bit obsessed with small town romance and this was really a gem. It had a little of everything. I enjoyed this so much.
July 12, 2019
Great reading
Awesome. Loved the first book in the series. Can't wait for the next book. Awesome writing. I love all her other. series
Awesome. Loved the first book in the series. Can't wait for the next book. Awesome writing. I love all her other. series
May 27, 2019
Gianna has returned to Whisper Lake after her third failed engagement in order to run her aunt's antique store. She realizes she needs to figure out who she is, even if it means finding her adoptive mother. She runs into Zach, her first love from camp, only he was kicked out when she accused him of stealing her locket. Now he's back in town drawing up designs for the same camp for its new owner, his friend, Hunter Calloway. He's also there to try to see his ex-fiancée's daughter, Hailey, who he practically raised until her grandparents took her away after her mother's death.
Both Gianna and Zach have issues to deal with, but I really liked how they had each other's backs, no matter what. They're able to put the locket incident behind them and rebuild the friendship they once had. When it seemed like everyone was against them, they had each other to turn to.
I really liked Zach's relationship with Hailey. While he wasn't her blood father, he loved her as if he were. They clearly had a strong bond and I loved all of their scenes together.
I felt for Gianna and her situation with her father. I thought he was too hard on her for breaking off yet another engagement. You'd think he'd be happy that she realized it was wrong beforehand rather than going through with a wedding and then later getting a divorce. He does eventually try to make amends, but I still thought his anger was unjustified.
Readers of the Calloway series will be happy to see Hunter again and learn of his plans post-firefighting. Readers are also introduced to the Cole siblings, who are cousins of the Calloway's. I'm looking forward to reading more about them.
Always With Me is a great beginning to the Whisper Lake Series, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Both Gianna and Zach have issues to deal with, but I really liked how they had each other's backs, no matter what. They're able to put the locket incident behind them and rebuild the friendship they once had. When it seemed like everyone was against them, they had each other to turn to.
I really liked Zach's relationship with Hailey. While he wasn't her blood father, he loved her as if he were. They clearly had a strong bond and I loved all of their scenes together.
I felt for Gianna and her situation with her father. I thought he was too hard on her for breaking off yet another engagement. You'd think he'd be happy that she realized it was wrong beforehand rather than going through with a wedding and then later getting a divorce. He does eventually try to make amends, but I still thought his anger was unjustified.
Readers of the Calloway series will be happy to see Hunter again and learn of his plans post-firefighting. Readers are also introduced to the Cole siblings, who are cousins of the Calloway's. I'm looking forward to reading more about them.
Always With Me is a great beginning to the Whisper Lake Series, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
May 22, 2019
I'm always excited and happy to read a new Barbara Freethy book!! I was fortunate to be able to read an advanced copy of this one. Always with Me is the first book of a promising new series set in a small resort town in Colorado. We will meet a whole new cast of characters in this series...but I have a feeling many of those that we love from the Callaways and the cousins will be showing up from time to time.
14 years ago as teenagers Gianna and Zach met and fell in love at summer camp but a tragic misunderstanding pulled them apart...and now circumstances bring them both back to Whisper Lake. You can guess where it goes from here...but Barbara Freethy gives us so much more than good second chance love story. Always with Me is a sensitive, honest look at what romantic love is, and family love....what makes a family. I loved the end of the story...it is happy, satisfying, optimistic and gives us hints of books to come. I for one can't wait!
If you enjoy sweet contemporary romance, with likable characters, good dialog and a touch of mystery, you will love this book! Barbara Freethy never disappoints.
Thank you to the author for the chance to read an advanced copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
14 years ago as teenagers Gianna and Zach met and fell in love at summer camp but a tragic misunderstanding pulled them apart...and now circumstances bring them both back to Whisper Lake. You can guess where it goes from here...but Barbara Freethy gives us so much more than good second chance love story. Always with Me is a sensitive, honest look at what romantic love is, and family love....what makes a family. I loved the end of the story...it is happy, satisfying, optimistic and gives us hints of books to come. I for one can't wait!
If you enjoy sweet contemporary romance, with likable characters, good dialog and a touch of mystery, you will love this book! Barbara Freethy never disappoints.
Thank you to the author for the chance to read an advanced copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
June 5, 2019
Wow. This was intense and sucked me in right from the get go. I really liked having characters that had a history, needed to let go of the past, and find their way in the future. Absolutely wonderful, can’t wait to read other books in this series!
June 14, 2019
Self Journey, Love
This is another totally enjoyable Freethy read. The characters are easy to care about and to root for them to find love. I felt that the plot had some weak spots. Ms. Freethy can write excellent suspense , and this novel contains this element, but I feel too much time is spent on sex - especially for a main character who has broken off 3 engagements. There are unanswered questions like why her first fiance is still intent on harassing her. Still, the book is a very entertaining read.
This is another totally enjoyable Freethy read. The characters are easy to care about and to root for them to find love. I felt that the plot had some weak spots. Ms. Freethy can write excellent suspense , and this novel contains this element, but I feel too much time is spent on sex - especially for a main character who has broken off 3 engagements. There are unanswered questions like why her first fiance is still intent on harassing her. Still, the book is a very entertaining read.
May 12, 2023
I didn’t really like the point of view the book was written in. I struggled sometimes to know who was saying something because it would just say “he said” or “she said” when characters were having conversations with others.
Overall I love the idea of second chance love especially when they first fell as teenagers. I didn’t hate the book but I didn’t love it. It was just okay.
Overall I love the idea of second chance love especially when they first fell as teenagers. I didn’t hate the book but I didn’t love it. It was just okay.
June 6, 2019
Always With Me is the start of a new series set in Whisper Lake. It serves a dual purpose — it sets the scene by introducing a large number of characters & it gives us Gianna & Zach’s story. This story is well written with well defined characters. The scenery is well described so you can paint a picture in your mind as you read. The small town atmosphere is portrayed perfectly even down to the busybodies.
Gianna came back to town to help her aunt out. She’s been engaged three times & called all three off. Something was missing. Back in Whisper Lake, she runs into an old boyfriend & realizes what was missing - none of them were Zach. Too bad he broke her heart & stole something from her. When she needed help, he seemed to be there looking out for her. Can she trust him?
Zach couldn’t believe that Gianna happened to be back in town at the same time he was. He’s hoping that helping rehab the old summer camp will help him heal. He remembers the first six weeks of summer camp fondly, until he was sent home. He didn’t expect the chemistry to still be there with Gianna. When she had secrets pop up in her life, he had to help her. Can he trust her?
I love second chance romances like this story. It grabbed my attention from the first page & I couldn’t put it down until I was done. I had to keep reading “just one more page” to see what new secret came out. Ms. Freethy’s attention to detail & graphic descriptions set her stories apart from others on the market. Her characters are realistic & relatable. There are even characters popping in from her long running Callaway series. This was a great start to a new series & I can’t wait to read more about Whisper Lake.
Gianna came back to town to help her aunt out. She’s been engaged three times & called all three off. Something was missing. Back in Whisper Lake, she runs into an old boyfriend & realizes what was missing - none of them were Zach. Too bad he broke her heart & stole something from her. When she needed help, he seemed to be there looking out for her. Can she trust him?
Zach couldn’t believe that Gianna happened to be back in town at the same time he was. He’s hoping that helping rehab the old summer camp will help him heal. He remembers the first six weeks of summer camp fondly, until he was sent home. He didn’t expect the chemistry to still be there with Gianna. When she had secrets pop up in her life, he had to help her. Can he trust her?
I love second chance romances like this story. It grabbed my attention from the first page & I couldn’t put it down until I was done. I had to keep reading “just one more page” to see what new secret came out. Ms. Freethy’s attention to detail & graphic descriptions set her stories apart from others on the market. Her characters are realistic & relatable. There are even characters popping in from her long running Callaway series. This was a great start to a new series & I can’t wait to read more about Whisper Lake.
May 22, 2019
Such a great start to a new series. Sometimes when two people have a second chance, it is not easy and obstacles have to be overcome. Poor Gianna has been engaged three times and some people are not happy while others make fun of her. Personally I don’t think it is anyone’s business but hers. I also am glad she didn’t get married and then have to get a divorce. She is very shocked when she is at the summer camp she met Zach at when he shows up. They had some issues between them that they had to get over. I loved how all her friends wanted her to get together with Zach. I can’t believe what a great guy he is. I was very impressed with him. There are some people in the town that wants to make trouble for Zach, but I am glad he didn’t let them scare him away. There is also something in Gianna’s past that she has to overcome. Thankfully Zach was always by her side. I loved the book and strongly encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.
June 5, 2019
ARC for honest review with no compensation
Always With Me is book 1 in another new series called Whisper Lakes by Barbara Freethy! Like all her others series she takes us to some place we have never been but want to go visit or live there with her book friends!!
Gianna and Zach met in high school and fell in love, then on to summer camp but with Zach losing his Dad and Gianna losing her necklace that she thinks Zach took...they part...
Now years later Gianna moves back home, 3 engagements broken and not knowing what is holding her back from walking down the aisle she is determined to find her way. That is until she runs into Zach again...still believes he took her necklace...still has feelings for him... and wants no parts of being around him.
Can Zach prove to Gianna he didn’t take her necklace and find out what really happened to it, wants her back in his life permanently and show her why she hasn’t been able to take that final step to her HEA...because that is what he is!!
Always With Me is book 1 in another new series called Whisper Lakes by Barbara Freethy! Like all her others series she takes us to some place we have never been but want to go visit or live there with her book friends!!
Gianna and Zach met in high school and fell in love, then on to summer camp but with Zach losing his Dad and Gianna losing her necklace that she thinks Zach took...they part...
Now years later Gianna moves back home, 3 engagements broken and not knowing what is holding her back from walking down the aisle she is determined to find her way. That is until she runs into Zach again...still believes he took her necklace...still has feelings for him... and wants no parts of being around him.
Can Zach prove to Gianna he didn’t take her necklace and find out what really happened to it, wants her back in his life permanently and show her why she hasn’t been able to take that final step to her HEA...because that is what he is!!
February 16, 2022
I decided on some romance novels this month due to it being Valentine's day month. This one was actually a lot better than I thought it would be since I was perusing bookbub for some good deals on e-books. I was certainly pleasantly surprised with this one.
I loved the characters so much, they were so believable to me and very relatable. There was none of that 'instalove' between the two main characters either which is a breath of fresh air to me. They were not perfect characters, they had plenty of their own issues, and worked through them.
The plot was also very good and touching on many important issues that people struggle with in the world today, and I loved that. It made for a very interesting, riveting and profound read.
I loved the characters so much, they were so believable to me and very relatable. There was none of that 'instalove' between the two main characters either which is a breath of fresh air to me. They were not perfect characters, they had plenty of their own issues, and worked through them.
The plot was also very good and touching on many important issues that people struggle with in the world today, and I loved that. It made for a very interesting, riveting and profound read.
February 22, 2023
This was the Nook serial read for February 2023. This was a cute story. A good mix of drama and romance. Some of the dialogue was a bit much for me when love was being professed, but that's a me problem. This isn't my usual choice of story, but I'm glad I read it. I would read the next book to see what happens next for the characters.
October 6, 2025
I liked the writing style (even though I'm not the biggest fan of 3rd person, there was a good amount of dialogue which helps)! There were multiple points in the book where something grabbed my attention because I wanted to know what happened. However, I didn't feel very connected to the characters and didn't love how pushy Zach was.
March 19, 2022
Overall not a bad read - decent story with plenty of drama and characters that were relatable. The reason I am not rating this one higher is that the writing did feel stilted at times which took me out of the story. It didn't flow easily through.
July 20, 2019
Loved the start to the new series Whisper Lake! Can’t wait for the next one! Barbara Freethy never disappoints!
December 4, 2020
Wow!! I really enjoyed visiting Whisper Lake. And meeting Zach and Gianna, their story was filled with lots of love, secrets, laughs and so much more. And can’t wait to go back.
April 10, 2021
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May 25, 2019
A wonderful start to this new series. Gianna and Zack had a teenage fling that ended badly and it seems that it led to her having a problem committing to any other relationships. Meeting each other as adults when they both come back to Whisper Lake brings their lives full circle and helps them find their way back to each other while Gianna makes peace with her insecurities about who she is, and Zack comes to a solution to his need to bring a very special person back into his life.
June 5, 2019
Sometimes we need to go back before we can go forward. This is the case for Gianna Campbell, after she breaks off her third engagement she goes back to her childhood town, back to her days at summer camp, back to her first love, back to her biological roots!
Zach is back also ... back to his first love, back to the camp that has healed him before .
This book has everything, romance, second chances, small town, even a little mystery .
This is the first book in a new series , we get to meet new residents of this town and I can’t wait for their stories.
Now , excuse me while I pack my bags, I’m moving to Whisper Lake!!
Zach is back also ... back to his first love, back to the camp that has healed him before .
This book has everything, romance, second chances, small town, even a little mystery .
This is the first book in a new series , we get to meet new residents of this town and I can’t wait for their stories.
Now , excuse me while I pack my bags, I’m moving to Whisper Lake!!
June 10, 2021
Good fun beach reqd. I always like series and getting to know the characters, Looking forward to reading more.
January 3, 2020
This story did not go anywhere. There was no real plot, movement or character development.
Unfortunately this book has first book of the series syndrome. There were a million people introduced, even people that did not matter and didn't even meet. For example, the main character even went to a bbq/party and was told all about who was there in the backyard how they were all related etc and then the characters didn't even have a role in the story! This was on top of all the characters that were introduced and played literally no real significant role. As a result of this, the dialogue became monotonous as literally the same 3 conversations were repeated numerous times throughout the novel as it was had between the main characters and nearly every other character at different times. This is why the story went nowhere.
There was also a part of the novel where the main character gets a clue as who her real mother was and she said she had despaired of ever finding any information! But she did nothing, absolutely NOTHING to find information. It just dropped into her lap.
I feel like this was mechanical. It ticked boxes.
I would not read another book by this author, especially considering this is the quality being produced by a writer who has written quite a few book previously.
Unfortunately this book has first book of the series syndrome. There were a million people introduced, even people that did not matter and didn't even meet. For example, the main character even went to a bbq/party and was told all about who was there in the backyard how they were all related etc and then the characters didn't even have a role in the story! This was on top of all the characters that were introduced and played literally no real significant role. As a result of this, the dialogue became monotonous as literally the same 3 conversations were repeated numerous times throughout the novel as it was had between the main characters and nearly every other character at different times. This is why the story went nowhere.
There was also a part of the novel where the main character gets a clue as who her real mother was and she said she had despaired of ever finding any information! But she did nothing, absolutely NOTHING to find information. It just dropped into her lap.
I feel like this was mechanical. It ticked boxes.
I would not read another book by this author, especially considering this is the quality being produced by a writer who has written quite a few book previously.
May 27, 2019
If you are fan of the Callaway series of books by Barbara Freethy as I am, then you will really like her new book “Always With Me” in the new Whisper Lake series. Some old Callaway friends show up and new friends are made. Gianna and Zach met at summer camp at Whisper Lake and had a summer romance. That ended when her locket disappeared and she accused Zach of taking it. Years later and after three broken engagements, they meet again at Whisper Lake as adults. Old feeling arise as they try to find themselves. Zach is an architect who has been hired to reestablish the building site of the camp and Gianna is there to help her aunt who has broken her leg. This book has many twists and turns on the way to love as the Callaway series had and is an excellent read. I can hardly wait for the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews