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Safe Zone
She’s the owner of a feisty therapy dog and is jaded by love. He’s a hospitalized firefighter who’s given up hope. Can her dog help them heal and find true love?
When thirty-nine-year-old Sydney Davenport decides to volunteer at the hospital with her therapy dog Hitchcock, she knows she’s found meaning. After a failed marriage in her past and a stagnating relationship in her present, she’s ready to bring joy to others that’s missing in her own life. So she’s surprised to find an instant challenge in the city’s hero, belligerent and injured firefighter, Kevin Orchard, who doesn’t want her visit or her sympathy. This reaction isn’t what she signed up for. It would be so easy to walk away and return to her south Florida bridal shop. But Hitchcock has a mind of his own, putting Sydney back in Kevin’s path. She’s attracted to his persistence in the face of adversity. Sydney’s time at the hospital lights a spark in her heart—one she didn’t realize was possible. But acknowledging feelings for Kevin means hurting her boyfriend—something she doesn’t want to do.
Sydney must choose between what’s comfortable and what feels a lot like true love.
Forty-year-old Kevin Orchard is the city’s hero. His name and picture have been splashed all over the media—at least the old picture of him…before he was burned and broken. Kevin’s girlfriend hasn’t visited him, so he lies alone in his darkened room on the 7th floor of his Gulf Coast hospital. All he wants is for things to be like they used to be: a beautiful woman to love; a purpose to go on living. But people don’t always get what they want. The last thing he needs is anyone feeling sorry for him, especially a volunteer and her dog. It doesn’t matter how funny the pup’s actions are or how cute the woman is…at times. But Sydney and her dog continue to show up, and Kevin finds himself drawn to Sydney’s determination and compassion.
Kevin must decide whether he’s going to cling to mourning his lost past or accept his new reality and the possibility of new love.
When thirty-nine-year-old Sydney Davenport decides to volunteer at the hospital with her therapy dog Hitchcock, she knows she’s found meaning. After a failed marriage in her past and a stagnating relationship in her present, she’s ready to bring joy to others that’s missing in her own life. So she’s surprised to find an instant challenge in the city’s hero, belligerent and injured firefighter, Kevin Orchard, who doesn’t want her visit or her sympathy. This reaction isn’t what she signed up for. It would be so easy to walk away and return to her south Florida bridal shop. But Hitchcock has a mind of his own, putting Sydney back in Kevin’s path. She’s attracted to his persistence in the face of adversity. Sydney’s time at the hospital lights a spark in her heart—one she didn’t realize was possible. But acknowledging feelings for Kevin means hurting her boyfriend—something she doesn’t want to do.
Sydney must choose between what’s comfortable and what feels a lot like true love.
Forty-year-old Kevin Orchard is the city’s hero. His name and picture have been splashed all over the media—at least the old picture of him…before he was burned and broken. Kevin’s girlfriend hasn’t visited him, so he lies alone in his darkened room on the 7th floor of his Gulf Coast hospital. All he wants is for things to be like they used to be: a beautiful woman to love; a purpose to go on living. But people don’t always get what they want. The last thing he needs is anyone feeling sorry for him, especially a volunteer and her dog. It doesn’t matter how funny the pup’s actions are or how cute the woman is…at times. But Sydney and her dog continue to show up, and Kevin finds himself drawn to Sydney’s determination and compassion.
Kevin must decide whether he’s going to cling to mourning his lost past or accept his new reality and the possibility of new love.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2020
18 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Susan Oloier
32 books46 followersSusan Oloier is the author of My Life as a Misfit, Fractured, Superstitions, Outcast, Haunted, and the screenplay Simple Fugitives. She is co-author of the Horror Street Series. She has been a columnist and writer for both regional and national publications, including The Daily Beast. Susan currently lives with her husband and two sons. When she's not writing, she loves to read, rock climb, and ride her bike.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 22, 2020
Oh my goodness!! I loved reading Safe Zone by Susan Oloier because it was such a fantastic story about Sydney and Kevin. Kevin is part of the Gulf Coast Firefighters and he was injured pretty badly in a fire. He is in the hospital recovering. Sydney and her therapy dog Hitchcock (who by the way is funny in his own antics) volunteer at hospital to help patients. When they meet Kevin at first, he is mean and yells at her to leave. She wants to give up. I love their interactions and they both come to realize that there is something there between them the more time that they spend with each other. Each of them has been hurt badly in the past, but they are helping each other heal. I loved this story about the both of them. I hoped that they would each get their own happy ending. I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest opinion. I loved it. I would recommend reading this story. It had me so much pulling for each of the characters to get their happy ending with each other.
March 12, 2021
This is the first book in the Gulf Coast Firefighters series and what an amazing start to the series it is. This is an emotional and powerful story that will pull you in from the very first page and you won't be able to stop till you reach the end. The characters are well-developed and so relatable and realistic, I instantly fell in love with them. Kevin is a member of the Gulf Coast Firefighters and was injured during a rescue and doesn't want any sympathy or help from anyone. Sydney volunteers at the hospital Kevin is recovering in with her therapy dog Hitchcock. Kevin is rude and mean to her when they first meet, but she doesn't give up. I enjoyed seeing them grow closer and their relationship deepen. It was a beautiful and heartwarming story and I enjoyed reading it. Wonderful start to the series! Looking forward to reading book 2!
I received a free copy via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I received a free copy via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving my review.
March 17, 2020
Kevin is a firefighter who was seriously burnt during a rescue in a fire. He is depressed and hurt.
Sydney owns a bridal shop, but, at the same time, she just got her dog Hitchcock certified to be a therapy dog and they start volunteering at the hospital.
Sometimes first impressions are not very accurate. However, thanks to a second chance, everything changes for the better.
I like the style of the author, and both characters are very likeable. I also like Zach and Joe.
It is one of these books you want to finish to know what happens in the end, but also one you don’t want to finish because you would like to go on reading about their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sydney owns a bridal shop, but, at the same time, she just got her dog Hitchcock certified to be a therapy dog and they start volunteering at the hospital.
Sometimes first impressions are not very accurate. However, thanks to a second chance, everything changes for the better.
I like the style of the author, and both characters are very likeable. I also like Zach and Joe.
It is one of these books you want to finish to know what happens in the end, but also one you don’t want to finish because you would like to go on reading about their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 16, 2020
This is a well written book with strong characters and an interesting story line. The author does a great job building the story as she weaves a slow burn romance between Sydney and Kevin. It's a heartfelt story with Kevin in the hospital and Sydney and her therapy dog Hitchcock visit him. She pulled me in with all the action and humor as well as all the e motions flowing throughout. She paints her scenes beautifully and makes you feel as if you're there. It's well written ,flows fluidly and had me glued to the pages watching their relationship grow even as they are climbing all the hurdles along the way. I loved reading their story and would highly recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
May 31, 2021
A Captivating Story
This is a very enjoyable story about two unlikely people who meet and are drawn to each other. He is a firefighter who was severely injured while rescuing a man from a fire. She is a hospital volunteer, bringing her dog to visit patients. Both are attracted to each other, but each of them are unsure about how the other one feels. Throughout the story you are anxious for them to realize they are each smitten with each other. A hindrance to their developing relationship is his ex- girlfriend and her ex-boyfriend who want to get back together with them. Eventually, they realize their mutual respect and loving feelings for each other.
This is a very enjoyable story about two unlikely people who meet and are drawn to each other. He is a firefighter who was severely injured while rescuing a man from a fire. She is a hospital volunteer, bringing her dog to visit patients. Both are attracted to each other, but each of them are unsure about how the other one feels. Throughout the story you are anxious for them to realize they are each smitten with each other. A hindrance to their developing relationship is his ex- girlfriend and her ex-boyfriend who want to get back together with them. Eventually, they realize their mutual respect and loving feelings for each other.
March 9, 2020
Susan Oloier is a new author to me and Safe Zone is the first book in her Gulf Coast Firefighters series and I am hooked. I believe a story is only as powerful as its characters and Travis and Sydney leaped from the page. I love stories where the hero and heroine are immediately drawn to each other but have to overcome their own fears in addition to external obstacles. If you enjoy romances that has action, humor, firefighters and heartfelt, I highly recommend this book. I'm looking forward to #2
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 10, 2020
Book one in the Gulf Coast Firefighters series a well written story that kept me turning pages. This is the first book by this Author that I have read, and I want to read the next book in this series. Firefighter, Kevin Orchard get hurt during a fire when he is rescuing a man caught in it. Sydney Davenport volunteers at the hospital he is recovering in, with her therapy dog Hitchcock. I enjoyed seeing their story comes together, the story makes you feel like you are there watching it happen. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 5, 2020
A Sweet Romance
Sydney and her Pug, Hitchcock, have completed training as a therapy team to make hospital visits. The first visit ends when the injured man yells her her to get out. It can only get better, right? Mending souls can be a journey. Recommend.
Sydney and her Pug, Hitchcock, have completed training as a therapy team to make hospital visits. The first visit ends when the injured man yells her her to get out. It can only get better, right? Mending souls can be a journey. Recommend.
October 17, 2020
This was such a cute, clean romance about love and second chances. This was read very quickly and would make an excellent beach read. Recommend!
May 6, 2021
Kevin & Sydney had an entertaining read. Good story flow. Great characters. And this was a new author for me. I received a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews