Slim to None

Cedar Tree Series

By: Freya Barker

Narrated by: Tanya Eby, Noel Harrison

Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Since moving to beautiful Cedar Tree, Colorado, Emma Young, mother of one adult daughter, has worked from home doing some online bookkeeping and baking for her best friend's diner to supplement her disability pension. Life has been pretty good, that is until she received a strange phone call that starts an alarming chain of events.

Investigator Gus Flemming is hot on the trail of a bail skip with organized crime connections that bring him to Cedar Tree. Once there, the focus of his investigation lands squarely on the gently rounded shoulders of a vivacious red haired Emma, whose physical limitations have done nothing to dampen her zest for life.

When it becomes clear that Emma is at risk, Gus does't hesitate to step in and protect her. Call it a job with some very hot benefits....

©2014 Margreet Asselbergs as Freya Barker (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Incredible story with mature characters

Audiobook: Narrators - Tanya Eby and Noel Harrison

I really enjoyed this narration. Both of these narrators did an excellent job and I soon found myself immersed in the story which was enriched by their performances. Mr. Harrison’s voice is very deep and I had to adjust to it a bit by slowing the speed down, but once I did I was goner for his portrayal of Gus.


Wow! Talk about a sizzling read with mature characters! I loved everything about this couple.

Emma is disabled but fiercely independent. When a wrong number shakes up her life she suddenly goes from adjusting to life in a new place to adjusting to the fact that Gus appears to truly be attracted to her. She was more than capable of taking care of herself but wasn’t so bullheaded as to not recognize that there were times she needed to yield to him.

I love a strong, take charge hero. Especially when he recognizes that he has to use a lighter hand, and that was Gus. He was deliciously alpha and extremely protective. When the conflict between this couple arises, my heart ached for what he was going through. What’s not to love about a hero who is strong but vulnerable?

This has several plot layers and going through them kept me invested the whole time. With plenty of steam, lots of good friends, and enough drama to keep the story moving and the questions coming, I had a hard time stopping this when life got in the way.

I want a Gus <3

This book is a perfect example of my AHA moments when I think to myself why did I wait so long to get to it, it has been waiting patiently for a few months now, but life throws me curveballs from time to time. After listening to it, I know I am hooked to the series, good thing all the books are lined up on my iPhone YAY
Loved the story, the content feeling it left me with because of the HEA ending, despite the suspense that had me sitting at the edge of my seat while Gus was searching for Emma or her daughter and best friend. As the story unfolds we get to know the characters, their lives, their hopes, dreams and disappointments. Emma is such a great heroine and I like that she is not perfect or young and she gets her HEA afterall with Gus... He makes me believe they might exist. Loved Emma's BFF, Arlene.

Now for the voices.. OMG what a great combination!!! I loved them both, such a great variation and passion. Mr. Harrison's voice for Gus was so yum, fit him so well. Ms. Eby's voice is pure delight. I can't wait to start the next one in the series.

Love Freya's other books, but not this one

I'm normally a big fan of Freya's writing. I've listened to several of her other books and loved them, but this one was a real miss for me. I never became invested in the story or the characters, and didn't feel any chemistry between Emma and Gus. I feel that was in part due to Tanya Eby's narration. It was lacking.... something. Just a little bland. The story fell a bit short, as well. I'll definitely keep listening to Freya's books, but may jump to another series. If you want to check out some great Freya Barker books, listen to the Rock Point series. You're welcome. 😉

Love this series!!!

Love the characters. I can’t pick just one favorite. It’s nice to read stories about women who are my age who still find love. Was hoping there was a story about Julie and Clint’s brother. I’ve read the series 3x and just bought the audio books so I can listen to it while I’m at work.

A Perfect Start to the Cedar Tree Series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I loved this audio version of one of my favorite books. The story grips you from the very beginning and the twists and turns of the storyline keeps the reader engaged and eager to delve deeper into the story. The audio book complements the authors words and gives the reader a greater understanding of the characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Emma is one of my all time favorite characters. Even though she is far from perfect and has health issues, she is far from an invalid. She's smart, funny, passionate, loving and feisty as can be. She's the kind of woman I think we all strive to be, insecurities and flaws and all.

Which character – as performed by Tanya Eby and Noel Harrison – was your favorite?

Emma, I think Tanya Eby did an awesome job as the character. Her voice matched the one I imagined when I first read the book two years ago. Her intonation conveys the emotion and passion that Emma has.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Imperfect people, impossible circumstances, but a perfect love.

Any additional comments?

The Cedar Tree series is one of my very favorites and this audio book makes me want to listen to the entire series.

My first review

I liked this book very much! Have liked the characters from the beginning. The narration is very well done.

Loved it!

I think this might be the first book I have read with a heroine that has a disability. Not only that, but we also have a couple in their late 40's. I applaud this author for taking a road less traveled in her writing. It's refreshing to read a non-traditional romance.

Emma was a pretty sassy heroine. She has some insecurities from her disability that did get in her way at times but you also saw her actively work to move beyond it.

Gus is the type of protective alpha I enjoy to read. I liked how he was instantly attracted to Emma and didn't even flinch at her health issues. He wasn't with out his own battles however. He also was a bit clueless a couple of times. It made him more realistic.

Overall, this was an enjoyable romantic suspense read.

Loved it

I loved Emma and Gus when I read the book and have loved re-reading by audio this time.

Emma taking her life back and living to the best of her ability disabilities be damned. Such a strong woman. Loved the humor between her and Arlene. When things go a little crazy and Gus quickly wedges himself in to Cedar Tree and Emma care, things get a little hot and sexy.

This books is full of suspense and keeps you wanting more needing to know what happens next.

🥧A Delightfully Delicious Surprise 🥧

I am so very glad that I ignored the online reviews that said negative things about this listen. Absolutely NOT ONE of them is true.

The real deal is Slim to None is a beautifully performed & written story of mystery, danger, lust, sex, acceptance, true love and friendship.

The story follows the relationship of Emma & Gus who in their 40's (totally refreshing) who are thrust together as the past brings evil & mayhem to their doorstep. The fight to trust, love & live is on!!!

This story TRULY HAS IT ALL!!!

This Audible Addict has already downloaded the next 2 in the series bringing my audible library up to 1225. Use that credit and start listening NOW.

Enjoy!!!

Needed More Information About Emma

Interesting first book to a series. I would have liked more background on Emma. At some point in the book, I got the impression that life was going along fine for her and then she became disabled, as she stated. Maybe I misunderstood, but it didn't sound like a gradual process, or a particular event that started her heath issue journey.

I knew she had a daughter Kara. Emma baked pies and had an online bookkeeping service. Other than that, I had questions. What did Emma used to do? Why was she given a settlement? What was the focus on the online support group in which she met Arlene?

Then the phone sex thing. Did she not recognize the voice of the man on the other end of the phone? I did like the way Gus was so patient with and supportive if Emma. I thought he was more focused on making her happy than she was on him.

I got a much more detailed story of Gus' past and the reasons he was in Cedar Tree. So when Emma got upset with Gus about keeping information from her, I was kind of irritated. Lady, I don't know anything about your past.

I listened to the audio book. The narration was well done and interesting. I had been used to one narrator reading a chapter, and the other reading the next. This book seemed more like the female narrator would be reading, and the male narrator would slide into the same chapter to read his part. I wasn't made about that. It had a nice flow.

My overview of the story was that it was decent. Some of the things going on were obvious and some weren't. My biggest issue was questions about Emma revolving around her lack of background and insecurities.

I am going to move on to Arlene's book. Maybe that will provide some of the info I didn't find in this book.