Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Length: 348 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: PageSmith LLC
Release Date: October 19th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It was supposed to be a fresh start. A small town where I could hide my little girl from the shadows that haunt us. A place where I could keep us safe.

The last thing I expected was him.

A surly, broody mountain of a man who helps me save an injured deer in a snowstorm.

Now, Roan Hartley keeps showing up with his glowers and grimaces. But they only make his rare smiles and the gentle way he talks to my daughter mean that much more.

When forces from my past find us, Roan is determined to keep us safe—even if that means sleeping on my ancient couch every night.

As days turn to weeks, his touch has my walls crashing down. But someone out there doesn’t want me to find happiness. He doesn’t want me left breathing at all.

Thank you to the author for an ALC.

YES.

No surprises here, another Catherine Cowles book, another five stars. I LOVED this one. I’ve been waiting for Roan’s story and it did not disappoint. I loved the way the grump and sunshine played off here and that you really got to see that soft side of Roan truly come out.

And the nicknames??? Oh they were absolutely fitting and I melted every time I heard them. SO FLIPPIN’ SWEET. I love a unique nickname and Roan had some good ones. I thought the romantic pacing was great and I just felt all the things for both of them. I loved Aspen and her strong and kind nature. Both of them together was a match y’all. I am obsessed with this whole family and love that we got to see so much of them and Cady?? she was the sweetest soul around and I loved her relationship with Roan.

Once again the suspense elements totally got me. I was SURE of who it was. I just KNEW IT…and I was wrong. Got a good laugh at myself and was happily loving the chaos the twist turned up. These books are such gems and I love mixing up my usual reads because Cowles never lets me down.

Overall audience notes:

• Romantic Suspense
• Language: some strong
• Romance: 3 brief open
• Violence: high
• Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, attempted murder, multiple animal mutilations, kidnapping, physical altercations, gun violence, bullying

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