Book Review: Beautifully Broken Redemption (Sutter Lake #5) by Catherine Cowles

February 27, 2026February 20, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 304 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 9th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s hiding secrets.

For Anna, keeping her deepest scars hidden from the world has always been a necessity—from the bruises of her childhood to the mistake that nearly cost her everything. To keep herself safe, she must keep everyone around her at a distance—especially the man who has tempted her since the moment they met.

His demons are taunting him.

Mason has done his best to bury the past by achieving more than he ever thought possible. But even with all of his success, his life feels empty.

When tragedy strikes, Anna is left fighting to protect the only family she has left. And Mason will do anything to keep her and her loved ones safe—even if that means the ring of wedding bells.

But as a new spark ignites between them, someone is watching.

And they’ll do whatever it takes to snuff out that light for good.

GREAT CONCLUSION.

My Catherine Cowles back list quest continues and I loved this ending. Nobody told me this was marriage of convenience and y’all know how much I love that trope!!! I loved Anna and Mason together. Just another protective, sunshine hero who had me in a chokehold.

I do think this book was trying to do a few too many things. There were a LOT of plot points and if it had been dialed back, more moments would have stood out better.

But, I love this found family and small town. I loved all of the suspense and romance. It’s such a great series and I loved getting the epilogue of seeing everyone!!

Overall audience notes:

Romantic suspense
Language: moderate
Romance: 2-3 open door
Violence: high
Content warnings: child abuse, suicide, murder

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ALC Book Review: The Beasts We Raise (The Broken Citadel #2) by D.L. Taylor

February 26, 2026February 23, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 288 pages
Author: D.L. Taylor
Publisher: Henry Holt
Release Date: February 24th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Marry her enemy. Save her realm. Forsake her heart. The heart-shattering conclusion to this dark romantasy duology is perfect for fans of Adrienne Young, Tricia Levenseller, and Brigid Kemmerer.

Newly-appointed Prime Mancella is desperate to keep the peace within her realm and within herself. Having recently acquired the power to physically split into separate versions of herself, her identity is beginning to fracture―along with her land, which is on the brink of war. The only semblance of normalcy in her life is her budding romance with thief-turned-confidant, Silver. . . at least until the mysterious Prime Reltas arrives at her doorstep asking, or rather demanding, her hand in marriage.

If Mance wants to avoid a fight that will devastate her realm, she’ll have to consider the proposal. Even if it destroys Silver. But Mance isn’t ready to give up just yet. Desperate to free herself from the betrothal, Mance must seek allyship from other Primes and learn to control her new magic. If she fails, her decision to refuse Reltas’s proposal will implode the delicate state of affairs across the realms, setting off a catastrophic war―and shatter two hearts in the process.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.

DISENGAGED.

That’s the best way to describe this book. I genuinely enjoyed book one and think if that had been extended in just a few ways this would have been a great standalone. This second installment (it’s a duology) chose a plot angle that kind of took away from the romance and original larger story that I started losing focus even though it’s a short book.

I liked the dynamic between Mance and Silver a lot. It’s black cat x golden retriever that plays well off of each other. The audiobook narrators did a good job bringing them to life. Aaaand I think that’s it. This one just doesn’t stick well.

I’d be curious to see what this author writes next!

Overall audience notes:

YA Fantasy Romance
Language: low
Romance: kisses
Violence: moderate

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Wedding Dashers by Heather McBreen

February 25, 2026February 18, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Heather McBreen
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: January 28th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After a case of mistaken identity and an almost one-night stand, two stranded wedding guests have to find their way to their final destination together, in this riotously fun debut romance.

Ada’s little sister is getting married. Which should be a happy thought, right? But the once close sisters have been in a year long fight, the wedding is all the way in Ireland, and Ada is so broke that she just barely managed to get a ticket on a budget airline. And as if things couldn’t get worse, said airline just cancelled her connection. Which means Ada is stuck in London with no way to make it to the wedding.

Surely she’s hit rock bottom?

So, there’s no reason for her not to spill her heart out about the over-the-top wedding, her sister’s worryingly quick engagement, and the womanizing best man she’s dreading meeting to a handsome also-stranded stranger at the bar. Until she realizes the stranger is headed to the same wedding. Oh, and he’s the infamous best man.

Now, Jack and Ada must put their simmering attraction behind them to make it to Belfast before they miss the nuptials. But between flat tires, missed trains, and suspect hostels, Jack and Ada start to question whether their feelings are worth going the distance, or just a distracting detour along the way.

THE BANTER.

The way I was obsessed with every single dynamic between Jack and Ada. I know some of the humor won’t work for others and honestly I’m surprised at how well it worked for me. It’s innuendo without being heavy on the phrasing I don’t like and more of cheeky sass with some heat. I was enthralled and laughing out loud.

I loved the traveling chaos (though it brings me so much anxiety). All of these moments allowed for connection and proximity that made the shorter timeline make sense. It felt like they spent way more time than they actually did together and I love when the writing accomplishes feats like this.

Ada’s constant recounting of her history with her ex was the only small thing. I just thought that it went on a little long and I was tired of hearing about him. I’m grateful she had the self growth necessary to finally move on and pursue her own goals.

The third act truly made sense and I could get behind the need for separation based off of their histories. I loved the space and improvement it allowed for both Jack and Ada. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary romance
Language: moderate
Romance: multiple open door
Violence: low
Content warnings: divorce, emotionally abusive relationship (off page), death of a parent mentioned

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: The Strength of the Few (Hierarchy #2) by James Islington

February 24, 2026December 14, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 720 pages
Author: James Islington
Publisher: Saga Press
Release Date: November 11th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

OMNE TRIUM PERFECTUM.

The Hierarchy still call me Vis Telimus. Still hail me as Catenicus. They still, as one, believe they know who I am.

But with all that has happened—with what I fear is coming—I am not sure it matters anymore.

I am no longer one. I won the Iudicium, and lost everything—and now, impossibly, the ancient device beyond the Labyrinth has replicated me across three separate worlds. A different version of myself in each of Obiteum, Luceum, and Res. Three different bodies, three different lives. I have to hide; fight; play politics. I have to train; trust; lie. I have to kill; heal; prove myself again, and again, and again.

I am loved, and hated, and entirely alone.

Above all, though, I need to find answers before it’s too late. To understand the nature of what has happened to me, and why.

I need to find a way to stop the coming Cataclysm, because if all I have learned is true, I may be the only one who can.

GREAT SEQUEL.

I had a good time with this one. Like most, I have been waiting for this book after loving The Will of the Many.

The progression of this book felt like another first book? But not in a bad way, just more setting up for the third (conclusion??) installment. I loved that this crossed realms and seeing the expansion of the magic and background of the world. I love Vis as a main character and seeing him in different stretches of his story only endeared me to him more.

Islington is not afraid to hold punches and the ending ramped up the action and heart stopping moments. Maybe a few shouts too.

*An audiobook note: while the audiobook narrator is fantastic, no issues there, I do think there was a disconnect on which realm I was in and it confused me often. I noticed that the physical copy didn’t denote which realm Vis was in at the top of the chapter but maybe it would be easier to physically read and catch where you are???

Overall audience notes: