Book Review: Beautifully Broken Life (Sutter Lake #2) by Catherine Cowles

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 322 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: June 25th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s on the run…

Tessa has finally found a safe haven in Sutter Lake, hiding in plain sight—just as long as no one asks too many questions.

He can’t escape…

Liam knows better than anyone how one wrong word, a single whisper can ruin a life. After seeing the darker side of fame, he’s desperate to retreat and find his voice again.

Two people from opposite worlds, brought together by a connection neither expected.

But the forces they’re both running from still lurk in the shadows…

And you never know when they might strike.

ADORED.

I am on a mission to work through Catherine Cowles back list and I have found myself back in Sutter Lake, and I am loving being here.

I loved the patience Liam showcased in getting to know Tessa. There were many walls to breakdown and I loved seeing them work together to get there. It was swoony and sweet and full of that slow burn passion as Tessa found a safe place to be in Liam.

Fantastic suspense as always, while this one had more of a clear indicator on where the action was going to come from but that didn’t take away from the intensity. I loved it all, and a great audiobook too!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3ish open door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, murder, partner abuse (primarily physical), a stalker with mental health issues

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Silver Elite by Dani Francis

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Dystopian Fantasy Romance
Length: 528 pages
Author: Dani Francis
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: May 6th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the first book of a searing new dystopian trilogy, a young woman must conceal her psychic powers—and her attraction to her handsome, infuriating commanding officer—as she works undercover to take down a brutal government from within.

The world is divided. On the Continent, you’re either a Prime—immune to the biotoxin that nearly wiped out the Earth’s population 150 years ago—or a Modified, one who was enhanced by the toxin, developing powerful psychic gifts.

As conflict rages between the two sides, Wren Darlington lives in hiding. Occasionally running the odd op for the rebel Uprising against the Primes’ oppressive rule, she must keep a low profile. After all, if the enemy finds out that she is a Mod with a staggering four psychic abilities, she won’t just be sent to the labor camps. She’ll be executed—immediately and without trial.

When a careless mistake puts Wren in the crosshairs of the Continent’s military, she is taken captive and forced to join their most elite Silver Block. Unwittingly, they’ve handed her the perfect opportunity for the Uprising to strike a devastating blow from inside their ranks. That is, if she can keep her powers hidden, survive training, and prove herself to Cross Redden, her maddeningly cocky commanding officer.

Despite the explosive chemistry between them, Cross doesn’t trust her—even as he seems determined to destroy the remaining shreds of Wren’s self-control. Yet as the war between Primes and Mods escalates, and as Wren and Cross find themselves unable to stay away from each other, they must decide how far they’re willing to go for their secrets—and how much of the Continent is worth saving.

WHOA.

This honestly wasn’t on my radar until release day and I feel very fortunately Libby delivered a copy so quickly because OH MY GOSH WHERE HAVE I BEEN. This was like adult Divergent (but I swear if it ends the same you will feel my wrath across the globe) but add in more romance and I was SO HERE FOR IT ALL.

I can’t even go over everything I want to because there’s so much to unpack. The action was INTENSE and I loved the hidden identities and crossing loyalties and how the magic aspects worked into this dystopian-esque world.

I loved Wren, the FMC. She was wild and tenacious while battling grief and taking what she hoped would be the next best step. I loved that both sides have some twisted backgrounds because I think the exploration of that in the next book will be amazing. I want all of the history between these warring groups.

And the romance was heated. Such an amazing slow burn that was filled with that I hate you but I love you banter that sends me every time. There were a few key moments that my feet kicking and my voice squealing. The audiobook was incredible at bringing this book to life. Good heavens I need book two YESTERDAY.

Overall audience notes:

  • Dystopian Fantasy Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 4-5+ open door
  • Violence: high

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Mystery + Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Kate Clayborn
Publisher: Kensington
Release Date: March 26th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the acclaimed author of Georgie, All Along and Love Lettering, a pitch-perfect, radiantly transporting love story about an unexpected road trip, true crime obsessions, and hard won vulnerability…

Hairstylist Jess Greene has spent the last decade raising her younger half-sister, Tegan—and keeping a shocking secret. Ever since their reckless mother ran off with a boyfriend she’d known only a few months, Jess has been aware that he’s the same accomplished con man who was the subject of a wildly popular podcast, The Last Con of Lynton Baltimore.

Now thirty-one, Jess didn’t bargain on Tegan eventually piecing together the connection for herself. But Tegan plans to do exactly what Jess has always feared—leave their safe, stable home to search for their mother—and she’ll be accompanied by the prying podcast host and her watchful, handsome producer, Adam Hawkins. Unwilling to let the sister she’s spent so much of her life protecting go it alone, Jess reluctantly joins them.

Together, the four make their way across the country, unraveling the mystery of where the couple disappeared to and why. But soon Jess is discovering other things too. Like a renewed sense of vulnerability and curiosity, and a willingness to expand beyond the walls she’s so carefully built. And in Adam, she finds an unexpected connection she didn’t even know was missing, if only she can let go and let him in . . .

NOT A BAD LISTEN.

I enjoyed this one but also don’t feel wholly connected to it? It was an interesting premise and I liked the characters well enough.

The romance had a lot of subtle and sweet moments. There was some good chemistry between Jess and Adam. I do think it leaned into the physicality of their relationship more than it needed (or made sense) for this kind of story line. The third act made me cranky, but I did like the couple in the end.

I wasn’t all that surprised by where the missing mother ended up and those scenes. It was much more on the predictable side. I do think the audio production was well done and that made for a good listen.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Mystery + Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3+ open door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: parental abandonment

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: A Dance of Lies (A Dance of Lies #1) by Brittney Arena

GoodeyReads1 Comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 448 pages
Author: Brittney Arena
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: June 10th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A debut fantasy romance filled with hope after heartbreak, secrets, and betrayal, as a dancer-turned-spy must decide how far she will go to secure her freedom

My protector is gone, revealed to be a monster. But I remind myself that I am not a damsel. I’m no princess bound within a tower.

I am a shadow.

Vasalie Moran was once a dancer in King Illian’s court, until he framed her for murder. Barely surviving her two years in the dungeons, she’s suddenly called to face her king. He offers her a deal: become his spy at the six-week royal Gathering and he’ll grant her freedom.

As Illian’s orders grow bloody and dangerous, forcing her to harm and betray those around her, Vasalie discovers that the monster she serves may be aligned with a bigger monster—one far closer to home. With her world threatened, Vasalie enlists the help of Illian’s brother and greatest adversary, the infamous King of the East.

As the rivalry between brothers escalates, with Vasalie caught in the middle, the horrifying truth of her past comes to light. If she wants to survive, she must decide who to trust, who to fight for, and how much of her soul she’s willing to damn in the process.

Thank you to the author and Del Rey for the gifted ARC.

THIS WAS EVERYTHING.

I am someone who prefers to read my ARCs in order but this book was CALLING TO ME. And it DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Oh my goodness this will absolutely be one of my favorite fantasy romances of 2025.

Something I loved the most was that the focus was not on adding spice for the sake of it (in fact this book does not have any spice). The emotions were the focus and the slow burn journey as Vasalie is put into a perilous situation that could cost her everything, or might save the nation too.

I loved Vasalie. As someone who struggles with chronic pain there was an abundance of sentiments throughout (I highlighted the heck out of this book) that I resonated with and felt deep in my soul. I admired her strength and acknowledgement of her short comings, but also how far she has risen and her tenacity to honor her body and do her best.

The ROMANCE. I don’t want to say much on this front because I think it will truly be best experienced by reading the book without a lot of context. I loved everything about it and how the movement of the romantic aspects coincided beautifully with the political intrigue. All of the dance content had me wishing I could see these dances live because they were wonderfully written and crafted.

It’s a slow journey that is worth the build. So many moments stood out to me and I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time. I anxiously await getting my hands on the sequel.

An incredible debut you must take a chance on.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: heated make-outs
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: emotional abuse, physical abuse, alcoholism, PTSD, panic attacks, trauma, violence against children, graphic death, chronic illness, disability and sexism (these were taken from the front of my copy)

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph