Tag: catherine cowles

ARC/ALC Book Review: Beautiful Exile (Sparrow Falls #4) by Catherine Cowles

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 466 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC
Release Date: March 18th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I should’ve known Lincoln Pierce was trouble from the moment I held my knife to his throat.

I’ve been running for most of my life, hiding away in a small town and hoping no one discovers who I truly am. The only problem is that I can never let anyone know the real me. Or at least that was true until my brother moved his best friend onto our shared property.

Now, I’m stuck trying to avoid the nosy billionaire’s probing questions and piercing stares. And it doesn’t help that I almost killed him the first time we met.

Oops.

But when all my carefully crafted lies come crashing down around me, it’s Linc stepping in to shield me. And when it looks like the person hunting me for all those years is back, Linc will do anything to keep me safe.

Only it’s not just my safety at risk. It’s my heart. Because when Linc touches me, I lose all sense. And when I truly get to know the broken billionaire, he’s so much more than a ruthless business tycoon. He’s the man showing me that it’s time to really live.

But I’m not the only one with secrets. Linc has them, too. And when the forces from our pasts emerge from the shadows, it’s with only one goal: to end the new life we’re building together. For good.

Thank you to the author for the gifted audiobook and eARC.

THIS BOOK.

How does Catherine Cowles come up with new suspense plot lines so well?? Every dang time I’m thinking it’s one person, it’s another and then there’s MOREEEEE. Flipped my lid and shouted in my car. I love this series.

I also love Linc and Arden. The violent vibes from the beginning were pure fun. I loved the banter and the connection between them. Being that soft and quiet space to be together was everything. I am obsessed with all of the care taking scenes and the epilogue turned me into a puddle. Linc was DOWN BAD. And we love a man down bad.

As always, CC writes found family like no other. I love this crew and getting to see everyone again. The text messages, tender moments and strong bonds between this family makes my heart squeeze.

There is something purely magical about picking up a book from your favorite author. I love the comfort these books bring (even with all of the stress haha).

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic suspense
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4 open door
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content Warnings: gun violence, attempted murder, weapons violence, assault, murder

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ARC Book Review: All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 384 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: January 7th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sometimes the last thing you expect is exactly what you need, the final missing piece. And sometimes it comes in the form of a towering, broody sheriff, determined to get in your way at every step.

Ridley Sawyer knows what it’s like to miss someone, to feel like a piece of her vanished—because it happened to her the night her twin sister disappeared.

Now, Ridley channels that loss into hope, traveling the country covering cold cases for her true crime podcast. She might not have found justice for her sister but that doesn’t stop her from finding it for others.

Until Sheriff Colter Brooks gets in her way.

Colt knows what it’s like to have reporters descend on his town in the wake of a tragedy, and he’s not about to let a fiery podcaster stir up trouble. It doesn’t matter that her haunting blue eyes tell him there’s more to Ridley’s story or that he can’t stop imagining what it would be like to touch her.

But when Ridley’s cold case turns hot and she’s thrust into the crosshairs, Colt has no choice but to step in. Suddenly, Ridley’s living at his house, drinking his whiskey, and stealing his dog’s affections. But she’s also proving that she’s so much more than his first impression.

And as they get closer to the truth, the game they’ve been playing might just turn deadly…

Thank you to Catherine Cowles and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the gifted copy.

*AHHHHHHHHH*

That’s basically how this book made me feel the entire time. I LOVED it! And what I found interesting and fun this time around is that it was a standalone (there are possible future books but not anything concrete at the moment). And having it as a standalone meant that I did not trust ANYBODY. I don’t care how good of a friend or family member you are, I had my eyes on scoping out who would be apart of that final reveal. AND I WAS STILL SHOCKED. The craftiness of CC’s writing and story telling continues to amaze me. Gosh I love her books.

The enemies banter was on point. I loved the sassiness and comebacks and the groveling and heat. It’s all there and such a delight. The loving family members and support system were strong and highlighted many wonderful side characters.

Obsessed with the audiobook. The narrators did a fantastic job and y’all know that dual POV is superior in all the ways. Not one negative thing to say, I could not get enough of this book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: open door
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content Warnings: murder, attempted murder, ser!al k!ller, loss of a loved one

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ARC Book Review: Broken Harbor (Sparrow Falls #3) by Catherine Cowles

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 430 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: PageSmith LLC
Release Date: November 19th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Since the moment our lives fell apart, the only thing that mattered was making a good life for my son. A life where he was happy and safe. I just never expected to find that safety with a hockey player known for his brutal dominance on the ice and his recklessness off it.

But Cope Colson is so much more.

The gentle way he makes sure we’re okay. The playful care he shows my son. The way he truly sees me.

When my life comes apart yet again, it’s Cope picking up the pieces. Now, we’re living in his house, eating his incredible, chef-worthy meals, and it’s not just my son who’s falling.

It’s me.

Because when Cope touches me, I lose all sense. I’m no longer thinking about staying safe, I’m thinking about how my skin ignites with every glance, how I come undone with the barest brush of his fingertips, and when we give into temptation…I’m lost.

But Cope has secrets and so do I. And when the forces from our pasts emerge from the shadows, there’s nothing they won’t do to end our happiness once and for all…

Thank you to Catherine Cowles for my gifted eARC and audiobook.

STOP, DROP, AND WHAT?

I have been saving this for *just* the right moment and within a few chapters figured out I was going to be binge reading this book all day. CC has found us a hockey hero to fall in love with and I was here for all of Cope’s intense and passionate ways.

There’s always something to the way CC crafts these suspenseful stories. I love that I can spot many hallmark moments AND still be in full shock mode when the final reveals start happening. I loved the unhinged way this all came together and the way the discoveries were unveilved.

I loooved the romance. The beautiful swoony quality that makes me melt every time. I loved the way that Cope and Sutton took care of each other and became the person they turned to during the hard moments. Castles crumbling in the inevitable collision of this romantic affair.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic suspense
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 4 open door
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content Warnings: domestic abuse and violence, assault, gun violence, attempted murder, murder, loss of life

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ARC Book Review: Delicate Escape (Sparrow Falls #2) by Catherine Cowles

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 378 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: The Pagesmith LLC
Release Date: August 22nd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Trust doesn’t come easily when you’ve been running for as long as I have, which is why moving in with a man I barely know is such a bad idea.

Shepard Colson is all golden-boy charm and devastating good looks. But I know what it’s like to be taken in by easy smiles and the promise of forever—I have the scars to prove it.

Only the handsome contractor won’t stop coming by the bakery and prying little truths from my lips. Those amber eyes of his seeing far too much. And when all the secrets come crashing down, he’s determined to keep me safe. Even if it means moving into my rundown cabin to do it.

Now, Shep isn’t just rebuilding the walls of my home, he’s working his way into my heart. Suddenly, he’s everywhere: shirtless in my garden or in a towel coming out of my bathroom. And my resolve is no match.

Only it’s more than his golden looks. It’s him. The way he watches for my wounds but tells me I’m stronger than anyone he’s ever known. And I can’t help but fall.

But I should’ve known better than to think I could be happy. Not when a ghost from my past still has me in his sights. And when he finds me, he’ll do anything to tear my life apart, even if it means ending it for good…

Thank you to Catherine Cowles for the gifted copy!

MY LOVES.

I know it’s not really a surprise but I LOVED this book y’all. It’s actually the first physical book I highlighted and it brought me so much joy to mark the things that stood out to me most. I adore Thea and Shep. They had perfect chemistry. Thea showcased incredible strength and resilience and I could not get enough of the way that Shep let Thea take everything at the pace she wanted. I loved the way they took care of each other and laying that foundation for the life they want together.

And I’m obsessed with the whole Colson family. HOW COULD YOU NOT BE? I love the unique and intricate personalities and the clearly loyal and loving way they band together and keep an eye out for each other.

The suspense completely got me again. I went from saying I KNEW IT, to then realizing I was horribly wrong and it’s my favorite place to be in a Catherine Cowles novel. I think this book tackled new things I haven’t come across in her previous stories and I liked the complexity of the situations and the conclusions reached.

You must get your hands on this one!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: scattered moderate throughout
  • Romance: 3 open door; light innuendo
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Content Warnings: attempted murder, gun violence, spousal abuse, gaslighting, partner abuse, putting private pictures/videos online

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