Tag: catherine cowles

ALC Book Review: Shadows of You (Lost & Found #4) by Catherine Cowles

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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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ALC Book Review: Glimmers of You (Lost & Found #3) by Catherine Cowles

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 330 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He hadn’t always just been my brother’s best friend. There was a time when he was mine, too. Until he disappeared from our small town when I needed him the most.

Now, Caden’s back. With his cocky smirk and infuriating nicknames. And I’m struggling to ignore his presence.

When my ex refuses to leave me alone, Caden steps in, suggesting that it will get my ex and Caden’s calculating father off both our backs if we just pretend to be madly in love.

There’s just one problem… Nothing I feel for Caden Shaw is fake—even when I thought I hated him. And there’s no denying how the touch of his lips sparks a flame I’ll never be able to extinguish.

As those pretend moments start to turn oh so real, someone’s watching. They’re not happy about Caden’s new role in my life. And they’ll do anything to rip me away from him—even burn us all to the ground.

Thank you to Catherine Cowles for an ALC and eARC.

ANOTHER WINNER.

I am back with another great review for Catherine Cowles Lost & Found series. Quick audiobook notes: I LOVE listening to these on audio!! The narrators do a fantastic job and I am always here for dual POV narration.

This book brought the suspense. I did not see many of these reveals coming! I had my eyes on certain characters, but once again, I was surprised by the final disclosure. I enjoy not trying to sleuth these out too much and savor the entire story as it comes.

I adored the relationship between Grae and Caden. The fake dating brought them together and the forced proximity brought the heat. I liked watching them find ways to reconnect and that Caden was able to apologize and work through some of his past trauma to find a place of healing with Grae. It’s sweet (and yes, a little spicy) and quick to fly through.

I am just a big time fan girl of Cowles books and can’t wait for the next two in this series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 3-4 open; moderate explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, arson, attempted murder, physical violence, stalker, losing a sister to cancer (recounted)

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Book Review: Falling Embers (Tattered & Torn #2) by Catherine Cowles

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 318 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: PageSmith LLC
Release Date: April 12th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I loved Calder Cruz from the moment he taught me to fly. He might’ve been my brother’s best friend but he was my everything.

The only who understood me. My safest place. My person.

Until one night changed it all and we became strangers in a single breath.

Now, years later, I see him every day at the fire station. I watch him raise adorable twin girls as a single dad. But he has no idea how hard it was to see him move on without me.

How much I still burn for him.

A twist of fate changes everything. When my life is on the line, it’s Calder who saves me–who comes charging back into my heart with a vengeance. And makes it clear he’s determined to stay.

But as long-buried embers light anew, there are those who lurk in the shadows. And they’ll do whatever it takes to extinguish that flame for good…

NEW FAV.

This is now my current favorite in the series. HOW I LOVED THEM.

Calder and Hadley have my whole heart. I loved this combination of second chance + friends to lovers + unrequited love. It worked so well and they were just so sweet on each other!! It’s fast paced and full of longing and hope. Many sentiments had me swooning and loving every moment.

These continue to lean towards the dramatics and I don’t care one bit. I love the suspense elements that keep me on my toes. Just when I thought the end was near, BAM, someone else came out and chose violence that day and I was on pins and needles trying to read fast enough to get to the resolution. I love all of the protective heroes and everything in this small town.

Hadley’s Mother is still enraging and hoping that continues to resolve over the course of the series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: three very brief open door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, extreme cyber bullying, near death car wrecks, child endangerment, stalking

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ARC Book Review: Echoes of You (Lost & Found #2) by Catherine Cowles

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 376 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Pagesmith LLC
Release Date: May 2nd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Nash Hartley has always been my everything: Protector. Partner in crime. Best friend. The person who was there for me in my darkest hour.

But my heart wanted so much more. So, when I knew for certain Nash didn’t feel the same about me, I tried to move on. What a mistake that turned out to be.

Now, I’m back in our small town, desperate to escape my living nightmare, and the only person I want to see is him.

As secrets are revealed, and Nash finds out what happened to me, he’ll do anything to keep me safe.

But there are those who will do anything to stop him, and this time neither of us may make out alive…

Thank you to Catherine Cowles for an eARC/ALC.

THE MUTUAL PINING.

I thought the pining would destroy me. HOW DID IT NOT. Nash and Maddie were madly in love since children and it shows and I was just happy to be here and watch them realize it. There’s something really great about a childhood friends to lovers trope that brings all of that angst. Shouting at your book WHEN WILL YOU KISS.

This family is my favorite. There’s a lot of terrible people in this book, but the Hartley family is the sweetest and I love the unconditional support that helps brings Maddie back from the brink. I was obsessed with Nash’s protective hero streak and that Maddie was at last able to take some control of her life.

When the suspense ramps up it got even better. While I was expecting some level of it, the second round had me WORRIED. I love that this added an extra dose of me being on edge. I love how fast paced and well crafted each of these books are. Another great read, can’t wait for the next!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 2 open door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: attempted murder, domestic abuse, gun violence, murder, stalking, near death experiences

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