romantic suspense – GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 394 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Pagesmith LLC
Release Date: June 21st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My family tried to break me. But, somehow, I made it out alive, even though the wounds from that survival are forever carved into my bones. Now, my only wish is for…normal. To know what it’s like to have friends, a job, a home.

The last thing I want is for my new roommate to see the scars I’m so desperate to keep hidden, especially not the ruggedly handsome man who steals my breath and sends my heart into overdrive.

But something tells me that Beckett has demons, too. I see it in the shadows haunting his gorgeous eyes and the way he looks at me with gentle understanding.

As our unlikely friendship becomes so much more, forces from my life slink out of the shadows. And we could both lose everything we’ve fought so hard for—down to our very last breaths.

NEW FAV.

I am LOVING THIS SERIES Y’ALL. Who knew we were in my romantic suspense era? I love the way Cowles formulates these small town romantic stories and I am here for it alllllll.

I adored protective alpha Beckett. Give me all the who did this to you moments. But also the you can do this moments too. I LOVE that Beckett strove to protect Addie, and also gave her the tools and confidence she needed to move forward in her life and to work through her past. The chemistry and connection between them was instant (but not in an insta-love way). I loved the progression from friendship to more.

The suspense kept me on edge!!! It’s kind of obvious where the drama angle would come from, but how it all worked out left me flipping pages so fast. I love this dash of mystery and intrigue. The characters coming together to take down evil and love always finding its way back to each other.

This series is amazing and I can’t wait for the next book!

Overall audience notes:

Romantic Suspense
Language: some strong
Romance: two brief open door
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, domestic abuse, child abuse, murder, physical altercations, assault

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Book Review: Fractured Sky (Tattered & Torn #5) by Catherine Cowles

February 5, 2023December 11, 2022 GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 334 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Pagesmith LLC
Release Date: October 25th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Shiloh
Damaged. Broken. Destroyed. I’ve heard it all. A single moment of trusting the wrong person shattered my life into pieces, and my family has never looked at me the same. It’s impossible to convince them that I’m anything more than the broken girl they rescued all those years ago.

Until I meet him.

Ramsey’s surly demeanor and menacing scowl scare most of the world away. But not me. Not when I’ve seen his gentle hands soothe an abused colt or comfort a terrified mare.

And when I finally get up the courage to strike out on my own, Ramsey’s there. Roommates felt like such a safe proposition until Ramsey’s lingering touches and wicked smile light a fire in me I don’t think will ever be extinguished. And he feels it, too…

But just as my new life begins to take root, an evil from my past emerges from the shadows, casting a darkness on my newfound freedom. And this time, they won’t settle for pieces of me. They want everything…

LOOOOVED.

I expected this to be my favorite of the series and it delivered.

I have been waiting for Shiloh and Ramsey’s story to pull at every single piece of my heart and to leave me misty eyed. AND IT DID JUST THAT. I loved seeing Shiloh’s strength and getting her POV at last to understand all of her emotions and feelings.

And how swoony was Ramsey???? Just that beautiful calming presence who let Shiloh be without any expectations. YES. I was obsessed with these two from the start. Adding in the super sweet Aidan and Elliot brought out the feels. I loved this side plot and the healing it brought to all parties as they rallied together to give peace where it was due.

Filled with all the dramatic suspense I’ve come to expect from Cowles books I was flipping pages fast to get to the promised HEA. I looove switching it up with romantic suspense read. The dynamic is uniquely different and perfectly heated.

Overall audience notes:

Romantic suspense
Language: light
Romance: three brief open; low-med explicit
Violence: medium-high
Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, child abuse, domestic abuse, false imprisonment, gun violence, weapons violence, near death experiences

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Book Review

ARC Book Review: Whispers of You (The Lost & Found #1) by Catherine Cowles

January 30, 2023January 15, 2023 GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 334 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: The Pagesmith LLC
Release Date: January 31st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

One night—a single bullet—cost me everything.

My body, broken beyond repair. The boy I’d thought was my forever. The life I’d always dreamt of.

Now, Holt’s back. And he’s no longer a boy, but a man with shadows in his eyes and demons haunting him.

He says he’s here to make things right. To get back a little bit of all we’ve lost. And he doesn’t show any signs of leaving the small town that has been my refuge.

As stolen moments turn to days, Holt’s around every corner. With his burning stare and lingering touches. Before long, my walls come crashing down and I’m just hoping that taking this second chance isn’t as reckless as it feels.

But not everyone is happy that Holt has returned. As tragedy strikes again, I’m the one left in the crosshairs. And Holt might not be able to save me this time…

Thank you to the author for an ARC and ALC.

SO GOOD.

Audiobook review: I was fortunate to receive an audio copy as well and I loved it!! The narrators did a fantastic job and there was a seamless speed between the dual POV.

Wow does this book start off with the dark notes. I was captured from the prologue and excited to dive into this romance. The tension and angst were perfectly applied to this second chance romance between Holt and Wren.

I adored both of these characters. I liked that I felt everything from frustration about decisions to joy at confessions. A great spectrum of character growth and hope in a brighter future. I felt the love between them from the beginning and that both could not let the other go. I anxiously awaited the moment when they crashed together and found the solace they had been after for 10 years.

And the suspense?? Oh my goodness. Generally, I’m pretty good at figuring out who the bad guy is, and while I had an inkling I was still SHOCKED when they walked on page as the true antagonist. The best kind of drama.

This book just had it all. Plenty of alpha protectiveness, strong FMC, gripping page turner and more. I am already next level excited for Nash’s story next!!

Overall audience notes:

Romantic Suspense
Language: some strong
Romance: three brief open; medium explicit
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: multiple acts of gun violence, kidnapping, grief, trauma

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Book Review

ARC Book Review: Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun (Finlay Donovan #3) by Elle Cosimano

January 26, 2023January 22, 2023 GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Mystery
Length: 304 pages
Author: Elle Cosimano
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Release Date: January 31st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Author and single mom Finlay Donovan has been in messes before―after all, she’s a pro at removing bloodstains for various unexpected reasons―but none quite like this. When Finlay and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero accidentally destroyed a luxury car that they had “borrowed” in the process of saving the life of Finlay’s ex-husband, the Russian mob did her a favor and bought the car for her. And now Finlay owes them.

Mob boss Feliks is still running the show from behind bars, and he has a task for Finlay: find and identify a contract killer before the cops do. The problem is, the killer might be an officer themself.

Luckily, hot cop Nick has just been tasked with starting up a citizen’s police academy, and combined pressure from Finlay’s looming book deadline and Feliks is enough to convince Finlay and Vero to get involved. Through firearm training and forensic classes (and some hands-on research with a tempting detective), Finlay and Vero use their time in police academy to sleuth out the real contract killer to free themselves from the mob’s clutches―all the while dodging spies, confronting Vero’s past, and juggling the daily trials of parenthood.

From USA Today bestseller and Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun—the highly anticipated, hilarious, and heart-pounding next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series…

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

NEW FAVORITE OF THE SERIES.

I really liked this one y’all!! I think with the second I was expecting a different kind of story, but with this one, I changed my mindset and enjoyed it all the more. This is very much like a cozy mystery but with pizazz. There’s a bit more drama, a bit more high stakes, and even a bit more romance. All things I am here for in the Finlay Donovan world.

This was another fun installment that had me bursting with laughter and definitely swooning. YES THE ROMANCE I’VE BEEN AFTER FINALLY MOVES SOMEWHERE. The slow burn has been real but I have known where my loyalties lie from day one and I am currently a happy camper.

I still don’t know if I like Vero? I don’t have any solid reasons why y’all. It remains to be seen if she’s a great friend and sidekick or someone I gotta watch out for.

There’s a bit of predictability with the plot, yet it’s an enjoyable comfort in the wildness that is the plot in general. I like the writing style and the quirky characters and many others things about this series. I look forward to seeing where Finlay ends up next!

Overall audience notes: