Tag: romantic suspense

Book Review: Beautifully Broken Spirit (Sutter Lake #3) by Catherine Cowles

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 336 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 22nd, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s always been his safe place to land.

Jensen has shared a special bond with Tuck for as long as she can remember, their friendship a language that never needed words. But as life threw her one curveball after another, that secret language turned to stony silence.

He’s always been her protector.

Tuck has looked out for Jensen since the day she was born. As his best friend’s little sister, he’s tried to keep her firmly in the friend category. But she’s always been more.

All it takes is one moment of weakness to send Tuck’s fiercely guarded walls crumbling to the ground. As a new fire burns between them, someone watches. Someone who doesn’t like the new life Jensen’s building for herself.

And they’ll stop at nothing to keep her in the dark.

ANOTHER GOOD ONE.

My quest to finish Catherine Cowles backlist continues with this gem! I liked this book a lot. It was another one I could binge in a day and I loved diving back into this world. I loved all of the horse content, the small town vibes, and all of these characters.

The one little thing I struggled with was the MMC calling martyr on their relationship. It’s one of my least favorite ways to handle a third act.

I did like the suspense of this one and watching Jensen continually battle back through tough circumstances. I loved the single mom and childhood friends to lovers tropes. It was executed so well. Lots of swoon and romantic tension. I’m excited to continue this series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3 open door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: murder of animals, attempted murder, near death experiences, gun violence, kidnapping, extortion

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph || TikTok

ARC/ALC Book Review: Chasing Shelter (Sparrow Falls #5) by Catherine Cowles

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 418 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: The Pagesmith LLC
Release Date: July 22nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I came here seeking sanctuary, I never meant to fall for the broody single dad next door.

I’ve spent my life hiding in plain sight, burying my past beneath layers of carefully constructed lies. Moving to Sparrow Falls was supposed to be a fresh start. A place to lay low. But when I end up living next door to the single dad who just happens to be one of my brother’s best friends, everything changes.

Trace Colson sees too much, asks too many questions, and his protectiveness is as infuriating as it is alluring.

And when danger comes calling, it’s Trace who stands between me and the darkness.

But being close to him is its own kind of risk. Because with every heated glance and every stolen touch, Trace tempts me to open my heart, to dream of a life I’d long since given up on. The only problem? Trace has his own demons, and when they collide with mine, the fallout could destroy us both.

Forever.

Thank you to the author for a gifted ARC.

WHAT A STUNNER.

Ooooh this one was so fun y’all. The banter was off the charts between Ellie and Trace. I LOVED IT. It was heated and fun and really showed another side to Trace that we haven’t gotten to see yet. Add in sweet Keely and it was a beautifully blended family. The larger Colson family was heavily present in this one too through my favorite group chats and get togethers. I love this found family so dang much.

AND as per usual, the reveals are always a surprise. I liked that in Chasing Shelter you could see the obvious ones but the hidden made you shriek. It was intense and reminds me every dang time why I love CC’s suspense.

I also just adored Trace and Ellie on their own. I loved the growth they went through, finding the true meaning of chasing shelter and building something lasting together. I loved this pair and y’all better know I am FERAL for the next book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content warnings: murder, weapons violence, kidnapping, domestic abuse, attempted murder

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Even if It Hurt (Huntley Square #1) by Molly Barlowe

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★.25
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 350 pages
Author: Molly Barlowe
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 16th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My life and career have conditioned me to be prepared for—and desensitized to—traumatic events. Rather, they should’ve. But one phone call blindsided me in a way I never expected, and now there’s a screaming eight-month-old in my custody.

I would’ve done anything to ensure my niece didn’t enter the system, but I never wanted a family. I never wanted ties to anyone, period.

But then my meddling office administrator forcibly hires a nanny for me, and all my resolute vows start crumbling when I come face to face with Lainey Pearson . . . again.

She’s no one—should be no one. Just an oblivious girl I saved nearly a year ago. But she’s the only one who’s ever rocked me. Consumed me. I immediately want to fire her, but with the social worker breathing down my neck, I need her.

Then again, now that she’s fallen back into my life, having a working boundary might be for the best. My life doesn’t allow for relationships, and last I checked, it was frowned upon to date your employees.

Especially when they’re already in a relationship.

I LIKED THIS ONE!

I love finding new to me authors and this is another one I will definitely be continuing with. I didn’t know that this had some suspense elements and I loved finding a closed door author who writes suspense. It’s a hidden gem.

I loved the connection between Asher and Lainey. From that first meeting you could see that there was something there and I loved the push and pull. There’s a lot of walls that had to be taken down and I liked the arguments and quiet moments that created a great atmosphere.

The family bugged me a LOT though. It got to be repetitive and unnecessary and really beating the situation to death. And I always struggle when one of the MC’s is in a relationship most of the book. It makes some of the romance aspects a little less believable.

I did enjoy how things came together and eventually worked out. I loved the security firm aspects and the details and the hints of found family/future book relationships. I absolutely want to continue.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings; partner abuse, parental abuse, weapons violence

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

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