Tag: romantic suspense

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: So True a Love by Joanna Barker

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 341 pages
Author: Joanna Barker
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: September 3rd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Danger and passion collide when a plucky young woman becomes embroiled in a Bow Street investigation alongside a handsome officer.

London, 1803

As the daughter of a renowned actress, Verity Travers is a privileged lady of high society —and the last woman one would suspect of working as a private investigator. But after one case nearly costs her everything, she makes the hard decision to hang up her hat and live the uninspiring life of a gentlewoman. However, when she and her dearest friend become victims of a harrowing armed robbery, Verity finds herself swept back into the clandestine world of mystery and crime as she seeks to bring the thief to justice. There’s just one complication: the persistent and dashingly handsome Bow Street Runner Nathaniel Denning, who always seems to cross her path.

Verity is confident she could accomplish her work quickly if only Nathaniel would stay out of her way. While she appreciates his keen mind and quick wit on a case, his interference is muddling her progress—and her heart. Focusing on the task at hand becomes more and more difficult as she constantly bumps into Nathaniel, who is determined to keep her out of danger.

When the two rival investigators learn they are both pursuing the same cunning criminal, they must figure out how to navigate the delicate dance of cooperation amid a backdrop of increasing peril and an irresistible passion that sets their hearts ablaze.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

LOOOOVED IT.

Joanna Barker is just my favorite. I love her books so much and this newest release was a gem too. I love the combination of historical romance + romantic suspense. There is the perfect air of mystery throughout that leaves you guessing and flipping the pages. Add in a lovely swoony romance and this is the ultimate combination.

I loved Verity! I loved how unique and dynamic she was. How clever and filled with a lot of tenacity to do things on her own and learning to let others in and find that trusting piece she had been missing. And of course I was smitten with Nathaniel. He melted me into a puddle and was protective and brave and wanted to be Verity’s partner. Not once trying to overstep. I loved the way the came together and the tender quiet moments they found along the way.

I enjoyed the side story that worked back into the plot (do I spy maybe a future story???). I loved the close friendships and getting to see Jack and Ginny again too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance + Suspense
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content Warnings: brief gun violence, kidnapping

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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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