Caden and Grae were the best of friends – until they weren’t. When Caden pulled away, and then moved away, Grae was hurt but refused to let it show. Their once close friendship turned into barbed teasing and snarky comments. Caden returned to Cedar Ridge just as Grae was dealing with a clingy ex. When he stepped in and posed as her new boyfriend to save her from the pushy ex, he realized they could help each other out. Her ex would move on and leave her alone, and Caden’s father would get off his back about settling down with someone suitable. When it became apparent that someone was gunning for Grae, Caden was determined to stick close and keep her safe. As the situation became ever more dangerous, their feelings for one another grew just as intense.
It’s no surprise that even the prologue of this one had
me feeling all the feels. Cowles is Queen of the Emotional Prologues. I’m a
sucker for a couple that has a past, and getting to watch as Caden and Grae
rekindled their friendship and allowed more to develop was so satisfying. Their
history lent an ease to their relationship that I loved. As always, Cowles
delivered a solid suspense plot with escalating tension, red herrings, and a villain
in their midst. The Lost & Found series continues to be a hit for me.
Tropes: brother's best friend, fake dating, forced proximity, hate to love, small town, romantic suspense
Forced to flee with her young daughter, Aspen had made a home for them in the small town of Cedar Ridge. She tried to put down roots but was also ever vigilant and didn’t allow others to get too close. That changed when she had a run-in with Roan, the grumpy, taciturn Hartley brother who had long distanced himself from townspeople and family alike, living an almost solitary life. Aspen’s precocious daughter Cady immediately befriended Roan and a tentative friendship formed between Roan and Aspen as well. Roan sensed a kindred spirit in Aspen, someone who had also been hurt in the past, and he was determined to protect she and Cady at all costs. That determination was put to the test when Aspen’s past caught up with her and threatened her life in Cedar Ridge, and everything she held dear.
This was the book in the Lost & Found series that I’d
been waiting for. Roan had been an enigma from the beginning and his story did
not disappoint. Aspen’s easy acceptance of Roan went a long way in allowing him
to lower some of his walls and start to open himself up again, both to Aspen
and Cady, and his large, loving family. Speaking of Cady, the chatty six year
old stole every scene she was in. From calling Roan “Mr. Grizz” (because he was
like a grizzly bear coming out of hibernation) and declaring that they would be
“bestest friends”, to her epic friendship with Charlie (Roan’s nephew), she was
an adorable dynamo. The romance between Aspen and Roan was everything
and Cowles, as always, provided the perfect balance between romance and
suspense. Shadows of You is my absolute favorite in the Lost & Found
series.
Tropes: grumpy x sunshine, single mom, forced proximity, broken hero, heroine in hiding, suspense
Five years ago, Hallie escaped from a sadistic serial killer. She never knew the name of the man who found her, half frozen in the snowy woods, but she never forgot his blue eyes. They gave her hope. Years later, trying to make a fresh start, Hallie arrives in Cedar Ridge and applies for a job as a nanny. When she arrives for the interview all she sees is… blue. The eyes of the man she has never forgotten. Lawson is just as shaken to see Hallie standing before him, she and her ordeal having haunted him the last five years. Hallie is instantly a ray of sunshine in the Hartley home, providing a warm, comforting environment and a stable presence for Lawson’s three boys: sweet six year old Charlie, thirteen year old charmer Drew, and surly sixteen year old Luke. Hallie revels in being part of the rambunctious family, even as the undeniable attraction between she and Lawson grows. But the monster from Hallie’s past is closer that she could ever imagine.
It's been a long wait for Lawson’s story and it
definitely delivered. We finally got Lawson’s backstory, the reason for his
crippling guilt, and his desire to do right by his kids. Hallie was such a
sympathetic character and I admired her strength. Still suffering from PTSD and
panic attacks from her previous trauma, she worked hard to forge a meaningful
life for herself and reclaim what a madman had tried to take away. It was
heartwarming to see her be welcomed by the entire Hartley clan and she basked
in the love and acceptance of her found family. While Lawson’s determination to
keep his distance from Hallie seemed to flip in the blink of an eye (I
practically got whiplash from how quickly he switched from “this can’t happen
to “I’m all in”), I loved how attuned he was to Hallie, always observant and
recognizing her triggers and emotional needs. I was surprised at the identity
of the killer since I had discounted him earlier, and while the climactic scene
at the end was over in the blink of an eye, it didn’t spoil my enjoyment.
Cowles delivered a solid end to the series with an epilogue that guaranteed the
Hartley family will stay with me for a long time to come.
Tropes: single dad x nanny, age gap, serial killer, touch her and die, forced proximity, found family
This series is so good! I am glad you've enjoyed it. I still need to read the newest one.
ReplyDeleteDeanna - And now she has a new series about to launch that I'm excited about! :)
DeleteI love that the little kid was able to get through to the grump. From cute little kid to serial killer. Whoa! Glad you enjoyed these so much
ReplyDeleteSam - Oh my goodness, the bond that formed between the little girl and the grumpy man was priceless. :)
DeleteI have read and enjoyed Cowels, but haven't got to this series yet. I do love that she includes a suspense element in her romances. Makes them more exciting!
ReplyDeleteRachel - I agree! I love the suspense element but like that it's usually on the lighter side.
DeleteI've started this series and am looking forward to finishing it this spring/summer. There's just so many books on my TBR list I sometimes find it hard to fit them all in. But I do really love Catherine Cowles. :D
ReplyDeleteLark - I agree! Always too many books and too little time. :)
DeleteI love her small town romances! You encouraged me to read more of these!
ReplyDeleteSophie - Her small town romances are my catnip! :)
DeleteI have really enjoyed the series. Books 1,2 and 5 are my top faves though. I really love how much emotion and heart she places in her books. I do love romantic suspense, I would say she writes light romantic suspense though. Sometimes I wish the suspense aspects were a bit heavier.
ReplyDeleteRenee - I agree that her books are lighter on the suspense side. That's usually what I prefer so I'm a happy girl. :)
DeleteYes, Catherine Cowles definitely did an amazing job with this series. I loved them as well! I think I loved Caden and Grae's story the most.. but it's impossible to choose! I can't wait to find out more about the next series she will be writing!
ReplyDeleteMaureen - It really is hard to choose favorites! Each story was so good.
DeleteI hadn't heard of this series.. sounds good.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hena!
DeleteI've only read two books in this series so far but I absolutely loved them both and can't wait to read the rest. I think I first encountered Cowles on your blog so thanks for putting her on my radar. :)
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - I'm so glad I could introduce you to Cowles! And I'm excited that you already love the series. Hope you get to continue with it soon!
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