Short Take Reviews: Fragile Sanctuary | Forgotten Desires | The Friendship Pact

 

Fragile Sanctuary

by Catherine Cowles

Series: Sparrow Falls #1

Published: 5/16/2024

Goodreads

4.25 stars

✔ Grumpy x Sunshine 🌞

✔ Brother's Best Friend 🤵

✔ Broken Hero 💔

✔ Found Family 👪

✔ Serial Killer 🗡

The big picture: Rhodes tragically lost her family in a fire. Anson walked away from his FBI career after a devastating loss. When Rhodes is targeted, Anson steps in to protect her and find who is behind the escalating incidents.

What I liked:

Catherine Cowles + small town + romantic suspense = a book I'm going to love. As always with a Catherine Cowles novel, the prologue provided the perfect set-up and had me invested immediately. I loved Rho and the way she focused on gratitude and did not let her past define her. Anson's back story was heartbreaking and explained his need to keep people at arms length. The mystery aspect had me suspicious of virtually everyone... and I still didn't get it right. I love that! Rho's found family was priceless and I adored them. I can't wait for future books with their stories.

But not so much:

I admit that Cowles has a formula and doesn't seem to stray from it. Damaged character(s), serial killer or stalker, heroine is held by the bad guy near the end until hero shows up and saves her, heroine often ends up in hospital but obviously pulls through. Formulaic? Yes. Does this stop me from inhaling each and every release? Not in the least. 😉

Forgotten Desires

by Corinne Michaels

Series: Whitlock Family #4

Published: 6/5/2024

Goodreads

4.5 stars

✔ Second Chance Romance 💕

✔ Single Dad 👧

✔ Marriage of Convenience💒

✔ Billionaire 💰

✔ He Falls First 🤵

The big picture: Brynlee and Carson met during college spring break and quickly fell in love. Carson left without saying goodbye. Ten years later they meet again. Brynlee agrees to marry Carson to help him gain custody of his 4-year-old daughter. The old feelings are still there.

What I Liked:

I loved it all! Brynlee was kind and generous and willing to help anyone (including donating an organ to her absentee father). She had a heart of gold. Carson was amazing. He fell first and he fell hard. This man would do anything for Brynlee and the lengths he went to to make her happy and protect her made my heart melt. I loved how their marriage of convenience felt real from the very start. Carson's daughter Layla was a sweetheart. And Brynlee's brothers (and their partners) loved, supported, and showed the true meaning of family. This is the way to end a series.

But Not So Much:

Um, nothing? If I'm going to nit-pick, I'll say that yes it is improbable that a one week affair that happened a decade ago would having such a lasting impact on both their lives, but I don't even care. I don't read romance for reality. lol I happily went with it because I loved these characters so hard.

The Friendship Pact

by Jill Shalvis

Series: Sunrise Cove #2

Published: 6/14/2022

Goodreads

3.5 stars

✔ Second Chance Romance 💕

✔ Small Town 🏡

✔ Military Veteran 🏅

✔ Childhood Trauma 😢

The big picture: 

April had Tae when she was just fifteen and they struggled for years. April said Tae's father was dead, but Tae learns otherwise. Riggs, Tae's high school friend/one night stand, just returned to town and they still have chemistry. Riggs has a complicated relationship with his brother.

What I Liked:

I admired Tae's independence and her ambition. Riggs had an interesting backstory and I applauded how far he had come. I loved the organization that his brother founded for wounded warriors and the opportunities they provided for both veterans and disadvantaged youth. I had such compassion for Andy and his quiet acceptance of decisions that were made by April. 

But Not So Much:

April and Tae's relationship was co-dependent to the point of toxicity. Theses two needed to put space between them and develop as individuals in the worst way. Tae could be prickly and stubborn and it meant her relationship with Riggs often felt like one step forward and two steps back. But it was April's choices concerning Andy that really left me infuriated. She altered the lives of two people and robbed them of a relationship. Regardless of her reasons, I couldn't get past that. 

Have you read any of these books?

Short Take Reviews: Lost & Found series (Catherine Cowles) | Glimmers of You | Shadows of You | Ashes of You

 

With the recent release of Ashes of You, Catherine Cowles has wrapped up another fantastic small-town romantic suspense series. I previously reviewed Whispers of You and Echoes of You, the first two books in the Lost & Found series, and my thoughts on the remaining three books are below. Have you read the Lost & Found series? 

Glimmers of You

by Catherine Cowles

Series: Lost & Found #3

Pub: 8/1/2023

Format: Kindle

4.25 stars

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

Shadows of You

by Catherine Cowles

Series: Lost & Found #4

Pub: 10/19/2023

Format: Kindle

4.5 stars

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

Ashes of You

by Catherine Cowles

Series: Lost & Found #5

Pub: 2/8/2024

Format: Kindle/Audio

4.25 stars

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

Do you enjoy romantic suspense?

Short Take Reviews: Sutter Lake Series | Catherine Cowles

 

I previously reviewed Beautifully Broken Pieces and Beautifully Broken Life. Here are my thoughts on the rest of the series. 😊

 

Beautifully Broken Spirit

by Catherine Cowles

Series: Sutter Lake #3

Pub: 10/22/2019

Format: Audio

4 stars

Jensen had always shared a special bond with her brother’s best friend, Tucker. They’d been in each other’s lives since they were children, and he was a constant in her life that she could always depend on. She squashed any other feelings she might have for him, feeling that after two disastrous prior relationships, she obviously could not trust her own judgement. Tuck had wanted Jensen for as long as he could remember, but his own family issues had him convinced that she deserved better.

I’d been waiting for Tuck and Jensen’s story and it did not disappoint. Jensen had a huge heart and took care of those around her – her son, her employees and friends, and her beloved rescue horses. The romance that developed between Jensen and Tuck was so natural and his bond with Jensen’s son warmed my heart. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Catherine Cowles novel without some sinister goings-on and it came from more than one direction, which amped up the tension. This was a solid addition to the series and delivered all the feels.

Tropes: small town, romantic suspense, single mom, friends to lovers

CW (highlight to view): violence/death, addiction (secondary character)

Beautifully Broken Control

by Catherine Cowles

Series: Sutter Lake #4

Pub: 2/18/2020

Format: Audio

4 stars

When Kennedy’s father was convicted in a Ponzi scheme, the backlash against her family was so extreme she changed her name and went into hiding. She was determined to live a different life – one of service and gratitude – anything to alleviate the guilt she felt over her father’s crimes. After a tragic loss, Cain has shut down almost all personal connections, determined to keep others at a distance. But he can’t deny his feelings for Kennedy. When she is injured and he steps in to help, their closeness only amplifies his feelings for the young woman who guards her privacy and her past so strongly.

There were times when Cain’s protectiveness of Kennedy (while sometimes overboard) and his care for her made my heart positively melt. Even so, I struggled with both characters at times. Kennedy’s overwhelming guilt was so misplaced and I wanted her to recognize her father’s crimes were not her own. And with Cain, his unwillingness to share any of his past with Kennedy (while digging into her past to learn what she was hiding) was hypocritical and hurtful. Both of these issues did resolve and I was fully onboard with their relationship. Seeing Cain finally open up about his loss (with a positive focus on therapy) and be able to embrace a healthy relationship with Kennedy was totally satisfying. The bad guy(s) in this one weren’t too difficult to figure out, but that didn’t detract my enjoyment at all. Another solid romantic suspense from Cowles!

Tropes: small town, romantic suspense, heroine on the run, forced proximity

CW (highlight to view): grief/loss, violence/death

Beautifully Broken Redemption

by Catherine Cowles

Series: Sutter Lake #5

Pub: 11/9/2021

Format: Audio

4 stars

Anna’s trust in someone was betrayed when she was just a teenager and it cost her her freedom. Having started over in the small town of Sutter Lake, and now running a homeless shelter, she is slow to trust and keeps others at a distance. When tragedy strikes and she is suddenly the caregiver for her beloved niece and nephew, she is determined to keep them safe and give them the childhood she never had. To her surprise it is Mason, the successful businessman and frequent volunteer at the shelter, who steps in and offers Anna a solution: a marriage of convenience to bolster Anna’s chance of gaining full custody of the kids.

Anna had overcome so much and was not accustomed to accepting help from others, having learned the hard way that trust could be betrayed in the worst ways. Mason had suffered his own loss and was such a stalwart, generous man. His willingness to step in and make such an extraordinary offer to help Anna and the children was only the start of his devotion to them and his commitment to doing whatever it took to protect them all. This was a slow burn romance even though Anna and Mason’s chemistry was obvious from the start. While I missed the Cole family, the family who has formed the base for most of the other books in the series, I enjoyed their inclusion as secondary characters. This was a solid end to the series and was filled with Catherine’s hallmark emotion, suspense, and happily ever after.

Tropes: small town, romantic suspense, marriage of convenience

CW (highlight to view): violence/death (mostly off page), physical abuse (off page)

Have you read this series?

Review: Beautifully Broken Life | Catherine Cowles

Beautifully Broken Life

by Catherine Cowles

Series: Sutter Lake #2

Publication date: 6/25/2019

Format: Audiobook

Source: Libby

4.25 Stars

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.

Liam has found great success as a singer and songwriter but dealing with the cutthroat business side of music has dulled the shine of his fame. That, plus an obsessive fan, has him leaving L.A. for a quiet respite in Sutter Lake, the town where his friend Taylor recently found a new start. His growing interest in quiet and closed-off Tessa seems to be going nowhere since she shuts him down at every turn, even while being around her is breaking his writers block and inspiring him to write new music. Tessa has been hiding in Sutter Lake for over a year, on the run from an abusive ex. Always fearful, always on-guard, she is ready to flee at the first hint of danger. Liam is the first person that makes her want to lower her walls and form a connection, but opening herself up could also mean putting her life at risk.

 

Sometimes I think I will run out of ways to gush about a Catherine Cowles book because she is just so, so good at delivering what I love. Tessa was instantly a character that was easy to empathize with. I wanted so much for her to push her boundaries of loneliness and allow others in, even while I understood her fears. Then there was Liam. Loved him! This man was so patient, so kind, and took such care with Tessa that it melted my heart. Even before he knew her story, he understood she was fearful and reticent, and he showed such tenderness to her, and respect for her boundaries. (When Liam said to Tessa, “What can I do to make you feel safe?” I thought I would expire then and there.) One of my favorite aspects of the story was seeing all the small ways Liam tried to help Tessa regain her power and control over her life. That kind of selfless caretaking really did it for me. The suspense didn’t really ratchet up until the very end, but it provided a truly satisfying wrap-up. Once again, I’ll be diving right into the next book in the Sutter Lake series.

Tropes: small town, romantic suspense, heroine on the run, famous hero

Content warning (highlight to view): domestic violence, stalking, suicide (discussed, not on the page)

Have you read Beautifully Broken Life?

Review: Beautifully Broken Pieces | Catherine Cowles

Beautifully Broken Pieces

by Catherine Cowles

Series: Sutter Lake #1

Publication date: 2/25/2019

Format: Audiobook

Source: Libby

4.25 Stars

A woman who’s lost everything.

Taylor is looking for peace and quiet away from the memories of all she’s lost. A small mountain town where no one knows her seems like the perfect escape.

A man battling the ghosts of his past.

Walker loves his life just the way it is. His town, his family, his brothers in blue. Everything simple and easy—until a chance encounter changes it all.

When Taylor’s solitude is interrupted by the rugged cop, they find that the very thing they were avoiding might be just what they both need. As their iron wills clash and passion flares…a killer lurks.

And you never know who might be caught in the crosshairs.

When I read my first book by Catherine Cowles about a year and a half ago (Tattered Stars), I connected immediately with her writing. She made me care about her characters and become invested in their stories. Now, nine books later, she has solidified herself as one of my favorite authors and I’m excited to start working my way through her backlist.

Taylor is crippled by grief from the loss of her mother. Needing a change, and time away from well-meaning friends, she spontaneously rents a cabin for a year in the small town of Sutter Lake, Oregon. Finding a job at a tea shop introduces her to Jensen Cole (shop owner) and the rest of the Cole family, including Jensen’s brother Walker, the town’s deputy chief of police. Determined to keep her new friends at arm’s length, convinced that forming bonds will only lead to more heartache, Taylor still finds herself pulled into the loving embrace of the Cole family. As Taylor slowly begins to let down her walls and explore a relationship with Walker, he is dealing with a string of missing women and the victims are getting closer and closer to home.

Everything about Beautifully Broken Pieces was right up my alley. A heroine who was damaged but had backbone, a swoony, protective hero, a close-knit family, strong friendships, a touch of suspense – it all combined to form such a “me” book. I adored the Cole family, including Jensen’s young son Noah (who started calling Taylor “Tay Tay” five minutes after meeting her), Taylor’s friend Liam who was willing to give her a dose of tough love and truth when she needed it, and the relationship that grew between Taylor and Walker. The epilogue was *chef’s kiss*, the narration by Maxine Mitchell and Aaron Shedlock was perfect, and I can’t wait to return to Sutter Lake. (Bring on Liam’s book!)

Tropes: small town, romantic suspense, law enforcement hero

Content warning (highlight to view): grief/loss, violence/death

Have you read Beautifully Broken Pieces?

Short Take Reviews: The Sweetheart List and Echoes of You

 

The Sweetheart List

by Jill Shalvis

Series: Sunrise Cove #4

Genre: contemporary romance, women's fiction

ARC provided by the publisher

Harper has just walked away from everything in her life that didn't spark joy - her job, making lists, and especially her ex. Returning to Sunrise Cove, the last place she felt truly happy, she has plans to open her own bakery and make a fresh start. Her first meeting with Bodie - bar owner and her landlord - was bumpy but they quickly developed a friendship, with the possibility of more. Finally, teenage Ivy was also new to Sunrise Cove and had come with a purpose. When she finds compassion and support, she's left uncertain about her future.

There was so much here to love. Both Harper and Bodie had issues to work through, and needed to lay down hurts of the past before they could move forward. Bodie was so open with his feelings for Harper while never pushing her beyond what she felt she could give. Bodie's family was a delight and I loved their easy acceptance of new family and friends into their fold.

The Sweetheart List is one of only three that I have read from Shalvis, but I can tell you that it is my favorite. I loved these characters. I was drawn into their lives, I felt their struggles, and I wanted the very best for them. This one delivered all the feelings and warmed my heart. 4.25 stars

Note: The Sweetheart List is part of the Sunrise Cove series but can easily be read as a standalone.

Echoes of You

by Catherine Cowles

Series: Lost & Found #2

Tropes: contemporary romance, romantic suspense

Maddie and Nash had been best friends since kindergarten. While they both had feelings that went beyond friendship, they never acted on those feelings (or even admitted to them). Now Maddie has returned to Cedar Ridge, fleeing her abusive ex-fiancé, and is ready to reclaim her life, surrounded by friends who feel like family. Nash is by her side, thrilled to reconnect with his best friend, but Maddie's happy homecoming is cut short when threatening texts start and her tires are slashed. As Maddie and Nash begin to explore a romance, danger seems to be closing in, and Nash is determined to protect the woman he loves.

I loved returning to Cedar Ridge and reconnecting with the large, boisterous but loving Hartley family. They welcomed Maddie home and still considered her one of their own. Unfortunately, Maddie's happy homecoming was short-lived when the threats started, especially considering there was likely more than one source. Nash had some serious "who hurt you" vibes so if you love a protective hero, this one's for you. My only quibble would be that both Nash and Maddie seemed to drown in misplaced guilt. With every new development in the story, one (or both) of them was wracked with guilt for situations they had no control over. I kind of wanted to shake them both out of that habit. Beyond that, it was so easy to pull for these characters and yearn for a happy ending for them. Maddie, especially, had been through so much (she truly lost out in the family lottery) and after abuse at the hands of someone who should have protected her, it was satisfying to see her embraced by her found family. If you enjoy childhood friends to lovers, a heroine in hiding, a dash of suspense, and a small town setting, you'll love Echoes of You. 4 stars 

Have you read either of these books?

Review: Fractured Sky by Catherine Cowles

A swoony, suspenseful small-town romance from USA Today bestselling author Catherine Cowles...

Fractured Sky, a moving and passionate, small-town contemporary romance from USA Today bestselling author Catherine Cowles, is out now!

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…

Fall in love today!

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It’s been seventeen years since Shiloh Easton was kidnapped by an unhinged and dangerous 

man. Seventeen years - and she is still treated with kid gloves, over-protected, and 

considered fragile. Broken. Even odd. She finds peace around animals, and sanctuary at 

the nearby ranch where Ramsey Bishop rehabilitates abused and neglected horses. 

Desperate for a chance to assert some independence, Shiloh accepts Ramsey’s offer to 

move into the guest cabin on his property.

Wrongly accused of a crime and mistreated by those in authority, Ramsey was sent to prison 

when he was still a teenager. Even when exonerated, people still looked upon him with 

suspicion. Mistrusting of people ever since, Ramsey chooses to distance himself and spends 

his time nurturing horses who are just as untrusting as he is. He surprises himself when he 

makes an exception and invites Shiloh to stay on his ranch. Like calls to like, and these two

 damaged people seem to understand one another in ways that others cannot. As their 

tentative friendship starts to shift into something more, a danger from Shiloh’s past is back

 to threaten her future.

It was so fulfilling to watch Shiloh spread her wings and start to find her voice. She harbored

 so much fear and guilt over the years and she defaulted to keeping the peace with her family,

 not making waves, since she felt as though they has already gone through so much because

 of her kidnapping. But she did so at her own detriment. Her family loved her, but they

 suffocated her. It felt as though her trauma did not end when she was rescued at the age of

 ten. Her parents and her siblings unintentionally continued it with their constant worry and

 hovering and over-protectiveness. With Ramsey, she didn’t have to “act okay.” With him, 

she could be herself – speaking if she felt like it, staying silent otherwise – and there was

 total acceptance. He gave her the freedom to push her limits while still feeling safe.

Ramsey, despite his gruff and surly demeanor, was incredibly patient and kind. His willingness

 to just let Shiloh be warmed my heart. His backstory was heartbreaking and went a long way

 in explaining his loner tendencies. The way Ramsey and Shiloh connected – both through 

their traumatic pasts and through their gentle understanding of the horses they worked with – was

 developed slowly and naturally. I loved that Shiloh had the bravery and confidence to forge 

this new relationship, despite the (sometimes vocal) misgivings from most of her family. 

(Speaking of family, kudos to Hadley for being Shiloh’s constant cheerleader throughout this

 story!) The healing that took place – mostly between Shiloh and her mother, but also for the

 entire family – was handled beautifully and had me feeling so optimistic for them all. There 

were moments that had me shedding tears as Shiloh and Ramsey fought outside forces in order

 to keep their peace, and the ending brought even more tears because I was so happy they had

 come through the other side, both in such better places than where they started.

I switched between the ebook and the audio version while reading and both provided a

completely immersive experience. Joe Arden and Erin Mallon were the perfect match for

Ramsey and Shiloh. Their narration took the story to the next level and I could hear and feel

every emotion in their nuanced performances.

I’ve been anxiously awaiting Shiloh’s story from the very first book. After meeting Ramsey in

 Shattered Sea (the fourth book in the Tattered & Torn series) and learning that Fractured Sky

 would be his and Shiloh’s story, I was ecstatic. I’m going to say it now: Catherine Cowles 

saved the best for last. I adored these characters and their journey to finding peace and 

acceptance. I’m sad to see the series end because, over the span of five books, I fell in love 

with the Easton family and those in their circle. Cowles creates characters that feel like living,

 breathing people – flaws and all – and it makes their stories all the more engrossing and 

emotional. Despite being not-quite-ready to say goodbye, Fractured Sky was a stellar end 

to the series. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

About Catherine Cowles

Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and 

furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since 

the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of 

her own stories. When she's not writing she can be found exploring 

her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or 

searching for her next book boyfriend.

Connect with Catherine

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IEQXSw

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Review: Shattered Sea by Catherine Cowles #BlogTour #NewRelease

Catherine Cowles has truly wowed me with her Tattered & Torn series and she quickly secured a spot on my list of must-read authors. Shattered Sea is the fourth book in this remarkable series and, while it can be read as a stand alone, do yourself a favor and read the whole series. You don't want to miss anything!

Shattered Sea, a sexy, suspenseful, small town romance from USA Today bestselling author Catherine Cowles, is out now!

He was the last person she expected to fall for…

I’ve known every kind of pain. Of the heart. Of the body. Of the soul. All I want now is the freedom that comes from making my art.

The last thing I expected was Hollywood royalty to waltz into my gallery in a small town in the middle of nowhere and see me.

A man like Boden Cavanaugh shouldn’t understand me. Shouldn’t be able to soothe my most ragged edges. Even worse, he makes me want the one thing I can’t have. Him.

All it takes is one spark, and friendship catches flame. But as our attraction burns bright, there are forces desperate to send us back into the darkness. And they’ve already killed before…

Fall in love today!
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Welcome back to Wolf Gap, Oregon. In this fourth entry to the Tattered & Torn series, Catherine Cowles has delivered another emotional, suspenseful, and unputdownable story. It’s a testament to Cowles’ amazing gift with characters that I was shedding tears by the end of the prologue. (And not just misty-eyed, we’re talking a full-on ugly cry.) So there was that. And my emotional attachment to these characters only grew.

Laiken Montgomery knows what it’s like to live with pain. The physical kind – the chronic pain in her back and legs, and the emotional kind – from devastating loss and grief. At twenty-eight, she lives in her hometown of Wolf Gap and manages a local art gallery. Her own photography provides an outlet for her inner turmoil, an artist showing what she keeps hidden from others.

 If you always leaned on someone, you became dependent. When they weren’t there anymore, figuring out how to walk on your own again was the hardest thing you’d ever have to do.

Boden Cavanaugh is known worldwide. An actor and Hollywood heartthrob, Boden has come to Wolf Gap not only to do research for an upcoming role, but also to escape the scrutiny of the paparazzi in Los Angeles and continue to deal with the aftermath of a loss in his life. Meeting Laiken was not part of his plan, but as their paths continued to cross it was obvious there was something in them that spoke to one another. And Boden wasn’t willing to walk away.

 “What are you scared of?”
“Getting used to having you here.”
“What if I want you to get used to it?”

After that prologue (you remember, the one that made me cry), I started this story feeling just as broken and raw as Laiken. While there were friends and people she cared about in her life, there was also pain and loneliness – two things she hid from others as much as she could. Boden, however managed to see through that façade and with him she could truly be herself. Boden was persistent in his pursuit of Laiken, but never aggressive or pushy. I loved his openness with her and how he never hid his feelings or played games. He was completely up front with how he felt, and it was so heartwarming and refreshing. When the suspense aspect came into play, Boden was protective without being overly so. He was such a swoony hero!

 “You don’t have to take care of everyone. Or fix things for everyone. Sometimes, it’s enough to simply be. To hold their hand and walk alongside.”

Speaking of the suspense, Cowles always manages to blend the perfect mixture of romance and suspense, never sacrificing one for the other. Here in Shattered Sea, I could feel the tension as things escalated and it became apparent that the deaths of those involved in a decade-old tragedy were not accidents. I had my theories and yet Cowles still managed to surprise me.

 And in that moment, I knew this was how it could always be. A give and take. A sort of messy perfection that was the most incredible thing I’d ever experienced. And I’d do anything to protect it.

With each book in this remarkable series, I proclaim a new favorite character, a new favorite couple… but the truth is, each book has been filled with memorable characters, a moving romance, and riveting plots. I was glued to every page of Shattered Sea, unable to put it down, only to be sad it was over. Shattered Sea, and the entire Tattered & Torn series, are not to be missed by any fan of small-town romantic suspense. ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

 

What warmed my heart: Laiken’s connection with Hayes, Boden’s relationship with his father, Gizmo (Laiken’s dog on wheels). ❤

Keep reading for a look inside Shattered Sea!

The way Boden’s muscles tightened told me the little he’d shared was only the tip of the iceberg. That tension called to me, and I reached out, kneading the flesh along his shoulders. His head fell to my own shoulder, and he sighed. “I’ll only let you do that forever.”

I chuckled. “I do have the magic touch.”

“You could be making millions with those hands.”

“I only use them on very special recipients. They aren’t for sale.”

Boden straightened, but as he did, he came closer. Our faces were close. Lips just a breath away. The urge to lean forward, to know what he felt like, tasted like, was strong. Boden’s hand skated up my arm to my neck to tangle in my hair.
I knew that Boden Cavanaugh was more than dangerous. But like a moth to a flame, I kept getting closer.

About Catherine Cowles

Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she's not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.

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