This is the second book in the Lake Starlight series. It reads ok as a standalone.
Brin is from a huge family and that family 4 Brinley and Van Stars
This is the second book in the Lake Starlight series. It reads ok as a standalone.
Brin is from a huge family and that family are very protective of her. She is a young widow. She married at twenty and after about a year her husband died unexpectedly. Since then every one treats her like glass. Van Adler is new in town and has no intention of staying for long. I liked the way they met and ultimately Van ends up renting a room in her apartment for his brief stay but lines get blurred and before long their chemistry is practically pulsating off the walls.
I liked Brin as a heroine - she is sweet but I was glad she had a strong will that came through. Van is a gorgeous Hero and I enjoyed how his story developed through the story.
I am not normally a fan of romances where there is a dead ex but I had no issue with this one. It is really well written and I never felt Van was not enough.
Some hot scenes. Lots of chemistry. Small town romance I read on ebook (Kindle Unlimited) and listened on Audiobook. 4 Star **** Narration by Connor Crais and Melissa Moran with listening time 6h 22m.
If you are a fan of second chance romances, then this is an enjoyable read.
Calista and Rylan have known each other since the3 Calista and Rylan Stars
If you are a fan of second chance romances, then this is an enjoyable read.
Calista and Rylan have known each other since they were about 6 years old when they played soccer together. Their respective best friends date, so they are pretty much forced to interact with each other. Both talented, each of them had bright futures in soccer and as they got older their dislike of each other changed to tolerance and then something much more. These two are like magnets , constantly drawn to each other. They reconnected during their College years and ended up living together with Rylan being drafted to a professional team but then Calista suffers a career ending injury and they end up splitting. This book picks up a few years later - they are both in their early 30's and Rylan returns to Alaska to attend their best friends wedding. All the passion sparks back to life but they both know Rylan will only be in town for a short while.
This was a good book but at times there was bit too much push and pull. I thought the humour balanced out the more serious aspects and the secondary characters are funny and bring another layer to the story. There are a lot of other books and series that interlink with this one and I am curious to read some. I've started with what I think is the newest generation so at times I had to really concentrate to link up who is related to who. I could have done with a family tree for Calista!
I mainly listened to the audio book - 5 Star Narration from Joe Arden and Erin Mallon. Listening time 6 hours and 20 minutes. I also borrowed the book on Kindle Unlimited (263 pages).
HEA? Yes Cheating? No- both saw other people during the years they were apart but nothing significant. ...more
This is the second book in the Last Refuge Protectors Series and it picks up pretty much where Hard Knock Hero left off.
Sc5 Scarlett and Trace Stars
This is the second book in the Last Refuge Protectors Series and it picks up pretty much where Hard Knock Hero left off.
Scarlett (28) is the best friend of Jessi , from book one. Trace (early 30's) is Jessi's half brother. There is a definite attraction between the beautiful redheaded Scarlett , who runs Hartley's sweet treats shop and the reserved , quiet and watchful Trace Novo. Trace came to Hartley in book 1 to help his sister. There was an attraction between him and Scarlett from the very start but he repeatedly shuts down any spark of passion. There is quite a bit of push and pull for the first half of the book.
I thought Scarlett's back story was really interesting. She grew up in a cult and ran away at the age of 15, making a new life for herself in Hartley. Her friendship with Jessi is heartwarming - both have experienced traumas but they are resilient and are determined to help others who find themselves in danger hence the Last Refuge came about.
Trace is a dark horse but as his secrets are slowly revealed it is clear that he too has been through some awful ordeals and there is a really sinister subplot that develops in the arc of the books. When Scarlett's life is in danger , Trace does all he can to protect the woman who is stealing his heart.
I really enjoyed this book - it is a romantic suspense and I am so invested.
I am going straight on to read book three , Home Town Knight , which is Sheriff Owen Douglas' book. You could read Bent Winged Angel as a standalone but I would recommend reading Hard Knock Hero first.
Available on Kindle Unlimited. The ebook has 314 pages. I read the book and listened to the audiobook which has good narration by Finnley Cole and Isabelle Turner with a listening time of 9 hours and 34 mins.
HEA? More HFN but there is more to come as the series continues. Cheating? No...more
I am enjoying this series very much. Book 2 is about Colton, a handsome , broody Bounty Hunter and his office manager/ assist3.5 Colton and Macy Stars
I am enjoying this series very much. Book 2 is about Colton, a handsome , broody Bounty Hunter and his office manager/ assistant , Macy. This is a Grumpy /Sunshine trope and is well done. Colton eventually gives in to his feelings for Macy but there is a lot of push and pull. When she is in danger from her crazy ex , he steps up and also realises how he really feels. Daisy is Colton's daughter - he is actually her Uncle but he adopted her after the death of his sister a few years before. Child characters are tricky to write but I thought she was a really loveable and funny character. Lots of drama and suspense in the background and interesting secondary characters.
It's so nice to read a book that takes you away from reality for a while and makes you really keen to read the rest in the serie4 Dante and Mila Stars
It's so nice to read a book that takes you away from reality for a while and makes you really keen to read the rest in the series. I do enjoy a romantic suspense and Fury definitely delivers.
Dante Fury is one of five brothers. They are not biologically related but they all met as children in the Foster Care System and traumatic experiences bonded them. As adults their connection is stronger than ever and they decide to all formally change their surnames to Fury - and a family was born.
Dante (early 30's) is a businessman who owns a nightclub and some restaurants in New Orleans. Mila (mid 20's) is a new employee at his Club but despite his attraction he tries to keep clear boundaries but Mila is running away from something and once she is in danger he cannot keep away any longer.
I liked both lead characters equally. This is very much 'damsel in distress is saved by an incredibly hot Hero ' and I loved it! Fantastic secondary characters who bring some lighter moments to the darker aspects.
I read the ebook combined with listening to the audiobook. Excellent narration by Aiden Snow and Erin Mallon. Listening time 5h 34m / 280 pages.
HEA? This book leads into the next one so no epilogue in the future. Cheating? Dante is kissed by another woman - it's not cheating. Be aware - Loss of parents / childhood abuse /violence against a woman feature. ...more
Life is uncertain, Arya. Love is not. Love is the concrete beneath your feet. It’s the anchor when you’re in the eye of 5 Arya and Christian Stars
Life is uncertain, Arya. Love is not. Love is the concrete beneath your feet. It’s the anchor when you’re in the eye of a storm
I really enjoyed this angsty romance. It has all the hallmarks of an L.J.Shen book and I liked it as much as Sparrow and Vicious but The Kiss Thief is still my favourite of hers...but I digress...
Arya (31) is from a rich family with a controlling father that only she sees as a hero. Nicholai is the son of 'the help'. Neither of them have a 'normal' childhood and despite Nicholai's initial resentment of her when they first meet as children , they form a strange alliance that blooms into something more until , as teenagers, everything is abruptly and cruelly ended.
I really liked both their characters. My heart ached for Nicholai and I admired his steadfast determination to make something of himself. He becomes Christian Miller (33ish) , a driven and talented attorney. He changes like a chameleon , shedding the metaphorical (and literal) rags and becoming a member of New York's elite in the highest echelons of society.
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I was no longer Nicholai Ivanov, the bastard son of Ruslana Ivanova. I was brand new, shiny and reborn. Clad in Tom Ford suits, a cunning smile, and well-practiced trust fund–baby mannerisms.
Arya is endearing and it was sad to see her illusion of her father shatter completely. On the other hand , her relationship with her mother was quite fascinating . Despite the passage of time , she still very much held her childhood love close to her heart.
His eyes were his best feature, though. The exact, astonishing color of blue topaz. He was tall, smooth, and lithe, and above all, he had that quality that couldn’t be named. The badassness of a kid who knew how to fend for himself. How to fight for his survival.
Arya could have been a bit of a beige character but something happens that evokes her emotions and I loved reading that - she is a character that develops well through the novel. The chemistry between Christian and Arya is intense and practically pulsates off the pages.
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Christian's two friends , Arsene and Riggs , are entertaining and I will be reading their stories. There is just enough OW drama with Christian's colleague and regular hook up, Claire. Lots of other people in this book that you love to hate , plus a few that restore your faith in humanity.
I re read via audible in March 2025 and enjoyed this book much more so I am increasing the rating to 4 Stars. Fab narration by Jason Clarke and Kit SwI re read via audible in March 2025 and enjoyed this book much more so I am increasing the rating to 4 Stars. Fab narration by Jason Clarke and Kit Swann with a listening time of 7 hours and 10 mins.
Original Review : 3 Hudson and Palmer Stars
This was an ok read. I had not read any of the others in the series , and I feel like I should have as I think it would have added to the reading experience.
Hudson and Palmer were best friends but one night they got drunk and got pregnant. Fast forward three years and they co parent their little girl , Adley. They are neighbours and everything is amicable enough. Both of them have seen other people- Hudson much more so. For 50% of the book Hudson is in a relationship with Theresa, a single divorced mum. There are no on page intimate scenes of either H/ h with other people. I liked the angst element of both Palmer and Hudson being jealous of the respective potential love interests each other has. Palmer is deaf and wears cochlear implants -I enjoyed how that was really positively written in the book.
This book could have been a five star read for me , if it hadn't ended so abruptly and if there could have been a 3.5 - 4 Hendrix and Maddison Stars
This book could have been a five star read for me , if it hadn't ended so abruptly and if there could have been a bit more of it dedicated to the development of their romance. It was a little too 'insta love' for me but that is just my personal taste. The whole book is 183 pages , so a fairly quick read , but I would have relished more.
The story starts in an incredibly impactful way with a description of the morning of 9/11 and how Hendrix lost his parents in the Twin Towers when he was just 8 years old. This part of the book deserves five stars. I had goosebumps and my heart hurt for Hendrix and his parents. There are parts of the novel that I enjoyed immensely and other parts , I felt , didn't flow very well. It ended so suddenly that I felt a bit bereft - I wanted more , or at least to know how far into the future we moved with the last chapter as there is no epilogue.
Hendrix(30) enlists as a Marine as soon as he turns 18. His Granny that raised him after his parents were murdered by terrorists , dies when he is deployed and he has no siblings. His closest relative is Tucker, his cousin, and Tucker's wife Savannah. He leaves the Marines after twelve years after a significant event happens and his struggle with adjusting to civilian life is well written. I liked him as a character because he isn't perfect and he does mess up at times but I got why.
Maddison (mid twenties) is from England and is on holiday in America with two friends. She has been in an awful and toxic relationship with a guy who definitely wields coercive control amongst other things. Things fall apart with her friends and she ends up alone in a bar and meets Hendrix. And so their story begins. I felt Maddison needed a bit more character development - again , if the novel had been a bit longer then I think that would have naturally happened.
It's a shame that it felt so rushed as it's a really good book that is enjoyable to read and evokes all kinds of emotions.
HEA? More HFN. Cheating? No. Hendrix has perfunctory sex with a stranger but there is less than zero emotion involved. This happens before he meets Maddison.
Be Aware (view spoiler)[ 9/11 is a strong theme / Domestic abuse is in the book in the form of Maddison's ex exhibiting controlling coercive behaviour / violence toward a female (hide spoiler)]. ...more
I borrowed this book on KU and ended up buying it to keep because I enjoyed it so much. Not many books this year hav5 Kellum and Shay (and Mia) Stars
I borrowed this book on KU and ended up buying it to keep because I enjoyed it so much. Not many books this year have had me thinking about them when I am doing other things , but I was desperate to get back to Shay and Kellum's story. These characters stay in your heart and head long after you turn the last page. This story will take you on a roller coaster of emotions because it has it all - drama , comedy, heartbreak and passion.
This is a 'secret baby' trope. I know some readers are not fans of this (I am) , but the author does this so well. It's also a book that truly encapsulates the class system in America. The 'Haves' and the 'Have nots'. I was furious at the unfairness and the prejudice and how rich , powerful men dictate other people's lives with their malevolent actions and twisted views.
The sheriff could arrest me for slander or anything he can make up. Who would stop him? And Mr. Price. That man has grabbed my ass or grazed my boobs a half-dozen times down at the Over Easy Diner where I work. Because he can. He’s got his own helicopter and flies in for weeks at a time from the city..... If I say anything, I don’t work at the diner anymore. That’s for sure. I’m a problem to these men. I’m a threat to their golden boy.
Shay is 17 and living with her Grandparents, when she hooks up with Kellum at a bonfire. She falls pregnant and ends up being hounded out of town in order for the powers that be to protect the golden boy , the popular ex Quarterback from high school , who can do no wrong in the eyes of the locals. How dare Shay sully his stellar reputation? She's just trailer trash after all, right?
Wrong.
"And we might be poor, but we’re not cheap, and we’re not trash. And I’m sure as hell not stupid."
I loved Shay. She is now in my 'Heroine's Hall of Fame' bookshelf because she absolutely stole the book for me. She has had to grow up so quickly and is a young mother but what an amazing mummy she is. For six years it has been just Shay and Mia , until circumstances find them back in Kellum's town where his life has also gone through some major changes. Shay tried to let Kell know about her pregnancy but to no avail.
Mia is neurodiverse and her character is very well written. I don't know the background of the author but she writes as though she has experienced how people treat others who are on the spectrum.
Something’s wrong with that child. Bad mother. No home training. Sad story.
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Kellum is an interesting Hero. I liked how he developed. It wasn't until he reconnected with Shay and had Mia in his life that he started really living and feeling. Before them , he was just going through the motions and meeting the expectations of others. Always the careful and responsible one. I struggled a little with how oblivious he seemed at times but I loved so much abut this book that it was easy to let it slide.
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It really is Kellum, Shay and Mia against the world. The way they reconnect and how Kellum and Mia get to know each other made for gorgeous reading.
“We’ll go to the library.� “You can’t spend all morning at the library.� “Sure, we can.� And I swear, both Shay and Mia’s faces light up at the same instant. Are my girls bookworms? “Yeah?� I can’t help but grin at their matching looks of pure, sneaky delight. “What are you going to do for four hours at the library?� “Uh, read.� Shay blows a loose strand of hair off of her forehead. “Horse books, Mama.� Mia smiles up at Shay, filled with glee.
The secondary characters bring a lot to the story. Some are endearing but most of them made me want to reach in and slap them on Shay and Mia's behalf.
I hadn't realised that I had read some other books by this author. One was Wall and the other was Charge. Wall is about Kellum's eldest brother but is in a different series. Hitting The Wall is definitely my favourite.
I'd highly recommend this book. Definitely one of my favourite novels of 2024. Thanks to @LydiasRomance for the fabulous recommendation.
HEA? Yes , but there are other books in the series so I am hoping we will hear more about them. Cheating? No. Kellum has a brief , disastrous marriage but is divorced by the time Shay returns to his life. ...more
I was a little conflicted about this book. I loved the concept - books with cheating are not for everyone but now and then I do 3 John and Mona Stars
I was a little conflicted about this book. I loved the concept - books with cheating are not for everyone but now and then I do love a good dose of angst and to feel righteous rage towards a character who has truly messed things up. I devour the moment it all comes to a head - that feeling of trepidation is like being on a roller coaster and you can't stop it. Then there is the anger of the betrayal, the devastation and the ability of the character to pull themselves back together. This book does that really well. I was hooked. I was invested from page one.
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John (32) and Mona (28) meet when she is 17 , almost 18. John is 21 so nothing happens until she turns 18. They connect and it really is love at first sight. They marry quickly but when they suffer three miscarriages one after another, they lose their way. Each of them grieves but they do it differently and the distance between them grows. He cheats once with a firefighter groupie. He gets drunk and has perfunctory sex with a woman who has been after him. He confesses and their marriage implodes. Mona kicks him out and he lets her. I wanted him to fight for her then but he didn't. He just goes and therein was my first point of conflict with how to rate this book. They stay apart for four years but he still looks out for her and eventually there is a reason for them to cross paths again , then all bets are off- John has a chance to get his wife back and he seizes it.
I like to escape in my books and at times , this felt a bit too.... crass? Normal? Not pretty? I am not putting this very well. I think I did not want the details about Mona not shaving her nether regions, John's friends being smelly , Mona 'gushing in her panties'....
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When my hero and heroine are connecting and about to get down to it , it feels a bit odd if she starts thinking about laundry.
He takes my hand and places it to the hem of my sweater. “Show me, baby.� I knead the faux cashmere in my fingers. I love this sweater. It’s soft and machine washable. Almost without thinking, I fist the hem and pull it over my head like some bold woman from a movie.<./b>
Also , I got that John Wall was built like one. He was huge. Massive. Enormous. Built like a bodybuilder. Constantly did weights. That was a tad overdone , I felt.
It was a bit blunt at times and maybe I was in the mood for something a bit more subtle.
I wasn't keen on the some of the secondary characters but there were a couple of excellent ones. The ending was pretty good and I'm glad I read the book but it's not one I would re read.
This was a book that started out strong but it lost its momentum a bit for me in the middle. Attorney , Layla (28ish) and Gray (3 Gray and Layla Stars
This was a book that started out strong but it lost its momentum a bit for me in the middle. Attorney , Layla (28ish) and Gray (31) met when he was in prison for a crime he never committed. They connect but then Layla discovers something about Gray and walks away. Just over a year later , they meet on the outside. Initial hostility on Layla's part soon turns to being drawn back to the charismatic Gray. He is head over heels for her and has been from the start.
There is a fair bit of push and pull. Their chemistry is off the charts and , as always, this author brings the heat to the pages. Interesting secondary characters. Nice epilogue which finished things up nicely.
I listened to the audiobook , narrated (5 stars for narration) by Sebastian York and Andi Arndt.
HEA? Yes Cheating ? No (view spoiler)[ Surprise child / secondary adult character with cancer on page (hide spoiler)]
This is the fourth book in the Sparrow Falls series and focuses on Arden , who is part of the Colson family and Lincoln who is 4 Arden and Linc Stars
This is the fourth book in the Sparrow Falls series and focuses on Arden , who is part of the Colson family and Lincoln who is Arden's brother's best friend. Arden (26) has had a difficult life experiencing the traumatic loss of her parents when she was 11 years old. Fostered by the Colson's , her siblings are fiercely protective of her but she always has a wall up , always keeping people at arms length. Lincoln (37) is a successful billionaire who is in Sparrow Falls to oversee the building of his new property. The initial meet between Arden and Lincoln was well written. I loved both characters and the secondary characters , as ever , bring depth and warmth to the story.
So why not 5 stars? Purely personal opinion but there was a bit too much drama in this one for me. There is no drama between our H/h but they attract a lot of heat from the baddies. Also , for the first time in one of this author's book - I guessed the really malevolent bad person.....
Arden and Lincoln's story does take you away from reality and that is what I want in a book.
Book not available on KU. I bought it for £3.99 on ebook and it was 387 pages long. I also listened on audible - narrated by the awesome Sebastian York and Samantha Brentmoor - listening time 11h 43m.
HEA? Yes Cheating? No Be aware - Violent loss of a parent (on page) / Domestic abuse (off page) are themes. ...more
This is Book 3 in the Sparrow Falls series and it did not disappoint. This is Cope Colson's story. Cope (30) is one of the Col5 Sutton and Cope Stars
This is Book 3 in the Sparrow Falls series and it did not disappoint. This is Cope Colson's story. Cope (30) is one of the Colson siblings. They are a blended family of blood related, fostered and adopted siblings. Each one of them has a story to tell and each book works as a Standalone but I chose to read in order.
We met Sutton (27) and her son Luca.(6/7) in the first two books, Fragile Sanctuary (Rhodes and Anson) , Delicate Escape (Thea and Shep). She is the single mum who ran away from her past to keep her and her boy safe. They start their new lives in Sparrow Falls two years before the start of this story. Sutton is a baker and runs the coffee / bakery shop in town. Cope is a professional NHL Player and he is home for a while.
Things take a sinister turn in the book when it seems that Sutton's past in catching up with her. There were a couple of twists that I did not see coming and the suspense had me hooked in until the end. One event is really sad but there is lots of well written humour in these books so they never feel overwhelmed with the more serious subject matter.
Great story with characters that grab your heart and keep you invested.
I read and listened. The e-book is 376 pages. I bought it on Amazon for £3.99 (Not available on KU) The audiobook is 10hrs 19m listening time and narrated very well by Erin Mallon and Connor Crais.
HEA? Yes Cheating? No Be aware - loss of a parent and sibling / domestic abuse / drug misuse feature off page....more
I discovered Catherine Cowles work last year and devoured a number of her books including the first novel set in Sparrow Falls, 5 Thea and Shep Stars
I discovered Catherine Cowles work last year and devoured a number of her books including the first novel set in Sparrow Falls, Fragile Sanctuary which set the scene for the Colson family. This is the second book and it focuses on Shepard Colson - the gorgeous construction company owner - and Thea who is his sister , Rhodes', best friend.
We knew very little about Thea in book one so I was interested in seeing how her character developed. She is very likeable and what she went through before fleeing her old life and moving to Sparrow Falls was awful. I had a soft spot for Shep from the very start. He is so protective , loyal and kind and he adores his family. He is so patient and underneath that lionheart is a passionate man.
The secondary characters are excellent in this series. I am a huge fan of small town romances with interconnected characters so this ticks all the boxes for me. The suspense angle is well written - I didn't see the twist coming.
There is passion , humour , drama and excellent storytelling woven through every page.
I am going straight onto Cope and Sutton's book next, Broken Harbor.
I bought this ebook as it was not included in KU (£3.99 but I used my Christmas gift voucher) and I also listened on Audiobook. Excellent narration by Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon with a listening time of 10h 15 mins. The ebook is 344 pages long.
HEA? Yes - beautiful ending. Cheating? No Be aware - domestic abuse / controlling coercive behaviour / abandonment of a newborn (Shep is cruelly called 'Box Baby' by a secondary character , are all themes. ...more
I have binge read the Tattered and Torn / Lost and Found Series's and devoured them all. Catherine Cowles is my discovereBeyond 5 Anson and Rho Stars
I have binge read the Tattered and Torn / Lost and Found Series's and devoured them all. Catherine Cowles is my discovered author of 2024 and I am hooked on her work.
We met Anson , briefly , in Ashes of You because he is a friend of Lawson but this book is all about the grumpy , reclusive ex FBI Profiler. Anson now works as a building contractor , specialising in restoring old buildings that have fire damage. Rhodes , or Rho as she is known to her friends, is a really loveable heroine who lost her family at the age of 13 and subsequently lived with her best friend's family and the other children they fostered. I love world building romances and I cannot wait to read the other characters books. Fallon is Rho's best friend. Copeland (NHL Player) is Fallon's biological older brother. Shepard (Owns a construction company) is her adopted brother. Trace (Sheriff /single dad) is her foster brother. Rhodes views them all as her siblings too and they are a tight group.
Anson and Rho have excellent chemistry which is addictive to read about. There is some push and pull but ultimately these two are soul mates and absolutely meant to be. There is a mystery unfolding alongside their love story - I did not guess the baddie despite having a few candidates on my list!
Great story that had me invested from the start.
HEA? Yes. Beautiful - I am still beaming. Cheating? No.
This was a bittersweet read because out of all the Hartley siblings , I wanted Chief Of Police Lawson's the most but Beyond 5 Lawson and Hallie Stars
This was a bittersweet read because out of all the Hartley siblings , I wanted Chief Of Police Lawson's the most but his is the last book in the series and I have enjoyed each and every novel about the Hartley siblings. I did not want it to end.
Lawson (38) is a single dad to three boys , Luke (16), Drew (13) and Charlie (6). Charlie is one of the sweetest and funniest children - we met him before in Shadows of You as he is Cady's best friend. Lawson is struggling to manage everything so he finally relents and hires a Nanny.
Hallie (25) has been through an almost unimaginably horrific trauma and five years later she is desperate to start living again away from her (frankly horrible) parents. She applies to be Lawson's Nanny and it's not until the interview that they both realise that they have met before.
This was my favourite book of the entire series. I was half in love with Lawson before I even downloaded it to my Kindle and it didn't take long to fall completely. The plot is well paced and the relationship between Lawson and Hallie develops alongside another series of murders in Cedar Ridge. Hallie is in danger and Lawson , as Chief of Police , is doing everything possible to keep her safe.
The romantic relationship between our H/h is passionate and slowly builds but watching Hallie forge new friendships is heartwarming too. The loveliest relationships she builds are the ones with Law's boys. Luke has lots of barriers up , Drew is a sweetie but Charlie will steal your heart completely.
There is some violence as this is a romantic suspense. Some of the scenes are a little gruesome but not too bad. If you enjoy age gap / single parent / small town romances then I would highly recommend this book and all the others in the series.
I read on KU and listened on audible. Superb narration by Ava Erickson and Sebastian York - listening time 9h 12m.
HEA? Yes! Gorgeous ending. Cheating? No Be aware - child abandonment and violence / kidnapping of a woman are themes. ...more
This series just gets better and better. I have been itching for Roan's story and it more than matches my expectations.
Roan (e5 Roan and Aspen Stars
This series just gets better and better. I have been itching for Roan's story and it more than matches my expectations.
Roan (early 30's) is the second eldest of the Hartley siblings and he has been in every book but he has been in the background , quiet and reserved, so I never felt as though I knew him very well. Something happened in Roan's past that affected him and how others looked at him. In a way he is a social outcast despite belonging to the revered and liked Hartley family. Roan was always a little different. Fiercely loyal like his siblings but with a darkness around him as he watches the world from the shadowy peripheries.
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Roan lives alone on the mountain and works as a Fish and Wildlife Officer.
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Aspen (27) is the pretty redhead who lives a short distance away on the farm down the slope , with her 6 year old daughter , Cady.
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Aspen works at The Brew , the coffee shop in town but it's not until she encounters an injured deer and calls the Fish and Wildlife department for help that the pair meet. The chemistry is absolutely crackling from the start.
I loved that Roan fell so hard for Aspen and also how Cady melted the rugged , big guy's heart. Child characters can be tricky to write - they can sometimes read as quite stilted or horrendously precocious but Catherine Cowle does this so well.
Cady is adorable and along with Roan's 6yr old nephew , Charlie, they steal every scene they are in. The animals on the farm are very cute too.
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This is a romantic suspense so there is some violence. The character development is really good and although each book in the series follows a similar plot line , each couple is different and I have enjoyed every one. If you are a fan of grumpy / sunshine and /or single parent romances then I recommend this one. Of note , Cady is actually Aspen's niece but she has been her guardian since Cady was tiny.
Romance , passion, drama , humour and a storyline that had me hooked. I read this on KU and listened to it on audible. The narration by Maxine Mitchell and Zachary Webber was exemplary. Listening time 10 hours.
Book three in the Lost and Found Series focuses on the only girl , and the youngest , in the Hartley family. Grae has had a c4.5 Grae and Caden Stars
Book three in the Lost and Found Series focuses on the only girl , and the youngest , in the Hartley family. Grae has had a crush on her brother Nash's best friend , Caden. They were always friends and she would tag along with them when they were children. When she is 15 , Grae is with Caden when she collapses and she is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - this is mentioned a lot in the book. Caden has already lost his little sister to cancer and the thought of losing Grae is too much so as soon as he can he leaves Cedar Ridge and travels the world for his family's hotel business (he's very wealthy). Caden and Grae's friendship disintegrates and they fight on the rare occasion they meet up. Caden comes back for a while to Cedar Ridge and between his father's demands and Grae trying to ward off unwanted affections from a male friend , Caden suggests they fake date. Someone is after Grae and as the threat increases they both realise there is nothing fake about their feelings for each other.
I enjoyed the story , never skimmed any pages. The pace of the plot was good. I love this series!
1) Whispers of You (Holt & Wren - Second Chance / Childhood Sweethearts) 2) Echoes of You (Nash & Maddie - Friends to Lovers ) 3) Glimmers of You (Grae & Caden - Brother's Best Friend/ friends>enemies>lovers) 4) Shadows of You (Roan & Aspen - Grumpy -Sunshine/ Single parent) 5) Ashes of You (Lawson & Hallie - Single Dad-Nanny / Age gap).
I read the ebook (borrowed on KU) and I also listened on audible. Fabulous narration by Erin Mallon & Joe Arden. Listening time 8h 30m.
“I’ve always loved you. Maybe even before I met you. I loved you when we were little kids and awkward pre-teens and when 4.5 Nash and Maddie Stars
“I’ve always loved you. Maybe even before I met you. I loved you when we were little kids and awkward pre-teens and when I finally realized what that emotion might mean. I loved you when we graduated high school and through college and every day since. Even when you were gone, the echoes of you still lived inside me, and I would play them over and over in my mind just so I wouldn’t lose the sound. I’ve loved you in every incarnation, and that will never end.�
Book two in the Lost and Found Series focuses on Nash , the youngest boy in the Hartley family, and his best friend in the whole world - Maddie (Both mid twenties). Maddie has loved Nash forever but he never 'went there' with her because he was so afraid of messing up their relationship and couldn't bear the thought of losing her. Maddie leaves Cedar Ridge and her best friend to start a relationship with Adam , a tourist she met in town. The book picks up when Maddie returns home having fled that relationship. Domestic Abuse (physical / verbal / emotional) is a theme in this story. Maddie is a lovely heroine. Growing up she has truly awful parents and you can see why Nash and his family must have seemed idyllic to her. When her home situation was unbearable she would go to Nash. When these two reconnect old feelings surface and Nash finally realises he cannot stay away any longer.
Lots of drama and suspense with a strong friends to lovers theme. Lovable characters that you feel invested in.
Each of the Hartley siblings has a book.
1) Whispers of You (Holt & Wren - Second Chance / Childhood Sweethearts) 2) Echoes of You (Nash & Maddie - Friends to Lovers ) 3) Glimmers of You (Grae & Caden - Brother's Best Friend/ friends>enemies>lovers) 4) Shadows of You (Roan & Aspen - Grumpy -Sunshine/ Single parent) 5) Ashes of You (Lawson & Hallie - Single Dad-Nanny / Age gap).
I read the ebook (borrowed on KU) and I also listened on audible. Excellent narration by Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke. Listening time 9h 10m.
"Nothing could keep me from loving you.� Not hurt or logic or an entire world separating us. We were meant to be. We would 5 Holt and Wren Stars
"Nothing could keep me from loving you.� Not hurt or logic or an entire world separating us. We were meant to be. We would always find a way back to each other.
My discovery of all books by Catherine Cowles continues with the Lost and Found Series. I really enjoyed the Tattered and Torn series and Holt was a secondary character in that one so I was curious to read his story and I was hooked from the start.
Wren (26) and Holt (28) were best friends from Kindergarten and that became a romantic relationship in their teens. These two are the epitome of soul mates.
Wren is 16 and Holt is 18 when something utterly unthinkable happens and Wren is nearly killed. She slowly recovers and Holt is there but becomes increasingly distant until he finally walks away. Ten years pass and Holt has been in the military and then owns and runs a security company. Holt is from a tight knit family and they are the reason he returns to Cedar Ridge. I felt like he would have come back anyway but an event forces his hand. Wren works in dispatch for the Police Department with two of Holt's brothers who are a Police Officer (Nash) and Chief of Police (Lawson). Wren is also best friends with their sister , Grae , so there is no way these two can avoid each other.
This is a romantic suspense so there are some twists and turns running alongside the rediscovered romance.
I really enjoyed this book. I was really invested in Holt and Wren and the secondary characters are highly entertaining. Small town romances with a close knit family on one side is my kindle catnip. Each of Holt's siblings get a story.
1) Whispers of You (Holt & Wren - Second Chance / Childhood Sweethearts) 2) Echoes of You (Nash & Maddie - Friends to Lovers ) 3) Glimmers of You (Grae & Caden - Brother's Best Friend/ friends>enemies>lovers) 4) Shadows of You (Roan & Aspen - Grumpy -Sunshine/ Single parent) 5) Ashes of You (Lawson & Hallie - Single Dad-Nanny / Age gap).
I read the ebook (borrowed on KU) and I also listened on audible. Superb narration by And Arndt & Zachary Webber. Listening time 9h 17m.
HEA? Yes. Cheating? No. Be aware (view spoiler)[ The book opens with Wren being threatened and shot. This is a romantic suspense so there is some violence /threat. (hide spoiler)] ...more
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