This book haunts me (in a good way!) It lives rent free in my head, and I can’t wait to read it a second, third, etc. time. I’m already a huge fan of Catherine Cowles, but I truly believe this is her best work yet. From laughter to tears, Ridley’s story had me feeling all the emotions. I was hooked within the first few pages—I truly felt the bond between sisters which made the story come alive.

I absolutely loved the way Ridley was portrayed—despite bringing back awful memories and opening up old wounds, she brought love and healing to a small town that didn’t know it even needed her.

The relationship building between Colt and Ridley also felt very realistic. I absolutely loved the dynamics between them, especially “enemies with benefits”.

The pacing of the novel also was fantastic, with a good blend of action, intrigue, and lightheartedness despite the heavy topics addressed. I also absolutely loved the twist at the end—often times I can guess the “bad guy” in books and movies, but I absolutely did not see this one coming.

It is a must read for anyone who loves slow burn, enemies to lovers, true crime, or thrillers. I cannot wait until it releases so I can share it with all of my friends.

With the death of her sister fueling her need to help, Ridley finds her true crime podcast working on a case that may be connected to more than just her sisters. But with answers comes danger and that is where Sheriff Colt becomes more than just a brother of one of the victims. With every turn of the page Law Man and Chaos as well as danger gets closer. The reader is taken on a wild ride to finding truth. This story will make your heart race while at the same time making it swoon.

I loved everything about this book, it had everything I love in a book. From suspense, romance, murder, and much more. Colt Brooks may be the grumpiest sheriff, but deep down he is a golden retriever.

All The Missing Piece captivated me with its heartfelt exploration of grief, resilience, and unexpected love. What truly struck me was the dynamic between Ridley and Sheriff Colt Brooks. Their initial clash brims with tension, but beneath Colt’s gruff exterior lies a man who understands the weight of tragedy. As they navigate the unfolding mystery, their relationship evolves into a beautiful blend of trust and vulnerability. I adored how their banter masked deeper emotions, making their connection feel all the more authentic. The emotional depth woven throughout the narrative left me reflecting on my own experiences with loss and healing. The author masterfully balances suspense with tender moments, allowing me to feel every triumph and setback alongside the characters. Overall, this book is a poignant reminder that sometimes love finds us in the unlikeliest of situations, making this journey unforgettable. I couldn’t recommend this story enough for anyone seeking a blend of heart and thrill.

This book was so good, from the mystery, to the romance, oh and I love some good towns people. There is not much I would change about this book at all, I was not a love with the little plot of friends with benefits, but also I don’t really like that in any book, but it’s ok because you can tell they are both lying thought there teeth about it not being serious 😂

I don't know where to begin. Well, it began in tears and ended in tears. I was not at all prepared for the journey of this book. I already had this on kindle pre order but went ahead and pre order the physical book trophy as well.

Ridley (love the freaking name) is a true crime podcaster out to help families that didn't get closure. While trying so solve a mystery she busts one wide open and the ripple effect takes out the whole town of Shady Cove.

Colt, small town sheriff, immediately hates Ridley due to town member, Celia, trying to break into Ridley's van due her thinking the cat is overheating 🤣 his grumpy attitude is not welcoming and Ridley is instantly irritated that he dislikes her for no fault of her own.

The two battle, not literally, until they have a moment of clarity and realize they can help each other and get more accomplished.

The rest of the book, oh dang. I was hooked from the begining but could not put it down after about 60%, I had to know the ending. I had so many theories that I had to know how it ended.

These two characters were developed so well I felt every emotion both of them had that I was in tears multiple times. I felt their happiness, sadness and joy.

I was invested in each character both main and side and was rooting for everyone by the end of the story.

I was torn that this was a standalone because I want to know each and every future for the characters in the end.

This is a must read from Catherine 💜

How gorgeous this is cover
!!
When Catherine said run to NetGalley to read this book early I ran and read it in one sitting !!
4.5
2.5
This book was just everything the tension, the banter everything you expect in a Catherine cowles book and more
once again I guessed the bad buy wrong but one day I will guess it right
I loved colts and Ridley's relationship so much and how they both overcame everything together

Thank you to Catherine Cowles, Sourcebooks, and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Catherine Cowles blew it absolutely out of the park for her first traditionally published book! This book was everything I could have wanted and more! All The Missing Pieces of officially in my top 5 of Catherine Cowles books ever. Ridley was such a different FMC than previous CC girls and I absolutely loved her. Her enthusiasm, spirit and fight was really refreshing. I thought the way she was developed was so unique and I l loved watching her grow. Colt was perfect. He was nuanced and complex and haunted; all the things I love about my CC men. His relationship with his sister hit me right in the heart. I loved how protective and loving he was to everyone in his life. Ridley and Colt were explosive together in every sense of the word. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat. I loved the true crime elements and how everything played out. The twist totally got me and I thought it was so well thought out. All the freaking stars. Catherine Cowles continues to be one of my all time favorite authors!

I am a huge Catherine Cowles fan and am sad to admit this wasn’t a stand from her. While I still loved reading it and enjoyed the mystery it fell a little more flat for me than I’d hoped.

Her writing is formulaic in the best way, and I usually really love the comfort and ease of that but this book felt like characters and the overall feel of the couples tension were almost being recycled in a way that I don’t usually feel with her other stories.

On the very positive side Catherine is a prolific writer and her experience and expertise really shine in this story. Her dialogue and the way she is able to make me so suspicious of every single person in the story is incredible.

Very excited to see where this series goes and how the towns story evolves!

Catherine Cowles, we are not worthy!! You are THE Queen of romantic suspence. I don't know how you keep doing it, and why I can never guess who the culprit is! I love a good true crime podcast, so this grabbed me so fast. Truthfully, I went into this completely blind. As soon as I seen netgalley was allowing the first 250 people to "read now" I ran and grabbed. If Catherine writes it, i'm reading it. So imagine my surprise, an avid true crime podcaster listener when I started reading.
Ridley just took a piece of me. She was such a light with a truly tragic past. I am no stranger to grief, so I felt it in my bones when she was living for her and her sister.
This was a enemies to lover masterpiece!!

If you like:
-enemies to lovers
-slow burn
-small town
-true crime podcasts
-grumpy x sunshine

Thank you @catherinecowles and @netgalley for allowing me to read this beauty in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Colt & Ridley’s story is a new favorite. I love a good grumpy/sunshine, and Colt is now one of my favorite grumpy grumps! If you want a great romantic suspense that will keep you guessing until the end – this one right here!! All the stars!

Stars: 5/5
Spice: 2/5

It’s been 5 years since Ridley’s twin sister disappeared, and now she’s focused that pain into a mission to help other families. But when that mission brings her to Colt’s town, the last thing he wants is for her to stir up the past.

Catherine has absolutely outdone herself with Colt & Ridley’s story! It started off with her signature devastating prologue – and I was so hooked, as always! I absolutely loved how Ridley was a woman on a mission. And knowing her sister disappeared without a trace, who could blame her? Seeing her determination to keep going even when it’s the last thing Colt wants her to do – loved it! Seeing what led to Colt being the grumpy grump he is absolutely broke my heart. This was a slow burn, and I am all for it. The side characters were hilarious. Tater, the three-legged cat, was a character herself. I just cannot say enough good things about this book! Highly recommend!

Thank you, Catherine, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley, for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Catherine Cowles is a master of romantic suspense! This book kept me guessing all the way until the end!

There’s not much I like more than small town romantic suspense from Catherine Cowles!

This brings us Ridley and Colt’s story, which is a complete standalone. Ridley travels the country in her van, making a true crime podcast when she rolls into town to investigate a cold case that’s very close to Colt’s heart. He doesn’t appreciate her stirring up trouble in his town and reopening old wounds.

They started off very antagonistically which I love. I also love when opposites attract, so the straightlaced sheriff MMC facing off with (and eventually living with) the free wheeling FMC was a lot of fun.

The mystery kept me guessing and I did not figure out who the “bad guy(s)” is/were in advance, which is the best.

I loved it!

If there’s one thing Catherine Cowles knows how to do, it’s write a sizzling romantic suspense! This book is full of tension, intrigue, and sweet romance making it the perfect read to start off 2025!

If there’s one thing about Catherine is she knows how to write a romantic suspense and this stand alone is no different. A solid 4 star read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved that the FMC was a true crime podcaster, and the reason behind her starting the podcast made this so interesting. It made me so much more invested in the book!

Ridley is taking on a new personal true crime case in a small town where a tragedy happened (you find out why she’s researching this particular case). The town sheriff is not happy with her poking into people’s business, since that person Ridley is poking around is his sister. Their first meet is definitely tense and he threatens to give her a ticket for parking her van in the wrong spot. The way she banters back with him is so fun and makes their chemistry even better.

Once Colt stops being a jerk to Ridley, he becomes the overbearing protective boyfriend although they might only have a few weeks together once her case is closed but that doesn’t stop them both from falling and falling hard.

I never saw the suspect coming in this book and didn’t even guess it was this person. I love the way the story wraps up even though it is devastating and Ridley finally gets her answers that she’s been searching for for 5 years.

Keeping my fingers crossed that there could be a book 2 in this series!

Catherine Cowles is the queen of romantic suspense and an auto buy author for me! I was so excited and grateful to get this super early ARC! This book was even more suspenseful and mysterious than her others. I was suspicious of everyone - I couldn't tell for sure who it was until the moment it was revealed.

Ridley is a sassy and independent FMC which I love. Colt is a protective and broody MMC. Their banter was great. The development of their bond and relationship was perfect. And always there is humor throughout this story and a sweet/crazy 3 legged cat!

This book had a true crimes/criminal minds vibe which I love and differed from her other books a bit. This one was also lighter on the spice/romance but its still there and done so well.

- True crime podcaster x Sheriff
- Enemies to lovers
- Small town
- Grumpy sunshine
- Found family

Fave Quotes
"God, you're pretty when you beg. Think that deserves a reward."

"Enemies with benefits would be more accurate"

"Let. Her. Go. Or I'll happily remove your balls from your body."

I hope we get more from the crew in Shady Cove. I need more of Trey and Emerson because they are already in love whether they know it or not! Thank you Catherine and Net Galley for this early ARC. I loved this book so much!!!!

Wow. This book was so good, I could not put it down. Ridley was such a brave FMC, the way she dealt with loss was amazing. I love how she chose to live her life in such a constructive way. Colt was everything I love in a broody MMC. He was cranky yet tender, rough around the edges. I think my new favorite genre is romantic suspense?! I was blown away by the ending, and can’t wait for this story to get out into the world!! Thank you Catherine Cowles and NetGalley for the chance to read this story early, I am so grateful!

All The Missing Piece is a beautifully crafted exploration of grief, resilience, and unexpected connections. The emotional authenticity in the writing has me instantly drawn into a world where loss fuels the quest for justice. Ridley Sawyer shines as a compelling protagonist, with her passion for true crime resonating deeply. The chemistry between her and Sheriff Colter Brooks is electric, highlighted by witty banter and palpable tension. Themes of vulnerability and healing weave throughout the narrative, making it a profound journey of self-discovery and connection. This story is both thrilling and heartfelt, leaving me eagerly anticipating every twist and turn. I loved it.

Can Catherine write a story I don't immediately invest myself in? No. I don't think so.

Catherine is known for writing steamy suspense novels, but this one may be tied for top place as far as most mysterious and suspenseful for me (and I'm almost through with her back catalogue, hashtag 2024 goals).

Ridley, our FMC, is incredible - as someone who was completely immersed in true crime podcasts during 2020 and 2021, I absolutely felt a connection to her as she moves across the country in search of the next case she can help crack. She's dealt with her own personal tragedy and this is strong motivator for her to keep pushing for answers. Her empathy and compassion is tangible throughout the story - the perspective of her chapters makes you feel like you not only know her, but you're a lifelong fan of her podcast and are ready to be part of her fandom looking for any tips to help authorities.

Opposite her stars our seriously grumpy, easily irritated MMC, the sheriff of Shady Cove: Colt. Born and raised in Shady Cove, the entire town knows him and he knows them - a classic tighknit community with meddling that's mostly well intentioned. He's a damaged boy with lots of cracks and broken bits and while he's not looking for any kind of relationship, Ridley's outlook on life and her drive both infuriate him and draw him in. His internal struggle over how he should engage with her and where his loyalties should lie is VISCERAL. You want to shake him and also hug him; it's very confusing lol.

As per usual, I was guessing til the last minute about who the villain of the story was and OF COURSE I was wrong. Another amazing thing Catherine does? Drop just enough "what ifs" throughout the story that you feel like you're taking a multiple choice test where you can justify just about every choice as the "right one."

If you like:
- major grumpy meets sunshine, where the sunshine is the kind fighting to break through the clouds after a thunderstorm
- small town suspicions that morph into small town rallying behind those they consider one of there own
- suspense and trauma with necessary and appropriate moments of levity and humor, specifically in the form of the town elders and the three-legged cat who loves to give a tooth hug..
.. you're going to LOVE reading this story. You will find everything you needed within the covers of this book to feel gutted, healed, fulfilled and content.

My favorite Catherine Cowles book to date. Ridley is the confident, driven and fierce FMC that we all aspire to be while Colt is the grumpy, protective and broody MMC that is ready to protect everyone he loves. These two have the best meet cute I have ever read in a book! Their chemistry and surprising connection are what makes for a perfect romance.

Then there is the suspense! It is so expertly weaved through that you don’t realize you are gathering clues from the first pages. I didn’t see the culprit coming but loved how everything played out!

I’m hoping there is more to come from Shady Cove!