Kicking myself for waiting so long to finally pick up a book by Catherine Cowles but this was a great place to start! If you like romantic suspense, stories about true crime podcasters, cold cases, small towns, serial killers, grumpy sherrifs, spunky cats, cute nicknames (Chaos + Lawman), strong family bonds, bad ass FMCs and great enemies to lovers slow burn, this is the book for you. It truly has it all and I was blown away. I also didn't see the end coming and can't wait for the next book in the Shady Cove series (I hope it's Colt's sister). This was also excellent on audio narrated by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York (two of my favs). Can we also take a minute to appreciate the gorgeous cover?? Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Catherine Cowles for the ARC & ALC in exchange for an honest

4.5⭐️

Ridley is a podcast host who looks into unsolved cases and has even helped solve a couple. She is motivated by the pain of her twin being abducted the night before their college graduation. 4 years into her podcast, she thinks she’s connected 23 cases across the country and wants to start at the beginning with the first victim who escaped, Emerson.

Colt is the grumpy sheriff who doesn’t want Ridley causing trouble in his town and wants to shield Emerson from any spotlight from this podcast.

They butt heads immediately but eventually are forced together and end up working as a team.

I enjoyed this book a lot. As someone who listens to crime podcasts I thought that part of the story was really interesting. The suspense was a good mix with the romance. I like suspense books but sometimes it’s too much and I stick with romance but this was a nice combination so I got a bit of both!

I’m seeing mixed reviews on the nicknames and I’m torn, I equally loved and cringed at them throughout the book.

Both narrators were great!

Tropes:
Grumpy/sunshine
Forced proximity
Small town
Dual POV - two narrators

So excited for another new series from Catherine Cowles. Ridley and Colt is just total oil and water ans I love the setting of Ridley being a true crime podcaster.

This story is not only the mystery of figuring out what happened to Ridley's sister but also looking at how a traumatic experience impacts others.

The romance didn't kick into about 60% of the story and there was some attraction mentioned earlier.

I didn't see the killer coming and loved how it all tied together.

Sebastian York and Andi Arndt did a great job with the narration. I can't wait to get the next book.

Thank you @sourcebookscasa @dreamscape_media for a copy of this book.

Ridley has a popular podcast where she delves into open criminal cases. And she's been successful in helping to find critical clues to close the cold cases she's worked on.

She's now determined who was the first victim of a man who has attacked many women. And one of the victims was Ridley's own twin sister. The first victim had been attacked and hurt, but she was alive. She now lives as a recluse and is closely protected by her brother, Colt. He's also the local sheriff and he thinks Ridley is a charlatan. But Ridley manages to speak with Colt's sister and make her an ally.

As Colt and Ridley get to know each other better, they find they have incredible chemistry.

The reader really doesn't know who the bad guy is until nearly then end of this exciting and well written book. I enjoyed it from start to finish.

I listened to the audio book and the narrators did a great job. I felt that I was almost part of the story.

this was a very good audio! I've been a big fan of Catherine for the longest time. This series has so much potential. It's dark and disturbing but it definitely had me hooked. I'm excited to see where it goes. I hope Emerson has a book! I want to see her happy ending.

Wow is this my favorite Catherine Cowles book to date? If it isn’t number 1, it sure is up there. I’ve said time and time again, Catherine can really write a grumpy hero and it did not fail here👏🏻

Thank you netgalley and the publishers for my #gifted copies of this book.

I adored Ridley and Colt. I don’t think there’s much more to say than that. These two had a connection not many people could understand. I loved watching them understand each other and learn to grow together.

I loved the care that Ridley used when talking to victims on her podcast and the empathy she had for everyone. I really enjoyed the true crime side of this one.

I honestly didn’t try to figure out who the perpetrator was in this one, but let me tell you, I was not expecting that!

🎧I have eyeball read this one and listened to this one and it was amazing both times. Andi Arndt and Sebastian York did such a great job as Ridley and Colt. Two of my favorites brought these characters to life.

This was my second book by the author and I liked it but it left me a bit underwhelmed. My favourite part of the book was the cat, all her literal biting was hilarious to me. The spice was pretty good even though I never quite clicked with the MMC. I really liked the FMC, but her likability felt slightly overboard into manic pixie dream girl territory. The mystery was the most disappointing part. There was no setup for the final reveal and therefore no payoff. The romance was okay, no third act break up. The moment the FMC tells MMC she loves him for the first time is another highlight of the book for me, really great payoff there.
The audiobook was really well performed by both narrators.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I truly don't think I have the words to explain how much I loved this book. Catherine Cowels is always an immediate read for me and has never disappointed. The prologue immediately has you hooked, I seriously couldn't put this down. As someone who takes great pride in always guessing the bad guy right this one had me completely stumped and beyond shocked.

The grief is strong in this book but is such an integral part of their story. I love how invested Ridley is in her career because of her personal experiences but also because she truly cares about the people she helps. Like Ridley, Colt's grief is also his motivation for his career (there is just something about a man in law enforcement written by Catherine Cowels)

The grumpy x sunshine is so strong between these mcs and the tension is unbelievable. Hate to love doesnt always work for me but Ridley and Colts shared grief and trauma make the bonding and friendship between these two so strong.

As always in a Cowels book these side characters are perfectly included and built without taking away from the main characters. The whole of Shady Cove has my heart with how protective they are of Emerson and how they accept and will do anything Ridley.

Andi Arndt and Sebastian York did a fantastic job on this audio

Outlier island…again.

2.25 Stars

I REALLY wanted to like this book, and I'm sure many people will. But it just didn't work out so well for me.

We follow our FMC, Ridley - she's a murder podcast host who travels around the country to report on cold cases that are similar to the one she has a personal connection to.

Our MMC, Colt, is the town's sheriff. Initially he's not thrilled with the arrival of Ridley in their small town. They 'banter' as 'enemies to lovers' for a few chapters and then it's a little insta for me.

It might not even be super insta but it all felt so formulaic. I felt like I'd read this before. I've only read one other Cowles book and it felt just like this one lol. There's a Hallmark undertone to these stories that I don't like. The dialogue is trite. The characters are cheesy.

The suspense was alright but it felt overshadowed by all the romance so the balance felt off to me.

I do still recommend this one - if you've enjoyed Cowles previously, you'll likely enjoy this one as well.

Also! Audio girlies! This one is narrated by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York - they did a fantastic job! 👏👏

And the cover is freaking gorgeous!

Anticipated Release Date - 01/07/2025


╰⪼ 💜True Crime Podcast FMC
╰⪼ 💗Sheriff MMC
╰⪼ 💜Grumpy ✘ Sunshine
╰⪼ 💗Forced Proximity
╰⪼ 💜Lovable Three-Legged Cat
╰⪼ 💗Small Town
╰⪼ 💜Romance ✘ Suspense





✨ Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the complementary advanced audio copy, all thoughts are my own. ✨
126 likes

This was my first title by this author but I’m definitely a new fan! This story grabbed me from the start and kept me guessing at every turn. The narration was well done and easy to listen to.

It has been a few years since I picked up a book by Catherine Cowels but what I recall is that her romantic suspense stories always felt interesting and intense. I liked this newest audiobook for the depth of the characters, the focus on solving the cold cases and the believability of the main characters connection. The mystery they were trying to solve involved a possible serial kidnapper and killer that could possibly be related to the FMC’s sisters abduction. I liked the twist of the podcast to relate to the current trend of reality crime interest by the public. The narrators were excellent. Loved them both. 4.5 stars. Was a tad long at almost 400 pages. Overall a great read.

To say I'm OBSESSED!!!

A True Crime podcaster with a tragic past goes head-to-head with a local Sheriff and boy oh boyyy was it DELICIOUS.

🎙️ small town romantic suspense
🎙️ grumpy / sunshine
🎙️ hate to love
🎙️ found family
🎙️ amazing cast of characters in the small town
🎙️ a 3 legged cat who is a delight

Oh my there is just SO much to love about this story! Ridley is a true crime podcaster who arrives in Colt's town, looking to help solve an unsolved crime that she believes is connected to many others. Colt wants nothing to do with her or her podcast, but truly, cannot help but be enchanted by her. The chemistry between these two is just SO good!

The suspense/mystery plot of this was amazinggg! I literally GASPED when the big reveal happened because honestly, I like REALLY did not see it coming!!! Maybe her best reveal yet?? One day I will guess it right... 😆

The small town setting of this could not be beat! So many fun characters that added so much to the story and had me chuckling throughout the story!

I really cannot recommend this book enough!!!

Thank you Netgalley dreamacape and sourcecasa for the free ALC. My opinions are being left voluntarily. Holy moly this was so dang good and literally jaw on the floor. This is so well done and freaked me out. I am excited to see what the rest of the series has in store..

Absolutely phenomenal

5/5☆

Someone yell at me to read more romantic suspense! This was so good. 10/10 no complaints. As soon as I went in, I knew I had to see it through. I needed the satisfaction of the bad guy being caught. For me, this one was sort of unique. A true crime Podcaster was a first in a book for me. The way Ridley and Colt go back and forth kept wondering if they would ever make it to *that* point. It was well worth it once they stopped dancing around their feelings.
I need more of this small town and its people. I can smell a Trey and Emerson book coming, and I am ready! My girl Em needs a new lease on life.
If you asked me to pick a favorite character, I'd say Princess Tater easily. She can give me toothugs any day.

Loved it even more in audio. Hearing law man and chaos brought to life was perfection.
Thank you to netgalley for the alc in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this audiobook! The narration was fantastic and the chemistry between Colt and Ridley was phenomenal. I always enjoy reading Catherine Cowles' romantic suspense novels. Though they're often predictable, they're also such comfort reads. I really enjoyed this book and I'm excited to see it will be the start of a new series. Can't wait for book two!

I really enjoyed this audio experience. As someone who loves both podcasts and audiobooks, I’ve always appreciated a good story told through sound, and this one really stood out. From the very beginning, the tension between the main characters was palpable. It wasn’t forced or over the top; it felt natural, which made me connect with the characters even more. Their interactions kept me hooked—every conversation, every silence felt charged with meaning.

I couldn’t stop listening because I was genuinely invested in how things would unfold. The pacing was just right, and even though I had a feeling something big might happen, I wasn’t prepared for how everything would come together in the end. The mystery element really surprised me. I thought I had it figured out, but the ending completely caught me off guard. It was satisfying and left me thinking about it long after the audio finished.

The whole experience felt like one of those books you just can’t put down—except this time, it was an audio experience that kept me completely immersed. There’s something unique about listening to a story this way—it draws you in with the voices, the soundscapes, and the way everything blends together. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did.

If you’re preparing to read All the Missing Pieces make sure you have plenty of time to dedicate to reading. This is a book you will not want to put down until you reach the last page. I absolutely love a book that sucks me in to the point I don’t even notice time passing around me and All the Missing Pieces did just that. The chemistry between Ridley and Colt is off the charts and in my mind a solid bonus to a great mystery read. There’s so much to love about their relationship development and character growth. I especially love the how Cowles used things like the interaction between Colt and Ridley’s cat to make you feel like you could be living the story. Also, those scenes were just hilarious. The mystery, though, is what truly captivated me. I’m usually pretty good at guessing the culprit relatively early on in a story, but Cowles had me guessing the entire time in a good way. I never ended up guessing the culprit in part due to Cowles expert misdirections. I read this via audiobook, and it was simply incredible. Given that Ridley is a podcaster, listening via audiobook felt like immersing into her podcast. I also loved the decision to use separate narrators to voice Ridley and Colt. Andi Arndt and Sebastian York did so well representing their respective characters. York brought out the gruff nature in Colt, while Arndt captured Ridley’s driven nature. I can’t recommend this book and audiobook enough.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ALC. This was a hit. The perfect amount of suspense, and a surprising reveal of the bad guy at the end. Even though Ridley is a podcaster-- there is no podcast transcript, which I appreciated. Recommended all around for readers of romantic suspense.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me access to this ALC!
This was my first Catherine Cowles' books and it won't be my last!
All the Missing Pieces will be released on Jan 7th. Ridley Sawyer, a true crime podcaster, channels her grief over her twin sister's disappearance into solving cold cases across the country. When her latest case brings her to Sheriff Colter Brooks' town, sparks fly as their clashing priorities collide. But as danger closes in, their uneasy alliance deepens, uncovering not just deadly truths but also an undeniable connection.
Absolutely loved this story! The twist completely caught me off guard, and the love story was beautifully written. The duet narration truly brought it to life—each voice actor captured the characters' emotions so perfectly that it felt like I was right there with them. It was such an immersive experience!

A fun romantic suspense. I felt like the killer was kind of meh. I loved being able to see lots of the community members.