Member Reviews
Hooked me from the beginning - had be guessing til the end.
📚 podcaster x sherif
📚 mystery/ susepnse
📚 forced proximity
📚 enemies to friends to lovers
📚 small town
📚 found family
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️
“No surprises. Nothing unexpected. I needed steady. Predictable. And my gut told me Ridley Bennet was anything but”
|Thoughts|
Couldn’t put this one down and the audiobook narration by Andi Arnt and Sebastian York really drew me into the story.
“Helped me find all the missing pieces. Even the ones I didn’t realise I needed”
The format worked really well, with Ridley undertaking some investigative journalising for her crime podcast. The mystery had me desperately wanting answers, yet they trickled out as the story progressed to a satisfying end.
Enjoyed the banter and tension between Ridley and Colt, especially in the first part of the story.
“Do not make me arrest you”
Loved the cute little nicknames they had for each other.
“Haven’t you figured it out yet Chaos. You’ve had me breaking all the rules since the day I met you”
An adult version of A Good Girls Guid to Murder. Whilst this is a standalone, there are some subtle Easter eggs to her other series.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
"We'd be playing with fire."
"Then let's watch it burn."
Rating: 4.5/5
- small town
- romantic suspense
- true crime podcaster x sheriff
- Law Man x Chaos
- grumpy (him) x sunshine (her)
- enemies with benefits
- forced proximity
- no breakup
- 🌶️🌶️/5
- dual pov
- dual narration by Sebastian York and Andi Arndt
Premise: Ridley visits Colt's hometown to report on a case that connects their sisters, and he isn't happy about her presence.
What to expect:
- a bad-ass FMC I want to be besties with! Ridley lives in a Kombi with a three-legged cat, takes down baddies through her true crime podcast, and paddleboards in her spare time. Oh, and she isn't afraid to stand up to Law Man. Yeah, I love her, and I love that she finally found a home in both Shady Cove and Colt.
- a protective MMC worried about what Ridley's presence will do to his sister and town. But once she's hurt, his protective instincts kick in, and he's all in.
- characters healing in different ways. Ridley comes face-to-face with her sister's killer and moves on finally, while Colt lets go of his guilt over not getting to his sister in time.
- a beautiful love story with banter, a dash of enemies with benefits, fun spice, and no breakup.
- a really intriguing suspense plot that keeps you guessing. I did have a sneaky suspicion about the unsub, but it's a complex story that will make your jaw drop 🤯.
- a small town full of fun and protective characters. I know this is a standalone, but I don't want it to be!
- excellent narration from Andi Arndt and Sebastian York.
Thank you to Catherine for the early copies!
Ridley is a true crime podcaster that has been diligently on the hunt to solve cold cases of abducted women all over the country after her own twin sister went missing in college and was never found. But while she uses her platform to crowd source details and new info on these cases, her real mission is to prove her theory that string all these cases together and find the culprit of her sister's abduction and presumed murder. She arrives in Shady Cove, closer than ever to discovering who is behind all the abductions by investigating the case that started it all with his first victim, the only one that survived; and she lives in Shady Cove.
As Ridley starts to engrain herself in the town, she garners the attention of the Sheriff, Colt. This grumpy protector will do just about anything to see Ridley leave Shady Cove and never come back. As the story progresses, Ridley learns just how close Colt and the entire town is to this case and why they are so protective of Emmy (the survivor), but Ridley wins them over and Colt starts to soften when he realizes her intentions are pure and they have more in common then he thought. Colt and Ridley start to work together and the closer they get to the truth, the more danger Ridley finds herself in. But her determination and dedication to the cause makes Colt fall for her and their love is forged in trust and understanding on a soul level. The story ends in suspense and mysteries revealed that, per usual, I didn't see coming!
Every time I think Catherine can't write a better story - I'm blown away. This story was riveting, enthralling and it was impossible not to invest my entire soul into their story and the mystery. If you've never read Catherine Cowles and don't know where to start, pick this one! You'll get hooked and her back catalog will become your mission!
The Dynamic Duo are our narrators for this riveting story and they're perfect. Andi Arndt and Sebastian York are the best in the narrator world for a reason. Pioneers in the romance genre, their chemistry is unmatched and when they work together you're guaranteed a 5 star performance and this was no different!
🎧🎧🎧 AUDIO REVIEW🎧🎧🎧
"All the Missing Pieces" is a standalone novel that follows Ridley, a determined crime podcaster who dedicates her life to helping families solve the mystery of their disappeared loved ones. This mission is deeply personal to Ridley, as her own twin sister vanished without a trace many years ago, a loss that continues to haunt her.
Ridley's latest investigation takes her to the small town of Shady Cove, where she delves into a botched kidnapping case from years past. The only known survivor of this harrowing event still resides in the town, providing Ridley with a vital link to the truth. However, her investigation is soon complicated by the town's grumpy yet intriguing sheriff, Colt. Despite their initial antagonism, a strong connection forms between them, one that neither can ignore.
The journey of Ridley and Colt is not just one of uncovering dark secrets but also of healing and finding love. Their evolving relationship is beautifully portrayed, showcasing how they help each other confront and overcome their painful pasts. The suspense is skilfully maintained throughout the story with the identity of the culprit remaining a mystery until the very end.
The author's talent shines through in the intricate plotting and well-drawn characters, keeping the reader guessing and engaged. If you are in the mood for a small-town romantic suspense that combines intrigue, emotional depth, and a blossoming romance, then "All the Missing Pieces" is the perfect read for you.
I highly recommend the audio version as two of my favourite narrators, Andi Arndt and Sebastian York did an excellent job giving Ridley and Colt their voices.
I stated my reading in 2025 with a BANG. My first read of the year and one that was absolutely amazing was All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles. Chef’s kiss. This book is why I read. It gave me all the best feels and I was captivated and engaged right from the start. This book included grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, small town and romantic suspense tropes and I was here for all of it.
One night changed everything for Ridley Sawyer. Her future, her past, her present. That night was the night her sister disappeared. Now she is a true crime podcaster helping others find justice. Her next case is important to her in so many ways. She is smart, determined, strong and vulnerable. I loved her character so much. She was kind, patient and caring to those she wanted to help.
Ridley knows law enforcement officers are not always excited about what she does, but Colter Brooks, Colt, really does not want her anywhere near this case. Not only because its personal, but there is something about her that pulls at him. Colt was a true grump, but he was also loyal and protective to those he cared about. He was reserved, determined and cautious and carried so much on his shoulders. He did not want Ridley anywhere near this case, however, when she is in danger, that changes everything.
I have no words to describe how much I loved this book. It was everything I love about reading. The characters were amazing, the story was captivating and I could not stop reading. Ridley and Colt had such a strong connection and their push and pull was everything. I also loved the secondary characters so much. I want to live in Shady Cove. This was narrated by Sebastian York and Andi Arndt and they were amazing and truly brought Ridley and Colt to life for me. I highly recommend this story so much. It was a top tier story and honestly, if Catherine writes it, I will read it.
Happy reading.
I am blown away!! Catherine knows how to write small town, mysterious books. This one was fantastic! I loved the themes. The blogger. The sheriff. The small town. The little van. Quirky cat. Tooth hugs 🤣 I loved how brave Ridley was. Loved the grumpy Colter. I loved how protective Colter was. I enjoyed seeing Ridley and Colter work on the cases. I enjoyed how they got closer as they worked. This book kept me guessing this time. I was blown away in the end. Such a great book!!
*4.5 Stars
I absolutely loved all the true crime aspects of this!! This was such a fun way to start off a new series and I think it's one of my favorite set ups from Catherine!
The plot had me hooked from the start. I loved seeing Ridley kick butt with her podcast and that she never gave up on finding out what happened with her sister. Her storyline broke my heart but seeing how everything came together and was connected was great. Once again, I did not guess who the bad guy was haha I had some theories that were once again, wrong. But I love that Catherine continues to fool me!!
Aside from the plot, I really did like our characters. Specifically, I love a good grumpy Sheriff so Colt is my kind of hero! I loved how Colt and Ridley met and how she got under his skin. I loved how they had a shared love for whiskey and their furry friends!! They were slow to burn but when they burned, it was hot!! They truly got each other and I loved that Ridley was able to find a home with Colt and Shady Cove. I really did like some of the side characters too, so I'm excited to see if we get more from Shady Cove!!
I did feel like the romance was a little slow in the first half of the book, at least compared to some of Catherine's other books. So the feel of everything was just a tad different. But once we got the romance, it was perfect and I had a great time! If you are a true crime fan, I bet you will love this and highly recommend!
Thank you so much to Catherine Cowles and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC and ALC!
Best. Book. Ever!
"It shouldn't have been possible for chaos to be so calming, but it was."
Oh my goodness, I fall more and more in love with Catherine's books with each one I read. Ridley and Colt were amazing. I love the two of them so much and their journey together. Ridley was so determined and strong. My heart broke for her but I was cheering her on to find out the truth she was searching for. Colt was so grumpy but so very protective of those that he cared for.
And I can't forget Tater! Tater was absolutely amazing and made my cat-momma heart so happy. I would be honored to receive a tooth hug from Tater lol!
The reveal of who was behind everything had me shook to my core. I was not expecting that at all. My mouth was literally hanging open in shock and I got chills. Catherine is hands down the plot twist queen!
I listened to the audio version of this book, narrated in dual by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York. This was an amazing performance from both of them! They brought every emotion in this book to life, whether it was laughter or heartbreak or shock. I couldn't think of anyone better to voice these characters.
If you are a lover of true crime podcasts and romantic suspense, you HAVE to pick this book up!! Catherine my romantic suspense queen melds together all of those elements into one of my new favorite romance books she's ever written!
Ridley is a true crime podcaster who is visiting Shady Cove where she thinks a serial killer had his first victim. Unfortunately for her, Colt the sheriff in town doesn't want her sniffing around and drudging up the old trauma and pain from the past. Especially when she starts to question people in his town. Ridley is determined to find the truth, though, so she breaks down the case and Colt finds himself roped into her investigation.
Omg the hate to love tension between these two was EVERYTHING. I loved how Ridley slowly broke down Colt's defenses until he couldn't resist her anymore. This suspense kept me on the edge of my seat and I was completely SHOCKED by the villain. We had such a fun group of characters in this small town and loved discovering the town along with Ridley as she was diving into this case. I also loved Colt's sister and his best friend!
Everything about this book was perfection and I cannot recommend it enough!!! You ABSOLUTELY have to pick this up when it releases on January 7!!!
i had no idea what i was getting into when i picked up this book. all i knew was the podcaster x cop for the main characters and when i tell you i was SO amazingly + pleasantly surprised 😍
this is my first novel by Catherine Cowles and i can promise you it won’t be my last.
this book is a romantic suspense following true crime podcaster ridley who follows a story into a small town where she meets a hunky grumpy cop Colter Brooks and their fueding begins.
i’ve never done romantic suspense (i’m not a thriller girlie - i’m too sensitive) and this definitely pushed me 🤪 i thought it was so well done. an amazing balance between the romance plot and the plot plot.
i did NOT see the ending coming (i had my suspicions and was way off 😅)
also, tater 5ever.
Ridley is a traveling true crime podcaster who arrives in Shady Cove to work on the case of Emerson, who was abducted but survived. Ridley’s own sister was abducted five years ago and she believes the cases are related.
Ridley has a run in with the small town’s Sheriff, Colter Brooks. He isn’t pleased with her nosying around in his town—especially since Emerson is his sister.
Catherine Cowles is the queen of romantic suspense. This time, I felt like the romance was overshadowed by the suspense plot. Super slow burn. It felt like insta love when it did happen, because they barely knew each other/anything about each other.
I listened to the ALC along with the book. It is narrated by AndI Arndt and Sebastian York. Very well done.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca, Dreamscape Media, NetGalley and the author for an advanced readers copy/advanced listeners copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5⭐️ | 2🌶️
Narrated by Andi Ardnt & Sebastian York
Shady Cove | Ridley Sawyer & Colter Brooks | standalone
✨mini synopsis✨
After Ridley’s twin sister’s disappearance changed her life forever she started a true crime podcast. She travels all over covering stories finding justice for others. This lands her in the small town of Shady Cove, but her arrival isn’t a warm one thanks to the broody sheriff, Colter Brooks. He isn’t happy about her poking around his town, but when a Shady Cove cold case turns hot these two have no choice but to work together to solve the case.
🧩true crime podcaster x town sheriff
🧩grumpy x sunshine
🧩enemies to lovers
🧩romantic suspense
🧩forced proximity
🧩slow burn
This is my new favorite book of Catherine’s!!!!
This audio was absolute perfection with Andi and Sebastian! These two had you feeling like you were actually solving a cold case with them and the intensity and banter between them was electric. Ridley is a beautiful, strong, sunshiney fmc who hasn’t let one of the most horrific experiences of her life keep her down. She lives life for her sister & that’s so beautiful! Colter is broody, ultra protective (for good reason), but also can’t help himself when it comes to Ridley. When the slow burn ignites these two are 🔥🔥🔥 we love to see a broody mmc gone for his woman!!!
“Show no mercy, Chaos.”
“Grab the headboard, Chaos.”
I, of course, did not solve this one. I was close, but i mean I was suspecting everyone so I don’t think that counts 🤣 Catherine always gives us the best ending we didn’t see coming!
Thank you @catherinecowlesauthor @sourcebookscasa @netgalley for the early copy for me to review!
4.5⭐️
I absolutely had so much fun listening to this story! I was invested from the first chapter and couldn’t stop listening! I finished this in one sitting. The plot was fantastic, and the characters sucked you in!
I absolutely loved this one! My new favorite by Catherine Cowles. The characters were perfection and I couldn’t put it down! I will be recommending to everyone!
Ridley is a true crime podcaster working a new case of Emerson Sinclair, who was abducted but escaped in small-town Shady Grove. This case is personal to her, as she believes this abduction is related to 23 other cold cases, including her twin sister’s. This small town is full of characters reluctant to open up to her, including the town’s broody Sheriff, Colt Brooks. Will Ridley be able to help find closure for Emerson, her sister and the other numerous victims?
I am sincerely thankful to Catherine Cowles for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
thank you dreamscape media and NetGalley for this early audiobook copy 🫶🏻
my first catherine cowles book and it did not disappoint!!
if you love true crime podcasts and romantic suspense, this one is for you! i was not expecting the ending at all but I loved every second of it
I will definitely be exploring more of catherine’s work and diving into romantic suspense more!
This audiobook adaption was absolutely perfect. The narrators brought Catherine’s story beautifully. Great emotion, well paced, and consistent throughout. I loved this true crime podcast take on romantic suspense with Ridley, Colt, and of course princess Tater. I gasped multiple times and loved the small town humor.
If you like romantic suspense, this first in a new series by Catherine Cowles is a sure bet for entertainment.
Ridley Bennett is a True Crime Podcaster that travels the country looking for stories. She lost her sister Avery in a kidnapping suspected murder several years ago and has never stopped looking for the perpetrator. In her investigations she has come to see somewhat of a pattern to a number of kidnappings. Some women the suspect lets go, but eventually starts killing victims. One particular case is set in Shady Grove, and she heads there with her customized van (Bessie) and her three legged cat Tater. This particular case has many similarities to her sister’s and a few others, but in this one the victim escaped. She anxiously wants to talk to the young woman, Emerson, but she is protected by the townspeople, and particularly her brother, the sheriff. After a few encounters with her brother Colt, he has nicknamed her Chaos, and he is Law Man. They both fight the attraction, but after Emerson agrees to talk to Ridley, and Colt realizes Ridley is not trying to take advantage of Emerson they can’t fight the pull.
As always the side characters are amazing. There’s laughs, lots of tense moments and a wonderful love story. I can’t recommend this novel enough.
Can’t wait to listen to the audio version.
What a perfect romantic suspense book! You follow the story of Ridley who is a crime podcaster who is also searching for her missing twin sister. She makes her way to a town in search of some answers for another woman who had went through some similar things her sister may have.
While in town she meets Colt the town Sheriff who has also had a loved one taken from him but in a different aspect.
The slow build of romance and the suspense of this book had kept me reeled in from the start! Catherine Cowles knows how to write in a way that you don’t get lost one of or the other. Such a perfect blend.
I also had not clue what the twist would be by the end and was a little stunned once I found out. Such a nice surprise that was for me. And I was also fortunate enough to listen to this on audiobook and it was really well done.
Thank you to @netgalley and @dreamscape_media for the privilege of receiving this audiobook to listen before publication. This book releases on January 7th, 2025.
This was my first Catherine Cowles book & I absolutely had a blast. I can't believe I've waited this long to read her books, especially because romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres.
This story is about Ridley & Colt. Ridley is a true crime podcaster who is also trying to solve her twin sister's murder. Colt is the sheriff of a small town. Both Ridley and Colt were such great characters. I really liked their connection and how they had similar trauma. They both helped each other deal with grief and guilt while also discovering the truth. If you love a protective man, Colt is your guy. I just swooned over how much he wanted to protect Ridley and his sister Emerson, but at the same time was never controlling. I love to see a protective man also be one that trusts his girl to be a badass, and that's what Ridley was. I cheered for her the whole book. I admired her determination, kind-heart, cleverness and, yes, her chaos. The nicknames these two used were too cute! They also had good chemistry. I liked their banter a lot. I also really liked that we got to see this couple go through ups and downs. They got to be each others' emotional support but also had fun. I really liked these characters & pairing.
I found the plot exciting and fast paced. I had no clue who the killer was. Cowles really got me with this one!
The narrators did an awesome job! Andi Arndt & Sebastian York truly brought this story to life.
This book is for the true crime podcast girlies and romantic suspense lovers. Highly recommend!!
All the Missing Pieces was incredible. Ridley is a True Crime Podcaster that doesn't just tell the stories of the victims, she tries to solve cold cases. I loved that she was so active in the crime solving, even if the reason behind it was heartbreaking. The suspense in this book was incredible and true to Catherine's style, I spent the entire book trying to guess who the bad guy was and still got it wrong.
Emerson, one of the victims of the case Ridley is working on, is such a strong woman and I loved seeing her heal and process her traumas with Ridley.
Colt, the love interest, is a grumpy ass sherif and sometimes a little too much of an ass but he won me and Ridley back with a litter box (and a classic who did this to you). I swooned a bit at the classic you're staying with me line and the grab the headboard moment. Oh my goodness. 👏🏻
Catherine always does an amazing job crafting side characters. They are so vibrant and full of life. I loved all the personalities she put into the book. The way they rallied around Ridley once they realized she was an honest person trying to help was really amazing.
Also special shout out to the Princess Tater, our tripod cat companion, who is a cranky, tooth hugging angel. She was a star in this book.
I know this book is meant to be a standalone but I am really hoping for more books, especially one about Trey.
Andi Ardnt and Sebastian york both portrayed their characters perfectly and only made the audiobook and the story more enjoyable.