This just might be my favorite Catherine Cowles book! She does romantic suspense so well & this one felt like it was on another level. The true crime aspect hooked me from the start & I couldn’t put it down! Ridley was such a great FMC - brave & confident & I liked her outlook/perspective despite everything. I also loved the small town charm & cast of characters, so I’m ecstatic this is a series! 5⭐️

This is my new favorite Catherine Cowles book!! And it’s a standalone, so if you’d like some TOP TIER romantic suspense without the commitment of a series, this is for you!

No one does romantic suspense like her and this one had me completely off guard with the reveal of the unsub! I suspected EVERYONE at one point I swear, but not this person!

If you like true crime, this book is right up your alley.

Colt & Ridley
Lawman & Chaos
Sheriff & podcaster

You’ll be hooked from the prologue. Ridley lost her sister years ago and now hosts a true crime podcast helping families figure out what happened to their loved ones. She ends up in Shady Cove working on a cold case naturally runs into a grumpy sheriff. And the BANTER between these two was perfection.

5 ⭐️ 2 🌶️

Small town •romantic suspense • grumpy x sunshine • forced proximity • enemies to lovers • sheriff MMC come

This story completely consumed me. Catherine has this magical way of capturing the human experience in all of its rawness while providing levity with the wonderful side characters, shout out to Tater, love you Princess Tater.

I feel like All The Missing Pieces was a love letter to grief and all of its complexities.

Ridley has dedicated the past four years to helping people find peace through her true crime podcast. And she's tried to live life to the fullest and for herself and her sister.

Colt has dedicated his life to serving and protecting and ultimately trying to make up for not being there for his sister when she needed him most. And one woman has the power to upend his world.

The way Colt and Ridley understand each other is on a molecular level, they've both experienced trauma and grief, and I think that's initially why they butt heads. But you can feel the sparks from their first meeting.

And in a shocking turn of events ---no spoilers--- I was wrong...again.

Catherine Cowles’ Sparrow Falls series was one of my favorite reads in 2024 so I jumped at the chance to kick off my 2025 reading with her new small town romantic suspense novel, All the Missing Pieces.

Ridley Sawyer has felt like a piece of her was missing ever since her twin sister disappeared just before the two of them were supposed to go off to college. The case goes cold and Ridley’s sister is presumed dead, but Ridley’s need for answers, as well as her need to process her grief in her own way, leads her to become a true crime podcaster.

Armed with little more than podcasting equipment, a three-legged cat named Tater, and her trusty VW van, Ridley travels the U.S covering cold cases, specifically those that are similar to her sister’s. If she can’t get justice for her sister, maybe she can get it for someone else.

I loved Ridley fiercely. That fire in her and the way she channeled her grief for her sister into something that could help so many people just immediately had me in her corner cheering for her. I also loved everything about the small town where the story takes place, especially Colt, the grumpy sheriff love interest, and the meddlesome townsfolk. They’re so protective and want to run anyone out of town they view as a threat, but then as soon as they realize they aren’t a threat, they practically adopt them as their own.

The chemistry between Ridley and Colt is everything, and while it was fun at first watching them get under each other’s sun, I enjoyed it all the more once Ridley’s cold case heats up, and their relationship heats up right along with it! The case itself is also well done, with enough twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.

I read the print copy and listened to the ALC and highly recommend both formats. Andi Arndt and Sebastian York narrated and I don’t think anyone else could have done it better. It was fire!

This was my first Catherine Cowles and I am impressed!

As a heavy true-crime-podcast consumer, this book called for me. I LOVED following Ridley throughout her investigation in Shady Cove, and the adjacent romance to the suspenseful plot was the icing on the cake.

By 30% in, I couldn’t stop listening. I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the interviews, podcast process, and getting to know what Colt was thinking during his POVs.

Something that I haven’t seen talked about enough is how the FMC becomes involved IN the mystery- not just trying to solve it. The high-stakes had me at the edge of my seat. I *had* to know how it was going to end.

Finally, the cover is BEAUTIFUL! I love the colors and the design is perfection.


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I would recommend this book to lovers of: mystery, true crime, romance, grumpy x sunshine trope, forced proximity trope, “who did this to you,” hurt/comfort, and pet sidekicks!

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A note regarding the narrators:

Andi Arndt/ Elena Wolfe’s narration is just as pleasant to listen to with this story as it was with Lights Out, or any of her other books. She is an immensely talented actress and I’m always in awe of her.

This is my first audio with Sebastian York and he nailed the broody-sheriff-with-secrets-of-his-own voice! 10/10

——

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Team Catherine Cowles for this audiobook ♡

4.5⭐️

✨smalltown romance suspense
✨crime podcaster
✨sheriff
✨forced proximity
✨he’s grumpy
✨cute animals

Well I did it everyone, I FINALLY guessed the villain correctly!! It’s a Christmas miracle ✨✨✨

This was right up my street, I don’t listen to podcasts but I do love a bit of true crime and the story had me hooked from the get go! The mystery of Ridley trying to find out who hurt Emerson, being new to town and everyone being a suspect, whilst also facing her own demons, and then throw a grumpy sheriff into the mix!

I did love Ridley and Colt, but Princess Tater was the star of the show 🐈 her tooth hugs were adorable😂

As always with Catherine, the audio was 10/10, Andi Arndt is elite!

It was such a treat getting to listen to Catherine’s latest m*rdery story. And with Andi and Sebastian at the helm, you just know it’s going to be amazing. This holy trinity of goodness didn’t disappoint.

This story had me sending Catherine crazy voice memos while I was guessing who the psych0 could be. Newsflash: I got it wrong twice, but I got it wrong enthusiastically, so that’s okay. The narration was stellar. Andi is the geeky podcaster living in a campervan with her cat that gives tooth hugs. They’re a thing, don’t you know! And Sebastian is the sheriff who finds himself falling deeper and deeper for the infuriating woman on a mission.

I loved their backstories, and I need a mini taser like Ridley’s. I was fist-pumping when she used it. IYKYK.

This story will keep you guessing and delivers on the plot twists, spice, side characters, strong FMC/MMC, and a tooth-hugging feline. What more could you want?

I loved the beautiful perspective on life this book gives the reader. Just beautifully done and so insightful. I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters after I finished. Highly recommend.

ALC REVIEW:

Ridley Sawyer’s twin sister went missing years ago and no body was ever found and no suspects arrested. This drives her to become a true crime podcaster, to try to help other people in her situation get the closure she needs.

When she ties an old kidnapping case (with a survivor) to her sister’s disappearance, she goes to the small town the survivor is from to investigate.

Initially this small town is not very welcoming, especially not the Sheriff, Colt.

But as time goes by and Ridley proves her intentions are pure the town, and Colt start to warm up to her.

I was completely blindsided when the culprit is revealed. I didn’t suspect that person in the least.

It was a good quick read. It wasn’t life changing, and if given the yes, no, maybe challenge, I would probably give it a maybe.

“𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝘁, 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘀? 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗜 𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂.”

All The Missing Pieces follows Ridley, a true-crime podcaster looking to get answers on a cold case involving her twin sister’s disappearance. After inserting herself in the small town of one of the surviving victims, she meets Colter Brooks - the skeptical Sheriff with a personal connection to the case. As the cold case turns hot, Ridley and Colt must work together and uncover the truth in hope that no one else gets hurt in the process.

Catherine Cowles has easily become my favorite romantic suspense author. Her books keep me guessing until the end while having the tension and the banter that I look for in a typical romance.

I am a sucker for enemies to lovers, but throw in a vulnerable sheriff that cares for her when she gets hurt?! I’m sold. Ridley is the sunshine to Colt’s grumpy and their stories hooked me in from the very beginning - not to mention the sassy banter and Ridley’s three-legged cat, Tater, who is the cherry on top of the sundae that is this delightful book. Like Catherine Cowles’ other books, the side characters (or animals) play a huge role in telling these stories and the books truly wouldn’t be the same without them. I am crossing my fingers for some sort of spinoff or series because I am not ready to leave Shady Cove!

⭐️: 4.25/5

🧩 true crime podcaster
🧩 sheriff hero
🧩 forced proximity
🧩 small town suspense
🧩 grumpy/sunshine
🧩 enemies to lovers

Andi Arndt and Sebastian York bring this book to life!! I read this in tandem with the physical copy and it was a real treat 💕

Catherine Cowles has a way of writing characters that pull you in and make you feel all the emotions. This novel has a unique premise and storyline which had me completely drawn in from the prologue. Plus, who doesn’t love a paddle-board riding, life vest wearing, three legged sidekick named Tater. She is an adorable cat and complete scene stealer!

Ridley Sawyer lost her twin sister, Avery, years ago in a horrific way. The crime is unsolved and Ridley believes her sister is one of over twenty victims from the same madman. The killer is still out there and she wants answers. She also desperately wants to find her sister. Ridley’s loss and wanting to seek justice motivates her to be a true crime podcaster. She travels from town to town in a VW van, “ Bessie” interviewing and investigating.

Ridley’s next stop is Shady Cove. Emerson Sinclair lives there and she is one of the few who was abducted and survived. First place she heads in the small northern California town is for groceries and coffee. This errand ends with a run-in with a very broody and moody town sheriff, Colt Brooks. Let’s just say the meet-cute is adorable and hilarious and involves Tater the cat too:)

Little does Ridley realize how much her life is about to change in this small little town and how Colt is going to affect her heart. Little does Colt realize how much he needs Ridley too. The angst, the banter, the tension, and the slow burn is palpable between these two. I couldn’t get enough! Enemies to lovers at its best!! Plus, what I adored about Ridley in this book is she is tenacious and strong and just doesn’t ever give up. The memory of her sister and what she’s fighting for keeps her going and kept me reading. I couldn’t put this down. The end is beautiful and the dedication at the beginning will stuck with you throughout the book. Be prepared to feel it all. From tears to joy to an overwhelming amount of melancholy for what Ridley has lost. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you are a romantic suspense fan this is the book for you!
It is no secret that I am a huge Catherine Cowles fan and this was another huge win! I’M OBSESSED! I was hooked from the first page. The way Catherine grips you and doesn’t let you go is so impressive. The setting, the characters and the plot line were all so well done and hold you hostage in this story never wanting to put the book down.
As a huge fan of shows like Criminal Minds (in another life I would have studied criminology) the suspense plot in this book was one of my all time favs from Catherine. I NEEDED to know the answers. I was constantly making guesses and was truly suspicious of everyone. When things were finally revealed I was screaming, I got it so wrong!
The romance was also incredibly well done and so balanced with the suspense. I didn’t feel like either one overtook the other. Ridley and Colter matched so well. The banter and chemistry was perfection.
The audiobook is so well done. Catherine always picks the perfect narrators for her characters.

Definitely make sure to pick this book up when it releases January 7th!!

This audiobook was SO good! The production was done so well. I love a Catherine cowles book so much, the suspense is always so captivating and THE PLOT TWIST it actually got me this time. I loved this book so much .

first off, thank you so much to Catherine Cowles, Netgalley, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the E-ARC and ALC!

my first book of 2025 and the fact that it was a five star read just made it 10x better! I Catherine Cowles is truly the queen of romantic suspense and I will die on that hill. Her writing just sucks you in and keeps you guessing the entire time while giving you some of the most beautiful romance and couples!

Ridley and Colt both have my whole heart! they both went through so much and closed themselves off but watching them open up with each other and be exactly what the other needed was beautiful and I will never shut up about them.

It’s not a Catherine Cowles book if she doesn’t give you a big reveal and I’m not even gonna lie, she really got me with this one. I spent the entire book suspicious of every single person that was mentioned and was still somehow bamboozled!

I was definitely crying while reading the epilogue cause it was just so precious and I can’t tell you how badly I need a book about 2 specific chapters that I fell in love with!

rating: 5/5 stars

Catherine has done it again.

If you are a true crime podcast fan who also loves romance this is the book for you. I can always count on Catherine to deliver a book that will keep me wanting more and keep me up at all hours of the night so I can figure out what's next in the book. This book was no different, this book easily reminded me of listening to my favorite true crime podcast at one point I had a note started in my phone with my theories as to who did it. I will say this was the only time I've ever been right. All the Missing Pieces is a perfectly executed suspenseful small town mystery romance, Catherine is known for her twists and turns and while I did guess the twist this time, I still was in awe- the pieces to the puzzle were there all along and a few times I was thinking to myself no it couldn't be that person, or could it? I love books that keep you on the edge of your seat throughout and this felt like I was alongside both Ridley and Colt the whole time.

Ridley is a character that I simply adored. I loved that she dropped essentially everything for vanlife and to go solve crimes while doing so on her podcast. She used her own pain and trauma to help others and their families in their time of need and honestly her meeting Colt was meant to be. He truly is what you'd describe as a grump, but once you get to know his character and his walls break down they are the perfect balance for each other. The spice was not at all too much and it honestly added so much to the story, the "fuck it" moment was everything.

All in all this book is perfect for romance lovers who enjoy a true crime podcast or two. I hope that Catherine writes more books in this series because I'd be all in for it. This was a truely fun book to read, I read it both physically and listened to the audiobook I loved it that much.

Thank you to Catherine and team for the ARC/ALC- it was a blast to read and listen to.

I absolutely ATE this one up. we get good romance, a cozy small town setting & the suspense made it really hard to put it down.

the story follows ridley, a true crime podcaster, who is investigating a serial killer in shady cove. she meets lawman, a super grumpy. I loved everything about the story & I was so invested.

I got to read this as an audiobook & the narration was just perfect. all the missing pieces is now available paperback & kindle unlimited.

pick this up if you love:
🗻 true crime
🗻 sassy FMCs
🗻 suspense in your romance books

thank you catherine cowles, dreamscape media & netgalley for the ALC

This may now be my favorite book to date from Catherine! No one can write romantic suspense quite like she does. Once I started, I could not put this book down! Catherine always has a way of sucking you in from the Prologue and not letting go until the last page. I was so engrossed with Colt and Ridley’s story. I truly thought I had the perp figured out from the beginning, but Catherine had me second-guessing myself with every twist and turn... and once again, I was way off base.

Ridley is the host of a true crime podcast, and she travels the country investigating cold cases with her trusty three-legged sidekick Tater. Her own personal tragedy is the driving force behind finding answers for victims and the hope of helping their families find peace.

It’s this determination, along with the knowledge of a woman escaping her abductor that brings her to Shady Cove. She is convinced this small town holds the missing pieces to finally solving her twin sister’s disappearance, and nothing will stop her. Especially the grumpy town sheriff that is not too happy with her arrival and her disrupting his town.

This remarkable story is narrated in dual by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York. These two were perfect for conveying emotions and bringing Ridley and Colter to life! They added so much depth to an already captivating story, and I never wanted their performance to end.

Andi conveyed Ridley’s passion, sass, integrity, strength, and empathy impeccably. Andi truly connected with Ridley on a deep emotional level by showcasing her devotion and tenacity to solve these cases with the utmost care. Andi’s sweet and gentle tone encapsulated the true essence of Ridley’s character through and through.

Sebastian was the perfect choice for our grumpy and protective local sheriff. His deep, rich timbre portrayed Colt’s protective and commanding persona phenomenally. But then we get to see when Colt’s emotions begin to become conflicted in regards to Ridley. Sebastian softens his gruffness, and his tone becomes more gentle and coaxing when Colt realizes that Ridley is there to help and not hurt his small town.

Basically, if you’re a true crime podcast lover, you are going to absolutely love this book! I highly recommend this on audio!

From the moment I pressed play, 'All the Missing Pieces' gripped me so tightly I found myself sneaking in listening time during every spare moment. This Mystery Romance had me in such a chokehold!

The night before their College graduation, Ridley’s twin sister vanished without a trace, leaving their family haunted and heartbroken. Ridley channels her pain by helping other families find closure by traveling the country in her camper van and bringing light to their missing loved one's cases on her True Crime podcast.

It doesn’t take Ridley long to bump heads with the broody and loyal Sheriff of Shady Cove, Colter Brooks. Colt happens to also be Emerson’s brother, the one whose story brought Ridley to Shady Cove. The Sheriff is highly protective of his sister since her attack and escape and doesn’t hesitate to discourage Ridley at every turn!

What I loved:

Shady Cove is a small community that watches after their own and they’re highly protective of Emerson. The small town community gives the story a cozy feel. The gossip mill is thriving and its funny how fast news spreads around town. Ridley is initially met with resistance, but the more they get to know her and her motives, the more the town rallies around her to find the truth.

The healing and the romance were my favorite part! Once Ridley and Colt stop fighting each other and lower their walls, they realize how much guilt and pain they each carry over not protecting their sisters. Their relationship brings hope and healing and the chemistry between them is so good!

The big reveal will have your jaw on the ground!

If you love small-town mysteries with great romance and a touch of emotional healing, 'All the Missing Pieces' is one you won’t want to miss!

Romance Content: 3 Open-door scenes and language

Thank you Catherine Cowles, Netgalley, and Dreamscape Media for my #gifted ARC and ALC.

Catherine Cowles weaves a beautiful story of hope in the wake of tragedy in the small town of Shadow Cove.

Ridley is the true-crime podcaster searching for answers. Colt is the grumpy sheriff who’s had it with her meddling.

Ridley is all strength and sunshine with her cute VW van and demanding kitty. She chooses to see the positive in life despite all the trauma. Colt is so grumpy, but I love how good he is under the tough exterior. The circumstances have made him bitter but their connection brings them together, breaking down their walls.

I loved getting to know Emerson (wish I could get more!), many other residents of Shady Cove, and Tater and Bowser!

The mystery was so good…it kept me riveted until the end! Also be prepared for all the emotions…chills, tears, joy. I didn’t want to leave Shady Cove!

Thanks for ALC and eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Five-plus stars for All The Missing Pieces! I have been reading Catherine Cowles' books for a while now, and I always appreciate how she mixes emotion and romance with suspense. All The Missing Pieces was a perfect blend of all three elements as Colt and Ridley went from barely being able to stand the sight of each other to falling in love. (Oh, I can't forget the perfect names her characters come up with for one another, like Chaos and Law Man!)

After losing her twin sister, Ridley has made it her life's mission to try to help other families gain a sense of peace that she doesn't have. She's a popular true crime podcaster who investigates cold cases, sometimes successfully helping law enforcement find a new angle to solve the case. That is what brings her to Shady Cove — and because the unsolved case she's tracking actually involves a victim, Emerson, who managed to get away, Ridley and her poking around are not exactly welcomed.

Colt and Ridley definitely get off on the wrong foot, but that makes their falling in love so much sweeter. Because the chemistry between those two was off the charts! While her being in Shady Cove is stirring up all kinds of emotions in him, and bringing things to light that his family would much rather leave in the dark, it also helps him heal and move past the trauma that he and his family lived through.

All The Missing Pieces was beautifully written, from start to finish. Colt and Ridley captured my attention from the first moment they met — fighting over her cat Tater, who was left unattended in her van — to the very last page. As I fell in love with the main characters, I also fell in love with the supporting players in the story — especially Emerson and her resilience. (I can't wait to see her get her own HEA as this series continues!) The suspense component of this story had me guessing all the way, and I never suspected the twist that the story took!

Sebastian York and Andi Arndt narrated the audio for this book, and they did a phenomenal job. I loved listening to the way SebYo said "Chaos," and how the vulnerability he brought to the character of Colt. Likewise, Andi was so colorful in her portrayal of Ridley

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.