Member Reviews

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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!!

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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.

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Ridley travels the country trying to solve cold cases for her true crime podcast. Colt is a small-town sheriff who takes an immediate dislike to her and the attention Ridley is bringing to his small town. Eventually both the case and their feelings heat up.

This romantic suspense held my attention. I was intrigued by the story and curious to find out who had committed the crimes. I was less impressed by the romantic couple. Overall I didn't find anything about this story that elevated it above average, but there was nothing wrong with it. Fans of Catherine Cowles will be happy to read her latest novel.

The audiobook is narrated by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York, both of whom were great.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me with an advanced copy of this audiobook.

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Catherine’s first fully traditionally published book was amazing! I loved the entire premise of this story and the connection between the two main characters.
I truly felt for both Ridley and Colt for what they went through in their own lives. I loved the way Ridley took her traumatic experience and used it to help people, including herself. Also, I just want to be Ridley in terms of travelling in her old van with her cat - that sounds like an absolute dream!
Oh Colt… I love a man who is not afraid to show his emotions and feelings. I love that he never really held back from Ridley, even if he was upset with her. He also had his fair share of a traumatic experience and seeing him blame himself for so long was heartbreaking.
The chemistry between Ridley and Colt was amazing! Two hearts that have suffered greatly but that were meant to find each other. And we all know Colt grew to love Tater’s “tooth hugs”.
This one broke my streak of guessing the unsub correctly (darn you Catherine…), so I guess were back to square one going forward.
If you have loved any of Catherine’s past books, please pick this one up! You’re going to love Ridley and Colt!

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The narrators really knocked this one out of the park. I felt so immersed in the story listening to Colt's character and how Ridley's sass came in to play. SO GOOD. Once I started this one, I couldn't put it down. I adored Law Man and Chaos (Colt and Ridley) who are working for the same goal, but on different sides of the law. For years, his sister's case has haunted him and when the out of town podcaster comes in ready to take on the case he's guarded. He's the grump of all grumps with a protective streak to rival most. She takes it all in stride and is there only for the sole purpose of solving a string of attacks that she discovered from her twin sister's disappearance. We are given multiple angles that point to different suspects and it had me waffling until the final reveal. I am usually pretty great at calling it, but this one got me good. Bravo to Catherine on an epic rom suspense. While I would love more from this world, she did a beautiful job wrapping everything up beautifully and completely.

POV: 1st, Dual
Angst: Medium
Spice: 3/5

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I loved this listen from start to finish. I barely hit the pause button. The storyline is compelling, smart, has great characters and taps into the obsession with solving the unsolvable. When Ridley’s twin sister goes missing in an instant so many lives are impacted in so many different ways. Her mother becomes a shell of her former self, her father tries to be the supportive father and husband while Ridley is determined to find out what happened to her beloved sister and refuses to give into the fear. She becomes a podcaster who lives out of her van with her cat traveling the country researching and solving other missing person, murder unresolved cases. And she is really good at it. If she cannot find out what happened to be sister, she can help others and bring them some peace. The last thing she needs or wants is anyone getting in her way. When she is readying her next story she runs into a brick wall named Sheriff Brooks. He doesn’t want her in town and all of the eyes and craziness that she will bring with her. When she gets close to some answers and becomes a target herself, he steps in and their wind up helping each other. Not going to give anything away, but the ending was fantastic. We get the answers we came for. Some expected and some really surprising. So glad I listened as the narration added to the experience.

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Thank you @dreamscapemedia and @sourcebooks for my copies!

I alternated between the e-book and audiobook, and I loved having both formats because I did not want to put this one down! I loved it so much. This is definitely one of my favorites books for 2024. This is my third book by the author and she has such a way with her writing that pulls you into the story, and connects you with the characters. The pacing was great, the story was gripping, and the suspense had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I couldn’t wait to find out who the unsub was, and how the story was going to play out. I also loved the romance between Ridley and Colt. Ridley is strong and independent, and is putting herself in dangerous situations in search of the truth. As the sheriff, Colt is a natural protector, and he feels compelled to keep Ridley safe. She is “Chaos” and he is “Lawman”, and they worked so well as a couple.

Narrated in dual POV by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York who did a wonderful job! They are able to convey such emotion with their narration that added to the overall experience. Highly recommend the audio!

“Colt, you helped me find all the missing pieces. Even the ones I didn’t realize I needed.”

Read if you enjoy:
✔️True crime podcasts
✔️Sheriff hero
✔️Small town
✔️Romantic suspense
✔️Three-legged cats who give tooth hugs
✔️Enemies to lovers

I am looking forward to reading more of @catherinecowlesauthor backlist this year.

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What an amazing book!!! This book is absolutely brilliant and I'm forever obsessed with everything and anything Catherine Cowles writes. Honestly, she's absolutely fantastic. As always, as soon as the eARC for this book hit my kindle, I stopped everything I was doing to read this book.

As a girly that is obsessed with books and with true crime podcasts, having a book where the FMC is a true crime podcast host is like a dream.
And then this amazing combo being written by Catherine Cowles, the queen of romantic suspense is just the cherry on top.
Right from the very first chapter I knew this book was going to be a 5 stars read.

I love Ridley and Colt with my little heart. I love them and their enemies to lovers banter was absolutely everything I didn't know I needed. I laughed, I swooned, I cried. This book might be one of my new all time favorites. And let me you that the plot twist!!!! I thought I had it figured out, but I guess that I'll never be able to guess the twist in a Catherine Cowles book.

read this book immediately if you love these tropes:
- friends with benefits
- enemies to lovers
- grumpy x sunshine
- romantic suspense
- small town romance

I also the opportunity to listen to the ALC and this book on audiobook is just fantastic!!! Please please please consider listening to this audiobook, narrated by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York. They did such an amazing work with this!!!

Thank you Catherine Cowles for the ARC and ALC for this book!!

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🎧ARC & ALC REVIEW🎧
📚All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles
🎤Andi Arndt & Sebastian York

4.5 ⭐

When Catherine announced that she was writing a book about true crime podcasts, I about lost my ever lovin' marbles! Before audiobooks, that's all I listened to, so she was speaking right to my soul! In true CC fashion, you are taken on an emotional & wild journey as Ridley Sawyer goes on a quest to find out the truth about what happened to her twin sister, Avery, years ago.

Catherine is terrific at writing romantic suspense, leaving the reader wondering almost to the very end, who dunnit? This book is no exception! I had no idea once again & was shocked when I found out! I loved these characters & their back stories with a slew of very interesting side characters that add so much to the story.

Ridley has a deep connection to her sister & is the driving force behind trying to answer all the questions into her disappearance. A true crime podcaster, she's used all her resources to try & figure it out but still has lingering questions. Colt is Shady Cove's grumpy & broody sheriff who acts totally bothered by the fact that Ridley has set herself down in town & is poking around. Despite the gruff vibe he gives off, there's an absolute squooshy side to Colt & these two quickly realize they have more in common than they even realized.

Their beginning is rough but once Ridley opens up to Colt about why this case is so important to her, he softens right up. Once they join forces to solve the cold case, things pivot & all the missing pieces start coming together. Law Man & Chaos get down to business not only in crime solving but with each other!😉

🎧Let's talk narration...Andi & Sebastian are pros when it comes to story telling. They definitely elevated the emotions both of these characters experienced & raised the suspense level for me without question. Not to typecast, but Sebastian is just soooo good at being the grump with a heart of soft gold! He's smart, sensitive & protective as Colt & it was great listening to him tell this story. ANDI 🙌🙌 Is she never NOT amazing? She was so perfect as Ridley, a young woman whose dealing with guilt & loss and has the determination of a bull. She's got resolve, nerve, tenacity, and willpower and Andi just knows how to play every one of these characteristics & emotions to perfection. I loved the audio performances. Recommend? YES!!

Thank you Catherine Cowles, Dreamscape, NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a copy of the ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review. Excited for what's still to come in Shady Cove.🙌

💜Small town
💜Romantic Suspense
💜Grumpy x Sunshine
💜Hate to love
💜Small town sheriff meets his match
💜True crime podcaster FMC

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“I won’t say it’s easy. I battle it every single day. Gratitude is a choice. Just like looking for the sun.”

Review Title & Vibes:   
{Tune In} to true crime + romance. Ridley’s determination to solve the cold cases totally hooked me. Add in a broody overprotective gorgeous small town sheriff and I’m fully invested. I loved the furry friends, quirky grandmotherly-type figures, gothic side kicks, and charming bartenders. I was floored at the twist ending - and livid for the victims. The spicy scenes were just right with good chemistry + trauma bonding of our MCs.
I’m secretly hoping there is a sequel in the works!

Audio Notes:
As always - Andi & Sebastian are phenomenal. These characters come to life and add depth to an already captivating story. I love each character voice, the emotion, and spice. I would highly recommend this audiobook.

Rating: 4⭐️ | Spice: 3🌶️ | Audio: 5🎙️
What to Expect:
True crime podcaster heroine
Sheriff hero
Grumpy/sunshine
Loveable three-legged cat
Small town suspense
Enemies-to-Lovers

Recommended to...  
True crime readers who love a bit of romantic chemistry and a twist ending.

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As always, Catherine has cooked up a perfect combination of romance and suspense!

Ridley is a true crime podcaster who is determined to give grieving families closure, especially since her own sister never got justice. She travels to Shady Cove where she believes a serial killer committed his first crime. But the sheriff doesn't want a nosy podcaster sniffing into his town so Colt tried to intercept but she's determined to get to the truth, even if she may become a victim herself.

My True Crime podcast girlies, stand up! I'm obsessed with stories that incorporate a podcast element, especially if it's true crime. The storyline immediately piqued my interest and the pacing continued to flow flawlessly. This was enemies to lovers done right - the way they LOATHE each other just added to the TENSION between Ridley and Colt. I ATE IT UP! And don't get me started on their names for each other (SO GOOD.)

The best part is the suspense leading the most unpredictable twist that I DARE you to guess!! If you love small town, romantic suspense, enemies to lovers and the grumpiest x sunshine, you have to pick this one up!

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Catherine Cowles did it again. Another ♾️ star read for me. She knows just how to intricately weave a story of love, mystery and crime with a hint of banter that we love so much.

Ridley has been traveling the country ever since her sister went missing helping solve unsolved crimes using her Podcast, Sounds Serial. She takes on a cold case of an attempted abduction in Shady Cove from 10 years ago where the victim, Emerson, survived. Ridley thinks this was the start of a bigger mystery and a personal one for her. In Shady Cove she is met with resistance, in particular, from the Sheriff Colter Brooks. He also happens to be the brother of the victim. After some convincing the two team up to uncover the truth surrounding Shady Grove residents and the attempted abduction of Emerson.

Ridley is such a unique and fun character. She is sassy and independent and does not take any crap from anyone. I love how she took her pain and channeled it into helping others heal. The banter between her and Sheriff Brooks had me laughing all night.

Colter Brooks is the typical grumpy Sheriff but you cant help but love him. Guilt eats at him and makes him into the overprotective guy he is. Honestly, makes me love him even more.

The side characters were just as funny and I hope we get more books from Shady Cove. I would love to see one on Emerson and Trey. But every single interaction Ridley or Colt had with Ezra, Sam, Norm and Celia had me laughing so hard. Not to mention Princess Tater and her tooth hugs!

I will say there were pieces that I did not put together and was honestly surprised at the ending. An exceptional book. Highly recommend.

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Thank you Catherine Cowles and publishers for the opportunity to ARC read All The Missing Pieces.

This was my first Catherine Cowles book and it surely was a good first impression. From the page-turning pace and on-going suspense throughout the entire book, I was able to finish this one in two sittings.

The bond between Colter & Ridley, strengthened by their shared traumas, was such a beautiful story to be a part of, and I loved how their relationship grew to friends to lovers.

I do wish that Ridley had gotten a little closer to figuring it out herself, rather than her getting to the bottom of it on a technicality. I also feel that the twist was great, but wish there had been more hints pointing in that direction, as I don’t think it gives the reader a lot of opportunity to guess/figure it out, and there wasn’t really anything to go based on to get to the conclusion we got!

Overall, a solid read and I’m happy I got the opportunity to ARC read this!

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All The Missing Pieces is the first installment in the Shady Cove series and it was a highly entertaining and extremely engrossing tale.

The suspense, the romance, the friendship and the unexpected twists and turns all kept me glued to the story and unable to put it down.

Ridley Sawyer's twin sister vanished one night and she's since been traveling the country covering cold cases for her true crime podcast and hoping to one day find justice for her sister.

Her search for answers take her to Shady Cove and right from the start we are pulled into the story as she is introduced to the town's inhabitants some of whom are not welcoming.

She clashes with the town's sheriff Colt and I enjoyed the antagonistic relationship between these two and seeing how his view of her changed as the story progressed. The chemistry was undeniable and I loved seeing their connection grow with each passing chapter

The suspense kept me at the edge of my seat and at no point was I able to guess who was the villain. There was a fun cast of secondary characters who were lovable and provided hilarity to helped balance out the story.

This novel was intriguing and addictive and I enjoyed every minute of the heart pounding suspense mixed with the emotional storyline and the swoony romance. I would highly recommend it to lovers of romantic suspense.

🎧🎧🎧
I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Andy Arndt and Sebastian York
They did a fantastic job giving each character their own voice and adding so much emotion to the narration. Their voices complimented each other and they brought the story to life making the listening experience an absolute delight.

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It is NO secret how much I love CC’s writing. So when I say that this is my new favorite of her writings.. you know I’m serious! Yall, Catherine has COMPLETELY knocked it out of the park with this one! The banter, the story, the setting… I’m in awe of CC and her ability to completely draw me in from chapter one to the epilogue. Not to mention her enemies to lovers are *chefs kiss*!

Falling in love with Ridley and Colt was as simple as breathing and I am seriously wishing that we could just have a whole series about them and their amazing detective skills!

The narrator was wonderful! The voices brought you into the story as though you were there!

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Chaos and Lawman - Fasten Your Seatbelt!!

Intense, engaging, incredible characters, relatable storyline, will draw you in and not let go until long past the final page.

What have I just experienced? Because you don’t just read or listen (I did both) to this story. You become a part of it, and feel for the situations and characters. O.M.G.

A tripod cat, multiple memorable canines, small town attributes of characters and news traveling fast.
Full naming, tooth hugs, life-changing events, daily choices, and so much more.

Definitely a must-read. (must-listen).

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