Member Reviews

I discovered Catherine Cowles books last year and I have been hooked ever since. All the missing pieces kept me on the edge of my seat. It also had a great romance. The narrators were excellent and brought the story to life.

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4.5 stars

I loved this one! When Ridley's twin sister disappeared Ridley was looking for a new purpose. So she decides to travel cross country solving cold cases for her true crime podcast. She will do anything to find justice for others. Until she has an encounter with Sheriff Colter. Colt can't stop thinking about Ridley. When her cold case starts to find traction, Colt has to step in for both their sakes.

Catherine does it again! She writes small town romantic suspense so well. This story was captivating right from the beginning and kept me intrigued the entire time. I seriously didn't want it to end. The prologue was intense and hinted to what's to come. Ridley was so cool. On top of being a true crime podcaster she was a great analytical thinker. The way her mind worked in seeing evidence in a different perspective was great to see unfold. Colt was such a broody grump. I loved his chemistry with Ridley.

Most recently I listened to the audiobook and thought it was amazing. Performed in dual by Sebastian York and Andi Arndt. They were perfect as Colt and Ridley. Sebastian conveyed Colt with a deep, gravelly tone. Andi conveyed Ridley with a delicate, but strong tone. Their moments together were funny at times and super sweet. There's a huge turning point in the story and the narration by Sebastian and Andi brought all those scenes to life. It was as if I was watching a movie play out. I tried to predict who the killer was and I was still shocked when it was revealed. I highly recommend!!

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Detective Kelly reporting for duty! The mystery and suspense combined with the intense enemies to lovers romance made for the perfect match for me to fall in love with this story.⁣⁣ This prologue gave me all the anxiety, I just had that bad feeling something was going to happen, a prelude to that mystery that was about to unfold for our podcaster storyline!⁣⁣
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I loved that this story was heavy on the mystery and underlying suspense but we still got that great romantic connection and banter between Colt and Ridley. When Ridley rolls into town poking around a decades old foiled kidnapping case, it was bound to ruffle some feathers and Colt wasn’t going to let a little podcaster upend anyone’s world.⁣⁣
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“Haven’t you figured it out yet, Chaos? You’ve had me breaking all the rules from the day I met you.”⁣⁣
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And let me tell you, their hate banter was just ohhhh so good. You could feel the animosity from Colt over and over again, but underneath it all he was so protective and was trying to make up for his perceived failures from the past. He had to see Ridley for who she truly was and have others shove it in his face that she wasn’t the enemy and was there to be a victims advocate, a voice for those who no longer had one.⁣⁣
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“Every shield I’d reinforced with steel to keep from being hurt again, all of it was useless in the face of all that this man was.”⁣⁣
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The connection felt so natural between Colt and Ridley, as they began to work together and truly see who the other was, they had this shared connection of knowing what it was like to carry the guilt around of someone you love being hurt and still trying to live your own life. My heart broke for all they and their loved ones had endured in the face of a serial killer and the consequences it left for those left to pick up the pieces. I had so many moments of anticipation towards the end and I loved that feeling of not knowing who it would be that had done it all! Such a great standalone romance but you know I wouldn’t say not to a story about two certain someone’s, IYKYK 😉⁣⁣
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“He understood the colors I painted my world with because he spoke the language of my pain.”

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I swear Catherine could hand me her grocery list and it would be a 10/10. I have never read another author who literally E V E R Y TIME draws you in immediately and doesn’t let up until the end?! I mean come ON!!! This story was so raw and the need Ridley had for solving true crime and unsolved mysteries made so much sense and my heart couldn’t help but feel for her 😩 after her twin sister goes missing and she receives no answers, she starts to look for them herself. Hosting Sounds Like Serial, the podcast where she helps solve these unsolved crimes and brings families the closure they need, such a fun take and unique spin - it felt so real too, like I wasn’t reading a fictional story but listening to someone’s life. Obsessed.

And then baby Colt. Grumpy, stubborn, sheriff Colt has absolutely no desire to let Ridley waltz in his small town stirring up trauma for his sister who was taken, but escaped in her high school years. I honestly just loved the two of them. And the side characters. Just EVERYTHING, OKAY?! I definitely think if you haven’t read a Catherine Cowles yet (which…. Are you okay?) you should ABSOLUTELY make this your first because it will hook you and you’ll be addicted like I am 🫡🙂‍↕️ that’s all

And like most Catherine Cowles I never can pick the bad guy out and this was no different because I was wayyyyy off but quite surprised with that reveal 👀👀👀

What to expect:
🎙️ True Crime Podcast
👮‍♂️ Sheriff Hero
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🐈 Three Legged Cat, Tater 🫶🏻
🏘️ Small Town Suspense
❤️‍🩹 Hurt/Comfort
😏 Enemies to Lovers
❤️‍🔥 Open Door

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The narrators hit this out of the park. I really enjoyed this book on audio. Catherine has a way of drawing you in and making you second guess every single person and their intentions. Really hoping this turns into a full series. I need Emerson’s story. And really want to know Ezra more!

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Thank you dreamscape media and Netgalley for the opportunity to receive this ALC in exchange if my honest opinion .

If Catherine Cowles writes it , I'm reading it . This was my first audiobook of hers and it won't be my last . I loved the narrators , the story line , the twists and turns this story offered . I didn't see it coming . I absolutely loved the found family , enemies to lovers , grumpy sunshine , small town romance with suspense ? It's everything I want in a book . Ridley - True crime podcaster who travels all over to look into missing persons & cold cases as she has a passion for them . Especially since her twin sister is a missing person of 5 years .

Colter - local proud sheriff who takes pride in protecting the people , sister went missing and was found .

When a woman knocks on his sisters door in regards to her traumatic past - how does Colter react ?

This was an incredible enemies to lovers story .

Please do yourself a favor and read this book ! Absolutely fantastic .

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wowohwow this is probably one of the craziest plot twists i’ve read from catherine 😱 I was soooo far off, i’m honestly embarrassed i was about to accuse an innocent person.

enemies with benefits?? colt and ridley were perfect for each other. i loved that ridley lived for herself and she wasn’t afraid to stand her ground. i honestly loved all the side characters & of course tater too 😽

thank you so much to catherine cowles & her team for the arc!

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“Sometimes the last thing you expect is exactly what you need, the final missing piece. And sometimes it comes in the form of a towering, broody sheriff, determined to get in your way at every step.”

Read if you like:
🎙 Romantic Suspense
🎙 Small town
🎙 Enemies to Lovers
🎙 Forced Proximity
🎙 True Crime Podcast

“Come back to me, Chaos.”

“You say the sweetest things, Law Man.”

Catherine Cowles has outdone herself with this gem! All the Missing Pieces follows Ridley, a true crime podcaster traveling the country covering cold cases. After her twin sister disappears, she strives to find justice, not only for her twin, but for others who have suffered the same fate. Enter Sherrif Colter Brooks. Our hero who knows what it’s like to have reporters descend the small town of Shady Cove. He’s not about to let a fiery podcaster stir up trouble. But, when the cold case turns hot, Colt has no choice but to step in. Suddenly Ridley and Colt are living in forced proximity, soon to discover there’s so much more to each other than a first impression. And as the truth gets closer, the suspense gets deadly..

Thoughts:

I fell head over heels for this romance! Ridley, our fiery courageous heroine. Colt, our stubborn broody hero. There’s SO much to love about this romance, but just to name a few:

▪️The tension between these two characters! Omg Chef’s Kiss 😘
▪️The atmosphere and community of Shady Cove, I adored this local cast of characters 🥰
▪️The true crime podcast elements 🎧
▪️The suspense! In true CC fashion, I was on the edge of my seat with this ending! 👀
▪️Tooth hugs by our three-legged friend Tator 😺❤️😆

From sharing their favorite whiskey, to the who did this to you moment, to their perfect nicknames for each other – Chaos x Law Man, I adored this romance. 🫶

A favorite of the year – I highly recommend All the Missing Pieces. 5 beautiful stars!

Thank you Source Books and NetGalley for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STARS

Catherine Cowles has delivered another outstanding romantic suspense novel, and this one might be her best yet. The story follows a determined podcaster searching for her missing sister and a small-town sheriff who initially resists her presence but finds himself drawn to her. With plenty of suspense, well-drawn characters, a rich backstory, and an engaging plot, this book is nearly impossible to put down. And if you’re an audiobook fan, you’re in for a treat—the narration is phenomenal, with the narrators bringing the characters and emotions to life in a way that makes the experience even more captivating. This is a heartfelt, memorable story that lingers long after the final chapter. All The Missing Pieces is an EPIC read that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!

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There are some thriller writers who attempt to inject romance into their work, and romance authors who try to dabble in thrillers. But Catherine Cowles has done the remarkable here - created a true romantic thriller where not one genre nor the other steals the show.

While there are significant amounts of romance in this one, the missing person cases were incredibly engaging and very eerie, and as we follow Ridley as she uncovers more and more details about what may have happened to her sister, the thriller vibes ran deep. But just as things feel a little too creepy for comfort, Cowles leads us right back to the fun grumpy x sunshine romance involving the local hottie sheriff, providing the perfect juxtaposition to the more serious.

I’m not the first person to say this, but I have to agree that this is Cowles best book yet. And if you are a fan of audiobooks, I’d suggest that route given the podcast nature and the fan favorite narrators, Andi Arndt and Sebastian York.

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I loved Ridley and Colt so much!

This book follows Ridley, a true crime podcast host, as she arrives in Shady Cove to start a new series about a serial kidnapper/killer who she believes had something to do with her twin sister's disappearance. She chooses Shady Cove because the first victim—who escaped is living there—might provide insights. Ridley hopes that returning to where it all started will help bring closure to other victims' families, as well as to herself and her sister.

Upon arriving, Ridley discovers just how tight-knit and protective this small town is. Though she knows getting on-record interviews will be challenging, she remains determined to seek justice. On her first day in Shady Cove, she encounters the town sheriff, Colt, who she soon realizes is more deeply involved with the case than she initially thought.

As Ridley digs deeper, she uncovers more questions and answers—but also faces increasing danger, with attacks and threats warning her to leave town. These threats only fuel her determination, convincing her she's close to the truth. Meanwhile, Colt begins to see past his first impressions of Ridley and comes to understand her mission. When her camper van is destroyed, his protective instincts kick in, and he insists she stay with him. As Colt learns more about the connections she's uncovered, they join forces to solve the case, developing an enemies-with-benefits relationship along the way.

Ridley was an incredibly strong female main character. I loved her unwavering dedication to justice and how she stayed true to her purpose. Colt made a perfect brooding male lead—I especially appreciated how he could acknowledge his mistakes and work to make things right.

Add in the lovable furry friends—Tater and Bowser—and this book delivered everything I wanted. The balance between romance/spice and mystery/plot was perfectly executed. Each time I thought I had figured something out, the story surprised me with another twist. The reveals were shocking yet made complete sense—I was stunned that I hadn't spotted the culprit!

All in all, I adored these characters and their story. From the mystery and pacing to the small-town setting, everything was absolutely perfect. I wouldn't change a thing about this book!

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Wow wow wow!!! What a PERFECT stand alone. My favorite CC. This book had everything and more. The prologue had me hooked by the first sentence.

Traveling true crime podcaster, Ridley Bennett, uses her platform to solve unsolved mysteries. Following a too close to home cold case, she gets tied into Shady Cove tying her deeper into the worst day of her life. Being so strong headed and determined, she stayed in Shady Cove after a not so warm welcome from grumpy small town sheriff, Colter Brooks. I was interested in how this love story playsd out because of how desperate Colt was to get Ridley out of Shady Cove. Their banter was too good. Colt knew she was chaos from the very start but didn’t realize just how much he would love it.

I don’t know if I loved the growth of Ridley or Colt more. These two healed eachother while healing those around them. My heart broke for Ridley, I cried the entire last 20% of this book. My heart strings were pulled and prodded and over all tied my heart back together. These two needed eachother to heal past and present wounds and overcome all their worst fears. Truly a beautiful story.

To all the innocent people I accused of being the bad guy, I’m not sorry you’re apart of a CC romantic suspense so you are automatically a suspect.

5⭐️

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ahhhh Catherine Cowles never fails me. She gets the combination of romance and mystery woven perfectly within the pages. I loved watching Ridley and Colt’s relationship grow. From them disliking each other and clashing quite a bit, to that realisation of attraction. I was gripped. There’s so much tragedy, but seeing how they helped heal each other was beautiful.
I adore a murder mystery, and Catherine does it so well! I honestly kept questioning who it was, I never trust anyone! I was gripped from start to finish! I also listened to the audiobook as well and that was incredible! I felt fully immersed into this world and the narrators just made it so much better!

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A mesmerizing story!

All the Missing Pieces is a brand new stand alone by Catherine Cowles, bringing us in to the small town of Shady Cove with the story of Ridley and Colter.
With a jarring prologue that will plunge you into an intense, nerve wracking and heartbreakingly beautiful story that you won’t want to miss!
Ridley is a true crime podcaster working into old cases and looking for justice and healing for the victims. Her latest case brings her to Shady Cove where she’ll meet her match in form of a grumpy sheriff.
Colter is the sheriff of Shady Cove that has dedicated his career to try to look the responsible for his sister’s abduction, but his life will be disrupted by a fierce podcaster.
These two will cross paths and will ruffle each others feathers, while dancing around an unexpected and deep attraction that will slowly turn into something more, but not without the monsters of the past coming back to deliver more pain.
So be prepare for an intense roller coaster of emotions that will knock you off your feet and a plot twist that will leave shocked to the core!
And as always the audiobook was exceptional! The narrators did an incredible job bringing Ridley and Colter to life!

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Thank you to @catherinecowlesauthor @sourcebookscasa @dreamscape_media @librofm for the gifted book/ALC!!

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: All The Missing Pieces
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Catherine Cowles
𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀: Andi Arndt, Sebastian York
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: January 7, 2025
5⭐️

💜 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 💜
Cowles is the queen of romantic suspense! I love that this is a story featuring a true crime podcaster searching for answers to her twin sister’s cold case! Ridley has gone around the country looking for answers to various cold cases, and her latest leads her to Shady Cove, where she meets the grumpy sheriff Colt, who has similar problems of his own.

Colt is wary of Ridley from the start. He doesn’t want an outsider digging into his small town, even if she is trying to help. Little does he know, his past does intersect with hers in ways where they both learn they can help each other.

I loved Colt’s protective side, it goes well with his sheriff job and persona. He sometimes is a bit too protective of his family, but it’s understandable. I love that Ridley isn’t afraid of his bark, and will stand up to him in the search for truth and justice.

Of course, I didn’t guess who the bad guy was here… I don’t think I typically do in a Cowles book! It took me by surprise! I would love to see more of Ridley’s story doing her true crime podcast in the future!

🎧 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 🎧
This narration was amazing! Andi Arndt was the perfect voice for Ridley, as she has a soulfulness to her voice that really lent well to Ridley’s character. Sebastian York was amazing as Colt, with the gruff and grumpy inflection to his voice that was perfect for the broody sheriff!

🎧 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
🩷 Grumpy Sunshine
💜 True Crime Podcaster
🩷 Unsolved Mystery/Cold Cases
💜 Missing Sister
🩷 Broody Sheriff

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Catherine out did herself on this one. Hands down my favorite Catherine book yet! Maybe even my favorite Romantic Suspense book ever. It has mystery, it has true crime, it has podcasting. All wrapped up in ONE GORGEOUS COVER! I don’t think I have ever related more to a 3 legged cat, but here we are. I had the privilege of getting an ALC for this, but I can't wait to add a trophy to my bookshelf! Andi and SebYo did such an amazing job on this book. It truly was an art. When I say I could FEEL these characters' chemistry, I mean it. I had goosebumps. Give these actors awards because it was that good. Voice Actors truly need more recognition for what they do. I was so immersed in this world, I am ready to pack my bags and move. I can't wait to see what Catherine has in store for us for book 2. Like I need it, like yesterday, and book one just came out.

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Everything about this book was true perfection! I loved it so much! All the Missing Pieces is a compelling story full of twists and turns. This book does an excellent job at combining all the elements of mystery, romance and suspense so wonderfully making it extremely difficult to put down. It also had plenty of small-town charm with a great bunch of characters. The mystery and suspense will have you on the edge of your seat and keep you guessing the entire time!

Ridley and Colt have electric chemistry, and their banter was so good! They had such a strong emotional connection that was too strong to be ignored. I loved watching them slowly fall in love!

If you love true crime podcasts and romantic suspense, this one is for you! I listened to the audio, and it was phenomenal! With outstanding performances by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York. I was fully immersed in the story and never wanted it to end!

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This book completely swept me away—I couldn’t put it down and ended up pulling an all-nighter to finish it!

Ridley and Colt’s story has everything I love in this genre, which, honestly, I don’t read nearly enough: it was captivating, intense, and brimming with emotion.

From the very first chapter, I was hooked by the intensity of what happens to Ridley and her sister, followed by her criminal investigation and how her quest for justice collides with Colt’s sense of duty.
Their relationship, initially tense, slowly transforms into something deep and irresistible, and I loved every step of that journey. The spice scenes were incredibly well-written.

Ridley is a fascinating heroine: her courage and determination to uncover the truth, despite the dangers, completely won me over. As for Colt, he’s the perfect balance of protector and vulnerable. As the sheriff of this small town, he carries the weight of his past while trying to shield Ridley from the growing threats tied to her investigation.

The forced proximity trope is masterfully executed, giving their romance a slow-burn tension that kept me on edge until the very end.

I wouldn’t say no to a future book about Emerson—she’s such a great character, and I’d love to stay in Shady Cove a little longer.

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Catherine Cowles is seriously the GOAT of romantic suspense in my book! I read horror and thriller after thriller and I can pretty regularly guess the bad guy but nope not when it comes to Catherine’s books!

All the missing pieces is everything! I loved the dynamic of Ridley and Colt their banter and their grumpy-sunshine was just so fun to read! I loved their chemistry and the way they balanced each other out with their differences! I loved the true crime podcast aspect and I love the way Ridley approached her podcast with grace and respect.

Now back to the suspense! I literally had a suspect list in my notes, I even had some seriously out of pocket guesses on there AND I STILL GOT IT WRONG!!

This was such a great read and is a must read for romantic suspense fans and true crime lovers alike!

The audiobook is so well done the narrators Andi Arnt and Sebastian York do such an inedible job bringing this story and its characters to life! I definitely recommend this listening experience!

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this was a wild ride of a story! my first Catherine Cowles book and it won’t be my last!

Ridley is such a fascinating and powerful character. she’s determined to find answers on her own sister’s disappearance while also helping others find their closure, all while being so self-aware and respectful to the work she’s doing. I love how she approaches all the people of the town in a way that doesn’t continue to bring them trauma but only trust, respect, and answers.

I love this especially with Colt. Ridley is exactly the right person to bring him out of his self-loathing shell, to believe in hope and love again. I love the way these two are their most honest selves with each other right from their bumpy start through to their happily ever after. they bring so much love, protection, and peace to each other it’s so beautiful to read.

the suspense of this book was high right from the start and kept me reading nonstop right to the end. I was happy with how people got closure and some hope again.

the narration was fabulous! I loved the duet narration, it really kept me so intranced in the story I read it all in one day, I was hooked!

thank you for the alc!

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