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novelstorian's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Came for the single mom-grumpy hero romance, but stayed for the suspense thriller plot.
The characters are relatable and multi-dimensional. The protagonists are both scarred by their own past experiences, but despite all that they still want to fight for a future together. The build up of the romance was a bit slow-burn but the tension and the little moments in between made the wait worth it.
The action-packed, suspenseful sub plot line was surprisingly my favourite part of the novel. The author did such a good job balancing the romance plot and the suspense plot, flawlessly weaving little bits of the suspense in way that made it bittersweet to enjoy the build up of the romance because we (the readers) know there is still something dark lingering the background. If you are looking for a smooth-sailing, contemporary romance then this book is not for you. The subplot adds so much depth and emotional to an already impactful story and there have been a few times that I could literally not put this book down.
It's a book that stays with you long after you've turned the last page, reminding us all of the shadows we carry and the light we can find in each other.
I need to read more Catherine Cowles books!!!
4 stars.
The characters are relatable and multi-dimensional. The protagonists are both scarred by their own past experiences, but despite all that they still want to fight for a future together. The build up of the romance was a bit slow-burn but the tension and the little moments in between made the wait worth it.
The action-packed, suspenseful sub plot line was surprisingly my favourite part of the novel. The author did such a good job balancing the romance plot and the suspense plot, flawlessly weaving little bits of the suspense in way that made it bittersweet to enjoy the build up of the romance because we (the readers) know there is still something dark lingering the background. If you are looking for a smooth-sailing, contemporary romance then this book is not for you. The subplot adds so much depth and emotional to an already impactful story and there have been a few times that I could literally not put this book down.
It's a book that stays with you long after you've turned the last page, reminding us all of the shadows we carry and the light we can find in each other.
I need to read more Catherine Cowles books!!!
4 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Minor: Death, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
erkietheturkey's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Blood, Sexual content, Cursing, Kidnapping, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Animal cruelty, Murder, Animal death, Gun violence, and Mental illness
Minor: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Torture
kristensreading's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
ashleycmms's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Gun violence
cozyreader9752's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Stalking, Bullying, and Violence
frantically's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I knew Roan and Aspen's story was gonna knock it out of the park and this surpassed all my expectations — what a book 😍
Has anyone actually done sunshine x grumpy before this book existed? I don't think so, right? Because here, it is straight up perfect. Roan has been hiding himself and his secrets from his family for so long that most of the town has written him off. But beneath it all, there's is the purest heart of gold and Aspen is determined to bring that out into the world.
We've seen loads of traumatized women in Cowles' novels but they're still each unique and I love how much emphasis Aspen put on still staying positive throughout it all, mainly for Cady's benefit but also for her own. This isn't a basic abusive ex story as I expected and I loved the twist and also how invested the true crime community still was in the case.
Don't know if that was Cowles' intentions but we've got some true crime podcasters basically stalking Aspen and I felt it was a really good representation about how privacy-invading and basically life-ruining true crime shows/podcasts/forums etc. can be for running cases. At first, it just seems like harmless fun but, as it does here, it can so easily devolve.
Before we talk about Roan and Aspen, let's talk about the real main relationship here aka Roan and Cady. You KNOW, there's nothing more that gets me going than good father-daughter relationships and from page one, even if he wasn't ready to become Aspen's partner, Roan was ready to become Cady's dad. It's what makes Aspen really start to look through his facade because he doesn't ever have a bad word to say to Cady and is so considerate of her and understands from the start that Aspen and her only come in a double-pack. Cady's being bullied at school, so Roan comes with her to throw withering glances at 6-year-olds and while we all thought protective!boyfriend!Roan was where it's at, protective!dad!Roan actually takes the cake.
But let's get into it: Roan and Aspen. You guys, YOU GUYS. I love these two so much 😭😭 They help eachother heal and each encourage the other to open up their struggles and seek support and it is just so healthy! And loving! And had me sobbing my eyes out! Was it all a tad insta-love-y? Yes. But I have a rule that I only complain about insta-love if I didn't like the couple, sooo. Even if he doesn't want to be, Roan is immediately intrigued by and protective of Aspen and then after Cady's pulled him, there's really no stopping him. In typical Hartley man fashion, he promptly decides to move himself into Aspen's place and that's all already cute enough but then we find out that he doesn't even stay over at his parents' for Christmas because he doesn't like not having his own space! But for Aspen and Cady all bets are off and he doesn't mind sleeping on the couch for weeks and being awoken by a demon kitty every morning.
And guys, the spice 🤭 Off. The. Charts. That's all I'll say but I, myself, was very pleasantly surprised.
I'm so so ready for my baby Lawson to finally get his book!! Have been looking forward to this since day 1 😍
This is slowly but surely becoming my favourite romance series, every book just delivers.
(okay okay, this is definitely a 4.75 and not a 5 because, first and foremost, i am still a hater, so here's some parts i didn't completely love
— we get The True Reason why roan is such a grump and it is touched upon very little
— maybe it's the thriller fan in me but i hate it when the twist just comes out of nowhere 😤 i had such good theories) anywayyy still a hoe for roan hartley
Has anyone actually done sunshine x grumpy before this book existed? I don't think so, right? Because here, it is straight up perfect. Roan has been hiding himself and his secrets from his family for so long that most of the town has written him off. But beneath it all, there's is the purest heart of gold and Aspen is determined to bring that out into the world.
We've seen loads of traumatized women in Cowles' novels but they're still each unique and I love how much emphasis Aspen put on still staying positive throughout it all, mainly for Cady's benefit but also for her own. This isn't a basic abusive ex story as I expected and I loved the twist and also how invested the true crime community still was in the case.
Don't know if that was Cowles' intentions but we've got some true crime podcasters basically stalking Aspen and I felt it was a really good representation about how privacy-invading and basically life-ruining true crime shows/podcasts/forums etc. can be for running cases. At first, it just seems like harmless fun but, as it does here, it can so easily devolve.
Before we talk about Roan and Aspen, let's talk about the real main relationship here aka Roan and Cady. You KNOW, there's nothing more that gets me going than good father-daughter relationships and from page one, even if he wasn't ready to become Aspen's partner, Roan was ready to become Cady's dad. It's what makes Aspen really start to look through his facade because he doesn't ever have a bad word to say to Cady and is so considerate of her and understands from the start that Aspen and her only come in a double-pack. Cady's being bullied at school, so Roan comes with her to throw withering glances at 6-year-olds and while we all thought protective!boyfriend!Roan was where it's at, protective!dad!Roan actually takes the cake.
But let's get into it: Roan and Aspen. You guys, YOU GUYS. I love these two so much 😭😭 They help eachother heal and each encourage the other to open up their struggles and seek support and it is just so healthy! And loving! And had me sobbing my eyes out! Was it all a tad insta-love-y? Yes. But I have a rule that I only complain about insta-love if I didn't like the couple, sooo. Even if he doesn't want to be, Roan is immediately intrigued by and protective of Aspen and then after Cady's pulled him, there's really no stopping him. In typical Hartley man fashion, he promptly decides to move himself into Aspen's place and that's all already cute enough but then we find out that he doesn't even stay over at his parents' for Christmas because he doesn't like not having his own space! But for Aspen and Cady all bets are off and he doesn't mind sleeping on the couch for weeks and being awoken by a demon kitty every morning.
And guys, the spice 🤭 Off. The. Charts. That's all I'll say but I, myself, was very pleasantly surprised.
I'm so so ready for my baby Lawson to finally get his book!! Have been looking forward to this since day 1 😍
This is slowly but surely becoming my favourite romance series, every book just delivers.
(okay okay, this is definitely a 4.75 and not a 5 because, first and foremost, i am still a hater, so here's some parts i didn't completely love
— we get The True Reason why roan is such a grump and it is touched upon very little
— maybe it's the thriller fan in me but i hate it when the twist just comes out of nowhere 😤 i had such good theories) anywayyy still a hoe for roan hartley
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder, Animal death, Grief, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Gore, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Gun violence, Body horror, Classism, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Toxic relationship
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