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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
I’m not surprised that Catherine Cowles has written another incredible romantic suspense and honestly, I think this one is my favorite of hers! A female podcaster with a missing sister? Check. A small-town sheriff who doesn’t want the media in his little town but is slowly being drawn to her? Check. And enough suspense to keep you flipping the pages? Check check check! This book is top notch. Excellent characters, fantastic backstory that truly propels what’s going on, and an engaging plot that makes it very hard to put down. I loved this book with my whole heart and continue to think about it even though I finished it a few days ago. I hope to read more books just like this because they’re truly my kryptonite!
Dare I say this in February? May end up being my favorite read of 2025. Perfect blend of romance and thriller.
emotional
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:
No
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
This was so fun! I loved the true-crime podcaster element with this and Colter and Ridley were absolutely perfect for each other. They both had a sister who had gone through the unimaginable - with Emerson surviving what Avery did not. I thought I had this gigured out, but turns out I didn’t! I hope we get Emerson and Trey’s story at some point!!
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:
N/A
I was definitely entertained by this book, and I really liked Ridley as a character—she was easy to root for and brought warmth to the story.
However, I have to admit it was frustrating to see a “good cop” character while the actual police work felt weak and poorly executed. The investigation side of the plot lacked depth, and honestly, if the villain had just stayed quiet, no one would have ever figured it out.
Still, the suspense and emotional beats kept me engaged, even if the mystery wasn’t as strong as I hoped.
However, I have to admit it was frustrating to see a “good cop” character while the actual police work felt weak and poorly executed. The investigation side of the plot lacked depth, and honestly, if the villain had just stayed quiet, no one would have ever figured it out.
Still, the suspense and emotional beats kept me engaged, even if the mystery wasn’t as strong as I hoped.
🎧 this book hooked me from the prologue and it was hard to find a place to pause when I needed to. This had a perfect balance of plot and romance. It kept me guessing with the “who dunnit?.” I couldn’t see the twist coming from miles away. I don’t think the audio version is a must although I do like listening to Sebastian York. It just didn’t add anything to the story for me and it didn’t make me have any extra feels.
Ridley is such a beautiful, strong, fierce main character. Colt is broody but would do anything for his loved ones. This combination of main characters leads to ups and downs that had me guessing and second guessing friendships, relationships and who the heck the murderer was.
The small town was described in such wonderful detail I could picture all the cute little shops and definitely wanted to get a drink at the Whiskey Barrel.
I stayed up way too late finishing this book because I had to know who did it! And was shocked to find out who it was. Great ending, to a great book!
The small town was described in such wonderful detail I could picture all the cute little shops and definitely wanted to get a drink at the Whiskey Barrel.
I stayed up way too late finishing this book because I had to know who did it! And was shocked to find out who it was. Great ending, to a great book!
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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:
Complicated