Reviews

Ashes of You by Catherine Cowles

shayalayareads's review against another edition

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4.0

The most intens finale!

All the books in the Lost and Found series are intense, but this one takes the cake! Hallie is such an incredibly strong and kind person. Her unwavering love for those boys, her courage to stand up for them, and her nurturing nature are truly beautiful. She's exactly what they need! Anytime she went out in the world and was reminded of what she had been through my heart broke for her, but at the same time I was just so amazed by her strength and perseverance!

Lawson, always the protector and caretaker, struggles to let people in. And after everything that happend with his ex wife, the mother of his children, he deserves a break. Hallie is the perfect match for him, providing the support, care and love he needs and deserves!

And then there's the case... Finding the killer and protecting Hallie kept me on the edge of my seat! That plot twist? Mind-blowing! I never even considered that the man could have been the killer. The things he did are beyond messed up. This book is a real nail-biter!

courtneywalters18's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved the Hartley family so much and I’m so sad that I have finished the final book in this series. I loved Lawson and Hallie’s story! I laughed out loud, I cried, I gasped. Hallie’s relationship with Law’s boys melted my heart and Luke stole the show. I will miss the entire Hartley family. Go read these books if you haven’t already!! I will most definitely be revisiting them in the future at some point I’m sure!

ashleybreeanne's review against another edition

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5.0

I think this is my favorite of the series! I predicted all the other killers but this one I did not. Still predictable kidnapping but a beautiful story.

dishajetly_123's review against another edition

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adventurous 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? It's complicated

5.0


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romance_book_obsessed's review against another edition

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5.0

Thank you so much Catherine for this ARC!

Lawson is the police chief and single father we’ve seen throughout the lost and found series. 5 years ago, he saved a young woman after she’d been taken. Now, he needs a nanny and Hallie is the perfect fit. Hallie is still dealing with the event from 5 years ago while helping Lawson with his 3 sons. Hallie and Lawson have a bit of a slow burn to their romance. They both have their scars, but fall in love anyway.

I loved all 3 boys! Seeing Luke heal was probably my favorite part! Lawson was a wonderful dad and very protective of Hallie.

I can’t believe we’ve reached the end of the Lost and found series, but I’m so excited to read Fragile Sanctuary!

Tropes:

lk23's review against another edition

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5.0

“But I’d burn myself to ash over and over if it meant getting you in the end.”

“It’s you, Blue. You’re the one who brought me out of the ashes. It’s always been you.”

A perfect ending to the series. Seriously, I couldn’t put it down once I started.

matelliii's review against another edition

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1.0

I've read books about single dad x nanny before, so this aint my first rodeo. But, for some reason, this book kinda gave me the ick? Maybe because the power imbalance is way too huge between the two characters. First is the age gap. Then there's the boss x employee. And, finally, the freakin rescuer x survivor. It screams problematic, tbh.
It just gave me the impression of a reverse Stockholm syndrome and im trying to find a term for it but the closest thing I got is "Rescue Romance Syndrome". Cos here's the thing, the only connection I see between Hallie and Law is that moment when they first met. And when they met again, suddenly there's deep attraction? Their whole relationship is just defined by that moment when he rescued her. Aside from that connection, what else? what made them bond? cos all I saw is trauma bonding, lol. Maybe there’s the kids that connected them, sure. But aside from the kids and the trauma, what else?
I like Lawson's character and throughout the whole series we established him as someone who's this reliable figure. So I couldn’t help but think that maybe the only reason he felt attraction to Hallie is because of his blind need to protect her AGAIN from past traumas. It screams "savior complex" to me.
I really dont want to psycho-analyze this relationship but I just could not help it, not when there's trauma and mental health issues being a prevalent part of the story. *sigh* Sorry but for a final book that supposed to end this series, this book just disappointed me.

coconutmilkrice's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

wenig GV (zum Glück)
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jcsmith95's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25


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trishthebookish's review against another edition

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5.0

Catherine Cowles' novel, Ashes of You, is a masterpiece that takes readers on a captivating journey of dreamy romantic suspense. From the very first page, the brilliantly crafted story draws you in, leaving you breathless until the very end. The book's stunning blend of charm, passion, and heartfelt emotions inspires hope and redemption, highlighting the true power of love to heal and restore. The characters in the story are authentic and relatable, capturing your heart and soul. They face dangers and traumas, yet the story is filled with moments of gentle sweetness and tenderness, leaving a lasting impact on the reader. Catherine's writing is resplendent and exuberant, skillfully blending suspense, romance, and captivating narratives. The palpable chemistry between the characters, the suspenseful twists, and the heartwarming connection they share make the story truly unforgettable. "Avery and Sebastian bring the characters to life with their exceptional acting skills, perfectly capturing the essence of their roles and transporting the audience into the story." As the most endearing character in the novel, Police Chief Lawson steals the spotlight, surpassing Roan. His protective and caring nature towards Hallie, the quietly strong survivor, creates a bond that is both breathtaking and inspiring. Their story is a magical and unforgettable love story. The series' conclusion evokes a mix of magic and bittersweetness, leaving a desire for more exceptional storytelling. The Ashes of You series is a cherished escape into a world of heartfelt storytelling, reminding us of the power of love to overcome any obstacle.