Books

Book Review: All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles

3:16 PM

All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles Book Review

All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles Book Review

All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles proves once again why she’s a master at blending heart-pounding suspense with swoony romance. This story has everything romance readers crave: a gripping crime mystery, electric chemistry between the leads, and witty banter exchanged in a charming small-town setting. I can't get enough of this book, and I'm already looking forward to the rest of the series. This is my book review after receiving an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this gem.

All the Missing Pieces Summary

When true-crime podcast star Ridley rolls into Shady Cove to cover a cold case, town sheriff Colt’s protective instincts kick into overdrive. 

He sees her as a threat to his town’s peace, but her relentless passion and haunting blue eyes are impossible to ignore. 

Ridley’s not just stirring up old secrets. She’s stirring something in him that was not part of the plan.

With danger lurking closer than either of them realizes, Ridley and Colt are forced to team up. 

What starts as a reluctant partnership soon turns into something much more intimate. But as the stakes rise, their growing connection may not be enough to keep them safe.

All the Missing Pieces book aesthetics

The Characters

Colter “Colt” Brooks, a.k.a. Law Man

Shady Cove’s grumpy sheriff. Beneath his gruff, broody exterior is a loyal friend and a devoted and protective brother, haunted by the shadows of his past. Weakness: sunshiny, unstoppable podcaster with a quick tongue that keeps him on his toes.

Colter “Colt” Brooks, a.k.a. Law Man

Ridley Sawyer Bennett a.k.a Chaos

A fearless and determined true crime podcaster with a past as dark as the mysteries she investigates. Ridley refuses to let her own pain define her. Instead, she transforms her pain into purpose, fighting to bring closure to tragedy-filled families like hers.

Ridley Sawyer Bennett a.k.a Chaos

Tropes

  • Dislike to lovers
  • Grumpy vs Sunshine
  • Crime mystery
  • Smalltown romance
  • Forced proximity
  • Found family
  • Healing
  • Spicy


All the Missing Pieces Book Review

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 🌶 🌶 🌶 

All the Missing Pieces is an unputdownable blend of spicy romance, pulse-pounding suspense, and heartfelt healing with emotional depth.

What I Like

The suspense

Catherine Cowles keeps you on edge, challenging your inner detective with twists and turns that make the mystery engrossing until the end. 

A love that casts out fears and heals

Colt and Ridley’s love story is a moving tale of two people who have been scarred by life but find solace and strength in one another. 

Both have endured immense pain. Colt, burdened by guilt and the weight of his past, and Ridley, haunted by the loss of her twin sister. 

Yet, instead of letting their fears drown them, they support each other, providing the lifelines the other needs.

The other steps in whenever one falters, offering unwavering support and comfort

Their bond is a testament to the power of love: a love that doesn’t erase the darkness but makes it bearable, a love that says, “You don’t have to face this alone.” 

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒖𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒖𝒔, 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒖𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒃𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔. 

All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles

The small-town charm

From the stunning views to the quirky side characters, Shady Cove feels like its own character. I would love to move into Colt's breathtaking lake house. Eat at the town's coffee shop and get the latest gossip from Tyler at the bar.

Perfect pacing

It seamlessly balances action and downtime, ensuring every scene drives the story forward without dragging or rushing. This page-turner maintains tension and interest throughout.


Quote

All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles Book Quote

Verdict

If you’re ready for an emotional ride, this one’s for you. Don’t forget to check the trigger warnings!

Read All the Missing Pieces

All the Missing Pieces (Shady Cove Book 1) publish date is January 7, 2025. Pre-order it on Amazon. Happy reading!

Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book, but this review is entirely my own. I did not receive any monetary compensation. I review to support indie authors and because I love romance novels.


Hey, book lovers! You can find me on Goodreads, Instagram, and Pinterest. If you give me a follow, drop me a message so I can return the favor. Let’s create a cozy corner for chapter chasers and share our passion for literature. (No following to unfollow, please!)

This post contains affiliate links, so we’d get a commission if you purchase through the links at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

Wait! I've got more stories for you...

20 comments

Trouble posting your comment in the box below? Please comment here instead.

  1. Sounds like a good book.

    ReplyDelete
  2. the characters are quite interesting and curious to know in details.....
    Thank you for sharing review....
    # Happy Holidays to you and yours.....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great review! There are a lot of good tropes in there.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I’ve heard great things about this author. Thank you for sharing. May this year upcoming be beautiful and full of many blessings.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds like a great book. Glad you enjoyed it so much. I really like the quote too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've read one by this author before and enjoyed it! Glad this was good too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. You really have to "piece" the clues together, I imagine.

    ReplyDelete
  8. That small-town vibe sounds so good!

    Wishing you a wonderful 2025!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've read and enjoyed a couple of her books. I like that she incorporates suspense in her romances!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Glad you liked this one. I'd go to Shady Cove and the lake house too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dear Lux, I enjoyed this post. It was a pleasure following About Life and Love in 2024. Looking forward to another in 2025. Happy New Year to you and yours! John

    ReplyDelete
  12. A nice review of a probably a nice book. But I read other storiesand books . 😉 Came for a visit anyway and also to wish you a nice and cozy 2025 from Holland.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I like a good grumpy character, and small towns, hey I like it all

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great review! Grumpy/Sunshine is my favorite trope. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I do love witty banter in a small town :)

    Is it just me, or are there a lot of crime-podcast leads in books recently? Not complaining about it, though!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh this does sound like a fun read, light romance mixed with a who done it, what could be better!

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. This book is getting a lot of great buzz. I always like when wounded MCs heal together too.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love suspsense in romance! And I see that one everywhere!

    ReplyDelete