No one does cozy romantic suspense like Catherine Cowles! How does she so deftly write love stories so soft, tender and dreamy and juxtapose them so seamlessly with adrenaline filled “who dun it” danger?! All the Missing Pieces is among my favorite she’s written- it captured my whole heart and had me glued to the pages. It’s effortlessly romantic, wonderfully swoony, and addictively page turning.

Like always, Catherine leaves us gobsmacked after a devastating opening chapter- but this one hit deeper than normal. A punch in the gut- one broken hearted heroine, and her missing sister. Our story picks up years later as Ridley, a very skilled and adored true crime podcaster makes her way to the most charming small town to dig into her next case. To outsiders, she’s a plucky and brilliant investigator who has an uncanny ability to both connect with people on a personal level and uncover those “missing pieces” that have left crimes unsolved. But there are deeper missing pieces Ridley is trying to put back together- the ones in her broken heart, as she seeks out murders and disappearances that are similar to that of her missing sister. That’s the one mystery she’s never been able to solve. She knew getting the trust of the victim of the attempted kidnapping that’s the focus of her latest episode might be challenging, but she did not expect the formidable resistance she gets from the victim’s brother, the mercurial, no nonsense town sheriff Colter….who, like Ridley, has his own baggage relates to his sister’s trauma. But as these two butt heads, the tension AND the plot thickens….because suddenly someone is after Ridley too.


Gah the emotions in this one- I felt the weight of them so intensely in this story. From beautiful love to deep heartbreak, Catherine serves up a truly emotionally affecting love story, one balanced with a truly gripping murder mystery. The small town backdrop as always adds plenty of charm and charisma, the chemistry is somehow both intense yet gentle, and the podcast framework adds some great dramatic flair. Add in my favorite microtrope of a sassy cat (I LOVE TATER, and CC always gives me the best animal co-stars) and this was basically my catnip (pun intended). I adored both Ridley and Colter, and their emotional connection over the shared trauma of what happened with this sisters makes for some great romantic tension and catalyzes a really emotively rich connection. And the mystery?! Yup, this time I was way off- the big twist and big baddie reveal had my jaw dropping. The suspense plot has a bit of a darker menace in this one, and it really amplified the stakes (and my adrenaline).


Truly, this is about so many missing pieces. The puzzle of trying to uncover just what happened to Ridley’s sister and where she is, just who tried to harm Colter’s sister all those years ago, most of all, putting back together the shards of both Ridley and Colter’s hearts cause by what happened to both of their sisters and their intensely weighty guilt. Both seem at odds, but when the truth comes out it’s clear their share the same north star- both have spent much of their adult lives trying to make right what they blame themselves for. Trying to help others, protect others, and most of all, do right by their sisters. The pain they’ve buried- one that Ridley addresses with stoic fixation and one that Colter buries in his icy detachment- has prevented them from being able to put their own pieces back together. And, in many ways, from them moving on. And it’s so sweet and fulfilling ot see them find the courage in each other- to address what’s broken with in them, and to start to heal those pieces…even when that means confronting painful memories and trauma.

I ravenously consumed this one- so obsessed with this story!

About this Book/Tropes
🧩 True Crime Podcaster x Sheriff Hero
🧩 Grumpy/Sunshine
🧩 Forced Proximity
🧩 Lovable Three-Legged Cat
🧩 Small Town Suspense
🧩 Hurt/Comfort
🧩 Hilarious, Meddling Townsfolk
🧩 Enemies to Lovers
🧩Quirky small town and side characters

@catherinecowlesauthor delivers another unputdownable romantic suspense with All the Missing Pieces!

This book perfectly blends mystery, heartache, and undeniable chemistry between two unforgettable characters. I didn’t want it to end so much I read it twice in a month! 🤣

Ridley and Colt couldn’t be more different—she’s the fiery true crime podcaster chasing justice, and he’s the broody small-town sheriff who’d rather avoid the chaos she stirs up. Yet, their shared wounds from past tragedies create a powerful bond that makes their character journeys so fascinating! Watching them clash, connect, and ultimately heal together was so rewarding!

The mystery? It kept me flipping pages late into the night. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, another twist would send me reeling. And let’s talk about the romance—Ridley and Colt’s chemistry leaps off the page! 🔥They’re like oil and water but can’t resist falling for one another. Their banter, tension, and eventual tenderness made my heart melt. (The nicknames “Chaos” and “Lawman”? I can’t even! 🫠)

If you love grumpy sunshine dynamics, true crime podcasts, small-town charm, quirky animals, and suspenseful mysteries with a hint of danger, you need to pick this up!! Cowles has once again crafted a story that hits all the right notes. Highly recommend!

Ps- my second read was on audio and the performances were A+!! If audiobooks are more your jam don’t miss this one!

Thank you @sourcebookscasa as well as @librofm for the ARC and the ALC!! I can’t recommend both formats enough!!

A perfect combination of romance and suspense!

Catherine shines in this new novel. It packed everything you could’ve wanted it to be: small town vibes, humorous animals, silly side characters, a shocking twist and an emotional love story.

This story follows Ridley, a true crime podcaster, who has personal ties to a case she is covering in a new small town. The sheriff of said small town, Colter, makes assumptions about the new girl in town which leads to a tumultuous start between the two of them. This enemies to lovers packed a punch- you could see the distrust and frustration in the enemies portion, and also the caring and trust in the lovers portion.
The story brings you through twists and turns, you feel as if you are a part of the investigation. Clues are dropped and suspects are brought forward. I had 2 guesses for who I think the perpetrator was and I was WRONG. I’ve read Catherine’s books before and feel like by now I know how she writes but she bamboozled me with the killer in this one which made me love it all the more

I devoured this in a couple of hours! I absolutely love all of Catherine’s work and can confidently say she keeps getting better with each book.

I typically enjoy an insta-love romance, but this one felt forced, lacking the depth and complexity I’ve come to expect from Catherine Cowles.

The story follows Ridley, a true-crime podcaster driven by her twin sister’s unsolved disappearance. Her latest investigation brings her to Shady Cove, where she meets Colt, the local sheriff. While they initially clash, they soon find themselves working together to solve a case with ties to Ridley’s past.

What Worked:
Ridley’s character: Her determination and personal stakes made her an engaging protagonist.
The mystery: The cold case investigation kept me intrigued, even if it wasn’t groundbreaking.
The cover is absolutely stunning and eye-catching.
What Didn’t Work:
The romance: The enemies-to-lovers banter quickly turned into insta-love, but the emotional connection between Ridley and Colt felt underdeveloped. Their chemistry seemed forced and didn’t evoke the swoony moments I hoped for.
The dialogue: At times, it felt cheesy and unnatural, which made it hard to connect with the characters.

The balance: The suspense plot was overshadowed by the romance, yet the romance didn’t have enough depth to carry the story on its own.

As a fan of Catherine Cowles, I know she’s capable of delivering layered, emotional romances, but this one didn’t hit the mark for me. While the mystery had some compelling moments, the romance fell flat, making the overall story feel formulaic.

If Catherine Cowles writes it, I'm gonna read it. I knew going into this book that I would enjoy it and I was wrong, because I didn't just enjoy it, I absolutely loved it. Literally everything about this book was amazing.

Highlights for me:
- Colt. I loved him so much. He was the perfect male lead to this story. I loved his grumpy tendencies and how he cared for those around him.
- Ridley. Such an amazing female lead. She is the definition of strength and I loved how she turned such sorrow into something profound.
- The relationship between Ridley and Colt. I loved how the relationship between the two of them developed over the course of the story and I loved how the two of them just really wanted to support the other. I love how they came to care for each other and I love how they supported each other.
- The suspense. Catherine knows how to write a suspense plot that keeps you guessing until the last moment, and this one is no exception. I did not see the reveal of the bad guy coming until it was already in my face.
- The side characters. I so badly want this book to become a series because I want to know more about the side characters. Catherine has a way of getting me attached to everyone in the story, no matter how minor a part they play...well, at least the characters I'm supposed to like anyway.
- The whole story. This might be cheating to put this here under a list I'm titling 'highlights', but seriously, this whole story was a highlight. The pacing was perfect, the writing was amazing, the characters were griping, and the story was just phenomenal.

This will easily go down as one of my favorite books.

✔️ Grumpy/Sunshine
✔️ Hate to Love
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Sheriff MMC x True Crime Podcaster FMC
✔️ No Strings/Fling
✔️ Romantic Suspense
✔️ Small Town
✔️ First Person Dual POV

🧩🎙️ALL THE MISSING PIECES🧩🎙️{arc/alc review}

♾️/5 ⭐️

I’m so excited that this book is out in the world! It’s no secret, I’m a huge Catherine Cowles fan. I love romantic suspense and she can craft a story like no other!

All The Missing Pieces might just be my favorite CC book so far! The chemistry and banter between Colt and Ridley(aka Lawman & Chaos) was absolute perfection from the start. I’m always amazed at how Catherine hooks a reader into her characters’ lives from the very beginning. From prologue to epilogue, you are taken on the best journey of grief, resilience, growth, healing and love that you never want to end!
As always, my mind was blown in the best way with the twists and turns in this book! I absolutely loved the true-crime aspect. I thought I had it all figured out and was way off the mark! I live for plot twists like that!
I can’t recommend this book enough! All The Missing Pieces will forever have my heart and I’m really sad that it’s a stand-alone. I need to be transported back to Shady Cove!

“He saw things in me that no one had ever taken the time to recognize. He understood the colors I painted my world with because he spoke the language of my pain.”

2-sentence synopsis: A nomadic true crime podcaster meets a tortured and grumpy small-town Sheriff when she arrives in town with the goal of solving a cold case that turns out to be personal to them both. As they work the case together, they battle with complicated feelings, discover new leads, and find comfort and peace in places they never expected.

Review:
I had such a great time reading this book. From the very beginning, I was hooked and I had such a hard time putting this down! Colt and Ridley’s story pulled at my heartstrings in the best possible way.

Our main characters were built so well and I really enjoyed reading about flawed people with the best intentions. Colt was hot-tempered and judgmental and it was refreshing to see a hero who had those flaws and learned from them, while also being able to understand why those flaws existed. Both characters’ motivations were very clear from the beginning, and made sense for what they had been through. I also loved that we got to see them build a working relationship and friendship before the romance began, even though the clear attraction was there all along.

This dislike to lovers trope was done SO WELL, as they had understandable reasons to be at odds. And by the end, you really understood why they fit so perfectly together.

The pacing was perfect, and the plot twist had my jaw on the floor. For my first foray into romantic suspense, this absolutely did not disappoint and I’m so excited to read more of Catherine’s work!

ARC provided by NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca.

“Love you, Chaos.” “Love you, Law Man.” 🥹🥹⁣
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My favorite Catherine Cowles book that I’ve read so far!! If you’re a true crime podcast fan, this is one you shouldn’t miss! Even if you’re not, pick this one up!⁣
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A great meet-cute brings Colt and Ripley together over a three-legged cat and a van and their banter didn’t stop the entire time. They had immediate chemistry and I loved them together! ⁣
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But more than loving the couple, I LOVED this story!! It kept me guessing the entire time. My theories people-hopped through the characters and I was wrong with every one. ⁣
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Expect:⁣
🎙️ Small Town⁣
🚐 Grumpy/Sunshine⁣
🎙️ Enemies to lovers⁣
🚐 Forced Proximity⁣
🎙️ Romantic suspense⁣
🚐 Who did this to you?⁣
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Andi Arndt and Sebastian York did a fantastic job with the audiobook! They made me feel like I was right there in the story with them! ⁣
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I know this is supposed to be a standalone, but I can’t be the only one hoping Emerson and Trey get a book, right?! Please! 🙏⁣
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Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an eARC of this book and to Libro.fm for an ALC. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.

All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles is a wonderful grumpy x sunshine story.
This is a really fun read, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I adored the writing and the setting was just amazing.
This story was so riveting and unique, that I'm still thinking about it.
It was realistic and relatable. I absolutely loved everything about it
A wonderful contemporary romance.

Thank You NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Catherine Cowles is the queen of romantic suspense. She has a unique ability to hook you from the first page, developing the characters and plot beautifully to keep readers engaged and guessing. She still manages to deliver a surprising twist at the end (she got me again with this one!).

This book blends themes of trauma, growth, love, mystery, and swoon-worthy moments. Colt and Ridley both have complicated pasts that shape their current careers—Ridley is a true crime podcaster, while Colt is the sheriff. Fate pulls them together when Ridley comes to investigate a case in [location]. This creates a classic enemies-to-lovers situation, and the tension between them was electric. I loved watching their relationship develop and grow.

The book has many layers, and some moments left me feeling emotional. It was truly amazing

This book is a true testament to Catherine’s ability to weave romantic suspense with a heartfelt story. This book is one I’d want to read again and again, even knowing the whodunnit, because it’s such a beautiful story about the different ways grief and loss change people and how we survive in the face of it all.

Colter and Ridley were perfect foils for each other. Colter Brooks is the town sheriff, overly protective, and filled with guilt. Ridley is a podcaster going from town to town for cold cases, usually involving missing or dead girls, carrying the loss of her twin sister with her as she goes, but always with the intent of bringing closure to others since she never got that.

“He understood the colors I painted my world with because he spoke the language of my pain.”

Colt & Ridley had a relationship that felt truly real. The way this man misjudged her but then starts to fall head over boots the more he learns and spends time with her was chef’s kiss! Ridley starts to see through his walls and the front he puts on early on, she understands him in ways most other people can’t. I loved that it was more of a slow burn. It wouldn’t feel authentic any other way imo. But the way they burn, it’s like the sun!

Now this book isn’t a downer, I promise!! It has all the hallmarks of a great CC book: the top tier banter, wonderful side characters, the perfect found family, and delicious spice! Can’t forget my beloved cat, Tater. Honestly the bit about her tooth hugs kept me giggling throughout.

And in true Catherine Cowles fashion, the twist left me gobsmacked! I love trying to figure out the unsub but let me tell you, this one got me better than any others.

Thank you to Catherine, NetGalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC!

AMAZING!!!! All the Missing Pieces is beautifully written and I love how it brought two very different people with similar traumas together. That Ridley and Colt found healing and love in own another was just spectacular to witness.

I also love how Catherine was able to bring hugely popular True Crime Podcast culture and blend it seamlessly with the romance genre. This book was just utterly perfect and will be a top read of 2025!!!!

The queen of romantic suspense strikes again! 🤩

This was a more suspense-focused book from Catherine, and my goodness did I EAT IT UP 🤌 And the true-crime podcast element was done so well — I don’t even listen to podcasts, and this book made me want to start! Especially with our host Ridley being such a strong and b*da*s character like UGH I love her so much 🥲

Not only was I super invested in the mystery, but Ridley & Colt’s romance captivated me alongside it all as well. From the beginning, I could tell that they were perfect for each other and are exactly what the other person was missing in life. They’ve both been through similar and difficult hardships, but they balance each other out in all the best ways. It was so amazing to see how much solace and healing they bring each other after all the pain they’ve experienced for so many years 🥹

All in all, I am obsessed with this book 🤧 This story was crafted so perfectly — the podcast aspect, the suspense, the romance, the characters, the small town community, all of it! I’m so grateful that this was my first read to kick off 2025 — I’ll never get enough of Catherine’s books, and I know the rest of this year will sure enough prove the same 🫶

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca & Catherine Cowles & her team for an ARC of this book! 💌

Romantic Suspense is a difficult genre to write well because both elements have to be balanced and interwoven seamlessly. Catherine Cowles always meshes them together so well and she is one of my favorite authors.

I have been reading her books since her debut and her writing and storytelling continues to get better and better with each new release. All the Missing Pieces is no exception, and it is one of my favorite books she's written.

Ridley works for a true crime podcast and works to find the truth in the cases she investigates. It was interesting seeing how her experiences and the disappearance of her twin sister informed her career and life now. While working her newest story for the podcast she crosses paths with Colt a local Sheriff. The two of them had fantastic chemistry and a connection that was undeniable. I loved getting both their POVs and getting their thoughts as their relationship developed and they dealt with the suspense and mystery surrounding them.

I was hooked from the very first page and didn't want to put this book down. I cannot recommend it enough!

The description of this book reads like a thriller. Riley is a determined podcaster solving true crimes after the disappearance of her twin sister the night before their college graduation. As she tracks down the woman who may have been that monster’s first victim, she has to face off with the local Sheriff. Now, I am not the one for a thriller, but I want to me. Perhaps I have just needed a thriller mashed up with a romance.

There are plenty of twists and turns and while there are some clues to the identity of the perpetrator, it is not extremely obvious. The romance is hot and heavy. The side characters are delightful and I would love to visit this town.

I really enjoyed this book! I would have preferred if the romance drew out just a bit more but overall 4.5/5 stars!

Thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the DRC! All opinions are my own.

Yay! A new author for me - I really enjoyed All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles. This suspenseful and romantic story keeps readers engaged as the story unfolds.

I LOVED this.
All the Missing Pieces follows Ridley Sawyer who travels the country covering cold cases for her true crime podcast and Colter Brooks, the sheriff of Shady Cove. The last thing Colter wants is a podcaster in town stirring up trouble but Ridley is determined not to let him get in her way. Not only is this the first case she’s covered where the victim survived, but she believes it’s linked to her twin sisters disappearance. Colter may not want her in his town but the second she’s in danger, he steps in to help.

Whew. Colt and Ridley are PERFECT together, the enemies-to-lovers vibes were immaculate. I was cracking up during their first meeting. I loved how they gradually grew closer, especially after Ridley is attacked and Colt insists she stay with him. The tension and chemistry between them was SO GOOD.

The suspense had me on the edge of my seat and once again, Catherine surprised me with the reveal. There were a few times where I thought, this is the serial killer but NOPE! I was wrong.

I know this is supposed to be a standalone but I’m hoping this isn’t the last we’ll see of Shady Cove.
This is a MUST READ if you enjoy romantic suspense and true crime podcasts!

WOW! I am unsure how to fully express my LOVE for All the Missing Pieces ! Although I have not read her full backlist (and I know Sparrow Falls likely has my most anticipated couple to date!) I can fully admit THIS is my favorite book of hers so far!

Honestly, it’s hard to organize my thoughts on all the things I loved about this book! The prologue had a sense of dread that just hooked you into the mystery & suspense of the plotline while being the perfect gateway to the story that unfolds. The introduction to Ridley & the deep sense of purpose you see in her throughout the book is grounded in this prologue and sticks with you until the end. The way Ridley’s story ties into Colt’s is flawless! Their parallel lives overlap with unexpected complexity and create the beginnings of connection that grows deep with an understanding and more, regardless of how hard they fight it! It’s that fight and tension that gave way to some seriously smoking chemistry that I LOVED from these to strong characters!

I also really enjoyed how their professions overlapped! The true crime podcaster with her scrappy ways of putting pieces together mixed with a more straight laced approach from the sheriff made for humorous moments of exacerbation from Colt mixed with that growly protectiveness I loved so much in his character. Ridley’s determination was evident in every page but it was her compassion toward others and how she built relationships in Shady Cove that made her character a favorite of mine. The two of them together were just perfection!

I have to give all the slow claps to Catherine for the reveal at the end because every time I turned the dang page I had a new suspect in mind! She has a way of writing even the nicest characters in a way that has you questioning their motives. The way relief flooded through me at times when I was wrong was numerous!

Finally, I have to mention my FAVORITE side character, Tater! She is my spirit animal! I would love to give “tooth hugs” when I’m all done too!

✨A MUST READ✨

All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles is a gripping & astounding small town romance story involving a true crime podcaster coming to investigate an old cold case only to meet some resistance from the grumpy sheriff of said small town. I have to keep things vague because I don’t want to give away any spoilers but suffice to say, the journey this story takes is riveting, heartwrenching & healing all in one!

This is a standalone read, perfect for fellow fans or the perfect starting point for those wanting to read this author!

All the Missing Pieces continues to showcase why Catherine Cowles is one of the pillars of the romantic suspense genre. I will read & be enraptured by anything she writes!

All the Missing Pieces Is great for those looking to read…
🩷 Romantic Suspense
🩷 True Crime Podcaster x Sheriff
🩷 Small Town Romance

The combination of mystery plus romance is one of the greatest treats & when you combine that with the best small town vibes, a badass heroine, a swoony hero, humor, spice & intrigue, it creates an unputdownable story. Catherine Cowles continually writes fantastic mysterious suspense that will leave the reader guessing.

I also got to listen to the audiobook of this one & I loved it! I am always grateful for dual point of view in books & I’m super grateful for the two narrators bringing these characters to life. They were a delight to listen to! I listened at 2x & it was perfect for my ADHD brain.

If you are a fan of romance &/or mystery, I HIGHLY recommend checking out All the Missing Pieces, which is out now!

Massive thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casa & Dreamscape Media for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

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.”