ALL THE MISSING PIECES by Catherine Cowles. Well, Ms. Cowles is one of my go to authors, and this book is why. Our main characters, Ridley and Colt, really meshed for me. They had a bit of enemies to lovers vibe going on, especially at the beginning, but the chemistry was off the charts. Ms. Cowles gives us readers more than just a romantic story, there is danger and suspense and mystery too. I cannot wait for the next book by this wonderful author! (received ARC for honest review from NetGalley)

Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca, NetGalley and Libro FM for these advanced copies in exchange for my honest opinion.

Catherine Cowles has truly outdone herself with this one—wow! This might be her best book yet. It struck a perfect balance between romantic suspense and thriller, creating an unforgettable reading experience.

While the romance was solid and heartwarming, the real standout elements were the missing person cases, the podcast, and the eerie, unraveling story with Ridley at its center. The creepy, atmospheric vibes were palpable—especially in the audiobook version. Andi Arndt and Sebastian York delivered stellar performances that brought the story to life and added an extra layer of intensity.

Ridley was such a standout character with her strength and positivity shining through in every scene. I’ll admit I struggled a bit with Colt at first—he was so quick to jump to conclusions—but as the story progressed, I came to understand his struggles and eventually warmed up to him. Their banter, relationship, and adorable nicknames added so much depth to their dynamic.

The combination of excellent character development, a compelling backstory that drives the plot, and an engaging, hard-to-put-down storyline made this book an absolute standout. It’s one I loved with my whole heart and can’t stop thinking about. Catherine Cowles continues to prove she’s a master of this genre.

𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙍𝙊𝙈𝘼𝙉𝙏𝙄𝘾 𝘽𝙊𝙎𝙉𝙄𝘼𝙉 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒
𝘛𝘖𝘗 2025 𝘔𝘜𝘚𝘛 𝘙𝘌𝘈𝘋!

Now I read this book 3 times before it released, I got a ARC last year very early and devoured it. Then re-read it because why not and then I wanted a fresh re read before release. Am I crazy? Yes, but that's beside the point this book really each time I read it kept me engaged and even though I knew the outcome and answers, I loved it equally if not more each time. I have a slight obsession with Catherine's books so sue me!

FAV QUOTE: As if Ridley had a radar for my emotions, her gaze cut to me. “Law Man,” she started cautiously. “You okay?”
“Who. The. Hell. Did. This. To. You?”

Where to start on this not even sure because as much as it made my heart happy I also cried like a little baby. EVERY. TIME. I. READ. IT. Ridley i fell in love with from the first page of being intro to her. Colt was just the perfect MMC for her, their chemistry and banter. WILL GIVE YOU BUTTERFLIES. Now this book is a slow burn but the build up to it will keep you on your toes. These two really come together in a way that just how do I explain that I was a paid actress in the book because I was everywhere. Catherine has a way of taking your mind right into the story and it's so beautiful. Now these two as the local town sheriff who needs to protect his town and a MFC who really has a knack for finding things. From wanting to read the end to find the answer, to thinking I figured it out and then being wrong, to the sheer suspense that has all the romance aspects, I COULDN'T PUT THIS BOOK DOWN! Highly recommended and all the hype you see? 100% TRUE AND WORTH IT!

This is all the first book that I read in 2024 that made it on my TOP 2024 MUST READ and also read in 2025 that made it on my TOP 2025 MUST READ!

I don’t usually love mystery/thrillers but this one was awesome! It balanced the mystery with the romance perfectly. There was enough action to keep the reader engaged and the plot flowing but the romance lightened the mood and added that extra layer.

I loved Ridley and Colt. Their relationship unfurled slowly and they both started out with genuine respect for each other before becoming something more. This was sort of an enemies to lovers to friends situation and I loved it.

The twist surprised me for sure! I had a running list of possibilities but I was definitely shocked by who the killer was!

This was my first book by Catherine Cowles and I will definitely be reading more!

I really, really enjoyed this one! The suspense was really good, and the plot was very well done. The spice was pretty good and the relationship between the characters was very complex and intriguing. Catherine Cowles does small town suspense so well, and this is a great example of that!

Catherine Cowles? Check.
True crime? Check.
Romantic suspense? Check!

At this point, is anything Catherine puts out going to NOT be a 5? No. She’s the queen. Everything she touches. Infinite stars. Never want them to end.

This was no different. Chefs kiss, if I could rate this higher than 5 stars, I would.

This may have become my favourite ever book Catherine has written.

Ridley and Colt are absolutely beautifully written. Ridley is a true crime podcaster, who follows leads and stories to numerous small towns, when eventually, she winds up in Shady Cove. Colt, the local town sheriff, is instantly skeptical of Ridley and her intentions with the town.

As the story progresses, you get to learn both of their backstories, and the tragedies and trauma they both experienced. Together, they learn to heal and move forward, while simultaneously breaking down each others walls, and forming an unbreakable bond in the process. The suspense left me on the edge of my seat, constantly wondering who it would be.

I cannot recommend this book enough! If you don’t have this book on your shelf, do it now. You won’t regret it.

5/5 ⭐️

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

I can't lie, I was engaged with this one from the minute I started reading it. I usually enjoy this author's titles, so I wasn't surprised to feel this way, but it's always nice when the expectation meets the reality.

The characters were interesting, the story was engaging and I was definitely interested in seeing the resolution of the mystery...and I admit I did not see that resolution coming. I definitely knew who I thought it was going to be...and it was not.

Ridley and Colt were an interesting couple, and I definitely believed their connection and I loved their initial meeting, and the fact that their spark was obvious even though the initial meeting was far from romantic.

I enjoyed and recommend this title.

This is hands down my new favorite Catherine Cowles book! All the Missing Pieces has everything you love from her books: an amazing cast of characters, charming small towns, mystery, murder, and wild twists. Colt is so dang grumpy and he makes you so mad at first but boy, does that man know how to apologize. Seeing him and Ridley go from major enemies to friends to benefits to lovers was HOT!! As always, CC weaves a story of heartbreak, trauma, and suspense with so much love and heart that will leave you in tears. This is a book you do not want to miss!

Catherine you’ve done it again. You’ve written another piece that has gripped my heart. And I was so confident I knew who the “bad” guy was But nope I was wrong and did not see that coming at all. I loved “chaos” and “law man” the banter in the beginning had me giggling. Ridley is quick on her feet. And Tater and Bowser was the perfect addition to the story. I will say I’ll be kind of upset if we don’t get an Emerson and Trey story so hopefully they are next 😉 thank you so much Catherine for this stunning addition of this book! It’s absolute beautiful. This books releases today so be sure to go order yourself a copy or download it and read it asap.

Sadly this book was not for me. Maybe I had my expectations set high, I don’t know. After DNFing this book twice, I decided to give it a try a third time and ended up skimming because I felt bad about DNFing (again) since I was lucky enough to receive an eARC.

I felt like I read/heard or watched almost the entirety of this book. Which could be because it was the classic Catherine Cowles formula from her other books or something.

The suspense wasn’t there for me, and even with skimming, I could pinpoint the twist and turns and who “the bad person” was. The romance was very bland. I didn’t feel the connection between the characters. I felt like it was started as a potential slow burn, but turned into an insta-love kind of thing.

I’m sad that I didn’t loved it as I hoped, but if it’s something that interests you, I highly recommend you check it out. You might actually enjoy it more than me!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for giving me the eARC in exchange of an honest review

I am officially CC newest fan 👏🏻🫶🏻👏🏻🫶🏻 this was my first book by her, & I can already say I’m adding her backlist to my must reads!

This book had me hooked from beginning to end, & if I didn’t have responsibilities I would’ve read it in one sitting 🙃 the writing, the characters, absolutely everything was per 👏🏻 fect!

Ridley is someone I would love to meet in real life. She was passionate about her beliefs & didn’t take no for an answer. Her voice was incredibly strong, & her willingness to help anyone admirable. And Colt was the sweetest, even if his exterior is not. He took care of those around him, even when it was costing him. The secondary characters were just as great! Especially Emerson & Trey 🫶🏻🥰

I absolutely loved how this story was so much more than a romance. There was an intriguing story, filled with twists & turns, & many surprises that kept you guessing. I’m a big fan of romantic suspense, & this one was spot on!

What to expect:
✨dual POV
✨true crime podcaster FMC
✨sherif MMC
✨small town
✨romantic suspense
✨grumpy/sunshine
✨forced proximity
✨open door

(I recommend checking content warnings if needed due to heavy topics)

Thank you @netgalley & @sourcebookscasa for the early copy! ALL THE MISSING PIECES is out now!! Go read it 💕💕💕💕

ARC Review
3.5 Stars
Not my favorite Catherine Cowles book, but good nonetheless. I don't think stranger turned enemy turned lovers was my favorite trope here, I didn't feel the passion in their connection. There was some banter, yes, and they thought the other person was attractive, but it really felt surface level by the time they were exchanging I love you's. Enjoyed the setting and mystery element though, and her easy writing style is always good

Catherine Cowles has done it again. I loved this book. Definitely one of my top reads of the year (2024). All the Missing Pieces is a small town, grumpy/sunshine romantic suspense that follows Ridley, a true crime podcaster who goes to Shady Cove for a story and Colt, the town’s gruff sheriff. I loved these two so so much. I couldn’t get enough of how they initially butted heads only to grow in to a great partnership and a passionate romance. Their chemistry was felt from the very first interaction.

Ridley was such a star. She may be my favorite Cowles heroine to date. After her sister disappeared years prior, she set out to shine light on cold disappearance cases with her podcast even helping to solve them. She’s so strong and intelligent and resilient.

The suspense was second to none. The way this author build the mystery is masterful. This time, more than any other book by Catherine, I was thrown for a complete loop over who the villain was. The way I was kept glued to my kindle and suspecting everyone…kudos Catherine.

Whether you’re new to Catherine Cowles or an avid reader, this book is a must read.

If you love true crime and podcasts and romantic suspense, you HAVE to pick this book up! Catherine uses her magic touch to combine all of those elements into one of my new favorite romance novels she's ever written!

Ridley is a true crime podcaster who is visiting Shady Cove where she thinks a serial killer had his first victim. Unfortunately, Colt is the sheriff in town and doesn't want her sniffing around and bothering the people in his town and bringing up old trauma. Ridley is determined to find the truth, though, so she breaks down the case and Colt finds himself helping her along the way.

The hate to love tension between Ridley and Colt was EVERYTHINGGGGGG and I loved how Ridley slowly broke down Colt's walls until he couldn't resist her anymore. This suspense kept me on the edge of my seat and I was SHOCKKEEDDD by the villain. But it's Catherine Cowles, so why would I be expecting anything else!?

We had a fun cast of characters in this small town and I loved discovering the town along with Ridley as she was digging deeper into this case. I also loved Colt's sister and his best friend!

Everything about this book was perfection and I couldn't recommend it enough!!! You HAVE to pick this up when it releases in January!

This is Catherine’s first standalone and she Did. Not. Miss. It was full of suspense, action, romance, and all the things that I love most out of Catherine Cowles books and now I want more. More of her writing, more of these characters, more of her next world!

hi there, podcastlandia!!!!

so anyone else entering their crime podcast era again?! who am i kidding. i never left ‹ BUT i've definitely been going on some binges of my favorite true crime podcasters after reading all the missing pieces!

ms catherine cowles had me absolutely hooked from the very start! I loved the true crime aspect and going alongside ridley as she solved her case - but i also loved ridley and colt together! these two just absolutely understood each other in a way no one else could!

read it you like:
• true crime podcaster x sheriff
• grumpy x sunshine
• small town
• enemies to lovers
• romantic suspense

thank you catherine cowles for the arc & librofm for the alc! i loved being able to read immersively!

🎧 3.5

Catherine strung together a very intriguing mystery with ATMP. I was hooked from the prologue, as I typically am with her writing. The mystery and suspense was phenomenal, and I was between multiple suspects up until the final few chapters before the big reveal. She kept me on my toes entirely for this one! Overall, I enjoyed the mystery and suspense aspect of the story, more so than the romance.
I found it difficult to connect and become invested in Ridley and Colts relationship, they both fell flat for me. I was not invested in their love story and rather than a slow burn, it felt rushed in the second half of the story.
I adored Andi Arndt’s narration of Ridley- she did a wonderful job portraying the everything Ridley felt throughout the story.
Sebastian York’s narration of Colt was well done, but I was not as invested in Colt’s character as a whole.
Thank you so much to Catherine Cowles, Casablanca Books, and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to receive an ARC! I purchased and listened to the ATMP after release day on Audible.

tropes: romantic suspense, small-town romance, sheriff mmc, grumpy sunshine
vibes: adventurous mysterious medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, and Stalking

Catherine Cowles has done it again! This book has everything a great romantic suspense needs (and then some). Great characters, funny and witty banters, an awesome cast of supporting characters, true suspense and a great setting. The cat and dog were also stars of the book. The true-crime-podcasting element was new and refreshing for me. The FMC is strong, spunky and likeable. The MMC was protective, a little bit grumpy and swoony. And, as usual, Catherine Cowles had me guessing until the end. I'll read anything CC writes and I highly recommend All The Missing Pieces!

I completed this book several days ago and wanted to sit with my thoughts. The suspense, angst, banter, found friendships/family, animals and everything in between was pure perfection in my opinion. I enjoy books that make me feel something and stay with me afterwards. Author Catherine Cowles always delivers and has become an auto buy/read for me personally. Do yourself a favor and add this one to your TBR!!