Earlier this year, I listened to my first Catherine Cowles series. I loved how her books came across on audio, so I decided that was how I wanted to experience her other works. That lead me to binge listening to the Tattered & Torn series. Below are my mini reviews for each book. Please note: I have not included content warnings and sensitive readers will want to check those prior to reading.
Snowbound
Series: Tattered & Torn, #0.5
Author: Catherine Cowles
Narrators: Ava Erickson, Sebastian York
Publication Date: January 1, 2022
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Novella
Rating: ★ ★ ★
Snowbound was such a quick listen that it never had the chance to capture my heart. I listened to it after I finished the entire series, and it didn’t add anything to it for me. It probably makes a better introduction to the series. You get to meet Hayes (Tattered Stars) for a second in the story. Honestly, I probably could have skipped it, but maybe readers new to the series would enjoy it.
My thoughts:
Tattered Stars
Series: Tattered & Torn, #1
Author: Catherine Cowles
Narrators: Andi Arndt, Zachary Webber
Publication Date: January 30, 2022
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
My thoughts:
I actually started with this book instead of the novella. It was a great introduction to Wolf Gap and the people who live there. Everly was returning to town after basically having been ran off by family members who were angry and are now holding a grudge against her. She’s returned to reclaim her family’s land and start an animal sanctuary. It puts her in the path of Sheriff Hayes who has every reason to hate her but can’t stop his feelings for her. I hate to admit it, but I didn’t quite feel their connection or chemistry. Or maybe just not from Everly? Hayes, I knew he was into her. Everly, it seemed like an all of a sudden thing. I guess the chemistry grew the closer I got to the end. This book felt more plot heavy than romance heavy to me. That was fine because the plot was very interesting, and I was engaged the entire time. I just expected to feel more into the romance aspect of the book than I was.
Falling Embers
Series: Tattered & Torn, #2
Author: Catherine Cowles
Narrators: Vanessa Ewin, Joe Arden
Publication Date: April 12, 2022
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My thoughts:
Oh wow. Falling Embers was a fabulous read. I already knew I loved Hadley and Calder as characters from the first book, but their story was really something special. Everything about it was so good. Hadley and Calder had great chemistry and the tension between them at the beginning was off the charts. They were perfect for each other. I loved the way Calder supported Hadley when it came to family issues and her needing to escape in certain ways. I also loved how strong of a person Hadley was in her convictions and standing up for them. Calder’s kids were such a sweet part of the mix, too. The romantic suspense plot kept things moving and there some interesting surprises. I loved everything about this book. It’s made me even more excited to continue this series.
Hidden Waters
Series: Tattered & Torn, #3
Author: Catherine Cowles
Narrators: Ava Erickson, Sebastian York
Publication Date: June 21, 2022
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
My thoughts:
Hidden Waters was almost as good as Falling Embers. I loved getting to meet the eldest Easton son, Beckett, and experience him falling for Addie. He was also struggling with the past, so it was great to see him and Addie bond over that and help each other. I was also happy Addie to rise above her upbringing away from her horrible dad and blossom. This was such a sweet romance mixed with a side dark romantic suspense.
Shattered Sea
Series: Tattered & Torn, #4
Author: Catherine Cowles
Narrators: Ava Erickson, Sebastian York
Publication Date: September 13, 2022
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Rating: ★ ★ ★
My thoughts:
I loved how this started out with Laiken’s past. I was looking forward to her moving on from it and finding that someone special in movie star Boden. Boden had an interesting past himself. I liked how these two met and how attraction and feelings started to build. And then somewhere along the way I kind of lost interest in the story. Laiken and Boden’s relationship started to feel like instant love. The romantic suspense part of the story got a little too out there for me. Eli and Jax felt like they could have been the same person. I know this series and Cowles’s others are all romantic suspense, but I think I would have gotten more out of the romance if this book had just been a contemporary romance about moving on.
Fractured Sky
Series: Tattered & Torn, #5
Author: Catherine Cowles
Narrators: Erin Mallon, Joe Arden
Publication Date: October 25, 2022
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My thoughts:
Cowles saved the best for last with Fractured Sky. I absolutely loved the pairing of Shiloh and Ramsey. Both had tragic pasts they had done major healing from and were trying to move and live their lives. The hope and comfort they brought each other was so sweet. I loved how the horse rehabilitation ranch and two kids who end up spending time there added to the story. There were so many great, healing moments along with the romance. I even loved how Shiloh’s family and her relationships with them started to completely mend. And then there was the romantic suspense plot. Poor Shiloh had them coming at her from all directions! I didn’t see the twist coming, but I should have expected it! This book was the best way to end the series. I loved it.
Overall series thoughts:
This was a fun series to binge. If you like romantic suspense and don’t shy away from many triggering topics, I recommend it. It did make me wonder how one small town could have that many horrible, suspenseful things happen to the women in it? But that was pretty easy to look past.