All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles

All the Missing Pieces
Author: Catherine Cowles
Published: January 2025
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Format: ARC eBook
Pages: 384
Rating: 5/5

Summary:

Sometimes the last thing you expect is exactly what you need, the final missing piece. And sometimes it comes in the form of a towering, broody sheriff, determined to get in your way at every step.

Ridley Sawyer knows what it’s like to miss someone, to feel like a piece of her vanished—because it happened to her the night her twin sister disappeared.

Now, Ridley channels that loss into hope, traveling the country covering cold cases for her true crime podcast. She might not have found justice for her sister but that doesn’t stop her from finding it for others.

Until Sheriff Colter Brooks gets in her way.

Colt knows what it’s like to have reporters descend on his town in the wake of a tragedy, and he’s not about to let a fiery podcaster stir up trouble. It doesn’t matter that her haunting blue eyes tell him there’s more to Ridley’s story or that he can’t stop imagining what it would be like to touch her.

But when Ridley’s cold case turns hot and she’s thrust into the crosshairs, Colt has no choice but to step in. Suddenly, Ridley’s living at his house, drinking his whiskey, and stealing his dog’s affections. But she’s also proving that she’s so much more than his first impression.

And as they get closer to the truth, the game they’ve been playing might just turn deadly…

Review:

First, I'd like to thank Catherine Cowles, her team & Sourcebooks for sending me an ARC to review! This was such an interesting novel, and sort of a different style I would even say a little bit, but let me tell you the ride of trying to find out who the unsub is never changes!

Right from the beginning you dive into Ridley's past, and now her present as she tries to solve not only the murders but what truly happened to her sister years ago. And pretty much right away she meets Colt, and you can just tell that they have this connection. While it may have started a little more heated in the way of enemies rather than lovers, their bond quickly changes the more time they spend together as Ridley continues to follow clues, question people from Shady Cove, and of course lands herself into some hot waters when she's clearly getting a little too close for the unsub's comfort.

The pull that Colt and Ridley had together was amazing! You could tell that they started off rocky, but somewhere along the way, feelings changed and keeping their hands to themselves began to be a bit difficult. I will say the fierce protection that Colt has over his sister is amazing. Sometimes he can be a bit too protective, and even she knows it, but when you dive more into his past and the way he constantly beats himself up over what happened, you can see it's all with love that he wants to make sure everyone he cares about is truly safe.

One thing that I really enjoyed while reading this, was kind of getting a gaze into the eyes of a podcaster. I know this is fictional, but the way that Catherine wrote Ridley's life as someone searching for a killer, all the specs when it comes to podcasting, and just her journey alone is almost like you're getting an insiders take into a real crime. It was pretty fun to read!

Speaking of trying to find out the killer, let me tell you I was COMPLETELY blindsided and shocked to find out who it was. I had ZERO chance of getting it right, and yet Catherine knows how to truly weave this web to make you feel like you might know it's one person, and then completely throw you off your own scent. *Chefs Kiss* goes to you Catherine for this one because it was way over my head to not notice the little things to make me think who it was.

While some other books may have been a bit steamier than this one, I always enjoy getting a little bit more romance in Catherine's books, because she's able to write this well rounded story that still gives you those butterflies without deterring away from the story entirely. I think that's what makes her books so enjoyable is because you're going on this chase, while these characters fall in love and it's the best of both worlds.

I truly enjoyed the dynamic not only of Ridley with everyone she met in town, because clearly there were many who liked her and what she was doing, but also Colt and his sister & friends. The way they all were there for one another no questions asked, as well as the way that Colt and Ridley were able to find comfort, love, and healing together as well as on their own. 

Overall, this was a fantastic read! I was on the edge of my seat reading as fast as I could and just DEVOURED another amazing novel by Catherine Cowles! Honestly if you haven't read any of her books yet, I highly suggest you do, and no better time than to dive into All the Missing Pieces! It was emotional, high stakes, adrenaline rushing, heartwarming and so entertaining!

That's all for my review, I hope you enjoyed it and seriously, go do yourself a favor and pick up this book to binge-read!!

So until the next time, keep reading!

Your Graduated Bookworm!! :)