Author: Catherine Cowles
Series: Lost & Found Series Book #1
Category: Romantic Suspense
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
I’ve been waiting patiently(ish) for Lawson's book in Catherine Cowles 'Lost & Found' series. After all, a single father of three active boys and a hinted-at messy divorce had to have one heck of a story, right? Blowing through 'Ashes of You' in a late-night reading session, I find myself on the fence which leads to a more than definitive book review to be honest.
Hallie has become the product of a horrible trauma, something which now defines her life. While she is courageous enough to actively push her boundaries and try to find normality, after five years she is still timid and afraid of certain situations. Back in the town of her torturous past, she is surprised to find that the nanny position she's come to interview for is for the family of the man who saved her all those years ago.
"You didn't seem wary around me that first day. For the interview." Hallie's hypnotic gaze lifted to mine. "You're different. You saved me."
While Lawson has made dozens of appearances in the previous books of the series, 'Ashes of You' finally gives readers insight into the hidden guilt he's carried around with him which drives his determination to do everything for himself and the kids. Finally forced to find a nanny, he is knocked back by how attracted he is to Hallie and terrified of opening up again to anyone.
"I didn't deserve happiness. Not when my choices before had almost ruined us all."
His actions lead her on more than once throughout the story but she is patient and kind, something he ultimately can't resist. When he finally gives in to their feelings, Hallie blossoms under Lawson's care and finds a family to accept her. I wouldn't say I especially felt their connection, their romance was more sweet than spice.
Ever-present danger lurks through the storyline, and I couldn't have been the only one surprised at the final reveal of duplicity. Catherine Cowles never goes with the obvious choice but even this psychotic mastermind was out of left field for me!
'Ashes of You' isn't a short book by any means but important parts I wished had more page time were rushed, especially the heart-pounding conclusion. While there was certainly a lot of plot to cover, there was room for better pacing decisions.
In the end, I'll settle for saying 'Ashes of You' wasn't as amazing as Asher and Roam's romance in 'Shadows of You', but I enjoyed it much more than Maggie and Nate's book 'Echoes of You".
Tropes and Themes: Small Town, Age Gap, Single Father, Single Parent, Nanny, Romantic Suspense, Sherriff, Forced Proximity, Friends to Lovers.
Blurb
Five years ago, I nearly lost everything. But there was a glimmer of hope on that darkest night. There was him—a stranger I could never forget.
Now, I’m finally getting the fresh start I’ve longed for. But when I show up to interview for a nanny position in the small mountain town, the single dad has startlingly familiar blue eyes.
Eyes that have haunted my dreams for the past five years.
Lawson Hartley is everything I know I can’t have. Older, handsome, and my boss. Not to mention the shadows in his eyes that tell me he has demons, too.
Still, he seems to understand me better than anyone I’ve ever met. So gentle and careful of my scars, yet somehow making me believe I’m stronger than I ever thought possible.
And when his lips touch mine, I’m lost.
We find what we've been missing in each other. But the terrors of my past aren’t done with me yet, and this time, Lawson might not be able to save me...
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