“Everything amazing about a small town romance…family, secrets, old wounds, unforgettable connections, plus the sweetest love story that had my heart soaring. An absolute must read! Addie and Beckett were magic together!” – A.L. Jackson New York Times Bestselling Author

 

Hidden Waters, an all-new touching and heartfelt friends to lovers, small-town romance from bestselling author Catherine Cowles, is now available!

 

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Blurb

The world had tried to break her.

Addie has dreamt of freedom for as long as she can remember—peace away from the torment of her old life. But now that it’s finally within her grasp, she’s struggling to take those first steps into her new reality.

The last thing she wants is a new roommate to see the scars she’s desperate to keep hidden, especially not the ruggedly handsome man who steals her breath and sends her heart into overdrive.

“I’m nobody’s hero. Trust me.”

All Beckett wants is to silence the demons of his past. The first step is to make amends for not being there when his family needed him the most. That means settling in Wolf Gap for good, even if the town reminds him of all the ways he failed.

He never expected to share a home with a blonde-haired beauty with haunting hazel eyes. But he’s held captive by her quiet strength and the way she sees everything he tries to hide.

Soon, an unlikely friendship becomes so much more. But when forces from Addie’s life slink out of the shadows, they could both lose everything they fought so hard for—down to their very last breaths…

 

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Review

4.5 stars

Book #3 of the Tattered & Torn series takes us back to Wolf Gap for a beautifully sweet and heartfelt story full of fresh starts, heartache and healing. Featuring eldest Easton brother, Beckett and emotionally vulnerable Addie, it’s a gorgeous romance with an exciting suspense storyline, and I loved it.

After years travelling the world and helping people in the most dire of circumstances, Beckett has returned to Wolf Gap to take over as GP at the local medical practice. He is still reeling with guilt over leaving home years ago, leaving his shattered family behind following his younger sister’s kidnapping, and he has big plans to finally settle down and reunite with them and be there for them in any way he can.

Addie is the cousin of Everly (heroine of book #1, Tattered Stars). She suffered brutally at the hands of her father and his weird cult-like family for her whole life. She is finally free and is trying to find her way, and though she’s quiet, shy and a little bit broken, she’s doing really well embracing her freedom. It’s a bit of a shock and way outside of her comfort zone, but Addie considers it another step in her recovery when she agrees for Beckett to move in with her while his own home is being built, setting the scene for so much awesome to come.

I love a close proximity romance, and Beckett and Addie together are so cute! Beckett knows some of what Addie has been through, and he treads carefully but doesn’t hold back from engaging with her, and they easily become friends. Addie recognises demons in Beckett’s eyes and can see that he’s been through his own trauma, and the two of them settle into becoming a comfort and support for each other, and they are so freaking cute.

“Addie, you made it through hell and came out the other side. You’re fighting for everything you want, even when it can feel impossibly hard. There’s no doubt in my mind that you can do whatever you set your mind to. I’m just glad you’re letting me come along for the ride.”

Their shift into more comes so organically. Meaningful looks, deep conversation and gentle touches come to mean more and more, and they very quickly realise that they have fallen for each other. It’s sweet and easy, sexy and heartfelt, and I just loved watching these to find their way to each other.

It was as if I didn’t have a choice. She’d taken my life and my heart by storm. Now, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

But while they’re embracing all that they’ve come to mean to each other, trouble is brewing. Addie’s father is a rage-filled, evil and violent man who is not happy that his only child broke from the family and is living her own life. And when Beckett makes his mark on the weird commune where women are at the complete control of their violent husbands and fathers, they both become targets. It’s exciting and suspenseful, and though you sort of know what is coming, it totally doesn’t matter, the build-up had my heart pounding, and I was so caught up as it all played out, and loved watching everything unfold.

It’s a beautifully written story. I loved the romance, I felt the suspense, and I adored Beckett and Addie; they are so sweet together, and there is wonderful character growth for them. They both have demons from the past to deal with, and they work through it together, and I loved seeing them so open and vulnerable with each other. But it’s Addie who shines as we watch her slowly and bravely come out of her shell and start to truly live her life.

“You belong to yourself and no one else.”
Addie’s head tipped back so she could meet my eyes. Hers were filled with unshed tears. “I want that more than anything.”
“It’s already happening.”

I loved being back in this town with this family. They’re a great bunch with wonderfully developed dynamics, and I feel so much for all of them! I’m loving this series, and cannot wait to continue on.

Such a gorgeous read.

4.5 stars!

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

Tattered & Torn

 

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Excerpt

“You deserved so much better.”

“I’m getting it. I’m making that beautiful life now. And I’ll appreciate it so much more because of what I’ve been through.”

It wasn’t enough for me. It never would be. But I admired how Addie could view her past. I struggled not to hold her too tightly. The urge to burn the world down around me was too strong. I wasn’t good the way Addie was. I still wanted to start with Allen.

“Beckett,” she whispered against my ear. “I’m okay. It doesn’t hurt. The skin is ugly but—”

I reared back. “Nothing about you is ugly.”

Her cheeks flamed. “It is. It’s just facts. I don’t care. There are so many more important things.”

“Show me.” I was already climbing to my feet.

“W-what?”

“Show me.”

Addie stood shakily. “I don’t want you to see it.”

My gaze locked with hers. I poured everything I was feeling into that one look. “Please.”

She didn’t say anything for a moment, searching my face for something. Then she nodded and turned around. Slowly, so painfully slowly, she unbuttoned her blouse. When she was done, she simply stood there, not lowering the shirt. Her ribs expanded and contracted in ragged breaths. Then she let the fabric fall to the floor. Angry slashes crisscrossed her back. They were varying tones, shapes, and depths. In that moment, I knew Allen had done this to her over and over. My hands fisted so tightly I was in danger of breaking a knuckle.

I moved closer and then sank to my knees again. “It’s just me.” My hands went to Addie’s hips. She gave a slight jolt. I stilled. “You okay?” She nodded, the movement jerky, her breaths ragged. I slowly swept my thumb across a patch of raised skin. Then I bent forward, my lips going to the worst of the scars. I ghosted them over the flesh that had been torn apart but had come back together stronger than it had been before. “Beauty in the strength that carried you through. Beauty in how you refused to be broken. Beauty that you never let yourself become cruel like him. Addie, there isn’t a thing about you that isn’t beautiful.”

 

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About Catherine

Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she’s not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.

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