Get ready to fall for Lawson and Hallie in their single dad x nanny age gap, small town romance, from USA Today Bestselling Author, Catherine Cowles!

 

Amazon  |  Audio

Audio narrated by Ava Erickson & Sebastian York

 

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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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Review

4.5 stars

The fifth and final book of the Lost & Found series, this is a gorgeous single dad/nanny, age gap romance with fantastic family dynamics and a sweet, swoony love story. I got so swept up in this story, and I loved the drama and sweetness, and the feeling of anticipation watching Lawson and Hallie come together.

Lawson is the eldest of the Hartley siblings. He married at a young age, but is now the single father of three boys. He’s handling it all on his own, in addition to being the Chief of Police, and he’s drowning.

Hallie is 23 years old and after surviving an unimaginable trauma five years previously, she’s looking for a fresh start. Though she struggles with PTSD and anxiety, she’s moved to a small mountain town on her own, and is interviewing for a nanny position when she meets the man interviewing her, and it’s the very same man who saved her in the mountains five years ago, the man whose memory has been her touchstone in the intervening years.

“We all have scars. Things that we think might make us weak. But, in reality, they’re usually the source of our strength.”

They recognise each other immediately, and in those first moments of reconnection, Lawson offers Hallie the job, and it’s a warm welcome from 6-year-old sweet bundle of energy, Charlie and 14-year-old wannabe-ladies-man, Drew. 17 year old Luke is broody and withdrawn, and wants nothing to do with Hallie, just like he wants nothing to do with his father.

Hallie’s sunshiny sweetness soon makes her a welcome part of the family. Her presence soothes frayed tempers, helps the boys understand each other, and brings comfort and harmony to their home. It’s beautiful watching them together, and seeing the love grow between them all made my heart so happy.

Best of all, Lawson and Hallie are secretly falling so hard for each other. They both acknowledge the attraction, and it’s eye-opening for Hallie who feels safe and wanted for the first time in a very long time. But while Lawson recognises Hallie for the incredible, brave and sweet-hearted woman that she is, she is his employee, she is much younger than him, and he is haunted by decisions that he made in the past and doesn’t feel worthy of her.

“Hallie, you’re the most stunning woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. Your kindness and empathy only make you more beautiful. But your bravery? It steals my breath.”

Bringing some intensity to their situation, there is a murderer loose in town, and it’s disturbingly close to the horror that Hallie endured. Lawson gets uber-protective over the woman he cares so much for, and as she deals with her past resurfacing, he is there for her in every way. There’s a fantastic blend of moments where they comfort and support each other, combined with alpha “touch her and die” vibes, and it brings them closer together until they inevitably give in to their irresistible chemistry.

It’s easy, natural, sweet, and so, so swoony, and I love them together so much! They’re both carrying baggage from the past, but they find something special together – comfort, understanding and acceptance, and somebody who sees them for who they really are. Their journey of healing together, while they fall so completely, is beautifully written.

“Can’t imagine doing life without you. Not now. Hallie, you’ve ruined me. But I’d burn myself to ash over and over if it meant getting you in the end.”

It wouldn’t be a Cowles book without suspense, and the blend of family, romance and mystery/suspense is well balanced. This is a fun, sweet read with heartfelt drama and intensity, building to an ending that is not unexpected, but that brings all aspects of the story together beautifully.

With the Hartleys being such a close bunch, we get to see the couples from previous books and I loved seeing them all again as they gather around to support and encourage Lawson and Hallie. And with the epilogue of this book set a bit into the future, we even get a glimpse of babies, which is always a sweet way to finish.

I finished this book with a full heart and a big smile on my face, and I loved this one.

4.5 stars.

 

Lost & Found series

 

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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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Find more great reads in our Catherine Cowles Author Spotlight