cuhlexis's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lenja_sf's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
scramer314's review
3.75
Liked the couple just fine but had issues with how fast the whole book seemed to happen - I know it took place over a couple of months but it read like it was 1 at most for me which was kind of a put-off.
anya_h14's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
kfriend's review against another edition
5.0
At every turn, this series stuns me. Swoony, romantic suspense at it's finest. I loved, no I breathed, every word! Shattered Sea wrecked my heart, but then also healed it. This breath-taking story about overcoming grief and healing through love stole my whole heart.
And truly, it snuck quite up on me. The most unassuming of characters, a lovable secondary character just blossomed so beautifully in this story- becoming my favorite of the series, and perhaps out of all of Catherine's. I knew after crying through most of the prologue, this would be a powerful story, but I had no idea how deeply. Laiken and Boden couldn't seem more different on paper- a somewhat reclusive, heartbroken gallery manager and the Hollywood hottie with some very public drama. But these two share a profound resilience in the face of tragic loss, a loss that not only shatters their hearts but also corrupts and taints the relationships of those that should love them, causing them to bury their pain in regret and secrets.
I loved watching them fall for each other- how tenderly and sweetly they connected, how naturally. Catherine Cowles writes some of the swooniest men in the romance world, and Boden takes the cake. His patience, his thoughtfulness, the meaningful ways he opens up his own heart to make it safe for her. They just click in a powerful way- in part because they both understand tragedy and lost first loves, the solitude of grief. But something sad in them blossoms into something so amazing- because we get to see Laiken living again. And we get to see Boden stop hiding. Together, they pave a path forward, even there is tons of external stuff facing them. And we get so much ensemble time in here- I loved how this little family of folks healing and finding hope in love have banded together. It's charming.
Two broken souls, two shattered hearts, find each other in the most unexpected of ways, in the most healing yet precarious of circumstances. Of course, we have loads of suspense - and this one actually really caught me off guard in the ending with the twist. It’s entertaining, it’s sweet, and it’s really touching through it all. Catherine at her best!
And truly, it snuck quite up on me. The most unassuming of characters, a lovable secondary character just blossomed so beautifully in this story- becoming my favorite of the series, and perhaps out of all of Catherine's. I knew after crying through most of the prologue, this would be a powerful story, but I had no idea how deeply. Laiken and Boden couldn't seem more different on paper- a somewhat reclusive, heartbroken gallery manager and the Hollywood hottie with some very public drama. But these two share a profound resilience in the face of tragic loss, a loss that not only shatters their hearts but also corrupts and taints the relationships of those that should love them, causing them to bury their pain in regret and secrets.
I loved watching them fall for each other- how tenderly and sweetly they connected, how naturally. Catherine Cowles writes some of the swooniest men in the romance world, and Boden takes the cake. His patience, his thoughtfulness, the meaningful ways he opens up his own heart to make it safe for her. They just click in a powerful way- in part because they both understand tragedy and lost first loves, the solitude of grief. But something sad in them blossoms into something so amazing- because we get to see Laiken living again. And we get to see Boden stop hiding. Together, they pave a path forward, even there is tons of external stuff facing them. And we get so much ensemble time in here- I loved how this little family of folks healing and finding hope in love have banded together. It's charming.
Two broken souls, two shattered hearts, find each other in the most unexpected of ways, in the most healing yet precarious of circumstances. Of course, we have loads of suspense - and this one actually really caught me off guard in the ending with the twist. It’s entertaining, it’s sweet, and it’s really touching through it all. Catherine at her best!
maisyreads1817's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the original premise of this but it became a bit predictable. The ending was gripping though.
Ultimately I think this could have been a short story or something, it felt a bit like stalling before getting to Shiloh’s book. Was nice to see Ramsey but there wasn’t really enough to set up his character.
Ultimately I think this could have been a short story or something, it felt a bit like stalling before getting to Shiloh’s book. Was nice to see Ramsey but there wasn’t really enough to set up his character.