Catherine Cowles

He hadn’t always just been my brother’s best friend. There was a time when he was mine, too. Until he disappeared from our small town when I needed him the most.

Now, Caden’s back. With his cocky smirk and infuriating nicknames. And I’m struggling to ignore his presence.

When my ex refuses to leave me alone, Caden steps in, suggesting that it will get my ex and Caden’s calculating father off both our backs if we just pretend to be madly in love.

There’s just one problem… Nothing I feel for Caden Shaw is fake—even when I thought I hated him. And there’s no denying how the touch of his lips sparks a flame I’ll never be able to extinguish.

As those pretend moments start to turn oh so real, someone’s watching. They’re not happy about Caden’s new role in my life. And they’ll do anything to rip me away from him—even burn us all to the ground…

Glimmers of You 

probably my favorite of the series so far 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️

Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻

Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️

Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒

Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂

Glimmers of You is the third installment in the "Lost & Found" series. This is a long-anticipated story as this features the baby sister and the one that is way overprotected by her brothers. And at this point, I trust Catherine Cowles to write a gem no matter what she decides to grab up. This has many multiple tropes that will intrigue many readers. This is a story that I guarantee will reach to your top favorites from this author. There is something about this series that is just so much more in its execution and delivering all the swoon moments that make reading romance worth all the struggle and pain. Catherine Cowles really tackles some tough issues while at the same time also connecting the reader so endearingly to these characters.

I twisted my necklace between my fingers as I tilted to the side from my perch on the boulder, straining to get a bettery view of the trailhead's parking lot.

Best friend to Grae's brother. Works for his father in a billion dollar company. Has wealth, prestige with a playboy reputation.

The youngest child and daughter of her family, with overprotective brothers. She works as a trail guide and loves the outdoors. She has been in love with Caden since she was a child.

Caden and Grae grew up with each other as Caden was friends with all of her brothers. But Caden and Grae always had a deep connection to each other. But when Grae almost dies when its discovered that she has Type 1 Diabetes, it shifts something very different in their relationship. Caden completely cuts himself off from Grae and Grae doesn't understand what she did to cause the shift and break between them. Caden lost his sister who was the heart of his family and it caused a type of hurt that put him in a tornado of loss and when he almost loses Grae and believes its his fault, he puts a distance between them. But now he has returned home, and working for his father, determined to show his worth to his father and mend fences with his brother. There is a tension between Caden and Grae and have treated each other like enemies. Even though Grae loves Caden, she refuses to let him hurt her again. But when she gets into a situation that makes her uncomfortable, she and Caden agree to a fake relationship as he needs to show his father he is respectable. But being so close together forces both of them to be honest with each other and reveal their true hearts with one another. And love blossoms in a manner in which neither of them expects but each embrace this intimacy found.

There is so much heart and soul in this story that just delivers all the way for this reader. I absolutely fell in love with Caden and Grae's book. There was something so more to their relationship than I expected. I do always get nervous with angst between a couple, however, I fell so hard for their dynamic. Catherine Cowles knows how to write angst that makes sense without it overpowering the story. There was such balance to the way that these two tangle with each other. It doesn't consume the reader, but entertains. And there is such sweet soft moments between them that portrays so much more dimension to their relationship. In Glimmers Of You we have so many fun aspects that deliver in this story.

The first that I really loved was the diabetes rep that is delivered here. My father has diabetes, so seeing how this was discovered and then how they handle the situation really made so much sense. We really see it so well portrayed without it seeming like it's the only focus of the story. It had such a natural ease in the way its implemented into the story.

Now for the romance...well this was gold. I truly had a blast seeing Caden and Grae come together in the way that they do. And even though there was a slight feel to forbidden to the relationship, it wasn't super focused on. And I felt like the dynamic between the brothers and Caden and Grae was so relatable and felt more realistic than how the brother's best friend trope is normally handled. It just had a more realistic approach to it that I greatly appreciated. And quite frankly, Caden knows how to handle her brothers just right. As much as I love a big explosive and fists flying, the way that Cowles worked this out felt so right for the story. The connection that Caden and Grae have together was beyond endearing. I just wanted them to find their HEA so badly and work through their issues. We see from the beginning what a wonderful bond that they had even as young adults and then to see what maturity does for them except when they fight. The way that they see the good in each other and are so protective of one another is gold. They each fight for the relationship in such a investive way and aren't afraid to stand up for the other. There was a perfect yin yang feel to the relationship that just worked for both of them. And was it just me or did it feel like there was more spice to the story than I expect?

As for the plot, Catherine Cowles really upped her game on this one here. She really will throw her readers off with how she develops the villain and the attacks that happen here. I was intrigued to see who the villains would be. I have come to expect some fabulous surprises and even though I was expecting a shock, I was NOT expecting the villain to be revealed as who it is. If you love suspense and have high expectations on being surprised, then I can't recommend this one enough for you all. And I really was so endeared to see how the drama in Caden's family would be resolved. It felt so right and satisfying but a bit sad at times too seeing how much this family has gone through but seeing it resolved in the way it was....perfection!

Nothing! It's a perfect small-town romance with angsty vibes.

Gimmers of You is a whirlwind of a romance. It delivers on beautifully portrayed vibes, an atmosphere to endear you, and a tale of devotion, healing, and self empowerment! A HEART OF GOLD ROMANCE!

“I don’t think grief is linear. Some days are easier. Others will take you out at the knees.”

You’ve always been my guiding force. My internal compass showing me the way. And now, I have to give yours back to you.”

Because you’ve always been that glimmer of light for me. A beacon of hope. Even when I didn’t want you to be.

Character Types: Billionaire, Pining Heroine

Lover of Romance 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Glimmers of You is the third installment in the "Lost & Found" series. This is a long-anticipated story as this features the baby sister and the one that is way overprotected by her brothers. And at this point, I trust Catherine Cowles to write a gem no matter what she decides to grab up. This has many multiple tropes that will intrigue many readers. This is a story that I guarantee will reach to your top favorites from this author. There is something about this series that is just so much more in its execution and delivering all the swoon moments that make reading romance worth all the struggle and pain. Catherine Cowles really tackles some tough issues while at the same time also connecting the reader so endearingly to these characters.

First Line
I twisted my necklace between my fingers as I tilted to the side from my perch on the boulder, straining to get a bettery view of the trailhead's parking lot.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Caden Shaw
Best friend to Grae's brother. Works for his father in a billion dollar company. Has wealth, prestige with a playboy reputation.

The Heroine: Grae
The youngest child and daughter of her family, with overprotective brothers. She works as a trail guide and loves the outdoors. She has been in love with Caden since she was a child.

Summary
Caden and Grae grew up with each other as Caden was friends with all of her brothers. But Caden and Grae always had a deep connection to each other. But when Grae almost dies when its discovered that she has Type 1 Diabetes, it shifts something very different in their relationship. Caden completely cuts himself off from Grae and Grae doesn't understand what she did to cause the shift and break between them. Caden lost his sister who was the heart of his family and it caused a type of hurt that put him in a tornado of loss and when he almost loses Grae and believes its his fault, he puts a distance between them. But now he has returned home, and working for his father, determined to show his worth to his father and mend fences with his brother. There is a tension between Caden and Grae and have treated each other like enemies. Even though Grae loves Caden, she refuses to let him hurt her again. But when she gets into a situation that makes her uncomfortable, she and Caden agree to a fake relationship as he needs to show his father he is respectable. But being so close together forces both of them to be honest with each other and reveal their true hearts with one another. And love blossoms in a manner in which neither of them expects but each embrace this intimacy found.

What I Loved
There is so much heart and soul in this story that just delivers all the way for this reader. I absolutely fell in love with Caden and Grae's book. There was something so more to their relationship than I expected. I do always get nervous with angst between a couple, however, I fell so hard for their dynamic. Catherine Cowles knows how to write angst that makes sense without it overpowering the story. There was such balance to the way that these two tangle with each other. It doesn't consume the reader, but entertains. And there is such sweet soft moments between them that portrays so much more dimension to their relationship. In Glimmers Of You we have so many fun aspects that deliver in this story.

The first that I really loved was the diabetes rep that is delivered here. My father has diabetes, so seeing how this was discovered and then how they handle the situation really made so much sense. We really see it so well portrayed without it seeming like it's the only focus of the story. It had such a natural ease in the way its implemented into the story.

Now for the romance...well this was gold. I truly had a blast seeing Caden and Grae come together in the way that they do. And even though there was a slight feel to forbidden to the relationship, it wasn't super focused on. And I felt like the dynamic between the brothers and Caden and Grae was so relatable and felt more realistic than how the brother's best friend trope is normally handled. It just had a more realistic approach to it that I greatly appreciated. And quite frankly, Caden knows how to handle her brothers just right. As much as I love a big explosive and fists flying, the way that Cowles worked this out felt so right for the story. The connection that Caden and Grae have together was beyond endearing. I just wanted them to find their HEA so badly and work through their issues. We see from the beginning what a wonderful bond that they had even as young adults and then to see what maturity does for them except when they fight. The way that they see the good in each other and are so protective of one another is gold. They each fight for the relationship in such a investive way and aren't afraid to stand up for the other. There was a perfect yin yang feel to the relationship that just worked for both of them. And was it just me or did it feel like there was more spice to the story than I expect?

As for the plot, Catherine Cowles really upped her game on this one here. She really will throw her readers off with how she develops the villain and the attacks that happen here. I was intrigued to see who the villains would be. I have come to expect some fabulous surprises and even though I was expecting a shock, I was NOT expecting the villain to be revealed as who it is. If you love suspense and have high expectations on being surprised, then I can't recommend this one enough for you all. And I really was so endeared to see how the drama in Caden's family would be resolved. It felt so right and satisfying but a bit sad at times too seeing how much this family has gone through but seeing it resolved in the way it was....perfection!

What I Struggled With
Nothing! It's a perfect small-town romance with angsty vibes.

Overall View
Gimmers of You is a whirlwind of a romance. It delivers on beautifully portrayed vibes, an atmosphere to endear you, and a tale of devotion, healing, and self empowerment! A HEART OF GOLD ROMANCE!

Favorite Quote(s)
“I don’t think grief is linear. Some days are easier. Others will take you out at the knees.”

You’ve always been my guiding force. My internal compass showing me the way. And now, I have to give yours back to you.”

Because you’ve always been that glimmer of light for me. A beacon of hope. Even when I didn’t want you to be.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Billionaire, Pining Heroine
Themes: Disability Rep (Diabetes), Secrets, Best Friend Sister
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Second Chance, Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Fake Relationship

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A bit of both.

Song This Book Inspires
Don't You Wanna Stay-Jason Aldean

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read in order or as a standalone. But I recommend reading in order if you can.

Glimmers of You

Reviews