Name: Wrecked Palace
ISBN: 9781951936990

Catherine Cowles

One night was all it took for everything to change. From college student to guardian in a single breath. My siblings became my world. No time for date nights or romantic dreams. I traded quiet weekends for sleepless nights. Giving my all to make sure they were cared for. But Griffin had a brokenness that called to me—one that mirrored my own. Gruff and just a little bit reckless. He was the last thing I needed. But everything I wanted. Only someone isn’t happy about this new life I’m building. Deciding to set fire to everything I hold close. And when the smoke clears, there might be only ashes left behind… ***** Read what others are saying about Wrecked Palace: "A tortured hero, an inspirational heroine, suspense, and a slow-burn romance are the perfect recipe for a book that will utterly captivate readers. A must read for 2021!" - Samantha Young, NY Times Bestseller "An emotional story of loss and healing that wraps around your heart. Catherine Cowles delivered! I couldn't stop reading until I finished in one sitting." - Carly Phillips, NY Times Bestselling Author Wrecked Palace wrecked me in the best way! Heartwarming, swoony moments, sizzling chemistry, and just enough intrigue to keep me completely invested--this book had me hooked from page one! - Willow Aster, USA Today Bestselling Author ***** Read what others are saying about Catherine Cowles: "I fell in love with these characters, with the writing, and with this unexpected story. I can't recommend it enough!" - Alessandra Torre, New York Times Bestseller “Heartwarming, romantic and with an added bit of suspense, Beautifully Broken Pieces had me glued to every page! Catherine Cowles, meet your newest super fan.” - Devney Perry, USA Today Bestseller “Cowles writes fresh, addicting, and intensely beautiful stories!” - Susan Stoker, New York Times Bestseller "Catherine Cowles has a way of pulling the reader into the world she has created and leaves you there for days after you have read the last page." - Kelly Elliott, New York Times Bestseller “I walked away knowing I would read every single thing this talented new author ever writes." - Natasha is a Book Junkie

Wrecked Palace

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

Wrecked Palace is the third installment in the "Wrecked" series. Now this book focuses on a mix of grumpy sunshine, unrequited love and friends to lovers mashup. After finishing this book I do think that this is one of the best books that I have read from this one. I took my time with this one, because it was so easy to get into and I fell so hard for all the characters that come into play and I never wanted this story to end. It deals with some challenging issues, and from the beginning, this author will work on your emotions in a way that only Catherine Cowles can handle. The steam is a bit lower if you haven't read this author before. I personally don't mind, because I don't need smexy scene to receive a satisfying romance and Cowles really delivers all the way on these here.

Griffin lost all of his family, has been hounded by reporters and betrayed by many he trusted over the year. He is a bit of a lone wolf, and a tortured soul who doesn't trust easily.

A sister whose parents got into drugs, and she took guardianship over her siblings. She sacrifices everything to give her siblings a safe and happy home life. Family is everything to her.

When Caelyn gets a scary call from her young brother, where their home is attacked, parents disappeared and their lives in danger, Caelyn gives up her college dreams to take care of her siblings . Now its been five years later, and her siblings are getting settled in their lives with her. Caelyn has a bit of a crush on the lone wolf of the town, Griffin, who has a gruff quiet exterior, barely speaks two words, but is a child whisperer to her siblings. What starts out as a soft careful friendship, turns into something more, but there is a danger involving the crimes of their parents, and will Griff and Caelyn be able to protect their family against the dangers ahead...

I absolutely loved this book so deeply. If you have a deep love for small town romances with suspense elements that are blended in, then I do think you will love this book and this author. If you love Melissa Foster or Jennifer Ryan, I recommend this author. This is a unrequited love, a bit of a slow burn, with a friends to lovers tropes that are involved, with some grumpy sunshine. Quite frankly, you combine all of these elements and you will find a powerhouse of a read. And also if you are endeared by strong emotions being conveyed, then look no further than this one here. From the very beginning, this author had me crying all over the place. The prologue itself, will instantly pull you into the story.

I would call this a contemporary small-town romance with suspenseful elements placed into the story. I am not sure that I would call it romantic suspense because it's not the primary focus, its more on the side lines. I really enjoy how this author implements suspenseful elements into her stories. Its not going to take away from the relationship development from the couple, and is more just to build up the plot and its done in a way that addicts you to the story so even if you don't care for romantic suspense, I do recommend this author because of the way she builds it throughout the story will work for you.

Now what is the most appealing about this story is the emotional/heart aspects of the story. The author really digs deep and portrays emotion so vividly that you feel it in every chapter. The characters are so relatable with true human struggles that you connect with instantly, the atmospheric vibes of the story are portrayed in such a way that will bring the story to life and deals with all aspects of the human condition both good and bad. There is such well development that we see with both Griff and Caelyn that you will be cheering this couple on all the way through. The side characters were so endearing, and even the heartbreaking story of the man that broke into their home, I wanted to know more about him and his redemption. We see the lives of these children that Caelyn has raised and the way that they charm the hero and really bring him to the surface of opening himself up to love again was so poignant and your heart breaks for his struggles. The hero and heroine and able to really connect because their struggles are similar, they both understand the hardship of what they have both lost and struggled through. And when they finally get together, their relationship blossoms so beautifully. You can just feel their connection and its well fleshed out. This is the type of slow burn romances that we need more.

Now was there anything negative to the story itself? I wouldn't say so. I think if I could have changed or added anything to the story it would be a bit longer of a epilogue and more focus on the hero's journey just a bit. There was one plot hole that I discovered, or maybe I missed it, but in reference to the hero repairing the desk for the hero that had a connection to him and his sister and we never really saw a scene with her giving that to him so I would have loved to see that scene. If I missed it, let me know where to find it haha But these factors didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story so it's still a five-star read for me.

Wrecked Palace is a deeply resonating read that speaks to the human condition in a heartfelt way. Its a story of healing and opening yourself up to new opportunites and most importantly ....love!

Lover of Romance 

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

Introduction
Wrecked Palace is the third installment in the "Wrecked" series. Now this book focuses on a mix of grumpy sunshine, unrequited love and friends to lovers mashup. After finishing this book I do think that this is one of the best books that I have read from this one. I took my time with this one, because it was so easy to get into and I fell so hard for all the characters that come into play and I never wanted this story to end. It deals with some challenging issues, and from the beginning, this author will work on your emotions in a way that only Catherine Cowles can handle. The steam is a bit lower if you haven't read this author before. I personally don't mind, because I don't need smexy scene to receive a satisfying romance and Cowles really delivers all the way on these here.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Griffin
Griffin lost all of his family, has been hounded by reporters and betrayed by many he trusted over the year. He is a bit of a lone wolf, and a tortured soul who doesn't trust easily.

The Heroine: Caelyn
A sister whose parents got into drugs, and she took guardianship over her siblings. She sacrifices everything to give her siblings a safe and happy home life. Family is everything to her.

Summary
When Caelyn gets a scary call from her young brother, where their home is attacked, parents disappeared and their lives in danger, Caelyn gives up her college dreams to take care of her siblings . Now its been five years later, and her siblings are getting settled in their lives with her. Caelyn has a bit of a crush on the lone wolf of the town, Griffin, who has a gruff quiet exterior, barely speaks two words, but is a child whisperer to her siblings. What starts out as a soft careful friendship, turns into something more, but there is a danger involving the crimes of their parents, and will Griff and Caelyn be able to protect their family against the dangers ahead...

My Outlook
I absolutely loved this book so deeply. If you have a deep love for small town romances with suspense elements that are blended in, then I do think you will love this book and this author. If you love Melissa Foster or Jennifer Ryan, I recommend this author. This is a unrequited love, a bit of a slow burn, with a friends to lovers tropes that are involved, with some grumpy sunshine. Quite frankly, you combine all of these elements and you will find a powerhouse of a read. And also if you are endeared by strong emotions being conveyed, then look no further than this one here. From the very beginning, this author had me crying all over the place. The prologue itself, will instantly pull you into the story.

I would call this a contemporary small-town romance with suspenseful elements placed into the story. I am not sure that I would call it romantic suspense because it's not the primary focus, its more on the side lines. I really enjoy how this author implements suspenseful elements into her stories. Its not going to take away from the relationship development from the couple, and is more just to build up the plot and its done in a way that addicts you to the story so even if you don't care for romantic suspense, I do recommend this author because of the way she builds it throughout the story will work for you.

Now what is the most appealing about this story is the emotional/heart aspects of the story. The author really digs deep and portrays emotion so vividly that you feel it in every chapter. The characters are so relatable with true human struggles that you connect with instantly, the atmospheric vibes of the story are portrayed in such a way that will bring the story to life and deals with all aspects of the human condition both good and bad. There is such well development that we see with both Griff and Caelyn that you will be cheering this couple on all the way through. The side characters were so endearing, and even the heartbreaking story of the man that broke into their home, I wanted to know more about him and his redemption. We see the lives of these children that Caelyn has raised and the way that they charm the hero and really bring him to the surface of opening himself up to love again was so poignant and your heart breaks for his struggles. The hero and heroine and able to really connect because their struggles are similar, they both understand the hardship of what they have both lost and struggled through. And when they finally get together, their relationship blossoms so beautifully. You can just feel their connection and its well fleshed out. This is the type of slow burn romances that we need more.

Now was there anything negative to the story itself? I wouldn't say so. I think if I could have changed or added anything to the story it would be a bit longer of a epilogue and more focus on the hero's journey just a bit. There was one plot hole that I discovered, or maybe I missed it, but in reference to the hero repairing the desk for the hero that had a connection to him and his sister and we never really saw a scene with her giving that to him so I would have loved to see that scene. If I missed it, let me know where to find it haha But these factors didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story so it's still a five-star read for me.

Overall View
Wrecked Palace is a deeply resonating read that speaks to the human condition in a heartfelt way. Its a story of healing and opening yourself up to new opportunites and most importantly ....love!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building: 5
Cover:4.25
Hero: 4.5
Heroine: 5
Steam: 5
Heart & Feels:5
Ending:4.5
Overall View: 4.75

Tori Jarrett

Grumpy/sunshine, found family, slow burn perfection!

I adored this book for several reasons, but the number one reason? It actually made me enjoy a slow burn. 

Griffin and Caelyn came together from friends to housemates to lovers and it was so beautiful to see two damaged people find peace with each other. I loved that Caelyn’s younger siblings, that she has custody of, were integral parts of this story. Kids in books aren’t always my favorite because they don’t always act like kids their age. But in Wrecked Palace they did! It was so heartbreaking to see how these three kids acted in the face of trauma and how they cope with it, but I thought it was beautifully done! The romance is slow burn but there’s so much emotion and feeling between Griffin and Caelyn from the start that I didn’t feel like it needed to be anything but a slow burn. They healed together and it was so perfect. 

I’m slowly working through Cowles backlist. While I think she’s been a great writer from her very first book, you can just see how she improves and really expands her writing with each book and it’s just so great. 

5/5⭐️ 
0.5/3 🌶