Whispers of You (The Lost & Found Series Book 1) by Catherine Cowles

One night—a single moment—cost me everything.

My body, broken beyond repair. The boy I’d thought was my forever. The life I’d always dreamt of.

Now, Holt’s back. And he’s no longer a boy, but a man with shadows in his eyes and demons haunting him.

He says he’s here to make things right. To get back a little bit of all we’ve lost. And he doesn’t show any signs of leaving the small town that has been my refuge.

As stolen moments turn to days, Holt’s around every corner. With his burning stare and lingering touches. Before long, my walls come crashing down and I’m just hoping that taking this second chance isn’t as reckless as it feels.

But not everyone is happy that Holt has returned. As tragedy strikes again, I’m the one left in the crosshairs. And Holt might not be able to save me this time…

My Review

This story has a complex storyline, an action-packed prologue, and an oversized trigger warning. But second chances and contemporary romance are enthralling, even despite the intense plot. This does read more like a mystery or thriller book with smidgens of romance thrown in. It qualifies as romantic suspense. I do like the hero, and of course, his overprotective ways and the steamy scenes are heartwarming. But the overall violence of the plot is heartbreaking. 

We begin the prologue of this book with Wren in the past. Wren can’t seem to master kitchen skills, but she has a fantastic friendship/relationship with Holt. In this prologue, she is high school age and mainly lives by herself as her parents travel a lot. This book gets intense as their lives are ripped apart by two teens up to no good. This book should have a trigger warning.

We finally begin the story with Holt today, ten years after the prologue.  Holt went on to join the military and now works in private security. His demons and guilt reside in this small town, as does his family. But family is what brings him home. 

The family still exists in this small town for the Hartleys, with a certain someone at the center.  Wren’s life is not what it used to be, but she is still in this small community. 
The past and their guilt still haunt them both. Is this going toward a second-chance romance? 

Holt is an alpha male who is protective, reckless, bossy, and damaged. Still, Wren has all those qualities at once, and it is infuriating but also makes sense. Wow, this small town is filled with triggers for her and a lot of action. This book gets steamy as they decide to live in the now. But it also gets semi-thriller-like with all the intense action interrupting their lives.

This story is very intense; there is always some life-or-death moment happening to them or involving them. They finally get more trauma and their happily ever after, and all the pieces of the romantic suspense make sense. 

There would be other interconnected standalones in this small-town series if you enjoyed it so much that you want to read more. The story was well written, and the second-chance romance was lovely. 

If you want to read Whispers of You by Catherine Cowles you can find this book on Amazon. As an Amazon Assocaite, I earn on qualifying purchases.

If you enjoyed this book, you may also enjoy books with these tags and categories: Second Chance Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Damaged MC.