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Lost & Found #5

Ashes of You

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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...

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 8, 2024

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About the author

Catherine Cowles

41 books22.7k followers
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,750 reviews
Profile Image for Lilyya ♡.
485 reviews2,972 followers
July 9, 2024
5 stars❤️‍🩹

❛❛ It’s you, blue. you’re the one who brought me out of the ashes. It’s always been you. ❜❜


closing the final chapter on an entire series, a whole family and dear characters is never easy. the sentiment is even amplified when it culminates in an apotheosis with a touching masterpiece. 'Ashes of You' was in symbiosis with the Hartley family's characteristic and distinctive pattern of a moving found-family arc, a captivating suspenseful narrative, and evocatively fractured characters.

” I’d fallen for all of them, my heart be damned.”


Hallie was the heart of this book. although I loved her, there was nothing surprising about it since she is a female main character of Catherine Cowles. she was a dedicated, altruistic, kind, and empathic woman, but her personality was also shaped by her anterior fights, demons and flaws.

”you’ve been more of a mom than we’ve ever had.”


her relationship with the kids broke me into thousands of taters and then stitched me back together in every scene, sketching how the kids were falling gradually in love her and how she was falling irrevocably in love with them. Hallie was given a different approach with each child by the author, which I absolutely loved. she managed to develop an unique and unbreakable bond with Luke, Drew, and Charlie, whom had distinct personalities that were greatly influenced by their ages.

”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.”


I fell slowly for all the tiny parts of Lawson's character scattered throughout the 'Lost & Found Series'. the overbearing protective brother, the devoted and selfless son, the loving and caring father. the heroic chef of police. this book regrouped so harmonically every bit and piece of his personality that blossomed in the manner he fell head over heels with Hallie. their very first encounter bruised and marked their souls and i found that it just built on some layers of depth to their bond. their relationship was the epitome of pure. it was all caricatured in the way he treated her, the way he cared for her, the way they trusted each other so fearlessly, the way their attraction and love burn slowly but with such beauty throughout the storytelling. they redefined the cursed line 'right person, wrong time' and give each other a second chance by healing each other hearts.

the thriller aspect of the plot was more than a subplot and it cleverly transcribed in how elaborate the cheminement of it was. the way the culprit was a part of the series and an emblematic member of their small town.
(& imma probably reread it next week 😂)

——-
SOBBING! they were everything 🥺 rtc
——-
daddy lawson has arrived 🤭
Profile Image for Catherine Cowles.
Author 41 books22.7k followers
Read
February 8, 2024
💜𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗜𝗦 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘💜
Lawson & Hallie are finally here! And so are Luke, Drew, and Charlie! The reactions to early reads of this book have blown every expectation I had out of the water. Thank you for loving this family as much as I do and shouting about this series so loudly!

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗞𝗨 → https://geni.us/AshesofYouAmzn
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 → https://geni.us/AshesofYouAudio
𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 → https://geni.us/AshesOfYouPB
𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖 𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 → https://geni.us/AshesofYouAmznSEPB
𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗪/𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦 → https://geni.us/AshesofYouAmznHC

💜 Single Dad x Nanny
💜 Age Gap
💜 Missed Connections
💜 Touch Her and D!e Vibes
💜 Serial Unaliver
💜 Slow Burn
💜 Forced Proximity
💜 Found Family

Profile Image for Jessica .
2,352 reviews15.3k followers
January 26, 2024
Excuse me while I got cry in a corner because the Lost and Found series is officially over.

Are you kidding me? From page one, I was so invested in Hallie and Lawson's story, and my heart broke and was put back together again as I watched them fall in love. This is an age gap, nanny/single dad romance that also has a lot of baggage between the characters. Because of that, Lawson is so hesitant to fall for Hallie, which made me love him so much more. He is such an amazing father and just human being in general, and I loved so much how he cared for people. And his sons? I loved how Catherine wrote his family and how unique and lovable they all were. The growth with Luke because of Hallie!? My heart. I shed a few tears because of how emotional this story was for everyone involved.

The romance!? Perfection. I could not get enough of watching Hallie slowly open up to Lawson and his boys and slowly fall in love with the damaged single dad. Gahhhh there was SO much tension between them and I was dying for them to just ignore everything in them and just get together already!

And the suspense!? Perfection. I am always kept on the edge of my seat when reading Catherine's books, and I had no idea who I could trust or what was going to happen to our characters. So much suspense was built as the story went on until we hit our climax, and I literally could not put this book down.

This was everything I could have asked for and more in a single dad falling for his nanny romance. And the amount of the other Hartley siblings and their significant others we got to see? Perfection. I can't stop raving about this book or thinking about this book. Lawson has easily become one of my favorite Catherine Cowles heroes and I can't yell at you to read this book enough!!!
Profile Image for Ashley.
501 reviews2,109 followers
May 5, 2024
This was sooo good 🥹 the emotion, the trauma, the kids… LAWSON.. ugh, perfection.

As a mom with a 10 year old son, THIS HIT. Drew is my child. My child is Drew. No joke. Every time that kid said bruh I heard my child.

I cried. I laughed. I swooned. This was everything and more. Lawson is such an amazing father to Charlie, Drew, and Luke. The way he disciplined and raised his children had me tearing up so many times.

The relationship between Hallie and the boys was beautiful. I laughed so many times at her and Drew but Luke… ugh. They have something so special 💗

What a perfect way to end the series!

Quotes:
“Being scared doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human.”

“I could’ve drunk Hallie dry and would still be starved for her taste.”

“You gave me blue.”

“You don’t mess around, bruh. Respect” - Drew 😂

- romantic suspense
- single dad
- nanny
- small town
- age gap
4.5 ⭐️
🌶️.5
Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].
2,763 reviews25.2k followers
January 28, 2024
Ashes of You is book five in the Lost & Found series by Catherine Cowles. I have loved this series from the start. Loved the Hartley family. Now it is Lawson’s turn. I’ve been so excited to find out Lawson’s secrets and get to know him better and let me tell you, it was worth the wait!



Lawson Hartley is thirty eight years old and is the chief of police for Cedar Ridge. We’ve known him all through this series as the single father to three boys, Charlie, Drew and Luke, ages six, thirteen and sixteen. Charlie is the adorable one who still has the uninhibited way of loving everyone he meets. Drew is hilarious. He loves the ladies and thinks of himself as quite the ladies man. And, Luke is an angry teenager who has pulled away from his family for some unknown reason, dresses in all black and whose mood is always sulking. Lawson is also part of his family’s search and rescue team. Between work, SAR, and trying to take care of his kids, he is a wreck. He has finally given in and decided they need a nanny. After many unsuccessful interviews, it’s what finally brought Hallie to his door.



Hallie Astor is twenty five years old. Five years previous, we learn in the prologue of a trauma that Hallie suffered. One so great, it would have ruined the lives of the strongest people. But Hallie is determined that what she went through was not going to take away her happiness. She has been living in Chicago with her brother but it’s time for her to be on her own. Returning to Cedar Ridge should have been a hard no for her. It’s where she was five years ago. But the mountains have always called to her and they were calling her back. Now if she could just pass the interview she has set up to nanny for three boys.

As usual this amazing author slowly builds the suspense, all the while helping us to fall in love with these characters. We have multiple suspects, never knowing who it might be. You have to prepare yourself for these boys! I fell hard for these kids. And their beautiful hearts made me cry more than once. And then there is Hallie and Lawson. Hallie was so strong and Lawson was everything. Together, they were perfect. And, of course, we get to spend plenty of time with all of the Hartley family and their significant others. This is such a wonderful family.



This is a slow burn, romantic suspense that will make your heart happy and also keep you on the edge of your seat. There is a wonderful epilogue as well as a sneak peak into what Catherine has going on next. No hints from me. You’ll have to read the book to find out!

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

Profile Image for Laura.
376 reviews3,111 followers
January 31, 2024
my favorite book of the series by far.

—romantic suspense
—single dad
—nanny x boss
—mystery
—made me cry
—dual POV

Lawson and Hallie were absolute perfection together. Their chemistry, their individual personalities, their relationship together, it was fantastic to read.

Hallie has been through so much, poor girl, I just want to give her a hug. She is so strong and an amazing woman. And Lawson is respectful, broody but sweet, and such a great MMC.

Catherine Cowles knows how to blend romance and suspense so well together and she did just that with Ashes of You. I loved the mystery throughout the entire story, the romance between Lawson and Hallie, the side characters who added so much life to the book, and all around really enjoyed this small town romance. And I was NOT expecting what happened to happen, I don’t want to spoil but that was a twist I was not ready for.

If you’re looking for a small town romance with suspense, a single dad hiring a nanny, a mystery that drives the plot forward, Ashes of You is a must add to your TBR.
November 12, 2024
4.5 stars

Lawson and Hallie were a pretty good combo. And this one finally didn't feel like a million things were going on at once with three different endings.

Kind of called the bad guy but I liked this one better than some of the others because it didn't feel like it was soooo out of left field.

Can't wait to read about Anson and what happened before 😔
Profile Image for grace.
214 reviews12 followers
July 23, 2024
oh em gee… this made me cry tears of happiness sadness and angst all at once
I LOVE a good teenage angst needing a parent trope especially when it’s one like Luke UGH please please read this book it’s so mf good and such a good end to this series



GUYSSS WE HAVE A COVERRRR YAYYY OMGGG ITS BEAUTIFUL

THIS BETTER BE LAWSON AND A NANNY
Profile Image for Christi (christireadsalot).
2,412 reviews990 followers
January 26, 2024
Ashes of You is the final book in the Lost and Found series (still can’t get over the fact that this series is done now) and it was everything I wanted and more! We have small town, romantic suspense, age gap (he’s 13 years older), single dad hero (to 3 sons), nanny romance, all the protective vibes (from him and his sweet sons), slow burn, found family!

Lawson + Hallie forever! But also his precious, cute sons tooooo! Luke, Drew, and Charlie were so stinking adorable, had me giggling like crazy (everytime Drew says “bruh” to his dad 🤭), and were just so sweet and protective over Hallie too. Lawson is the chief of police in Cedar Ridge and Hallie recently showed up in town looking for a nanny job. It turns out they have a bit of history as well from years ago when he saved her after she had been horrifically abducted. Now she’s working as nanny for his 3 sons and I loved seeing all of them grow close. The romance is slow burn in the best way and the suspense in this one was sooo good. Hallie has been through so much, which you get the first glimpse of in the prologue. I felt for her immediately and loved seeing how she confronted her anxiety daily and how strong she is!

I devoured this book in a sitting and could not get enough of this entire crew! I loved this series so much and highly recommend them all, especially on audio if you can! As always, the narrators were just amazing and Catherine continues to have the best audiobooks! Alsoooo, I’m real excited for the next series coming, we get a little sneaky peek intro to the hero in this one and I’m intrigued! 👀

I received an audio ALC from the author, all thoughts in this review are my own. Ashes of You is out February 8, 2024!
Profile Image for Rose.
455 reviews1,131 followers
July 6, 2024
4.5⭐️ rtc ✨🦋♥️
Profile Image for Laura.
270 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2024
5/5✨️1.5🌶


 Happy Release Day to Ashes of You ����🤧

This follows Lawson and Hallie as they take us through the last and final stop at Cedar Ridge with the Hartley family. Their story had me reaching for my wine and a box of tissues as Hallie and Lawson, find history repeating itself and discover in each other what was always missing—something stronger as they created a beautiful family.

Lawson and Hallie's story begins 5 years ago, when Hallie went through a hellish ordeal when Lawson and his team rescued her. Our story then cuts to the present day, as Hallie has never stopped thinking about her savior. Yet, she's in Cedar Ridge, where Lawson is acquiring a nanny, and it's here that fate reunites them. As Hallie immerses herself in this position with Lawson and his three boys, she discovers that they are a disconnected family. However, as Hallie and Lawson lean on one another the lines between boss and employee blur. They find in each other peace and a sense of home together. 

It was intriguing and inspiring to watch Hallie, find true happiness. Catherine did such a great job with the techniques and sensitivity to Hallie's character. I love seeing Hallie blossom; she's just sunshine, as she brings so much joy and beauty to everyone. Daddy Lawson ended up being my favorite guy in the series; he came out of nowhere and he raised my standards. Even though he's so deserving of love; he's given up on finding anything real and focused his life on his career and kids… I just loved meeting my man beyond the badge.

Overall, Catherine did a fantastic job, but this was the first book I've read by Catherine that generally creeped me out. I was making sure my doors were locked. And while this series has been about the bond between the Hartley siblings, we fully get the next generation with Lawson's kid's; Luke was my fave. I would love to see a second-generation series with them, especially Luke, Violet, Cady, and Charlie. Please, Catherine! This was the best goodbye to such a beautiful series of love, friendship, and family. 😭 I can't wait to read Catherine's future stories. 

Check CW 

Thank you to Catherine for the ARC 💙
Profile Image for Anna.
725 reviews580 followers
February 11, 2024
Me to Catherine Cowles: I’m addicted & I just can’t get ENOUGH!!! I swear I can binge all of her books & this one I read in less than 24 hours!

Oh my god, it was literally like watching an episode of criminal minds but just with more romance. ANOTHER MAJOR SLAY BY CATHERINE COWLES THE ROMANTIC SUSPENSE GODDESS!!!!!

Hallie had my heart the entire book. Oh how I wanted to reach through the pages & give her just the biggest freaking hug! Her background is rough…a survivor from a serial killer WHO IS STILL AT LARGE?! Jesus I would be a hot mess. When Hallie is ready to try and get back to normal, she applies for a nannying job & it ends up being at none other than her saviors house, Lawson. And boy was I ready for Lawson’s story. HELLLOOOO DADDY!! I melted at the relationships formed between Hallie & the boys & of course with Law. She needed so much loving.

There was so much raw emotional, and I swear I teared up too many times to count. What another amazing book by my fave. I’m so obsessed.

The audio was amazing & the immersive reading made it that much better of a story!

Spice: 🌶️
Type: audio/ebook

Tropes:
Single dad x nanny
Small town
Age Gap
Slow Burn
Touch Her & Die
Forced Proximity
Profile Image for Lauren.
223 reviews556 followers
February 12, 2024
Catherine writes such amazing books, if there’s one author you read because of me, please let it be her.
Profile Image for jessicakaitlin.
725 reviews329 followers
January 27, 2024
♾️!!! This was everything I wanted and so much more! Lawson & Hallie’s story had me hooked from the prologue and I couldn’t put it down. I’m obsessed!!


This was so emotional, but also so so sweet! Hallie’s relationship with Lawsons son’s had me sobbing and was one of the best parts! We get SO much found family, great banter and cameos from all the Hartley siblings! Not to mention the character development>>>>

The relationship between Lawson & Hallie was so pure and sweet!! Seriously SO obsessed. Probably Catherine’s least spiciest book in the series but still delivered on the tension and lingering gazes that had me screaming.

I did guess the criminal and I’d like to formally thank my obsession with criminal minds for giving me detective skills.

The epilogue and bonus epilogue was EVERYTHING!!

So sad this series is over 🥹🥹

Thanks Catherine for the ARC🫶🏼🫶🏼
Profile Image for Mani's Books.
346 reviews
February 13, 2024
this has made me so so so so sad. this series started SO WELL, it was so interesting and well written! what happened? and i was so excited for lawson's book :(

i have too much to say not to make a list, so here it goes:

1) what's with the other couples making cameos and being absolutely gross? i'm sorry but i do not find cute or endearing when a couple makes out in front of someone (happened to hallie 2 or 3 times. happened to the profiler friend) and proceeds to talk as if no one else is near them, including sexual innuendos and what not. i find that so incredibly cringe and i would be actually feeling nauseous if that everrrr happened to me IRL. get a room. have some respect. same goes with everyone sitting on everyone's lap and snuggling in a group. may be my personal preference but i find it irritating to no end, so hated reading about it.

2) blue?! come on. little minx? even worse. i thought tenderheart from book 4 was the worst so far (i think it probably still is) but these 2 come close

3) felt a bit too insta-lovey. a bit too you saved me (doing your job) so now I love you / i saved you doing my job and suddenly you are so beautiful i love you. ffs

4) i do like romantic suspense and like i said at the start, i found the first couple of books really interesting. but HONESTLY in a family of 5 siblings every single one of them or their other half gets kidnapped/hurt/stalked/etc? jesus christ! always happens at the same point of the book. always happens that the H arrives justttttttttttttttttt after the h has been hurt to save her

5) kinda felt the whole melody thing was added to fluff things up, some may argue it's for luke's character development but it felt like it had no structure. so for a year this kid has been struggling. tells the truth and then oh dear! thanks to h in a week he is a reformed kid! miracle!!

6) her "drama" with her parents? fluff. her brother and his husband? fluff. too much fluff everywhere

in summary, it disappointed me to no end after a BRILLIANT start to the series. and it gave me a permanent sour face given how much i was cringing.
Profile Image for Ashley Wolfe.
288 reviews200 followers
January 28, 2024
4.5 ⭐️, 🌶️🌶️

•small town
•single dad x nanny
•age gap
•found family
•touch her and die
• suspense


once again Catherine has written an incredible story & gave so much depth to these characters and storyline.

I love the Hartley family so much and so sad that their story is coming to an end.

THAT ENDING… my heart 🥹🥹🥹

I don’t think Hallie could have been a more perfect fit for Lawson and his boys. I just adore her character so much, she has such a huge heart. The love & understanding she showed those sweet boys and way she stepped up for them. I love love love the relationship she built with Luke, she was so patient with him. && I found their relationship to be so rewarding in how they had a understanding with one another and how they bonded. those Hartley boys adored her so much. && Drew & Charlie kept me laughing!

Lawson…. Finally getting his story and learning his backstory 🥹. He is the best father and I think it shows with how incredible his boys are! It took him some time to let Hallie in but I love the relationship they built. The way that they both wanted to know how each other was after all that time. Lawson was so protective & understanding of Hallie and all that she had been through.

The suspense of the story really kept it engaging!

so sad to see these characters go but loved the happy endings they all were given!

** I received the eArc & ALC - the audiobook was incredible. I loved these narrators so much, did an incredible job of really expressing the suspense and emotions. The ending really got me 🥹

Thank you so much Catherine for the eARC & ALC in exchange for an honest review. I just adore your writing & these characters you have given us so so much 💗
Profile Image for Sienasummerrreads.
426 reviews314 followers
February 11, 2024
“It’s you, Blue. You’re the one who bought me out of the ashes. It’s always been you.”

This follows Hallie 25 who went through a horrific situation five years ago and ever since then has dealt with a lot of trauma and trying to heal. But everything changes when she moves to a small town and nanny’s for a police chief named Lawson who is 38 and his three boys between the ages of 6 and 16.

Please be mindful of the contents and themes. I have listed them below. I will say this book is one of my favourites in the series. I appreciate the plot twist of who was responsible for all the harm. I loved the Single dad and his son’s element. Love Charlie and Luke. I loved how we got to see Luke grow in this book and also have a protective side. Don’t get me wrong I like Drew but if I hear Bruh one more time I’ll lose my mind which leads me to find his character was a little repetitive. Like I've said previously if I were a woman in this small town I would leave immediately as you're a target.

I will say the audiobook was brilliant with Ava and Sebastian work well together. Highly recommend the audiobook.

If you love:

🔹Suspense Romance
🔹Small Town
🔹Single Dad
🔹FMC Nanny
🔹MMC Police Chief
🔹Perfect Amount Of Spice

Genre/Type: Small Town Romance 18+
APK: Kindle / Audiobook ARC
Pages: 404
Audiobook Length: 9hrs and 12mins
Narrators: Ava Erikson and Sebastian York - Dual
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️.5
Series or Stand Alone: Book Five In The Lost And Found Series
Tropes or Themes: Small Town, Single Dad, Nanny, Age Gap (13 Years), Family Drama, Investigation, Past Memories, Past Trauma, Panic Attack, Kidnapping, Murder, Death, Always Been You, Sexual Content, Praise, Eyes On Me, Guns, Injury, Medical Content and Blood.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫

All Round Romance Reader 
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
Profile Image for Tori Ann.
225 reviews178 followers
February 8, 2024
♾️⭐️

This is officially my favorite Catherine Cowles book. It’s my top book of 2024 so far and it’s made it into my top 10 reads shelf on Goodreads. I am so fully in love with this book. I’m in love with Lawson, I’m in love with Hallie, I’m in love with the way that she handles his (their) kids. It was beautifully written and I don’t think I’ll ever love a book more.

Lawson is the last of the siblings and he’s a single dad to three kids. Two of the 3 are little hellions, but the oldest is the one who’s clearly dealing with internal things but presents like any 16 year old would - by acting out. He’s struggling to remain present in day to day activities, keep the house moving and grooving, and be the chief of police successfully. So incoming Hallie.. the gorgeous nanny who he once saved 5 years ago. Her “blue.”

Their relationship was beautiful. It is a slow burn in the best possible way where you watch their romance unfold before they even get together. Lawson is incredibly patient with her and he doesn’t really let what would be red alerts for most people stop him with her. I think it’s easy to describe them. Soulmates. They were always meant to end up together.

Hallie’s individual relationship with each other kids was amazing to read. I think it’s heartbreaking as a kid without a mom, and to see her step into the nanny role but somehow be exactly the “mom” each of them needed had me crying. Literally. I was crying like a baby!!

I cannot recommend this series enough, but this book specifically. I have loved every single one, but Lawson and Hallie have won me over.

You’ll love this book if you love
✨ Single dad x nanny
✨ Age gap (13 years)
✨ Protective MMC
✨ Close proximity
✨ Small town
✨ Romantic suspense
✨ Slow burn

♾️⭐️ | 2🌶️
Profile Image for crystal.
670 reviews708 followers
February 8, 2024
oh my gosh, catherine cowles does it again 😭🤍 lawson and hallie were everything and more. Lawson is a single dad, police officer who found hallie after a traumatic moment in her life. hallie is lawson’s new nanny that is still dealing with what happened to her 5 years ago and is trying to move on. I literally will cry over Lawson and Hallie’s blended family 😭🤍 their love story was so so beautiful and the mystery plot line had me hooked as always!! ugh, this book was everything. I need more of them 🥺
Profile Image for Haily Therres.
333 reviews89 followers
February 6, 2024
♾️⭐️
1🌶️


Tropes:
✨Single Dad x Nanny
✨Age Gap
✨Missed Connections
✨Touch Her and Die Vibes
✨Serial Unaliver
✨Slow Burn
✨Forced Proximity

Ashes of You is officially my favorite Catherine Cowles book. This whole series lives in my heart. I am so fully in love with this series and especially this book. I am heartbroken that this series is over. I am not ready to say goodbye.

Ashes of You is the 5th book in the Lost & Found Series following Lawson and Hallie. Including Lawson’s boys (Luke, Drew & Charlie). Hallie is a young woman with a very traumatized past who is in Cedar Ridge interviewing for a nanny job. A nanny for Lawson’s boys. When Hallie gets to the interview all she sees is blue (aka Lawson) who saved her from her past. They immediately recognize each other. He wants to do everything to help her, so she gets the job.

Hallie instantly builds bonds with all the boys including Luke which takes a bit of time to crack open his shell. I love how she is with the boys. MELTS MY HEART. I loved seeing them all grow closer to each other. The chemistry and tension between Hallie & Lawson were off the charts. I was screaming at my kindle for them to get kiss already. The slow burn was BURNING but was SOO WORTH IT. UGH I JUST LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

The Suspense… Catherine GIRL. I have never guessed the ending in any of your books. You keep me guessing and thinking is it this person or this person. I was wrong every time. Which is why I love your books. Makes me want more. The whole thing kept me on the edge of my seat. I wanted to thank Catherine herself for the eARC. I am OBSESSED. I’m so ready for what you have in store for us next. Time to say goodbye to this series ☹
Profile Image for Kim.
463 reviews23 followers
April 26, 2024
Absolute perfection!!!

Have you ever read a book and been completely blown away by it? That even a week after you read it, you are still thinking about it and unable to get over it? This is that book.

I knew going into this book, that Lawson and his boys were going to make an impression on me, but this story did so much more than just that. The amount of love that I have for Lawson, Hallie, Luke, Drew, and Charlie is off the charts. This book delivered an emotional story full of suspense, twists, laughs, heartache, strength, love, and so many heartwarming moments that have forever left their mark on me in the best of ways.

Hallie and Lawson both have pasts that have wrecked them. The connection and rightness between these two give me goosebumps. The way that they both see each other’s struggles and step up to help will have you swooning. Then there are Lawson’s boys. You guys!!!!! Hallie saw them. They weren’t just a job to her. She saw past the mask that Luke had and the connection that she formed with each of boys….absolutely beautiful.

This book will give you all the feels and HEA vibes! It is now one of my all time favorite books and one I will definitely be rereading over and over. This may be the end of the Lost & Found series, but what a way to end it!

What to expect:
🏔️Single Dad/Nanny
🖤Forced Proximity
🏔️Found Family
🖤Small Town
🏔️Serial Unaliver
🖤Touch Her & ☠️
🏔️Slow Burn
Profile Image for rosa.
529 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2024
Decided to read the book with the highest average rating on my tbr, and oh, this book! I can't lie; I was a bit dubious of the plot going in - Hallie has decided to return to live in the small town where she was held captive by a serial killer who was never caught - seems smart, right?

But this story had all the feels and the most lovely characters - I really enjoyed reading it. I got genuinely teary-eyed at parts, and I just couldn't put my Kindle down. I've not read any other books in the series but I may have to pick them up now.

It's not perfect - the reveal was a little obvious, and I feel like there needed to be a bit more relationship buildup between Lawson and Hallie, but I still think this is a great read and well deserved of its high average rating.

Essential reading for anyone who loves the single-parent trope.
Profile Image for casey.
425 reviews120 followers
February 8, 2024
This book is INCREDIBLE and what I want all of my romantic suspense books to be like 💙

Catherine’s books literally do it for me every time — she is truly for the Criminal Minds & romance book loving girlies 🤌 So it shouldn’t be a surprise that I loved this one so much that I consumed it all in one day. There was not a single moment that I wanted to put it down, and I was always more than ready to pick it back up!

I knew Lawson’s book would be amazing from the moment I met him in book one, and I was right because Lawson & Hallie’s story was EVERYTHING! Yes, there’s the classic single dad x nanny trope, but the spin Catherine put on it + the element of their past connection made it so much better 👏 Their relationship also had a slow burn feel that added lots of amazing tension. Lawson & Hallie healing together and finding solace in one another was so precious to me 🥹

I also cannot forget about the boys because this family was so sweet that it brought literal tears to my eyes! Hallie’s relationship with each of the boys was so heartwarming 😭 In addition to the Hartley’s as a whole, this little family became everything to me in such a short time. The found family vibes truly had me in my feels 🥲

All this to say that Catherine Cowles closed out this series in the most perfect way possible & you should read it ASAP 🫶 Lost & Found easily became one of my favorite series ever, and I’m so sad it’s come to an end. But I’m also excited for what’s next because I just know it’s going to be amazing as always 🤩

Thank you so much to Catherine Cowles & her team for an ARC of this book 💌

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omg stop this book was INCREDIBLE?!? there was not a single moment i wanted to put it down, and i consumed the whole thing in one day. i'm so sad this book/series is over, but lawson & hallie & the boys are EVERYTHING I LOVE THEM 😭
Profile Image for Soph.
477 reviews31 followers
February 9, 2024
★★★. The final book in the Lost & Found series and it was good but I expected more. After reading Roan’s book, I was expecting this one to be phenomenal five stars all around and it had so much potential but then fell flat.

What I liked about this book was the strength that Catherine wrote for Hallie and how she used techniques to help her anxiety. I also loved how she wrote the relationship with the boys and the other family members. I also loved the relationship and softness of Lawson and Hallie. His protectiveness over her was so good. He was all in once he realized his feelings. His relationship with the sons was so heartbreaking especially when we found out what their mom did but I loved how it was handled!

What I didn’t like now….why was Drew talking like he didn’t know two words? Why was Nash written like a child? Why was the ending rushed? There was so many opportunities for a third act and there should have been one considering they jumped into a relationship without much to go on but their past. As much as I loved how the Luke situation was handled, I wish it was a little more painful. The reveal of the killer….WHY? It should’ve been built up from the other books and not just thrown in.

I will be continuing with Catherine’s new series because I love her writing, but I hope she doesn’t listen to one specific audience and instead everyone!

“Stay in the now,” he said.
“She’s scared and alone.” That muscle beneath Lawson’s eye fluttered.
“And it reminds you of being scared and alone.”
“No one should feel that way. No one,” I whispered.
He tightened his hold on my fingers. “But you’re not alone now, are you?”
I stared into those deep blues again, watching the emotions swirl faster. “No. I’m not.”
Profile Image for Jamie.
967 reviews219 followers
February 11, 2024
This was honestly better than I was expecting! I love single mom books, but single dads are usually more misses for me than hits. I only like single dad romances if the mom isn’t in the picture and the H hates her because I’m a selfish jealous cow and I’m not sorry about it 😜so thankfully this book was like that and I was so happy the kids called her mom in the end🥹I feel like it’s more common in single mom books for the kid(s) to end up calling the H dad, than it is for the kids in single dad books to call the h mom, which is another reason I prefer single mom, again selfish jealous cow here.
1 review1 follower
October 19, 2023
can I just say that I have never been more excited for a book - after finishing shadows of you and reading the sneak peak i cannot wait till February
Profile Image for sil ♡ the book voyagers.
1,270 reviews3,093 followers
February 17, 2024
Oh yes! Catherine Cowles please never stop writing romantic suspense novels thank you very much. I swear I can always inhale these books and I will never get bored <3

If you're in the mood for a single dad x nanny romance, pick this up immediately.
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