Everly has stared evil in the eye to save others, she has found strength when she had none to spare, and she carried her bravery like a shield now that she was back where her whole life crumbled she would need it all to make it her home. Years ago Everly saved Shiloh Easton from a fate that was cruel but the hands of her crazy father, she has carried guilt and shame her family left her with, but now she is back to pave her own path and create something beautiful out of things horrible. She knows not everyone will be welcoming when she returns and it does scare her yet she holds her head high with strength that’s beautiful. Sheriff Hayes Easton carries so much blame on his shoulders for the pain and discomfort his family not only endured in the past but pain that continues to haunt them now, so when he hears about Everly’s return he is very less than friendly to her. He knows deep down nothing that happened was her fault but he can’t seem to see past his own guilt and her last name to care until Everly herself is threatened by her own family. This book takes us on the journey of Everly trying to establish her life now while knowing her own family wants her dead, Hayes trying to let the past go but having trouble dealing with it, and their attraction to each other that is almost forbidden just because of the history there. Everly is a beautiful soul who is compassionate with others and animals. She would protect or sacrifice herself just to save anyone else and she becomes really close with Hayes’ family. They all form a bond from the pain of the past but they learn and teach each other how to forgive, let go, and love. Once Hayes comes around and knows how different Everly is he falls hard he just has to show her she can’t carry the “weight from things that aren’t hers to carry.” They have a long difficult road ahead with someone out to get them, pain of the past, and a love that will be hard on them but impossible to stop. This was very emotional, beautifully written, and tragically wonderful. The author knows how to grip you from page one, keep you on edge with suspense, feel the love and pain of each character, and never want it to stop. “A mountain always looks terrifying from the bottom, but you just have to take it one step at a time.” “You came in like a flash flood with no warning, and now I can’t imagine my life without you.” “You showed me that there is more power in facing the ghosts and tearing them down, than pretending they don’t exist.” ( )

I think this book was a super fun read. But because it was pitched to me hate to more book and that part feel a little bit flat to me cause for such a short book that troupe fet a bit rushed. I really loved both characters and loved the small town setting. I think the aftermath of the cult and doomsday prep life was unique and I am super excited to see the other books in this series. I think those romances may be mroe up my alley. But it was fun and cute quick read with a fun supense element!! ( )

I think this book was a super fun read. But because it was pitched to me hate to more book and that part feel a little bit flat to me cause for such a short book that troupe fet a bit rushed. I really loved both characters and loved the small town setting. I think the aftermath of the cult and doomsday prep life was unique and I am super excited to see the other books in this series. I think those romances may be mroe up my alley. But it was fun and cute quick read with a fun supense element!! ( )

I was obsessed with this book from the moment I started reading it. I also didn't put it down until I had absolutely devoured it. So I quickly looked up Catherine Cowles and began buying and reading every single book of hers I could find. She quickly made her way into my favorite author's list. And this book absolutely made it to my top favorite books ever. I'm going to be reading it again and again.

Everything about this book was beautiful from the cover, to the characters, to the way everything was written. Everly and Hayes have such a beautiful relationship and everything between them is just incredible. It's so nice to read about two characters in a healthy relationship. Everly has been through so much in her life and is trying to find her independence and always do the right thing. She deserves all of the good things in the world and it's part of why I'm so happy she found a character like Hayes. Because he treats her the way she deserves. The way they communicate is so beautiful and real.

Everly's family despises her because she turned her father in for kidnapping when she was younger. What she had to go through as a child and what her so-called family is putting her through as an adult is heartwrenching. Catherine Cowles writes so emotionally that there were several times I was tearing up because of all that Everly had been through and was still struggling with. There was also turmoil between Everly and Hayes because the girl that Everly's father kidnapped is Hayes' sister. I really expected Hayes and his family to also mistreat Everly and was fully prepared to be frustrated with them. But they are a pretty incredible bunch and consider her a hero. Especially because she went against her entire family to do the right thing.

If you love small-towns, sheriffs, brave heroines who aren't afraid to face their past, beautiful, healthy and compassionate relationships (emphasis on the passionate), overcoming ghosts of the past and learning how to move forward, then this is the book for you. And if you do choose to read this book, I just about guarantee that you are going to fall in love with Catherine Cowles as much as I have and begin devouring the rest of her books as well. ( )

I've been seeing a lot of love for this author lately, so I decided to try one. This book follows Everly and Hayes. Two people with a certain life shattering event from their past in common. When Everly returns after years being separated from her past, Hayes isn't all that welcoming. There is still a pull between the two of them that they can't ignore.

This small-town romance has some tense situations, a little angst, and some nice warm feels. I wouldn't say that I was blown away by it, but it was enough for me to be interested in checking out more by Catherine Cowles. ( )