A woman trying to rebuild her life. Kennedy is doing all she can to escape, to prove that she’s not the monster her father was. A simple life of peace and service is all she needs. A man haunted by a past he can’t forget. Cain has buried his demons under layers of control and success. The only thing he needs is his company and his solitude. Certainly not a woman with captivating green eyes filled … captivating green eyes filled with ghosts so similar to his own.
He’s a reminder of the life she’s left behind. And she’s a threat to his tightly guarded control. As sparks fly between them, they discover that what they might need most is each other.
But with pasts like theirs…you never know when darkness might descend.
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Beautifully Broken Control is book 4 in the Sutter Lake Series giving us Cain and Kennedy’s story, with only knowing very little about each of them I couldn’t wait to find out their stories.
Kennedy has left her old life behind her, one that she feels guilty about and will for the rest of her life. Volunteering and being the best person, she can she is slowly giving back and molding herself into the woman she wants to be. When Cain decides he needs a break he calls his best mates what better way to solve all your problems than with your chosen family.
Trouble hits Cain’s company he is put in an awful position of figuring out who has betrayed him, with his demons circling him daily he pushes Kennedy away. When Kennedy comes face to face with danger; is it her old life or her relationship with Cain that put her there?
I personally really enjoyed this story, Cain and Kennedy were a mystery going into this book. I really enjoyed getting to know both these characters and it was great to check in with old ones.
I look forward to what is next from Cowles.
Star Ratings; Plot: 5/5 Characters: 5/5 Heat: 5/5 Writing Style: 5/5 Overall: 5/5
Catherine does a beautiful job at storytelling and writing in a way that grabs you into the story. I love Cain, like a lot, seriously her heros are amazing. I love how Kennedy was practicing so many grateful statements (as I do the same, and have the same belief that even in your worst days or moments there are things to be grateful for).
The reason this book is four stars and not five have to do with my own personal feelings about different parts of the book and that I had to put it down a few times because of those feelings. Honestly nothing I think other people will be dealing with.
I will say I struggled a bit with liking Kennedy at times and felt she could be kinda judgemental and while she was willing to look at those qualities, they did frusterate me. I think that Catherine’s writing is truly great and I highly suggest all of her books.
Kennedy Barrington came from a privileged family. Spoiled, she could shop and travel whenever she wanted.
Until she found out that the money was dirty. Her father, a famous investor, stole from his clients.
The FBI pressured Kennedy to help have a recorded confession from her father.
This whole process led to her being accused by the media and tried by her family.
To start her life over, she went to live in a very distant place, and was happy working in a tea shop.
Nobody knew who she was; what was her past; why she ran away and why she punished herself.
But a man managed to see through her…
Cain Hale had his load of trauma.
He made his own wealth by building a remote security company.
With the death of his mother, he decided it was time to take some distance and rest his mind.
Upon meeting Kennedy, he soon realized that there was something more in that shy way.
This fascinated him … and led him to a near-murder …
It is the first book in the series I read. It can be read as stand alone.
Really cool!!!
5 stars
The previous books in the series were so good and this one is no exception. This can be read on its own but I would suggest going back to the first book by Catherine Cowles, Further To Fall. FTF is sort of a prequel to the Sutter Lake series. Each could be read on their own but it’s enjoyable to read in order and see what the characters have experienced in each book.
In Beautifully Broken Control, we learn more about Kennedy and what she is running from. The behind-the-scenes man that has helped Walker & Tuck previously is Cain. He’s got tech skills and will use them by any means to help the friends considered family. Now, his company is in danger of losing its edge in the marketplace due to an insider leak. Can Cain save his company while trying to fight his own demons? Like the previous books, Beautifully Broken Control was a very good book that I did not want to put down. This is a voluntary review of an advanced reader copy.
I know I always say this after I read a Catherine Cowles book but I really think this one is my favorite. Cain and Kennedy are epic. They are both dealing with guilt they shouldn’t own. Cain is obsessed with keeping those he loves safe because he couldn’t do that for someone in his past. Kennedy is focused on giving back to the less fortunate because of bad decisions her father made. Both of them don’t want to fall in love but since when does life go by what we plan? Every second of this story is captivating. I loved Kennedy’s stubborn attitude but it also frustrated me. I loved Cain’s protector personality and he could be just as stubborn and frustrating. They really are a perfect match. This romantic suspense had me holding on for dear life. And I loved that my favorite characters in the series had a major role in the story. I just love this series! If you haven’t read this series yet, what the heck are you doing with your life?! This one can be read as a standalone but it’s better if you take the journey in the series. I highly suggest this to romance fans. Get ready to fall hard for these characters. And don’t expect to do anything but read once you pick up this title. You’ll have to know what happens next.
If I thought I couldn’t love another one of her Sutter Creek books more than I did the last one, I was wrong. Beautifully Broken Control was everything I adore about small-town romances coupled with that little bit of suspense that she brings to her books. Hey, a new genre, small-town romantic suspense!
All my feels turned up to ten with Cain and Kennedy’s story. My heart was overflowing from the couple’s heartbreaking pasts to their perfect HEA. What an incredible way to end the Sutter Creek Series!
I was introduced to Catherine Cowels a few months ago with the release of Beautifully Broken Spirit. I fell in love with the town of Sutter Lake and the characters who lived there I was determined to make time to read their first two books since I came into the series in book three. When I read Beautifully Broken Pieces (book 1) and Beautifully Broke Life (book 2), it made me appreciate Beautifully Broken Spirit (book 3) even more which I read again while waiting for Beautifully Broken Control (book 4). Each one is a standalone book but the characters and stories are so beautifully woven together that you will miss backstories and key relationships if you don’t read the series in order. So, let me begin my review by saying…read the entire series in order. It makes a difference. If you have read my reviews before, you know that I love cops, stories about cops, and stories about criminals. If I am on the edge of my reading chair, waiting for the villain to be revealed then it is a GOOD book. Catherine hasn’t let me down yet! Grab your coffee and let’s chat about Beautifully Broken Control.
Catherine Cowels writes books about strong women and the alpha men who love them. It is always fun to watch the relationships develop, trust become established, and the fight for control. None of the ladies in the Sutter Lake Series need a man to complete them. They are perfectly able to take care of themselves and run their businesses. The alpha men are all extremely hot, enjoy their man-whore ways, and are genetically created to be protectors…just look at their jobs and the way they treat their families. But, these relationships work. The characters enjoy the push and pull of control while maintaining independence yet knowing that their partner has their back and is willing (and able) to kill for them.
Kennedy is hiding something and Cain is determined to protect his friends. That’s what Cain does. He protects the people that he loves almost to an obsession. When Cain learns that Kennedy is hiding to protect herself, her friends, and to live a life of minimalism and service, the obsession to protect becomes focused solely on Kennedy. Cain, too, is hiding from his past. Can he trust Kennedy to help him slay his own dragons or will he push her away? That is all you get from me in the form of a synopsis because I don’t want to give anything away…no spoilers here!
In case you can’t tell, I love the Sutter Lake Series by Catherine Cowels and Beautifully Broken Control did not disappoint! As I was reading, I was looking for the next story to be told because I really want there to be a book 5. I am not ready for this series to be over. Perhaps, Preston’s story is next (hint, hint) but I saw on Catherine’s website that she is starting a new series (The Wrecked Series) that comes out in May so I may not get my wish.
My rating for Beautifully Broken Control by Catherine Cowels…5 out of 5 propellers!!
HOLY CANNOLI THIS STORY! I honestly can’t decide if this book is my favorite out of this entire series, but I felt so deeply with this book and the storyline and couldn’t get enough! Cain’s past has caused him to be the hard man that he’s become and vows to let nothing get through the walls he’s built. Kennedy is essentially in hiding, attempting to start her life over and stay in the shadows while making it on her own after the tragic events her family caused. She’s vowed to stay away from people with money and power, two things Cain has. At first meet, the sparks fly, but Kennedy is quick to shut them down but Cain is determined to get to know her and what she’s all about. Amidst all of that, accidents start happening around Kennedy and places/people she interacts with, nobody realizing that she’s the actual target. Once Cain figures it out, Kennedy is kidnapped and it’s crazy to find out who’s behind everything! The mystery of who’s behind everything I definitely did not see coming, but it kept me on the edge of my seat trying to guess who it was! I cannot wait to see who is next in this series after loving this book so much!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Once again I fell in love. As soon as I read the prologue, I knew this book would be one of a kind. Catherine Cowles writes amazing novels and they just keep getting better.
Kennedy is the perfect heroine. She made the hardest decision of her life but she came out strong. She is fierce and independent. She will above and beyond for anyone that needs help.
Cain is one of a kind. I fell in love with not only how attractive Catherine describes him but for who he is and how he develops as a character. He suffered from a tragedy that he kept blaming himself for. My heart breaks for him.
Catherine makes these characters come to live. Every word is beautifully written. Once you read that first page you will be sucked in and you will not be able to put that book down.
This book is full of emotions. You may laugh, cry, and get mad but at the end you will be in love with Cain and Kennedy.
Two different world complement each other so well.
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
This is the fourth book in the Sutter Lake series. You can read each book by itself but they’re all so good I recommend you reading all of them!
In this edition of Sutter Lake you’ll learn more about Kennedy and meet Cain. They both have troubling pasts and each comes to a point here in the book. There’s a little bit of drama with Cain’s business but that’s just a side story along their journey together.
I enjoyed reading their love story. Cain and Kennedy haven’t had the best history individually. She’s actually scared to let him in because of hers. He has a need to control. She has a need to escape. Opposites definitely attract with Kennedy and Cain.
This is definitely one love story you don’t want to miss. A love to last all time…a match made in Sutter Lake.
Since my last trip to Sutter Lake, I have been itching to return and get answers to the buckets of questions about their newest resident, Kennedy. And let me say, Catherine Cowles did not let me down.
I adored Kennedy. Her bravery. Her charm. Her kindness. Her vulnerability. Her gratitude for the small things. How she stood up for what is right. How she did what she had to do for her own peace of mind and heart. How she didn’t take any of Cain’s crap.
Goodness me, Cain! That big, broody man with the weight of the world, and his company on his shoulders. He needed a break and it lead him to the place that always felt like home, and in turn right into Kennedy’s path. I liked that he pushed her. Tried to get to know her. And the more he learned the more he was enamored with her. Wanted to know more, experience more, feel more. But when tiny things start happening, it sets off all of his alarm bells and he knows he has to protect her too. She means too much to him.
I was just as blindsided as Cain and Kennedy when it was revealed who was behind the mysteries plaguing them. True to form, Catherine Cowles took a sweet love story and wove it with drama and danger. There was heat and humor. Sass and smarts. And all the characters of this small town that I’ve come to love. Beautifully Broken Control had me hanging on every word. And that ending! So perfect. My heart is so full and happy for Kennedy and Cain.
Passionate, super swoony with a healthy dose of suspense to make this story totally unputdownable.
The author takes us back to Sutter Lake and we get this beautiful story of town residents Cain and Kennedy.
These 2 characters have had a painful past making them unique, complex and complicated characters.
Their chemistry was explosive and undeniable. How their story evolved and developed made this installment one of my favorites in this series.
*ARC kindly provided by the author and I’m leaving an honest review*
5+ “She was a storm wrapped in beauty and grace. She held fierceness and gentleness in equal measure, and it eased something in me…” // “She was the one thing that could snap my carefully crafted control in a heartbeat.” stars
“What a plot twist you were.”
Oh my heart!! Wow! I can’t express how much I loved Kennedy and Cain. In my opinion this is Catherine’s best book and my second favorite in the series. Here we are at the end of the road and it’s always hard to say goodbye to characters and book series I loved. This was the best ending ever. I truly love Sutter Lake series and it will forever stay in my heart as one of the best series I have ever read. This was completely brilliant, compelling, raw, breathtaking, at times heartbreaking story and such a wonderful read. Beautifully Broken Control is the fourth book in Catherine Cowles’ The Sutter Lake series. The characters are complex; the plot is strong and unpredictable with twists that will keep you guessing the whole time. I enjoyed every minute of it and never wanted it to end. It has so much depth, powerful and effortless writing. I loved that it was written in first person, dual POV. It was enjoyable, steamy, suspenseful read with small town romance, while delivering an intense and passionate love story between Kennedy and Cain that I devoured in one sitting.
Since the first time I met Kennedy I knew I would love to read her story. There was always something calling me to get to know her more. Kennedy and Cain’s story is a heartfelt tale, highly emotional and highly addictive addition to Sutter Lake series. It is so beautifully written with such beautiful quotes that resonated with me. Kennedy has been through so much. It’s no wonder she doesn’t trust easily. She is so sweet, amazing, down to earth, feisty, sassy, smart, loving, caring. Even though she has been quite a while in Sutter Lake she still doesn’t feel like she truly belongs. I think her thinking is what if she allows herself to feel and builds life but something goes wrong? Cain is broody, moody, overprotective, carries a lot of guilt on his shoulders, closed off, but also loving, caring and vulnerable. His friendship with Tuck and Walker is amazing. I love they have each other’s back.
“I fell in love with the cracked and broken pieces of you So when you showed me your good side I fell more deeper and deeper that I do not know if I would ever survive the landing.” – cynthía go // Falling
Kennedy and Cain were perfect for each other. The chemistry and tension between Kennedy and Cain was everything. I liked them from the moment they met. Cain is immediately drawn to Kennedy, though he can’t exactly figure out why; he just knows there is something about her that gets to him. He feels so protective of her because he knows something from Kennedy’s past makes her wary of people and makes her want to run. Their timing might be a little off because they both have so much going on and they are focused on different things; but when they are together everything just makes sense; they are just perfect for each other and exactly what they need. I think they take each other by surprise because neither of them expected to meet and that meeting each other would change their lives. I love they both helped each other heal, learned valuable lessons and how to move on from the past and truly start living. These two made me smile, laugh, swoon, cry and experience a lot of feelings along the way. I love the way they fell in love; that they love completely and all of their faults, broken, damaged pieces. Their love story is not perfect and I wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s layered, fast paced, real, emotional, with depth and edge. The pace of the story added to their romance and to them figuring out place in life and new circumstances of situation. It was flirty, fun, touching, heartbreaking and heartwarming. The epilogue was just beautiful, I wanted to last forever and to never let go of these amazing characters and this world that Catherine has craftily created.
Secondary characters are intriguing, engaging, funny and incredible. I just love their camaraderie, friendship and the way they have each other’s back and treat each other like family. They also helped develop Cain and Kennedy’s story and plot. Such an amazing and wonderful ending to a beautiful series.
UTTERLY INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL AND HEARTBREAKING! It kept my attention at all times and I could not put it down. With an effortless writing, awe-inspiring details, and a journey of revenge, forgiveness, love, secrets, lies, mystery, self-discovery, the author takes us on an emotional and beautiful journey of the characters and their struggles. I highly recommend this book and whole series. Seriously, just pick up the book(s) and start reading. You won’t be disappointed.
P. S. Thank you Catherine for allowing me to be a part of your journey and this wonderful series and characters that I love and treasure with my whole heart. So excited for your next projects.
OH MY GOODNESS!
This story is so incredibly heartfelt and beautiful, I couldn’t put it down all day! Cain & Kennedy might just be my favorite – and I love EVERY book in this series! The emotions in this one, tho, oh my heck… We essentially get a friends to lovers story where both Cain & Kenz have secrets, but also wear their hearts on their sleeves. They are each dedicated to their siblings; they have formed a family bond w/ a group of ppl not who aren’t family by blood; they’re hard workers with hearts for service. I love these characters SO MUCH! And I 1000% LOVE the ending. Swoon!!!
: )
Overall Grade:
I fell in love with Catherine Cowles with her last book, Beautifully Broken Spirit. In that review, I noted her voice in its parallels to another favorite author of mine, Devney Perry. There is a gentle tone to Cowles’s writing voice underscored by plots that carry emotional gravity in their writing. No one is safe from harm in Cowles’s Sutter Lake series, and her newest book, Beautifully Broken Control, gives us more of her gifted storytelling.
In Beautifully Broken Control, Cowles writes of Kennedy, the mysterious new woman in town from Beautifully Broken Spirit. In that book, Kennedy is shrouded in mystery, but the heroine of that book, Jensen, sees something in Kennedy and hires her as an employee for her tea room. Beautifully Broken Control finds Kennedy happily and contentedly settled in Sutter Lake. What we find in this story is Kennedy’s back story and her reasons for her altruism. She’s complicated and the depths of her character are greater than the sins of her father. Cowles also introduces us to Cain, Tuck and Walker’s adept, yet mysterious friend. Like Kennedy, Cain holds a secret that has broken his life and made him who he is. Together, Kennedy and Cain’s broken pieces fit, yet both struggle against the path to a potential future together. It’s these struggles that make Cowles’s book moving. In the simplicity of her story are nestled these tender moments of empathy and compassion in the midst of the struggle for control, hence the name for this book. At its core, this story shows us that letting go and giving up control in the name of love can only bring immense satisfaction and completeness.
What I love about Cowles’s writing in this book (and the other Sutter Lake series books) is the gentleness of her storytelling. That seems at odds with the nature of the story which can be violent. Beautifully Broken Control is a lot of things: contemporary romance and romantic suspense to name two. With those monikers, it seems odd to discuss her writing as gentle, but there’s an ease to her storytelling that renders a fluidity of words over the page. When I started this book, my intention was to read a few chapters here and there until its end, wanting to savor the story. I had looked forward to the mysteries of Kennedy and Cain. Yet, the fluidity of Cowles’s storytelling held me to her story. I couldn’t put it down because it lulls you into its rhythm. Beautifully Broken Spirit did the same thing, and I think this is why I compare her to Devney Perry, as her writing does the same for me. It’s why I love their writing. As a reader, I feel full of the story as I’m reading it, and to leave it before its end, makes me feel insatiable. I need the completeness of the story; it simply isn’t fulfilling as a snack.
Additionally, the characters of Kennedy and Cain are enigmatic. They hold secrets. Cowles provides us Kennedy’s story early. We understand the motivations of her life. Her revelation of her secrets to Jensen and the other characters is the reason you feel pulled further into her character development. Even more, the tension and worry over their acceptance of her compel you forward. Now, Cain is a different story. Cowles uses him as the impetus for the tension with him and Kennedy. Together, these two are magic. There are so many moments between the two of them that melt the reader’s heart. I found myself highlighting so many of these moments because they are the gold of this story. Yet, as Cowles holds Cain’s secret from the reader (and Kennedy) for much of the story, we feel the challenge between Cain and Kennedy until almost the end of the story. While Kennedy’s relationships find resolution early, Cain’s withholding of his big secret is the thread that keeps you further engaged in the story. Even in its revelation, Cain and Kennedy are not okay. In fact, when you think they have found their happy ending, the reader realizes they have only tentative closure. Everything explodes when you least expect it, and this continues to drive the story forward. The way in which Cowles crafts Cain’s character inherently underscores the message of Beautifully Broken Control. When he finally accepts truths about his past, only then does Cowles allow Cain and Kennedy find their happy ending. This is the genius behind the story of this book and Cowles’s construction of it. Each part of the story, plot and character development, build to a message of forgiveness and acceptance.
When I see that Catherine Cowles is preparing for another book, I become excited. As a storyteller, I trust her. I trust her craft. I trust the place for her stories. Given I am a newer reader to her booklist, I think this shows her talent. I try to stay focused on the aspects of story in my reviews for readers to understand the tangible reasons for reading Cowles’s Beautifully Broken Control. Yes, the chemistry is here. Yes, the love unfolding on the page is beautiful. And yes, we are treated to more stories from the other characters in Sutter Lake, making it a bit of a homecoming. Yet, it’s Cowles’s careful crafting of story and character that is the true treasure of Beautifully Broken Control. In reading her book, you elevate yourself as a romance reader, and you can trust that Cowles’s adeptness at storytelling will win over your heart. Kennedy and Cain’s story definitely does not disappoint.
Well, here we are at the end of the Sutter Lake series and I don’t quite know how to feel. Catherine Cowles continues to leave me in awe with her writing and storytelling ability. I have loved every book in this series and I truly believe each is better than the last.
“Even on the worst days, there’s something to be grateful for.”
This book was EVERYTHING.
Kennedy came to Sutter Lake with a her dog and not much else besides a LOT of secrets. While she is hiding her old life, she is doing everything to make amends for crimes that she had no part of. She gives and gives and gives–that’s just who she is. She meets Cain through her boss and friend, Jensen. Cain owns a security firm and from the moment he meets her, he knows that Kennedy is hiding something but he can’t seem to stop his protective nature from wanting to keep her safe. Cain also has a lot of pain in his past and getting close to people is just not something he does. The force that pulls these two together is just too strong for Cain or Kennedy to fight it.
I think Cain is probably the most protective/possessive hero that this author has written to date and I LOVED his huge alpha personality. He is definitely swoon-worthy. I loved him for Kennedy. Once these two finally gave in, they smoldered.
This book is full of all of the small-town goodness that I have come to love from this author. Of course, there’s also some suspense that will keep you guessing. What I love most about the whole series is how all of these different people from various backgrounds come together to make a family and are there for each other no matter what.
“No other words of affirmation or gratitude were necessary. We knew we were each other’s chosen family.”
I will miss Sutter Lake and these wonderful characters so much, but what a way to end it. At the end of this book, my face is puffy but my heart is full. And I can’t wait to see what comes next.
This pulled at my heartstrings so badly. A wonderful angsty book that I wasn’t able to put down! If you want tears – you will find your heart hurting and your eyes watering from one chapter to the next! I loved the storyline and more importantly loved the hea!
This story grabbed me from the start. The two main characters Kennedy and Cain both have strong issues of their own. Kennedy feels guilty for something she believes her dad has done and is continuing. She has a strong of wrong and right.
Cain lives daily with regret. He has become successful but it doesn’t make up for what he feels is shortcomings on his part. He and Kennedy have a almost immediate attraction to each other yet both have trouble feeling confident about any relationship.
All through the story I felt the strong feelings and conflicts these two have. The story also contains some real twists and turns that made me more than a little willing to hand out advice. This is a great addition to this series. The author has carried forward previous characters and it gave me the feeling of going home again.
Kennedy and Cain wow! Amazing.
I did not want this series to end, I did not want this book to end.
Kennedy and Cain have so much pain from their past, both trying to hide away from it. But bit by bit as the walls come down, they find they are two halves of one whole. But is it that easy? Never!!
This book goes deep and covers all the feels. Twists and turns I didn’t see coming.
With each book the series just got better, and I’ve loved every one, but this I think is Catherine’s best to date.
What a journey. Sad to see it end, but well worth the ride.
5 STARS
I absolutely loved both Cain and Kennedy, the strength and loyalty in both of them is commendable. Each carries secrets of their past, that has altered them into who they have become and who they choose to be.
I’m loving getting lost & found in Sutter Lake. This book and the complete Sutter Lake series is complete with couples who are all beautifully broken, thus all books are aptly named. So take the leap and journey into the Sutter Lake series with the ‘Beautifully Broken’. Beautifully Broken Control by Catherine Cowles is an EPIC read and will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!