Tessa and Liam have a beautiful story. Tessa is a broken, or at least severely cracked, woman who is trying to make the loaf of the narrow life she allows her self to have. Liam is looking for some peace and finds it, first in the beauty and comfort that is Sutter Lake, and then in the mysterious Tessa. These two both have to make their way past their own issues while figuring out how to make a relationship of any sort work between them. Thanks to Liam’s tenacity and patience, as well as Tessa’s bravery and desire to have a real life again, they manage to fight toward a bright future.
This story brings twists, turns, a lot of emotion, and a shocking, yet totally deserved comeuppance for one truly nasty person. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author!
Author
i30babe
3 years ago
Omg! Wow…what a beautiful story. Having met these characters in previous books we had a hint of what difficulties Liam and Tessa faced, although not fully. Tessa’s story broke my heart, she had such a gentle and caring soul it was hard to read everything she’d endured. Liam was burnt out and still recovering from an event from his previous life, plus being attacked in Taylor and Walkers book. Despite these odds they found each other and learned to trust in each other all the while dealing with a threat from both of their pasts. Ms Cowles weaves a beautiful tale of love, endurance and triumph. I couldn’t put this book down from the minute I started. I cannot wait for Jensen’s book now.
Fabulous read, I highly recommend this book and series.
Author
jeepsysoul77
3 years ago
This is book two in Catherine Cowles Sutter Lake Series. I knew this book would be phenomenal after reading the first book (Beautifully Broken Pieces, for all of you that haven’t read it yet) in the series. Writing/story telling talent such as Catherine’s is guaranteed to be more exceptional with each release and this book did not disappoint. This is Liam and Tessa’s story. Liam has come to Sutter Lake to recoup after an unfortunate incident in LA. While there, the shy young baker at a local establishment knocks him to his knees. However, she’s skittish and guarded. Liam wants nothing more than to get to know her, meanwhile Tessa wants nothing more than to keep people out, she won’t risk putting the people she’s come to know and love in danger. This is their story, full of every emotion you can think of, heartbreak, joy, and true love. There are moments where all you want to do is wrap Tessa in a hug and lend her your strength while at the same time, Liam is making you swoon with the love and protectiveness he shows our girl Tessa. I can’t put into words how much I loved this story. It ended entirely too soon, but all the best books do!
Author
islandgirlromancereads
3 years ago
“I was a total goner for a girl I haven’t even kissed”
The second book in The Sutter Lake series, Beautiful Broken Life is one of my favorite read this year.
So beautiful written. I read it in one sitting. Literally couldn’t put it down.
This is the story of Tessa. A woman on the run from a abusive past. She’s a very frightened who keeps to herself and always looking over her shoulders.
Loved Tessa. My heart hurt for what she went through and she may have appeared first as fragile, but she was strong and a fighter. She was also sweet and loved her relationship with Phoenix.
Liam..he was perfect! The musician hiding from the world he was not confortable being in anymore.
Loved how patience he was with Tessa, protective and tender and he has the biggest heart. Every woman needs a Liam in their life.
Beautifully written with characters you’ll love and suspenseful. I recommend this authors book to the lovers of Kristen Ashley books.
I’ll be looking forward anxiously for the next book in this series.
“Don’t dim your light for anyone. Never again.”
6 Beautifully Broken Stars!!!
Author
millenniallifecrisisbooks
3 years ago
HOLY FREAKING CANNOLI was this book AMAZING! After reading the first book in this series, I couldn’t decide if I wanted Tessa or Jensen’s book first, but I am so glad that Catherine gave us Tessa first. On the run from an abusive fiancé, Tessa has been running for the past two years and finally gaining some semblance of normalcy and a life. Still severely scarred by her past, she is skittish and untrusting of any male, no matter how much she knows about them. Liam is in town to try and get back into the creative headspace he needs to write songs for his upcoming album. When he runs (literally) into Tessa, it seems that she becomes the exact muse he needed, but she isn’t having any of him. As the pull towards Liam begins to get to be too much, and a warning from Grandma Irma, Tessa’s walls start to break down for Liam and the rest of the crew. However, when her past finally catches up to her, the question lies if she will survive another time. The emotions literally came off the pages for me and I felt as if I was physically and emotionally feeling exactly what Tessa was as I read. I can’t say any more amazingly great things about this book as well as this series. In the midst of this amazing book, Catherine was still able to give us a continuation of Taylor and Walker’s story in the background while also alluding to what comes for Jensen and Tuck!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Author
dirtyreads
3 years ago
Beautifully Broken Life is Tessa and Liam’s story. If you’ve read Beautifully Broken Pieces which is Taylor and Walkers story then you’ve already been introduced to Liam and Tessa. Cathrine truly hit it out of the park with this one!
Tessa is on the run from abusive ex fiancé, he may have found her the first time she ran, but Tessa’s determined to be more prepared the second time in making sure she’s never found. Tessa’s finally found her own little peaceful life, where she can stay under the radar, she knows she’s not living life to the fullest, but has found joy in the simple things. You hit the ground running from the very begging of this book. No slow build up, from the very start you’re hooked and can’t wait for more.
Liam has lived in Los Angeles for far too long. He longs for the days where he can just find a small amount of peace, not being chased constantly by paparazzi, or crazy fans. He truly just wants to take a step back enjoy some peace and quiet, with some true friends and hopefully get over this writing stump he seems to be stuck in. One of Liam’s best friends Taylor (From Beautifully Broken Pieces) has just moved to Sutter Lake, and he figures maybe that’s just what he needs, to get away for a little while, where maybe he can find some peace and quiet and hopefully his music will come back to him.
Liam is pretty taken with Tessa from the beginning, but he also knows there’s a darkness in her eyes, and secrets she holds deep. Liam is determined to make Tessa trust him even if it means taking several baby steps. He wants to be a part of her healing process, and hopefully be a part of something much bigger with time.
Tessa wants so much more out of life, and wants to trust Liam, but after her life with a man that promised things for so long only to turn abusive has left her with many scars both inside and out. This book is full of suspense, steamy scenes, and so many heartwarming moments. Ladies just get your tissues ready!
One of my absolute favorite things about Cathrines books is she gives you real problems, some are moments that some of us hope to never face, but the fights are real, the heartwarming moments are real, the people, the characters, everything is something you could actually picture happening. You don’t have to worry about “fluff” chapters because there aren’t any! There isn’t any part of this story that hasn’t been perfected! You won’t regret picking up Beautifully Broken Life!
View this review and more at Dirty Reads Book Blog!
dirtyreadsbooks.com
Author
bookaddict
3 years ago
When I saw this book hit my Kindle, all other reading came to a screeching halt. (My apologies to the dozen other books I committed to read first.) And when I saw forty-seven chapters, I got a little giddy, hoping this book would go on and on. I was already excited for Tessa and Liam’s story and suspected it would be one I never wanted to end. And let me tell you, it was! Beautifully Broken Life is a heartbreaking, inspiring read, with so much emotion I drowned in it, and enough intense suspense that I was hooked on every word.
This book is a thing of true beauty, an invaluable piece of art, from the first word to the last, from its beautiful prose that are vividly picturesque to its impeccable editing, with authentically flawed and eternally endearing characters, and a storyline that’s pure perfection. It drew me in and held me spellbound so that I experienced everything this story offers, resulting in plenty of my own incidents of breakage along this journey with Tessa and Liam.
Cowles created an amazing hero and heroine in Liam and Tessa! He’s a world famous rock star who’s never been much of a bad boy or cared for fame. He has a heart of gold, and they way he interacts with Tessa is a thing of beauty. He’s so gentle and caring, knowing just when to encourage her or simply be there for her. We knew from the previous book that Tessa was on the run and hiding from something, and she’s as skittish as the wild mustangs she loves so much. But, bless her heart, she realizes that the way she’s living is nothing more than existing. She decides to face her fears and empower herself, with Liam by her side every step of the way. And Tessa taking control of her life and determining her own destiny? That may be the most beautiful part of this stunning story.
If you haven’t read this author yet, you need to remedy that today! Cowles is one of the most promising fresh voices in evocative contemporary romance today and I’m thrilled to be along for the ride. Each book is better than the last and I can’t wait to watch her talent grow. Tessa and Liam’s story is as beautiful as it is phenomenal, with every emotional element you can imagine, and you absolutely don’t want to miss it!
*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
Author
melwalker
3 years ago
In Beautifully Broken life, Catherine Cowles takes us back to beautiful Sutter Lake, the beautiful land full of broken souls. It reunites us with Liam and Tessa from BBP. Tessa, the mysterious woman who is hiding and recovering from a devastating secret. Liam, the mega-popular music star who would appear to have it all, however, is struggling in his own way. The two broken souls are drawn to each other and realize that they need one another to truly recover.
Catherine delivers an emotional journey as nothing comes easy for the pair and when they aren’t struggling with their own inner-demons, the world throws even more challenges their way. You will root for them the entire time, just hold on for the wild ride. Another winner.
Author
suzannethewitchybiliophile
3 years ago
So, let me preface this by saying I do not cry often. Now with that being said, the reason I bawled was because of a line in the book that hit me so hard in the heart and gut that I lost it. I felt it rock me on a personal level that words can honestly not express for everything I have gone through to get where I am.
“Sometimes, it takes life breaking apart for it to get you where you’re truly meant to be”
Catherine Cowles writes these stunning, heartfelt, earth shattering stories that grip you so hard that you get lost down the rabbit hole that she created. I honestly cannot say enough about this story that doesn’t make me into a blubbering fool for loving it so much!
The one thing I adore about Cowles stories is that she writes these characters that have flaws. Both him and her. To me that makes these books so much more real and with this story, she gave us such a raw and powerful look into such a tough subject. Tessa is such a soft soul that has gone through unspeakable things. Liam, with all his fame, realizes that some things can get out of control. These two mend each other as the story progresses and how they feed off of each other to make themselves whole. But they hold each other up to fight everything that is thrown at them. The way these two play off of each other and how it took Liam to get her to open up was utterly stunning. Then with all the turmoil that follows them both, I was blown away at how these two fought together!
I have to say the one thing that really got me about this book was how honest and real it was. Everything that Tessa went through makes you want to hold her and just tell her things are going to be okay. Liam is such a giving soul and I loved his approach to her to win her over. There is just something about the fluidity and the sheer brilliance of flow that Cowles has in her story that makes you beg for more. The romance, the suspense and the angst. This one is such a slow burn but in such a way that you will devour each and every word. Cowles hit it out of the ball park with this one. If you have not picked up her books, I beg you to do so. She has become one of my go to authors that I can reread over and over again.
Author
truddyann
3 years ago
If you haven’t read Catherine Cowles before, YOU NEED TO!!! If you have, then you already know what a fantastic writer she is and you’re chomping at the bit to read this second book in the Sutter Lake Series. Catherine did the story of Liam and Tessa so well that you will want to both race to the climactic finish because you can’t put it down while also wanting to slow down and savor every word because you don’t want it to end. This is such a heartwarming love story full of tender romance told at the perfect pace to make you fall in love with the chatacters. It’s also suspenseful, edge of your seat epic that will find you holding your breath countless times. The only wish I have for this series is that the books could be written as fast as I can devour them. Hats off to you, Catherine!
Author
gladysavisol
3 years ago
“Don’t dim your light for anyone. Never again.”
I simply and totally loved Beautifully Broken Life so much, I cried when I read ‘the end.’ It blew my mind away!
Tessa and Liam are THE perfect couple. Their love is unique and I am so glad they found happiness.
I love Tessa, her strength and empowerment is beautiful to read. And I like to read that about women in books. I love her journey and determination to fight for her life. I love she is independent but at the same time she needs Liam.
And the beautiful man of our story… Liam is one of those book boyfriends you want for yourself. He is perfection Sweet and sexy! His love for food is hilarious!
What an amazing story! These characters have a special place in my Heart and I can’t wait to read the next books in the series!
I’ve always believed that we are on this Earth with a purpose, well, Catherine Cowles’ one is to write. The description on her books is so powerful and it makes you fall in love with her words, characters, places, EVERYTHING!!!
She is one of my favorite authors since book 1. Her books are addictive and I can’t wait for everyone to read this piece of art!
Tessa and Liam have a beautiful story. Tessa is a broken, or at least severely cracked, woman who is trying to make the loaf of the narrow life she allows her self to have. Liam is looking for some peace and finds it, first in the beauty and comfort that is Sutter Lake, and then in the mysterious Tessa. These two both have to make their way past their own issues while figuring out how to make a relationship of any sort work between them. Thanks to Liam’s tenacity and patience, as well as Tessa’s bravery and desire to have a real life again, they manage to fight toward a bright future.
This story brings twists, turns, a lot of emotion, and a shocking, yet totally deserved comeuppance for one truly nasty person. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author!
Omg! Wow…what a beautiful story. Having met these characters in previous books we had a hint of what difficulties Liam and Tessa faced, although not fully. Tessa’s story broke my heart, she had such a gentle and caring soul it was hard to read everything she’d endured. Liam was burnt out and still recovering from an event from his previous life, plus being attacked in Taylor and Walkers book. Despite these odds they found each other and learned to trust in each other all the while dealing with a threat from both of their pasts. Ms Cowles weaves a beautiful tale of love, endurance and triumph. I couldn’t put this book down from the minute I started. I cannot wait for Jensen’s book now.
Fabulous read, I highly recommend this book and series.
This is book two in Catherine Cowles Sutter Lake Series. I knew this book would be phenomenal after reading the first book (Beautifully Broken Pieces, for all of you that haven’t read it yet) in the series. Writing/story telling talent such as Catherine’s is guaranteed to be more exceptional with each release and this book did not disappoint. This is Liam and Tessa’s story. Liam has come to Sutter Lake to recoup after an unfortunate incident in LA. While there, the shy young baker at a local establishment knocks him to his knees. However, she’s skittish and guarded. Liam wants nothing more than to get to know her, meanwhile Tessa wants nothing more than to keep people out, she won’t risk putting the people she’s come to know and love in danger. This is their story, full of every emotion you can think of, heartbreak, joy, and true love. There are moments where all you want to do is wrap Tessa in a hug and lend her your strength while at the same time, Liam is making you swoon with the love and protectiveness he shows our girl Tessa. I can’t put into words how much I loved this story. It ended entirely too soon, but all the best books do!
“I was a total goner for a girl I haven’t even kissed”
The second book in The Sutter Lake series, Beautiful Broken Life is one of my favorite read this year.
So beautiful written. I read it in one sitting. Literally couldn’t put it down.
This is the story of Tessa. A woman on the run from a abusive past. She’s a very frightened who keeps to herself and always looking over her shoulders.
Loved Tessa. My heart hurt for what she went through and she may have appeared first as fragile, but she was strong and a fighter. She was also sweet and loved her relationship with Phoenix.
Liam..he was perfect! The musician hiding from the world he was not confortable being in anymore.
Loved how patience he was with Tessa, protective and tender and he has the biggest heart. Every woman needs a Liam in their life.
Beautifully written with characters you’ll love and suspenseful. I recommend this authors book to the lovers of Kristen Ashley books.
I’ll be looking forward anxiously for the next book in this series.
“Don’t dim your light for anyone. Never again.”
6 Beautifully Broken Stars!!!
HOLY FREAKING CANNOLI was this book AMAZING! After reading the first book in this series, I couldn’t decide if I wanted Tessa or Jensen’s book first, but I am so glad that Catherine gave us Tessa first. On the run from an abusive fiancé, Tessa has been running for the past two years and finally gaining some semblance of normalcy and a life. Still severely scarred by her past, she is skittish and untrusting of any male, no matter how much she knows about them. Liam is in town to try and get back into the creative headspace he needs to write songs for his upcoming album. When he runs (literally) into Tessa, it seems that she becomes the exact muse he needed, but she isn’t having any of him. As the pull towards Liam begins to get to be too much, and a warning from Grandma Irma, Tessa’s walls start to break down for Liam and the rest of the crew. However, when her past finally catches up to her, the question lies if she will survive another time. The emotions literally came off the pages for me and I felt as if I was physically and emotionally feeling exactly what Tessa was as I read. I can’t say any more amazingly great things about this book as well as this series. In the midst of this amazing book, Catherine was still able to give us a continuation of Taylor and Walker’s story in the background while also alluding to what comes for Jensen and Tuck!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Beautifully Broken Life is Tessa and Liam’s story. If you’ve read Beautifully Broken Pieces which is Taylor and Walkers story then you’ve already been introduced to Liam and Tessa. Cathrine truly hit it out of the park with this one!
Tessa is on the run from abusive ex fiancé, he may have found her the first time she ran, but Tessa’s determined to be more prepared the second time in making sure she’s never found. Tessa’s finally found her own little peaceful life, where she can stay under the radar, she knows she’s not living life to the fullest, but has found joy in the simple things. You hit the ground running from the very begging of this book. No slow build up, from the very start you’re hooked and can’t wait for more.
Liam has lived in Los Angeles for far too long. He longs for the days where he can just find a small amount of peace, not being chased constantly by paparazzi, or crazy fans. He truly just wants to take a step back enjoy some peace and quiet, with some true friends and hopefully get over this writing stump he seems to be stuck in. One of Liam’s best friends Taylor (From Beautifully Broken Pieces) has just moved to Sutter Lake, and he figures maybe that’s just what he needs, to get away for a little while, where maybe he can find some peace and quiet and hopefully his music will come back to him.
Liam is pretty taken with Tessa from the beginning, but he also knows there’s a darkness in her eyes, and secrets she holds deep. Liam is determined to make Tessa trust him even if it means taking several baby steps. He wants to be a part of her healing process, and hopefully be a part of something much bigger with time.
Tessa wants so much more out of life, and wants to trust Liam, but after her life with a man that promised things for so long only to turn abusive has left her with many scars both inside and out. This book is full of suspense, steamy scenes, and so many heartwarming moments. Ladies just get your tissues ready!
One of my absolute favorite things about Cathrines books is she gives you real problems, some are moments that some of us hope to never face, but the fights are real, the heartwarming moments are real, the people, the characters, everything is something you could actually picture happening. You don’t have to worry about “fluff” chapters because there aren’t any! There isn’t any part of this story that hasn’t been perfected! You won’t regret picking up Beautifully Broken Life!
View this review and more at Dirty Reads Book Blog!
dirtyreadsbooks.com
When I saw this book hit my Kindle, all other reading came to a screeching halt. (My apologies to the dozen other books I committed to read first.) And when I saw forty-seven chapters, I got a little giddy, hoping this book would go on and on. I was already excited for Tessa and Liam’s story and suspected it would be one I never wanted to end. And let me tell you, it was! Beautifully Broken Life is a heartbreaking, inspiring read, with so much emotion I drowned in it, and enough intense suspense that I was hooked on every word.
This book is a thing of true beauty, an invaluable piece of art, from the first word to the last, from its beautiful prose that are vividly picturesque to its impeccable editing, with authentically flawed and eternally endearing characters, and a storyline that’s pure perfection. It drew me in and held me spellbound so that I experienced everything this story offers, resulting in plenty of my own incidents of breakage along this journey with Tessa and Liam.
Cowles created an amazing hero and heroine in Liam and Tessa! He’s a world famous rock star who’s never been much of a bad boy or cared for fame. He has a heart of gold, and they way he interacts with Tessa is a thing of beauty. He’s so gentle and caring, knowing just when to encourage her or simply be there for her. We knew from the previous book that Tessa was on the run and hiding from something, and she’s as skittish as the wild mustangs she loves so much. But, bless her heart, she realizes that the way she’s living is nothing more than existing. She decides to face her fears and empower herself, with Liam by her side every step of the way. And Tessa taking control of her life and determining her own destiny? That may be the most beautiful part of this stunning story.
If you haven’t read this author yet, you need to remedy that today! Cowles is one of the most promising fresh voices in evocative contemporary romance today and I’m thrilled to be along for the ride. Each book is better than the last and I can’t wait to watch her talent grow. Tessa and Liam’s story is as beautiful as it is phenomenal, with every emotional element you can imagine, and you absolutely don’t want to miss it!
*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
In Beautifully Broken life, Catherine Cowles takes us back to beautiful Sutter Lake, the beautiful land full of broken souls. It reunites us with Liam and Tessa from BBP. Tessa, the mysterious woman who is hiding and recovering from a devastating secret. Liam, the mega-popular music star who would appear to have it all, however, is struggling in his own way. The two broken souls are drawn to each other and realize that they need one another to truly recover.
Catherine delivers an emotional journey as nothing comes easy for the pair and when they aren’t struggling with their own inner-demons, the world throws even more challenges their way. You will root for them the entire time, just hold on for the wild ride. Another winner.
So, let me preface this by saying I do not cry often. Now with that being said, the reason I bawled was because of a line in the book that hit me so hard in the heart and gut that I lost it. I felt it rock me on a personal level that words can honestly not express for everything I have gone through to get where I am.
“Sometimes, it takes life breaking apart for it to get you where you’re truly meant to be”
Catherine Cowles writes these stunning, heartfelt, earth shattering stories that grip you so hard that you get lost down the rabbit hole that she created. I honestly cannot say enough about this story that doesn’t make me into a blubbering fool for loving it so much!
The one thing I adore about Cowles stories is that she writes these characters that have flaws. Both him and her. To me that makes these books so much more real and with this story, she gave us such a raw and powerful look into such a tough subject. Tessa is such a soft soul that has gone through unspeakable things. Liam, with all his fame, realizes that some things can get out of control. These two mend each other as the story progresses and how they feed off of each other to make themselves whole. But they hold each other up to fight everything that is thrown at them. The way these two play off of each other and how it took Liam to get her to open up was utterly stunning. Then with all the turmoil that follows them both, I was blown away at how these two fought together!
I have to say the one thing that really got me about this book was how honest and real it was. Everything that Tessa went through makes you want to hold her and just tell her things are going to be okay. Liam is such a giving soul and I loved his approach to her to win her over. There is just something about the fluidity and the sheer brilliance of flow that Cowles has in her story that makes you beg for more. The romance, the suspense and the angst. This one is such a slow burn but in such a way that you will devour each and every word. Cowles hit it out of the ball park with this one. If you have not picked up her books, I beg you to do so. She has become one of my go to authors that I can reread over and over again.
If you haven’t read Catherine Cowles before, YOU NEED TO!!! If you have, then you already know what a fantastic writer she is and you’re chomping at the bit to read this second book in the Sutter Lake Series. Catherine did the story of Liam and Tessa so well that you will want to both race to the climactic finish because you can’t put it down while also wanting to slow down and savor every word because you don’t want it to end. This is such a heartwarming love story full of tender romance told at the perfect pace to make you fall in love with the chatacters. It’s also suspenseful, edge of your seat epic that will find you holding your breath countless times. The only wish I have for this series is that the books could be written as fast as I can devour them. Hats off to you, Catherine!
“Don’t dim your light for anyone. Never again.”
I simply and totally loved Beautifully Broken Life so much, I cried when I read ‘the end.’ It blew my mind away!
Tessa and Liam are THE perfect couple. Their love is unique and I am so glad they found happiness.
I love Tessa, her strength and empowerment is beautiful to read. And I like to read that about women in books. I love her journey and determination to fight for her life. I love she is independent but at the same time she needs Liam.
And the beautiful man of our story… Liam is one of those book boyfriends you want for yourself. He is perfection Sweet and sexy! His love for food is hilarious!
What an amazing story! These characters have a special place in my Heart and I can’t wait to read the next books in the series!
I’ve always believed that we are on this Earth with a purpose, well, Catherine Cowles’ one is to write. The description on her books is so powerful and it makes you fall in love with her words, characters, places, EVERYTHING!!!
She is one of my favorite authors since book 1. Her books are addictive and I can’t wait for everyone to read this piece of art!