One night was all it took for everything to change.From college student to guardian in a single breath.My siblings became my world. No time for date nights or romantic dreams.I traded quiet weekends for sleepless nights.Giving my all to make sure they were cared for. But Griffin had a brokenness that called to me—one that mirrored my own.Gruff and just a little bit reckless.He was the last thing … a little bit reckless.
He was the last thing I needed. But everything I wanted.
Only someone isn’t happy about this new life I’m building.
Deciding to set fire to everything I hold close.
And when the smoke clears, there might be only ashes left behind…
more
Holy! Hit me right in the feels why don’t ya?!
Griffin! Gruff, grumpy & absolutely swoon worthy.
Caelyn! Selfless, sweet & an absolute gem.
Catherine Cowles NEVER disappoints & this story was no different. I fell so hard for this little family. They loved so fiercely & my word did they go through the ringer.
Slow burn, but worth every second. You don’t even realize you’re missing anything because she paints the most incredible picture & submerges you so deeply into their world you don’t even know you were waiting so long for the fireworks!
I have no words. No words that will do this book any justice at all. This is without a doubt my most favorite book by Ms. Cowles. And yes it’s the first day of 2021 but I know without a doubt it will be one of my top reads this year. I have been waiting for Caelyn and Griffin’s story. I love this entire series but I’ve been intrigued by Caelyn from the beginning. I was sucked right in and I couldn’t put this book down. Mia stole my heart right along with Griffin and of course, Caelyn, Will, and Ava. I mean they all really did but Mia, man she’s a little spitfire and the best. I just don’t have the words to describe my love for this story. I was hooked and just so much love! Ms. Cowles has the best right here! My favorite book of hers and her best one yet!
Wow. I am so completely and utterly in love with this book. Feels upon feels upon feels. This book wrapped me up in the biggest hug and comforted me in its warm embrace.
I was not at all surprised that I was taken with Caelyn. From the moment she was introduced in Reckless Memories I needed to know more about her. Caelyn’s story is one that touched my heart to the core. Her life changed in an instant and it made her grow-up faster than she was ready. But she took that change and made the best life possible for her siblings. She’d do anything and everything for them including putting her dreams on the back burner. She’s so selfless and caring and her strength is one not to be messed with. She has the biggest heart and it showed whenever she was with her siblings and friends. I loved her immensely.
Griffin stole every piece of my heart. Tragedy struck his life at a young age and it made him the grumpy and broody man he is now. He keeps to himself and that’s just the way he wants and likes it. But underneath the hardness he shows there’s so so so much more. He’s caring, thoughtful, protective, and just an all around amazing man. And finally after so much darkness, light entered his life in more ways than one.
Caelyn and Griffin brought all the feels. I loved the progression of their friendship and the slow buildup of something more. I loved how little by little they let each other in and found trust in one another. I felt their connection and the love they found in each other was just timeless. I couldn’t get over how perfect Caelyn and Griffin were for one another, they just clicked. And don’t even get me started with Will, Ava, and Mia. These three brought so much light and I just loved and adored the relationship between them and Griffin and of course also the strong bond with Caelyn. They made the perfect family.
Wrecked Palace is the third book in The Wrecked Series and I must say also my favorite. Catherine delivered a beautiful, heartfelt, emotional, and poignant friends to lovers romance. I was consumed with the writing and left spellbound. Another exceptional addition to the series, I can’t wait to see what’s next and I can’t wait to return to Anchor Island.
Omgeee, I have to say Griffin is my favorite book boyfriend by Catherine Cowles! This is her best writing yet. So heartfelt, so full of emotion and heart. This book made me feel so much. I adored not only to the two main characters, but the side characters were also full of heart, love, and empathy. This characters are ones that will stay with me for a long time and make me want to go back and “visit” them again.
Incredible writing that utterly sucked me in. Such a beautiful read that will leave you with a book hangover for quite some time!
My gosh, Catherine Cowles just keeps getting better and better with every book she delivers. Wrecked Palace entirely blew me away, and here I thought I’d been blown away by Catherine’s writing before, but no. This is a whole new kind of epic from her. Wrecked Palace is as heartwarming as it is emotional with characters who’s pasts have built them into incredible people that are so freaking easy to love.
You have Caelyn who’s heart is so big you wonder how it can even fit inside her. She’s so strong and loving despite all she’s gone through she wears her heart on her sleeve. Raising her siblings to grow into amazing young people and building their family into something absolutely beautiful. Then there’s Griffin, who’s past is devastating and has left him alone and adrift but still he’s a pillar of strength, love, and protection when it comes to Caelyn and her family.
If you need a book that will have your heart melting from the sweetness, a nice bite of steam to warm you up, and a dash of suspense to really keep you hooked grab Wrecked Palace now!
This book captured me and immersed me in a world I didn’t want to leave. I felt so connected to so many pieces of this book I had to remind myself that I didn’t need to sneak around my house because my kids weren’t sleeping like Caelyn’s siblings in the book. I felt the pain of loss, fear, joy, carefree times all while reading which brought it all to life.and Growly Griffin oh man that guy I liked already because of his being in the right place at the right time in the other books but as Caelyn slowly wears him down and feels protective over Caelyn and the kids you just can’t help but fall for him. He is my favorite hero Catherine Cowles has written and I won’t give him up.
Caelyn & Griffin’s story is absolutely amazing!! I was hooked from page 1. We get to see what happened to cause Caelyn to have custody of her siblings, and it’s intense!
I love the pacing of their love story. Griffin slowly coming out of his shell, Caelyn slowly letting their friendship blossom. The kids stealing EVERYONE’S hearts…! There is some serious swoon here, and it’s not all because of our fabulous couple.
There’s friendship, family, trust, suspense, romance – everything about this story is spot on & immensely enjoyable. Is it too soon to pick top reads for 2021? Because this is already on my list!
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More thoughts at Bookcaseandcoffee.com
Wrecked Palace is a beautiful written story of the power of love. The draw to the one human that can make you whole. These are stories of friendship and community. Building a family of love. I love the bonds all the friends share, and I especially fell hard for Griffin. Cowles writes stories that are heavy on the emotion and suck you in. You will not easily put this story down once you start.
Catherine has done it again! Each releases manages to bring me in fully with no hope of escape until I’ve stayed up all night to finish her latest work!
Catherine can write a broody hero like no one I’ve ever read, add in the single guardian trope and I am completely LOST to her writing, but in the best way!
Some may consider this a slow burn, but to me, I loved the way we were able to see their love story play out in their friendship first, and to see those embers burst into flames between Caelynn and Griffin! Catherine always manages to write something I didn’t know I needed, and she has an uncanny way of bringing you into the fold and making you feel like you aren’t just reading her books, but you’re living them right along with the characters. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
Wrecked Palace is the third installment in the Wrecked series by Catherine Cowles. Told in dual perspectives, this is Caelyn O’Connor and Griffin Lockwood’s story. A sweet, swoony, angsty and suspenseful story that was a major hit to the feels.
Caelyn is such an awe-inspiring character. She is so strong, selfless and caring. When her parents proved to be unfit and a danger to her siblings, she took on the role of legal guardian. She put her own dreams aside to make sure that they were cared for and loved. She has one of the biggest hearts and it showed in everything that she did. I absolutely loved her.
Griffin completely stole my heart. Tragedy struck his life at a young age, and he has never been the same. He is broody, aloof and completely broken. He keeps to himself, restoring his family’s estate and rarely goes out unless it’s to the general store. It’s there he strikes up a friendship with Caelyn, who slowly brings light back into his dark world.
I loved each and every word of this story. Caelyn and Griffin were the perfect pair. Both of them had such heartbreaking pasts that broke my heart a million times over. But together they were able to help each other heal. Once again, Catherine Cowles has given us a beautifully written romance that’s packed with feels upon feels. Five stars for Caelyn, Griffin, the Little Terrors and Wrecked Palace!
Wow, this book was everything! We’ve met Caelyn in the first two books of this series and we knew she had custody of her siblings; in Wrecked Palace, we learn how that came to be. And Catherine Cowles did NOT disappoint!
Caelyn is an incredibly selfless person who radiates positivity and is so very thankful for her siblings, her friends that are family and the life she has been able to create for herself and her siblings. She works so hard to give those kids everything they want in life; she is truly an inspiration.
Griffin is a tortured soul that can’t seem to move on from his tragic past. It doesn’t help matters that he returns home to a small town, where most people believe they know what’s happened to Griffin, gossip about him and his circumstances and give snide and dirty looks. UGH, sometimes small towns are the worst!
But Caelyn is able to slowly chip away at Griffin’s rough exterior and they become fast friends. Griffin helps Caelyn in so many ways with her siblings. And Caelyn breathes life back into Griffin. It is a beautiful union!
When Caelyn and her siblings are threatened and terrorized by an unknown party, Griffin steps in to keep her and her family safe; and they could not be in better hands. Turns out the threats and the danger were very real; but the responsible parties, I didn’t see coming!
Such a great read, I couldn’t put it down! I highly recommend you pick this one up and give it a read, you won’t be disappointed you did!
Absolutely loved this book!! I have always felt for Caelyn, from the first book, with the struggles she took on at such a young age. This book just pulled me right into their story. She is such a strong woman and always so willing to take on anything. Griffin is her perfect fit. Yes, he has his own troubles and tragedies that life has dealt him, but I think it makes him an even better perfect fit for Caelyn and her family. Every book in this series keeps getting better and better. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
Wrecked Palace is book three in Catherine Cowles new small town romance. It is Caelyn‘s story which I‘ve been waiting for since the first book!
We jump right into the story of how Caelyn got custody of her three younger siblings Will, Ava and Mia. Which play a really big role in this book.
It‘s also about Griffin the broody, lonely, handsome guy who moved into town a few years ago.
This story is full of angst, mystery and emotion. I couldn‘t put the book down even if I tried. Griffin and Caelyns story sucked me in and didn‘t let me go. Caelyn gives everything she has to raising her siblings, even if it means for her to take a step back. When Griffin hears of her struggles he helps her out immensly. They form a close friendship and he even get‘s to know her siblings who instantly love him.
Catherine Cowles managed to write this amazingly emotional story with a hint if mystery which I couldn‘t figure out for the live of me! The suspense and needing to know who was behind everything kept me up until late at night.
4.5
Ever had the feeling of numbness, the feeling of having your emotions destroyed and then remade? Yeah, that was me when I started this piece of art!
Just like every time I start a book by Catherine, I got obsessed with the story!
First of all, that cover! Absolutely beautiful and perfect!
Caelyn and Griffin’ story has everything I like to read in a book and the way Catherine describes every situation makes you feel as if you were there with the characters!
Even after I got to the end, I can’t stop thinking about it!
Can’t recommend it enough!
My Rating: STARS!
I love Catherine Cowles book. I’ve been a fan since the beginning, but this is hands down my favorite book of hers.
I knew that Griffin and Caelyn’s book was going to be amazing. I’m a sucker for brooding and broken heroes and Griffin is definitely my favorite hero by her and my new book boyfriend.
Love Caelyn. Such a strong and amazing heroine.
Her love for her sisters and brother was beautiful.
I loved everything about the book but my favorite thing was the relationship between Griffin and the kids. Love how he fell in love with not only Caelyn but also with the kids.
Little Mia is my favorite character in this book. Love her so much.
This book is definitely a must read and will go on my re-read pile because one time is not enough.
5 stars and a new fave!
Oh, I love this book! An absolutely beautiful slow burning romance between two people who have been through so much – Caelyn, who is a pseudo-single mother to her three siblings, and Griffin, a grumpy recluse with a tragic past. Add three gorgeous kids to the mix, and I was completely swept up in this amazing story of love, family and healing. I already know it’s going to be a fave for 2021.
Caelyn is the third of a trio of best friends to have their stories told in this series. Her life has been hard, defined by the moment she left College early to return home to Anchor Island to take guardianship over her three younger siblings after her mother was imprisoned. While she missed out on a lot of opportunities, she has never once regretted her choice and she loves and protects her younger brother and two little sisters fiercely – even if it means that her personal life has taken a backseat.
Griffin has appeared in the backgrounds of the previous books. Quiet, reclusive and grumpy, he doesn’t engage with anybody in town, but he is the man that Caelyn has been mooning over, seeing something more to him than the closed-off persona he shows the world. I loved the chance to get to really know Griffin in this book. His backstory is tragic, and his solitary lifestyle makes complete sense, but Caelyn has sparked his interest in a way that nobody ese has, and when he goes out of his way to help her out, he has no idea that his whole world is about to be turned upside down.
It’s a great set-up that becomes so much more awesome as Caelyn and her family end up completely invading Griffin’s life. The siblings are in danger, and Griffin is there to protect and defend, but in order to keep them as safe as possible, he moves them into his house mid-renovation, and every moment of it is complete perfection – from the building sexual tension between Griffin and Caelyn, to his bonding with 16 year old Will, and being a protector to quiet Ava and boisterously adorably Mia. The dynamics between them all develop beautifully, and it’s a joy to watch Caelyn and the kids bring life back into Griffin’s world.
“I hadn’t realized how empty my life had been. Not until they had filled it.”
And the love story! OMG, it’s such a beautiful romance! It’s very much a slow burn – Caelyn and Griffin both have a lot they need to work through personally, plus there’s the pressing issue of keeping her safe from the threat to her and her family, but from the very beginning there is a strong connection between the two of them, and I loved the heart-melting moments that had me in a world of soon.
“Griffin cupped my cheeks, his large hands engulfing my face.
“You’re allowed to feel whatever you need to. Just know I’ve got you.”
They begin as friends-who-are-attracted, and their feelings develop over time as they get to know each other more. It’s sweet, emotional and angst-free, and I could feel every single moment of them falling harder and harder for each other, and my heart was pounding and I was squeeing with blissed-out glee when they finally take the step towards more.
“I want this with you. I don’t know for sure where it will lead. But I want to find out.”
It’s a gorgeous romance that is blessedly drama-free. The conflict comes externally to the relationship as the threat to Caelyn and her siblings becomes more dangerous. It brings mystery and suspense to the story, which is not only exciting, but it works well to drive the progression of the love story, to show the depth of the connection between Caelyn and her siblings, and in developing Griffin’s relationship with Will, Ava and Mia. Seeing them together and watching them becoming a family is such a highlight of this book.
The couples from the previous books in the series are all a part of the unfolding drama – being there for Caelyn and Griffin, and forming an extended family that is gorgeous to see. This book can be read as a standalone, but beware minor spoilers for the earlier books.
This is one of those books that gives you that feeling. That excited anticipation that you get when you’re reading a book and you know it’s going to be something special. You’re desperate to read it and can’t put it down, and at the same time you want to savour every moment and experience. It’s so beautifully written, not only a story of hope and healing for a man who had lost his way, but an emotional and meaningful story of family, friendship and love, and of chasing your dreams and fighting for your happy ending. I loved every single moment of it.
5 huge stars!
Wrecked Palace is book three in the Wrecked series by Catherine Cowles. In this book, we get Caelyn’s story. We’ve gotten hints of what her life was like and also the mysterious man she’s drawn to. Now it’s time for the whole story!
Six years ago, Caelyn O’Connor was in college when she got the call that changed her life. Her parents hadn’t been home in days and her siblings were in danger. She never hesitated for a second. She would be there for her two little sisters and her brother, give them a stable home, provide for them. She barely holds things together but they are happy and loved. Caelyn is now the manager at the little grocery store, The General Store, and does all the cooking at the little lunch counter in the store. Cooking is her passion.
When Griffin Lockwood was a boy, he lost everything. In the years since, he locked himself away from everyone. A few years ago, he returned to Anchor Island to the estate his family owned. It’s long since fallen into disrepair and he’s taken on the job of fixing it up by himself, one room at a time. One of the only times he leaves the property is to stop in to The General Store to see Caelyn. He barely speaks to her but just wants to see her.
“Maybe I was finding some pieces of myself again. The good parts that I’d left abandoned for far too long.”
When Griffin meets Caelyn’s little sisters, the youngest one immediately attaches herself to him. He feels a kinship with her sixteen year old brother. He sees so much of himself in him. All three of Caelyn’s siblings find their way into his heart. This family is awakening his heart, both bringing back painful memories and also the happy ones as well.
“Caelyn was a miracle, giving me back my family without even knowing it.”
When Caelyn and her family’s safety is threatened, she turns to Griffin for help. Every day that they are with Griffin, his heart melts just a little bit more. Together, they fill a void and become a family of sorts.
Once again Catherine Cowles has the perfect combination of sweet, swoony and suspenseful. Caelyn was such a positive force. She did everything in her power to make her siblings feel happy and loved. In return, they adored her. Even with her busy life, though, she still felt lonely. When Griffin came into their lives, he quickly became the missing piece to their family.
For Griffin, he had kept his heart closed off for so long, it was all he knew. But, the O’Connors broke right through and let in the light. There was no way he couldn’t fall in love. And when the people he loved needed protecting, he would do whatever it takes to keep them safe.
I loved every page of this book. Caelyn and Griffin were perfect together. The kids were all wonderful, each in their own individual way. I don’t think I’ve read a book of Catherine’s that I haven’t loved and this one joins the ranks. The next book in the series will be Reckless Refuge. I can’t wait!
I received an arc for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I devoured this book and loved every single page of it. I don’t think I have ever cried so many happy tears and love so hard when two people realize they complete one another. I also have come to the conclusion I need single parent romance in my life.
“I’ll eat all the vegetables you want if I can have one snickerdoodle muffin.” Mia
“I’m going to remember that at dinner tonight.” Caelyn
“I shouldn’t have said all. I should’ve said I’d eat one vegetable.” Mia
“Rookie mistake” Will
Caelyn O’Connor took over guardianship of her three younger siblings at the tender age of 21. Over the past six years, she has seen her siblings, Will, Ava, and Mia grow. Caelyn put her hopes and dreams on hold to provide for them. Having to work to provide for her family and their activities, she realizes she needs another job. With her mother getting out of jail early and her father still MIA, Caelyn isn’t sure what will happen to her future.
“Tell me the good things. There is so much of it all around us, even amidst the hard stuff. You just have to take a moment to recognize it.”
Griffin Lockwood may have a tortured soul, having locked himself away for years, unwilling to trust anyone or let them in. That is until he lays eyes on Caelyn. He can’t help this pull that he feels for her. After overhearing Caelyn ask for more hours to pay for her sibling’s extracurricular activities, Griffin decides to offer Caelyn a job. Having her over at his house with her siblings affords him insight into what he is missing out. However, someone doesn’t want Caelyn to have a HEA ever!
“Everything I see in you challenges me to do better. Be better. To not run away from life because I was hurt in the past. I want this with you. I don’t know for sure where it will lead. But I want to find out.”
I want nothing more than to be in this family. I would be Mia with a touch of Ava and hopefully, be as creative as Will. I love how Caelyn loves everything she has and how selfless she is to put her siblings first. To read about, Will realizing he doesn’t need to sacrifice his happiness, hopes, and dreams like he has been doing. Ava is a soft soul who goes with the flow, speaks when words need to be said, but can otherwise be ok by herself with a book in hand. Mia, oh, Mia, you have planted yourself in my soul. I forget what it is like to be so carefree sometimes. This family is delightful, and Griffin is the luckiest guy on the island to have so many amazing people in his life.
Wrecked Palace has two of my favorites in one book, suspense, and small-town romance. Who is leaving Caelyn’s notes on her car? Her mom may be out of jail, but could she be that cruel? Where is her father, and why hasn’t he been found yet? All of these answers are in this book, and it is one heck of a good ride. I hope everyone falls in love with Mia the way I did.
An emotional journey that hit me right in the heart.
Wrecked Palace was a heartbreaking and heartwarming story filled with so much love, strength and bravery.
Caelyn and Griffin had endured lost and fighters.
She had to take care of her siblings when her own parents left them unprotected and unsafe. A woman who loved her whole being, raising them, working a lot to provide them the best she could. Fierce and protective and wearing her heart on her sleeve.
Griffin has been isolated for so long that he got used to his loneliness. Restoring his family’s house after losing them in a tragic way, he was seen as the loner, grumpy and always into the scrutiny of this small town gossip.
His routine was on point, keeping people at distance and letting them talk but his few encounters with Caelyn seemed to bring some feelings on the surface, a strong connection and he couldn’t get away.
It was a slow burn romance, when the main characters took time to settle the pace with a hint of suspense. I adored how the grumpy Griffin who tried so hard to hide his heart of gold was going to let Caelyn and her family into his life.
That family, Will, her little brother who had to grow up so much, helping her to raise their two little sisters, caring and protective, Ava the quiet bookworm, cautious and Mia the youngest, bold and so cute who put so many smiles on my face I lost count. Caelyn gave them stability, security and so much love. They warmed my heart!! All the biggest swoons to Mia.
From a darkness place, and raising some tough issues, the characters never stopped fighting, looking for that better place always with their own ways, stronger together and putting all the broken and wrecked pieces together. In the good or bad times they faced it as a team.
Caelyn and Griffin had both broken parts that only the other could see. An intense and strong chemistry, sweet and swoony banter. It felt natural, reading the other perfectly and in tune with their feelings. I adored their interactions and how he fitted with her family. Letting them in and opening up. It went both ways and my heart melted so hard!
I couldn’t put it down and I didn’t see the time pass. I was captivated by this beautiful story written with heart.
I didn’t think it was possible for this series to get better but I was wrong. Griffin and Caelyn are soo great! This story has all the feels. It will draw you in and not let go.