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
Catherine does romantic suspense with the best of them. I absolutely adored Griffin and Caelyn. Griffin is full of scowls, grunts, one word answers and keeps primarily to himself. Caelyn is trying to keep her head above water while taking care of her 3 siblings. Will, Ava and Mia are really the stars of the show thorough. Will is the strong, quiet type who is really trying to be the man of the family. Ava is the quiet, reserved reader who also sees and feels everything. Mia is a glitter rainbow who loves gymnastics and her own personal “Giant” Griffin.
While they all have been through their own trauma, they managed to build trust amongst each other and create a tight family unit while fighting off whoever has it out for Caelyn and the kids.
Griffin and Caelyn’s story was everything I love about Catherine’s writing. It was filled with suspense, heartache, romance, a strong family bond. If I’m pile give it 10 stars I would!!!
This book wrecked me in the best way ever, the story was beautifully written and honestly it deserves more than five starts.
From page one I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading. A very emotional slow burn romance with some suspense and drama but also with so many sweets moments that made me fall in love with all the characters even more.
Caelyn a Griffin were so perfect for each other. Both of them with so many wounds from the past but by finding each other they were able to heal and have what they wanted most in the world.
Caelin”s sibling were amazing and I loved how they accepted Griffin and made him part of their family in return Griffin allowed his heart to feel again and became their protector.
You have to read this story and entire series, each book is a standalone but all the characters interconnect and you can follow how the characters from the previous books are doing.
The best of Catherine’s books so far! I’m sure I say that each time…..
This was just WOW! Griffins been there in the background for the last few books, the mystery man.
Now we get his story and what a heartbreaker it is.
We know Caelyn’s back story, she’s not had it easy and things are about to get a whole lot worse.
This is a story of them not only finding themselves but their other half! However to get there they have to face the ups and downs, the heartache and heartbreak and you feel it every step of the way.
A fantastic book. I couldn’t put it down.
I loved this story. I really wanted to read Caelyn’s story. And Griffin was an amazing character. Hot Sexy and broody but so with a soft heart
From the minute that Carolyn heard her siblings cries over the phone while a man tried to get to them, she knew she would do everything to keep them safe. And that’s what she’s been doing for the last couple of years. And just when she thought she was getting the hang of this parent thing, it seems like someone is out to get to her and her siblings. And now that her mother is out of prison it just seems like the hits are coming.
Griffin lost his whole family while they were vacationing. He is suffering from his own guilt trying to save his sister. And since then he has been keeping his distance from everyone. Until Caelyn and her siblings start breaking down the walls he has been building around his heart. But now that someone is out to get them will he run in the other direction or will he step up and do everything he can to keep them safe
This book was so good. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Mia was just too cute and a bundle of energy and Ava was the silent one keeping her feelings hidden and Will always wanting to keep his sisters safe. This family has been through so much as well as Griffin, I was rooting for all of them to find the happiness that they all deserved
Holy cannoli! This book is absolutely amazing. Caelyn and Griffin are now one of my favorite couples. How her heart brought light into Griffins life again and how Griffin brought safety into hers. Griffin is known as a loner. Won’t let anyone close to him, until Caelyn and her siblings came into his life. He wasn’t sure he would ever get over his past. Caelyn has a heart of gold. She has full custody of her younger siblings. Even though she wouldn’t change a thing, she’s worn out. And she feels that no one has ever put her first. When she begins to receive threats, Griffin is right there along her side. He feels he needs to protect her and the kids. So their friendship begins to blossom. Let’s not forget these younger siblings, Will, Ava & Mia. These kids mean the world to Caelyn and they are beginning to mean the world to Griffin. Mia calls him her “Giant”. All the kids are just so awesome! She is definitely a little card and I just loved reading about her. Will is the protector, Ava is the shy one and Mia is just a happy go lucky kid. This book is absolutely phenomenal. All your emotions will come out. And you’ll want tissues too! This is a book you definitely do not want to miss out on.
*ARC kindly provided by the author and I’m leaving an honest review*
5 + “No one has more power to hurt me than you do.” / Giant and Cae-Cae stars
– A gorgeous but slightly damaged, displeased, sullen, grumpy, broken hero with a weight of a world on his shoulders and a heart of gold
– A strong, vulnerable, takeout-loving, jaded heroine who is taking care of her siblings but it’s not really equipped in dealing with our sullen broken hero which doesn’t deter her from wanting to see his smiles and bring him back to the world of living
– An adorable, quirky children who have been through so much, yet they are such delight and shine bright
– Both hero and heroine carrying enough emotional baggage to fill a room
– The mystery/danger they are thrown into
– The small town suspense
– Slow-burn
– Off – the- charts chemistry
– Gripping/gritty
– Emotional roller-coaster
– Intense
– Passionate
– All consuming
– Second chances and hope
– A beautiful love story
Wrecked Palace is book three in the Wrecked series by Catherine Cowles. It’s Griffin and Caelyn’s story. Woow!! Just wow! I loved the writing, the characters: I mean what a pair these two are – Griffin – a mysterious, broken hero who wants to be left alone – and Caelyn – strong heroine who is taking care of her siblings who are her whole life; the plot; and the setting. Delivering the dual POV- alternating between Caleyn and Griffin’s thoughts; portraying a beautiful relationship between siblings and Caelyn, the friendship between the girls and the guys, Catherine gave us the most amazing, enjoyable, steamy, a little dark, suspenseful, heartfelt and heartbreaking read with such cleverly and brilliantly written plot twist. Griffin and Caelyn’s story is my favourite from the series.
I love how Griffin and Caelyn’s story unfolded. Watching their relationship grow and develop into something beautiful was really amazing. They are passionate, swoony and heartwarming but also intense, slow-burn, emotional and sometimes frustrating. They have an emotional connection, pull and chemistry which allowed their relationship to develop naturally despite all obstacles. Griffin and Caelyn are so drawn to each other and both feel this unknown sense of protectiveness. I love their moments, banter and dialogues which were the highlight of my reading. They started out as friends which was a great foundation for new beginnings/relationship. Separately they are beautiful mess, together they are perfectly imperfect. Their love story is not perfect. It’s layered, fast paced, real, raw, emotional, with depth, lies, secrets and forgiveness. The pace of the story added to their romance and to them figuring out place in life and new circumstances of situation. Griffin was so good with Will, Ava and Mia. He has such a good heart and soft spot for her siblings. Slowly they opened up to each other, brought down each other’s walls and won each other’s guarded hearts. Their chemistry is off the charts. They are both flawed and complex. There is some sort of understanding between them. She wins his smiles and he gets to take care of her and her siblings. Neither of them can deny the strong connection they feel nor the fiery chemistry. Caelyn brought him back to life. The epilogue was beautiful. I wanted to last forever and to never let go of them.
“Maybe I was finding some pieces of myself again. The good parts that I’d left abandoned for far too long.”
“Caelyn was a miracle, giving me back my family without even knowing it.”
“Everything I see in you challenges me to do better, to 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.”
Secondary characters have stolen my heart as did Will, Ava and Mia. They play really important, key role and add to the storyline and love story. They bring such delight, positivity and beauty.
“Some of the most beautiful things don’t fit into the mold of perfection.”
“Strong because she’d been broken, loving because she’d been hurt. Perfect in all of her imperfections.”
“Love is the most terrifying jump you’ll ever make but I promise you it’s worth it.”
HEARTBREAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL! 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, acceptance, love, secrets, mystery, self-discovery, the author takes us on an emotional and beautiful journey of the characters and their struggles. The epilogue was amazing. I wanted to stay with these characters a bit longer. I highly recommend this book and whole series.
This is book three in The Wrecked Series and it is Caelyn and Griffin’s story and omg it just blew me away. Caelyn has gone through hell to get custody of her siblings after things got really bad and dangerous with there parents making there home life unstable and now years later things were getting better as her siblings grew up but it hasn’t been easy and she was still struggling financially and she still worried that she was doing everything bright for them. Griffin had seen his whole family die in a boating accident right in front of him and he has had survivors guilt but now he was back on Anchor Island after being away for a decade as he wanted to restore the farmhouse that meant everything to him and held many memories of his family. Words cannot describe how amazing and emotional this story was and it just blew me away. The characters and storyline pulled you in right from the first page and I couldn’t put this book down as it was so good and addictive. Caelyn and Griffin were both so broken but together they could do and get through just about anything and Will, Mia and Ava absolutely stole the show and my heart as this family had been through so much heartache together that it would break a person and you felt everything that they had and was still going through as if you were there with them and the biggest surprise was Griffin who was an amazing man, so kind, gentle, patient and protective even after everything that he has been through but when you put the lot of them together you couldn’t wish for anything more perfect. The friends that they have are so loyal, protective and they are always there to support and be there for each other. I absolutely love Catherine Cowles as she is an incredibly author and writer and every one of her books are a true masterpiece and I can’t wait to read the next book.
I Voluntarily Reviewed an Arc Copy of this Amazing Book.
All the stars for this slow burn romance between our favorite parent islander, Caelyn and the mysterious stranger, Griffin. This has hands down been my absolute favorite Catherine Cowles book. I know I’ve said that before but while her work has always been exceedingly amazing, this book just topped it. The healing that Caelyn and her siblings experienced right with Griffin healing as well was beautiful. A must read!
This is the third book in the The Wrecked Series and it is phenomenal. It is my favorite book of Catherine’s, to date. This book brought me to tears many time. It is a beautiful story of friendship and love between Griffin and Caelyn.
Griffin has suffered a horrible loss, he’s been criticized by the media and the people within his community. He’s led a very quiet lonely life over the past many years.
Caelyn’s life was drastically changed one night but she wouldn’t change it for anything. She is raising her siblings, due to her deadbeat parents, and she is doing the best she can to get by and provide for her family each day.
Griffin walks into Caelyn’s life and they become good friends. He begins to come out of his shell and open up to Caelyn and her siblings which leads to a really beautiful friendship.
As their friendship continues Caelyn’s family receives several threats from an unknown person. As the threats increase Caelyn and the kids move in with Griffin so he can protect them. The friendship blooms into more for all of them.
I have been waiting for this story and what a slow burn storyline it is. Wowza! The chemistry is on fire and the suspense will keep you hooked until the end.
„No one has more power to hurt me than you do.”
Utterly romantic, delightfully charming and highly suspenseful, Wrecked Palace is a perfect small-town romance that gets us back to the picturesque Anchor Island, a place that quickly became one of my favorite fictional locations. I was looking forward to Griffin and Caelyn’s story and Catherine Cowles told it in such a wonderful way that I couldn’t contain my emotions while reading it. This book is completely enchanting, filled with heartwarming feels, thrilling mystery and passion.
So far, Griffin made himself known as a quiet, brooding type with limited social skills. And to some extent he is exactly like that, but at the same time he’s so much more. This is a man who suffered of loss, pain and disappointment. And even if it might seem that he has nothing more to give, Griffin turned out to be the most caring, thoughtful and generous man. Oh, how I loved to see him opening up and letting Caelyn to get close. Despite his grumpy moments (which were cute in a way), Griffin is a charming, loving and alluring guy with a heart of gold.
Caelyn is my hero. She’s the most selfless and solicitous woman I’ve read about in a long time. She’s a person who will sacrifice everything to keep her loved ones safe and sound. She’s protective, open-minded and so incredibly humble. I admire her for her strenght, her kindness and dedication to her siblings.
The chemistry and attraction between these two was instantly palpable, but I’m glad they took the time to gain mutual trust and friendship before they acted on it. Thanks to this, the development of their relationship kept the right pace and their feelings gained an intensity that was impossible to disregard. Maybe their romance is a slow-burn, but every prolonged glance, every innocent touch caused butterflies in my stomach, making Griffin and Caelyn’s love story completely swoon-worthy and touching.
There are also three characters in this story that absolutely must be mentioned in my review. Will, Ava and Mia immediately stole my heart and secured a permanent place in it. Caelyn’s siblings are the greatest young people, who bring so much sweetness and delight! I love them all to pieces!
Catherine Cowles blew my mind with this book. Wrecked Palace is beautifully written, making you absolutely fascinated from the very first page. I love that the author has added to this charming small-town romance a plot-twist that keeps at the edge of the seat- the outcome is simply jaw-dropping! Caelyn and Griffin’s story is absolutely heartwarming, uplifting and inspiring!
5 STARS
WOW… just WOW!!! Catherine Cowles delivered a captivating story filled with love and family, along with their struggles to survive everyday life and the mystery of who’s out to harm them. I loved Griffin and his broody ways and Caelyn with her kind giving heart! I couldn’t get enough of Griffin with the tiny terrors… so sweet! Wrecked Palace by Catherine Cowles is an EPIC read that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
Wrecked Palace is the perfect name because this book wrecked me! Griffin and Caelyn story is unique and so beautifully written. Catherine Cowles just keeps getting better and better. Their heartbreaking past will haunt you and when they finally admit what they fell. Wow just wow! I read this in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. Absolutely fantabulous!!
Catherine Cowles is storytelling master that makes you want to devourthis story, and this is no exception. Griffin and Kaitlyn have been broken by circumstances, and they find their own ways to heal. It’s a beautiful journey. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC
I am not sure what it is about a broken hero that calls to me. Griffin Lockwood definitely fits the bill of a broken man. The loss he suffered was excruciatingly heartbreaking. So to see the walls slowly come down with the interactions with Caelyn and her siblings was heartwarming to see. Caelyn O’Connor is such an amazing heroine. She pretty much gave up everything to become a mother figure to her 3 siblings. Times were tough for them but she was determined to give them all a stable and loving home.
I absolutely loved the progression of Caelyn and Griffin’s story. They gave each other exactly what they needed, and they all slowly became this incredible family. Not only do we have this amazing small town romance, we have a bit of suspense that will keep you glued to the pages.
Overall, Wrecked Palace was an amazing story and I loved everything about it. This was more of a slow burn but the friends to lovers love story was just so good. We also have the O’Connor siblings, Will, Ava and Mia, I loved watching Griffin fall in love with each of them. Each of the scenes between the siblings and Griffin made my heart melt. It was all just fantastic and I can not wait to see what will come next. 5-star read and I highly recommend it!
4.5 Stars
It’s finally Caelyn’s turn and I’ve been dying for her story for a while now. I felt like there was so much mystery surrounding her, Will, Ava, and Mia. I was super excited to dive in.
Being in her head is so incredibly refreshing. She is kind, genuine, and selfless. She would do anything for her siblings and best friends. Only this type of person could attract a recluse like Griffin. Our hero’s heart is pretty hard due to the tragedy in his past. But, Caelyn and the tiny terrors are just the people to thaw him out.
The story was beautifully written and the characters had so much depth that I felt as if I knew them inside and out. The only downfall for me was the fact that this is a super slow burn. However, I know some people love that, the intense build up before the break. So if slow burn is your thing you need this in your life!
Wow wow wow!! This book is my new number one favorite by Catherine Cowles this book is definitely one of the best in this series so far. Griffin is my new favorite, wow this story had my emotions all over the place! I couldn’t put it down, once I started I had to keep reading until the end then I needed MORE. Catherine Cowles you have out done yourself once again!! If you haven’t read any of Catherine Cowles book’s you definitely should ASAP!!!
Wrecked Palace is such a beautifully touching story—the attention put into the small details (like seriously every small detail) enhanced the story in an undeniable way. The small details made the build-up of every dynamic/relationship so special and they felt like BIG moments done in completely realistic and natural ways. We didn’t just get Griffin and Caelyn’s love story we got their families love story and that’s what took the book to the next level for me.
This is a love story with two broken people who have very tragic pasts, but never once do they give up on the other and something about that made this story SO refreshing to me. I love myself that angsty push and pull of fighting ones emotions, but that wasn’t Griffin and Caelyn and it wouldn’t have worked for them. They are both so fiercely protective of the people they care for and both so thankful to have the people they have in their lives that their only option was to work through it all together and I was here for it.
I got all of my favorite things in a Catherine Cowles book—suspense, raw and real emotions, great world building, strong character development and a strong plot. These things all worked together to create a book that you don’t want to end, but is simultaneously very hard to put down.
I’m forever going to keep a piece of this entire family with me and I wouldn’t be above begging to get more of how their story unfolds—meaning maybe books for the kids (I really want to see them come into their own as adults) and any honorary siblings Griffin and Caelyn have.
Being fully transparent, I am part of Catherine’s ARC team and was provided an Advanced Copy of the book to voluntarily read and provide an honest review.
Gah! Just gah! This incredibly gifted scribe has a talent for ruining me in the best way possible, but oh, my heart! This book! Prepare yourself to be poignantly ruined and beautifully wrecked by the most authentic, endearing, indomitable characters I’ve ever met.
Caelyn O’Connor has had anything but an easy life, gaining custody of her three younger siblings her junior year in college when her drug addicted parents walked out on them. It may not be the life she chose, but nothing is more important to her than her “tiny terrors.” Despite the challenges of single parenthood and barely scraping by, Caelyn has a huge heart, a sunny disposition and an innate goodness that colors everything she does.
Griffin Lockwood may have come from money, but the loss he’s suffered makes that wealth worthless and has nearly destroyed him. The one ray of sunshine in his solitary existence comes from the kind smile bestowed on him by Caelyn when he stops by a few times each week for groceries at the general store where she works. Griffin is alone by choice, having had too many people trying to open old wounds. But there’s something about Caelyn and her little brood that calls to him, bringing light to his darkness and kinship to his loneliness. And when he learns that she may be in danger, he’ll stop at nothing to keep her and the kids safe.
This exquisite, heart-rending story leaves me at a loss. I can’t find the words to express how stunningly amazing it is. The sheer beauty of these two broken, beaten down, but not defeated characters helping each other not only to heal but to thrive and find joy and peace left me breathless with their remarkable journey. Cowles did a wonderful job creating two characters who were as perfect for each other as two could be, showing the love between them repeatedly before the words were ever spoken. And Caelyn’s siblings added an extraordinary layer, each with very different personalities, squeezing my heart over and over in the most touching, meaningful ways.
No matter how much or how little you read, this one needs to go to the top of your TBR, so run to the 1-Click now. Then get the box of tissues ready, because you’re definitely going to need them. Yes, these exceptional, unique characters will wreck you but they’ll leave your heart full to bursting, and you’ll be better for the lessons they share. I know it’s early in the year, but I can say unequivocally this book easily earns a spot on my list of best reads of 2021, so make sure you don’t miss it!
Just when I think that I couldn’t get any deeper involved in the lives of Bell, Kenna and Caelyn on the island of Anchor, along comes Griffin to worm his grouchy face into the lives of the O’Connor children. When Caelyn gets a frantic call from her brother that he and their sisters are in danger from intruders in their home, Caelyn realizes that she will have to abandon her dreams of college and step up to being the guardian to her much younger siblings. When the burly giant, with the grouchy face and a heartbreaking story comes into the store where Caelyn works, he shows a different side of himself. When a series of threats and dangerous incidents occur, Griffin steps in to protect the family and finds that the tiny terrors as Will, Ava and Mia are affectionately called, bring life back into his family home and into his heart. But when the danger gets closer and threatens to destroy everything that he holds dear, again, Griffin has to step up and fight to keep this happiness and joy in his life. Love, love this book.