Book Review: Ashes of You by Catherine Cowles

The Gist: A heartwarming and suspenseful must-read for fans of the single parent x nanny trope and romantic thrillers, Ashes of You expertly blends love, family, and gripping intrigue in a captivating small-town setting.

Series: Lost and Found, #5*

Release Date: February 8, 2024

Format: Kindle Unlimited

Rating: 5-stars

*Each book in the series is Standalone

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Ashes of You is one of my favourite books of 2024 (it was my favourite read in February); not only was it released in February of this past year, but I’ve read it three times already, and it’s not even halfway through 2024! I have to preface that I’ve re-read this book twice already with a huge caveat: I’m a huge re-reader. Part of why I read so many books each year is that close to half are re-reads. In fact, as of the start of June, 45% of the books I have read in 2024 have been re-read.

All that to say, this is obviously a great romantic suspense novel! Catherine Cowles has become my go-to author for small-town romantic suspense. At this point, I have read her entire backlist (except for the second-chance romances – I can’t stand that trope!).

Ashes of You is the 5th and final book in the Lost and Found companion novel romance series (you don’t have to read the books in order). It follows the eldest brother of the Hartley family, Lawson – he is the father of three boys, is the sheriff of the small town, and is desperately looking for a nanny to help him balance his job with raising his children as a single parent. Of course, Hallie (the Heroine) applies to be his nanny. However, there’s a twist: Lawson and Hallie met five years ago when Lawson was a volunteer on the search and rescue team searching for Hallie, who had been missing for over a month.

Single Parent x Nanny Trope

The single parent x nanny trope is still a staple of romance novels despite the more realistic concerns that have popped up in some contemporary romances with this trope (e.g., Untouchable by Talia Hibbert). Critiques include the power imbalance between the couple (as the nanny is dependent on the parent for income), and when the Heroine is the nanny, it can often feel like a convenient way for the author to show she’d make a good mom and wife (the stereotypical – and sexist? – homemaking ideal rearing its angry head).

However, I think that the trope can be done well. Pairing a single parent with their nanny allows the author to develop the children as supporting characters with unique personalities. The author can also show the parent’s love interest and children creating their own bond, which makes the romance much more believable because you can see them as a family unit. This is precisely what Ashes of You does very well.

Hallie has her own relationships with each of Lawson’s boys; she leans into their differences and supports their interests. I most enjoyed Hallie’s relationship with Lawson’s oldest son, who’s around 16 years old. At the start of the novel, he is obviously going through a rough time, but so is Hallie as she attempts to adapt to living on her own after the traumatic event that she survived five years ago. After they overcame a few bumps in the road, I loved how supportive and protective they were of each other.

Lawson and Hallie’s initial connection from five years ago quickly shifted their relationship from employee-employer to friends. They’re connected by something very few people are connected by: he saved her life and gave her hope. I thought this allowed them as a couple to overcome the power imbalance, as it seemed more like friends helping friends out. She needed a safe place to reclaim her independence, and he needed someone who appreciated his kids as much as he did to help manage his family’s busy life.

Queen of Romantic Suspense

Now, something that you need to understand about Catherine Cowles is that all of her books have a romantic suspense edge, but there are degrees to which this subgenre is integrated within each of her romance novels. Ashes of You is by far the most suspenseful, and I would even go so far as to say that romantic suspense supersedes the small-town and even the single-parent aspects.

Without giving away spoilers, what happened to Hallie five years ago comes back to haunt her in the present after she’s hired as Lawson’s nanny. Because Lawson is the sheriff of this small town, much of his perspective is wrapped up in the current police investigation, revisiting Hallie’s cold case and worrying about what this means for Hallie’s safety. In comparison, Hallie’s perspective focuses on attempting to move on with her life, developing friendships with Lawson’s kids, and navigating the romantic feelings she develops for Lawson.

A True Partnership

What I loved the most about Lawson and Hallie’s romance was that they felt like a partnership. Lawson was so appreciative of everything Hallie added to his sons’ lives, and he really leaned into the idea that her presence in his life allowed him to be a better parent. Also, given everything that Hallie has survived, I was so happy for Hallie that she found a family that loved her and deserved her and was appreciative of everything that she had to offer them.

My favourite scene was when the eldest son got in trouble at school. Lawson gets called in to pick up his son by the school, but the son texts Hallie that he needs her. When Hallie and Lawson run into each other at the school, Lawson is happy to see Hallie but immediately starts ranting – stressed about why his son is in trouble again – about his son’s bad attitude. But Hallie interrupts, angry about Lawson jumping to conclusions and blaming his son – she defends and stands up for him. At this moment – which Lawson also recognizes – Hallie reacts more like a parent than a nanny. It shows the strength of her relationship with his kids and her trust in Lawson; Hallie feels like she can critique his parenting not only from a co-parent’s perspective but also from the perspective of a woman who has survived what she has.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, Ashes of You by Catherine Cowles is a compelling mix of romance and suspense. The single parent and nanny dynamic is handled with depth and authenticity, making the relationship between Lawson and Hallie believable and heartfelt. Cowles effectively integrates suspense elements, keeping the reader engaged throughout. This book is a must-read if you’re a fan of small-town romantic suspense. For more reviews and recommendations, check out the rest of my book blog and subscribe for updates.

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