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Tattered & Torn #5
Fractured Sky
Damaged. Broken. Destroyed. I’ve heard it all. A single moment of trusting the wrong person shattered my life into pieces, and my family has never looked at me the same. It’s impossible to convince them that I’m anything more than the broken girl they rescued all those years ago.
Until I meet him.
Ramsey’s grumpy demeanor and menacing scowl scare most of the world away. But not me. Not when I’ve seen his gentle hands soothe an abused colt or comfort a terrified mare.
And when I finally get up the courage to strike out on my own, Ramsey’s there. Roommates felt like such a safe proposition until Ramsey’s lingering touches and wicked smile light a fire in me I don’t think will ever be extinguished. And he feels it, too…
But just as my new life begins to take root, an evil from my past emerges from the shadows, casting a darkness on my newfound freedom. And this time, they won’t settle for pieces of me. They want everything…
Until I meet him.
Ramsey’s grumpy demeanor and menacing scowl scare most of the world away. But not me. Not when I’ve seen his gentle hands soothe an abused colt or comfort a terrified mare.
And when I finally get up the courage to strike out on my own, Ramsey’s there. Roommates felt like such a safe proposition until Ramsey’s lingering touches and wicked smile light a fire in me I don’t think will ever be extinguished. And he feels it, too…
But just as my new life begins to take root, an evil from my past emerges from the shadows, casting a darkness on my newfound freedom. And this time, they won’t settle for pieces of me. They want everything…
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2022
2083 people are currently reading
14933 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Cowles
51 books27.5k followersWriter of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she's not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,717 reviews
March 11, 2023
yo what is the point of torturing women in a romance? like i understand trauma but why are we re-traumatizing? just so she can be saved by a dude?
this was well written and i mostly enjoyed it but i can't get that outta my head.
this was well written and i mostly enjoyed it but i can't get that outta my head.
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January 4, 2023
Fractured Sky is book five in the Tattered & Torn series by Catherine Cowles. It was only fitting that Catherine saved Shiloh’s book for last. And it was everything I hoped and more. I didn’t think it was possible to love Shiloh more than I already did from the previous books but I do.
“When you see the darkness, it makes you appreciate the light.”
9Shiloh Easton is now twenty seven years old. She is the youngest of the Easton siblings. Her life was forever changed when she was ten years old and neither she nor her family have ever recovered from it. Her family is so over protective that she feels suffocated. When she is so overwhelmed she has to get away, she rides her horse to a hill bordering the neighboring ranch and watches the owner work with his horses. Over the years, always from a distance, she has watched him with the most broken of horses, always so patient, giving them a new chance at life, bringing them back from the edge, gaining their trust.
Ramsey Bishop is about ten years older than Shiloh. The ranch he owns takes in broken and abused horses, helping them to heal both physically and mentally. Ramsey doesn’t allow anyone on his ranch. But over the years, he has watched the woman sitting in the distance watching him train. He feels connected to her, even with the distance between them. Like she needs him as much as he needs her. Then, one day, she came down the hill, spoke to him, and changed his life.
Ramsey has a troubled past as well. He lives alone, doesn’t interact with anyone else. But when Shiloh came down and spoke to him, it was like she belonged there, that she fit.
Together, Ramsey and Shiloh helped to heal the horses, but at the same time, they healed each other. Watching Shiloh become the woman she always wanted to be was a beautiful thing. She finally had her freedom. She found a purpose. And she found love. And Ramsey, the loner, suddenly found himself surrounded by people. But, just when these two were finding the happiness they never expected to ever have, Shiloh’s past makes a reappearance and threatens everything.
What a beautiful story this was. I knew from the previous books how broken Shiloh really was. But, she was also the strongest woman I have ever seen! The amount of guilt she carried for what happened to her and the effect it had on her entire family would have drowned anyone else but she kept on somehow. It was Ramsey and the horses that finally opened up the door to a happiness she never thought possible. Leave it to Catherine Cowles, though, to throw in all kinds of twists and turns along the way, to keep us on the edge of our seat. And one of them I can honestly say I never saw coming! There is a beautiful epilogue that made my eyes water. And at the end, you are given the option of downloading a bonus chapter. Make sure you do this. It was amazingly wonderful. This was the perfect ending to this amazing series. Catherine always wows me with her beautiful words and I look forward to seeing what she will be doing next.
“I’d give you the world if it was within my power. All I need is you.”
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
October 11, 2022
I have been waiting for Shiloh's book for so long and I can't believe it's already over. Shiloh has been the most broken character throughout the series because of her kidnapping when she was little. Everyone still treats her differently and she just doesn't know how to be around people or open up to them. The only place she feels comfortable is on her horse or watching Ramsey working with his horses from afar. Ramsey is damaged as well and even more closed off to people that Shiloh is. He spends his time rehabilitating horses from abusive and dangerous situations. His work is hard, but he loves the solitude and connecting with the horses. When Shiloh shows up on his land to watch, he doesn't get angry like he would with anyone else. Instead, Shiloh and Ramsey instantly form a bond they've never felt with anyone else.
I loved how much they just trusted each other and how they finally felt comfortable opening up to someone and leaning on each other. This romance was definitely a very slow burn romance because it takes a long time for them to trust themselves and give into what they both really want. There was also a lot of horse content, which I really loved. This book was so painful and peaceful at the same time and I just loved watching Shiloh and Ramsey fall in love and find comfort in their horses. It was so sweet! Of course, there was some intense suspense in the story as well, and I loved seeing how Shiloh would deal with the danger and really defend herself, especially since she couldn't when she was kidnapped as a child.
This book was just so emotional and reading Catherine's books is like being wrapped in a warm blanket by a cozy fire. There is just such comfort in her words and I become immersed in her world with characters I've grown to love. I couldn't recommend this series enough!!
I loved how much they just trusted each other and how they finally felt comfortable opening up to someone and leaning on each other. This romance was definitely a very slow burn romance because it takes a long time for them to trust themselves and give into what they both really want. There was also a lot of horse content, which I really loved. This book was so painful and peaceful at the same time and I just loved watching Shiloh and Ramsey fall in love and find comfort in their horses. It was so sweet! Of course, there was some intense suspense in the story as well, and I loved seeing how Shiloh would deal with the danger and really defend herself, especially since she couldn't when she was kidnapped as a child.
This book was just so emotional and reading Catherine's books is like being wrapped in a warm blanket by a cozy fire. There is just such comfort in her words and I become immersed in her world with characters I've grown to love. I couldn't recommend this series enough!!
January 13, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
Out of all the books in this series, I was most excited for this one because Shiloh’s story is what started it all and she was always the most interesting to me. I really liked Ramsey as a love interest for her and think they were really perfect for each other. But even though I liked them as a couple and think they complimented one other really well, I was still let down overall.
It felt too similar to all of her other books that I’ve read. Same formula, same type of plot/suspence aspect, same type of character developments and relationship dynamics… just so much of the same all around the board. It’s why I have a hard time remembering anything about her stories once I finish them and why they all blur together/I can’t tell any of them apart. I’ve really tried to space out her books so they didn’t feel super repetitive, but I guess I didn’t give it enough time to make this one feel fresh and different.
I also found myself bored for the majority of the story. I’m all for characters with issues and trauma and all that sort of stuff - but around halfway through when it just kept going and going… I started to get super antsy for it to just be over already. I also felt like the suspense aspect was dragging hard and I wish that we had instead spent a little more time focused on the romantic build up… and a lil less time on everything else.
I still think it was a solid book and worth the read (especially if you were excited for Shilohs story) - but for some reason none of CCs books have ever fully hit the mark for me… and this one was just another okay one.
Out of all the books in this series, I was most excited for this one because Shiloh’s story is what started it all and she was always the most interesting to me. I really liked Ramsey as a love interest for her and think they were really perfect for each other. But even though I liked them as a couple and think they complimented one other really well, I was still let down overall.
It felt too similar to all of her other books that I’ve read. Same formula, same type of plot/suspence aspect, same type of character developments and relationship dynamics… just so much of the same all around the board. It’s why I have a hard time remembering anything about her stories once I finish them and why they all blur together/I can’t tell any of them apart. I’ve really tried to space out her books so they didn’t feel super repetitive, but I guess I didn’t give it enough time to make this one feel fresh and different.
I also found myself bored for the majority of the story. I’m all for characters with issues and trauma and all that sort of stuff - but around halfway through when it just kept going and going… I started to get super antsy for it to just be over already. I also felt like the suspense aspect was dragging hard and I wish that we had instead spent a little more time focused on the romantic build up… and a lil less time on everything else.
I still think it was a solid book and worth the read (especially if you were excited for Shilohs story) - but for some reason none of CCs books have ever fully hit the mark for me… and this one was just another okay one.
October 8, 2022
One of my top reads of 2022! I adored this series and Fractured Sky is my favorite Catherine Cowles book so far. Which is saying something! I’ve been desperate for Shiloh’s story from the start of this series and it lived up to everything I hoped for and more. In Ramsey, Shiloh, finds her perfect refuge. Together they learn to trust again as they form the most amazing bond. Fractured Sky is forced proximity, slow burn goodness! This is Romantic Suspense at its finest.
November 18, 2022
4.5 ⭐️ the moment i’ve been waiting for!!!! this book did not disappoint. and i expected quite a lot.
Shiloh and Ramsey were everything. This book was so perfect & i loved the moments w the whole family together. It came full circle and i adored that.
overall tattered stars, falling embers & fractured sky were for sure my favs. but i enjoyed the entire thing.
IM SO SAD IM DONE WITH THIS SERIES 😭 i’m gonna miss them all so much.
“i love you”
“it’s more than that”
“it’s everything”
Shiloh and Ramsey were everything. This book was so perfect & i loved the moments w the whole family together. It came full circle and i adored that.
overall tattered stars, falling embers & fractured sky were for sure my favs. but i enjoyed the entire thing.
IM SO SAD IM DONE WITH THIS SERIES 😭 i’m gonna miss them all so much.
“i love you”
“it’s more than that”
“it’s everything”
Read
October 25, 2022FRACTURED SKY IS LIVE!
Shiloh and Ramsey's steamy and suspenseful romance is LIVE, and it is MY FAVORITE book to date! I'm so excited for all of you to fall for these two! Here's what's in store for you when you do...
💜 A grumpy hero
💜 A heroine trying to heal from her past
💜 A roommate situation that turns into something so much more
💜 An epic age gap, forced proximity romance!
Read Now ➝
Amazon: https://geni.us/FracturedSkyAmznFB
Apple Books: https://geni.us/FracturedSkyAppl
Nook: https://geni.us/FracturedSkyNook
Kobo: https://geni.us/FracturedSkyKobo
Google Play: https://geni.us/FracturedSkyGglPly
Audible: https://geni.us/FracturedSkyAdbl
Shiloh and Ramsey's steamy and suspenseful romance is LIVE, and it is MY FAVORITE book to date! I'm so excited for all of you to fall for these two! Here's what's in store for you when you do...
💜 A grumpy hero
💜 A heroine trying to heal from her past
💜 A roommate situation that turns into something so much more
💜 An epic age gap, forced proximity romance!
Read Now ➝
Amazon: https://geni.us/FracturedSkyAmznFB
Apple Books: https://geni.us/FracturedSkyAppl
Nook: https://geni.us/FracturedSkyNook
Kobo: https://geni.us/FracturedSkyKobo
Google Play: https://geni.us/FracturedSkyGglPly
Audible: https://geni.us/FracturedSkyAdbl
May 27, 2023
2.5 stars
note: i binge read this series in January. considering its been four months and the fact that basically every single book has the same formula, my memories were all tattered & torn. 🥴 however, i’d say that in general all the books have similar character backgrounds & trauma; the romance is a slow burn angst that somehow feels instalove and lacks depth/chemistry; the steam is mostly nonexistent/closed door; and the mystery/suspense plotline is wholly predictable. 🙃 i dont recommend this author UNLESS youre reading her books on audio while doing something else more productive. these books are good enough to pass the time and dont require much brain power, but theyre not interesting enough to leave lasting impression. 🙌
as for Fractured Sky specifically, this was the last book i read in the series, but ironically it was also the one where i drew the most blank on. 💀 the premise was more or less the same as book 3 (traumatized h & forced proximity). i dont remember if the h’s mother pissed me off as much as she did in book 2, but i guess i should applaud the h for finally leaving her parents home to live on her own (at the H’s property). her mother was so toxic i feel like she’d only add to her therapy bill than lessen it. 🤧 the h is a survivor of a kidnapping case when she was little, and its left a hefty trauma; YET the suspense still involves the h getting abducted by the same perpetrator. bad call from the author imo cause it just screams LAZY.
(read as an audiobook)
my thoughts on:
#0.5 Snowbound — 2 stars
#1 Tattered Stars — 2.75 stars
#2 Falling Embers — 2 stars
#3 Hidden Waters — 3 stars
#4 Shattered Sea — 3 stars
note: i binge read this series in January. considering its been four months and the fact that basically every single book has the same formula, my memories were all tattered & torn. 🥴 however, i’d say that in general all the books have similar character backgrounds & trauma; the romance is a slow burn angst that somehow feels instalove and lacks depth/chemistry; the steam is mostly nonexistent/closed door; and the mystery/suspense plotline is wholly predictable. 🙃 i dont recommend this author UNLESS youre reading her books on audio while doing something else more productive. these books are good enough to pass the time and dont require much brain power, but theyre not interesting enough to leave lasting impression. 🙌
as for Fractured Sky specifically, this was the last book i read in the series, but ironically it was also the one where i drew the most blank on. 💀 the premise was more or less the same as book 3 (traumatized h & forced proximity). i dont remember if the h’s mother pissed me off as much as she did in book 2, but i guess i should applaud the h for finally leaving her parents home to live on her own (at the H’s property). her mother was so toxic i feel like she’d only add to her therapy bill than lessen it. 🤧 the h is a survivor of a kidnapping case when she was little, and its left a hefty trauma; YET the suspense still involves the h getting abducted by the same perpetrator. bad call from the author imo cause it just screams LAZY.
(read as an audiobook)
my thoughts on:
#0.5 Snowbound — 2 stars
#1 Tattered Stars — 2.75 stars
#2 Falling Embers — 2 stars
#3 Hidden Waters — 3 stars
#4 Shattered Sea — 3 stars
November 30, 2022
I think that this author is not for me
and this series is not meant for binge reading because if there is one constant throughout these books besides the small town setting is the REPETITIVE STORYLINE...
How many times lead female character can get kidnapped? many many times..
or in this case, three times if we count OG kidnapping in book one...
I wish the author went in a different route with Shiloh's story and healing considering all the build-up we had with the series..that was an opportunity missed and the villain being the dead guy who kidnapped her as a little girl was also weak ... overall, I see plenty readers enjoying this so I guess this wasn't for me but some of you might enjoy it and I hope you do...
1,5 stars
and this series is not meant for binge reading because if there is one constant throughout these books besides the small town setting is the REPETITIVE STORYLINE...
How many times lead female character can get kidnapped? many many times..
or in this case, three times if we count OG kidnapping in book one...
I wish the author went in a different route with Shiloh's story and healing considering all the build-up we had with the series..that was an opportunity missed and the villain being the dead guy who kidnapped her as a little girl was also weak ... overall, I see plenty readers enjoying this so I guess this wasn't for me but some of you might enjoy it and I hope you do...
1,5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2023
fav😭🤍 oh my gosh I love this series so much. I cried during that bonus epilogue 😭😭
December 23, 2022
4.5⭐️
Oml this was precious. My fav fav fav in the series 😭 Strong silent heroine and a strong silent hero!! She moves into his guest house! And yall… my feelings can’t take how precious this was. Seeing two people who’ve gone through so much in their lives separately and find solace in each other 😭 I can cry just thinking about this couple..
Oml this was precious. My fav fav fav in the series 😭 Strong silent heroine and a strong silent hero!! She moves into his guest house! And yall… my feelings can’t take how precious this was. Seeing two people who’ve gone through so much in their lives separately and find solace in each other 😭 I can cry just thinking about this couple..
October 13, 2022
rtc 🤩
Read
March 12, 20234.5 Stars
Review to come!
Review to come!
November 12, 2022
I am suprise with Fractured Sky. This book has a lot of positive reviews saying it is very emotional read. When I am finished, I only feel so so.
I do like both Ramsey and Shiloh. They are yin and yang. Perfect soul mate. The suspense of who is harrasing Shiloh is annoying long. I wish Miss Cowles just cut it short and focus on the romance.
Overall OK read.
3 stars
I do like both Ramsey and Shiloh. They are yin and yang. Perfect soul mate. The suspense of who is harrasing Shiloh is annoying long. I wish Miss Cowles just cut it short and focus on the romance.
Overall OK read.
3 stars
December 25, 2022
I definitely feel like this entire series was working it’s way up to Shiloh and Ramsey’s story! Definitely my favorite one in the series, and it felt the most original.
Still don’t like the kidnapping at the end of EVERY book in this series, but I was so happy to see Shiloh and Ramsey get the HEA they deserved after everything the suffered together!
Still don’t like the kidnapping at the end of EVERY book in this series, but I was so happy to see Shiloh and Ramsey get the HEA they deserved after everything the suffered together!
April 29, 2025
SOUL TIES! SOUL TIES! soul ties these two are!!! 🥹 the horse whisperer and his light <3
August 28, 2023
5/5 absolutely beautiful.
TROPES:
~age gap
~grumpy x sunshine
~forced proximity
~friends to lovers
~haphephobia representation (heroine has a fear of touch)
I've seen this book around for a while now but never bit the bullet to give it a chance. I'm so glad I finally did. This book is... amazing. I may write a full review later on, but for right now I just want to bask in the beauty of this book.
SAFETY:
Ages: 27h, 37H
Virgin/celibate: virgin heroine, celibate for years hero
OM/OW drama: none
Cheating/sharing: none
Triggers: abuse, kidnapping, animal abuse (you'll hear about animals that are in recovery from being abused, it's done really well!)
HEA?: yes!!
TROPES:
~age gap
~grumpy x sunshine
~forced proximity
~friends to lovers
~haphephobia representation (heroine has a fear of touch)
I've seen this book around for a while now but never bit the bullet to give it a chance. I'm so glad I finally did. This book is... amazing. I may write a full review later on, but for right now I just want to bask in the beauty of this book.
SAFETY:
Ages: 27h, 37H
Virgin/celibate: virgin heroine, celibate for years hero
OM/OW drama: none
Cheating/sharing: none
Triggers: abuse, kidnapping, animal abuse (you'll hear about animals that are in recovery from being abused, it's done really well!)
HEA?: yes!!
October 25, 2022
such a perfect ending to a wonderful series! I have been on the edge of my seat for Shiloh’s book since I read book 1 back in february! we got to know her a little more in each book, but really only from everyone else’s povs so this was highly anticipated.
after escaping a horribly traumatic situation as a kid, Shiloh spent years being very reserved and had trouble connecting with anyone, even family. Ramsey, the broody horse whisperer the whole town is scared of, has also gone through so much and struggles to trust anyone. for years Shiloh has observed him from a distance, but when she’s finally ready to branch out and find some freedom, he’s there every step of the way.
Shiloh & Ramsey had such an instant understanding of each other, two people who were dealt such bad hands in life but have both survived by keeping to themselves and trusting no one. they’d both accepted this life of solitude and were prepared to live their entire lives that way, but then they find each other and it’s so beautiful.
of course it wouldn’t be a catherine cowles book without some crime & suspense and man did this one keep me guessing. every time you think they’re out of the woods, something else is lurking. Shiloh was so resilient despite everything stacked against her, and Ramseys desire to stand by her side and not in front of her just proved they are perfect for each other.
after escaping a horribly traumatic situation as a kid, Shiloh spent years being very reserved and had trouble connecting with anyone, even family. Ramsey, the broody horse whisperer the whole town is scared of, has also gone through so much and struggles to trust anyone. for years Shiloh has observed him from a distance, but when she’s finally ready to branch out and find some freedom, he’s there every step of the way.
Shiloh & Ramsey had such an instant understanding of each other, two people who were dealt such bad hands in life but have both survived by keeping to themselves and trusting no one. they’d both accepted this life of solitude and were prepared to live their entire lives that way, but then they find each other and it’s so beautiful.
of course it wouldn’t be a catherine cowles book without some crime & suspense and man did this one keep me guessing. every time you think they’re out of the woods, something else is lurking. Shiloh was so resilient despite everything stacked against her, and Ramseys desire to stand by her side and not in front of her just proved they are perfect for each other.
November 19, 2025
Wow. I'm genuinely so sad this series is over.
This was one of my favourite books of the series.
Catherine Cowles is in a league of her own.
Impeccable writing. Addictive story. Real characters. Perfectly paced.
Just amazing. Highly recommend.
This was one of my favourite books of the series.
Catherine Cowles is in a league of her own.
Impeccable writing. Addictive story. Real characters. Perfectly paced.
Just amazing. Highly recommend.
October 11, 2022
Since I read so much, it's sometimes tricky to remember what a particular author's next book will be. I know I love an author's work, so I read whatever she writes, and Cowles is at the top of this list. So when I opened the book and read the first word, I got chills. Literal chills.
Y'all, I’ve been looking forward to Shiloh's story since the start of this series, and that anticipation washed over me, engulfing my senses. It's that feeling you get after two long, hot hours in line for your very favorite roller coaster, finally sitting in that seat and having the safety bar drop down to hold you securely. Yes, this is it! Everything, and I mean everything, ground to a halt as I dove into this one.
At ten years old Shiloh Easton suffered a traumatic event. Things never went back to normal for the Easton family, but life went on. Except her family's hovering and over-protectiveness created another type of shackles for Shiloh. She kept to herself, rarely voiced her thoughts, and when the walls started closing in, she'd mount her beautiful mare, Sky, and ride like the wind.
Ramsey Bishop lives life on his terms. That includes his dog, the abused horses he takes in, and no people. After his own damaging past, he doesn’t trust anyone and covets solitude, never allowing another human to set foot on his property. Except for Shiloh, who's been riding her horse over to his ranch and observing his work with the horses from afar. And when Shiloh decides it's time to become more independent from her family, Ramsey offers his guest cabin to her.
Oh my heart, Cowles has a way of putting her characters through the ringer, which only serves to make their hard-won HEA that much sweeter. I knew Shiloh's story would be amazing, but this completely blew me away!! She and Ramsey are such an unlikely pair, but each sees the pain in the other, drawing them together, and it's not long before bringing light to the other’s darkness becomes their reason for being.
The mistreated horses that Ramsey rehabilitates are such beautiful symbolism for both Ramsey and Shiloh. Learning that not everyone means you pain, that you can discover yourself, create a place where you feel worthwhile, find healing for deep wounds, and finally experience joy and peace.
While this story is full of drama, danger, trauma and pain, it's a story of strength, healing, redemption, and creating a family through bonds as well as blood. It's beautiful in its devastion and magnificent in its second chances. Agonizingly gut-wrenching but exquisitely breath-taking, this masterful work is Cowles best yet, and you won’t want to miss it!
Y'all, I’ve been looking forward to Shiloh's story since the start of this series, and that anticipation washed over me, engulfing my senses. It's that feeling you get after two long, hot hours in line for your very favorite roller coaster, finally sitting in that seat and having the safety bar drop down to hold you securely. Yes, this is it! Everything, and I mean everything, ground to a halt as I dove into this one.
At ten years old Shiloh Easton suffered a traumatic event. Things never went back to normal for the Easton family, but life went on. Except her family's hovering and over-protectiveness created another type of shackles for Shiloh. She kept to herself, rarely voiced her thoughts, and when the walls started closing in, she'd mount her beautiful mare, Sky, and ride like the wind.
Ramsey Bishop lives life on his terms. That includes his dog, the abused horses he takes in, and no people. After his own damaging past, he doesn’t trust anyone and covets solitude, never allowing another human to set foot on his property. Except for Shiloh, who's been riding her horse over to his ranch and observing his work with the horses from afar. And when Shiloh decides it's time to become more independent from her family, Ramsey offers his guest cabin to her.
Oh my heart, Cowles has a way of putting her characters through the ringer, which only serves to make their hard-won HEA that much sweeter. I knew Shiloh's story would be amazing, but this completely blew me away!! She and Ramsey are such an unlikely pair, but each sees the pain in the other, drawing them together, and it's not long before bringing light to the other’s darkness becomes their reason for being.
The mistreated horses that Ramsey rehabilitates are such beautiful symbolism for both Ramsey and Shiloh. Learning that not everyone means you pain, that you can discover yourself, create a place where you feel worthwhile, find healing for deep wounds, and finally experience joy and peace.
While this story is full of drama, danger, trauma and pain, it's a story of strength, healing, redemption, and creating a family through bonds as well as blood. It's beautiful in its devastion and magnificent in its second chances. Agonizingly gut-wrenching but exquisitely breath-taking, this masterful work is Cowles best yet, and you won’t want to miss it!
July 12, 2025
4.5⭑
This was a fantastic way to end this series. I have loved Shiloh’s character from the minute she was introduced in book one and finally getting to see her happy ever after brought tears to my eyes, literally.
She’s been through so much and I loved that she was able to find herself after so many years of feeling lost. The way Ramsay helped her get there and how he encouraged every little thing she did for herself was so heartwarming. This man is the literal definition of the ‘I hate everyone but you’ trope.
The suspense element was so good and completely unexpected and you can tell how much the author has improved her writing and development in this area of her work.
I 100% recommend this series, besties get reading!!!!
This was a fantastic way to end this series. I have loved Shiloh’s character from the minute she was introduced in book one and finally getting to see her happy ever after brought tears to my eyes, literally.
She’s been through so much and I loved that she was able to find herself after so many years of feeling lost. The way Ramsay helped her get there and how he encouraged every little thing she did for herself was so heartwarming. This man is the literal definition of the ‘I hate everyone but you’ trope.
The suspense element was so good and completely unexpected and you can tell how much the author has improved her writing and development in this area of her work.
I 100% recommend this series, besties get reading!!!!
November 9, 2022
UGH, this was just gorgeous!!
I love Shiloh and Ramsey so stinking much! They are soulmates and their story was absolutely beautiful to read about.
I have a dedicated reading vlog for this whole series, and you can know more of my thoughts from that video. When posted, it will be linked here:
TW: kidnapping
TROPES: age gap, books with pets/animals, brooding hero, damaged heroine, damaged hero, doesn't like to be touched, emotional romances, flashbacks, I hate everyone but you, recluse, suspense, small town
I love Shiloh and Ramsey so stinking much! They are soulmates and their story was absolutely beautiful to read about.
I have a dedicated reading vlog for this whole series, and you can know more of my thoughts from that video. When posted, it will be linked here:
TW: kidnapping
TROPES: age gap, books with pets/animals, brooding hero, damaged heroine, damaged hero, doesn't like to be touched, emotional romances, flashbacks, I hate everyone but you, recluse, suspense, small town
October 17, 2022
My new favorite Catheirne Cowles book! Fractured Sky was romantic suspense at it's finest. This was an emotional ride that gripped me from the very first page. Raw and captivating and emotional! Ramsey and Shiloh are on a journey of healing and forgiveness and together they find their forever...their sky. Buckle up...this book will give you ALL THE FEELS!
October 28, 2022
I adore small-town romances, and we finally got Shiloh's story! 😍 It's worth the wait.
November 15, 2025
I'm just gonna call it, Catherine Cowles is not for me. Her writing is way too formulaic especially with the characterizations. Considering the heavy trauma both hero and heroine are dealing with? It's an issue for me. The tension should have been thicker, the angst should have been angsting and things should not have been skipped over like it’s just another fluffy small town romance.
-Cowles doesn’t write her characters like they carry trauma. Not letting your heroines react to anything that is remotely dangerous because it might make them look "weak" is really lame and unrealistic AF. People don't talk like this and don't treat their trauma this way, especially with the kind of build up we've gotten for it. Everyone handles trauma differently and I hate sounding like the obnoxious police bregrade telling anyone how a person should react and process things, but having your characters act and react to everything so flippantly the same way as you would a scraped knee isn't really doing what it should be doing. The heroine Shiloh was kidnapped and kept in a shed and beaten by a psychotic man Howard Kemper when she was ten years old. For seventeen years she can’t stand human touch and being around people for too long, you see that struggle through the previous books leading up to this. The hero Ramsey was sent to prison as a teenager for a crime he didn’t commit and suffering at the hands of his abusive stepfather who beat him and his mother. So it’s a lot. Both hero and heroine carry a lot of trauma and are guarded but the walls came down much too quickly. I had the same problem with Everly and Addie’s books. Cowles wrote Shiloh like every other heroine in this series, brushing off concerns and acting like nothing bad will happen. It made no sense. A kidnap survivor who got letters from her abuser for 17 years saying she doesn’t think it’s necessary to file a restraining order against her attacker and thinking it's "extreme" made zero sense and made her look idiotic. A violent man threatening you and you think it’s just “all empty talk”? Girl WHAT? O_o Shiloh had zero self-preservation instincts and it made no sense. Cowles forgets basic logic. I get this is a Romantic suspense and the stage needs to be set up for The Danger™ which means common sense is sometimes missing but this is different. Having your traumatized heroines willfully ignore threats because “they can take care of themselves” knowing full well what violent men are capable of is not showing strength, it’s wilfully foolish. And I can't say this enough: it made no sense here. Especially for Shiloh who supposedly doesn’t trust easily and has severe PTSD. She has over a decades worth of severe trauma and PTSD but that seems to up and vanish in this book entirely. Getting assaulted TWICE in a matter of 2 days should trigger memories of some kind, not grumbling about not needing protection and walking around like everything is fine. Half her face is black and blue but she's fine y'all! She's so brave and made of strong stuff and anything less than that is absolutely not brave. That's the underlying message that's screamed at you in every story and I just really don't care for it. The withering glares when family or friends show even an ounce of concern or reamed for simply asking "are you ok?" is a little bit much and overkill. I get needing space and not feeling smothered, but give me a break with the OTT snappy reactions from your heroines. It's childish at best and unreasonable at worst. Also, a super protective half-wolf dog sees his master on the floor getting physically attacked, charges up to the attacker only to growl at him? Really???? Does Ms. Cowles have a dog? Cause that scene was absolutely ridiculous.
-Every book reads exactly the same. From plot points, to character reactions, to even the dialogue. Just change out the hero and heroine's names and it's the same story. It's always the same exact beats:
Heroine has a mysterious stalker ✔︎
Heroine gets a threatening note taped to the windshield of her car/bike ✔︎
Heroine is grabbed from behind and knocked out at least once while walking alone ✔︎
Heroine refuses to get a bodyguard or have the hero shadow her cause that means "the bad guy wins" ✔︎
Heroine has run in with the bad guy while in town with the hero getting shoulder checked for good measure! ✔︎
It’s the same exact thing literally in every book with zero differentiation. For transparency, I skipped books 2 and 4 but I can just take a wild guess it's not much different? Because this certainly felt like an exact replica of Everly and Addie's books right down to the mannerisms and dialogue. You're really telling me 5 books in a series has to be the exact same thing? Really? I'm sorry but please come up with something else. 🤷🏻♀️ I can't stand authors who do this. Copy + paste writing is lazy and unimaginative. And boring as hell. You keep writing the same story in every book just change out the character names with a new cover slapped on to get people to buy it. That's all it is and it feels like a scam.
-Everything is predictable, even the romance and how it plays out. I could forgive all the repetitive story beats if the romance played a little differently or felt like an actual slow burn. It didn't feel fleshed out. Shiloh quickly warming up and opening up to the supposedly emotionally closed off, recluse, private hero felt rushed. Same thing with Ramsey. She's been secretly visiting Ramsey's ranch for 9 years to watch him train horses from afar through a fence is what is explained in the opening of the book but that felt like a cheap shortcut. Considering how little interaction the hero had with anyone outside of his ranch for 10+ years, I wanted the thawing to happen more gradually. And I wanted to see his reaction to seeing her for the first time. I wanted to see all of that happen on the page not skipped over. This author doesn't really like to focus on intimacy and that's fine I guess but it doesn't really work for me. Give me something a little more meaningful beyond quick kisses and a rushed 2 page dry sex scene that cuts away to the next day. The lack of afterglow and intimate connection left me wanting.
-Aiden and little Elliott were the highlight for me. Ramsey taking these two abused boys under his wing and letting them work on his ranch and work with abused horses was probably the only standout for me. I really did think Ramsey and Shiloh were a perfect match and it was touching seeing them connect over their traumas and distrust of people. I just wanted more for them and maybe under a different writer it could have been amazing.
I knew going into this one I was pretty much going to get the exact same thing again but a small part of me was also hoping this one would break the mole. Oh well. As disappointed as I am, I’m glad everyone got a HEA. Just don’t think Catherine Cowles books are for me. It's not bad but not great and just generic. If you like formulaic cut and dry template-style writing, then it may not bother you. But for me it’s a miss.
-Cowles doesn’t write her characters like they carry trauma. Not letting your heroines react to anything that is remotely dangerous because it might make them look "weak" is really lame and unrealistic AF. People don't talk like this and don't treat their trauma this way, especially with the kind of build up we've gotten for it. Everyone handles trauma differently and I hate sounding like the obnoxious police bregrade telling anyone how a person should react and process things, but having your characters act and react to everything so flippantly the same way as you would a scraped knee isn't really doing what it should be doing. The heroine Shiloh was kidnapped and kept in a shed and beaten by a psychotic man Howard Kemper when she was ten years old. For seventeen years she can’t stand human touch and being around people for too long, you see that struggle through the previous books leading up to this. The hero Ramsey was sent to prison as a teenager for a crime he didn’t commit and suffering at the hands of his abusive stepfather who beat him and his mother. So it’s a lot. Both hero and heroine carry a lot of trauma and are guarded but the walls came down much too quickly. I had the same problem with Everly and Addie’s books. Cowles wrote Shiloh like every other heroine in this series, brushing off concerns and acting like nothing bad will happen. It made no sense. A kidnap survivor who got letters from her abuser for 17 years saying she doesn’t think it’s necessary to file a restraining order against her attacker and thinking it's "extreme" made zero sense and made her look idiotic. A violent man threatening you and you think it’s just “all empty talk”? Girl WHAT? O_o Shiloh had zero self-preservation instincts and it made no sense. Cowles forgets basic logic. I get this is a Romantic suspense and the stage needs to be set up for The Danger™ which means common sense is sometimes missing but this is different. Having your traumatized heroines willfully ignore threats because “they can take care of themselves” knowing full well what violent men are capable of is not showing strength, it’s wilfully foolish. And I can't say this enough: it made no sense here. Especially for Shiloh who supposedly doesn’t trust easily and has severe PTSD. She has over a decades worth of severe trauma and PTSD but that seems to up and vanish in this book entirely. Getting assaulted TWICE in a matter of 2 days should trigger memories of some kind, not grumbling about not needing protection and walking around like everything is fine. Half her face is black and blue but she's fine y'all! She's so brave and made of strong stuff and anything less than that is absolutely not brave. That's the underlying message that's screamed at you in every story and I just really don't care for it. The withering glares when family or friends show even an ounce of concern or reamed for simply asking "are you ok?" is a little bit much and overkill. I get needing space and not feeling smothered, but give me a break with the OTT snappy reactions from your heroines. It's childish at best and unreasonable at worst. Also, a super protective half-wolf dog sees his master on the floor getting physically attacked, charges up to the attacker only to growl at him? Really???? Does Ms. Cowles have a dog? Cause that scene was absolutely ridiculous.
-Every book reads exactly the same. From plot points, to character reactions, to even the dialogue. Just change out the hero and heroine's names and it's the same story. It's always the same exact beats:
Heroine has a mysterious stalker ✔︎
Heroine gets a threatening note taped to the windshield of her car/bike ✔︎
Heroine is grabbed from behind and knocked out at least once while walking alone ✔︎
Heroine refuses to get a bodyguard or have the hero shadow her cause that means "the bad guy wins" ✔︎
Heroine has run in with the bad guy while in town with the hero getting shoulder checked for good measure! ✔︎
It’s the same exact thing literally in every book with zero differentiation. For transparency, I skipped books 2 and 4 but I can just take a wild guess it's not much different? Because this certainly felt like an exact replica of Everly and Addie's books right down to the mannerisms and dialogue. You're really telling me 5 books in a series has to be the exact same thing? Really? I'm sorry but please come up with something else. 🤷🏻♀️ I can't stand authors who do this. Copy + paste writing is lazy and unimaginative. And boring as hell. You keep writing the same story in every book just change out the character names with a new cover slapped on to get people to buy it. That's all it is and it feels like a scam.
-Everything is predictable, even the romance and how it plays out. I could forgive all the repetitive story beats if the romance played a little differently or felt like an actual slow burn. It didn't feel fleshed out. Shiloh quickly warming up and opening up to the supposedly emotionally closed off, recluse, private hero felt rushed. Same thing with Ramsey. She's been secretly visiting Ramsey's ranch for 9 years to watch him train horses from afar through a fence is what is explained in the opening of the book but that felt like a cheap shortcut. Considering how little interaction the hero had with anyone outside of his ranch for 10+ years, I wanted the thawing to happen more gradually. And I wanted to see his reaction to seeing her for the first time. I wanted to see all of that happen on the page not skipped over. This author doesn't really like to focus on intimacy and that's fine I guess but it doesn't really work for me. Give me something a little more meaningful beyond quick kisses and a rushed 2 page dry sex scene that cuts away to the next day. The lack of afterglow and intimate connection left me wanting.
-Aiden and little Elliott were the highlight for me. Ramsey taking these two abused boys under his wing and letting them work on his ranch and work with abused horses was probably the only standout for me. I really did think Ramsey and Shiloh were a perfect match and it was touching seeing them connect over their traumas and distrust of people. I just wanted more for them and maybe under a different writer it could have been amazing.
I knew going into this one I was pretty much going to get the exact same thing again but a small part of me was also hoping this one would break the mole. Oh well. As disappointed as I am, I’m glad everyone got a HEA. Just don’t think Catherine Cowles books are for me. It's not bad but not great and just generic. If you like formulaic cut and dry template-style writing, then it may not bother you. But for me it’s a miss.
October 20, 2022
“You and me. I think I could do anything when you’re with me.”
We’ve loved every book in the Tattered & Torn series, especially as each book brought us closer to Shiloh’s story. This is a story we’ve been desperate to read since our first meeting in book one. This young lady has been such a sad and lonely ghost of a figure throughout each book, breaking our hearts with her pain and solitude.
“I could never regret you. Even when it hurts, I want to feel that pain because you make me remember that I’m alive.”
We adored the way Catherine Cowles brought us full circle in Fractured Sky, which was our favourite book in the series. Characters don’t come much better than Ramsay Bishop and Shiloh Easton. What beautifully complex characters they were. Shiloh and Ramsay held our hearts captive from start to finish.
“When you see the darkness, it makes you appreciate the light.”
A shocking event as a child left Shiloh Easton withdrawn and untrusting and feeling disconnected from her family and the residents of her small town, Wolf Gap. Shiloh has grown up being protected by her family to the point of suffocation. She needs to spread her wings to gain confidence. Shiloh longs to be free to enjoy life and live normally, without the shroud of fear and memories that forever cloud her thoughts.
Shiloh’s fight or flight reactions invariably saw her run – and it was to the outskirts of Ramsay’s ranch where Shiloh would find solace. For a long time, she kept her distance, feeling drawn to the mysterious Ramsay and his ranch rehabilitating abused horses. Shiloh felt an affinity with Ramsay. They each saw something familiar. The same pain, the same need for seclusion.
“I’d give you the world if it was within my power.”
“All I need is you.”
We loved the whole Easton clan, Aiden, and Elliot and of course Ramsay’s dog Kai and the horses. The way the author melded the personal traumas of Shiloh and Ramsay with the rehabilitation of the horses was delivered beautifully, as humans and horses learned about the power of love and kindness.
“I’ve been scared to want this.”
“You and me both.”
Catherine Cowles delivered a touching story befitting of Shiloh and Ramsay. A small town, slow burn, age gap romance, peppered with suspense, and brimming with love and emotion. This is a story of healing and trust. A story about finding that person who allows you to thrive and become your best self. What a book! What a series!
Ebook
Paperback
Audio
December 21, 2022
“She nuzzled into me, breathing deeply. “You’re my sky.”
I stilled. “Your sky?”
“My pinpricks of hope on the darkest nights. You are that in living form for me. You always will be.”
possibly my least fav in the series but I enjoyed reading it nonetheless 😭💗
November 15, 2022
4.5⭐️ what a great end to an excellent series! This one I think has the most heart and for sure is the most emotional. I adored this! Catherine saves Shiloh for last but she was worth the wait!! Shiloh & Ramsey 🥹🫶🏻💕also loved all the scenes with animals in this one. Please read this series if you love sweet small town romances with great suspense.
October 8, 2022
5/5 ☆
What an ending to such an amazing series!! I was looking forward to Shiloh’s story the most, especially since her story kicks off the entire series and is the reason why we see this family come together. It was everything I was looking for in a Catherine Cowles book – the slow burn between Shiloh and Ramsey, her relationship development with her family, learning to stand on her own and trust again, it was such a ride. Shiloh and Ramsey’s journey is beautiful. The way they come together, sharing each other’s pain and learning to trust one another after everything they’ve been through… it just shows how much they mean to each other. What I loved the most was how protective Ramsey was of Shiloh, but at the same time, he gives her the freedom she’s been looking for from her family since her kidnapping. It means the world to Shiloh and solidifies how much he understands her need to be her own person. LOVE. He really is her person.
So sad to see this series end, but I can’t wait for what Catherine puts out next!! Fractured Sky wrapped up all the loose ends perfectly. It makes you emotional and so, so proud of each and every character. So well done!
Tropes:
-Age gap
-Slow burn
-Friends to lovers
-Forced proximity
-Small town romance
-Romantic suspense
-Injured and scarred MCs
What an ending to such an amazing series!! I was looking forward to Shiloh’s story the most, especially since her story kicks off the entire series and is the reason why we see this family come together. It was everything I was looking for in a Catherine Cowles book – the slow burn between Shiloh and Ramsey, her relationship development with her family, learning to stand on her own and trust again, it was such a ride. Shiloh and Ramsey’s journey is beautiful. The way they come together, sharing each other’s pain and learning to trust one another after everything they’ve been through… it just shows how much they mean to each other. What I loved the most was how protective Ramsey was of Shiloh, but at the same time, he gives her the freedom she’s been looking for from her family since her kidnapping. It means the world to Shiloh and solidifies how much he understands her need to be her own person. LOVE. He really is her person.
So sad to see this series end, but I can’t wait for what Catherine puts out next!! Fractured Sky wrapped up all the loose ends perfectly. It makes you emotional and so, so proud of each and every character. So well done!
Tropes:
-Age gap
-Slow burn
-Friends to lovers
-Forced proximity
-Small town romance
-Romantic suspense
-Injured and scarred MCs
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