This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Introduction
Wrecked Palace is the third installment in the "Wrecked" series. Now this book focuses on a mix of grumpy sunshine, unrequited love and friends to lovers mashup. After finishing this book I do think that this is one of the best books that I have read from this one. I took my time with this one, because it was so easy to get into and I fell so hard for all the characters that come into play and I never wanted this story to end. It deals with some challenging issues, and from the beginning, this author will work on your emotions in a way that only Catherine Cowles can handle. The steam is a bit lower if you haven't read this author before. I personally don't mind, because I don't need smexy scene to receive a satisfying romance and Cowles really delivers all the way on these here.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Griffin
Griffin lost all of his family, has been hounded by reporters and betrayed by many he trusted over the year. He is a bit of a lone wolf, and a tortured soul who doesn't trust easily.

The Heroine: Caelyn
A sister whose parents got into drugs, and she took guardianship over her siblings. She sacrifices everything to give her siblings a safe and happy home life. Family is everything to her.

Summary
When Caelyn gets a scary call from her young brother, where their home is attacked, parents disappeared and their lives in danger, Caelyn gives up her college dreams to take care of her siblings . Now its been five years later, and her siblings are getting settled in their lives with her. Caelyn has a bit of a crush on the lone wolf of the town, Griffin, who has a gruff quiet exterior, barely speaks two words, but is a child whisperer to her siblings. What starts out as a soft careful friendship, turns into something more, but there is a danger involving the crimes of their parents, and will Griff and Caelyn be able to protect their family against the dangers ahead...

My Outlook
I absolutely loved this book so deeply. If you have a deep love for small town romances with suspense elements that are blended in, then I do think you will love this book and this author. If you love Melissa Foster or Jennifer Ryan, I recommend this author. This is a unrequited love, a bit of a slow burn, with a friends to lovers tropes that are involved, with some grumpy sunshine. Quite frankly, you combine all of these elements and you will find a powerhouse of a read. And also if you are endeared by strong emotions being conveyed, then look no further than this one here. From the very beginning, this author had me crying all over the place. The prologue itself, will instantly pull you into the story.

I would call this a contemporary small-town romance with suspenseful elements placed into the story. I am not sure that I would call it romantic suspense because it's not the primary focus, its more on the side lines. I really enjoy how this author implements suspenseful elements into her stories. Its not going to take away from the relationship development from the couple, and is more just to build up the plot and its done in a way that addicts you to the story so even if you don't care for romantic suspense, I do recommend this author because of the way she builds it throughout the story will work for you.

Now what is the most appealing about this story is the emotional/heart aspects of the story. The author really digs deep and portrays emotion so vividly that you feel it in every chapter. The characters are so relatable with true human struggles that you connect with instantly, the atmospheric vibes of the story are portrayed in such a way that will bring the story to life and deals with all aspects of the human condition both good and bad. There is such well development that we see with both Griff and Caelyn that you will be cheering this couple on all the way through. The side characters were so endearing, and even the heartbreaking story of the man that broke into their home, I wanted to know more about him and his redemption. We see the lives of these children that Caelyn has raised and the way that they charm the hero and really bring him to the surface of opening himself up to love again was so poignant and your heart breaks for his struggles. The hero and heroine and able to really connect because their struggles are similar, they both understand the hardship of what they have both lost and struggled through. And when they finally get together, their relationship blossoms so beautifully. You can just feel their connection and its well fleshed out. This is the type of slow burn romances that we need more.

Now was there anything negative to the story itself? I wouldn't say so. I think if I could have changed or added anything to the story it would be a bit longer of a epilogue and more focus on the hero's journey just a bit. There was one plot hole that I discovered, or maybe I missed it, but in reference to the hero repairing the desk for the hero that had a connection to him and his sister and we never really saw a scene with her giving that to him so I would have loved to see that scene. If I missed it, let me know where to find it haha But these factors didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story so it's still a five-star read for me.

Overall View
Wrecked Palace is a deeply resonating read that speaks to the human condition in a heartfelt way. Its a story of healing and opening yourself up to new opportunites and most importantly ....love!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building: 5
Cover:4.25
Hero: 4.5
Heroine: 5
Steam: 5
Heart & Feels:5
Ending:4.5
Overall View: 4.75