Tag: sparrow falls

ARC/ALC Book Review: Secret Haven (Sparrow Falls #6) by Catherine Cowles

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 470 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC
Release Date: October 21st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The first time I met Kyler Blackwood, he was a bruised and battered boy with fire in his eyes and nowhere safe to land.

Since the first time he kissed me, he was my best-kept secret, my quiet rebellion, my haven in the storm.

But fate forced us apart, making us pretend to be strangers because it hurt too much to be anything else.

Years later, time hasn’t dulled what we felt, has never erased the way we fit. And when Kye’s past collides with my present, everything shifts.

It’s a choice neither of us expected.
A bond that never really broke.
A line we were never meant to cross.

We tell ourselves it’s only temporary, that the arrangement is just a means to an end. But with each passing day, the lie feels more like the truth. And with each stolen touch, Kye feels more like mine. Because some things were never meant to be pretend.

And some dangers are closer than we ever imagined…

Thank you to the author for a gifted ARC and audiobook.

CAN YOU HEAR ME SCREAMING?

Y’all KNOWWW I have been waiting to get my hands on this book and I went absolutely feral when the ARC copy surprised my doorstep one day. Did I then inhale the book? YES AND IT WAS WORTH IT. My highlighters appreciated dragging across the page over and over again because every moment was memorable.

Kye and Fallon have one of the deepest soulmate level bonds I’ve read in a contemporary romance. They scream WE BELONG TOGETHER and when they finally got a moment to try a true relationship between them??? STOP IT. IT WAS EVERYTHING. All of these soft moments over and over that kept showing the 1000+ ways they have loved each other for yeeeeears. I am a puddle.

And we already know how much I love this family and the group chats will be sorely missed. I love the tight connections and the way everyone looks after each other. There were some beautiful moments woven in that made this book sing all the more.

THE SUSPENSE THOUGH. I was so focused on Kyler and Fallon I did not clock the bad person in any way shape or form. I do not recommend reading in the dark in the middle of the night when the reveal happens because you might need to turn the lights on. BECAUSE WHAT.

Gosh. I’m sad this is over but it was worth every minute spent in Sparrow Falls.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic suspense
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 4ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: child abuse, attempted murder, weapons violence, murder, kidnapping

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC/ALC Book Review: Chasing Shelter (Sparrow Falls #5) by Catherine Cowles

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 418 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: The Pagesmith LLC
Release Date: July 22nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I came here seeking sanctuary, I never meant to fall for the broody single dad next door.

I’ve spent my life hiding in plain sight, burying my past beneath layers of carefully constructed lies. Moving to Sparrow Falls was supposed to be a fresh start. A place to lay low. But when I end up living next door to the single dad who just happens to be one of my brother’s best friends, everything changes.

Trace Colson sees too much, asks too many questions, and his protectiveness is as infuriating as it is alluring.

And when danger comes calling, it’s Trace who stands between me and the darkness.

But being close to him is its own kind of risk. Because with every heated glance and every stolen touch, Trace tempts me to open my heart, to dream of a life I’d long since given up on. The only problem? Trace has his own demons, and when they collide with mine, the fallout could destroy us both.

Forever.

Thank you to the author for a gifted ARC.

WHAT A STUNNER.

Ooooh this one was so fun y’all. The banter was off the charts between Ellie and Trace. I LOVED IT. It was heated and fun and really showed another side to Trace that we haven’t gotten to see yet. Add in sweet Keely and it was a beautifully blended family. The larger Colson family was heavily present in this one too through my favorite group chats and get togethers. I love this found family so dang much.

AND as per usual, the reveals are always a surprise. I liked that in Chasing Shelter you could see the obvious ones but the hidden made you shriek. It was intense and reminds me every dang time why I love CC’s suspense.

I also just adored Trace and Ellie on their own. I loved the growth they went through, finding the true meaning of chasing shelter and building something lasting together. I loved this pair and y’all better know I am FERAL for the next book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content warnings: murder, weapons violence, kidnapping, domestic abuse, attempted murder

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC/ALC Book Review: Beautiful Exile (Sparrow Falls #4) by Catherine Cowles

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 466 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC
Release Date: March 18th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I should’ve known Lincoln Pierce was trouble from the moment I held my knife to his throat.

I’ve been running for most of my life, hiding away in a small town and hoping no one discovers who I truly am. The only problem is that I can never let anyone know the real me. Or at least that was true until my brother moved his best friend onto our shared property.

Now, I’m stuck trying to avoid the nosy billionaire’s probing questions and piercing stares. And it doesn’t help that I almost killed him the first time we met.

Oops.

But when all my carefully crafted lies come crashing down around me, it’s Linc stepping in to shield me. And when it looks like the person hunting me for all those years is back, Linc will do anything to keep me safe.

Only it’s not just my safety at risk. It’s my heart. Because when Linc touches me, I lose all sense. And when I truly get to know the broken billionaire, he’s so much more than a ruthless business tycoon. He’s the man showing me that it’s time to really live.

But I’m not the only one with secrets. Linc has them, too. And when the forces from our pasts emerge from the shadows, it’s with only one goal: to end the new life we’re building together. For good.

Thank you to the author for the gifted audiobook and eARC.

THIS BOOK.

How does Catherine Cowles come up with new suspense plot lines so well?? Every dang time I’m thinking it’s one person, it’s another and then there’s MOREEEEE. Flipped my lid and shouted in my car. I love this series.

I also love Linc and Arden. The violent vibes from the beginning were pure fun. I loved the banter and the connection between them. Being that soft and quiet space to be together was everything. I am obsessed with all of the care taking scenes and the epilogue turned me into a puddle. Linc was DOWN BAD. And we love a man down bad.

As always, CC writes found family like no other. I love this crew and getting to see everyone again. The text messages, tender moments and strong bonds between this family makes my heart squeeze.

There is something purely magical about picking up a book from your favorite author. I love the comfort these books bring (even with all of the stress haha).

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic suspense
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4 open door
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content Warnings: gun violence, attempted murder, weapons violence, assault, murder

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: Broken Harbor (Sparrow Falls #3) by Catherine Cowles

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 430 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: PageSmith LLC
Release Date: November 19th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Since the moment our lives fell apart, the only thing that mattered was making a good life for my son. A life where he was happy and safe. I just never expected to find that safety with a hockey player known for his brutal dominance on the ice and his recklessness off it.

But Cope Colson is so much more.

The gentle way he makes sure we’re okay. The playful care he shows my son. The way he truly sees me.

When my life comes apart yet again, it’s Cope picking up the pieces. Now, we’re living in his house, eating his incredible, chef-worthy meals, and it’s not just my son who’s falling.

It’s me.

Because when Cope touches me, I lose all sense. I’m no longer thinking about staying safe, I’m thinking about how my skin ignites with every glance, how I come undone with the barest brush of his fingertips, and when we give into temptation…I’m lost.

But Cope has secrets and so do I. And when the forces from our pasts emerge from the shadows, there’s nothing they won’t do to end our happiness once and for all…

Thank you to Catherine Cowles for my gifted eARC and audiobook.

STOP, DROP, AND WHAT?

I have been saving this for *just* the right moment and within a few chapters figured out I was going to be binge reading this book all day. CC has found us a hockey hero to fall in love with and I was here for all of Cope’s intense and passionate ways.

There’s always something to the way CC crafts these suspenseful stories. I love that I can spot many hallmark moments AND still be in full shock mode when the final reveals start happening. I loved the unhinged way this all came together and the way the discoveries were unveilved.

I loooved the romance. The beautiful swoony quality that makes me melt every time. I loved the way that Cope and Sutton took care of each other and became the person they turned to during the hard moments. Castles crumbling in the inevitable collision of this romantic affair.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic suspense
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 4 open door
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content Warnings: domestic abuse and violence, assault, gun violence, attempted murder, murder, loss of life

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph