ARC Book Review: Delicate Escape (Sparrow Falls #2) by Catherine Cowles

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 378 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: The Pagesmith LLC
Release Date: August 22nd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Trust doesn’t come easily when you’ve been running for as long as I have, which is why moving in with a man I barely know is such a bad idea.

Shepard Colson is all golden-boy charm and devastating good looks. But I know what it’s like to be taken in by easy smiles and the promise of forever—I have the scars to prove it.

Only the handsome contractor won’t stop coming by the bakery and prying little truths from my lips. Those amber eyes of his seeing far too much. And when all the secrets come crashing down, he’s determined to keep me safe. Even if it means moving into my rundown cabin to do it.

Now, Shep isn’t just rebuilding the walls of my home, he’s working his way into my heart. Suddenly, he’s everywhere: shirtless in my garden or in a towel coming out of my bathroom. And my resolve is no match.

Only it’s more than his golden looks. It’s him. The way he watches for my wounds but tells me I’m stronger than anyone he’s ever known. And I can’t help but fall.

But I should’ve known better than to think I could be happy. Not when a ghost from my past still has me in his sights. And when he finds me, he’ll do anything to tear my life apart, even if it means ending it for good…

Thank you to Catherine Cowles for the gifted copy!

MY LOVES.

I know it’s not really a surprise but I LOVED this book y’all. It’s actually the first physical book I highlighted and it brought me so much joy to mark the things that stood out to me most. I adore Thea and Shep. They had perfect chemistry. Thea showcased incredible strength and resilience and I could not get enough of the way that Shep let Thea take everything at the pace she wanted. I loved the way they took care of each other and laying that foundation for the life they want together.

And I’m obsessed with the whole Colson family. HOW COULD YOU NOT BE? I love the unique and intricate personalities and the clearly loyal and loving way they band together and keep an eye out for each other.

The suspense completely got me again. I went from saying I KNEW IT, to then realizing I was horribly wrong and it’s my favorite place to be in a Catherine Cowles novel. I think this book tackled new things I haven’t come across in her previous stories and I liked the complexity of the situations and the conclusions reached.

You must get your hands on this one!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: scattered moderate throughout
  • Romance: 3 open door; light innuendo
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Content Warnings: attempted murder, gun violence, spousal abuse, gaslighting, partner abuse, putting private pictures/videos online

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ARC Book Review: Fragile Sanctuary (Sparrow Falls #1) by Catherine Cowles

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 366 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC
Release Date: May 16th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The scowl should’ve been my first clue to stay far away from Anson Hunt. The sexy smirk and the fact that he’s my brother’s best friend? Reasons two and three. Not to mention, he’s the new contractor working on my house.

He’s everything I’m not: grumpy, rude, and more than a little attached to his solitude. It doesn’t matter how many times I try to kill him with kindness; the man simply won’t crack.

Until he sees me shatter.

Because when my world comes crashing down around me, Anson is the one catching me as I fall. And as so-called accidents start plaguing every part of my life, it’s Anson who steps in to keep me safe.

As he does, I can’t help but feel a flicker of heat. And it only takes a single moment for that spark to ignite into flames, engulfing us both.

But Anson’s a man with secrets, and they have a price. When they’re revealed, neither of us will make it out unscathed…

Thank you to Catherine Cowles for my ARC!!

MY NEW OBSESSION.

I love the start of something new and this was an amazing starting point for the Sparrow Falls series. I was in love with Rhodes and Anson from the get-go and especially the way Anson used Rhodes nickname. I LOVE NICKNAMES.

And the plot was an enigma. I kept looking one way then the other trying to solve the case. Then I found myself up way too late because I NEEDED answers and the answers blind sided me in all the best ways. I love the way Cowles crafts the suspense aspects. It gives that look over your shoulder atmosphere, but mixed with all the heat of a couple falling in love.

I loved watching Rhodes and Anson break down walls and let each other in. The way they connected over the big and small things and every time Anson brought out his protective side. I was a swoony, puddle, tabbing all the moments kind of feral devouring this book.

I LOVE this family and am beyond excited to see the future stories in this small town.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3+ open door
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Content Warnings: serial k!ller, gun violence, near death experiences, car accident, loss of family, arson

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