Fragile Sanctuary (Sparrow Falls) Paperback – May 16, 2024

First off I found Cathrine by grabbing her book “All the Missing Pieces” at the book store strictly because the book is beautiful, I really didn’t expect to find my new favorite author. After devouring that one I started this series and boy am I glad I did.This book took me on an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. It’s a heartbreaking yet beautifully healing story about love, loss, and finding strength through unimaginable pain. The main character, Rho, carries deep scars from her past, shaping the way she moves through life, while Anson, a man running from his own demons, unexpectedly becomes her safe place.The romance is raw and deeply emotional, with both characters finding solace in each other’s pain. Their connection felt natural and well-developed, making every moment between them feel meaningful. The story also weaves in a gripping element of suspense, keeping me on edge while balancing the heavier emotions with tender, heartfelt moments. And yes, there’s a touch of spice to bring everything together!One of the standout aspects of this book is the incredible found family dynamic. Rho’s adoptive family brings warmth and support, reminding her that she’s never truly alone. The ending was beautifully satisfying, leaving me in tears in the best way possible.If you love emotional romances with a hint of thriller, a strong yet vulnerable heroine, and a hero who will do anything to protect the woman he loves, this book is for you. Prepare for tears, tension, and a love story that lingers long after you turn the last page.

I have said it before, and I will say it again...I am a BIG fan of Catherine and her books. I have only read Lost & Found but plan on reading more of them once my TBR list dies down HAHA. But seriously, this book has been on my horizon since it was announced, and it did not disappoint. Catherine does a great job of introducing us to characters who are sort of broken in one way or another. They may put on a front like all is well but there is trauma underneath. And watching said characters find their people who help walk them through the trauma is so beautiful! I also love the added suspense in her books. I have found myself trying to determine who the bad guy is and have only guessed correctly once out of five books. She is great with the twists.Rhodes is ready to address her past- or so she thinks. She is finally working on her dream of rebuilding her childhood home. The same home that burned with her whole family in it except for her. She wants to honor what they had and build it back up. Her brother has hired his best friend from college who is living in town now, Anson. She has heard so many funny stories that she thinks he is a different person when she meets him. He seems like a ghost of himself. She decides not to let him rain on her parade and keeps her eyes on the prize. However she can't seem to not see where he is on the site. She finds herself wanting to make him smile and crack that nut. She starts inviting him over for dinner without any intentions (at first). When her safety is at risk, he starts spending the night...on the couch...to her chagrin. She is so intrigued by this man who pulls her to him like a magnet but then just as easily can flip a switch and be cold as ice. But when she finally learns what has happened to him, she understands. She is willing to take what he will give her and she will try so hard to help him get on the other side of his grief. But now the killer that he had hunted and who made him who is now is back and he has his sights set on Rhodes. What are the chances this killer is from Sparrow Falls and is linked to her family's fire? What are the chances that he has been on Rhodes' trail for a while now? Will Anson be able to save her? Or will his worst nightmare happen again?Anson is basically a ghost of himself at this point. He can't sleep. He has a handful of friends but none as good as Shep. Shep who has given him a job and knows his history but has agreed to keep it on the DL. Even to his brother who is the sheriff. Shep who invites him to family dinner without fail every week. Shep who hires him on to help his little sister with her family's house. Shep's family is a hodge podge in the best way. They all come from different backgrounds with different histories and Anson can't help but admire their strength. When he does in fact meet said little sister, Anson prevents her from getting hurt and now she is forever Reckless in his mind. She is beaufitul and resilient. He sees there are scars she is holding but she is facing them head on instead of hiding like him. But now he finds himself drawn to her like a bug to a light. He can't help it. He is mean and then goes to apologize. He pushes her away and then pulls her back in. And now he has found himself sleeping on her couch while he can hear her sleep in the other room. He finds himself there for her when has a nightmare. He finds himself in a situation he hasn't been in with a woman in a long time and yet instead of running he lays down the gauntlet that he can't give her everything but he is willing to try something. So they do. All while not telling Shep. They explore each other. He opens up to her like he never has before. He wants to be better for her. But then his worst nightmare comes true- the killer who took away his world is back and closing in on him fast. Now Anson starts to question a lot of things like Rhodes' family fire being a little too convenient. And the fact that there were several other fires in the area. And now Rhodes is missing and he HAS to find her before something happens or he won't be able to live with himself.YALL this is was SOO good! Watching them help each other was so great. Catherine does a great job discussing grief and heavy topics and how it can look different for different people. I loved the side characters and can't wait to see how the cookies crumble with Rhodes' family and MAN am I pumped for Shep and Thea. Shep who could literally be with any woman in town but then one he asks out says no- reverse grump to sunshine anyone?? Is that what a black cat is LOL? If you haven't picked this one up yet, I highly recommend if you want small town, brother BF, grump to sunshine with a large drop of suspense thrown in the middle OH and some GREAT spice!!

What a heck of a kickstart to this new series! Catherine Cowles books are my happy place. There's just something about them that always feel like a warm blanket on a cold day. Comforting and satisfying. So to say I'm excited to have this new series from her is a massive understatement, and if book one is anything to go by, we're in for a real treat. A slow burn, unique, beautiful, heartfelt, story that gripped me from the get go. Plus the twists and suspense in this book were so so so good, it had me not able to put the book down because I needed to know what was going to happen.Anson is a broken and tortured man who wants nothing more than to be a recluse, completely withdraw from society and run from his tragic past. I love nothing more than to read about tortured heroes and I was drawn to Anson instantly. I loved everything from his grumpy nature, his broodish demeanour and his desire to escape, with loss and pain his only companions. That is until lively Rhodes plummets head first into Anson’s world. I absolutely loved Rhodes, I just fell in love with her colourful, charismatic personality and her whole outlook on life. She was like a beautiful breath of fresh air. She was the light to Anson’s dark and everything he never knew he needed.The intense physical and emotional connection and chemistry that slowly built between them was nothing short of beautiful. Neither Anson nor Rhodes were expecting or even looking for the other piece to their tragic puzzles, but more and more they grew to crave and depend on each other. They were truly meant to be; a tortured and broken man and the hopeful woman set out to save him. There's no better match than these two characters, she brought lightness to his darkness and magic when he needed it the most, they were just perfect together. I loved how Catherine developed the layers of this couple and their wonderful story.I couldn’t get enough of Anson and Rhodes’s story, and I loved every single word of it. Through all the romance was a mystery that had me hooked and desperate to figure out who and why. It brought a mystery/suspense storyline to the book which had me guessing, and certainly brings some surprising twists, and all leads up to an exciting ending that ties in really well with the love story, and which definitely had my heart pounding! It had some serious moments of drama, danger and suspense. I was so consumed by the action on the page, and I loved that it kept me on my toes. Absolutely brilliant!It’s beautifully written and so engaging, and I was swept up in the love story, the suspense, and the sweet town of Sparrow Falls. This was the perfect introduction to what I can only imagine to be a perfect series. The romance, the suspense, the small town and their charismatic residents, all of it just hit the spot just right for me. I loved Anson and Rhodes as characters, and I loved getting to meet the extended Colson family. This is a great group, and there are sure to be some epic stories our way, and I can't wait to learn more about them in their books.