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Sparrow Falls #2
Delicate Escape
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…
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…
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 22, 2024
6025 people are currently reading
27108 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Cowles
51 books27.6k 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 4,483 reviews
September 29, 2024
i think i’ve outgrown my CC era and im so sad about it.. every new story feels so recycled, generating only different names. i once found confort in how her books have the same skeleton. or maybe i’m just not as in love with this new series as i am obsessed with the previous one.
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August 22, 2024🩷 He Falls First
🩷 Roommates-to-Lovers
🩷 Golden Retriever x Black Cat
🩷 Woman on the Run
🖼️ and, yes, more of Lolli's infamous diamond *art*
Get Delicate Escape Now!
𝗲𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: https://geni.us/DlcteEscpAmzn
𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼: https://geni.us/DlcteEscpAudio
𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 (12/31): https://geni.us/DlcteEscpCasa
𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: https://geni.us/DlcteEscpPaperback
𝗔𝗹𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: https://geni.us/DlcteEscpSEPaperback
𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘄/𝗕𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀: https://geni.us/DlcteEscpHardcover
🩷 Roommates-to-Lovers
🩷 Golden Retriever x Black Cat
🩷 Woman on the Run
🖼️ and, yes, more of Lolli's infamous diamond *art*
Get Delicate Escape Now!
𝗲𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: https://geni.us/DlcteEscpAmzn
𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼: https://geni.us/DlcteEscpAudio
𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 (12/31): https://geni.us/DlcteEscpCasa
𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: https://geni.us/DlcteEscpPaperback
𝗔𝗹𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: https://geni.us/DlcteEscpSEPaperback
𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘄/𝗕𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀: https://geni.us/DlcteEscpHardcover
November 29, 2025
This series is truly a gift!!
I love the Colson family so much, they are absolutely amazing. I really did forget a lot of moments from this book and that made this re-read a lot better. I got to experience some of them again, just like it was the first time...
Shep is such an amazing man, I love how patient and understanding he was. He was there for Thea, he was protective and maybe even a little too patient at times, but he never wanted to push her in any way. He became a safe space for her and in return he was finally able to open up completely.
Thea was such a strong character, she fought hard against her mind and seeing her be brave, little by little, was wonderful. Her letting Shep in, a fraction every day, and the way she was beginning to live her life again made me so emotional.
They were such a great couple, they both had scars and they grew and changed together. They became each others person and I loved how safe and loved they always felt together. I loved their dinners sitting on the stairs, the house smashing, her letting him in her house, how they truly saw each other, all the little moments that were everything but little.. Their journey of healing and trust was so beautiful and them being roommates was so fun.. And, of course, we love a man that asks about the books we read and then recreates certain scenes...
And just like always, the family is my favourite part. The way they are there for each other is something that will never be topped. I love them so much and Sutton and Rho are the kind of friends you need in your life.
The suspense part was great, but I think this time my focus was much more on Thea and Shep, more than it was the first time, because I knew the outcome already. I kind of liked that more..
While this is my least favourite book in the series, it's still a book I absolutely love. This whole series is special to me, I'll never give it anything less than five stars, ever.
༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺
“𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓱𝔂, 𝓢𝓱𝓮𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓼𝓸𝓷. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓭𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓯𝓲𝔁 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓭𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓭𝓲𝓰 𝓪 𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓽𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓼 𝓸𝓻 𝓻𝓮𝓹𝓵𝓪𝓬𝓮 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓬𝓸𝓻𝓻𝓸𝓭𝓮𝓭 𝓹𝓲𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓰. 𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓱𝔂 𝓳𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓻𝓮.”
“𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓸𝓶𝓮.”
“𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓯𝓾𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓭. 𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓯𝓾𝓵 𝓫𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓲𝓽’𝓼 𝓫𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓫𝓻𝓸𝓴𝓮𝓷. 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝓬𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓴𝓼 𝓵𝓮𝓽 𝓲𝓽 𝓫𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓮𝓵𝓼𝓮 𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓻𝓮𝓵𝔂. 𝓢𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓻. 𝓦𝓲𝓼𝓮𝓻. 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓯𝓲𝓮𝓻𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓭𝓮𝓯𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻 𝓸𝓯 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓼 𝓲𝓽. 𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓰𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓯𝓲𝓭𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓼 𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓮𝓮 𝓲𝓽 𝓪𝓵𝓵. 𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓭𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓪𝔀𝓪𝔂. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓪𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓼𝓲𝓭𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓳𝓾𝓭𝓰𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓲𝓶𝓹𝓵𝔂 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷’𝓽 𝓪𝓼𝓴 𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴 𝓪𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓪𝓯𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓭 𝓲𝓽. 𝓘𝓽 𝔀𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓫𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓾𝓷, 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓲𝓼𝓽 𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓻𝓮𝓵𝔂 𝓲𝓷 𝓭𝓪𝓻𝓴𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼.”
“𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀𝓷 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓲𝓽’𝓼 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓽𝓮𝓵𝔂 𝓼𝓪𝓯𝓮. 𝓝𝓸𝓽 𝓾𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓵 𝓘 𝓶𝓮𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓘𝓽’𝓼 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓱𝔂𝓼𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓵 𝓼𝓪𝓯𝓮𝓽𝔂. 𝓘𝓽’𝓼 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓼𝓪𝓯𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓘 𝓽𝓻𝓾𝓵𝔂 𝓪𝓶. 𝓝𝓸 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓼𝓮𝓼. 𝓝𝓸 𝓯𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓸𝓯 𝓳𝓾𝓭𝓰𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽.”
“𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓰𝓸𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓘’𝓵𝓵 𝓪𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾.”
“𝓦𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓫𝓾𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓶𝓮? 𝓐 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮. 𝓐 𝓯𝓪𝓶𝓲𝓵𝔂. 𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓱𝓸𝓶𝓮?”
.·:*¨ ¨*:·.
Time to re-read book two!!
I honestly forgot most of it, so this is going to be so fun.. 🤭
I love the Colson family so much, they are absolutely amazing. I really did forget a lot of moments from this book and that made this re-read a lot better. I got to experience some of them again, just like it was the first time...
Shep is such an amazing man, I love how patient and understanding he was. He was there for Thea, he was protective and maybe even a little too patient at times, but he never wanted to push her in any way. He became a safe space for her and in return he was finally able to open up completely.
Thea was such a strong character, she fought hard against her mind and seeing her be brave, little by little, was wonderful. Her letting Shep in, a fraction every day, and the way she was beginning to live her life again made me so emotional.
They were such a great couple, they both had scars and they grew and changed together. They became each others person and I loved how safe and loved they always felt together. I loved their dinners sitting on the stairs, the house smashing, her letting him in her house, how they truly saw each other, all the little moments that were everything but little.. Their journey of healing and trust was so beautiful and them being roommates was so fun.. And, of course, we love a man that asks about the books we read and then recreates certain scenes...
And just like always, the family is my favourite part. The way they are there for each other is something that will never be topped. I love them so much and Sutton and Rho are the kind of friends you need in your life.
The suspense part was great, but I think this time my focus was much more on Thea and Shep, more than it was the first time, because I knew the outcome already. I kind of liked that more..
While this is my least favourite book in the series, it's still a book I absolutely love. This whole series is special to me, I'll never give it anything less than five stars, ever.
༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺
“𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓱𝔂, 𝓢𝓱𝓮𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓼𝓸𝓷. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓭𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓯𝓲𝔁 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓭𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓭𝓲𝓰 𝓪 𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓽𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓼 𝓸𝓻 𝓻𝓮𝓹𝓵𝓪𝓬𝓮 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓬𝓸𝓻𝓻𝓸𝓭𝓮𝓭 𝓹𝓲𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓰. 𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓱𝔂 𝓳𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓻𝓮.”
“𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓸𝓶𝓮.”
“𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓯𝓾𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓭. 𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓯𝓾𝓵 𝓫𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓲𝓽’𝓼 𝓫𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓫𝓻𝓸𝓴𝓮𝓷. 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝓬𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓴𝓼 𝓵𝓮𝓽 𝓲𝓽 𝓫𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓮𝓵𝓼𝓮 𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓻𝓮𝓵𝔂. 𝓢𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓻. 𝓦𝓲𝓼𝓮𝓻. 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓯𝓲𝓮𝓻𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓭𝓮𝓯𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻 𝓸𝓯 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓼 𝓲𝓽. 𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓰𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓯𝓲𝓭𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓼 𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓮𝓮 𝓲𝓽 𝓪𝓵𝓵. 𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓭𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓪𝔀𝓪𝔂. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓪𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓼𝓲𝓭𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓳𝓾𝓭𝓰𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓲𝓶𝓹𝓵𝔂 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷’𝓽 𝓪𝓼𝓴 𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴 𝓪𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓪𝓯𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓭 𝓲𝓽. 𝓘𝓽 𝔀𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓫𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓾𝓷, 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓲𝓼𝓽 𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓻𝓮𝓵𝔂 𝓲𝓷 𝓭𝓪𝓻𝓴𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼.”
“𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀𝓷 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓲𝓽’𝓼 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓽𝓮𝓵𝔂 𝓼𝓪𝓯𝓮. 𝓝𝓸𝓽 𝓾𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓵 𝓘 𝓶𝓮𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓘𝓽’𝓼 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓱𝔂𝓼𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓵 𝓼𝓪𝓯𝓮𝓽𝔂. 𝓘𝓽’𝓼 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓼𝓪𝓯𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓘 𝓽𝓻𝓾𝓵𝔂 𝓪𝓶. 𝓝𝓸 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓼𝓮𝓼. 𝓝𝓸 𝓯𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓸𝓯 𝓳𝓾𝓭𝓰𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽.”
“𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓰𝓸𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓘’𝓵𝓵 𝓪𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾.”
“𝓦𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓫𝓾𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓶𝓮? 𝓐 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮. 𝓐 𝓯𝓪𝓶𝓲𝓵𝔂. 𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓱𝓸𝓶𝓮?”
.·:*¨ ¨*:·.
Time to re-read book two!!
I honestly forgot most of it, so this is going to be so fun.. 🤭
October 15, 2025
4⭐️
I don't think there's anything that could make me not love this series. Everything about it is just swoon-worthy yet heartbreaking at the same time. This series cuts you deep and drags emotions out of you that you wouldn't expect, but it's so worth it.
Thea, my sweet girl...this book hit extra close to home for me because of her situation and how she felt and her thoughts and it genuinely made me tear up at times. She had the world to offer and it was destroyed by her disgusting ex; god it made me sick. She was beautiful inside and out and her and Shep a million percent deserve each other. Their chemistry and love was so boldly apparent and they just clicked in a way I don't often see in other romance books. We, as readers, can only wish to have that love someday cause damn, it was breathtakingly beautiful.
Of course, though, this book wouldn't have been what it was without the side characters. The found family that every brought and made Thea feel so safe and welcome just melted my heart. And then of course there's Lolli. I mean come on, who can't NOT love her? She was the perfect comedic relief between such heavy scenes and serious nature.
The plot itself was definitely a thrilling one! One thing I really love about these books is that there's so much more than romance; there's so much more than what you see on the surface. I think this book did a wonderful job of explaining and describing the terrifying world of domestic abuse. It's not easy to read about, but the author did such a good job at handling the subject with care. The only thing I wasn't the biggest fan of was at the very end and how things wrapped up with Thea's ex. It felt a bit lackluster compared to the build-up of the rest of the book and then that random plot twist at the end just didn't feel like it needed to be there.
Overall, this series holds such a special place in my heart and a truly can't wait to get the next book in my hands. We have 2 MC's that struggle with their own mind and mental health but come together in a way that's both beautiful and sad. These characters deserve the world and I think this book wrapped up perfectly. If you haven't read this series yet, please do! It's an emotional rollercoaster but it is well worth the read. 🩵
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭: 🕊️🩷
I miss these characters so much I just had to take a break from the fall reads to get back into this 🩵
I don't think there's anything that could make me not love this series. Everything about it is just swoon-worthy yet heartbreaking at the same time. This series cuts you deep and drags emotions out of you that you wouldn't expect, but it's so worth it.
Thea, my sweet girl...this book hit extra close to home for me because of her situation and how she felt and her thoughts and it genuinely made me tear up at times. She had the world to offer and it was destroyed by her disgusting ex; god it made me sick. She was beautiful inside and out and her and Shep a million percent deserve each other. Their chemistry and love was so boldly apparent and they just clicked in a way I don't often see in other romance books. We, as readers, can only wish to have that love someday cause damn, it was breathtakingly beautiful.
Of course, though, this book wouldn't have been what it was without the side characters. The found family that every brought and made Thea feel so safe and welcome just melted my heart. And then of course there's Lolli. I mean come on, who can't NOT love her? She was the perfect comedic relief between such heavy scenes and serious nature.
The plot itself was definitely a thrilling one! One thing I really love about these books is that there's so much more than romance; there's so much more than what you see on the surface. I think this book did a wonderful job of explaining and describing the terrifying world of domestic abuse. It's not easy to read about, but the author did such a good job at handling the subject with care. The only thing I wasn't the biggest fan of was at the very end and how things wrapped up with Thea's ex. It felt a bit lackluster compared to the build-up of the rest of the book and then that random plot twist at the end just didn't feel like it needed to be there.
Overall, this series holds such a special place in my heart and a truly can't wait to get the next book in my hands. We have 2 MC's that struggle with their own mind and mental health but come together in a way that's both beautiful and sad. These characters deserve the world and I think this book wrapped up perfectly. If you haven't read this series yet, please do! It's an emotional rollercoaster but it is well worth the read. 🩵
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭: 🕊️🩷
I miss these characters so much I just had to take a break from the fall reads to get back into this 🩵
August 11, 2024
This book I so so special and words cannot even begin to describe how much I adore and admire Thea for everything she has to go through, and how patient, kind, and amazing Shep was through the process.
Thea was harmed in her past by an ex and that past haunts her every living moment. She is so terrified of other people, of taking risks, and of letting anyone in. Shep, though, is such a golden retriever hero and will do anything to make Thea feel safe, but more important to make Thea feel valued and loved. The development of their relationship is a slower burn, but the end is so perfect. He slowly grows on her and shows her she can trust him, and I just loved how much he helped her live again and trust again. The dinners on her porch? The little dates? SWOOOOOOON.
As always, the suspense in here was also perfection. So many red herrings and you're always suspicious of EVERYONE in the town. I was shocked by the true villain and love that Catherine always keeps me on my toes!
This book was just everything and more and I loved every single moment. And there were even some tears at the end!?!?! Seriously, pick this book up!
Thea was harmed in her past by an ex and that past haunts her every living moment. She is so terrified of other people, of taking risks, and of letting anyone in. Shep, though, is such a golden retriever hero and will do anything to make Thea feel safe, but more important to make Thea feel valued and loved. The development of their relationship is a slower burn, but the end is so perfect. He slowly grows on her and shows her she can trust him, and I just loved how much he helped her live again and trust again. The dinners on her porch? The little dates? SWOOOOOOON.
As always, the suspense in here was also perfection. So many red herrings and you're always suspicious of EVERYONE in the town. I was shocked by the true villain and love that Catherine always keeps me on my toes!
This book was just everything and more and I loved every single moment. And there were even some tears at the end!?!?! Seriously, pick this book up!
August 30, 2024
EVERYTIME.
Everytime I think I’ve got the villain right I AM WRONG.
5/5 ⭐️
—golden retriever x black cat
—cinnamon roll hero
—he reenacts her spicy books with her
—romantic suspense
Catherine Cowles does it again. Like always. This romantic suspense was absolutely perfect. The chemistry between the characters, the plot, the twist, the spice, it was all so well balanced. I will never shut up about my love for Catherine’s books. If you haven’t added her books to your tbr, you need too right now.
Everytime I think I’ve got the villain right I AM WRONG.
5/5 ⭐️
—golden retriever x black cat
—cinnamon roll hero
—he reenacts her spicy books with her
—romantic suspense
Catherine Cowles does it again. Like always. This romantic suspense was absolutely perfect. The chemistry between the characters, the plot, the twist, the spice, it was all so well balanced. I will never shut up about my love for Catherine’s books. If you haven’t added her books to your tbr, you need too right now.
![Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1626057011i%2F10717098._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 17, 2024
Delicate Escape is book two in the Sparrow Falls series by Catherine Cowles. This is Thea and Shep’s story and WOW!!! I just this minute finished it and my heart is so happy! As always, Catherine keeps us guessing up until the very last minute by giving us several different suspects as to who the guilty party truly is.
Thea Stewart has been in Sparrow Falls, Oregon for two years. She has done everything possible to live under the radar. Because Thea is hiding from a past she never wants to come face to face with again. She loves Sparrow Falls but she can never truly let her guard down. Her house is old and when some leaky pipes in the bathroom prove to be beyond her do it yourself capabilities, she is forced to accept help from Shep. The same man who always stops in to the bakery where she works with a kind smile. Also the same man who is unfairly gorgeous. Because there is one thing Thea can’t let herself forget, that there is no place in her life for any type of romance.
Shepard “Shep” Colson is thirty four years old and is the owner of his own successful construction company. Ever since the first time he saw Thea, he has been coming up with any excuse imaginable to come in to either the bakery or the garden center where Thea works. He has no idea why she feels the need to keep herself walled off from everyone else but his imagination can come up with all sorts of reasons, every one of them making him crazy. All he can do is to continue to be friendly to her in hopes of gaining her trust. And when she needs his help at her house with her pipes, he sees it as his chance to really prove to her that she is important to him and will do whatever it takes, go as slow as she needs, to win her over.
No matter how far you run or how hard you try to cover your tracks, though, it seems like the past finds you anyway. And in Thea’s case, it’s exactly what happened. Should she run again or stay and fight this time? Is she willing to walk away from Shep and his amazing family and the friends she has made in this wonderful town?
I love this little town and it’s residents that are more like family. It truly seems to be a place for healing, a place for hope. I loved Thea and Shep together. They were exactly what each other needed. Now all they have to do is stay alive long enough to find the happy ever after they both so deserve.
I love the Colson clan. Now I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series. This is a wonderful, swoony love story that will make your heart do that squeezy thing that I love so much.
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...
Thea Stewart has been in Sparrow Falls, Oregon for two years. She has done everything possible to live under the radar. Because Thea is hiding from a past she never wants to come face to face with again. She loves Sparrow Falls but she can never truly let her guard down. Her house is old and when some leaky pipes in the bathroom prove to be beyond her do it yourself capabilities, she is forced to accept help from Shep. The same man who always stops in to the bakery where she works with a kind smile. Also the same man who is unfairly gorgeous. Because there is one thing Thea can’t let herself forget, that there is no place in her life for any type of romance.
Shepard “Shep” Colson is thirty four years old and is the owner of his own successful construction company. Ever since the first time he saw Thea, he has been coming up with any excuse imaginable to come in to either the bakery or the garden center where Thea works. He has no idea why she feels the need to keep herself walled off from everyone else but his imagination can come up with all sorts of reasons, every one of them making him crazy. All he can do is to continue to be friendly to her in hopes of gaining her trust. And when she needs his help at her house with her pipes, he sees it as his chance to really prove to her that she is important to him and will do whatever it takes, go as slow as she needs, to win her over.
No matter how far you run or how hard you try to cover your tracks, though, it seems like the past finds you anyway. And in Thea’s case, it’s exactly what happened. Should she run again or stay and fight this time? Is she willing to walk away from Shep and his amazing family and the friends she has made in this wonderful town?
I love this little town and it’s residents that are more like family. It truly seems to be a place for healing, a place for hope. I loved Thea and Shep together. They were exactly what each other needed. Now all they have to do is stay alive long enough to find the happy ever after they both so deserve.
I love the Colson clan. Now I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series. This is a wonderful, swoony love story that will make your heart do that squeezy thing that I love so much.
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...
August 21, 2024
Wow. Delicate Escape is a romantic joy ride ripe with raw emotion and poignant imagery. It’s so much more than a spicy small town romance (although it does have spice in spades!) — it’s a beautiful exploration of healing, strength, and rebirth. Funny, charming, and tender, this book is as endearing as it is addicting. Easily my new favorite from Catherine Cowles!
August 22, 2024
thea and shep are here! happiest release day 🫶
this book was so fun!! thea has been on the run and landed in sparrow falls. she tries to keep her distance from everyone, but shep is having none of that. he is the most patient & kind mmc EVER!! he’s also dealing with some guilt from the events of book 1 and I just wanted to give him a hug.
like all of catherine’s books, this was so sweet and tender and the suspense is such a fun time. and I had no idea who the big bad was!! the reveal was so so insane. also like with catherine’s books the small town found family vibes were perfect. shep and anson’s friendship was so sweet!!
I love this series so much!
🎧 I was also super lucky to receive the audiobook so I read this with my eyes and ears, which has quickly become my fav way to read! it really helps my adhd and keeping focused and super invested in the story, and this time was no different. erin mallon read for thea and she was phenomenal!!! the emotions and vulnerability was unparalleled. and ofc my top fav male narrator teddy hamilton slayedddd. the two of them brought the characters to life and I had such an amazing time listening to their performances.
thank you so much, catherine, for the arc and alc! I love this series with my whole heart.
𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵
⟢ small town romance
⟢ acts of service mmc
⟢ forced proximity
⟢ romantic suspense
this book was so fun!! thea has been on the run and landed in sparrow falls. she tries to keep her distance from everyone, but shep is having none of that. he is the most patient & kind mmc EVER!! he’s also dealing with some guilt from the events of book 1 and I just wanted to give him a hug.
like all of catherine’s books, this was so sweet and tender and the suspense is such a fun time. and I had no idea who the big bad was!! the reveal was so so insane. also like with catherine’s books the small town found family vibes were perfect. shep and anson’s friendship was so sweet!!
I love this series so much!
🎧 I was also super lucky to receive the audiobook so I read this with my eyes and ears, which has quickly become my fav way to read! it really helps my adhd and keeping focused and super invested in the story, and this time was no different. erin mallon read for thea and she was phenomenal!!! the emotions and vulnerability was unparalleled. and ofc my top fav male narrator teddy hamilton slayedddd. the two of them brought the characters to life and I had such an amazing time listening to their performances.
thank you so much, catherine, for the arc and alc! I love this series with my whole heart.
𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵
⟢ small town romance
⟢ acts of service mmc
⟢ forced proximity
⟢ romantic suspense
August 24, 2024
DNF. I just can't with this type of writing. I want to be entertained not be given a headache with all the nonsense between first with the heroine's constant pushing away and then with H's dramalama with the pathetic OW who doesn't understand the "he-is-just-not-that-in-to-you" concept and "go get a life". OW is in the picture from start to finish, portrayed as very beautiful, sweet and basically a saint where as I rightfully call her a pathetic psychopath, and yet we have a very chickenshit Hero with no balls to tell her to F**k Off 'cause he doesn't want to hurt her feelings because she is such a nice lady and he feels soooo guilty for not returning her feelings and then in the end she gets a life (finally!) with OM and they all become friends. Oye!
Safety Info:
Safety Info:
August 23, 2024
I had a feeling this book would be a new favorite, and I was absolutely right! 💗
I already knew I would love this because I literally adore everything of Catherine’s, but I was EXTRA excited when I found out this would be black cat x golden retriever which is my all-time favorite trope — and this book didn’t disappoint!
Shep & Thea are soulmates, period. There’s just something about the dynamic of a closed-off woman who’s scared to love & a patient, determined man who loves her unconditionally that will do it for me EVERY SINGLE TIME! 😭 Shep doing all the little things to earn Thea’s trust, go entirely at her pace, make her feel safe, and protect her kind heart was truly everything to me. They slowly became each other’s person and safe space, and I loved every second of witnessing it 🥹 And the ‘Thorn’ nickname might just be my new favorite — like it was just SO PERFECT for them?!?
Yet again, Catherine has done her thing, and I’m absolutely obsessed with Shep & Thea! Their soft love will live on in my heart forever 🫶 And the romantic suspense and found family vibes were incredible as always! Sparrow Falls is easily becoming a favorite series of mine, and I’m already counting down the days until my return to this world.
Thank you so much to Catherine Cowles & her team for an ARC of this book 💌
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catherine never does me wrong!! i was so hooked and obsessed with this story from beginning to end, and shep & thea's soft love is everything to me like i truly could not be more in love with them :,)
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shepthea my black cat x golden retriever babies I AM SOOO READY FOR YOU!!!!
I already knew I would love this because I literally adore everything of Catherine’s, but I was EXTRA excited when I found out this would be black cat x golden retriever which is my all-time favorite trope — and this book didn’t disappoint!
Shep & Thea are soulmates, period. There’s just something about the dynamic of a closed-off woman who’s scared to love & a patient, determined man who loves her unconditionally that will do it for me EVERY SINGLE TIME! 😭 Shep doing all the little things to earn Thea’s trust, go entirely at her pace, make her feel safe, and protect her kind heart was truly everything to me. They slowly became each other’s person and safe space, and I loved every second of witnessing it 🥹 And the ‘Thorn’ nickname might just be my new favorite — like it was just SO PERFECT for them?!?
Yet again, Catherine has done her thing, and I’m absolutely obsessed with Shep & Thea! Their soft love will live on in my heart forever 🫶 And the romantic suspense and found family vibes were incredible as always! Sparrow Falls is easily becoming a favorite series of mine, and I’m already counting down the days until my return to this world.
Thank you so much to Catherine Cowles & her team for an ARC of this book 💌
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catherine never does me wrong!! i was so hooked and obsessed with this story from beginning to end, and shep & thea's soft love is everything to me like i truly could not be more in love with them :,)
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
shepthea my black cat x golden retriever babies I AM SOOO READY FOR YOU!!!!
March 25, 2025
3.75 stars! Catherine Cowles gets me every time with the last 25% of her books. I was on the edge of my seat, and I didn't see that plot twist coming AT ALL. I loved Thea and Shep's black cat/golden retriever dynamic. They had amazing chemistry, and Shep was so patient and supportive. Delicate Escape definitely followed a similar plot structure as Fragile Sanctuary, but I still ate it up.
Thank you so much to Catherine Cowles for sending me a copy of Delicate Escape. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)
Thank you so much to Catherine Cowles for sending me a copy of Delicate Escape. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)
August 9, 2024
Started and couldn’t stop so I finished in one day! I had to know what the heck was going to happen!!
Shep…. Is legit the most perfect golden retriever mmc. He does no wrong. He said “I wanted to break something. No, I wanted to break someone. And that someone was whoever had put this level of fear in Thea. 😢
I loved Thea + Shep so much AND my jaw dropped at the end. Once again, Catherine blew me away 👏🏻👏🏻
Highlights:
“I trust you, Shep. Come inside.”
“You need someone to help carry the weight for a little. I might not be able to fix everything, but I can help carry the load.” STOPPPPP 😢😢
- small town
- romantic suspense
- roommates
- he falls first
- golden retriever mmc
- forced proximity
- she’s on the run
2 🌶️
Shep…. Is legit the most perfect golden retriever mmc. He does no wrong. He said “I wanted to break something. No, I wanted to break someone. And that someone was whoever had put this level of fear in Thea. 😢
I loved Thea + Shep so much AND my jaw dropped at the end. Once again, Catherine blew me away 👏🏻👏🏻
Highlights:
“I trust you, Shep. Come inside.”
“You need someone to help carry the weight for a little. I might not be able to fix everything, but I can help carry the load.” STOPPPPP 😢😢
- small town
- romantic suspense
- roommates
- he falls first
- golden retriever mmc
- forced proximity
- she’s on the run
2 🌶️
October 14, 2024
2 hits in a row??? oh catherine you beautiful girl! this book eatsssss i will say i wish the villain was someone else butttt regardless this was a GREAT small town suspense read, i’m truly impressed
August 23, 2024
⭐️ 3.25
MCs:
Shepherd / Shep (34)
Thea (age?)
Tropes:
🩵 Small town
🩵 Roommates
🩵 Suspense
🩵 Hidden identity
🩵 He falls first
🩵 Girl on the run
🩵 Golden Retriever x Black Cat
Info:
Prologue
Dual POV
Stalking
Emotional abuse (not between MCs)
Unwanted ow drama (see note)
Unwanted om drama (her crazy ex and some creepy guy)
No cheating
No virgins
Open door spice
No third-act breakup
Epilogue (1 yr later engaged)
HEA
OWD: This girl the H dated for six weeks (months ago) is trying to win him back. He didn’t feel anything and told her they should just be friends. She was fucking pathetic. I just wanted to shake her. (more info further down)
things I liked:
➤ He calls her ‘Thorn’
➤ He was so sweet and patient.
➤ The plot twist. I didn’t see it coming.
➤ This isn’t really about the book, but Sutton and Cope are going to get their own story!! Single mom with a kid that loves hockey and a NHL player?! Ugh so cute!
things I didn’t like:
➤ The ex was so annoying. She would always be around Shep asking if he needed anything, texting him, etc. She was doing all of this even when she knew he was with Thea. Even sometimes right in front of her. It got on my nerves that he wasn’t more clear or harsh about not wanting her. He didn’t want to “hurt her feelings”.
➤ Sometimes he would do that thing where the guy starts making decisions for both of them because they’re scared of how she may react or if they are moving too fast. He kind of treated her like she was glass, but that changed after a little bit.
➤ I got a bored and skimmed a little (maybe a lot).
➤ I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this series. I keep comparing it to her other two series I read (and LOVED).
quotes
“Why are you putting up with me?”
“Because everything about you screams that you’ve been fighting alone for too damn long, Thorn. You need someone to help carry the weight for a little while. I might not be able to fix everything, but I can help carry the load.”
When Thea stepped out, the sun hit her, and I sucked in a sharp breath. That was the kind of beauty Thea had. The type that sucked the air right out of your lungs.
I loved her. It didn’t matter that Thea was her middle name or that she really had blond hair. I loved the woman beneath it all. A part of me knew I’d love her in any incarnation she dreamt up. Because it was her.
MCs:
Shepherd / Shep (34)
Thea (age?)
Tropes:
🩵 Small town
🩵 Roommates
🩵 Suspense
🩵 Hidden identity
🩵 He falls first
🩵 Girl on the run
🩵 Golden Retriever x Black Cat
Info:
Prologue
Dual POV
Stalking
Emotional abuse (not between MCs)
Unwanted ow drama (see note)
Unwanted om drama (her crazy ex and some creepy guy)
No cheating
No virgins
Open door spice
No third-act breakup
Epilogue (1 yr later engaged)
HEA
OWD: This girl the H dated for six weeks (months ago) is trying to win him back. He didn’t feel anything and told her they should just be friends. She was fucking pathetic. I just wanted to shake her. (more info further down)
things I liked:
➤ He calls her ‘Thorn’
➤ He was so sweet and patient.
➤ The plot twist. I didn’t see it coming.
➤ This isn’t really about the book, but Sutton and Cope are going to get their own story!! Single mom with a kid that loves hockey and a NHL player?! Ugh so cute!
things I didn’t like:
➤ The ex was so annoying. She would always be around Shep asking if he needed anything, texting him, etc. She was doing all of this even when she knew he was with Thea. Even sometimes right in front of her. It got on my nerves that he wasn’t more clear or harsh about not wanting her. He didn’t want to “hurt her feelings”.
➤ Sometimes he would do that thing where the guy starts making decisions for both of them because they’re scared of how she may react or if they are moving too fast. He kind of treated her like she was glass, but that changed after a little bit.
➤ I got a bored and skimmed a little (maybe a lot).
➤ I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this series. I keep comparing it to her other two series I read (and LOVED).
quotes
“Why are you putting up with me?”
“Because everything about you screams that you’ve been fighting alone for too damn long, Thorn. You need someone to help carry the weight for a little while. I might not be able to fix everything, but I can help carry the load.”
When Thea stepped out, the sun hit her, and I sucked in a sharp breath. That was the kind of beauty Thea had. The type that sucked the air right out of your lungs.
I loved her. It didn’t matter that Thea was her middle name or that she really had blond hair. I loved the woman beneath it all. A part of me knew I’d love her in any incarnation she dreamt up. Because it was her.
January 7, 2025
The first book set the bar high and somehow this one managed to exceed it 😭 I'm obsessed with the way Catherine Cowles writes her characters with so much care and depth.
This one had me crying in theclubroom. What Thea was going through was horrible 😭 and Shep was the greatest MMC, so kind, understanding and patient 🥹
The twist at the end really got me this time. I was certain I knew who was behind everything and I was completely wrong 🫣
This one had me crying in the
The twist at the end really got me this time. I was certain I knew who was behind everything and I was completely wrong 🫣
July 24, 2025
another one thank you <3
December 7, 2024
Catherine seriously knows what she is doing. I have found myself thinking how an author who has a similar MO in her books- small town with strong FMCs and suspense- does such a wonderful job of separating her characters and the plots from each other. They are all just perfectly different, and this one was great! I am REALLY enjoying this town and these characters. I was really curious to see who Shep would end up with after reading book 1- and then we met Thea and they were perfect. She had this super mysterious, extremely standoffish vibe about her, but Shep being Shep wouldn't stay away. He found a way to get her to trust him. He showed up constantly with food or things to fix up her house. He showed her he was interested and willing but he needed her to take the next steps and when she did it was HOT and PERFECT! I do love the lingering danger in Catherine's books. It felt like every time Thea would let her walls down a little bit, the threat would be reminded.
Thea is here for one reason and one reason only to be under the radar. She didn't mean to make friends or start to have people be invested in her. She didn't mean to catch the eye of her BF's brother who she happens to think us beyond handsome- yes Shep. But now that she has caught his eye, it's like he won't stop trying to help her and let him in. She knows she shouldn't but the man is just everything she has ever wanted. He is observant and has learned what she likes. He brings over 17 different things from the diner to make sure he gets what she likes. He listens to her and tells her things he hasn't told people. And then of course there is the tension between them. It keeps ratcheting higher and higher. And then he reenacts scenes from the books she likes and OMG this is what this is supposed to feel like. But Thea has to remind herself that she is closed off for a reason. She let her guard down to far this time and she might not only lose herself but the love of her life in the process.
Shep considers himself a protector. He wants to be there for people when they need him. He is persistent. At the same time, he hasn't found his person yet. Until he meets Thea. His sister's best friend. She is beyond closed off. She is like a scared animal that has been backed into a corner. But he knows how to work with that. He shows up and holds out his hand. Over and over again. He brings her food. He offers to help with her house. He offers to help her however he can. And to his dismay she starts to open up to him and it's like winning the lottery. She is everything. She is so strong but can't see it. Now his mission is to show her how amazing she is. He knows there are things she isn't telling him. He knows that she has a past. But he plans to be there for her. But then things happen so quickly and he realizes he might be too late. He has to save her though. He has to help her understand what she means to him and that she isn't this delicate person she thinks but in fact the strongest person he knows. He just has to get there in time to tell her!
This rollercoaster was once again wonderful. And man if I didn't think I figured out who the bad guy was only to once again be WRONG. Catherine how do you do it- I haven't been able to figure one out yet HAHA. I loved the healing on both parts in this one. Thea helped Shep work through the anxiety and things he had been dealing with that he hadn't told anyone. And then Shep helped Thea open up and show her how deserving she was of not only his love but everyone's. There is something so amazing about a man falling first and HARD and then helping to unravel his lady and lean on his love!
I am SOOO pumped for Cope and Sutton!! If you haven't started this series, I can't recommend it enough. You've got found family. Small town. Suspense. Hot spicy scenes. Wonderful chemistry with the added element of SUSPENSE!
Thea is here for one reason and one reason only to be under the radar. She didn't mean to make friends or start to have people be invested in her. She didn't mean to catch the eye of her BF's brother who she happens to think us beyond handsome- yes Shep. But now that she has caught his eye, it's like he won't stop trying to help her and let him in. She knows she shouldn't but the man is just everything she has ever wanted. He is observant and has learned what she likes. He brings over 17 different things from the diner to make sure he gets what she likes. He listens to her and tells her things he hasn't told people. And then of course there is the tension between them. It keeps ratcheting higher and higher. And then he reenacts scenes from the books she likes and OMG this is what this is supposed to feel like. But Thea has to remind herself that she is closed off for a reason. She let her guard down to far this time and she might not only lose herself but the love of her life in the process.
Shep considers himself a protector. He wants to be there for people when they need him. He is persistent. At the same time, he hasn't found his person yet. Until he meets Thea. His sister's best friend. She is beyond closed off. She is like a scared animal that has been backed into a corner. But he knows how to work with that. He shows up and holds out his hand. Over and over again. He brings her food. He offers to help with her house. He offers to help her however he can. And to his dismay she starts to open up to him and it's like winning the lottery. She is everything. She is so strong but can't see it. Now his mission is to show her how amazing she is. He knows there are things she isn't telling him. He knows that she has a past. But he plans to be there for her. But then things happen so quickly and he realizes he might be too late. He has to save her though. He has to help her understand what she means to him and that she isn't this delicate person she thinks but in fact the strongest person he knows. He just has to get there in time to tell her!
This rollercoaster was once again wonderful. And man if I didn't think I figured out who the bad guy was only to once again be WRONG. Catherine how do you do it- I haven't been able to figure one out yet HAHA. I loved the healing on both parts in this one. Thea helped Shep work through the anxiety and things he had been dealing with that he hadn't told anyone. And then Shep helped Thea open up and show her how deserving she was of not only his love but everyone's. There is something so amazing about a man falling first and HARD and then helping to unravel his lady and lean on his love!
I am SOOO pumped for Cope and Sutton!! If you haven't started this series, I can't recommend it enough. You've got found family. Small town. Suspense. Hot spicy scenes. Wonderful chemistry with the added element of SUSPENSE!
August 26, 2024
“𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠…𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞. 𝐀𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥.”💞
If you’ve ever wanted to read a book that makes you believe in real love then I highly recommend Delicate Escape.
Catherine absolutely smashed it out the park with Thea and Shep’s story. I honestly found it impossible to not fall in love with them.
Since reading Fragile Sanctuary, Thea’s character always intrigued me as I knew there would be a backstory there. She was always so cautious about things like getting her photo taken and technology. It was obvious that she was hiding from something. Flash forward to Delicate Escape and we get to see how much of a strong woman Thea is and what she has been through. She has easily grown to be one of my favourite fmc’s. I loved seeing her finally find her people and be able to feel comfortable enough to open up to others after hiding for so long.
I already loved Shep’s character from Fragile Sanctuary, and we already know how much he cares about his family. For Shep, family always comes first and he cares so deeply about others. I loved how head over heels Shep was for Thea, and when the time came he took his time with her, making sure she felt comfortable every step of the way. The way that Shep loved Thea is the way that any woman deserves to be loved. That man literally put his own life at risk to save the woman he loves. If that’s not true love, I don’t know what is.
One of the main things I loved about Shep and Thea’s relationship was how naturally it developed. It felt so pure and we had moments of them gradually opening up with each other throughout the storyline. It was really nice being able to see when grow more comfortable with each other as well as finding happiness with the other. They have easily become one of my most favourite book couples. They’re just so pure that I want to protect them with every fibre of my being.
As always, Catherine’s books have an amazing found family. I couldn’t help but tear up over how accepting the Colson family was towards Thea. It was everything she deserved and more. I also really loved how supportive Anson was every step of the way for Shep and how he didn’t hesitate to help Thea out too.
Ah, what can I say about Shep’s grandmother, Lolli. She’s comedy gold. I love the way she loves to embarrass everyone. Who doesn’t want a grandmother who makes you dick looking canvas art and tells you to get high?
Anyone who has read Catherine’s books will know that that last 25% of the book always has you on the edge of your seat. She does so well at placing her suspense plot throughout the book that you really get a blast out of guessing who could be the perpetrator behind everything. Personally, I felt the storyline for this one was so good.
Overall, I thought this book was absolutely beautiful and would highly recommend.
If you’ve ever wanted to read a book that makes you believe in real love then I highly recommend Delicate Escape.
Catherine absolutely smashed it out the park with Thea and Shep’s story. I honestly found it impossible to not fall in love with them.
Since reading Fragile Sanctuary, Thea’s character always intrigued me as I knew there would be a backstory there. She was always so cautious about things like getting her photo taken and technology. It was obvious that she was hiding from something. Flash forward to Delicate Escape and we get to see how much of a strong woman Thea is and what she has been through. She has easily grown to be one of my favourite fmc’s. I loved seeing her finally find her people and be able to feel comfortable enough to open up to others after hiding for so long.
I already loved Shep’s character from Fragile Sanctuary, and we already know how much he cares about his family. For Shep, family always comes first and he cares so deeply about others. I loved how head over heels Shep was for Thea, and when the time came he took his time with her, making sure she felt comfortable every step of the way. The way that Shep loved Thea is the way that any woman deserves to be loved. That man literally put his own life at risk to save the woman he loves. If that’s not true love, I don’t know what is.
One of the main things I loved about Shep and Thea’s relationship was how naturally it developed. It felt so pure and we had moments of them gradually opening up with each other throughout the storyline. It was really nice being able to see when grow more comfortable with each other as well as finding happiness with the other. They have easily become one of my most favourite book couples. They’re just so pure that I want to protect them with every fibre of my being.
As always, Catherine’s books have an amazing found family. I couldn’t help but tear up over how accepting the Colson family was towards Thea. It was everything she deserved and more. I also really loved how supportive Anson was every step of the way for Shep and how he didn’t hesitate to help Thea out too.
Ah, what can I say about Shep’s grandmother, Lolli. She’s comedy gold. I love the way she loves to embarrass everyone. Who doesn’t want a grandmother who makes you dick looking canvas art and tells you to get high?
Anyone who has read Catherine’s books will know that that last 25% of the book always has you on the edge of your seat. She does so well at placing her suspense plot throughout the book that you really get a blast out of guessing who could be the perpetrator behind everything. Personally, I felt the storyline for this one was so good.
Overall, I thought this book was absolutely beautiful and would highly recommend.
January 6, 2025
4.25 🌟💖 such a sweet love story!! Shep and Thea are so pure so sweet I just want to hug both of them. Shep is the cinnamon roll, down bad mmc of everyone’s dreams and I looooved how in love he was. This man would do quite literally anything to make Thea happy and comfortable without crossing boundaries and I LOVED HIM!! Thea is a little prickly and closed off for good reasons and her story made my heart hurt. I loved watching her blossom with Shep’s support but also on her own. The pacing of their romance was so good and authentic. I loved all the side characters, especially Anson. I liked him just fine in book one but loved him in this book idk I just love a supportive friend. The mystery/suspense element of this one was a little tough to read but it turned around in the end. There was one plot line that I was on edge about and was wondering how it plays into the story so the twist at the end involving it rlly got me. Loved the small town, the friendships, the pacing of the story, the characters, pretty much all of it. Can’t wait for the next one😇
September 2, 2024
3.5-4⭐️ For the longest time, I had written off romantic suspense as a sub-genre that just wasn’t for me…
And then I began reading Catherine Cowles and realized that romantic suspense, when done right, gives me all the emotional angst I love, but up a notch.
It’s been so much fun to enter the world of Sparrow Falls and into the lives and hearts of the Colson family. They are fun, loyal, intense, devoted, and will go to no ends to defend their own. Each installment allows us a peek more behind the curtain, as this one does with Thea and Shep. Watching these two come into their own both as individuals and together was my favorite part of their story.
With humor, heart and spice, this series is one I cannot wait to continue.
Read if you like:
▪️golden retriever x black cat
▪️hidden identity
▪️he falls first
▪️roommates to lovers
▪️overcoming trauma
▪️small town
▪️found family
Thank you Catherine Cowles for the gifted copies.
And then I began reading Catherine Cowles and realized that romantic suspense, when done right, gives me all the emotional angst I love, but up a notch.
It’s been so much fun to enter the world of Sparrow Falls and into the lives and hearts of the Colson family. They are fun, loyal, intense, devoted, and will go to no ends to defend their own. Each installment allows us a peek more behind the curtain, as this one does with Thea and Shep. Watching these two come into their own both as individuals and together was my favorite part of their story.
With humor, heart and spice, this series is one I cannot wait to continue.
Read if you like:
▪️golden retriever x black cat
▪️hidden identity
▪️he falls first
▪️roommates to lovers
▪️overcoming trauma
▪️small town
▪️found family
Thank you Catherine Cowles for the gifted copies.
August 25, 2024
Okay, I’m gonna be real here—I was super conflicted about how to rate this one. It had potential, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. There were some enjoyable moments, but the unnecessary drama, especially involving the other woman (OW) that lingered from start to finish, really dragged the story down. It was hard to stay fully invested.
✧ He Falls First 💖
✧ Roommates-to-Lovers 💘
✧ Golden Retriever x Black Cat 💕
✧ Woman on the Run 🏃♀️
✧ Found Family 💞
✧ Slow Burn 🔥
✧ Protective Hero 🛡️
✧ Small Town Romance 🌲
✧ Past Trauma 💔
What I Liked:
The small-town vibes of Sparrow Falls? Loved them. 💕 The way everyone was like a big, warm family made me want to pack up and move there. Thea and Shep had some seriously sweet moments that made my heart do that squeezy thing, especially when Shep was all protective and caring. I mean, who doesn’t want a golden retriever-type hero who’s ready to fight off your demons while fixing your leaky pipes? 😍 Also, Shep’s backstory was heartbreaking yet beautiful, and his journey of overcoming guilt and learning to trust again was touching.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
The pacing felt off, like it took forever to get to the good stuff. And don’t even get me started on the OW drama. 😤 It felt so unnecessary and just added to the drag. I wanted more focus on the main couple’s development rather than the constant interruptions from the past. Also, for a romantic suspense, the suspense part wasn’t as gripping as I’d hoped. I wanted to be on the edge of my seat, but instead, I was more like... comfortably leaning back.
Content Warnings (CW):
- Domestic abuse
- Stalking
- Violence
- PTSD
- Trauma recovery
In the end, Delicate Escape was a bit of a mixed bag for me. It had its charming moments and a hero who’s all heart, but the pacing and unnecessary drama kept it from being a standout read. If you’re a fan of slow-burn romances with a protective hero and don’t mind some extra baggage in the plot, you might still enjoy this one. For me, though, it’s a 3.5-star read—had some good moments but didn’t completely win me over. 📚
I'm excited about the next book in the series, Broken Harbor, which is Cope & Sutton's story—a single mom, hockey hero, small-town romance. Can’t wait to see how that one plays out! ✨
✧ He Falls First 💖
✧ Roommates-to-Lovers 💘
✧ Golden Retriever x Black Cat 💕
✧ Woman on the Run 🏃♀️
✧ Found Family 💞
✧ Slow Burn 🔥
✧ Protective Hero 🛡️
✧ Small Town Romance 🌲
✧ Past Trauma 💔
What I Liked:
The small-town vibes of Sparrow Falls? Loved them. 💕 The way everyone was like a big, warm family made me want to pack up and move there. Thea and Shep had some seriously sweet moments that made my heart do that squeezy thing, especially when Shep was all protective and caring. I mean, who doesn’t want a golden retriever-type hero who’s ready to fight off your demons while fixing your leaky pipes? 😍 Also, Shep’s backstory was heartbreaking yet beautiful, and his journey of overcoming guilt and learning to trust again was touching.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
The pacing felt off, like it took forever to get to the good stuff. And don’t even get me started on the OW drama. 😤 It felt so unnecessary and just added to the drag. I wanted more focus on the main couple’s development rather than the constant interruptions from the past. Also, for a romantic suspense, the suspense part wasn’t as gripping as I’d hoped. I wanted to be on the edge of my seat, but instead, I was more like... comfortably leaning back.
Content Warnings (CW):
- Domestic abuse
- Stalking
- Violence
- PTSD
- Trauma recovery
In the end, Delicate Escape was a bit of a mixed bag for me. It had its charming moments and a hero who’s all heart, but the pacing and unnecessary drama kept it from being a standout read. If you’re a fan of slow-burn romances with a protective hero and don’t mind some extra baggage in the plot, you might still enjoy this one. For me, though, it’s a 3.5-star read—had some good moments but didn’t completely win me over. 📚
I'm excited about the next book in the series, Broken Harbor, which is Cope & Sutton's story—a single mom, hockey hero, small-town romance. Can’t wait to see how that one plays out! ✨
December 31, 2024
— 4.25 stars ✰
“I'd risk losing my life to save Thea because, without her, I knew I wouldn't truly be living anyway.”
This was such an anticipated read and overall it met most of my expectations! I absolutely adored and related to Shep and Thea on an incredibly deep and personal level. I truly just loved them so much as our main characters.
I loved how even when Thea and Shep weren’t together yet they were kind of just in their own little world 🥹💗. I also loved how patient and calm Shep was with Thea 😖.
I loved how this book showed the complexities of both Thea and Shep. They were genuinely such a sweet and heartwarming couple 🤍. Also anytime Shep called Thea ‘baby’ I think I must’ve died and went to heaven 😭. Love them both so bad omfg 🤧.
However the reason it isn’t a higher rating is because it did feel like there was an element missing. I found myself a bit bored throughout and wished that there was a little something more added to the story.
“That was true enough. Because she'd changed him.
Healed something in him that had brought him back to life. And that was the most precious gift.”
“Shep had parts of me I hadn't been sure still existed coming back to life.”
‘Shep's thumb swept back and forth across my hand.
"Love the way you see the world."’
"You're always taking care of everyone in your orbit. How about you let me take care of you for once?" I stared down at Thea. She always saw more than the average person. "Okay."
“It was as if he was memorizing the feel of me.”
"You can't be with me every moment of every day," I said softly. "I want to be."
‘Shep's thumb ghosted over my bottom lip. "I'm in awe of you." I blinked up at him. "So fucking strong."’
"I like the way you see me." He stared down at me, his gaze locked on mine. "I just see the truth."
“You're a goddamn temptress, Thorn."
꒰🌷⊹ ࣪ pre-read review ᯓᡣ𐭩
sitting somewhere between a 3.75 and a 4 idk. rtc!!
“I'd risk losing my life to save Thea because, without her, I knew I wouldn't truly be living anyway.”
This was such an anticipated read and overall it met most of my expectations! I absolutely adored and related to Shep and Thea on an incredibly deep and personal level. I truly just loved them so much as our main characters.
I loved how even when Thea and Shep weren’t together yet they were kind of just in their own little world 🥹💗. I also loved how patient and calm Shep was with Thea 😖.
I loved how this book showed the complexities of both Thea and Shep. They were genuinely such a sweet and heartwarming couple 🤍. Also anytime Shep called Thea ‘baby’ I think I must’ve died and went to heaven 😭. Love them both so bad omfg 🤧.
However the reason it isn’t a higher rating is because it did feel like there was an element missing. I found myself a bit bored throughout and wished that there was a little something more added to the story.
“That was true enough. Because she'd changed him.
Healed something in him that had brought him back to life. And that was the most precious gift.”
“Shep had parts of me I hadn't been sure still existed coming back to life.”
‘Shep's thumb swept back and forth across my hand.
"Love the way you see the world."’
"You're always taking care of everyone in your orbit. How about you let me take care of you for once?" I stared down at Thea. She always saw more than the average person. "Okay."
“It was as if he was memorizing the feel of me.”
"You can't be with me every moment of every day," I said softly. "I want to be."
‘Shep's thumb ghosted over my bottom lip. "I'm in awe of you." I blinked up at him. "So fucking strong."’
"I like the way you see me." He stared down at me, his gaze locked on mine. "I just see the truth."
“You're a goddamn temptress, Thorn."
꒰🌷⊹ ࣪ pre-read review ᯓᡣ𐭩
sitting somewhere between a 3.75 and a 4 idk. rtc!!
August 12, 2024
5 ⭐️ Read!!
I absolutely adored the first book in the series and was wondering how she would top it and she did that and so much more with this book.
Shepard was the ultimate golden retriever and I would honestly give anything to have a man like that by my side. The way he was so gentle with Thea throughout the whole book was such a turn on. He knew exactly what she could handle at any given moment. 🥹
Thea, my queen. I really enjoyed watching her grow and become more sure of herself as the book evolved. Getting insight into how her past traumas were affecting her really added to the book and her as a character.
The two of them together were an unstoppable force. They were honestly the perfect couple.
You can’t forget about good Lolli and the rest of the family. If I had to have a family, they would be the perfect one to be a part of.
Also, the twist! I never saw it coming and was shocked!
I absolutely adored the first book in the series and was wondering how she would top it and she did that and so much more with this book.
Shepard was the ultimate golden retriever and I would honestly give anything to have a man like that by my side. The way he was so gentle with Thea throughout the whole book was such a turn on. He knew exactly what she could handle at any given moment. 🥹
Thea, my queen. I really enjoyed watching her grow and become more sure of herself as the book evolved. Getting insight into how her past traumas were affecting her really added to the book and her as a character.
The two of them together were an unstoppable force. They were honestly the perfect couple.
You can’t forget about good Lolli and the rest of the family. If I had to have a family, they would be the perfect one to be a part of.
Also, the twist! I never saw it coming and was shocked!
January 14, 2025
If you read one book by Catherine Cowles you’ve kind of read them all and yet I’m a complete sucker for them
April 4, 2025
I’m so obsessed with the sparrow falls series and I can’t wait to carry on this series! I love that these books keep me on my toes and it makes me never want to put them down!
August 23, 2024
✨Perfection.✨
The audiobook was fantastic.
📖 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐬
🎧 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐧 & 𝐓𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧
"𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘨𝘭𝘺."
This book was absolutely everything I needed from a romantic suspense novel. I have once again been absolutely bamboozled by Catherine Cowles with the villain reveal. I was NEVER going to be able guess this one. Up until the very end I had like 5 suspects. Catherine’s books are the reason I have trust issues. 🤣
Thea fled an abusive ex and ended up in Sparrow Falls. She’s built a life for herself there with her cat Moose. When local contractor, Shepard Colson offers to help her fix water damage in her home she is hesitant to allow someone into her safe space. As they get closer and he is in need of a place to stay for a few weeks, she offers to let him stay with her.
Shep can see the secrets in Thea’s eyes. He knows she has been burned before and that winning her trust will be just as hard as winning her heart. Shep carries guilt over his brother’s girlfriend being attacked. Now he doesn’t trust himself to be able to protect those closest to him. When Thea is threatened by her past, he will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
Thea said this line and it’s pretty much the embodiment of my feelings for Shep. 🤣🥹
“𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘱.“
Girllllll, I also want to know what it would be like to drown in Shepard Colson. This man had me freaking entranced right along side Thea. He was abandoned as a baby and adopted into the Colson family. He constantly feels like he’s not enough and that broke my heart. ❤️🩹
Thea was shamed by her ex for things that brought her joy like her love of romance books. Shep was able to break through her walls and help her to begin healing.
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘯, 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴."
This is definitely a slow burn romance with the spice not kicking in until the second half of the book. The tension and spice was definitely worth the wait because Shep is a man who GIVES. 🔥🫠
"𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘨."
Lolli was back in all her glory! This woman had me absolutely cracking up. Her diamond art once again was PRICELESS. 🍆🎃🤣
If I could crawl into a book series it would be this one. Every single character is so captivating and I need to know all of their happy endings!
If you are a romantic suspense lover, you obviously already know about Catherine Cowles! If you are ready for a story about a woman on the run and a man who will burn down the world to protect her, go add 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐬 to your TBR ASAP! The audiobook narrated by 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐧 & 𝐓𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧, was a WORK OF ART! I highly recommend giving it a listen.
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
😱 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦
🎭 𝘏𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘐𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘺
🐶 𝘎𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘹 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘊𝘢𝘵
🏡 𝘙𝘰𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴-𝘵𝘰-𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
💛 𝘏𝘦 𝘍𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵
🔥 𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯 + 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘺
👵🏻 𝘏𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘺
🪴 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘹 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘳
🐈⬛ 𝘊𝘢𝘵 𝘔𝘰𝘮
🫶🏼 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺
The audiobook was fantastic.
📖 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐬
🎧 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐧 & 𝐓𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧
"𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘨𝘭𝘺."
This book was absolutely everything I needed from a romantic suspense novel. I have once again been absolutely bamboozled by Catherine Cowles with the villain reveal. I was NEVER going to be able guess this one. Up until the very end I had like 5 suspects. Catherine’s books are the reason I have trust issues. 🤣
Thea fled an abusive ex and ended up in Sparrow Falls. She’s built a life for herself there with her cat Moose. When local contractor, Shepard Colson offers to help her fix water damage in her home she is hesitant to allow someone into her safe space. As they get closer and he is in need of a place to stay for a few weeks, she offers to let him stay with her.
Shep can see the secrets in Thea’s eyes. He knows she has been burned before and that winning her trust will be just as hard as winning her heart. Shep carries guilt over his brother’s girlfriend being attacked. Now he doesn’t trust himself to be able to protect those closest to him. When Thea is threatened by her past, he will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
Thea said this line and it’s pretty much the embodiment of my feelings for Shep. 🤣🥹
“𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘱.“
Girllllll, I also want to know what it would be like to drown in Shepard Colson. This man had me freaking entranced right along side Thea. He was abandoned as a baby and adopted into the Colson family. He constantly feels like he’s not enough and that broke my heart. ❤️🩹
Thea was shamed by her ex for things that brought her joy like her love of romance books. Shep was able to break through her walls and help her to begin healing.
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘯, 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴."
This is definitely a slow burn romance with the spice not kicking in until the second half of the book. The tension and spice was definitely worth the wait because Shep is a man who GIVES. 🔥🫠
"𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘨."
Lolli was back in all her glory! This woman had me absolutely cracking up. Her diamond art once again was PRICELESS. 🍆🎃🤣
If I could crawl into a book series it would be this one. Every single character is so captivating and I need to know all of their happy endings!
If you are a romantic suspense lover, you obviously already know about Catherine Cowles! If you are ready for a story about a woman on the run and a man who will burn down the world to protect her, go add 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐬 to your TBR ASAP! The audiobook narrated by 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐧 & 𝐓𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧, was a WORK OF ART! I highly recommend giving it a listen.
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
😱 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦
🎭 𝘏𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘐𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘺
🐶 𝘎𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘹 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘊𝘢𝘵
🏡 𝘙𝘰𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴-𝘵𝘰-𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
💛 𝘏𝘦 𝘍𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵
🔥 𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯 + 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘺
👵🏻 𝘏𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘺
🪴 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘹 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘳
🐈⬛ 𝘊𝘢𝘵 𝘔𝘰𝘮
🫶🏼 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺
September 3, 2024
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻🦸🏻♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.75
you’re my home
First Impressions
Fragile Sanctuary was such an amazing read! I had seen some mixed reviews on it, so I did put it off for a little while, but I am more than thrilled that I decided to finally pick this one up because it was beyond beautiful and it truly captured my attention once the story really got started. I think the only issue readers will have first glance is the first 10-15%, push past that and it will draw you in. There are aspects to the heroine's character that might be hard to get through, but there is a good reason for it. There are many poignant moments that enter the story, a true "twin flame" type of romance, with some strong levels of suspense and some surprises that I promise you won't see coming which is one of the aspects of Cowles writing that I truly love reading.
“Why are you putting up with me?” I asked, my voice little more than a hoarse whisper. Shep’s eyes locked with mine. “Because everything about you screams that you’ve been fighting alone for too damn long, Thorn. You need someone to help carry the weight for a little while. I might not be able to fix everything, but I can help carry the load.”
First Line
How many ways could you kill someone in your mind? Nikki and I had gotten creative over the past few months, coming up with some real gems.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Shepard Colson
The Heroine: Thea
“You’re worthy, Shepard Colson. You don’t have to fix anything to be that. You don’t have to dig a million trenches or replace feet of corroded piping. You’re worthy just for who you are.”
Summary
Thea is on the run from an abusive and manipulative ex, and she had to escape any technology fingerprint, and took nothing with her except her feline, and escape to a remote cabin and is learning to settle in this town of Sparrow Falls. Thea doesn't trust anyone, and she also has to be very careful how she interacts with others and keeps her life as simple and minimalistic as possible. She still battles some PTSD from her ex and is slowly working her way to trusting those around her. But when her best friend's brother reaches out to her to help her in a tough spot, she discovers a true connection with another man that she never imagined that she would find. But she wonders how long can she truly be safe or will she put the man she loves in the crosshairs of someone more dangerous than she imagined?
“I like you. Even when you were prickly as all hell, I admired it. There’s something real about you. An honesty you don’t see a lot these days. And there’s kindness. You might try to hide it beneath those thorns you love so much, but I’ve seen it. And, somehow, it’s more potent since you’re not using it for show. You’d rather have no one see you extending a hand to someone else. That’s why.”
What I Loved
Delicate Escape is the second book in the "Sparrow Falls" series and this one completely warmed my heart in every single way. I had no doubt that I would enjoy this one, but I was a bit put off by some of the reviews I saw, but no worries, this author KNOCKS it out of the park and with a prickly heroine no less which are heroines I normally struggle with but she really worked for this tortured golden hero who deserved to be loved and accepted as she does. In fact, I think it made sense for them to be together, because she understood that type of pain and self betrayal and damage and sees the man inside.
“But we can’t let one bad experience sour the rest of our lives. We can’t let the bad win. Make us stop living. If we lock ourselves down, we don’t just keep out the bad. We keep out the good, too.”
Their romance is slow at first. Thea doesn't trust easily, but Shep is so easy around her. He is careful and respectful of her boundaries, and only pushes when its what she needs. We really see how delicate he is with her and knows that she is running from a dark past, and at first only wants to be her friend. We see his true love and generosity for others, how he truly wants to help others and has such an open kind heart. This is the kind of man you want to marry and build a life with. Where is my golden boy Shep of my own?? haha
Once the romance really gets going, is where you will have a hard time putting this one down. There is such a intense emotional connection between them and this is where the philosophy of the yin yang really fit Shep and Thea. They both have tortured pasts, and are trying to find some comfort in their lives and learn how to see the other in a very real way. It was so interesting seeing how their relationship developed, because once Thea starts to learn to trust others, is where she begins to truly shine. And the way that Shep sees past the thorns to see the genuine hurt woman beneath was so captivating.
“Doesn’t take a lifetime to see a change in someone. Sometimes, it just takes one honest moment to reach them.”
The actual plot of the story was quite interesting, I am not sure I was really expecting how it was resolved. To be honest I never know what to expect when I go into a Catherine Cowles, but in this one, we really see something so different. I loved how the villain (other than her ex) was someone I gurantee NO ONE will see coming. Its someone that is the last person you see as a villain and I loved how Cowles will add in these twists and turns. I do wish her books had a bit more stronger feelings of suspense in them though. But she makes it work to appeal to readers that aren't fans of suspense like I am.
What I Struggled With
The beginning 10-15%. This is the hardest part of the book to get through. The heroine has a hard shell and is very prickly and doesn't trust anyone. But once you see past the thorns of the character and she learns to slowly open herself up to Shep, the book just BLOSSOMS!
“We can’t always see a person’s capacity for evil. But that doesn’t make us culpable. It just means we see the good in those around us.”
Narration
I did do half of this book in audio and it was just brilliant. If you love audiobooks, then I highly recommend this in audio and it has amazing narrators alongside it!
“Your heart is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever experienced. Beautiful because it’s been broken. Those cracks let it become something else entirely. Stronger. Wiser. The fiercest defender of anyone who needs it. And the gentlest confidante for anyone who needs understanding. You see it all. And you don’t look away. You come alongside without judgment, and you simply love. You can’t ask me to walk away from that after I’ve experienced it. It would be like living in the sun, only to exist entirely in darkness.”
Overall View
Delicate Escape was an astounding, heart stopping romance that will leave you breathless. It takes aspects of the human condition and delivers such poignant heart melting moments to make you literally swoon!
“You saw parts of me I didn’t think I’d ever let anyone into. You saw all of me. Healed things I didn’t even know were still broken. And there’s only one woman I’ve ever loved. You.”
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Light Romantic Suspense
Character Types: Blue Collar Hero, Prickly Heroine, Goldien Retriever/Cinnamon Roll Hero, Tortured Hero, Abused Heroine
Themes: Small Town, Tear Jerker, Prickly Heroine, You Touch Her and Die, Heart/Emotionally Touching, Pining Hero
Tropes: Opposites Attract, Unrequited Love
Book Perspective
Duo POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A mix of both but more plot than relationship.
If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Jennifer Ryan
Josie Jade
A.L. Jackson
Song This Book Inspires
Say Yes to Heaven by Lana Del Rey
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes
Steam/Spice Explanations
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Narrators:
Erin Mallon, Teddy Hamilton
October 2, 2024
“Why are you putting up with me?” I asked, my voice little more than a hoarse whisper. Shep’s eyes locked with mine. “Because everything about you screams that you’ve been fighting alone for too damn long, Thorn. You need someone to help carry the weight for a little while. I might not be able to fix everything, but I can help carry the load.”
I was so excited to get Shep & That's story and they were EVERYTHING!!! I felt so protective over Thea because what she went through was absolutely horrendous and I could totally understand her need to stay lowkey and be cautious. But it was obvious that in order to live her life, she had to come out of all that and I was so glad that Shep was so patient with her. The way he understood her and never pushed her to the point that she would get uncomfortable was commendable! This book was heavy at times but the side characters made it feel much more lighter! I liked seeing Anson & Rhodes again and I must say that, Sutton's story has caught my interest! I cannot wait to read all the next books in this series because these characters have quickly formed a place in my heart and I can't get enough! Overall, I loved Shep & Thea's chemistry. Their little moments made me feel all the butterflies but I thought that everything happened at once in the end and it was kind of chaotic. Still, I loved the epilogue and the way Shep protected and cared for Thea had my heart melting!
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review
I was so excited to get Shep & That's story and they were EVERYTHING!!! I felt so protective over Thea because what she went through was absolutely horrendous and I could totally understand her need to stay lowkey and be cautious. But it was obvious that in order to live her life, she had to come out of all that and I was so glad that Shep was so patient with her. The way he understood her and never pushed her to the point that she would get uncomfortable was commendable! This book was heavy at times but the side characters made it feel much more lighter! I liked seeing Anson & Rhodes again and I must say that, Sutton's story has caught my interest! I cannot wait to read all the next books in this series because these characters have quickly formed a place in my heart and I can't get enough! Overall, I loved Shep & Thea's chemistry. Their little moments made me feel all the butterflies but I thought that everything happened at once in the end and it was kind of chaotic. Still, I loved the epilogue and the way Shep protected and cared for Thea had my heart melting!
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review
August 22, 2024
Delicate Escape by Catherine Cowles 🪴
I really, really enjoyed this one. It was a book that I ended up binging in a day because I couldn't put it down. Shep and Thea's love was so tender. A story where both of them have a past that helped define who they are today in different ways. Thea is somewhat known as the town recluse. The prologue gives some background to what happened in her past which made her move to the small town and choose to keep her distance from people, but the full story comes later on in the book. She's understandably slow to trust anyone and I loved how patient Shep was with getting to know her. He never pressured her and gave her the space she needed. At the same time Shep did whatever he could to spend time around Thea... going to the bakery she worked at, offering to help her fix up things around her house, brining over dinner. It was so cute. You could tell that Thea wanted to let someone in but she was just nervous to open herself up to anyone again. Once Shep learns her past he wants to keep her safe but at the same time acknowledges how strong she is and reminds her of that.
While I wouldn't say you have to read the first book in this series to read this one, I would highly recommend it! It gives a little background to Thea and Shep which had me invested from reading and excited once I picked this one up. The found family aspect of the book from the siblings to the friends groups are my favorite. Then of course we have the hilarious grandma Lolli who makes me laugh every time.
Shep and Thea's softer moments were my favorite but I do have to mention the fact that Thea is a romance book reader and Shep gladly offers to reenact a scene from the book she's reading. I love him for that. The romance was done so well, but something I love about Catherine's books is the suspense element she always includes. Every time I think I have things figured out only to reach the twist at the end and be wrong about it.
🫶🏻 he falls first
👥 close proximity / roommates
🥰 golden retriever / black cat
❤️ found family
🤫 hidden identity
📖 spicy book reenacting
👏🏼 no third act breakup
🔎 suspense
dual POV
5/5 stars ⭐️
2/5 spice level 🌶️
I really, really enjoyed this one. It was a book that I ended up binging in a day because I couldn't put it down. Shep and Thea's love was so tender. A story where both of them have a past that helped define who they are today in different ways. Thea is somewhat known as the town recluse. The prologue gives some background to what happened in her past which made her move to the small town and choose to keep her distance from people, but the full story comes later on in the book. She's understandably slow to trust anyone and I loved how patient Shep was with getting to know her. He never pressured her and gave her the space she needed. At the same time Shep did whatever he could to spend time around Thea... going to the bakery she worked at, offering to help her fix up things around her house, brining over dinner. It was so cute. You could tell that Thea wanted to let someone in but she was just nervous to open herself up to anyone again. Once Shep learns her past he wants to keep her safe but at the same time acknowledges how strong she is and reminds her of that.
While I wouldn't say you have to read the first book in this series to read this one, I would highly recommend it! It gives a little background to Thea and Shep which had me invested from reading and excited once I picked this one up. The found family aspect of the book from the siblings to the friends groups are my favorite. Then of course we have the hilarious grandma Lolli who makes me laugh every time.
Shep and Thea's softer moments were my favorite but I do have to mention the fact that Thea is a romance book reader and Shep gladly offers to reenact a scene from the book she's reading. I love him for that. The romance was done so well, but something I love about Catherine's books is the suspense element she always includes. Every time I think I have things figured out only to reach the twist at the end and be wrong about it.
🫶🏻 he falls first
👥 close proximity / roommates
🥰 golden retriever / black cat
❤️ found family
🤫 hidden identity
📖 spicy book reenacting
👏🏼 no third act breakup
🔎 suspense
dual POV
5/5 stars ⭐️
2/5 spice level 🌶️
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