Fragile Sanctuary

By: Catherine Cowles

Narrated by: Zachary Webber, Andi Arndt

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

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

He’s everything I’m not: grumpy, rude, and more than a little attached to his solitude. It doesn’t matter how many times I try to kill him with kindness; the man simply won’t crack. Until he sees me shatter. Because when my world comes crashing down around me, Anson is the one catching me as I fall. And as so-called accidents start plaguing every part of my life, it’s Anson who steps in to keep me safe.

As he does, I can’t help but feel a flicker of heat. And it only takes a single moment for that spark to ignite into flames, engulfing us both. But Anson’s a man with secrets, and they have a price. When they’re revealed, neither of us will make it out unscathed…

©2024 Catherine Cowles (P)2024 Catherine Cowles

Absolute perfection!

The narration gives the extra dash to bring this book completely to life. 10/10

From the prologue to the last page I couldn’t put this book down. The prologue had me sobbing. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who had done it and I loved every moment.

The tiny glimpse we got of Anson in Ashes of You I knew his story would be an amazing one. His backstory was so heartbreaking. He is such an amazing man and I loved seeing him throughout this story and how he came out of his shell more and more.

Rhodes past was equally heartbreaking! The emotions felt so real and I was rooting for her immediately. I adored Biscuit and all of Sparrow Falls.

The found family is unmatched. I love how different everyone is and how fiercely protective they are of each other. I can not wait for more of them. Especially Grandma Lolli and her flowers.

Grumpy Meets Sunshine

This book made me enjoy Catherine Cowles's books again. The FMC, Rhodes, is the sunshine to the MMC, Anson’s grumpiness. The serial killer element kept me guessing!

Love the Dual Narration!

Wow. This book was such an amazing start to the series, and I am dying to get my hands on the rest of them. First of all, meeting Anson in Ashes of You got me so invested in him as a character, and curious about what his backstory was. It was great to see how grumpy/closed off he was, and how that changes throughout the story. It felt like Rhoades was made for him. I loved getting to know Rhoades, and I loved the found family that she has. Every single sibling is someone I’m looking forward to getting a story about. I seriously feel like I need to know what their story is going to be! Not only are the characters amazing, there is also the overarching suspense plot that’s happening. There’s stuff happening to both Rhoades and Anson which readers get to see play out throughout the whole story. Seeing how they go through it and the impact it has not only on them, but everyone around them kept me so invested. Catherine did a wonderful job making it hard to guess the bad guy, as usual. I also loved how she introduced all the different characters throughout the book, and how we get a good taste of who they are and what’s in store for future books. I cannot wait for book 2, Delicate Escape. We get a single dad in there that I’m sure we’re all going to love as Catherine Cowles readers. 

I also think there was just something so special about Anson & Rhoades and the development of their relationship with the trauma that connected them. These two definitely had chemistry, and I liked how it builds up over the first half of the book. When they finally give in, it is so satisfying. Catherine just did such a good job with this one, and she really started the series with a bang! It reminded me of how I felt when I read her Tattered and Torn series–which I love so much! Sparrow Falls is definitely going to be a contender for one of my favorite series by Catherine Cowles.

One of my favorite books of all time

A non-spoiler review:
5 stars for such a well written and narrated story. I absolutely loved everything about this book. I initially was unsure if I wanted to read it when I saw the long list of book tropes it was promoted with, but thankfully, booktok continued to steer me in the right direction, and I quickly learned that my initial judgement was so wrong!

Catherine Cowles wrote the perfect balance of all the tropes and had me invested and falling in love with multiple characters, being suspicious of many, and going through a wide range of emotions that I felt deep down to my soul.

I am obsessed with Anson and Rhodes. They had the perfect amount of H@te-to-love for me. Sometimes I find that trope to sound bratty and annoying, but it was done perfectly. Their banter, the tension between them, the patience and understanding, the steamy scenes, the touch her and 💀scenes, the giddiness, love and laughter. This couple is everything!

I felt so immersed in the story that I’ll admit to walking around Michael’s while listening to the audiobook and looking at Diamond art kits: IYKYK. I want to say so much more, but I’ll save all of those fun extra details for you!

And I haven’t even touched on the suspense element, the trauma, and the serial unaliver, that has you on the edge of your seat and trying to play detective! I am so thankful to have been introduced to Catherine Cowles’ writing and discovering my love for the romantic suspense genre.

The narrators, Zachary Webber and Andi Arndt did a fantastic job. I have the audiobook, the ebook, and ordered an autographed copy. Did I mention I was obsessed with this book?

So…should you read this book? 100% yes!
I cannot wait for book 2 of the Sparrow Falls series, Delicate Escape, to be released this summer on August 22 (my husband’s birthday, which means I deserve to buy this book as a gift for myself, right?)

Please go read Fragile Sanctuary :)

New Favorite

I. Have. No. Words. Just read this book. Sooooo good!!! I love that it had a lot of my favorites. Just a hint of hockey- so I have a feeling we will get at least one hockey book in this series. Brothers BFF. Found Family. Grumpyxsunshine. With some serial killer/criminal minds vibes.

WOW!!!!

My mind was blown….. Just when I thought I knew who it was. I love the way this author does Romance & Suspense. Can’t wait for the next book!!!!

As for the narration it was PERFECTION! These two are my favorite, Andi A & Zackary W can read a phone book & I’ll buy it!!!!
Great start to the series

Loved it

Narration is awesome 👏🏻
Story and characters are amazing. Love Super Granny 😂 All the siblings are great, leaving me intrigued to learn their stories.
Eager for the next installment!

Amazing new series

All of the stars!!!! Every single one!
I just swooned over Anson HARD. He is broody and dreamy and closed off but when he opens to Rhodes it is pure perfection and just everything.
These two both have so much trauma and have such a connection. And are each other’s person in the times needed the most. They find healing in each other. Rhodes is so incredibly pure and kind and genuine and just this person that needs her heart and kindness protected and to have this person after her just tears you up. To see all the love and support surrounding her is incredible.

This book and especially the audio just made my heart scream in joy. Catherine’s books always are so fulfilling to read/listen to. They always come for me at a time when I need them most. I’ve told her she is kismet to me.

The narrators were perfection. Zachary Webber as Anson I couldn’t imagine any other way. And with Andi Arndt as Rhodes too, they are always a phenomenal duo. Just an ear treat!

Amazing Book

I enjoyed this book! The narration was on point. If I was to have a negative remark, it would only be that I wish they would’ve brought Lawson into the story and not just a tiny mention of him. However, the story, the emotions, the narration were amazing! Can’t wait for book 2

A great start to a new series

Fragile Sanctuary is a great start to a new series
Rhodes has lost her family when she was young and it’s time to rebuild what was lost even though she keeps things temporary in her life.
Anson’s past job is the reason he lost his sister so now he keeps to himself until he starts a project to rebuild Rhodes home.
Though there’s someone who still wants to harm them both.
As always a page turner and a favorite trope of mine, well you can pick one…Grumpy and Sunshine, brother’s best friend and even enemies to lovers…Anson is very grumpy with definite reasons and Rhodes is sunshine with clouds in the background definitely complex characters.
I switched between the book and the audio which the narrators did a fantastic job.
A must read and like me you’ll be counting down until the next one!