Fragile Sanctuary

De: Catherine Cowles

Narrado por: Zachary Webber, Andi Arndt

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

Anson & Rhodes Swoon!

“We were so different. Vibrant color and shades of gray. Bursting blooms and the darkest night.”

If anyone needs me, I’ll just be over here in a puddle of goo weeping for the next 2-4 business weeks. I have loved a lot of Catherine Cowles books, but Fragile Sanctuary is her best work yet! Anson and Rhodes are my new favorite couple. After nearly two decades avoiding her family home, Rhodes is ready to face her past and put down roots. Aside from work, Anson has been hiding out in Sparrow Falls under a cloud of mystery. Thinking he can escape his past, Anson refuses social invitations and shuts out even his closest friend. An awkward, not-so cute meet sparks an undesired connection between Anson and Rhodes. I loved the dynamic between Rhodes and Anson from start to finish. Animosity to friends to lovers is one of my favorite relationship progressions in romance and this one was heartachingly perfect. Rho’s found family is the best blend of heart, comic relief, and deeply caring sibling dynamics. Lolli is one of the best meddling grandmas ever! Fragile Sanctuary was a fantastically suspenseful, emotional rollercoaster! The twists were totally unexpected. I loved the way Catherine unfolded Anson and Rho’s individual journeys and tied their shared journey together. Catherine is the queen of small-town romantic suspense, but this chilling tale was next level!

Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber always bring Catherine’s love stories to life wonderfully. That these two were able to get clean takes without sobbing through the heartbreaking moments is truly impressive. Andi portrayed Rho’s anguish, kindness, and healing with an enthralling performance. Zach was the perfect choice to bring Anson’s brooding, guilt-ridden, bighearted genius character to life. Andi and Zach were a phenomenal duo to bring Catherine’s thrilling story off the page. I was obsessed from beginning to end.

5/5📚 5/5🎧 Spice Level: 🌶️
Swoon Level: ♾️🫠

Amazing story

This book was pure perfection!!

There is no book that I don't love by Catherine Cowles. She simply knows how to write a story that pulls you right in. The plot, the characters and the unique small town vibes always leaves me wanting more.

Both Anson and Rhodes have suffer lost and that in a way forms a unique connection. They get each other in a way no one else can. While Anson wants nothing to do with any type of relationship, Rhodes storms in and plants herself in his path making it unavoidable for him to keep avoiding her and slowly they start healing each other.

Both Anson and Rhodes pasts comes to hunt them back but the protectiveness that Anson has made me love his character even more. I love how Rhodes just melts all the coldness from Anson's heart and how she brings him back to life.

The suspense in this story was incredible, Catherine always makes me guess until the very end taking me by surprise each and every single time.

I can't wait for the rest of this series!!

Ps.I also listened to the audiobook and let me tell you both Zachary Weber and Andy Arndt delivered and incredible performance making you feel all the emotions that these characters went through.

Book & Audio Review

This book blew me away as most of Catherines books have done! Her ability to put you in a choke hold from the prologue and not let go till you turn the last page is amazing. I have been enamored with Anson since he’d been mentioned several times in the lost and found series. I just know his back story was gonna wreck me. What I didn't expect was Rhode’s back story to also break my heart. However, the Mesh of these two having traumatic backstories really made for the perfect healing journey that was Fragile Sanctuary. These two had some serious chemistry and it was HOTT.

Rhodes is probably one of my favorite FMC’s to date. She was so full of life despite the trauma, she never once let it hold her back. She persevered.

This was my sixth book by Catherine and the suspense element was top notch. I literally trusted noone and still got the villain wrong. And the reveal was freaking wild! Even my husband was invested based on my reactions!

Aside from the MC’s this book had it all. Found Family, I’m already obsessed with the colsons and completely invested in their HEA’s. Lolli is my favorite human ever, ive never wanted a dick flower so bad in my life. I feel like I can guess where some of these stories in the sparrow falls series are gonna go! I can not wait to devour the rest of this series! And continue my journey though Catherines back log!

The audiobook for this was fantastic. Narrated by Zachary Weber & Andi Arndt. I felt like they both really captured the emotions the characters were feeling which made for fantastic storytelling!

Loved

I love how unique Romantic suspense is and once again Catherine Cowels did not disappoint. I love a grumpy Hero who only softens his hard shell for the Herione. Anson and Rhodes were perfect.

Sparrow Falls

Of course Catherine does it again. What a beautiful story. Do not miss this one! I can't wait to see who is next in this series.

Another great story

Catherine never fails to make you fall in love with the characters along with giving all the plot twists you could want. I can’t wait for the next in the series & to see where all of the found family find their happiness.

Lollipop is my favorite!

The narrators performances were stellar, really hit me in the feels. The story itself was fun an kept me entertained all the way through.

LOVED. IT! Plot twist I didn’t see coming

⭐️🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧⭐️
Title: Fragile Sanctuary, Sparrow Falls #1
Author: Catherine Cowles
Narration: Zachary Webber and Andi Arndt

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Narration: 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤

Dual narration
Steamy
Suspense
Small town
Brothers best friend
***Loss/grief

📚Story review📚
How can this book have it all? Romance, suspense, small-town charm, brother’s best friend, a protective male main character, a foster dog, and a plot twist that left me breathless! This book is a shining example of how a well-crafted story can capture your heart and keep you guessing until the very end.

Anson's storm cloud personality perfectly complemented Rho's unwavering sunshine, even through the darkest moments. Their chemistry was palpable, and I loved how their relationship developed without the typical third act breakup. It was refreshing to see their bond strengthen as they faced challenges and perils together, rather than being torn apart by misunderstandings.

The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The plot twists, especially the one at the end, gave me serious "The Mentalist" vibes, which I absolutely adored. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the story took an unexpected turn that left me reeling. The combination of romance and mystery was perfectly balanced, making it impossible to put the book down.

The characters were truly the heart of this book. Anson, with his protective nature and complex brainy personality, and Rho, with her strength and positivity, were both incredibly well-developed. Rho's resilience and determination were especially inspiring.

🎧❤️Audio Review❤️🎧
Zachary and Andi were such a great pairing for this story, and they brought the house down with their performance. Their chemistry was palpable, making each scene come alive with vibrant energy. I can’t get enough of either of them—they are two of my absolute favorites! The pacing was spot-on, the voices distinctive, and the inflection added depth and emotion to every word. Chefs kiss!


**These are my own honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily. I purchased this audiobook.

So AWESOME!!

Loved this story from start till finish!! It had me guessing till the very end!

Stellar performance

Talk about phenomenal performance. I swear to you Zach’s voice was made for Anson’s character. And Andi… she was Rhodes to a tee. Her voice was sunshine on a dreary day. I adored the characters, the small town and all the words. Listening to this audiobook was an experience I wish I could relive over and over again.