Fragile Sanctuary (Sparrow Falls Book 1)

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 19,395 ratings

Price: 0.99

Last update: 03-07-2025


About this item

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...


From the Publisher

hearing her say my name was the most beautiful kind
Get the full lost and found series
Fragile Sanctuary
Delicate Escape
Broken Harbor
Beautiful Exile
Chasing Shelter
Secret Haven
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Fall for Everyone in Sparrow Falls Brother's Best Friend Golden Retriever x Black Cat Single Mom x Hockey Hero Coming March 18th Coming July 22nd Coming October 21st

Top reviews from the United States

  • Liz Thompson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely amazing story! Loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2024
    Catherine Cowles does it again. If she writes it, I will read it. The woman is an amazing author and I cannot get enough of her words. In Fragile Sanctuary, narrated by Zachery Webber and Andi Arndt, the first book in her Sparrow Falls series, we get Anson Hunt and Rhodes and I absolutely loved their story! The narrators truly brought Anson and Rhodes story to life for me. It was emotional, heartbreaking, touching, full of angst and suspense. This story had grumpy/sunshine, age gap, brother’s best friend, forced proximity and touch her and you die vibes and I absolutely devoured it. I loved the found family in this story so much and am so excited for this series. The characters, all of them, and their love and protectiveness was absolutely amazing.

    This is a standalone and a start of a new series, however, we meet Anson in her previous series, Lost and Found, and though it does not have to be read to read this one, I highly recommend it, as I love everything this author writes. Anson is a broken hero. He lost so much and carries the weight of that loss with him every single day. He is strong, determined, protective and caring, but hides it from everyone, until her. Rhodes faces tragedy at a very young age and it left long-lasting scars. She found her place with her best friend and her newfound family, but she is ready to face her past. She was determined, full of sunshine, and caring. I loved both characters so much, even as they broke my heart at times. Both have been through much.

    Anson left his past behind him, but when Rhodes is threatened, he is willing to do anything to keep her safe. Even if it costs him everything. Rhodes is ready to face her past and move forward, but doing so brings danger to her doorstep, literally. Though their journey did not start of easy, as he tried so hard to keep her at arm’s length, the moment he snaps, wow, just wow. Sometimes two imperfect people come together in the most perfect way and this is what Catherine Cowles gave us in Fragile Sanctuary. I was captivated by this story, the characters, their journey and cannot wait for what is next in the series. This is a must-read for sure and one I highly recommend.

    Absolutely loved it.
    Happy listening!
  • Katie Beasley
    4.0 out of 5 stars Anson in a HOT pink shirt with Kitties- grump to sunshine YALL
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024
    I have said it before, and I will say it again...I am a BIG fan of Catherine and her books. I have only read Lost & Found but plan on reading more of them once my TBR list dies down HAHA. But seriously, this book has been on my horizon since it was announced, and it did not disappoint. Catherine does a great job of introducing us to characters who are sort of broken in one way or another. They may put on a front like all is well but there is trauma underneath. And watching said characters find their people who help walk them through the trauma is so beautiful! I also love the added suspense in her books. I have found myself trying to determine who the bad guy is and have only guessed correctly once out of five books. She is great with the twists.

    Rhodes is ready to address her past- or so she thinks. She is finally working on her dream of rebuilding her childhood home. The same home that burned with her whole family in it except for her. She wants to honor what they had and build it back up. Her brother has hired his best friend from college who is living in town now, Anson. She has heard so many funny stories that she thinks he is a different person when she meets him. He seems like a ghost of himself. She decides not to let him rain on her parade and keeps her eyes on the prize. However she can't seem to not see where he is on the site. She finds herself wanting to make him smile and crack that nut. She starts inviting him over for dinner without any intentions (at first). When her safety is at risk, he starts spending the night...on the couch...to her chagrin. She is so intrigued by this man who pulls her to him like a magnet but then just as easily can flip a switch and be cold as ice. But when she finally learns what has happened to him, she understands. She is willing to take what he will give her and she will try so hard to help him get on the other side of his grief. But now the killer that he had hunted and who made him who is now is back and he has his sights set on Rhodes. What are the chances this killer is from Sparrow Falls and is linked to her family's fire? What are the chances that he has been on Rhodes' trail for a while now? Will Anson be able to save her? Or will his worst nightmare happen again?

    Anson is basically a ghost of himself at this point. He can't sleep. He has a handful of friends but none as good as Shep. Shep who has given him a job and knows his history but has agreed to keep it on the DL. Even to his brother who is the sheriff. Shep who invites him to family dinner without fail every week. Shep who hires him on to help his little sister with her family's house. Shep's family is a hodge podge in the best way. They all come from different backgrounds with different histories and Anson can't help but admire their strength. When he does in fact meet said little sister, Anson prevents her from getting hurt and now she is forever Reckless in his mind. She is beaufitul and resilient. He sees there are scars she is holding but she is facing them head on instead of hiding like him. But now he finds himself drawn to her like a bug to a light. He can't help it. He is mean and then goes to apologize. He pushes her away and then pulls her back in. And now he has found himself sleeping on her couch while he can hear her sleep in the other room. He finds himself there for her when has a nightmare. He finds himself in a situation he hasn't been in with a woman in a long time and yet instead of running he lays down the gauntlet that he can't give her everything but he is willing to try something. So they do. All while not telling Shep. They explore each other. He opens up to her like he never has before. He wants to be better for her. But then his worst nightmare comes true- the killer who took away his world is back and closing in on him fast. Now Anson starts to question a lot of things like Rhodes' family fire being a little too convenient. And the fact that there were several other fires in the area. And now Rhodes is missing and he HAS to find her before something happens or he won't be able to live with himself.

    YALL this is was SOO good! Watching them help each other was so great. Catherine does a great job discussing grief and heavy topics and how it can look different for different people. I loved the side characters and can't wait to see how the cookies crumble with Rhodes' family and MAN am I pumped for Shep and Thea. Shep who could literally be with any woman in town but then one he asks out says no- reverse grump to sunshine anyone?? Is that what a black cat is LOL? If you haven't picked this one up yet, I highly recommend if you want small town, brother BF, grump to sunshine with a large drop of suspense thrown in the middle OH and some GREAT spice!!

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