Review: Chasing Shelter by Catherine Cowles

CHASING SHELTER
Series:
Sparrow Falls #5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Catherine Cowles
Release Date:
July 22, 2025

I came here seeking sanctuary, I never meant to fall for the broody single dad next door.

I’ve spent my life hiding in plain sight, burying my past beneath layers of carefully constructed lies. Moving to Sparrow Falls was supposed to be a fresh start. A place to lay low. But when I end up living next door to the single dad who just happens to be one of my brother’s best friends, everything changes.

Trace Colson sees too much, asks too many questions, and his protectiveness is as infuriating as it is alluring.

And when danger comes calling, it’s Trace who stands between me and the darkness.

But being close to him is its own kind of risk. Because with every heated glance and every stolen touch, Trace tempts me to open my heart, to dream of a life I’d long since given up on. The only problem? Trace has his own demons, and when they collide with mine, the fallout could destroy us both.

Forever.

AMAZON 

You breaking the rules for me, Chief?”
“I knew you were going to be a bad influence.”

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, Catherine Cowles books are my happy place. PERIOD. And her MMCs are the blueprint. Because every time I think I meet my favorite, she goes ahead and introduces the next one and I’m swooning head over heels. And Trace? Oh the swoon was so real.

I lifted a hand to her face, my thumb tracking under her eye, the same one that had been bruised yet hidden beneath coats of makeup. “Who hurt you?”

After the events of Beautiful Exile, I was so excited for Linc’s sister to get her story. Her character growth and journey to finding herself and her strength was one of my favorite things about this book. Right after her sassy mouth and immediate connection with Trace’s adorable daughter, Keely.

Don’t worry, Chief, I won’t tell.”
“It’s Sheriff,” I ground out.

Is it really frenemies to lovers when the attraction is there but the stubborn man just refuses to admit it?

Trace is determined to avoid the much too tempting Ellie. Not only does he not have time for women when he’s busy with his job as sheriff and raising his daughter, but she’s also Linc’s sister. But then as fate would have it, Ellie becomes his neighbor and bis impossible to resist.

Can I tell you something?” I asked.
“Anything.”
“I like when you say fuck.”
A low chuckle sounded over the speaker. “Fuck, baby.”

Ellie is determined to find herself outside of her despicable father’s influence and her abusive ex fiancé’s hold. She wants to make a life for herself around what she wants, not what she’s told. But while the small town is a perfect place to start, not every person is welcoming her into the fold. Her father’s legacy is not a pretty one. And when danger starts to nip at her heels, Trace is determined to protect her. And oh Trace, the man you are.

You deserve to be in your power.” His mouth trailed lower, featherlight touches until he reached my lips. And there he stayed, speaking against them. “You deserve someone on their knees for you, not someone forcing you to yours.”

The romance was a delicious slow burn that I loved oh so much. Although there was a point where I thought that if they were going to be interrupted one more time, I may riot. But the burn was so worth it because when they do finally get together, it was deliciously satisfying.

As always, the suspense was a gripping layer that built on top of the romance and made this one unputdownable read. The ending did catch me a bit by surprise and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it for a minute there. But then I love when something manages to surprise me, so can’t complain there.

And did I mention Loli? Because this hilarious grandma is one of my all time favorite secondary characters, EVER.

Hey, what’s wrong with my place?” Cope pouted.
Sutton patted his chest. “You built that monster mansion in the middle of nowhere, Hotshot. It would take twenty officers to surround it.”
“I hope that doesn’t mean you’re insecure because you’re lacking in other departments,” Lolli said, arching a brow.
Cope’s jaw went slack and then his face screwed up like he was a little sick to his stomach. “Did my grandma just insult my dick size?”

I gobbled it up and can’t wait for more. If you haven’t read this series yet, you’re seriously missing out!

Review: Beautiful Exile by Catherine Cowles

BEAUTIFUL EXILE
Series:
Sparrow Falls #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Catherine Cowles
Release Date:
March 18, 2025

I should’ve known Lincoln Pierce was trouble from the moment I held my knife to his throat.

I’ve been running for most of my life, hiding away in a small town and hoping no one discovers who I truly am. The only problem is that I can never let anyone know the real me. Or at least that was true until my brother moved his best friend onto our shared property.

Now, I’m stuck trying to avoid the nosy billionaire’s probing questions and piercing stares. And it doesn’t help that I almost killed him the first time we met.

Oops.

But when all my carefully crafted lies come crashing down around me, it’s Linc stepping in to shield me. And when it looks like the person hunting me for all those years is back, Linc will do anything to keep me safe.

Only it’s not just my safety at risk. It’s my heart. Because when Linc touches me, I lose all sense. And when I truly get to know the broken billionaire, he’s so much more than a ruthless business tycoon. He’s the man showing me that it’s time to really live.

But I’m not the only one with secrets. Linc has them, too. And when the forces from our pasts emerge from the shadows, it’s with only one goal: to end the new life we’re building together. For good.

AMAZON 

Lincoln Pierce was a good man. The best kind. And it scared the hell out of me.

It’s official; Catherine Cowles books are my happy place. Full stop.

Now first I have to tell you that she calls him “Cowboy” and he calls her “Vicious” and I was kicking my feet and giggling like a school girl each time I read it. But on to the review, shall we?

I hope you don’t mind a clingy boyfriend.”
My mouth quirked. “Boyfriend, huh?”
Linc chuckled, the sound skating over me. “Ridiculous term. But it’ll have to do until you let me have husband.”

I swear, there is just something about a Catherine MMC that just hits in all the best ways. She writes some of the most amazing, fiercely protective, and make you swoon until you’re a puddle on the floor sort of men. And man oh man did I fall hard and fast for Lincoln. The man was perfection and I could’t get enough of him.

Arden was a survivor through and through and I loved her fierceness wrapped in vulnerability. This is a woman who took charge of her safety and I love the way she was. As a cane corso owner, I love seeing this breed featured in books and I absolutely loved the bond between her and her pup.

Can I pet him, or will he rip off my hand?”
I looked down at my dog. “He’ll only do that if I tell him to.”
Linc’s dark brows lifted at that. “And are you going to tell him to, Vicious?”

For those of you who loved it when the man falls first and HARD, like me, then you’re definitely going to love Linc. He didn’t fight his connection to Arden for even a second. Even while she fought it at first and even with him being her brother’s best friend, he didn’t let it distract him from his path. I absolutely loved the way he fought for her in the same way he fought WITH her. And man oh man but did I love them together. Their chemistry was absolute perfection.

The suspense had me turning the pages well into the night and I finished this book in one riveting, pulse pounding, edge of my seat, reading. Catherine has quickly become an auto buy author for me and this book is a perfect example why. I can’t recommend it enough for all my fellow spicy romantic suspense loving readers out there!

DGRFave & Review: All The Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles

ALL THE MISSING PIECES
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Catherine Cowles
Release Date:
January 7, 2025

Sometimes the last thing you expect is exactly what you need, the final missing piece. And sometimes it comes in the form of a towering, broody sheriff, determined to get in your way at every step.

Ridley Sawyer knows what it’s like to miss someone, to feel like a piece of her vanished—because it happened to her the night her twin sister disappeared.

Now, Ridley channels that loss into hope, traveling the country covering cold cases for her true crime podcast. She might not have found justice for her sister but that doesn’t stop her from finding it for others.

Until Sheriff Colter Brooks gets in her way.

Colt knows what it’s like to have reporters descend on his town in the wake of a tragedy, and he’s not about to let a fiery podcaster stir up trouble. It doesn’t matter that her haunting blue eyes tell him there’s more to Ridley’s story or that he can’t stop imagining what it would be like to touch her.

But when Ridley’s cold case turns hot and she’s thrust into the crosshairs, Colt has no choice but to step in. Suddenly, Ridley’s living at his house, drinking his whiskey, and stealing his dog’s affections. But she’s also proving that she’s so much more than his first impression.

And as they get closer to the truth, the game they’ve been playing might just turn deadly…

AMAZON 

As if Ridley had a radar for my emotions, her gaze cut to me. “Law Man,” she started cautiously. “You okay?”
“Who. The. Hell. Did. This. To. You?”

When a book brings you to tears at just the dedication, you know you’re in for a 5 star. And you know what? I was not wrong. This book had me in a full chokehold from the minute I picked it up and to the minute I finished it. I loved every bit of this story, from the main characters, the small town, the suspense, the fun secondary characters, the sweet pets, and everything in between.

I knew from the second Ridley appeared on the pages that I would love her. This woman is the epitome of strength and I loved how she used the most unimaginable tragedy to drive her to help others find peace. For the past 5 years, her paid has fueled her purpose. And her latest purpose drives her to a town that she is convinced holds the missing piece to finally unraveling a 5 year old tragic mystery.

Colt is the town sheriff who from the second he meets Ridley, manages to put his foot in his mouth at every turn. I loved the antagonistic chemistry between these two almost as much as I loved their bickering. And boy was there bickering. This was only made better by Ridley’s adorable three legged cat with a penchant for biting her affection.

Don’t be a baby,” I said, grinning. “It’s just one of her tooth hugs.”
Colt stared at me, jaw going slack. “Tooth…hugs?”
I nodded. “It’s how she shows affection.”

I loved the slow burn chemistry between Colt and Ridley. I love Ridley’s tenacity and Colt’s protectiveness. And god did I love them together.

I tore my mouth away from hers, taking in those wild blue eyes.
“Don’t,” she whispered.
“It’s a bad idea,” I rasped. “We’d be playing with fire.”
Those ocean eyes sparked. “Then let’s watch it burn.”

The romance was seamlessly woven into the suspense plot and it was sheer perfection. It amplified everything about the story and I couldn’t get enough of these two together. The story kept me glued to the pages, eager for answers but also dreading to be done. I was instantly enraptured by this town and its citizens and I was so sucked into the mystery that I was completely incapable of setting the book down for even a minute.

If you’re looking for a romantic suspense with just the right amount of spice, you need to check this one out.

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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