Delicate Escape by Catherine Cowles

Narrated by Erin Mallon & Teddy Hamilton

Second in a series of interconnected romantic suspense.

Thank you Catherine Cowles for an early review copy of Delicate Escape. My reviews are always honest and I don’t accept payment for reviews. This post contains affiliate links.

HOW DOES CATHERINE COWLES DO IT???? I inhale every single one of her books. I ended up slowing down Delicate Escape by Catherine Cowles because I didn’t want to finish it in one day! Though Delicate Escape stands alone just fine, it’s even better if you read Fragile Sanctuary first so you can meet all the main players.

“Then let me take the load for a while.”

Thea is on the run from the man who destroyed her life. She is fearful of everyone, and her home is off-limits to outsiders. She lives off the grid without a cell phone or internet and she keeps to herself outside of her work at the nursery and the coffee shop. Her only companion is her 18 pound Maine Coon cat Moose, and the kittens she fosters. She’s casual work friends with Sutton and Rhodes, but nobody knows what she’s running from and why.

The cabin Thea lives in is run-down and she’s been fixing it herself with help from library books. When she finds a leak in her bathroom she’s determined to fix it herself, but after embarrassing herself in front of Shep, Sutton’s brother, she starts to realize she may need help from the contractor.

Shep has had a thing for Thea for a long time, but he knows she has demons and is very careful not to get too close. I loved how patient he was with her

“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.”

Shep was the perfect guy for her. Gentle, loving, patient, and he always knew what she needed. His family proves that you don’t need to be born in the family to be a part of one, and I loved how she was immediately accepted into the fold.

“I know better than anyone, just because you don’t share blood with someone doesn’t mean your tie is any less strong. Sometimes, it’s stronger. Because that tether is a choice.”

The suspensful twist came out of left field for me. You’d think after reading Catherine so much I could guess the bad guy, but she surprises me every time! I was on the edge of my seat during the exciting conclusion, and just loved everything about the book. Catherine has a formula and style that just works for me every time.

“You’re my home.”

Likes:

I love the whole Colson found family.
I never guessed the twist.
Catherine’s prologues are gold.
Moose the cat.
“Get. Your. Hands. Off. Her.”
Lolli is who I’ll be in 20 years but funnier. I love her.
I love how he nicknamed her Thorn because she’s prickly.
How patient and gentle Shep was. He never pushed.
I am loving Sparrow Falls.
Catherine knows how to inject humor so her books never get too heavy.

Dislikes:

Why didn’t they immediately put up cameras and security?
There was some very repetitive phrasing (Her stomach and his gut roils, twists, turns and churns numerous times).

The Narration:

Erin Mallon is my favorite narrator. Her male voice is sexier than most male narrators, but with Teddy Hamilton you have narration gold. His emotion and care were just beautifully played. I love them together.

The Down & Dirty:

Once again, Catherine NAILED IT. While her books are similar in that they’re romantic suspense and take place in a small town, Catherine somehow makes them each unique. Just like all of her other books, Delicate Escape was addictive and unputdownable—I slowed it down so it didn’t end as quickly. I can’t wait for the next in the Sparrow Falls series. I want to see the whole Colson family get their HEA.