Chasing Shelter

Sparrow Falls, Book 5

De: Catherine Cowles

Narrado por: Jason Clarke, Desiree Ketchum

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.

©2025 Catherine Cowles (P)2025 Catherine Cowles

A heartfelt, emotionally grounded romance

Coming back to Sparrow Falls felt like slipping into a warm hug and Chasing Shelter might be one of my favorites in the series.

The story
Ellie’s life has been shaped by secrets, each one a brick in the walls she’s built around herself. Sparrow Falls was meant to be a quiet reset until she finds herself living next to Trace, the broody single dad who just so happens to be one of her brother’s best friends. Trace is observant, protective, and persistent in the kind of way that both infuriates and intrigues.

As their lives become increasingly entangled, the slow-burn chemistry between them simmers, and Ellie is forced to face more than just the ghosts in her past. But Trace has his own scars, and the collision of their histories may just be the most dangerous threat of all.

What I liked
✔️ The dialogue between Trace and Ellie crackled with chemistry. Their banter was sharp, funny, and full of heart—some of the best back-and-forth I’ve read from Cowles so far.
✔️ Keely absolutely stole the show. Her vibrant personality and emotional connection with Ellie made every scene she was in feel extra special.
✔️ Ellie’s gradual integration into Trace’s world was written with real tenderness. Her journey from guarded outsider to something like family was authentic and deeply satisfying.
✔️ As always with this series, the romantic tension is perfectly layered with an undercurrent of suspense that adds just the right amount of edge without overpowering the heart of the story.
✔️ It was such a joy to reconnect with characters from previous books—this whole community has grown into something that feels like home, both to the characters and to the reader.

🎧 Narration
This wasn’t my first time listening to these narrators, and once again they delivered exactly what I hoped for. Their performances brought out both the emotion and tension in Trace and Ellie’s story with ease.

Tropes & Themes
✔️ Brother’s Best Friend
✔️ Grumpy/Sunshine
✔️ Found Family
✔️ Slow Burn Romance
✔️ Suspense with a dash of danger
✔️ Healing and second chances

Final thoughts
Chasing Shelter is a heartfelt, emotionally grounded romance with the perfect mix of tension, love, and found family. I can’t believe the series is almost over while I’m counting down the days to Kye and Fallon’s book, I know letting go of Sparrow Falls will be tough. If you’ve loved this series so far, this installment is an absolute must-read.

Keely is the star

I freaking love Keely! She cracked me up. Lolli is just a trip and I love her. Ellie and Trace are perfect for each other. The each give each other what they need. My heart is so happy for Ellie to finally have everything she deserves!

Swoony Chief & Beautiful Butterfly

I absolutely loved Trace and Ellie’s story. This was a beautifully emotional story filled with family, second chances and love.

Ellie has been putting catering to everyone else while pushing down who she really is. I loved how she found the courage to finally put herself first and not let anyone dim her shine. Trace is the sexy single dad and sheriff in the small town. His past isn’t butterflies and roses. His daughter is his world and I love the gentleness he is with Keely and all the love he gives her.
The chemistry between Ellie and Trace is undeniable. Each moment they are together is another moment they can’t deny there’s a spark. When they gave in it was an inferno.

Jason Clark was absolutely the perfect voice for Trace. His deep timbre gave was super sexy and gave Trace the extra swoon factor. Desiree Ketchum was great for Ellie. She put all the emotion into her voice and was perfect for Ellie. My only issue with her part was that you could tell the parts that were edited in because they were lower and sounded nasally. Other than that it was a great listen.

Catherine once again stole my heart with this group of characters. I loved all the family vibes, especially Super Gram. She is ridiculous and I need that kind of woman in my life. There was just enough suspense/mystery weaved through the beautiful love story to warm my heart.

We met some new characters that I am intrigued with and of course Fallon and Kye are still a mystery I need to unravel. I can’t wait to go back to Sparrow Falls.

Outstanding narrations; most brilliant story.

There are audiobooks that are fun to listen to and then there’s a story that invades your mind, captures your heart, and grabs you in a chokehold. 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓢𝓱𝓮𝓵𝓽𝓮𝓻 is that book. Narrators Desiree Ketchum and Jason Clarke bring this small town, romantic suspense story to life beautifully. Brilliantly narrated, this is definitely one of my favorite audiobooks of the year.

The Colson family of Sparrow Falls already owns my heart but they hit me with a bit more emotion in this book. There’s Trace Colson’s heartbreaking backstory, his beautiful daughter, Keely, his special bond with his foster brother Kye, and the attraction he tries to fight to his next door neighbor, Ellie.

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓢𝓱𝓮𝓵𝓽𝓮𝓻 is book 5 in the Sparrow Falls series, a stand alone, but we’ve met and gotten to know so many of the Colsons in the previous books that I highly recommend you start with 𝐹𝓇𝒶𝑔𝒾𝓁𝑒 𝒮𝒶𝓃𝒸𝓉𝓊𝒶𝓇𝓎, book 1. The family banter, grandma Lolli in all her outspoken glory, plus how the Colson siblings lovingly torture each other in their group text messages is fabulous fun as only Catherine can write it.

This is a must read and better yet, a must listen! Thank you Catherine for Trace, Ellie, Keely, and the entire Colson family. Sparrow Falls is one of my favorite places to get lost.

“𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦.”
Ellie Pierce to Trace Colson.

This is story was amazing!

This story was the best! The plot, the characters and all the small town feels made me love every minute of this book.

Ellie is finally free from the claws of her father and ex fiancé. She is ready to live the life she always wanted and there is no better place for her to be than Sparrow Falls, the small and charming town where her older brother lives and in a way her adoptive family too, "The Colsons". For the very first time in her life she feels home and welcome specially by her neighboor next door that is no other than single father and town's sherif Trace Colson.

Trace is a single father sharing custody of Keely with his ex wife. He always needs to be in control of the situation, chaos is something he doesn't want or need. When Ellie moves next to door to him he knows he is in trouble not just because his daughter adores her but also because he can't deny the enormous attraction he has for her. While they are very different in some aspects of life they fit and balance each other so well.

When outside forces come into town and Ellie becomes the target of a stalker, Trace is there to protect her at all cost and the more they spend time together the less they want to be away from each other but Trace is willing to do anything to keep Ellie safe even if is pushing her away.

In a true Catherine Cowles book she will keep you guessing until the very end to find out who is the true villain in the story and like always for me is very shocking. I listened to the audiobook of this story and if you have the chance to get it I definitely recommend it because Jason Clarke and Desiree Ketchum did an amazing job bringing the main characters to live with all the emotions that made me fall in love with this story even more.

🎀Neighbors to Lovers
🎀Grumpy/ Sunshine
🎀Single Dad
🎀Found Family
🎀Frenemies to Lovers
🎀Small Town
🎀Tragic Past
🎀Touch Her and die vibes

My favorite book in the Sparrow Falls series!

"You deserve someone on their knees for you, not someone forcing you to yours." So, let's talk about my FAVORITE book in the Sparrow Falls series! CHASING SHELTER IS ABSOLUTE PERFECTION. Ellie, Trace, and the sweetest little girl, Keely were EVERYTHING. Trace and Ellie are opposites in the best way! Orderly sheriff meets sunshine soul. Her calling him “Chief”? Hilarious. She knows exactly how to push his buttons… until he realizes she’s exactly what his life has been missing. Trace's protectiveness when someone starts threatening Ellie was so fierce! Total swoon! Catherine continues to weave that signature magic into every page of the Sparrow Falls series, but Chasing Shelter is so special. Jason and Desiree completely brought their story to life in the best way possible! These two were incredibly SPECTACULAR!

So good.

I was so excited for these too and it didn’t disappoint. Can’t wait for the next one

Fantastic Romantic Suspense!

Oh my heart, Catherine Cowles continues to rip my heart out and make me melt over the Colsons. Chasing Shelter, book 5 in the Sparrow Falls series is the long- awaited love story of grumpy single dad sheriff Trace Colson. Ellie Pierce is a new-to-town, ebullient, beguiling sweetheart with a shadowed past. Trace’s reluctant attraction is just adorable and the snarky banter between Ellie and Trace is on point. I adore Keeley, her bow obsession spoke to my younger self, and she’s the sweetest! Catherine delivers a wonderfully balanced love story brimming with charm, flirty banter, and nail-biting suspense. I love the frenemies-to-lovers trope; the edge of tension under the evident attraction adds sauciness to their developing chemistry. The hot grumpy sheriff and the bubbly, alluring interior designer were endgame vibes from the start. I loved every second of this small-town romantic suspense.

Jason Clarke and Desiree Ketchum were utterly lovely in this audiobook! Their passionate and delightful performances capture the complexity of Catherine’s characters and the warmth of Sparrow Falls perfectly. Jason is downright swoon-worthy as the lovable grump who is haunted by his childhood. Desiree is dazzling as the fierce, charming, independent bombshell who fits right in with the Colson crew. Their side characters and kid voices are fabulous as well. This is a must-listen!

Everything I wanted it to be and more!

First of all the narraration was absolutely perfect. all the stars.

This book was everything I wanted and more! There’s nothing I love more than diving into a new Catherine Cowles book.

I absolutely loved seeing Trace and Ellie’s story unfold. Trace is the grumpy single dad with a soft heart for those he loves, and Ellie, I loved seeing her finally find a sense of safety and freedom in Sparrow Falls. These two had the best kind of emotional, slow-burn romance that makes it difficult to put the book down. Their shared struggles, and watching them open up to each other was incredibly heartwarming.

There were also so many fun, moments from Trace constantly losing his shirts and the goat in the backyard and I can’t forget the lovable Lolli, who as always was completely hilarious. ( Im still rooting for Walter) Keely was absolutely adorable, and her friendship with Ellie was so sweet and genuine. I loved their bond through all stages of this book.

The Colson family, the hilarious group text chats and the overall cozy small-town vibe made this such a great read. I couldn’t have asked for more. And that sneak peek into Kye and Fallon’s story? I just know it’s going to be amazing.

This is a Standalone but I highly recommend reading previous books before this one to get the full love of this family.

Jason Clarke fantastic!

This is the fifth in the Sparrow Falls series and once again it was perfection. Ellie has an awful past and is looking for a new start. She moves in next door to the one and only Trace. Oh my, I love the interaction between these two, they will make you smile. And then you factor in Keely, Trace's adorable daughter and it is chef's kiss! Jason Clarke does a fantastic job and I loved listening to him. I enjoyed listening to this audiobook and I would highly recommend it!!