In my Delicate Escape review I wondered if Sparrow Falls is my favorite contemporary romance series, today, after finishing up Broken Harbor I can restate, with resounding clarity, oh heck yeah it is! It absolutely is!

Three books in and every single step taken by Catherine Cowles is led powerfully.

I admit-- I walked into this one with the bar of expectation set very, very high. I couldn't help it! This book has all the tropes and archetypes I readily devour.
We have small town romancing, single mom mothering, a sports athlete lead dominating, baked goods delivering high and spicy, and suspense that is thrilling! Literally all my favorite ingredients mixed into one recipe, and the result? A handshake from Paul Hollywood. Or five stars from me!

The plot is dynamite.
The most gorgeous love story blossoming with so much heart, a beautiful bond forming between paternal figure and son, suspense that had my skin prickling with anticipation, and gut-wrenching angst. Angst that brought tears not even halfway in. Actually, all types of tears were happening! From heartbreak to triumph. The happiest of tears by epilogue's end that had me rereading it a few times because it warmed my heart so wholly. Again-- all the perfect ingredients baked to immaculate precision! Chef's kiss, Catherine Cowles, chef's kiss to you!

Now let's talk about who is at the heart of this exhilarating tale.

Sutton and Cope.

I set the bar expecting them to become my favorite protagonists and dammit if they didn't crush those expectations and go above and beyond in leading excellence. Both Sutton and Cope have a trauma-filled past, it's led to self-invoked hurdles along the way. Fear of that past catching up to them in different ways. Fear of drowning in it. But they become each other's buoys. Once they connect, a bond so beautiful and deep forms and they keep one another afloat. They safeguard each other's heart, they encourage each other to keep going, they become family.

Their romance had it all, really. Truly had it all. Their connection hits every level, from spicy physical attraction to soul-feeding emotional bonding. Witnessing them be there for one another, even if it put one outside of their comfort zone, was inspiring. They, along with Luca, become a family that felt always meant to be.

Backdrop to their love story is a suspenseful plot that steadily builds into what becomes a climatic final act that will have you gasping. Time and time again Catherine Cowles has thrown in the most clever plot twists that I can never guess but make the most perfect sense in retrospect. I totally let my guard down in this one and forgot to make like Nancy Drew as I intended and instead I was totally blindsided (in the best way) by a certain reveal. And, again, like I've mentioned in my other Sparrow Falls reviews, these twists may take you by surprise by the breadcrumbs are absolutely there. Wow. That climax shook me, y'all!

This book is everything.

Two special shout outs! Three books into Sparrow Falls, three reviews written by me, and only now have I remembered to shout it out to the always MVP Lolli! I adore her! She brings levity to the plot right when it's needed, but she can also be a catalyst for the leads to head in the right direction right when they need it. Lolli, you're the MVP!

Second shout out goes to lil' Luca! What a good son he is to Sutton, such a little sweetheart who unabashedly loves his mama. So fiercely and so loyally. I adored seeing their relationship, but I also adored seeing Luca's relationship with Cope develop. To see that father-son bond form with so much heart and love. Truly, truly: this family was always meant to be.

Just like me the reader and Broken Harbor the book are absolutely meant to be!

Oh, Broken Harbor, I knew you'd be my favorite! Forever and always!

Check this series out asap, friends!

Thank you Catherine Cowles for this complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.