Across the Vanishing Sky

Starlight Grove #1

by Catherine Cowles

He spent a lifetime trying to escape his dark past…but to save her, he’ll wade back into the shadows.

Braedyn Winslow never expected to return to Starlight Grove—the town that took everything from her. Not after her best friend, the one who’d sacrificed so much for her, vanished without a trace. But with a young son to raise and a past that won’t stay buried, Brae is back…and determined to uncover the truth.

She just didn’t count on the brooding, reclusive mountain man living next door.

Dex Archer is the stuff of local legend—silent, rugged, and surrounded by whispers of his and his brothers’ violent father. But Brae sees through the scowl and his parentage to the man beneath: fiercely loyal, unexpectedly kind…and just dangerous enough to protect her when someone starts warning her off her search.

The closer she gets to the truth, the harder it is to stay away from Dex. And as things get more perilous, Brae realizes the only person she can rely on is the one man who swore never to trust again.

Only someone isn’t happy that Brae has been digging, and they’ll do anything to stop her. But Dex? He’ll do anything to save her, even slip back into the dark…

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Small Town Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Mystery, Suspense

432 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 3, 2026

About the author

Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she's not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.

Reviews

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Dex since the moment he was mentioned in the Sparrow Falls series and he didn't disappoint!!
I loved this book so much, the Archer brothers won me over so fast.

After a decade in the FBI Dex is coming back to Starlight Grove. His father left him and his brothers with a dark legacy, one they still struggle with..
Brae and his son are moving to Starlight Grove, the place where her best friend Nova, the only family she had, disappeared in a year ago. Brae is determined to get the answers she so desperately needs and living next to a broody, hot hacker is both a blessing and a curse. They don't want to get close, but the more time they spend together uncovering the truth and learning about each other, the harder is to deny those feelings.. But, the danger is closer than they think..

I loved Dex so much, it broke my heart seeing the way he struggled with his demons.. He was strong and loyal, a little grumpy and so kind and the way he was there for Brae and her son was truly special. He risked so much just to help and he always showed up for her.
Brae was so determined, fiery and brave, she was an amazing mother and even do she lost the one person who was always there for her, she never gave up, didn't lose hope and she fought so hard to find her.. She stood her ground and she saw Dex for who he was, she didn't let him push her away and she was always there for him. Her bond with Owen, her son, was strong and I loved how easy she fit in the Archer family. They embraced her and they were there for her when she needed them the most. It made so emotional seeing the love everybody showed her.

I absolutely loved the Archer brothers and Wylon. They had such a special bond, one forged in darkness, linked with trauma they never overcame.. My heart broke for them, they had their way of coping, but they all have scars that will never heal. I love everything they did for others, how close they were and Wylon is such an amazing man, he took them in when no one else would and helped them heal in the best way he could.. I already know all their stories are going to break my heart, but Orion's story is going to destroyed me, I'm not surviving that..
I loved Cora and Aster and the way they supported Brae and Holly did grow on me..

Brae and Dex were so perfect for each other. Their first encounter was hilarious and I loved their banter. I loved the cookies and the hot sauces, the quiet moments and the absolute chaos, the way he was so protective of her, how he took care of her, how she always stood up for him and how she told him what he needed to hear.. I loved the way they were there for each other and how Dex was with Owen. He didn't think he deserved anyone loving him, she didn't think she could trust anyone again, so seeing the break down those walls for each other was incredibly special.. And, I have to say, Dex and Yeti were the cutest, it was so funny seeing him being wary of her to her absolutely adoring him.

Honestly, I could write a whole essay, but I really shouldn't, so let's just say I really really enjoyed this. I absolutely adore the way Catherine writes, her books bring such comfort to me and I loved seeing some familiar faces too!!

I, of course, didn't guess the person behind everything.. I was close, like really close, so I'm taking that as a win..

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I might even end up loving this series more than the Sparrow Falls one, which I thought was imposible, I'm already really close honestly.

P. S. I did find the overuse of bro and bruh and all the slang a little irritating, so I just ignored it..

*Thank you to Netgalley and a huge thank you to Evermore Books UK for providing me with an ARC.*

.·:*¨ ¨*:·.

Ahhhh I'm so happy I got a widget!!!
This is one of my most anticipated releases for next year, so it only feels right for this to be my last read of this year!

[Amelia Blackmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Across the Vanishing Sky
Author: Catherine Cowles
Series: Starlight Grove #1

What to expect:
*Single mother
*Small town found family
*Missing BFF

Pros:
You guys are not ready for the intense feelings that this book will leave you with. This story is by far my favorite from this author! I cannot wait to continue reading this series!

Small town, found family are two of my favorite tropes. Combine that with a set of brothers that don’t mind crossing the lines between right and wrong, absolute five star read!

Safety:
No OW drama, does have OM drama in the form of a crazy ex-boyfriend and the bad guy of the story. No cheating. No third act breakup.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the opportunity to read and review this title!

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters: Braedyn (FMC) & Dex (MMC)

[BeautyAndTheBooks]

Now that the Sparrow Falls series is concluded I need this book yesterday.

[Catherine Cowles]

🗻Across the Vanishing Sky E-Book Cover Reveal🗻
I am so excited to bring you the-book cover for Across the Vanishing Sky, book one in my brand new series, Starlight Grove! Brea and Dex could not be more perfect on this dreamy pink cover and I am obsessed!
I am so excited to bring you to a brand new town following five brothers who were raised by a serial killer! Give me all the trauma 😆 Up first is our morally gray hacker, Dex, and he falls for the single mom next door!
You can pre-order your copy now! https://geni.us/VnshngAmzn

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so lucky to recieve a proof of this book and since reading the blurb, I have been excited to start it. What a book it was, so many twists and turns, a beautiful setting, the Archer brothers are LIFE and the slow burn, grumpy/sunshine romance we get with Braedyn and Dex is perfect.

Brae's best friend, Nova went missing on a hiking trail over a yesr ago, and since the case has gone cold and the Sheriff doesn't want to help anymore, she has packed everything up with her son and moved to Starlight Grove to find answers herself.

Dex is moving back home to be around his brothers after giving up 10yrs of his life working for the FBI. He wants to keep to himself and focus on his family, with the past he has, he finds it incredibly hard to trust and he has no time for a relationship. But that seems to change when he moves in next door to Braedyn, Owen and their impossibly cute dog Yeti. His plans are thrown out the window, when he agrees to help Brae out with the search of her friend.

This book was everything I thought it was going to be. Mystery, hesrtbreak, humour, found family, and a romance that makes you swoon with every interaction the MC's have with one another. Everytime I thought I had it figured out, something else would happen. I absolutely loved it and I am so excited to read the other Archer brother's stories in the future. I'm especially exicted for Orion's story 😍😍 (it must be the name 😂).

5 star read for me and I can't thank Penguin (Rih) enough for sending me a copy ❤️.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
I really thought I guessed the twist in this one but I was wrong AGAIN (Idk why I even bother to guess anymore, Catherine Cowles is the queen of twisty books). The last 15% of this book was a wild ride and the twists just kept coming!

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! The characters in this series might actually overtake her other series for me - I loved the banter between the brothers and the crazy great uncle and the small town vibes where everyone is in each other’s business. ALSO there were so many crossovers for her other books (and even a crossover with another author’s character 👀).

This was soooo close to being a 5 star read but I just wasn’t 100% happy with the motivation/explanation at the end.

I can’t wait for the rest of the series though - Catherine Cowles continues to be an auto buy, auto recommend author for me!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!!!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I hoped for and more! I've been waiting for Dex's story ever since it was announced and it did not disappoint! Dex and Brae have such good chemistry and the plot is well paced, action packed, and full of spice! Owen is such a sweet and funny boy and Yeti the search dog is absolutely amazing. It is easy to tell that Cowles did her research on search and rescue dogs! I can't wait for the other Archer brothers to have their stories! Thank you to Edelweiss for an ARC of this book.

[Jaqueline]

OMG HAHAHA THE SNEAK PEAK PLS IM SCREAMING

[Faye Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Across the Vanishing Sky has a strong, tense start with Braedyn's best friend disappearing during a hike. So the tension was high from the very beginning but there were still moments of levity from the banter between our FMC and MMC, and between the MMC and his brothers. The romance and the other relationships that FMC Brae builds in Starlight Grove balanced the suspense really well. With the suspense/mystery side of the plot, I was convinced I knew where it was going, but I was pleasantly and totally wrong! I love when that happens.

This is my first Catherine Cowles book, but when a few side characters were introduced, I got the feeling that they'd been main characters in some of the author's other books, and a bit of googling told me that they were! I didn't feel like I was missing any context for this story by not knowing their stories - instead, it felt like this one story was part of a much wider world and it made me really curious to pick up those other series. But there's still another 4 Archer brothers to go in this series, and every single one of them already has an interesting story of their own to tell, and I love where the breadcrumb trail in this book is leading! I'll definitely be picking up the rest of this series and working through the author's back catalogue!

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t have picked a better first read for 2026! This was my first Catherine Cowles book, and it definitely won’t be my last.

When Brae’s best friend Nova goes missing and the police make little progress, Brae moves to the town where Nova disappeared to start her own investigation. With help from her neighbour and former FBI hacker Dex and his family, she searches for answers.

I was completely hooked and devoured this in one day. Dex (and his slutty little glasses) stole my heart, his tragic backstory and the bond between him and his brothers was the highlight for me. I loved how they looked out for Brae and her son, Owen, and the Bigfoot and hot sauce bonding moments had me laughing. I’m already excited for future books, especially Orion - I’m a sucker for a mute MMC 😆.

Across the Vanishing Sky felt like a perfect blend of Elsie Silver vibes (was that a Wild Side easter egg, or a coincidence?) and Criminal Minds, and I loved every second. The ending genuinely shocked me, I was convinced the bad guy was someone else.

Thank you to Evermore Books UK and Catherine Cowles for the ARC. This is my honest review, and I absolutely adored it.

[Jade Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I have been foiled by Catherine Cowles. I had an idea who the 'bad guy' was early on, flip flopped over whether I was right throughout, started to congratulate myself thinking it couldn't possibly be anyone else at this point, and yet again WRONG.
I don't know how Catherine does it, her brain amazes me.
This was a typical Catherine romantic suspense/whodunnit situation, and we finally FINALLY get to see Dex for more than the 5 seconds at a time he rocked up in Sparrow falls. I loved Dex, I loved his entire family and the dynamic. their backstory is definitely going to make for a fantastic rest of the series, and I personally cannot wait.
p.s I just know Orion is going to be the last book but I'm positive it will be my favourite

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine always knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat, how to really hook you into a story, believing and experiencing the grief, the struggles, the emotions, heartache, love, loss and joy, of each person. The romantic suspense was done so beautifully and in such a way that you weren’t sure when something was gonna happen next. Dex, and the cute nickname Brae gave him, his nickname for her, their love amidst the battlefields of life, making a home and family, the light amongst the darkness.

Thank you to evermore and netgalley for the arc in exchange for a honest review and opinion.

[Hope Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I have been looking forward to Dex’s book ever since we met him in Sparrow Falls! Instantly I fell in love with the town and characters in this series and can tell it’s going to be another favorite. Owen’s character did confuse me just a bit, I am a 21 year old gen z, but I guess I’ve never noticed 8 year olds trying to use as much slang as Owen did. The only reason this book isn’t 5 stars is because I felt the ending was a bit rushed. I would have loved a bit more time breaking down everything and going into more detail there at the end. This book isn’t getting released for another 6 months, but I already can’t wait for book two!!

[Débora ~The Book Addict~]

Why are people rating a book that hasn't even been released yet? A 3.4 rating as of today, which can seriously affect its visibility and reach when it officially launches.

For other people, please try to avoid rating books until you’ve had a chance to actually read it. Early ratings (especially negative or speculative ones) can be unfair to both the author and future readers looking for genuine reviews.

Edit to add: This doesn’t apply to ARC readers, though if you are one, I would hope you’d leave a review along with your star rating, especially if it’s a negative one. That way, the author can understand what needs improvement, and your feedback can be constructive rather than simply discouraging.

[Huniyah]

Expected publication March 3, 2026

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Note to self: Don’t ogle the hot, unhinged, grumpy neighbor.”

🐕 Small Town Romantic Suspense
🌳 Missing Best Friend
🐕 Morally Grey Hacker
🌳 Neighbours to Lovers
🐕 Single Mother
🌳 Found Family
🐕 Grumpy x Sunshine

Oh I just knew I was going to adore this book but I did not expect to fall quite so head over heels for the Archer family. This series follows 5 brothers, starting out with Dex. It’s safe to say I’ve been super curious about him ever since we were introduced to him back in Sparrow Falls and All the Missing Pieces. I mean who wouldn’t be intrigued by a man who is described like this? Sign me up. Instantly.

“A man who looked like some cross between a professor and a biker with mountain-man height and shoulders”

The romance. Oh boy the romance. The chemistry between Brae and Dex… these two are off the charts. I love these two with my whole heart and following their story was everything I could have hoped for. They challenged, supported and protected each other. Zero complaints.

“I’m not growling at you. I’m growling at whoever fucking dared to put their hands on you.”

The mystery… I will forever be weak for a small town romantic suspense and Catherine Cowles might just be the queen of twists and turns. I pride myself on being able to guess the ‘whodunit’ in most books but in the 30 books I’ve read of CC I’ve only ever been right once and I LOVE that (my ego, not so much). This book was no different, I can’t get enough of a story that has me on my toes from start to finish and the suspense plot really was next level. I’ve said it before but I love when you can just tell how much research has been put into a story and the detail Catherine Cowles has put into the search and rescue dogs was such a perfect addition to this story. It not only added an adorably hilarious puppy (seriously, there is nothing better) but also showcased Brae’s dedication to doing everything possible for her missing friend.

And if the tension filled romance and mystery wasn’t already enough to entice you to read this book then the found family aspect… oh that will win you over completely. The friendships Brae builds are beautiful and lasting. I just love all these new characters we’ve been introduced to and I can’t wait to see their stories grow too.

Across the Vanishing Sky really was everything I could have hoped it would be. And so much more. You will be taken on an emotional rollercoaster, one you absolutely will not want to leave. You’ll feel Brad’s heartbreak, the love and loyalty between the Archer Family, the dedication to righting wrongs. And you can forget the humour. Catherine Cowles always writes the best banter and I LIVE for it.

It really is safe to say I have a new favourite Catherine Cowles series (will I say this for every single CC book I read? Yes. Is it still true? Absolutely), and I can’t wait to see whose story is next.

~ Thank you NetGalley, Evermore and Catherine Cowles for this ARC ~ Quotes from Catherine Cowles Instagram.

[Heloise · Rating 5 out of 5]

"But Even the strongest people needed someone to lean on." Wow where to I begin, I am a huge Catherine Cowles fan and this did not disappoint. I knew it would be an emotional book from the prologue, there were moments of humour and sadness and as always shock. Dex is someone who has popped up before in the Catherine Cowles universe and it was great to see more about his story, him and his brothers have been through a lot and there is a lot of judgement from who they are related to they still take that on and try and do good. Whether through a sense of guilt but also because they are just good people they just do not necessarily see that as their past clouds their outlook. Braedyn has been a single mum since the beginning, she had her best friends support til one day her person was gone. She moves to Starlight grove to try and find answers and finds herself a family.

Sky is an amazing character, the way she stood up for Owen and they have brought her up to be a little princess who stands up for whats right. So adorable and I cannot wait to see more of her. I am so intrigued by the other brothers and cannot wait to see all of their stories unfold. The brothers were skeptical at first but slowly they all saw the sunshine that is Brae and did what they could to help. She held her own with each brother and found a family.

Dex and Brae both did not want to get attached, Dex did not want to have anyone too close as his afraid of what darkness lives inside him and for Brae she's lost everyone so if she does not let anyone too close theres no one else to lose. This book is a slow and steady realisation of someone staying and seeing you for who you are and standing up beside you and being someone who can support you. They show up and stand up for one another in ways only those they call family have before they see something in each other that only they can understand whilst putting Owen first.

Thank you netgalley for the earc!

[Lyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

a huge thank you to evermore uk for this Christmas present!

ive been reading catherine cowles' sparrow falls books recently (read: devoured the last three in three days) and nothing was better than getting the chance to read an early copy of the new series when i reached the end of sparrow falls. dex was already familiar from sparrow falls series but it was nice getting to learn where he came from after so many cameos in the sparrow falls books. i also immediately fell in love with Brae, Owen & Yeti (and Nova, and then my heart was broken into million pieces).

this book was a bit darker than sparrow falls, but the found and real family vibes where strong and warm. i loved the Archer brother's family dynamic and i cant wait to read all of their books.

one thing catherine cowles is absolutely amazing at writing is combining the romance and the darker themes of each book. this didn't feel like a "horror" or thriller book but it had enough of the elements so that it wasn't only romance. but the warmth and light of the romance and friendships balanced the darker moments.

there was a few mentions of our lovely characters back in sparrow falls (Lolli!!!! and Anson&Rhodes) and i also spotted a nice little easter egg to wild side by elsie silver which i absolutely adored!

i absolutely devoured this book and I don't know how i can wait for the next one. I already checked out the recommened reading order for the earlier catherine cowles books and i think im gonna do some bookshopping after Christmas so i can continue reading these breathtakingly amazing books.

i absolutely loved this book and you should absolutely check this series out! and while waiting for this one to be published, you can start with sparrow falls books to fill the void!!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m about 95% sure Catherine Cowles will end up being my most-read author of 2025. Romantic suspense is such an underrated genre, but it’s one of my absolute favorites—and Catherine consistently delivers.

I’ve been dying to know more about Dex Archer ever since he started appearing throughout the Sparrow Falls series, and his story in ACROSS THE VANISHING SKY did not disappoint. Dex is a reclusive, gray-hat (former) FBI hacker who returns to his hometown and gets pulled into a missing persons case with town newcomer Braedyn.

Braedyn has been searching for her best friend, Nova, for over a year. She moves to Starlight Grove—where Nova originally went missing—determined to find answers. She never expects help from her grumpy neighbor and his family, but as the case becomes more dangerous than anyone realized, she’ll need all the help she can get…

I absolutely loved this first installment of The Starlight Grove series. Catherine does a fantastic job introducing new characters and a new town while keeping the story moving, with plenty of twists that kept me guessing. I especially loved Dex and Braedyn’s relationship, as well as their connections with each other’s families.

The glimpses of what’s to come in future books only made me more excited for the rest of the series!

🗓 Across the Vanishing Sky releases 03/03/26

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌶️.5 / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to Bloom Books for the ARC—opinions are my own.

[bookgirlieri X · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Netgalley & Evermore Books for this Digital ARC!

Butterflies, brooding heroes, and secrets that won’t stay buried…

Picture this: Braedyn Winslow, a brave as hell single mom with a past that haunts her like a shadow she can’t shake, steps back into Starlight Grove - a town full of secrets, whispers, and a mystery that’s been haunting her heart for over a year. She’s determined to find her missing best friend, but honestly… she has no idea how dangerous the truth might be.

And then there’s Dex Archer. Ugh. Dex. The brooding, swoony, kind of scary, next door neighbour who’s hiding so many secrets. At first, he’s all mysterious glances and silent brooding, but when danger starts creeping closer, he becomes Braedyn’s partner in crime (literally) and the one person who keeps her safe - while making her heart do that butterflies in your stomach, can’t breathe kinda flutter. 🦋✨

Together, they’re unstoppable. She’s fiery and brave; he’s loyal and protective and their slow burn romance is just… chef’s kiss. It’s full of stolen glances, shared secrets, and moments that make you clutch the book like, “Yasss, fight your feelings, babes!”

Meanwhile, the mystery keeps your heart racing. Every clue Braedyn uncovers pulls her deeper into danger - someone in the shadows doesn’t want the truth revealed. But instead of running, she faces it head on, with Dex right there, risking everything for her. The tension? Off the charts. The stakes? Real. The feels? Absolute chaos in the best way. 🧨

And the town itself? Full of quirky charm. Funny, weird, sometimes messy, but always adding warmth and texture to the story. It’s like getting lost in a secret world where danger and magic collide, and your heart is always just a little too exposed.

[ruthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Evermore, Random House UK, Cornerstone, Catherine Cowles and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Across the Vanishing Sky before it’s released in March 2026!

Catherine Cowles is my go-to romantic suspense author. I’ve read the entirety of her back catalogue and every single time she still manages to trick me into thinking I’ve got it all worked out. ATVS is no exception to this. I was so smug thinking I had it worked out and then ✨plot twist✨. I was sucked into the CC universe with this story from the go, Brae and Dex are two of my favourite characters I’ve ever read and I ✨cannot✨ wait to read each Asher Brother book when it’s released. I just know they’re going to be incredible.

I cannot wait to reread this in March when the audiobook drops because I know whoever is narrating it, is going to bring Dex and Brae to life so incredibly well. My pre-order has been placed ✔️

Thank you to Evermore et all for the easiest 5 star read and one of best books to finish out the year with! I can’t wait to be back in Starlight Grove soon!

Across The Vanishing Sky is out on 3rd March 2026!

[Maggie Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Across the Vanishing Sky
A wonderful story that is a romance, mystery and thriller that at times really has your heart pounding. With it’s cast of great characters, sparkling dialogue this is a real page turning book.
Brae has returned to to Starlight Grove with her young son Owen to start a new life. A year previously she had been hiking there with her close friend Nova, Brae had left Nova for a few minutes to look at some wild flowers when she returned Nova had disappeared only her water bottle left on the ground. No body was ever found and law enforcement did little to help. She is now going to put all her effort in trying to find Nova or discover what had happened to her.
Her neighbour Dex is a great character, he has 4 brothers and a background steeped in tragedy, he falls quickly for Brae and Owen and is determined to help her with his brothers in her quest to discover what happened to Nova.
There are many twists and turns in this book and I had no idea who the true villain was and there were a few to choose from! The revelation at the end blindsided me.
An immensely satisfying read right up to its finale, I can’t wait for the next in what I predict will be a great series with each of Dex’s other brothers taking centre stage.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

[Ruxandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, clearly I’ve been living under a rock because HOW have I never read a Catherine Cowles book before?! This was my first, and I am officially obsessed. The second I finished Across the Vanishing Sky, I immediately downloaded more of her books ❤️

This book put me through the full emotional spin cycle right up until the last page. I did not expect to care this much about fictional people, yet here I am, deeply invested in their happiness like they’re my real-life friends.

We follow Brae, a single mom who moves to the small town of Starlight Grove after her best friend went missing there the year before. Enter Dex: her grumpy, hacker neighbour who absolutely did not want to get involved… but obviously does anyway.

The small-town vibes, found family, and sense of community were done so beautifully. And the slow, natural way Brae and Dex’s relationship developed? Chef’s kiss ❤️ Watching them find comfort, safety, and love with each other was genuinely heartwarming.

I am now fully locked in with the Archer family, if I could read the rest of the brothers' books now, that would be perfect. This was such a strong, emotional start to a new series and I already need the next book. Catherine Cowles, you’ve got me in a chokehold.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine Cowles is one of my top favourite authors and I gobble her books up like candy.
Dex left the FBI to return to his home town after years of service. Simultaneously, Brae moved next door to him with her son Owen, she is searching for her best friend who disappeared on a trail in that town a year ago.
As neighbors, they meet in a hilarious situation and things move on from there.
I couldn’t put this down! Yes, Catherine Cowles books are quite formulaic but each story is so lovely and gripping, with characters that you will adore! The investigation to find Brae’s closest friend was so interesting, Dex’s family are wonderful (and his brothers are yummy too 😂) and overall a fantastic read. There’s even an adorable dog called Yeti.
I loved this book, and the only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is that Brae’s son (I think he’s 8?) constantly called his mother bro or bruh which really got on my nerves, and he uses a lot of slang trying to be cool which took me out of the story and irritated me to no end, I work in a school and kids don’t talk like that.
Apart from that, highly recommend! Can’t wait for the next book.

Thank you so much Net Galley and Catherine Cowles for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

A strong introduction to a new series, filled with small-town quirks and a family driven by the demons of their past.

Ex-FBI computer hacker Dex returns to the Northern California town he grew up in, and reconnects with his brothers, who all bear trauma from their upbringing. His first encounter with single mom Braedyn, her too-wise-for-his-years son, and their giant dog Yeti is a disaster, compounded by the fact that they are his new neighbors.

Brae has her own compelling reasons for settling in Starlight Grove, and Dex -- and his family -- are soon caught up in the intrigue.

There are a lot of characters introduced, but each is given time to develop, especially Brae, Dex and his brothers. The mystery is well-integrated, and the Big Reveal was definitely unexpected! My only quibble is the copious profanity, which I didn't think was necessary, and the attempt to make Brae's 8-yr-old a fount of pre-teen slang and mannerisms....a bit too overdone.

I look forward to spending more time in Starlight Grove, and seeing how each of the Archer brothers comes to terms with his past.

[Imi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine Cowles has the power to draw out so many emotions from you. This book was full of high stakes, but was combined with some beautiful character development and emotional vulnerability.

I have been excited for Dex's story after since being introduced to him in Sparrow Falls, and it did not dissapoint. The chemistry between Dex and Brae was perfect. They are two broken people that have something devestating in common, and the way that they found trust in eachother was so beautiful.

Brae's son Owen is so sweet and funny. I loved his relationship with Dex. And of course, a special mention to Yeti, the search dog, for being such an adorable and clever girl.

The missing person storyline was so heartbreaking and intense. The suspence was built up brilliantly throughout the book, and as always, Catherine gave us lots of twists and a bad guy that I did not expect!

I am already so obsessed with the Archer brothers and the found family that is developing. I have a feeling that their stories, in particular, Orion's, are going to break me in the best possible way🥺.

💗 Single Mum
💗 Romantic Suspence
💗 Small Town
💗 Grumpy Neighbour MMC
💗 Missing Person

[Erin H · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

I freaking loved this book. I loved this book so much I took my time with it. I didn't rush it, and it was perfect! I never saw the plot twists coming. I'm pretty sure my jaw was on the floor for the last 60 pages of the book.

I feel like Dex and Brae are my friends now and we just might meet up for a drink at the boot. I just love when two broken people fight for each other, and to see the good they might not see in themselves. Dex carries a lot of guilt for who his father was knowing he might have the same darkness. And Brae has been abandoned by everyone that should have loved her whether by choice or by force. Brae sees the good in Dex and Dex loves the fighter and resiliency in Brae.

"I love you. And I trust you." brb. Sobbing.

I'm sad this is my first Catherine Cowles book cause I feel like I missed out of so much back story. But I WILL be reading more of her work!!!

Thank you for the eARC of this book!!

🩷single mom
🩷neighbors to lovers
🩷forced proximity
🩷found family
🩷small town
🩷suspense

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was simultaneously smiling and at the edge of my seat the whole way through. This stunning romantic suspense wrapped me in warmth, nostalgia, and excitement all at once—and I loved every second of it. The perfect way to begin a new series.

As a Bay Area native, Brae's move from Oakland to far Northern California felt familiar and made my heart happy. Then there were the Easter eggs—such a treat! Readers of Catherine's other books will recognize familiar faces, and connections to past storylines that I deeply love made the experience even richer.

Braedyn and Dex will melt your heart and Owen, Yeti and the entire Archer crew will keep you laughing! This book gave me that special feeling only a favorite author can deliver, and now I'm fully invested. I can't wait to see how the rest of the Archer brothers find their happily-ever-afters.

If you've never read Catherine Cowles before, jump in, the water is warm! If you're a tried-and-true fan like myself, I promise you will not be disappointed.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another knock out. Every single time I read a Catherine Cowles book I’m more and more a fan. The twists and turns, the heartbreak and heartfelt moment, the connections. All immaculately done.

We met Dex a couple of times in Sparrow Falls, so I was excited for his book and AVS did not disappoint. He’s a nerdy, broody, “who hurt you” perfect MMC. Brae was just the right FMC for him, too. I am coming to love the single parent trope, so this was a bonus. She really was an amazing, strong, loving character. She’s the type of FMC you want to be friends with and route for the whole way.

The side characters really do make the world with these books. I was grinning so hard at the mention of Ridley and Sounds like serial! I NEED Loli to take a trip to Starlight Grove and meet Blaze in person.

It wouldn’t be a CC book without the plot twist that spin you right out. Again, this one did not disappoint. I always find myself deeply distrustful of every single character waiting for the shoe to drop. 😅

I am so excited for this series and for each brother to get their HEA. 💕

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m giving Across the Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles 5 stars. I absolutely loved this book. The blend of suspense and romance was perfectly balanced, keeping me completely engaged and deeply invested in the characters from beginning to end. Catherine Cowles has such a talent for creating tension-filled moments that still feel grounded in emotion, and this story is no exception.

I adored the dynamic among the Archer brothers, and I cannot wait for more books in this series. The addition of the kids brought a wonderful lightness to the darker, high-stakes moments, offering warmth, humor, and heart that made the story even more memorable.

I’m a huge fan of Catherine Cowles, and Across the Vanishing Sky just reinforces why—I will happily read anything she writes. This was a captivating, emotional, beautifully written story that I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.