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, Contemporary, Small Town Romance, Contemporary Romance, Mystery, Suspense

Kindle Edition

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]

OMG I just got a widget, I might have cried..
This is one of my most anticipated releases for next year, I'm so happy right now!!

*Huge thank you to Evermore Books UK for providing me with an ARC, I'm beyond thankful.*

[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 ❤️.

[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.

[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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[HeatherNicoleReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are. you. Effing. Kidding. Me. You ripped me apart just to put me back together. This book was so good, it was hands down my favorite read of the year. When I tell you that you have to RUN when this releases I’m not kidding. The way she captures you from the first chapter, and brings in alllll the characters even some you’ve never got a glimpse of outside of their book! It’s truly just *chefs kiss* I literally squealed when we got a snippet of one of my favs! There were so many giggles, more tears than I care to admit, and so. Much. Heart race. I adore the archer family and I can’t wait to keep reading in their world! Dex actually took the spot of favorite Cathrine book boyfriend. You guys are IN for it.

I’m a sucker for a good found family and touch her and die. Which you get both of in here. Two broken people who come together and heal. It’s beautiful.

Catherine you did it again my friend you’re a genius!

[Jessamine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book 👏🤩

Romantic suspense is quickly becoming one of my favourite genres and this hit every single note for me. The added layers, the tension, the slow reveal… I was completely gripped from the very first page. As a true crime girlie, this was everything I look for and more. Perfection. It read like an episode of CSI or Law and Order SVU and that alone should have you running to read it!

I really loved how the series has been set up. The secondary characters were so well written and thoughtfully introduced. They felt integral to the story rather than distracting from it and only added depth and intrigue. I already cannot wait to return to Starlight Grove and see who’s next 👀

The leads were warm, gritty and incredibly strong. I fully believed in their connection and their romance and the spice? 😮‍💨 Dex is swoonworthy 🔥 if you love a man who takes care of his girl then one scene in particular will have you melting 🥹.

[Sarah Jane Higginbottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me in a chokehold from the first chapter. This book is the perfect mix of slow-burn romance, emotional depth, and edge-of-your-seat suspense. The small-town vibes, the found-family moments, and the way the romance builds alongside the mystery? Absolutely immaculate.

Catherine Cowles knows how to make you *feel*—I was stressed, soft, and fully invested all at once. If you love protective MMCs, strong but wounded FMCs, and a story where the stakes keep rising until you’re holding your breath, add this to your TBR immediately. Trust me, this one hits. 💔❤️‍🔥


📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Catherine Cowles and Random House UK, Cornerstone📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Across the Vanishing Sky
By Catherine Cowles

Ms. Cowles has outdone herself with this one. It’s such an incredible romance with mystery and suspense. I had absolutely no clue who our villain was going to be. I read it overnight. It grabbed my attention immediately and never let go. Enchanting story about family and community bonds. While tragic, haunting and twisted. The counterpoint was romantic love, family love and bonding and love of community. It gave me hope that just maybe there is unconditional love out there banishing the darkness to bring in the light. It’s an amazing story and I’m sure I won’t forget it. Happy reading. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.

[Anna Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. Book. I didn’t think I’d ever be ready to move on from the Sparrow Falls series (missing them DAILY) but Catherine did everything right with Across the Vanishing Sky!! A new town, new family, new danger, and new sibling group chats. Beyond excited for this new series and all the hints at what’s to come. I couldn’t get enough of Dex and Brae with their gentle love and grounding support of each other. They are the perfect introduction to this new series and I can’t wait for more.

Read this when you’re in the mood for…
- neighbors to lovers
- Who hurt you?
- “F* it”
- Single mom
- Tortured hero
- Search and rescue dog

Would I recommend? A thousand times yes.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Across the Vanishing Sky. I have been a little bored of how predictable some romance novels have been at the moment but I loved the crime element woven into this story, it kept things interesting without taking over the emotional side of the book. I related to the Characters and I liked how their relationship developed naturally as the story unfolded.

There’s a good mix of emotion and suspense without it feeling over the top. The setting added a lot to the mood, and I found myself wanting to keep reading just to see how everything would come together.

Enjoyable read and look forward to the next book.

[Emily G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I swear Catherine Cowles can do no wrong.

This book, man - what a ride. It felt like a rollercoaster the way my emotions were going haywire. Catherine portrayed a raw heartache similar to that in All the Missing Pieces. Somehow, Cowles still managed to balance it so that the book never became too heavy.

Catherine has an ability unlike anyone else to balance joy and heartache, showing that the sun can crack through the bleak skies and joy can be found in the darkest of times.

No spoilers but I have to mention the cameos—so many of them. It feels like this is the thread that ties all of her works together, and I can’t wait to see where this series goes next!

[McKenzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Bloom Books for granting me the joy of reading this ARC early! Absolutely loved getting to know Dex more intimately and getting inside his head along with his family dynamic. I was not expecting Dex’s past to be what it was. Brae was also a joy to get to know. I enjoyed learning why she felt such a strong pull to find out what happened to Nova. That storyline tugged at my heartstrings for sure. Overall I’m so excited to read more into this world and getting to know The Archers better!