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

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 her son are moving to Starlight Grove, the place where her best friend Nova, the only family she had, went missing in a year ago. Brae is determined to find Nova and get the answers she so desperately needs, but 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 him struggle with his demons.. He was strong and loyal, a little grumpy, but 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 easily she fit in the Archer family. They embraced her and were there for her when she needed them the most. It made me so emotional seeing the love everybody showed her. 

I absolutely loved the Archer brothers and Waylon. They had such a special bond, one forged in darkness, linked with trauma they never overcame.. My heart hurt 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 Waylon 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 that all their stories are going to break me, but Orion's story is going to destroyed me, I'm not surviving that for sure..
I also loved Cora and Aster and the way they supported Brae.

Brae and Dex were absolutely 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 someone again, so seeing them 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 end up loving this series more than the Sparrow Falls one, which I honestly thought was imposible..

P. S. I did find the overuse of bro and bruh and all the slang a little irritating, so I kind of 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 ❤️.

[Katielase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by this author and I was really not expecting the thriller/suspense side of the plot to go this hard. I was absolutely gripped, could not put the book down until I had found out who was behind everything.

The tension starts from the first chapter when Nova goes missing on a hike with her best friend Braedyn while on a girls weekend away. Although her disappearance is written off as accidental and non-suspicious by local police, Brae is convinced Nova has been taken and eventually moves to the small town to continue to search for her. The way this plot is paced was perfect for me, just enough clues and reveals to keep me engaged but not so many that I actually figured it out (I got close, ISH). Brae is such a great character, she was so strong and her faith in Nova was really powerful.

At the same time as Brae is moving to town, Dex is moving back after 10 years in the FBI. Dex is haunted by the actions of his serial killer father, and his trauma and the ways in which he was able to start working through it after meeting Braedyn was really well handled and so interesting to read. Their journey to falling in love felt so honest and real.

Although the thriller side of this book is a bit dark in places and it really kept an intense tension throughout, the romance is surprisingly sweet and lovely. The banter between Brae and Dex was delightful and the relationship between Dex and his brothers, and their later friendship with Brae was so much fun. Skylar gets special mention from me because she is the queen of everything. I also loved the way Brae parented Owen, it felt very natural and their love for each other just leapt off the page.

By the finale of this book I was absolutely on the edge of my seat and I shouted out loud several times. I will definitely pick up more books by this author and eagerly await future books, hopefully featuring the rest of the Archer brothers, and glimpses into what I hope is a happily ever after for Dex and Brae!

[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.

[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!

[Jaqueline]

OMG HAHAHA THE SNEAK PEAK PLS IM SCREAMING

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine Cowles is a writing force to be reckoned with.

I never know how she could possibly top the last one, but here she goes again. She is undoubtedly a romantic suspense mastermind and honestly it’s hard to find another author who even comes close to being able twist you up and shock you the way that she can.

Brae the super single mum who not only is raising her little boy alone but it’s basically single handedly taking it upon herself to lead the search party for her best friend that went missing a year ago, what an absolute powerhouse of a woman. It’s absolutely no wonder that she that she thinks that everyone that’s supposed to love her leaves her whether they want to or not, and Dex breaking down her walls whilst dismantling his own, really highlighted the power of finding the right person at the right time.

Dex was absolute perfection, our little ‘grey hat’ hacker with a heart of gold and the inability to see just what an incredible human he is. I love Catherine’s family bonds in every single one of her series but these Archer boys have come straight in and stole my heart, I know she loves a broken hero but I truly don’t think she’s has a group as broken as these men are! Their bond is so strong, and even thought it’s evident they’re all carrying stars their unwavering support for one another and the way they still had me cracking up with their group chats has be absolutely hooked. I was goner from the get go, and Waylon sealed the deal! We love an eccentric head of the Family and Waylon with hot sauce and Bigfoot loving personality won me over easily!

Owen might be one of my favourite kids ever, I loved his sassy ‘cool’ slang, his one liners were easily some of my favourites ever and I loved how unapologetically himself he was no matter what.

Plot twists galore with this one, I had a 3 man suspect list, I was pretty sure I knew who it was, then I read more and was like nah not him, then I sort of went back, but again thought nope it’s not going to be them. When we finally found out I STILL gasped, even though he was on my suspect list from the first 10% of the book!!! The way that Catherine executed her reveal was absolutely incredibly, the scene that follows literally blew my mind. I don’t know how she thinks of it, and she kept the twists and turns coming right up until the very end!!

I am beyond excited to read the rest of what is undoubtedly going to be an incredible series, and I can’t wait to see which Archer brother steals my heart!


♾️⭐️
🌶️

[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.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I DEVOURED Across the Vanishing Sky. I ate it up and left no crumbs. It. Was. Everything!!! I loved it. I am always a tiny bit worried reading the first book in a new series that it wouldn't live up to a beloved book in past series of an author, but I had no reason to worry because this book served!!! I am glad that we got glimpses of Dex in a previous series, it really added to the book for me, but then we get introduced to his brothers, and I was a gonner. The banter between them was amazing!! I loved the story, and in true Catherine Cowles fashion, I suspected everyone!! I felt like the story moved at a really good pace and was so touched in so many parts of it. The ending sent me over, omg!! In near tears, this book was such a heart-wrenching one.

Dex, our MMC, What. A. Man!! Oh my, was he so good. The perfect geeky hot guy who had so many swoony moments not just with Brae, our FMC, but her son as well. He was all in, and I was here for it. I loved his relationship with his brothers too, they had a really hard hand dealt to them, but their relationship is so strong.

Brae, our FMC, she was such a strong character, and I loved her. Her humor and her courage were her best qualities, and the love she had for Nova and her son was so beautiful. I loved how she was all in with Dex and treated him in such a loving way. The F it moment between these two was SO hot!!

This series is going to become a solid favorite. I can tell just based on the first book, I am SO excited for the brothers' books!!!

♾️ ⭐️
2.5 🔥

[Sam ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay… this book is literally amazing!!! I was so excited to read this and was very interested in the story line!

The twists and turns in this book is insane! It literally has you reeling for more and more wanting to know what happens next! I did not guess the ending at all and was shocked by it!

The characters you’re introduced to in this book are incredible. I loved them all so much and all their different personalities! I loved the banter between all the brothers and the small town vibes it was giving!

Brae is such an incredibly strong FMC, she is a single mother rather her little boy Owen alone. She takes it upon herself to try and find her best friend that went missing a year ago, she moves into the area to try and widen her search an reopen up the case.

We’re introduced to Dex who is a hacker and end up playing a big part in try to help Brae find her friend. It’s beautiful seeing their relationship blossom. It’s lovely seeing Dex an Brae open up to each other as they begin to trust one another!

Honestly I’m reeling for more and I cannot wait to see what is next in this series!! Thank you so much to Catherine Cowles, Evermore Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my 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.

[Ciara Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had the opposite experience with Across the Vanishing Sky that I usually have with Catherine Cowles’ books.

I was so invested in this mystery plot! I loved the way it focused on a missing persons case and the inclusion of a support group for people in the community with missing loved ones. I really felt the suspense throughout and the way it wrapped up didn’t feel predictable at all.

Unfortunately the romance didn’t work for me in this one though. Was I supposed to find the MMC hacking into the FMC’s social media to get to know here after one brief meeting romantic? I couldn’t get past it and I didn’t feel any chemistry between Dex and Brae.

I did really like the side characters we met in this book and I’m very optimistic about the rest of the series. Hopefully I’ll find my perfect Catherine Cowles book in Starlight Grove!

[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.

[readwithdanica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars !!

I loved this one!! I partially got the twist at the end haha
Dex and Brae are so cute - I really enjoyed seeing their relationship develop as well as the relationship with her son and Dex’s family. There are so many side characters but you got to know quite a lot of each of them, I felt like I was living in town with them all.
This really pulled on my heartstrings - check the TW before reading!

Can’t wait for the rest of the series and the Archer brothers

We need more Yeti!!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for an eARC

[BookishlyMorgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooh I did have a slight incling about the twist this time!!

As always Catherine Cowles books really hit that perfect mix between romance and mystery. I adored all the main characters in this story and I can really see how well this has been set up for the start of a new series (I can predict some of the other couples and I hope I will love their books even more now that we have established the found family of the Archer brothers) 💖

Shout out to Yeti for doing the most 🥹

[Kerrie Booked_Up Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I flew through Across the Vanishing Sky. I loved the relationships, especially the found family and the dynamic between the brothers. I am already invested in the other brothers and cannot wait for their books. The story kept me hooked the whole way through. The ending felt a little quick for me, but it was still a really strong and enjoyable read overall.

[Abby Plata · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🌟
Hello, Starlight Grove!! And hello to the Archer brothers! In true Cat Cowles fashion, we have another small-town romance filled with hilarious side characters and new, stabby and twisty turns that will have you questioning everyone.

We met our mysterious hacker hero, Dex, in the Sparrow Falls series, and I’ve been waiting for his book ever since. Dex is mysterious, broody, and protective, but also incredibly tender. I honestly just want to give him the biggest hug.

The hilarious sibling group chats continue!! I’m obsessed with all of the Archer brothers, and I already have so many theories for their books 🤭

Braedyn is a single mom who’s back in Starlight Grove to search for her best friend, who vanished during their trip. Her best friend is her other half, and she won’t stop at anything until she uncovers the truth, even if that means baking cookies to convince her broody hacker neighbor to help her. She’s an amazing mom to her son, Owen, and I genuinely love how funny he is.

I had the best time reading this and am so excited for the rest of the series. I can’t wait to be completely consumed by it 😌.

If you’ve read other Cat Cowles books, keep an eye out for some special cameos from a few of our faves!

A huge thank you to Bloom for the e-ARC!

Also, officially claiming my spot as Orion’s #1 fan. That man is going to have me in shambles.

[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.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy small-town romantic suspense, and Catherine Cowles is one of the best authors in the genre. Across the Vanishing Sky is the first of a new series, introducing us to the town of Starlight Grove and its inhabitants, including the brooding Archer brothers. We've met Dex before: not just in the Sparrow Falls series, but in Cowles' standalone, All the Missing Pieces (which might be my favourite of her books to date). He's a self-proclaimed "grey hat" hacker, until recently employed by the FBI, even while moonlighting as a digital vigilante, trying to atone for the sins of his father. Now, we meet his brothers, and learn that they all contribute their own unique skills and team up in secret to help find missing people that the system has failed, while each of them also nurse their own demons from a tragic, violent past.

The darkness of their family history, and the missing persons plot that brings Brae to town, seeking her best friend/sister Nova, who vainished a year previously, is offset by the warmth of the family and found-family vibes of the Archer clan and their friends. Braedyn and her young son, Owen, initially receive a bit of a frosty welcome but this quickly thaws and they find support and friendship in Starlight Grove. Both Brae and Dex are reluctant to open up to each other, which of course means when they fall, they fall big.

The mystery plot is full of tension, red herrings, and is twisty as a twisty thing; Cowles is great at getting you to suspect a certain character, or not quite trust another, only to pull the rug from under you before the end, and she's on good form here. The suspense ramps up and pays off with a thrilling finale - although I did feel it was perhaps slightly rushed. That said, this book also has to serve as a series starter, so some of the aftermath has to be suspended in order for there to be plenty to explore in subsequent books. I also find some of the author's writing quirks can be distracting (she has a Thing for weird descriptions of eyes, and although it feels like it might have been toned down a little for this book there's still a lot of 'swirling' going on), but it should be pointed out that this is not new and I am now, like, 15 books in and counting, so you can see it's not a deal-breaker for me!

This is a really promising new series, and I can't wait to read the other Archer brothers' stories and return for more time in Starlight Grove. If you like the small-town romance and family vibes of Elsie Silver, and suspense from the likes of Frieda McFadden, Catherine Cowles could be your new must-read author - and this could be the perfect jumping-on point for you!

[jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been one of my most highly anticipated 2026 releases ever since it was announced (and to be honest.. ever since we met Dex in the Sparrow Falls series), and it certainly did not disappoint!

I just love the way Catherine Cowles weaves romance with the thriller/romantic suspense aspects, I know that’s the point of the genre but I feel like it’s just the perfect balance of them both that scratches the right part of my brain. I loved all of the Easter eggs (!!!!) and found all of the newer characters to be so loveable as well. I think there’s such a talent in having a relatively wide cast of characters but making all of them feel real, and this does it so well. Although I pretty much loved everyone aside from the villains, and I thought Brae was such a strong character given all that she has been through, my stars of the book were Dex and Yeti. Dex has been such an interesting character to me forever and getting to know him reaffirmed my instincts, genuinely a top 10 mmc of my life (AND HIS SLUTTY LITTLE GLASSES). I will always have a soft spot for a dog in a book and Yeti being so intelligent and helpful but also loving throughout warmed my heart.

One thing about my brain is that I always try to work out the twists before we get there in the book, and often I am able to do that (there are wayyy too many voicenotes / messages sent to my friends saying what I think will happen in a book that turn out to be like 99% accurate), and while it does make me feel clever sometimes, it also can be frustrating. It does make books where I don’t predict what happens that much more exciting to me, and Catherine is so good at not letting me guess. I know from previous series that the more obvious-looking suspects end up not being involved and to always expect it to be the least obvious person, but the final two twists in this genuinely shocked me (and the last page before the epilogue gave me full-body chills).

I had such a good time with this and loved how it not only was an incredible story in itself, it also set up the rest of the series so well too. On a personal level, I’ve been feeling not so great about a bunch of stuff recently and I needed a book like this to help me through it, and I am so glad I picked this up.

4.5★ - rounded up to 5★

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Catherine Cowles and Evermore for the opportunity to read and review this, I had the most incredible time and I am so grateful! Dare I say my new favourite Catherine Cowles book?

[Mar · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5 | 🌶 3

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ
✧ grumpy x sunshine
✧ single mom
✧ found family
✧ small town
✧ morally gray hero

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ
i’ll start by saying, if this isn’t on your radar, i needs to be added immediately.

i have so much to say about this one but ‘wow’ does a pretty good job of summarizing it. i made a point to put together a list of ‘theories’ while i read & am actually really happy to report that i was wrong about absolutely all of them. there is nothing better than being taken down a bunch of different paths, thinking you’ve figured it out… only to realize you’ve been cleverly misdirected time & time again. the suspense in this book was next level - while it hit its major peak in the back half of the book, little breadcrumbs were woven in throughout, making it a book i truly could not put down.

the characters were honestly perfection. dex & brae’s romance was the kind of believable slow burn you crave in a romance. i loved watching both characters learn more about each other & start to earn each other’s trust as things unfolded. brae was such a ray of sunshine despite all the suffering she’s working through & she is a rockstar of a single mom to owen. there were actually a few parenting lessons/quotes i highlighted as i was reading because i just thought she handled some of the situations so well. dex was the perfect amount of grumpy to balance her out. although he was truly only grumpy when it came to brae, i loved seeing the small glimpses of softness peek through. his character had so many levels that it was fun peeling them back to learn more about him. we also love a protective mmc who wears glasses & has questionable morals when it comes to bending the law to help others.

oftentimes, the first book in a series is a little slower & takes a minute to process because there are so many characters to introduce & backstories to begin building. i did not feel that at all with this book. the author did such a perfect job weaving in the other brothers & side characters without taking away from dex & brae. the archer brothers’ father was a serial killer - but after 400 pages i still couldn’t tell you what he did in detail or properly explain the fall out for the family. she did such an amazing job making sure that each brother gets the opportunity to tell their own story & explain how their father’s actions impacted them - which is just perfection. i absolutely cannot wait to keep reading.

this book was genuine perfection. the pacing, the character development, the cameos & the suspense all made it impossible to put down. consider me hooked on the starlight grove series - i will be (im)patiently waiting for book 2.

[Aoife · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Another Catherine masterpiece!

I’ve been looking forward to this book since the very first mention of (now former) FBI hacker Dex in the Sparrow Falls series and I didn’t disappoint. This book had all the usual Catherine humour and heart but still felt fresh. One thing I love about Catherine’s books is that you know what you’ll get but they never feel super repetitive or the same.

Our FMC in this book is Brae, a single mom who has just moved to Starlight Grove in order to search for her best friend Nora who disappeared on a hike there. She is really trying to strike a healthy balance between being present for her son, Owen and also looking for information about Nora. I like how devoted she was to both of them. I also adored how she really stuck her ground and fought for what was important to her!

Dex, the MMC, has left the FBI after 10 years and now returned home to Starlight Grove, where he and his brothers were raised by their Uncle Waylon (who is hilarious!). The brothers aren’t exactly welcome because of their father and the crime he committed. Dex doesn’t trust easily keeps his circle tight but that plan is foiled when he ends up renting the cabin beside Brae.

I loved Dex and Brae together. Starting a relationship goes against rule Dex imposed on himself but they simply cant ignore the chemistry between them!

The suspense element of this book was one of my favourites by Catherine. I loved how there was both in the moment suspense elements but also lots of time spent on Brae’s investigation. There also seems to be a bit of an overarching mystery/storyline for this series as a whole which sets this series apart from Catherine’s others.

I was SO shocked by the villain reveal at the end !!! As usual I didn’t guess the culprit, but this person didn’t ever make my suspect shortlist. I don’t want to give anything away but wow, I can’t wait to see the ripple effect of this in future books. Speaking of future books, I’m so excited for the rest of the Archer brothers. I have my suspicions on a few of the FMCs but who knows if they’ll be correct!

I cannot thank the team at Evermore enough for this ARC via NetGalley. You guys are the best!