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, Contemporary Romance, Small Town Romance, Mystery, Suspense

384 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)

[Jen ♥]

the single mom trope sold me 🤭

[Sandy (Sandy.Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five freaking stars. No notes.

This book wrecked me in the best way. I devoured it in less than 24 hours because I physically could not put it down. I don’t even know how to properly put my obsession into words. Every chapter pulled me deeper, every reveal hit harder, and I was locked in from the very first page.

Set in Starlight Grove, new this town officially owns my heart. Watching Dex, who we first met as a side character in the Sparrow Falls series, finally get his story felt so deserved. Seeing him step out of the background and into a love that was fierce, protective, and just the right amount of possessive had me kicking my feet. And Brae? I adored her instantly. Getting to know her and her sweet son, Owen, and watching this little found family take shape while they worked through grief and healing absolutely wrecked me in the best way.

The twists and turns kept me on edge, the emotional moments hit so hard, and that ending? I am still not okay. Catherine Cowles has me fully hooked, and I am begging for the next book immediately.

[lucialeelibros · Rating 5 out of 5]

this freaking book was one of the most FUCKING PERFECT thing I've read.

If someone had ever told me I’d read a book where the plot includes mystery, murder, missing people and an insanely good romance… I would’ve laughed in their face. Because anyone who truly knows me knows I’m not a thriller girl, not a mystery fan, and I hate anything that leaves me drowning in suspense. But heywe’re trying new things. Growth. Character development. And here I am, writing a review for the undisputed queen of romantic suspense: Catherine Cowles.

Huge thanks to Bloom Books, NetGalley, and our author for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Across the Vanishing Sky, book one in this brand-new series that already has me fully hooked.

Welcome to Starlight Grove, a small town where everyone knows everyone, everyone smiles… and everyone is hiding something. This is home to a very particular family: the Archer brothers. They’re infamous, not because of anything they’ve done, but because of the shadow they live under. Their father was one of the most notorious serial killers in the area, and the town has never let his children forget it.

This book follows the second of the five brothers: Dex Archer. Morally questionable, arrested at 21 by the FBI for hacking, and forced to work with them for ten years as part of his sentence. He is very, and I mean VERY attractive and wears glasses. Glasses. The kind that lower your blood pressure and raise everything else (literally). Dex is incredible. He’s broken, haunted by his demons, and permanently grumpy. He’s strong, loyal, closed-off… until he meets Brae. From that moment on, something shifts. Her determination and strength bring out a side of Dex that even his brothers start questioning. If you asked the women in the book to describe him physically, Aster would say it best: "Did you say Dex? Glasses? The guy whose hotness is only matched by his grumpiness?”
I love her. And yes I fully agree.

Now let’s talk about Brae, she is a WARRIOR. A strong, determined woman with one goal: finding her missing best friend—her chosen sister. She’s a single mom who moves to Starlight Grove to track down any clue related to Nova, or Supernova as her son Owen calls her. Owen, an 8-year-old sweetheart, wears glasses, is obsessed with Yeti (their search-and-rescue dog trained for trails and open terrain), loves coding and programming, and has a very obvious crush on their neighbor, Dex. What I love most about Brae? Her determination. Nothing and no one stops her. And because of her kindness, honesty, and transparency, the entire town is willing to help her. When someone fights with that much heart, people show up.

The relationship between Brae and Dex was fantastic. Not forced. Not rushed. It unfolded exactly how it should have. They found each other when they needed it most and became the missing piece that helped pull the other back from the wrong path. Through oddly shaped cookies, hot sauces, quiet moments, and fierce protection, Dex was the first person who didn’t hesitate who risked everything to help her. And Brae? She never cared where he came from. She shut down anyone who tried to judge him. To her, Dex is everything not his father’s sins, not his past, just him.Dex and Owen connected instantly. From the very first moment, it felt natural and sweet. And Yeti? Completely obsessed with Dex. Their scenes together are hilarious and bring much-needed lightness to the darker moments of the story.

And we have to talk about the Archer brothers, because they are essential:
- Wylder, the oldest — The Profiler.
- Dex, the second — The Hacker.
- Kol, the third — The Tracker.
- Orion, the fourth — The Mapmaker.
- And Maverick, the youngest — the most unhinged and chaotic one of all.
They all play a role, but let’s be real the one who has me in a chokehold already is Orion. Quiet. Watchful. Mysterious. I like them exactly like that.

And now the most important question: Did I figure out who the villain was? I THOUGHT I DID. But when the reveal finally happened… I was shocked. I never suspected that person not even once. And I loved that. The mystery was done right.

So yes. I’m officially on this bus!! I want more Catherine Cowles and absolutely more of this series.

[Chelsea Mansell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Across the Vanishing Sky eARC Review 🌌

4.5 ⭐️

Welcome to Starlight Grove and what a way to start a new series 👏🏻😍

I am absolutely convinced Catherine cannot write a bad book. This book had everything you could want in a romantic suspense and now I am frothing at the mouth for the rest of the series 🤭🙌🏻

Dex, Brae, Owen and Yeti have my entire heart.

What a beautiful story about love, loss, overcoming struggles, and learning to trust again. Catherine’s writing is always magical and this story sucked me in from the very beginning. Her books are like true crime but the romance version with a happily ever after and I’ll never get enough.

I loved the Archer brothers and their dynamic. Their group chats were the best and I cannot wait for each and every one of their stories.

What to expect:
💗 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭/𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭
💗 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞
💗 𝐆𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐲/𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞
💗 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬
💗 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮?
💗 𝐆𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐲 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫
💗 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐦
💗 𝐇𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨
💗 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲
💗 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧
💗 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨
💗 𝐁𝐢𝐠𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭

Thank you so much Catherine, Bloom & NetGalley for the arc!

[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

[BeautyAndTheBooks]

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

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tension. The mystery. The romance. Top tier. I absolutely adore this new town that Catherine Cowles has brought us to and I CANNOT WAIT for more stories set here. This is a fantastic start to the world and I loved every minute. I know the next book will be even more amazing! Loved seeing characters from previous books make small appearances here, also. Highly recommend the read!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

[Liz | Bookslizreads90 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC RTC!

[Erin (erinsreadingroom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆ 4 stars

Across the Vanishing Sky is the first instalment in the Starlight Grove series by author Catherine Cowles. Not only is Cowles an auto-buy author of mine but she is also an auto-read author. No matter what I’m doing and what book I’m reading… I immediately want to abandon it all the second I get a new book by her in my hands. There’s just something so special about finding an author that you just know that you will enjoy no matter what the context and this newest instalment is yet another shining example of this sentiment. Across the Vanishing Sky had me in its clutches from the very first page (like always) and I had the absolute best time playing detective as I anxiously tried to anticipate who the villain was before the big reveal. Unsurprisingly I failed. Again. The big reveal genuinely duped me and had my jaw on the floor in shock. The pacing of the plot felt steady in its build up towards the emotional end and I read the book in its entirety in one sitting with ease. Author Catherine Cowles knows how to allure her readers into an emotionally compelling tale filled with love, loss and family. The suspense elements adds something invigorating that you wouldn’t otherwise find in a standard romance story… and I’m making it a challenge to guess at least one of the villains correctly throughout this new series. Just once. That’s all I ask to feel successful.

Braedyn Winslow snatched my heart out of my chest from the very moment she was introduced and I only continued to fall in-love with her on a deeper level as the plot continued to progress. Selfless, empathetic and driven are only some of the many positive attributes that I greatly credit to Brae’s character which you see come into play time and again throughout her journey. My heart broke as her past was discussed and it became clear just how truly alone she has felt in raising her son as a single mother with nobody but her soul sister to rely on. The devastation and loss that she felt in the aftermath of her best friend’s disappearance nearly broke me, however I also felt nothing but pride in her refusal to give up on Nova no matter how many doors were slammed in her face. Braedyn knows who she is at her core and she knows that giving up on the small number of people that she loves is not what she stands for. I really respected that no matter the outcome of Nova’s disappearance… all Brae wanted was to be able to finally have answers and to give Nova the peace that she deserves in life and in death. Braedyn’s commitment to the people she loves in unparalleled and it’s very clear that there is no line that she will not cross in their defence. Her ability to still find light and joy within a world that had been proven to be unkind to her was commendable, and she truly made it so easy to root for her success. I adored every aspect of Brae’s character and it was emotional to witness just how seamlessly the Archer family enveloped her and her son into their dynamic. Brae and Owen were the missing pieces that the Archer’s didn’t realising that they were missing… and I cannot wait to see this family continue to grow and evolve as the series continues.

Dex Archer has been my favourite mystery that I have felt eager to unravel after being introduced to his character through numerous cameos and mentions in Cowles other works… and it’s safe to say that he has not disappointed in the end. A decade of working in service for the FBI in lieu of facing time in prison for his actions as a hacker has made a visible impact on Dex. It honestly gutted me to see the weight of the blame and burden that both he and his brothers carry upon their shoulders on behalf of a horrid man that deserve no secondary thought. It broke my heart to see the small-minded community of Starlight Grove continue to regard the Archer family with wariness and distrust when they themselves have done nothing to deserve it. I found his grumpy demeanour hilarious as this seemed to be something that only Brae could bring to the surface, and I loved getting to see how their interactions evolved into comfortable banter that helped build their relationship forward. Dex is a caretaker to his core and I really valued the insight that we are granted into the depths of the bonds that he shares with his family. Beneath the surface is a loving and gentle man who is struggling to believe that he is deserving to see that love reciprocated which never failed to make my heart hurt on his behalf. I loved getting to understand Dex on a vulnerable level as he slowly begins to let down his walls and learns how to begin trusting people again. Getting to see his character begin to thrive with time and patience was a reward within itself, and it was the best feeling getting to witness this once reclusive man begin to open himself up to what his life could be should he feel brave enough to reveal his vulnerabilities and fight for it.

If there’s anything you can rely on author Catherine Cowles to deliver on… it’s a fun introduction between the two main characters that will leave you smiling and shaking your head in disbelief. The introduction between Braedyn and Dex was no different as it involved a misunderstanding regarding home keys, accidental indecent exposure and the threat of pepper spray. I loved the way that their relationship gradually progressed as both characters really seemed to prioritise taking their time to know and understand one another first. Brae and Dex are two deeply broken and mistrustful people that have had to work really hard to be open and expose the deepest vulnerabilities that they’ve worked so hard to shove down. The trust and friendship that they worked to earn was the perfect foundation to build their budding romantic relationship upon. I adored the simplicity of their bond in the way that they presented themselves at face value with the acceptance that who they are is enough. Dex and Brae’s relationship felt well-balanced with the soft and intimate moments paired the searing intensity that will fanning you face and kicking your feet. Their refusal to stay stagnant and the way that they continued to push and challenge one another for the better was very well executed and helped to showcase that relationship is a true partnership that is made to last. My favourite aspect to their relationship is definitely a credit to Dex’s bond with Brae’s son and the way that he continued to ensure that his presence in Owen’s life was welcomed. It was the most rewarding experience getting to witness Dex and Brae find love and safety within one another as they showed maturity in their ability to communicate and lean upon one another for support. I adored their bond from start-to-finish and I couldn’t be happier with the heartwarming conclusion to their story.

Across the Vanishing Sky acted as a solid introduction and indication in what we can expect from the remainder of the Starlight Grove series. I adored the introduction to the Archer brothers as I already feel like I have a solid understanding on their characters and the bond that they share as a family. The trauma that they carry breaks my heart and it makes me sad to see how long they’ve been carrying the weight and blame of a man that doesn’t deserve so much as an afterthought. I cannot wait to see every member of this family learn how to unravel their pain and witness them fight for the happy ending that they have long deserved. I really enjoyed the several 'easter egg' moments that are planted throughout this story which makes me hope that I already have an idea on at least three couples to expect in future instalments to this series. I couldn't be more excited for the recent announcement that the next instalment will be centred around our resident single daddy Kol… and don’t think I didn’t notice that the blurb provides no indicator on who his love interest is. If it’s who I think it is then I’m going to screech in excitement, and I’m so grateful that we only have to wait until July 2026 for the release of Into the Fading Twilight. There was also some really fun cameos from characters in both the Sparrow Falls series and All the Missing Pieces which I adored as they remain amongst my favourite titles by this author, and I’m looking forward to seeing if we get to see any more fun drop-ins throughout the remainder of the series.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.

[Amanda Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book 100 stars, I would.
Full RTC, but for now just … HELL. YES.

Okay, I think I’ve collected myself enough to actually write a review now.

I have my sentimental, subjective favorite books of Catherine’s, and then I have my objective favorites - the ones that are quite simply the objectively best-written.
This is an objective best.

I love Brae and her determination and strength.
I love Dex and how his heart shines even with how bruised it’s been and how badly he doubts himself.
I love sweet Owen buddy (who’d probably groan “BRUH!” at me for saying that).
I love all of the Archer brothers (although I def already know who my fav will be 😏) and my heart hurts for how much damage they all have to overcome in their own ways due to their past.
I love Little Princess so freaking much. And all of her animal sidekicks.
The townsfolk and other side characters, well…
The characters and their relationships all have so much heart but they’re all so viscerally realistic. And that’s where Catherine’s genius truly shines.
She’s able to make you really like characters but also show their slightly imperfect sides. This makes you have a niggle of suspicion about their true intentions and therefore you can’t untangle your draw to them from your distrust of everyone that innately comes from being a Catherine Cowles reader.
And then she also adds in bad guy side quests and some genuine, without a question, donkey holes that you absolutely loathe so you’re realllly thrown off your tracks.
Now, I’ll be honest, I have to read critically to find plot holes and spot twists and such as part of my job and it’s hard to turn that off.
So did I call the true UnSub ahead of time?
Yes.
But did I also hoot and holler when I found out I was correct, partially waking my husband up at 2am, because I could recognize that this was one of the hardest ones to guess out of Catherine’s books to date?
Also yes.
(Not even sorry, hubby 🤷🏻‍♀️)

Overall I am utterly obsessed with this book and cannot wait to listen to the audio the very second that I can get it.
And my only regret about already preordering 4 editions of it is that I didn’t order more.

This series is going to be something truly special.
Hell, it already is.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review ✨
Thank you to Read Bloom, NetGalley, and especially Catherine Cowles for the opportunity to read this masterpiece.

I have been intrigued by Dex since we first met him in Sparrow Falls. Truly, no one writes small-town romantic suspense better than Catherine Cowles. I was hooked from the prologue; every single character was written beautifully. The banter between Brae and Dex is top-tier right from the start. I loved the "found family" aspect and seeing how close the brothers are, especially given everything they’ve endured (and the hot sauces!).

Once again, I thought I knew exactly where the plot twists were going—I was only half right! As always, the suspense leaves your heart on the floor.

I especially adore how Owen and Skylar had such amazing personalities; they felt like a true part of the story, not just side characters. There were so many moments where Owen made me smile or shed a tear. Who am I kidding? They all made me feel everything! All of the brothers had me alternating between grinning and crying.

This book was the perfect setup for the Starlight Grove series. I am so excited for the rest of the brothers’ stories, especially Kol and Orion.

The ending was absolutely perfect—one of the best conclusions I’ve read in a long time—and yes, my emotional self definitely cried.

I highly recommend this book. It is truly a story about hope, never giving up, and finding the light within yourself.

I cannot wait for the rest of the brothers books. thank you again for the ARC for my honest review. ❤️

"You made me feel unafraid. For the first time in forever. You made me okay with who I am."

"It's not going to change what I think about you, buttercup. You're still my hot, unhinged neighbour who has perfected a scowl and glower that could freeze water in the Sahara."

"It's like you understood me before we even met."

What to Expect:
🏔️ Small Town Suspense
🩷Single Mom
🩷 Found Family
🩷Who hurt you?

[SelkieReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another home run from Catherine.
I have not read a bad book from her, and at this point nearing on my 20th book of hers, I don’t think it’s possible.
Yes, she is that good!

Mini blurb
Single mother Brae has a support system of one, Nova.
Bad ass, yoga, aficionado, smart mouth. Her best friend since childhood and the only one who has had her back when she became pregnant with Owen.
While on the first girls weekend ever, Nova goes missing during a hike.
Brae will stop at nothing to find her, not cost is too high, no effort too much, no distance too far.
So, when she moves to the small town where Nova went missing with Owen and search and rescue dog in tow, not even the grumpy but hot neighbor will get in her way.

I absolutely adored Brae and Owen, they are such an amazing team together, and even though they’ve lost Nova, Brae, make sure that Owen still has joy in his life.

Dex and his brothers… my heart breaks for all that they went through. These boys are gonna be a problem, a good problem… but mark my words bookstagram, a PROBLEM 😂

[Amy Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another infinity star read from Catherine? Yes it was! I was hooked from the prologue and devoured every word, and I'll give myself some credit about figuring out the villain! This is definitely a book to read in one sitting, because once you're in, it's hard to think of anything else!

This new Starlight Grove world is impeccable, and the new characters open up so many stories to come, and finally seeing Dex in a whole book was amazing!

Dex & Brae had that instant connection, where they just felt safe with each other, and watching it bloom was so beautiful. And Owen, with his childhood wisdom and ways brought so much more to the story.

The Archer brothers themselves are such a force, they have so much in their pasts, and I can't wait to see who their fmcs are!

This book is witty, it's heavy, there are so many twists and turns, and I'm not going to lie, I accused everyone at some point, but props to Catherine for still ending with the wow factor every time!

[Savannah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh wow i’m sobbing!! this was such a wild ride and such a fun and entertaining read that also broke my heart and put it back together all at the same time. i absolutely loved brae! she was such an inspiring fmc. i love the single parent trope and thought that was such a great aspect of this story & i loved owen and especially his relationship with dex. however, the constant slang is really what kept this from being a 5 star for me. i understand it’s realistic to how a lot of kids talk these days but it was just really giving brain rot and i think the book could have done without it. i loved dex and his family. catherine cowles writes the absolute best found family trope! i loved starlight grove, the small town felt like a character itself. i’m absolutely DYING for book 2 to come out this series. the mystery in this book was so good and i loved getting to know kol, who book 2 will be about!!

[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 ❤️.

[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.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’re everything that isn’t cold. You’re warmth. You’re fire. You’re life.”

Wow, I think I’m speechless after finishing… this was incredible!!! I was so nervous to dive into a new series because I thought nothing would ever even come close to how much I loved Sparrow Falls, but I’m here to tell you that Starlight Grove might have just clinched the number one spot!!

Something Catherine does so beautifully in her books is the found family, and this one was so well done. I absolutely loved getting to know Dex and all of his brothers. But more than that I love how even though they were all closed off they welcomed Brae into their family and truly made her and Owen feel at home. Dex and Brae had such a sweet love story where the trust and admiration for each other was bone deep. I absolutely loved getting to see Dex fit in perfectly with Brae and Owen and Yeti, together they made the sweetest little fam 🥹

I am so excited that we will get to return to Starlight Grove and get to know each brother even more as we follow each of their stories, I just know it’s going to be so good!! I also loved the crossover from all of the Catherine world! We got cameos from Anson (Sparrow Falls) Ridley (All the missing pieces) and Lolli (Sparrow Falls). I was literally screaming every time this happened because it was so exciting to see all of these books coexist in the same world.

Now for the suspense part, I really thought I had it figured out. News flash I was not even close 😂 I will say the last 20% of this book had my heart rate extra elevated and stressed like crazy because so much was happening. I do think it’s worth noting the crimes and suspense in this book are a little bit darker than I’ve read before in Catherine’s books, so just be mindful of that.

Overall, this book exceeded all of my expectations and I am just so giddy that we are getting to start over with a new series and a new family to follow!! 100/10 you must read!!

[BookshelfNumberNineteen · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ Across the Vanishing Sky | Catherine Cowles ~

🩷 Single Mum
🩶 Morally Grey Hero
🩷 Neighbours to Lovers
🩶 Grumpy only for Her
🩷 Who Hurt You?
🩶 Suspense & Mystery
🩷 Small Town & Found Family

What an absolutely astounding introduction to Starlight Grove!

Catherine Cowles has delivered a gritty & edgy yet also emotional & entertaining series opener, with her new book “Across the Vanishing Sky”

The back story for the Archer brothers, the reason Brae has returned to Starlight Grove, the family dynamics, the small town, the tension, the suspense filled plot and of course the love story…. Everything absolutely HITS. THE. SPOT! And that ending, my heart actually aches!

I’m not sure Dex & Braedyn’s first encounter could be classed as a “meet cute” but it sure was revealing! Then later in the book we get a perfectly placed “Fuck it” moment followed by “tell me to stop”…. Catherine played an absolute ace with those 4 words! Transporting Dex fully into sexy book boyfriend territory!

As Dex and Brae battle the darkness and navigate their guilt, loneliness, and trust issues, Catherine infuses their story with light. With pockets of joy, witty one liners, family group chats, entertaining kids and fun family members (Hello Uncle Waylon!) Watching Dex & Brae begin to heal together and form a deep connection is truly something special.

Thank you Evermore for providing me an eARC of Across the Vanishing Sky, I’m so excited to see others reactions to this much anticipated book! It was a pleasure to dive in early!

[Sarah | Sarahs.BookCorner · Rating 4 out of 5]

✩4.25

✦What to Expect✦
•Hurt/comfort
•Hate to love
•Grumpy x sunshine
•Neighbors to lovers
•Hacker Hero
•Found family
•Morally gray hero
•Single mom
•Grumpy only for her
•Who hurt you?
•Small town
•Bigfoot
•Romantic suspense

✦Characters✦
•Braedyn Winslow
•Dex Archer

✦Fav Quotes✦
“It’s like you understood me before we even met.”

“Tell me how you feel.”
“Like I’m coming back to life.”

“I’m with you. You aren’t alone. You never will be.”

“I love you.”
“I trust you,”

✦Thoughts✦
I knew Dex was going to be good, but dammmm sirr🥵🥵

I was hooked right away with this story and wanted to know what happened to Nova!

Brae is a little baddie and fearless and I loved that!!! I love her determination and how she refused to give up hope. Also Yeti omgggg I love a good pup. Give that dog all the treats!!!

I went through a roller coaster of emotions during that ending omg!!!! Was on the edge of my seat with those twists & reveals!!!

The Archer brothers 😮‍💨😮‍💨 oh I am obsessed! I can’t wait for each of their books!
I love their relationship and banter as a family!

✦Micro-Tropes✦
•F it

•ARC Read•

✦ Bookish links to follow ✦
Bookstagram • Goodreads • BookBub • Storygraph • Fable

[Samantha Draws · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨ 4.5⭐️ If it’s a Catherine book I know I’m going to love it! Dex is back in Starlight Grove and wants to do his best to not bring attention to him or his brothers. There’s something about the girl and her son next door though. He’s drawn to break his own rules and help her despite his brothers’ hesitation. Nova was everything to Brae and when she went missing everything changed. The police may not be much help but Brae is determined to find her. After everything traded and his brothers have been through they are determined to help those that need it so when Brae shows up and infiltrates their world they want to help her and protect her at all costs. What they uncover though may just shock them to their core.

What a start to the new series! I’ve been so excited for this one since finding out it was Dex. I’ve loved the little glimpses of him throughout other books and I have to say his story did not disappoint!! There was so much to love about this book! I felt all the emotions through this one and was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Catherine always keeps me guessing and I swear every time I think I have it figured out I’m dead wrong…but I love it so so much!! I loved the way Dex and Brae were both so hesitant and not willing to open up to a relationship but they so effortlessly fell into each other. Owen and Yeti and all the animals were all the best side characters! Owen and his slang had me cracking up the whole time. I could go on and on about this book but I’ll just end it by saying I CANNOT WAIT for what’s to come in this series!!

Tropes:
✨Single Mom
✨Morally Gray Hacker Hero
✨Neighbors to Livers
✨Found Family
✨Romantic Suspense

[Martina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom for the gifted ARC.

4.5 stars rounded up. Okay, I have been slacking...this is my first Catherine Cowles book. I've seen everyone raving about her for a while now and I have been slacking. I was so excited to read this when I learned it was a romantic suspense, two of my favorite genres put together, sign me up! I absolutely loved this book; it was fast paced and there was so much going on I got to 85% and still had no clue how the book was going to wrap up.

My only, and I mean truly only issue was the ending. It was great and I really liked how it ended but it felt a little rushed and I felt like I needed more. It just didn't 100% satisfy me with how quick everything happened. I know this is the start of a new series, so hopefully the next book helps with some of the rushed stuff that I needed more closure for. I also rightly guessed a good portion of the twists, but they were so good, that it really didn't bother me. Overall, though, I have definitely been missing out and cannot wait to continue this series and check out more of her books. (I know I haven't read her other books, but I did catch that there were definitely some cameos from other series of hers!)

[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!!!

[Shannon | readingwithmarlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

dare I say…this might be my new favorite CC??? Dare I say this might be the beginning of my new favorite series???

I loved everything about this. Dex is so hot, Braedyn is such a strong female lead, Owen is such a cute kid, the Archer family ALREADY HAS ME OBSESSED, AND per usual, the crime element kept me on my toes from the very first page. WHEN I TELL YOU THE TWISTS KEPT COMIN’ 🗣️🗣️🗣️

I am so obsessed with this town and I can’t WAIIIITTT for Orion’s book which unfortunately probably means it’ll be the last one in the series 😭

There were also SO MANY EASTER EGGS from her other series in this one and it was so fun to see them pop up—truly one after another, I felt like I was getting a little breadcrumb of joy each time.

Thank you so much to the author for the advanced copy! I cannot wait for the world to see this one 🥹

[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

[Cara Elizabeth | justanotherbookishgal · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️s

Ok but I actually really loved this one and cannot wait for more in this series. The Archer family dynamic was great, and knowing their backstory made this book even more interesting. Catherine’s suspense plots always suck me in. Loved both Brea and Dex in this story too. I don’t even care if it feels insta-lovey. Catherine’s books pretty much always hook me and have me flying through the pages. And they usually evoke a good amount of emotion from me, which means for me the vibe was right! This one did that. I think my only complaint was so many ‘bruhs’ lol. Granted they came from a young child, so it kind of tracks?

Also I enjoyed the small character crossovers in this one. And did anyone else catch the Elsie Silver character reference?

[Ashley - The Tattered Page]

Tropes:
🏔️Small-Town Neighbors-to-Friends-to-Lovers
🏔️Fiercely Loyal Single Mom FMC + Protective Ex-FBI Hacker MMC w/ Slutty Glasses
🏔️Suspenseful Whodunnit with a Twist
🏔️Her Love Language is Baking Themed Cookies
🏔️His Love Language is Enlisting the Help of His 4 Brothers to Help Her Solve the Case of Her Missing Best Friend

[Bethany C · Rating 3 out of 5]

The romance in this was fine but what really kept me reading was the suspense plot! I was so invested and needed to know what was going to happen and I’m v happy w the end!! I did like the main characters and am excited to read the stories of Dex’s brothers!!

Thank you sm to Catherine Cowle’s team for the arc!!!!