The bestselling author of The Keeper of Stars returns with an intimate portrait of reinvention: when Cassandra Montgomery’s twenty year marriage dissolves, she sets out to recapture the woman she once was—and discover who she might still become—while there are still stars left in the sky.
Twenty years together. One chance to begin again.
It begins with a message from an old flame. Max Owens, Cassandra’s high school boyfriend. The one heartbreak she never quite outgrew. For months, they exchange messages that bridge decades of silence, until Nashville beckons with the promise of reunion.
En route, Cassandra stops in Sims Chapel, hoping to walk in the footsteps of Sara Hastings, whose words once altered the trajectory of her young life. She arrives armed with memories and questions, anticipating answers, perhaps even peace. What she doesn’t anticipate is Conrad, the man at the marina, his eyes holding stories that mirror the fracture lines of her own heart.
In Conrad’s company, Cassandra glimpses a startling truth—that the comfort she seeks may not lie in looking backward, but in daring to imagine a future unlike anything she’s ever known. Then Max appears without warning, disrupting the delicate cadence she and Conrad have begun to create. Caught between the legend of her first love and the raw, uncharted territory of new possibilities, Cassandra must navigate which narratives are worth keeping and which are meant to be rewritten.
Buck is a beloved storyteller, best known for his diverse writing style and subject matter. Author of the bestselling romance novels The Long Road Back To You and I'll Wait, Buck explores both the pleasure and the pain that come with finding that once-in-a-lifetime love, and the lengths we'll go to keep it.
As a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University, Buck holds a Fine Arts degree as well as an MBA. Having spent his childhood in East Tennessee, Buck focuses on what he knows best-the south, including its rich traditions, diverse characters, and religion. When he's not busy writing, Buck enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, fishing, drawing, and painting.
This was my first book in The Keeper of Stars series, and while I had no trouble following Cassandra’s story, I could definitely tell there were connections to the earlier books that whoever read the books will appreciate. I loved this so much that I’ll definitely be going back to read the rest of the series… although it looks like I’ll be reading it backwards. 😂 Please don’t do what I did and read them in order because I can already tell the emotional payoff will hit so much harder.
This book is ultimately about choosing between the future you’re building and the past that still has a hold on you.
What really stood out to me were the conversations throughout the book. They were so thoughtful and meaningful that I found myself pausing after almost every chapter just to reflect and i was literally highlighting every single page. That’s always a sign I’ve found a book that’s going to stay with me.
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy.
If you've never read a Buck Turner book you are missing out! I love how he takes a series and continues it on well into the future. Until The Last Star Falls has characters you will remember from The Rain Catcher, but it's decades later. I really enjoy the time he takes to describe settings, characters, and their past. Cassandra Montgomery is coming to terms with her new life, since her husband told her he wanted a divorce. They had been married for 20 years. Soon after the divorce, an old high school boyfriend reached out to Cassandra. Max is a musician and travels all over with his band. He wants to get together when he's in Nashville in a few weeks. Cassandra is excited about seeing him again, but hates how they left things. Max just stopped writing and calling after a few years of doing it. Should Cassandra have hope that they could reignite their old flame?
Cassandra decides to stop off in Sims Chapel, a place that Sara Hastings loved and told her many stories about. Can Cassandra walk in places Sara did and find the happiness and peace that she did? One morning Cassandra walks to the dock hoping to rent a boat and get out on the water. When no boat is available she's bummed. The old man in the marina office said to check back tomorrow and there might be one available. As Cassandra is walking the. dock to leave, a man offers to take her out on his boat. He's about to leave and his name is Conrad. Cassandra isn't sure what to do as she doesn't know this man. Cassandra thinks about things Sara told her and says yes to Conrad's offer. Cassandra finds out that Conrad is a very nice man who is suffering from his own loss. Can they help to heal one another? Maybe Cassandra's future should be about looking forward to new relationships rather than looking back at rekindling an old flame. Cassandra has a big choice to make and it could change everything. Until The Last Star Falls is a thoroughly enjoyable book that I couldn't wait to get to each day. I rate the book 4 stars with a very high recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Page & Vine for an advanced copy of Until The Last Star Falls in exchange for a fair review.
Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that was just released called, Until the Last Star Falls. This is about Cassandra, she just got divorced and needs to find herself again so she decides to take a trip and stay in the town Sara (a beloved family friend) had once called home. An old high school boyfriend named Max reaches out wanting to reconnect, talk about the past, and see if they could possibly have a future together. Then she meets Conrad, a quiet local who she finds herself enjoying both heartfelt conversations and comfortable silences with. And now she finds herself having to choose between rekindling her first love she never quite got over or the possibility of a new love that's blooming. I really loved this story, this is book 4 in The Keeper of Stars series and I loved getting Cassandra as an adult. I love how these books have connected and how the love stories and lives of all these characters have intertwined for generations from the first book until this one. This is such a well written series, I have loved each book so much individually and then the way they all tie together is just magical and so well done! I can't wait to read whatever Buck Turner writes next! 💙📚
Thank you to Buck Turner, Page & Vine, and Netgalley for this ARC of Until the Last Star Falls, in exchange for an honest review.
Buck Turner does it again for me. Never did I think the FOURTH book in a series would end up being one of the ones I loved this much, but this one hit—and it hit hard.
The way Turner wove a piece of our very recent history, Hurricane Helene, into this story made it that much more powerful. I honestly wasn’t expecting that element at all, and as someone who loves historical fiction, I loved seeing something we all watched unfold not that long ago become part of Cassandra’s story. It added this whole other layer of emotion to a book that already had plenty of it.
But what I think I loved most was Cassandra’s story and seeing how everything tied back into the rest of the series. There is something so satisfying about getting four books in and realizing just how intentionally all of these characters and their stories have been connected. The way everything comes together really is an art.
I honestly can’t think of one bad thing to say about this book—other than IT WAS TOO SHORT. 😂 I wanted more. More Cassandra, more of these characters, more of this world. And knowing this is the finale makes that even worse because I’m just not ready to be done with them.
Five stars without hesitation. This series has been such a journey, and somehow Buck Turner managed to make the final book feel like its own beautiful story while also bringing everything full circle.
Now I guess I just have to impatiently wait to see what Buck Turner writes next. ❤️
This writer uses every human emotion in his stories making them real and a part of the readers own lives.The characters are as real as a neighbor or loved one.Every book he writes makes the reader part of the story.I hate for his books to end!
Pensé que sería un viaje de autodescubrimiento para Cassie, pero no fue así.
Al final me costó entender los sentimientos de Cassie por Conrad y Max. Para mí era obvio que Max era simplemente un buen recuerdo y que al estar recién divorciada, representaba lo que pudo ser y los recuerdos de su primer amor. Pero, como digo, al final, cuando pasa la inundación, me dejó dudando porque estaba dispuesta a todo por ver cómo estaba.
Luego, con Conrad, era algo nuevo. Alguien que también tenía una historia, pero no con ella y eso le daba miedo, el ser vulnerable. Al final, como él fue quien arriesgó su vida para salvarla, siento que sus sentimientos se mezclaron con el agradecimiento y sumándole el final de Max, pues no le quedó de otra que elegir a C.
Siento que se repite lo de Ellie, Sara y Jack. Jack y Sara se amaban, pero por una u otra razón su relación nunca funcionó y ambos se quedaron con la idea de que cosas ajenas a ellos eran las que los mantenían alejados, en lugar de aceptar que realmente no funcionarían juntos. Porque, de haber sido así, habrían hecho algo para poder estar juntos. Luego él conoce a Ellie y le gusta y llega a quererla. La verdad, no me parece que la amara y en un momento diré por qué. La conoce, ve que ella quiere las mismas cosas que él y que su relación es sencilla, sin dramas, además de que ella lo ama. Entonces decide hacer su vida con ella y se casan. Mientras tanto, Sara lo seguía amando e intenta hacer algo para separarlos, pero no lo logra y vive toda su vida añorándolo. En el presente, Ellie y Sara ya están muertas y Cassie le pregunta a Jack que, si pudiera cambiar su decisión, lo haría. Él no duda en decir que sí, pero luego cambia de opinión porque fue feliz y por sus hijos. Nunca dice que no porque amaba a Ellie y que nunca cambiaría la vida que vivió junto a ella. Por eso digo que no la amaba. Jack también vivió de recuerdos, añoranza y de pensar en lo que pudo ser. Al no dejar ir su amor por Sara, realmente nunca pudo abrirle por completo su corazón a Ellie y eso me parece injusto. Entonces, ¿para qué casarse con ella si siempre iba a pensar en otra persona? No fue justo para Ellie.
Estas situaciones pasan mucho. Hay tantas parejas casadas en las que una de las partes sigue diciendo estar "enamorada" de otra persona y para mí eso no es amor. Simplemente idealizaron a esa persona y en su mente, engrandecieron lo que tuvieron hasta convertirlo en algo perfecto, que nada ni nadie estará a la altura de su imaginación. Todo está en su mente porque, por algo, terminaron con esa persona y no están con ell@s.
After twenty years, Cassandra receives a message from Max Owens, her high school boyfriend and the heartbreak she never quite managed to leave behind. As months of messages reconnect them across the years, Cassandra heads towards Nashville hoping their reunion might finally give her the answers and closure she has been seeking. Along the way, Cassandra stops in Sims Chapel, drawn by the words of Sara Hastings, whose writing had a profound impact on her when she was younger. Instead of finding the answers she expects, she meets Conrad, a man whose own experiences seem to reflect some of the cracks in her heart. As their friendship develops, Cassandra begins to realise that perhaps happiness isn't found by recreating the past but by being brave enough to consider what might come next. When Max unexpectedly reappears, she is forced to choose between the familiarity of her first love and the possibility of a completely new beginning. I enjoyed the emotional depth of Cassandra's journey and the way the story explores how memories can sometimes make us hold onto an idealised version of the past. Her connection with Conrad was particularly appealing, and I liked the quieter, more thoughtful way their relationship developed. The story also raised some interesting questions about whether we should return to the relationships that shaped us or allow ourselves to move forward and become someone different. I appreciated that the focus wasn't simply on choosing between two men but on Cassandra working out what she actually wanted from her life. While the pacing was a little slow in places and some of the emotional developments felt somewhat predictable, I still found this to be a moving and engaging read. A great read! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Until the Last Star Falls is a heartfelt story about healing, second chances, and discovering that life can still surprise you after everything seems to have fallen apart. The emotional journey is the novel's greatest strength. Cassandra feels authentic, and watching her slowly rediscover herself makes the story easy to connect with. The beautiful lakeside setting and the quiet moments of reflection create a comforting atmosphere that perfectly matches the themes of hope and renewal.
At times, the pacing is slower than I would have liked, especially during the more reflective sections when the plot pauses to focus on memories or personal growth. Some readers looking for constant romance or dramatic twists may find those chapters less engaging. Even so, the emotional payoff and strong character development make the slower moments worthwhile.
This book is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy mature romance, emotional women's fiction, second chance love stories, personal growth, and character-driven novels that focus as much on healing as they do on romance.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book—and especially the return to Sims Chapel—felt like a hug for my soul. There’s something so comforting about returning to this world and these characters, and yet the story still managed to surprise me!
While this can be read as a standalone, I think it’s even more meaningful if you’ve read the previous books.
Buck Turners writing style and the descriptive language was excellent. I could picture the settings so clearly, and the writing pulled me into the story. There were parts that had me on the edge of my seat, completely invested in what was going to happen next.
Most of all, this book had me feeling ALL the feelings—comfort, anticipation, tension, hope, and everything in between. It’s the kind of story that stays with you after you’ve finished reading, and I absolutely loved returning to Sims Chapel! ✨
I loved the look of Until The Last Star Falls by Buck Turner instantly. Thank you to the author, Page & Vine Publishing and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC.
Until The Last Star Falls is a beautifully haunting and poetic journey that will truly leave you feeling it all. As Cassandra's life changes course she embarks on a journey of self discovery and past exploration. In the midst of this she finds herself with a choice to make, whether to find comfort in what is known or dare to take the chance on something new.
I was blown away by how beautifully this story is written. The portrayal of the characters and places is so good I really got a fantastic sense of it all. The introspection with Cassandra really grabbed me and made her journey all the more captivating. I was really struck by the nostalgic nature and consistent self reflection highlighted throughout this story and feel like this will be one of those books that stays with me for quite some time.
4.5⭐️ New Release Book 4 of 4 in The Keeper of the Stars series. Indie Author (One of my favs 🖤) Format: Immersive Reading Genre: Contemporary Romance/Chicklit Tropes: Second Chance Recommend: Yes 👍🏽 My Thoughts: The series wraps up with Cassie’s story later in her adult life. I loved following all these characters through the series. Cassie doesn’t know what she wants after her husband leaves and this story shows her journey through self discovery and nostalgia vs reality. Anyone who has been divorced from a longtime marriage will probably relate to this novel in some way. Description: The story follows Cassandra Montgomery, a woman navigating a massive life shift after her twenty-year marriage dissolves. Determined to recapture her sense of identity and discover who she wants to become, her journey takes an unexpected turn when she receives a message from Max Owens—her high school boyfriend and the one heartbreak she never fully outgrew.
In this fourth book, it's decades later, and we're following Cassandra, Diane's daughter, as she's at a crossroads in her life. Her marriage has ended in divorce, her twins are off to college, and she's looking for direction. She decides to travel from Kitty Hawk, NC, to Sims Chapel in East Tennessee to visit the lake she's only heard about in stories from Sara. Is it really as magical as she was told? Once she arrives, she meets Conrad who offers to take her out on his boat where she gets to see parts of the lake she's only ever heard about. A past love reconnects with her, and a hurricane makes the area a disaster zone. This book is so good! I live in this area, two minutes from this lake, and the descriptions are excellent!
I have read more than a few books by this author over the years, so following these characters through the series has been really cool, I didn't read book 3 before but was able to piece things together.
Cassandra isn't sure what she is looking for as she starts a new life after her husband leaves her for greener pasters.
An old romance that might still have a spark even after it was put out several times through the years, a new love that starts out as curiosity with warmth and a journal that holds regrets but also beginnings if you look in the right places.
Cassandra will have to weather the storm to find the answers.
I cant express how much i love the way this is written. Its emotional and poetic, makes you think. I loved that we follow Cassandra and how she almost walks backwards through the other books in the series. While this can be read as a standalone, reading the others first provides inside and depth to all the little references splashed throughout this novel. I really enioyed Cassandra and how she worked through her problems like a rational person and Conrad never got angry at her for taking the time to make her choices. The characters feel real, like you've met them before but cant quite place where. Well done I cnst wait to see if theres more!
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review- I have loved every book Buck has written and he does it again! Cassandra’s 20 year marriage is over— what is her life now? She has stayed in touch with her high school boyfriend Max and they plan a reunion. On the way to Sims chapel she meets Conrad —- there is chemistry there - possibilities! Max suddenly drops in and Cassandra’s feelings are in turmoil—- Max - your first love—or Conrad- a new future? Such a tender emotional story of life, love, and changes!
This author always seems to deliver stories with so much depth. This story is told in a single-pov allowing us to see through the lens of Cassandra. I found her character relatable. And because of the solo point of view, you can really feel all the emotions and struggles she encounters. Until the Last Star Falls is part of The Keeper of The Stars series but can be read as a standalone. If you are looking for a profound, and soul-stirring read, this one is for you.
This series always delivers with depth and true emotion! This final book in the series shows it’s never too late to begin again, but shows the fears that come with those choices! Also deals with the trauma that was brought by Hurricane Helene. Like the last book, I could feel the breeze off the lake and imagine the lights on the horizon. This was a beautiful ending to a fabulous series! I am sad it is over!
I don't even know where to begin. I was absolutely in love with the first three books. And now he gives us this one. I can't choose. I won't choose. I love all of them. They are all absolutely beautiful stories, and I feel honored that I was able to read this beautiful and amazing story. Everything about this story was absolutely amazing. Thank you, Buck!
I could not wait until September 1st to read the fourth book. It was such a good story. I loved the characters and all the emotions they brought to the story. Even though some parts were sad, the ending left me with a good feeling.
Buck turner keeps you reading, makes you feel the words. He writes of love,loss and forgiveness. I read all 4 books in this series in a week. I lost the love of my life this year and his words of loss really hit home and i could relate to hos words, thanks for that!!
Buck Turner has done it again. I just finished this last book in the series, and it was just as great as the first one. I can't wait to read more from this author. I really like his writing style. I highly recommend this series!