Across the Vanishing Sky

Starlight Grove #1

by Catherine Cowles

A heart-stopping small town romance from USA Today bestselling author Catherine Cowles, the first in a brand-new series. He spent a lifetime trying to escape his dark past. . .but to save her, he'll wade back into the shadows. Braedyn Winslow never expected to return to Starlight Grove - the town that took everything from her. Not after her best friend, the one who'd sacrificed so much for her, vanished without a trace. But with a young son to raise and a past that won't stay buried, Brae is back. . .and determined to uncover the truth. She just didn't count on the brooding, reclusive mountain man living next door. Dex Archer is the stuff of local legend - silent, rugged, and surrounded by whispers of his and his brothers' violent father. But Brae sees through the scowl and his parentage to the man beneath: fiercely loyal, unexpectedly kind. . .and just dangerous enough to protect her when someone starts warning her off her search. The closer she gets to the truth, the harder it is to stay away from Dex. And as things get more perilous, Brae realizes the only person she can rely on is the one man who swore never to trust again. Only someone isn't happy that Brae has been digging, and they'll do anything to stop her. But Dex? He'll do anything to save her, even slip back into the dark. . .

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Small Town Romance, Found Family, Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook

448 pages, Paperback

First published 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 did not 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 though she lost the one person who was always there for her, she never gave up, never lost hope and she fought so hard to find her.. I love how she stood her ground and 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 by the trauma they never overcame.. My heart hurt for them, they have their way of coping, but some scars 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 and her absolutely adoring him.

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

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

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

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️
If you for some reason haven’t read Catherine Cowles yet, you need to. She doesn’t miss.

[Brittany Ferraro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Catherine Cowels book and I have to say I am a huge fucking fan. I’m already trying to calculate how fast I can tear through her entire backlog because I need more immediately.

I don’t read a ton of romantic suspense, not because I don’t enjoy it, but because I never really know where to find it?? I’m not really sure tbh haha but If this book proves anything, it’s that I absolutely fucking love it. This genre grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. The intensity starts from page one. It sinks its claws in early and keeps tightening. I was dying to see how everything would unfold, and that constant tension made it impossible to look away. I was fully locked in.

And the emotional depth was unreal. I’m a sucker for found family, and this book does it perfectly. The way everyone showed up for Brae and her son…it truly takes a village. They were protective and supportive, even with all their walls up at the start. And once those walls came down? They were behind her 100%. Some of the scenes with the brothers genuinely had me tearing up. I fell in love with every single one of them. The trauma, the pain, the layers I cannot wait to get inside their heads in their own books. And the storyline with their father was so wild and interesting. I need more of that.

Brae was incredibly lovable. There’s something powerful about a woman who refuses to quit, no matter how many people tell her to. She kept fighting for what she believed in with courage, with love, and yeah, she wasn’t afraid to get a little dirty when she had to. To have someone that dedicated to you. Someone who refuses to give up when everyone else thinks it’s hopeless. Everyone deserves a friend like Brae.😭🥹

I loved how the relationship between Brae and Dex developed. The foundation felt solid as hell. Dex was a literal natural with Owen( the glasses 🥹😭). Owen looked up to him so much. Their moments together pulled on every heartstring. And then you throw in my girl Yeti? Please. The second a dog comes to the rescue, I’m done for. Some people have a soft spot for kids. I have a soft spot for dogs. I was a blubbering mess.

I’ve heard it’s hard to catch the UNSUB in Catherine books, and I will say even though she had me for a while, I started narrowing it down. I don’t usually read trying to solve it. I like to just enjoy the ride. But my theories were everywhere. I bounced back and forth a few times before I felt confident, and even then it wasn’t until closer to the end. The way it was written and revealed was done so well. It just made me more excited to dive into the rest of her catalog.

And the audiobook was fabulous literally incredible. The whole cast was amazing, but I am so obsessed with the two main narrators, so that made the experience even better.

What’s better than a book that makes you feel everything? I have nothing but praise for this one. I laughed. I cried. I felt warm and fuzzy. I blushed. I was fanning myself at certain parts. It delivered every single emotion that makes a story unforgettable. I was deep in a reading slump, and this was the only thing that held my attention. What a good fucking story. I WANT TO GO BACK😭 at least I have a whole universe to look forward to.

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

「⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Star Review...」

☀︎ ACROSS THE VANISHING SKY ☀︎ Is the first full length small town romance book in the (Starlight Grove) series by author Catherine Cowles. In this you'll meet Dex & Braedyn...

📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS

Tropes:
❥ Hacker Hero
❥ Grumpy | Sunshine
❥ Small Town
❥ Big Foot
❥ Single Mum
❥ Missing Best Friend Mystery

I've just recently ducked my head out from under my rock and discovered this author. I've only read two of her books, but those two books made such an impression on me so when I saw this one doing the rounds I instantly grabbed it and I'm excited to dive in.

Straight away you’re pulled into a strong best friend bond which got its hooks into me from the get go, a girls day of appreciation of hiking a scenic trail and looking forward to the massages later, and all it took was a split second for Braedyn to step off the trail to take some pictures of wildflowers for her best friend to disappear into thin air without a trace. The only evidence that she existed was her water bottle left discarded in the parking lot.

Braedyn knows deep within her heart that someone took her, she didn't fall into the river, she didn't get mauled by game, she was taken.

Falling pregnant at nineteen Braedyn is a single mother to an eight-year-old little hipster Owen, and their adorable search and rescue dog for live human beings and human remains detection, Yeti who more often than not stole the show and melted me to smithereens. Braedyn has only ever had Nova in her life, from helping her raise her wee boy to a shoulder to lean on when everyone else turned their backs on her when she needed them the most. It’s always been Nova in her corner.

Three hundred and seventy-two days since Nova had been missing. Braedyn is on the local police stations backs constantly seeking updates and getting nowhere with them. But she’s not one to give up easily. Even when one year goes by and Novas disappearance turns into a cold case.

She’ll move heaven and earth to find her, even uprooting and moving to the small township of Starlight Grove where she disappeared.

It’s here where she meets Dex, one of the five Archer boys, a hot slightly unhinged naked guy with a towel wrapped around his waist, in her cabin when whoopsies Yeti snatches it away.. Apparently there was a mix up when they got their keys from the rental in town. Everything's swiftly sorted out and he becomes her neighbour renting out the cabin next door to hers. Dex is a hacker who was arrested in his teens and spent ten years working for the FBI as part of his sentence honing his skills even more. His past is dark, he believes he'll turn into his father since his DNA runs through this bloodstream.

This book was phenomenal, a well balanced romance and mystery all in one. Moments of swooning, moments of giggling, moments when a tear escaped. These brothers were so broken and damaged carrying their pasts of armour, with the battle wounds scaring them deeply and I can't wait to dive into the next book on release day, because I am hooked..

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[Kristie (read_between.the_wines) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine Cowles does it again. love. spice. murder. what else could I ask for?

the audiobook was FANTASTIC. full cast - each brother is a seperate narrator. and that person will narrate the brother's book... amazing

so excited to be back in Catherines worlds!

*thank you must love audio for the alc*

[⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆ Kim ⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

જ⁀➴ 4.75 stars (rounded up to 5)

Thank you SO much to Catherine Cowles and her team for the eARC AND a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review! Across the Vanishing Sky is out now!

"You're a goddamned miracle. Pain changes us. Grief. Trauma. It's all a sculptor's knife. But you let it change you for the better."

‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪
Congratulations to Catherine Cowles for making Across the Vanishing Sky my first five-star read of the year! No, seriously, I don't think people realize how hard it is for me to give out four-star ratings alone, let alone FIVE stars. There was legit never a dull moment for me while I was reading, and it's been a LONG while since I've kept flipping the pages of my book and losing track of time. It felt like I blinked, and suddenly I had 10% left of the book to go!

Single mom Braedyn Winslow is on a mission: find her missing best friend, Nova. After Nova mysteriously disappeared on a hike they went on together in Starlight Grove a year prior, Brae has pulled out all the stops and has never stopped searching for her, even when local authorities did. When she makes the ultimate move to Starlight Grove to take matters into her own hands, she becomes next-door neighbors with the broody and mysterious Dexter Archer, who harbors a dark past, but may be one of the only people who can help her find Nova.

As some of you know, I love a good found family trope in books, and meeting the entire Archer family and the locals of Starlight Grove felt like a warm hug. Catherine Cowles is known for small-town romantic suspense, and the vibes of Starlight Grove make me want to travel to the Pacific Northwest and spend some time in nature and get away from reality for a little bit haha. I love how Brae was able to find acceptance and make new friends in a new town after having to do things alone for so long since Nova disappeared. The Archer brothers and Archer family are the right amount of chaotic and hilarious, and every member of the family had their own personality that was so fun to get to meet and read about! From Maverick with his sense of humor, to Kol and his protectiveness over his daughter, Skylar, to Orion, the quiet middle child of the family and his love for chocolate cake, I honestly can't wait to meet the rest of the Archer brothers in the rest of the series! Even after all that family has been through, they treated Brae and her son, Owen, like one of their own, and I love how they were always willing to help her with whatever she needed.

Going into Brae and Dex:

‧₊˚ 🍪 Brae: The one thing I loved most about her was her resilience and her bravery. She went against all odds and what people told her to do because she was loyal to Nova and wanted to find the answers to what happened when she disappeared. She's a fantastic best friend and a great mom to Owen, and she never stopped believing in herself despite the other hardships she's been through. She's fierce and determined, and I honestly think it's going to be extremely difficult to top her as my favorite Catherine Cowles FMC.

‧₊˚ 🍪 Dex: I genuinely think he's one of the best examples of morally gray out there, at least in the context of a romance/romantic suspense novel. There was never a moment in the book where I felt like he ever crossed into "red flag" territory, and I thought it was beyond morally gray. I mean, yeah, he worked for the FBI, and yeah, he's a hacker who can do a lot of stuff to anyone's electronics if he genuinely wanted to. He has connections, his brothers, and they do everything they can to help Brae. Everything they did was for good, and yeah, I'll admit it, I cheered when he beat a certain someone up. (If you know, you know.)

Brae and Dex were honestly so perfect for each other. Dex was the one person who wanted to help Brae from the get-go, despite everyone else's doubts, and Brae was the only person to see Dex for who he was behind the town gossip surrounding his family and its dark past. The way they helped each other through injuries, panic attacks, Dex bonding with Owen, and taking care of him when Brae was at work or doing something else was honestly so wholesome and cute. I think seeing these moments and reading about them in romantic suspense books really goes to show that while the world may be dark, there are always pockets of joy and a sense of safety and security once you find your people—and Brae and Dex found that in each other.

Some other random tidbits I liked:

‧₊˚ 🍪 The cameos: There are a few character cameos from Catherine Cowles' other series! I won't say who to avoid spoilers, but there were a few characters' names dropped here and there, and some with larger roles to play in the storyline as well.

‧₊˚ 🍪 The plot twist: Okay, so I'll admit I figured out the "whodunit" before the story ended, but I like how it was written in a way where it would've literally been the LAST person most people would expect. Ironically, this individual was the person at the top of my list because I was like, "hmmmm....I'm keeping an eye out on you" the entire story, but if I didn't have that gut feeling, I wouldn't have guessed them either lol.

Overall, whether this is your first time picking up Catherine Cowles, your second, your fifth, tenth, or you're all caught up on her backlist, I think everyone will find at least ONE thing to love from this story. Whether it's the romance, the found family, the small town vibes, or even just Tink the Highland Cow, please pick this book up!

P.S. If you find the extended epilogue (I found it in the back of my eARC but I'm sure it's online somewhere), please read it and thank me later. It's so cute.
‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪 ⋅ ☆‧₊˚ 🍪
Trigger/content warnings: graphic violence, recounted kidnapping of a loved one, sexual content, on-page panic attacks, recounted past abusive relationship

⋅˚₊‧ ୨ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: ୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ Okay, so this isn't really a pre-read considering I started the book the day I got the eARC, and I just keep forgetting to update Goodreads about what I'm reading, but Catherine Cowles has such a special place in my heart for being the first author I've ever read a romantic suspense from, and also for being the first author to give me a chance back when I started my Bookstagram account and send me my first-ever physical ARC in the mail (Secret Haven). Not only do I have the eARC for this, but I have an absolutely stunning physical ARC that came in the mail, too, and it's now my most prized possession.

I'm about 20% of the way through the book now, but I can't wait for everyone to read about Dexter and Brae!🩷 (And Yeti!! Bestest dog ever!!)

[Southern Lady Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely cannot explain how excited Across the Vanishing Sky has made me for the rest of the Starlight Grove series. If this is how we’re starting... I. AM. SAT. For whatever twists and turns are coming my way!!

This is romantic suspense done {right}.

From the very beginning, I need to say this: Catherine Cowles writes morally gray characters in a way that should be illegal… Protective, wounded, and just a little dangerous feels… obsessive worthy!?

And let’s talk about the plot...? Because color me **FERAL**.

I usually catch subtle hints early on... a line of dialogue, a “throwaway” detail that ends up meaning everything. But not here. There were multiple suspects I had my eye on, and even though I didn’t predict the ending, it never felt random or thrown in for shock value. It was perfectly BALANCED. The final reveal? Jaw. Dropping. The kind of ending that makes sense and feels full circle but also felt healing when I really thought I was just going to have to live with the trauma of missing a certain someone 😭😭😭

🌶️🌶️/5
This one is definitely open-door and on the steamier side, but if smut isn’t your thing, you can absolutely skim those scenes and still follow the story without missing important parts.

Overall, this book reminded me exactly why I love romantic suspense — high stakes, intense chemistry, emotional depth, and a twist that ACTUALLY surprises you. If the rest of Starlight Grove delivers at this level, I’m just gonna have to personally sponsor Catherine Cowles to keep writing. 😂

As I read this in less than 9 hours.. I can say without a doubt that I’m officially a CC stan!

**Thank you to Bloom Books for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR🖤

Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🖤

[Jen ♥]

Some spoilers...


Hmmm, tbh, I stayed for the suspense aspect, and I'm really glad it ended on a positive note. As for the romance, I couldn't care less about it. There was no chemistry between Dex (31) and Brae (28). Most of their interactions felt forced and at times cringed. I waited and waited for some sort of spark, but nada; there was none of it. How these two fell in love, I'll never understand.

Anyway, this book didn't work for me. I should've known better than to get my hopes up, because disappointment sucked.

That said, there are four more brothers, and two of those stories will feature second-chance romances. Not a fan already, but I'll wait and see.

I'm curious about the second book, even though it has one of my least favorite tropes (single dad). I'm really intrigued by Nova, and I want to know how she'll heal and move forward with her life.


Book info:
- Small town
- Romantic suspense
- Serial killing
- Single mom
- Instant attraction
- Push & pull (mostly MMC)
- No cheating, OW, separation
- Minor OM (her ex appeared to cause some drama)
- No V (but she might as well be 🥴🙄)
- HEA (engaged)
- Bonus ep (thru newsletter, 8 yrs later, with 3 more kids)


Notes:
- I skipped all the spicy scenes, so I wouldn't know if they're any good. But all I know is that they always happen at the most inappropriate times. Like, come on, you really want to do that after what just happened?
- No, V. Brae got pregnant by her sperm donor at 19. He was her first and only partner, and she's been celibate since she found out about the pregnancy. She might as well be a born-again virgin at this point. Because, God forbid, women can have sex lives after becoming a mom.
- As for Dex, I think he's veryyy experienced (adjacent hoe??), and although there are not a lot of reminders about his past, the times they are given are more than enough to paint how much he sowed his oats (the impression I got). Readers are told he has been a casual and fling guy since high school because, you know, he's just like all other MMCs who have daddy issues and wouldn't want to commit for the life of them.
- So yeah, I'm already annoyed because these two have no freaking chemistry at all! But having to read another experienced H x inexperienced h was the final straw that made me lose interest in them and their supposed romance entirely.
- I love the pink theme, though! 🩷

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ As she is known to do, author Catherine Cowles has struck the perfect balance of swoony romance and intense suspense/borderline thriller vibes. The back and forth between the two elements had a certain cadence to it, and it kept it very easy to stay engaged throughout.

I will note that one thing that irked me a tiny bit is the amount of slang used throughout in dialogue with the tweenage son. But I say that as the mom of a son who is constantly using it and am already so inundated with it, I’d rather escape more of it if I’m being honest. And I think that is a me thing.

I really don’t want to say much more, as this book is best gone into blind, in order to enjoy the ride. But just know that if you love a multi-genre story, with great pacing and characters with intrigue and depth, this is one to add to your TBR.

🎧 The audio is full cast and duet narration. Need I say more? I think not.

Read if you like:
▪️thriller vibes
▪️small town
▪️grumpy x sunshine
▪️hacker hero
▪️single mom
▪️found family

Thank you to the author for my advanced copies.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a doubt my new favorite Catherine Cowles series to date! And family of brothers who were raised by a serial killer and are now all damaged and broody!? I'm moving to Starlight Grove!

From the moment we see Dex and Brae on page, I was obsessed. Their meet cute was so much fun and I just loved their banter so much. This book deals with some heavy emotions as Brae is in town searching for her best friend who went missing a year ago and Dex is still overcoming the trauma of his father being a serial killer, as well as his turn to hacking and working for the FBI and seeing some seriously dark things. But they have such a fun, easy way about them when they're together and really help each other see how to live a lighter life again. Brae's son was adorable and it was the cutest how he and Dex got along so well, and how Dex helped build his confidence!

This whole cast of character introduced in this new town were the best and I seriously cannot pick a favorite. Their family antics and infamous group chats were so fun and I cannot wait to watch each damaged brother fall head over heels for their future heroines!

The suspense, as always, kept me on the edge of my seat and I could not put this book down until I figured out who the baddy was. With a damaged morally gray hero with slutty glasses, a single mom determined to find her best friend, Across the Vanishing Sky is PERFECTION. Every romantic suspense lover needs to pick this up and take a trip to Starlight Grove!!

[joni ౨ৎ - hiatus · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay i've been changed catherine cowles i love u and ur brain.

wow.

just wow


no complaints at all !!!! literally go read this rn

i NEED orion's story!!! super excited for book 2!

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
my 2nd CC book 🤭 and reading it with none other than my bestie char - the sparrow falls fan that convinced me to give catherine a chance 🙂‍↕️🩷 i'm SO excited for after hearing all the raving reviews!!!

thank you team catherine for the e-arc & raincoast for the gifted copy!

↪ started march 2
↪ finished march 8

[Aleksandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75/5

I’m afraid Catherine Cowles didn’t deliver in terms of the romantic relationship parts. I skipped smut, wasn’t interested in a “fuck it” moment (didn’t feel like it was the right time for it), I wasn’t excited even for a bit when they started getting closer to each other. (Insta love part might’ve not worked as well.)

When it comes to the suspense part, I’ve managed to guess who’s the villain. Even though I suspected multiple people lol 🤣🤣 and Alex had to get through them all with me 😅 I feel a bit disappointed though. Well.

I can’t wait for the next couple! Read the sneak peek, and Kol seems to be so gentle with her that I actually want to read it asap. Two second chances couples are boiling, one of them might actually be good (if she does it well, I think Orion might’ve been celibate all this time). The other, I have mixed feelings about. Both Alexandra and me didn’t find Maverick likeable, so it can be a hard one, probably a skip. And I’m counting on Wylder and [redacted]!!! They can be good.



safety info:
-no ow drama (two jealousy moments, lame and unnecessary)
-mild om drama (her ex)
-h celibate for 8 years and 9 months 😬💀, almost a virgin 😭
-no info on H, he was a hoe in high school, it seems he had less and less partners throughout the years, but nothing specified:
1. It wasn't as if I had future husband tattooed on my forehead. Too much damage and mistrust had been laid in my formative years for that. I had the occasional partner, but even my female companions had grown farther and farther apart.
2. "Come on, Dex. Your whole MO through high school was nothing within a ten-mile radius. Every homecoming date and field-party hookup was someone from another town. Every summer, you went for the tourists, never a local. Never someone close. It pissed every girl at Starlight Grove High way the hell off."
-no 3rd act breakup, cheating, sharing


~~~
another buddy read with Alexandra 🤭❤️

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need Orion’s book like, yesterday!

I loved Dex & Brae & Owen & Yeti!

This was my first Catherine Cowles book and it won’t be my last!

Across the Vanishing Sky is an easy to binge dark mystery with a swoony romance, perfect to balance the trauma.

The side characters in this are top tier. You feel fully immersed in the town and the group, like you’re one of the inner circle.

The little ones, esp. Owen were adorable, a little ridiculous and stole the show a bit!

Whats to love…
- mystery plot
- neighbors to lovers
- single mom
- morally grey hacker who uses his powers for good
- small town
- found family
- sluttly little glasses
- animal companion

Audiobook 4/5
Narration: Samantha Brentmoor & Jason Clarke Length: 13 hours 55 mins
How fun that each (I assume) male main character for future books got their own narrator. It made it feel like I was really there with everyone sitting around the table at dinner or at the bar. I will say that the sound mixing wasn’t perfect and some of the interjections from other narrators stuck out as different and took me out of the story a bit. Savannah was fantastic as usual and I enjoyed the main male narrator. pausing, pacing, inflection were all great.

4.25⭐️| IG | TikTok |

Thank you to the author for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[shaelinslibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first ever romance suspense novel, and it did not disappoint!

First, thank you to Catherine and her team for the ARC!! I was so excited!!

I LOVED the fmc, she’s so strong, funny, and a bad ass. Her story is heartwrenching, but she takes it all in stride. Also a great mom!!

The mmc is a lil hacker cutie who’s obsessed with her and doesn’t realize it and I loved it. He’s so protective of both her and her kid.

Sometimes there was verbiage that really took me out of the story, such as “bruh”, “drip”, and “slay”. But I still had fun!

The twist isn’t what I saw coming, and tbh I am now super anxious for the next book to come out!!

4 stars!

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️🎧

This book had all the right hooks: a missing person, a suspicious town, and a broody man next door.

I was invested.

I was also convinced at least five people were guilty.

But by the end, I was… satisfied-ish. Not devastated. Not feral. Just mildly emotionally inconvenienced.

Let’s talk.

What Worked For Me
(aka: I was locked in, your honour)

The suspense carried this.

The mystery around Nova had me hooked from the start. The uncertainty around whether she was alive or dead remained a driving force throughout the story. The tension held steady, and I found myself fully invested in uncovering the truth.

This was the main reason I kept listening.

The audiobook came in clutch.

Having a full lineup of strong narrators made a huge difference. Each voice fit their character well, and the Archer brothers in particular stood out. Their personalities felt more defined, distinct and engaging through the narration.

This is genuinely doing heavy lifting for my rating.

The characters were solid.

Dex is your classic broody, protective, emotionally guarded hero, while Brae is determined, resilient, and grounded as a single mother.

I liked them both individually, and the side characters were just as entertaining - if not more at times.

What Didn’t Work For Me
(aka: where the cracks started showing)

The urgency didn’t match the stakes.

This is a missing person case, and yet the pacing often felt too drawn out without enough urgency.

I kept expecting that rising sense of pressure - that feeling that time was running out - but it never fully landed. The story moved, but it didn’t always feel urgent.

There were stretches where the story just… lingered. Sitting in the same emotional beats instead of actually pushing the investigation forward. For a situation this serious, I needed momentum. I needed escalation. Instead, it occasionally felt like the plot was taking the scenic route when it should’ve been running.

The ending felt too abrupt.

After all the buildup around Nova, the resolution wrapped up very quickly.

Key details felt glossed over, and the emotional payoff didn’t match the weight of the mystery. It felt like questions were answered - but only at a surface level.

I assume there will be more explored in her next book, but within this story, the conclusion felt rushed and a bit incomplete.

The romance didn’t fully convince me.

I liked both characters individually, but the relationship felt slightly underdeveloped given how quickly it progressed. The connection was there, but the emotional development didn’t feel as layered or convincing as the suspense plot.

It never quite reached the depth I was hoping for, so the payoff didn’t hit as strongly.

Because of that, the romance ended up taking a backseat to the mystery. I found myself far more invested in uncovering what happened to Nova than in watching their relationship unfold. It wasn’t bad by any means, but it didn’t have the same pull or emotional weight as the rest of the story.

Side Note
(aka: did I miss a season of these people’s lives?)

Some characters appear already settled in their happily-ever-afters, with established dynamics that suggest prior stories.

It doesn’t make the plot confusing, but it does create that feeling of stepping into an already ongoing world without full context.

Final Verdict

This had all the ingredients for a four-star read:
• Strong suspense
• A compelling central mystery
• A solid cast of characters
• An excellent audiobook experience

But between the slower pacing, lack of urgency, and an abrupt resolution, it didn’t fully deliver on its potential.

Still engaging and worth reading - especially for the suspense and audio - but it didn’t land with the emotional impact I was hoping for.

3.5 stars

I stayed for the mystery. The rest… tried.

Tropes and Vibes:

• Single mom heroine
• Broody mountain man next door
• Missing person mystery
• Protective MMC
• Small-town secrets
• Found family / interconnected cast
• Instalove-leaning romance
• Audiobook ensemble excellence

TPAM-BR

[Karly · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.25/5) I may be a fantasy/romantasy girlie, but I am always up for a Catherine Cowles' book. They have the best blend of romance, mystery, suspense, & feel-good moments—Across the Vanishing Sky is no exception.

📖 ARC & ALC Review 📖
🗓️ Release date: March 3, 2026

💖 Romantic suspense
🕵️ 1st person, dual POV
💖 Small town romance
🕵️ Neighbors to lovers
💖 Grumpy x sunshine
🕵️ Single mom

Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️

While it was bittersweet leaving Sparrow Falls, I was so excited to move into Starlight Grove with our FMC, Braedyn/Brae and reunite with Dex. We also get to meet the other four Archer brothers, and I'm so happy we do. I may already have some favorites. Can I just say I am SO excited for all of the personalities in this family already?!

Even though this book/series can easily be read as a standalone, I'm SO glad I read the Sparrow Falls series and All the Missing Pieces first because of all the connections. It felt like being reunited with all my best friends.

Did I guess the bad guy? YES (*pats self on back*). Was it overly predictable? No. One of the best parts of going into a Catherine Cowles book is knowing that everyone is a potential suspect. At this point, I guess the most unlikely suspect and I'm sometimes right (I've been right 3 of the 8 times).

I adore the way Catherine Cowles writes and develops her characters. Everyone deserves a friend like Brae who will go to the ends of the earth for them. Everyone also deserves someone who will fiercely love and defend them like Dex.

Main reason I didn't give this the full 5 stars is due to some scenes I didn't find entirelyyyyy believable. Brae is an amazing mother and a single mom. There were a few instances where she was willing to risk everything in order to find her best friend. I would have expected her to be a bitttt more cautious in those instances knowing how deeply she cares for her son and his wellbeing.

While I may have guessed the bad guy, I absolutely did not guess how she would end this book. I'm way too excited for book 2 and can't wait to be back in this town.

A sincere thank you to Catherine Cowles and Bloom Books for gifting me paperback ARCs and an ALC ahead of its release date.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 2.8 ⭐️

I was so bored, and the book was definitely too long. However, I got to learn new words thanks to it — that's so bussin'! 🥱

***

Buddy-read with Aleksandra 🩷

[jada · Rating 2 out of 5]

bruh

[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

[Anila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 2.5⭐️

There must be some sort of drug in Catherine Cowles’ books because they are all carbon copies of each other and yet I keep coming back for more. My complaints never change: the horrible nicknames, the similar plot beats, the repetitive phrases and the mystery side story that gets solved in like five chapters at the end. But I can’t stop picking up her books. And so, I read them and get disappointed once I finish them. It is a vicious cycle that I can’t seem to escape. I guess the tropes she keeps promoting keep sucking me in… This was one of the better ones I’ve read from her though. I always feel like the first book in her series are the strongest and then it is just downhill.

[Texa]

I love how a bunch of safety reviews just simply say no ow/owd🥰
Meanwhile hes a manwhore and she only been with 1 man and was celibate after. If you don’t think that info matters please stop writing the safety , aint nobody interested in your half assed assessment and inner sexism

[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.

[Mairi Swan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not ready for that! Seriously! The beginning of the story was a gut punch! And the twist! Both twists! I need the next story yesterday! And I think I found a new favourite author!
I loved how emotional the story was and how the relationship evolved smoothly without feeling rushed even though all happened in a very short time. And the kid! He was so hilarious! I don't think I didn't like any of the characters playing in this story. Except for the villain. I'm so pissed with him. He was the last character in my mind that could be the villain. Also this was a good introduction for the characters that we will see in the next books and I can't wait.
Hero was with a troubled past but he was there for everyone in need even anonymously. He tried to make things right even life had wronged him early in his life. And heroine despite her troubled past where everyone rejected her and tossed her aside, she never lost her optimist, even though at times it was really hard living through all the pain she felt. But her son was the ray of her sunshine that made everything brighter.
The suspense was just right. It didn't consume the story and it was equally splitted with the romance and the rest of the characters. The side characters were there to make the story stand out and make it even more unputdownable. Also I love the "fuck it" moment!!!

[monica ✨ romantasyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day I’ll be able to figure out who the bad guy is!!!!


Full rtc

[Lilyya ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I AM SO HOOKED ON THIS SERIES NOW, OMG!!! excited for every upcoming installment in the series, especially the next one😮‍💨 for once i discovered the culprit behind everything at the very beginning (or more like i thought that person would die at some point) bc their partner would be a good pairing with Wylder and i was right, heh. now i hope they are going to be a couple tho bc everyone alr has love interest.

[Alla 🦋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
Мені дуже сподобалась історія 🤗

Тут в нас Брейдін, в якої рік назад пропала подруга, коли вони були в поході, і вона переїхала разом з сином та собачкою в маленьке містечко, де це сталося, щоб добитися правди, бо місцева поліція як завжди.

І її сусід Декс, гарячий, буркотливий, в окулярах хакер 😈 все як я люблю 🥰
Але він набагато глибший - він, і його брати (Кол, Маверік, Уайлдер та Оріон), сини серійника, які стикнулися з жахами батька, фактично вигнанці, дехто їх оминає, насторожено ставиться та очікує від них зла. Братам явно непросто.

Але, які вони круті. Так, в них багато болі, в душі багато шрамів, травм, але яка тут прекрасна знайдена родина. Всі брати допомагали в пошуках, разом з їх дядьком, підтримували, годували, ну мрія, а не сім’я 🤗

Лінія кохання мені зайшла) обоє бояться, але прагнуть мати людину яка за тебе і з тобою. Так, у Декса є сімʼя, але це інше) відкритись фактично чужій людині, показати всі недосконалості та бути прийнятим та коханим - це безцінно ❤️

Зазвичай не люблю дітей в сюжеті, але цей пацан чарівний 🤗 і яка тут класна собачка Єті🥹

Щодо розслідування. Хто гніда, я не догадалась. Підозрювала зовсім інших людей. Це мені подобається в авторки, немає очевидного.

Далі книга про Кола, читати буду. В цій книзі є затравка аж на три пари.
Але найбільше я дуже чекатиму про Оріона, він спілкується мовою жестів, перестав говорити після певних подій, живе самітником з ведмежими капканами біля будинку, абсолютно мій типаж 🥵
І тут другий шанс, да, не люблю цей троп, але тут причина для мене виправдана 👌

Я для себе відкрила цю авторку, подобається як пише, не затягнуто, не хочеться пропускати нічого 🤗

[bookandachai · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Catherine Cowles continues to create worlds that are my own personal happy place. And don't get me wrong there's a lot going on that's not necessarily happy. This is romance suspense PERFECTION. Braedyn is on a mission to find her best friend Nova who went missing a year before on a girls trip to Starlight Grove. Braedyn has moved her son and her self back there because local law enforcement is NOT helping at all - they say the missing person case has gone cold. Lucky for Brae her new cabin is across from Dex Archer who just did a stint in the FBI and is home to reconnect with his four brothers to continue their vigilante side hustle. Will they find Nova? Will she win over the brothers and find a home in Starlight Grove? Should we all send Catherine a case of diet coke to thank her for our next obsession??

[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)

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a True Crime lover, so this book was right up my alley. I also have a very strong found family and so I really related to Brae's drive to never give up on finding Nova. If my best friend was snatched this way, I would never give up trying to find her. I would move heaven and earth and chase down every lead, both real and imaginary for her.

Dex was a character I was interested in after Sparrow Falls. A former hacker for the FBI was a traumatic childhood of his own. He and his brothers have made it their secret mission to help with missing person cases but they stay out of ones this close to home.

And when Brae and her some move in right next to Dex, it doesn't get much closer to home than this. But this band of brothers and their quirky uncle can't help but fall for her. They join in the fight to dig into the year-old cold case of Nova and see what they can uncover.

I loved every second of this and I can't wait for the next one. I thought it was charming and had just enough to humor to keep it from being too dark. I think this series is set up to be be very suspenseful and intriguing.

Duet Narration by Jason Clarke & Samantha Brentmoor featuring a full cast, and I am already SO excited for what is coming next.

5 Stars
3 on the spice scale

CW: childhood trauma, PTSD, kidnapping, grief, loss, death, stalking

*Thank you to the author for an ALC and ARC, and to Bloom Books for a physical ARC.*

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom|Source Books for providing me with an eARC of this book. The book releases today, March 3rd! (Happy Release day!!) All opinions are my own.

4.5 ⭐️

Brae is a single mom abandoned by her parents and the only person who ever helped her in her life has gone missing. Brae will fight for Nova with everything she has until her dying breath. When she moves to Starlight Grove and the scene of the “crime,” she finds more than she bargained for in Dex Archer and his vigilante justice brothers. Slowly, both Dex and Brae start to learn what it means to love and trust.

Another absolutely emotionally scarring AND fortifying work by Catherine Cowles. She makes you feel like these small towns of good people willing to come out and help each other at the drop of a hat can be your next safe haven right around the corner, that’s how real her books and characters feel. I LOVED the found family in Across the Vanishing Sky. We start small with just the selfless Nova, but Brae slowly finds all the amazing Archer brothers ( fingers crossed each coming story in this town will be about each brother finding his way) and then the rest of the people in the town. The kids were fun as well as all the cute animals (can I please have a highland cow in my house?).

I really appreciated the balance in this book. It had the right formulation of suspense/mystery, romantic timing, spice, and witty banter. I always felt engaged with the characters and the storyline and the twists and turns had me gasping through the end. Highly recommend and very much looking forward to the remaining installments.