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Starlight Grove #3
Beneath a Midnight Moon
Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26Listening Length: 14 hours and 26 minutes
He’s spent years trying to outrun his tortured past. She’ll do anything to forget all he was to her. But one reckless plea will change everything for good… Marry me.
Aster Carrington wasn’t sure she’d ever return to Starlight Grove—the town that broke her trust and destroyed everything she once believed in. But when her grandfather needed help on the ranch, the therapist known for helping others heal had no choice but to face the ghosts she had buried long ago. What she never expected was the man she once loved to be waiting in the shadows for all these years…and that marrying him might be the only thing to keep her and her beloved ranch safe.
Maverick Archer has built a life in the flames: smokejumper, firefighter, adrenaline junkie—anything to outrun the shadows of his family’s violent legacy and the grief of losing the only girl he’s ever loved. But when Aster surges back into his life, the fire he’s fought to snuff out roars back to flame. Only this time, the danger isn’t just in his blood. It’s coming for her.
As long-buried secrets surface and a killer’s obsession threatens to destroy everything they’ve rebuilt, Aster and Mav must decide if some scars are reminders of survival or warnings of a past that refuses to stay buried.
He’s spent years trying to outrun his tortured past. She’ll do anything to forget all he was to her. But one reckless plea will change everything for good… Marry me.
Aster Carrington wasn’t sure she’d ever return to Starlight Grove—the town that broke her trust and destroyed everything she once believed in. But when her grandfather needed help on the ranch, the therapist known for helping others heal had no choice but to face the ghosts she had buried long ago. What she never expected was the man she once loved to be waiting in the shadows for all these years…and that marrying him might be the only thing to keep her and her beloved ranch safe.
Maverick Archer has built a life in the flames: smokejumper, firefighter, adrenaline junkie—anything to outrun the shadows of his family’s violent legacy and the grief of losing the only girl he’s ever loved. But when Aster surges back into his life, the fire he’s fought to snuff out roars back to flame. Only this time, the danger isn’t just in his blood. It’s coming for her.
As long-buried secrets surface and a killer’s obsession threatens to destroy everything they’ve rebuilt, Aster and Mav must decide if some scars are reminders of survival or warnings of a past that refuses to stay buried.
Audible Audio
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
Catherine Cowles
50 books32.3k followersWriter 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 597 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was my first CC's book and man I'M OBSSESSED.
I think this book had everything, romance, suspense, found family, no 3rd act breakup, banter.
↪i really want to start the review with MAVERICK. Gosh, he was a true green flag. I loved his character so so muchhhhh!! He cares for Aster so deeply😭 he always respected her, give her the stage, understood her to her finest. He is all round the perfect book boyfriend to ever exist out there. And he also growls! OMG say no more. the small prologue at the starting of the story was so sweet and heart-aching at the same time. I loved the way the author weaved his character so delicately. Like he was a pillar in every difficult situation. His coolness and jolly nature just stole my heart away. He was equal parts tender and sweet. My heart ache for the childhood version of Mav, the fatal events he went through😭 But i am so grateful that Aster have him the safe space, he always needed.
↪And Aster? she was as good as Maverick. The way she defended him, ahh so good!! her character was portrayed so strong and responsible. Her ability to think in difficult situation, to understand everyone around her. She was the sweetest soul. She was exactly what Mav needed, and Mav was indeed what she needed. True Soulmates. I loved the maturity of both characters. The way they dealt with everything as an united front, loved the spirit. Also i loved the fact that she was such a motherly figure for Eli, she just had it in her to fix back people and provide them a safe place to land. She character was so well excuted, which actually suited the storyline so well!
↪Can we please talk about the beautiful way the author that weaved and integrated romance and suspense together in this story? In so freaking mesmerizing and engaging way. Despite the book being long i was so deeply engrossed into each chapter. On one side, i was giggling & kicking my feet with Mav & Aster close proximity and smearing tension. And on the other side, i was on the edge of the seat to find the next clue of culprit. So freaking excited. CC has really got a true talent to write sweet and devasting romantic suspense stories. And truly can't wait to explore more of her work!
↪The only thing that didn't go well with was the last 10% of the story. First of all, i didn't see that coming at all. And i had so much fate in that character who was responsible at the ending. In fact i was thinking about whether author will give him his story🫣(those who have read the book will know😭) so it kinda hurts to see the bad side of that character.
And secondly, i think it was too late for this big revelation. And it was so quick and fast, very unexpectable but this might be a complete ME problem. But nonetheless, that kinda went very off road for me and a little upsetting tbh
So overall it was a fun, emotional, cozy, sweet and suspenseful read!
4.5 stars
*Thank you Random House UK, Cornerstone for e-ARC via Netgalley
✧*————————————————————*✧
—✧*°🚒pre-read
Friends to Enemies to Lovers !? Romantic Suspense!? Marriage of convience!? Oh please, this is my whole personality!!
10% into it and loving both the characters so much!!!
*Thank you Random House UK, Cornerstone for e-ARC via Netgalley
I think this book had everything, romance, suspense, found family, no 3rd act breakup, banter.
↪i really want to start the review with MAVERICK. Gosh, he was a true green flag. I loved his character so so muchhhhh!! He cares for Aster so deeply😭 he always respected her, give her the stage, understood her to her finest. He is all round the perfect book boyfriend to ever exist out there. And he also growls! OMG say no more. the small prologue at the starting of the story was so sweet and heart-aching at the same time. I loved the way the author weaved his character so delicately. Like he was a pillar in every difficult situation. His coolness and jolly nature just stole my heart away. He was equal parts tender and sweet. My heart ache for the childhood version of Mav, the fatal events he went through😭 But i am so grateful that Aster have him the safe space, he always needed.
↪And Aster? she was as good as Maverick. The way she defended him, ahh so good!! her character was portrayed so strong and responsible. Her ability to think in difficult situation, to understand everyone around her. She was the sweetest soul. She was exactly what Mav needed, and Mav was indeed what she needed. True Soulmates. I loved the maturity of both characters. The way they dealt with everything as an united front, loved the spirit. Also i loved the fact that she was such a motherly figure for Eli, she just had it in her to fix back people and provide them a safe place to land. She character was so well excuted, which actually suited the storyline so well!
"When I didn’t want to go back to school, it was you who convinced me.”
Except it was more like she’d tempted me. Because I hadn’t wanted to spend my days without her.
"You were a constellation of stars, lighting my path when I was living in the dark.”
Because as I sank into her taste, I knew my obsession with her was only growing. Fuck only friendship. I was on a one-man mission to seduce my wife.
↪Can we please talk about the beautiful way the author that weaved and integrated romance and suspense together in this story? In so freaking mesmerizing and engaging way. Despite the book being long i was so deeply engrossed into each chapter. On one side, i was giggling & kicking my feet with Mav & Aster close proximity and smearing tension. And on the other side, i was on the edge of the seat to find the next clue of culprit. So freaking excited. CC has really got a true talent to write sweet and devasting romantic suspense stories. And truly can't wait to explore more of her work!
↪The only thing that didn't go well with was the last 10% of the story. First of all, i didn't see that coming at all. And i had so much fate in that character who was responsible at the ending. In fact i was thinking about whether author will give him his story🫣(those who have read the book will know😭) so it kinda hurts to see the bad side of that character.
And secondly, i think it was too late for this big revelation. And it was so quick and fast, very unexpectable but this might be a complete ME problem. But nonetheless, that kinda went very off road for me and a little upsetting tbh
So overall it was a fun, emotional, cozy, sweet and suspenseful read!
4.5 stars
*Thank you Random House UK, Cornerstone for e-ARC via Netgalley
✧*————————————————————*✧
—✧*°🚒pre-read
Friends to Enemies to Lovers !? Romantic Suspense!? Marriage of convience!? Oh please, this is my whole personality!!
10% into it and loving both the characters so much!!!
*Thank you Random House UK, Cornerstone for e-ARC via Netgalley
Read
June 17, 2026🌕𝑩𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝑴𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑴𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒂𝒍🌕
Now that you know book 3 is Maverick and Aster’s story, how about I show you the STUNNING covers for this one?! I’m so in love with this one! The horses just make me emo. 🥹 And when you see Aster’s bond with them and this ranch you’ll understand why.
If I had to describe this book in three words it would be this: ROLLERCOASTER, YEARNING, FIERY-BANTER. (yes, I cheated on that last one)
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://catherinecowles.com/pages/ben...
A huge thank you to @cigarsinthesummertime @booknmoods for the stunning paperback cover and @trcdesigns for the couple cover magic! I’m so obsessed with these book babes!
Now that you know book 3 is Maverick and Aster’s story, how about I show you the STUNNING covers for this one?! I’m so in love with this one! The horses just make me emo. 🥹 And when you see Aster’s bond with them and this ranch you’ll understand why.
If I had to describe this book in three words it would be this: ROLLERCOASTER, YEARNING, FIERY-BANTER. (yes, I cheated on that last one)
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://catherinecowles.com/pages/ben...
A huge thank you to @cigarsinthesummertime @booknmoods for the stunning paperback cover and @trcdesigns for the couple cover magic! I’m so obsessed with these book babes!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This series just keeps getting better and better!! I absolutely adored Maverick and Aster, their trauma broke my heart.. It was so emotional to read their story!!
I loved Maverick since the moment I met him, masking his pain and trauma with humour and adrenaline inducing sports. He's such an amazing man, always there for others, and it broke my heart every time he doubted his worth. The way he supported Aster, even when she couldn't stand him, was everything.
Aster is such a compelling character, she channeled her trauma into helping others heal and that is so commendable. I cried so much seeing the pain and grief she had to overcome.. The ranch and her grandfather became her safe haven and she was ready to do anything to keep that connection.
They were friends since they were kids, they were each others safe place until everything fell apart.. It made me so sad that they lost something so precious and the way it happened made me sick.. They deserved better. I really enjoyed their hatred and banter in the previous books, but seeing them heal and be there for each other was incredibly special. I loved how protective he was of her, how he cared for her and how she always defended him, even when she hated him, from people making him feel less because of his father. That fierceness when it came to him was absolutely incredible. The unicorn, the rainbows, the my fiancée, the ring, the rug and the tiny quilt, the forehead kisses, the yearning, the flowers, the care, rebel, the family they became, every moment was filled with emotions.
It was such a delicious, but painful slow burn. It pained me how long it took them to have a real conversation about the past and why it ended the way it did, but I get it. This was one of the very few times where miscommunication actually worked with the story, the trauma it carried and the path of healing they had to take. They were so good together, they understood each other and them being in a marriage of convenience was a perfect set-up.
I did find it hilarious how shocked everyone was when they told them they were engaged.
The suspense, like always, is so well done. I love the twists and how the atmosphere is set!! I'm getting so much better at guessing the bad guys, I'm proud of myself. I actually guessed most of the twists, there were some suprises of course, it's Catherine, but I'm so happy I'm getting better. It's my favourite part, when I get so familiar with the writer's style that I actually start understanding the way they work!!
The found family aspect and the Archer family always showing up is still my favourite part. They are all incredible and welcoming, I'm so happy Aster had them, when her family was nothing but awful. I also loved Eli, he deserved better and I'm so glad he's where he's wanted now.
I'm worried about Wy though, running himself ragged like that, I need his book to come sooner!!
Honestly, this book made me cry far too many times, so I don't think I'll survive Orion's book. It's going to completely destroy me..
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Evermore Books UK for providing me with an ARC.*
I loved Maverick since the moment I met him, masking his pain and trauma with humour and adrenaline inducing sports. He's such an amazing man, always there for others, and it broke my heart every time he doubted his worth. The way he supported Aster, even when she couldn't stand him, was everything.
Aster is such a compelling character, she channeled her trauma into helping others heal and that is so commendable. I cried so much seeing the pain and grief she had to overcome.. The ranch and her grandfather became her safe haven and she was ready to do anything to keep that connection.
They were friends since they were kids, they were each others safe place until everything fell apart.. It made me so sad that they lost something so precious and the way it happened made me sick.. They deserved better. I really enjoyed their hatred and banter in the previous books, but seeing them heal and be there for each other was incredibly special. I loved how protective he was of her, how he cared for her and how she always defended him, even when she hated him, from people making him feel less because of his father. That fierceness when it came to him was absolutely incredible. The unicorn, the rainbows, the my fiancée, the ring, the rug and the tiny quilt, the forehead kisses, the yearning, the flowers, the care, rebel, the family they became, every moment was filled with emotions.
It was such a delicious, but painful slow burn. It pained me how long it took them to have a real conversation about the past and why it ended the way it did, but I get it. This was one of the very few times where miscommunication actually worked with the story, the trauma it carried and the path of healing they had to take. They were so good together, they understood each other and them being in a marriage of convenience was a perfect set-up.
I did find it hilarious how shocked everyone was when they told them they were engaged.
The suspense, like always, is so well done. I love the twists and how the atmosphere is set!! I'm getting so much better at guessing the bad guys, I'm proud of myself. I actually guessed most of the twists, there were some suprises of course, it's Catherine, but I'm so happy I'm getting better. It's my favourite part, when I get so familiar with the writer's style that I actually start understanding the way they work!!
The found family aspect and the Archer family always showing up is still my favourite part. They are all incredible and welcoming, I'm so happy Aster had them, when her family was nothing but awful. I also loved Eli, he deserved better and I'm so glad he's where he's wanted now.
I'm worried about Wy though, running himself ragged like that, I need his book to come sooner!!
Honestly, this book made me cry far too many times, so I don't think I'll survive Orion's book. It's going to completely destroy me..
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Evermore Books UK for providing me with an ARC.*
Currently Reading
June 10, 2026Honestly, I don't know if Catherine Cowles sleeps at all.
3 books in a year?! Yes Romantic Mystery Queen, I will read them all.
3 books in a year?! Yes Romantic Mystery Queen, I will read them all.
Want to Read
July 30, 2026«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
˖ ֹ੭୧pre-release:⊹ ࣪ ⑅
Aster and Maverick are giving me Kennedy and Isaiah vibes. 🤭 I bet his story will hurt a lot; it's always the funny ones.
⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ starlight grove
✦︎☆┇ Across the Vanishing Sky - 4.25 stars
✦︎☆┇ Into the Fading Twilight -5 stars
˖ ֹ੭୧pre-release:⊹ ࣪ ⑅
Aster and Maverick are giving me Kennedy and Isaiah vibes. 🤭 I bet his story will hurt a lot; it's always the funny ones.
⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ starlight grove
✦︎☆┇ Across the Vanishing Sky - 4.25 stars
✦︎☆┇ Into the Fading Twilight -5 stars
Currently Reading
November 8, 2026₊˚⊹ ᰔ pre-read:
⤿ catherine cowles has returned to collect another installment of my emotional well-being, and unfortunately, my dumb ass has already authorized this literary transaction. anyway, i'm ready for all the yearning, psychological devastation happening to my soul, and a fictional man who makes me reconsider every standard i've ever established for myself. thank you to catherine cowles and her team for the arc! ♡
⤿ catherine cowles has returned to collect another installment of my emotional well-being, and unfortunately, my dumb ass has already authorized this literary transaction. anyway, i'm ready for all the yearning, psychological devastation happening to my soul, and a fictional man who makes me reconsider every standard i've ever established for myself. thank you to catherine cowles and her team for the arc! ♡
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── 5 stars
oh my days!!! i actually was SHOCKED oh my gosh this was perfection i adore a second chance but the killer damn like i never saw that
maverick & aster forever!!!! my fav so far in the series and i think this is a great series to start reading catherine / romantic suspense!!
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
one of my most anticipated reads of the year!!!! i have been dying for maverick's story since i was introduced to him in across the vanishing sky and second chance is one of my all time fav tropes!!!! love this cover and im ready for astermaverick to destroy me!!! read the prologue months ago and am finally picking up my arc LOL
reading with my best girl char <3 can't wait to obsessed over them together!!!
thank you bloom for an eARC via edelweiss!!!
oh my days!!! i actually was SHOCKED oh my gosh this was perfection i adore a second chance but the killer damn like i never saw that
maverick & aster forever!!!! my fav so far in the series and i think this is a great series to start reading catherine / romantic suspense!!
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
one of my most anticipated reads of the year!!!! i have been dying for maverick's story since i was introduced to him in across the vanishing sky and second chance is one of my all time fav tropes!!!! love this cover and im ready for astermaverick to destroy me!!! read the prologue months ago and am finally picking up my arc LOL
reading with my best girl char <3 can't wait to obsessed over them together!!!
thank you bloom for an eARC via edelweiss!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I can't believe I finally got to read Aster and Maverick's story! If you, like me, were curious about what actually happened in their past, you won't be disappointed. In the opening chapters, they are sweet teenagers in love with all their hearts. But literally the next second, the life Aster knew completely shatters—her father, her sister, and Maverick. She is left all alone and can only rely on herself, because everyone else always betrays her trust.
Years pass, Aster becomes "the Ice Queen," and Maverick becomes "Satan." That’s why everyone is so shocked when they announce their engagement. Can Aster's broken heart forgive Maverick and give him another chance?
Maverick and Aster are wonderful. I just wanted to hug them both; they went through so much pain—especially Aster. The way she always protected Maverick, cared for others, remained a compassionate person, and didn't turn out like her family... Honestly, I didn't know so much hardship could fall on just one person.
And let’s not forget about the stalker! I wanted to scream: "Just leave her alone already!"
For me, the theme of family and family dynamics was even more important than the romance. First, Aster’s family, and then her nephew—so little, yet he already understands and feels everything. It absolutely broke my heart for him.
If you think the author left us without any mystery in this book, you are wrong! Catherine Cowles wouldn’t be Catherine Cowles if she left us without drama and shadowy figures trying to harm the characters.
And that pacing at the end?! What was that?! First, the truth about the breakup with Maverick. Then, the secret about the will is revealed. And if you thought that was it—nope! We still had to figure out who the stalker was. And, as always, it’s the "who could have possibly guessed" trope!
Emotions are running high, love has been restored, and now everyone can live happily as one big, close-knit family.
---
I can't believe I finally got to read Aster and Maverick's story! If you, like me, were curious about what actually happened in their past, you won't be disappointed. In the opening chapters, they are sweet teenagers in love with all their hearts. But literally the next second, the life Aster knew completely shatters—her father, her sister, and Maverick. She is left all alone and can only rely on herself, because everyone else always betrays her trust.
Years pass, Aster becomes "the Ice Queen," and Maverick becomes "Satan." That’s why everyone is so shocked when they announce their engagement. Can Aster's broken heart forgive Maverick and give him another chance?
Maverick and Aster are wonderful. I just wanted to hug them both; they went through so much pain—especially Aster. The way she always protected Maverick, cared for others, remained a compassionate person, and didn't turn out like her family... Honestly, I didn't know so much hardship could fall on just one person.
And let’s not forget about the stalker! I wanted to scream: "Just leave her alone already!"
For me, the theme of family and family dynamics was even more important than the romance. First, Aster’s family, and then her nephew—so little, yet he already understands and feels everything. It absolutely broke my heart for him.
If you think the author left us without any mystery in this book, you are wrong! Catherine Cowles wouldn’t be Catherine Cowles if she left us without drama and shadowy figures trying to harm the characters.
And that pacing at the end?! What was that?! First, the truth about the breakup with Maverick. Then, the secret about the will is revealed. And if you thought that was it—nope! We still had to figure out who the stalker was. And, as always, it’s the "who could have possibly guessed" trope!
Emotions are running high, love has been restored, and now everyone can live happily as one big, close-knit family.
---
Currently Reading
November 3, 2026₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
05/11/2026 — joni and i were on the same wavelength and we literally decided to br at the same time!! cant wait to crash out over aster and maverick together and completely lose it..
04/11/2026 — stopped breathing when i saw it landing in my mail but I GOT THE ARC!!!! fuck responsibilities, im reading it right tf now
15/10/2026 — aster and maverick's book!!! i just know this is going to be one of favs in the series and i literally cant wait to read it!! second chance childhood friends to lovers, umm sign me tf up! crossing my fingers and toes for the arc...
05/11/2026 — joni and i were on the same wavelength and we literally decided to br at the same time!! cant wait to crash out over aster and maverick together and completely lose it..
04/11/2026 — stopped breathing when i saw it landing in my mail but I GOT THE ARC!!!! fuck responsibilities, im reading it right tf now
15/10/2026 — aster and maverick's book!!! i just know this is going to be one of favs in the series and i literally cant wait to read it!! second chance childhood friends to lovers, umm sign me tf up! crossing my fingers and toes for the arc...
Want to Read
June 17, 2026ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THAT TROPE REVEAL AT THE END OF INTO THE FADING TWILIGHT!!!!!!!
Ahhhh I knew Maverick & Aster were gonna get a book and I’m right 💜
Ahhhh I knew Maverick & Aster were gonna get a book and I’m right 💜
Review of advance copy received from Author
not that im surprised by this but i absolutely LOVED aster and mav!!! i cant quite put my finger on it but there was something about their book that has felt so different from any other CC book ive read in the best way! i was lucky enough to do an immersive read with this one and i just will never get over how insane the audiobook production is and how it elevates already fun/amazing stories to new levels.
marriage of convenience could not have been more perfect of a trope to bring these two back to one another, paired with the agonizing slow burn… it was DELICIOUS. mav and aster are so perfect for one another in every way possible.
i was pleasantly surprised by evil person #1, i will say that one caught me by surprise. i tried really hard this time to not sit and try to analyze everyone the entire time and instead focus on our MCs and i quite liked being taken by surprise by CC!! i feel like even when im trying not to i have a knack for knowing main evil person based off of the stupidest things LOL. it was no different with this one but i actually hated to be right this time because i felt so bad for the other characters.
i am sooo excited to see whats in store for book 4!! this is definitely one of my favorite romantic suspense series currently and im chomping at the bit for more!!
marriage of convenience could not have been more perfect of a trope to bring these two back to one another, paired with the agonizing slow burn… it was DELICIOUS. mav and aster are so perfect for one another in every way possible.
i was pleasantly surprised by evil person #1, i will say that one caught me by surprise. i tried really hard this time to not sit and try to analyze everyone the entire time and instead focus on our MCs and i quite liked being taken by surprise by CC!! i feel like even when im trying not to i have a knack for knowing main evil person based off of the stupidest things LOL. it was no different with this one but i actually hated to be right this time because i felt so bad for the other characters.
i am sooo excited to see whats in store for book 4!! this is definitely one of my favorite romantic suspense series currently and im chomping at the bit for more!!
October 27, 2026
Do I really even need to write a review?
Catherine Cowles has perfected her craft.
She is writing one romantic suspense banger after the next.
Maverick & Aster
The baby of the Archer brothers
The scars on him from his dad… oof
Aster, the scars left from her dad were equally oof
Fireman x therapist
Childhood friends to enemies to married?
There’s a lot to unpack there
The twists were solid. And they kept twisting.
Netgalley arc review ✨
Catherine Cowles has perfected her craft.
She is writing one romantic suspense banger after the next.
Maverick & Aster
The baby of the Archer brothers
The scars on him from his dad… oof
Aster, the scars left from her dad were equally oof
Fireman x therapist
Childhood friends to enemies to married?
There’s a lot to unpack there
The twists were solid. And they kept twisting.
Netgalley arc review ✨
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Let me start this off by emphasising how I LOVE this series!
If you love small-town romance and you haven't gotten to know, GET. TO. KNOW.
I love that with every book, the beautiful network of this of this town just keeps getting larger and building on the previous characters and networks we have grown to love. From the start we grow familiar with characters who become protgonists in later books - which I think is a relatively unique feature of these books. There is no need to invent new characters along the way. The town and family naturally develop.
For this book specifically, I have loved Maverick from the start. I loved his jokey charismatic nature, but loved that it hid something deeper and more profound. Similarly Aster is an incredible female protagonist balancing a strength and hard-won resilience with a tenderness and care for those around her.
Further, these books always have twists which catch me off guard. In this instance possibly slightly too many twists? They just kept coming and I felt that the story would have followed a compelling storyline without quite so many twists and betrayls - but this is my only criticism.
I am quite literally itching out of my skin to get the next book!
If you love small-town romance and you haven't gotten to know, GET. TO. KNOW.
I love that with every book, the beautiful network of this of this town just keeps getting larger and building on the previous characters and networks we have grown to love. From the start we grow familiar with characters who become protgonists in later books - which I think is a relatively unique feature of these books. There is no need to invent new characters along the way. The town and family naturally develop.
For this book specifically, I have loved Maverick from the start. I loved his jokey charismatic nature, but loved that it hid something deeper and more profound. Similarly Aster is an incredible female protagonist balancing a strength and hard-won resilience with a tenderness and care for those around her.
Further, these books always have twists which catch me off guard. In this instance possibly slightly too many twists? They just kept coming and I felt that the story would have followed a compelling storyline without quite so many twists and betrayls - but this is my only criticism.
I am quite literally itching out of my skin to get the next book!
October 1, 2026
☆ 3 stars
“You were a constellation of stars, lighting my path when I was living in the dark.”
Beneath a Midnight Moon is the third instalment in the Starlight Grove series by author Catherine Cowles. Every single time without fail, having consumed the entirety of the Catherine-verse, I feel like I’ve merely blinked and suddenly found myself yet again at the end of another book by this author before I was ready. It’s wild to acknowledge how easily I can consume over 400 pages within the same day without effort because of how addictive and unputdownable they are. What’s not to love about a slow burn, second chance romance with marriage convenience and a side of mystery? The found family dynamics continue to be top tier with the Archer brothers continuing to display how deep their familial bonds run (even when they continue to frustratingly not want to communicate their feelings or reach for help) with the limitless of their love for not only one another, but also the lost souls that find their way to them. I’m admittedly disappointed by how little insight we’ve gotten into their experiences with their father as a family and the deeper exploration into how that continued to shape their childhood after he was gone. I had expected to dig deeper into these elements with Maverick’s story in particular due to his history, so I’m more than a little bummed that this isn’t something that we seem to taking care to delve into as it simply remains a source of emotional strife alongside being the reasoning for their alienation from the townsfolk. Whilst being disappointed in that regard there’s still no denying how much of a fun time these books are. I run to preorder every new release and it’s a nice feeling to have an author that you can rely upon for a consistently good experience no matter what it’s premise is.
Maverick Archer is the comedic daredevil of the family and the youngest brother that is evidently hiding a lot of pain beneath the ‘jokester’ mask he wears. His history and trauma has broken my heart continuously as a side character in the first two books, just for it to utterly shatter when explored within his own narrative. Maverick deeply struggles with his past and is seen to utilise adrenaline as a way to silence the loudness that threatens to overcome his mind. Recklessness and impulsiveness are a product of his pain and it felt really impactful to watch his slow progress into recognising that there can also be peace within stillness. His love for his family is resolute with a particularly closeness to the two older brothers that are determined to shoulder the burden and responsibility of what he endured. Maverick is a deeply emotional man that has taken all of his pain and worked really hard to utilise it for something positive. It’s clear that all of the Archer brothers carry the untold insecurity and resentment that comes with being the children of a serial killer as they each continually try to prove their worth and goodness to the community that turned their backs on them. Maverick is a caretaker through-and-through with his career as a firefighter with EMT training. The way he tries to check in on his family without feeling like the walking inconvenience of a horrific memory felt really compelling to explore, and it was truly so beautiful to see how deeply he loves the people that are worthy of being in his life. His strength is undeniable and I couldn’t be happier with the experience in getting to see Maverick fight for the life that he has always yearned for.
Aster Carrington has felt like an elusive mystery since her introduction at the beginning of the series so I’m thrilled to finally have the opportunity to delve deeper into her character and get to know her better. It hurt like hell to finally understand the complexities of her family dynamics and the way that she has suffered for the fake guise of ‘perfection’ that is expected of her. Aster is an undoubtedly mentally strong woman that has been shown to both overcome and hide within her struggles. Her determination to mask her emotions in fear of being perceived as weak broke my heart just as much as it fuelled my anger at the men around her that continued to enforce the narrative that women can’t handle working in male-dominated fields. Aster is intelligent and ambitious without a hunger for greed as displayed by her selfless approach in life. I loved getting to understand her empathetic nature better through her work and the vision of the future that she sees for the family ranch. I truly adore Aster as a character, but I also have to admit that her choices left me feeling frustrated by the midway point in her tendency to choose ignorance over combating what she believes to be the truth. I completely emphasise with her trauma and the way that both events from that time became so intertwined within her mind without an ability to separate them. I recognise her pain and fear over revisiting that difficult time in her life, but equally there has to be the acknowledgment that the consequences of her decisions didn’t just directly affect her but also another. I don’t necessarily blame Aster for the present-day timeline, however I do wish the author had showcased her addressing the topic earlier in the story to avoid the viscous cycle of miscommunication and distrust. Aster is a beautifully kind, family-orientated woman whom is so deserving to find her light source in the dark. She deserves love, joy and security… and I just really wish we’d been granted the opportunity to see her relish in her happy ending for longer than we did to make the overcoming of turmoil feel all the more impactful.
This is without a doubt the author’s slowest burn yet which is my favourite approach to romantic progression with it admittedly being both delicious and frustrating in its execution. I adored the moments of connection where Aster and Maverick truly seem to understand one another on a level that cannot be seen nor grasped. Their history is plagued with the constant reminders of a missed friendship and unresolved heartbreak that neither character have been able to fully recover from in the aftermath over a decade later. Miscommunication is something that the bookish community continues to be divided by with opinions of both love and hate, with for me it being the purpose and execution as the deciding factor on which stance I take on a book-by-book basis. It’s one of the most realistic inclusions that an author could utilise within fiction with how common it within occurs in real life. Where my stance leans into the negative is when the conflict of a romance is entirely reliant on miscommunication with its capacity to be resolved by one singular conversation. Unfortunately for Aster and Maverick… that’s exactly what their dynamic is which made the issues they experience feel weak and frustrating for me. Knowing that they’ve endured over a decade of deep emotional pain over a situation that wasn’t what it seemed, to then see their reconciliation after one conversation immediately progressing to declarations of love without much further conversation didn’t sit right with me and made it difficult to connect to their love story overall. It’s not that I wanted to see continued turmoil or punishment in the aftermath of the long-awaited revelation, but I also think the entire situation was brushed aside far too easily after being built up for over 200 pages. I really did enjoy Aster and Maverick’s connection with their care and regard for one another being apparent even when they desperately try to hide it. Their bickering and determination to ‘one up’ each other with ridiculous nicknames was hilarious… and I especially felt gleeful at the reactions to their engagement with their loved ones questioning their literal sanity. The love they share is unique to them and unquestionable, especially as their family unexpectedly grows in the best way. I’ll forever swoon during the ‘my wife’ moments which happened in numerous occasions throughout this book. Aster and Maverick are a beautiful couple that have come a long way to attain the happiness that they dreamed of as two lonely teenagers under the stars, and I’m just really devastated that I couldn’t entirely connect to them in the way that I’d hoped.
Beneath a Midnight Moon is another fun instalment in the Starlight Grove series with the undeniable yearning and compelling family dynamics helping to drive the story forward. The conflict at the end did feel a bit rushed and underdeveloped for me personally which lessoned its intended emotional impact. I usually find a lot of fun in playing detective and ultimately failing to guess who the villain has been, but in this instalment I feel like the mystery plot was more in the back burner throughout in comparison to previous books within the series in-lieu of the building upon the slow burn romance. Stakes are introduced at the beginning which raised my expectations just for the conflict to essentially fade until closer to the end which was a shame. I’m honestly wondering if I’ve just picked up with book with the wrong mindset to appreciate it fully because my opinion currently seems to be in the minority. I still had a lot of fun regardless, and I’m very excited to follow our next Archer brother and his love interest whom is exactly who I thought she would be. That’s going to be an interesting dynamic to explore, for sure.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.
“You were a constellation of stars, lighting my path when I was living in the dark.”
Beneath a Midnight Moon is the third instalment in the Starlight Grove series by author Catherine Cowles. Every single time without fail, having consumed the entirety of the Catherine-verse, I feel like I’ve merely blinked and suddenly found myself yet again at the end of another book by this author before I was ready. It’s wild to acknowledge how easily I can consume over 400 pages within the same day without effort because of how addictive and unputdownable they are. What’s not to love about a slow burn, second chance romance with marriage convenience and a side of mystery? The found family dynamics continue to be top tier with the Archer brothers continuing to display how deep their familial bonds run (even when they continue to frustratingly not want to communicate their feelings or reach for help) with the limitless of their love for not only one another, but also the lost souls that find their way to them. I’m admittedly disappointed by how little insight we’ve gotten into their experiences with their father as a family and the deeper exploration into how that continued to shape their childhood after he was gone. I had expected to dig deeper into these elements with Maverick’s story in particular due to his history, so I’m more than a little bummed that this isn’t something that we seem to taking care to delve into as it simply remains a source of emotional strife alongside being the reasoning for their alienation from the townsfolk. Whilst being disappointed in that regard there’s still no denying how much of a fun time these books are. I run to preorder every new release and it’s a nice feeling to have an author that you can rely upon for a consistently good experience no matter what it’s premise is.
Maverick Archer is the comedic daredevil of the family and the youngest brother that is evidently hiding a lot of pain beneath the ‘jokester’ mask he wears. His history and trauma has broken my heart continuously as a side character in the first two books, just for it to utterly shatter when explored within his own narrative. Maverick deeply struggles with his past and is seen to utilise adrenaline as a way to silence the loudness that threatens to overcome his mind. Recklessness and impulsiveness are a product of his pain and it felt really impactful to watch his slow progress into recognising that there can also be peace within stillness. His love for his family is resolute with a particularly closeness to the two older brothers that are determined to shoulder the burden and responsibility of what he endured. Maverick is a deeply emotional man that has taken all of his pain and worked really hard to utilise it for something positive. It’s clear that all of the Archer brothers carry the untold insecurity and resentment that comes with being the children of a serial killer as they each continually try to prove their worth and goodness to the community that turned their backs on them. Maverick is a caretaker through-and-through with his career as a firefighter with EMT training. The way he tries to check in on his family without feeling like the walking inconvenience of a horrific memory felt really compelling to explore, and it was truly so beautiful to see how deeply he loves the people that are worthy of being in his life. His strength is undeniable and I couldn’t be happier with the experience in getting to see Maverick fight for the life that he has always yearned for.
Aster Carrington has felt like an elusive mystery since her introduction at the beginning of the series so I’m thrilled to finally have the opportunity to delve deeper into her character and get to know her better. It hurt like hell to finally understand the complexities of her family dynamics and the way that she has suffered for the fake guise of ‘perfection’ that is expected of her. Aster is an undoubtedly mentally strong woman that has been shown to both overcome and hide within her struggles. Her determination to mask her emotions in fear of being perceived as weak broke my heart just as much as it fuelled my anger at the men around her that continued to enforce the narrative that women can’t handle working in male-dominated fields. Aster is intelligent and ambitious without a hunger for greed as displayed by her selfless approach in life. I loved getting to understand her empathetic nature better through her work and the vision of the future that she sees for the family ranch. I truly adore Aster as a character, but I also have to admit that her choices left me feeling frustrated by the midway point in her tendency to choose ignorance over combating what she believes to be the truth. I completely emphasise with her trauma and the way that both events from that time became so intertwined within her mind without an ability to separate them. I recognise her pain and fear over revisiting that difficult time in her life, but equally there has to be the acknowledgment that the consequences of her decisions didn’t just directly affect her but also another. I don’t necessarily blame Aster for the present-day timeline, however I do wish the author had showcased her addressing the topic earlier in the story to avoid the viscous cycle of miscommunication and distrust. Aster is a beautifully kind, family-orientated woman whom is so deserving to find her light source in the dark. She deserves love, joy and security… and I just really wish we’d been granted the opportunity to see her relish in her happy ending for longer than we did to make the overcoming of turmoil feel all the more impactful.
This is without a doubt the author’s slowest burn yet which is my favourite approach to romantic progression with it admittedly being both delicious and frustrating in its execution. I adored the moments of connection where Aster and Maverick truly seem to understand one another on a level that cannot be seen nor grasped. Their history is plagued with the constant reminders of a missed friendship and unresolved heartbreak that neither character have been able to fully recover from in the aftermath over a decade later. Miscommunication is something that the bookish community continues to be divided by with opinions of both love and hate, with for me it being the purpose and execution as the deciding factor on which stance I take on a book-by-book basis. It’s one of the most realistic inclusions that an author could utilise within fiction with how common it within occurs in real life. Where my stance leans into the negative is when the conflict of a romance is entirely reliant on miscommunication with its capacity to be resolved by one singular conversation. Unfortunately for Aster and Maverick… that’s exactly what their dynamic is which made the issues they experience feel weak and frustrating for me. Knowing that they’ve endured over a decade of deep emotional pain over a situation that wasn’t what it seemed, to then see their reconciliation after one conversation immediately progressing to declarations of love without much further conversation didn’t sit right with me and made it difficult to connect to their love story overall. It’s not that I wanted to see continued turmoil or punishment in the aftermath of the long-awaited revelation, but I also think the entire situation was brushed aside far too easily after being built up for over 200 pages. I really did enjoy Aster and Maverick’s connection with their care and regard for one another being apparent even when they desperately try to hide it. Their bickering and determination to ‘one up’ each other with ridiculous nicknames was hilarious… and I especially felt gleeful at the reactions to their engagement with their loved ones questioning their literal sanity. The love they share is unique to them and unquestionable, especially as their family unexpectedly grows in the best way. I’ll forever swoon during the ‘my wife’ moments which happened in numerous occasions throughout this book. Aster and Maverick are a beautiful couple that have come a long way to attain the happiness that they dreamed of as two lonely teenagers under the stars, and I’m just really devastated that I couldn’t entirely connect to them in the way that I’d hoped.
Beneath a Midnight Moon is another fun instalment in the Starlight Grove series with the undeniable yearning and compelling family dynamics helping to drive the story forward. The conflict at the end did feel a bit rushed and underdeveloped for me personally which lessoned its intended emotional impact. I usually find a lot of fun in playing detective and ultimately failing to guess who the villain has been, but in this instalment I feel like the mystery plot was more in the back burner throughout in comparison to previous books within the series in-lieu of the building upon the slow burn romance. Stakes are introduced at the beginning which raised my expectations just for the conflict to essentially fade until closer to the end which was a shame. I’m honestly wondering if I’ve just picked up with book with the wrong mindset to appreciate it fully because my opinion currently seems to be in the minority. I still had a lot of fun regardless, and I’m very excited to follow our next Archer brother and his love interest whom is exactly who I thought she would be. That’s going to be an interesting dynamic to explore, for sure.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.
Currently Reading
October 25, 2026I WON THE ARC WAR 😭😭😭😭😭💜💜💜
November 11, 2026
The CHOKEHOLD this series has on me needs to be studied 🤓. Because what do you mean I teared up MULTIPLE TIMES reading/listening to this book 🥹😫 📖? It takes a skilled author to balance romance and suspense, and boy has Catherine mastered the art of blending two of my favorite genres ⚖️.
I loved Maverick and Aster’s characters. Their individual and collective healing journeys made for a compelling and heartfelt read ❤️🩹. “Slowburn” romances can be iffy for me, and this was the SLOWEST of burns, but the payoff was SO SATISFYING and made their love story all the more real for me 💓. Nothing felt cheesy or forced, and the story wasn’t diluted with unnecessary spice (and that is saying a lot from someone with a high tolerance 😜❤️🔥). Together with a storyline CHOCKED FULL of suspense 👨🏽🚒 🔥 👮🏼 🩸, this book had me highlighting and writing notes trying to connect all the dots 🕵🏽♀️! Some of these folks were WILD 🫨 in this book and I guessed ZERO of the ‘twists’ or suspects (a rare miss for me 🫣🧐). Well played, Catherine. I like your style girlfriend 👏🏽.
🎧: I LOOOOOVED this immersive reading experience, and the audiobook was TOP TIER 🏆. Duet, multicast narration with Andi Arndt & Adam Gold leading the story was a pure delight. They were PERFECTLY cast 🤌🏽✨. The rest of the cast blended in seamlessly and makes this group feel like a real family 💖. 10/10, NO NOTES 🚫 📝 !
This series is without a doubt in my Top 3 romance series. Excellent writing, intriguing plots, swoony MMC’s. I thought Kol was my fave brother, but I find different traits to like in each one of them. Maverick though…the whole “my wife” schtick in romance novels typically gives me the ICK, but when HE DID IT…I melted…every time 🥵🫠. He is ELITE book boyfriend material 🎖️🫡.
I’ve been incredibly stingy with 5⭐️ ratings lately, but this one earned it. Easily. Any minor critiques I may have had didn’t overshadow all the enjoyment (and feels 🥹) from reading/listening to this book. Murder-y romances are my JAM!! Bring on Wylder’s book!!
Thank you to Team Catherine Cowles for the ARC & ALC 💞.
📖 5⭐️
🎧 5⭐️
🌶️🌶️
I loved Maverick and Aster’s characters. Their individual and collective healing journeys made for a compelling and heartfelt read ❤️🩹. “Slowburn” romances can be iffy for me, and this was the SLOWEST of burns, but the payoff was SO SATISFYING and made their love story all the more real for me 💓. Nothing felt cheesy or forced, and the story wasn’t diluted with unnecessary spice (and that is saying a lot from someone with a high tolerance 😜❤️🔥). Together with a storyline CHOCKED FULL of suspense 👨🏽🚒 🔥 👮🏼 🩸, this book had me highlighting and writing notes trying to connect all the dots 🕵🏽♀️! Some of these folks were WILD 🫨 in this book and I guessed ZERO of the ‘twists’ or suspects (a rare miss for me 🫣🧐). Well played, Catherine. I like your style girlfriend 👏🏽.
🎧: I LOOOOOVED this immersive reading experience, and the audiobook was TOP TIER 🏆. Duet, multicast narration with Andi Arndt & Adam Gold leading the story was a pure delight. They were PERFECTLY cast 🤌🏽✨. The rest of the cast blended in seamlessly and makes this group feel like a real family 💖. 10/10, NO NOTES 🚫 📝 !
This series is without a doubt in my Top 3 romance series. Excellent writing, intriguing plots, swoony MMC’s. I thought Kol was my fave brother, but I find different traits to like in each one of them. Maverick though…the whole “my wife” schtick in romance novels typically gives me the ICK, but when HE DID IT…I melted…every time 🥵🫠. He is ELITE book boyfriend material 🎖️🫡.
I’ve been incredibly stingy with 5⭐️ ratings lately, but this one earned it. Easily. Any minor critiques I may have had didn’t overshadow all the enjoyment (and feels 🥹) from reading/listening to this book. Murder-y romances are my JAM!! Bring on Wylder’s book!!
Thank you to Team Catherine Cowles for the ARC & ALC 💞.
📖 5⭐️
🎧 5⭐️
🌶️🌶️
November 8, 2026
I finished this book in one sitting. As someone who has a hard time staying up past midnight, I couldn’t put this ome down until it was 3:30 am 😩
I got to read this book as an ARC in return for my honest review. Thank you Catherine and team 💗
This book sucked me in from the first until the very last page. I didn’t know what to expect from this book, but since the tension between Aster and Maverick was sooooo clear in the first two books I knew I was in for a treat.
My heart really feels for Aster and Maverick. Their whole lives they have been to hell and back. And still they’re both so full of love and kindness. They deserve the world!! 🥹❤️
Maverick is so fun, loving and caring. He is such a green flag. He is a man that would move mountains for Asher. I dare to say he might be one of my new favorite book boyfriends and we still have two more Archer brothers to get to know???
Aster the woman that you are. She has been through a lot and still her heart is so pure, she would do anything for the people she loves.
And Catherine girl be careful with my heart next time!! And I’m not talking about how I cried 3 times. No… I’m talking about these freaking plottwists???? They had me shook, absolutely my mind is blown. 🤯
And for Eli, you are so loved 🥹🥰
If you needed a sign to start the Starlight Grove series well here you got it!!
Can’t wait to see what the next books will have in store for us. ❤️
I got to read this book as an ARC in return for my honest review. Thank you Catherine and team 💗
This book sucked me in from the first until the very last page. I didn’t know what to expect from this book, but since the tension between Aster and Maverick was sooooo clear in the first two books I knew I was in for a treat.
My heart really feels for Aster and Maverick. Their whole lives they have been to hell and back. And still they’re both so full of love and kindness. They deserve the world!! 🥹❤️
Maverick is so fun, loving and caring. He is such a green flag. He is a man that would move mountains for Asher. I dare to say he might be one of my new favorite book boyfriends and we still have two more Archer brothers to get to know???
Aster the woman that you are. She has been through a lot and still her heart is so pure, she would do anything for the people she loves.
And Catherine girl be careful with my heart next time!! And I’m not talking about how I cried 3 times. No… I’m talking about these freaking plottwists???? They had me shook, absolutely my mind is blown. 🤯
And for Eli, you are so loved 🥹🥰
If you needed a sign to start the Starlight Grove series well here you got it!!
Can’t wait to see what the next books will have in store for us. ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Catherine. Ma’am. You broke my brain. The man down bad? The second chance yearning? The “my fiancé” moments? Absolutely obsessed. I want to read it all over again.
This entire series is so good and Beneath a Midnight Moon had the perfect tone of second chance and desperation for each other but fear of trust again. You can feel the emotions so clearly throughout the entire book and they are being added to my list of Catherine Cowles characters.
Read this when you’re in the mood for…
- second chance
- marriage of convenience
- forced proximity
- enemies to lovers
- single guardian
- HE’S SO DOWN BAD
Loved this book and cannot wait for more to the series!
This entire series is so good and Beneath a Midnight Moon had the perfect tone of second chance and desperation for each other but fear of trust again. You can feel the emotions so clearly throughout the entire book and they are being added to my list of Catherine Cowles characters.
Read this when you’re in the mood for…
- second chance
- marriage of convenience
- forced proximity
- enemies to lovers
- single guardian
- HE’S SO DOWN BAD
Loved this book and cannot wait for more to the series!
Want to Read
August 7, 2026Maverick is my favorite character so can’t wait for this!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Five stars because Catherine Cowles.
No, but seriously, I don’t know if this woman sleeps because I barely do trying to keep up with all the books she releases.
Aster and Maverick give you childhood best friends-to-enemies-to-spouses, twelve years of unresolved heartbreak, delicious bickering, and one hell of a slow burn. Maverick is reckless, hilarious, deeply protective, and carrying enough childhood trauma to keep a therapist employed indefinitely. He is also a firefighter and smokejumper, so naturally, I am obsessed with him.
The nicknames alone nearly took me out! Maverick calling her Rebel while Aster terrorized him with “Pookie” was adorbs, but it was their quieter moments of instinctively caring for each other that made the romance hit. I also loved Aster’s journey. She is so accustomed to surviving alone that allowing herself to be loved, protected, and supported becomes its own act of courage.
And because this is Catherine Cowles, the romance comes with a loving family, generational trauma, small-town drama, suspicious accidents, multiple people who need to be launched directly into the burning sun, and a suspense plot that becomes increasingly unhinged. The final stretch had enough revelations for three separate family scandals, and I ate up every single one.
Tropes & vibes:
✦ marriage of convenience
✦ forced proximity
✦ protective firefighter
✦ glacial slow burn
✦ romantic suspense
✦ found family
Thank you to my besties at Bloom for allowing me to read this one in advance!
No, but seriously, I don’t know if this woman sleeps because I barely do trying to keep up with all the books she releases.
Aster and Maverick give you childhood best friends-to-enemies-to-spouses, twelve years of unresolved heartbreak, delicious bickering, and one hell of a slow burn. Maverick is reckless, hilarious, deeply protective, and carrying enough childhood trauma to keep a therapist employed indefinitely. He is also a firefighter and smokejumper, so naturally, I am obsessed with him.
The nicknames alone nearly took me out! Maverick calling her Rebel while Aster terrorized him with “Pookie” was adorbs, but it was their quieter moments of instinctively caring for each other that made the romance hit. I also loved Aster’s journey. She is so accustomed to surviving alone that allowing herself to be loved, protected, and supported becomes its own act of courage.
And because this is Catherine Cowles, the romance comes with a loving family, generational trauma, small-town drama, suspicious accidents, multiple people who need to be launched directly into the burning sun, and a suspense plot that becomes increasingly unhinged. The final stretch had enough revelations for three separate family scandals, and I ate up every single one.
Tropes & vibes:
✦ marriage of convenience
✦ forced proximity
✦ protective firefighter
✦ glacial slow burn
✦ romantic suspense
✦ found family
Thank you to my besties at Bloom for allowing me to read this one in advance!
November 4, 2026
Well I’m home from my 3rd trip to Starlight Grove…… and I WANNA GO BACK ALREADY!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭
Holy!!! I could not love this more!!💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
I have loved Mac’s spunky and goofy personality from the very beginning and never could I really picture him like this. That is until our girl gives him his own story and blows us away! Every book I think is my favorite and every book she comes out with shoves its way to the favorite spot in my heart!
Maverick and Aster’s story was everything! I always wanted to know what caused their hatred and sarcasm for each other and boy oh boy did this deliver and then some! The history, the backstory, the love between these two is unmatched! I WANT to attend this wedding for real!!! Marriage of convenience done to perfection!
The way the previous books in this series had us painting Mav into a bit of a playboy, we knew we would get clarification on him and his personality, but my goodness was this just perfect! The way one girl simply owned his heart his whole life and he hid so much emotion behind a mask of jokes and sarcasm. I have a new top tier book boyfriend!
Catherine I don’t know how you do it or what you put in your books but they stick with me and always have me NEEDING more! This book was a straight masterpiece 💜💜💜💜
Holy!!! I could not love this more!!💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
I have loved Mac’s spunky and goofy personality from the very beginning and never could I really picture him like this. That is until our girl gives him his own story and blows us away! Every book I think is my favorite and every book she comes out with shoves its way to the favorite spot in my heart!
Maverick and Aster’s story was everything! I always wanted to know what caused their hatred and sarcasm for each other and boy oh boy did this deliver and then some! The history, the backstory, the love between these two is unmatched! I WANT to attend this wedding for real!!! Marriage of convenience done to perfection!
The way the previous books in this series had us painting Mav into a bit of a playboy, we knew we would get clarification on him and his personality, but my goodness was this just perfect! The way one girl simply owned his heart his whole life and he hid so much emotion behind a mask of jokes and sarcasm. I have a new top tier book boyfriend!
Catherine I don’t know how you do it or what you put in your books but they stick with me and always have me NEEDING more! This book was a straight masterpiece 💜💜💜💜
Review of advance copy received from Author
Maverick and Aster's story is an absolute must-read. Can I just tell you how much I love these two? The banter, the nicknames, the snark, the angst, the passion… I loved every single second of it. The slow-burn tension in this marriage of convenience is so good, and Maverick is officially top-tier book boyfriend material.
My heart honestly hurt so much for all of the traumas these characters have endured. It gets heavy at times, but watching them overcome everything with the support and love of their found family was so satisfying. The twisty suspense plot mixed with the small-town romance hit all the right notes for me, and I devoured this pretty quickly.
Audiobook Note:
The duet narration was absolute perfection! Andi Arndt and Adam Gold are flawless as Aster and Maverick—they captured all the raw emotion, heartbreak, and banter perfectly. Having Jason Clarke, Sebastian York, Teddy Hamilton, and Connor Crais voice the rest of the Archer brothers just took it to the next level.
Thank you to the author for the e-arc and alc!
My heart honestly hurt so much for all of the traumas these characters have endured. It gets heavy at times, but watching them overcome everything with the support and love of their found family was so satisfying. The twisty suspense plot mixed with the small-town romance hit all the right notes for me, and I devoured this pretty quickly.
Audiobook Note:
The duet narration was absolute perfection! Andi Arndt and Adam Gold are flawless as Aster and Maverick—they captured all the raw emotion, heartbreak, and banter perfectly. Having Jason Clarke, Sebastian York, Teddy Hamilton, and Connor Crais voice the rest of the Archer brothers just took it to the next level.
Thank you to the author for the e-arc and alc!
September 11, 2026
Ooooh I’ve been waiting for Maverick and Aster and these two did not disappoint!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
First, I cannot recommend this entire series on audio enough! The narration is always done so well and truly brings these stories to life.
I absolutely loved finally getting Maverick and Aster’s backstory. Aster is such a badass FMC, especially after everything life has thrown at her. Her family was horrible, but her grandpa was always in her corner. And what that man did had me fist pumping the air saying booya!
Then we have Mav, and his history just broke my heart. After everything he went through, he would still do absolutely anything for Aster. These two have been through so much, and their second chance at love was beautiful.
I also loved being back with this family. They always make these stories even better. And what Aster did for her nephew was so heartwarming.
This was such a beautiful second chance romance filled with heartbreak, healing, family, and a love that never really went away. I loved every bit of it!
I absolutely loved finally getting Maverick and Aster’s backstory. Aster is such a badass FMC, especially after everything life has thrown at her. Her family was horrible, but her grandpa was always in her corner. And what that man did had me fist pumping the air saying booya!
Then we have Mav, and his history just broke my heart. After everything he went through, he would still do absolutely anything for Aster. These two have been through so much, and their second chance at love was beautiful.
I also loved being back with this family. They always make these stories even better. And what Aster did for her nephew was so heartwarming.
This was such a beautiful second chance romance filled with heartbreak, healing, family, and a love that never really went away. I loved every bit of it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I LITERALLLLYYYY GASPED AT THESE PLOT TWISTS! THE SUSPENSE..WAS SUSPENSING ...
I cried, I laughed I swooned... there are no skips when it comes to this series 💜💜
When I got the email to say I was approved for an arc on Netgalley my heart was in my throat! This is my first CC series and I am hooked. The slow burn was so amazing in this, I am beginning the love the trope again, especially when mixed with second chance and marriage of convenience.
The nicknames alone nearly took me out! Maverick calling her Rebel while Aster terrorized him with “Pookie” was brillaint, but it was their quieter moments of instinctively caring for each other that made the romance hit. I also loved Aster’s journey. She is so accustomed to surviving alone that allowing herself to be loved, protected, and supported becomes its own act of courage.
The suspense, like always, is so well done. I love the twists and how the atmosphere is set!! I had my guesses on the bad guess, and I was sort of correct but still I was left speechless!
Tropes & vibes:
✦ marriage of convenience
✦ forced proximity
✦ protective firefighter
✦ slow burn
✦ romantic suspense
✦ found family
I cried, I laughed I swooned... there are no skips when it comes to this series 💜💜
When I got the email to say I was approved for an arc on Netgalley my heart was in my throat! This is my first CC series and I am hooked. The slow burn was so amazing in this, I am beginning the love the trope again, especially when mixed with second chance and marriage of convenience.
The nicknames alone nearly took me out! Maverick calling her Rebel while Aster terrorized him with “Pookie” was brillaint, but it was their quieter moments of instinctively caring for each other that made the romance hit. I also loved Aster’s journey. She is so accustomed to surviving alone that allowing herself to be loved, protected, and supported becomes its own act of courage.
The suspense, like always, is so well done. I love the twists and how the atmosphere is set!! I had my guesses on the bad guess, and I was sort of correct but still I was left speechless!
Tropes & vibes:
✦ marriage of convenience
✦ forced proximity
✦ protective firefighter
✦ slow burn
✦ romantic suspense
✦ found family
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This series is absolutely killing me!
I adore Aster and Mav! They are so so perfect! The banter, the love, the confessions, the spice... everything was perfection. The suspense was so well done and again, Catherine left me speechless with revealing the bad guys.
I can't wait for book 4 and I'm so so so excited for the rest of the series.
This series is absolutely killing me!
I adore Aster and Mav! They are so so perfect! The banter, the love, the confessions, the spice... everything was perfection. The suspense was so well done and again, Catherine left me speechless with revealing the bad guys.
I can't wait for book 4 and I'm so so so excited for the rest of the series.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
💜 ᴀʀᴄ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ʙᴇɴᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴀ ᴍɪᴅɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴍᴏᴏɴ - ᴄᴀᴛʜᴇʀɪɴᴇ ᴄᴏᴡʟᴇꜱ 💜
Hey, bookstagram!
"Beneath a Midnight Moon" is a story that was truly worth the wait. I really wanted to find out what would happen to Aster and Maverick, especially since it was already clear that their relationship was really complicated and far from easy. However, I didn't expect their past together to hold so much pain and so many things left unsaid.
Aster returns to Starlight Grove, a place connected to many difficult memories. Coming back isn't easy for her, especially since she has to face the past she has spent years trying to escape. When she finds out that her grandfather has left her the ranch, another problem comes up. Her father plans to challenge the will, and the situation puts Aster in a position where she has to make a decision she would never normally consider or even think about. And that's when Maverick comes back into her life.
I really liked Aster. What touched me the most was everything she had been through and how much her childhood experiences affected her later life. As a therapist, she helps others deal with difficult experiences, but she herself can't deal so easily with what happened to her. Her past left her with a lot of pain, and returning to her hometown brings some of those feelings back. I understood why she found it hard to trust others and open up to them. After everything she had been through, you can't expect her to simply forget about it all.
Maverick is a character I fell in love with even more than I expected. At first glance, he's playful, enjoys adrenaline, and isn't afraid to take risks. He works as a firefighter and a skydiver, and his life is full of dangerous situations. However, there is much more to him than that. For years, Maverick has been trying to escape his own past and family experiences that have left a huge mark on him. What touched me especially was knowing that the person who was supposed to keep him safe was one of the reasons behind his greatest pain. I also really liked how much he cared about his loved ones and how much he was willing to do for them.
But what touched me the most was the story of these two. Aster and Maverick used to be best friends, and later they became each other's first love. Unfortunately, the events from twelve years ago caused everything between them to fall apart. Aster was convinced that Maverick had ignored her desperate attempts to contact him when she needed him the most. Meanwhile, he had spent all those years believing that she had left him without saying a word. They both carried hurt and resentment, without knowing the whole truth.
I really enjoyed their reunion and their attempts to rebuild their relationship. It wasn't as if one conversation after all those years was enough to make all their problems disappear. They had to face what happened in the past, learn to trust each other again, and most importantly, allow themselves to think that they could still be important to one another. Their marriage of convenience only made their situation more complicated, but at the same time, it gave them a chance to spend more time together. I loved their teasing, their conversations, and the moments when real feelings started to show beneath all their mutual resentment. There was so much longing and pain in all of it, but also tenderness.
I also can't forget to mention the crime subplot. Just when I thought things were starting to fall into place, more events happened that changed the way I saw the whole situation. Someone clearly didn't want Aster to stay on the ranch, and the threats and disturbing situations made it harder and harder to feel safe. The author did a really good job of combining this subplot with the story of the main characters. It wasn't just an addition to the romance, but something that had a real impact on their lives and the decisions they made. I love being able to come up with my own theories while reading, only to find out later that the author took the story in a completely different direction.
I also really liked how important the relationships with loved ones were in this story and the feeling that we don't have to deal with everything on our own. After everything the main characters had been through, I really appreciated the moments when they could count on others, not just themselves. These scenes showed best that family isn't always just about blood relations, but above all about the people who are there for us when we really need them.
This story brought out so many emotions in me. There were moments when I smiled, but there were also scenes that truly touched me. More than once, I wanted to hug the characters and spare them from going through any more painful experiences. I felt so much while reading about their past, all the misunderstandings, and how much time they had lost because they didn't know what had really happened.
Catherine Cowles has once again shown that she knows how to create characters who are so easy to get attached to. Aster and Maverick stole my heart, and their story will stay with me for a long time. I'm so happy I got the chance to read their story before its release. It truly means a lot to me.
If you love second chances, first love, a difficult past, marriage of convenience, and crime subplots, you should definitely pick up "Beneath a Midnight Moon". I'm sure Aster and Maverick will steal your hearts too. I already can't wait for the next book.
Hey, bookstagram!
"Beneath a Midnight Moon" is a story that was truly worth the wait. I really wanted to find out what would happen to Aster and Maverick, especially since it was already clear that their relationship was really complicated and far from easy. However, I didn't expect their past together to hold so much pain and so many things left unsaid.
Aster returns to Starlight Grove, a place connected to many difficult memories. Coming back isn't easy for her, especially since she has to face the past she has spent years trying to escape. When she finds out that her grandfather has left her the ranch, another problem comes up. Her father plans to challenge the will, and the situation puts Aster in a position where she has to make a decision she would never normally consider or even think about. And that's when Maverick comes back into her life.
I really liked Aster. What touched me the most was everything she had been through and how much her childhood experiences affected her later life. As a therapist, she helps others deal with difficult experiences, but she herself can't deal so easily with what happened to her. Her past left her with a lot of pain, and returning to her hometown brings some of those feelings back. I understood why she found it hard to trust others and open up to them. After everything she had been through, you can't expect her to simply forget about it all.
Maverick is a character I fell in love with even more than I expected. At first glance, he's playful, enjoys adrenaline, and isn't afraid to take risks. He works as a firefighter and a skydiver, and his life is full of dangerous situations. However, there is much more to him than that. For years, Maverick has been trying to escape his own past and family experiences that have left a huge mark on him. What touched me especially was knowing that the person who was supposed to keep him safe was one of the reasons behind his greatest pain. I also really liked how much he cared about his loved ones and how much he was willing to do for them.
But what touched me the most was the story of these two. Aster and Maverick used to be best friends, and later they became each other's first love. Unfortunately, the events from twelve years ago caused everything between them to fall apart. Aster was convinced that Maverick had ignored her desperate attempts to contact him when she needed him the most. Meanwhile, he had spent all those years believing that she had left him without saying a word. They both carried hurt and resentment, without knowing the whole truth.
I really enjoyed their reunion and their attempts to rebuild their relationship. It wasn't as if one conversation after all those years was enough to make all their problems disappear. They had to face what happened in the past, learn to trust each other again, and most importantly, allow themselves to think that they could still be important to one another. Their marriage of convenience only made their situation more complicated, but at the same time, it gave them a chance to spend more time together. I loved their teasing, their conversations, and the moments when real feelings started to show beneath all their mutual resentment. There was so much longing and pain in all of it, but also tenderness.
I also can't forget to mention the crime subplot. Just when I thought things were starting to fall into place, more events happened that changed the way I saw the whole situation. Someone clearly didn't want Aster to stay on the ranch, and the threats and disturbing situations made it harder and harder to feel safe. The author did a really good job of combining this subplot with the story of the main characters. It wasn't just an addition to the romance, but something that had a real impact on their lives and the decisions they made. I love being able to come up with my own theories while reading, only to find out later that the author took the story in a completely different direction.
I also really liked how important the relationships with loved ones were in this story and the feeling that we don't have to deal with everything on our own. After everything the main characters had been through, I really appreciated the moments when they could count on others, not just themselves. These scenes showed best that family isn't always just about blood relations, but above all about the people who are there for us when we really need them.
This story brought out so many emotions in me. There were moments when I smiled, but there were also scenes that truly touched me. More than once, I wanted to hug the characters and spare them from going through any more painful experiences. I felt so much while reading about their past, all the misunderstandings, and how much time they had lost because they didn't know what had really happened.
Catherine Cowles has once again shown that she knows how to create characters who are so easy to get attached to. Aster and Maverick stole my heart, and their story will stay with me for a long time. I'm so happy I got the chance to read their story before its release. It truly means a lot to me.
If you love second chances, first love, a difficult past, marriage of convenience, and crime subplots, you should definitely pick up "Beneath a Midnight Moon". I'm sure Aster and Maverick will steal your hearts too. I already can't wait for the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Audiobook 🎧
Catherine does it again. What can I say that I haven't already said about Catherine's books? No reviews needed - just read it.
Maverick and Aster were childhood best friends and each other's safe space until everything fell apart in the worst way. They lost so much precious time together and haven't really spoken in years. Aster's grandfather has passed away and left her with everything - including his ranch. A marriage of connivence is needed to keep the ranch and this is what brings them back together. The more we uncover about the past, the more my heart breaks for them both.
I enjoyed their back and fourth hatred and banter in previous books, but seeing them heal together was everything. Maverick would do anything to protect Aster - the love he had for her never went away. Aster is always the first to defend Maverick to anyone who speaks bad about him, even when they weren't talking.
As always, the found family aspect of Catherine's books are top tier. The banter. The support. Everything. Aster had no one in her corner so seeing Maverick's family step up was something special.
The twists just kept coming with this one. When you think everything was uncovered, we are hit with something else.
The audiobook is a must listen. The cast were phenomenal.
Super excited to see what is coming to us in book four.
- Marriage of Convenience
- Childhood Best Friends
- Second Chance
- My Wife
- Slow Burn
- Firefighter x Cowgirl
- Past Trauma
- Small Town
- Romantic Suspense
- Forced Proximity
Catherine does it again. What can I say that I haven't already said about Catherine's books? No reviews needed - just read it.
Maverick and Aster were childhood best friends and each other's safe space until everything fell apart in the worst way. They lost so much precious time together and haven't really spoken in years. Aster's grandfather has passed away and left her with everything - including his ranch. A marriage of connivence is needed to keep the ranch and this is what brings them back together. The more we uncover about the past, the more my heart breaks for them both.
I enjoyed their back and fourth hatred and banter in previous books, but seeing them heal together was everything. Maverick would do anything to protect Aster - the love he had for her never went away. Aster is always the first to defend Maverick to anyone who speaks bad about him, even when they weren't talking.
As always, the found family aspect of Catherine's books are top tier. The banter. The support. Everything. Aster had no one in her corner so seeing Maverick's family step up was something special.
The twists just kept coming with this one. When you think everything was uncovered, we are hit with something else.
The audiobook is a must listen. The cast were phenomenal.
Super excited to see what is coming to us in book four.
- Marriage of Convenience
- Childhood Best Friends
- Second Chance
- My Wife
- Slow Burn
- Firefighter x Cowgirl
- Past Trauma
- Small Town
- Romantic Suspense
- Forced Proximity
September 17, 2026
Title: Beneath a Midnight Moon
Author: Catherine Cowles
Series: Starlight Grove, 3
Format: Edelweiss ebook
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV’s: Aster (FMC) & Maverick (MMC)
What to expect:
*Second chance romance
*Marriage of convenience
*Family rivalry & trauma
Safety:
On page child abuse and neglect. On page house fires. Attempted murder. Slight OW/OM drama, no cheating. No third act breakup.
Review:
Another fabulous story in the Starlight Grove series! Maverick and Aster never had an easy upbringing, both suffering immense pain and torture from those who were supposed to love and take care of them. Oddly enough, what ripped them apart is what brings them back together. This time, stronger and more determined to make it work with each other!
But as always, there is someone working to keep them apart. Someone that doesn’t think they deserve love and happiness. Someone that will do everything possible to keep them apart forever.
I truly thought I had it figured out, it was right there, I had finally been able to figure out who the “bad guy” was in a Catherine Cowles book!! Then I got to chapter 49. Ms Cowles said bitch please, sit down and finish reading the story!
Thank you to the author, Bloom Books, Sourcebooks, and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review this title!
Author: Catherine Cowles
Series: Starlight Grove, 3
Format: Edelweiss ebook
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV’s: Aster (FMC) & Maverick (MMC)
What to expect:
*Second chance romance
*Marriage of convenience
*Family rivalry & trauma
Safety:
On page child abuse and neglect. On page house fires. Attempted murder. Slight OW/OM drama, no cheating. No third act breakup.
Review:
Another fabulous story in the Starlight Grove series! Maverick and Aster never had an easy upbringing, both suffering immense pain and torture from those who were supposed to love and take care of them. Oddly enough, what ripped them apart is what brings them back together. This time, stronger and more determined to make it work with each other!
But as always, there is someone working to keep them apart. Someone that doesn’t think they deserve love and happiness. Someone that will do everything possible to keep them apart forever.
I truly thought I had it figured out, it was right there, I had finally been able to figure out who the “bad guy” was in a Catherine Cowles book!! Then I got to chapter 49. Ms Cowles said bitch please, sit down and finish reading the story!
Thank you to the author, Bloom Books, Sourcebooks, and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review this title!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I love me a good small-town romantic suspense series! I’m enjoying these all so much. 🥹 this one had many twists!! I love how each brother is similar but sooo different. They’re healing in their own way and I’m literally BEGGINGGGG for Orion’s story. I just know he’s gonna be the one that makes me feel the most 🥲
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