In Into the Fading Twilight by Catherine Cowles, Forest Service investigator Kol Archer has unfortunately seen his fair share of darkness–in his personal life and in 
his job. But nothing prepared him for the day he met Nova. From the moment he set eyes on her, she wowed him with her bravery and kept him guessing what she would say or do next. She fits in with his brothers, uncle, and most especially Kol’s eight-year-old daughter, Skylar. And now with her staying in the apartment over his garage while she gets her feet back under her, he’s inundated with all things Nova. Not that he’s upset about it. He’s just not sure getting involved with her is smart considering his current investigations could become a conflict of interest.
‘They might see her as damaged or broken. But I knew the truth.
She was a survivor. She’d crawled back from death itself. And she was still *here*.’
Staying on grumpy Kol’s property is hopefully just what Nova needs to get past recent events that changed her life completely. Taking it one day at a time, she falls into a comfortable pattern. Getting to know Skylar, Kol’s young daughter, has been one of the highlights and Nova looks forward to seeing what crazy combo of sparkly and commando clothing the Little Princess will come up with next. But then weird things start happening around Nova. Reminders of what she’s been through. Soon, the whole town of Starlight Grove is worried, with everyone looking to Kol and the local police to keep things safe. Nova will do her part to stay alert. The last thing she wants is for any more evil to touch her life–and she damn sure doesn’t want any of it to harm Kol, Sky, or any other people in her beloved found family.
‘I’d found my strength. My true strength. And I wouldn’t let anyone hurt me again.’
A steamy, deeply emotional romantic suspense that far exceeded my (admittedly high) expectations, INTO THE FADING TWILIGHT was a knockout of a novel. Catherine Cowles has proven herself as an amazing storyteller already. But Nova and Kol’s romance took things to a whole new level and kept me in its grip until the very final word, playing on every emotion imaginable. Even with the dangerous high-stakes Kol and Nova were facing, I loved the tenderness between them. Well, when they weren’t keeping each other on their toes. Because as sweet and kind as Kol could be with Nova, she hilariously loved to tease and bicker with him to get a rise out of the stoic, broody single dad.
“I can’t stop myself from wanting you. Can’t stop myself from dreaming about you. You haunt me. Awake. Asleep. No matter what I do.”
Nova frowned. “That doesn’t exactly sound like a compliment.”
“Does it look like I’m trying to get exorcised?”
One corner of her mouth kicked up.Note: This is considered a standalone, but I would highly recommend reading book one, Across the Vanishing Sky, first. It explains the Archer family’s dark history and how they try to atone for it and also shows the bond between Brae–book one’s heroine–and her bestie Nova, which is important in this installment.
I do have to mention that Nova’s journey to overcome her torturous past was not an easy one. There were a lot of extremely heavy scenes so if you are sensitive to certain subjects, please check the content warning. I was a little worried that Nova’s daredevil streak, trying to push her limits and feel alive again, would seem far-fetched. But it didn’t. It honestly felt like a natural way to deal with the trauma. Of course, rule follower Kol wasn’t a fan of Nova’s coping methods. Not that he had much to talk about as he and his brothers had their own ways of handling their complicated past. But the fact that Nova and Kol were both battling darkness helped create the beginnings of a bond that only strengthened as they became friends and then finally lovers.
TROPES/VIBES:
❤️🩹 Hurt/Comfort
🫶 Found family
💕 Roommates-to-lovers
🏡 Small-town romantic suspense
🛡️ Protective, broody single dad
🧗♀️Adrenaline-junkie, badass heroine
CW: View Spoiler »
Kol was every bit as swoon-worthy a hero as I hoped he would be. I adored everything about his relationship with his awesome eight-year-old daughter Skylar–who I’m sure will endear herself to every reader out there–and how he was always there for his wonderful brothers and uncle. Kol came off as a grumpy, mostly silent Forest Service investigator. But he took care of everyone around him constantly. So, when Nova appeared in his life in the most shocking of ways, it was nice to see her do what she could to take care of Kol and show him that he was worthy of kindness, goodness, and most of all, love.
Nova and Kol went to hell and back over the course of INTO THE FADING TWILIGHT (that plot twist about the bad guy!), but the ending found them together and thriving. And the teaser Cowles added in the final scene for the next book? Let’s just say Maverick’s story will likely be filled with fiery bantering, lots of groveling, and a surprising relationship that will turn his world upside down.
QOTD: Have you done any “adrenaline fueled” activities like mountain biking, cliff diving, white water rafting, skydiving, etc.?
Book Info:
Publication: Published: July 7th, 2026 | Bloom Books | Starlight Grove #2
Kol Archer guards the shadows of his past with unshakable control and rules he never dares to break.
Until her.
She’s the person he least expected. Yet here she is, turning his carefully constructed world upside down. Fairy-winged tea parties with his daughter. Dinners with his family. Moving into the apartment over his garage.
Now, Kol can’t escape her. She’s around every corner, filling the empty spaces inside him with her laughter, stealing his damn flannels, and tempting him to shatter the control he vowed to never lose hold of.
But Kol isn’t the only one transfixed by the new woman in Starlight Grove. Someone else is watching, waiting. And Kol has no choice but to act.
For her, he’ll not only break every rule, he’ll burn down the world to save her…
Into the Fading Twilight is a single dad, roommates-to-lovers, small-town romance about a woman starting over and a man who will do anything to keep her safe. This book can be read as a stand-alone.
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