Buy: Amazon
Review
The second book in the Starlight Grove series, this is a heartfelt and emotional slow-burn forbidden romance between a quiet single dad and a woman recovering from devastating trauma. It’s sweet and sexy with a great mix of drama, light moments and suspense, and I loved this one.
This book can be read as a standalone, but note that the story, my review, and even the blurb, contain spoilers for the first book in the series – and that’s a fantastic read, so don’t miss it!
Kol Archer is a forest ranger and a devoted single dad to his young daughter, Skylar. That’s pretty much his whole life, with the exception of his four brothers. And other than the very occasional hookup, he lives a quiet life and keeps to himself.
Nova experienced the unimaginable when she was kidnapped and kept in captivity for a year. Her best friend, Brae, never gave up looking for her and when Brae fell in love with Dex Archer in the first book, all of the Archer boys joined in to search for Nova. She was rescued by none other than Kol, who kept her alive when she was on the brink of death, and it’s his words she uses as a mantra to get through her days now that she’s free and trying to find her way forward.
“You’re alive. You’re breathing.”
Nova is understandably struggling to adjust back into real life, so Kol offers her the apartment above his garage to live in to allow her to have her space, while also keeping her safe and secure. Over shared meals, playtime with Skylar, and quiet evenings spent on the back deck, they become friends. Nova finds that she can open up to Kol, and he becomes her safe place. And in return, Nova brings a bright spark, other than his daughter, into Kol’s life. Slowly and effortlessly, they develop feelings, and they fall completely for each other
Their situation is complicated as Kol is an investigator on Nova’s case, so a relationship between them is forbidden. And when Nova starts receiving threats and another woman goes missing, the nightmare of her past may not be over just yet.
This is such a gorgeous read. Nova and Kol are so amazing together, and their romance is swoony and heartfelt. Kol stole my heart as he helped Nova find her strength again. He is kind, thoughtful and patient, and everything that Nova needs as she struggles to overcome all she’s been through.
Nova’s journey is beautifully written, and I loved watching her fight to claim her life back. Whether she’s chasing an adrenaline high or learning how to embrace the quiet, she acknowledges just how much her life has changed, and she pushes herself forward, while still protecting herself, and I loved her strength and how she kept on persevering. Kol’s unwavering support brings an added emotional depth to their relationship, and I loved those tender moments between them.
“All of you is beautiful,” he rasped. “Your hope and your fear. Your joy and your pain. Because all of it is you.”
The rest of Kol’s family are a big part of the story, rallying around Nova, and supporting her and Kol without reservation. This is such a great group, all so different and bringing their own unique contributions to the story. They’re so entertaining when they’re all together teasing and snarking at each other, but they protect and support each other without question, and they are a beautifully tight-knit family. Nova’s developing relationship with little Skylar is so sweet and heartfelt, and the two of them together are an absolute delight.
I enjoyed the strong themes of family – both biological and found – and loved watching the love story unfold. The romance is swoony, passionate and intense, and I loved watching Kol and Nova come together so beautifully.
I’m loving this series and can’t wait to see the rest of the Archers find their HEAs – especially after the twists dropped in this one!
Such a gorgeous read, I loved this one – 4 stars.
Starlight Grove
Across the Vanishing Sky (#1) (Dex)
Review
Buy: Amazon
Into the Fading Twilight (#2) (Kol)
Review
Buy: Amazon
Beneath a Midnight Moon (#3) (Maverick)
To be released 17 November
Pre-order: Amazon
Through the Gathering Storm (#4)
To be released 2 March 2027
Pre-order: Amazon
Within the Starry Silence (#5)
To be released 2027
About Catherine
Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she’s not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.
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