She’s known nothing but darkness for 413 days…but he’ll burn down the world to save her. 

After a year in captivity, Nova Monroe is back in Starlight Grove—but she’s not the same woman who vanished. She lives on the edge, chases adrenaline, and refuses to be caged again. Cliff diving. Mountain biking. Anything to feel alive and outrun the memories clawing at her.

But the single dad with shadows of his own won’t let her face it alone. Especially when she finds herself needing a place to stay.

Kol Archer has made it his mission to protect her. As a Forest Service investigator, he’s no stranger to rugged terrain or battling for control. But nothing prepared him for Nova—her fire, her fight, the way she makes him feel something he thought was lost.

The closer they get, the more dangerous things become. Someone doesn’t want Nova to move on. And Kol is determined to stop them—no matter the cost.

Because for the first time in forever, Nova’s not just surviving. She’s learning how to live, how to trust, and reminding Kol he can, too. But as darkness looms, the truth could destroy them both…

My Review

This is Nova and Kol’s story, and I personally couldn’t wait to dive into it. I adore a damaged main character and a man who would burn down the world for the people he loves. Most of all though, I love the suspense, the found family, and all the tropes woven throughout this series.

The book opens with Nova and the final moments before her rescue. We get a glimpse of what she endured, but for all the details you’ll definitely want to read Across the Vanishing Sky first. Then we jump ahead four months.

Understandably, Nova is dealing with PTSD after everything she’s been through. What I loved is that she isn’t written as someone who isn’t magically “fixed.” She’s still healing. She’s also a bit of an adrenaline junkie, constantly reminding herself that even though she’s changed, she’s alive.

Kol is everything I hoped he’d be. He’s protective, a single dad, and carrying plenty of his own demons. Even with everything on his shoulders, he cares so deeply for Nova. Their bond wasn’t something either of them expected, but it never feels forced. He rescued her, and now he’s still working the cases as a Forest Service investigator.

I also love that Kol and his brothers spend their free time trying to repay some of the damage their father caused. Kol is the responsible one, the caregiver, and an amazing father. His daughter, Skylar, absolutely steals every scene she’s in. I already can’t wait for her book.

Can we also talk about our favorite bartender and the jilted fiancée? I feel like something is brewing there, and honestly, I hope so. She deserves so much more than being a side character. And just when you think the connected cases are over, you realize maybe they aren’t as finished as everyone hoped. It’s hard to move on when every reminder brings back the nightmare.

Nova and Kol are all push and pull. They tiptoe around their feelings, their chemistry, and everything growing between them. They’re both scared. Work blurs the lines, and the trauma that ties them together is also the very thing trying to pull them apart.

“Well, since you won’t, I guess you’ll have to watch these wet heart panties march right up the side of the cliff, Boss. Good thing your basically in an ice bath already”  – Nova

Nova was probably my favorite part of this story. I love her strength, her sass, and her determination. Yes, she’s damaged. Yes, she has demons. But she’s taking baby steps toward getting her life back, and I loved watching that journey.

Kol, on the other hand… bless him. 😂 He constantly puts his foot in his mouth. Whether it’s awkward social skills or just his overprotective nature, he definitely has his moments.

This book definitely brings the steamy scenes, but what stood out to me more was how intimate it felt. It wasn’t just physical. It felt like complete trust and acceptance after everything they’d both survived.

This story hits close to home because of the trauma and mental health representation. Through all the pain, the found family is what keeps everyone standing. Brae, Nova, Cora… they’re each there when it matters most. I also loved the inclusion of equine therapy. That was such a beautiful addition.

Kol definitely falls first, and I loved that. The roommates-to-lovers romance happens naturally through all the little everyday moments instead of one big dramatic scene.

The suspense kept me on edge almost the entire book. It pulls you through a story of healing, growth, family, and survival while still making you question who is behind everything. I wasn’t binge-reading this one because it’s emotionally heavy. With all the cases and time spent out in the wilderness, I kept hoping Yeti would make an appearance.

Can we talk about those twists? They just kept coming. I absolutely did not see that ending coming.

This one is definitely slower than the first book. We don’t discover who’s behind everything until the very end, but Catherine Cowles knows exactly how to build suspense. Her writing reminded me of when I used to devour romantic suspense by Patricia Cornwell, Iris Johansen, and so many other amazing authors years ago.

There is so much hurt, pain, and healing packed into this story. The forced proximity isn’t just there for romance. It’s what teaches Nova and Kol how to trust again. Even after all the chaos that brought them together, they found their home with each other, on the ranch, surrounded by the family they built along the way.

If you would like to read Into the Fading Twilight by Catherine Cowles you can find this book on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn on qualifying purchases.

If you like this book oyu may also enjoy books with these tags and categories: Found Family, Romantic Suspense and Roomates to Lovers.