Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you feel the two genres of romance and thriller worked together in this story? Have you read other romantic suspense novels, like Catherine Cowles’s other works or titles by authors like Sandra Brown, and how does Into the Fading Twilight compare in its balance of relationship development and high-stakes danger?

2. What was your initial reaction to the big reveal about Cora’s true identity? Did you find the clues leading up to it subtle and effective, or did the twist take you completely by surprise?

3. Which character’s journey resonated with you the most, aside from Nova’s?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The book explores how Nova uses thrill-seeking activities like cliff jumping to feel alive and in control. Think about a time you’ve used a physical activity or a new challenge to help you process difficult emotions or feel more grounded. What did that experience teach you about yourself?

2. How does the novel portray the idea of a “found family” through the Archer brothers and their bond with Nova? Can you think of a relationship in your own life that shows how family isn’t always defined by blood ties?

3. Brae’s love for Nova initially comes across as overprotective and suffocating. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt your care for someone was misinterpreted, or where someone’s care for you felt restrictive? How did you navigate that?

4. Kol struggles with the belief that his family’s dark past makes him unworthy of happiness. In what ways have you or someone you know overcome or challenged the narratives you (or they) have inherited?

5. What did you make of Skylar’s simple but powerful gestures, like making bracelets to cover Nova’s scars? Have you ever witnessed or experienced a small act of kindness that had a deep impact?

6. Do you have a personal mantra or a simple phrase you turn to during times of stress, much like Nova’s “You’re alive. You’re breathing”? What is it about certain words or phrases that you think gives them the power to ground us?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel introduces equine-facilitated psychotherapy as a key part of Nova’s healing. Before reading, were you familiar with this or other forms of experiential therapy? What does the book suggest about the limitations of traditional talk therapy and the value of alternative healing methods?

2. What does the character of Reese Gatlin, the journalist, suggest about our society’s fascination with true crime and tragedy? How does the story explore the line between public interest and the exploitation of victims’ stories?

3. The Archer brothers operate the Hourglass Network, a secret organization that works outside the official legal system. In what ways does their vigilante-style justice comment on societal trust in traditional law enforcement and the collective desire for a more personal form of justice?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How does the author use the symbol of twilight throughout the novel? In what ways does it reflect Nova’s internal state and the evolving nature of her relationship with Kol?

2. What is the significance of Kol’s nickname for Nova, “Phoenix”? How does this symbol connect her personal journey of rebirth to the Archer family’s own history of overcoming their father’s dark legacy?

3. The narrative contrasts two different approaches to care: Brae’s controlling protection versus Kol’s focus on empowering Nova’s autonomy. How does this contrast develop the theme of what it truly means to support a survivor?

4. In what ways does the setting of Starlight Grove, a small and seemingly idyllic town, heighten the suspense and sense of betrayal when the true killer is revealed?

5. The novel presents Cora as a survivor before revealing her as a villain. How does this narrative choice manipulate reader expectations, and what does it suggest about the complex nature of survivorship and agency?

6. Into the Fading Twilight is part of the Starlight Grove series, but it’s designed to be read as a standalone story. How effective was the novel at balancing Nova and Kol’s self-contained plot with the larger story arc of the Archer brothers? For readers of similar romance series, like Elsie Silver’s Chestnut Springs series, how does this book’s approach to an overarching plot compare?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to create a soundtrack for this book, what kind of music would you choose for Nova’s cliff-jumping scenes? What about the quiet, vulnerable moments between her and Kol on his back deck?

2. Imagine you’re a writer for the documentary Reese Gatlin was making, but you want to tell the story with empathy and integrity. What would be the central message of your film, and whose perspectives would you focus on to tell the story responsibly?

3. If you could write an epilogue set five years after the book ends, what would a typical day look like for Nova, Kol, and their family? What new challenges or joys might they be facing?