As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin | Review
When I saw As Dawn Breaks I knew I had to read it. Before I get into my 5 star review, let’s look at the back cover.
Back Cover
Amid the Great War in 1918 England, munitions worker Rosalind Graham is desperate to escape the arranged marriage being forced on her by her ruthless guardian and instead follow her own course. When the Chilwell factory explodes, killing hundreds of unidentified workers, Rose realizes the world believes she perished in the disaster. Seizing the chance to escape, she risks all and assumes a new identity, taking a supervisory position in Gretna, Scotland, as Miss Tilly Lockhart.
RAF Captain Alex Baird is returning home to Gretna on a secret mission to uncover the saboteur suspected in the Chilwell explosion, as Gretna’s factory is likely next. Fearing for his family’s safety, he’s also haunted by guilt after failing to protect his brother. Alex is surprised to discover a young woman, Miss Lockhart, renting his boyhood room, but the two eventually bond over their mutual affection for his family–until Alex receives orders to surveil her.
Rose squirms beneath Alex’s scrutiny while she struggles to gain her workers’ respect. But when her deception turns to danger, she and Alex must find a way to put their painful pasts behind them and together try to safeguard the future.
From the history, to the mystery, drama, suspense, love story, faith thread, this World War 1 story had me hooked from the start. I couldn’t put this one down. But then, I’m a sucker for historical spy books with a sweet love story. Besides, this one had surprises I did NOT see coming.
As Dawn Breaks had such incredible history, such amazing attention to detail. Kate Breslin does her homework, no doubt. I was fascinated to learn what the term ‘canary girl’ meant in Scotland in 1918.
Speaking of Scotland, Breslin did an incredible job bringing to life the location and the dialogue. The slang, the dialect, it was so well done. Terms like ‘bonny’ and ‘jammy’ (among many others) will stick in my head for a while.
Clearly, I’m a pretty big fan of this novel. I don’t even feel bad.
I give Kate Breslin’s As Dawn Breaks 5 stars. If you’re looking for historical/historical romance set in World War 1 (did I mention this one is in Scotland?), then you’ve got to add this one to your to be read pile. An intriguing, well thought out, mysterious story that will have you turning page after page until you’re left asking . . . when is the next novel from Kate Breslin coming out?
You can get your copy of As Dawn Breaks on amazon.com or amazon.ca.
About the Author
Kate Breslin was a bookseller for many years. She is a Carol Award winner and a RITA and Christy Award finalist and lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington. Find her online at katebreslin.com.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions about this amazing story are my own.
