As Dawn Breaks is full of history, emotion, and gave this reader all the feels. Breslin brings an amazing story to life yet again.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

I love these WWI books and how they have had characters that are loosely connected. Can be fully enjoyed in order, but also read as stand alone stories.

WWI, a munitions factory, bad guys with nefarious intentions, an undercover mission, and a secret identity...As Dawn Breaks is a story that captured my heart and I savored every page.
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Kate Breslin paints a vivid and thrilling story that completely immerses the reader into the setting. I loved the history, the scenic landscape, and all the twists and turns as the story unfolds.
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A story of bravery and determination, both Rose and Alex must overcome the past to step into the bright future that lays in front of them. As their friendship and romance blossoms so many things threaten to tear them apart. But they won't go down without a fight. If you are a fan of sweet romance and WWI books that will keep you on the edge if your seat. You should definitely pick up As Dawn Breaks.
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There is also a lot of true history woven into this story. This is explained in the author's note and is absolutely fascinating. This is the type of book that leads me down rabbit trails of research and investigation of my own.
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I received a complimentary copy of As Dawn Breaks from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone. I was not required to write a positive review

A Christian, historical fiction book that keeps you turning the pages long into the night. I could not put it down. Found the characters to be very interesting.

If you enjoy well written fictional characters intertwined with historical events, you'll love this book! I didn't know much at all about this time period, but Kate Breslin did a great job of helping the reader understand the pulse of the time without overwhelming with too much information. Rose was a character that I empathized with, as she becomes an innocent bystander of a tragic wartime encounter. Innocently, she uses this tragedy to help start a new life free from the harmful circumstances she was in, only to find out that she had entered into a different kind of danger. I loved that plot twist! I also enjoyed the growth in her character along with the hero, Alex. As always with Kate Breslin's books, I had a hard time putting it down. While I will say that For Such a Time is still my favorite, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

Kate Breslin never disappoints! Her books are absolutely amazing and keep getting better!
As Dawn Breaks is a historical suspense novel set in WW1. Rose Graham is a munition worker who is dreading an arrange marriage. When her best friend, Tilly, dies in an explosion, Rose flees and pretends to be Tilly.
She goes to Gretna to work and falls in love with Alex Baird and his family.
Alex is on a secret mission and is ordered to spy on Rose. Can they trust each other? Will they both be able to put their hurts behind them?
This book is filled with secrets, suspicion and danger! You won't want to put it down!

This was a very enjoyable book with a more complex plot than some of the other titles I have read by this author. Deception and assumed identities, spies and sabotage, divided loyalties and traitors. This story has all of the above, and you don;t know who can be trusted half the time.

I did have a few niggles about the mistakes (the usual Americanisms and some inconsistencies in other details). Was the game that they descripbed as "football" actually what Americans call soccer, or more like American Football which we call Rugby, played with an oval-shaped ball which can be picked up.

Disclaimer: I received a electronic or other version of title title from the Publisher via Netgalley. This in no way influenced my review and all opinions expressed are my own.

A riveting historical novel set in Scotland during the First World War, filled with friendship, faith, romance and suspense.

After the explosion in Chilwell munitions worker Rose Graham seizes the opportunity to start fresh, escaping the terrible marriage that her cruel uncle had arranged for her. She takes up a new job in another munitions factory under the name of her deceased friend Tilly. I loved how Rose makes new friends and learns to meet challenges, as well as the warmth that the Baird family shows her as she adjusts to a new place.

One of my favorite things about this book was the unique setting and premise. I cannot think of another book that I have read that was set in Scotland during WWI. A well written story with wonderful attention to detail throughout, with great pacing and a suspenseful plot. Alex isn't one for great first impressions, and he is gruff at first but he proves himself an honorable man, brother, friend, and son.

Overall, a spectacular historical read with great relationship building, mystery, and romance. I liked how Rose grew over the course of the book in her faith, as well as finding her voice. Highly recommend, especially if you are a fan of historical novels, with a touch of suspense!


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Yes - read it.

I am starting to really like books that have an unusual aspect to their time/place setting. While be set in England isn't unusual, the period towards the end of WWI is a bit different. It certainly lends a more interesting aspect to the story.

The story was very interesting. I don't handle mysteries well but was able to keep up with all the twists and turns in this one. Characters that were real and that you could get behind made the story even more readable.

I enjoyed setting so I had to learn more about this period in England so I did some research online. And that is always a good thing.

I received an ARC from Netgalley to help me prepare my honest review.

My book club has read a good many WWII-era novels and were ready for a change of time and place. As Dawn Breaks provided a change of scenery with its setting of Scotland during WWI. Most of the book takes place in Gretna and in the munitions factory that operated there during the war. I found it fascinating. Breslin captured the time and place well, and opened my eyes to the support young women provided the war effort. Their work was far from easy or safe. Breslin offered insight to the dangerous work among the materials that made up the munitions used during the war. I found myself googling Canary Girls and the munitions factory. I love when an historical novel prods me to look more closely. The story itself is full of intrigue as main characters assume different identities and personas. Espionage and treason abound. I found the book very suspenseful — it kept me turning the pages furiously. There’s a romance as well for the two main characters, Rose and Alex. I was rooting for a happily-ever-after from their first meeting. Their characters, as well as those of the bad guys, were complexly drawn. This book was deep!

I really look forward to discussing As Dawn Breaks with my book club. There’s so much to talk about — the historical details, the motivations of the characters, and the roles of women during WWI. I anticipate a great discussion of this recommended book.

Highly recommended.

Audience: adults.

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 As Dawn Breaks 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.

If you’re looking for historical/historical romance set in World War 1, then you’ve got to add As Dawn Breaks 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?

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions about this amazing story are my own.

As Dawn Breaks
Addictive story! Hard to put down. Good story. Good writing. I would like to read more by this author.

Thank you, Kate Breslin, NetGalley, and Bethany House Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.

As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin takes place during World War I and there is espionage on all sides. Rosalind Graham escapes her guardian by working in a munitions factory in England. Her guardian treats her with little respect and has plans to marry her off to a cruel man. Her only friend is a co-worker named Tilly. One day, Rose leaves work early for a party and then her world gets turned upside down. The factory explodes and her friend Tilly is gone. But she has an opportunity. Her family thinks she died in the blast. She can escape her dreaded future by becoming Tilly. She moves to Scotland and begins work in another factory, saving until she can make her way to Canada. Alex Baird is an RAF captain but goes undercover to see who is targeting the factories. He hasn’t been home in some time since his brother’s death and is surprised to find a young woman renting a room from his family. He doesn’t trust her, but her kindness soon chips away at the wall he has built, but secrets could destroy everything.

Let me start off by saying that I love that this book takes place during World War I. World War I doesn’t seem as common as World War II novels. I love the settings along with the history behind undercover agents and women in munitions factories. There is even a little detail about Canary Girls–the women who worked in the munitions factories were dealing with so many toxic chemicals that it turned their hair and skin yellow. There is also the complexity of the storyline. Every chapter was like pulling back another layer of information that could lead to another twist.

There were a few things that could have been stronger in this story. For instance, there is a lot of back and forth and switching of points of view. Some of the points of view weren’t even main characters, I felt there could have been another way of incorporating them into the story. That constant switch was not a smooth transition, it really slowed down the pace of the novel. Then there is Rose. While I LOVED her development there is one thing that bothered me. I understand that this book falls under Christian Historical fiction but her guilt with God was a little much. There were several moments where she believed God would be angry with her for taking on Tilly’s identity and lying—even though it could have saved her life. Every bad thing that happens to her she believes that it is God telling her that she is in the wrong. Her only lie is her name change. She stands up for girls under her supervision, helps out the family she stays with, even saves lives but she was still full of shame. I am just saying…I don’t think God would have been angry for fleeing what could have been a harmful marriage.

Rant over. But I have to tell you about how much I loved Alex Baird’s family. They take Rose in as their own and they have such a strong family unit, despite the tragedy they have endured. I also loved Hannah, Alex’s little sister. Even though she works in a factory in the middle of a war, she is still a sixteen-year-old girl and desperate to still be a teenager. Overall, it was a delightful read and I will be checking out more of this author’s reads. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Having loved all of Breslin's previous books, I was somehow skeptical about this one and whether I would love it as much as the rest. Perhaps I'm just salty because Captain Marcus Weatherford STILL hasn't gotten his own book. (someday please??) But regardless, ye of little faith, why did you doubt? As Dawn Breaks was 100% excellent. 5 stars. 10\10. Highly highly recommend if you love history, WW1, spies, intrigue, bad guys right under your nose, undercover missions, and strong Scottish heroes. From beginning to end, there is not one page I didn't enjoy and that didn't keep me desperately reading to uncover the mystery. Plus Breslin's inclusion of rich historical facts and scenes is also fascinating. I can't wait to see what else Breslin writes and I promise not to be so skeptical next time.

This was a book with lots of twists and turns. I actually read part of it and listen other parts. Both the book and the audiobook were engaging. The characters were well developed. I will seek out other books by this author.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book through NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Breslin always writes the most intriguing stories. From the very beginning you are sucked into Tilly and Rose's friendship. Their sisterhood was so wonderful.

This book kept me guessing and I never completely figured out who was who in the story. Breslin did a fantastic job of keeping you in suspense.

I love her attention to historical detail in these books. I loved learning more about the jobs the women did while the men were at war.

But as good as all those aspects were the love story and happy ever after we're still my favorite part.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

As Dawn Breaks is one of my favorite historical fiction reads of 2021! I found this intriguing story to be inspirational, wholesome and heartwarming. Author Kate Breslin has intricately woven a story that is rich in historic details while offering romance, suspense and memorable characters that brought the Great War era alive!

I began reading this story digitally but also enjoyed the audio book version immensely as the narrator did a wonderful job distinguishing each character with her use of British and Scottish accents.

From the very beginning, Breslin captivated me with this story. Without giving away any spoilers, I will simply say that I was pleasantly surprised to find this novel was not only a historical romance, but also held an element of mystery with it’s venture into the undercover world of MI5 and Scotland Yard.

I enjoyed learning about the ammunition factories and the brave, sacrificial young women who spent their days tirelessly working the plants in dangerous conditions. Breslin authentically displays rich historic details in her setting and characters throughout this novel.

Rose, with her desperate need for escape and great love for her friend Tilly and her young brothers, was a lovely heroine who blossomed throughout this story, growing into a character I deeply admired. Alex Baird’s character was the perfect hero, in my opinion. I loved his broody role of protector. Watching him fall for Rose created a swoon-worthy love story that delivered a beautiful, romantic thread to this story. And, the Baird family! They were such a delight and a heartwarming part of this story that truly created a meaningful glimpse into the life of a family willing to sacrifice their all for their loved ones. Even the adorable terrier Winston won me over!

In summary, I loved this story and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy historical romances as well as those who enjoy stories with some suspense and mystery. As Dawn Breaks is well written and highly entertaining, a novel you don’t want to miss!

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts below are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

Kate Breslin has such a way with historical detail! I love a good WWII book, especially one this packed with intrigue. The romance is nicely developed and it's clear a lot of research and care went into this story. Definitely recommend!

This is the first of Kate Breslin's books I have read, and I can see why she has so many fans! She has brought Scotland during World War I to life in As Dawn Breaks. Rose has a fascinating job in a munitions factory - I learned a lot about the women who worked in these factories and the risks they took every day to do this important work. Rose faces an extra layer of difficulty when she assumes a new identity in order to escape an arranged marriage. However, she has no idea that her new identity will draw scrutiny for reasons she never imagined, putting her and the family she is boarding with at risk.

This story has all the ingredients that make for great historical fiction - careful attention to detail, charming characters that bring the time period to life, a fascinating topic that brings a lesser-known part of history to light, sweet romance and friendships that provide light-hearted moments, and suspense and intrigue that keep you turning pages. I am now a fan of Ms. Breslin's work, and I am sure historical fiction fans will enjoy this novel as well!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.