Book Review | As Dawn Breaks

Bethany House, Books Review, Historical Fiction, Romantic Suspense, World War 1, Writing Spot

Today’s book review features

As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin.

Book Blurb

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 Goodreads

Author Information

Former bookseller-turned-author Kate Breslin enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and family. A writer of travel articles and award-winning poetry, Kate received Christian Retailing’s 2015 Best Award for First Time Author and her first novel, For Such A Time, won American Christian Fiction Writers 2015 Carol Award. Kate’s fifth novel, As Dawn Breaks released November, 2021. When she’s not writing inspirational fiction, Kate enjoys reading or taking long walks in Washington’s beautiful woodlands. She also likes traveling to new places, both within the U.S. and abroad, having toured Greece, Rome, Barcelona, and much of Western Europe. New destinations make for fresh story ideas. Please visit her at www.katebreslin.com

From Author Website

Danielle’s Review

As Dawn Breaks is a World War 1 romance by Kate Breslin. Rosalind Graham and Alex Baird are holding secrets for a variety of reasons. As secrets do, they build and morph until everything comes to the surface. Whether it will cost lives or a chance at happily ever after is not known until the very end.

I love Rose’s character. She is made of sturdy stuff to be able to make it through all she did. And Alex might seem the strong, silent, brooding type, but I loved how evident and how deep his emotions run. How loyal he is. I also enjoyed all the details about working in a munitions factory. Wow! Safety and working conditions have come a long ways since then. And seeing what the women were willing to face for the variety of reasons they chose to, broke my heart and simultaneously made me very proud of them.

As Dawn Breaks has a slow build, even with it’s dramatic beginning and intense ending, however, I encourage you to ride it out because the story is worth it. If you love World War 1 historical romances with a side of suspense, definitely give As Dawn Breaks a read. I loved it.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

Retail Links

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