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trudyd's review against another edition
4.0
The great thing about reading historical fiction is I learn something while enjoying a good story. Before the Dawn was no different. Most of the story takes place in Devon, England. Learning of the different struggles always leaves wondering if I could handle it the way the did.
The story centers around Ruby and Sam. Ruby lives in Devon, trying to work, help the war effort and take care of her father that still suffers PTSD from WW1. Her father has one very important rule--stay away from the Americans.
Sam is an American that joined the Navy, ending up in Devon, England preparing for D-Day. He is a protector. He is trying to help his family but sending money home. He steps in to help Ruby after a plane crashes. He steps in again and again. The are destined to be together.
I learned so much as their romance grew. It was not an easy life. Responsibilities were suffocating. Trying to meet up was a challenge. The author was able to show me the reactions of villagers, both good and bad. My mother married a Yank so I never heard much about the negative opinions that many had for the Americans.
If you want to be able to visualize the struggles of those in WW2 this is a great book. If you want to glimpse into the sufferings of POWs then Before the Dawn will help immensely. If you want to understand the stigma of the unwed mother this book will help. If you want to see some of many different perceptions and attitudes during the war, this is a great help. Keep in mind this is fiction based on fact. I was able to take the information and search for more information. AMAZING!!!
The story centers around Ruby and Sam. Ruby lives in Devon, trying to work, help the war effort and take care of her father that still suffers PTSD from WW1. Her father has one very important rule--stay away from the Americans.
Sam is an American that joined the Navy, ending up in Devon, England preparing for D-Day. He is a protector. He is trying to help his family but sending money home. He steps in to help Ruby after a plane crashes. He steps in again and again. The are destined to be together.
I learned so much as their romance grew. It was not an easy life. Responsibilities were suffocating. Trying to meet up was a challenge. The author was able to show me the reactions of villagers, both good and bad. My mother married a Yank so I never heard much about the negative opinions that many had for the Americans.
If you want to be able to visualize the struggles of those in WW2 this is a great book. If you want to glimpse into the sufferings of POWs then Before the Dawn will help immensely. If you want to understand the stigma of the unwed mother this book will help. If you want to see some of many different perceptions and attitudes during the war, this is a great help. Keep in mind this is fiction based on fact. I was able to take the information and search for more information. AMAZING!!!
heidirgorecki's review against another edition
5.0
Really well written WW2 story. I’ve never read about the American training camp in Devon and I enjoyed the first hand perspective of being on the ground at during D-Day.
The relationship between Sam and Ruby was really sweet and I loved hearing about their back stories as well prior to the time they met and spent together. The character development was great and you were fully invested in Ruby and Sam as they tried to navigate their relationship with each other as well as the other characters related to them. I would have loved to hear what happened to some of the characters as well but I like that it wasn’t a fully buttoned up story too.
Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest r review.
The relationship between Sam and Ruby was really sweet and I loved hearing about their back stories as well prior to the time they met and spent together. The character development was great and you were fully invested in Ruby and Sam as they tried to navigate their relationship with each other as well as the other characters related to them. I would have loved to hear what happened to some of the characters as well but I like that it wasn’t a fully buttoned up story too.
Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest r review.
erin_j's review against another edition
5.0
It’s 1943 and war is raging. Ruby Mottram keeps herself busy in her small English village of Bartonford. With her job at the local newspaper, volunteering as an ARP warden, and taking care of her ailing father there’s no time for a social life. Sam Archer is living a hellish life in the American south with an abusive stepfather. A chance to join the army and receive enough money to free his mother and little sister from their abusive situation is too good to pass up. When the Americans come to Bartonford, Ruby and Sam meet and strike up a relationship that they never expected. But it’s a time of war and Ruby’s family is the first to complain about “those Americans.” With their plans thwarted at every turn the future is looking very questionable for this couple.
This was a lovely, raw WWII romance. The pacing is good and the story engaging. The author balances history, wartime hardships, and romance very well. This book has dual POV and it was nice to get both characters’ stories and emotions throughout. Ruby and Sam both have some pretty heavy family issues/complexities that are quite heartbreaking. But they also get to have a sweet, hopeful romance. But the journey of their relationship is definitely a rocky and emotional one. The author brings in the hardship of loving a soldier that could be shipped out whenever and the realities of war where not all your friends make it back. My one quibble with this book is that I would’ve loved an epilogue. It ended well but I wanted to see more of Ruby and Sam settled and some more closure to a few situations with friends and family. But overall a really great WWII historical romance.
If you enjoy WWII historical fiction with a good dose of romance, then you should read this book when it releases March 3rd.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
This was a lovely, raw WWII romance. The pacing is good and the story engaging. The author balances history, wartime hardships, and romance very well. This book has dual POV and it was nice to get both characters’ stories and emotions throughout. Ruby and Sam both have some pretty heavy family issues/complexities that are quite heartbreaking. But they also get to have a sweet, hopeful romance. But the journey of their relationship is definitely a rocky and emotional one. The author brings in the hardship of loving a soldier that could be shipped out whenever and the realities of war where not all your friends make it back. My one quibble with this book is that I would’ve loved an epilogue. It ended well but I wanted to see more of Ruby and Sam settled and some more closure to a few situations with friends and family. But overall a really great WWII historical romance.
If you enjoy WWII historical fiction with a good dose of romance, then you should read this book when it releases March 3rd.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
yvette_bookworlder's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
3.0
When Ruby Mottram meets Private Sam Archer, both have complications with their families and Ruby has been forbidden any association with the newly arrived Americans. As Sam trains and becomes part of the D-Day invasion, Ruby’s life grows ever more complicated.
Before the Dawn by Emma Pass is a debut novel, primarily set in a small English coastal town in the days of America’s involvement in WWII. With a solid sense of time and place, the story unfolds with a few surprises as Ruby learns why her family is so opposed to her knowing an American and Sam’s time in France takes an unexpected turn.
For fans of well researched WWII era stories with a forbidden romance, plucky best friends, a bully, and who don’t mind a bit of swearing/taking the Lord’s name in vain and intimacy on the page.
This review refers to a temporary digital galley that I voluntarily read and reviewed, courtesy of the publisher, via NetGalley. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Domestic abuse
zoe_d_marriott's review against another edition
5.0
Obviously heavily and sensitively researched, but also intensely vivid, sensory and romantic - just the sort of story that is crying out for the film treatment (especially for those of us sick of this parade of war films with all male casts, much as I loved 1917). Well realised characters question their world and choices in a way that feels compelling rather than anachronistic, offering a fresh and timely insight into 'normal' people who have to try and live some kind of a life in the midst of extraordinary events - and some of the writing made a little shiver go down my spine. Recommended!
13rebecca13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
4.0
Historical fiction or historical romance wouldn't be a genre I'd typically choose to read. I assumed that I wouldn't enjoy them, especially ones set in wartime, with nothing to back that up whatsoever but Before The Dawn has completely changed my mind.
This book is split into three parts and it set between 1939 to 1945. Ruby Mottram lives in Devon and is about to start her new job at the Bartonford Herald when war is declared. Fast-forward four years and 18 year old Ruby is still at the Herald and the main news is that American soldiers are coming over to train.
Ruby lives with her protective father who is adamant that she is not to get involved with the Americans and they are bad news.
17 year old Sam Archer from Coltonsburg, Virginia, sick of watching his mother being abused by his stepfather Kirk, decides to lie about his age and enlist in the U.S. Army as a way to send money back secretly to his mother so she can survive with Sam's sister Meggie.
Whilst at training in Devon, Ruby and Sam meet and begin a secret relationship. This is such a beautiful and innocent love story that is really heartwrenching. The backdrop of World War II is interesting and you can feel the pain between the Sam and Ruby when they are apart, and only have letters to rely on for contact.
I will definitely read more set in this era!
This book is split into three parts and it set between 1939 to 1945. Ruby Mottram lives in Devon and is about to start her new job at the Bartonford Herald when war is declared. Fast-forward four years and 18 year old Ruby is still at the Herald and the main news is that American soldiers are coming over to train.
Ruby lives with her protective father who is adamant that she is not to get involved with the Americans and they are bad news.
17 year old Sam Archer from Coltonsburg, Virginia, sick of watching his mother being abused by his stepfather Kirk, decides to lie about his age and enlist in the U.S. Army as a way to send money back secretly to his mother so she can survive with Sam's sister Meggie.
Whilst at training in Devon, Ruby and Sam meet and begin a secret relationship. This is such a beautiful and innocent love story that is really heartwrenching. The backdrop of World War II is interesting and you can feel the pain between the Sam and Ruby when they are apart, and only have letters to rely on for contact.
I will definitely read more set in this era!
haleymneal's review against another edition
5.0
OH MY GODDESS this book has become a new favorite and definitely makes my top five favorite historical fiction novels!
the book starts with the introduction of our two main characters Ruby and Sam. Of course I was very excited as I love dual pov’s in books.
Ruby, almost 19, lives with her father in a small town Bartonford working at her local newspaper.
One day though Ruby finds her normal routine life begin to change as the war starts to brew. Sam who is 17 lives in America and is working to support his mother and younger sister. He longs to save enough money to move them away from his abusive stepfather. One day he hears of an opportunity he cannot pass up, joining the army.
In her small town all Ruby has ever known is going to work, living with her father, and doing shifts as an ARP warden. One day by chance Ruby and Sam meet under random but quite hilarious circumstances. This starts a chance at love and hope as Ruby and Sam sneak off to see each other each Sunday.
Suddenly right when everything seems perfect Sam is whisked away to fight in France. Ruby lives with constant worry, Will Sam return and if he doesn’t can I ever find someone I love just as much?
Ruby and Sam’s love is addicting and heartwarming, leaving me feel the same emotions alongside them through every bump in the road. Their love was so enchanting and strong. I am very grateful to have read this novel and give a review.
Thank you so much Head of Zeus and Emma Pass for giving me the opportunity to read this incredible book and I cannot wait to own a physical copy!! I definitely recommend this novel to anyone who reads this review!
the book starts with the introduction of our two main characters Ruby and Sam. Of course I was very excited as I love dual pov’s in books.
Ruby, almost 19, lives with her father in a small town Bartonford working at her local newspaper.
One day though Ruby finds her normal routine life begin to change as the war starts to brew. Sam who is 17 lives in America and is working to support his mother and younger sister. He longs to save enough money to move them away from his abusive stepfather. One day he hears of an opportunity he cannot pass up, joining the army.
In her small town all Ruby has ever known is going to work, living with her father, and doing shifts as an ARP warden. One day by chance Ruby and Sam meet under random but quite hilarious circumstances. This starts a chance at love and hope as Ruby and Sam sneak off to see each other each Sunday.
Suddenly right when everything seems perfect Sam is whisked away to fight in France. Ruby lives with constant worry, Will Sam return and if he doesn’t can I ever find someone I love just as much?
Ruby and Sam’s love is addicting and heartwarming, leaving me feel the same emotions alongside them through every bump in the road. Their love was so enchanting and strong. I am very grateful to have read this novel and give a review.
Thank you so much Head of Zeus and Emma Pass for giving me the opportunity to read this incredible book and I cannot wait to own a physical copy!! I definitely recommend this novel to anyone who reads this review!
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