Another NetGalley book that sat on my shelf for far too long!

This is an engrossing WW II story about two people who meet and fall in love in such a horrendous time.

Ruby lives in the small village of Bartonford near Devon. She works for the local newspaper and lives with her Father. The Americans have descended upon the town and have set-up a camp to prepare for the invasion of Normandy. Sam, is a young American soldier from the South. He's running away from a terrible life. Ruby, is told by her father to stay away from the Americans. Two people from different walks of life yet they fall in love in such tragic circumstances. Can their love survive?

I was fully invested in this book from start to finish. The particular chapters on the D-Day invasion had me holding my breath. I'll gladly read another Emma Pass book! Great storytelling!

OK, this is once again another book I chose to read based mainly on the fact that I absolutely adore this cover, yes, I am that shallow, that I choose my reading on a book cover.
But, look at it!!
It's everything I love about this genre and era the book is set in, it's just so damn gorgeous and I could happily frame it and put it on my wall I love the couple, the emotion and the fact that they are sharing a kiss.
Ah, sigh!
I really am this smushy at times, but personally, I do think that it captures Sam and Ruby perfectly!
Anyway, this glorious story within this glorious cover is exactly what you would expect, it's heartwrenching, emotional and full of longing.
The characters are beautifully written, they are believable and engaging, I loved ;earning about their backgrounds and the insights they share of their lives before the war.
the setting is one we all now so well, and the actual war parts is written with rich history, it's immersive and compelling and I particularly liked that there is lots of fact entwined with the fiction.
I've not read this author before, but I will certainly be looking out for her work in the future.
A must read for anyone who loves WW2 romance.

This was a good book to curl up with on a weekend. You got drawn into Ruby and Sam’s stories and then their story together. I really enjoyed how their lives interacted and how that was written. All in all a good book for historical fiction lovers!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

This was a lovely read- even if it was a bit predictable as a reader of a lot of historical fiction and romance. It may have been because I was reading this after a bunch of other World War II fiction- but a lot of what happened seemed to be predictable. It was well written and fun to read though and I feel like it's best read NOT at the end of a historical fiction binge. I did appreciate the forbidden romance trope and will definitely read more by this author in the future!

This was very easy to read but all in all kind of predictable. Ruby lives a sheltered life with her father in a small town in England. When the Americans set up training camp her father forbids her to associate with them and she has no idea why he hates Americans so much. Ruby's romance with Sam is kind of sweet and I liked both the characters but there were no real surprises and the ending felt rushed .

Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with a digital copy.

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.

This was a fantastic read, the characters are relatable and found myself quickly drawn into the story, and it's a good one. I'm a Historical Fiction Fan and have read many WWII tales, this one is on the lighter side of that history but it's still got enough grit to make it a page turner. I felt invested in the heroine, and annoyed by her family, I felt there was enough interest in all of the characters and I would absolutely read more from this author and would recommend this book to others. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

Absolutely stunning read! Loved the story of Ruby and Sam I liked how the book flipped between their points of view and how brave the men and women were during the war!

"When everything you hold dear is torn apart by war, can love put you back together again?"

This is the story of Sam, an american soldier who lied about his age to enlist, and Ruby, a british citizen, and their journey through WW2 wartime. The develop a friendship and then their struggles as a couple in that time.

The story was sometimes slow, but I enjoyed learning about this couple and historical fiction is my jam, so I wanted to know what happens to these guys!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the early copy of the story in exchange for an honest review.

On the whole, I enjoyed the story of Ruby and Sam, but sadly the writing left a lot to be desired.
It was particularly slow paced and unexciting, with the "getting to know you" of the characters being drawn out and a little dull. The pace did quicken later on, but the book was still too predictable for me to get my teeth into it.
There were too many modern terms of phrase throughout the book which would not have been used during this period of time (The term 'a thing' meaning a hobby for example). And the repetitive use of some terms was a little grating.
The use of expletives was over the top, and in my view unnecessary, and did not sit well with me.
Also, there were periods with a lack of attention. For example, we are told that windows were taped up to prevent them being shattered by the bombing, but also that American soldiers were accused of smashing them in their raucous brawls. Which is it?
It is such a shame, because with more attention to detail, and a stronger voice, this might have been a much better story.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of Before the Dawn by Emma Pass. 

I adored this book. It was a WW2 historical fiction. Sam lies about his age and joins the American military underage to support his family. He worries that this lie will be discovered but begins to thrive in the military and meets British Ruby will stationed overseas. The last thing Ruby wants is to be interested in an American soldier but she can't resist Sam.

The love story between these two characters even in wartime was very real and endearing what seemed to be only a friendship because stronger and it was easy to feel their connection as a reader. This book detailed all the real struggles of love during a war but also took the time to introduce these characters and the people in their lives and just really had the jump out from the page into my imagination. The story kept me interested and I read almost the whole novel in one sitting.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for fans of historical fiction.

Before the Dawn is an epic style romantic story set in WW2, Ruby and Sam are likeable protagonists, and their attraction is palpable. Pertinent historical details and a cast of supporting characters draw the reader into the time and place, making it an immersive read.

I like the emotional style of writing that ensures the reader empathises with the couple and feels every feeling as they do.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

This book is set in England but features the effects of the outbreak of WW2 in the US and action on the Western front.
There were so many small details that made this book so realistic and achieved a significant sense of the experiences and sacrifice during this time, I was on the edge of my seat… 5 stars all the way.

Rating edit: 3.5 stars.

It was an endearing read. I really liked the protagonists, their conversation and those special moments. I particularly liked Vera's character, Ruby's best friend.

The writing style is engaging, the language neat. As I read, many times I thought it was going to be one of my favourite reads this year, but the last few chapters made me change my mind. The story is told from both Sam and Ruby's pov. I enjoyed Ruby pov more. After a certain point, Sam's pov deals with war scenes, which, sadly, failed to grip me. Also, towards the end, it gets too typical and predictable, and to be honest I stopped caring.

Overall, an interesting and engaging read.

I really enjoyed reading this behind the scenes story of a couple who came from such different worlds and meet in 1943 during the Second World War. From his hometown to D-Day and Omaha Beach, what a change in his life. She worked at the local newspaper, helping with her father and watching out for her town. When they meet it makes for an interesting story of romance and the hardships of war they had to live through. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. My review and opinion are voluntary.

This story of Ruby and Sam during WW2 is really just a romance, with little else of interest going on. Obviously the war is raging, but the story is very slow, and a bit superficial. It comes across in places as stereotypical, as with Ruby’s father detesting the Yanks, for no reason other than being Yanks.
I was aware, as another reviewer mentioned, of a few anachronisms. And can I point out that it wasn’t just England and USA who were fighting for peace, the country was called Great Britain then, and included servicemen and women from all the home nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as England, and Commonwealth countries. Sorry to be picky, but these things matter, in the interests of historical accuracy. It’s sloppy writing to be honest.
I felt that when the guys were talking, the liberal use of the ‘f’ word was unnecessary, it made the dialogue sound clunky, apart from anything else. I skim read quite a bit of this book. Disappointing.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

A change of pace for me, I’m not usually a lover of historical fiction, the cover drew me in!
The strong emotional connection and overwhelming love throughout this story kept me entertained and interested!
An epic journey, I particularly enjoyed the sensitivity and suspense, Ruby and Sam’s characters have so much to explore!

Thank you so much to the publisher, NetGalley and hugely talented author for allowing me to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a very sweet WWII novel set in England. The characters were enjoyable and I found myself invested in their story quite easily. I truly enjoyed this author writing style. The only thing I would say is that I don't feel it needed the level of profanity as it took away from the story at times.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me a widget of this title and allowing me to read and review this story. All opinions are my own.

Read if you like: WW2 fiction
-
Told from dual perspectives, we follow Ruby and Sam and their experiences with the Second World War. Ruby lives with her father in a small British town. She works for a newspaper and volunteers for the war effort, and her world changes when she meets Sam. Sam is an American soldier stationed at the training camp in her town. Sam joins the army in order to send money home in the the hopes of getting his mom and sister away from his abusive stepfather.
-
I loved the romance in the book and how they had to navigate multiple different challenges to be together. Sam was a cutie and I loved him as the romantic interest.
-
CW: war, death, torture, imprisonment, sexual harassment, unplanned pregnancy, domestic abuse.

War, a word that right now I don’t like at all, but that sometimes creates the most impossible connections. Like in this story, where Sam and Ruby will meet thanks to the war but also will make their relationship difficult.
Sam and Ruby don’t have an easy life, so their relationship is like the “peace” they need to have faith and continue living. But, war will not make things easy for them, putting their relationship in strains in a way they never expected.
I have to admit how difficult it was to read the war scenes, just to think about it makes me want to cry!
This is a beautiful historical story, with romance and a war background, a way to make us remember that there’s always someone special waiting for you on every corner, you only have to have hope.
Ready to discover “Before the Dawn”?