TO SUM IT UP: I NEEDED MORE...

This was not to my liking. I don't mind romance novels, but they have to have some sort of hook. Yes, this was set during WWII and for some that might have been hook enough. But it was just too loose for me.

👎 What I Disliked 👎

Pace: The first half of this book was sooo slow. It was all about the relationship between the two MCs. But there was hardly anything exciting about it aside from the fact that it was 'forbidden'. The pace was way too slow, I really needed something more to happen. The second half picked up a bit, but not nearly enough for my taste.

Plot: The plot was pretty thin in my opinion. Ruby and Sam fall in love even though they're not supposed to. WWII is happening. And that's it. That's litterally the entire plot. I needed more.

Predictable: There wasn't a single time where I was surprised by anything that happened. It was very predictable, no twists or turns along the way. I needed something more.

Set in Devonshire England during World War 2 from the beginning of the war in 1943 through it's termination in 1945, Ruby is a young lady of 18 wanting to be a war reporter; but, instead, she is in charge of writing the ads and obits for her small town paper. When war breaks out in 1943, an American unit is housed just outside her small town to prepare. Unfortunately, Ruth's father with no explantation hates Americans and forbids Ruby to have anything to do with them. But when Ruby meets Sam sparks fly whether Father wants them to or not.

This is a wonderful love story between 2 people, and all that they went through in order to finally find their happily ever after when the war is finally ended. The characters of Sam and Ruby were both endearing and unforgettable and the problems they faced sometimes seemed insurmountable. Yet with the help of friends, they did manage to overcome all the trials that came their way.

I would have given this book a 4 easily, but I was very put off but the overuse of profanity throughout the story most of which was totally unnecessary.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Emma Pass’s Before The Dawn is a tear-jerking historical novel that will tug at the heartstrings.

In 1943, the Second World War is still raging on and there seems to be no end in sight. Ruby Bottram works for her local newspaper and, between typing up adverts and obituaries, dreams of a more exciting life that will take her beyond The Bartonford Herald’s desk. Sadly, it seems that all her hopes and dreams for the future are destined never to come to fruition and she is destined to remain in Devon for the foreseeable juggling her job with looking after her ailing father. However, little does Ruby realise that change is coming to Devon and her life will never be the same ever again…

In America’s deep south, Sam Archer is absolutely desperate. He cannot bear to witness the abuse meted out by his stepfather to his mother and sister and he is doing whatever he can to raise enough money to get his family as far as he can from their tormentor and abuser. With the world at war, soldiers are needed and Sam falsifies documents and enlists with the U.S. Army. This decision will take him far from home and lead him to his destiny on the other side of the world and straight to a young woman who will turn his entire future on its head.

Fate had brought Ruby and Sam together in the most unexpected and surprising of ways. As the two of them fall headlong into love, they begin to wonder whether a future together is possible or whether their freedom will be put in jeopardy and be completely and utterly obliterated by war.

Ruby and Sam had promised that they would wait for one another. But can they keep this promise? Or will their love be yet another casualty of war?

Wonderfully written, richly evocative and searingly emotional, Before the Dawn is a dramatic wartime romance that is immersive, engrossing and poignant. A powerful tale of courage, sacrifice, hope and love lost and found, Before the Dawn will hold readers in thrall from start to finish as they will find themselves completely gripped by this superb historical novel.

An engrossing romantic tale historical fiction readers will not want to miss, Emma Pass’ Before the Dawn is difficult to put down and hard to forget.

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!

Beautiful story of love written during WWII. A chance meeting between 2 unlikely people and the beautiful relationship that develops between them. Loved the 2 points of view and loved seeing the war through their eyes. Always rooting for them!

Before the Dawn set in WW2 is a gripping tale of heartbreak, love and growing up in a war torn world. I loved it from start to finish and sat up late into the night
I loved Ruby! Ruby is tied down by life care for her father, working at the local paper and taking on war work as an ARP warden, she is only young but life is looking like she will be stuck living and working in Bartonford for ever and things get worse when her grandmother moves in too. However, when the American arrive and bring some excitement to the sleepy village in Devon Ruby finds herself falling in love with American Sam despite having to keep their blossoming romance a secret. As war rages it keeps them apart, I loved reading the dramatic war scenes and how Ruby has to keep it together on the home front, as she hopefully awaits Sam's save return.
Emma has written an exciting, gripping, heart breaking and heart warming romance set in WW2. I fell in love with Sam and Ruby and was gripped by each event has it happened. This story really kept me on my toes and I went through every emotion you can imagine. I was transported with Sam as he landed on the Omaha Beach and as he struggled to make it back to Ruby, gripped by the scenes around him. I could feel the love for each other falling from the pages .
I really cannot wait to re-read Before the Dawn again just to re-live this beautiful historical love story.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this gripping novel

ww2 has just started and for two people who live miles apart one in america and the other one in england, they are about to meet and the repercussions will live on for years to come

sam a young american boy lies to get into the army, his home life is bad and this is his only way to get out and then save enough money to rescue his mom and sister

ruby lives with her dad who is a doctor and with her work at the newspaper and her warden jobs she is pretty busy

but life is about to get interesting when the americans arrive in their town...

wow a lovely story that keeps you guessing on how things will work out for everyone...

will be keeping an eye out for more of this authors works, as i found her writing style easy to keep up with and it flowed lovely

It's 1943, and the Second World War is raging. Ruby Mottram works for her local newspaper, the Bartonford Herald, typing up adverts and obituaries, whilst dreaming of a more exciting life. Between her shifts as an ARP warden and caring for her ailing father, the chance for escape doesn't come often to Devon. Meanwhile, in America's deep south, Sam Archer is hatching a plan to raise enough money to get his mother and sister away from his abusive stepfather. Using falsified documents to hide his age, he enlists with the U.S. Army. Two chance encounters bring Ruby and Sam together from opposite sides of the Atlantic, giving them the chance of love, hope and freedom from their troubled lives. But fate, in the shape of D-Day and Omaha Beach, has other ideas.
The first book I’ve read by the author & I thoroughly enjoyed this mix of fact & fiction. The characters were well portrayed & had depth. I really liked both Sam & Ruby & was routing for them. The author painted a vivid picture of evens & I was drawn into the story, I was on the edge of my seat whilst Sam was in France. I would have loved an epilogue to really complete the book
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Before The Dawn is my first review of a book set in World War II; as World War II is my favorite historical era, I was extremely excited to read this book. I was pleasantly surprised to find a well-researched, heart-pounding love story. The plot focuses on the chance encounter of Ruby Mottram, a local girl from Devon, and Sam Archer, a southern American soldier in 1943. The couple braves the terrors of war and difficulties with families to find their happily-ever-after.

The plot could be bare or simplistic at moments. However, I felt the battle and prisoner scenes were written flawlessly. I was pretty impressed that a primarily romantic book was historically accurate. The love story was sweetly romantic, and the war scenes were haunting and gripping. The story flowed well, switching back and forth between the two main characters. This book is written in the first person, which was different. This point-of-view gave the book a personable feel. Sam and Ruby were lovable characters, and their romance was lovely to read. I felt the only item lacking was several loose ends at the conclusion.

Before The Dawn is a stand-alone novel within the World War II time frame, full of romance, this is a character-driven story exploring many facets of war, from burgeoning love to breathless battle scenes to haunting prison scenes. Emma Pass is a new author to me, and she has created a vivid, poignant romance through the catastrophic occurrences during the war. I enjoyed this novel immensely and hope to read more books by Emma Pass.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading about the American Training Camp, something that I’d not read about before and what it felt like on the ground at D-Day.

It was a sweet relationship between Sam and Ruby, and the back stories of both were interesting to read before they met.

It was lovely also how the characters were developed, meaning you was involved in their story.

Recommend this book.

My thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review, which I freely give.

This book is in 3 sections : 1943 / 1944 / 1945. is about Ruby Mottram who works for the local paper & Sam Archer a American GI who lied about his age to join the army. They each tell there story. Basically it is a lovely story. Mixture of happy times & sad times.

Ruby lives with her widowed father who was badly gassed in WWI. It is a struggle to work and look after him.

I enjoyed this story however. I have a few concerns about this book and wonder if the author did any research about WWII (1) At a dance Sam asks Ruby for a dance and addressers her as Ms Mottram - the term Ms is a modern form of address for a female, not during WWII. (2) Ruby was crying and who she worked with gave her some tissues ! again this a modern invention, and the author had already stated earlier in the story that the local news paper where Ruby worked had to cut the use of paper. The eve before D. Day Richard Dimbleby reported from a air base 'somewhere in England' that aircraft had taken off to ahead of the invasion ! I think not. Reports were not given about the invasion to well into the day. Also the Germans would have heard the aircraft coming. The aircraft that took part on the first day were 'Gliders' these were huge - size wise in my estimation can be like the Lancaster bombers. The headed for Pegasus bridge. A glider can be seen here in the museum. (4) Also the author talks of just England & USA on the invasion. What about Canada ? My father a Normandy vet and British, his unit went with the Canadians to Juno beach. (5) Sam's unit - all of them left the air field and the food behind. Also when Sam is telling his story, which does not include Ruby, I did not like the constant use of the 'F' word. Sadly this is creeping in to so many books now.

I can recommend - that is if you do not mind the bad language.

A well written romance and perseverance during WW2. The story is fast paced and will hold your attention. The characters are well done and you are drawn into caring about what happens to them. A great read!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a precious WWII love story about an American soldier in Europe interested in a English girl. I think I said that right.
Everything was stacked against them and the war was scary in of its self. Stolen moments and long glances kept this romance fresh and innocent. Then Sam was sent to France. The author gave very realistic account’s of how things went down and I had more than one heart-stopping moment. I will say that this is a HEA. I highly recommend it.
Thanks Aria via NetGalley.

The story is set around WW2. The Americans are joining the war and training camps are being set up. Sam, an American, was stationed close by. Ruby's head is being turned by the thoughts of being able to dance with the American soldiers. Soon after arriving Sam met Ruby and the beautiful relationship began.

Told from both points of view I found this such an enjoyable read. The backstory of both characters is of its time where things weren't as liberated as they are now and attitudes were different. The families of them both and the pressure of being sent to fight the war made the relationship much harder for the young couple.

Beautifully written and quite emotional I just loved this historical fiction of young love and finding a way to be together despite the odds against them

A beautiful love story set during WWII and just after. The story is told through the perspective of the two main characters, Ruby and Sam and in this way we learn of both of their experiences first hand.
The language and attitudes seem to be in keeping with the period in which the book is set and suggests the plot was well researched.
A happy ending which was well deserved for the characters.

I do not typically read many romances, but Before the Dawn, by Emma Pass, is historical fiction, and I am always unable to resist a WWI or WWII novel, set in England. The romantic pair is an engaging couple, with interesting stories to tell. Pass does a nice job of providing background information for each of the protagonists, which explains their choices and why they find themselves attracted to one another. There is even a bit of mystery that is answered near the end of the book.

In spite of the fact that Churchill had been pleading for the American military to help the British during the first 2 years of the war, once the Americans arrived, not all people were pleased to have American soldiers just outside of small towns.. However, the notion that all American soldiers were intent on seducing or raping British women was disturbing, since that really is not an accurate description, even for this time. No doubt there were some people who might have believed this, but as a reason to completely dislike the American soldiers, was not a universal idea.

The one thing that bothered me was the attitude of the grandmother. An active dislike for a grandchild certainly made this grandmother a terrible villain, and perhaps that was the point. As it turns out, the father wasn't much better. On the other hand, the dynamics between Sam's mother and his stepfather were certainly realistically drawn.

Overall, though, I enjoyed this novel very much. This romance was sweet and filled with just enough tension, as would be expected for young women, whose soldiers were participating in the D-Day landings. The descriptions of this event were definitely horrifying enough to make clear how awful the war in Europe was for these young soldiers.

I want to thank the author, Emma Pass, and the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for the ARC of this novel. And thank you to NetGalley for making this very interesting novel available to request.

A historical fiction with a sweet emotional feel. Two young adults, Ruby and Sam, forced to be wise beyond their years brought together by the horror of war. I enjoyed this book - it's a quick read that tugs at your emotions.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review and.

Thank you for the chance to review this book.An enjoyable book with a story that draws you in and you join the characters in Before the Dawn.5*

A lovely WWII romance. Told alternately by Sam and Rose, it's the story of an American teen who joined the US Army with the hope of making money to help his family (as well as for patriotic reasons) and a British teen who has worked hard in her small town and cares for her father who suffers from PTSD from WWI. They fall in love and marry in secret but the war divides them. WIll they be together in the end? Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's an emotional read for fans of the genre.

I read this over a rainy stormy weekend when ,unable to go out with a cold and because of storms, I spent the time curled up by the fire and indulged my senses! Just what I needed to curl up with. The story of Ruby and Sam told from the perspective of each in turn, this was an immersive, historically well researched story of ww2 and provided all that one might want from this genre: romance, historical fact and some sense of suspense. Nicely written, Ms Pass takes us on a journey from the south of England, across to Europe and further afield to The States. I shall look out for more from this author.
5 stars from me!