Review + Blog Tour & Giveaway: “Follow the Dawn” by Rachelle Rea Cobb

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Rachelle Rea Cobb’s new book, Follow the Dawn! This is a YA historical romance set in 16th century England, but I think it appeals to any readers of historical romance. Be sure to read my review and enter the giveaway!

Anna Emory grew up the invisible younger sister, shy and quiet, and she prefers it that way. But her father’s attempts to arrange an unsavory marriage teach her that courage is sometimes found in adversity.

Then she meets a boy and his father who tip her quiet world upside down.

Captain Mathieu Tudder has run from responsibility, entrusting his young son’s care to another and devoting his Sea Beggar ship to the cause of the Dutch Revolution. After the cause fails, Tudder returns to England for the son he left behind, all he has left of the wife he lost. But Titus prefers a mysteriously quiet nursemaid to his estranged father.

Tudder wants his son back, yet Anna stands in his way. Will these two hearts—the battle-scarred and the broken—ever find true freedom?

Amazon | Goodreads

Follow the Dawn is a sweet romance and story of mercy. I’m so happy Rachelle Rea Cobb has written another book in this setting and era — and one marketed as a YA historical romance with an inspirational thread! Fans of Rachelle’s previous books will be happy to revisit the setting and see cameos of beloved characters, but this book is a standalone with its own complete story.

Lady Anna and Captain Tudder weather many storms during this story, both physical downpours and emotional torrents. Seeing them grow, embrace new friendships, and tentatively find a romance together was a satisfying reading experience. I appreciate the themes of mercy, courage, and redemption deftly threaded throughout. Rachelle has a way of penning faith and characters’ thoughts in a flowing and natural way.

I REALLY liked Titus. The story is centered on him in many ways, with Tudder’s hopeful reunion and Anna’s newfound role as caretaker and friend. The interactions between these three are my favorite. 🙂 I hope this is not the last Rachelle pens in this story world!

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway

Enter using the Rafflecopter form above to win a signed copy of Follow the Dawn. International friends, this giveaway is open to continental U.S. addresses only (sorry!). But do still enter, because an international winner will receive a digital copy of the book.

Rachelle Rea Cobb has history with words. She penned her first short story in middle school, her first novel right out of high school, and signed a three-book publishing contract right after college. Her Steadfast Love series (from WhiteFire Publishing) and 2020 release, Follow the Dawn (Illuminate Publishing) are set during the Dutch Revolution. She is also the author of Write Well, a short writing guide designed to teach the structure of good writing. Rachelle is a freelance editor, an author of six books, and voracious reader. If you’re looking for her, check the bookstore. In 2016, she married a man with the same name as her fictional hero and they live happily ever after in a fixer-upper by the sea. She’s a fan of chai and lemonade (though definitely not together)!

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Although Follow the Dawn is written as a stand-alone for a Young Adult audience, beloved characters from the “Steadfast Love” series do make an appearance. And Letters Home: A Christmas Short Story is actually the prequel!

Check out Letters Home here: Amazon Kindle | Goodreads If you’d like to see my thoughts on the Steadfast Love series, start with this review of book 1: The Sound of Diamonds