Book Review: Until the Dawn by Elizabeth Camden

This page contains affiliate links. If you click a link and buy something, I receive a commission for the sale. This does not cost you anything. But if you do use my links, I appreciate your support.

What is this book about?

A volunteer for the newly established Weather Bureau, Sophie van Riijn needs access to the highest spot in her village to report the most accurate readings. Fascinated by Dierenpark, an abandoned mansion high atop a windswept cliff in the Hudson River Valley, Sophie knows no better option despite a lack of permission from the absent owners.

The first Vandermark to return to the area in sixty years, Quentin intends to put an end to the shadowy rumors about the property that has brought nothing but trouble upon his family. Ready to tear down the mansion, he is furious to discover a local woman has been trespassing on his land.

Instantly at odds, Quentin and Sophie find common ground when she is the only one who can reach his troubled son. There’s a light within Sophie that Quentin has never known, and a small spark of the hope that left him years ago begins to grow. But when the secrets of Dierenpark and the Vandermark family history are no longer content to stay in the past, will tragedy triumph or can their tenuous hope prevail?

My review:

If ever there was a Beauty and the Beast story to read, it is this one. Sophie is light and Quentin is dark. What a wonderful story of redemption and a good example that light can dispel the dark. The conflict between Sophie and Quentin definitely had me turning the pages to see who would triumph.

Quentin was a man troubled by physical limitations and a dark past. Even though he was so mean at the beginning, I could relate to his pain and see how it drove him to push others away. At first he is repelled by Sophie’s bright and welcoming personality. Eventually he becomes drawn to the very thing that he disliked. It was amusing and heartwarming at the same time.

I loved Sophie’s personality. Those types of people, the ones who see the good in others, are a rarity. My mom was such a person and Sophie reminded me very much of that specialness. What impressed me most about Sophie was her faith and the tight grip that she had on God even when life tossed her around.

The love between Quentin and Sophie took some time to build, which worked really well, but when the end arrived, it felt just a touch rushed for my taste. Still, it was a great love story.

What I enjoyed most about this book:

Sophie’s personality and the impact it had on Quentin as well as others around her.

What I didn’t like about this book:

The ending felt a little rushed.

Would I recommend this book to others? Definitely. Wonderfully deep characters and an inspiring love story make this a page turner. This is a standalone story. There is a prequel short story that is fun to read introducing Sophie but it is not necessary to this story.

Where can I learn more about this author and their books?

Elizabeth Camden, author website

-Loraine Nunley

Until the Dawn by Elizabeth Camden (4 1/2 out of 5 stars) #amreading #BookReview Share on X

Want a copy for yourself? Buy one here today.