Dawn at Emberwilde

By: Sarah E. Ladd

Narrated by: Jude Mason

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

In Regency England, Isabel will discover that the key to unlocking the mystery of her past may also open the door to romance. But first she must find it—in the depths of Emberwilde Forest.

For as long as she can remember, beautiful and free-spirited Isabel has strained against the rules and rigidity of the Fellsworth School in the rolling English countryside. No longer a student, Isabel set her sights on a steady role as a teacher at the school, a safe yet stifling establishment that would enable her to care for her younger sister Lizzie, who was left in her care after her father’s death.

The unexpected arrival of a stranger with news of unknown relatives turns Isabel’s small, predictable world upside down, sweeping her and her young charge into a labyrinth of intrigue and hidden motives.

At her new family’s invitation, Isabel and Lizzie relocate to Emberwilde, a sprawling estate adjacent to a vast, mysterious wood rife with rumors and ominous folklore—along with whispers of something far more sinister. Perhaps even more startling, two handsome men begin pursuing Isabel, forcing her to learn the delicate dance between attraction, the intricate rules of courtship, and the hopes of her heart.

Isabel never dared to dream that love could be hers. Now, at the edge of a forest filled with dark secrets, she faces a fateful choice between love and duty.

©2016 Sarah E. Ladd (P)2016 Thomas Nelson Publishers

Sweet and easy read

This book was read during a well needed respite from more intense novels. I found it to be delightfully sweet with mysterious intrigues that kept my actively listening and trying to determine who to trust in the book. My only complaint is that the end of the book seems fall flat and does not really feel like a true ending due to its lack of details and emotional distance. The book is still excellent I just hoped for a more in the ending. Recommend!

Absolutely captivating!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters were very relatable, and the storyline was so fun to listen to and to follow. I already recommended the book to my sister who is an avid reader, and I'm positive she'll enjoy it as well.

Nice book

It was a nice story and the narrator does an amazing job of voicing each character.

Sarah Ladd Never Disappoints!

Thoroughly loved this book as I have all of Sarah Ladd's books. She's one of my favorite authors. I actually looked forward to traffic so I could see what happened next. :)

Wonderful story

Sweet story of love in the face of hardships. Kind but strong heroine. Would recommend highly.

Enjoyable

I love Sarah Ladd writing, but for me this topped most. I'm not into sappy and of course this is usually the outcome of these books. However, setting that aside I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Intrigue, bullying and deceit in much of the storyline. Again kudos for Ms. Ladd writing yet another exceptional book.

Another great story!

This is another great story from this author. It checked all the boxes - tension, romance, intrigue, and more. I couldn’t put it down!

Loved it

Such a fun listen. Great mystery and great romance. Also, great acting. Definitely recommend, and you do not need to have read book 1 to enjoy this one.

Pretty good but not attached

This book was pretty good but I didn’t like it as much as other Sarah Ladd books I’ve listened to.

Great mix of adventure and romance

(Note: Audible version) Many historical romance novels rely on the tried and true, met at a ball, fell in love, something happens to prevent true love from running its course, The End everyone is happy. But I find that "Dawn at Emberwilde" has much more going for it. There is a subplot to the subtle romance which is historically accurate. I find the narrator of this book to have a very pleasant voice, she does the characters well without slipping into trite vocalizations. I hope to read more by Sarah E. Ladd.