September 2, 2023

(40 parts/chapters + 1 bonus chapter)
Whole Book – BRC #6 for:
LOVE AT DAWN by
LiebeKlara

Upon glimpsing at the book cover and immersing myself in the blurb, I immediately knew that your novel would be a delight. Historical and Regency romance themes are among my favored genres, and there's nothing quite like well-crafted literature, just like your blurb, which promised the same within the novel's pages.

However, as I read further, I noticed two descriptions for different sets of characters, leaving me momentarily perplexed as to whom my focus should be directed. Yet, I soon realized that the story transcends the realm of a single character, opting instead for a third-person perspective--a narrative style I adore when it comes to historical works. The blurb's content intrigued me and held a poetic allure; I couldn't help but ponder the moral lessons awaiting me within your novel's pages. Nevertheless, there was one line in the blurb that gave me pause: it mentioned the smudged and faded writing, only to declare in the next sentence that it was bold and alive.

May I offer a suggestion to smoothen this sentence? How about this: "...already smudged and faded, yet each letter was bold and alive, revealing..."

I believe this revision captures the contrast between the writing's worn appearance and the resolute vivacity of each individual letter.

Moving on, I must commend your writing. It's skillfully executed, making me appreciate a well-crafted novel even more. Historical fiction written in the third person point of view resonate deeply with me. I found myself spellbound by your prologue; the intrigue surrounding the old woman and the enigmatic young man had me hooked. I couldn't help but speculate that they might be Edith and Andre.

However, after reading the entire novel, doubts began to creep in. Could it have been Andre and his former lover?

If it truly was Edith and Andre--considering the prologue's present tense, which hints at future events in the main narrative--I suggest weaving the prologue's elements into the main narrative for clarity. On the other hand, if it was indeed Andre and a former lover, then your approach worked just fine, but it would be better to write the prologue in the past tense, aligning it with the main narrative.

Regarding the prologue, your grammar, punctuation, tense usage, and other technicalities are outstanding. However, I did notice one sentence that could benefit from rephrasing.

Here's a suggestion:
But the children complain that this news is relayed to them by Charlotte, "the cherub of the choir."

As for the main narrative, from Chapter 1 onward, I find myself increasingly enamored with your writing style as I progress. It's poetic and artistic, a delightful tapestry of words. Your prowess in wielding language is captivating, and I could never tire of it. You remind me of Erica Jennings, an author on Wattpad whom I greatly admire for her masterful storytelling.

I particularly appreciate how you describe the characters' appearances. Your descriptions breathe life into their features, allowing readers to vividly visualize them in their minds.

It appears that your novel draws inspiration from real events and even incorporates some historical figures. I must admit, I felt conflicted about this. I'm not well-versed in the French Revolution, so reading your work offers me a unique opportunity to delve into the country's history, particularly its political landscape. The portrayal of characters based on real people adds a certain gravitas to the story. However, the downside lies in how readers, especially those familiar with these individuals, might perceive them differently due to their portrayal in your novel. It's difficult for me to discern whether your depiction is objective or subjective, so I must commend your bravery in crafting a novel of this nature--much like Andre, who fearlessly expresses his thoughts.

Furthermore, I want to commend you for skillfully highlighting the various characters' differing opinions. It's evident that you've put a substantial amount of research into your work, which is truly admirable. Additionally, I appreciate the thoughtful inclusion of poems at the end of each chapter. You are a great poet!

Moreover, I like how Andre's identity during the read was a mystery. He's a complex character, his motivations, beliefs, and emotions are not easily defined, allowing readers to delve into his inner conflicts and growth throughout the story. Truth be told, all your characters are well-developed, each with distinct personalities and motivations. My favorite character has to be Margot. From her initial appearance until the very end, despite her limited presence in the story, she remains a steadfast character that resonated with me. It's her unwavering principles and convictions that truly made her stand out.

The story delves into the revolution, and certain moments in the narrative resonate with my country's history. However, I'll refrain from discussing that further since my primary focus is to review your work. Your book evokes a sense of gratitude for living in the 21st century. The historical backdrop is quite overwhelming for me, especially if I were to imagine myself living in France during those turbulent times. I believe I would share the fate of Andre and others, as I strongly oppose injustice. It's also difficult to fathom the cheers that accompanied executions. I appreciate dark novels, but I'm not drawn to dark realities.

In a constructive vein, I noticed a few minor errors that could benefit from proofreading, though these do not significantly hinder the reading experience. Just make sure to add spaces before a quotation mark or the dialogue.

Regarding the dialogue, it's advisable to use a single punctuation mark to conclude a character's speech. Rather than employing both a question mark and an exclamation point to convey heightened emotions, it would be enough to just rely on describing the character's emotions, gestures, and facial expressions.

I found the ending a bit unsatisfying due to its lack of resolution. Some of the subplots didn't seem strongly tied to the main plot, leaving the story feeling somewhat incomplete. While I understood there is a sequel, however, as a reader, I would have appreciated a deeper connection between Edith and Fiona.

At times, I struggled to understand why certain sentences ended with unusual symbols. My suggestion, as a reader, would be to consider removing them. However, it's entirely up to you whether you choose to implement this suggestion.

It would have been intriguing to explore the Head of the Republic's perspective, as it could have added further depth to the story. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your work. It has enriched my English vocabulary, and I'm eagerly looking forward to reading the sequel of "Love at Dawn"!

Ultimately, "Love at Dawn" proved to be a profoundly enriching literature, leaving me with a genuine eagerness to plunge into its sequel and further explore this captivating narrative. Your talent as a writer shines brightly, and I eagerly await the opportunity to experience more of your future creations. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world; it has been a true pleasure to be a part of your literary adventure.

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