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She Came at Dawn
What would you do if your whole settled life would be turned around in one single moment, by one single person?
College-student Melissa has it all: wealthy parents, a handsome boyfriend, good friends and the safety of already being fully settled in the middle of her twenties. But when Melissa gets to know her friend Tom’s new girlfriend, it changes everything. Laila, a stunning beauty with emerald eyes, seems to be able to show her that there are many other ways of living than the one seemingly hewn in stone for Melissa. The girls fall head over heels in love – but sometimes it's hard to follow one's heart when you have everything to lose.
College-student Melissa has it all: wealthy parents, a handsome boyfriend, good friends and the safety of already being fully settled in the middle of her twenties. But when Melissa gets to know her friend Tom’s new girlfriend, it changes everything. Laila, a stunning beauty with emerald eyes, seems to be able to show her that there are many other ways of living than the one seemingly hewn in stone for Melissa. The girls fall head over heels in love – but sometimes it's hard to follow one's heart when you have everything to lose.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2013
8 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Katja Michael
3 books23 followersKatja's love of the written word - as is so often the case in life - only came about at second glance. During her school years, she did not enjoy the prescribed literature until several poetry projects sparked a serious interest in writing. While studying English literature, she became more and more addicted to the more complex works. Not only did she devour books, but she also began to write more complex texts than poetry. To this day, her passion for words remains unabated and has resulted in numerous poems, short stories and book projects.
Her debut novel, She Came at Dawn, was first published in English in 2013. All the years after the publication of her first novel, she could never quite shake the feeling that it wasn’t the work she was truly capable of creating. Twelve years later, she sat down once again — with a fresh mind, renewed enthusiasm, and above all in her native language — to revisit the story of Melissa and Laila. Now, she has shaped it into something that can stand the test of time: a story that is exactly how she always wanted it to be.
Her favorite authors include classic writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Virginia Woolf, but also modern novelists such as Suzanne Collins and Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Her debut novel, She Came at Dawn, was first published in English in 2013. All the years after the publication of her first novel, she could never quite shake the feeling that it wasn’t the work she was truly capable of creating. Twelve years later, she sat down once again — with a fresh mind, renewed enthusiasm, and above all in her native language — to revisit the story of Melissa and Laila. Now, she has shaped it into something that can stand the test of time: a story that is exactly how she always wanted it to be.
Her favorite authors include classic writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Virginia Woolf, but also modern novelists such as Suzanne Collins and Carlos Ruiz Zafón
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 24, 2020
“Melissa… I breathe your name on every exhalation.”
This book had me under such a strong spell. The writing was wonderful with stunning descriptions and powerful dialogues. The more I read the more I loved, every other page had a beautiful quote. Katja Michael is an artist.
“She truly would be more careful with the word perfect from now on as she couldn’t think of anything that could match the meaning of it as much as Laila did.”
I haven't read a book with this level of chemistry between the mains in so long, good to see they are still out there. You could cut the sexual tension between the MCs with a knife. The pair's witty conversations were filled with innuendo and double entendre, even with company present, they were in their own world. Melissa is a smooth talker and Laila is a grumpy loner. The way they can turn each other into bumbling, blushing mess is an art in itself. Melissa painted Laila, Laila wrote a poem for her and they weren't even together yet. It was really funny, at first whenever Melissa had romantic thoughts about Laila she said it's because of the alcohol..the herbs..the hormones.. I love Melissa but God! she could be frustrating. She hurt me so much (Laila can relate).
Witty, funny, slowburn with lots of chemistry and really great writing, what else can one want in a romance book.
This book had me under such a strong spell. The writing was wonderful with stunning descriptions and powerful dialogues. The more I read the more I loved, every other page had a beautiful quote. Katja Michael is an artist.
“She truly would be more careful with the word perfect from now on as she couldn’t think of anything that could match the meaning of it as much as Laila did.”
I haven't read a book with this level of chemistry between the mains in so long, good to see they are still out there. You could cut the sexual tension between the MCs with a knife. The pair's witty conversations were filled with innuendo and double entendre, even with company present, they were in their own world. Melissa is a smooth talker and Laila is a grumpy loner. The way they can turn each other into bumbling, blushing mess is an art in itself. Melissa painted Laila, Laila wrote a poem for her and they weren't even together yet. It was really funny, at first whenever Melissa had romantic thoughts about Laila she said it's because of the alcohol..the herbs..the hormones.. I love Melissa but God! she could be frustrating. She hurt me so much (Laila can relate).
Witty, funny, slowburn with lots of chemistry and really great writing, what else can one want in a romance book.
December 7, 2013
The wondrous foundation and essence of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet has been morphed into an extraordinary love story starring Laila and Melissa. The play itself becomes one of the scenes in this current tale, it is also Melissa's favorite Shakespearean work, and the balcony is given gloriously re-designs several times over but none better then near the finale! The majority of events occur at Bringston University and the major players are all students. It took me a few chapters to start to savor things. For me, the book hit its stride after some mingling/party stuff, classes, and doodah incidentals were properly presented. Then WOW! Please give this book a chance and enjoy what follows the environmental/people underpinnings, because after that you'll get to savor a modern day Romeo and Juliet type adventure like none I have ever encountered! This is almost beyond spectacular!
Melissa West is a delightfully enhanced and personified college Barbie-doll person with her cultured British accent when she initially appears on the scene with her Ken-doll boyfriend named Greg. Picture-perfect! Melissa and Greg have a storybook life just waiting for them. They are already beautiful people, from rich families with prosperous businesses. However, Melissa is also a serious and talented student, so she isn't just a plastic person at the start. She is actually the key element and central energy force that empowers not only her transformation, her blossoming, her overwhelming and blistering love for Laila, but elevates this book by leaps and bounds as she transfigures before my eyes. Magnificent!
Laila-Josephine Evans with the mesmerizing emerald-green eyes is a cornucopia of talent, mystery, intrigue, power, and the embodiment of gorgeous. She appears at dawn to pick up her new boyfriend, Tom, who is another member of the beautiful people and a best friend to Greg, in her drop-dead spectacular black motorcycle driving duds. Laila is technically not a member of the 'beautiful' people as she is a Bringston scholarship student. Only a few snippets of Laila's past and family are presented, but that adds to her allure, mystification, and her painful history. I adored Laila and fell under her spell, too!
The multi-faceted evolution of Melissa and Layla's passion felt as if it were being sculpted by Heaven and Hell itself. The trauma and the ecstasy of their love was nonpareil! The heat generated by these two was so palpable but primarily fueled by my imagination. That was brilliant! I might add, too, that the book was awesome. Please do not miss it!
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Melissa West is a delightfully enhanced and personified college Barbie-doll person with her cultured British accent when she initially appears on the scene with her Ken-doll boyfriend named Greg. Picture-perfect! Melissa and Greg have a storybook life just waiting for them. They are already beautiful people, from rich families with prosperous businesses. However, Melissa is also a serious and talented student, so she isn't just a plastic person at the start. She is actually the key element and central energy force that empowers not only her transformation, her blossoming, her overwhelming and blistering love for Laila, but elevates this book by leaps and bounds as she transfigures before my eyes. Magnificent!
Laila-Josephine Evans with the mesmerizing emerald-green eyes is a cornucopia of talent, mystery, intrigue, power, and the embodiment of gorgeous. She appears at dawn to pick up her new boyfriend, Tom, who is another member of the beautiful people and a best friend to Greg, in her drop-dead spectacular black motorcycle driving duds. Laila is technically not a member of the 'beautiful' people as she is a Bringston scholarship student. Only a few snippets of Laila's past and family are presented, but that adds to her allure, mystification, and her painful history. I adored Laila and fell under her spell, too!
The multi-faceted evolution of Melissa and Layla's passion felt as if it were being sculpted by Heaven and Hell itself. The trauma and the ecstasy of their love was nonpareil! The heat generated by these two was so palpable but primarily fueled by my imagination. That was brilliant! I might add, too, that the book was awesome. Please do not miss it!
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
June 10, 2020
This didn't really work for me - interested in the chemistry of the characters but seemed forced and inevitable - too slow, too predictable and too immature to keep me entertained.
August 4, 2013
I love this book!! some little mistakes, but that's no problem....I really just love it.
August 22, 2015
I'm a fanfiction reader and a fan of an author "Damn Unique" whom wrote this beautiful novel. Just when i read the first chapter, i fell in love with the story and followed it.
I never believe in love at the first sight. And there are so much thing i don't believe in, some because i've never known about 'em. But this novel enlighten me to feel the existence of things i've never known or felt. It was like a map to the unknown city, it was one of many faces of love. It had the same two sides, its ruthlessness and its beauty.
Lets meet Melissa, the it girl with a perfect boyfriend. She had the world under her palm of her hand, so boring, no wonder she'd toss it for a mysterious raven-haired Ducati rider. But there was a problem. And a bigger problem. It was a woman and she was her best friend's girlfriend.
Long time ago, mom told me that I shouldn't bother about love. I think every mom of every girl said the same thing, too, and so did Melissa's mom. She ought to stick to a man that surely deserves her, but Melissa thinks Laila do. Read this book, join them in the joyride of love and prove that mommy lied.
I never believe in love at the first sight. And there are so much thing i don't believe in, some because i've never known about 'em. But this novel enlighten me to feel the existence of things i've never known or felt. It was like a map to the unknown city, it was one of many faces of love. It had the same two sides, its ruthlessness and its beauty.
Lets meet Melissa, the it girl with a perfect boyfriend. She had the world under her palm of her hand, so boring, no wonder she'd toss it for a mysterious raven-haired Ducati rider. But there was a problem. And a bigger problem. It was a woman and she was her best friend's girlfriend.
Long time ago, mom told me that I shouldn't bother about love. I think every mom of every girl said the same thing, too, and so did Melissa's mom. She ought to stick to a man that surely deserves her, but Melissa thinks Laila do. Read this book, join them in the joyride of love and prove that mommy lied.
January 18, 2016
One of those books you just can't put down! At least that was my case. It draws you in, shakes you and tumbles you but, miraculously, does not spit you out. You remain inside, caught by the story, by the emotions that are so fiercely depicted. Very well done, I must say. To collide of two strong natures, stubborn, beautiful, different and yet magnetic to each other.
I loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. It gives you a glance, a tease, a feel of what approaches.
I loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. It gives you a glance, a tease, a feel of what approaches.
May 18, 2014
I normally do not read lesbian/gay novels...I mean sure, I read a guy with two girls but one on one, no. So, this pleasantly surprised me. Melissa & Laila were quite interesting. Especially in the beginning. Without giving anything away, I was hooked & I got happily lost in this story as I kept turning the pages to see how it all ended.
June 30, 2013
3+ stars. The vacillation of the "straight" main character became rather trying, but it is realistic, plausible and age appropriate. A well crafted story that I enjoyed and I look forward to other works by this author.
February 17, 2015
I can't wrap my head around the high ratings some people have given this book. The writing was horrible. The dialogue didn't flow whatsoever and the bipolar attitudes of some characters was just plain obnoxious. I would recommend passing on this book.
August 3, 2013
Loved it! More please ;-)
May 6, 2014
i startedreading this book on the website. loved the chapters thedirection of the book. lovely read. thank you.
kinda hoping for more for these two lovelies
kinda hoping for more for these two lovelies
January 18, 2016
Reading the synopsis looks really cliché, when actually is anything but. Very deep emotions here, I like it.
November 12, 2017
I hated the book. I finished it but I didn't enjoy it really, I specially hated Melissa she was so annoying
February 14, 2020
Ok so Im another odd one it seems I did not much care for this. I got through the whole thing and there was a glimmer of hope somewhere or I would have dnfed this. So first off I dont think english is the authors first language and it shows big time. The book should have been edited much more as errors abound. I as a rule don't care much if a book has some errors but this book has errors not just in the usual spelling and such but in entire ways that the sentence is phrased. It makes for a tough read and I was going to pull the plug but I kind of got used to it and struggled on. Frankly it was not worth the effort and I'm going with just 2 and that may be too much.
May 20, 2019
I really enjoyed the length and the pacing of this book. Many f/f romance novels are short and quick, but this book really took its time developing the chemistry between the characters. As an English major, I enjoyed the appreciation this book had for literature and the arts.
August 16, 2025
The way Katja writes the internal turmoil the main character goes through felt like she took what I felt when I was coming to terms and wrote it in a book. I loved watching Melissa come to terms with who she is and finally sticking up for herself and making her own life choices.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews