What do you think?
Rate this book
Daybreak
Even moonlight waits for the warmth of the sun.
Rivers Young is a faded echo of the man he used to be. The color, the light—everything vibrant—was stripped from his world with the loss of Delilah. Now he lives in shadow: unseen, alone. And that’s how he wants it.
Until Faith.
Faith Campbell is sunshine—radiant, relentless, impossible to ignore. From the moment she sees Rivers, she knows they’re meant to know each other. That he’s meant to be part of her life, and she his. Grief clings to him like dusk, but even in the darkness, she sees flickers of light. And the more time they spend together, the brighter he begins to glow.
Rivers may drift beneath a sky of dying stars, but Faith is the promise of a new day.
Rivers Young is a faded echo of the man he used to be. The color, the light—everything vibrant—was stripped from his world with the loss of Delilah. Now he lives in shadow: unseen, alone. And that’s how he wants it.
Until Faith.
Faith Campbell is sunshine—radiant, relentless, impossible to ignore. From the moment she sees Rivers, she knows they’re meant to know each other. That he’s meant to be part of her life, and she his. Grief clings to him like dusk, but even in the darkness, she sees flickers of light. And the more time they spend together, the brighter he begins to glow.
Rivers may drift beneath a sky of dying stars, but Faith is the promise of a new day.
Unknown Binding
First published May 3, 2024
5 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Lindy Zart
25 books1,058 followersLindy Zart is an American USA Today bestselling author who writes across a number of fictional genres such as new adult, contemporary romance, and fantasy. Her rom-com Roomies (2014) was an international bestseller that rose to #1 in Satire Fiction, Romantic Comedy, General Humor, and Humorous, becoming a USA Today bestseller. Lindy currently lives in Wisconsin with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 8, 2024
Big thank you to Lindy for an ARC copy for review.
I completely adored Rivers and Faith’s story. It is a journey of two people trying to heal from their past, learning to how to move forward, and finding hope and love in each other. Lindy’s writing always has me hooked from start to finish and Daybreak was no different. What an excellent follow up to Unlit Star.
I completely adored Rivers and Faith’s story. It is a journey of two people trying to heal from their past, learning to how to move forward, and finding hope and love in each other. Lindy’s writing always has me hooked from start to finish and Daybreak was no different. What an excellent follow up to Unlit Star.
May 1, 2024
Daybreak is a truly beautiful and poignant book. The wait was worth it as Lindy Zart gives us Rivers Young's story, years after the love of his life left him. Unlit Star was heartbreaking and I always did wonder how Rivers was faring after Delilah. Zart takes her time in telling his story and that of the woman who carefully turns his staid world upside down, one Faith Campbell. And it's quite an emotional journey.
Wow. The pain that Rivers still harbors 12, almost 13 years later after Unlit Star ended gutted me. The sadness that is written all over his face was very evident to the sweet Faith and her ability to be a light for him in their early brief encounters had me adoring her from the start. The way Rivers is so closed off, I truly did have to wonder that even someone as caring as Faith could break through to him.
As Zart takes her time in telling this tale, there are plenty of stops and starts as both Rivers and Faith wonder if in fact the other is even remotely interested. But I could feel the undeniable pull towards one another and right along with Faith, I knew I had to be patient with Rivers. It's not an easy path to forever but once walls start to crumble around Rivers' heart and Faith finds her drive to live her life the way she should, the pieces of their intricate puzzle begin to fall into place. And no one was happier than this reader. Both characters have their struggles and I'm convinced they offered the kind of encouragement they both desperately needed. That no one else could have done that for them, except one another.
I am very happy that Lindy Zart is back and that she decided to give us this book as an homage to the spirited Delilah we met back in 2014. How fitting that it's almost 10 years since Unlit Star was published and that this talented author decided it was time for Rivers to find his HEA once and for all. With great supporting characters and a sweet puppy named Daisy, Daybreak is well worth your time and will warm your heart as those last pages are read.
4 HUGE stars!
Wow. The pain that Rivers still harbors 12, almost 13 years later after Unlit Star ended gutted me. The sadness that is written all over his face was very evident to the sweet Faith and her ability to be a light for him in their early brief encounters had me adoring her from the start. The way Rivers is so closed off, I truly did have to wonder that even someone as caring as Faith could break through to him.
As Zart takes her time in telling this tale, there are plenty of stops and starts as both Rivers and Faith wonder if in fact the other is even remotely interested. But I could feel the undeniable pull towards one another and right along with Faith, I knew I had to be patient with Rivers. It's not an easy path to forever but once walls start to crumble around Rivers' heart and Faith finds her drive to live her life the way she should, the pieces of their intricate puzzle begin to fall into place. And no one was happier than this reader. Both characters have their struggles and I'm convinced they offered the kind of encouragement they both desperately needed. That no one else could have done that for them, except one another.
I am very happy that Lindy Zart is back and that she decided to give us this book as an homage to the spirited Delilah we met back in 2014. How fitting that it's almost 10 years since Unlit Star was published and that this talented author decided it was time for Rivers to find his HEA once and for all. With great supporting characters and a sweet puppy named Daisy, Daybreak is well worth your time and will warm your heart as those last pages are read.
4 HUGE stars!
April 19, 2024
Something is changing in small town Buchanan, Faith can feel it. Rivers Young has an admirer from the coffee shop he frequents. Faith is smitten with this young pilot hoping to make a connection with him.
…
Daybreak is a continuation of Unlit Star written by Lindy Zart in 2014. In order to gain a better understanding into Rivers character it’s recommended to read Unlit Star before reading Daybreak.
…
Daybreak is about two characters who have taken a break from dating putting it off to focus on careers and jobs. It’s not that they don’t believe in love it’s just that they’ve been hurt by love. Rivers doesn’t know if he has room in his heart to love again while Faith doesn’t know if she can trust a man again.
…
Lindy Zart took a break from writing for a few years. She’s back with a book about Rivers and Faith. It begins twelve years after losing Delilah.
…
Daybreak is a small city slow burn second chance romance. Rivers and Faith have that push n’ pull type of thing happening as they get more comfortable around each other.
…
Lindy Zart leaves her trademark humor within the pages of this book. It’s stamped throughout the characters dialogue. It’s a cute romantic comedy with some minimal sadness within as Rivers works through his pain of losing Delilah.
…
I enjoyed the alternating points of view. Good stories and dialogue are made by having instant feedback on the others perspective.
…
Tropes: contemporary romance, holiday romance, baking character, DIY character, and singer.
…
Daybreak is a continuation of Unlit Star written by Lindy Zart in 2014. In order to gain a better understanding into Rivers character it’s recommended to read Unlit Star before reading Daybreak.
…
Daybreak is about two characters who have taken a break from dating putting it off to focus on careers and jobs. It’s not that they don’t believe in love it’s just that they’ve been hurt by love. Rivers doesn’t know if he has room in his heart to love again while Faith doesn’t know if she can trust a man again.
…
Lindy Zart took a break from writing for a few years. She’s back with a book about Rivers and Faith. It begins twelve years after losing Delilah.
…
Daybreak is a small city slow burn second chance romance. Rivers and Faith have that push n’ pull type of thing happening as they get more comfortable around each other.
…
Lindy Zart leaves her trademark humor within the pages of this book. It’s stamped throughout the characters dialogue. It’s a cute romantic comedy with some minimal sadness within as Rivers works through his pain of losing Delilah.
…
I enjoyed the alternating points of view. Good stories and dialogue are made by having instant feedback on the others perspective.
…
Tropes: contemporary romance, holiday romance, baking character, DIY character, and singer.
April 25, 2024
First of all, I love Faith & Rivers A LOT! Their story is one of bravery, healing, allowing yourself to heal, friendship, family, and falling in love.
This is a slow burn, but didn't annoy me the way that particular device can. The romance may come later, but the way their story is told - the pacing & building of their relationship - there aren't any "down times" that feel disjointed. Sometimes when the characters aren't together romantically for most of the story, it can be hard to root for them. It can feel like two separate stories that don't come together properly. Happily, that's nowhere near the case here.
We feel their connection, their desire for each other, their need to just BE together, and it's really beautifully written. Rivers isn't sure if he's ready to heal from the devastation of his past, but he can't resist Faith's JOY. The more time they spend together, the more they're drawn to each other.
I also really enjoyed the banter & teasing with each other, and with their families. Their moms are hilarious when they hang out! Faith's brother & BFF are also a riot. 😁 (There's also a surprise furry friend who is adorable!)
Unlit Star was Delilah's story, showcasing the impact one person can have. Daybreak honors her very well & brings Rivers to the forefront as he heals and helps Faith's have faith in herself.
Beautiful, healing, fun - and the perfect bit of steamy when the slow burning spark ignites at just the right time.
😍😍😍
This is a slow burn, but didn't annoy me the way that particular device can. The romance may come later, but the way their story is told - the pacing & building of their relationship - there aren't any "down times" that feel disjointed. Sometimes when the characters aren't together romantically for most of the story, it can be hard to root for them. It can feel like two separate stories that don't come together properly. Happily, that's nowhere near the case here.
We feel their connection, their desire for each other, their need to just BE together, and it's really beautifully written. Rivers isn't sure if he's ready to heal from the devastation of his past, but he can't resist Faith's JOY. The more time they spend together, the more they're drawn to each other.
I also really enjoyed the banter & teasing with each other, and with their families. Their moms are hilarious when they hang out! Faith's brother & BFF are also a riot. 😁 (There's also a surprise furry friend who is adorable!)
Unlit Star was Delilah's story, showcasing the impact one person can have. Daybreak honors her very well & brings Rivers to the forefront as he heals and helps Faith's have faith in herself.
Beautiful, healing, fun - and the perfect bit of steamy when the slow burning spark ignites at just the right time.
😍😍😍
May 4, 2024
Rivers and Delilah were one of my favorite couples, full of promise and young love until her illness took over. This is Rivers’ story of love and dreams. Unlit Star was the first book and I highly recommend reading that first but if you choose not to I think you can figure out enough of Rivers’ past to enjoy it. Faith is truly a beautiful person with many artistic talents and a personality that brings out the best of Rivers. Their story is a slow burn, there’s much healing and learning before the true intimacy and feelings can become important. Faith is a nut, and I mean that with all the fun and craziness it implies. She’s unafraid to say something silly or sarcastically masking her feelings, but she is afraid of pursuing her dream….until Rivers. One of the best novels I’ve read this year. Many thanks to the author for my early copy, my review has been written voluntarily.
May 7, 2024
This one was a very slow burn, but it made sense. Both Rivers and Faith had big losses in their lives, ones that hit them hard and sort of made their lives stall out. Neither were really living, just existing. But from the first time these two meet there is something there that pulls each to the other, but since they both are in a bad place, they just say hi and this goes on for months. Finally when they start to talk you feel like this was a huge win, yet even then they aren't dating, not even really "friends". So when they really cross a line to a relationship you can't help but to cheer for them. A potential blip at the end seems like it might end them, but with that blip is another possibility that makes the blip seem like nothing, which it was. So nice to see how things ended, happy for 2 people that deserved it!
November 16, 2025
I couldn’t believe how much time had passed since Unlit Star. It was emotional from beginning to end. River’s character growth was both beautiful and heartbreaking after everything he endured with Delilah. Then he meets Faith, and everything shifts. Through all the pain and darkness, she helps him heal the pieces of himself he thought were lost forever.
February 24, 2024
Alpha/Beta read. Review to come when published.
May 12, 2024
I loved this book!
May 24, 2024
This book broke me. Delilah and Rivers were it for me. I would have loved an after life chapter. To see them reunited. Thank you Lindy for trying.
September 6, 2024
Excellent follow up to one of my favorite reads -Unlit Star! I’m so glad we got this story!
May 2, 2024
In Lindy Zart’s latest novel, "Daybreak," Rivers Young navigates life burdened by grief until he meets Faith Campbell. Zart beautifully portrays Rivers' journey from holding back on life to finding solace and hope in Faith’s presence. Their love story unfolds slowly, reminiscent of a sunrise, as Faith breaks through Rivers' emotional walls and shows him how to live and love again without forgetting his past love, Delilah.
For a deeper understanding of Rivers and Faith’s journey, readers are encouraged to explore "Unlit Star." Lindy Zart’s "Daybreak" is a poignant reminder that even in the darkest of times, love has the power to illuminate a new path forward.
For a deeper understanding of Rivers and Faith’s journey, readers are encouraged to explore "Unlit Star." Lindy Zart’s "Daybreak" is a poignant reminder that even in the darkest of times, love has the power to illuminate a new path forward.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews