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13 days and 05:30:38
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First Light: Sailing Solo but Not Alone
Not yet published
Expected 15 Sep 26Win a free print copy of this book!
13 days and 05:30:38
50 copies available
U.S. only
A thrilling memoir from the first American woman to race a sailboat solo, nonstop around the world, pushed to the limits to find her strength.
When Cole Brauer sets out at age twenty-nine to become the first American woman to race solo around the world (at five feet tall, no less), she is sailing to break free. Racing 130 days alone, nonstop in a 40-foot sailboat, she navigates brutal squalls, near-catastrophic mechanical failures, medical emergencies that push her to her limits, and the crushing loneliness of isolation. But what begins as a high-stakes adventure soon reveals itself to be something more. With only the sea, her boat, and her intuition, Cole must learn when to fight and when to surrender, when to push forward and when to let go. She finds unexpected strength not in domination, but in trust—of herself, her on-shore team, her boat—First Light—and the wild world around her.
More than a memoir of endurance or triumph, First Light is a reckoning with what it means to belong—in a male-dominated sport, in a high-speed world, as well as in your own skin. Cole’s story unfurls with feisty humor and emotional vulnerability, bringing a sharp, rebellious voice to a sport that’s long taken itself too seriously. Cole emerges as a woman in command of her voice and her future, finding peace in chaos and presence in a noisy world.
First Light is both an edge-of-your-seat adventure on the high seas as well as a testament to what’s possible when you rise above doubt, believe that small can still be strong, face down the impossible, and chart your own course.
When Cole Brauer sets out at age twenty-nine to become the first American woman to race solo around the world (at five feet tall, no less), she is sailing to break free. Racing 130 days alone, nonstop in a 40-foot sailboat, she navigates brutal squalls, near-catastrophic mechanical failures, medical emergencies that push her to her limits, and the crushing loneliness of isolation. But what begins as a high-stakes adventure soon reveals itself to be something more. With only the sea, her boat, and her intuition, Cole must learn when to fight and when to surrender, when to push forward and when to let go. She finds unexpected strength not in domination, but in trust—of herself, her on-shore team, her boat—First Light—and the wild world around her.
More than a memoir of endurance or triumph, First Light is a reckoning with what it means to belong—in a male-dominated sport, in a high-speed world, as well as in your own skin. Cole’s story unfurls with feisty humor and emotional vulnerability, bringing a sharp, rebellious voice to a sport that’s long taken itself too seriously. Cole emerges as a woman in command of her voice and her future, finding peace in chaos and presence in a noisy world.
First Light is both an edge-of-your-seat adventure on the high seas as well as a testament to what’s possible when you rise above doubt, believe that small can still be strong, face down the impossible, and chart your own course.
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
240 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication September 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Want to Read
July 29, 2026I’ve been eagerly waiting for this release. I’ve known Cole since she was a young girl, and it’s been amazing to watch her acccomplish what so many people dare to dream. I have followed her journey and now I’m looking forward to reading her story. Congratulations, Cole!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In 2024, Cole Brauer took on a challenge no other American woman had completed - a solo race around the world. From the very beginning of learning to sail, Cole has pushed boundaries, challenged stereotypes, and fought with a fierce determination for her place in the sailing world. This book tells the story of how she started and how she made it around the world solo, but not alone.
I followed Cole's journey on Instagram as she sailed around the world and this book just made me love her story more. I had no idea about the hardships she went through just to get to the starting line, let alone the challenges of being at sea alone for months. Cole is inspiring and breaking glass ceilings everywhere she can.
Thank you to NetGalley and Covergent Books for the ARC of First Light.
I followed Cole's journey on Instagram as she sailed around the world and this book just made me love her story more. I had no idea about the hardships she went through just to get to the starting line, let alone the challenges of being at sea alone for months. Cole is inspiring and breaking glass ceilings everywhere she can.
Thank you to NetGalley and Covergent Books for the ARC of First Light.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cole Brauer is the first female to sail solo around the world. Despite being frequently told she’s not up to hard sailing at 98 pounds, Cole has learned to navigate the seas and everything they throw at her.
First Light is the story of Cole’s early sailing days, the decision pathway to the solo journey, and the journey itself. It is a quick read that details the highs and lows of life at sea. There are plenty of horrible and scary moments, but the writing is relatively light, which made the story less traumatic. Also, Cole just doesn’t seem traumatized!
Overall, this was a neat story and unlike anything I’ve read before. The writing is just okay, but no complaints. Solid 3-star read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First Light is the story of Cole’s early sailing days, the decision pathway to the solo journey, and the journey itself. It is a quick read that details the highs and lows of life at sea. There are plenty of horrible and scary moments, but the writing is relatively light, which made the story less traumatic. Also, Cole just doesn’t seem traumatized!
Overall, this was a neat story and unlike anything I’ve read before. The writing is just okay, but no complaints. Solid 3-star read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
CAPTIVATING. EMOTIONAL. INSPIRING. You won’t be able to put this book down.. It keeps you hooked from the beginning. Cole draws you in. You feel her emotions. You ride the waves with her. You feel like you’re in the ocean with her. You’re going through life with her. Powerful, moving story that will inspire anyone who reads her encounter of being the first female to sail solo around the world. I fell in love with Cole and First Light and you will too!!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. Top 5 of all of the books I’ve read this year and I’m close to 100 read books!!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. Top 5 of all of the books I’ve read this year and I’m close to 100 read books!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was a fascinating look at the world of competitive sailing, a sport I was not previously very familiar with. The author’s tenacity and resilience were truly inspiring, and I enjoyed witnessing someone pursuing their dreams so fearlessly, even in the face of challenges like being young, female (in a male-dominated sport), and petite (a challenge I am also familiar with, ha!). The narrative was also quite propulsive and I found myself unable to put this book down! Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this before release.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What an inspiring story! A young woman overcomes many obstacles during a solo round the world sailing competition. She had to deal with prejudice in a very male dominated sport that didn’t believe a woman could possibly compete. And she had to be resilient enough to handle weather and mechanical problems during the voyage. I hope young woman everywhere can learn from her experience.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and my own opinions.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and my own opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Like all good books about sailing, First Light is not about sailing. It's about endurance, courage, and discipline. It's about finding one's self and one's connection with the world around us, the water, air, and eventually land. It's about breaking down and building up. "When we let ourselves experience the discomfort of failure we toughen up, develop resilience, and get to see what parts of us need to be fixed."
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a great sailing story about determination, self-confidence and strength. The author has great skill in recounting what it takes to single handedly keep a sailboat moving all the time. Sailing alone around the world is a heroic feat. She recounts the days and weeks of being wet, cold, sleep deprived and always hungry with remarkable candor. Anyone who has watched the sun rise while under sail, or not, will love this book!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Two words: Hell. Yeah.
I recently learned to sail, and this book gives a real, raw look into sailing as a sport. I really appreciated Cole's transparency when it came to the "poop bucket" and her medical preparation before her solo sail. Cole does such a great job writing in a way that feels like you're getting a long-awaited update from your BFF who's being a total badass in the open ocean.
I recently learned to sail, and this book gives a real, raw look into sailing as a sport. I really appreciated Cole's transparency when it came to the "poop bucket" and her medical preparation before her solo sail. Cole does such a great job writing in a way that feels like you're getting a long-awaited update from your BFF who's being a total badass in the open ocean.
June 21, 2026
Thanks HRC for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An absorbing account of a young woman and her sailing adventures. Great read. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
August 1, 2026
All my years reading fantasy novels prepared me to read and love this—a sailing memoir where I understood not one sailing or water or weather term she used. ✨🧠
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews