Like Snow Before Sun

by Marianne Rabalais Sulser

Acadia, Nova Scotia, 1755. Jeanne LeJeune stands at the crossroads of two worlds. The fierce daughter of a French merchant and a Mi’kmaw woman, Jeanne has always balanced the quiet rhythms of Acadian village life with the wild heartbeats of her mother’s tribe. But everything changes the day her father is hauled away in chains.

Desperate to save him, Jeanne agrees to guide Harry Young, an arrogant English surveyor, into the shadowed wilderness – a choice that entangles her in the coming storm of war. What begins as a tenuous alliance soon becomes a journey fraught with danger, betrayal, and passion.

Deep in the primeval forests, Jeanne and Harry must trust one another to survive, forging a bond that defies the rules of clashing cultures. As the drums of conflict echo through the land, Jeanne faces an impossible decision: betray her heart to save her father, or risk everything for the people who shaped her soul.

Lush, seductive, and unforgettable, “Like Snow Before Sun” blends sweeping romance, high-stakes adventure, and haunting history – a story of family and the extraordinary sacrifices love demands.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

Paperback

Published June 9, 2026

About the author

Marianne Rabalais Sulser, the author of “Like Snow Before Sun, (Atmosphere Press, May 12, 2026), is a Louisiana native transplanted to Colorado, but she still likes to laissez les bon temps rouler with her husband and three occasionally well-behaved children. Find out more about her at MarianneSulser.com.

Reviews

[Edens Book Den · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫




“I see your ghosts, Jeanne. And I do not fear them.”

“Never underestimate a woman.”

Like Snow Before Sun by Marianne Rabalais Sulser

Every once in a while, a book comes along that reminds me how much history there still is to learn. Like Snow Before Sun was one of those books.

Set against a chapter of the past that deserves to be remembered, this novel blends historical fiction, romance, and adventure into something truly memorable. It is immersive and beautifully crafted, with a strong sense of place and a story that feels both intimate and sweeping.

What I loved most about this book was the exquisite writing and the way the author brought this story to life. Set in Acadia in 1755, it follows a young woman torn between cultures, loyalties, and the people she loves.

It introduced me to a chapter of the past I knew very little about while exploring themes of identity, sacrifice, and love. The historical events provide the foundation, but it is the humanity throughout the pages that made me want to do my own research and learn more. By giving voice to the people behind those events, the author creates a story that is both illuminating and profoundly moving.

This story includes some difficult subject matter connected to real events. While it is handled with care, readers may wish to look up content notes before reading.

Just a thoughtful moving novel filled with rich detail and genuine heart. I carried it with me on my travels, and somehow that made the experience even more memorable. It’s a beautiful reminder that some stories deserve not only to be told, but to be remembered.

[littlefoot_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Snow Before Sun will transport you to the wilds of Nova Scotia in 1755. We meet Jeanne LeJune who is the daughter of a French merchant and a Mi’kmaw woman. When her father is taken prisoner by English soldiers, she agrees to be a guide for Harry, an English officer tasked with surveying and updating maps of the wilderness in order to win her father’s freedom. Jeanne and Harry form a tenuous bond that deepens over time as they endure conflict, betrayal and loss.

It is important to note that the author’s own French ancestors ended up in Louisiana from Acadia, forced out by the British in the 1750s. This book is personal and that is clear through Sulser’s attention to detail. The descriptions of the landscape captivated me immediately. Do not miss the author’s note!

I was completely unfamiliar with the Acadian expulsion, but not at all surprised to learn that the role of the indigenous nations has been completely left out of history. Sound familiar?

I look forward to reading more from this author and recommend picking this one up!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Make them vanish like snow before the summer sun.”

This debut novel takes us back to 1755 when Acadians (the French who settled in the Nova Scotia region of Canada) were living in harmony with the Mi’kmaq. But as the English tear through their land, claiming it for themselves and destroying those who called it home, one woman is determined to do all that she can to save her family and her community.

Meet Jeanne, half Mi’kmaq and half Acadian. When her father is imprisoned by the English, she is determined to do whatever she can to free him, even if that means accompanying an English officer through her precious lands. As they journey together, the danger increases and alliances and loyalties are tested.

I knew nothing about the Acadians and how brutally they were treated. This book shines light on a little known part of history and is inspired by the author’s own ancestral roots. As the title suggests, the English wanted to make an entire ethnic group disappear, just like snow disappears when the suns heat melts it away. An engrossing historical fiction mixed with romance, I devoured this one in 2 days!

Thank you to @mariannesulser @atmospherepress for a #gifted finished copy of this debut.

[Joseph Gremillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful, heartbreaking story.

[Dana K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author and Books Forward for the gifted copy and the amazing PR package.

I love stories set in colonial North America. I can trace my ancestors back to this time, so I feel a connection to it. It is also a time of great resilience and resistance where life was a balance of skill, circumstance, and politics to survive. This story is set in Nova Scotia in 1755, here land is torn between the indigenous population, the Acadians, the French and the English. Resources are fought over and allegiances mean everything… and nothing.

Jeanne is the daughter of a native and an Acadian, she has lost family due to prior battles with the English and now they have taken her father prisoner. She intends to use her wiles to free him, but seems thwarted at every turn. She makes impossible choices and is faced with the same dilemmas many people caught between cultures face today. It’s kind of amazing how much the racism, sexism, rhetoric has not changed. It’s amazing how we are still fighting to be seen as individuals rather than people with blind allegiances due to your genes or your birthplace.

Read this one if you like the American years of Outlander or Kerry Chaput’s Defying the Crown series.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1755 in Acadia — modern-day Nova Scotia — Like Snow before Sun is a beautifully written historical fiction account inspired by the author's own ancestor. It follows Jeanne LeJeune, a young woman of both Mi'kmaq and Acadian heritage, as she fights to save her father.

The Acadians were early French colonists in eastern Canada. They were colonizers, yes, but they built something rare: peaceful relations with the Mi'kmaq, even intermarrying with them. That peace makes what comes next even harder to read, because the Acadians became victims of Le Grand Dérangement, the British expulsion of 1755.

This book carries us through that upheaval. We meet Jeanne, whose father is given an impossible choice — swear an oath to the English king, or go to prison. He chooses prison. The rest of the story follows Jeanne's fight to win his freedom, working alongside an Englishman who answers to his conscience more than his king. Together, they try to convince other Acadians to swear allegiance to Britain, even though doing so could put their bond with the Mi'kmaq, and their safety, at risk.

I read a lot of historical fiction, but this is the first book I've picked up set in this particular time and place, and I learned so much from the historical detail woven through it. The writing itself is strong, and there are passages that are absolutely stunning.

A couple of honest notes: a few of the romance scenes ran a little warmer than I personally prefer, so just a heads-up if that's not your thing. And the middle section slows down a bit — nothing that ruined the read for me, but worth knowing going in.

Outside of that, this was a solid, rewarding read, and I'm really glad I picked it up. If you love historical fiction, especially stories that bring an under-told time period and people to life, this one's worth your time.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a facinating historical fiction novel filled with romance and adventure you really need to check out Like Snow Before Sun! When I read this I got the vibes of Pocahontas and John Smith and I was in deep awe. I will admit I was so hooked into the story that I was disappointed when I reached the end of the book because I wanted more. I will say I was very intrigued with what went on in this book the characters were marvelous and the setting in Nova Scotia was just beautiful!

In the eighteenth century we are introduced to Jeanne who is stuck between the loyalty of her french father and her mother's native Mi’kmaw nation. When her father is taken away she will do anything to see that he is safely returned. She ends up teaming up with a youbg Englishman named Harry. While they butt heads at first they soon become caught up in a whirlwind romance which makea you wonder if it could ever survive the hands of time.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learning about this chapter of history and corner of the world was very interesting! Appreciated the romance component to keep me motivated. Several similarities to Outlander and I love that series. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC <3

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well-researched historical fiction novel is based on true stories and drew me in right away. I found myself captivated by the relationship that was forming between Jeanne and Harry though initially they seemed to be on opposing sides of the conflict. It was fascinating to learn more about this time period, but also saddening that similar crimes against humanity did actually happen. The author's notes cleared up a few things for me and as always I'm grateful they were included. Enlightening and immersive this is a book that will stay with me.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Mi’kmaq grandfather liked to say “A poor man is not one who has little, but one who needs much.”

Jeanne was the daughter of Martin LeJeune, a French shipping merchant, and a Mi’kmaq woman. “Jeanne had been raised with a strange mix of Catholicism and Mi’kmaq spirituality…The Mi’kmaq believe that words are a reflection of the speaker’s soul.”

“Not so long ago, the coastline was wild, a broad plateau overlooking the water populated by legions of red spruce fir…moose grazed and geese hid, visited only by the Mi’kmaq Nation who hunted or fished…as the seasons required…When the English claimed it, they stripped it to bare ground…used the trees to build a wooden palisade and guard towers to protect the settlement from the Mi’kmaq…”.Years ago, a peace treaty had been made between the English and the Mi’kmaq. The English had agreed not to build any forts or settlements on Mi’kmaq territory without their consent. The treaty had been broken.

By order of Governor Charles Lawrence of Nova Scotia, all Acadian men were mandated to attend the meeting. Any Acadian trading, provisioning or helping the Mi’kmaq would face imprisonment. While maintaining their neutrality, the Acadians did have strong family ties with the Mi’kmaq Nation. The purpose of the meeting was to demand that the Acadians pledge an oath of allegiance to the King or leave the province. Martin LeJeune, Jeanne’s father, was one of several delegates chosen to speak for his people. He stated: “Sir, we are ready to swear whatever oath you wish, on two conditions: We must be allowed to practice our Roman Catholic faith and we must not be forced to bear arms against France.” In the words of Gov. Lawrence: “Swear the oath or quit the province. You will not be allowed to sell or carry off even a cow.” “Without crops and animals to barter and eat, most Acadians would be destitute; forced to live in the woods, to hunt, fish or forage for each meal.” It was clear that Lawrence was trying to browbeat the Acadians into taking the loyalty oath since they provided the garrisons with game and firewood. The oath prevented the Acadians from arming themselves to defend the French and the Indigenous people during the French and Indian War.

Martin LeJeune was introduced to two English soldiers, Colonel and Captain Young. He was recruited to act as a guide for Harry Young as Harry traveled across the province, meeting the Acadians in their homes. His inability to communicate in French and his unfamiliarity with the provinces made it difficult to complete a new survey, census and update maps to reflect growth in the provinces. However, when Martin requested permission to peacefully emigrate, he was detained until arrangements could be made for forced transport to France.

Jeanne LeJeune, resourceful and stubborn, insisted upon being Harry Young’s guide. Despite his reservations, Jeanne was a wise choice. As daughter of the highly esteemed Martin, she tried to obtain oaths of commitment to the English at each settlement in order to secure her father’s release before a ship could transport him to France. As granddaughter of the Mi’kmaq Chief, she knew “little-used game trails that move through the untamed province, footpaths few white men knew or braved. Harry was her means to an end. Jeanne would get her father released no matter what it took. It pained her to admit she was attracted to Harry…the dark fleck in his blue eyes…the thought grounded her. Harry was an Englishman. An enemy.” “The rustle of the forest carried voices for her: The earth beneath our feet is the ashes of our grandfathers. It was the voice of the trees. The voice of her mother. The sap that courses through the trees carries the memories of our people.”

Who was this Englishman, Harry Young? Weren’t the English responsible for every tragedy in her life? First her mother and now her papa? Weren’t all Englishmen cut from the same cloth?” Jeanne had a lot to learn about her travel companion. She was vulnerable and distrustful…but those deep blue eyes…maybe his acts of daring were the reflection of a kind soul. She vacillated between being irritated by him and a “disturbing lick of warmth.” While his brother George doggedly followed every command by Governor Lawrence, Harry let his conscience be his guide.

In the words of author Marianne Rabalais Sulser, “The trees of Nova Scotia are spectators” to the history of the Acadian Expulsion, “the forced removal of the Acadian people from the Maritime Provinces, primarily Nova Scotia, by the British”. Although Sulser’s tome is historical fiction, it relates a story of how her French maternal ancestors came to settle in Louisiana.

Highly recommended.

Thank you Marianne Rabalais Sulser and Angelle Barbazon@ Books Forward for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What reading historical fiction has ingrained in me is that there have always been stories of racism, classism, sexism, and hate. It is not like our time just woke up to it. And yet some rise about it. Here, in this gripping tale based on true stories, we see the cruel treatment of the Acadians by the English, the story of a young mixed-race Mi’kmaq woman, and the true cost of sacrifice.

Whether you are familiar with the expulsion of the Acadians from present-day Canada in the mid 1700s or not, I highly recommend you read this book. With beautiful phrasing and prose, it allows you to step into the past.

The story is rich, immersive, and well-researched, as the Author’s Note reveals that the character Jeanne is based on one of the author’s ancestors. Jeanne, a young woman whose father was French and her mother was Mi’kmaq, is torn between her Papist father's world of traditional ways and her late mother’s connection to nature and the land. This is a time when the British were at war with France, and even though the English had already taken so much from Jeanne, she purposefully became a guide for an English officer through the wilderness of Nova Scotia.

This is a compelling read; it intertwines historical atrocities with vivid, lush landscapes and the complexities and consequences of the heart.

Marianne Rabalais Sulser has put herself on the map as an author to watch with her stunning debut.

"In war, the blackest of crimes are frequently without echo, or lost completely in the solitude of the forest." ~ from the epigraph


Thank you @booksforwardpr and author @mariannesulser for this beautiful book package and book.

[Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually the second novel I’ve read recently relating the mass deportation of Acadians from Nova Scotia during the French and Indian War. A subject I confess I was woefully ignorant about.

Descendants of French settlers who lived peacefully alongside the Mi'kmaq nation, the Acadians were faced with an impossible choice: sign an unconditional oath in support of the British monarchy, or be forcibly removed from their homes. If they signed they’d face attack from their indigenous neighbors.

“Like Snow Before Sun” imagines the life of Jeanne LeJeune, daughter of a French sea merchant and a Mi’kmaq woman, deeply scarred and distrusting of the British. Her distrust is put to the test when she agrees to guide an English officer through the backwoods of Nova Scotia to survey the lands and people. Her hope is to somehow convince her fellow Acadians to sign the oath to keep their lands, while maintaining peace with the Mi’kmaq.

Based on true events and with careful research, the story shows how terribly the Acadians were treated, ultimately stripped of their homes, livelihoods, and often their families, deported to various areas of the Thirteen Colonies, France, and Britain. A romance adds to the appeal, but I liked rather than loved the book overall.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[William Bentrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Snow Before Sun by Marianne Rabalais Sulser

Acadia, a place you probably aren’t familiar with, because a British conspiracy mostly eradicated its population. Arcadia was the area of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Northern Maine. In 1755, a plot between the Lt. Governor of Arcadia and the Governor of Massachusetts removed between 11,000 and 15,000 Arcadians from their land and homes.

The book is historic in nature, but a fictionalized version of what happened. Jeanne LeJeune is the progeny of a French merchant trader and a Mi’kmaw woman. She meets an English militia colonel who changes her life.

The book is a sad commentary on the despicable actions of many of our ancestors. How we treated First Citizens like the Mi’kmaw people, and immigrants that preceded the later colonists, is shown.

It isn’t too hard to look at the current issues with immigration and draw parallels. Imagine the current immigrants relocating the present population. Makes one think, I like books that make me think as well as entertain me.

In addition to the historical commentary, it is a love story between two people, laden with the burden of societal differences.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it.

[Kelsey Vang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it when history comes alive through a piece of fiction, and I believe that Marianne Suler accomplished this well through her debut novel, Like Snow Before Sun.

The story opens a window into a period of little-known history and an even lesser known people. Set in the mid-1700’s Acadia (modern day Nova Scotia), the story examines the tensions between the French Acadian settlers, the indigenous Mi’kmaq people, and the English government during the French and Indian War.

It focuses on the experiences of Jeanne LeJeune, who traverses three worlds. She is a devoted daughter to her French merchant father, helping him with his business. She’s also Mi’kmaq, the granddaughter of a chieftain, who lost her mom at the age of 10. And she is caught up in a land at dispute and under increasingly English power. When her father is taken prisoner by the governer of Halifax for refusing to swear an oath of loyalty to the British crown, she teams up with an English colonel named Harry Young to collect enough oaths throughout the province in order to set him free.

Jeanne faces many cruelties and troubles throughout the story, and along the way must wrestle with her own prejudice and learn how to trust an unlikely ally. Through her experiences, the novel asks many challenging and important questions, and examines the brutal complexities of war with an impressive honesty. Though we sadly know the outcome for thousands of Acadians as a result of this war, the story helps the reader gain more than just a cursory knowledge of facts. You walk away with a greater recognition of the loss and sacrifice behind the tragic reality of ethnic cleansing.

There are just a few things I found myself missing as I read this novel. These aren’t huge issues, just some small details that could have improved upon an already good story. 1) A final moment or look between Jeanne and her brother Montonabbe. 2) More interactions between Jeanne and Vincent to feel more investment in what happens to him. 3) A little more detail to the passage of time throughout the story.

Some readers might want to be aware that there are a couple of open-door bedroom scenes that are not ultra graphic, but nevertheless are present.

On a final note, I wanted to recommend going to Suler’s website at some point if you can. It’s beautifully done, and you can clearly see all of the thought and research she put into this novel.

Thank you to Reader’s Favorite & NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Allison Pentecost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marianne Sulser’s debut novel, Like Snow Before Sun, transports the reader to 18th century Acadia. The mass deportation also known as The Great Upheavel of Acadian settlers by the British is looming. The heroine, Jeanne LeJeune, is the daughter of a native Mi’kmaw mother and a French trader. After her father’s imprisonment, Jeanne hopes to aide her father by embarking on a journey with a British surveyor by the name of Harry Young. They travel into the wilds of present day Nova Scotia where there is excitement, danger, and passion at every turn. You have a front row seat!

Sulser’s book has been thoughtfully researched and executed, and the novel contains vivid descriptions of this wild land and its native culture. It also explores the depth of what one woman will do to save her family and honor its heritage. I would highly recommend Like Snow Before Sun to any reader who enjoys thorough and well-planned historical narratives. Job well done!!

[Dive Into A Good Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books that are based on a topic that I do not know much about always piques my interest. I had forgotten, since my college days, of how the English treated the Acadians. After one hundred years of living peacefully among the Mi'kmaw, the English began to stir the pot and wanted all the land for themselves. Anyone who got in their way were shipped out of the area, imprisoned, or killed. The atmospheric setting made the tension rise. Is there anyone in the woods watching them? If there is someone, who? Jeanne LeJeune and Harry Young were amazing characters. I loved watching them bloom before my eyes.

In 1755, Jeanne's father, a French merchant, is called in by Governor Lawrence for a meeting of all the Acadian leaders. By the end of this meeting her father is being led to prison and Jeanne is anxious to find a way to have her father released. When an English solider who is supposed to survey the land and update maps asks her to be his guide. Since Jeanne is half Mi'kmaw and half Acadian this makes her the perfect person to get around. As their journey begins, she does not trust Harry. He is English and everyone she has ever dealt with that is English has ended in disaster or death. As the days pass and the miles grow longer, the two begin to trust one another. Depending on each other and finding a mutual respect. Chaos begins between the English, Mi'kmaw, and the Acadians. Leading to many skirmishes. Will Jeanne's trust be broken?

This book is entrancing in every way. Expanding my knowledge on the Acadian's and how they were treated. The Mi'kmaw try to hold onto their land and culture. While the English throw down a heavy fist in every direction. Making a once peaceful land a place of war and vengeance. Based on true stories, this was a fantastic read. Thank you to Marianne Rablais Sulser, Atmosphere Press, and Books Forward PR for my gifted copy.

[Literarykittens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Books Forward PR for the book I've since dog-eared heavily! I enjoyed reading about the Mi'kmaq and Arcadian people.

Here's what I love about historical fiction: I'm learning about other countries. About history. About culture. About poetry. All through the lens of characters I care about and the eyes of people with backgrounds different than my own. I love how historical fiction takes us back to a slower time. Without social media, AI, smart phones, or cars. Please take me back there. Or at least back to the 80s i stg.

• "Is it love? Jeanne wondered later, succumbing to sleep. When someone sees the best of you — and the worst — and they choose both?"

• "And if the world judges you for your cracks," he said, kissing her gently, "I only see the beauty of how you made yourself whole again."

• "A solider is one who kills," Pononiak said, watching Harry hold a cup to the lips of a woman. "A warrior is one who protects those who cannot protect themselves."

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful historical fiction novel with romance AND adventure. First, we meet Jeanne, who lives in the tension of having a French father and a Mi’kmaw mother. Her father’s ways are traditional while her late mother’s connection was always to the nature and the land. When her father is taken away, she becomes a guide for a young Englishman named Harry in order to find and save him. Admittingly, I was not very familiar with the expulsion of the Acadians from present-day Canada in the mid-1700s, but now I want to know even more. What’s even more special is that the character of Jeanne is based on one of the author’s actual ancestors and Sulser does an amazing job of blending historical atrocities with beautiful landscapes and complications of the heart. Even if you’re like me and don’t know much about the subject matter, it’s absolutely worth a read. Plus an extra history lesson every so often is never a bad thing.

[Jenny LeJeune · Rating 5 out of 5]

This incredible book drew me in from the very beginning and I couldn't put it down. I read it in a day and a half and afterwards I found myself craving more and wanting to know what happened next. There were moments when I wanted to highlight certain pages and phrases because they were so powerful. I smiled, I cried. I cried a lot reading this book because I too am of Acadian decent and am now married to a LeJeune. I can't help but think of what they went through and how they survived. It amazes me how both my husband and I's ancestors were able to come out of that and settle in Louisiana. Our people are strong willed and apparently extremely talented. I loved this book and look forward to Mrs. Sulsers next one. From the characters to the settings to everything in between, this one just hit different.

[Aria Devi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sulser's ability to immerse you in untold history while completely enrapturing you in prose and plot speaks to a truly exceptional mind.

You can feel how much she lived inside this history before she wrote a single word of it. And the remarkable thing is that none of it sits on the page like research. It's the iceberg underneath the surface. You feel the full weight of it without ever seeing it. But you know it's there.

I'm proud of my favorite aunt for this major accomplishment. So many people want to write a book. Few do. Even fewer write a truly great one. You have written a truly great book, Marianne. You have recovered something that deserved to be recovered and shared... and only YOU could have written it.

Thank you.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Snow Before Sun is a beautifully written and emotionally rich novel that lingers long after the final page. With lyrical prose and vivid historical detail, Marianne Rabalais Sulser brings both the wilderness and her characters to life in a way that feels intimate and deeply authentic.

Jeanne LeJeune is a compelling protagonist, and her journey of identity, love, and belonging is handled with remarkable care and nuance. What stands out most is the novel’s emotional honesty—it embraces complexity and consequence in a way that feels real and earned.

This is truly a story that speaks for itself. A moving, thoughtful read for anyone who loves historical fiction with depth and heart.

[Sharon Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this through NetGalley in advance of publication. Loved the way the landscape was almost a character, it as written so vibrantly. Beautiful love story (but not a traditional romance) set against a tragic time in history. Wish I could read it again for the first time.

[Amanda Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful writing. Tragic and moving balanced with a gorgeous love story.

[Melissa Kittle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this moving love story set against a period of time I knew very little about. Hope the author writes a sequel as I want to know what happens to Jeanne and Harry!!

[Leslie Poto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing page turner! Could not put it down. I can not wait for the author to write another book.

[Sarah | Sarah's Story Nook ⚘ · Rating 3 out of 5]

《 three and a half stars 》

Like Snow Before Sun immediately captured my attention when I first heard of it, as it's centered around a time period and setting I rarely see in historical fiction— that being the French and Indian War and the Expulsion of the Acadians. Not only that, it features a protagonist whose perspective is even rarer: a woman of mixed Mik'maq and Acadian heritage. While these elements are what initially drew me to the book, it was the writing that kept me reading. The author certainly has a way of bringing the setting to life! It's clear she did her research, and the characters read like they could be real people from that time.

So why wasn't it my favorite? Well, part of it I think is entirely on me as a mood reader, not reading this when it was exactly the sort of book I was in the mood for. I won't fault it for that! But the rest was mainly owing to the fact that while the characters felt real enough and the story was compelling, I never did fully connect to any of it, and the romance wasn't entirely my thing, though I can't quite put my finger on why. Given that it was a larger part of the story, that did take away from my enjoyment some. There were also some open-door scenes I had to skip over, though I do appreciate that the couple was married. I just prefer my reads to be closed-door.

I would recommend it with caution to readers who can handle a little more content (married intimacy, foul language, semi-described injuries, wartime grief, forced departure from one's home, etc.) in their books. Especially those who, like me, are looking for more historical fiction reads centered around the French and Indian war.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed are my own.