What do you think?
Rate this book
Meadowbrook Ranch #3
We Drank the Dawn
“No matter how dark it gets, there’s always a new day.”
Peter and Sarah Thompson believed their marriage was invincible. But a single moment turned their fairytale into a nightmare.
In the wake of tragedy that leaves him disabled, Peter emotionally disappears as Sarah flounders to maintain a semblance of normal and keep living the life they created together. But resentment simmers within him as Sarah charges toward a future he isn’t sure he wants anymore. Suffocated by his new existence, Peter wonders: is she better off without me?
After advocating for her husband for almost two years, Sarah’s exhaustion is bone-deep. The iron-like grip she’s held on Peter’s heart loosens as his rejections stack between them. In a last ditch effort to revive the spark and save her marriage, Sarah whisks Peter away to Meadowbrook Ranch.
But a tipsy confession in a Texas bar reveals the truth. Peter is done trying.
With a shattered heart, Sarah grapples with cruel reality—the man who breathed life into her dreams is trapped in the dark and there is nothing she can do.
Will Peter claw his way out of the darkness and pursue the woman he adores? Or has the sun set on their love—once and for all?
We Drank the Dawn, is a contemporary second chance romance set in Central Texas and the third installment of Meadowbrook Ranch—an emotional series about trauma, healing, and love amid crisis.
Peter and Sarah Thompson believed their marriage was invincible. But a single moment turned their fairytale into a nightmare.
In the wake of tragedy that leaves him disabled, Peter emotionally disappears as Sarah flounders to maintain a semblance of normal and keep living the life they created together. But resentment simmers within him as Sarah charges toward a future he isn’t sure he wants anymore. Suffocated by his new existence, Peter wonders: is she better off without me?
After advocating for her husband for almost two years, Sarah’s exhaustion is bone-deep. The iron-like grip she’s held on Peter’s heart loosens as his rejections stack between them. In a last ditch effort to revive the spark and save her marriage, Sarah whisks Peter away to Meadowbrook Ranch.
But a tipsy confession in a Texas bar reveals the truth. Peter is done trying.
With a shattered heart, Sarah grapples with cruel reality—the man who breathed life into her dreams is trapped in the dark and there is nothing she can do.
Will Peter claw his way out of the darkness and pursue the woman he adores? Or has the sun set on their love—once and for all?
We Drank the Dawn, is a contemporary second chance romance set in Central Texas and the third installment of Meadowbrook Ranch—an emotional series about trauma, healing, and love amid crisis.
476 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
September 23, 2026
this book is fucking devastating, her husband is toxic. i wanted her to leave him, he only gets it through his sick head that he should be better once she leaves when she has been with him through TWO CANCERS and a bloody accident. that woman deserves a medal, she’s been surrounded by his entire family who influence her decision for being with him. SHE HAS NO FRIENDS, NO ONE in her life not linked to that man. She has been his caretaker since they started being in a relationship, she’s been holding his hand through all of it even when he was capable. NOW people are coming in telling her she should be guilty for leaving him. FUCK OFF.
She deserves better, has no one heard of caregiver fatigue? She needs better. Her sister was the only one who cared about HER. No one else did. Love is not sacrificial, it’s not wrong to LOVE YOURSELF. Love is leaving the situation once it starts suffocating you, once it starts failing you, once it starts draining you. If this is love, it can go to hell.
I AM JUST AT THE POINT WHERE THE BLOODY PARKINSON WOMAN IS AND OMG has this author ever met a caretaker? Have you ever been a caretaker? I have seen people losing themselves entirely caring for people they love. Physically and mentally. However this man does not need a caretaker but can’t survive without one. There’s not one redeeming quality about him.
He’s so bloody selfish in his voicemail, it’s all him him him. I am tired.
I am at 80 percent and I want to quit. This book gave me a migraine.
Save yourself and don’t read this if you believe in love. If you want to read a romance, don’t read this. I have never wanted a FMC to walk away more.
She deserves better, has no one heard of caregiver fatigue? She needs better. Her sister was the only one who cared about HER. No one else did. Love is not sacrificial, it’s not wrong to LOVE YOURSELF. Love is leaving the situation once it starts suffocating you, once it starts failing you, once it starts draining you. If this is love, it can go to hell.
I AM JUST AT THE POINT WHERE THE BLOODY PARKINSON WOMAN IS AND OMG has this author ever met a caretaker? Have you ever been a caretaker? I have seen people losing themselves entirely caring for people they love. Physically and mentally. However this man does not need a caretaker but can’t survive without one. There’s not one redeeming quality about him.
He’s so bloody selfish in his voicemail, it’s all him him him. I am tired.
I am at 80 percent and I want to quit. This book gave me a migraine.
Save yourself and don’t read this if you believe in love. If you want to read a romance, don’t read this. I have never wanted a FMC to walk away more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my. Ashley has done it again. This book put me in the depths of heartbreak right with the characters. I cried with them. I was angry with them. That was a HARD earned HEA and I needed that closure 😅 My poor sister had to hear more about this book every time we talked for three days straight!
I love the characters and getting their super sweet backstory of how they met and fell in love was really special. It balanced the emotions of what was going on in the present time. And helped me be more in on wanting them to overcome the marriage trouble and find their HEA together.
This really is an incredible story of overcoming devastating life changes. I loved seeing how the MMC overcame what life had dealt him. And loved seeing him find himself again. I loved getting his POV and seeing how much he loved his wife even when he couldn’t love himself. The whole story hurt, but the ending was sweet and well-deserved.
You get the same found family feels from the earlier books in the series which I will never get tired of.
Cooper is the side character that keeps stealing the show and I am so ready for him to get his story. He’s probably my favorite character in the series. I especially loved him in this book. I was cheering him on.
🫑🫑🫑 fade to black
Check TWs for both trauma and emotional factors
Mild language, mature content
I love the characters and getting their super sweet backstory of how they met and fell in love was really special. It balanced the emotions of what was going on in the present time. And helped me be more in on wanting them to overcome the marriage trouble and find their HEA together.
This really is an incredible story of overcoming devastating life changes. I loved seeing how the MMC overcame what life had dealt him. And loved seeing him find himself again. I loved getting his POV and seeing how much he loved his wife even when he couldn’t love himself. The whole story hurt, but the ending was sweet and well-deserved.
You get the same found family feels from the earlier books in the series which I will never get tired of.
Cooper is the side character that keeps stealing the show and I am so ready for him to get his story. He’s probably my favorite character in the series. I especially loved him in this book. I was cheering him on.
🫑🫑🫑 fade to black
Check TWs for both trauma and emotional factors
Mild language, mature content
Review of advance copy received from Author
I cannot get over how Ashley’s books literally destroy me and then put me back together by the end of the story. Her writing is so gritty and raw and it gives ALL the feels. Simply put, I adored this story. The characters, the fact we are back at Meadowbook Ranch, the messiness of hitting rock bottom and trying to find the strength and figuring out how to get back up. I loved every second of it. I also loved how Ashley used the point of view of a third character, and I cannot wait for that character to get their story. I need it! This book is a masterpiece.
I received a arc of this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my honest opinion.
I received a arc of this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my honest opinion.
October 26, 2026
This was going good, SO GOOD.
despite him " cheating" on her i was going to give this 4 stars because i decided not to think of this book as romance since they were apart for like 60% of the book with no interactions, but more like Peter's journey to self development which was great, and his blooming beautiful friendship with Cooper. Peter was so fucking annoying at first " woo is me, i'm a victime, i'm blind, i had cancer blah blah blah" like he was so whiny and passive. Cooper really helped him become a good man.
but the romance was the real BLAH, there was no angst, no chemistry. Peter did not give two flying fucks when Sarah left and only missed her when he got lonely. i felt absolutely no real emotions from him towards her even when he " broke down" over the divorce papers which took him a whole 2 hours to get over before he resumed his life 😐😐.
Sarah was a very bland character and idk why Cody liked her to the point of lying about Peter kissing someone.
BUT I even liked Sarah for a split second when she had a realization that she's very male centered and her life revolved around her husband like her mom. only to ruin it 2 chapters later
It all crashed and burned when her old hag neighbor told her she can only love husband and be a good wife if she puts his needs above her happiness and she should stay with him and get him help despite him mistreating her and cheating on her 😐😐
THEN little miss Sarah receives one letter and a few voice mails from him and decides to take her cheater husband back even before she knew he never kissed that woman 😐😐. so i called i called it in my notes lol She really was the one to reach out to him and go see him first despite him being the one who fucked up
Safety:
- cheating: there is perceived physical cheating where one of her husband's buddies lied and said he kissed a woman which he didn't BUT he did flirt with women and didn't shut down that woman who wanted to take him to the bar and let him touch her. cooper was the one who had to stop him before it escalated. so to me that IS cheating.
- both celibate during seperation.
- owd : the fmc Sarah found tons of womens phone numbers inside mmc Peter's jacket after a night out, he also flirted back with ow and didn't reject her offer to " have fun", i'll insert the scene from cooper's pov.
“Hey,” she said, her voice coy and her eyes trained on him.
He turned, a smile curling into his lips. “Hey.”
“I wanted to introduce myself. You’ve got a lot of numbers to sort through and I didn’t want mine to get lost in the mix.”
Peter blinked, momentarily stunned. “Oh. I’m—Peter.”
“Nice to meet you, Peter. I’m Georgia. Want a drink at the bar?”
“Yeah,” he said. Even his nod was sloppy and lazy. “That’d be great. You—might have’ta lead the—way.”
“I’m blind.”
She laughed as if that was crazy. “No, you’re not.”
“Really. I am.”
“So you can’t see me right now?”
“Nope.”
She pouted, her red bottom lip sticking out. “That’s sad because I look good tonight.”
“I bet so.” His throat bobbed on a thick swallow as if he was nauseous. “I—wish I could see you.”
She giggled behind her hands. “Do you look at things by touching them? I think I saw a movie one time where a blind person did that.”
Peter laughed. “I don’t really—but I can.”
She pressed closer as her voice fell. “You’re welcome to look your way.”
Peter laughed, the sound bubbly and interrupted by a hiccup. “My wife—might not like that.”
Her brows shot sky high with a disbelieving laugh. “Your wife? Are you married?”
Peter lifted his left hand and touched his wedding ring as if to confirm his relationship status. “Yeah—I think so.”
“She’s not here, is she?”
“Nope.”
“Well, good.” She smiled, undeterred. “We can still have some fun then.”
I grabbed the back of Peter’s collar and yanked him backward, stealing his chance to respond to her offer. “Oh, no you don’t. You’re going home.”
Reading this shit, Peter was going to cheat anyways, the only difference is that Cooper stopped him. and we never got Peter's pov of this to redeem him.
despite him " cheating" on her i was going to give this 4 stars because i decided not to think of this book as romance since they were apart for like 60% of the book with no interactions, but more like Peter's journey to self development which was great, and his blooming beautiful friendship with Cooper. Peter was so fucking annoying at first " woo is me, i'm a victime, i'm blind, i had cancer blah blah blah" like he was so whiny and passive. Cooper really helped him become a good man.
but the romance was the real BLAH, there was no angst, no chemistry. Peter did not give two flying fucks when Sarah left and only missed her when he got lonely. i felt absolutely no real emotions from him towards her even when he " broke down" over the divorce papers which took him a whole 2 hours to get over before he resumed his life 😐😐.
Sarah was a very bland character and idk why Cody liked her to the point of lying about Peter kissing someone.
BUT I even liked Sarah for a split second when she had a realization that she's very male centered and her life revolved around her husband like her mom. only to ruin it 2 chapters later
It all crashed and burned when her old hag neighbor told her she can only love husband and be a good wife if she puts his needs above her happiness and she should stay with him and get him help despite him mistreating her and cheating on her 😐😐
THEN little miss Sarah receives one letter and a few voice mails from him and decides to take her cheater husband back even before she knew he never kissed that woman 😐😐. so i called i called it in my notes lol She really was the one to reach out to him and go see him first despite him being the one who fucked up
Safety:
- cheating: there is perceived physical cheating where one of her husband's buddies lied and said he kissed a woman which he didn't BUT he did flirt with women and didn't shut down that woman who wanted to take him to the bar and let him touch her. cooper was the one who had to stop him before it escalated. so to me that IS cheating.
- both celibate during seperation.
- owd : the fmc Sarah found tons of womens phone numbers inside mmc Peter's jacket after a night out, he also flirted back with ow and didn't reject her offer to " have fun", i'll insert the scene from cooper's pov.
“Hey,” she said, her voice coy and her eyes trained on him.
He turned, a smile curling into his lips. “Hey.”
“I wanted to introduce myself. You’ve got a lot of numbers to sort through and I didn’t want mine to get lost in the mix.”
Peter blinked, momentarily stunned. “Oh. I’m—Peter.”
“Nice to meet you, Peter. I’m Georgia. Want a drink at the bar?”
“Yeah,” he said. Even his nod was sloppy and lazy. “That’d be great. You—might have’ta lead the—way.”
“I’m blind.”
She laughed as if that was crazy. “No, you’re not.”
“Really. I am.”
“So you can’t see me right now?”
“Nope.”
She pouted, her red bottom lip sticking out. “That’s sad because I look good tonight.”
“I bet so.” His throat bobbed on a thick swallow as if he was nauseous. “I—wish I could see you.”
She giggled behind her hands. “Do you look at things by touching them? I think I saw a movie one time where a blind person did that.”
Peter laughed. “I don’t really—but I can.”
She pressed closer as her voice fell. “You’re welcome to look your way.”
Peter laughed, the sound bubbly and interrupted by a hiccup. “My wife—might not like that.”
Her brows shot sky high with a disbelieving laugh. “Your wife? Are you married?”
Peter lifted his left hand and touched his wedding ring as if to confirm his relationship status. “Yeah—I think so.”
“She’s not here, is she?”
“Nope.”
“Well, good.” She smiled, undeterred. “We can still have some fun then.”
I grabbed the back of Peter’s collar and yanked him backward, stealing his chance to respond to her offer. “Oh, no you don’t. You’re going home.”
Reading this shit, Peter was going to cheat anyways, the only difference is that Cooper stopped him. and we never got Peter's pov of this to redeem him.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“While we breathe, we hope.”
As soon as I heard this was going to be a marriage-in-crisis story, I flipped! That is probably my most favorite trope, and it feels like a treat each and every time I get to read it because I RARELY do! Authors need to please step up their game and take advantage of this lonely trope, I’m telling you…
Peter and Sarah have so much history between them. And then life brings one more trial neither of them saw coming…
“Sarah deserves to have a companion in life she can count on. And I want that for her. I want it so bad. Enough to let her go.”
😮💨
Part of the reason I was so giddy when I saw this ARC sitting in my inbox was because I knew it meant returning to Meadowbrook Ranch. This is the place of healing, tears, laughter, and family both by blood and by choice. This is a coming home of sorts, a place where broken hearts are put back together, bonds are forged, and love is freely given.
As with a continuing series, previous characters are brought back and their stories continued. Ashley surprised readers with a THIRD POV from Tag’s brother, Cooper. I really enjoyed his portrayal in the last book (Danced), so I was giddy to see him share his thoughts again. I’m already looking forward to his full story, although I KNOW it’s probably going to be the toughest one yet.
With her words, Ashley sheds light into dark places. She slowly unravels the layers of emotion surrounding trauma and other difficult issues with so much loving care and compassion. She *always* paves a way to redemption and a rewarding ending, which I love and appreciate.
“Loving someone through every mountain and valley is the greatest adventure you will ever embark on.”
Thank you, @ashleydill_author for a gifted early copy in exchange for my honest review.
We Drank the Dawn releases September 22, 2026! ✨
Content: Medium to strong scattered language, including 3 F-words, fade-to-black intimacy, innuendo, cancer, addiction, car accident, blindness, traumatic childhood and abuse flashbacks, panic attacks.
As soon as I heard this was going to be a marriage-in-crisis story, I flipped! That is probably my most favorite trope, and it feels like a treat each and every time I get to read it because I RARELY do! Authors need to please step up their game and take advantage of this lonely trope, I’m telling you…
Peter and Sarah have so much history between them. And then life brings one more trial neither of them saw coming…
“Sarah deserves to have a companion in life she can count on. And I want that for her. I want it so bad. Enough to let her go.”
😮💨
Part of the reason I was so giddy when I saw this ARC sitting in my inbox was because I knew it meant returning to Meadowbrook Ranch. This is the place of healing, tears, laughter, and family both by blood and by choice. This is a coming home of sorts, a place where broken hearts are put back together, bonds are forged, and love is freely given.
As with a continuing series, previous characters are brought back and their stories continued. Ashley surprised readers with a THIRD POV from Tag’s brother, Cooper. I really enjoyed his portrayal in the last book (Danced), so I was giddy to see him share his thoughts again. I’m already looking forward to his full story, although I KNOW it’s probably going to be the toughest one yet.
With her words, Ashley sheds light into dark places. She slowly unravels the layers of emotion surrounding trauma and other difficult issues with so much loving care and compassion. She *always* paves a way to redemption and a rewarding ending, which I love and appreciate.
“Loving someone through every mountain and valley is the greatest adventure you will ever embark on.”
Thank you, @ashleydill_author for a gifted early copy in exchange for my honest review.
We Drank the Dawn releases September 22, 2026! ✨
Content: Medium to strong scattered language, including 3 F-words, fade-to-black intimacy, innuendo, cancer, addiction, car accident, blindness, traumatic childhood and abuse flashbacks, panic attacks.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Once again, Ashley Dill has left me completely at a loss for words to adequately describe how much I loved this book. Truly, she has such a gift for telling stories that will break your heart before putting it back together in a way that I cannot explain. Each book of hers I read becomes an instant favorite and this one was certainly no exception. From the very start, I was invested in Peter and Sarah's story as we're drawn in as everything is falling apart and left to wonder how they got there. Throughout the book, we go back to those moments where they first meet, we see them falling in love and ultimately come back to that point of crisis. It truly was done so beautifully... their history made me want to see them fight for their marriage that much more. Seriously, I just loved these two so much. But perhaps even more than that, I loved seeing the unexpected friendship that played such a big role and led to so many big emotions... I won't give anything away, but it made me love a certain side character (who was already a favorite anyway) even more. While I was admittedly slightly disappointed that this character's story wasn't going to be the focus of the third book, I have absolutely no doubts that it is going to be so worth the wait when we get it! If you love emotional romance, marriage in crisis/second chance and stories that truly make you work for that hard fought happily ever after, this is an absolute must read.
We Drank the Dawn is a fade to black romance with some steamier moments between a married couple that some closed-door readers may not be comfortable with... clothes start to come off and we know what is happening, but we are not given any explicit details. (While I personally still considered this to be fade to black, there is at least one scene that some may also consider very vague open door, as we technically don't leave the room, but again aren't given any details at all.) There is also moderate to strong language throughout to include three uses of the f-word. It is the third book in the Meadowbrook Ranch series, and while you may be able to enjoy it as a standalone, I do think it's much better when read in order.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
We Drank the Dawn is a fade to black romance with some steamier moments between a married couple that some closed-door readers may not be comfortable with... clothes start to come off and we know what is happening, but we are not given any explicit details. (While I personally still considered this to be fade to black, there is at least one scene that some may also consider very vague open door, as we technically don't leave the room, but again aren't given any details at all.) There is also moderate to strong language throughout to include three uses of the f-word. It is the third book in the Meadowbrook Ranch series, and while you may be able to enjoy it as a standalone, I do think it's much better when read in order.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰•
{𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡: Book 3}
“𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚞𝚖 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚜. 𝙽𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚒𝚝 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎’𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚊 𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚍𝚊𝚢. 𝙰𝚜 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚞𝚗𝚐𝚜, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎. 𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎 𝚒𝚝.”
🌅 Release Date: September 22, 2026 🌅
.
.
.
That was one wild rollercoaster ride if I’ve ever been on one! The way this book wreaked havoc with my emotions was truly something else—but in a good way, mind you. I want my emotions played with because that exemplifies a very well-written story. Ashley Dill did not take it easy with this book, and it shows in every single word she wrote. It’s stories like this that keep bringing me back for MORE!
The tears this book had me in were no joke! I could barely keep reading because they kept obscuring my vision 🙈 Everything about the way Ashley pulled this story together was so intrinsically beautiful! The beginning had me questioning whether or not I was gonna end up liking this story, but, oh my goodness, the Dawn was well worth the Dusk and Midnight!
I thought I needed Cooper’s story after Book 2, but it’s official—I DESPERATELY need the man’s story ASAP! Every little snippet we’re given into Cooper’s life just makes me ache all the more for him. I am dying for him to finally get his own beautiful HEA!
Meadowbrook Ranch and its people have my heart 🫶🏻 Ashley is very talented at writing incredibly realistic characters with real life struggles. Her stories aren’t just a sweet treat—they’re a full five-course meal. They’re the type of deep stories that show what reading is truly all about.
Y’all, I highlighted SO MANY beautiful quotes in this phenomenal story 🤭 I can’t share them all but here are a few of my favorites:
“𝙱𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚙𝚞𝚜𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚋𝚎𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚖𝚒𝚝𝚜, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚐𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚋𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢.”
“𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚖𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚍𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚘𝚗.”
“𝙸𝚝’𝚜 𝚊 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎—𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚠𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚎 𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝.”
Content Notes:
• Moderate Language
• Passionate Scenes
.
.
.
Thank you, Ashley, for allowing me to read an ARC of your beautiful story 🤎
{𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡: Book 3}
“𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚞𝚖 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚜. 𝙽𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚒𝚝 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎’𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚊 𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚍𝚊𝚢. 𝙰𝚜 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚞𝚗𝚐𝚜, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎. 𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎 𝚒𝚝.”
🌅 Release Date: September 22, 2026 🌅
.
.
.
That was one wild rollercoaster ride if I’ve ever been on one! The way this book wreaked havoc with my emotions was truly something else—but in a good way, mind you. I want my emotions played with because that exemplifies a very well-written story. Ashley Dill did not take it easy with this book, and it shows in every single word she wrote. It’s stories like this that keep bringing me back for MORE!
The tears this book had me in were no joke! I could barely keep reading because they kept obscuring my vision 🙈 Everything about the way Ashley pulled this story together was so intrinsically beautiful! The beginning had me questioning whether or not I was gonna end up liking this story, but, oh my goodness, the Dawn was well worth the Dusk and Midnight!
I thought I needed Cooper’s story after Book 2, but it’s official—I DESPERATELY need the man’s story ASAP! Every little snippet we’re given into Cooper’s life just makes me ache all the more for him. I am dying for him to finally get his own beautiful HEA!
Meadowbrook Ranch and its people have my heart 🫶🏻 Ashley is very talented at writing incredibly realistic characters with real life struggles. Her stories aren’t just a sweet treat—they’re a full five-course meal. They’re the type of deep stories that show what reading is truly all about.
Y’all, I highlighted SO MANY beautiful quotes in this phenomenal story 🤭 I can’t share them all but here are a few of my favorites:
“𝙱𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚙𝚞𝚜𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚋𝚎𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚖𝚒𝚝𝚜, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚐𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚋𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢.”
“𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚖𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚍𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚘𝚗.”
“𝙸𝚝’𝚜 𝚊 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎—𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚠𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚎 𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝.”
Content Notes:
• Moderate Language
• Passionate Scenes
.
.
.
Thank you, Ashley, for allowing me to read an ARC of your beautiful story 🤎
Review of advance copy received from Author
The word I would use to describe Ashley’s stories is PROFOUND. Completely and irrevocably profound. She writes of the human experience in the most raw, honest, and beautiful of ways. She does not shy away from the hard parts of life, and I love her for it. Her stories are stunningly poignant works of ART. You will not leave an Ashley Dill story unchanged. They will pierce your heart in the best way. Truly soul-searing stories that are unforgettable and remarkable.
Her stories are emotionally complex and heartrending—often dealing with themes of forgiveness, healing, and redemption. They are as close to perfect as it can get, in my mind—and We Drank the Dawn is no exception! But be fair warned, this story will put your heart through the wringer. This is a marriage in crisis story, after all—with a heavy dose of pain and heartache.
This may be Ashley’s most challenging book yet—I mean, Peter and Sarah truly walk through the FIRE in this one. As the story begins, you watch them slowly falling apart after a tragic accident, but then you suddenly flash back to watch these best friends falling in love as young teens. Ugh, the emotional wreckage. I LOVE IT.
Sarah and Peter are everythingggg. The moment he calls her “sunshine girl” I was a goner. An absolute GONER. The puddle of Laura needed to be mopped up off the floor. I felt the pitter patter in my chest as they fell hopelessly in love in the past timeline, while I simultaneously felt my heart fissuring knowing the battle they were facing in the present.
But the biggest—and best—surprise of the story was Cooper. Dear Cooper. Though he is rather rough around the edges, he is an utterly endearing character with the most tender soul. He—along with Tag and Jesse—played a vital role in Peter finally crawling out of the pit. Cooper’s TOUGH love and brutal honesty were exactly the kick in the rear Peter needed to work towards healing. Cooper becoming Peter’s advocate and “one of the greatest friends he’d ever had” warmed my heart to its core!
This is an AMAZING story of overcoming, healing, and growth. While things between Sarah and Peter get rocky—like reeeeally rocky—before they get better, that beautiful ending makes the hard fought battles SO WORTH IT. I know I’ve given you very little as to the plot of We Drank the Dawn, but trust me, you need to read this story!
Her stories are emotionally complex and heartrending—often dealing with themes of forgiveness, healing, and redemption. They are as close to perfect as it can get, in my mind—and We Drank the Dawn is no exception! But be fair warned, this story will put your heart through the wringer. This is a marriage in crisis story, after all—with a heavy dose of pain and heartache.
This may be Ashley’s most challenging book yet—I mean, Peter and Sarah truly walk through the FIRE in this one. As the story begins, you watch them slowly falling apart after a tragic accident, but then you suddenly flash back to watch these best friends falling in love as young teens. Ugh, the emotional wreckage. I LOVE IT.
Sarah and Peter are everythingggg. The moment he calls her “sunshine girl” I was a goner. An absolute GONER. The puddle of Laura needed to be mopped up off the floor. I felt the pitter patter in my chest as they fell hopelessly in love in the past timeline, while I simultaneously felt my heart fissuring knowing the battle they were facing in the present.
But the biggest—and best—surprise of the story was Cooper. Dear Cooper. Though he is rather rough around the edges, he is an utterly endearing character with the most tender soul. He—along with Tag and Jesse—played a vital role in Peter finally crawling out of the pit. Cooper’s TOUGH love and brutal honesty were exactly the kick in the rear Peter needed to work towards healing. Cooper becoming Peter’s advocate and “one of the greatest friends he’d ever had” warmed my heart to its core!
This is an AMAZING story of overcoming, healing, and growth. While things between Sarah and Peter get rocky—like reeeeally rocky—before they get better, that beautiful ending makes the hard fought battles SO WORTH IT. I know I’ve given you very little as to the plot of We Drank the Dawn, but trust me, you need to read this story!
September 4, 2026
I genuinely struggle to find the words to write this review. How do you do a book like this justice? How do I adequately put into words how Ashley’s books make me feel? It’s like going home after years away and suddenly the world makes sense again, life gentles out, the mellow sunshine warms your soul. It’s beauty that wraps around you like a tender hug or a gentle smile.
You know that feeling you used to get when you mom threw a pile of freshly dried laundry on the couch, warm and crisp, fresh and clean— and you would fall into the pile and it felt like all was right for a few minutes??
That’s Ashley’s books. But be warned—they will take you through the wringer on the way to that HEA.
I genuinely think this is her best yet. A heartbreaking but beautiful marriage in crisis story with disability rep.
Peter and Sarah have been THROUGH it during their years together. Just when it seemed like things were leveling out, suddenly they are hit with another tragedy. Over the next two years of simply surviving, their marriage is dissolving. Peter is broken. Sarah is weary. Will a trip to Meadowbrook ranch save their marriage?
What I loved:
☀️Cooper and Peter’s friendship—absolutely beautiful.
☀️That third POV 🔥
☀️Mature characters
☀️Peter and Sarah’s romance
☀️Meadowbrook Ranch (of course)
☀️Cooper. Cooper. Cooper.
☀️The emotional depth
☀️The conversation between Peter and his Dad
Ashley hit so many elements with this. The characters work through HARD things. We see their innermost fears. We see them face dark days together—come out, only to spiral again. They pull apart. They come together. They learn to process their trauma, mature emotionally, unlearn selfish behaviors, start to put each other first—it’s a whole messy but beautiful process. I loved getting to see every single second of it.
The mental health rep is so good.
All the side characters giving Peter the kick in the pants he needs. The friendship that develops between Peter and Cooper is a HIGHLIGHT of the book. It’s probably my favorite fictional friendship ever. So precious. So beautiful. So healing.
Meadowbrook Ranch is absolutely my favorite fictional place. It’s like a little Eden on earth. A place to go heal, find yourself, and experience the love of Jesus.
This is a 6 star read. I think it’s currently my all-time favorite book. I HIGHLY recommend this whole series—read them in order though.
CW: fade to black, blindness, alcohol abuse, difficult parent/child relationships, cancer, car accident, drinking, moderate language throughout, not gratuitous. 3-4 uses of F word— by a very broken character and his abuser ( it makes sense), mentions of childhood abuse, including sexual, panic attacks, ptsd, nightmares, mental health struggles.
I received an ARC to read and give my honest review. All thoughts are my own.
6 massive stars. I have to gather my words. I have a new all time favorite book. Ashley writes like no one else .
September 30, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
Ashley really said, “Hold on to your cowboy hat.” 🤠
*Check your triggers*
This book is raw and real. The hardest parts of life and the ugliest sides of ourselves are on full display in this marriage in crisis. The pain, heartache, forgiveness, and growth woven throughout this story are truly beautiful.
Ashley’s writing always captivates me. Even when I’m angry with a character, I’m still all in! This book had me in tears by the end, and I’m genuinely so impressed with how she pulled everything together.
Not only did this book give me Peter and Sarah’s story, but we also get a more in-depth look into Cooper’s mind. On top of that, the whole gang is navigating this healing journey together, and it honestly made me want to do a complete reread of the series.
Dual POV/Dual Timeline
💋 Fade to Black- minor descript.
🤬minor infrequent
Read if you like:
* High school Sweethearts
* Marriage in Crisis
* Second chance
* Dual timeline
* Life after tragic accident
Favorites:
* Janitor closet.
* Coopers chapters
* Sunshine Girl
* The voicemails
* The boys roping each other 😂
* Wren
* The healing
* The ending
Ashley really said, “Hold on to your cowboy hat.” 🤠
*Check your triggers*
This book is raw and real. The hardest parts of life and the ugliest sides of ourselves are on full display in this marriage in crisis. The pain, heartache, forgiveness, and growth woven throughout this story are truly beautiful.
Ashley’s writing always captivates me. Even when I’m angry with a character, I’m still all in! This book had me in tears by the end, and I’m genuinely so impressed with how she pulled everything together.
Not only did this book give me Peter and Sarah’s story, but we also get a more in-depth look into Cooper’s mind. On top of that, the whole gang is navigating this healing journey together, and it honestly made me want to do a complete reread of the series.
Dual POV/Dual Timeline
💋 Fade to Black- minor descript.
🤬minor infrequent
Read if you like:
* High school Sweethearts
* Marriage in Crisis
* Second chance
* Dual timeline
* Life after tragic accident
Favorites:
* Janitor closet.
* Coopers chapters
* Sunshine Girl
* The voicemails
* The boys roping each other 😂
* Wren
* The healing
* The ending
September 27, 2026
I just finished the third book in the Meadowbrook Ranch series. This series is heavy but so full of growth, healing, and wisdom. This book specifically had me highlighting like crazy all the good quotes. I think I need to sit on this even more to really soak everything in that I got out of this book but watching (that's what it felt like) this couple break, be broken, then reconcile was beautiful. Normal people making normal mistakes but seeking counsel and not giving up. It's not every day you see a couple fight like Sarah and Peter. I think this one is my fave so far. And getting to know Cooper even more?? I'm obsessed. Can I preorder book 4 now or nah?
October 1, 2026
Wow. Probably the best book I’ve read all year. While it was super heavy it was beautiful and redemptive. I cannot wait to read the rest of Cooper’s story!
September 25, 2026
Note: I do not rate books based on how good the writing is. Ashley is a master at her craft. Her characters are always complex and her stories compelling and heart wrenching. I was not bored in the least. I read this book in a day. The first book in this series is one of my favorite books of all time. I will read everything she writes, enthusiastically. I’m only rating the books in this series against the others in this series because her books would be a million stars if I rated them against many other books I’ve read.
I did not like Peter in this book, which makes me sad because I liked him in the previous books in the series. Sarah is the epitome of selfless and devoted, even to her own detriment. I think Peter was immature and selfish. After years and years of Sarah supporting him through health issue after health issue, his response to another setback is what? Hurt her as much as possible and push her away? I would get it if they were young and had just met, but after everything they had been through… everything SHE had been through with him? He does apologize, but she apologized even more and his apology seemed kind of flippant… he was sorry but only now that he decided to accept his struggles and move on with his life, even though she encouraged him and tried and tried to help him get there and stood by him through it all. His big self discovery moments still felt selfishly motivated. He wasn’t pushing through because he wanted to be someone she could count on. It just felt like she gave and gave and gave and he was just happy to have someone giving themselves to him. He loved the way she loved him more than he loved her. The only times that he “gave in” and decided to move forward with something she really wanted, was after he also decided he wanted it. He wasn’t moving forward, unsure and scared, because he loved her and put her happiness before his own. He was doing it because he decided he wanted it too so ultimately, it was still about him.
Tag and Bea though 🥰 and I can’t wait for Cooper’s story! Please do him justice!
I did not like Peter in this book, which makes me sad because I liked him in the previous books in the series. Sarah is the epitome of selfless and devoted, even to her own detriment. I think Peter was immature and selfish. After years and years of Sarah supporting him through health issue after health issue, his response to another setback is what? Hurt her as much as possible and push her away? I would get it if they were young and had just met, but after everything they had been through… everything SHE had been through with him? He does apologize, but she apologized even more and his apology seemed kind of flippant… he was sorry but only now that he decided to accept his struggles and move on with his life, even though she encouraged him and tried and tried to help him get there and stood by him through it all. His big self discovery moments still felt selfishly motivated. He wasn’t pushing through because he wanted to be someone she could count on. It just felt like she gave and gave and gave and he was just happy to have someone giving themselves to him. He loved the way she loved him more than he loved her. The only times that he “gave in” and decided to move forward with something she really wanted, was after he also decided he wanted it. He wasn’t moving forward, unsure and scared, because he loved her and put her happiness before his own. He was doing it because he decided he wanted it too so ultimately, it was still about him.
Tag and Bea though 🥰 and I can’t wait for Cooper’s story! Please do him justice!
August 28, 2026
This has got to be one of the best romance series I’ve ever read. Each book has touched my heart in a different way. Ashley’s writing has a way of making things feel so real. I felt real anger, sadness, happiness, and love.
I loved that this book was about a married couple; we need more of those! The two main characters had such an intricate backstory, full of everything that comes with finding your person and being in love. And then things got hard, and they had to dig deep within themselves and decide if it was worth it.
I was so happy to be back in Meadowbrook! I was excited to see all the characters I love, and I loved what Ashley did with the POVs (that’s all I can say, sorry 😂).
If you are looking for real, raw, and achingly beautiful love stories, you need to read this series (and all of her books).
“That might be true, but if we went around giving people what they deserve all the time, the world would be a lot uglier than it already is. Mercy goes a long way.”
“If we don’t sit with each other until morning, who will? It’s our job to hold each other through the hard seasons of life.”
☀️Contemporary Romance
☀️Book 3 In Series
☀️Fade to Black
☀️Moderate Swearing (3ish F Words)
☀️CW: Marriage in Crisis, Addiction, Mental Health, Talk of Suicide.
I loved that this book was about a married couple; we need more of those! The two main characters had such an intricate backstory, full of everything that comes with finding your person and being in love. And then things got hard, and they had to dig deep within themselves and decide if it was worth it.
I was so happy to be back in Meadowbrook! I was excited to see all the characters I love, and I loved what Ashley did with the POVs (that’s all I can say, sorry 😂).
If you are looking for real, raw, and achingly beautiful love stories, you need to read this series (and all of her books).
“That might be true, but if we went around giving people what they deserve all the time, the world would be a lot uglier than it already is. Mercy goes a long way.”
“If we don’t sit with each other until morning, who will? It’s our job to hold each other through the hard seasons of life.”
☀️Contemporary Romance
☀️Book 3 In Series
☀️Fade to Black
☀️Moderate Swearing (3ish F Words)
☀️CW: Marriage in Crisis, Addiction, Mental Health, Talk of Suicide.
August 29, 2026
I’ve loved every single story that Ashley has so graciously and lovingly shared with us. This one hits a bit different since we’re not just experiencing the emergence of new love, but the absolutely heart wrenching, shattering story of its decline. I know we’re supposed to kind of hate Peter, but it’s just as hard to be “team Sarah” at times. We see their pain and loss equally and the way they hurt one another trying to navigate the tragedies. It’s so raw and real, I found myself sobbing several times throughout this book. Thank you, Ashley, for yet again giving us such a beautiful love story, with the reality that sometimes we have to hit rock bottom to get there.
**and that third POV?? The STAR of the show 🤩😭
I received this book as an ARC from the author, all opinions expressed are my own.
**and that third POV?? The STAR of the show 🤩😭
I received this book as an ARC from the author, all opinions expressed are my own.
October 6, 2026
even if the mmc didnt kiss ow, he still flirted with ten women (he got their numbers) and i consider that cheating, especially after all the support he had from the fmc who was always there caring for him.
September 28, 2026
I read this a couple of days ago and already feel like I’ve forgotten half the little details 😂, but I do remember how emotional it was.
This is Sarah and Peter’s story, and it’s a marriage-in-crisis romance, which is normally completely my thing. They’ve been together since they were teenagers, have only ever been with each other, and Peter has spent a huge part of his life dealing with serious health problems. He had cancer when he was younger, later developed epilepsy, and by the beginning of this book, he has lost his sight.
And their marriage is struggling.
Sarah is desperately trying to hold everything together. She’s working, worrying about money, caring for Peter and trying to keep some version of their old relationship alive. They used to have this bucket list of adventures they wanted to experience together, but Peter has become withdrawn, depressed and increasingly determined to push her away.
And he succeeds.
They spend some time at the ranch, where everything finally blows up. Peter tells Sarah he needs space and questions whether he even wants to be married anymore. She leaves him at the bar, he gets drunk, and the next morning she finds a load of napkins with women’s phone numbers in his pockets.
Then she’s told he kissed another woman.
That was basically Sarah’s breaking point.
What I really liked is that we also get Cooper’s POV, because he was actually there that night. So although Sarah believes Peter cheated, as the reader we can see that there is more going on. Peter was drunk and flirting, which was absolutely wrong, but he also seemed uncomfortable and almost like he was deliberately forcing himself to behave in a way that would finally make Sarah give up on him.
And eventually she does.
She leaves, blocks him and starts moving towards divorce.
Honestly? I was on Sarah’s side. 😂
I understood that Peter was struggling enormously with everything he’d lost, but Sarah had been carrying this man and their marriage for so long. She loved him, supported him and was basically running herself into the ground trying to keep their life together, while he continually pushed her away.
The separation was actually really important because Peter needed to learn how to live again without Sarah doing everything for him.
His friendship with Cooper was probably one of my favourite parts. Cooper doesn’t baby him, and during his time at the ranch Peter starts becoming more independent and slowly finds pieces of himself again.
Eventually Sarah serves him divorce papers, and that’s when it really hits him that he has actually achieved exactly what he’d been trying to do: he pushed his wife away.
We later find out that Peter never kissed another woman. The ranch hand who claimed he had was lying because he was interested in Sarah. So there is no cheating, although Peter does take responsibility for getting drunk, flirting and putting himself in that position in the first place.
And I appreciated that. The reveal doesn’t completely excuse his behaviour.
Peter has to grovel. He has to apologise. More importantly, he has to actually change.
They eventually find their way back to each other, and the epilogue gives us them about a year later, back home and rebuilding their life together. Peter is working again, he’s much more independent, and Cooper has become a really important friend to both of them.
I think my complicated feelings about this book are actually about Ashley Dill’s books in general.
They are beautifully written, but they are HEAVY. There is so much trauma packed into these characters’ lives that I have to be in the right mood to read them. I couldn’t binge this author’s books back-to-back because emotionally I’d need a holiday afterwards. 😂
And weirdly, despite how emotional they are while I’m reading them, the stories don’t necessarily stay with me afterwards. I enjoy them, appreciate the writing, cry with the characters… and then a few days later I’m sitting here going, wait, what happened again? 😂
So I struggled with whether this was a 3 or 4 star read.
I’m going with 4 stars, because I don’t think the problem is the book. I’m just not quite the right audience for this type of romance. I personally want a little more angst, mess and drama, whereas these books feel much more like emotional stories about trauma, healing and personal growth that happen to have romance running through them.
Of the books I’ve read in this series, this was probably my least favourite, but somehow it also made me want to go back and reread the others.
And obviously I’m still reading Cooper’s book. 😂
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2026
Another heartrending story of love, loss, healing, and hope. We know through Bea and Hollie’s stories that Peter and Sarah have gone through a lot. In we Drank the Dawn we get THEIR story. I’d consider this somewhat dual timeline vs flashbacks/memories because we follow the building of their relationship as well as the imploding of it. Peter and Sarah have endured so much, but when is enough enough? Will this be the final straw? Absolutely loved this marriage in crisis, second chance romance. Definitely felt some STRONG feels. I love how Ashley’s redemptions include things like rehab, addiction recovery, and therapy. Such important representation and authentic to so many situations. I also really love seeing Cooper’s ongoing arc and look forward to his book next. It’s going to be wild!
I have to admit I was sooo frustrated with Peter. One of my friends in HS was blind and honestly we often forgot because he was so capable of doing anything he set his mind to. Obviously there are necessary accommodations, and I’m sure it wasn’t always easy-but life isn’t easy. So while Peter was having his pity party I kept comparing him to my friend. And let me tell you, Peter was lacking.
That said. Sarah and Peter have been THROUGH IT. They have been pushed to the edge several times over and I could see their story ending in different ways and neither of them “wrong” per se.
I loved how the cowboys gave some tough love. Forcing Peter to man up and remember who he is.
I love that we get more Cooper and how sometimes it takes darkness to recognize darkness and pull each other to the light.
The power of friendship and family are strong themes throughout the series and it is amplified in this marriage in crisis story.
If you want a story full of struggle, pain, sorrow, and hope this is it. For sure check the content warnings because it IS heavy.
Thanks for the gifted ebook, Ashley!
I have to admit I was sooo frustrated with Peter. One of my friends in HS was blind and honestly we often forgot because he was so capable of doing anything he set his mind to. Obviously there are necessary accommodations, and I’m sure it wasn’t always easy-but life isn’t easy. So while Peter was having his pity party I kept comparing him to my friend. And let me tell you, Peter was lacking.
That said. Sarah and Peter have been THROUGH IT. They have been pushed to the edge several times over and I could see their story ending in different ways and neither of them “wrong” per se.
I loved how the cowboys gave some tough love. Forcing Peter to man up and remember who he is.
I love that we get more Cooper and how sometimes it takes darkness to recognize darkness and pull each other to the light.
The power of friendship and family are strong themes throughout the series and it is amplified in this marriage in crisis story.
If you want a story full of struggle, pain, sorrow, and hope this is it. For sure check the content warnings because it IS heavy.
Thanks for the gifted ebook, Ashley!
October 9, 2026
This was a 6⭐️ read for me and I don't think I'll be able to adequately review it.This book was just as moving as We Redeemed the Rain (the first book in this series) and I couldn't have imagined reading a book that beautiful again.
Peter is the mmc and meets his wife, Sarah, in childhood. You will read about their sweet relationship and the trials Peter walks through with Sarah by his side. Those trials don't leave him unscathed, but mark him with a fear for the future. After his worse fear comes true, he gives up on living and believes he has nothing to offer his wife anymore.
But his healing will come in the most unlikely place, by the most unlikely people.
It's the beautiful healing journey for me. It's the tough love and wise advice from people that reminded Peter what living and marriage is REALLY about.
Watching Peter come to life again was the most rewarding part about reading this book, and THE ENDING was so incredibly anticipated-so, so, beautiful!
Peter isn't the only character you love in this book. Cooper plays a big role in his healing, and you are going to fall even more in love with this broken man than you already are!
*moderate language
*fade-to-black romance
*content warnings
Peter is the mmc and meets his wife, Sarah, in childhood. You will read about their sweet relationship and the trials Peter walks through with Sarah by his side. Those trials don't leave him unscathed, but mark him with a fear for the future. After his worse fear comes true, he gives up on living and believes he has nothing to offer his wife anymore.
But his healing will come in the most unlikely place, by the most unlikely people.
It's the beautiful healing journey for me. It's the tough love and wise advice from people that reminded Peter what living and marriage is REALLY about.
Watching Peter come to life again was the most rewarding part about reading this book, and THE ENDING was so incredibly anticipated-so, so, beautiful!
Peter isn't the only character you love in this book. Cooper plays a big role in his healing, and you are going to fall even more in love with this broken man than you already are!
*moderate language
*fade-to-black romance
*content warnings
September 29, 2026
This will be a vague review because I don’t want to give spoilers but I loved it so much!
I was actually going to wait till after my vacation to read this (I don’t read as much when not at home) but I kept seeing reviews pop up and I wanted to go in as blind as possible so I picked it up and then stayed up way too late too many nights in a row to get reading time in!
There’s so much I loved about this book:
- young Peter and Sarah
- the whole dynamic at Meadowbrook - the friendships, the family, the found family. They just have each other’s backs and I love it so much
- it felt so realistic. Maybe because I’ve had a couple of close friends live through situations recently that seem very relatable to this
- love the tough love Peter got from his brother in laws
- love how the book starts with the present and then the way it wove the past and present throughout
- dear sweet Cooper
And so much more. This book will stay in my head for a long time. I think it may be my new favourite of the series. Which, is recommended to read the two previous books prior to this one.
Content: fade to black, moderate language throughout
I was actually going to wait till after my vacation to read this (I don’t read as much when not at home) but I kept seeing reviews pop up and I wanted to go in as blind as possible so I picked it up and then stayed up way too late too many nights in a row to get reading time in!
There’s so much I loved about this book:
- young Peter and Sarah
- the whole dynamic at Meadowbrook - the friendships, the family, the found family. They just have each other’s backs and I love it so much
- it felt so realistic. Maybe because I’ve had a couple of close friends live through situations recently that seem very relatable to this
- love the tough love Peter got from his brother in laws
- love how the book starts with the present and then the way it wove the past and present throughout
- dear sweet Cooper
And so much more. This book will stay in my head for a long time. I think it may be my new favourite of the series. Which, is recommended to read the two previous books prior to this one.
Content: fade to black, moderate language throughout
Did Not Finish
October 21, 2026This is a angsty , gut punch to the stomach marriage in trouble book. I got about a quarter of the way through and although its well written I dint think the book is for me. I like marriage in trouble books that are angsty and thos is thst. However. I also want to root for the main character to redeem themselves enough to earn back the trust and love of the other character. Peter feels too broken to me to earn my respect to root for him. He doesnt seem to appreciate her for caring for him through chemo and the car accident that left him blind nor does he seem to want to start a family with her. I didnt feel that tension or spark between them. I also didnt like Coopers pov being randomly thrown in..there may be a good reason for it but I was having a hard time keeping track of the characters on the ranch as it was and his chapters added to that confusion.
September 20, 2026
🌶️: steamy FTB (some innuendo and steamier moments between a husband and wife before the door closes)
🤬: mild
I had to sit in my feelings for awhile after I read this book in order to digest things a bit. I couldn’t put it down the entire time I read the book, I knew I absolutely loved it as soon as I finished, but I still just needed to sit in the experience that is reading an Ashley Dill book. If you haven’t read her books before, this usually includes A LOT of emotional turmoil at the end (but in the best way).
I know a lot of people were really annoyed with Peter while reading this book (and I was at times too) but I also really sympathized for Peter. It’s like his life has been one close call after another and this is finally the straw that breaks the camels back. I know if I had been through cancer not once but TWICE only to end up blind from a car wreck, I would be devastated and feel so hopeless. However, I also can see Sarah’s side too. If I were in her shoes and it was my husband who seemed to be giving up on life, I would be So frustrated trying to get him to see that there is still life to live!
So I think that is one aspect I really liked about this book, it’s real life. Couples don’t always communicate well. They hurt each others, push each other away, self-sabotage at times. All the things. Being married is HARD! No matter how much you love your spouse. BUT Peter and Sarah learn to communicate better. They finally are able to see past their own hurts to those that they’ve caused each other, and they’re able to move on and forgive. That is a beautiful thing.
NOW… ONTO MY FAVORITE PART OF THIS BOOK.
Precious sweet angel baby Cooper. Oh man, this book broke my heart for Cooper and seeing some of his inner turmoil and self-loathing. It also made me love him so so much. He had A LOT of personal growth in this book. And the friendship that he and Peter develop in this book is absolutely amazing. Gosh, I could read this book just for their friendship and never need any other plots points. lol These two really needed each other, and you can see how much they start to heal after getting close throughout the book.
All in all, this book was another 5⭐️ read from Ashley (as usual) and I am thrilled that we are getting Cooper’s book next!
🤬: mild
I had to sit in my feelings for awhile after I read this book in order to digest things a bit. I couldn’t put it down the entire time I read the book, I knew I absolutely loved it as soon as I finished, but I still just needed to sit in the experience that is reading an Ashley Dill book. If you haven’t read her books before, this usually includes A LOT of emotional turmoil at the end (but in the best way).
I know a lot of people were really annoyed with Peter while reading this book (and I was at times too) but I also really sympathized for Peter. It’s like his life has been one close call after another and this is finally the straw that breaks the camels back. I know if I had been through cancer not once but TWICE only to end up blind from a car wreck, I would be devastated and feel so hopeless. However, I also can see Sarah’s side too. If I were in her shoes and it was my husband who seemed to be giving up on life, I would be So frustrated trying to get him to see that there is still life to live!
So I think that is one aspect I really liked about this book, it’s real life. Couples don’t always communicate well. They hurt each others, push each other away, self-sabotage at times. All the things. Being married is HARD! No matter how much you love your spouse. BUT Peter and Sarah learn to communicate better. They finally are able to see past their own hurts to those that they’ve caused each other, and they’re able to move on and forgive. That is a beautiful thing.
NOW… ONTO MY FAVORITE PART OF THIS BOOK.
Precious sweet angel baby Cooper. Oh man, this book broke my heart for Cooper and seeing some of his inner turmoil and self-loathing. It also made me love him so so much. He had A LOT of personal growth in this book. And the friendship that he and Peter develop in this book is absolutely amazing. Gosh, I could read this book just for their friendship and never need any other plots points. lol These two really needed each other, and you can see how much they start to heal after getting close throughout the book.
All in all, this book was another 5⭐️ read from Ashley (as usual) and I am thrilled that we are getting Cooper’s book next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
We Drank the Dawn is the 3rd book in Ashley Dill's Meadowbrook Ranch series, and another gem I adored. This hard fought marriage-in-crisis book reminded me of What Happened to the McCrays by Tracey Lange, books by Sarah Damoff, and if you like character-driven love stories with heavy themes, this series is worth reading.
I definitely recommend reading the books in order, as all the characters' relationships begin in book 1 and you will miss the richness of the story if you don't read the first two books before this one.
Quick Plot Summary: Peter and Sarah have best friends since childhood, and fell in love as teenagers. Their relationship has weathered many storms: two rounds of leukemia, epilepsy, and now a traumatic brain injury that left Peter permanently blind. Grappling with the new-normal has left both Peter and Sarah in a state of depression and desperation for hope. Can their relationship withstand the pressure of this change, or will it crumble under the weight of their trials?
My Impressions: It's rare I like an entire series or rate all the books in a series as 5 stars. I don't toss 5 stars at many books I review. This book, any each book individually in the series, earned every one of the stars I assigned it. I don't like cheesy romance books, and I flee from books that are lust-driven. I appreciate that this series is neither, but truly allows the characters to develop and grow in deep ways.
From the way Ashley wrote Peter's experience with blindness, I really developed empathy for his struggle. Instead of feeling heavy from all the tough topics in this series, I find myself rooting for the characters and feeling satisfied at the end with their progress.
I loved how Ashley incorporated a third POV (Cooper) into the story to give a perspective that wasn't Peter and Sarah. Cooper was a such a helpful friend, I found myself rooting for him in addition to Peter and Sarah's marriage. I look forward to his book next (hint hint, Ashley!)
The pacing was great, and I was flying though pages quicker that I anticipated because the plot sucked me in. I could go on, but I don't want to spoil the book.
Bottom Line: Highly recommend, no notes.
Content Considerations: Infrequency use of profanity (some strong), fade to black intimacy between married couple with vague foreplay, epilepsy, heavy issues related to cancer (past), blindness, dysfunctional extended family relationships, side characters who are abuse survivors, and marriage in crisis.
Thank you to the author for the complementary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My review is my honest opinion and is in not way influenced by the author or publisher.
I definitely recommend reading the books in order, as all the characters' relationships begin in book 1 and you will miss the richness of the story if you don't read the first two books before this one.
Quick Plot Summary: Peter and Sarah have best friends since childhood, and fell in love as teenagers. Their relationship has weathered many storms: two rounds of leukemia, epilepsy, and now a traumatic brain injury that left Peter permanently blind. Grappling with the new-normal has left both Peter and Sarah in a state of depression and desperation for hope. Can their relationship withstand the pressure of this change, or will it crumble under the weight of their trials?
My Impressions: It's rare I like an entire series or rate all the books in a series as 5 stars. I don't toss 5 stars at many books I review. This book, any each book individually in the series, earned every one of the stars I assigned it. I don't like cheesy romance books, and I flee from books that are lust-driven. I appreciate that this series is neither, but truly allows the characters to develop and grow in deep ways.
From the way Ashley wrote Peter's experience with blindness, I really developed empathy for his struggle. Instead of feeling heavy from all the tough topics in this series, I find myself rooting for the characters and feeling satisfied at the end with their progress.
I loved how Ashley incorporated a third POV (Cooper) into the story to give a perspective that wasn't Peter and Sarah. Cooper was a such a helpful friend, I found myself rooting for him in addition to Peter and Sarah's marriage. I look forward to his book next (hint hint, Ashley!)
The pacing was great, and I was flying though pages quicker that I anticipated because the plot sucked me in. I could go on, but I don't want to spoil the book.
Bottom Line: Highly recommend, no notes.
Content Considerations: Infrequency use of profanity (some strong), fade to black intimacy between married couple with vague foreplay, epilepsy, heavy issues related to cancer (past), blindness, dysfunctional extended family relationships, side characters who are abuse survivors, and marriage in crisis.
Thank you to the author for the complementary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My review is my honest opinion and is in not way influenced by the author or publisher.
October 12, 2026
Thank you to the author for the digital ARC of We Drank the Dawn by Ashley Dill. All opinions are my own.
I’ve really enjoyed reading the books in this Meadowbrook Ranch series. I do feel like the first two books had more of a romance focus than this book. Obviously, there wais romance in this story, but it felt like there was often a bigger focus on becoming a better person and learning to thrive in the situation you’re in instead of just surviving.
We Drank the Dawn is about Peter and Sarah Thompson, a married couple that has been through a lot together. Their relationship is falling apart after Peter’s latest health problem. Besides this couple, there’s also quite a bit of a focus (including his POV) on Cooper, Tag’s brother that has been in the previous books.
While I enjoyed Cooper’s POV and what I believe is the set-up for maybe his own book, I do think it made this story feel less like a true romance. It was fine, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting compared to the other books.
I did feel bad for these characters though because they had all faced such traumatic events in their lives. From Peter’s health, Sarah’s terrible parents, and then Cooper’s horrific home life growing up, the story mostly felt heavy. Besides the flashbacks to Peter and Sarah when they were younger and the ending, the rest of the book was pretty sad.
I loved that the characters were able to grow, communicate, and ultimately find some healing from their trauma. I also loved that I got to read more about the couples from the previous books. Everyone was so supportive of Peter and Cooper, and it was so sweet to see them help both men figure things out.
As someone who helps caretake for an aging grandma with memory issues, I actually could relate to Sarah in many ways when she was feeling the burden of taking care of Peter. It was nice to see some of my thoughts portrayed in a character.
I did especially love Peter’s journey to learning how to live with his new challenges. He had a rough go of it but had the right people by his side. I also loved the friendship he built with Cooper because they both really needed each other.
Overall, I did really enjoy this book and am excited to read the next book in the series. I will say that the content of this book is very heavy, so please be aware of that.
I’ve really enjoyed reading the books in this Meadowbrook Ranch series. I do feel like the first two books had more of a romance focus than this book. Obviously, there wais romance in this story, but it felt like there was often a bigger focus on becoming a better person and learning to thrive in the situation you’re in instead of just surviving.
We Drank the Dawn is about Peter and Sarah Thompson, a married couple that has been through a lot together. Their relationship is falling apart after Peter’s latest health problem. Besides this couple, there’s also quite a bit of a focus (including his POV) on Cooper, Tag’s brother that has been in the previous books.
While I enjoyed Cooper’s POV and what I believe is the set-up for maybe his own book, I do think it made this story feel less like a true romance. It was fine, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting compared to the other books.
I did feel bad for these characters though because they had all faced such traumatic events in their lives. From Peter’s health, Sarah’s terrible parents, and then Cooper’s horrific home life growing up, the story mostly felt heavy. Besides the flashbacks to Peter and Sarah when they were younger and the ending, the rest of the book was pretty sad.
I loved that the characters were able to grow, communicate, and ultimately find some healing from their trauma. I also loved that I got to read more about the couples from the previous books. Everyone was so supportive of Peter and Cooper, and it was so sweet to see them help both men figure things out.
As someone who helps caretake for an aging grandma with memory issues, I actually could relate to Sarah in many ways when she was feeling the burden of taking care of Peter. It was nice to see some of my thoughts portrayed in a character.
I did especially love Peter’s journey to learning how to live with his new challenges. He had a rough go of it but had the right people by his side. I also loved the friendship he built with Cooper because they both really needed each other.
Overall, I did really enjoy this book and am excited to read the next book in the series. I will say that the content of this book is very heavy, so please be aware of that.
September 22, 2026
•ARC REVIEW•
Spice level: very little to no spice at all - I would say a half of a 🌶️
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow. Stick a fork in me - I’m done for! This book was the ultimate emotional roller coaster. I knew Peter and Sarah’s story a bit from mentions in the other two books, but I did NOT expect them to struggle as much as they did!!
This book is RAW, it’s EMOTIONAL, it’ll break your heart and make you cry! I’m talking legit tears!! 😭
I don’t know HOW Ashley does it, but she has this innate ability to bring these characters to life in a way that is pure magic!
Please read these in order - this should not be a true standalone. The character building starts from book 1, and you will not have the same emotional connection to the characters if you skip any of them.
My 👏🏼 gosh 👏🏼!!! I’m so in love with this series and canNOT wait for the next book!!!! Everyone - start this series NOW!
⚠️ Please look into the trigger warnings for this series. While I would recommend them to anyone and everyone, due to the expertly written characters, this could evoke some very powerful triggers. Particularly if you’ve had any abuse (sexual, emotional, physical), if you’ve ever suffered from neglect, and if you have experience with dissociating and PTSD.
Spice level: very little to no spice at all - I would say a half of a 🌶️
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow. Stick a fork in me - I’m done for! This book was the ultimate emotional roller coaster. I knew Peter and Sarah’s story a bit from mentions in the other two books, but I did NOT expect them to struggle as much as they did!!
This book is RAW, it’s EMOTIONAL, it’ll break your heart and make you cry! I’m talking legit tears!! 😭
I don’t know HOW Ashley does it, but she has this innate ability to bring these characters to life in a way that is pure magic!
Please read these in order - this should not be a true standalone. The character building starts from book 1, and you will not have the same emotional connection to the characters if you skip any of them.
My 👏🏼 gosh 👏🏼!!! I’m so in love with this series and canNOT wait for the next book!!!! Everyone - start this series NOW!
⚠️ Please look into the trigger warnings for this series. While I would recommend them to anyone and everyone, due to the expertly written characters, this could evoke some very powerful triggers. Particularly if you’ve had any abuse (sexual, emotional, physical), if you’ve ever suffered from neglect, and if you have experience with dissociating and PTSD.
Did Not Finish
October 20, 2026DNF @ 28%
It saddens me to no end to DNF this one. The Blooms That Broke Us is one of the books I try to get everyone to read and I have enjoyed all of Ashley’s other books. Ashley’s books are heavy and the characters are messy and have their pasts or their traumas, and I usually do not mind that. But there was something that happened in this book that, for lack of a better term, gave me the ick. It’s something I don’t like in books in general, and reviews provided me with some more clarity and I decided it was just best for me not to continue this book.
For the record, I have enjoyed every other book Ashley has written. She is such a talented writer. If you enjoy romances that are more on the heavy emotional side then you should check out her books for sure.
It saddens me to no end to DNF this one. The Blooms That Broke Us is one of the books I try to get everyone to read and I have enjoyed all of Ashley’s other books. Ashley’s books are heavy and the characters are messy and have their pasts or their traumas, and I usually do not mind that. But there was something that happened in this book that, for lack of a better term, gave me the ick. It’s something I don’t like in books in general, and reviews provided me with some more clarity and I decided it was just best for me not to continue this book.
For the record, I have enjoyed every other book Ashley has written. She is such a talented writer. If you enjoy romances that are more on the heavy emotional side then you should check out her books for sure.
October 2, 2026
SO MUCH PAIN AND HOPE AND HEARTBREAK AND HEALING.
I read books like this and realize how much I love a good character driven story. Ashley Dill has done a great job with this series and I loved going back to Meadowbrook Ranch.
Pick this up if you (like me) are a fan of the marriage in crisis trope. It'll frustrate you and break your heart and put it back together.
I read books like this and realize how much I love a good character driven story. Ashley Dill has done a great job with this series and I loved going back to Meadowbrook Ranch.
Pick this up if you (like me) are a fan of the marriage in crisis trope. It'll frustrate you and break your heart and put it back together.
September 13, 2026
✨ARC REVIEW✨
Once again I don’t know how to express the love I have for Meadowbrook Ranch. 🥹🥺❤️🩹
We Drank the Dawn truly broke my heart and healed it all in a spawn of 476 pages. ❤️🩹🫂 I will not disclose how much I sobbed but let’s just say it was A LOT. 😭😭 Peter and Sarah have my heart and I love their beautiful redemption! 🥰🫶🏻😭
They remind me “there’s always a new day.”
SARAH has loved Peter since forever. ♾️♥️ She hopes for a future they’ve dreamed of but the reality of it comes crashing down after a tragedy. She can’t give up, she won’t. 🥹 The opportunity is to visit Meadowbrook Ranch appears so she takes Peter there in hopes they can find their healing.❤️🩹
PETER is done trying. One tragedy after another, he realizes maybe Sarah would be better without him. 🥺💔 Lost in his own darkness, he wallows in despair but his friends won’t let him stay that way. 🫶🏻 He finds relief and finally peace at Meadowbrook Ranch as he opens his heart to healing. ❤️🩹 Maybe healing will come for the two of them if they turn to the sunrise. 🌅
if you’re looking for a book to break you and heal you, read Ashley Dill. 🥺❤️🩹 if you’re looking to cry and laugh all at the same time, read Ashley Dill. 😭🤣 if you’re looking for a cowboy series, read Ashley Dill. 🤠🤠 if you’re looking for books to LOVE, read Ashley Dill. 🫶🏻💗
WDTD in 🖐️ EMOJIS: 🚘🥹🦯🫂🐴
Once again I don’t know how to express the love I have for Meadowbrook Ranch. 🥹🥺❤️🩹
We Drank the Dawn truly broke my heart and healed it all in a spawn of 476 pages. ❤️🩹🫂 I will not disclose how much I sobbed but let’s just say it was A LOT. 😭😭 Peter and Sarah have my heart and I love their beautiful redemption! 🥰🫶🏻😭
They remind me “there’s always a new day.”
SARAH has loved Peter since forever. ♾️♥️ She hopes for a future they’ve dreamed of but the reality of it comes crashing down after a tragedy. She can’t give up, she won’t. 🥹 The opportunity is to visit Meadowbrook Ranch appears so she takes Peter there in hopes they can find their healing.❤️🩹
PETER is done trying. One tragedy after another, he realizes maybe Sarah would be better without him. 🥺💔 Lost in his own darkness, he wallows in despair but his friends won’t let him stay that way. 🫶🏻 He finds relief and finally peace at Meadowbrook Ranch as he opens his heart to healing. ❤️🩹 Maybe healing will come for the two of them if they turn to the sunrise. 🌅
if you’re looking for a book to break you and heal you, read Ashley Dill. 🥺❤️🩹 if you’re looking to cry and laugh all at the same time, read Ashley Dill. 😭🤣 if you’re looking for a cowboy series, read Ashley Dill. 🤠🤠 if you’re looking for books to LOVE, read Ashley Dill. 🫶🏻💗
WDTD in 🖐️ EMOJIS: 🚘🥹🦯🫂🐴
October 26, 2026
3.0 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book gripped me from the get go and I couldn’t put it down. Ashley Dill has a way of getting you wrapped up in the characters world and feeling what they feel. We Drank the Dawn took it to a whole new level. I can’t say why without spoiling it, but IYKYK.
All of Dills books are different and unexpected, which is crazy because all the characters are connected. But this one is a whole new level of different. Never read a book like this before and it was really fun.
Don’t sit around waiting to read this one. Just do it. It’s a good one.
I have received an advanced copy of We Drank the Dawn.
All of Dills books are different and unexpected, which is crazy because all the characters are connected. But this one is a whole new level of different. Never read a book like this before and it was really fun.
Don’t sit around waiting to read this one. Just do it. It’s a good one.
I have received an advanced copy of We Drank the Dawn.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews