Dear Dawn: Based on actual events

by E.L. George, Erin Lee

“Dear Mom,”It began with a letter.In simple words, Amelia tried to tell her mother exactly what her father had done.But Dawn, unprepared to face the truth about her husband, figured she could handle it on her own. Enter the match.The flames.The consequence.Based on actual events, Dear Dawn is the story of one mother’s desperate act and the lives burnt by it.

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2020

Reviews

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who loves reading therapy based and edgy stories, the author EL George is one of my favorites as she writes tales loosely based on real events that she has dealt with in the systems. In Dear Dawn, we meet Dawn and her family who are currently going through turmoil as her husband Mark has been accused by their oldest daughter of sexual abuse. She wrote to Dawn and Dawn then burned the letter. In her mind, she was protecting both her husband and her daughter, but the law sees it differently. This is the case of Dawn and the trials and tribulations that the social worker will go through to help Dawn and her children during this time. I have to admit reading this book brought some feelings to the surface as in a way the character of Dawn reminded me of my sister as they had a few things in common. If you love books by the author Torey Hayden, then you will love EL George's tales. This is not for the faint-hearted as it may bring some home-truths to the surface and tissues may be required while reading.

[McKenzie Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was my first El George book, and it did not disappoint. I think a lot of us know someone like Dawn. She's infuriating but funny, loving but toxic, ignorant but blunt. Dawn is a lot of things. A complex person caught in a system that often times doesn't take those complexities into account. Dawn has made bad choices, but she is not necessarily a bad person. Dawn is the kind of character that is difficult to write correctly. It would be so easy to make the reader hate her, or to make it look like she's a simple woman being railroaded by a brutal, apathetic legal system. But El George paints Dawn like a sad, fierce, pill-popping tapestry.

[Shelby W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story lives up to the EL George label on the front cover.

Against my wishes, my heart thumped, erratically, as I flipped through the pages of this novel. It was filled with sadness, but yet, there were also triumphs, worth celebrating.

I really wasn't ready for this book to end, there were so many fascinating characters mentioned. I hope they will reappear in future stories written by Author George.

[Rita Delude · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love EL George's stories based on her real-life experiences as a family-therapist, who works with at-risk children and families in crisis. It's like watching a train wreck; you can't look away. You have to know if they can be saved from the wreckage that is their life. Dear Dawn did not disappoint. I loved it.

[Nichole Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down
This was my very first EL George book and I was blown away. From the very beginning of this book I was lost in the story and couldn't stop reading. For my first experience I can say it will not be my last book I read by this author. The writing flows and keeps you engaged until the last page. It was definitely an eye opening read.

[hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredibly powerful and sad story. I was immediately captivated by it from the beggining.

[Diana | Indie Book Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

EL George really delivers a powerful story with this one. I devoured this book in less than a day because it was that good. I was immediately drawn to the story and to all of the characters. I couldn't wait to dig in and find out more about this family and what they all went through.

Dawn is certainly something else. She is one that you love and hate at the same time. I found myself getting frustrated with her and wanting to shake her but she also made me laugh. So many feelings and ups and downs in this book. I felt terrible for the kids. The life they had to live, a mom that struggled to be a mom to them. Being a parent myself it was hard to watch that unfold.

This was my first read by EL George and it was fantastic. It was very engaging, filled with characters I won't forget, and touches on real life issues that will bring out all of the emotions. It was interesting to see how Dawn's mind worked, and how Leena tried her best to help Dawn and the kids. I cannot wait to check out the other books by George.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy an EL George story. They are always so real and thought-provoking. They give me so much pause and perspective. I enjoyed these characters and watching Leena navigate their world. I can't wait to read more from this author.