Dawn's Untrodden Green by Carolyn Miller

Dawn's Untrodden Green
by Carolyn Miller

ISBN-13: 9780825446559
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Released: April 11, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Not much happens in Theodosia Stapleton's tiny Northumberland village. Certainly not to her. She has resigned herself to spinsterhood, caring for her ailing mother in the home of her grandfather, known to the locals as "General Contrary." When her dear friend dies and leaves behind a daughter, it's simple enough to take the child into her own quiet world. That is, until her ward's famous uncle unexpectedly arrives and throws Theo's tidy orbit completely off-kilter.

Fame was the last thing Daniel Balfour sought when he fought in the Peninsular War. But his brave exploits caught the attention of the King, and now the honors he was given hound him everywhere . . . even on his rushed trip to rescue his orphaned niece.

Theo's quick wit and warm smile reassure him that Rebecca is in good hands, and he should soon be free to return to London and his responsibilities. But those caring hands are beginning to look like they could also safely hold his heart, and he's tempted to linger. But the army is all he knows and is spouse enough for him.

Then an accident leads both Theo and Daniel to discover that their best-laid plans may not have been what God designed for them after all.


My Review:
Dawn's Untrodden Green is a Christian romance set in 1812. I liked this story up until the end. Theo and Daniel had a similar sense of humor and quickly fell into a friendship full of banter. Both were likable characters, and the romance grew as they spent time together and got to know each other. Daniel intended to remain single and focused on his army career, partly because he didn't know what else he'd do and didn't feel a Captain could support a family (despite having enough money saved up to completely renovate a decrepit house). Theo felt she had a duty to care for her mother, who was often ill, and who would want a woman with a small birthmark on her face (though she had a local suitor)?

Daniel wanted to grieve his sister and deal with her affairs quickly without being entertained by everyone in the neighborhood due to his hero status. He could have just claimed mourning status, but he instead mislead the squire's wife into thinking he was his steward. She expected someone tall and handsome, and he's rather plain. Theo and her family agreed to keep his identity private and mislead their neighbors. This became a problem, threatening sandal and turning the neighborhood against Theo. When Daniel finally admitted the truth, Theo and Daniel sincerely asked forgiveness and resolved to never mislead again. But some didn't actually learn the lesson. Daniel promptly agreed to a scheme by her grandfather (involving the very people who supposedly love her) to deliberately mislead Theo to pressure her into quickly marrying Daniel. Also, the end left so many things undecided--will he return to the army? Where will they live and who will live with them?

The Christian theme was trusting God with your future rather than trying to make your own plans work out. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd like to recommend this sweet romance, but the ending was too manipulative for me; you don't act like that toward someone you genuinely love and respect.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.