Dawn's Awakening by Lora Leigh: My February Must Read

**Note: this review is spoiler-free, so read on without fear**

In the near future, there is a species that lives alongside humans. They were created by evil scientists from a combination of human and animal DNA. They were trained to be weapons. They were tortured, they were raped, and they were stripped of their humanity. And from the horror of those labs came men and women with strength, intelligence, and compassion the world could never have imagined. Scarred to the depths of their souls by the past, but full of hope and determination for a better future, the trials they go through will break your heart while the love they find will bring you joy. They are the Breeds, and they will knock your socks off.

Lora Leigh Dawn’s Awakening is the story of Dawn Daniels and Seth Lawrence. Dawn is a Cougar Breed, one who had been raped and tortured repeatedly as a child. Now she’s stronger, a Breed Enforcer, but still plagued constantly by memories of what had been done to her. For ten years she and Seth have known they were mates, but the nightmare that was her past and misunderstandings on both sides have kept them from one another until the mating heat, the driving biological reaction between mates, has almost completely faded from Seth. But then Seth’s life is at risk, and Dawn will do anything to protect and claim the man that is her mate.

Dawn’s Awakening shows Leigh’s writing at its best. The story is both heartbreaking and achingly romantic. Dawn’s past haunts her, but she has not only survived, she has come through with strength and dignity that is awe-inspiring. With Seth’s love and help, Dawn continues to grow and cope more fully with what was done to her.

Seth has become my absolute favorite of Leigh’s heroes. He’s an alpha to the core, but the tenderness he shows with his mate and the love he has for her makes for some truly beautiful scenes best left for a reader to discover on their own.

There’s also a mystery to be solved regarding the enemy out to destroy Dawn and Seth, secrets that will be revealed, and an enigmatic character who will undoubtedly play a role in future books. Fans of the Breed series will meet some of their favorite characters again, such as Callan Lyons, Dash, Elizabeth, and Cassie Sinclair, Dane Vanderale, and the sexy, calculating Jonas Wyatt (who I am firmly convinced needs to catch a break from someone). There are also new Breeds to meet and ones to get to know better.

Leigh wrote Dawn’s Awakening as a stand-alone book, and first-time readers won’t miss out on any vital information. However, for a richer read, I recommend reading the first four Breed books (Tempting the Beast, The Man Within, Elizabeth’s Wolf, and Kiss of Heat). You will get to know Dawn and Seth from the beginning and read some of the events that are talked about in Dawn’s Awakening. For new readers of the Breed series, the reading order can be found by clicking here. I’m sure after Dawn’s Awakening you will want to rush out and read the rest of these addictive stories.

I highly recommend Dawn’s Awakening. It’s a compelling read that will break your heart and make you sigh over the hero’s romantic actions. Dawn and Seth have been long overdue for their happily ever after, but their story was well worth the wait.