Dawnland

A Novel

By: Tess Callahan

Narrated by: Xe Sands

On a fated summer getaway in Cape Cod, two families on the verge of fracture contend with the secrets of the past in a powerful and moving novel by the author of April & Oliver.

April, her brother-in-law Oliver, and their families reunite in Cape Cod on an exquisite stretch of beach called Dawnland. After eleven summers of building traditions—kayaking, whale watching, bonfires, and ocean swims—this year comes with new threats both on and off the coastline.

Before their marriages, April and Oliver had an intense but disastrous fling that they kept hidden. Although they moved on with their lives, their more recent fiery encounter is getting harder to keep secret—especially as the week unravels, revealing fault lines not only between husbands and wives but between brothers, fathers and sons, and children growing up amid discord and lies. Ground zero for conflict is April’s volatile teenage son, Lochlann.

The family structure begins to teeter. Secrets are surfacing. As everyone faces the consequences of their choices, the truth could finally forge them together or tear them apart forever.

©2024 by Tess Callahan. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“[A] very special and recommended pick…” —Midwest Book Review

“Occasionally a book burns into your occipital lobe unable to leave you. How do you stop longing for something you can never have? Dawnland is a poignant reminder that the longings inside of us never go away. Tess Callahan killed me softly with this book. My heart is still in her hands…” —Tarryn Fisher, New York Times bestselling author of The Wives and Good Half Gone

“Tess Callahan writes with furious urgency about yearning and desire. As family secrets are gradually revealed, the reader begins to glimpse how we are all complicit in the dance. Emotionally powerful, Dawnland explores questions of betrayal, guilt and loss, and the high cost we must pay for genuine freedom. The ending will stay with you long after you turn the final page.” —Alan Watt, Los Angeles Times bestselling author of Diamond Dogs and The 90-Day Novel

Amazing character growth and a worthy sequel!

Dawnland is a riveting sequel to Tess Callaghan’s 2009 debut novel, April & Oliver. The book authentically explores the relationships between spouses, parents and their children, and the unravelling of family secrets. As in the first book, the writing is eloquent and extremely vivid. "Dawnland” is the Wampanoag name for the land in Cape Cod where much of the story takes place, and this majestic setting has as much of a compelling backstory as the characters in the book. Callahan provides beautiful descriptive language of the landscape, and there are many scenes where the natural elements are seamlessly woven into the story. The book also includes darker subject matter, including infidelity, betrayal, adoption, unresolved childhood trauma, generational trauma, mental health issues, coming-of-age relationships, and family conflicts! There’s so much to digest in this book that reading it at a leisurely pace or at a slower audiobook speed is highly recommended!

The book excels in character development, with more compelling characters than the first book. April and Oliver take centre stage, but the secondary characters and subplots in the story are just as interesting and well developed. The story takes place fifteen years later, matching the publication years between books, yet April and Oliver still have a very complicated relationship. In a twist of fate, April is now married to Oliver‘s brother Al with two children. This is something that may bewilder readers at the start, but as the story progresses, with its many flashback scenes, the evolution of April and Al’s relationship is explicitly laid out and breathes a life of its own. April and Al have a complex dynamic, but there is also a profound love shared between them. Oliver, now married to an older woman with an adopted daughter, has his own troubled relationship with his wife. The couples’ dialogues include a full spectrum of emotions, from angst to heated passion to dramatic outbursts, making for a very captivating read or listen.

The children and young adults in this book have compelling stories of their own, making the book more than just about dysfunctional adults and marital secrets. This is also a story of sibling dynamics, rebellious teenage behaviour, and learning forgiveness that young adults will relate to. Much of the turmoil that the children experience makes some adults in this book very unlikeable at times, including April and Oliver. As the story comes to a close, there is still much uncertainty for the future well-being of the children, perfectly mimicking a real-life scenario.

Overall, this is another riveting, highly authentic, emotional story from Tess Callahan. It’s evident that Callahan’s writing has evolved, along with her ability to intricately layer together so many themes and characters in one book. If you’re looking for a book about family secrets, drama, and dysfunctional characters in an idyllic setting, this book should be high on your list. It’s highly recommended to read the first book, April & Oliver, to appreciate how much the characters grow and change. As real as our own life’s changes through the decades, these books are thought-provoking and leave some valuable lessons in their wake!

🎤NARRATOR PERFORMANCE🎤

Narrator Xe Sands does a great job narrating this audiobook. Sands uses a sardonic, matter-of-fact tone to narrate many of the adult characters, accurately portraying many of their stubborn qualities and flawed behaviors. Her narration of the dialogue is very intimate and compelling, easily drawing listeners into the unhealthy and tumultuous conversations between the adults, especially the married partners. Although Sands doesn’t provide a wide range of distinct voices for the characters, she delivers a unique performance and personality for each. With such a solid, engaging performance, the audiobook is definitely a great choice to experience this story. It’s definitely one of those audiobooks that’ll make you stop and re-listen to certain segments to ensure you captured all the captivating dialogue fully!