Dawn Unearthed by Carrie Ann Ryan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The moment Sage Reed makes her way to Ravenwood, she knows the small town lives up to its mystical lore—even if she doesn’t believe that she’s a witch. After losing her husband, she’s ready for change, and her aunt’s bookstore affords the perfect opportunity.

Rome Baker has secrets of his own—even some that he’s kept from the town he calls home. But when a striking and intriguing stranger saves his life the moment she steps into his path, his inner bear knows that she’s the one for him. However, with the town under fire, he worries he might run out of time before he can show her what they can have together.

A new enemy is on the horizon, one who hides in the shadows, whose history is steeped in lies. And if Sage and Rome aren’t careful, Sage’s new powers won’t be the only thing that spirals into flame.

A Town Cursed, A Love Destined

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋🙂🤨🤣
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration

🎧 Audiobook Review: Dawn Unearthed (Ravenwood Coven, #1)

Author: Carrie Ann Ryan
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Narrators: Aiden Snow and Victoria Mei

🦸🏻‍♂️ The Heroine: Sage Reed

Sage Reed arrives in Ravenwood, Pennsylvania carrying more than boxes and bakery equipment, she’s carrying the weight of a life that unraveled far too young. At twenty‑four, widowed and searching for a place that feels like hers again, she’s drawn to Ravenwood with a pull she can’t explain. Her aunt Penelope always spoke of the town with a knowing glint, teasing that magic ran through its bones. Sage never believed in such things, yet she can’t deny the strange tug in her chest or the odd moments in her past, like the tattoo she woke up with and convinced herself she must have gotten on a whim.

Ravenwood feels like a beginning she desperately needs, even if she doesn’t yet understand why it’s calling her home.

🦸🏼‍♀️ The Hero: Rome Baker

Rome Baker is the alpha of his bear‑shifter pack, a role he shoulders with quiet strength and deep loyalty. He and his triplet brothers, Trace and Alden, have always been bound by blood, but not always by harmony. A freak lightning strike sends a tree crashing down on Rome during a run through the forest, leaving him unconscious, and directly in Sage’s path.

The moment he wakes to her touch, he knows the truth: Sage is his mate. And with Ravenwood’s long‑standing curse and the ominous “true darkness” approaching, her arrival feels like fate stepping onto the board.

🔥 Plot Dynamics

Before Sage even reaches town, a sudden storm forces her off the road. A wolf appears out of nowhere, she loses control of her car, and her tires blow. Stranded with no cell signal, she spots a man lying beneath a fallen tree. When she touches him, a jolt of electricity shoots through her, and for a heartbeat, his eyes flash gold, just like the wolf’s.

Rome insists he’s fine, but he also tells her she saved him. Their connection sparks instantly, even if Sage has no idea what she’s stepped into.

🌟 Strengths

• Sage’s subtle, unexplained magical moments add intrigue and foreshadowing, making her journey feel layered and destined.
• Rome’s immediate recognition of their bond adds emotional depth without rushing the romance.
• The slow burn works beautifully; plenty of chemistry, tenderness, and genuine getting‑to‑know‑you moments.
• The worldbuilding hints at a larger magical ecosystem, setting the stage for future books.

💔 Limitations

• The dynamic between the triplets isn’t as tight as expected. Alden’s resentment and antagonism sometimes overshadow the brotherly bond, creating tension that feels more frustrating than compelling.
• Trace and Rome have the closeness you’d expect, but Alden’s bitterness keeps the trio from feeling unified.

🎙 Narration

The dual narration elevates the story.
Aiden Snow delivers Rome with that deep, velvety voice he’s known for, commanding, emotional, and endlessly listenable. His range of accents and character voices adds richness to every scene.
Victoria Mei brings Sage to life with a soft, expressive warmth that fits her perfectly. Her emotional delivery makes Sage’s grief, hope, and rediscovery feel intimate and real.

Together, they create a seamless, immersive listening experience.

💭 Final Thoughts & Opinion

This audiobook blends paranormal romance, small‑town mystery, and emotional healing into a story that feels both cozy and compelling. Sage’s journey toward rediscovering herself, and Rome’s steady, protective presence, creates a romance that grows with sincerity and heart. The magical undercurrents, the looming threat over Ravenwood, and Sage’s unexplored abilities add a satisfying layer of intrigue.

While the tension among the triplets occasionally detracts from the emotional flow, the core romance and worldbuilding more than make up for it. The narration is exceptional, the chemistry is believable, and the story sets up a series with plenty of promise.

Overall, this is a warm, atmospheric, slow‑burn paranormal romance with heart, heat, and a heroine stepping into her destiny, and I genuinely enjoyed the journey.

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