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Daybreak

A dark academia romance full of mystery and forbidden love from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Nightshade

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Daybreak

By: Autumn Woods
Narrated by: Elloise Thomson, Liam Cortright
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A heart-stopping duet performed by Elloise Thomson and Liam Cortright.

THE INSTANT NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

‘Immensely fun and sexy . . . everything I love about dark academia’ – Ali Hazelwood, author of Bride

LOVE. LIES. BETRAYAL. WELCOME BACK TO SORROWSONG UNIVERSITY . . .

Alex Corbeau-Green left his heart behind.

Now his world is burning down, and Ophelia Winters is desperate to prove she didn’t strike the match. When she first joined Sorrowsong University, she wanted nothing more than to destroy Alex and his high-powered family. But that was before she knew him – before she fell for the man behind the reputation.

In the face of an unthinkable betrayal and the disappearance of his father, Alex is forced to return to New York, hoping to forget what he had with Ophelia and to undo the damage done to his family.

In Scotland, Ophelia is left reeling, alone . . . and watched. With a new anonymous tormentor threatening them both, the pair find themselves drawn back to one another. But can they rebuild the love and trust between them? And, even if they can, will it be enough to keep them alive?

From Autumn Woods, Daybreak is the stunning conclusion to the Sunday Times bestseller Nightshade – a dark academia romance brimming with snarky banter, shadowy figures, and sizzling tension.

Tropes:
Grumpy x Grumpy
Dark Academia
University Setting
He Falls First
Groveling
CEO MMC
Yearning
Romantic Suspense

Fans love Daybreak!
‘An absolute masterpiece’

‘All that I had hoped it would be and more’

‘Emotionally charged, beautiful, and satisfying’

‘Everything I want in a sequel . . . I just love these characters so much’

‘I have never been so emotionally devastated’

‘Such a beautiful story with an ending that left my heart full’

‘Heartbreakingly beautiful . . . atmospheric, mysterious, utterly soul crushing’

‘This book had everything I could want: mystery, romance, mental health representation, found family, and a truly satisfying happily-ever-after’

‘Absolute perfection’

Daybreak was a No.1 Sunday Times bestseller in August 2026.

(P)2026 Penguin Random House LLC Contemporary Romantic Suspense Highlander Heartfelt
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Critic reviews

Immensely fun and sexy - this book combines everything I love about dark academia and new adult! Autumn Woods wrote a winner! (Ali Hazelwood, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of Bride, on Nightshade)
Daybreak is an emotional, angsty follow-up about two people who feel destined for each other, even as everything seems set against them. It explores grief and depression with tenderness and depth, with so much longing woven through every page. Heartfelt, haunting, and hard to forget. I devoured it in a day! (Ki Stephens, author of Spring Tide)
The Sorrowsong University duet is truly in a league of its own! Daybreak is the breathtaking finale readers have been waiting for. From the deep, raw emotions and angsty romance to the found family and twists I didn’t see coming, my heart was aching in the very best way. I’m an Autumn Woods (and Ophelia and Alex) fangirl for life! (Jillian Meadows, internationally bestselling author of Give Me Butterflies)
Triumphant, funny, heartfelt, and lovely. Daybreak is full of hope, and so, so much love . . . I want everyone to read it (Kath Richards, author of Fangs with Benefits)
Autumn Woods once again delivers! Daybreak is filled with tension and banter - it was so hard to put down! I’ll be thinking of this book for months to come (E. Salvador, internationally bestselling author of Please Don’t Go)
All stars
Most relevant
loved this story, might be my favourite duet of all time! the narration made it even better if that is possible. A perfect one for an immersive read.

gasp, best duet ever

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Oh. My. God. I absolutely loved Nightshade the second I started listening to it, and I waited quite impatiently for Daybreak and when I tell you I almost cried when I got my hands on it, that's an understatement. This book seriously did not disappoint, and Alex's and Ophelia's story is still as devastating and as heartwarming as it has always been. Daybreak was able to offer a more detailed dive into the dynamics of Alex's and Ophelia's relationship, and also extended the care and thought towards the story of Alex's home life. Layers upon layers of love, tragedy, despair, and utter yearning created this masterpiece of a book. I giggled, I cried, I gasped, and I laughed, but most importantly, I absolutely loved the whole thing.

Character Development

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Loved everything about this - the narrators are amazing - the story is refreshing and just loved the whole thing

Omg - amazing

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I loved this duo it was just perfect, the audio I found for this one seemed abit muffled BUT otherwise it was excellent the voice acting the story I love it

Just perfect

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It’s a good read, nothing special though tbh in terms of plot, and I found the last third dragged a little

Great narration, average sequel

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