REVIEW: Daybreak by Sharon Sala

Daybreak by Sharon Sala: Gunner Kingston is homicide detective in Dallas. When he helps a homeless manwho gives a statement about a murder in a building things don’t go as planned. Instead of going to get a haircut and shave, Yankee Dan, the homeless man, is killed in a hit and run. Gunner goes to get groceries after this difficult day and runs into an old friend from his hometown. He and Holly Dillon have a wonderful dinner at a Mexican restaurant catching up. Neither realizes that awful events will bring them together again. Holly gets a call from home that her mother has died in a car accident not far from home. Gunner is forced to go home to hide out after it’s discovered that he is the crosshairs of Dixon who is the head of an illegal business in Dallas. It’s hard to pin crimes on him when he farms out most of his dirty work.

When Gunner finds out he’s won a large lottery prize, he wonders if he should still go back to Dallas or lead a life of helping others in his hometown. He is also concerned that there is a dirty cop in his department feeding information to Dixon.  Holly takes a leave of absence from her job in Dallas to help her family deal with her mother’s sudden death. They have to wait to have the funeral until after the coroner finds out what happened to cause the deadly wreck.

Gunner remembers when Holly was the bat for the local baseball games. She has definitely grown into a very attractive, intelligent woman. As they become close while dealing with family and other concerns, Gunner is afraid he may have put more than himself in danger. Can love bloom when possible danger is hanging over everything?

Gunner is a strong man, but has a tender side that cares deeply for others. He will risk everything to protect those he loves. Holly learns to see Gunner and her younger brother in a different light. Hopefully, things can be settled for them all to move past tragedy and hurt. She overall comes to know that the future can be one filled with love and generosity to others. Holly and Gunner are easy to like and cheer for. Of course, there has to be a villain to add tension and suspense.

I haven’t read the other books in this series, but had no problem reading this one on its own. My only critique of this novel is that it was a little too detailed in places. Still there was plenty of suspense and action.

Tropes & Vibes
💕 Second Chance Romance
🏡 Small Town Romance
💗 Childhood Friends to Lovers
👮 Homicide Detective Hero
💰 Lottery Winner
🕵️ Romantic Suspense
❤️ Coming Home
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Found Family
🔥 Slow-Burn Romance
✨ Emotional Romance

DAYBREAK was a warm, emotional romantic suspense about finding your way home, opening yourself back up to love, and realizing that sometimes the person you’ve been looking for has been part of your story all along.

Book Info:

Publication: June 6, 2026 | Sourcebooks Casablanca | Crossroads #3

Dallas detective wins the lottery—but his heart still belongs to the girl next door.

Dallas homicide detective Gunner Kingston enjoys his job and thinks he’s all set until a gifted lottery ticket turns out to be a winner. Determined to keep his winnings under wraps, he plans to escape the spotlight. But when a dangerous case pushes him to the edge, it’s childhood friend Holly Dillion who becomes his anchor—and his greatest temptation.

Returning to the small town where they first fell in love, Gunner finds more than safety; he finds a future worth risking everything for. With pulse-pounding suspense, heartfelt second-chance romance, and Sharon Sala’s signature emotional depth, DAYBREAK is a heartfelt leap into love, trust, and the power of coming home.