Compass
Author: Jeanne McDonald
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Designer: Jada D'Lee Designs
Release Day: November 17, 2015
As teenagers, time is infinite and love is made of fairy tales and caramel corn. For Alexis York and Ryan Fisher, their friendship was the cornerstone of who they were. In the wake of a family tragedy, that friendship was torn apart by time and distance. Unrequited love was never reciprocated, and two lives that were once intertwined, now moved on different trajectories. Fifteen years later, these two friends are given a second chance to correct the mistakes of the past. With one flight, a new home, and a little help from a tiny red compass, Alexis and Ryan are reunited, setting them back on the same course. Together, they find themselves on a journey of rediscovery, friendship, hope, and love. Yet, when the harsh realities of life threaten to tear them apart for good, will Alexis and Ryan lose all hope of a happily ever after? Or will the childhood promises of forever lead these two hearts through impossible odds and back into each other's arms? "You're my compass. My one true north."
My Rating:
Favorite Quotes:
“Ryan smiled
and turned her hand over in his placing the red toy in her palm. ‘It’s a compass. Keep it with you always. In those moments when you feel lost, alone,
or confused, pulled it out and let yourself remember. Let this compass lead you back home. Let it lead you back to me. Forever and always, okay?’”
“Are you
kidding me? For a man, age equals
distinguished. A woman – well, you’re
just decrepit.”
“Love’s not
supposed to hurt. It’s supposed to free
you, to lift you higher. To make you
fly… You said you’re afraid of falling.
I’m not going to let you fall.
I’m going to make you soar.”
“Ryan was the
other half of her soul… He was the piece of her heart that was never hers to
give.”
My Review:
The prize from
a box of Cracker Jacks of a red toy compass on her moving day becomes the
touchstone piece in this delightful and heartfelt second chance love
story. A teen-aged girl must move away far
away from her life-long best friend/neighbor/untold first love, following the
discovery of her father’s infidelity and parents’ divorce. She is crushed by her father’s betrayal and develops
a distrust of men as well as insecurities about relationships and her ability
to have one. Years later, a new job
places her in a new city where she becomes reacquainted with her father and old
friend, and she is forced to reevaluate and rethink her conclusions and face
her own misconceptions shaped during her youth.
The plot was interesting and unusual as the teen-aged male is the scrawny
geek friend while the girl is a popular cheerleader – which is typically not
the norm in romance books. The story was
amusing and entertaining, and the writing was well paced and insightful with
sparkles of humor and occasional steam.
The characters were smart, well developed, and likable. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and remained
engaged and interested from beginning to end.
This was my first read from this Ms. McDonald and I so greatly enjoyed
her style that I have added her entire library to my ever expanding TBR.
Empress DJ
Jeanne McDonald is an author, a mother, a wife, a student of knowledge and of life, a coffee addict, a philosophy novice, a pop culture connoisseur, inspired by music, encouraged by words, and a believer in true love. When she's not spending time with her family, she can be found reading, writing, enjoying a great film, chatting with friends or diligently working toward her bachelor's degree in literature. A proud Texan, Jeanne currently resides in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with her family.
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