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lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
"Even if we're oceans apart, my heart will always call for yours."
This is such a sweet, feel-good, warm and cosy romance, sure to make you feel all sorts of butterflies and have you smiling your head off, but I have to admit, it will have its particular audience. When I say this is low-conflict, it's very low conflict. There is of course a plot, and there are things that the characters need to work through and overcome, and there is some measure of conflict, but if you're looking for lots of action or angst or interpersonal drama, you won't find it here. This book was pretty hefty, but sometimes it almost felt like nothing was happening.
And honestly? I really liked it? This is the continuation of Hannah and Kristine's story from the first book in the series (definitely read these in order) and they had a great relationship and great chemistry to build upon and that only continued here. The first book gave you a great look at Norway and a slice of its culture through the eyes of the protagonists, and this one does the same with Louisiana. And it was honestly pretty charming. Lots of great small town vibes, if you like that sort of thing, and it provides a certain amount of humour, but also a nice sense of family and community (with some characters, at least). We see Hannah and Kristine really working to make the most of their situation and develop a relationship. It isn't all sugary sweet; there are a fair amount of sex scenes.
This is such a sweet, feel-good, warm and cosy romance, sure to make you feel all sorts of butterflies and have you smiling your head off, but I have to admit, it will have its particular audience. When I say this is low-conflict, it's very low conflict. There is of course a plot, and there are things that the characters need to work through and overcome, and there is some measure of conflict, but if you're looking for lots of action or angst or interpersonal drama, you won't find it here. This book was pretty hefty, but sometimes it almost felt like nothing was happening.
And honestly? I really liked it? This is the continuation of Hannah and Kristine's story from the first book in the series (definitely read these in order) and they had a great relationship and great chemistry to build upon and that only continued here. The first book gave you a great look at Norway and a slice of its culture through the eyes of the protagonists, and this one does the same with Louisiana. And it was honestly pretty charming. Lots of great small town vibes, if you like that sort of thing, and it provides a certain amount of humour, but also a nice sense of family and community (with some characters, at least). We see Hannah and Kristine really working to make the most of their situation and develop a relationship. It isn't all sugary sweet; there are a fair amount of sex scenes.
rileyg18's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ryanpfw's review against another edition
4.0
A bit out of my comfort zone. I read the first in this series as much because of the setting than anything else. I really liked a lot of what I read here, the small town feel and the characters, although admittedly I could see the ending coming from the beginning and thought it could have been tighter. Still, a fan.
misthios_pat's review against another edition
5.0
Ohh, I so not expecting the sadness that hit me about the death of Hanna's mum's. This was so heartbreaking, the lump I had in my throat, oof! How could I not cry?
The main love story though, beautiful, we finally get to have our HFN ending. It was so nice to see these the relationship of such beautiful characters coming along. I loved that there was no real drama, like, you can just sit and enjoy the ride, preferably with a cuppa and some delicious biscuits. There is some small hiccups here and there but they have no weight on the story overall feeling. At least not for me.
And finally, thank the gods for small mercies, there was no more lengthy paragraphs. LOL. A girl can read without losing focus now and with a proper font size!
The main love story though, beautiful, we finally get to have our HFN ending. It was so nice to see these the relationship of such beautiful characters coming along. I loved that there was no real drama, like, you can just sit and enjoy the ride, preferably with a cuppa and some delicious biscuits. There is some small hiccups here and there but they have no weight on the story overall feeling. At least not for me.
And finally, thank the gods for small mercies, there was no more lengthy paragraphs. LOL. A girl can read without losing focus now and with a proper font size!
queerlitloft's review against another edition
5.0
A great second book in The Compass Series, which centres on the main characters - Hannah and Kristine's journey to falling in love.
The story picks up a few months after the end of the first book (Northern Lights) and this time Gold treats our senses to the hot and humid Deep South.
Southern Roots gives a reader plenty of content to sink their teeth into; from the main arc of Hannah and Kristine falling in love, to job dissatisfaction, finding familial roots and the concerns of being openly gay in the South.
In addition to Hannah and Kristine, Gold gives us a diverse array of supporting characters, who really do add layers to the overall plot.
The telling of Hannah's birth mother's story via letters is a nice touch and adds something different to what many readers might have been expecting.
The story picks up a few months after the end of the first book (Northern Lights) and this time Gold treats our senses to the hot and humid Deep South.
Southern Roots gives a reader plenty of content to sink their teeth into; from the main arc of Hannah and Kristine falling in love, to job dissatisfaction, finding familial roots and the concerns of being openly gay in the South.
In addition to Hannah and Kristine, Gold gives us a diverse array of supporting characters, who really do add layers to the overall plot.
The telling of Hannah's birth mother's story via letters is a nice touch and adds something different to what many readers might have been expecting.
tootaytwista's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
3.25
judeinthestars's review against another edition
5.0
Hannah and Kristine are definitely one of my favorite couples. I loved them in Norway ([b:Northern Lights|42649369|Northern Lights (Compass, #1)|Lise Gold|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1541540918s/42649369.jpg|66390440]), I love them in Louisiana. I took my time listening to the end of the book as I was not ready to say goodbye.
There’s a lot more happening in this second book than in the first one, which was basically two people falling in love in an extraordinary place (which goes to prove that stories don’t have to be very elaborate to be wonderful). Having come back to London to find her world upside down, Hannah finds out her birth mother has left her property in Louisiana, which also happens to be where Kristine lives. The falling in love continues in very sweet ways (seriously, I think I’m in love with them being in love), and both women come to realize they can expect much more from life than what they’ve had so far. I loved how one grew into a family (or the idea of a family) she’d never thought she had while the other found her way away from hers, or at least separate from hers, putting her own story above others’ expectations.
I also loved the narrator’s accents, they were perfect.
There’s a lot more happening in this second book than in the first one, which was basically two people falling in love in an extraordinary place (which goes to prove that stories don’t have to be very elaborate to be wonderful). Having come back to London to find her world upside down, Hannah finds out her birth mother has left her property in Louisiana, which also happens to be where Kristine lives. The falling in love continues in very sweet ways (seriously, I think I’m in love with them being in love), and both women come to realize they can expect much more from life than what they’ve had so far. I loved how one grew into a family (or the idea of a family) she’d never thought she had while the other found her way away from hers, or at least separate from hers, putting her own story above others’ expectations.
I also loved the narrator’s accents, they were perfect.
lsnack's review against another edition
5.0
I truly loved this story. Hannah and Kristine are made for each other. They are always supportive of one another. Hannah’s journey through her mother’s life was heart breaking but it did give her the answers she needed. Addison Barnes was amazing with the accents and bringing the story to life. I just wish it didn’t have to end.
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