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A review by katonthejellicoe
True North by Carina Gaskell
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"Every time he thought of the future, he saw only her. It didn’t matter where they were, where life took them, or who they became. He knew she was his True North, the one constant he would build his life around." - Carina Gaskell, True North
Overview:
After experiencing a heartbreak, Sophie finds herself on an island, living in isolation while building her dream business: a coffee shop. She swears off any romantic encounters, determined to focus on her goals. That is, until her meddling family sets her up with her charming neighbor, Archie, who unexpectedly opens the door to a second chance at love.
Review:
True North was short and sweet *cue Sabrina Carpenter*. It is filled with love—both in romantic and familial sense. I loved how, in just a limited number of pages, the author illustrates that love can come from unexpected places, whether we realize it or not. Among all the dynamics, my favorite was Sophie’s complex relationship with her younger sister, Narra, and her cousin, Layla. And as the eldest sister, I resonated with her experiences a lot.
Overview:
After experiencing a heartbreak, Sophie finds herself on an island, living in isolation while building her dream business: a coffee shop. She swears off any romantic encounters, determined to focus on her goals. That is, until her meddling family sets her up with her charming neighbor, Archie, who unexpectedly opens the door to a second chance at love.
Review:
True North was short and sweet *cue Sabrina Carpenter*. It is filled with love—both in romantic and familial sense. I loved how, in just a limited number of pages, the author illustrates that love can come from unexpected places, whether we realize it or not. Among all the dynamics, my favorite was Sophie’s complex relationship with her younger sister, Narra, and her cousin, Layla. And as the eldest sister, I resonated with her experiences a lot.
I also really enjoyed the setting of the story. Dalisay reminded me so much of Boracay - which is a place I consider my second home. She perfectly captured its ambiance and made me want to pack my bags and fly to the island right away. Additionally, I appreciated how the narrative not only showcased the island's beauty but also addressed our responsibility as consumers for its sustainability. Hats off to the author for the environmental commentary!
However, there were some aspects of the story that didn’t quite work for me. The primary issue was the characterization of most of the characters. Because the novella is so brief, I felt I only got a surface-level understanding of them. I wanted to know more about why Narra was raised a certain way, what happened in Sophie’s past, and who Archie truly is. (I understand there’s a series accompanying this book, but I’m basing my review solely on this first book.) I also had some issues with the romance between Sophie and Archie. One, I’m not really a fan of the insta-love trope, and two, Archie came across as a bit alarming in the first few chapters.
Nevertheless, I recommend this novella to readers who enjoy short, whirlwind summer romances set in the Philippines—especially if you’re an eldest child who’s single and goal-driven (aka me, lol).
Disclosure: I received the digital copy from the author herself, but all opinions expressed in this review are my own and have not been influenced by the author nor publisher.
Disclosure: I received the digital copy from the author herself, but all opinions expressed in this review are my own and have not been influenced by the author nor publisher.