This is my first political romance and my second Jeanne McDonald novel. I was expecting this to be a good story based on my prior experience with the author’s work. ‘Politically Incorrect” gave me insight into the happenings of the US political arena. It demonstrated the underhanded tactics that some politicians would employ in an effort to besmirch their opponent’s character.

I admired the heroine in this book.  From the moment I met her I knew I would love her.  She is a divorcee and a single mom who has experienced a lot of adversities, but as managed to come out on top. She is feisty, strong, independent and powerful.  She is a great political strategist and it was for that reason she was hired to manage Congressman William Baxter’s campaign for a seat in the Senate.

William Baxter was not your typical politician. He was honest which is a unique trait within the political arena.  Elizabeth was skeptical of his persona at first as in all her years as a political strategist, she has never encountered a politician who was completely honest.  As such she had a hard time believing that William is all that he purported to be. However, the more time she spent with him she came to realise that she could take him at face value.

The attraction between Elizabeth and William was instantaneous. Elizabeth fought hard to keep her feelings for William at bay as she feared to cross professional boundaries.  Yielding to temptation would certainly create a scandal which her client could ill-afford. Added to that was their age difference which she considered to be a major issue. Will she be able to stand firm in her decision or will she succumb to the attraction and find love in the arms of a young and promising politician?

This book had all the ingredients that made for an exciting story.  Relatable characters, a great plot and a well-written story. There were enough drama and romance to keep me thoroughly entertained. The dialogue was tinged with humour and snark.  I enjoyed the interaction between the characters and the sexual tension between the protagonist that oozed from the pages of the book. There was a particular aspect of the story that I never saw coming. It just goes to show that not everyone can be trusted and that the worst betrayal is that perpetrated by a friend.

If you love romance stories that are centred around the political arena, then you will love ‘Politically Incorrect’.

Reading a book by a new author is a gamble as you have no idea whether or not you will enjoy the journey you will be taken on. This was the challenge I faced when I decided to read Compass by Jeanne McDonald. Now that I am at the point of writing my review, I have to say I am glad I took the gamble as I got the chance to read a story that will stay with me for some time to come.

Compass is a beautiful and heartwrenching story of first love and second chances. It's the kind of story that keeps you engrossed from start to finish. It tells the story of Ryan Fisher and Alexis York. These two have been best friends for most of their lives. They were inseparable. However, time and circumstances conspired to put a wedge in their friendship. Alexis was forced to move to New York City leaving her best friend behind. At this point in the story, I was an emotional wreck. Their goodbye was bittersweet. Their promise to never forget each other and to always keep in touch was poignant. It was evident that their feelings for each other went beyond friendship, but they were both afraid to admit it.

Fast forward fifteen years later, Alexis and Ryan are living their lives separate from each other. They are both successful in their respective careers and have forged new friendships. However, their lives were incomplete as they were both missing the love of their better half. As fate would have it, their paths would once again cross under the most unlikely circumstances. At this point in the story, I was all smiles. I felt the joy and excitement of their reunion. So deep was their connection,it was like they were never separated.

Ryan and Alexis have received a second chance to express their feelings for each other. Will they cease this opportunity or will they continue to keep each other in the friend zone? I found their interaction at this point entertaining,albeit a bit frustrating at times. There were moments when I felt shaking them both due to their failure to see what was staring them in their faces. Everyone around them saw what they failed to see.

The characters were well-developed and easy to relate to. Alexis is smart, strong, independent and feisty. She was struggling with issues of trust that stemmed from her parents’ divorce. However, we see her gaining perspective, thus enabling her to move on. Ryan is adorable, caring, confident and sexy. The story was well written and well paced. It had a mixture of humour and sadness. There was a point in the story where my heart was in my throat as I feared the worst. The title was fitting for this story. A simple toy compass guided two people, who had lost their way, back to each other.

Compass depicts that when two people are meant to be together, no matter how much time has passed, they will find their way back to each other. It also shows that true love transcends time and will endure for a lifetime.

I loved everything about this book. I'm a new fan of Jeanne McDonald, who will be looking forward to reading more of her work.

Favourite Quotes
“You can’t let fear steal your chance to love. If you and Ryan part ways, which I don’t ever see happening, but if it happens, don’t let that deter you from loving again. Love is learning. It’s taking chances. It’s making mistakes. But most of all, it’s allowing yourself to trust and be trusted.”

Lex, you’re my best friend in the whole world. Just remember, every time you feel off course, follow your heart. It’s your compass. It will always lead you to where you belong. Flying high, Ryan

I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review