True North by Carina Gaskell
True North is a novella set in Dalisay, an island with a beautiful coast where one can bask in the sun, swim in cool waters, or dine and shop at beachfront establishments. In this book, we meet Sophie, a young woman who returns to her homeland after a canceled engagement to open her dream coffee shop. To make her dream come true, her Ninang helps her financially, with one condition—she must host her younger sister, Narra, and cousin, Layla. Unbeknownst to Sophie, these two are mischievous schemers determined to help her find new love. They get the perfect opportunity when Archie, the handsome British neighbor, seems to have eyes only for Sophie. ✨
It is so refreshing to read a book set in the Philippines 🥹. I could imagine the island breeze and crystal-clear waters as I read, and honestly, it made me miss home. This novella is a fun and light read that you can finish in one sitting. The characters have their own distinct personalities and adorable traits that will leave you smiling by the end. I love how glimpses of Filipino culture are incorporated into the chapters, and the way the food is described makes me want to try it—especially the Ube Latte with Pinipig🤤.
Although this is a really cute story, I found that the progression of Archie and Sophie's relationship felt kind of rushed towards the end. I felt that their feelings abruptly intensified when both of their most recent relationships were traumatic and Sophie had a lot of reservations before committing to someone again. But since this is a novella, I understand that the story is more fast-paced and we won't be able to get all the nitty-gritty; now I just wish there were more chapters!
Thank you, @carinagaskellwrites for sending this my way. I'll surely be on the lookout when the rest of the series gets released ❤️
A young woman jilted by her ex-fiancé is given a second shot at love when her meddling relatives contrive ways to pair her up with her handsome neighbor in this laugh-out-loud contemporary romance novella that will sweep you off your feet.
After Sophie’s long-term boyfriend decides he doesn’t want to marry her, she flies back home to her native Philippines with her tail tucked between her legs. Forget romance. With the help of Ninang, her wealthy grand-aunt on her mother’s side, she picks her pieces back up and throws herself headfirst into her dream opening a coffee shop on the famous beach resort island of Dalisay.
But there’s a catch. Ninang agrees to help fund the cost of starting a new business, if and only if Sophie hosts her younger sister, Narra, and their cousin, Layla for the summer. Fresh out of college, Narra and Layla have come to Dalisay for three months of fun and romance, and they refuse to leave Sophie out of it.
Enter Archie Hastings. A smooth-talking, motorcycle-riding Brit, he moved to the island to work at a non-profit and nurse a heartbreak of his own. When Narra indulges in a little too much fun and romance, he’s there to help Sophie save the day, only to find himself pulled into a scheme to get Sophie—and by extension, himself—laid.
Sophie just wants to be left alone. But love has a funny way of sneaking up on you, and this summer, on the beautiful sunny island of Dalisay, where the white sand is soft like powder and the blue sea impossibly clear, it might just catch her off-guard.