Love without a Compass by Lindy Zart

I read to escape and be happy, and I was so excited for this story! Unfortunately, the constant arguing and bickering between Avery and Ben triggered my anxiety. I just couldn't continue. As such, I will not be writing a formal review. Thank you so much for the opportunity!

Miss Part always takes you on a ride and this book was no different. Love, tension, and excitement never cease.

I loved this book by Lindy Zart. Ben and Avery have been thrown together in the wilderness, where they get lost, as part of a team-building exercise. Avery is so out of her element, but she's one of those characters you just love to hate. Ben is more at ease, though he's a bit of a jerk right back at Avery's discomfort. Neither of them wants to be there, yet they have to work together, and fight the hidden yet growing attraction between them, in order to stay alive and make it back.
Definitely a must-read!

LOVE WITHOUT A COMPASS - Lindy Zart

WILDERNESS ROMANCE - 3.5 stars

Plot - 4 stars - Avery and Ben have been pulled out of their comfort zones and put into a team-building situation in the wilds of a national forest. Somehow things go horribly wrong...but also wonderfully right.

Writing - 3 stars - My attention was caught at the beginning with Ben and Avery and their situation in the wilderness. But before too long, the mystery of their conflict got old, and the book became very put-downable. I felt there was something lacking in the execution. The setting was good, the humor was there, but the relationship seemed contrived. First there was antagonism, but when the reason for that was revealed, it was a let-down. Then the romance was too obvious and too perfect. Perhaps it was the abrupt change from one to the other that didn't sit well.

Characters - 3 stars - The initial animosity and sniping with each other kept things interesting for a while. However, before too long it became boring because we didn't know what it was all about. And then when we discovered the reason, it was an anti-climax.

Title - 4 stars - Clever title. Not only does it suggest that love is confusing and out of control sometimes, but it also refers to the fact that Avery and Ben are literally needing a compass to complete their wilderness tasks.

Cover - 4 stars - Nice eye-catching cover. Nice color, a lovely misty quality, and an attractive couple. What's not to like?

Overview - 3.5 stars - Not bad, and I can't really put my finger on why this book was so easy put down and then difficult to pick up again. The story was cute, the characters were fine, and there were some very funny moments. But, somehow, it didn't click and keep my attention. I will, however, try this author again to see if the problem was with me and not the book.

The basic premise was great - two work competitors are stuck in the wilderness and must rely on each other to survive and eventually fall in love. Unfortunately there were some flaws in the execution. The wildlife encounters were completely unrealistic, as was the encounter with the hunters towards the end. The characters were not believable and relatable. I was disappointed as the blurb from the publisher was very promising!

Review by Amanda for Love Romance Books Blog

I was asked by the author for an honest review.

I had trouble getting into this one because the characters seemed really immature in both their thoughts and actions and there was lots of dishonesty and regret on both sides.

That being said, I thought it was presented in a humorous way, so I kept reading.

I thought the name of the book was creative and I liked the casual writing style.

Lindy Zart is such a unique kind of storyteller. She never gives you the same old same old and her characters tell their tale in the most real kind of way. With Love Without a Compass, Zart proves once again that she thinks out of the box and we are rewarded with an untamed creativity that is hers alone.

Both Ben and Avery are clearly stubborn people. Their pairing as part of a 'team building' exercise for the advertising company they both work for, gave them pause more than once as their trek in Shawnee National forest becomes more than either of them ever bargained for. I laughed at their incessant snarky banter, neither giving in even when things start to get dire as they find themselves ridiculously lost, going around in circles and losing their footing over and over again.

But what comes through all the rage, the hurt and the disgust for one another, is a low simmer chemistry neither one is able to deny. At least to themselves. Ben and Avery both mourn the 'what could have been' as her betrayal becomes the stumbling block to them even ever being friends again. And it takes a while before we find out what that horrible betrayal involved. Perhaps it's the fear of their surroundings or the fact that they truly do care for one another despite what Avery did to Ben but I loved watching as their defenses slowly slipped away until they could do nothing but love one another.

Secrets long held are revealed and Ben gets a new insight into the whys and hows of Avery. I held out hope that they could truly find their way to each other since they seem to get one another and in the end, really do make a great team.

This book is a great testament to the will of the human psyche and the simple fact that love should and can conquer all. I really enjoyed it and it was a pleasure getting to read Lindy Zart's words once again. Great characters and a very interesting story-line, I happily give Love without a Compass a huge 4 stars!

A truly unique book only comes around so often. It's one that I can't put down, only to feed the kids, and don't want to leave the characters. Ben and Avery, adversaries in their marketing firm, are paired up for an extreme wilderness adventure. Many mishaps and animal scares later they realized some really life changing revelations. These characters are fun, real and challenging but I love them. I wasn't sure of the connection to the first book but we get to see Opal, Ben's friend, for a little bit. This love story is very independent of the first, complete standalone stories. I was thrilled to receive an early copy through Netgalley, my review is unbiased and voluntary.

Hang onto your seats and get ready for this ride. Goats, Crows and Bears oh my. Love without a compass was brilliantly done. I love the comedy with nature mixed in with the little love/hate between Ben and Avery. This is all about team building at its best and you find yourself so drawn to Ben and Avery you wonder what really happened between them. And you when you finally find out you feel for Avery and understand more why she did what she did. Ben and Avery have this zing of chemistry that you can't wait to see ignite. Lots of mishaps and soul baring ahead between these two will not only bring on the giggles but you might find yourself a little misty eyed too. I love Lindy Zart and the way she wove this adventure to love with Ben and Avery. When you one click this one you wont be disappointed.

Loved this story so much. Each story by Lindy Zart gets better and better. Her characters seem to come to life on my reading device. There is always a moral lesson to be learned when reading her works. This one is sometimes you don't always get what you want, but you get what you deserve.

What originally began as a team building experiment in the workplace turned into an unexpected journey about discovering who your true self is. An experiment on team building unites a city guy and woman afraid of the outdoors in this humorous adventure meant to teach coworkers how to work together. These coworkers experience highs and lows while hiking through the wilderness. The elements of nature expose weaknesses offering a side not visible in the workplace. It’s a head to head battle between two characters at opposition with each other. Yet, they unite together given the circumstances. A second chance at becoming unified coworkers to lovers.

Avery is a competitive woman who challenges herself even when it’s a task she hates. Avery is surprisingly optimistic, being in the outdoors, considering how much she dislikes this adventure. Ben is the productive provider who is sensitive to animals and has a fierce sense of protection for people in dangerous situations.

Initially, I was confused by Avery’s behavior towards Ben. She ran hot and cold. With the adventure being the starting point, I had no prior knowledge about their interactions with each other in the workplace. Lindy delivered those interactions in pieces leaving me confused. Clarity came when Avery and Ben talked about the situation that brought about the hate he had for her. At this point, I really began to understand their dynamics.

I’ve never heard of these types of team building adventures, but I can see how putting two people together in this type of situation would expose their vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and strengths. I’m certain this experiment would be beneficial to married couples, as well.

I like the story, it’s written well and it’s a clever plot. Yet, I’m not hanging on every word. I’m not sure if it’s the push n pull or the love/hate relationship, but something’s missing for me. There is a wonderful message and valuable lesson in the story, yet it wasn’t enough to keep my interest at all times. It’s a great experiment at determining couples compatibility’s and show how they will react during difficult situations.

...already in the middle of an adventure

This author is one of my favorites, so I was excited to read this new book. Sadly I'm giving it up halfway through. The bickering, OMG, so much bickering between Ben and Avery. It got old so very fast. I get that there is some sort of rivalry, that the trek through the wildness was supposed to make them come out as friendly co-workers and probably lovers. But I can't. The digs about what happened at work, Avery hiding so many things, then how they seemed to purposely hinder each other during the hike. I just can't any more, this one just isn't for me.

**3.5 Stars**

I really liked this book. I love the enemies to lovers to trope, so this one was right up my alley.

Ben was a great character. I liked that he wasn't conventionally macho. He had a queasy stomach when it came to blood and he had a really big issue cutting up fish. It was nice to see a H that wasn't good at everything.

Avery was also a pretty good character. I'm still a little confused by her personality, though. I know she was trying to figure herself out and I think I have her mostly figured out, but there's something about her still that doesn't ring a 100% authentic. Despite that, I loved how she faced her fears and she would just suck it up and do it. We could all take a page out of her book.

One of my complaints about this book was that I wish there wasn't so much "I really like her, but I hate her more" commentary so quickly. I wanted to feel Ben's anger toward Avery more and I feel like having the "I like her" happen from the get-go kind of ruined that a little bit. Not to the point where it ruined the story, though.

The ending threw me a little bit. I felt that it was a little rushed and I didn't like Duke's interference. It felt like it came a little out of left field and was completely unexpected.

This story was hilarious, though, and had the usual Lindy Zart wit that I love in all of her books. Avery's encounters with the animals had me laughing out loud. I loved the banter between Ben and Avery and ultimately felt like they had great chemistry.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book. It was funny, witty, and charming. I look forward to the next Lindy Zart book!