Had this on my TBR for a while, then I got an ALC of the book and moved it to the top, glad I finally got to it because I really enjoyed this story. It was unique and I love the banter and romance between our MMC and FMC. Heading into book 2 now!

The audio on this book was great, I liked the narrator. She was good enough that everyone had a different enough voice that it was easy to distinguish between them.

My rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Compass Points was a cozy fantasy book with interesting characters and a unique, well-written world.
If you like stories with fake dating, forced proximity, and a little rivalry, this may be the story for you.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC of Compass Points by Jillian Witt.

This was a cozy fantasy (it's listed as New Adult, but I think it hits Young Adult more accurately. There is one mild spice scene) with a favourite troupe of mine: fake dating.

I liked the magician's system, and Arie the shape-shifting companion- it did make me think of The Golden Compass and the animal companions in that, but I think I made that connection mostly for the similarities in the title.

I enjoyed the listen. 😊

3.75 stars

This book was a fun fantasy romance adventure with the trope that always hits, fake dating. I listened to the audiobook over 2 days and really enjoyed it. It was a very quick and easy read and has a surprisingly cozy feel, even with the danger lurking. I really liked spending time with all of the characters. And Luc had me giggling and swooning over some of the things he would say to Rose.

This book is categorized as New Adult, but it reads more as Young Adult in my opinion. There is one very mild, very quick “spicy” scene. I believe that scene is the only thing that might push someone to label this as New Adult.

Thank you Netgalley for this ALC.

Narrated by Kasi Hollowell
Listening to this book was so much fun!

The trio of Rose, Luc and Ari are a fun bunch. The cozy beginnings are Rose after running away from her grief and the fae courts. The evil mystic fog is an evil that set the adventure in motion. I liked that they just get off on the wrong foot and then become friends. I really want more backstory to Rose's childhood but I guess that will come to light in the 2nd book.

The pacing was steady and despite the sleeping fog curse, the story is overall very light hearted.

The audiobook was easy to listen to, though I found some of the narrator’s character voices a bit odd.

As for the story, I loved the different take on fae courts and elemental magic, and the magic system based on compass points was unique and refreshing. It was pretty tropey, but I don't mind that for the most part

Thank you NetGalley for the gifted audiobook!

I was excited to read Compass Points as it ticked loads of fantasy story boxes for me; animal sidekicks, cosy vibes but with higher stakes, the great outdoors inspired by national parks and a fierce female lead character. Unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the spot for me. Apart from Arie, the shapeshifting animal sidekick, it didn't feel like any of these promises were delivered in quite the way I expected.

Overall, I thought the plot had some interesting ideas, the idea of four Fae protectors based on the compass points, each with different skills and powers, was unique. There was potential for different elements, including the mist and the politics, to be more intriguing and add complexity, though they weren't fully explored here. Perhaps this is something to be further investigated in later books?

I found Rose, our FMC, a little disappointing, or perhaps just a little under-written. As a master sword maker, she didn't get to show her bladesmithing skills, but we did at least get to see her magic. However, she seemed completely out of her depth with Luc, fluctuating between a sort of instant adoration and an unearned trust, versus a constant reminder to herself that he is the Suden Point, and so they could never have a relationship, nor can he be trusted. I honestly got tired of hearing the line about him being the Suden Point so they couldn't be together, she must've thought it at least half a dozen times, especially after we found out a secret about Rose which made this even more unpalatable to her. To give Rose her due, she was quietly decisive and good in an emergency and under pressure, as well as enjoying to gently rib people for a bit of amusement too.

Luc is the least Fae-like Fae I've read about for a long time. He allegedly has a reputation for being at best grumpy, but seems to be polite, sweet, soft and lovely to everyone we meet, especially Rose. At the most we see him being a little combative in meetings with the other compass points, because he is standing up for the rights of humans, which is his job.

The audiobook was narrated by Kasi Hollowell. As always, I took a few minutes to adapt to a new narrator, but once I adjusted to her style, I thought she was very clear and had a good range of different accents and voices, making it easy to understand who was speaking at all times.

This was a 2.5 star read for me, rounded down.

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing Co-op for the ARC, this is my honest opinion.

This book had a lot of good ideas, but it also felt like the author took all the popular tropes and turned it into a book. The plot and world building and magic system weren't terrible, but the dialogue and "banter" was just not good. I won't be continuing the series.

I think I’d probably give this one 3-3.5 stars. Firstly thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

It didn’t blow me away, I enjoyed the underlying story, I liked the fake dating & the enemies to lovers sort of vibe.

It wasn’t really spicy which is good too, but I don’t know it was just missing something for me, to grab me - maybe more action? Maybe more time in the mist fighting monsters?

I feel as though her being a weapons master came into it only briefly and that storyline sort of went no where (unless I missed something which I very well could have as I did find myself drifting in and out with this story).

Overall I liked the narrators performance, but it’s definitely one you’ll need to pay more attention to. Not your typical quick easy read.

Very short and simple concept for a story. I appreciate the simplistic nature of the story because alot of stories these days complicate a story concept to high heaven. This was great for the short fantasy that it was! I know it's book 1 of 4 I believe so there is more coming for the story and I think this was a great introduction. Nothing insane or super unique about the story but the characters were devolved appropriately and there was no unnecessary manufactured conflicts.

The FMC meets the MMC. He asks her to work with him to make weapons he needs. She is hesitant to work with him but they soon become reluctant collaborators which turns into fake dating and then a real relationship. No false "I hate your guts for no reason at all" I appreciated that most of all.

Compass Point is narrated by Rose, our main female character, who is full of secrets. After fleeing the fae courts, she has been living quietly in a small village. However, her world is turned upside down when an earth fae named Luc unexpectedly arrives. Luc, too, carries his own hidden truths. I really enjoyed watching their relationship unfold and seeing how Luc slowly broke down Rose's emotional walls.

This book was so much fun! It had so many aspects I enjoy in a fantasy romance with a cozy feel. . A desperate quest, interesting world setup, my favorite trope ( only one bed), magic systems, fake dating, and so much more. I absolutely loved Rose and Luc. T hey had amazing chemistry, and their banter was everything I wanted it to be. There are not a lot of fake dating in fantasy romance and I loved it. It would definitely recommend this book and I can’t wait for the sequel. I did enjoy the narrator too.

This book was so much fun! It had so many aspects I enjoy in a fantasy romance with a cozy feel. . A desperate quest, interesting world setup, my favorite trope ( only one bed), magic systems, fake dating, and so much more. I absolutely loved Rose and Luc. T hey had amazing chemistry, and their banter was everything I wanted it to be. There are not a lot of fake dating in fantasy romance and I loved it. It would definitely recommend this book and I can’t wait for the sequel. I did enjoy the narrator too.

🌶️
Slow to start with an interesting plot idea but the audio version could have a drinking game around every time you hear the title, and you probably wouldn't make it to the end of the book. My favorite character is probably the animal sidekick Arie, who is the comic relief, voice of logic and agent of chaos. The FMC Rose is a weapon smith which is cool and adds to her badass points. The banter between her and Luc was cute. I enjoyed how the different courts worshiped different gods. It was unique. I enjoyed the second half more than the first. If you enjoy fae court intrigue, this is for you. Kasi Hollowell was the narrator, and she added at least half a star. She was enjoyable to listen to and captured the emotions and voices of side characters well.

⚔️Fake dating
🐾Slow burn
⚔️Enemies to lovers
🐾Elemental magic
⚔️Single PoV
🐾Dual timeline
⚔️One bed
🐾Secret lineage

Thank you Jillian Witt via Netgalley for an ALC. All opinions are honest and my own.

I was absolutely enchanted by Compass Points and am already looking forward to continuing the series. This was such a tight romantic fantasy with a unique magic system, great world building and solid cast of characters. I can't believe this series doesn't have more hype!

While working at her market booth as a weapons master, Rose meets Luc who is pushes hard trying to get Rose to make her a custom, enchanted weapon. She blows him off - but the two end up reconnecting to fight off the mysterious mist plague that has been pushing towns into a sleeping sickness. Along with Rose's companion, Ari, they head to the seat of the fae power, Compass Lake, to try and save their world from further devastation from the mist.

I really enjoyed this - there was a fake dating element, which I'm a big sucker for. But most of all, I really appreciated that we're not dealing with a young woman trying to come into her power - Rose knows who she is and knows she’s powerful. Luc is also an excellent MMC, he doesn't talk down to her, respects her expertise and her past. I listened to this as an audiobook, which is narrated by Kasi Hollowell, and I just adore her narration. I first came to know her from The Bonds that Tie series, and she does such a fantastic job of bringing this book to life.

Overall, I definitely recommend and can't wait to read the next books! Thanks so much to NetGalley and to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the advanced copy.

This was a low spice, sweet romantic fantasy.
I loved how brave and strong Rose was despite all the things she had to endure. Her drive to protect those that couldn't protect themselves was endearing.
Luc was so understanding and In loved how he didn't even flinch as she let him into her life.
The fake dating turned real so quickly. They were destined for each other.
The narrator had the perfect voice to bring Rose's story to life.
It was cost with a dash of intrigue and I am excited to see what happens next

2-stars

Thanks NetGalley for the audiobook ARC!

The premise of this story was a fun, unique take on fae courts and elemental magic. I really liked the idea of the compass points for the structure and organization of magical beings. The story felt a little rushed and was very tropey, but would be an enjoyable read for someone getting back into fantasy books.

The audiobook was easy to listen to, but the voices the narrator chose to use for some characters was distracting to me.

I’ve had this sitting in my kindle for a while, so when I saw the audio arc pop up I jumped on it! Boy am I glad I did! This was such a good book! I enjoyed the characters and world building, the magic system & the love interest. Unique and never a dull moment. I’m certainly looking forward to reading the rest of this series!

This is a lovely light romantasy with a unique world that isn't overly complicated to understand. It's the kind of romantasy you can understand immediately without need to pour over a map or dictionary.

There are some fantastic tropes in this book, slow burn, hidden identity (Rose), 'enemies' to lovers, (although Luc's initial introduction is a little fighty, they're not true enemies), only one bed, fake dating and redemption.

The narrator Kasi Hollowell is fantastic at bringing the different characters to life, it's easy to distinguish the different characters through the narration.

I loved the premise of the story, Rose is an interesting multi-faceted character, we initially find out that Rose is a weapons master, she's got some magic, but we don't find out what until around 25% in the book. Rose has a shape shifting sidekick Ari, he's a fantastic addition to the story and has mystery of his own for us to learn.
Luc is a compass point, he's looking for a weapon to overcome the deadly mist that's plaguing their world. He seeks out Rose and asks her to join him to return to his home at the Compass lake to forge a weapon to fight with. Rose has secrets that she's eager to hide, but as she begins to trust Luc, she shares more and more about herself which is so lovely to read. Luc and Rose are so open with each other, it's refreshing to see a romantasy where the (would-be) couple actually communicate (!!!) and support each other with their endeavors.

The ending left me wanting more and wondering what will happen next, which left me diving straight into book 2 on Kindle Unlimited!

This was such a fun read! I loved how purely romantasy this book felt but still had a unique plot and main character. The world building quickly roped me in without being overly complicated and I wanted more and more. With old gods, elemental magic, fae, and more, it had so many pieces that the author fit together so well.

I truly enjoyed the main character Rose so much. Her wit and confidence were fun to read and I loved the element of her being a weapons master. I would’ve loved to see even more of her working in the forge and all the details of her craft. Luc was a cute love interest and I enjoyed how quickly he accepted Rose being a girl boss who could keep him on his toes. My one complaint might be that I wish he would’ve had to work a little harder to earn her feelings toward him BUT I loved how much he respected her power and abilities. Definitely hope to see more of his powers and possessiveness in the next book!

I can’t wait to continue this series and see where it goes! I became attached to the world, the plot, and the characters and need more of them. Would definitely recommend this one to any romantasy fan!