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Invincible Summer #1
True North
A previous cover edition for this ASIN can be found here
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.
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.
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2024
29 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Carina Gaskell
6 books91 followersCarina Gaskell writes multicultural romance novels led by Filipina characters. She believes that romance is political, from who gets their Happy Ever After to how they get it and why. She seeks to explore the intersections of love, art, culture, and politics in her work, and publishes independently as praxis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
July 3, 2024
I, too, wish to open an environmentally-friendly coffee shop that promotes sustainability and meet an AFAM—I mean, the love of my life—along the way.
True North is a perfect beach read for the summer! It’s a novella so it’s definitely binge-able. I read this in one sitting and I enjoyed it so much. It’s giving romcom vibes. Sophie and Archie are entirely smitten with each other, even though their romance came off pretty insta-lovey. But then again, such is the power of an unexpected whirlwind summer romance. The characters were all so wholesome and loveable that I can’t wait for the next book! I did wish to see or learn more about their pasts, but I'm all in for this cute romance.
Thank you to Carina Gaskell for the ARC! :>
True North is a perfect beach read for the summer! It’s a novella so it’s definitely binge-able. I read this in one sitting and I enjoyed it so much. It’s giving romcom vibes. Sophie and Archie are entirely smitten with each other, even though their romance came off pretty insta-lovey. But then again, such is the power of an unexpected whirlwind summer romance. The characters were all so wholesome and loveable that I can’t wait for the next book! I did wish to see or learn more about their pasts, but I'm all in for this cute romance.
Thank you to Carina Gaskell for the ARC! :>
August 9, 2024
Thank you for the ARC!
⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
My rate would have been higher if it wasn't a short story 😕 I would love to go on a journey with them. The back bone of the story was only summarized and the romance was the only one highlighted. The depth and layers were removed.
Sets on a beautiful beach in the Philippines, A story about grabbing that second chance of love while opening a cafe, Green Flag blue-eyed MMC, Yes please!
⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
My rate would have been higher if it wasn't a short story 😕 I would love to go on a journey with them. The back bone of the story was only summarized and the romance was the only one highlighted. The depth and layers were removed.
Sets on a beautiful beach in the Philippines, A story about grabbing that second chance of love while opening a cafe, Green Flag blue-eyed MMC, Yes please!
December 12, 2024
This was a delightful whirlwind summer romance! I don’t particularly enjoy insta-love tropes in romance books, but Archie and Sophie might be an exception. They have a cute and hilarious dynamic (nakakakilig naman talaga siya), supported by the side characters which made it all the more fun (I would’ve laughed my ass of if this was in Tagalog). This was a quick and bingeable novella, the cozy ambience bringing you to a sunny, sandy getaway beach.
Maybe it’s not so bad to fall in love that quick, right? This is actually the first time that I’ve read a character falling in love while opening an environmental-friendly café with a hot environmentalist boyfriend (AND I LIKED IT HELLO??) Looking forward to my grumpy girl Layla’s story!
Maybe it’s not so bad to fall in love that quick, right? This is actually the first time that I’ve read a character falling in love while opening an environmental-friendly café with a hot environmentalist boyfriend (AND I LIKED IT HELLO??) Looking forward to my grumpy girl Layla’s story!
January 18, 2025
The story had its moments, but the romance didn’t quite work for me.
Read
September 2, 2024DNF for now maybe? At 20%. Am not vibing with the writing. Is very cheesy and kind of over explanatory on the Philippine culture things. Plus his date’s name is Christina and I would rather not hear about how pretty he finds Christina
July 6, 2024
Nothing can ever make me feel more excited than a romance book set in the Philippines with swoon-worthy characters, female friendships, food, coffee shops, art, banters, and spice.
We follow Sophie and Archie as they navigate their way towards finding love at the right place and the right time. Amidst the heartbreaks, they proved to us that being patient is one of the softest forms of love.
As an elder sister, I feel for Sophie with the way she looks after her sister and cousin. I feel her constant worries for their well-being. I love the sisterhood and the friendship that was shown in multiple ways. Sophie is such a relatable character– independent, goal-oriented, and strong-willed. I just hope that in this life, I also find someone like Archie.
Even though it is a novella, I still enjoyed reading this book. It is short and fast-paced, perfect during the summer or if you are in a reading slump. I cannot wait to read other books in this series!
Thank you Carina Gaskell for the ARC!
We follow Sophie and Archie as they navigate their way towards finding love at the right place and the right time. Amidst the heartbreaks, they proved to us that being patient is one of the softest forms of love.
As an elder sister, I feel for Sophie with the way she looks after her sister and cousin. I feel her constant worries for their well-being. I love the sisterhood and the friendship that was shown in multiple ways. Sophie is such a relatable character– independent, goal-oriented, and strong-willed. I just hope that in this life, I also find someone like Archie.
Even though it is a novella, I still enjoyed reading this book. It is short and fast-paced, perfect during the summer or if you are in a reading slump. I cannot wait to read other books in this series!
Thank you Carina Gaskell for the ARC!
July 27, 2024
God this was cute. I loved it. I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of True North and it did not disappoint. I loved it enough to want more.
Sophie is resilient and hardheaded. And yes, she wouldn’t have given Archie a chance without her meddling family. But while their meddling was annoying, they knew what she needed.
Archer, or Archie for short, is FULL of green flags. Patient, kind, COMMUNICATES!! He loves her from the beginning but never pushes for more than she offers.
Sophie is resilient and hardheaded. And yes, she wouldn’t have given Archie a chance without her meddling family. But while their meddling was annoying, they knew what she needed.
Archer, or Archie for short, is FULL of green flags. Patient, kind, COMMUNICATES!! He loves her from the beginning but never pushes for more than she offers.
January 11, 2025
Thank you to Carina Gaskell for giving me an ARC of the two books of this series in exchange for an honest review!
True North is a cute book perfect for summer. I'm giving it only 3 stars because even tho it was nice to read, there are some things that I didn't like. This is a me problem, but the book was written in 3rd person, and I don't like when romance books are not in 1st person because I think the story is less smooth to read. Archie is the mmc and he was so sweet and kind, but it shocked me that he didn't even know the fmc's name (Sophie) and he was already saying that she was the girl of his dreams, so it was a little insta love, a trope which I'm not a fan of. I think their love story was a little rushed and the ending was a little abrupt in my opinion.
True North is a cute book perfect for summer. I'm giving it only 3 stars because even tho it was nice to read, there are some things that I didn't like. This is a me problem, but the book was written in 3rd person, and I don't like when romance books are not in 1st person because I think the story is less smooth to read. Archie is the mmc and he was so sweet and kind, but it shocked me that he didn't even know the fmc's name (Sophie) and he was already saying that she was the girl of his dreams, so it was a little insta love, a trope which I'm not a fan of. I think their love story was a little rushed and the ending was a little abrupt in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2025
4.5/5★ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
*light spoilers*
One of the first books I chose for Stuff Your Kindle 2025! Thank you so much Ms. Carina for sharing this cute book ♡
I love Sophie so much, truly a wonderful character development when she finally let that cold heart of hers melt. Not only is she a great and slightly overprotective older sister and cousin, she’s also very mother material *wink wink to Archie* I also admire how she let Layla show the people of Dalisay her talent through murals, aahhh she’s so sweet. I also kinda wish this was longer so we could see the Coral Cup more and more of Archie and Sophie together. I also love the descriptions of the food mentioned, they seem so mouthwater and I definitely need to go to a Filipino restaurant. I also admire the showcasing of Filipino culture. Can’t wait to see more of Sophie and her family in the next books.
*light spoilers*
One of the first books I chose for Stuff Your Kindle 2025! Thank you so much Ms. Carina for sharing this cute book ♡
I love Sophie so much, truly a wonderful character development when she finally let that cold heart of hers melt. Not only is she a great and slightly overprotective older sister and cousin, she’s also very mother material *wink wink to Archie* I also admire how she let Layla show the people of Dalisay her talent through murals, aahhh she’s so sweet. I also kinda wish this was longer so we could see the Coral Cup more and more of Archie and Sophie together. I also love the descriptions of the food mentioned, they seem so mouthwater and I definitely need to go to a Filipino restaurant. I also admire the showcasing of Filipino culture. Can’t wait to see more of Sophie and her family in the next books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2024
a cute and fast reading for the summer if you are in the mood and need something short & sweet 💋 this one’s for u !!
archie and sophie were the cutest and relatable too!
sophie’s such a strong woman and also very caring for the people she loves <33 i loved see her with her sisters, the family moments were so warming and realistic that u can find yourself among the pages of this story!
archie was the loml he was caring, considerate and so cute, he was always there in the right moments for sophie and her family!
the friendships,the romance and the family moments were all good in this short story!!
thank u carina for the e arc copy of this amazing novel I can’t wait to read more about this series!!
archie and sophie were the cutest and relatable too!
sophie’s such a strong woman and also very caring for the people she loves <33 i loved see her with her sisters, the family moments were so warming and realistic that u can find yourself among the pages of this story!
archie was the loml he was caring, considerate and so cute, he was always there in the right moments for sophie and her family!
the friendships,the romance and the family moments were all good in this short story!!
thank u carina for the e arc copy of this amazing novel I can’t wait to read more about this series!!
August 7, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
what a great way to start a series! this is definitely my favorite book out of these three books.
i also liked that despite this being just 10 chapters, the author was able to give us an introduction to the characters and some foreshadowing for the following book, whilst giving us a very good romance.
i enjoyed the build up to archie and sophie's romance. it was like a modern-day filipino courtship, but with added fun from all the meddling matchmakers.
this was a really really great short and cute summer read!
what a great way to start a series! this is definitely my favorite book out of these three books.
i also liked that despite this being just 10 chapters, the author was able to give us an introduction to the characters and some foreshadowing for the following book, whilst giving us a very good romance.
i enjoyed the build up to archie and sophie's romance. it was like a modern-day filipino courtship, but with added fun from all the meddling matchmakers.
this was a really really great short and cute summer read!
November 24, 2024
Very sweet, I could gobble this up and eat!
Sophie's been hard at work with opening her new cafe in the island. She didn't anticipate that she's babysitting her not-so-little baby sister and cousin throughout the summer, and on top of that, she's also juggling her budding attraction to her neighbor, Archie.
I love the Filipino representation. All the food that was described made me want to book a ticket to Boracay and just soak up the beach and the good vibes. This book felt like summer.
I resonate with Sophie, I honestly love her and she's just so good and determined with a heart of gold. Archie, I got mixed feelings, sometimes I like him but other times, he made me rolled my eyes. Some scenes are so sweet and there are some that are a bit over-the-top-it-made-me-cringed but that's on me because I'm bitter haha.
Since this is a novella, we kinda just brushed the surface of the emotions and past between the characters but that's okay because there's enough for their relationship to make it more genuine.
Overall, it's still a great book. I will def be reading the next book!
Sophie's been hard at work with opening her new cafe in the island. She didn't anticipate that she's babysitting her not-so-little baby sister and cousin throughout the summer, and on top of that, she's also juggling her budding attraction to her neighbor, Archie.
I love the Filipino representation. All the food that was described made me want to book a ticket to Boracay and just soak up the beach and the good vibes. This book felt like summer.
I resonate with Sophie, I honestly love her and she's just so good and determined with a heart of gold. Archie, I got mixed feelings, sometimes I like him but other times, he made me rolled my eyes. Some scenes are so sweet and there are some that are a bit over-the-top-it-made-me-cringed but that's on me because I'm bitter haha.
Since this is a novella, we kinda just brushed the surface of the emotions and past between the characters but that's okay because there's enough for their relationship to make it more genuine.
Overall, it's still a great book. I will def be reading the next book!
December 31, 2025
I finished True North by Carina Gaskell as my last read of 2025, and it did not disappoint. I loved the meet-cute setup, and even at just around 100 pages, the pacing worked well for me. The story still delivered solid backstory, substance, and character development.
It was a satisfying, cozy read and a great note to end the year on. I can’t wait to explore more of Carina Gaskell’s books next year! 🤗
It was a satisfying, cozy read and a great note to end the year on. I can’t wait to explore more of Carina Gaskell’s books next year! 🤗
January 9, 2025
It was an okay read.
Perfect for just a novella.
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬, 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑰’𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓.
Perfect for just a novella.
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬, 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑰’𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓.
July 5, 2025
4 ⭐ 2 🌶️
A sweet summer romcom with a hint of spice.
Fun banter and some cheesiness. It is a novella, so, obviously it's not gonna get deep. Great characters I can't wait to read more about in the next book.
A sweet summer romcom with a hint of spice.
Fun banter and some cheesiness. It is a novella, so, obviously it's not gonna get deep. Great characters I can't wait to read more about in the next book.
January 31, 2025
I feel like the overall story was fast paced but I liked it. Finished it in one seating.
August 29, 2024
I'm not gonna lie, I didn't enjoy how quick everything went with the characters but I guess it's to be expected of a novella.
I did however get hooked regardless. I came into reading this story blind, I really didn't read what it could be about. Let me tell ya, I wasn't expecting it to get so spicy so quickly but it was soooo intriguing.
I did however get hooked regardless. I came into reading this story blind, I really didn't read what it could be about. Let me tell ya, I wasn't expecting it to get so spicy so quickly but it was soooo intriguing.
August 17, 2025
A cute and light-hearted novella. Archie is such a BAE 😭💗 I want more because I want to read Narra & Layla’s story.
December 28, 2024
“You’re a hard man to get rid of, Archer Hastings!”
If you’re in the mood for a quick, feel-good summer read, True North is it! 🌸
This story perfectly blends romance, family, and friendship. It’s the kind of book you’ll finish in one sitting and still want more.
Can’t wait to read Narra and Theo’s story! 💖
Thanks Ms. Carina Gaskell for the ARC copy!💕
If you’re in the mood for a quick, feel-good summer read, True North is it! 🌸
This story perfectly blends romance, family, and friendship. It’s the kind of book you’ll finish in one sitting and still want more.
Can’t wait to read Narra and Theo’s story! 💖
Thanks Ms. Carina Gaskell for the ARC copy!💕
July 8, 2024
Thank you, Carina, for sending me an ARC of this novella!
I like how short and fast-paced this book was, and how light the plot was. The island setting, the vivid description of the different Filipino food, and that very adorable meet-cute, *chef's kiss* PERFECT!
I very much enjoyed the dynamics of the characters, like how overprotective Archie and Sophie get when it comes to Narra & Layla; how Narra is always being authentic and true to who she is and what she wants; and how she and Layla are such good friends no matter how different they can be from each other.
I am looking forward to the next book bc I really really wish for Theo's come back!!! He seems like such a green flag like Archie! And also wanna know what happens with Layla & Lucky!
I had such a fun time reading this. Congratulations on your novella, Carina!
I like how short and fast-paced this book was, and how light the plot was. The island setting, the vivid description of the different Filipino food, and that very adorable meet-cute, *chef's kiss* PERFECT!
I very much enjoyed the dynamics of the characters, like how overprotective Archie and Sophie get when it comes to Narra & Layla; how Narra is always being authentic and true to who she is and what she wants; and how she and Layla are such good friends no matter how different they can be from each other.
I am looking forward to the next book bc I really really wish for Theo's come back!!! He seems like such a green flag like Archie! And also wanna know what happens with Layla & Lucky!
I had such a fun time reading this. Congratulations on your novella, Carina!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2024
Received the ARC of this book and just dove into reading it.
Immediately, I was invested in the characters and in the love story of Archer and Sophie. I found myself rooting for both characters from the jump.
However, probably because this was a shorter novel, it lacked some depth in the back stories of the characters - some whys were left unanswered that I feel would have rounded out the characters more. Especially with Narra, who turned out to have more to her than just loud and straightforward, though both traits endeared me to her. And other than the story of Layla’s parents, I needed more in terms of why she was the way she was.
I also spent most of the time bracing for some sort of fallout. I don’t know if this is telling of the kind of person I am or the kind of books I read but I was waiting for some kind of conflict but it didn’t come.
All in all, I would say this book was short and sweet. At the end of the day, I appreciated that there was no huge conflict that would separate our MCs which would then resolve with a sometimes too-dramatic profession of love.
It was a beautiful story of people whose paths crossed at the right time to make a great swoon-worthy story that, yes, had me smiling goofily in public.
Can’t wait to read more from the Invincible Summer series.
Immediately, I was invested in the characters and in the love story of Archer and Sophie. I found myself rooting for both characters from the jump.
However, probably because this was a shorter novel, it lacked some depth in the back stories of the characters - some whys were left unanswered that I feel would have rounded out the characters more. Especially with Narra, who turned out to have more to her than just loud and straightforward, though both traits endeared me to her. And other than the story of Layla’s parents, I needed more in terms of why she was the way she was.
I also spent most of the time bracing for some sort of fallout. I don’t know if this is telling of the kind of person I am or the kind of books I read but I was waiting for some kind of conflict but it didn’t come.
All in all, I would say this book was short and sweet. At the end of the day, I appreciated that there was no huge conflict that would separate our MCs which would then resolve with a sometimes too-dramatic profession of love.
It was a beautiful story of people whose paths crossed at the right time to make a great swoon-worthy story that, yes, had me smiling goofily in public.
Can’t wait to read more from the Invincible Summer series.
October 13, 2025
Light and sweet! I just wished it wasn’t so rushed
August 2, 2024
ARC review for 🦋True North🦋 ✨
This was such a cute & short read 🤍
I was immediately drawn in by Sophie (our FMC) who returned to the Philippines after a failed engagement to chase her dreams of opening a coffee shop. She had no way to fund the shop so she made a deal with her Ninang (her wealthy grand-aunt) to keep an eye on her younger sister & cousin who are both eager to explore to the fullest during summer & in return her dream coffee shop would be funded.
All is well (or so she thinks) until she meets Archie. Sophie is reluctant to accept love into her life again so her sister & cousin take it into their hands to set her & Archie up. 🤍🦋
I loved this novella & I am ashamed to admit how quick I got through it because I just could not put it down.
Sophie is super hard headed & refuses to fall inlove again BUT who can resist Archie. The man who is so full of green flags & is OBSESSED with her. He is thoughtful, kind, loving & head over heels for her.
The way they fell in love felt so organic that it felt real.. like if I was falling inlove with him too (ps: I might have 😍)
The chemistry was undeniable & the spice was spicing babyyy 😍!!!
Tropes ✨:
🦋Environmentalist MMC
✨Meddling Matchmakers
🦋He falls first & falls hardest
✨Short & sweet
🦋Coffee shop owner FMC
✨Spicy Summer Lovin 🌶️
🦋Set on a beachy island in the Philippines 🇵🇭
This was such a cute & short read 🤍
I was immediately drawn in by Sophie (our FMC) who returned to the Philippines after a failed engagement to chase her dreams of opening a coffee shop. She had no way to fund the shop so she made a deal with her Ninang (her wealthy grand-aunt) to keep an eye on her younger sister & cousin who are both eager to explore to the fullest during summer & in return her dream coffee shop would be funded.
All is well (or so she thinks) until she meets Archie. Sophie is reluctant to accept love into her life again so her sister & cousin take it into their hands to set her & Archie up. 🤍🦋
I loved this novella & I am ashamed to admit how quick I got through it because I just could not put it down.
Sophie is super hard headed & refuses to fall inlove again BUT who can resist Archie. The man who is so full of green flags & is OBSESSED with her. He is thoughtful, kind, loving & head over heels for her.
The way they fell in love felt so organic that it felt real.. like if I was falling inlove with him too (ps: I might have 😍)
The chemistry was undeniable & the spice was spicing babyyy 😍!!!
Tropes ✨:
🦋Environmentalist MMC
✨Meddling Matchmakers
🦋He falls first & falls hardest
✨Short & sweet
🦋Coffee shop owner FMC
✨Spicy Summer Lovin 🌶️
🦋Set on a beachy island in the Philippines 🇵🇭
February 13, 2025
"She's just not any girl... Call it a gut feeling"
this novella was just so cute !!! it was such a comfy, light and heartwarming read :) it just made want to open my own beachside coffee shop ⭐️
sophie, after her breakup she moves to her hometown and starts preparing everything for the opening of her coastal coffee shop while taking her of her little sister and her cousin
archer, who has seen Sophie a few times is already eager to know her, pass time with her and if he lets her... date her
throughout the story i loved how Archie was trying to let Sophie see that it's okay to open her heart again because he will be there to treasure it and i loved that Sophie was slowly but surely trusting her decisions, actions and herself again :)
honestly i'm excited to continue reading this little universe i enjoyed it so much, can't wait for the next book to come!!! thank you so much Carina for providing me an ARC <3
this novella was just so cute !!! it was such a comfy, light and heartwarming read :) it just made want to open my own beachside coffee shop ⭐️
sophie, after her breakup she moves to her hometown and starts preparing everything for the opening of her coastal coffee shop while taking her of her little sister and her cousin
archer, who has seen Sophie a few times is already eager to know her, pass time with her and if he lets her... date her
throughout the story i loved how Archie was trying to let Sophie see that it's okay to open her heart again because he will be there to treasure it and i loved that Sophie was slowly but surely trusting her decisions, actions and herself again :)
honestly i'm excited to continue reading this little universe i enjoyed it so much, can't wait for the next book to come!!! thank you so much Carina for providing me an ARC <3
July 15, 2024
True North by Carina Gaskell
A feel-good romcom that will definitely get you out of a slump!
Oh, wow. I enjoyed reading Sophie and Archer's story, so I finished this novella in two hours.
It has a beachy atmosphere set in the Philippines. I have never been to any of the famous beaches in the PH, but this makes me want to visit them soon. Also loved the representation; I feel giddy reading about color-coded trikes, delicacies, and such!
All the characters are charming, I enjoyed reading their banters. Everyone adds a flavor to the story, and they really have good dynamics.
I was beaming the whole time, and there were no dull moments. Such a light and cozy read.
This book will be available on August 5, 2024, so make sure to check it out by then!
Thank you, Carina, for the ARC.
A feel-good romcom that will definitely get you out of a slump!
Oh, wow. I enjoyed reading Sophie and Archer's story, so I finished this novella in two hours.
It has a beachy atmosphere set in the Philippines. I have never been to any of the famous beaches in the PH, but this makes me want to visit them soon. Also loved the representation; I feel giddy reading about color-coded trikes, delicacies, and such!
All the characters are charming, I enjoyed reading their banters. Everyone adds a flavor to the story, and they really have good dynamics.
I was beaming the whole time, and there were no dull moments. Such a light and cozy read.
This book will be available on August 5, 2024, so make sure to check it out by then!
Thank you, Carina, for the ARC.
November 28, 2024
This is such a sweet story. A girl is scared to love again after having her heart completely broken by someone she thought was her forever. In this novella, Sophie learns to love again. She learns that love is worth the risk. Sophie’s summer is accompanied by her baby sister (Narra) and cousin (Layla). This book is a nostalgic read for anyone who has a sister, or just someone you wish the world for. Narra and Layla play the shameless matchmakers of the story and wish nothing but the best for Sophie. They happen to think the best is her neighbor, Archie.
Perfect summer read!
Perfect summer read!
July 13, 2024
Sweet and short, definitely a read for when you want to believe in love again (we all do, one way or another) and indulge in meet-cute fantasies. A moment also for the girls in our lives who give us more purpose and encourage us to take risks when we need it the most. Gaskell knows "kilig" and is not afraid to share it with her readers, it makes me wonder how she would explore intense heartbreak should she dabble in it sometime. Definitely excited for what's next in this series!
Missed the Philippines more and definitely put Dalisay on my to-go list.
Missed the Philippines more and definitely put Dalisay on my to-go list.
August 3, 2024
This was such a cute story. Read this in one sitting. I absolutely loved the Philippines setting with the Filipino coffee shop. I now want an ube latte with pinipig 🤤 The romance did feel insta-love here and I thought the ending was a bit abrupt but I understand it's a novella so the plot was very fast-paced. I'm looking forward to getting Narra and Theo's story!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of this e-ARC! ❤️
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of this e-ARC! ❤️
July 8, 2024
ARC review.
This was a sweet, quick read. I felt like there’s enough of a story there it didn’t need to be a novella though. I was also a bit confused about the sisters character and story line, it seemed like there was a lot more going on with not a lot of detail. But overall it was a delightful way to spend my afternoon.
This was a sweet, quick read. I felt like there’s enough of a story there it didn’t need to be a novella though. I was also a bit confused about the sisters character and story line, it seemed like there was a lot more going on with not a lot of detail. But overall it was a delightful way to spend my afternoon.
September 17, 2025
❝It hadn’t hit him until this very moment. He likes her and is certain of it. But like doesn’t cover even half of what he feels for her. He’s greedy about her; he wants her time, her attention, her affection, but more than that, he wants to see her shine. Archie wants her to do well, to be happy—with or without him, though preferably with.❞
┊┊❁ཻུ۪۪♡ ͎. ｡˚ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 °
🏝: He falls first and harder
☕️: Short & Sweet
🏝: FMC Cafe Owner
☕️: MMC Environmentalist
🏝: Summer Romance
☕️: Sisterhood Bond
┊┊❁ཻུ۪۪♡ ͎. ｡˚ 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 °
It’s high time I started reading books written and self-published by Filipino authors. Hello?!? What am I doing all this time? I was missing out on a LOT. So, it’s rightly deserved that my first book review is a book written by the one and only @CarinaGaskell!
True North is the first book of the short series Invincible Summer. It’s a perfect summer read. A feel-good love story. It's also ideal for those in a book slump and need to get back on track with their TBR because this was a quick read and indulgent. Short and sweet! As they say. I finished this in one seating, an achievement for someone who’s in a book slump!
Since it is a novella, it’s fast-paced and insta-love. Now, I typically don’t branch towards that trope anymore, but on this one, it worked pretty well, and I expected it to be insta-love because of how short this book was, so it was alright with me! I would not complain, though, if it’s longer. I would have loved to see more of the characters on a deeper level and explored their background a bit, and of course, more of the slow-burning romance between Archie and Sophie that would have made their relationship more genuine than it was. I was craving for MORE.
It’s refreshing to read a book that not only mentions but details Filipino culture. Wholesome family and friendship bonds are what we Filipinos are known for, right? And also the food? Mouthwatering description, chef’s kiss!
Can’t wait to read the next books of the series!
┊┊❁ཻུ۪۪♡ ͎. ｡˚ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 °
🏝: He falls first and harder
☕️: Short & Sweet
🏝: FMC Cafe Owner
☕️: MMC Environmentalist
🏝: Summer Romance
☕️: Sisterhood Bond
┊┊❁ཻུ۪۪♡ ͎. ｡˚ 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 °
It’s high time I started reading books written and self-published by Filipino authors. Hello?!? What am I doing all this time? I was missing out on a LOT. So, it’s rightly deserved that my first book review is a book written by the one and only @CarinaGaskell!
True North is the first book of the short series Invincible Summer. It’s a perfect summer read. A feel-good love story. It's also ideal for those in a book slump and need to get back on track with their TBR because this was a quick read and indulgent. Short and sweet! As they say. I finished this in one seating, an achievement for someone who’s in a book slump!
Since it is a novella, it’s fast-paced and insta-love. Now, I typically don’t branch towards that trope anymore, but on this one, it worked pretty well, and I expected it to be insta-love because of how short this book was, so it was alright with me! I would not complain, though, if it’s longer. I would have loved to see more of the characters on a deeper level and explored their background a bit, and of course, more of the slow-burning romance between Archie and Sophie that would have made their relationship more genuine than it was. I was craving for MORE.
It’s refreshing to read a book that not only mentions but details Filipino culture. Wholesome family and friendship bonds are what we Filipinos are known for, right? And also the food? Mouthwatering description, chef’s kiss!
Can’t wait to read the next books of the series!
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