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His #2
His Compass
Tom has one rule: don’t sleep with the crew. A second chance with a younger, gorgeous deckhand tempts him to break it.
After a busy season as a charter-hire skipper, Tom yearns for some downtime. His lonely heart also aches for adventure with someone special, but paying his bills has to come first. A surprise sailing contract and huge bonus offer his first glimpse of freedom for years. There’s only one catch: he must crew with Nick, a deckhand who jumped ship once already.
Nick’s as young and untested as the new yacht they’re contracted to sail, and he’s just as gorgeous. Forced to spend a month as Nick's captain, Tom discovers depths he hadn’t noticed. He’s captivated, and happier sailing with Nick than he’s been in forever. However, their voyage is finite, and both men keep soul-deep secrets.
As the contract draws to an end, they must get honest about what’s in their hearts if they want to share a life at sea, and love, forever.
Featuring an age gap that’s only a number, forced proximity that makes hiding attraction impossible, and a yacht that’s nothing but trouble, His Compass is the second novel in the His Contemporary MM Romance series from Con Riley.
♥ This shared-world series starts with His Horizon, but each book follows a different couple, and can be enjoyed as a standalone novel complete with a fulfilling happily ever after. ♥
After a busy season as a charter-hire skipper, Tom yearns for some downtime. His lonely heart also aches for adventure with someone special, but paying his bills has to come first. A surprise sailing contract and huge bonus offer his first glimpse of freedom for years. There’s only one catch: he must crew with Nick, a deckhand who jumped ship once already.
Nick’s as young and untested as the new yacht they’re contracted to sail, and he’s just as gorgeous. Forced to spend a month as Nick's captain, Tom discovers depths he hadn’t noticed. He’s captivated, and happier sailing with Nick than he’s been in forever. However, their voyage is finite, and both men keep soul-deep secrets.
As the contract draws to an end, they must get honest about what’s in their hearts if they want to share a life at sea, and love, forever.
Featuring an age gap that’s only a number, forced proximity that makes hiding attraction impossible, and a yacht that’s nothing but trouble, His Compass is the second novel in the His Contemporary MM Romance series from Con Riley.
♥ This shared-world series starts with His Horizon, but each book follows a different couple, and can be enjoyed as a standalone novel complete with a fulfilling happily ever after. ♥
430 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2021
66 people are currently reading
371 people want to read
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February 3, 2021Slow, somewhat confusing. With this author, I tend to either love the books or DNF them.
DNF at 34% with no rating.
DNF at 34% with no rating.
November 21, 2020
Disclaimer: I alpha read for Con for this one, however all the amazing words are hers alone.
***
This is a beautifully written book which looks at the intimacy of not only a physical journey helming a yacht with only a single crew member, but also the personal one Tom goes on the nearer he reaches home.
Saucepot, aka Nicky, is one of my favourite characters ever. He's a contradiction, with his outwardly distracting attitude of irresponsibility actually acting as camouflage.
He's really full of bravery, living each day with the inner struggles he's never been allowed to forget, and a constant sense that people's lack of faith in him must be true.
I absolutely adored his dawning awareness that the responsibilities Tom gave him were more than his Captain just being a grumpy arse.
Their relationship grows as strong as the currents which carry them back to Blighty.
And I guarantee that when you find out the truth of Nicky's background, your heart will fully ache with love for him.
There's a bit of social commentary in this book which feels totally organic in the narrative. It's not preachy, just an accurate reflection of some of the less pleasant incidents at sea which are sadly all too common at the present time.
It is, however, totally in keeping with the plot itself, it acts as a catalyst to one of the major changes in the development of Tom's feelings for Nick, and highlights the growing intimacy between them.
There were times when I almost broke my Kindle in rage at Tom and his inability to see what was under his nose because of his determined stubbornness.
At other points, I was almost weeping, which is so rare for me that any book which gets me to that state goes into a special place in my heart.
And ultimately, it made me smile so much at all the different ways love is expressed and experienced throughout.
It's as turbulent as the waters they sail, as calming as the harbour which shelters them and as steadying as the compass which guides them to each other, and to home.
With guest appearances from my favourite mardy chef Jude and his fabulous boyfriend Rob - see His Horizon - and a hint of who might be appearing in book three, there wasn't a thing I didn't adore about this story.
Also, how gorgeous is this cover from Natasha Snow! The absolutely perfect Tom 💕
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
***
This is a beautifully written book which looks at the intimacy of not only a physical journey helming a yacht with only a single crew member, but also the personal one Tom goes on the nearer he reaches home.
Saucepot, aka Nicky, is one of my favourite characters ever. He's a contradiction, with his outwardly distracting attitude of irresponsibility actually acting as camouflage.
He's really full of bravery, living each day with the inner struggles he's never been allowed to forget, and a constant sense that people's lack of faith in him must be true.
I absolutely adored his dawning awareness that the responsibilities Tom gave him were more than his Captain just being a grumpy arse.
Their relationship grows as strong as the currents which carry them back to Blighty.
And I guarantee that when you find out the truth of Nicky's background, your heart will fully ache with love for him.
There's a bit of social commentary in this book which feels totally organic in the narrative. It's not preachy, just an accurate reflection of some of the less pleasant incidents at sea which are sadly all too common at the present time.
It is, however, totally in keeping with the plot itself, it acts as a catalyst to one of the major changes in the development of Tom's feelings for Nick, and highlights the growing intimacy between them.
There were times when I almost broke my Kindle in rage at Tom and his inability to see what was under his nose because of his determined stubbornness.
At other points, I was almost weeping, which is so rare for me that any book which gets me to that state goes into a special place in my heart.
And ultimately, it made me smile so much at all the different ways love is expressed and experienced throughout.
It's as turbulent as the waters they sail, as calming as the harbour which shelters them and as steadying as the compass which guides them to each other, and to home.
With guest appearances from my favourite mardy chef Jude and his fabulous boyfriend Rob - see His Horizon - and a hint of who might be appearing in book three, there wasn't a thing I didn't adore about this story.
Also, how gorgeous is this cover from Natasha Snow! The absolutely perfect Tom 💕
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
January 15, 2021
I’m not sure where to start, the author put so many breathtaking moments into this story.
I’ll try to give an impression.
Tom has to test a yacht and will gain a lot of money on it. The money he need desperately. He has a purpose in life and therefore needs all the money he can gain.
He can’t choose his own crew and is shocked Nick is already sitting on board. Nick who left, who disappeared, Nick who does something with his heart. This can’t be true!
So he shows his displeasure and anger and tells him he will not accept him as his crew!
Well, it turns out Nick will be his deckhand after all.
While sailing together Tom gets to know Nick and oh boy did he do him wrong badly. He’s not superficial, he is so so much more. Nick shows his vulnerabilities and Tom is losing his heart.
“It’s magic. The wind is always there.”
We have the honor to meet Justin and Mitch. Be still my heart, be still!! Read it yourself!!
We also meet Jude and Rob again and they are still so in love.
I could tell so many details, about the romance between two beautiful lonely souls, or about their heavy-loaded past, or about all the different layers in this story, but I will not. You have to believe me on my word it’s an unbelievable beautiful, multidimensional story, with varied, colorful personalities.
Above is a sky with glittering guiding stars and below an ocean full of hurt and my tears.
Breathtaking story!!
I’ll try to give an impression.
Tom has to test a yacht and will gain a lot of money on it. The money he need desperately. He has a purpose in life and therefore needs all the money he can gain.
He can’t choose his own crew and is shocked Nick is already sitting on board. Nick who left, who disappeared, Nick who does something with his heart. This can’t be true!
So he shows his displeasure and anger and tells him he will not accept him as his crew!
Well, it turns out Nick will be his deckhand after all.
While sailing together Tom gets to know Nick and oh boy did he do him wrong badly. He’s not superficial, he is so so much more. Nick shows his vulnerabilities and Tom is losing his heart.
“It’s magic. The wind is always there.”
We have the honor to meet Justin and Mitch. Be still my heart, be still!! Read it yourself!!
We also meet Jude and Rob again and they are still so in love.
I could tell so many details, about the romance between two beautiful lonely souls, or about their heavy-loaded past, or about all the different layers in this story, but I will not. You have to believe me on my word it’s an unbelievable beautiful, multidimensional story, with varied, colorful personalities.
Above is a sky with glittering guiding stars and below an ocean full of hurt and my tears.
Breathtaking story!!
July 26, 2021
This book is a sky full of stars.
I LOVED IT. Tom and NIck's story is delightful, heart-touching, and has so many layers I wish the book didn't end.
The characters are deep and beautiful; even the background characters are larger than life. Luckily some of them reappear ahead in the series, so I'll enjoy more of them soon.
I HIGHLY recommend this book.
I LOVED IT. Tom and NIck's story is delightful, heart-touching, and has so many layers I wish the book didn't end.
The characters are deep and beautiful; even the background characters are larger than life. Luckily some of them reappear ahead in the series, so I'll enjoy more of them soon.
I HIGHLY recommend this book.
January 28, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Truly delightful, well-written, full of feels, and a much, much better read for me than His Horizon. Great characters [LOVED Mitch so much, and can only hope the next story is his...unless I've completely misread the title... 🤔🤔], but it really boils down to an epic sort of love story, imagining yourself in a beautiful, deserted cove somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea ⛵⛵ [cos it's the only way I can travel at the moment 😏] and two men who deserve to find love together, after quite a rocky start it has to be said 🤨. Well done Con Riley, terrific!!
Truly delightful, well-written, full of feels, and a much, much better read for me than His Horizon. Great characters [LOVED Mitch so much, and can only hope the next story is his...unless I've completely misread the title... 🤔🤔], but it really boils down to an epic sort of love story, imagining yourself in a beautiful, deserted cove somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea ⛵⛵ [cos it's the only way I can travel at the moment 😏] and two men who deserve to find love together, after quite a rocky start it has to be said 🤨. Well done Con Riley, terrific!!
January 16, 2021
Sorry, just a sec… *deep breath* Okay, thanks, I needed that. In all honesty, this might be a bit of a mess. I promise I will try and contain myself but there are no guarantees. Tom and Nick’s story has a direct line to my knees, zapping any strength, and my chest, striking my heart while simultaneously taking my breath away. So there you have it, I’m all topsy-turvy. Con always does this to me! I was head over heels with the first story in this series and wondered if anything could compare. It was tremendous and pushed all my buttons. Could this compete? The answer is, yes! This stunning story not only compared but quite possibly soared above it. BUT shhh, please don’t tell Rob and Jude. I’d hate for them to know that I’m playing favorites.
There’s much to tell you but even more that I can’t share. Ugh. *wrings hands* Where to begin? How about the sizable…size. The page count is longer than I typically gravitate towards but I’d read an 800-page novel if Riley created one. But again, let’s keep that between us. I’d rather not give her any ideas because I’m sure you’d find Sheri-goo if that ever happened. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it, Con’s books affect me. Before I know it, I’m swept away in a sensory overload of touch, taste, sight, smell, and sound. I’m there and somehow, part of the story. It’s kinda wild and insanely impressive. I’ve never been on a yacht. I’ve never been anywhere near the Mediterranean Sea or the other dreamy places we visit. I dream of Porthperrin but that’s another story. However, when I close my eyes…I feel the steady lull of the deck and hear the music of the water. It’s pure bliss. *happy sigh*
What’s next? *chews lip* I don’t think I mentioned this yet, but this is a full-blown adventure. It sort of split into three parts for me. I’ll make it easy and go with: before, during, and after. The ‘before’ involves the timeframe when Nick worked as a deckhand for Tom (which picks up near the end of the first book) on the Aphrodite and the beginning of the sea trial. Nick’s a ray of sunshine with a kind and whimsical soul. Tom is solid, weatherworn, and slightly surly. They are absolute opposites but perfectly suited for one another. The ‘during’ comprises their budding relationship and journey through the seas on the Nothing But. One word…Wow. I was blown away by the beauty, excitement, and tension. And the ‘after’ is, well, after Tom accepts that he genuinely does desire the strings on his strict “no strings” status. I wanted to (lovingly) cuff the back of his head…more than once. There’s a LOT packed into the gorgeous story but I never drifted or zoned. From the puzzling moments to the rough waters, I was rapt and eager to discover all their hidden secrets and half-truths. You won’t believe it when you uncover the answers. Remarkable all the way around.
I wept, tears of joy, and tears of pain. I agonized, stressed over past trauma and current mishaps. And I celebrated, grand achievements and head-pulling-from-arses. Oh, and did I mention how sexy they are? *fans self* Scorching! I’m definitely burned, somebody pass me the aloe, please? *whispers* I’m counting down the days till Mitch takes us back to visit this cheeky and charming pair. I can’t wait!!
Beware of: We sail through uncharted waters but the navigation does not fail us. Guilt and fear are powerful forces and may try to steer you but all you need is to simply adjust your course. And the breathtaking lesson of, when you find your person, whatever you do, don’t let go.
This book is for: If you believe in destiny, fate, and soul mates, why not set sail on this remarkable journey? I promise you won’t regret it.
Book UNfunk
There’s much to tell you but even more that I can’t share. Ugh. *wrings hands* Where to begin? How about the sizable…size. The page count is longer than I typically gravitate towards but I’d read an 800-page novel if Riley created one. But again, let’s keep that between us. I’d rather not give her any ideas because I’m sure you’d find Sheri-goo if that ever happened. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it, Con’s books affect me. Before I know it, I’m swept away in a sensory overload of touch, taste, sight, smell, and sound. I’m there and somehow, part of the story. It’s kinda wild and insanely impressive. I’ve never been on a yacht. I’ve never been anywhere near the Mediterranean Sea or the other dreamy places we visit. I dream of Porthperrin but that’s another story. However, when I close my eyes…I feel the steady lull of the deck and hear the music of the water. It’s pure bliss. *happy sigh*
What’s next? *chews lip* I don’t think I mentioned this yet, but this is a full-blown adventure. It sort of split into three parts for me. I’ll make it easy and go with: before, during, and after. The ‘before’ involves the timeframe when Nick worked as a deckhand for Tom (which picks up near the end of the first book) on the Aphrodite and the beginning of the sea trial. Nick’s a ray of sunshine with a kind and whimsical soul. Tom is solid, weatherworn, and slightly surly. They are absolute opposites but perfectly suited for one another. The ‘during’ comprises their budding relationship and journey through the seas on the Nothing But. One word…Wow. I was blown away by the beauty, excitement, and tension. And the ‘after’ is, well, after Tom accepts that he genuinely does desire the strings on his strict “no strings” status. I wanted to (lovingly) cuff the back of his head…more than once. There’s a LOT packed into the gorgeous story but I never drifted or zoned. From the puzzling moments to the rough waters, I was rapt and eager to discover all their hidden secrets and half-truths. You won’t believe it when you uncover the answers. Remarkable all the way around.
I wept, tears of joy, and tears of pain. I agonized, stressed over past trauma and current mishaps. And I celebrated, grand achievements and head-pulling-from-arses. Oh, and did I mention how sexy they are? *fans self* Scorching! I’m definitely burned, somebody pass me the aloe, please? *whispers* I’m counting down the days till Mitch takes us back to visit this cheeky and charming pair. I can’t wait!!
Beware of: We sail through uncharted waters but the navigation does not fail us. Guilt and fear are powerful forces and may try to steer you but all you need is to simply adjust your course. And the breathtaking lesson of, when you find your person, whatever you do, don’t let go.
This book is for: If you believe in destiny, fate, and soul mates, why not set sail on this remarkable journey? I promise you won’t regret it.
Book UNfunk
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February 16, 2021BUY LINKS
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3hNCgg0
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Mvaj0U
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/HisCompass
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3hNCgg0
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Mvaj0U
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/HisCompass
January 16, 2021
Even though I have started to realise I am not a huge fan of the age gap trope, it was not the major issue here, so it didn't affect my enjoyment.
Loved all the sailing, the (successful) attempts by Tom to bolster Nick and to help him find his inner strength and catching up with Jude and Rob.
Great ending. Can't wait for the third one (coming in April).
Loved all the sailing, the (successful) attempts by Tom to bolster Nick and to help him find his inner strength and catching up with Jude and Rob.
Great ending. Can't wait for the third one (coming in April).
January 10, 2021
I received an ARC from GRR in exchange for an honest review.
This was soooo much better than book 1. I liked both characters and sympathized with both of them as well... their insecurities, their interests, their pain, their road for being better men.
I was sucked in the story, and got invested. i WANTED to know what would happen and how everything would play out. The mood swings where certainly better, as was the poetic writing, which was taken down a notch.
I loved the many tropes woven into the story, and how all of them contributed to Tom and Nick coming together.
the characters are nuanced and flawed in the best ways.
This was soooo much better than book 1. I liked both characters and sympathized with both of them as well... their insecurities, their interests, their pain, their road for being better men.
I was sucked in the story, and got invested. i WANTED to know what would happen and how everything would play out. The mood swings where certainly better, as was the poetic writing, which was taken down a notch.
I loved the many tropes woven into the story, and how all of them contributed to Tom and Nick coming together.
the characters are nuanced and flawed in the best ways.
February 7, 2021
I've given this an A- at AAR, 4.5 stars rounded up.
His Compass – the second book in Con Riley’s His series – is a beautifully written, emotionally charged May/December love story featuring two characters we met briefly in book one, His Horizon. That was the first book I’ve read by this author, and while I liked it, it didn’t knock my socks off. His Compass, however, is a completely different matter and my socks are long gone ;)
When Tom Kershaw, skipper of the charter yacht Aphrodite, took his crewmate and friend Jude Anstey home to Cornwall, he had to fill Jude’s shoes pretty quickly so he could move on to his next charter. Unfortunately however, Jude’s replacement proved to be something of a liability; gorgeous, sociable Nick’s claims of growing up around boats and crewing from the moment he left school proved at best, to be highly exaggerated and at worst, to be outright lies. Sure, Nick was outgoing and good with people, but he was also lazy, messy and unreliable; he never finished a task he started, he couldn’t cook or do any of the jobs Tom needed him to do – and one day, he just up and left without a word.
A few months later, Tom is offered the chance to sea-trial a brand spanking new yacht – so new, she doesn’t even have a name yet – for a big fat bonus he badly needs. He’s apprehensive and worried that this new vessel may be poised to replace his beloved Aphrodite and that perhaps, once the trial is over, he will find himself out of work – but those worries fly from his mind when he steps aboard to discover that the deckhand he’s been assigned is the last one he’d ever want to sail with again. Tom is angry (and maybe a little relieved to find out that Nick is safe and well) and ready to storm off and insist on getting another deckhand – but Nick pleads to be allowed to stay, promises he’ll try harder and Tom reluctantly agrees to let him. But there are conditions. First, that Nick must always be completely honest about what he does and doesn’t know; second, that Nick stops bullshitting about his experience. Tom doesn’t want to hear any more excuses.
Most of the story is set aboard the yacht on the month-long sea trial, during which Tom comes to the realisation that there is a lot more to Nick than he ever suspected, and that far from being lazy and incompetent, he’s bright and enthusiastic and capable – and that all he’d really needed to unlock his potential was someone to encourage and believe in him. The story is told solely from Tom’s PoV, but he’s so strongly attuned to Nick that it’s almost as good as hearing from Nick himself and the author does a fantastic job of showing us Nick’s thoughts, actions and motivations through Tom’s eyes. There’s a very good reason we don’t get Nick’s side of the story until quite late in the book, but I never once felt the lack of his viewpoint.
Tom is a lovely man who feels a strong sense of responsibility for those he cares for, although his desire to do the best for them sometimes blinds him to the fact that he might be trying to do too much. He’s in his early forties (the silver fox cover model is perfect!) and is extremely good at the job he loves – but he’s tired after a long season… and tired of being alone. Nick is his opposite in many ways – younger (he’s twenty-five), bubbly and sunshiny to Tom’s grumpy – he has never, in his entire life, been expected to amount to much. Such low expectations have given him zero confidence and made him believe that what people think of him must be true, and he’s grown used to using insouciance and an appearance of carelessness to hide what he believes are his deficiencies. Tom is the first person he’s ever met to have demanded anything of him, and for Nick, having someone who believes in him is a huge deal and something that will ultimately spur him on to do things he’d never thought he’d be capable of.
Their romance is extremely well developed, the attraction and strong chemistry between them clear from the very start. Tom has always followed his cardinal rule of not sleeping with the crew – but something about Nick calls to him, something more than his pretty face and his lively nature, a sense that he’s a kindred spirit who sees the world through a similar lens. They agree to a short-lived fling for the few days before the trial starts while Nick isn’t technically ‘crew’, and both hold to that agreement… until they can’t deny the strength of their feelings for one another, or that they both want something more.
Nick and Tom are superbly drawn, multi-faceted characters; wounded souls who gradually find healing in each other, their stories a wonderful mixture of heart-breaking and uplifting. I was really impressed with the way the author gradually unfolds Nick’s backstory, and with the amount of character development he undergoes during the course of the book, the confidence and self-belief Tom instils in him giving him the determination to succeed. His transformation is amazing to watch, yet he remains very much himself at the same time. But it’s not all one-sided, as Nick helps Tom to learn that it’s okay to accept help and that he doesn’t have to shoulder his burdens alone any more. Tom’s relationship with his younger brother Justin – who lives in a permanent care facility owing to a TBI – is beautifully rendered, and I admit I may have teared up once or twice at certain points in the story (the photo – sniff!); Justin’s larger-than-life carer, Mitch is great fun, and I enjoyed checking in on Jude and Rob at their now thriving business in Porthperrin.
But Tom and Nick are the stars of the show, and as Tom starts to shed his preconceptions and to see the real Nick – charming, insightful and kind - it’s impossible not to root for them to be together. I loved their banter, their honesty and their willingness to be vulnerable to each other and to learn from one another. That sort of openness and give-and-take really makes a romance, and watching Tom and Nick growing together, learning together and finding their forever in each other was an absolute delight.
His Compass – the second book in Con Riley’s His series – is a beautifully written, emotionally charged May/December love story featuring two characters we met briefly in book one, His Horizon. That was the first book I’ve read by this author, and while I liked it, it didn’t knock my socks off. His Compass, however, is a completely different matter and my socks are long gone ;)
When Tom Kershaw, skipper of the charter yacht Aphrodite, took his crewmate and friend Jude Anstey home to Cornwall, he had to fill Jude’s shoes pretty quickly so he could move on to his next charter. Unfortunately however, Jude’s replacement proved to be something of a liability; gorgeous, sociable Nick’s claims of growing up around boats and crewing from the moment he left school proved at best, to be highly exaggerated and at worst, to be outright lies. Sure, Nick was outgoing and good with people, but he was also lazy, messy and unreliable; he never finished a task he started, he couldn’t cook or do any of the jobs Tom needed him to do – and one day, he just up and left without a word.
A few months later, Tom is offered the chance to sea-trial a brand spanking new yacht – so new, she doesn’t even have a name yet – for a big fat bonus he badly needs. He’s apprehensive and worried that this new vessel may be poised to replace his beloved Aphrodite and that perhaps, once the trial is over, he will find himself out of work – but those worries fly from his mind when he steps aboard to discover that the deckhand he’s been assigned is the last one he’d ever want to sail with again. Tom is angry (and maybe a little relieved to find out that Nick is safe and well) and ready to storm off and insist on getting another deckhand – but Nick pleads to be allowed to stay, promises he’ll try harder and Tom reluctantly agrees to let him. But there are conditions. First, that Nick must always be completely honest about what he does and doesn’t know; second, that Nick stops bullshitting about his experience. Tom doesn’t want to hear any more excuses.
Most of the story is set aboard the yacht on the month-long sea trial, during which Tom comes to the realisation that there is a lot more to Nick than he ever suspected, and that far from being lazy and incompetent, he’s bright and enthusiastic and capable – and that all he’d really needed to unlock his potential was someone to encourage and believe in him. The story is told solely from Tom’s PoV, but he’s so strongly attuned to Nick that it’s almost as good as hearing from Nick himself and the author does a fantastic job of showing us Nick’s thoughts, actions and motivations through Tom’s eyes. There’s a very good reason we don’t get Nick’s side of the story until quite late in the book, but I never once felt the lack of his viewpoint.
Tom is a lovely man who feels a strong sense of responsibility for those he cares for, although his desire to do the best for them sometimes blinds him to the fact that he might be trying to do too much. He’s in his early forties (the silver fox cover model is perfect!) and is extremely good at the job he loves – but he’s tired after a long season… and tired of being alone. Nick is his opposite in many ways – younger (he’s twenty-five), bubbly and sunshiny to Tom’s grumpy – he has never, in his entire life, been expected to amount to much. Such low expectations have given him zero confidence and made him believe that what people think of him must be true, and he’s grown used to using insouciance and an appearance of carelessness to hide what he believes are his deficiencies. Tom is the first person he’s ever met to have demanded anything of him, and for Nick, having someone who believes in him is a huge deal and something that will ultimately spur him on to do things he’d never thought he’d be capable of.
Their romance is extremely well developed, the attraction and strong chemistry between them clear from the very start. Tom has always followed his cardinal rule of not sleeping with the crew – but something about Nick calls to him, something more than his pretty face and his lively nature, a sense that he’s a kindred spirit who sees the world through a similar lens. They agree to a short-lived fling for the few days before the trial starts while Nick isn’t technically ‘crew’, and both hold to that agreement… until they can’t deny the strength of their feelings for one another, or that they both want something more.
Nick and Tom are superbly drawn, multi-faceted characters; wounded souls who gradually find healing in each other, their stories a wonderful mixture of heart-breaking and uplifting. I was really impressed with the way the author gradually unfolds Nick’s backstory, and with the amount of character development he undergoes during the course of the book, the confidence and self-belief Tom instils in him giving him the determination to succeed. His transformation is amazing to watch, yet he remains very much himself at the same time. But it’s not all one-sided, as Nick helps Tom to learn that it’s okay to accept help and that he doesn’t have to shoulder his burdens alone any more. Tom’s relationship with his younger brother Justin – who lives in a permanent care facility owing to a TBI – is beautifully rendered, and I admit I may have teared up once or twice at certain points in the story (the photo – sniff!); Justin’s larger-than-life carer, Mitch is great fun, and I enjoyed checking in on Jude and Rob at their now thriving business in Porthperrin.
But Tom and Nick are the stars of the show, and as Tom starts to shed his preconceptions and to see the real Nick – charming, insightful and kind - it’s impossible not to root for them to be together. I loved their banter, their honesty and their willingness to be vulnerable to each other and to learn from one another. That sort of openness and give-and-take really makes a romance, and watching Tom and Nick growing together, learning together and finding their forever in each other was an absolute delight.
April 15, 2023
3.5 - I enjoyed this more than book 1. I think this still would have benefited by having a storyline or two removed though. The characters had clearer personalities here and there was less input from randoms. This one features a lot of sailing which I know nothing about but was nice for a change of setting.
I get irked by this author because she frequently teases us with something important about a character and alludes to it all the time but doesn’t tell you until the end and it drives me crazy because I just want all the facts straight up!!! No teasing! This annoyed me greatly in another of her books because the hidden secret was the death of a child which is something I really don’t enjoy reading about and having it used as a bit of a mystery plot line and turned into a big reveal at the end wasn’t to my taste. This stopped me reading her work for a while so it probably annoys me here more than it should, other readers might not be bothered by it in this book.
The entire premise of this is pretty much miscommunication which dragged a bit but it did have some nice moments.
I get irked by this author because she frequently teases us with something important about a character and alludes to it all the time but doesn’t tell you until the end and it drives me crazy because I just want all the facts straight up!!! No teasing! This annoyed me greatly in another of her books because the hidden secret was the death of a child which is something I really don’t enjoy reading about and having it used as a bit of a mystery plot line and turned into a big reveal at the end wasn’t to my taste. This stopped me reading her work for a while so it probably annoys me here more than it should, other readers might not be bothered by it in this book.
The entire premise of this is pretty much miscommunication which dragged a bit but it did have some nice moments.
January 23, 2021
What to say? This was different in what I usually read. It took me a long time to get into it. Probably because of the terms of sailing. I know nothing about sailing. The scenery was amazing though. I could see them sailing the Mediterranean, the cave....
But the connection between Tom and Nick was real. Their lovemaking was intense.
The next one will be about Mitch? Or Justin?
I’ll be reading it for sure.
But the connection between Tom and Nick was real. Their lovemaking was intense.
The next one will be about Mitch? Or Justin?
I’ll be reading it for sure.
January 14, 2021
I think what I like best about Riley’s books is while I’m watching the MCs fall in love, I’m falling in love right along side them. The writing is just so picturesque that I feel like I’m right there on the ocean with them, hurting when they do, smiling right alongside them. Tom and Nick were just so perfect for each other, even if it doesn’t seem to be the case on the outside. They completely become their best selves when they’re with each other, and I’m so happy I got to be there to see it (I know I know, it’s not real, but it just felt so real). This has so many wonderful tropes done right; age gap, forced proximity, a completely sunshiney MC with a definite curmudgeon. I loved this book from beginning to end ❤️
May 1, 2025
I've been meaning to come back to finish this series for so long, and I'm so glad I'm finally doing it 😂
Tom seemed like he was determined to never be happy, so it was really nice to see his barriers finally coming down to let Nick be part of his life. He did make some stupid choices though, which I found entertaining because he seemed adamant that he was this 'grown up adult' 😂😂
Nick was definitely an interesting character, but I wish we'd had a bit more background about him other than his mum being over protective. How is he best friends with Keir? Does he know Charles? I'm so curious!
I am very intrigued by Keir and Mitch though - I've known they're together for a long time because I didn't realise that pretty much all of Con Riley's books are interconnected in some way - but I'm ready to see how they got together.
Tom seemed like he was determined to never be happy, so it was really nice to see his barriers finally coming down to let Nick be part of his life. He did make some stupid choices though, which I found entertaining because he seemed adamant that he was this 'grown up adult' 😂😂
Nick was definitely an interesting character, but I wish we'd had a bit more background about him other than his mum being over protective. How is he best friends with Keir? Does he know Charles? I'm so curious!
I am very intrigued by Keir and Mitch though - I've known they're together for a long time because I didn't realise that pretty much all of Con Riley's books are interconnected in some way - but I'm ready to see how they got together.
November 24, 2020
Lovely 💜
February 24, 2022
Just ok.
January 16, 2021
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone. However, there is some back story in the first book that isn't fully recapped here, and I would recommend you DO read it His Horizon first. A personal recommendation, is all.
I really enjoyed book 1, His Horizon, and when I saw that Captain Tom was the focus of this book, I was happy. He was kinda hard done by in book 1.
Tom has just one rule: do not sleep with the deck hands. But Nick gets under his skin, deep and Tom gives in, just this shore leave. There is more to Nick that Tom first thought, and getting to know the young man, and more importantly helping him learn the skills he needs to run the ship, affects him far more than he expected.
I think I might have fell in love with Tom when Jude left him at the quayside, in book 1, and I fell more and harder when I read his tale. He is such a sweetheart, with the weight of the world on his shoulders and no one to look after him. It's not til Nick asks "who looks after Tom?" that he realised just how deeply Nick had burrowed himself into his heart without Tom realising!
It's perfectly clear that SOMETHING happened to Nick, you can pick that up very easily. What's not so easy is the WHAT that happened, and we don't get the full picture for such a long time, right near the end! I loved being made to wait!
But Lord I bawled my eyes out at Tom and Nick, I really did!
I would *usually* say here that I wanted to hear from Nick as well as Tom, because Nick really does have a story to tell, and other than when he SPEAKS, he isn't given a voice. *Usually* I would say that. But Tom is so attuned to Nick and vice versa, that Tom sort of tells Nick's story, even if he doesn't actually know the WHOLE story, you know?? Tom can read Nick, once he really SEES Nick, like a book, and so we can see how Nick is with Tom, and how well he takes to life working on the ship.
I found the references to His Horizon title (in that book) a little corny, but sweet. All the COMPASS references here (actual proper uses not counted) were so beautiful written into the story, that I really did bawl a lot, and I rarely react verbally when reading!
It really is a beautiful love story, so well written and told!
It's been a very VERY long time since I gave a single person point of view book a 5 star review, but I loved this book so much, so much MORE than His Horizon, that I can't justify NOT doing so here.
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 2 in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone. However, there is some back story in the first book that isn't fully recapped here, and I would recommend you DO read it His Horizon first. A personal recommendation, is all.
I really enjoyed book 1, His Horizon, and when I saw that Captain Tom was the focus of this book, I was happy. He was kinda hard done by in book 1.
Tom has just one rule: do not sleep with the deck hands. But Nick gets under his skin, deep and Tom gives in, just this shore leave. There is more to Nick that Tom first thought, and getting to know the young man, and more importantly helping him learn the skills he needs to run the ship, affects him far more than he expected.
I think I might have fell in love with Tom when Jude left him at the quayside, in book 1, and I fell more and harder when I read his tale. He is such a sweetheart, with the weight of the world on his shoulders and no one to look after him. It's not til Nick asks "who looks after Tom?" that he realised just how deeply Nick had burrowed himself into his heart without Tom realising!
It's perfectly clear that SOMETHING happened to Nick, you can pick that up very easily. What's not so easy is the WHAT that happened, and we don't get the full picture for such a long time, right near the end! I loved being made to wait!
But Lord I bawled my eyes out at Tom and Nick, I really did!
I would *usually* say here that I wanted to hear from Nick as well as Tom, because Nick really does have a story to tell, and other than when he SPEAKS, he isn't given a voice. *Usually* I would say that. But Tom is so attuned to Nick and vice versa, that Tom sort of tells Nick's story, even if he doesn't actually know the WHOLE story, you know?? Tom can read Nick, once he really SEES Nick, like a book, and so we can see how Nick is with Tom, and how well he takes to life working on the ship.
I found the references to His Horizon title (in that book) a little corny, but sweet. All the COMPASS references here (actual proper uses not counted) were so beautiful written into the story, that I really did bawl a lot, and I rarely react verbally when reading!
It really is a beautiful love story, so well written and told!
It's been a very VERY long time since I gave a single person point of view book a 5 star review, but I loved this book so much, so much MORE than His Horizon, that I can't justify NOT doing so here.
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Read
September 18, 2023DNF ~22%
Even worse than the last book when it comes to being dropped in the middle of the story. There's all of this context to their relationship and it's such a bizarre choice to start the novel in the place that it begins. I also found Tom to be a bit of a dick, and just didn't really vibe with the relationship at all.
Even worse than the last book when it comes to being dropped in the middle of the story. There's all of this context to their relationship and it's such a bizarre choice to start the novel in the place that it begins. I also found Tom to be a bit of a dick, and just didn't really vibe with the relationship at all.
January 21, 2021
4.5 stars!
December 11, 2020
His Compass made me think of the John Masefield poem, Sea Fever.
"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,"
The boats in His Compass aren't tall ships, but the feeling is the same. Con Riley took me sailing alongside Cap'n Tom and Nick; I fell in love with them both, and with the boats and the sea.
Nick, precious sunshiney Nick, and curmudgeonly but still hot Tom fit together so well. The book takes them on an emotional journey of growth, built and paced lovingly with Con's gorgeous prose.
The sea trial is as much for the two men as it is for the yacht, and we readers get all the pleasures of riding along without the seasickness. We get to watch them grow almost beyond recognition.
I adored His Horizon, but I think maybe I like His Compass even better.
I received an advance copy of this book.
"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,"
The boats in His Compass aren't tall ships, but the feeling is the same. Con Riley took me sailing alongside Cap'n Tom and Nick; I fell in love with them both, and with the boats and the sea.
Nick, precious sunshiney Nick, and curmudgeonly but still hot Tom fit together so well. The book takes them on an emotional journey of growth, built and paced lovingly with Con's gorgeous prose.
The sea trial is as much for the two men as it is for the yacht, and we readers get all the pleasures of riding along without the seasickness. We get to watch them grow almost beyond recognition.
I adored His Horizon, but I think maybe I like His Compass even better.
I received an advance copy of this book.
July 21, 2022
Just as wonderful as the first book. I liked the slow pace as Tom realized who Nick could be for him if Tom could only let his walls down a bit and let Nick in. I figured out what Tom was missing (or outright ignoring, honestly) about Nick pretty quickly, so Tom's reaction when he finally realized was rather annoying, but he also pulled his head out of his own ass pretty quickly, which helped quite a bit. Lovely ending, but I was mostly counting on how things turned out. Looking forward to Kier finding his match in the last book!
January 16, 2021
Beautiful
Beautiful story. I really enjoyed how the story unfolded and how certain aspects of the plot were intertwined. Very clever and well done.
Beautiful story. I really enjoyed how the story unfolded and how certain aspects of the plot were intertwined. Very clever and well done.
October 26, 2023
I've given this a B for narration and an A- for content at AudioGals, so 4.5 stars.
Con Riley’s His trilogy continues with His Compass, a May/December, forced proximity romance between a forty-something charter-hire skipper and his younger crewmate. The characters are beautifully drawn and their romance is nuanced and emotional; I loved the book when I read it back in 2021 and was only too pleased to be able to experience it all over again in audio.
Tom Kershaw has spent most of his life at sea, and now works as a skipper on a luxury charter yacht. He appeared briefly in the previous book (His Horizon) when he made an unscheduled stop at Porthperrin in Cornwall in order to return his deckhand Jude home to deal with a family emergency. Tom thought highly of Jude and was fond of him, but sadly, Jude’s replacement was something of a disaster; lazy, messy and unreliable, Nick might have been sociable and great with the guests, but he never finished a task he was given and his claims of growing up around boats and crewing from a young age were clearly lies, as he couldn’t do any of the jobs Tom needed him to. Then one day, he just up and left without a word, leaving Tom in the lurch.
Tom found a decent replacement to finish out the season and has returned to port, summoned to a meeting with Keir Brodie, one of the company big-wigs. Tom is half expecting to be fired or told he’s being put out to pasture along with his yacht, but instead, he’s offered the chance to sea-trial a brand spanking new vessel and to make a hefty bonus – money he badly needs – but there’s a catch. Tom can’t pick his own crew for the voyage – and his heart sinks when he sees the last person he’d ever want to sail with again waiting for him at the dock.
Tom is on the verge of walking away, but Nick pleads to be allowed to stay and promises to do better this time around. Reluctantly, Tom agrees, but on two conditions. Firstly, Nick has to be completely honest about what he does and doesn’t know how to do, and secondly, he has to stop spinning stories about his sailing experience. Tom doesn’t want to hear any more lies.
During the days they spend preparing the yacht for the trial, Tom starts to see a different Nick to the one who’d sailed with him before. He’s trying hard to do better and Tom comes to see that he’s actually very capable provided things are thoroughly explained. He also realises that the strong pull of attraction he’d felt towards Nick – annoying as he was! – hasn’t gone away. He’s always stuck to his rule of never sleeping with the crew and has no intention of changing that now… until Nick, who is clearly equally smitten, quite sensibly points out that he’s not officially “crew” until the trial starts, so there’s nothing to stop them having a little fun before they get underway. They agree to a short-lived fling that will end when the trial starts – but even the small amount of time they spend together outside of their roles of skipper and crew only serve to show Tom how much he longs to have someone to share his life with. They stick to their agreement when the trial begins, but it’s not easy for either of them, the brief taste of what they could have, what they could be to each other, making them both long for more.
During the month-long sea trial, Tom is very pleasantly surprised by Nick’s progress. Far from being lazy and incompetent, he’s bright, committed and enthusiastic; it seems that all he really needed was for someone to encourage and believe in him. He’s never in his life been expected to amount to anything – as he says early on, Tom is the only person ever to have expected anything from him – and he’s grown used to hiding his low self-esteem by employing a mixture of charm and insouciance, maintaining an appearance of carelessness to mask what he sees as his deficiencies. Tom’s confidence in Nick and his abilities is a really big deal for Nick and is exactly what he needs in order for him to fulfil his potential. He grows so much as a character in this story and I loved watching his confidence and self-belief develop – but also loved that he remains very much himself even as he’s coming into his own. And as Tom is giving Nick the encouragement and support he needs, so Nick is doing the same for Tom, helping him to see that he doesn’t have to shoulder his burdens alone any more and that it’s not weak or wrong to ask for help when needed. Tom and Nick’s romance is just lovely, with lots of chemistry, steam and genuine emotion, and they make a great couple, Nick’s liveliness and outgoing nature balancing Tom’s reserve. I loved their openness and willingness to be vulnerable with and learn from each other.
The only thing about the story that didn’t really work for me is the set up for what could be regarded as a Big Mis when Tom refuses to listen to what Nick tries to tell him about his background. Tom insists on honesty but believes Nick is lying to him and so just bans all mention of the subject. In fairness, Tom saw the ‘evidence’ that Nick was bullshitting him when they sailed together the first time in his inability to do all the jobs he claimed he could do, and doesn’t want to re-hash the past – and the strength of the romance and the rest of the story makes it worth getting past that particular plot-point if you can.
Cornell Collins is a highly experienced narrator and one I listen to a lot, although I’ve listened to him mostly in historical rather than contemporary romances. He delivers a well-paced, clearly differentiated and expressive performance, and he’s very good as Tom, the natural hint of gravel in his voice working well to depict Tom’s strength of character and slight world-weariness, but I was less enamoured of his portrayal of Nick. He gives him a slight “all-purpose-European” accent – which I confess I hadn’t expected; mention is made of the fact that Nick has a “non-specific accent, not unusual in the Med where so many nationalities mingled.” – so it works and it’s consistent throughout, but Nick’s essential vibrancy and cheekiness are missing , especially in the earlier part of the story; and without those, he can come across as rather timid, which didn’t fit with my reading of the character at all. Also, Nick is twenty-five, and while I don’t expect narrators to be the same age as the characters they portray, there’s no getting away from the fact that Mr. Collins sounds quite a bit older than that. However, the portrayal grew on me, and Mr. Collins does a good job of reflecting Nick’s character growth as he begins to gain confidence and become a support for Tom. The small secondary cast is appropriately voiced – especially Mitch (the specialist nurse who cares for Tom’s younger brother at The Haven, a facility for people with severe brain injuries), whose big, larger-than-life personality is echoed in his booming voice and unflappable manner.
His Compass is a beautiful and moving romance featuring complex, likeable characters who are perfect for each other and easy to foot for. Although the narration didn’t quite hit the spot for me, I still enjoyed the listen overall and am happy to offer a recommendation.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals.
Con Riley’s His trilogy continues with His Compass, a May/December, forced proximity romance between a forty-something charter-hire skipper and his younger crewmate. The characters are beautifully drawn and their romance is nuanced and emotional; I loved the book when I read it back in 2021 and was only too pleased to be able to experience it all over again in audio.
Tom Kershaw has spent most of his life at sea, and now works as a skipper on a luxury charter yacht. He appeared briefly in the previous book (His Horizon) when he made an unscheduled stop at Porthperrin in Cornwall in order to return his deckhand Jude home to deal with a family emergency. Tom thought highly of Jude and was fond of him, but sadly, Jude’s replacement was something of a disaster; lazy, messy and unreliable, Nick might have been sociable and great with the guests, but he never finished a task he was given and his claims of growing up around boats and crewing from a young age were clearly lies, as he couldn’t do any of the jobs Tom needed him to. Then one day, he just up and left without a word, leaving Tom in the lurch.
Tom found a decent replacement to finish out the season and has returned to port, summoned to a meeting with Keir Brodie, one of the company big-wigs. Tom is half expecting to be fired or told he’s being put out to pasture along with his yacht, but instead, he’s offered the chance to sea-trial a brand spanking new vessel and to make a hefty bonus – money he badly needs – but there’s a catch. Tom can’t pick his own crew for the voyage – and his heart sinks when he sees the last person he’d ever want to sail with again waiting for him at the dock.
Tom is on the verge of walking away, but Nick pleads to be allowed to stay and promises to do better this time around. Reluctantly, Tom agrees, but on two conditions. Firstly, Nick has to be completely honest about what he does and doesn’t know how to do, and secondly, he has to stop spinning stories about his sailing experience. Tom doesn’t want to hear any more lies.
During the days they spend preparing the yacht for the trial, Tom starts to see a different Nick to the one who’d sailed with him before. He’s trying hard to do better and Tom comes to see that he’s actually very capable provided things are thoroughly explained. He also realises that the strong pull of attraction he’d felt towards Nick – annoying as he was! – hasn’t gone away. He’s always stuck to his rule of never sleeping with the crew and has no intention of changing that now… until Nick, who is clearly equally smitten, quite sensibly points out that he’s not officially “crew” until the trial starts, so there’s nothing to stop them having a little fun before they get underway. They agree to a short-lived fling that will end when the trial starts – but even the small amount of time they spend together outside of their roles of skipper and crew only serve to show Tom how much he longs to have someone to share his life with. They stick to their agreement when the trial begins, but it’s not easy for either of them, the brief taste of what they could have, what they could be to each other, making them both long for more.
During the month-long sea trial, Tom is very pleasantly surprised by Nick’s progress. Far from being lazy and incompetent, he’s bright, committed and enthusiastic; it seems that all he really needed was for someone to encourage and believe in him. He’s never in his life been expected to amount to anything – as he says early on, Tom is the only person ever to have expected anything from him – and he’s grown used to hiding his low self-esteem by employing a mixture of charm and insouciance, maintaining an appearance of carelessness to mask what he sees as his deficiencies. Tom’s confidence in Nick and his abilities is a really big deal for Nick and is exactly what he needs in order for him to fulfil his potential. He grows so much as a character in this story and I loved watching his confidence and self-belief develop – but also loved that he remains very much himself even as he’s coming into his own. And as Tom is giving Nick the encouragement and support he needs, so Nick is doing the same for Tom, helping him to see that he doesn’t have to shoulder his burdens alone any more and that it’s not weak or wrong to ask for help when needed. Tom and Nick’s romance is just lovely, with lots of chemistry, steam and genuine emotion, and they make a great couple, Nick’s liveliness and outgoing nature balancing Tom’s reserve. I loved their openness and willingness to be vulnerable with and learn from each other.
The only thing about the story that didn’t really work for me is the set up for what could be regarded as a Big Mis when Tom refuses to listen to what Nick tries to tell him about his background. Tom insists on honesty but believes Nick is lying to him and so just bans all mention of the subject. In fairness, Tom saw the ‘evidence’ that Nick was bullshitting him when they sailed together the first time in his inability to do all the jobs he claimed he could do, and doesn’t want to re-hash the past – and the strength of the romance and the rest of the story makes it worth getting past that particular plot-point if you can.
Cornell Collins is a highly experienced narrator and one I listen to a lot, although I’ve listened to him mostly in historical rather than contemporary romances. He delivers a well-paced, clearly differentiated and expressive performance, and he’s very good as Tom, the natural hint of gravel in his voice working well to depict Tom’s strength of character and slight world-weariness, but I was less enamoured of his portrayal of Nick. He gives him a slight “all-purpose-European” accent – which I confess I hadn’t expected; mention is made of the fact that Nick has a “non-specific accent, not unusual in the Med where so many nationalities mingled.” – so it works and it’s consistent throughout, but Nick’s essential vibrancy and cheekiness are missing , especially in the earlier part of the story; and without those, he can come across as rather timid, which didn’t fit with my reading of the character at all. Also, Nick is twenty-five, and while I don’t expect narrators to be the same age as the characters they portray, there’s no getting away from the fact that Mr. Collins sounds quite a bit older than that. However, the portrayal grew on me, and Mr. Collins does a good job of reflecting Nick’s character growth as he begins to gain confidence and become a support for Tom. The small secondary cast is appropriately voiced – especially Mitch (the specialist nurse who cares for Tom’s younger brother at The Haven, a facility for people with severe brain injuries), whose big, larger-than-life personality is echoed in his booming voice and unflappable manner.
His Compass is a beautiful and moving romance featuring complex, likeable characters who are perfect for each other and easy to foot for. Although the narration didn’t quite hit the spot for me, I still enjoyed the listen overall and am happy to offer a recommendation.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals.
September 8, 2021
I really loved this book. I loved Tom's care for his brother and his belief that Nick could do more and be better. That sort of constant belief was exactly what Nick needed to get past all of the barriers his past threw in his way. The conflict in this story was easy to see coming from a mile away, but I still appreciated how it was handled and where these two men got to in their relationship. I loved how sweet and caring of a soul Nick is. He truly cared to make right the things he saw. He wanted to be a force for change. I felt for Tom having been alone for so long as he fought to provide a better life for his brother after all that he had been through.
This was a truly touching story and the quality of the writing is top notch. I look forward to the next book in the series.
This was a truly touching story and the quality of the writing is top notch. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Read
December 15, 2022DNF@40% because it’s so boring I’m sorry Tom and Nick 😩 most of the time I don’t know who’s who between the characters because they are in dire need of personalities
Sometimes it doesn’t click and it was what happened here, which is a shame. The author’s writing style is good, the pace is always soooo slow and uneventful, even though the story goes on.
Sometimes it doesn’t click and it was what happened here, which is a shame. The author’s writing style is good, the pace is always soooo slow and uneventful, even though the story goes on.
January 14, 2021
A TOP PICK OF 2020
Storylines should be more about the characters themselves, rather then the angst and drama...
Con Riley gave us a good ole fashion love story in His Compass. It's simply about two broken souls who ultimately mend each other.... Two complete opposites who compliment each other...
Tom and Nick will surprise you in the best possible way!
After reading, His Horizon (Another Top Pick of 2020) I could not wait to get more from Con Riley. Her words are poetic and purposeful. Each line is carefully crafted to submerge her readers further into her story.
In His Compass, we received another extremely indepth story that takes us through all the motions with a steady pace and without rushing.
I was the right there along side Tom and Nick as they sailed the high seas. I quickly found out that still waters run deep with these two. They are so much more then meets the eye.
Both men have incredible souls and are beyond selfless and giving.
They each brought out the very best in one other. I adored their metamorphosis as a couple, as well as individuals. Tom and Nick are a truly special couple. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!
The cherry on top was
catching up with Jude and Rob from His Horizon!! Oh how I have missed them. I continued to feel all their love and devotion towards each other. It seemed their love and connection only intensified. They were PERFECT in this one. I loved the way they intervened in Tom & Nick's relationship!
Con Riley has made me a fan! Her words and characters take on a life....
I am looking forward to MORE!!!
Storylines should be more about the characters themselves, rather then the angst and drama...
Con Riley gave us a good ole fashion love story in His Compass. It's simply about two broken souls who ultimately mend each other.... Two complete opposites who compliment each other...
Tom and Nick will surprise you in the best possible way!
After reading, His Horizon (Another Top Pick of 2020) I could not wait to get more from Con Riley. Her words are poetic and purposeful. Each line is carefully crafted to submerge her readers further into her story.
In His Compass, we received another extremely indepth story that takes us through all the motions with a steady pace and without rushing.
I was the right there along side Tom and Nick as they sailed the high seas. I quickly found out that still waters run deep with these two. They are so much more then meets the eye.
Both men have incredible souls and are beyond selfless and giving.
They each brought out the very best in one other. I adored their metamorphosis as a couple, as well as individuals. Tom and Nick are a truly special couple. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!
The cherry on top was
catching up with Jude and Rob from His Horizon!! Oh how I have missed them. I continued to feel all their love and devotion towards each other. It seemed their love and connection only intensified. They were PERFECT in this one. I loved the way they intervened in Tom & Nick's relationship!
Con Riley has made me a fan! Her words and characters take on a life....
I am looking forward to MORE!!!
August 7, 2023
HIS COMPASS is the second book in the HIS series but can be read as a standalone although previous characters are mentioned.
This time we focus on Tom and Nick. Tom is the skipper of the Aphrodite and Nick is a deckhand who disappeared without a word, leaving Tom to his all-too-frequent thoughts of Nick. Tom starts off harsh with Nick when he reappears in his life, but you can understand it. However, from snippets you get from Nick before Tom shuts him up, you realise that something is... not wrong with Nick, but different. When it is just the two of them, Nick shows Tom a different side to him, which impresses Tom for a number of reasons.
I loved the slow burn of this book, even though things get a bit steamy quickly. Trust me, if you read the book, it does make sense. The different settings are all gorgeous and described to perfection. Even if you've never been to any of the places mentioned, you will be able to visualise them easily.
The epilogue was perfect, both for the story and for Tom and Nick themselves. This is a well-written contemporary romance, rich with information and details that present them to you in a way that will keep you turning the pages. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 15, 2021
This time we focus on Tom and Nick. Tom is the skipper of the Aphrodite and Nick is a deckhand who disappeared without a word, leaving Tom to his all-too-frequent thoughts of Nick. Tom starts off harsh with Nick when he reappears in his life, but you can understand it. However, from snippets you get from Nick before Tom shuts him up, you realise that something is... not wrong with Nick, but different. When it is just the two of them, Nick shows Tom a different side to him, which impresses Tom for a number of reasons.
I loved the slow burn of this book, even though things get a bit steamy quickly. Trust me, if you read the book, it does make sense. The different settings are all gorgeous and described to perfection. Even if you've never been to any of the places mentioned, you will be able to visualise them easily.
The epilogue was perfect, both for the story and for Tom and Nick themselves. This is a well-written contemporary romance, rich with information and details that present them to you in a way that will keep you turning the pages. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 15, 2021
January 16, 2021
WOW, what a BEAUTIFULLY crafted, original story..I loved this one even more than the first one and I really loved the first one (His Horizon)! I read every single word and that’s saying something as I’m a known fast reader LOL An age gap, second chance, sexy, complete opposites, hurt/comfort tale, Nick and Tom’s story is simply gorgeous. It’s a slow burn read, but not in the way you would normally think..Such time and care is taken to learn more about what makes the grumpy Tom and the sunshiney Nick tick. The character development is incredible as there are many layers to these guys and we get to experience the peeling back of each layer in the most wonderful of ways. This book made my heart ache and cry for joy! Con’s descriptions are once again glorious!! The secondary characters are amazing as well. I just found out the next story is about Mitch and Keir and I can not wait!! You do NOT have to read the first one to read this. I feel this stands solidly on its own, but I highly recommend you do read His Horizon because it is just that good and original! Go forth and clickity click!!
March 26, 2023
No idea where this is going. But it goes on and on and I couldn't care less. Even the sex is boring. DNF at 50%.
Well narrated.
Follow my reviews at https://hemmelm.blogspot.com/
Well narrated.
Follow my reviews at https://hemmelm.blogspot.com/
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