True North

by Jennifer Watts

Lauren Connor finds herself fleeing Alaska, on the heels of a troubled relationship, with her one-eyed dog, King, in tow. Driving a borrowed van in sub-zero temperatures, she heads across the border in hopes of finding solace in Canada’s vast and wild North.

When she lands in the Gold Rush boomtown of Dawson City, the first order of business is to keep a low profile, but that’s hard to do when she immediately catches the attention of the local cop—twice in the same day.

Sergeant Nick Brand has put his life of high-stress police work behind him to settle down in his home territory, and the last thing he needs is a gorgeous but mysterious raven-haired beauty bringing drama to his town.

The two soon realize that they have more in common then known at first blush, and together they learn that it’s not always easy to escape the ghosts of the past, even in the larger-than-life wilderness of the Yukon.

Standalone with HEA.Trigger warning: deals with adult themes/situations of domestic abuse.

302 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2021

About the author

Jennifer Watts is from suburb of Vancouver, Canada. She studied creative writing at the University of British Columbia and has worked in finance for the last 17 years. In her spare time she loves to play soccer, drink wine and discover new authors.

Reviews

[Chalice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot: Lauren is a woman on the run after having left her abusive boyfriend. He was truly awful, but with the help of her dog King and her friend and former boss Dr. Carmack, she's able to get out of town and escape Darren. This means that she and King are on their own, with only an old nearly broken-down van and a box of food that Dr. C gave them. With her money running out, Lauren and King have been sleeping in the van, but as they make their way from Alaska to Canada, it gets colder and colder. She finally arrives in Dawson City, where she runs into a local cop, Nick. She runs into him again later that evening as she's trying to sleep in her van, and he insists on helping her. He soon realizes that he's not just helping her because it's his duty, but because he has genuine feelings for her. Soon, Lauren is brought into the fold of the town, and she has to decide where her future is going. There are some other plot lines involving Darren and an ex of Nick's, but I'll leave those for you to find.

Character development: These characters were beautifully crafted, especially Lauren. She was damaged but not broken. Nick had overcome his own trauma, but he was not unscathed. Their traumas allowed them to truly see each other, flaws, scars, and all. You could tell though that Nick was further along in his journey; his love and trust came easier and faster. But Lauren was brave. She had learned enough to be cautious but had seen enough good to believe. Above all, she had to learn to believe in herself at the same time she relied on others.

Would I read more from this author/in this series: Yes

I was really enjoying this book - a solid four stars for me - and then that epilogue! That epilogue was absolutely perfect and beautifully written. Honestly, I don't think I've ever loved an epilogue so much. It told us all of the stuff that we normally read in an epilogue, but in a unique way, and let's be honest, King was the third main character anyways. This left me smiling the rest of the night! Extra star for this epilogue!

[Nancy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

TRUE NORTH by Jennifer Watts was a good book, but a warning if domestic abuse is a trigger for you. However, what the book does have is a very brave young lady that is battered, but not broken. Her name is Lauren Conner, and she leaves Anchorage Alaska where she has been living. She leaves in a borrowed old van that has seen better days. Her only friend has loaned her the van, a little money, and some clothes. What she does have for company is her loyal, one-eyed German shepherd dog named King. He is a main character through out the entire book. I grew attached to him, too!

Lauren left Alaska behind with all it's bad memories. She is headed to Canada to have a new start. Sleeping in the van with nothing but her dog to keep her warm. She ends up in the Yukon in Dawson City. When she meets Sergeant Nick Brand of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, by accidentally throwing hot coffee on him, she is ready to leave. But when he finds her sleeping in her van by the side of a road with only her dog, he was having none of that. He goes quickly from someone she fears, to her prince charming even if he sometimes is grumpy. Lauren falls in love with this town and all the citizens. Her heart is especially beating fast when one Sergeant Brand is around. He is 32 to her 25, but that is only seven years difference. She falls for him, the place, the Northern lights and feels this is her new home. Until a man she rather never see again appears to cause trouble. Nick has an old flame that is causing them trouble, too!

Lauren takes a look at Nick and knows he is her future and second chance. They have lots to overcome, but he asked her, “Do you know what a true north is?” When she doesn't. He tells her, “It's an earthly direction, a pull. It's used to describe someone's purpose in life. It's a point of destiny to follow something that let's you know what you're here for and what you're meant to do. For me, that true north is you. You brought me what I didn't even know I needed and I'm never going to let that feeling go.”

[Diane L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Watts navigates uncharted waters in this compelling tale of domestic abuse and the ultimate triumph of a survivor. A sensitive treatment of the subject with characters so finely drawn that they appear to pop out from the page! Mix in a tender romance and the loyalty of a wonderful dog. Excellent read to warm the heart and lift spirits. Highly recommended.

[Victoria Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author and I absolutely loved it!!! can't wait to read more!

[Heidi R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of suspense and romance.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was unique, interesting, and very clever to do the epilogue in the dogs point of view