If you enjoy cozy romantic fantasy that is well-written with unique, but not too complicated, world-building, then this book is for you!

Featured tropes: hidden identity, enemies to lovers, only one bed, fake dating, elemental magic, slow burn romance

Similar to: Elsie Kova, Emily Wilde, Jennifer L. Armentrout

Audiobook: The audiobook is 8.5 hours and narrated by Kasi Hollowell, who does a wonderful job voicing all of the characters.

Thoughts: I absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t put it down. Rose is a weapons master and Luc is seeking a weapon built by her. The two, who are both hiding secrets, get stuck together fighting a deadly mist plague and have to work together to stop it. Arie is Rose’s shapeshifting sidekick, who is also hiding secrets of his own. The tension and chemistry between Rose and Luc was amazing, and I enjoyed the humor Arie added to the story. The world-building was done well and was unique enough to set it apart from other fae books in the romantic fantasy genre. The ending left me wanting more and wondering what will happen in the next book, which I can’t wait to read!

Thank you to Victory, Jillian Witt, and NetGalley and the author for providing me with a copy of this audiobook. All reviews are opinions are honest and my own.

Compass Points begins with Rosie, an armorer, being approached by a man named Luc looking for help with weapons to use against a mist that is destroying town after town. She initially does not want to help due to a history we are not privy to. She is eventually drawn in and through her growing relationship with Luc and flashbacks we get as a reader, we begin to understand her past and role in this world.

Despite the overall conflict going on, there isn't a super dramatic third act that readers are pulled through. I felt like it was set up really well as a book one in a series, where obviously more drama is to come. The magic system is very interesting, and leaders are tied to compass points, and each has different abilities. I also enjoyed Rosie's relationships with Luc and Arie. Shout out to a shifter animal sidekick who can speak in her mind. The page count is also fairly low for a romantasy, without feeling like we miss plot beats. I'll gladly continue on in this series!

I read Compass Points and was excited to see that an audiobook was being released. The narrator spoke clearly, which allowed for easy speeding up. She also did a great job at changing her voice to distinguish the different characters. Overall, the production was very good and would be a great way to access this story!

Thanks to Victory Editing and NetGalley for an ALC of this audiobook for an honest review.

This audiobook was my first dabble in fantasy after a recommendation from a book bestie,
i was a little apprehensive but I shouldn't of been because I absolutely loved this novel, I loved the characters, the cosy vibe and especially arie ❤️ but who wouldn't love an animal sidekick that can turn into any other animal and protect you as you go through your journey? The romance was just that, romantic, sweet not overly smutty which I also enjoyed.

I took me 3 sittings to complete and I already have
the second one lined up and ready to go. Safe to say this may of been the beginning of my fantasy journey but it definitely won't be the end.

Compass Points by Jillian Witt is an engaging fantasy novel that offers a delightful adventure, though it has its shortcomings. The story follows Rose, a weapons maker with a troubled past, who must confront her fears and the mysterious plague of mist threatening her village. The adventure aspect is well-executed, providing moments of excitement and tension as Rose navigates her journey alongside Luc, a fae with whom she shares a compelling dynamic.
While the initial setup is intriguing, the magical system feels underdeveloped and could benefit from deeper exploration. This lack of depth makes some parts of the story feel flat, particularly in the middle sections where pacing suffers. However, the narrative picks up significantly towards the end, leaving readers eager for more.
Overall, I would rate Compass Points 3 stars. It’s a fun read with potential, but it leaves room for improvement in world-building and character development.

I read Compass Points in it's initial release, but was so excited to experience it again as an audio ARC. I already enjoyed this fantasy romance featuring so much of nature and the outdoors, but it's truly elevated by the narration in the audiobook.

On my first read, I enjoyed the character Rose, but honestly spent more time adoring Ari. However, with the narrator's expert pacing of Rose's speech and her intonation, she's actually become a beloved character in my all time favorites list! I'm so grateful for a chance to revisit Jillian Witt's work!

Fantasy audiobook. Goes quickly from hate you you bumptious arrogant man, to you have some merit, to you are maybe the one. Rose ran from a major problem and has kept running. But some years later finds herself back in the viper’s nest right back where she started. But life has taught her much, and now she may have found the perfect partner in Luc, if politics and Gods don’t get in the way. Book one, was fun. I look forward to listening to the other books in this series. Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

Compass Points
Compass Points Book 1
By Jillian Witt
Narrated by Kasi Hollowell
5 ⭐️

This is exactly what I like in a lighter (as opposed to dark fantasy/romantasy) themed Fae based romantasy. This story is creative and it has me very invested in needing to know what happens next. This is a series; book 1 doesn’t have an intense cliffhanger. I love the MCs: Rose, Luc, and I’m including the sassy familiar-like sidesick Arie in that list. Their banter was delightful throughout. There is a bit of spice but nothing too crazy imo.

The audiobook delivered for me. I zipped through this is in a day - I couldn’t turn it off. Hollowell gives a great performance.

Format: Audio 🎧
⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️/5
1/5 🌶️

🩵Thank you NetGalley & the author Jillian Witt for the access to the audiobook of Compass Points🩵

💕 fake dating
💗 enemies to lovers
🪄 elemental magic
🛏️ only one bed
🐾 shapeshifting sidekick

Synopsis:
✨ Rose, a magical weapons master in hiding, might be the key to saving the continent from a deadly mist plague. In order to do that, she has to pretended to date a dangerous fae leader.
For the last ten years, Rose has been running from the pain of her past by living remote northern village and staying away from the world of the Compass Points. The leader of the earth fae comes looking for a magical weapons master, which might just reveal all the things Rose has been running from. When the plague hits too close to home, Rose must decide to keep running from her past or go back to the place she swore never to return to.✨

My Thoughts:
💫I really enjoyed this book and loved the magic system. Her animal sidekick, Arie, was one of my favorite characters. Rose and Luc have great chemistry and banter. I plan on buying the first book for my trophy shelf and the sequels so I can start reading them immediately! 💫

I am always on the lookout for a new fantasy series and this one sounded like it was just up my alley. While this book is fun and I enjoyed the magic system and the characters, I was looking for something a bit deeper. I felt like this book was written to appeal to a wide audience and it definitely will, but if you are looking for an unforgettable story with unique characters, I think this one misses the mark a bit. For me this one was a good story but I don't think I'll be continuing with the series as it didn't intrigue me enough to want to read the next book.

Audio narration by Kasi Hollowell is done well and the pacing was good.

Audio ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op in exchange for an honest review.

Rose is a weapons master with many secrets who hides in a remote village away from the fae and her grief. A fae man named Luc finds her and they set off on adventures through the forest. This story has very interesting political structure, magic systems and also manages to feel cozy while having a good level of adventure to it as well. The romance is definitely slow moving but enjoyable throughout. One of my larger complaints is that I feel like it ended very abruptly and suddenly without much closer. I am curious to see how this series continues.

i loved this book! i wouldve never found this book if it wasnt for netgalley. i am so thankful for this & truly had an amazing time!!