REVIEW: Love, Across the Divide by Krystal Ford

In Love, Across the Divide by Krystal Ford, Megan Thompson has been around the political world long enough to know that it’s like anything else in life: there are honest people doing what’s right for their citizens, and then there are the less than honest individuals using it for their own gain and agendas. As a conservative Republican in her early thirties, Megan has dreams of earning a seat in congress some day. And after a move from Florida to DC to continue working for Congressman White, she unexpectedly gets his endorsement to replace him when he announces early retirement. Which means scrambling to put together her own winning campaign.

‘Yes, she wanted to be a politician, but not if it meant compromising everything she believed in, everything she was.’

Megan is on cloud nine until she realizes how scrutinized she will be by the public, including her nonexistent social life. A bunch of blind dates turns out to definitely *not* be the answer. So between her new handsome (but liberal Democrat!!) roommate Andrew Croswell picking apart her Republican party, and having to change herself to fit the mold of what America thinks a woman in politics should be, Megan is having a hard time remembering why she wanted the job in the first place. Andrew himself is conflicted over how he feels about Megan, rather horrified at the thought of wanting to get to know her better when she stands for everything he dislikes. But maybe they will actually have a lot in common–if they can look at each other like a man and woman instead of just through the eyes of their political parties.

‘His roommate was a Republican. A Republican! He didn’t know how to separate how he felt about her from his feelings about her political party.’

Conservative Republican vs. Liberal Democrat. And a dream career vs. personal beliefs. Love, Across the Divide was an entertaining debut novel by Krystal Ford who perfectly captured the humbling realities of today’s political climate for a woman and a man on opposing party sides.

Andrew closed the divide between them until he was so close, he could almost kiss her.
“I know you’re wrong for me on paper,” she whispered, “but you’re so right for me in real life.”

I’ve gotta say, there was some trepidation going into this book. I mean…it’s based around politics, not something I’m really a fan of given the state of things the past couple of years. And while there was *a lot* of political talk, this truly was one fun and yet still heartfelt book with characters that were real and endearingly flawed. Written from both Megan and Andrew’s POVs, we got to see their thoughts on each other, their own hopes and frustrations with their respective political parties, and the conflicting emotions that grew along with their attraction.

Overall I liked both Andrew and Megan quite a bit. They each had their moments when I shook my head with a decision made or over what they said, but it felt like they were coming from an honest place with most of their actions. Megan admitted she was not a bubbly, warm person, which was true, but she was smart and quite caring in her own way. She grew up tough and made something of herself on her hard work and determination alone. I adored her brother Gabe and the relationship Megan had with him, kind of a blend of sister, friend, and even a mother figure to some extent. He ended up being a voice of reason as she struggled with keeping her eyes on what she hoped to accomplish as a potential member of congress and to not let anyone diminish her beliefs.

Andrew was pretty much the polar opposite of Megan, which was honestly rather fun. He was an environmentalist who lobbied in DC, came from a wealthy family of Democrats and was sort of a hipster. He did yoga, was a part-time vegan who only ate “clean” food…you get the idea. But what I liked about Andrew was that he used his family’s wealth and name for good, by doing his part to help the environment and volunteering for several charities. He was a really nice guy. Until it came to politics. Then the gloves came off, which was what happened every time he and Megan tried to have a conversation and it turned to the current state of affairs in America. Andrew did have a few times where I thought he was out of line, but he learned from his mistakes and always apologized. So I couldn’t stay mad at him–and neither could Megan.

The sparks flew in Love, Across the Divide. And not just the romantic kind. Furious political debates were won and lost by both the hero and heroine as they fought a losing battle against their attraction. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Especially the fitting end Krystal Ford gave them.

Book Info:

Publication: Published August 1st 2018 | Krystal Ford |

On the eve of the 2016 elections, young Republican Megan Thompson faces a once-in-a lifetime opportunity when her boss decides to groom her to run for his congressional seat in 2018. Ambitious and pragmatic, Megan is missing just one thing: a wealthy, well-connected trophy husband.

So, when Megan moves from Florida to DC and lets the congressman broker a power match, she’s looking to get down to work, not fall in love. And she’s definitely not looking to make nice with her new roommate, Andrew Croswell, a liberal environmentalist determined to make her life hell.

After a series of unpleasant blind dates, Megan begins to lose hope of finding her shiny white Republican knight in time to boost her appeal to donors and voters. At last she hits it off with Brock, a dashing, Don Draperesque spokesman for the NRA, and even love-shy Megan thinks he could be “the one.” But as the year progresses, she and Andrew start getting along a little too well, and Megan finds herself second-guessing all her well-laid plans.

Things start spinning out of control when a special election pushes everything up by a year. As Megan races against the clock, she’ll do anything to win—almost. Now she must choose: career over love, or love over politics?

Across the Divide follows genuine, familiar characters from both sides of the aisle, smashing stereotypes and striving to make sense of our not-so-brave new world. Most of all, it asks a crucial question: Can love bridge the great American divide?