Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

In Judith Kendall's Conquering The Odds, when New Zealand politician Melinda McConnolly becomes Speaker of Parliament, her appointment changes the course of her daughter Jasmine Ashton’s life. Years later, after Melinda accepts a diplomatic posting in Washington, Jasmine enters university while training as a competitive speed skater. Her career begins attracting worldwide attention. A mass shooting at George Washington University leaves Jasmine physically injured and permanently alters her ambitions, pushing her into public advocacy against military-style firearms. Her speeches soon transform her into a rising political figure whose popularity spreads across America. As Jasmine’s national profile continues expanding, an urgent investigation into her family history begins uncovering hidden ties to a legendary Cold War operative whose real identity was buried for decades, placing Jasmine at the center of a political future nobody around her expected.

Judith Kendall’s Conquering The Odds does an excellent job of balancing moments of genuine tenderness alongside some genuinely heartbreaking scenes. A Christmas stay at Camp David is quite sweet, with horseback riding and awkward firearms lessons. Contrasting this is Jasmine’s return to the skating rink after surviving horrific violence, and the author provides a painful context to Jasmine's attempt to reclaim an ordinary routine. I really love Gregory Davidson, a parliamentary security officer who gradually becomes central to the household. I almost melted over his handwritten poem about lifelong devotion. There's a relationship there that develops with the restraint and skilled hand of a seasoned author, blossoming across years of shared responsibility. There are a couple of twists in the story concerning Jasmine and her own trajectory, and readers who adore political fiction tied directly to family will really enjoy this. Very highly recommended.