Reviews for West Across the Board

“The glare of the sun against the clear blue water and the smell of the salt-saturated tropical air emerge from the pages as you read. Jalbert allows us to look past today’s built-up tourist attractions and visit the natural beauty of the islands and the waters that surround and dictate life there…West Across the Board will make you want to find that part of your life you left behind for more practical pursuits–the part that connects you with the earth and one another…”–Deirdre O’Regan Sea History Magazine

“Andrew Jalbert obviously understands the Key West so many people know and love…its history, heartbreak and unending allure. As a Key West local, it’s refreshing to read a historic novel about a steadfast friendship and a legendary island so accurately portrayed and well-dialogued. The characters are real, the events true and the plot captivating. Join Dominic and Lázaro as they rediscover the bond that drew them together, the game that keeps them together and the island that forever connects them. A great read.”-Mandy Bolen The Key West Citizen

“West Across the Board is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the Florida Keys…Jalbert breathes life into a Florida that no longer exists (during the 1930s) and paints a wonderful picture of friendship, hope and reconciliation.”-Sonya Nikadie Nights Publications

“I read the book in one sitting and it felt more like watching a movie than reading a book, which for me is a very good thing. I was captured by the storyline and felt compelled to discover the outcome…As the story progressed, the characters came off the page and I nodded to myself when I closed the book, in recognition of a job well done…Kudos to Jalbert for his first -and hopefully not last- novel!”-Lorraine Ladish The Palm Beach Post

“First time novelist, Andrew Jalbert, enters the scene with surprising maturity… West Across the Board weaves rich characters into a soulful, peaceful story. I didn’t want it to end.”–Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau Writer and director of the critically acclaimed motion picture Side Effects

“As historical fiction, the author delivers a carefully crafted and detailed account of life on the Florida Keys. The story is rich in the sights, sounds, and description of life in the 1930′s. Drawing on real events from the past, the fictional story is well implemented within its historical context. The historical and nautical details illustrated within the story are well researched and accurately presented.”–Tracy Roberts Write Field Services