I have no idea what more I could ever say in a review of a Christmas Book from Debbie Macomber. If her books don't give you all the feels and warm and fuzzies at Christmas time, you are worse than the Grinch, lol.

Before beginning her new job as sous chef at one of Seattle's finest restaurants, Josie Stewart takes on a six-month position cooking at a lodge in an Alaskan lake town. It's only temporary--or so she thinks, as she becomes a valued part of the local community, falling in love with the people who call the Klutina Lake home. But one man, in particular, stands out among Josie's new friends: Palmer Saxon, a quiet, intense sword craftsman, whose very existence forces her to question whether her heart wants to return to Washington at all.


My thoughts:
I loved this romantic cozy book! Perfect to read in the snowy weather we have going on right now!


Thanks to Random House/Ballantine for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wished more than anything that the male protagonist had any type of personality outside of being a "small town guy" from remote Alaska. But after spending the entire book wondering how the book would resolve the big city girl and small town guy fall in love conflict without making her abandon her dreams, I was pleased with the ending. There was a lot of attention paid to secondary character, Jack, who I think was supposed to be endearing, but I found to be extremely annoying and unnecessary to the plot.

A good one to kick off my holiday reading with as I'm hopeful they'll only get better from here!

Debbie Macomber weaves a sweet tale of love an finding yourself in Alaska. I love reading Debbie's books, they always leave me feeling warm and fuzzy. This is a wonderful tale about Josie finding friends and love in a small Alaskan town.

This one was a little slow-moving for me, but I enjoyed the glimpse into life in Alaska. I also love everything Debbie Macomber does, so even if it is a slower story, it's still light, happy, and full of love.

Debbie Macomber has written another wonderful book for the holidays. A quick read that I enjoyed!!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this book. Unfortunately, It didn't work for me. I couldn't get past the idea that we missed the whole romance- starting at the proposal was a little strange. Also, the character of Jack was annoying. Since I couldn't finish, I will not be posting a review on Goodreads.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book. What a fun, positive book. I’m drawn to books featuring Alaska, and this was no different. The desolation is described, but also the hidden treasures. A fun read.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a very heartwarming read, not surprising seeing as it was written by Debbie Macomber. I always enjoy her stories and look forward to reading them. Her characters are so well written they tend to feel like good friends telling you their story. Don’t hesitate to pick this book up as your next read.

While I enjoyed this Debbie Macomber holiday read, it wasn't one of my favorites of hers. It was a sweet, short read - great for the holiday season!

Classic Debbie Macomber Christmas romance that I enjoyed enough.

This one's about a young chef from Seattle who falls in love while working temporarily in a very remote part of Alaska. Neither of them wants to live where the other lives, so it proves to be very problematic.

I love to read Debbie Macomber's Christmas offerings. They're always light, fluffy, sweet, and fast to read over the crazy holiday season. They're just the pick me up that I need. This one was good, but so far is my least favorite of her Christmas books that I've read, as I usually rate her books with at least 4 stars.

If you enjoy all of her other Christmas books, pick this one up. It's worth the short time it takes to read it. However, if you're new to her books, I wouldn't recommend starting with this one.

I adore a good holiday romance and Debbie Macomber's new title, Alaskan Holiday, did not disappoint. I've enjoyed other titles by her as there isn't a bunch of 'smut' and more on characters and their relationship to each other. This title especially caught my eye as we live up in Alaska for over 8 years. It truly is a unique place!

Reading this title had me a bit nostalgic for Alaska (as I was in Colorado at the time) and also reignited my desire to visit Seattle.

The plot line is relatively predictable. Boy and girl meet. They really like each other, but something comes in the way (her job is seasonal and she's got a new one lined up in Seattle.) But, their connection stands the test of distance and they are reunited in time.

Even with the predictability, it is a fun read this time of year. Make that cup of tea or hot chocolate, curl up under a blanket and enjoy!

I read all of Debbi’s Christmas books and I’m glad to say that I loved this one just as much! Debbi is an excellent author and knows how to write a Christmas story that no matter where you are you feel like it’s Christmas.
This is another great love story with a couple dealing with everyday life struggles, but with a touch of Christmas magic, are able to overcome.

*I received this ARC from Random House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

This was my first Debbie Macomber book and while it was a sweet and heartwarming story, it wasn’t for me. It was a little bit too predictable and unrealistic in its character development. But, if you’re looking for a sweet holiday book full of love, this might just be the book for you!

I was given this advanced copy by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Josie goes to Ponder, Alaska, just for a six month job before she returns to Seattle to work for a famous chef and start her career. What she didn't count on was a proposal from Palmer the night before she was to leave. She over sleeps and misses the last ferry, but Palmer gets her a flight out, even though she has broken his heart, because he wants her to be happy. However, over the next ten days, Josie falls in love with Palmer and has to decide what to do.

This is a sweet, predictable book. I love Debbie Macomber's books because of the sweetness. You aren't going to be surprised, but you will enjoy each one as much as the previous.

This book is all about the possibility of finding love in the most unlikely of places. I didn’t think I would enjoy a book centered in Alaska, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Alaskan Holiday is the story of Palmer and Jose, a couple who met in Ponder, Alaska. Josie is a chef at the local lodge that is about to close for the winter season. Josie is set to return to Seattle, Washington where she is from. Palmer, an Alaskan native, is distraught over losing Josie, the love of his life, and proposes to her. Unfortunately, the proposal doesn’t have the desired outcome Palmer wishes, which sets both Palmer and Josie on a journey to what they both want.

Upon finishing this book, I was disappointed. The story was very predictable, and the main characters weren’t as likeable as other characters I have loved and treasured in other Debbie Macomber novels. I did enjoy Debbie Macomber’s depiction of the Alaskan lifestyle with its simplicity, complexities, and the richness of friendships in tight-knight community.

I look forward to reading other works by Debbie Macomber. Unfortunately, Alaskan Holiday isn’t a book I would pick up again.

Josie has spent the Summer working as a chef in Ponder, Alaska. She loves the community but has a job lined up to be a sous chef for a new restaurant in Seattle. It has been her dream job. While in Ponder, she becomes very close to Palmer. He proposes (in a very awkward fashion) the night before she is set to leave. Jack, the local legend for sourdough starter, just can't bear the thought of Josie leaving. Who else will cook for him? Josie and Palmer stay in touch while she begins her career in Seattle. If they are to deepen their relationship, someone will have to give up their hometown and make a drastic change. But which one?

I thought this book was great. It was Hallmark Movie Channel special but in book form. Palmer is just awkward enough to make me laugh. Jack is SO over the top and had me cracking up several times. I loved the charm that Macomber brought to this little community in Alaska. This is just the light type of read I enjoy so much. Four out of five stars for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine for providing a copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

I received this one from Netgally and the publisher in return for an honest review.

Debbie has always been a favorite and always will be. Her stories are heartfelt and great for escaping the real world. In this one we get to escape to Alaska. Josie Avery is about to take on her dream job as a sous chief in one of Seattle's top notch restaurants. Before she does this though she decides to take a summer job at a lodge in remote part of Alaska. This is where she meets Jack Corcoran.

As Josie's summer progresses she finds that she loves the quaint town. Especially when she starts spending time with Palmer. This is where trouble in paradise begins for her as she's torn between going home to her mother and dream job - or marrying Palmer who has fallen head over heels for her. He doesn't want to go and she is torn between staying or going.

The story is a fantastic read by Debbie and very heartwarming with some unexpected surprises.

~~Reviewed by Evelyn~~

ALASKAN HOLIDAY, the latest novel by best-selling author Debbie Macomber, is a heartwarming, sweet romance which will have even die-hard city girls wanting to move to the Alaskan wilderness. It’s a quick read with delightful characters, and like all Debbie Macomber novels, it would make a great Hallmark movie.

Josie Avery just graduated from culinary school and has already snagged her dream job: sous-chef in a new Seattle restaurant working under renowned chef Douglas Anton. The restaurant won’t be ready for several months, so Josie takes a summer job cooking in a lodge in Ponder, a small village in the Far North of Alaska. She enjoys the freedom she has to try new things in the kitchen, and she also enjoys the many different people she has met, especially master swordsmith Palmer Saxon. As much as she likes her life in Ponder, she can’t wait to get back to start her new career in Seattle at the end of the season.

Palmer Saxon has always lived in Ponder and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Ponder is full of outdoorsmen and women are scarce, and he knew that Josie was the one for him the minute he met her. After spending most of their free time together throughout the summer, Palmer realizes he can’t bear to let Josie go back to Seattle. With the inept encouragement of Jack, another die-hard Ponderite, Palmer proposes to Josie. While things don’t go exactly as he had hoped, fate steps in to give him another chance. Is there a chance that Josie could be happy living with him in Ponder? She may have no choice.

Palmer and Josie are both very likeable, well-written characters. It’s easy to gain insight into their personalities and their emotions because each chapter is written in the first person, alternating viewpoints from Palmer to Josie. The wonderful secondary characters add depth and texture, especially grumpy old Jack who wants Josie to stay in Ponder just to cook for him!

I enjoyed getting to know Ponder, the small town that is accessible only by ferry and seaplanes. It’s a way of life completely foreign to me, but the author makes it intriguing and romantic. From the northern lights to the various wildlife, experiencing the Far North of Alaska has been added to my bucket list. I do think, however, that I’ll skip the moose stroganoff!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.