I like Debbie Macomber's writing. With many of her books I couldn't read them fast enough because they were so great but others were just mediocre to me. I am going to have to put this book in the "just ok" category. I liked the setting in Alaska and Debbie Macomber always has wonderful descriptions of the surroundings. The character Jack irritated me with his constant butting in, always demanding food, and having no "filters" socially. I felt like the main characters were ho hum and I do not understand why the author thought that making the main character Palmer socially awkward added to the story. To me it almost seemed that the author was insinuating if you grew up in a tiny town in Alaska you don't have the same ability to learn social graces. I felt like all the characters were luke warm and the story did not grab me and keep my interest. It was just "ok".

This was a sweet novel by Debbie Macomber. It's refreshing to read a romance novel with heart. Debbie Macomber is the queen of this concept. I enjoyed the characters of Josie & Palmer & how the story went between each character's point of view. I've always wondered how people live in remote places like Alaska, & this novel gave me a little insight into the appeal of this kind of setting. I recommend reading this book with a good glass of wine & a fireplace. :-) It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

A most heart warming and enchanting book set in Alaska during the holiday season written by a most gifted and talented author. Josie takes a temporary position but finds that her heart has found a permanent home with the people and a certain gentleman. Deliciously written and never a disappointment---this author captures not only the reader's heart but a definite love for this incredibly "right on" author. Thank you for the opportunity to have read this title prior to publication--it was a true joy!

I look forward to Macomber’s annual Christmas stories. This year, Macomber did not disappoint. The story is set in Alaska. An up-and-coming chef works for the summer at a resort in a tiny, isolated town. She falls in love with a well-known sword smith. When he proposes, she must decide whether to stay in the remote town she has fallen in love with or follow her dreams of working alongside a premier chef in Seattle. I enjoyed the story, but I wanted more details. It felt rushed. For avid Macomber readers, this book will satisfy the yearly Christmas anticipation!

A nice quick typical holiday book by Debbie Macomber. This particular title was less predictable than some of her other titles. All in all a lovely winter read.

This is a simple book--it's not literature. But if you read the book and understand that, you probably won't be disappointed. While I know the author has been wildly successful in this genre, I wish she had followed the old written adage of "show, don't tell" a little bit more. In other words, I wish that she demonstrated through the characters' actions and words how they felt rather than having them tell us.

With that caveat, however, this was a basic boy meets girl, they fall in love and live happily ever after story. So for those looking for an easy read and a pleasant story, I'd recommend this book.

Good book but not my favorite by Debbie Macomber. The back and forth between characters didn't seem ans smooth as it sometimes is.

This is just what you expect from a Debbie Macomber read, a story that will have you rooting for the main character and that leaves you feeling happy and content. Josie went to Alaska to get experience running a kitchen before moving on to her dream job, running the kitchen of a 'celebrity' chef's new restaurant. She never expected to meet Palmer. Was she willing to give up her dream to stay in Alaska? Could Palmer find a way for Josie to have both her dream and him? A story of finding out what is truly important that is a perfect weekend read.

Debbie Macomber's books are always an enjoyable read. She always creates characters and life situations readers can relate to. Josie and Palmer have a challenging road to travel to find their happily ever after but manage to find their way back to each other with time and love. Her characters are richly developed and her locations just add to the romance.

Josie, a recent culinary school graduate, has been working as a cook at a remote Alaska hunting & fishing lodge. She’s looking forward to returning to Seattle, where she’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime to train with a well-known chef. Josie turned down the marriage proposal of her friend Palmer who lives in Alaska all year, but on the day she’s supposed to leave on the last ferry of the season—you guessed it-- she oversleeps and misses the boat. She is able to return to Seattle with Palmer’s help, but they can’t forget each other, and finally realize that they belong together. It’s relaxing and reassuring to read Debbie’s uplifting novels, because you know that there will be a happily ever after ending.

Alaskan Holiday is a great read. I believe this one is my favorite book I have read by Debbie Macomber to date. Five plus stars.

A light hearted Christmas romance story. Just what you need to end a hectic day. Will be ordering this one for my book store

I loved this sweet Christmas time story.
Alaska and Seattle are featured at their finest. The characters are so wonderful.
I spent the entire book smiling, except for when I was laughing. I highly recommend this for your Christmas list.

Josie Avery worked for the summer at the lodge in a very very small town of Ponder Alaska. Her plans were to go back to Seattle to work with a famous chef in his restaurant when the summer was over and the lodge closed down. She had met a man named Palmer while living in Ponder and leaving him was one of the hardest things she had ever done but her life was back in Seattle as a chef.
The day she is supposed to leave, she oversleeps and misses the last ferry for the season. Was it fate or not? She eventually finds herself back in Seattle at her “dream” job but finds she misses Palmer. Her life is in Seattle not a way to small town in Alaska. Can they work it out?
The book was easy reading and when you want a feel good love story, this fits the bill as only Debbie Macomber can do!

This was a pleasurable summer afternoon read. Definitely one of the better offerings from this author as we follow the sometimes bumpy road to love for characters Parker and Josie.

I’m a huge Macomber fan! So I was excited to read this, and of course she did not disappoint! I got so invested in the story but also the characters these are real people you might know in your real life. I made the mistake of starting this book around bedtime so I didn’t get much sleep that night but is was well worth it. If you want a light read this book is it!