I received a free copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Alaskan Holiday is a quick, romantic, holiday read. It centers around Josie and Palmer and is set in both beautiful Alaska and busy Seattle. Josie has finished culinary school and her dream is to be a sous chef at a top rated chef's restaurant in Seattle. Palmer is a master sword smith in a remote Alaskan town and quickly falls in love with Josie. While she works her summer job at an Alaskan lodge, she receives a job offer with a top chef in Seattle and is under contract to begin work as a sous chef. The sparks between Josie and Palmer really ignite between the two and they both get very close and possibly begin to fall in love. Josie begins to feel torn between her dream job and her possible dream man; however, she just can't give up this dream job that she worked so hard for and live in Alaska. As the end of summer nears, Palmer would do anything to keep Josie by his side, so he decides to propose and Josie is faced with a tough decision. Summer is over and the cold, icy weather will encompass Alaska at any moment and there's only one chance to make it out of Alaska, back to Seattle before the lake freezes over. This book is written in a way where you can feel both points of view as far as Palmer letting Josie go and not making her feel guilty and Josie trying to focus on her new dream career and wondering if she gave up on her dream man too soon. This book is a feel good, romantic, love story that won't leave you disappointed. Debbie Macomber has a way with making us fall in love with all of her characters and this book is no exception.

Crackling Northern Lights

For those of us from the lower 48 and Hawaii (and possibly for much of the rest of the world), Alaska holds a mystique of cold, frozen tundra, mythic snowfalls, rugged trappers, and gold. Sorry, but gold isn't mentioned once in this delightful, dual POV (point-of-view), romance, although the midnight sun does play a role. The question here is whether a city girl, used to hustle and bustle, crowds, and on-demand just about anything, learn to love relative isolation and temperature extremes if they come with a handsome hunk of self-containment. A thoroughly enjoyable novel; plus there is a dog!

I admit I judge books like this by a different criteria than some of the books I read. I don't expect War and Peace when I read a book by Debbie Macomber - I expect a nice, light read that doesn't require much thinking. And that's what I got with this book. A pleasant (if predictable) storyline, pleasant characters, and good descriptions of surroundings. Great for a beach read or while sitting by a fire.

I love Debbie Macomber and I love books that take place during the holidays. After the book Merry and Bright, I was expected to get throw into the holiday spirit but this book barely mentions Christmas. I wish this book wasn’t labeled a holiday book because I was left disappointed. Overall I enjoyed the story and the characters. It was a quick, fun read and I loved that the story took place in Alaska..

This was a good story but not up to Debbie Macomber's best. The story did give readers the idea of what it was like to winter in Alaska and shared the community of a small town.

Before beginning her dream job as sous chef in one of Seattle's hottest new restaurants, Josie Avery takes a summer position cooking at a lakeside lodge in the remote Alaskan town of Ponder. Josie falls for the rustic charms of the local community--including Jack Corcoran, the crotchety keeper of Ponder's famed sourdough starter, and, in particular, the quiet and intense Palmer Saxon, a famed master swordsmith.

Josie and Palmer become close during the long Alaskan summer days, but Josie knows that, come fall, she'll be returning to reality and the career she's worked so hard for. Palmer, on the other hand, would like nothing better than to make Josie his wife and to keep her in Ponder. But Josie can't imagine abandoning her mother back in the Emerald City and sacrificing her career to stay in this isolated town--not even for a man she's quickly coming to love.

Fate has other plans. Josie misses the last boat out of town before winter sets in, stranding her in Ponder and putting her dream job at risk. As the holidays approach, Josie and Palmer must grapple with the complications that arise when dreams confront reality, and the Christmas magic that can happen when they put their faith in love.

I always have loved how Debbie wants you to live in the towns of her books and to be friends with her characters. This book was no different. When I first started this book the way that Palmer had started I thought he was mentally challenged. But then just realized he was tongue tied. Also not sure how to have feelings. Also Jack drove me up the wall with thinking it is ok to intrude himself into every ones lives and not even think anything of it.

I enjoyed reading this book. It is a new twist to an Alaskan romance! If you are a bit of an intro err and looking for love, this is a great story to read.

Debbie Macomber fans will enjoy this book, but it left me uninspired until the end. The story I would have enjoyed reading, that of Alaska's beauty, wildlife, and lifestyle, was almost an afterthought rather than the main theme. The final pages, detailing Jack, Josie, and Palmer's plans for future endeavors were what I would have liked more of during the entire book. Too much written about misunderstanding and gloom, not enough holiday magic and warm fuzzies. By far, my least favorite of Macomber's holiday books.

I have read and enjoyed many of Debbie Macomber's books, but "Alaskan Holiday" wasn't one of my favorites. I appreciated the book's message regarding the necessity of compromise in building a successful relationship, but that was one of the only aspects of the story that really resonated with me. For a couple of reasons, I had a hard time connecting with the main characters, Palmer and Josie. First, it felt as if I was starting in the middle of their story because by the time the book begins, Josie and Palmer have already known each other for six months and are supposed to be in love. However, it's hard to get a sense of their connection when we don't get to see their relationship develop from the start. They really didn't seem to have much in common, and it was hard for me to figure out what they saw in each other. Second, I just couldn't relate to their desire to live in the middle of nowhere, Alaska. That isn't the author's fault, and she did a good job in the second half of the book showing the positives of Ponder's way of life. It's not a place I could ever imagine myself living, though, which made the whole idea of Josie's potentially settling there hard for me to swallow.

I also found a lot of the secondary characters to be annoying and overly pushy. Jack, in particular, bothered me. All he seemed to do was demand that Josie cook for him, until he basically lost his mind and "fell in love" with Josie's mom at first sight. (Thank goodness that went nowhere.) He acted more like a spoiled 5-year-old boy than a 50-year-old man. If I were Josie, I would have told Jack to take a hike long before he ever came to visit her in Seattle. (What was up with Jack tagging along on that trip, anyway? Who wants a third wheel on a trip to visit their girlfriend, whom they haven't seen in weeks?)

Overall, this wasn't a terrible book, but it wasn't great, either. Given a choice between "Alaskan Holiday" and one of Macomber's Cedar Cove novels, I'd choose Cedar Cove without hesitation.

*ARC provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a holiday story by Debbie Macomber. I look forward to one every year since discovering A Season of Angel a very long time ago. Ms. Macomber does not disappoint with this year’s Alaskan Holiday.

It is a charming story of dreams realized then refashioned, along with love found and nearly lost. The wilderness of Alaska is vividly portrayed as well as the uniqueness of some of the characters. It is an enchanting Christmas tale. Fans of Debbie Macomber will love it with new readers quickly becoming fans. Shirley, Goodness and Mercy would certainly approve.

This delightful book takes place in Ponder, Alaska, which is a part of the state that is very remote, with the exception of the vacation season. After that, most of the town leaves for a warmer climate until the winter is over. Palmer is one of the few people who stays year round, as does his buddy Jack. Jack is a guide and a voracious eater. Josie has been a chef at the local lodge for 6 months, planning to leave at the end of the season for a prestigious job in Seattle. Palmer has fallen in love with her and is planning on proposing on her last evening there. I really enjoyed this lighthearted book!

Also reviewed on B&N and Kobo

I read my first holiday Debbie Macomber book last year and I couldn’t wait to read one this year. Alaskan Holiday is a great book to read this holiday season. It has a good mix of love and humor. Palmer and Josie are a good couple with great chemistry and the supporting characters make the book even more enjoyable.

Josie was only supposed to be in Alaska for the summer, she had a job waiting in Seattle, but an unexpected proposal and setting the wrong time on her alarm meant she missed the last boat before the ice began to freeze. No roads in or out, she was stuck...and had to face the guy she turned down.

Palmer had finally found the woman of his dreams, he asked her to marry him, but she said no. She's stuck in Alaska, and she has asked him for help getting back to Seattle. He knows one sea plane pilot to help, but that would mean letting her go. Against his heart, he helps her leave.

They remain in contact, and in this case, absence really does make the heart grow fonder. A few unexpected obstacles are in the way, hard decisions need to be made, but is love enough to make a city girl turn an Alaskan holiday into the love of a lifetime with a forever move?

A delightful story with just enough holiday spirit!

**I received an ARC from Netgalley**

Another Great book by Debbie Macomber!!! Alaskan Holiday is a light holiday romance that has me in the Christmas spirit!!! The characters are interesting and love able.

Palmer and Josie are finding their way to each through a lot of soul searching and a little bit of drama.
Debbie is her usual awesome self in her writing.

Debby comes through again. Such a good winter read, holiday season, gets you in the mood for the Holidays coming up. Palmer is such a good guy...warm,patient, and kind. What more do you want in a man! Josie is a çhef but doesn't know what she really wants in the end she learns the real importance of life. Then you have Jack. Ponders very own foodie. Good story

Jack is so funny and I loved Palmer's proposal. When Josie showed up to work for six months as a chef in a remote town in Alaska, Palmer falls in love at first sight. Now her time is up, she is getting ready to get on the last ferry out of town and he hasn't even told her how he feels. Palmer knows he is not smooth and isn't sure how to propose. Jack is trying to give him pointers, but his advice would likely make her run the other way. After Josie misses the ferry, Palmer is sure that she wants to stay, but she just overslept. So, because Palmer wants her to be happy, he helps her find a way to get back to Seattle to take a job with a famous chef.

After Josie is in her dream job, she figures out it isn't much of a dream and she really misses Palmer, Jack and Alaska. One night Palmer and Jack show up at her work and she realizes just how much she has missed them and Alaska. Will she go back with Palmer? What will she do in Alaska, her life is in Seattle, isn't it?

Every year around this time, Debbie Macomber releases a new holiday book. I always look forward to these books, and Alaskan Holiday exceeded my expectations. This is truly a heartwarming story, with characters that you will be instantly drawn to.

Palmer lives in Ponder...a small town close to the Far North region of Alaska, with a population of about three hundred people during the in-season. The Caribou Lake Lodge has hired a new chef, Josie Avery, for the season, which runs from May through October. Palmer has gotten close to Avery, and has fallen in love. It is the last night before Avery leaves for Seattle, and Palmer has decided to propose to Avery, hoping she will stay in Ponder and become his wife.

Josie Avery has graduated from culinary school, and has been offered the job she always dreamed about...she has been hired by Chef Douglas Anton, a renowned chef that is opening a new restaurant in Seattle. There is only one catch...the restaurant will not be finished for six months. Needing to supplement her income until then, Josie accepts a seasonal chef position at the Caribou Lake Lodge in Ponder, Alaska. Initially upon arriving in Ponder, Josie missed all of those things a big city has to offer. However, as she began settling in, she became friends with Palmer Saxon. Palmer showed her the beauty of Alaska, and they spent almost all of their free time together. On her last night, Josie realizes that it will be hard to say goodbye to Palmer and his sidekick, an Alaskan husky named Hobo. Josie thinks the best thing is to just end their relationship...no regrets and no hard feelings between them. Little did she know that later that evening, Palmer would ask her to marry him.

I always look forward to the holiday books by Debbie Macomber, and this one is definitely one of my favorites. The author perfectly captures the beauty of Alaska throughout the story, and especially loved that the small town residents always found ways to get together...highlighting the bond between them. The characters are well-written and realistic, including the supporting characters. I absolutely fell in love with Jack, and laughed out loud while reading about his own failed marriage proposal. Palmer is a quiet man, and it was fascinating to watch him struggle with his feelings for Josie, including the botched marriage proposal. As for Josie, I completely understand wanting to follow her dreams in Seattle, especially being offered the job of a lifetime right after graduating from culinary school. My own husband worked in that field for more than twenty-five years, and I know firsthand how competitive it is. While some may view Josie as being selfish, I completely understood why she was wrestling with the decisions she had to make.

Overall, this was a heartwarming and enjoyabel story. It reads at a fast and easy pace, with a story that is perfectly told. I hope you love Alaskan Holiday as much as I did!

I would like to thank Randon House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book. My opinions are my own, and are in no way influenced by anyone else.

Palmer has asked Josie to marry him but she turns him down. Josie has big dreams. She wants to work as a sous-chef for a famous, renowned chef. She’s excited about this opportunity and she doesn’t want to give up her dreams to stay in Ponder with Palmer. Palmer is stunned when Josie turns down his invite. But something happens and the whole course of Josie’s dreams take a drastic turn. What will she do? Will she still be able to take advantage of this amazing opportunity?

This was a nice, peculiar book. The town of Ponder is so small during the off-season – less than ten people live in this remote town when it’s not tourist season. I’m not sure I’d want to live in such a remote place. The living situation of the residents kind of reminded me of historical times, in a way.

I liked how Josie wanted to follow her dreams. Although she likes Palmer she was determined to work at her dream job and I admired her for that. Palmer is a sword-maker. His job is a variation of a blacksmith. When his work was described I was reminded of the blacksmiths that I’ve read about in historical novels. Very interesting line of work and if you make a mistake you must start all over again – which can prove to be daunting.

I also enjoyed reading about Jack’s sourdough starter! Since I have a sourdough starter myself, it was intriguing to read about that in fiction!

This book was a nice, light refreshing read and I truly enjoyed the entire story!

So, have you ever been to Alaska? If so, did you like it? What did you like most?

Alaskan HolidayAlaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Palmer has asked Josie to marry him but she turns him down. Josie has big dreams. She wants to work as a sous-chef for a famous, renowned chef. She’s excited about this opportunity and she doesn’t want to give up her dreams to stay in Ponder with Palmer. Palmer is stunned when Josie turns down his invite. But something happens and the whole course of Josie’s dreams take a drastic turn. What will she do? Will she still be able to take advantage of this amazing opportunity?

This was a nice, peculiar book. The town of Ponder is so small during the off-season – less than ten people live in this remote town when it’s not tourist season. I’m not sure I’d want to live in such a remote place. The living situation of the residents kind of reminded me of historical times, in a way.

I liked how Josie wanted to follow her dreams. Although she likes Palmer she was determined to work at her dream job and I admired her for that. Palmer is a sword-maker. His job is a variation of a blacksmith. When his work was described I was reminded of the blacksmiths that I’ve read about in historical novels. Very interesting line of work and if you make a mistake you must start all over again – which can prove to be daunting.

I also loved reading about Jack’s sourdough starter! Since I have one myself it’s intriguing to read about that in fiction!

This book was a nice, light refreshing read and I truly enjoyed the entire story!

I sometimes really love Macomber's books, and other times they just are not great. This was one of the latter times for me. I never really got pulled in to this story. The main characters felt somewhat whiny, and the narration style felt off somehow. Overall, while I pushed through and finished the book, it was not one that I enjoyed a great deal or feel much like recommending.