A great, easy to read, wholesome romance set in Alaska. Perfect to breeze through when you are in a book slump. Not spicy, but sweet and endearing. The characters are likeable and the writing was good. Would recommend!

Falling for Alaska by Belle Calhoune is the story of ex NFL star Xavier Stone who, with his two brothers, is drawn back to his childhood hometown in Alaska by an offer from his dying grandmother to inherit the family business if he and his brothers spend one year there working with their estranged father. Xavier is attracted to True Everett who runs their family-owned tavern and she to him. True is raising her young brother following the death of her parents.

I was immediately drawn in by the prologue in which a young Xavier and his two younger brothers are being taken away from Alaska by their mother to live in Arizona. The sadness he has about leaving, the way he comforts his siblings, and the way their father is depicted watching them leave all tugged at my heartstrings. What disappointed me most about this book was that even though they are brought back to Alaska and there is interaction with the estranged father, I wanted to read more about the healing and tension between them. It just didn't delve as deep as I wanted. Perhaps there will be more in future books, as I'm assuming there will be at least two more books to tell Caleb and Landon's stories. I am particularly interested in Landon's.

As for the romance between Xavier and True, it was cute and made me think of a Hallmark movie. Personally, I like more relationship development. I loved True's brother and enjoyed Xavier's interaction with him. All in all, it was a quick and easy read. I will keep an eye out for a possible continuation to this series.

My sincere thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my unbiased opinion of it.

Falling for Alaska was a sweet, clean and hallmark like story. The language was lighthearted, easy to read and follow, but also felt modern Gen Z in nature (using words like "ditto").
I felt like there was insta lust, but the relationship was a slow burn and there was a third act breakup, however it seemed to be done good, with a a good hand in maintaining the plot arc. Also, character development was there. I enjoyed the premise of 2 individuals coming from challenging backgrounds, coming together and discovering hope and dreams coming true.
Overall, enjoyed the book.

Falling for Alaska by Belle Calhoune is a lovely, sweet romance. I have read many, many of Belle Calhoune’s books and have enjoyed every one.

Hattie, the owner of an Alaskan cider company, finagles her three grandsons to come from big city Phoenix, Arizona to small town Moose Falls, Alaska for a year. At the end of the year, they can decide if they want to keep the company or to sell it. There’s one not so little hitch, her grandsons must work with her son, their father, who was pretty much a no-show throughout their lives.

The prologue, set twenty years earlier, was so heartbreaking. However, it sets the stage for how the three men react to the situation to come.

I enjoyed True and Xavier very much. They were both smart and witty. Their banter often made me laugh out loud. They were both capable in their careers, but their pasts had damaged their confidence in themselves. True’s love for her nine-year-old brother Jaylen was so sweet and nurturing. Xavier’s love for his brothers touched my heart. To see the healing of True and Xavier’s souls and their relationships with themselves and family was heartwarming.

Having said that one of my favorite characters is True’s brother Jaylen. He’s a pip. He’s so positive and enthusiastic. And smart as a whip.

Another favorite is grandma Hattie. She’s quirky, sharp and unique, plus she’s a no-nonsense business woman. She has a secret, but you will have to read the book to know what it is.

I was honored to receive a copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my honest review.

“A small-town restauranteur and a big city former football player go head-to-head in this heartfelt enemies-to-lovers romance”

When I discovered this was set in Alaska and was a clean romance I was giddy with excitement!

Xavier Stone seems to be on a run of making difficult decisions. Leaving an ex-girlfriend and a pro football career in the headlights, he joins his brothers in Moose Falls, Alaska at his grandmother’s request. She’s been diagnosed with terminal cancer and needs help running her cider company and gastro pub. What the siblings don’t know is that grandma has orchestrated them to work alongside their absentee dad…

True Everett knows what it means to be focused. She’s had to raise her 8-year-old brother since her parents died 6 years ago. She has no time to be swept off her feet by a handsome football player and has no intention of letting him take away everything she’s worked for in order to stay in Alaska.

Will Xavier fall for Alaska? You’ll have to read to find out!

I’m so happy there are authors out there who continue to write sweet, swoon-worthy books set in great locations. Calhoune’s sense of place is spectacular and her ability to place me in this small-town setting and have my pulse skyrocketing at the intense connection between her main characters is stellar.

The main theme of this wonderful story may be the importance of family, but it’s also about:
✔️chanelling the power to shape your own destiny
✔️avoiding the tendency to wallow in past hurts
✔️not taking everything at face value
✔️the fragility of life
✔️rebuilding relationships
✔️choosing happiness
✔️not letting fear win
✔️being aware of the ripples of one’s decisions
✔️not running away from difficult choices
✔️being present for loved ones
✔️rising above our fears
✔️realizing that we are enough as we are

I loved the Hattie-isms and I can’t wait for book 2 rumoured to be published in Fall 2024!

I was gifted this copy by Forever, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This was very cutesy. It was missing some extra umpf behind the writing. Everything in the book was mid level; the writing was mid; the characters were mid: nothing really stood out to me and nothing would really stick with me.

First thought: A sweet and clean story about finding your own way and conquering your inner demons to move forward. A story of second chances and fighting to building a life you want. A love story to Alaska and the spirit of small towns.

True runs the local tavern Northern Exposure, it’s her dream to one day own it. After losing her parents in an accident 7yrs ago Hattie the owner took her under her wing and gave her the opportunity to build a new life for her and her little brother. She’s been burned before so love is the last thing on her mind, her focus is her brother and her job.

Xavier is an ex football player after an injury ended his career, he lost everything his dream, fiancé and who he was. He has been given the chance with his 2 brothers to move back to his hometown in Alaska and learn the family business from his Grandma Hattie. But his Mom left from Alaska with him and his brothers when he was 10 and never looked back, so going back to Moose Falls comes with a lot of baggage. But with no football and being down on his luck he doesn’t have much choice. Love is the last thing he was looking for as the plan isn’t to stay in Alaska longer than the year.

These two will cross paths as Moose Falls is a small town and Hattie and her 3 grandsons are like the Kennedy’s of Alaska. Learning to navigate this complicated family dynamic, complicated relationships, demons of the past and the transitions of businesses while learning to trust and let love in again is going to be a fun ride.

Some heavy topics such as accidental parent deaths, terminal illness, absentee parent and cheating may be triggering for some.

Literally Themes you’ll find:

* Ex Football Player
* Protective MMC
* Girl Boss FMC
* Stand in Parent
* Family Bonds
* Different Worlds
* Small Town
* Clean & Sweet

🏈❄️🍺🏈❄️🍺🏈❄️🍺🏈❄️🍺🏈❄️🍺🏈

In Belle Calhoune's heartwarming enemies-to-lovers romance, "Falling for Alaska," small-town restaurateur True Everett and former pro-football player Xavier Stone find themselves at odds when Xavier returns to Moose Falls to help run his grandmother's business. True is initially resistant to Xavier's presence, seeing him as a threat to her dreams of owning the tavern she manages. However, as they continue to work together, sparks fly and True begins to see the real man beneath Xavier's swagger. Xavier, a former football star, is used to making tough decisions, but returning to Moose Falls is a challenge he hadn't anticipated. He finds himself confronted with his estranged father and heavy childhood memories, making him eager to return to the city. Despite his initial dislike for True, he can't help but be drawn to her strength and determination. As True and Xavier navigate their conflicting goals and growing attraction, they learn to understand and appreciate each other's perspectives. Through their banter and undeniable chemistry, they discover a deep connection that transcends their differences. The journey of these two characters is a testament to the power of love and the ability to find common ground even in the most unlikely of circumstances. Belle Calhoune's writing is engaging and witty, capturing the essence of small-town life and the complexities of human relationships. "Falling for Alaska" is a delightful read that will appeal to fans of romance and those who enjoy a heartwarming story about finding love in unexpected places.

This was a sweet, clean romance set in a small Alaskan town. I enjoyed the setting and the characters, although sometimes their motive for their actions was a bit basic, in my opinion. This is the first in a series and I am invested enough to plan to read the rest of the series.

Oh hey it’s meeeeeee I’m reading this for work! Aaaaaaand there's a character limit on reviews here are some more words

As an Alaskan, I'm always a sucker for a book related to Alaska. While I'm reading fewer romances nowadays, shrug, I found this one a fun, easy read. I liked the main characters, Xavier and True, and the others about them. From the moment the book opened on Xavier and his two younger brothers as children dealing with their parent's divorce and move to Arizona from Alaska -- talk about different environments! -- I was hooked. True seemed a bit prickly, for lack of a better word, when we met her but as we get to know her back story, including her parent's death in a plane crash and raising her younger brother alone, I came to like and respect her....even when her hormones seemed to run out of control at times. Xavier's grandmother, despite living on borrowed time, is a hoot and someone we'd all enjoy having as a grandma. Even Xavier's two brothers, although we don't get to know them as well, are likable. Toss in the beauty of Alaska and I simply sit back and enjoyed the read.

We get to see the story build through different viewpoints, too, from Xavier and True, to Hattie, the grandmother's take on things. That helps give us a fuller picture. And, oh, how could I not love the name Northern Exposure for Hattie's business that True manages and dreams of owning one day. Sparks seemed to fly the moment True and Xavier set eyes on each other but that didn't make the road to couple-hood any easier. Toss in humor and the beauty of the area, not to mention a moose or two, and you have a fun romance to watch build, hit a few bumps, and finally find its balance once both Xavier and True face old emotional bruises head-on. Thank you #NetGalley and #Forever - #GreatCentralPublishing for inviting me for a virtual visit to the Kenai to meet True and Xavier. I'm looking forward to my next visit already.

This was a sweet, fun, love story with a bunch of family drama sewn in. True lives in a small town of Alaska, working a bar she loves and raising her brother. Xavier is an ex football star, with a career cut short due to injury. He comes to Alaska at the request of his dying Grandmother. When the two meet, it is chemistry, fun, and instant attraction all rolled into one. The characters were wonderful, like old friends. The plot, while very predictable, was enjoyable from cover to cover. I recommend for anyone looking for a feel good, simple love story.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Falling for Alaska, by Belle Calhoune is a good small town enemies to lovers romance. This one wasn't at all spicy, so if you like a clean, wholesome, Hallmark-like romance story, this is for you!
Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

This was a fun, clean romance. It was pure and genuine and It wasnt my favorite book but very enjoyable overall. I love a good enemies to lovers small town romance.

When I first started this, I wondered if I’d make a terrible mistake. Ordinarily, I like a healthy amount of spice in a romance, and very rarely read something so sweet and wholesome.

And then after reading the clause in the contract, I was just about ready to DNF this, however, I smoked a bowl, picked this back up, and just decided to lean into the flow of this, and doing so allowed me to really appreciate the sweetness of the story. It also made me think by reminding me to not pass judgment so quickly on consumable media.

Thankfully Xavier has younger brothers, because I am hoping for more back story in future titles of the series, despite being a little too cutesy (for me) in parts.



Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the DRC

This was a wholesome read with sweet Hallmark vibes. I enjoyed the Alaskan setting and the personalities of the brothers.
However, on numerous occasions throughout the book, the author’s use of certain words and phrases felt dated (like the ex-NFL player thinking it had been a while since he’d “smooched” anyone, or various male characters being referred to as a “cool/good dudes”). This book wasn’t quite the right fit for me, but I appreciated its sweet and wholesome nature.

Thanks to NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

this story follows true and Xavier. both of them were forced to grow up early. Xavier was a figure to this two younger brothers after his parents got a divorce and they moved away from their dad. True took in her brother when their parents died in an accident.
true works at a tavern in alaska that is her home. she has spent a good amount of her time working and managing this tavern. she has created friendships with the owner and all staff and locals. she really is a fan favorite. she is dedicated. true is absolutely one of the most selfless characters. she wants the best for everyone in her life.
when Xavier and his brothers are forced back to alaska after their grandma, who is dying, asked for them to come back to help run the family business. xavier is not keen on being back in alaska. he has had some hardships with his football career ending. xavier does not want to be back. he doesn’t have the best of memories here. you can tell her puts the weight of the world on his shoulders. he just wants the best for his brothers.

I really did love watching xavier and true form a relationship. they really are a perfect couple. one thing i enjoyed was true helping xavier fall in love with alaska. and creating new memories. they both wanted to see each other succeed and happy. I enjoyed the family element in this book. overall this was cute, easy read!! I loved the setting in alaska !! it was so fun to read.

A sweet romance that tended to be a little on the predictable side but still good. It was also a fairly quick read. I loved the Alaskan setting.

Thanks to Net Galley for this ARC. Falling for Alaska sounded like a cute book, and it was, too cute, saccharin, with dialogue that felt forced and inauthentic. I was disappointed and couldn't finish the book. If you want to read a feel-good small town Alaska romance, choose the trilogy by Sarah Morgenthaler that begins with Tourist Attraction instead.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a really good book. It wasn't ground-breaking in any way but it was a good read.

True and Xavier might've had a rocky start but I'm glad they worked it all out in the end. That is, after he messed things up, of course. The book was a bit corny and predictable but I liked that they didn't fall into bed immediately. So many books have sex as the fuel when there are other things that can be just as fiery.

I would recommend this book and I'm looking forward to the next one.