I"m used to Debbie Macomber's books being material for Hallmark movies, however, this one fell flat. Sorry, I can't take any story seriously where the leading man is a swordsmith in bush Alaska. I also found the dual first-person narratives to be distracting. Disappointing, because I usually like her Christmas novels.

A short sweet novel by Macomber set in remote Alaska. Palmer has fallen in love with the seasonal chef, Josie, and awkwardly proposes to her the night before she is supposed to leave. She turns him down, but her stay is extended and they develop an even closer bond. Circumstances bring them back together In Seattle, where they decide they have to be together. It all works out in the end, something you can rely upon from Macomber's novels. My favorite person is the irrepressible and incorrigible Jack, although the dinner scene at Josie's house and how Jack acted, was a bit stretched. A nice read.

I finished this book in less than 2 hours. I could not put it down. Absolutely beautiful, gorgeous and the backdrop of Alaska is just perfect. Great read to cuddle up with tea or hot cocca this holiday season!

Josie meets Palmer while in the small Alaskan town of Ponder for a working holiday. She accepted a short-term position as a chef while waiting for a prestigious new restaurant for which she had been hired to open. She and Palmer spend a lot of time together and fall in love. However, Josie isn’t ready to commit to staying in Ponder for fear that she would eventually regret not taking what she believes would be a wonderful opportunity to work at a new restaurant owned by a renowned chef. As they say, absence does make the heart grow fonder after Josie leaves Ponder. She comes to realize that love was worth taking a risk on.

Another fun romp, this time in Alaska. Sweet and easy reading, she holds the top spot as most readable.

I enjoyed reading this fun story of love in Alaska. Macomber does a beautiful job creating an incredible setting. I felt like I was shivering in the cold along with Josie. Palmer is a sweet guy with a big heart. I found his swordsmithing to be an interesting occupation. And Jack is a hoot. He adds a comedic air to the story. If you enjoy a sweet, holiday romance with quirky characters and a beautiful setting, you'll enjoy Debbie Macomber's latest book, Alaskan Holiday. By the way, be prepared for a few surprises! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Ballantine Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Another great addition to Ms. Macomber long list of wonderful books. Josie is getting ready to head back to Seattle after working for the season in Ponder Alaska as a chef. While there she falls for Palmer a welder who specializes in making swords. He proposes to her thinking that will let her stay and not leave but she told him her dream of always being a chef and the job that's waiting for her. They promise to stay in touch and see what will become of their relationship. A sweet storyline and Jack Palmer's friend brings the comedic relief. Review on goodreads and amazon.

Josie has just graduated from culinary school. She has come to Ponder, Alaska as chef at the lodge during the tourist season. Josie is looking forward to a future job in Seattle with a well known chef, the opportunity of a lifetime. She and Palmer, a local resident become great friends and fall in love. Staying in Ponder doesn’t fit Josies dreams so she is torn.

This is a light, fast feel good romance. I loved the character Jack, he is one of a kind!
Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

I received this ARC from Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I give this book 5 stars! Alaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber is a feel-good read. I have always loved Debbie's writing style. Set in Alaska (hence the title) this particular story is about Palmer and Josie's love story. It's a light and easy read that made me wish for a relaxing winter evening by a blazing fire. If you're looking for a light read with a happy-ever-after ending, Debbie Macomber does not disappoint with Alaskan Holiday!

This is a weak plot line for Debbie Macomber. Previously, I loved her characters and she is wonderful at "fleshing" them out. This time, I felt all the characters were very two dimensional, i.e., Jack constantly talking about food or Anton being a megalomaniac. I knew after the first chapter Josie and Palmer would get together so there was no tension.. The promised Christmas magic was incidental rather than integral to the story.

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.