Every Debbie Macomber Christmas story has a comforting traditional familiarity that her fans relish - and I am one of them. Alaskan Holiday reaches its conclusion during the holiday season, but its focus is very modern.

Before Josie Avery starts working at Seattle’s hottest chef-owned restaurant (a real coup for a budding sous-chef), she takes on an assignment in Ponder, Alaska. For six months, Josie creates meals for guests at a rustic resort on Caribou Lake, far away from bigger metropolises like Fairbanks. There, she meets “the quiet and intense Palmer Saxon, a famed master swordsmith.”  The chapters alternate between the PoV between Palmer and Josie, a very effective technique that takes us to the heart of their growing feelings for each other. Palmer has lived in Alaska his whole life. He’s not exactly romantic which he ruefully admits.

I am a man, an Alaskan man; fancy, romantic words are as unfamiliar to me as a pumpkin-spice latte. I’ll admit, when it comes to sweeping a woman off her feet, I’m about as dense as a guy can get, and I’ll certainly never be the kind of man who recites poetry. Living up here in the Alaskan wilderness doesn’t help. Ponder is miles from what most people would consider civilization.

Josie fights falling totally in love with Palmer although she admits, “it was going to be difficult—harder than I wanted to think about.” Their courtship is idyllic. They hike, search for Alaskan blueberries and cranberries, and lay under the stars while “the Northern Lights flash-dance green highlights across the sky.” Josie has long hours at the lodge but there are twenty-two hours of daylight that far north - plenty of time to talk, walk, play with Palmer’s Alaskan husky Hobo . . . and kiss. Such scintillating kisses, too, as Palmer acknowledges.

Those kisses rocked my world. And they were hot. Sizzling hot. I had to assume she enjoyed our kissing, too, because we both looked forward to the times we could be alone. I might not be a mind reader when it came to women, but I saw the light in Josie’s eyes when we were together, and I could live one on of her smiles for a week or longer.

Palmer proposes to Josie the last night before she’s to return to the Lower 49 - it’s an awkward proposal, to say the least, and she turns him down. It’s not easy but she “just can’t” because her life is in Seattle. She’s very close to her mom, her career awaits, marriage to Palmer is not in the cards. But fate has a surprise for Josie and Palmer. She spends “a miserable night tossing and turning, unable to sleep,” oversleeps, and misses the last ferry out of Ponder until the next spring.

Are you thinking that Josie will come to her senses, run into Palmer’s arms and tell him that she accepts his proposal? Nope. In fact, Josie blames Palmer for everything.

“I overslept and missed the boat, and furthermore,” I said, struggling not to weep, “this is all your fault.”

“Mine?”

“You had to ruin everything and propose. You had to know that my heart would say yes and that my head would say no, and now . . . now you need to help me get to Seattle.” The least Palmer could do was find me a way out of Ponder.

‘Should I stay, or should I go?’ is Josie Avery’s immediate dilemma but when she and Palmer are separated, will their love prevail or is that an impossibility? Josie and Palmer are so sincere and believable it’s impossible not to root for them to find true love. Debbie Macomber’s Alaskan Holiday is a warm and inviting story - just what her readers have come to appreciate and expect. If I have a tiny complaint about the novel, it’s that Debbie Macomber doesn’t include a recipe for Josie Avery’s Moose Goulash: it sounds delicious.

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This was a fun story. Josie has spent the summer cooking at a lodge in a small town in Alaska, earning money so that she has a buffer before starting as a sous chef in Seattle. Once she'd gotten over the fact that there wasn't a Starbucks on every corner or easy access to fresh fruits and veggies, she learned to love the small community and the tourists that make up the summertime population. She'd also fallen in love! Palmer, a master sword-maker, knows she is going back to Seattle but proposes anyway, only to be turned down. However, a missed ferry out as the lake is starting to freeze over puts a different spin on things; she eventually is able to leave only to discover the job in Seattle is not what she'd hoped...and then Christmas magic happens.

A great, quick read, just right for this time of the year.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Debbie Macomber’s holiday books absolutely never disappoint, and Alaskan Holiday is no exception. The book is adorable, fun, and absolutely hilarious at times. I loved the characters and descriptions of life in Alaska. Also, as the wife of a chef, I found the kitchen/culinary details SPOT ON - which really made me appreciate the book, and my husband, a little more. An excellent choice for a lighthearted holiday romance.

I had both the audiobook and the hardcover. I started with the audio. The way the male narrator did Jack's voice was so grating to me that I couldn't listen to it. I started to enjoy it a bit more once I switched to the hardcover. I think (in either version) it just takes a while to get into this one. I understand the desire to keep a lighter Christmas read short, but the book cuts off the whole first seven months of Palmer and Josie's relationship and just jumps right in to the long-term planning. It was hard to care whether or not they continued their relationship when we were never very invested to begin with. Once I finally got into it, it was a pleasant read.

I was privileged to have the opportunity to read this book courtesy of Net Galley. I always enjoy Debbie Macomber’s novels. They are fun, flirty and while predictable, they are still a good read that takes me down a path of escape for a few hours.

Alaskan Holiday is written with two first person voices, Palmer’s and Josie’s. The story is set in Alaska in a remote town called Ponder. Once winter hits it is completely inaccessible. The rest of the year, residents and visitors must take a boat or small plane to gain access.

Palmer is a Ponder native and earns his living in a somewhat bizarre way, crafting custom swords. I suppose there aren’t a lot of jobs in a remote location like this so he developed a rather unique way to earn his living. Josie took a position in Ponder for the summer season as the local lodge’s chef. It was her plan to leave at the end of summer for a dream job she had committed to at a new restaurant in her home down of Seattle. Somewhere before the book started, Josie and Palmer started a romance. When we meet their characters, she is preparing to leave and Palmer is very disappointed. They are smitten, but Josie is committed to her career. The other prominent character in the book is Palmer’s good friend Jack who is quite a rake and conniver – but a fun character.

What I liked about the book: The characters are entertaining. I particularly enjoyed Jack – who is not a main character but dances through the book making mischief and accomplishing his goals with his conniving ways. The setting is very picturesque and easy to see in your mind as you read the book. The couple’s attraction for one another and Palmer’s determination not to impede Josie’s ability to go back to Seattle to her dream job is admirable, despite his jealousy and fear of losing her.

What I didn’t like about the book: Like so many romance type novels – and even movies – it’s the things that go unsaid that get frustrating. Palmer is determined not to vent his frustration to Josie so she never understands how he really feels. The book wouldn’t be very long if he did of course. Josie never tells Palmer that his fears are correct that the fancy boss does have designs on her as she manages deftly to skirt them.

As a long-time fan I curled up with this fun book and enjoyed the happy ending. While it wasn’t my favorite of her books, it was a charming story and fun to while away an afternoon with.

Alaskan Holiday is a story of love, faith, finding one's self and taking a chance. Sometimes your five-year plan isn’t what you wanted at all. The story was magical, with snow, lush landscape and humor. The romance was slow-burning and felt genuine.

If you are looking for a fast, sweet, memorable story to kickoff your holiday season, Alaskan Holiday is the perfect place to start. Full review will post on November 22nd @ Caffeinated Reviewer.

I received an advanced reader copy and this was a perfect book to pick up on a cold, fall day. Alaskan Holiday is a sweet love story that takes place in small town, Ponder, Alaska. It is told from two perspectives, Palmer, and Jessie - both have fallen in love while Jessie was working as a chef in Ponder over the summer. When it is time to return to Seattle, they struggle with goodbye, but in the end, Palmer let's her leave to follow her dreams. What happens next is for the reader to enjoy.

This author's books always make me smile! When I was chosen to receive this book to read and review, I knew I was in for a treat! And I got it. The story is about a big city girl falling for an Alaskan country guy. It includes descriptions of the beautiful Alaskan landscape and the issues that confront the couple together and individually. I loved each and every chapter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Author Debbie Macomber entertains the reader with a sweet and interesting romance in Alaskan Holiday. Josie Avery, while waiting for her dream job as a sous chef under a famous chef in a new restaurant in Seattle, takes a summer job as a chef in a remote part of Alaska. Josie enjoys her summer and is quite taken by one of the locals, Palmer Saxon. Palmer is falling for Josie but realizes she's a city girl and probably not interested in living a remote area of Alaska. Things heat up when Josie accidentally misses the last boat out of the area and is stuck trying to find a way out. While waiting, Josie finds herself falling for Palmer and the town of Ponder Alaska. Josie finally leaves Ponder and returns to Seattle only to find her dream job is really a nightmare and Palmer finds he can't live without Josie in his life. The story is fascinating in its description of the Alaskan wilderness, the lives of the people living in Ponder and what Palmer actually does for a living. There are a lot of interesting characters, including the famous chef Josie is to be working for and learning from. There's definitely a Christmas spirit and a display of faith in God (definitely not overwhelming just a nudge). And, of course, there's a happing ending!

Sweet Young Adult Holiday Romance

I absolutely love books by Debbie Macomber, especially her Christmas romances. Last year she brought us Merry and Bright which was a delightful wink to Shop Around the Corner. This year it's Alaskan Holiday, a heartwarming story about Josie, an aspiring and talented chef, and Palmer, a master swordsmith who are drawn to each other in a tiny Alaskan town.

This story is written in first person, with alternating perspectives which is a departure from Ms. Macomber’s usual style. Add the youthful age of our H and h and you have a new adult romance. I had a hard time getting into this story as the first couple of chapters seemed slow to me, but once I hit Chapter 3 the story took off. Oh, and Jack was a real hoot – I think we all know a Jack.

While I really enjoyed this sweet holiday romance, one line almost stopped me in my tracks, “We were homeschooled, so I didn’t have a lot of the exposure and experiences most kids get for social interaction." While this may be Palmer's individual experience, it's a fallacy to make such a generalization about homeschooling, as many parents are members of one or more of the myriad homeschooling groups and are exposed to tons more social interaction than children who occupy a formal school. Ok, off my soapbox.

This aside, I am totally addicted to Ms. Macomber's Christmas novels and will continue to consume them like chocolate hazelnut cheesecake. Yum. Now excuse me while I have to go re-read Merry and Bright.

Macomber, Debbie
ALASKAN HOLIDAY
This was a sweet interlude. I read it on Voting Day, and it was the perfect antidote, as well as a reminder of one of the best trips ever, the storytellers’ cruise to Alaska. I was told how many businesses close up when tourist season ends and how the population drops, but ALASKAN HOLIDAY let me feel how that would be. How can Josie be happy in the tiny community of Ponder? . . . but how can she leave Palmer? Oh, the pain of a summer romance . . . or is it more? I love them both, and Jack, crusty and food-obsessed Jack, with his historic sourdough starter. A friend learned to make sourdough bread as one of her final “must do” items in this life. It’s magical . . . as is a book that can help me escape from the serious world and regenerate. Brava!

This is a great Debbie Macomber holiday story in one of my favorite places, Alaska! A quick, light read for the holidays filled with heart.

Once again Debbie Macomber delivers a heart-warming story. Palmer and Josie meet in backwoods Alaska and fall in love. Josie is from Seattle and plans to return to accept her dream job. Palmer realizes that he has to let Josie go. This was a sweet romance. I would recommend this book. I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in ecvhsnge for an honest review.

Sweet romance set in both Alaska and Seattle by Debbie Macomber. Would make a cute Hallmark Christmas movie.

Super fun romantic holiday read, exactly what you would expect from Debbie Macomber. Chef Josie is spending time in Alaska where she falls for local man, Palmer. When he proposes before she heads home, she is unsure of what to do. Circumstances cause her to miss her plane and for them to be forced together after she has turned him down. The story is fun and romantic, sent in a beautiful setting with lovely characters. Thank you netgally for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Another favorite by Debbie Macomber. She always gives her readers a story filled with love and a lot of humor. This book was a little different from her other books as each chapter was read in two different perspectives. Thank you for allowing me to read.

I received and ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for my review. While waiting until the fall when she is able to start her dream job as a chef in a fancy Seattle restaurant, Josie decides to keep her culinary skills sharp by working as a chef in a resort in Ponder, Alaska. While she is there she meets Palmer Saxon, who knew at first site that Josie would be the girl for him. The only problem is, that their relationship has a time limit, and when the summer is over Josie will be leaving Alaska. Is there any way he can convince her to stay? Should he even ask her?

Debbie Macomber books are always heart-warming stories. There are no big surprises or thrills, but I always enjoy the sweet love stories.

You really can't go wrong with a Debbie Macomber novel. When I think of holiday reads, I instantly think of Debbie Macomber. Thus the reason when I saw this new book I wanted to read it.

The characters and the storyline are really good. While, Josie and Palmer don't spend a lot of time together; it just goes to show you that sex is not always required to make a great book. Although, Palmer was acting kind of like a jerk and being childish when he was ignoring Josie's texts. He is lucky that he did not totally ruin his chances with Josie before it was too late. Both Josie and Palmer did have some help in the form of friend, Jack. Maybe not the best help but well intended help. Speaking of Jack, he kept me laughing. His insatiable appetite and not so subtle nudging.

As I stated, I loved the characters and the nice storyline. It made for some good reading. Once, I started reading I couldn't stop. This book is the perfect one to snuggle up by the fireplace and read. It really will get you into the holiday mood.

Josie's dream is to become a famous chef working in an elite restaurant with someone who can be a mentor to her. When she goes to Ponder, Alaska for a few months to work at a lodge, she meets Palmer, a swordsmith, and falls in love with him. She also makes friends with the lodge owners, a gluttonous man named Jack, and a woman who writes for a living. When Josie gets a job back home in Seattle at a prominent chef's new restaurant, she rejects Palmer's marriage proposal in order to further her career and go back to live with her mother. Will Josie's dream job be all she expects it to be, or will her heart win out?
I liked this book, but I thought the storyline and characters were on the weak side. I usually enjoy Debbie Macomber's books, but I was disappointed because this book didn't really seem like a Christmas story to me. Most of the characters were hard to like, Palmer's attitude from time to time annoyed me, and Jack's constant obsession with food seemed excessive. That being said, I enjoyed the Alaskan setting, and the descriptions of the landscape made me want to go visit Alaska. There were some funny moments, and the light subject matter was a welcome break from the intense books I've read lately. It was a cute story with a nice ending, and I believe many people will enjoy this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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.