Sweet, Sexy, Action Packed, and Oh So Fun!

Gah... my heart! Jennifer Snow completely made me fall head over heels in love. I am so in love with this place, the people in it, and ALL the feelings that have come with it. An Alaskan Christmas has you laughing out loud one minute, swooning the next, and suddenly on the edge of your seat! I seriously had goosebumps as I flew through these pages having NO idea what would happen next. A true adrenaline rush. Jennifer Snow’s creativity and amazing ability to draw you in, makes her one of my favorite authors out there. This book literally had it all! Romance, intrigue, hidden secrets, love, a narcoleptic dog! It was seriously... PERFECTION! Swoon worthy, tears in your eyes, heart melting perfection!

This is absolutely a series I will be following, devouring and totally anticipating!! I am completely ready for the next one!!! I want to be back in Wild River, Alaska! I NEED to go back!

4 1/2 STARS!

AN ALASKAN CHRISTMAS is the first book in Jennifer Snow's brand new Wild River series and is sure to delight fans of action packed story lines. It revolves around a surgeon and search and rescue leader, their family drama and and a shot at a happily ever after when they least expect it.

Erika was a tough cookie to get to know. She was a powerful surgeon and get it done type of person, but her softer side was a mystery I enjoyed unraveling as the book developed. She sought acceptance, yet found it hard to let down her guard when the love she had always craved was knocking at her door.

Reed was a fun-loving guy and had me smiling throughout. He's a powerful force on the mountain, but doesn't let the job control him. He has quite the interest in Erika, but he's not so sure he'll be able to hold her attention once she's back to work.

I highly recommend this story to anyone looking for a down home type of town to fall in love with. The town is tight and the characters are endearing. There were a few places when the plot could have been filled in a little, but overall it was a great read and I look forward to the next book in the series!

A really great start to Jennifer Snow's brand new Wild River series.

Erika is a dedicated doctor whose job is her life. From the beginning, though, it was easy to see the potential for her to find so much more to life than work. When she makes her way to Wild River she slowly but surely came out of her shell and reconnected with old friends. The author did a nice job of making it clear her skills as a doctor mattered even as she enjoyed life outside work. Especially as she got more involved with Reed and the search and rescue team.

The writing was great, especially when describing the beautiful but sometimes unpredictable mountains surrounding the town. There are also a number of other characters populating the small town of Wild River whose stories I can't wait to read too.

So the first book in the Wild River series is fantastic. I didn't know at first if I would like it, but Snow does a great job of setting up the hero and heroine. They have some obstacles to get past, but I loved them falling for each other and trying to make it work long distance. I also loved that we get a sneak peek at the couple in the next series I assume (the hero's sister and a coworker of his). I definitely plan on reading this series in the future!

"An Alaskan Christmas" follows surgeon, Erika Sheraton. Erika is driven and looking forward to starting a new drug trial that will help prevent people from rejecting organs after transplants. However, after losing another intern (she's too driven and not a people person) her father who is a head at the hospital in Anchorage tells her she is being forced to take two weeks off. Erika has no romantic relationships and really no friendships. However, she messages her childhood best friend Cassie Reynolds and asks about visiting her in their hometown of Wild River. Cassie's brother Reed though remembers Erika, and recalls her being a snobby girl who once ended up getting them lost in the woods at night Now he's older and hotter and does Search and Rescue for Wild River. The twosome ended up disliking each other again after years apart, but both feel attracted to each other.

So Erika at first is prickly, but once you find out her backstory (her mom's death and her father pulling away from her) you can see why she is the way she is. I also loved having the woman being the successful one in this relationship. Erika knows what she is doing and she's a great doctor. I liked we never questioned her competence. She starts realizing she wasn't a good friend to Cassie after moving away and tries to step in to heal that breech. And when she realizes how attracted she is to Reed, the sparks just fly. There is a secret she's keeping (no secret baby!) but I am glad it got resolved via another character.

Reed is very good at his job though he gave up going to school to become a EMT or nurse due to wanting to help his sister out with her business. He's a good guy and I liked how we get to see how attracted he is to Erika and how it quickly develops into something more. There is a scene where Reed goes and asks an older woman in Wild River about what to do if you want to show someone you care that had me laughing out loud.

The secondary characters were developed well enough to make you more interested in reading about them in future books. I can't wait to see how Cassie gets her man!

The writing was very good (Snow obviously knows Alaska, search and rescue, and about frostbite and other things). The flow worked too.

The setting of Wild River sounded great though it only has about 2,000 people.

The ending was great and we get a HEA.

Erika Sheraton's life revolves around her job, it's all she thinks about, and every spare minute she has is spent at work ensuring a new drug trial goes off without a hitch. While her drive to be the best in her field is admirable, it has also cost her deeply in her personal life... as in she doesn't have one. She has submersed herself so deep into her work, that she has forgotten about maintaining friendships, and her love life is non-existent. She doesn't remember the last time she even went on a date...not that she has time for one anyway!

That is until her father hands her a special Christmas gift... he is forcing her to take a two week vacation, which is devastating to her workaholic soul. She has no idea what to do with herself, or where to spend the next two weeks. The only friend she has, she hasn't talked to in ten years and she isn't so sure Cassie would welcome her call. But Cassie surprises her and tells her to pack a bag and head to Wild River... where she finds the adventure of a lifetime awaiting her, and hunky mountain man who likes to push her buttons!

An Alaskan Christmas kicks off an adventurous and steamy new series from Ms. Snow, and it's pages come brimming with everything necessary to leave your heart happy! The author's perfectly penned words paint a vivid picture of the small Alaskan community, and it's residents are quick to make you feel right at home with them. This is a slow burn romance that will require some patience, these two stubborn souls had me dying in anticipation, they fought their feelings every step of the way. But once they finally began to see that they were meant to be together, and they decided to let love in, they had my heart skipping a beat. This was such a wonderful story, it's Christmas theme and snowy locale is destined to stir up some holiday spirit! Highly recommend!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, via NetGalley, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

Hot enough to melt the snow in Alaska, Jennifer Snow’s AN ALASKAN CHRISTMAS is the perfect package to unwrap and fall into for your Holiday reading!

Erika is a successful, driven surgeon who has become the victim of tunnel vision. All work and no play makes her a very hard person. When forced to take a vacation, she finds herself going back Wild River for a reunion with her best friend and a chance to discover what it feels like to let her guard down and listen to her heart.

Reed was the thorn in her side growing up, but something about the infuriating man awakens her inner siren now and the potential for a four alarm passion to ignite.

Nothing is better than a second chance romance for the holidays, filled with all of the human frailties that make Cupid’s work just a little harder, but so worth the effort! Get ready to get your romance fix as two people discover what is truly important in life with all of the passion and sizzle that will melt everyone’s hearts!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from HQN Books

If you love watching Hallmark Christmas movies and reading holiday-themed books like I do, you’ve probably noticed there seems to be a recurring theme: a character leaves her stressful life in the city to return to her small hometown where she bumps into her old high school boyfriend, and they miraculously fall back in love during the holidays. These fictitious hometown reunions have become a fun Christmas tradition for many.

Well, AN ALASKAN CHRISTMAS takes a different, refreshing approach to the hometown holiday reunion. In fact, “[i]f there’s one gift Erika Sheraton [the main character] does NOT want for Christmas, it’s a vacation. Ordered to take time off, the workaholic surgeon reluctantly trades in her scrubs for a ski suit and heads to Wild River, Alaska [where] her friend, Cassie, owns a tour company that offers adventures to fit every visitor. But nothing compares to the adrenaline rush Erika feels on being reunited with Cassie’s brother, Reed.”

AN ALASKAN CHRISTMAS is the first book in a new series called “Wild River.” Wild River is Erika’s hometown, but she mainly returns because she has no nowhere else to go. For years, she has had no life or other interests because she was so focused on her career. Once Erika returns home, naturally, sparks fly between her and Reed; however, there is also a deeper meaning to the story. In this case it’s about finding work-life balance, which is something a lot of ambitious, career-driven professionals like Erika struggle to achieve. The story also explores the sometimes strained relationship she has with her father, who runs the hospital where she works. Her father is also a busy workaholic and will not even discuss Erika’s mother’s death. The message the story conveys at the end is a good one, and I’m interested to see if the next book will continue to follow Erika’s journey or if it will focus on a new character’s story. This is a strong start to a new series, and I'm glad I was able to get in from the beginning.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I love books where the setting is as much a character as the characters. Set in a small town in Alaska, the challenge of living there adds to the story as Erika and Reed work out what's most important in life. They each have ties to where they currently live and work and neither knows if they can break them to be with the other. Complex family relationships are part of the backdrop and influence how they feel and the decisions they make. I didn't have a lot of hope for Erika at first as she couldn't see past her workaholic life, but they each learn lessons about life and love and family that bring them to a happy ending.

I have reviewed this book for the New York Journal of Books site where it will be posted on the evening before the release date:

"An Alaskan Christmas" by Jennifer Snow
HQN Books
September 24, 2019
10-1335041500
Contemporary Romance


Surgeon Erika Sheraton's life consists of working 18+ hours a day at Alaska General Hospital. Since her mother's death from rejecting a kidney transplant years ago, Erika's followed in her physician father's footsteps, trying hard to attain his approval. But her dad, unable to handle his wife's passing, closed himself off from her and everyone else, making his career and the hospital his focus. Now Erika is partnered with him beginning a clinical trial for a new anti-rejection drug for transplant recipients.

It’s a few weeks before Christmas, and her father informs her she is on a “recommended vacation,” meaning she has no choice, as he's afraid she is getting burnt out. She doesn't want to leave; what will she do for the 14 days she's practically being banned from the hospital? With no choice, she considers it's time to reconnect with her best childhood friend, Cassie Reynolds, who lives in Wild River, Alaska, a few hours away.

Used to having a hectic life, Erika wonders what she'll do, especially seeing Cassie is busy with her own company, Snow Trek Tours. When Cassie takes her to the local bar, she is surprised to see Cassie's brother Reed working there. What happened to the scrawny kid she once knew who is now filled out into a ripped and gorgeous man?

Erika remembers how long ago they were like oil and vinegar and got on each other's nerves, so she is dumbfounded by her instant attraction to him. Though upon reconnecting after such a long time, they still clash. Reed determines she is a stuck-up snob, and she wonders why someone with his smarts is tending bar.

They say opposites attract, and this seems to be the case with Erika and Reed. As they spend more time together, Erika identifies Reed as an upstanding guy, and as he is the leader of a search-and-rescue group for skiers and others who get lost in the mountains her admiration for him heightens. What is surprising to them both is the attraction is mutual. For a woman who rubbed Reed the wrong way since childhood, he can't take his mind or his eyes off her. And, Erika who doesn’t think about men or dating, is now changing her mind in that respect.

Erika is thrilled when Reed allows her to go with him on a rescue mission; however, he is angry when they locate the injured skier and Erika jumps in to help. She is not supposed to assist in any way, but when she saves the man's life, Reed thinks differently about her.

Erika also observes Reed at work and how professional he is. Even though he always wanted to be an EMT or a nurse, she ponders what circumstances are keeping him from doing what he wanted and remaining in their hometown.

Her admiration for him grows exponentially as does his for her, and before long the two are between the sheets. Never being in love before, Erika considers if she could be, or is this only lust? Reed has had many affairs, but his feelings for Erika are much different from those for any other woman.

One day while out on the slopes together, Erika believes what they have is only a friendly fling, and she says to Reed, "But you said we were just friends."

"'We are . . . but . . .' Her eyes couldn't decide where to look. His crystal blues held a question she didn't know the answer to and his full, pink, wind-chapped lips beckoned. He'd looked so sexy racing down each new, slightly more challenging slope. The unexpected intimacy that came with taking on these challenging trails had her struggling to resist the urge to touch him, kiss him all morning. The short helicopter runs back to the top of the mountain had never felt long enough, yet with each one, new undeniable sparks had gone off between their bodies."

Could this become serious or permanent? Erika is stubborn and involved in her job at the hospital, and Reed will not give up his current lifestyle, making them wonder if a long-distance romance would work after Erika leaves.

"Their personalities couldn't be more different, but they were a lot more alike than either of them would have predicted. Alike in ways that mattered . . . ways that just might be enough for a relationship to survive."

This first edition of A Wild River series is passionate, sensual, and very sexy. The freezing, winter-cold portrayal of the Alaskan ski slopes is not the only thing sending chills through one's body as Erika and Reed's connection heats up.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-copy of this book for an honest review!  I requested this months ago and was able to read it and review it just in time for it to be published. 

This book tells the story of Dr. Erika Sheraton and how she figures out what she truly wants for her life.  She is the top surgeon Anchorage and is ordered to take a vacation for Christmas instead of working herself to the bone, as she usually does.  Because it is required, she has no choice and decides to take her time off in Wild River, Alaska to visit her friend Cassie and count the days until she can get back to her job.  While there she runs into childhood friend and first love, Reed who also happens to be Cassie's brother.  While there, Erika begins to laugh and enjoy her life while also re-learning what the most important parts of life should be, all in time for the Christmas season.

I have read a lot of holiday reads over the years, but I haven't really read anything that is so densely medical or that has a strong medical/hospital setting.  I think I liked it, but mainly because most of the story takes place outside of those settings.  I am not really a hospital fan, but I love Christmas!  Most of the story takes place in Wild River and deals with a lot of outdoorsy type activities like skiing and mountain rescue.  The settings were varied, and Wild River is one of those little mountain towns that you will fall in love with.

I will say that this story isn't really Christmasy, but more or less just set in winter (ie. December).  There aren't really many mentions about Christmas decorations or holiday events; this is more of a book that you read after Christmas or just before as it could get you in the mood for the season or help usher it out.  I actually enjoyed this because it wasn't too sweet or hard to get though with Christmas cliches, but did help induce emotions and make me think about the most important parts of the season and what we should remember to cherish in our lives.

This story is also quite steamy, as the main character finds her love interest, things get heated very quickly afterward.  I am not the biggest fan of reading those types of scenes, and honestly, I tend to speed read through them because they just don't do anything for me storywise.  So, if you are into that or looking for some steamy scenes, this is a good one for you!

Overall, this was a nice little story set in a quaint little mountain town that is full of fun characters, steamy scenes, heartwarming (and tear-jerking) moments, and just enough Christmas spirit.

Special thanks to Jennifer Snow & Harlequin for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.

Don't be fooled by this super sweet holiday cover. An Alaskan Christmas by Jennifer Snow is a steamy, whirlwind romance with deeper meaning. This book has all my favorite things. Christmas, second chance love, a bit of thrilling tension & a HEA ending. It's a must-read for any and all romance lovers.

Search & Rescue

Erika returns home after she is forced on vacation. Far from the craziness of the ER room, Erika begins to think maybe there really is more to life. She has a history with Reid that ties in with his current profession. Erika even joins them on a search & rescue mission. After all, she is a skillful surgeon.

What she doesn't expect is to fall hard for Reid. Same goes for him. I love that Jennifer Snow gives us insight into what they're not thinking. Each character is dealing with some heavy trauma. For me, this makes the story more believable. Even better, it makes their love story more interesting.

THE VERDICT

I am Really Into This book! An Alaskan Christmas has the perfect amount of steam. Much like my fave The Christmas Sister by Sarah Morgan, it features wilderness, snow, Christmas & love. Undoubtedly, will re-read this book once a year. I love it that much!

I have never read this author but reading what the book was about made me interested in checking it out. I love romances set in Alaska.

Erika Sheraton does not want a vacation for Christmas. She is a surgeon and workaholic and is ordered to take time off. She decides to head to Wild River Alaska. Her friend Cassie owns a tour company that offers adventures.

Cassie's brother Reed Reynolds is everything he didn't know he craved. She is also what his search and rescue team needs.

There is a big difference in their lives but there desire for each other does not care. Can they make a long distance relationship work? Can they get past all their differences? Will she go back to being a workaholic once she is back in her real life? Read to find out. I really enjoyed this book. It had so many great characters and the story line was so good. I really hope Jennifer plans to do more books in this series. I loved it. If your looking for a new author or book to check out you should really read this book. I will definetly be checking out her other books.

I recieved a free copy of this book from Netgalley and here is my honest review.

Very well written, I got into it right from the start. I felt all the emotion, the conflicting circumstances, the frustrations of both Erika and Reed. Quite realistic with today's fast paced city living versus the slower pace of smaller communities.
These two had a connection and I thought it a great journey with ups and downs to finally conclude what they had, when true love trumps all. Their heat included, whew!
Loved all the search and rescues included, most definitely added to the adrenaline pumping moments. Life and death always a factor. Excellent descriptive scenarios!
I recommend reading this, and I'm looking forward to more adventures and connections in the Wild River series all based in Alaska.
I received an ARC thru Netgalley, all thoughts and opinions are voluntary and my own.

An Alaskan Christmas by Jennifer Snow is an incredibly enjoyable holiday romance with rich characters and sizzling chemistry!

This was my first time reading Jennifer Snow and it definitely won't be my last. She has such a great writing style, very similar to Sarah Morgan's From Manhattan With Love series (my all-time favourite contemporary romance series) and I'm so excited to see what she does for the second Wild River novel.

When workaholic top surgeon Erika Sheraton returns to her hometown of Wild River, Alaska for a mandated vacation, she expects to spend time reconnecting with her former best friend, Cassie. Instead, Erika finds herself drawn to Cassie’s older brother and lead member of Wild River’s Search and Rescue team, Reed Reynolds. Soon their all-too-familiar arguing turns into flirting, leading Erika and Reed to question if this vacation fling could become something more lasting.

The chemistry between Erika and Reed is amazing. You instantly sense the physical attraction between them from the moment they're reunited in the bar. I love their banter - Erika is a bit of a snobby brat at the beginning and Reed doesn't let her get away with it, which makes it all the more enjoyable - and the way they challenge their perceptions of each other. As much fun as their love story is, Jennifer Snow has also written a great story of personal growth for each character and I love how both Erika and Reed are changed for the better by the end of the novel.

I highly recommend An Alaskan Christmas and am eagerly awaiting book #2!

Many thanks to HQN Books and Jennifer Snow for an advance reader copy.

This book was so enjoyable and I'm looking forward to more in this series!!

Alaska, one of the places I have wanted to visit, seems even better now (smiley face). A place where you can't control everything, even if you are a doctor. There is more to this story than just a romance. Erika (the doctor) who is trying to prove herself by basically working herself to death is told she must take a vacation, but yet she is working on a trial study that is very important to her and it truly is the most important thing happening in her life. It is personal and it is her mission. Then she is told she must take time off from work, there will be no excuses.

For her "forced" vacation she decides to return to her hometown. She comes across as a doctor who may need some help with her bedside manner....but people that you knew when you grew up tend to make it real again. They may just make you see that your career isn't the only thing that is important in life and that's it truly is okay to relax and enjoy yourself! Even though her vacation is to last two weeks...you never know what will happen in such a short amount of time.

Really enjoyed this story and looking forward to the next addition!!

Thank you to Netgalley, Jennifer Snow and Harlequin Books for this ARC. This is my honest review and I am looking forward to the next book!!

Erika is a workaholic, all while trying to get her father to notice her because he's been withdrawn since her mother died. When she's forced to take a vacation and runs into her best friend's older brother... well, they can't deny the fire between them. But it soon turns into something more than just lust... can they make it work? Or will Erika run back to her old life and leave Reed in the snow-covered mountains?

I love this novel! It's been a while since I've been this into a book that it had me reacting out loud. I cried, laughed, and then grinned like an idiot at the end. It's so freaking cute all while dealing with a few hard topics. It ends with a very nice bright red bow and just leaves you feeling all warm inside while wanting to visit Alaska. Well, I've always wanted to live in Alaska so I'm biased.

The writing is light and fully, the pacing is perfect. I have nothing bad to say about this book other than I want more. I hope we get a squeal with Cassie and Tank. I want their story next and I loved the setting so much I just want to go back.

*So happy that NetGalley gave me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Will go live on my blog: 09/04/2019

Interesting story about a workaholic Dr.
A bit slow moving for me. The search and rescue aspects were well done.
There was not much Christmas in this story.
Good characters, good dialogue. Some improbable situations but still entertaining.

I will review on Amazon on Sept 24, 2019

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my fair and honest review.

I really enjoyed this story by Jennifer Snow, this was my first book I have read from this author. Overall the book was well written, I loved the sparks between Erika and Reed, and enjoyed watching as Erika realized there is much more to life than only working 24/7. I would certainly recommend this book to others.

An Alaskan Christmas is a fast paced story with lots of drama and a love development. The characters are well developed and you can relate to them. The setting in Alaska makes the events more intense. You'll find the characters struggling to balance a relationship and their love of their work.

This is my first time reading this author and I LOVED this story SO MUCH. It is well writtend and had a depth and fascinating story that kept me hooked from the beginnng. All the characters in this story are so brave, that I really admired them.

Erika is a dr and works with her father. They have a very cold and distant relationship. In fact Erika is distant from everyone. That is until she is forced on vacation by her father. She has no friends and nothing to do so she decides to go back to her hometown and stay with her old best friend who she has not talked to in years.

The two women drive each other a little crazy because Erika is so serious. Reed is the best friends brother and he never liked Erika but he tries to help his sister out by spending time with Erika. Reed is a laid back bar owner and incharge of the mountains rescue unit.

I loved watching these two interact. They are so opposite and I loved watching Reed screw with Erika and really get her to have some fun with him. This book was seriously great ad I would love to read more in this series.