Andrea (Andi) Daniels is a mother in her early thirties to a fourteen year old daughter, Sydney, and a twelve year old daughter, Olivia. She is a divorced registered nurse and her life is very full and scheduled. She doesn't have time for things such as dating. She is asked by her best friend, Sara, to be her maid of honor at her wedding in Fairbanks, Alaska. She is looking forward to some adult time, exploration of Alaska and some relaxation.

Riley Cannon is a a wedding photographer and is hired by Sara and her bride to shoot their wedding at a remote lodge in Alaska. She will be staying a week and taking some excursions after her wedding duties.

While checking out the lodge the day before the wedding, Riley, hears a laugh and a voice from her past She knows without a doubt that it belongs her to high school girlfriend, Andi. They reunite while in Alaska and share some wonderful day trips including viewing the Northern Lights. The imagery that Nance Sparks creates in this book with vivid descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness, the Northern Lights, and Riley's photos is truly amazing.

This book has a little bit of everything including the obvious second chance romance, family life and drama, a hilarious stop at an adult toy store, emotional scenes, and a skillfully told story. I'd recommend this book to other readers. 4.5 stars

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A good romance. A second chance meeting for two characters that are pretty darned likable. The dynamics are good, descriptions are vivid and really let you get a feel for the settings. I felt there was a lack of angst in the story to give it more depth, but an enjoyable read nonetheless.

High school sweethearts Andrea and Riley learned about mistakes and their repercussions the hard way. 15 years later, when fate brought them together again, the committed mother of 2 and a carefree photographer have to decide if the second chance is a closure or continuation of their love.

I love the northern lights and a romance with the northern lights as it’s backdrop is something special. As with all vacations, life is brought back down to reality when the fun times are over and responsibilities kick in. For untethered Riley, her job brings her all over the world with little or no downtime but Andrea simply requires stability. With their present lifestyles vastly different and kids in the mix, will the 3 glorious days spent basking in the other suffice? This was a satisfying read for its happy ending. Throughout the book, truths were uncovered and regrets were revealed but what stuck with me was even when circumstances and life tore them apart, the pair both held on to the best memories of their beginning and times together. Simply bittersweet and pure love at its best.

I just reviewed An Alaskan Wedding by Nancy Sparks. Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.

A chance encounter at a wedding by two women who had not seen each other since high school. They spend a few days together after the wedding. They have completely opposite lives. One is a stay at home single mother and the other a photographer who travels. This is their story of how they overcome this to be together. It is a bit boring in some bits but on the whole not unreadable.
I've given it only 2 stars but should probably be 2½ (don't think I can do a ½ star) I don't feel its quite a 3.

So this is one of two books I read last weekend at the same time- but with the difference in their genres it wasn't difficult. In fact this was a nice palate cleanser when the other book got too much.

So earlier this year I read Nance Spark's book Cowgirl, and it wasn't a perfect book but I did enjoy it. I was really impressed by the way Sparks writes detail into her books, and describes scenes- it creates a really vivid image- and it doesn't seem overblown or distract from the characters. And I'm really pleased to see her exercise that imagery again in her sophomore novel An Alaskan Wedding.

An Alaskan Wedding is a second chance romance between Andrea Daniels and Riley Canon. Andrew and Riley were childhood best friends and eventually girlfriends until Andrea's parents forcibly separated them, and they haven't seen each other in 15 years. But while attending a friend's wedding in Alaska, Andrea can't help but recognize the wedding photographer as her long lost love. And the sparks are definitely still there between them. But can children and distance get in the way of them finding love?

I've mentioned before that second chance romances are probably my favorite trope to read- and this book hit a lot of those angst filled points. It was really fun seeing the love that Andrea and Riley had for each other in the past as well as them picking it back up in the present- as well as working out their troubled history too.

I mentioned before about how well Nance writes scenery and details and in many cases Alaska seems to be the perfect backdrop to write breathtaking beauty in the environment that surrounds a large part of this book. Honestly that was probably my favorite part of this book.

My main criticism of this book is similar to what I didn't love about Cowgirl- everyone is perfect all of the time. Both Andi and Riley are interesting characters and they were fun to root for, but also I want some flaws in my characters too that extend beyond mistakes as a teenager. This was definitely improved upon since Cowgirl, but I do think it can be better. Also pettiest of points- naming the photographer character Canon? I mean...

I did really enjoy this book by Sparks- especially her writing of detail. 4/5

I was afraid this book would break my heart without gluing it back together.

This is not your run-of-the-mill "girl meets girl, loses girl, gets girl back" kind of story. This has a past, a present and (maybe) a future, and how those parts of the book are written is the mark of a mature storyteller who might well have been through what Andrea and Riley have been through. Otherwise, how could she write such an un-putdownable book?

The characters are compelling: Andrea and her childhood friend Riley, fall in love quite early in their lives, only to be forced apart by Andrea's sphincter police parents. Time passes and each woman goes down a path different from the other. Andrea marries and has two children. No time for a personal life. Riley buries herself in her photography, and she's so good at it that she's in constant demand. Also, no time for a personal life.

The book blurb tells the gist of the story, but it merely scratches the surface of this beautifully written book. This second effort from Nance Sparks is a "run to your favorite book provider and get this book right now" kind of story. And that's what I think you should do.

"Cowgirl" is Sparks' first novel, which I also loved. "An Alaskan Wedding" is "Cowgirl" with the training wheels taken off. Ms. Sparks is just gonna get better and better!

Are you still here reading this review? Go! Go get the book!

It has been a long time since I read a romance novel and found myself physically smiling as I read the last few chapters. The exquisitely written An Alaskan Wedding did that to me and more. It wrapped me in the warmth and comfort of its second chance love story.

Andrea Daniels is a full time mom to two daughters, fourteen and twelve. She is also a registered nurse who works at her local hospital. Andrea is taking her first child free vacation in fifteen years. It is a solo trip to Fairbanks, Alaska to attend her best friends wedding and then explore the wonders of the northern state.
Riley Canon is ‘the’ professional photographer for lesbian weddings and is constantly on the move from job to job. She is excited to be in Fairbanks for work and to take some personal time to scratch things off her bucket list. It has been fifteen years since she heard Andrea’s voice but she would recognize it anywhere and Fairbanks appears to be anywhere.

Nance Sparks adds just the right touch of angst to this novel. The storyline is full of twists and turns and to this reader seemed impossible to have its happy ever after. But Sparks is a master storyteller and does not disappoint. Her writing captured me from the first chapter and did not release me until the last page.

Andrea, her girls and Riley are all appealing characters. And the attraction between Andrea and Riley just sizzles off the page.
There is a soft humour written into some of the dialogue and the use of Canon as Riley’s last name is lovely irony. All of these attributes come together to create a wonderfully crafted romance which is both entertaining and uplifting.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Andi is a mother of two and RN. She getting a much needed break when her best friend Sara ask her to be her maid of honor and the wedding is in Fairbanks, Alaska. Riley is the most sought out wedding photographer and she gets a chance of lifetime to go Alaska to shoot a wedding.

Andrea aka Andi and Riley surprise to bump into each other after all theses years they were childhood friends and much more they share firsts of everything but a mistake torn them apart. Now they have a second chance and they won’t lose each other again. As they tries fit both of their lives together there’s some up and down as they navigate but one thing that matters is this time their in it for good.

I love how author describes the northern lights it’s one of things I always wanted to see. This was good read heartwarming story.

Sparks debut novel was an average read for me but I'm so happy I got to read this, her next one. (Always give new writers a second or third chance.) It begins at a wedding in Fairbanks, Alaska. Andrea (Andi) Daniels is the maid of honor and surprisingly Riley Cannon is the photographer. Riley was Andi's best friend and first everything until Andi's parents force them to part. They haven't seen each other since finishing high school 15 years earlier. This isn't a will they or won't they. (They're gonna!) Their joy at finding each other is in every word. It becomes more about now they've found each other how can their worlds mesh. Riley travels for weeks at a time and Andi is a mother of two, works full time as an RN and lives three hours away.

The dialogue feels real as do the logistics of figuring out a new relationship when kids are involved. There is passion and humor on the journey too. The author's love for outdoors and photography comes through the pages as well. Sparks description of the northern lights has moved them up on my bucket list to see. I was genuinely sad to turn the page and find the book was finished and I was saying goodbye to these characters Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a fun read.

Andrea is a single mom and is headed to Alaska to be a bridesmaid for her best friend, without her kids.
She's looking forward to some adult time and relaxing with her friends.
Riley is much sought after photographer for the wedding events who is looking forward to the natural beauty that Alaska offers.
Never did these two expect to meet here again after years apart. They were childhood friends and shared everything. Including first kisses and more. But Andrea made a mistake which cost her their friendship.
Now they have reunited and the sparks are still there and they are explosive.
Riley needs to find a way to bring her business closer to Andrea while they build their adult relationship and responsibilities.
Andrea's ex will put a short bump in the way.
This is filled with so much fun and lighthearted moments.
What delightful story this is. I am looking forward to reading more Nance Sparks books.

You won't be disappointed in this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for giving me the opportunity to read this.