Sweet Home Alaska by Jennifer Snow

We meet Skylar and Dex who have a past history who are now in the same place after some years have gone by. Will they rekindle the romance they had before or is it too late?

Romance stories for me, need to have a beginning, middle and end hopefully resulting in a relationship of some sort. This one falls short for me as the two main characters were not acting like mature adults but teens who had no clue and it was nerve wracking. Could this be what the author was going for and if so they succeeded.

With this said however, I would read other works by this author.

Rating 3
Linda C

This book was ok. I mean it’s a ok story and it’s cute but I find it’s not the best one I have read by this author .

Sweet Home Alaska is the first full length book in the Wild Coast series. There was a novella prior to this one, but you can enjoy this one as a standalone without having read that one with no problems.

While I know that we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover... I'll admit, I totally judged this one. Having not read any prior books by this author, I thought the cover made it look like it would be a sweet, clean, small-town romance. Even the endorsement on the cover called it 'heartwarming', which is so often used to describe that type of love story. While it wall nearly all of those things... the clean? Not so much! That took me a bit by surprise as I was certainly not expecting it... but that might be on me for not reading up on the author first. While I do prefer a cleaner read myself, I won't hold it against this one. Aside from that, it was a really sweet romance--- small town charm and a second chance at love, all things I really enjoy in a romance!

If you're looking for something super clean, don't let this one for you... but if you don't mind some steamier love scenes, it's an enjoyable romance!

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

While I am a sucker for second chance romances, I wasn't really rooting for Skylar and Dex.

The sweet small town in Alaska is home to a long-standing feud between two families and Skylar and Dex are on apposing sides. It's definitely got that Hatfields and McCoys vibe mixed with a Romeo & Juliet-style/star-crossed lovers type deal and I didn't mind that. I wasn't feeling Skylar and Dex together. I couldn't get invested in their relationship. Could have been the secrets, or it could just be a personality thing with me. They just didn't gel with me.

I thought the Alaskan landscape was beautifully and thoughtfully described and that's what grounded me in the story. I'm looking forward to reading more from Jennifer Snow!

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect book to snuggle up with on any day.

I have really enjoyed Jennifer Snow's other books, so I am excited to dive into a new series. That said, this was considerably more clunky than previous books I've read of hers. Still very cute and enjoyable, but felt like it needed some smoothing.

This is a Romance, and this is the first book in the Wild Coast series. Dex has been hiding a big secret from Skylar, and that secret is the reason he broke up with her in high school and did not go into the coast guard. I have to say I loved Dex character so much, and I loved him even more after they revealed the secret his has been carrying around. I am going to say there are some steamy times in this book. I really loved the ending, and I found it so cute. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin) or author (Jennifer Snow) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

I always get as giddy as a school girl when I get the romance email from publishers come across my computer. I always look forward to them and finding new books and authors. So when I saw this description and title of this book I knew I needed to read it.

Skylar is returning home to her hometown to take a what she says is a temporary position as a Capt in the Coast Guard. On day one she runs into her ex boyfriend Dex, as she drive her rental car into the marina. 6 years have passed since she has seen him last and he still gives her butterflies. I loved this book I finished it in it’s entirety from 55%. It was that good. While the sex scenes lacked ompff the other stuff they did with each other had all of the steam and sweat. The characters are loveable and I found myself cheering Dex and Skylar on from the very beginning. I wanted them so bad to end up together. I did however, find myself ticked off a Dex for hiding his medical condition from Skylar for so long. All he had to do was tell her on day one and she wouldn’t have been so angry with him. I mean I understand why he did it, but that is besides the point.

The folklore that was woven through with the giant of the water was interesting. While I can’t find anything about it in a quick Google search, I still found it interesting. I loved the small town where everyone knows everyone and everyone knows each other’s business. It reminded me of my hometown. Although I don’t think mine is as small. I loved the writing style. It flowed easily and kept me wanting to read more to find out what will happen next. Maybe it me but I think this book gave off major Sweet Home Alabama vibes to the point that I actually needed to watch the movie when I actually finished reading the book! I am anxious to read any more books in this series since I fell in love all the characters in this book and I want to get more of a Dex and Skylar story.

As a fan of the Wild Alaska series, I was excited to get a chance to meet some new characters and this was a good start to a new series that I’m sure I’ll continue. I’m a sucker for a small town second chance romance, and this fit the bill.
Skylar is coming back home after being away with the coast guard. She’s now stationed in her hometown and she’s not sure how to feel about that because she doesn’t know if her father, who’s way up in the coast guard, had anything to do with her post, and she has some history that she doesn’t necessarily want to revisit. So, naturally, the first thing she does is see her first love, Dex, as she’s coming into town, and she drives her car into a lake as a result. That kinda bugged me, because for someone so professional and responsible, that seemed like a complete out of character action, but it started their reunion and the ups and downs of her new life began so I guess it helped to set the story into motion. There’s quite a bit of steam, which I wasn’t expecting!
This is a perfect escape book for a sunny day. Or a rainy day. Or any day really.
Thanks to HQN Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

I love books set in Alaska but sadly this one didn't work for me. I haven't read a lot of Jennifer Snow but her books might skew towards too Halmarky for me, which is simply personal preference!

A second chance of love with High School sweethearts.
Major secrets need to be overcome before they can go forward.
The setting is beautiful.
A sweet romance for sure.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Second-Chance Romance

Skylar has coast guard in her blood. For generations, she and her family have been protecting those who get in trouble in Port Serenity. When she left for the academy, she knew this was her destiny. What she left behind though, was her heart.

Dex is from a family who is wealthy and despite maybe not working hard for their money, their family has held on to their wealth – sometimes at the detriment to the city they call home. In order to keep their town going, Dex's family bought out businesses and companies. In their minds, they were helping. But to some in town, Dex's family was just greedy.

Skylar and Dex had a romance when they were young that most people dream of. Despite the family tensions, they were going to make it. When an unexpected health issue arises, Dex will be left questioning his future and Skylar is just plain left confused.

Years later, Dex and Skylar are thrust together on rescues again; can they figure out if their love was one to span the decade or will their young love die young too?

The characters are pretty well developed. There is a lot of back and forth – somewhat tedious dialogue for a good portion of the middle of the book – but overall, the characters are relatable and enjoyable.

You'll fall in love with Dex and Skylar. They both want love in their life, both want a future they've always dreamed of. The question becomes if their futures still include each other or others.

Skylar and Dex were HS sweethearts in secret due to centuries old family feud. When he's diagnosed with epilepsy in the Spring of their senior year and breaks off the relationship refusing to tell Skylar why she proceeds to the Coast Guard Academy as they planned. Flash ahead 6 years and she's assigned to her home port in Alaska as a captain alongside her Dad.

Her first official rescue and a volunteer saves her after she falls on the icy waters. It's Drx who has outfitted the family yacht into a rescue vehicle and volunteers his time. It leads to many questions, the rekindling of their relationship, and questions about their past. They need to hash out the past to move forward.

Interesting to learn about epilepsy and support animals. The author is quite descriptive during the sex scenes so reader alert. All in all a good read.

I received a free ARC from Net Galley and am voluntarily submitting this review.

An enchanting second chance contemporary romance that is a joy to read, Sweet Home Alaska is the delightful new novel by Jennifer Snow.

Skylar Beaumont had vowed to never set foot in Alaska ever again, but when duty left her with no other choice, she had no alternative but to return to Port Serenity. As the only female captain in the local coast guard, being stationed in her home town leaves Skylar with a hell of a lot to prove, however, she plans to keep her head down and tough it out until her transfer comes through where she can leave Port Serenity behind once and for all. However, what Skylar hadn’t counted on was running into somebody from her past she has never quite managed to forget – Dex Wakefield…

Nobody is more shocked than Dex to see Skylar back in town again after all this time. The two of them had been high school sweethearts, but their relationship ended acrimoniously. Dex wonders whether the time has come for him to tell Skylar the truth about why he had walked out on the dream they had shared and broke her heart into a million pieces. As the two of them find themselves reconnecting, never forgotten feelings come rushing to the surface. But with their two families divided by a grudge of epic proportions, does Dex and Skylar’s love stand any hope of surviving? Or are they going to be torn apart all over again?

Small town romance fans will love Jennifer Snow’s Sweet Home Alaska. An uplifting and emotional tale about starting over, loyalty, healing and belonging, Sweet Home Alaska is a wonderful romantic tale with plenty of humor, pathos and drama to keep readers turning the pages.

Dex and Skylar are two brilliant characters I adored and their love story is one that effortlessly touches the heart and tickles the funny bone.

Fun, heartfelt and far too good to miss, Virgin River fans will be completely charmed by Jennifer Snow’s Sweet Home Alaska.

Thank you so much to HQN Books and Netgalley for letting me read an eARC of Sweet Home Alaska! I've been really into Alaska based romance books recently, so I was really excited to read this one. While this wasn't my favorite of all of the Alaskan romance books I've read, this was fine and a decent read.
Sweet Home Alaska 3/5 Stars
Summary from Goodreads:
When old feelings resurface, will the truth bring them back together?
Skylar Beaumont never wanted to return to Alaska. Still, when duty calls, she can’t refuse. And, as a third-generation “Coastie” and the only female captain in the local coast guard, she has too much to prove. Being stationed in her hometown of Port Serenity isn’t ideal—but she’ll tough it out until her transfer goes through and she can move on to warmer waters. That’s the plan, at least, until she crashes into Dex Wakefield. Again.
Shocked to see his secret high school sweetheart after all this time, Dex can’t help but wonder if he should finally come clean. Skylar deserves to know the real reason why he abandoned the dream they’d shared—and broke her heart. But this small tourist town is home to one big grudge where their families are concerned… And leaving the past behind might be the only way Dex and Skylar will finally realize that their first love deserves a sweet second chance.
I really, really wanted to love this book and there were so many elements that I enjoyed, but overall, it was really a meh book for me. I felt like Dex and Skylar's relationship (once picked up again) didn't feel compelling at all and it didn't feel as though Skylar had really gotten over the fact that their families were supposed to be enemies in town. Dex's reasons for why they had to breakup when they were in high school made sense, but at the same time, they felt a little like a cop out and then not explaining them as he began a new relationship with Skylar felt even more like a cop out. I think I just really didn't like Skylar and Dex, but man y'all our side characters were amazing! I loved Dex's sister and all of the people on Skylar's Coast Guard ship. And Skylar's cousin! All of them were great characters who I felt were way more compelling, so I'm excited to read more books set in Port Serenity, Alaska!

Link to be added once post goes live

Maybe This Summer had been my first encounter with Jennifer Snow. Since that was only a novella, I was curious to see if a full length story would be as cute as the one I had read. And it was.

In Sweet Home Alaska, we meet Skylar, who is on her way home to Port Serenity in Alaska. She has accepted a position as captain of the Alaska rescue brigade, in her old hometown. For her, it is just temporarily, until she can get a post somewhere else. But her father, who is on the coast guard as well, needed her on the team.

Of course, in a small town like Port Serenity, Skylar is bound to run into her high school sweetheart, Dex. Dex broke her heart all those years ago, and one of the reasons she didn’t come home.

But although Skylar tries to steer clear from him, she is shocked to discover she still has feelings for him. For Dex, seeing Skylar again after six years, is bittersweet. He had his reasons to break Skylar’s heart, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t regret it. And now she is back in his life. Can she forgive him? And do they still have feelings for each other.

Jennifer creates a wonderful story. Including a strained relationship between Skylar and her father. Because this book is longer than maybe This summer, the characters are build up better and the story flows nicely. So, five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Skylar is a bit conflicted. She has returned home to Port Serenity, Alaska. But, she is just unsure if this is where she wants to be. She has to deal with her family name and her father at work. Now, throw in her ex-boyfriend, Dex, and she is really confused.

Dex and Skylar have unfinished business. Dex is hiding a secret as to why he ended their romance years ago. Now, that they are back into close proximity, the sexual tension is in overload.

This novel is a bit too sweet and predictable for me. But, I loved the setting and Dex. Skylar ain’t too shabby either. She is tough as nails! It is a quick read with some great rescues and, of course, a great dog is thrown into the mix!

Need a sweet romance with a wonderful setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Thank you to the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Sweet Home Alaska in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Gist
I was supposed to write this review last week, but instead I kept staring at my computer screen, hoping the words would write themselves. With a heavy sigh I now sit at my desk while my lunch slowly burns to a crisp. I have to write this review someday.

It appears I’m not really in the mood for any romance novels lately, since all the ones I have had to read for the Mass Market Summer Romance Reads blog tours have left me kind of unimpressed.

The Details
Sweet Home Alaska begins with descriptions of ice cold water, hyperthermia and the Alaskan coastline. Sorry, but that really doesn’t sound very summer-y.

The protagonist is a bit of a mystery to me. She is introduced as someone who appears to have to desire to gain people’s respect and acceptance. Why? I have to stop for a minute and ask myself, if I feel like opening that can of worms.

Oh, what hell! Here it goes:

She is worried that people won’t treat her with the respect she deserves, because she chose the same career path as her father and grandfather before her. So what? If this were a story with a male protagonist, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

She still had to work hard to succeed. Who cares what people think. You might wonder what this has to do with a romance novel. I had the same question. The story begins with everything that is the opposite of a promise of a summer romance read.

On top of that the author is very inconsistent with the development of the protagonist. She works hard to earn respect, but all of a sudden goes all ga-ga when she sees her ex…from high school.

Both characters appear incredibly immature in their pursuit of love…? Acting like high school kids hyped up on hormones while they explore their feelings for each other isn’t really the greatest plot. I’m not sure why I should care.

The writing is repetitive. Already in the first chapter or two we get to read about her insecurities over and over again. We get it. She’s got issues. Don’t we all.

The Verdict
Overall, Sweet Home Alaska is just not for me. I had hoped for more.

Sweet Home Alaska by Jennifer Snow is the first full length novel in the contemporary romance Wild Coast series which was opened with a prequel novella. The story in Sweet Home Alaska is one that changes the point of view between the characters and is a second chance romance. The Wild Coast series is also one that changes main characters with each new book so they can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so.

Skylar Beaumont thought when she left Alaska for coast guard training that she would never look back but here she is assigned to her home town of Port Serenity. Skylar had hoped that she wouldn’t cross paths with Dex Wakefield who broke her heart after college either but immediately after arriving she does just that.

Dex never meant to break Skylar’s heart or cancel their plans they had made back in high school to go into the coast guard together. Once Skylar left though he never expected to see her again but her she is back in their hometown and Dex definitely hasn’t ever gotten over Skylar so he may have to admit to why he ditched their plans.

When I first picked up Sweet Home Alaska by Jennifer Snow I really did believe it was the first book of the series and didn’t find out until after reading there was a novella that opened the series so I can say first hand this does read fine as a standalone. A good second chance romance is always a favorite of mine and the reasoning behind the breakup in Sweet Home Alaska pulled on my heart strings and made me root for the couple all that much more. Everyone was certainly likable and it had all the small town charm that one would expect which I always enjoy too. After this first I will certainly love to return to Port Serenity in the future.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

A sweet romance set in Alaska that I ended up loving even though I didn't think that I would. Makes me want to go to Alaska