Advent Reads Day 3: Alaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber

Read for: Recently Added & Advent Reads

Synopsis: "Before beginning her dream job as sous chef in one of Seattle's hottest new restaurants, Josie Avery takes a summer position cooking at a lakeside lodge in the remote Alaskan town of Ponder. Josie falls for the rustic charms of the local community--including Jack Corcoran, the crotchety keeper of Ponder's famed sourdough starter, and, in particular, the quiet and intense Palmer Saxon, a famed master swordsmith.

Josie and Palmer become close during the long Alaskan summer days, but Josie knows that, come fall, she'll be returning to reality and the career she's worked so hard for. Palmer, on the other hand, would like nothing better than to make Josie his wife and to keep her in Ponder. But Josie can't imagine abandoning her mother back in the Emerald City and sacrificing her career to stay in this isolated town--not even for a man she's quickly coming to love.

Fate has other plans. Josie misses the last boat out of town before winter sets in, stranding her in Ponder and putting her dream job at risk. As the holidays approach, Josie and Palmer must grapple with the complications that arise when dreams confront reality, and the Christmas magic that can happen when they put their faith in love."

My Review: I try to always pick up Debbie Macomber's holiday romance, it is almost necessary at this point to feel like the holiday season. Starry Night has been my favorite so far, so I was really excited to get another one set in Alaska. I listened to this one on audio and I really did struggle, I found the voice for Palmer to be extremely irritating (Jack too). I also found Palmer to be rather needy and I like the love interests to be a little more gruff and standoffish but that is entirely my own opinion. I did like that there was some separation and it wasn't instant on Josie's side. It was a bit predictable, but that is what I have come to expect and enjoy with these holiday romances. It was a short and cute one but certainly didn't come close to some of her others.

My Rating: This wasn't my favorite of Macomber's Christmas stories but it was still really enjoyable.  I would suggest reading the print or ebook and skipping the audio book. I give this one a rating of Three Paws.