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jamulyc's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
lilbookowl's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Alaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber takes readers to Ponder, Alaska. Josie Avery has spent the last six months working as the chef at Caribou Lake Lodge. The season is over, and Josie is heading back to Seattle to start her new position as sous chef at Chef Douglas Anton’s new restaurant. Josie will miss Alaska, the freedom to create unique dishes with local game, Jack Corcoran who supplies game to the lodge and loves to eat, and will especially miss swordsmith, Palmer Saxon. Josie and Palmer spent many hours together during the season. But her mother is her only family and she lives in Seattle. Plus, working for Chef Anton is a wonderful opportunity and she has worked hard to obtain her culinary training. Palmer proposes the night before Josie departs, but she feels she cannot stay (though she is very tempted). The next morning, Josie awakens late and learns she missed the last ferry out of Ponder. Jack insists that this is Palmer’s chance to convince Josie to stay in their rustic town (and keep cooking her delicious food). When Josie finally departs for Seattle, the pair want to make their long distance relationship work. Palmer is willing to give Josie the time and space she needs. Reality gets in the way of their plans and a picture of Josie with the handsome chef awakens the green eyed monster in Palmer. Can the magic of Christmas find a way to bring these two star-crossed lovers together?
Alaskan Holiday is a charming story. I loved Debbie Macomber’s descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness and the people who live in Ponder. Jack Corcoran’s is a delightful character. He is rough around the edges, but a softy inside. He loves to eat and wants to keep his favorite chef in Alaska. Jack provides plenty of humor in Alaskan Holiday. Josie has fallen for the quiet, rugged Palmer Saxon who is a master swordsmith. But she does not want to leave her mother alone in Seattle plus she has gotten her dream job of working for a big name chef. But if two people love each other, life has a way of working things out. Compromise is the key to any relationship. I thought Alaskan Holiday was well-written, with engaging characters and a good flow. While the story does have an expected outcome, it did not hinder my reading pleasure. Debbie Macomber has a way of drawing readers into her books and keeping them entertained. I am giving Alaskan Holiday 4 out of 5 stars. Alaskan Holiday is a light, feel good story which is just what we need during the holiday season.
Alaskan Holiday is a charming story. I loved Debbie Macomber’s descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness and the people who live in Ponder. Jack Corcoran’s is a delightful character. He is rough around the edges, but a softy inside. He loves to eat and wants to keep his favorite chef in Alaska. Jack provides plenty of humor in Alaskan Holiday. Josie has fallen for the quiet, rugged Palmer Saxon who is a master swordsmith. But she does not want to leave her mother alone in Seattle plus she has gotten her dream job of working for a big name chef. But if two people love each other, life has a way of working things out. Compromise is the key to any relationship. I thought Alaskan Holiday was well-written, with engaging characters and a good flow. While the story does have an expected outcome, it did not hinder my reading pleasure. Debbie Macomber has a way of drawing readers into her books and keeping them entertained. I am giving Alaskan Holiday 4 out of 5 stars. Alaskan Holiday is a light, feel good story which is just what we need during the holiday season.
cptang's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
judeybear's review against another edition
3.0
I was on the fence about the star rating for this one.
I love a bit of Christmas fluffy fiction and have not long finished my fist delve into Debbie Macomber books so was eager to dive into more.
That being said Alaskan Holiday was a really slow burner for me. It took me almost 40% to really get into the book. I truly believe in the eye-locking first look where something churns deep inside but the main character Palmer just feels so flat. He clearly has a very sheltered life but this side of him is overshadowed consistently by Jack and how he wants Palmer to behave. A delve into this innocence is truly what was missing.
This was by no means a bad read. I enjoyed it once I settled in and could see a flip side book involving Josies mothers life.
I love a bit of Christmas fluffy fiction and have not long finished my fist delve into Debbie Macomber books so was eager to dive into more.
That being said Alaskan Holiday was a really slow burner for me. It took me almost 40% to really get into the book. I truly believe in the eye-locking first look where something churns deep inside but the main character Palmer just feels so flat. He clearly has a very sheltered life but this side of him is overshadowed consistently by Jack and how he wants Palmer to behave. A delve into this innocence is truly what was missing.
This was by no means a bad read. I enjoyed it once I settled in and could see a flip side book involving Josies mothers life.
kaelino's review against another edition
2.0
This is my first Debbie Macomber read, and while I was intrigued by the premise and anticipated being carried away into a winter wonderland enhanced with Christmas cheer, well... I wasn't.
For one thing Christmas is barely a feature of this story, despite what the cover would suggest. Pretty misleading... plus the puppies pictured there? There's one dog in the book. False advertising!
That's not really what bothered me though, as I still like the cover. It was the simple, repetitive writing and sappy, old-fashioned characters that turned me off! Debbie Macomber also has a habit of telling rather than showing, and in stating obvious things you could imply. This was basically instant love from the beginning, which meant little build-up and a gag-worthy happy ending. The character, Jack, was irritating, constantly hungry, and his bizarre behavior near the end was completely out of place with the rest of the book and left me scratching my head.
I was hoping for something engaging, somewhat funny, and more Christmassy but this one missed the mark. Recommendations for good holiday romance reads are welcome!
For one thing Christmas is barely a feature of this story, despite what the cover would suggest. Pretty misleading... plus the puppies pictured there? There's one dog in the book. False advertising!
That's not really what bothered me though, as I still like the cover. It was the simple, repetitive writing and sappy, old-fashioned characters that turned me off! Debbie Macomber also has a habit of telling rather than showing, and in stating obvious things you could imply. This was basically instant love from the beginning, which meant little build-up and a gag-worthy happy ending. The character, Jack, was irritating, constantly hungry, and his bizarre behavior near the end was completely out of place with the rest of the book and left me scratching my head.
I was hoping for something engaging, somewhat funny, and more Christmassy but this one missed the mark. Recommendations for good holiday romance reads are welcome!
positivewoman2013's review
4.0
A different romance, as in the first chapter came the proposal. After that the story moved as the female lead left to think about the future.