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367 reviews for:

Alaskan Holiday

Debbie Macomber

3.19 AVERAGE

lighthearted slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Debbie Macomber is brilliant at weaving a dreamy love story. Josie is spending the summer sharpening her culinary skills before starting her dream job with a well renowned chef. However she wasn't expecting to build feelings for Palmer, a local swordsmith.

While she feels she needs to follow her dream, she feels her heart is with the small Alaska town, and with Palmer. Palmer loves her enough to let her go, but hopes she will find her way back to him.

You also have Jack who is another local. His vocal praise for Josie's meals are hilarious and endearing. This story falls along the line of the old phrase if you love someone set them free, if they come back to you it was meant to be. Sweet, romantic, and perfect for the holiday season.

I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

millertl23's review

4.0

Easy and quick audiobook.
jamulyc's profile picture

jamulyc's review

3.5
lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
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

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.

This one was just okay for me.

cptang's review

4.0
lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
bippityboppityboop's profile picture

bippityboppityboop's review

1.0

Just so bad.

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.