Alaskan Holiday
A Novel
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4.0 • 345 Ratings
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Debbie Macomber brings us to the Alaskan wilderness for a magical Christmas tale about finding love where it’s least expected.
“Picture-perfect . . . this charmer will please Macomber fans and newcomers alike.”—Publishers Weekly
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.
Debbie Macomber is at her best in this beautiful holiday story about the far journeys we travel to find a place to call home.
Praise for Alaskan Holiday
“[A] tender romance lightly brushed with holiday magic.”—Library Journal
“[A] thoroughly charming holiday romance.”—Booklist
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Macomber (Cottage by the Sea) brings her signature charm to this appealing tale of an aspiring chef and a taciturn, small-town sword maker. When lifelong Seattleite Josie Avery takes a short-term cooking job in remote Ponder, Alaska, she's simply marking time until her job as a sous chef at a hot new Seattle restaurant begins. Meanwhile, lifelong Alaskan Palmer Saxon is perfectly content in his tiny lakeside community north of the Arctic Circle until he falls head over heels for its temporary resident. Creating picture-perfect small towns packed with salt-of-the-earth characters is Macomber's forte, and her foray into the wilds of Alaska is no different as she explores Josie and Palmer's deep feelings for each other. Macomber takes the risky step of beginning the novel with Josie declining Palmer's marriage proposal, making it work by skillfully illustrating how life can surprise and delight even the most planned-out of futures and how dreams can backslide into nightmares. A quirky cast of supporting characters particularly Palmer's gruff, always-hungry sidekick, Jack add color, and an expected happily-ever-after provides a resoundingly satisfying coda. This charmer will please Macomber fans and newcomers alike.
Customer Reviews
Easy fun read
Somewhat predictable but charming.
Alaska Holiday
Nice fast reading concerning love and family.
Entertaining story!
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.