Alaskan Holiday: A Novel

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.