Becky Baldridge
An Alaskan Christmas is more holiday adjacent than what I expect in a holiday romance. Nevertheless, the setting in Alaska always intrigues me, so I curled up to see where this one would go. I admit I had a bit of trouble getting into this romance mostly because it didn't feel much like a romance to me. Erika isn't very likable in the beginning, and I'm not sure if the back and forth between her and Reed is supposed to be fun banter or not, but I wasn't a fan. That said, she does redeem herself, and as the story goes on, the reason for her prickly nature is explained. The middle of the story is a bit more sex than substance, and I did end up skimming some of that. I have no problem with some steamy goodness, but this one was a bit of overkill for me. That said, the conclusion did win me over as far as rooting for this couple, and it's hard not to like Reed. He's much more considerate in the beginning than I felt like Erika deserved. In the end, there were things I liked, and things I didn't about this romance, but this couple did make for an interesting opposites attract romance.
Nicole's Book Musings
I was drawn to this book because of the cover, but the blurb sold me. I'm not gonna lie I was a little iffy of Erika in the very beginning, but once she's on her forced vacation I was hooked on the book. She really blossomed going back to Wild River. I like to think she found her true self. It was awkward when she first returned and as a reader I could feel and I had had second hand awkwardness. I really love the people of Wild River. The secondary characters were awesome. This book had me gobbling up the pages and once I really got into it was hard to out down. I love a book that set around the holiday season so it's once I enjoyed. My favorite thing about the book is how much Erika grows through the book and you see the true real Erika shine through.
Eva Millien
Ordered to take time off, Erika Sheraton reluctantly trades in her scrubs for a ski suit and heads to Wild River, Alaska where her friend Cassie owns an adventure tour company, but nothing compares to the adrenaline rush Erika feels on being reunited with Cassie’s brother, Reed. His sister’s best friend has blossomed into a strong, skilled and confident woman and she’s exactly what his search-and-rescue team needs – and everything he didn’t know he craved. A moving romance that hits readers right in their hearts with strong characters that easily draw readers in and keeps them quite entertained. Erika is a successful young woman but she has her emotions locked down tight which makes her a workaholic and a bit socially awkward. Reed works search-and-rescue and has a mission – find out what happened to his father. The romance between these two is quite possibly fruitless endeavor to begin with but the chemistry sizzles with strong currents which keeps pulling them together and readers can’t help but the relationship amusing and full of emotional turbulence. The plot is steady to fast paced with the question of whether Erika and Reed can possible find a middle ground and achieve a happily ever after keeping readers in suspense until the very end. There is also the added excitement of a couple of adrenaline pumping search-and-rescues and the friction between Erika and her father which ensures that readers can’t possibly stop reading this delightful and moving holiday read.