Alaskan Holiday

A Novel

By: Debbie Macomber

Narrated by: Laurel Rankin, Luke Daniels

Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

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. 

“[A] tender romance lightly brushed with holiday magic.” (Library Journal) 

“[A] thoroughly charming holiday romance.” (Booklist)

©2018 Debbie Macomber (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[A] tender romance lightly brushed with holiday magic.” (Library Journal)

“[A] thoroughly charming holiday romance.” (Booklist)

Male Narrator is Awful

I cringed each time the male narrator read. Seriously, a narrator can make or break a book. As much as I love DM books I can barely tolerate this reading.

this is a book full of character personality!

the narrators did a wonderful job with each personality. the storyline was engaging. I found myself laughing with and anxiously listening as the story progressed.

Fast forward Palmer’s Chapters

The storyline and female narrator is good. I missed part of the book because I had to skip Palmer’s chapters because I couldn’t listen to the male narrator.

Predictable, Corny, and Cliche

Alaskan Holiday is a simple, predictable formula romance that gets 2.5 stars.

There are two narrators on this audiobook. Laurel Rankin narrates the chapters done from Josie’s point of view and Luke Daniels narrates from Palmer’s point of view. Rankin does a good job and gets 4 stars. Daniel’s narration is over-animated and the characters are exaggerated. His portrayal of Jack, an older man, makes him sound like a 90 year old cartoon character. Rankin’s portrayal of Jack is spot on. Daniels’ narration, unfortunately, is annoying and gets one star.

Debbie Macomber has produced a lot better stories than this one. It was rushed, predictable, corny, and cliche. Rankin’s performance lifts the book up to 3 stars

Love in Alaska

I loved this book it’s her second book I read based in Alaska. The writing makes me want to visit.

OMG the narrater is HORRIBLE!

First of all, while I enjoy Debbie Macomber's books, she SHOULD NOT read the introduction as her voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard. Secondly the Narration of the book is the same, I had to stop listening before I went insane.

Not well researched

This book was very disappointing for me as a fan of Debbie Macomber. She very obviously did not look into culinary school or the hospitality industry, as the leading lady's expectations/experiences were wildly abnormal. If you know literally anything about the restaurant industry, do not read this book.

I found this to be, by far, the most predictable of her stories as well. Overall, I only completed this book because it was short.

Wonderful Book!

There were two narrators, and both were great! The story was uplifting and I couldn't wait until I could listen again. I love Debbie Macomber's writing...

Short and Sweet

I needed a short story to listen to on a drive to keep me awake. I came across this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Had a Hallmark channel feel to it which I loved! I liked that the drama wasn’t dragged out between characters and there was just the right amount of humor!

Readback kept lagging.

Multiple times, while listening to the story, the story just stopped reading. and kept saying "error, try again later." Eventually, I bought the hard copy to finish the last couple chapters. NOT impressed.