Before beginning her new job as sous chef at one of Seattle’s finest restaurants, Josie takes on a six-month position cooking at a lodge in an Alaskan lake town. It’s only temporary–or so she thinks, as she becomes a valued part of the local community, falling in love with the people who call the Klutina Lake home. But one man, in particular, stands out among Josie’s new friends: Palmer Saxon, a quiet, intense sword craftsman, whose very existence forces her to question whether her heart wants to return to Washington at all.

While I enjoyed this story, it wasn’t my favorite by this author. I listened to the audiobook and liked the female narrator, but the male narrator didn’t work for me. His character voices felt cringy and uncomfortable at times, and his accents, possibly meant to sound Alaskan, came across as awkward, almost Canadian. It pulled me out of the story.

One aspect I struggled with was Palmer’s persistence in pursuing Josie and pressuring her to stay in Alaska despite her clearly stated plans for her life and career. His approach came on too strongly and bordered on uncomfortable. Additionally, I didn’t feel much chemistry between the main couple, which made it hard to root for their relationship.

Despite this, I remained invested in the story and hoped for a happy ending for everyone. Jack, the quirky and comical side character, was a standout. He brought a lot of humor and heart, often making me laugh and smile.

The Alaskan tundra setting and winter vibes were highlights for me. It made me want to visit the Great North and experience it firsthand. However, I wish the story had included more vivid descriptions of the environment and deeper interactions with the setting. I also hoped for more cooking scenes with Josie and some mouthwatering food descriptions to immerse me further.

Overall, this is a sweet, clean holiday romance that will warm your heart. I appreciated that there was no strong language and no spice. While it leaned heavily into the cheesy, predictable Hallmark-movie formula, it was still a fun, festive read perfect for the holiday season.