AUTHOR: Debbie Macomber
NARRATORS: Laurel Rankin and Luke Daniels
PUBLISHER: Random House Audio
PUBLICATION DATE: October 2, 2018
FORMAT: Unabridged audiobook
LENGTH: 4 hrs and 50 mins
GENRE: Holiday, Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9780525491712
ISBN: 9780525491712
New York Times Bestseller - "[Debbie] Macomber brings her signature charm to this appealing tale of an aspiring chef. . . . This charmer will please Macomber fans and newcomers alike."--Publishers WeeklyDebbie Macomber brings us to the Alaskan wilderness for a magical Christmas tale about finding love where it's least expected.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.
MY REVIEW:
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook for voluntary review consideration.
I always look forward to Macomber's Christmas stories each year. This is another sweet romance that is perfect for the season!
Josie was hired on as a chef for a very remote hunting and fishing lodge in Ponder, Alaska with a population of about 300 people. She has enjoyed her stint there, which has allowed her to experiment and create new dishes. The locals all love her, especially Palmer who felt an instant attraction to her. Palmer, a master swordsmith, and Josie have developed a sweet relationship during her stay there and his sister pushes him to tell Josie how he feels before she's gone forever. Once the season is over, Josie will return to Seattle to a job that is already waiting for her. She is looking forward to working with the chef who owns this restaurant and feels that it will be a great start to her career.
The night before Josie's departure, Palmer proposes to her and Josie doesn't know what to say. She's torn because she has feelings for Palmer but can't fathom the thought of being happy living in Ponder! She feels as though she'd be giving up her dream job for him if she stayed. When she returns to the lodge, the owners tell her to leave her bags in the lobby as the ferry will be coming very early in the morning. Josie, mind reeling from Palmer's proposal, takes something to help her sleep. She forgets to leave her bags in the lobby, and she misses the ferry!
Palmer calls up an old friend and arranges a flight out of Ponder to Fairbanks, where Josie can get a connecting flight home. Josie's boss agrees to hold the job open for her, and she is anxious to get home. Once Josie is back in Seattle, she wonders whether she made the right decision as her "dream job" isn't all it's cracked up to be.
I enjoyed the chaste romance between Josie and Palmer. As someone rooting for the romance from the sidelines, it was frustrating to see their communication falter across the distance due to wrong signals. I liked the whole sense of community that Ponder offers, and the small town is appealing to me. I also really enjoyed the remote setting, having absolutely loved another one of Macomber's Alaskan romances, Starry Night. The people in Ponder seem to genuinely care about each other and are willing to lend a hand which was really nice to see.
I enjoyed the dual narration by Laurel Rankin and Luke Daniels, who both were a good fit to the characters. Daniels could be a little dramatic at times, particularly with his vocalization for Jack. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable listen! Here is a sample of the narration:
MY RATING:
3 stars!! It was good, and I enjoyed it! Thanks again to Random House Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook!
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