🏔️ 🌨️ ❄️🎄 "An Alaskan Family Christmas (Northern Lights #7) 🎄 ❄️ 🌨️ 🏔️ - Book Tour & Review
A little mix-up
Could make her Christmas wonderful!
Natalie Weiss is mortified. After mistaking handsome Tanner Rockford for his cousin, she's followed him to rural Alaska. Now she's stranded until Tanner invites her to spend Christmas with his family in their rustic, cozy cabin. But in this idyllic winter wonderland, Natalie discovers the family she's never had and the love she never knew she needed. But what happens when they all discover why she's really there?
About the Author
Tour Giveaway
Ends November 18, 2020
Thank you in advance to the author, Beth Carpenter, for providing a complimentary review copy through Prism Book Tours. A positive review was not required, and all words are my own.
I am ALWAYS up for a good Christmas story, and definitely a cute one. This cover really stood out and I just HAD to read it. While it is part of the author’s “Northern Lights” series, it does seemingly act as a standalone. Though I would be interested in the other stories as this is first I’ve read by the author.
Right off, I sort of had mixed feelings about this plot – following a guy, staying with his family, trying to see what was going on. But, this really seemed to work. It really worked!
The characters were just as sweet as could be and definitely folks I wouldn’t mind spending the holidays with. Tanner, his mom, his sister, and his nieces were ADORABLE!
Brooke was sweet and really the readers don’t get enough of her.
Natalie was someone that I waffled back and forth on. There were times I REALLY liked her, then there were moments (especially towards the end) that I just didn’t know what to think of her.
In the beginning, Natalie is looking out for her best friend and accidentally confuses Tanner for Dane. From there, the mistakes pile up resulting in her getting off a train and stranded.
I loved how Tanner easily figured out she was watching him. But, I also liked how he stepped in to help her as well. In seeing his family, it helps Natalie to look past some of her own family issues. It was sweet the way she took to the two kids and how easily they accepted her.
The revelation as to why she is there comes in chapter three (3), yet the family wasn’t told until chapter 11.
One of my favorite parts was the incident with the moose.
The readers are treated to two romances in one: Tanner/Natalie and Dane/Brooke. Though Dane and Brooke’s is more or less at the end and wrapped up fairly quickly.
I LOVED the idea of “basic” living during the holidays and the cabin sounded so cozy, though I will admit – I will not stay ANYWHERE without decent plumbing. It was also sweet the way Tanner and Natalie played Scrabble, which I love a good game of.
They find each other oddly companionable as they wait to hear from Dane, who then doesn’t show up for Christmas.
Natural disasters, boiling snow for water, sledding, and sled rides all culminate in a beautiful story.
Dane eventually shows up in chapter 14, and his absence is quickly explained.
Natalie is still, despite growing attracting and feelings for Tanner, heading to New Mexico. That was one of the things that I was split on – she didn’t want a relationship to cost her a career. Though I understood why, it was a “downer” in an otherwise upbeat, beautiful story.
This was an easy read despite the long chapters. And, the only reason it took me SO long to read it – I am in the middle of NaNoWriMo. It was terribly hard to put down.
Unlike a lot of the Heartwarming genre I’ve read, this had little conflict between the two main characters. In the beginning and almost the end, Natalie was a bit insufferable. But, mostly she was quite likeable. And, like her, I do like to read. FYI –> this is my 116th book (physical no less) for the year.
This is a clean read, and while not exactly “inspirational”, there are some references to grace and prayer during meal times. There are no religious references though.
I love this part on page 133 – “some of the best things in life happened when plans went awry”. That is sometimes so very true.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. And, I am sure fans of the author and genre will undoubtedly enjoy this fun, old-fashioned, sweet romp through the snow Christmas read that plays out much like a beloved Hallmark movie.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
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