👶🏻🛩️🏔️ “A Baby in Alaska” (Home to Hearts Bay #5) (2024) 🏔️ 🛩️👶🏻– Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Home to Hearts Bay (Book #5)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (January 23, 2024)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335597182
ISBN-13: 978-1335597182
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“He needs short-term help…
But will he find a lasting love?
Sam Frazier has three weeks in Alaska to acquire a small aviation company and serve as best man in a wedding—all with his infant nephew in tow. Thankfully, maid of honor and pilot Rylee Madden can’t resist helping the new guardian, even if the acquisition might eliminate her job. The arrangement is temporary, and romance isn’t an option. But will caring for baby Silas together change their minds?”
Thank you in advance to the author, Heidi McCahan, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
What’s interesting about this book – it not only is released during Harlequin’s 75th anniversary, but it is the author’s 15th published book. But, that isn’t the only milestone in a way.
While I’d gotten several Love Inspired books, under the Steeple Hill banner back in the early 2000’s, it was the author’s book – Their Baby Blessing (2019) – that reintroduced me to the line. From there – I was hooked. As it was part of a series (Merritt’s Crossing), I put Their Unexpected Arrangement on my TBR, but I did read the third book in that series though. I also put the author’s unconnected book – The Firefighter’s Twins on my TBR as well.
This is the fifth (5th) book in the Home to Hearts Bay series. And, given how connected the stories are – I’d definitely read them in order. I haven’t read books #1, #2, or #4. However, like her other books, they’re also on my TBR.
Returning for this book:
🏫 Tess Madden-Hale (Book #1 – An Alaskan Secret)
👨🏻 Asher (Tess’ husband)
☕ Eliana (Book #2 – The Twins’ Alaskan Adventure)
👨🏻 Tate (Eliana’s husband)
👩🏻⚕️ Mia (one of the Madden siblings) (Book #3 – His Alaskan Redemption)
🦀 Gus (Mia’s husband)
🎀 Poppy (Gus’ daughter)
👩🏻 Rylee (Mia’s sister)
🧬 Lexi (Mia was accidentally switched with her, part of book #3’s storyline)
(Book #4 – Her Alaskan Companion)
🚓 Heath (Lexi’s husband)
McCahan then introduces readers to:
💼 Sam Frazier
👶🏻 Silas (Sam’s nephew)
🛩️ Paul
🛩️ Libby
🤵🏻♂️ Josh
👰🏻♀️ Crystal
💐 Chelsea
Sam’s parents are introduced as well.
Absent from this book is Liesel, Poppy’s mom. I would’ve liked to know where she ended up or what happened after the third book. Also, it seemed to me (though I might’ve read this too fast) – some of the other kids were missing.
There are going to be some circumstances that are sad or sobering for some readers. These surround the loss of Silas’ parents. McCahan also tackles the many ways of dealing with grief, especially among family members.
McCahan jumps straight into the story with Sam reflecting on the recent events surrounding the death of his brother (Lucas) and sister-in-law (Erin), which is how he became the guardian to his 6-month-old nephew Silas.
Not only is Sam supposed to travel to Alaska to be the best man in a wedding, he’s also going to act as Frazier’ Aviation’s representative to acquire Hearts Bay Aviation as the owners – Paul and Libby – are selling the business to move to Nevada to be with their daughter who needs help.
[As of note, I live in Nevada and would rather be in Alaska 🤣]
Rylee Madden is a pilot for Hearts Bay Aviation, and her friend Crystal wants her to be Maid of Honor (yes, she senses a set-up to be a date for the best man). Aware of the merger, Rylee is concerned whether or not she can keep her job – one that gives her a chance everyday to admire the beauty of her home state. She’s concerned the new company will want to bring in their own staff.
From the time Sam arrives in Hearts Bay with Silas, Rylee is there to help. Though the last thing she’s looking for is a romance. Rylee’s ex-boyfriend ran off to Texas with her cousin. They learn they’re respectively the best man and maid of honor.
Rylee isn’t the only one who isn’t hit by the romance bug. Sam is too focused on putting Silas’ needs first to properly care for him. He’s also got his family obligation, which is a sore spot. Sam would rather be helping friends provide clean water to certain areas of the world, and his stepping away from the family business is a sore spot for his father. So, romance is the farthest thing from his mind.
Rylee extends some hospitality to Sam and Silas, heading to her family’s house. Despite the upcoming acquisition, Sam is shocked to find how hospitable the Maddens are and finds some relief there.
However, Sam is going to have to sort out his childcare plans due to the wedding and the acquisition review. But, calming Silas down is another thing. Through Rylee and her sister Mia, they determine the source is the formula.
At each turn, Rylee is there for Sam and Silas – often providing a “family” like bond, despite the fact his family’s acquisition of Hearts Bay Aviation might cost her a job. It’s also clear that Sam has no intention of staying in Hearts Bay after the wedding and acquisition. And, Rylee has no intentions of leaving her home, even for a man she might love.
Her sisters want her to give love another shot, and Rylee isn’t sure her heart is ready. She also can’t take another broken heart either. Still, as she grows closer to Sam and Silas, she is wondering if there might be a chance.
Sam is also wondering if there is a chance, but he’s got three major issues – where he lives, his desire to do charity work, and working a relationship around his obligation to Silas.
Like with any romance – there are going to ups and downs, and even more so in a story with an aviation theme.
Despite the sad tones here or there, this was one of those books that grabbed me in and was hard to put down. How can anyone NOT be drawn in by that sweet cover? I sometimes kept reading – much to my detriment. While it took me a few days, had I not been sick, I would’ve finished it in 1-12 days as it is such a sweet, and easy read. Perfect pacing – at no time did it lag or feel as though the author was rushing through it. McCahan definitely had a way of bringing Alaska to life with the vivid descriptions, and perilous terrain.
She is one of the many authors who can take a sad story, and weave a hopeful and inspiring theme together. This is one of those close-proximity, second chance, slow-burn romances that when the story ends, readers will have a full and satisfying feeling.
I was absolutely disappointed with Sam’s father. While I understood he was mourning the loss of his son (and daughter-in-law), as well as a treasured member of the company – his attitude towards Sam in the beginning and almost to the end was unforgiveable. Not only was Sam also grieving the loss of his brother, but he was thrust into fatherhood instantly. This was on top of his duty to a friend, and the Hearts Bay acquisition. In that, McCahan demonstrated how family members treat each other even with a shared loss.
As this is from the Love Inspired line, there will be tones of the Christian faith in them. These are very light and subtle; some readers will hardly notice them.
I’m eager to see what McCahan plans next – whether it is another trip to Hearts Bay or another location in Alaska. Those who’ve read the previous four books should definitely pick this one up. I think I’d be safe in saying fans of the author won’t be disappointed.
Funny note about this story – I was born in Texas (where Tucker ran off to), and live in Nevada where Paul and Libby move to.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html; update: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
Previous Books in the Series:
Series: Home to Hearts Bay (Book #1)
Publisher: Love Inspired (March 29, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335759204
ISBN-13: 978-1335759207
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“Coming home as a single dad…
with a seven-year secret
Back home in Hearts Bay, Alaska, Asher Hale’s past has caught up with him. His son Cameron’s new reading tutor, Tess Madden, is actually Cameron's mother—but she doesn't know it. Their teenage romance is one neither has forgotten, but Asher’s secret lies between them. Now he will have to risk it all. Because telling the truth is the only path to a family reunion.”
Publisher: Love Inspired (June 28, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335585117
ISBN-13: 978-1335585110
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“Sometimes it takes two good reasons
To give love a second chance…
The moment the sweet-faced twins arrive in Alaska, Eliana Madden is smitten. They almost make her forget that their father, Tate Adams, broke her heart. Now Eliana has agreed to help Tate take care of the twins for the summer. Could this be the start of healing the rift between their families…and the beginning of a new adventure for them all?”
Series: Home to Hearts Bay (Book #3)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (February 21, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335585575
ISBN-13: 978-1335585578
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“Earning her trust
Is the start of his second chance.
Crab fisherman Gus Colman is just trying to make a living for his daughter. But when his fishing boat capsizes, he’s injured and stranded in Hearts Bay, Alaska, where he comes face-to-face with Mia Madden—his late best friend’s fiancée. As she helps him recover, he works hard to prove he’s changed. But could Mia ever love another man who risks his life at sea?”
Series: Home to Hearts Bay (Book #4)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (July 25, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335596801
ISBN-13: 978-1335596802
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“Romance isn’t the plan…
Until a mischievous dog changes everything.
When pregnant widow Lexi Thomas moves to Alaska for a fresh start, the last thing on her mind is romance. Fortunately her neighbor’s affectionate goldendoodle is just the distraction she needs—unlike his gruff owner. Police officer Heath Donovan hopes building a fence in exchange for pet sitting will keep Lexi at a distance. But when his unruly dog turns matchmaker, can he face his biggest fear for a shot at love?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Heidi McCahan is a Pacific Northwest girl at heart, but now resides in North Carolina with her husband and three boys. When she isn’t writing inspirational romance novels, Heidi can be found reading a book, enjoying a cup of coffee and avoiding the laundry pile. She’s also a huge fan of chocolate and her adorable goldendoodle, Finn. She enjoys connecting with readers, so please visit her website at www.heidimccahan.com.
You can also find her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidimccahan/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidimccahan.author/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiMcCahan
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