Book Review: Mistletoe in Juneau
I received this galley in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Dahlia Rose
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Hallmark Publishing
Publish Date: October 19, 2021
Format: eBook
★★★★★
This book is perfect for those that like: Found Families, Moms Who KNOW, Apology Cakes, and Widowed Pilots Who Learn to Knit.
You might not like this book if you aren’t into: Military Storylines or Mentions of Combat and PTSD.
Favorite Line: "With Danni, he didn’t feel so alone in a world that sometimes seemed too crowded."
Purchase: Bookshop / Barnes & Noble / Amazon
Summary: Danni’s a social media influencer who’s way out of her element. She sort-of broke up with her boyfriend-slash-manager, and she escaped her fast-paced life in New York to spend Christmas with an old friend in Juneau, Alaska. Danni takes in the beauty of the scenery and the warmth of the community…and she’s drawn to the local sheriff.
Before Declan was an Alaskan state trooper, he was in the Army. An IED explosion cost him his leg…and his fiancée, who couldn’t deal with the injury. He knows Danni’s a city girl, while he loves the Alaskan wilderness. Could two very different people find what their hearts are looking for?
I thought the cover was gorgeous when it was first revealed back in July. The colors, the couple looking at each other, the scenery -- all of it was just lovely. Now, after reading the actual words inside, y’all, this cover is EVERYTHING. The Northern Lights, the gazebo, the pristine snow blanketing everything, the hand holding?? PERFECTION.
When I say that I LOVED this book…
Mistletoe in Juneau is one of those love stories that gently takes you by the hand, wraps you up in something warm, and by the end, you are a teary mess. But it’s not just a love story. It’s a story of found families. Of letting go of the past to embrace the future. Of taking chances not only with yourself but with those around you. It’s a story about finding your place in the world.
The main characters, Danni and Declan, both feel judged in their lives- Danni for her family’s disapproval of her career choice as a vlogger/social media influencer and Declan for his chosen solitude and at times for being an amputee. Because of their histories, they both keep people at a distance. But it is with each other that they find love, yes, but it’s more than that. Declan and the town he lives in Auke Bay embrace Danni as one of their own almost immediately. They give her the sense of home that she’s wanted her whole life. And Danni becomes Declan’s center. Someone who can ground him when he feels overwhelmed. Watching these two open up to one another and trust each other, and eventually fall in love was a delight. By the end of the book, I was literally crying happy tears while smiling SO BIG.
And don’t get me started on the people of Auke Bay, Alaska. I’m legit in love with everyone in that town. Amy, Danni’s BFF from Brooklyn, with her wise words throughout. Her husband Mateo who takes to calling Danni “Little Sister/Sis”. Their son Peter and his pet turkey George. Cooper who learned to knit scarves in his late wife’s honor. Declan’s mom, Susie, whom I would die for, keeping Declan in line and just KNOWING his heart. And that doesn’t even cover the people from the surrounding villages. GAH. The community and love everyone had for each other just made this story even more lovely.
If you are looking for a heartwarming and romantic read to kick off your Holiday Reading Season, then I HIGHLY recommend starting with this one. But be sure to stock up on coffee, chocolate, and/or baked goods before you read this. Trust me. You will need them once you get to Susie’s bakery.