Happily Ever Alaska
by Patience Griffin
Sweet Home, Alaska - Book 3
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: December 26, 2023
Reviewed by PJ
Lolly Crocker bakes up warm desserts in her chilly Alaskan town, but can she handle the reigniting of an old flame?
Whenever things get too serious, baker Lolly Crocker knows it’s time to break it off with a guy. Without fail, her gut would tell her that the man she was dating was not Mr. Right.
The one exception is Shaun Montana, her high school sweetheart. With Shaun, life felt complete; but her mother convinced her she was too young to be tied down, and Lolly broke up with him the night before she left for college.
While Lolly keeps every relationship light, Shaun is never less than fully committed—and still somehow his romances have all ended badly. When he comes back to Sweet Home, his attraction to Lolly is as fiery as ever, but he's determined to keep things casual for once...just when Lolly is finally ready to risk her heart on a second chance with the man she loved so long ago.
PJ's Thoughts:
Griffin takes readers back to her fictional small town of Sweet Home, Alaska for a second-chance romance that has the entire town taking sides. I enjoy Griffin's stories, her quirky side characters, sense of community, and depth of emotion. She gives her main couple a difficult path to happiness but with a satisfying emotional payoff in the end. I may shed tears on the journey but I'm always smiling when I turn the final page.
As with the earlier books in this series, there are multiple relationships at play in this book. In addition to the primary romance, a secondary couple whose relationship has slowly progressed through the first two books hits a potential bump in the road. Shaun's relationship with his mother is another focus, as is his mother's broken friendship with Lolly. Then there's the owner of the local general store who in addition to being the ringleader of the community quilting group also has her nose in pretty much everyone's relationships. I enjoyed seeing the personal growth of this particular character in this book.
As for Shaun and Lolly, they say you never forget your first love. That certainly holds true for this couple but considering how their teenage romance ended, forgiveness might be a stretch too far for Shaun. I appreciated the time the author gave them to rebuild their relationship once Shaun returned home. It felt realistic, especially with the push and pull between them. My heart was flipping back and forth right along with the two of them. There were endearing moments when I could feel the love between them pushing for the surface but then something would happen to cause doubt and there I was fretting again. It left me eagerly flipping pages right up until the end, wondering how it would all work out...or if it would. Spoiler alert: it's a romance, it works out, but you'll need to read the book to discover how. ;-)
If you enjoy second-chance romance, small-town Alaska settings, a strong sense of community, quirky characters, and emotionally satisfying happy endings, give this one a try. I also recommend the first two books in the series: One Snowy Night and Once Upon a Cabin. Click on the titles to read my reviews.
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Have you read Patience Griffin?
Do you enjoy books set in rural areas? Griffin has this series set in rural Alaska along with books set in a tiny coastal village in Scotland.
Are you a quilter? Griffin is and quilting features prominently in all of her books.
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, January 5 will receive a print copy of Happily Ever Alaska.
I have not read this author nor do I quilt but I do like books set in a rural area as well as books with baking and dogs. (Or any food related - lol).
ReplyDeleteI love books set in rural areas. I grew up in a small town; so small that we had to bus out to the country for school, which was surrounded by fields with cows grazing. I took it for granted then--living in a tight community. I guess I'm trying to recapture that community by writing about small towns now.
DeleteThis author is wonderful. I have read the series set in Scotland which I enjoy greatly. Books set in rural areas are captivating and special. I don't quilt.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so glad you have enjoyed my Kilts & Quilts® series! (I'm working on the next book in the series now!)
DeleteA new to me author. I like books from locations that are different - and Alaska is different. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteWhen Penguin Random House asked me to write a series set in Alaska, I called a friend and we headed off to Alaska on an 8 day research trip. Her sister-in-law lived in Alaska and is a quilter! How lucky for me! We traveled all over and visited a lot of quilt shops. It seemed as if everywhere I looked, there were mountains. We saw a moose in downtown Anchorage on our first day! Alaska is such an amazing and beautiful state.
DeleteThe characters and setting are intriguing to me. I love discovering new authors and I think it’s wonderful that Patience has included a quilting aspect into the story.
ReplyDeleteMaryann
Maryann, When I first started writing, PhD (my hubby) reminded me that I should write about what I know. I grew up in a town of 600 people and I'm passionate about making quilts so my direction was clear. I've loved every second of creating my fictional small towns. Plus, I now have fabric lines that go with my novels and patterns for the featured quilts in my books. I hope you will give my books a try.
DeleteLove this series!
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you! I'm so glad you have enjoyed the Sweet Home, Alaska series!
DeleteLove this author, Patience Griffin! She draws the reader in and keeps the curiosity level just right! Small town, rural areas are comforting and home, for me. I am all fully submerged in quilting communities near and far, so that's another plus in her books, for me. Keep 'em comin', Patience!
ReplyDeleteOh, it tickles me that you like my novels! As I've said before, I feel like I'm trying to recreate the small town, tight community that I grew up in. I feel so blessed to have had that community. Thank you for being part of reading community!
DeleteLove this author, Patience Griffin! She draws the reader in and keeps the curiosity interesting! Small town, rural areas are comforting and home, for me. I am fully submerged in the quilting communities near and far, so that's another plus in her books, for me. Keep 'em comin', Patience!!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you for being a loyal fan to the quilters of Gandiegow and Sweet Home, Alaska! I like to submerge myself there, too. I'm working on the next Scotland book. Happy reading!
DeleteLove her books. No loose ends but she leaves just a taste of another story. Great character development. Yes, I enjoy reading stories of other areas and I am a quilter and a baker.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are along for the ride! Thanks for hanging out with me and my characters! Take care...
DeleteI have read her books from the Kilts and Quilts series. I've yet to read her books from the Sweet Home, Alaska series. I haven't personally made quilts, but I do have quilts made by my great-grandmother.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have an heirloom quilt from your great-grandmother! What a treasure.
DeleteI am working on the next Kilts & Quilts® novel but I hope in the meantime you'll be able to read the Sweet Home, Alaska series; you might see a character from the Kilts & Quilts® series there. But I'm not telling you who. LOL
Patience Griffin is a new to me author, but sounds like someone I would love to read. I am not a quilter, but I love quilts and collect the Amish made ones.
ReplyDeleteI used to live near an Amish community and knew a woman who would drive the Amish to their doctors' appointments. She told me that the Amish always leave a mistake in the quilts they are making because no one is perfect, except for Jesus. I thought that was so wonderful.
DeleteHappy reading!
I love Patience Griffin. Her characters are well-rounded, interesting & realisticly-flawed. Don't miss the Scotland series!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you have enjoyed my books. I bet you can tell that I'm having fun when I write. And yes, another Kilts & Quilts® novel is in the works.
DeleteI absolutely LOVE and have read every book by Patience. I do hope she keeps writing for years to come! Thank you for all the books you’ve written so far!
ReplyDeletePs- I’ve actually been inspired to learn to quilt and have dabbled in it a bit. I do hope to learn more and keep going as I get more time! I work too much :(
DeleteI'm so pleased that you are getting into quilting. It always thrills me when someone new takes up quilting because they read my books. Quilting is a hobby that not only can keep you warm (when the quilt is done) but it also has the power to bring back memories. That's why I believe every quilt has a story. Maybe that's one of the reasons that I pair quilting with my books.
Delete🥰🥰 it was easy enough to pick up. I am a crafter. I crochet and taught myself how to knit as well. And I enjoyed quilting but I’m sure it’s better among friends who also quilt. Friends with the same hobby make it better :)
DeleteI have read both series(Alaska/Scotland) and loved all the stories. So glad she is writing a new Kilts and Quilts story. Sadly, I do not quilt - my sewing skills are not the best! I love the way the communities in both series ban together to assist in and with the trials and tribulations of their members, especially when it comes to problems of the heart. Fun reads that are hard to put down!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed a couple of her early books set in Scotland. I met her not long after she published her first book or two and she is a lovely person. I really need to get back to her books. I like rural areas and enjoy books set in them. Scotland and Alaska are favorite settings. Her quilting is lovely and the fabrics developed to go with her books are very nice. I don't quilt, but would think going on one of her quilting trips would be a great experience. I could look, enjoy, and admire even if I can't do.
ReplyDeleteMy name: Patricia B Hawes
DeleteThis post was by Patricia B (Barraclough) which is how I have posted for years.
DeleteI have not read anything by this author. This story sounds great. I love Alaska as a setting. I am not a quilter. I lack the time and the skill.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t read any books from the author but I love the setting and the characters I would most definitely recommend reading it!
ReplyDeleteI am not a quilter, but my step mother is a mega quilter and does beautiful work! I have read a book by Patience a long time ago. It was a novella in a book with Grace Burrowes, based in Scotland. I love romances based in rural areas!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy her books and I dabble in quilting.
ReplyDeletedenise
I really enjoy Patience Griffin novels and Alaska is particularly intriguing to me. Hope I win your giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI have not read any of this author's books, but I think that I would like them. I live in a small town and I do like to quilt. I'm looking forward to reading one of these books.
ReplyDeleteI love your books and I am a quilter also. I love the quilts that you make as well.
ReplyDeleteLove this series, good almost old fashioned love stories....a delight to read on a cold snowy night....would love to see them as a mini series!!
ReplyDeleteI've read some of your books, not all. Always a good read. I don't quilt but I own several.
ReplyDeleteI am taking lessons this year at my church! So excited to learn.
ReplyDeleteLove lost but was found. If I don’t win I will still buy the book as I look forward to reading the story. Jackie Johnson @johnson82x
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Patience's books - the characters are so real. I have recently gotten back into quilting after having been away from it for a while. I was so happy to meet you at the International Quilt Show in Houston.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a quilter. Love her books, I'd love to see Alaska.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like one I would enjoy. Thank You for the contest.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
I am not a quilter although I'm sorely tempted every time I see a beautiful quilt. And I do like small town romances. I will definitely check out this series because once, a long, long time ago, I lived in Alaska.
ReplyDeleteI have read one her books and loved it! I love small rural towns and I quilt.🥰
ReplyDeleteI have read books from Patience Griffin and I enjoy books set in rural areas. I'm not a quilter but my mom had an aunt who did some quilting.
ReplyDeleteLove the Kilt and Quilts. Alaska books are just are great. Pleasure to meet you in Houston.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting series especially since my grandmother made quilts by hand.
ReplyDeleteI really need to cuddle up with your books, under a warm quilt.
ReplyDeleteI love her books! I also love books in rural settings and Alaska (one of several places on my travel wish list). Although I helped my grandmother with a couple knotted quilts many, many years ago, I am not a real quilter.
ReplyDeleteI want know if you are patient as your name suggests?
ReplyDeleteI love giveaways. So far I have” read” (listened to book on CD) and loved it. I’m ready for more I have made tons of quilts, sewing pretty much every day.
ReplyDeleteI love this author. Alaska is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. I have always wanted to learn to quilt.
ReplyDeleteHey Patience,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Hope things are going well. So glad to see the release of your new book. Congratulations! Hope I win!
I love your books and I also love quilting!
ReplyDeleteI have never read any of your books. I do not quilt. This book looks so cute and it sounds like a winner.
ReplyDeleteI have read all of the books set in Ireland and I enjoyed them all. Looking foreward to starting the Alaska series.
ReplyDeleteThis is a New to me Author! This sounds like such a great story
ReplyDeleteI love rural and small towns in the books I read and have always wanted to learn how to quilt
ReplyDelete