Kallis kodu Alaska

Wild Coast #1

by Jennifer Snow, Kaie Niit (Translator), Liina Biene (Editor)

Skylar Beaumont ei kavatsenud enam kunagi Alaskale tagasi pöörduda, kuid tööülesannete täitmisel ei saa ta sellest keelduda. Kolmandat põlve rannavalvaja ja kohaliku rannavalve ainsa naissoost kaptenina peab ta end kõvasti tõestama. Töökoht tema kodulinnas Port Serenitys pole just ideaalne, aga ta kannatab selle ära, kuni ta teise kohta üle viiakse ja ta saab töötada soojemates vetes. Vähemalt selline on ta plaan, kuni ta taas Dex Wakefieldi armub. Dex on šokeeritud, kui nii pika aja järel oma keskkooliaegset salakallimat näeb, ja see paneb ta mõtlema oma saladuse paljastamisele. Skylar on väärt kuulma tõelist põhjust, miks mees aastate eest nende ühisest unistusest loobus ja tema südame murdis. Kuid selles väikeses turismilinnas valitseb nende perekondade vahel vana vaen... Minevikusündmustest lahtilaskmine võib olla Dexi ja Skylari jaoks ainus võimalus lõpuks mõista, et nende esimene armastus väärib uut võimalust.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Audiobook, Fiction, Contemporary, Harlequin, Military Fiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2022

About the author

Jennifer Snow is an award-winning, USA Bestselling author. Her publishing credits include a six book small town, Brookhollow series published through Harlequin Heartwarming, her MMA sports romance series Beyond the Cage is published through Berkley/NAL Intermix, her Colorado Ice series with Grand Central and her Wild River & Wild Coast series published with HQN. She also writes thrillers under J.M. Winchester and screenplays with 13 produced rom-coms for UPTV, Hallmark, BET+, QVC+ and more. Her upcoming speculative rom-com is releasing through Canary Street Press in Sept 2024.
More information can be found at www.jennifersnowauthor.com

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Home Alaska by Jennifer Snow is the first full length novel in the contemporary romance Wild Coast series which was opened with a prequel novella. The story in Sweet Home Alaska is one that changes the point of view between the characters and is a second chance romance. The Wild Coast series is also one that changes main characters with each new book so they can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so.

Skylar Beaumont thought when she left Alaska for coast guard training that she would never look back but here she is assigned to her home town of Port Serenity. Skylar had hoped that she wouldn’t cross paths with Dex Wakefield who broke her heart after college either but immediately after arriving she does just that.

Dex never meant to break Skylar’s heart or cancel their plans they had made back in high school to go into the coast guard together. Once Skylar left though he never expected to see her again but her she is back in their hometown and Dex definitely hasn’t ever gotten over Skylar so he may have to admit to why he ditched their plans.

When I first picked up Sweet Home Alaska by Jennifer Snow I really did believe it was the first book of the series and didn’t find out until after reading there was a novella that opened the series so I can say first hand this does read fine as a standalone. A good second chance romance is always a favorite of mine and the reasoning behind the breakup in Sweet Home Alaska pulled on my heart strings and made me root for the couple all that much more. Everyone was certainly likable and it had all the small town charm that one would expect which I always enjoy too. After this first I will certainly love to return to Port Serenity in the future.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Romance, and this is the first book in the Wild Coast series. Dex has been hiding a big secret from Skylar, and that secret is the reason he broke up with her in high school and did not go into the coast guard. I have to say I loved Dex character so much, and I loved him even more after they revealed the secret his has been carrying around. I am going to say there are some steamy times in this book. I really loved the ending, and I found it so cute. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin) or author (Jennifer Snow) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Elliot A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Sweet Home Alaska in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


The Gist

I was supposed to write this review last week, but instead I kept staring at my computer screen, hoping the words would write themselves. With a heavy sigh I now sit at my desk while my lunch slowly burns to a crisp. I have to write this review someday.

It appears I’m not really in the mood for any romance novels lately, since all the ones I have had to read for the Mass Market Summer Romance Reads blog tours have left me kind of unimpressed.


The Details


Sweet Home Alaska begins with descriptions of ice cold water, hyperthermia and the Alaskan coastline. Sorry, but that really doesn’t sound very summer-y.

The protagonist is a bit of a mystery to me. She is introduced as someone who appears to have to desire to gain people’s respect and acceptance. Why? I have to stop for a minute and ask myself, if I feel like opening that can of worms.

Oh, what hell! Here it goes:

She is worried that people won’t treat her with the respect she deserves, because she chose the same career path as her father and grandfather before her. So what? If this were a story with a male protagonist, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

She still had to work hard to succeed. Who cares what people think. You might wonder what this has to do with a romance novel. I had the same question. The story begins with everything that is the opposite of a promise of a summer romance read.

On top of that the author is very inconsistent with the development of the protagonist. She works hard to earn respect, but all of a sudden goes all ga-ga when she sees her ex…from high school.

Both characters appear incredibly immature in their pursuit of love…? Acting like high school kids hyped up on hormones while they explore their feelings for each other isn’t really the greatest plot. I’m not sure why I should care.

The writing is repetitive. Already in the first chapter or two we get to read about her insecurities over and over again. We get it. She’s got issues. Don’t we all.


The Verdict

Overall, Sweet Home Alaska is just not for me. I had hoped for more.

[Sammie Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet book, maybe a little surface level, but it had some really endearing parts. Skylar is returning to her small hometown in Alaska after getting the job as Captain of a Coast Guard rescue ship. She’s followed in her father’s and grand father’s (and so forth) footsteps and had gotten her dream job. In a place she said she’d never return to after her high school boyfriend broke her entire heart. Dex can’t believe Skylar is back, but when she makes her grand entrance by driving her car off the pier after she spots him, he rescues her.

This is told in third person from both points of view, and while Skylar annoyed me by dragging out a seemingly EASY and right decision, I LOVED being in Dex’s head. He loved Skylar so purely and fervently, and I was just a pile of mush when he would think so adoringly of her. I just really felt that it was predictable and not enough conflict to warrant such a drawn out decision, but it was still a lovely read all the same. A testament to true love and the sacrifices people are willing yo make to keep it.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you are a captain in the Coast Guard, you pretty much have to go wherever you are stationed. When Skylar Beaumont gets stationed at Port Serenity, she’s not happy, and puts in for an immediate transfer. But for now she’s back in her hometown and running back into high school sweetheart Dex Wakefield was not something that Skylar was prepared for.

Skylar and Dex had gotten very close, and they even shared the same dreams. But, all of a sudden he broke her heart and she went on with her life. Now that she’s back in close contact with him Skylar must cope with undeniable emotions that prove she never fell out of love with him. This baggage that they both share is exacerbated by a long-standing family feud which makes the Beaumont and Wakefield families enemies.

What a remarkably sensitive story. For all of these years, Dex has had a secret, a secret that was shared with very few people. His feelings for Skylar are just as intense as her hers are for him, but how can he tell her his secret? This part of the story is why Sweet Home Alaska has earned five stars.

I love how Skylar and Dex came back together in the beginning of the story when he saved her life. Despite past feelings, one of the things that she doesn’t understand is why he never joined the Coast Guard himself and works as an emergency volunteer instead. While readers know what is going on with Dex, it was interesting to see how this all unfolded in this delightful second-chance romance. As the pieces began to come together, Skylar really had to consider her career options and that was something that proved evidence of how strong of a protagonist she was in this engaging read. I love that this is the first book in a new series and, as much as I enjoyed it, I am really looking forward to the next installment, Alaska in Christmas, <\b><\i> set for release in October.

Many thanks to HQN Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skylar Beaumont grew up in Port Serenity, Alaska, as a third-generation “Coastie”. She left to attend Coast Guard school and never planned to return after being dumped by the boy/man she had planned on spending her life with. When she is offered a job as the only female captain in the local coast guard, she returns home. Her plan is to remain until she gets the job in California she has applied for. Best laid plans do not always pan out, so when she finds herself in the water after being knocked off her rescue boat, Dex Wakefield comes to her rescue. Unfortunately, the feelings she had for him are still there. Dex has kept a secret from Skylar all these years and she has no reason why he broke her heart. There is also a family feud between the Beaumonts and the Wakefields, which is why they kept their relationship secret years ago. Can they move beyond the secrets for a second chance at love?

I have enjoyed other books by Jennifer Snow, but had forgotten that they do include a lot of steam. I enjoyed the story of Dex and Skylar, soulmates as they are, and looked forward to seeing them find their happily ever after. Slylar is a great character. I like a strong female character in an untraditional role. She has great instincts which made her great at her job, but in her personal life, she is reluctant to take a chance and be hones with her father. Dex is a great match for Skylar. We learn his secret quite early in the story, but he is also nervous to share it. Their relationship becomes intimate quite quickly, so I was pretty sure things would work out. It was like a meant to be relationship that should not have ended. I loved the setting of the small Alaskan town and the community they lived in. If you enjoy a steamy, second chance romance, set in a small community, with a strong independent female, then you will love this story. Lila Winters narrated this story and did a great job with the voices. Whether male or female, I was able to recognize the characters speaking. She added emotion to the story with her tone and expression. This was the first time I listened to her work, and it won't be the last. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions share are my own.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Multi-Layered "Series Starter". After having had a back-door pilot in Alaska Dreams, where the couple traveled down to Port Serenity (our town in this book) to work with the Coast Guard (one of our main groups here, and one who has a direct connection in a secondary character in our unit here) to shoot a movie (which is then watched in one scene in this book) and a lead-in novella in Love On The Coast that explicitly introduces our town and some of its residents and history (and whose couple - and story - is summarized in this book)... we finally get into a proper Book 1 for this new spin-off series from Snow's semi-long running (6 books or so at this time) Wild Alaska series.

And it absolutely fires on all cylinders. You've got a couple of tense Coast Guard rescues in the cold Alaskan waters where our new heroine learns to trust herself. You've got the tragic backstory of high school sweethearts who split due to several misunderstandings/ secrets. For the "sweet" / "clean" crowd... eh, you've got some pretty dang intense sex scenes, both penetrative and not - and not a dang one of them "fade to black" / "behind closed doors". There's enough drama in the book to elevate it above "bubble gum pop" level romance, without it being *too* burdening - and thus it is still a solid escape (and a longer-ish one at near 400 pages) for those who may need to escape the "real" world for a bit. It also happens to be a solid introduction to the author's overall storytelling style for those who may be new to her. Very much recommended.

[Barbara Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a fan of the Wild Alaska series, I was excited to get a chance to meet some new characters and this was a good start to a new series that I’m sure I’ll continue. I’m a sucker for a small town second chance romance, and this fit the bill.
Skylar is coming back home after being away with the coast guard. She’s now stationed in her hometown and she’s not sure how to feel about that because she doesn’t know if her father, who’s way up in the coast guard, had anything to do with her post, and she has some history that she doesn’t necessarily want to revisit. So, naturally, the first thing she does is see her first love, Dex, as she’s coming into town, and she drives her car into a lake as a result. That kinda bugged me, because for someone so professional and responsible, that seemed like a complete out of character action, but it started their reunion and the ups and downs of her new life began so I guess it helped to set the story into motion. There’s quite a bit of steam, which I wasn’t expecting!
This is a perfect escape book for a sunny day. Or a rainy day. Or any day really.
Thanks to HQN Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

[Maria Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Home Alaska by Jennifer Snow is the first romance novel in her new Wild Coast series. She’s already got a series set in Alaska (Wild River) and it’s currently a popular setting (Megan Crane, Samanthe Beck and Jackie Ashenden have all published books set there over the last year). I liked the idea of a female coastguard captain as a heroine which is what intrigued me to pick up this story – it was okay but won’t go on my re-read list for reasons I’ll detail below.

Skylar Beaumont is coming home to Port Serenity on an assignment as Captain of the coastguard, having recently passed her academy exams. She’s following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, though she hadn’t exactly wanted to come back to Port Serenity. Her memories of the place are painful, mostly due to the breakup of her teenage romance with Dex Wakefield. She and Dex were going to go into the coastguard academy together but in their last year of high school, Dex had become closed off and they’d broken up. Their relationship had been a secret, due to a long standing feud between the Beaumont and Wakefield families, but that hadn’t mattered in the end as they’d gone off to pursue different futures. Or at least Skylar did. Dex didn’t left Port Serenity after all. Is Skylar ready to face Dex again and could things work out differently this time?

Well, Skylar and I got off on the wrong foot right at the beginning of the novel when she drives her car into the ocean upon seeing her very grown up and handsome ex-boyfriend Dex. For someone who has such a lot of responsibility on her shoulders, it just didn’t sit well with me that she’d be so distracted that she’d forget to stop her car and would drive off the dock. Then, the author makes a curious choice when Skylar visits her cousin (shortly after getting her car pulled from the ocean) for a girl’s night out which is totally fine – except she thinks of how they used to do it in high school “when they’d had the metabolism for such a dinner” as if, six years later and in her mid-twenties, a young woman’s metabolism would be so different. I can understand using this reference for women meeting in their forties or fiftiess but in your twenties? No, that just doesn’t ring true to me. So, unfortunately these, along with some other story choices, left me hesitant to open up and really believe in these characters.

Early in the story we find out exactly why Dex pulled away from Skylar in high school. He had an epileptic seizure and his condition was a secret that only his family knew. Instead of confiding in Skylar he broke up with her because he was worried she would ditch her chances at a future career in the coastguard to stay with him, making the choice to not tell her and to let her think he just wasn’t interested in her anymore. He works now as a volunteer rescue boatman (as many fishermen do along the coast) to search for missing sailors, and has inherited enough money that he doesn’t need to work for pay. He’s in the process of getting a therapy dog to help him become more independent, and his sister Isla lives with him on his houseboat. The reader is told that Isla and Skylar don’t get along, though I wasn’t able to figure out exactly why, other than the traditional family feud.

Skylar and Dex obviously can’t avoid each other in this small coastal town so they begin to rekindle their friendship and their love affair (despite Dex not coming clean about his epilepsy right away, though he does eventually tell her). But the truth remains that Skylar is looking for an assignment elsewhere and Dex can’t see himself moving away. This puts a time limit on their developing relationship unless one or the other is willing to compromise. As they spend time together, their outlook changes and they figure out how to get a happy ending, though there is a loose thread left hanging that made me re-read the last bit a few times to figure out if I’d missed it (I couldn’t find it so I’m left guessing).

I’ll admit I did warm up to Skylar in the second half of the book and the romantic relationship is handled well. There is some heat between them and the story earns its ‘warm’ rating. The epilepsy storyline was also clearly researched, including Dex’s search for (and finding of) a therapy dog. The setting is typical small town with the added benefit of being on the coast, and there are some scenes showing off the coastguard’s capabilities. There is some tension between Skylar and her father – who is also a coast guard captain (her mother died of pancreatic cancer when Skylar was young, but that isn’t dwelled upon) – the type you would expect when a parent and child are thrust into competing career positions. That is also resolved well. Overall I was content with the final product, but there will have to be some really interesting hooks to get me to pick up the next in the series.

This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...

A copy of this story was provided by the publisher.

[Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a second chance, small-town romance for Sweet Home Alaska, which also happens to be the start of a new series. I haven't had much experience with Jennifer Snow's work, but I get the impression that this is a spin-off series. That didn't cause any confusion for me, but I feel like it was worth mentioning, especially for those familiar with the author's Wild Alaska series. Skylar and Dex are likable characters, and they have good chemistry. A lot of the angst in the romance relies on a lack of communication. I kind of felt like they needed to be locked in a room together until they worked it out, but that wouldn't have made for much of a story, would it? Things do get steamy, and it's an entertaining read. The romance tropes are some of my favorites, and I like the setting, so I'll be interested to see where things go from here in the series.

[Elizabeth]

DNF at 2%. I cannot take the idiotic and belligerent heroine.

She drives into the ocean and then yells at the hero for jumping in to save her.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The crazier the world gets, the more I look forward to a few minutes of escapist reading each day. A romance may not be the only book that I am reading at any given time, but lately it has generally been one of them. In light of that wish for calm, how great to read a book in a town that has Serenity in its name.

Readers who enjoy novels by authors like Debbie Macomber are pretty sure to enjoy this Alaska set story. It is about a former couple, Skylar and Dex, who find themselves in the same place again. Readers may know that they will likely get together again but even so will enjoy seeing how the story plays out. Why did Skylar pursue her Coast Guard dream while Dex didn’t? What will it be like to come face to face with an old love? Can they grow together?

A plus for me, in addition to the characters, was the Alaska setting. I enjoyed my visit there.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for this title. All opinions are my own.

[Skittles Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I’ve always thought Jennifer Snow would be one of those authors that would be a hit or miss for me, but I’ve come to appreciate her simplistic writing and soft themes. There is a perfect time to read a romance such as this, and that’s when you’re having a vacation by the beach/ open space. It’s the perfect little small town romance with low angst.

The only angsty scenario here is Skylar and Dex’s relationship being forbidden because of their families who have been feuding for decades. Otherwise, both MCs are very level headed and are actually star crossed lovers who are helplessly in love with one another and would do everything for each other (Dex > Skylar).

My only disappointment in this book (which is why it does not have a higher star rating), is Skylar’s easy surrender to Dex even after what she thought he has done wrong against her. Don’t get me wrong, Dex is a genuinely good guy, so good in fact he is the exact human counterpart of a loving golden retriever. But in Skylar’s eyes he broke her heart all those years ago and acted like an asshole, but just a little wooing from him and she’s rushing back to his arms without even asking for an explanation on what happened between them first. I felt like this scene was intentionally postponed until they needed a bump to rock their relationship and this dilemma was finally raised. It just felt unnatural.

But, still a sweet read. Might read more Jennifer Snow ☺️

[Monae Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good but it had problems. In this story there are two families the Wakefield’s and the Beaumont’s. They have been in a endless feud. Skylar Beaumont and Dex Wakefield kept their relationship secret. She went away and Dex didn’t which broke them apart because he kept a secret from Skylar.

Skylar returns home to Port Serenity. She doesn’t want to follow in her father’s shadow as a Coast Guard Captain. She and Dex start seeing each other again and they act childish about it. Some of the intimate moments were a little questionable. I liked the book overall.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skylar and Dex are old flames despite the historical fuer between their two families. Dex broke Skylar's heart years ago but work has brought her back to her hometown and Dex.

This is my first book by this author. I really enjoyed it. The characters are very easy to like and fans of small town romances and family ties will enjoy this.

It kept me engaged and it was a different kind of story than the usual settings and occupations which I liked. There is even an adorable German Shepherd therapy puppy and as a dog lover I loved that the most. I would have liked to see even more of her.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked that the female MC was the one in the coast guard and that she was a captain. And I also liked that there was action and it wasn't that she just happened to be in the coast guard, but that we see things happen on page with it.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written love story between two high school sweethearts that rekindle their love six years later. The attention to detail to make you feel like you’re their witnessing and experiencing what they experienced is so well written.

[Marias McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I’ve read with a happy ending 😭

[Mandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this author. This one was okay. Maybe a little more chemistry build up between the H/H

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enchanting second chance contemporary romance that is a joy to read, Sweet Home Alaska is the delightful new novel by Jennifer Snow.

Skylar Beaumont had vowed to never set foot in Alaska ever again, but when duty left her with no other choice, she had no alternative but to return to Port Serenity. As the only female captain in the local coast guard, being stationed in her home town leaves Skylar with a hell of a lot to prove, however, she plans to keep her head down and tough it out until her transfer comes through where she can leave Port Serenity behind once and for all. However, what Skylar hadn’t counted on was running into somebody from her past she has never quite managed to forget – Dex Wakefield…

Nobody is more shocked than Dex to see Skylar back in town again after all this time. The two of them had been high school sweethearts, but their relationship ended acrimoniously. Dex wonders whether the time has come for him to tell Skylar the truth about why he had walked out on the dream they had shared and broke her heart into a million pieces. As the two of them find themselves reconnecting, never forgotten feelings come rushing to the surface. But with their two families divided by a grudge of epic proportions, does Dex and Skylar’s love stand any hope of surviving? Or are they going to be torn apart all over again?

Small town romance fans will love Jennifer Snow’s Sweet Home Alaska. An uplifting and emotional tale about starting over, loyalty, healing and belonging, Sweet Home Alaska is a wonderful romantic tale with plenty of humor, pathos and drama to keep readers turning the pages.

Dex and Skylar are two brilliant characters I adored and their love story is one that effortlessly touches the heart and tickles the funny bone.

Fun, heartfelt and far too good to miss, Virgin River fans will be completely charmed by Jennifer Snow’s Sweet Home Alaska.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much binge read this book in a sitting, I mean its the weekend its the perfect time to binge a great book? Any who I really enjoyed this book. I loved getting to know the characters and that we get point of view from both Skylar and Dex. Both had a Romeo/Juliet situation going on with family feuding and so their love had to be hidden as teens and when they planned on having a life together Dex backs out leaving Skylar broken hearted but determined to pursue her dreams. Skylar's back and Dex is still around and its clear that attraction never left but then again same can go with the family feud. I thought it was interesting seeing the lengths the two would go to keep the whole thing a secret. They weren't all that great at hiding things but they tried. I liked Skylar's relationship with her father clearly they were close but it was making things a bit complicated since they were working together at the job and while her father was a proud papa it was making Skylar feel wierd since they need to keep things professional. It was interesting seeing thing come together again after so long and learning about eachother. The only issue was was facing the future, I mean Skylar has bigger dreams then staying home and still wants to travel and with her budding relationship with Dex things could get more complicated. Overall this was a pretty great book I really enjoyed it.

[Avid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Home Alaska (Wild Coast #1) by Jennifer Snow
4 stars
M/F Romance - second chance
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.

Skylar has coast guard in her blood. For generations, her and her family have been protecting those who get in trouble in Port Serenity. When she left for the academy, she knew this was her destiny. What she left behind though, was her heart.

Dex is a family who is wealthy and despite maybe not working hard for their money, their family has held on to their wealth - sometimes at the detriment to the city they call home. In order to keep their town going, Dex's family bought out businesses and companies. In their minds, they were helping. But to some in town, Dex's family was just greedy.

Skylar and Dex had a romance when they were young that most people dream of. Despite the family tensions, they were going to make it. When an unexpected health issue arises, Dex will be left questioning his future and Skylar is just plain left confused.

Years later, then Dex and Skylar are thrust together on rescues again, can they figure out if their love was one to span the decade or will their young love die young too?

The characters are pretty well developed. There is a lot of back and forth - somewhat tedious dialogue for a good portion of the middle of the book, but overall, the characters are relatable and enjoyable.

You'll fall in love with Dex and Skylar. They both want love in their life, both want a future they've always dreamed of. The question becomes if their futures still include each other or others.

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful second-chance romance!

First thing you need to know is that Dex is a wonderfully sweet, wears-his-heart-on-his-sleeve kind of guy, and I loved him instantly. Skylar just attained the rank of captain in the coast guard, and her first assignment is the small town she left six years before when she graduated from high school. They haven't seen each other since, but OMG, time practically stands still awaiting their eventual reunion.

The sparks fly right from the start between Dex and Skylar, and I loved every bit of it. Theirs was a romance that never should have been interrupted, but life happens and they each tried to move on and pursue their dreams. Their second chance was written so beautifully, with so much heart, I was sighing and swooning from the first page to the last.

A HEA awaits at the end of a long road of secrets, regrets, and a timeless love that proves soulmates are real. I highly recommend this heartwarming romance. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Home Alaska by Jennifer Snow
362-page Paperback story ends on page 304
Wild Coast #1

➕️Bonus Story - Love on the Coast, 58 pages Wild Coast #0.5

Genre: Romance > Contemporary Romance

Featuring: Coastie MC, Alaska, Multiple POVs, Search & Rescue, Family Feud, Forbidden Love, Second Chance Trope, Small-Town, Outdoor Activities, Dog, Sex - Graphic Details, Flashbacks, Bonus Story - Love on the Coast 6 chapters 58 pages, Excerpt from Rivals at Love Creek by Michelle Lindo-Rice 2 pages, Advertisements
➕️ Alaskan Cruise, Journalism, Kid

Rating as a movie: X
➕️ PG-13

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
➕️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

My thoughts: Page 77 of 304 Ch. 5 - There are so many things wrong with this plot. First, the MC is active duty in the coast guard, and both her grandfather and dad were stationed at the same base her whole life. She is now stationed at the same base, against her will, under her father's direct command. She's a captain, O-6, and she got this rank within 2 years of graduating the academy. Her dad is also a captain as well as a few guys in her crew, who she outranks, despite them being in longer. Everyone else in her crew are lieutenants, O2-O4, and there are no enlisted personnel on her ship so far. They talk about upgrading the equipment as if they are a small business instead of government. Then, if that's not bad enough, her crew leaves her with a civilian on a yacht without laying eyes on her, but taking their word for it that she was safe as well as orders to continue the mission without her, so she's now stuck on this yacht overnight with her ex. Hogwash! Despite all of this fantasy, I'm interested in the story and will continue, but this story was unbelievable from the first page, and she just kept caking it on.
📖 194 Ch. 13 - Despite the weak reason for conflict and lack of communication, I'm enjoying the story. Her scenes aren't cringey, and I'm not sure how she got away with them not being labeled erotica.

This story wasn't bad once you get past the misrepresentation of the military. I want to know how they decide which books are romances and which books are erotica, this one seems to have elements of both, and I don't think the covers match the content ratings of her books.

Love on the Coast #0.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story was published a few weeks before the first book. This series has released 2 novellas and 2 novels this year. It's basically the background story of Sealena and Callan both a big part of the plot for Sweet Home Alaska, and the events are mentioned, so I knew what was going to happen, some what. There is no sex so it's more of what you'd expect based on the cover. Unfortunately, the opening was so ridiculous that it cost it a star. MC is taking a cruise into town, and the coast guard catches wind that there are drug smugglers aboard the ship. So they sneak on, apprehend the bad guys, and then evacuate the passengers so the demolition crew can set the ship and their belongings on fire. 🙄 That is literally the stupidest thing I've ever heard, but the rest of the story was okay. I'm seriously considering canceling my hold on Alaska For Christmas.

Recommend to others?: Maybe. This series has tons of inaccuracies, but it is well written despite being illogical, and the spicy parts are just as good as the rest of the book, which is rare; often, one suffers.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enchanting second chance contemporary romance that is a joy to read, Sweet Home Alaska is the delightful new novel by Jennifer Snow.

Skylar Beaumont had vowed to never set foot in Alaska ever again, but when duty left her with no other choice, she had no alternative but to return to Port Serenity. As the only female captain in the local coast guard, being stationed in her home town leaves Skylar with a hell of a lot to prove, however, she plans to keep her head down and tough it out until her transfer comes through where she can leave Port Serenity behind once and for all. However, what Skylar hadn’t counted on was running into somebody from her past she has never quite managed to forget – Dex Wakefield…

Nobody is more shocked than Dex to see Skylar back in town again after all this time. The two of them had been high school sweethearts, but their relationship ended acrimoniously. Dex wonders whether the time has come for him to tell Skylar the truth about why he had walked out on the dream they had shared and broke her heart into a million pieces. As the two of them find themselves reconnecting, never forgotten feelings come rushing to the surface. But with their two families divided by a grudge of epic proportions, does Dex and Skylar’s love stand any hope of surviving? Or are they going to be torn apart all over again?

Small town romance fans will love Jennifer Snow’s Sweet Home Alaska. An uplifting and emotional tale about starting over, loyalty, healing and belonging, Sweet Home Alaska is a wonderful romantic tale with plenty of humor, pathos and drama to keep readers turning the pages.

Dex and Skylar are two brilliant characters I adored and their love story is one that effortlessly touches the heart and tickles the funny bone.

Fun, heartfelt and far too good to miss, Virgin River fans will be completely charmed by Jennifer Snow’s Sweet Home Alaska.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Donna Repsher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jennifer Snow is a new-to-me author, and while this second chance at love story sounded good in the blurb, and while it is fairly well-written, I don't think it quite lived up to its potential for a number of reasons, which is why I can only give it a 3-star rating at most.

The basics: Two high-school sweethearts/lovers from multi-generational feuding families in a small coastal town in Alaska, hide their budding romance from their families, and both plan to attend the Coast Guard Academy together after graduation. However, several weeks prior to graduation, Dex breaks up with Skylar and will give her no reason for his change of plans, so she goes to the Academy alone with a broken heart.

Fast forward 6 years and Skylar is back in her hometown of Port Serenity, and is stationed there as Captain of a Coast Guard cutter. Dex is still there, having turned his wealthy family's yacht into an unofficial rescue vessel. The feelings are still there, but this narrative ambles on and on, with both characters spending most of their time wondering how the other character feels, why things fell apart, and if they could possibly ever come back together again, all before Dex finally is forced to explain his reasons for dumping Skylar 6 years earlier. Both characters are 24 years old, but show little sign of maturity in dealing with what I can only refer to as "the elephant in the room."

The author throws in a mythical sea creature, which, if given the opportunity, might have added additional interest to this story, but that too falls by the wayside. Additionally, the long-running family feud was also much ado about nothing.

Yes, there's a happy ending eventually, but the author took too long to get there, and the filler, a couple of Coast Guard rescue missions, didn't really add much drama or interest to this story, which, in this readers opinion, fell rather flat.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skylar Beaumont is coming home. Her plans never included coming back to port Serenity after she left years ago with a shattered heart. Now she is returning to head up a crew in the local coast guard. Not only will she be working with her father, but she must also face the one man who broke her heart. Will Skylar be able to come to terms with her past or will she run again?
Dex Wakefield is shocked to see Skylar back in town. She left years ago after he broke her heart and he never thought he would see her again. Skylar deserves to know the truth, but will he work up the courage to face the past?

What a great start to a new series from Jennifer Snow. We have the beautiful scenery of Alaska along with two families whose grudges are still smoldering. I did enjoy the complexity of the two main characters and their family dynamics. I would have liked to see more of a resistance between Skylar and Dex and their relationship instead of how quickly they resumed their relationship without facing the past. The story as a whole was well written, and the hint of mystery kept me entertained. I am looking forward to the next book in the series to follow up with the Beaumonts and Wakefields. For my honest opinion, Harlequin Publishing kindly gifted me an advanced readers copy. A sweet summer romance.

[Nextbookaroundthecorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe This Summer had been my first encounter with Jennifer Snow. Since that was only a novella, I was curious to see if a full length story would be as cute as the one I had read. And it was.

In Sweet Home Alaska, we meet Skylar, who is on her way home to Port Serenity in Alaska. She has accepted a position as captain of the Alaska rescue brigade, in her old hometown. For her, it is just temporarily, until she can get a post somewhere else. But her father, who is on the coast guard as well, needed her on the team.

Of course, in a small town like Port Serenity, Skylar is bound to run into her high school sweetheart, Dex. Dex broke her heart all those years ago, and one of the reasons she didn’t come home.

But although Skylar tries to steer clear from him, she is shocked to discover she still has feelings for him. For Dex, seeing Skylar again after six years, is bittersweet. He had his reasons to break Skylar’s heart, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t regret it. And now she is back in his life. Can she forgive him? And do they still have feelings for each other.

Jennifer creates a wonderful story. Including a strained relationship between Skylar and her father. Because this book is longer than maybe This summer, the characters are build up better and the story flows nicely. So, five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the last series by this author so decided I had to read this one too..

I admit I know nothing about the coast guard so was learning about it as I read...

Skylar is stationed in her home town of Port Serenity. She really didn't want to come back there as she will have to work under her dad and she doesn't want him undermining her with the others under her command.

The first person she sees when she arrives home is her ex Dex. The first and only love of her life. She literaly drives right into the water once she sees him..

Things are so very awkward between them at first as she is still hurt how things ended. She is also stressing about the job....

Their story unfolds and we learn more about each of them and what their lives have been like..Once they let old hurts away they are like fire..The sparks just fly off them each time they are close to each other..

When Skylar learns why Dex broke her heart she is hurt but she doesn't run..

A good read. I enjoyed their story very much and look forward to more

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the Wild Coast series, in which Skylar Beaumont returns to her hometown to captain a coast guard cutter, something her father has also captained, which makes her concerned about whether her crew will see her as their leader. Also of concern is being in close proximity to Dex Wakefield, the boy she loved in high school and who broke her heart when he refused to go to the Academy with her as they had originally planned.

What Sky doesn't know is that Dex has epilepsy, which he knows would prevent him from being accepted into the Academy. Rather than risk her refusing to go, he breaks up with her, something he still regrets more than five years later.

Will he finally come clean about what he refused to admit to her earlier? Or will the presence of his new service dog give his secret away? And will she choose to stay in Port Serenity or take that new captaincy in California that she's applied for? A great start to a new series.