What do you think?
Rate this book
That Wintry Feeling
Debbie Macomber’s special warmth and heart shine in this tender story of letting love find its way home, now available for the first time as an eBook.
After watching the man she loves walk down the aisle with her sister, Cathy Thompson needs to get away. Alaska—beautiful, remote, and far from bitter memories—sounds like the perfect place to start over. But a brand-new life comes with brand-new challenges . . . namely Grady Jones, a pilot and single dad who has a solution to both their problems: a marriage of convenience.
Grady isn’t looking for love. He tried that once and failed. He just needs a wife, and Cathy is smart, easy on the eyes, and adored by his daughter. But Grady doesn’t count on the way Cathy gets under his skin, the way she makes him want to be a better husband and father. Grady didn’t think he had any more love inside to give, but Cathy proves him wrong. With his wife by his side, this pilot learns to soar on the wings of a future neither of them dreamed possible.
After watching the man she loves walk down the aisle with her sister, Cathy Thompson needs to get away. Alaska—beautiful, remote, and far from bitter memories—sounds like the perfect place to start over. But a brand-new life comes with brand-new challenges . . . namely Grady Jones, a pilot and single dad who has a solution to both their problems: a marriage of convenience.
Grady isn’t looking for love. He tried that once and failed. He just needs a wife, and Cathy is smart, easy on the eyes, and adored by his daughter. But Grady doesn’t count on the way Cathy gets under his skin, the way she makes him want to be a better husband and father. Grady didn’t think he had any more love inside to give, but Cathy proves him wrong. With his wife by his side, this pilot learns to soar on the wings of a future neither of them dreamed possible.
187 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1984
2961 people are currently reading
2797 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
894 books20.6k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 337 reviews
July 22, 2016
What is up with her older books having the main male character be such an ass and being emotionally abusive and the main female character cowering down and taking it without her speaking her mind? I was really enjoying this read up until the part of then marrying. That's when it just kept me angry the way Grady was treating Cathy all because of his insecurities and he had no communication at all up until the last few pages of the book.
December 4, 2021
Debbie Macomber has a knack for writing quirky Alaskan men. I always love books that take me to different corners of the world and it was fun to visit Fairbanks this time around. I would say this is more of a drama-filled angsty read rather than a five-candy cane, harness the reindeer holiday type one, but it was still a good angsty romance.
Grady was definitely a different drink of water, and had some rough patches to work out for most of the book as he and Cathy rubbed each other the wrong way at first in this enemies-to-lovers romance. I liked teacher Cathy and her dedication to her students (whew, you can really tell this is from the 80’s with some of the terminology… but it’s still a cute read!) and the Alaskan setting was great for a holiday book. The scenes in Denali National Park were super, and I loved how eventually these two started to warm up to one another… and then did their two steps forward, one step back dance. Whew, wasn’t sure these two were going to make it! But of course, this is romance, and this ended up being a heartwarming tale in the end.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
Grady was definitely a different drink of water, and had some rough patches to work out for most of the book as he and Cathy rubbed each other the wrong way at first in this enemies-to-lovers romance. I liked teacher Cathy and her dedication to her students (whew, you can really tell this is from the 80’s with some of the terminology… but it’s still a cute read!) and the Alaskan setting was great for a holiday book. The scenes in Denali National Park were super, and I loved how eventually these two started to warm up to one another… and then did their two steps forward, one step back dance. Whew, wasn’t sure these two were going to make it! But of course, this is romance, and this ended up being a heartwarming tale in the end.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
March 8, 2018
I really enjoyed this story.
Special Ed teacher, Cathy, moves to the remotest part of the USA she could find – Alaska – after watching the man she loved walk down the aisle with her sister. However, her new best friend seem to think she needs a man at her side and talks Cathy into answering a lonely hearts ad in the local paper. Through this she gets a brand-new challenge, namely Grady Jones, a pilot and single dad who is so busy with his business he has little time spare for his daughter. He comes up with a solution to both their problems: a marriage of convenience. She get companionship – and he gets a mother for his child.
You know what you are going to get with Debbie Macomber – misunderstandings, so much frustration you want to bang the MC heads together – before the inevitable happy ever after.
Loved it
Special Ed teacher, Cathy, moves to the remotest part of the USA she could find – Alaska – after watching the man she loved walk down the aisle with her sister. However, her new best friend seem to think she needs a man at her side and talks Cathy into answering a lonely hearts ad in the local paper. Through this she gets a brand-new challenge, namely Grady Jones, a pilot and single dad who is so busy with his business he has little time spare for his daughter. He comes up with a solution to both their problems: a marriage of convenience. She get companionship – and he gets a mother for his child.
You know what you are going to get with Debbie Macomber – misunderstandings, so much frustration you want to bang the MC heads together – before the inevitable happy ever after.
Loved it
December 18, 2022
Spoilers!!! Don't read further if you don't want little bits ruined.
What a miserable book. Two aweful characters eventually fall in love where there's about 3 seconds of cute. These people need counselling.
Bur my major dislike about this book was the death of the dog?! I almost DNF at that point. I didn't see the point.
For a book that is so short it took a long time to read.
What a miserable book. Two aweful characters eventually fall in love where there's about 3 seconds of cute. These people need counselling.
Bur my major dislike about this book was the death of the dog?! I almost DNF at that point. I didn't see the point.
For a book that is so short it took a long time to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2017
Only giving it two stars because I normally really like the authors book and the little girl was cute! The hero and heroine were both beyond HORRIBLE!!!
February 21, 2020
The idiot protagonist and her asshole love interest deserve eachother.
Absolutely sickening. I feel terribly sad for anybody who reads this and finds the boorish, selfish, manipulative behaviour romantic in any way. There is a constant sense that Grady could revolve into violence or worsen his abusive behaviour. He neglects his child and his wife on purpose and weaponises the circumstances of his previous marriage to remain blameless.
They never even wrap up the actually interesting part of the plot where the poor pregnant sister has been duped into a marriage with a man who is actively trying to get her sister back.
You deserve better from your fantasies and you deserve better in your life. Don’t read this.
Absolutely sickening. I feel terribly sad for anybody who reads this and finds the boorish, selfish, manipulative behaviour romantic in any way. There is a constant sense that Grady could revolve into violence or worsen his abusive behaviour. He neglects his child and his wife on purpose and weaponises the circumstances of his previous marriage to remain blameless.
They never even wrap up the actually interesting part of the plot where the poor pregnant sister has been duped into a marriage with a man who is actively trying to get her sister back.
You deserve better from your fantasies and you deserve better in your life. Don’t read this.
March 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
A fun and heartwarming short story.
A fun and heartwarming short story.
July 8, 2018
Very dated story. Main characters have no communication skills and are really irritating because of it. The most frustrating part is that Cathy's ex starts dating her sister to get back at her and eventually marries her and gets her pregnant then wants Cathy back. Seriously - what family would be ok with a guy just switching between sisters? The mother is just fine with it and even gives Cathy attitude if she doesn't support her sleezy sister. Also not addressed is Cathy's sister's betrayal by dating and marrying her sister's very recent ex. Cathy just ignores the entire situation with her mother and sister and there is never any resolution. So we're expected to believe this dysfunctional family can just move on with no consequences or issues.
I really like Debbie Macomber's recent series/books but I'd strongly recommend staying away from any written prior to the mid-90s.
I really like Debbie Macomber's recent series/books but I'd strongly recommend staying away from any written prior to the mid-90s.
October 6, 2020
Terrible characters
Very unlikable characters. The main character literally jumped from one abusive relationship to another. Usually I root for the couple to make it, but for once I actually would have preferred the main character to have stayed single. She needed some therapy and some self respect.
Very unlikable characters. The main character literally jumped from one abusive relationship to another. Usually I root for the couple to make it, but for once I actually would have preferred the main character to have stayed single. She needed some therapy and some self respect.
October 11, 2020
Deception
When I read the letter from the author I really wanted to like the book. Once I actually read it, I wasn't pleased and almost didn't finish it. Cathy was so zombie like so many times and Grady turned into a bitter a-hole. I couldn't identify with any of them and both pissed me off so many times. Don't think I'll read anything from this author again.
When I read the letter from the author I really wanted to like the book. Once I actually read it, I wasn't pleased and almost didn't finish it. Cathy was so zombie like so many times and Grady turned into a bitter a-hole. I couldn't identify with any of them and both pissed me off so many times. Don't think I'll read anything from this author again.
October 8, 2020
Not her best
I tried to like this but just wasn't able to. No sympathy for the female lead, she seemed very childish and immature. By the middle of the book I was hoping a grizzly bear would take care of her. This book was rubbish.
I tried to like this but just wasn't able to. No sympathy for the female lead, she seemed very childish and immature. By the middle of the book I was hoping a grizzly bear would take care of her. This book was rubbish.
November 16, 2017
That Wintry Feeling
I couldn't understand why she let him treat her the way he did. No man is worth being talked to and treated bad. I didn't care for this book at all.
I couldn't understand why she let him treat her the way he did. No man is worth being talked to and treated bad. I didn't care for this book at all.
December 7, 2017
The main characters were unlikeable! The relationship lacked honesty and communication and the woman was just not soft hearted.
January 4, 2023
Literally the worst book I’ve ever read. Save yourself the time and skip it!
October 18, 2020
I don’t think I’ll read this author again. This is the story of a woman involved with 2 sick, verbally and psychologically abusive men. Cathy is an educated, professional woman who allows herself to be treated like a doormat. When her husband explains his behavior she says, “oh, ok”. This is 2020! I am appalled that we are allowing such trash!! The inappropriate displays of affection in front of the child and the lack of boundaries ruins the good that was done by the dyslexia story line.
January 31, 2019
Cathy and her boyfriend, Steve, have an argument and she is tired of always being the one to give in and apologize. She decides to teach him a lesson and break up with him, expecting him to come crawling back. Instead, he starts dating her younger sister, MaryAnne and only three months later they are married, with Cathy as maid of honour.
Cathy accepts a job offer in Alaska to get as far away from Steve as possible. There she meets the arrogant father of a very timid 6 year old student, whom she suspects is dyslexic. They see each other a few times and she is strongly attracted to Grady, even though she is still madly in love with her ex. Right after her sister phones to announce that she is pregnant, she receives a letter from Steve saying that he made a mistake and he only starting seeing MaryAnne to teach her a lesson but things went too far.
When Grady coldly asks Cathy to marry him and give his young daughter a mother, she thinks, "Why not?" For a while they are happy but then Grady becomes inexplicably moody and completely withdraws from Cathy. For an entire month he works 16 hour days and spends as little time at home as possible. Cathy realizes she is deeply in love with him. When little Angela forgets her overnight bag when she goes to sleep with a friend, Cathy packs her bag to take to her and Grady, seeing her ready to go out the door with a suitcase jumps to the obvious conclusion. He begs her to stay and they both admit their love for each other.
This is the first book I have read by Debbie Macomber, and even thought I enjoyed the Alaskan background, I did not like the moodiness and arrogance of Grady. On their wedding day he tells her that she will be his for life and she WILL be a wife to him. He then orders her to get undressed. Although he is a total jerk to her, she slowly becomes more drawn to him. He is devastatingly handsome.
I think that what could have been a very sweet story was spoiled by Grady's overly macho attitude. Yes, he thought Cathy was still in love with Steve, but that is no excuse for him to act in such a childish manner. In real life, even after their reconciliation, this stubborn attitude and inability to communicate would not bode well for their marriage.
It also took Cathy painfully long to realize that a man who would marry her sister "por despecho" and then profess his love for her even after his marriage is a first class jerk.
This book is a must read for any woman who appreciates a man with a caveman attitude.
Cathy accepts a job offer in Alaska to get as far away from Steve as possible. There she meets the arrogant father of a very timid 6 year old student, whom she suspects is dyslexic. They see each other a few times and she is strongly attracted to Grady, even though she is still madly in love with her ex. Right after her sister phones to announce that she is pregnant, she receives a letter from Steve saying that he made a mistake and he only starting seeing MaryAnne to teach her a lesson but things went too far.
When Grady coldly asks Cathy to marry him and give his young daughter a mother, she thinks, "Why not?" For a while they are happy but then Grady becomes inexplicably moody and completely withdraws from Cathy. For an entire month he works 16 hour days and spends as little time at home as possible. Cathy realizes she is deeply in love with him. When little Angela forgets her overnight bag when she goes to sleep with a friend, Cathy packs her bag to take to her and Grady, seeing her ready to go out the door with a suitcase jumps to the obvious conclusion. He begs her to stay and they both admit their love for each other.
This is the first book I have read by Debbie Macomber, and even thought I enjoyed the Alaskan background, I did not like the moodiness and arrogance of Grady. On their wedding day he tells her that she will be his for life and she WILL be a wife to him. He then orders her to get undressed. Although he is a total jerk to her, she slowly becomes more drawn to him. He is devastatingly handsome.
I think that what could have been a very sweet story was spoiled by Grady's overly macho attitude. Yes, he thought Cathy was still in love with Steve, but that is no excuse for him to act in such a childish manner. In real life, even after their reconciliation, this stubborn attitude and inability to communicate would not bode well for their marriage.
It also took Cathy painfully long to realize that a man who would marry her sister "por despecho" and then profess his love for her even after his marriage is a first class jerk.
This book is a must read for any woman who appreciates a man with a caveman attitude.
November 11, 2017
4.5 Stars
I kind of fell in love with Grady. Is he a grump. Sure. Was he kind of a jerk to Cathy when his insecurities creeped in and he felt hurt? Absolutely, but aren’t we all? Cathy wasn’t exactly honest and fair towards him all the time either but let’s be honest, they started a relationship for all the wrong reasons. But they also both knew what they were getting into so neither can totally play the victim when circumstances changed and they weren’t forthcoming about their feelings.
Anyways, I notice that I enjoy Debbie Macomber’s older books more than her newer releases so maybe I should go back and read those for a while.
I kind of fell in love with Grady. Is he a grump. Sure. Was he kind of a jerk to Cathy when his insecurities creeped in and he felt hurt? Absolutely, but aren’t we all? Cathy wasn’t exactly honest and fair towards him all the time either but let’s be honest, they started a relationship for all the wrong reasons. But they also both knew what they were getting into so neither can totally play the victim when circumstances changed and they weren’t forthcoming about their feelings.
Anyways, I notice that I enjoy Debbie Macomber’s older books more than her newer releases so maybe I should go back and read those for a while.
January 30, 2024
My first bad read of the year! This book was horribly written, poorly edited, and just all around pointless. I understand it’s outdated but it must’ve gone through edits in the 2014 reprint because at one point they’re listening to music on an iPad… Anyway! Grady is abusive and a big jerk who lacks the maturity to communicate and instead just gets angry and abandons his “wife” and daughter! Yay! And Cathy was sooo annoying complaining about Steve and then agreeing to marry rando Grady. Also the random adoption subplot??? And where was there ever time for them to fall in love when Grady was off being angry the entire book. And he was just a creep. Ugh. Gave this 0 stars on storygraph.
December 13, 2019
Truly I don’t think this was worth the time it took to read. I mostly disliked it because of how it portrayed an intimate partnership. One that was dominating, controlling, quick to anger, and slow to listen. Not an admirable female lead in any way.
Read
December 23, 2015Not my favorite Macomber book.
February 1, 2019
I went into this book without many expectations, and overall it was a good book.
My overarching feeling about this book is that I feel like I wanted to know more. I don't think we got a good grasp of Grady as a character. It would've helped to have a couple chapters with his perspective or more detail about his past. We got to know Cathy more since the story was from her perspective.
The chemistry between Cathy and Grady was confusing at times. In the beginning, I thought it was going to be a hate to love romance, but that lasted all of one chapter. After their initial meeting, it seemed like Grady was flirting with Cathy every time they met.
It was a good plot, but I just wanted more detail.
My overarching feeling about this book is that I feel like I wanted to know more. I don't think we got a good grasp of Grady as a character. It would've helped to have a couple chapters with his perspective or more detail about his past. We got to know Cathy more since the story was from her perspective.
The chemistry between Cathy and Grady was confusing at times. In the beginning, I thought it was going to be a hate to love romance, but that lasted all of one chapter. After their initial meeting, it seemed like Grady was flirting with Cathy every time they met.
It was a good plot, but I just wanted more detail.
April 17, 2018
Romance, PG-13 some sensuality, bit of mild language
This is a bit dated, but still a fun read. Cathy's flight (fleeing hurts) to Alaska to teach was a fun read. Her fall with Grady (actually both of theirs), was intense at times, but oh so poignant and wonderfully described. The setting with Grady's work, the school, Grady's daughter, all cute. The backstory with Cathy's sister/her husband (and Cathy's old boyfriend who broke her heart), was well done. Sad that people are really like this. Lovely fall and just sweet, sincere, honest characters. Beautifully done. I want to go to Alaska now too! Always a quick, lush, romantic read with some great characters.
This is a bit dated, but still a fun read. Cathy's flight (fleeing hurts) to Alaska to teach was a fun read. Her fall with Grady (actually both of theirs), was intense at times, but oh so poignant and wonderfully described. The setting with Grady's work, the school, Grady's daughter, all cute. The backstory with Cathy's sister/her husband (and Cathy's old boyfriend who broke her heart), was well done. Sad that people are really like this. Lovely fall and just sweet, sincere, honest characters. Beautifully done. I want to go to Alaska now too! Always a quick, lush, romantic read with some great characters.
Read
October 18, 2020They were meant to be together
After I had read a few pages of this book I realized I had read it a couple of years ago and had enjoyed it. It was even more enjoyable rereading it. Cathy and Grady were both in need of redirection for their lives. They each had major relationship problems in the past and were not handling their present relationship well. Each of them kept too many personal secrets, but in the end they knew they were meant to be together.
After I had read a few pages of this book I realized I had read it a couple of years ago and had enjoyed it. It was even more enjoyable rereading it. Cathy and Grady were both in need of redirection for their lives. They each had major relationship problems in the past and were not handling their present relationship well. Each of them kept too many personal secrets, but in the end they knew they were meant to be together.
January 9, 2021
This book was I hate to say horrible but it was. I love Debbie but this book was just not one of her best. When I think of a novel by Debbie I think of warm and fuzzy, not abusive. This was set in Alaska and Cathy runs there after a breakup with her ex. She meets Grady. This wasn't an abrasive Alaskan man. This was abuse. The story was all over the place also. One minute he's sweet as pie and the next a complete asshole. No explanation given until the end and it's no excuse to be such a dick.
April 9, 2020
Cute little short story ❤️
January 19, 2024
i’m speechless what was that!!!! absolutely batshit, 80s in a bad way!!
February 6, 2024
A review to follow
January 17, 2021
After the steamy holiday rom-com, I thought A McComber would be a safe choice for another quick read holiday romance. Not about the Christmas. About Alaska. At least there was snow on the ground.
October 23, 2020
A little slow to read all in one night
This was a good book that you can't put down. It's simple ad kind. Enjoyable read. I would like to read more.
This was a good book that you can't put down. It's simple ad kind. Enjoyable read. I would like to read more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 337 reviews