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Grey’s Anatomy, meet Northern Exposure

Lee Tipton, MD, takes running from her past to an extreme, hotfooting it from Georgia to a temporary position at Yukon Valley Hospital in chilly Alaska. Her newly purchased winter gear may protect her from the elements, but no amount of insulation can protect her from her deep-seated fear that a romantic partner will once again use her for personal gains. Despite the hospital staff’s matchmaking efforts, Lee swears she has no interest in the town’s cocky lead paramedic, even if his sexy smile sets off palpitations.

Maverick Steen learned his one simple rule of romance the hard way: no dating outsiders. That includes the hospital’s newest fish-out-of-water doctor, whom he finds himself paired with as they navigate critical care cases and snowmachine accidents. Yet when Lee embraces the beauty in the Alaskan interior and cottons to his sled dog team of misfits, suddenly, Maverick’s heart—and his bed—feel a whole lot warmer.

But can they say yes to love before Lee’s assignment ends?

260 pages, Paperback

Published January 14, 2025

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About the author

Jillian David

29 books477 followers
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Award-winning and bestselling author and physician Jillian David quickly writes then slowly edits medical romance, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense books. She loves to use medical situations and characters to drive drama in her books. Her favorite cell is the platelet and her least-favorite organ is the pancreas. She fully believes that curse words, when appropriately deployed during surgery, are hemostatic. Which also explains why no book of hers will ever bleed out...

According to multiple starred reviews, Jillian's books cause sleep deprivation and a drop in productivity, as well as visceral responses from her vivid descriptions -- side effects which might qualify as a breach of her Hippocratic Oath to 'do no harm.'

Here's what readers are saying:
- "You will not want to start this book right before bed like I did because you won’t want to go to sleep."
- "...a highly original, paranormal, second chance, romantic suspense novel on steroids, and it kept me turning pages until dawn, and it gets 5 bleary-eyed stars from this reader."
- "I started this incredible paranormal suspense filled love story and couldn't put it down. I stayed up the entire night reading it."
- "Such an awesome read. As soon as I started it, I couldn't put it down. I even stayed home from the gym just to be able to finish this in the same day."
- "(T)his author sure knows how to write torture scenes and make you feel the physical abuse the characters are going through!"
- "(T)his (writer) can make you twist around in your seat in an effort to not pee yourself from fear."
- "Jillian writes incredibly interesting characters in situations that keep you reading late into the night, even if you have to work the next morning."
- "Just read the 4-book story (The Cowboys of Copper River series) to the end, started yesterday afternoon! Couldn't put it down, except for 3 hours when I fell asleep early this morning."

YUKON VALLEY, ALASKA (medical romance)
1) Dr. Alaska
2) Paging Dr. Breakup
3) Five Alarm Love

HELL TO PAY (paranormal romance)
1) Immortal Flame
2) Relentless Flame
3) Flame Unleashed
4) Flame's Dawn

HELL'S VALLEY (paranormal western romance)
1) Legacy of Lies
2) Legacy Lost
3) Legacy of Danger
4) Legacy Found

PROJECT MORPHEUS (military romantic suspense)
1) Fallen Comrade
2) Hidden Comrade
3) Silent Comrade

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].
3,176 reviews25.4k followers
November 28, 2024
Dr. Alaska is book one in the brand new series, Yukon Valley, Alaska, by Jillian David. This is a medical romance set in beautiful Alaska. Far from any city, the people here are tough but also love big. They rely on one another like a huge extended family. It’s the perfect place to go when you need to escape your life and start over.



Dr. Lee Tipton is thirty five years old. She was living in Georgia, was recently divorced and is now trying to recover both emotionally and financially. She moved to Yukon Valley, Alaska as a temporary physician. Her contract is for three months. It’s the perfect chance to make some money to try to get out from under the weight of her enormous debt. Little did she realize that her Alaskan experience would start before she even made it to the hospital she was now employed by.



Maverick (Mav) Steen is thirty four years old and is the town’s chief paramedic. Mav has lived in Yukon Valley all his life and loves it there. But he has also been hurt by a previous relationship. At the same time, he and his sister are trying their best to keep a dream alive of their now deceased parents. But juggling so many balls is wearing him down.

As soon as Mav meets the new feisty doctor, he feels a little lighter. Instead of worrying about everything else in his life, he is thinking about her. But he made a promise to himself. No more getting involved with outsiders! Plus, he just doesn’t have time. But whenever she is near him, he doesn’t seem to be able to stop himself.



Lee came to Alaska to work, get out of her financial mess, and to figure herself out. Not to get involved with anyone. But she senses that Mav is a good man. She’s just here temporarily, though. She needs to be smart and stick to her plan.

This was a cute, sweet story. I really enjoyed seeing how these two were with each other. They just seemed to bring the confidence back to each other, to bring back hope and trust. Maybe even love. The landscape sounds beautiful but wow, so cold! And I loved how close the townspeople were. There was quite a bit of medical talk which got old after a bit. I had to remind myself that this author is a doctor herself so this is her love language! It was an enjoyable book, though, with such lovable characters and such a cute ending.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

Profile Image for Helen.
3,010 reviews76 followers
January 11, 2025
I loved this one, it is a fabulous romance the setting is just the best, The Yukon Valley in Alaska, wonderful characters, it is witty, fun and so romantic, come along for a trip to the wilds of Alaska and meet Lee and Mav and the many other awesome characters who live here.

Dr. Lee Tippon has just been through the worse divorce that has left her not in a good financial position and her decision to run to the ends of the earth from warm Georgia and take on a three month temporary position at the Yukon Valley Hospital might just be life changing that is if she can last through the freezing cold, first thing to do get warm clothes and better boots. On her drive to the hospital Lee pulls over to help with an accident here she meets an arrogant and cocky paramedic, he is easy on the eyes but love and a relationship is the last thing on Lee’s mind at the moment.

Maverick Steen has grown up in The Yukon Valley and loves where he lives and he has learnt that dating outsiders is not a good idea, but when he meets the new locum he needs to tell his brain and heart that again and again because she soon gets under his skin, but will she love his babies, his sled dogs and the home that he and his sister love so much?

Lee soon realizes that she loves this small close knit community and that her heart is very open to Maverick and his babies and his bed, they not only work well together when needed the chemistry and spark is growing, but can they make this work, if the rest of the community has its way it looks like a good chance.

I did love this story, I laughed and smiled throughout, Lee and Maverick make such a fabulous couple and of course the setting is just so very good, I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a good romance. This is my first book from MS David but I am looking forward to more.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my copy to read and review.
Profile Image for Olga 🌺.
616 reviews8 followers
January 27, 2025
Ok this is how this shit went down, excuse my french. ☝️

Dr. Lee was burned by love. Her scheming double faced cheating husband used her status as a doctor, her parents' connections and her savings to climb higher the society ladder. After the divorce he basically drained her from her assets, money and faith in love.

As an act of desperation, she flies to Alaska to cover for an ER doctor on maternity leave for the upcoming three months.

It only takes her 5 weeks, though, to meet Maverick, have lunch with him a handful of times, meet his babies 🙄 (5 old sled-racing dogs), save him from defamation and fraud to finally "think" that she's falling in love with him.

She's offered a better job opportunity working else where, which is perfect for her to cover her bills and patch some of those credit card and student debts, Maverick is upset, she's upset, the town works hand in hand to bring them together. She turns down the offer, makes up with Maverick, they agree to "be" together but "it's complicated" and then The End.

......................................

No literally... this is the last scene. They make up, they tell everyone their relationship is "complicated", he gets an emergency call, he kisses her and he leaves. The End.
😂😂😂😂😂😂

After an enormous amount of medical info dump, a few (a lot) of Lordie, Welp, and Shoo wee expressions 🤔, a few times that I dozed off, I reached The End and I couldn't have been any happier. 😆

Only BR-ing this with Lori made it worthwhile. 🤗

📝 ticking another Bingo square
61) "Surgeon or a Doctor"

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Profile Image for ☕️Kimberly  (Caffeinated Reviewer).
3,685 reviews800 followers
January 13, 2025
We meet Lee Tipton, MD, as she is driving towards the hospital. She has accepted a temporary position to cover a doctor out on maternity leave. The pay is great and after her divorce in Georgia; she needs the funds. The story that unfolds was a sweet, small-town romance within a hospital community.

The met cute occurs when Lee stops in route to her new position to help a stranded driver. When the EMTs arrive and Maverick Steen, the lead paramedic, takes one look at Lee and dismissed her for a city slicker, not realizing she was a medical doctor. Which led to a funny, awkward moment at the hospital when they were properly introduced. Right away, I liked the chemistry between them.

Both Lee and Maverick are dealing with a lot, and not just in the relationship department. The author did a great job of pulling us into work and making me invested. We meet secondary characters from hospital staff to patients and they only enhanced my enjoyment. We even have a suspenseful thread when someone tries to take Maverick’s family lodge.

The romance was sweet, but not without complications. After all, Lee is only her temporarily, and Maverick has been through this before. The growth and development between them felt genuine. The drama was kept low, thanks to them acting like adults and some meddling. Did I mention I love meddling?

Dr. Alaska is the first novel in the Yukon Valley, Alaska Hospital series and I am curious to see what story we get next. If you enjoy romance stories set in Alaska and Northern Exposure, you’ll want to grab this one. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Profile Image for Kate McMurry.
Author 1 book131 followers
June 2, 2026
Disappointing medical romance set in a small town in Alaska in the middle of winter

Lee is a 35-year-old recently divorced doctor from Georgia. She was married to a narcissistic, cheating moocher, who siphoned off what little cash she had and exponentially increased the massive debt she already carried from medical school loans. She decided to flee from the scene of her marital fiasco to the opposite side of the continent to make a decent paycheck while indulging in self-pity. It is a three-month position replacing a doctor on maternity leave in a fictional small town called Yukon Valley in Alaska.

Thirty-something Maverick (Mav) is the senior EMT at the local hospital. He has been burned in the past getting involved with a woman who is an outsider and is both determined to never do that again and to not give in to romance in general (not that there are many chances for that in the town where he lives). But from the first moment he meets Lee on the side of the road, as she is assisting a man in his 60s who just hit a moose and overturned his truck, Mav is dying to ask her out (if you can call hanging out at the local general store a date).

This contemporary romance contains one of the most obnoxious Meet Cutes I've read in years. Lee has three chances to state that she's a doctor while she is assisting the accident victim but, instead, she decides to get affronted that Mav doesn't read her mind and instantly realize that she is a doctor. In addition, even though everybody's bundled up to their eyebrows and Lee is nothing but rude to him, Mav is strongly attracted to her and ready to ask her out.

From the other side of the coin, Mav doesn't come off as particularly bright in this encounter. As someone who works at the hospital where a new doctor is expected, who knows every single person in Yukon Valley (a cliché convention of small-town romance) and is very aware that his uninteresting little town (and Alaska in general in the middle of winter) is not exactly a tourist hotspot, he should have immediately put two and two together and figured out who Lee is. Instead, while observing Lee demonstrate obvious medical training, he keeps implausibly assuming she's a tourist who is imitating something she saw on a medical TV show.

In addition, I absolutely can't stand it when an attractive, desirable MMC (which every romance MMC must be, and Mav is no exception), who could pick and choose among equally desirable women for a potential mate, is irrationally drawn to a type of unsympathetic FMC that I call a BB, a Beautiful B*tch. Looks can't make up for a repellent personality.

Within the first few pages we also get all the gory details of Lee's crucial backstory via her internal monologue. Her parents are social climbers who remind me of poverty-stricken aristocrats from a historical novel attempting to pretend that they aren't dead broke. They push Lee into a horrible marriage with another aristocrat but there's no reasonable explanation as to why. He's as dead broke as Lee and her family and as much of a pretentious, faux-wealthy socialite as they are.

At the same time, it makes no sense why the gigolo Lee married would even want her. In addition to her mountains of medical school debt, Lee was not making much money during her residency years. You can't get blood from the proverbial turnip.

On top of all that, it's obvious Lee and her husband never loved each other in the midst of their extremely inconvenient marriage of convenience. He cheated on her throughout their brief marriage, and it took her far too long to figure that out.

For all those reasons, not only do I not feel sorry for Lee, as the reader is clearly expected to do, it's strike two in establishing her as not only obnoxious but an idiot with no common sense.

As another distressing example of Lee being unsympathetically self-sabotaging, there are a multitude of other places she could have gone for a temporary doctor position besides Alaska in 17-below-zero weather. Given the long-term doctor shortage in small towns in the USA, as a woman who has never experienced winter and is woefully unprepared for it, she could have gone to balmy California or the desert Southwest and still achieved her goal of fleeing to the opposite side of the continent.

Another big strike against this story, other than the MCs themselves, is that several significant medical elements are irritatingly unrealistic. The novel does not provide a convincing explanation for why tiny Yukon Valley has a hospital. And Lee would not be able to practice medicine legally in Alaska, or any other state but Georgia, unless she had specifically made arrangements to get a temporary license in Alaska. It would have been simple to mention that this crucial legal issue had been handled.

I purposely read some helpful spoiler reviews to see how this story unfolds. Apparently there's nothing in the rest of this novel that makes up for the awful beginning. I'm tapping out after three chapters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jillian.
Author 29 books477 followers
Currently Reading
August 12, 2025
This review is from the author (that's me!):

I had so much fun writing this book. If you like:
* Alaska wilderness
* medical romance that is accurate
* enough steaminess to melt the snow even in winter!
* a-dork-able sled dogs
* fish out of water trope
* found family/belonging trope
* a dash of intrigue
... then this book is for you!

THE SETTING:

Grey’s Anatomy meets Northern Exposure in this medical romance set in the isolated wilderness of Alaska’s interior! The hospital is where it’s all happening: cutting edge medical care, longing stares, and meddlesome matchmakers.

THE CHARACTERS:

Lee Tipton, MD: Dr. Tipton takes running from her past to an extreme, hotfooting it from Georgia to a temporary position at Yukon Valley Hospital in chilly Alaska.

Maverick Steen: The town’s lead paramedic learned his one simple rule of romance the hard way: no dating outsiders.


THE PLOT:

Lee’s newly purchased winter gear may protect her from the elements, but no amount of insulation can protect her from her deep-seated fear that a romantic partner will once again use her for personal gains. Despite the hospital staff’s matchmaking efforts, Lee swears she has no interest in the town’s cocky lead paramedic, even if his sexy smile sets off palpitations.

Mav’s no-outsiders rule includes the hospital’s newest fish-out-of-water doctor, whom he finds himself paired with as they navigate critical care cases and snowmobile accidents. Yet when Lee embraces the beauty in the Alaskan interior and cottons to his sled dog team of misfits, suddenly, Maverick’s heart—and his bed—feel a whole lot warmer.
But can they say yes to love before Lee’s assignment ends?


HOW TO READ IT:

This book was published by Tule Publishing and it’s available on all retailers. You can select your preferred format HERE: https://books2read.com/DrAlaska


THANK YOU!

I hope you enjoy this book! If so, would you please share a review with your Goodreads friends. Thank you so much for your support.
3,458 reviews26 followers
February 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Small-town Alaska, guarded hearts, and the softest kind of healing

Dr. Alaska was such a warm, comforting read—exactly the kind of story that sneaks up on you and settles in your chest.

Lee and Maverick are both carrying old wounds, and I loved how that shaped every interaction between them. Lee’s fear of being used felt real and earned, and Maverick’s “no outsiders” rule wasn’t arrogance—it was self-protection. Watching two cautious, good-hearted people circle each other while learning to trust again was incredibly satisfying.

The Alaska setting is more than just scenery here. It’s isolating, beautiful, and grounding, and it gives the story that Northern Exposure charm with just enough medical drama to keep things moving. The hospital community trying to play matchmaker added levity without feeling pushy, and the balance between work, town life, and romance felt natural.

And the dogs. 🐕❤️ Absolute scene-stealers. Maverick’s misfit sled dog team brought so much heart and humor, and the way Lee connects with them is such a quiet indicator of who she is—open, loyal, and braver than she gives herself credit for.

What I loved most was how they show up for each other. Lee having Maverick’s back when it matters, Maverick respecting Lee’s boundaries while still letting himself hope—it’s gentle, steady, and deeply romantic. No grand dramatics, just two people choosing faith over fear.

Sweet, sincere, and emotionally grounding. Jillian David really does make Alaska feel warm, even in the dead of winter. ❄️❤️.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jenntleh.
647 reviews4 followers
October 30, 2025
Dr. Alaska by Jillian David

When Lee Tipton’s polished life as a politician’s wife crumbles—her husband cheats and drains their bank account—she’s left with nothing but a medical degree and a bruised sense of pride. Her parents, more concerned with their own political ambitions than her well-being, urge her to keep up appearances. Instead, Lee accepts a lucrative offer that promises financial security and a fresh start as a doctor in rural Alaska. That substantial paycheck is her first motivation—but it’s the challenge and freedom she finds there that truly change her life.

In Alaska’s harsh and beautiful landscape, Lee discovers what real medicine looks like—improvising, connecting deeply with her patients, and becoming part of a small, tight-knit community. She works alongside a seasoned ER doctor who’s still haunted by the fiancée who couldn’t handle life in the wilderness. Their growing attraction forces them both to question what they’re willing to risk for love and belonging.

I’ve always found Alaska an irresistible setting—it automatically draws me in with its mix of isolation, grit, and quiet beauty. What I liked most about this story was how both characters are competent and passionate about their work. Neither has to give up who they are to make the relationship fit. Instead, they confront their insecurities and learn that sometimes, what begins as a practical move for money or escape can turn into something permanent and deeply fulfilling.
691 reviews7 followers
June 24, 2026
This was book 1 on the Yukon Valley, Alaska series. What a great book! All of the characters were amazing but I do have a soft spot for Bruce. And the “babies” were an added bonus to the story. I like how each of them had such distinct characteristics.

Lee’s mom and dad seem awful even though we only got a small glimpse of her mom in the story. I think any girl that’s ever dreamed about a rugged, handsome, Alaskan man has thought up someone like Mav. Talk about a catch and a half!

I really enjoyed the dialogue between all the characters. The funny, the snippy, the heavy, all of it. This book actually read like adults working through their issues in a functional, adult way. I was a little upset we didn’t see them going to pan for good though! Maybe in book 2. For the blurb I read, book 2 is about Mav’s sister and Bruce’s son who is back in town.
Profile Image for Jennie Fortna.
2,711 reviews30 followers
January 14, 2025
Dr. Alaska is book 1 in the Yukon Valley series by Jillian David, a new to me author.

When Dr Lee Tipton comes across an accident on her way to Yukon Valley and calls for help she meets Maverick Steen, the lead paramedic who mistakes her for a by stander…the fun begins..foot in mouth, mistaken identity, attraction, some steam, hurts from the past, keeping dreams alive and finding a way to their HEA.

I voluntarily read a copy of this book from Tule Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 9, 2025
Took the leap and bought the 3 books available in this series at Lexington Legendary Book Bash back in september. When the Author desceibed them as “Grays anatomy, meets northern exposure” I was sold.
Dr. Alaska followed the story of Lee and Maverick as the navigate past baggage and this current situations. This slow burn, does get a little steamy, coming in at about 3🌶️ for me.
5⭐️
331 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2026
An Alaskan Home

An amazing story how a doctor had to leave her hometown and decided to go to Alaska to try doctoring there to find herself after her husband took everything she had and worked hard for. She met an EMT guy and they found how to work together and find happiness.
15 reviews
December 28, 2025
fun and exciting

The story is funny exciting with a side of sad break ups
Enjoy reading about the Alaska wilderness and the dogs
104 reviews
February 25, 2026
It was a quick book to read. I enjoyed the story line and all the complications. But, it kind of left me hanging.
Profile Image for Mary.
274 reviews
February 23, 2026
Excellent

Loved this book. Managed to read all in one go. Lots of believable medical jargon which made the read extra worthwhile. Characters were delightful and the pace wasn't too rushed. Would have loved an epilogue. I recommend this book as a light hearted medical romance.
Profile Image for Cynthia A. Posey.
2 reviews2 followers
December 19, 2025
Enjoyable to read and a pleasant escape to Alaska

I really enjoyed Dr. Alaska by Jillian David. The characters were likable and well-written, and the story pulled me in right away. The small-town Alaska setting was beautifully done and added so much charm and atmosphere to the book. The pacing was smooth, and the story flowed effortlessly, making it easy to keep turning the pages. I’m glad I picked this one up.
Profile Image for Robin Dunn.
26 reviews1 follower
May 4, 2026
Lovely read.

This story has characters you’ll love. Situations that seem real. Yukon Valley comes to life in the story. I strongly recommend this read, especially if you like Medical romances
Profile Image for Julia Collins.
63 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2026
This was a fun read. Especially if you live in Alaska, you appreciate her knowledge and experience in Alaska.
Profile Image for Nina Across Worlds.
33 reviews1 follower
April 21, 2026
I read this in one sitting… so that already says a lot.

a doctor escaping her life (and ex-husband) ends up in Alaska and meets an EMT

they both have baggage and there is some projection at one point, but it didn’t feel dragged out. the emotions felt real, and I was invested the whole way. I felt all the highs and lows with them.

no idea how medically accurate this was, but I guess ignorance is bliss because I was fully into this.
Profile Image for Stormy ✿ (recovering DNF addict) ✿.
1,437 reviews6 followers
March 11, 2026
The drama of a hospital ER-themed soap opera, with the romantic depth and cheesiness of a Hallmark episode. All wrapped up tidy with an extremely rushed ending.

🩺 Maverick and Lee - both in their mid 30s, he runs the town’s paramedic department, she is a traveling physician from Georgia. They start off on the wrong foot, but quickly see the good in each other.

🗣️ Full of Regional Slang - “Her ex was as useless as moose droppings” or Criminelly! Hells Bells! Lordie! and shoo wee! At first, I thought it was a typo of ‘criminally’ but it didn’t fit the context, so I had to Google ‘criminelly”. Seems as if it’s an exclamation from the SE of the US? like maybe ‘good grief!’???

💊 Full of Hospital Lingo - Precedex, Amiodarone, Epi, TPA, Pyxis, HIPAA, IV luer lock caps and stopcocks…. Which I understood just fine since I worked in a hospital for years, but it made me wonder how much was maybe lost on people not familiar with the setting.

I would recommend this story to anyone that likes Hallmark movies. It’s written well for what it is. Lots of descriptions of Alaska, dog sledding, drama/saving lives in an ER, and light steam with a few kisses and one sex scene at the end (so not completely clean). And one cartoonishly toxic mother.

That’s enough Hallmark nice guys for me, I’m good for a while now.
136 reviews
September 21, 2025
Good read

Lee and Mac met when she was on her way to her new temporary job/home. He being an EMT landing at a wreck that Lee witnessed. Him not knowing she was the new Doctor arriving in town was being sarcastic when she made suggestions. Than later he came in the hospital and found out she was a Doctor. Felt rather foolish. Is fun but a meaning read also. Enjoyed.
Profile Image for Bev Walkling.
1,537 reviews51 followers
August 6, 2025
A story of recovery from bad life choices

I really enjoyed this first book in a series that focus on life and work in a Yukon Valley Hospital. I was surprised at the depth of the medical detail until I found out it was written by a doctor who has personal experience with working as a locum physician in rural areas.

While a female Doctor and a male paramedic may seem like an unlikely pairing, it worked very well for me. I particularly enjoyed how Lee used her past medical experience to solve Maverick's huge problem in maintaining the inheritance from his parents. It was brilliant! I prefer closed door love scenes but you can skip over the more graphic details if you wish. I'd be happy to read more in the series.
Profile Image for April.
Author 14 books72 followers
August 1, 2025
I’ve been to Alaska, but not during the brutal cold winter. But I still, very much enjoyed this storyline! The initial meeting, the medical connections, the chance to actually get to know each other! The medical terminology was so way over my head, but it made the story and characters so interesting and believable. I absolutely loved Lee and Mav! Bruce was an interesting character! So many great characters, except for a few. I loved the “babies” which added credibility to an Alaskan contemporary romance story! This is my first book on to read by this author and I look forward to reading the rest of the series!
Profile Image for RK.
240 reviews3 followers
January 16, 2025
I was excited for this book. If I wasn't Alaskan, I'd give it another star.

The story was sweet, a bit predictable, but entertaining nonetheless.

I deducted a star for hitting some of my Alaska triggers:
1. There are no sheriffs in Alaska. Not hard to research this.
2. The mention that Alaska Native tribes are called corporations up here is misleading. I nearly DNFed when I read that.

But if you're a cheechako (in my experience no one really uses that term anymore unless...well...you are one) looking for a short, sweet, small-town Alaska read, this is a good book.
1,000 reviews5 followers
September 15, 2025
Great story

What a refreshing love story. It has it drama but this one book I did not want to put down
Profile Image for Sue.
1,843 reviews32 followers
January 15, 2025
Dr. Alaska by Jillian David is the first book in her Yukon Valley, Alaska Hospital series. Jillian is a new author for me and I enjoyed this book very much. I’ve never been to Alaska so this was a wonderful descriptive introduction to the state. The book is well written and it is apparent the author is very knowledgeable about the medical field as she is a doctor herself. This romance is very heartwarming and easy to read.

We meet Dr. Lee Tipton as she is heading to her Locum Tenens assignment in Yukon Valley, Alaska. Lee stops to assist another driver who is in trouble. The paramedics also arrive and she meets Maverick Steen and his partner. Mav doesn’t know Lee is a doctor and promptly puts his foot in his mouth when he comments on her trying to assist. Lee heads to the hospital where she connects with the patient from the accident. She also sees Mav who is surprised to learn she’s a doctor. Lee is from Georgia and has taken the locums assignment to escape from her bad situation back there. She is divorced and her ex ran up her credit cards and took all the funds leaving her broke. Her family is all about appearances and wants her to return and get back with the ex. She is unprepared for the extreme cold temperatures in Alaska and spends the last of the little money she has on clothing to help keep her warm. She runs into Mav at the general store and he helps her make the best choices for the warm items. Luckily the agency provides an apartment and meals at the hospital.

Maverick is set on not getting involved with anyone from out of town. His last serious relationship ended when she left because she hated it in his remote town. Unfortunately for him, he and Lee have some strong chemistry that he tries to fight. She is also not interested in a relationship since she will be leaving in 3 months and she still is feeling the bad effects from her ex.

Mav and his sister own a lodge they inherited from their parents. They are in danger of losing it because they are both stretched thin financially. He also has a dog sled team he is caring for in addition to all his hours being in charge of the paramedics. Mav and Lee spend time together when they can, having meals at the hospital. He invites her to come and meet his dogs and she is immediately captivated by them. The two grow close and she isn’t sure what to do when her contract is up. The hospital where she is working wants to offer her a permanent position. She has become accustomed to the extreme temperatures, she is fond of her patients and the job and has fallen for Maverick. He is falling in love with Lee in spite of his rules about outsiders.

This is a wonderful story. The characters are genuine and very likable. There is some suspense and surprises surrounding the guests that contract to stay at the lodge. I am excited for the next book in the series. Jillian has a 5 star book here that I highly recommend.

I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Fiona Marsden.
Author 37 books149 followers
January 15, 2025
From the middle of summer in Australia, reading a book set in the Yukon Valley in Alaska is very appealing. Even with the potential for frostbite. I was also very smug because I had actually heard of Yukon because of the Klondike Gold Rush. Which is nowhere near the setting for this story which mentions Fairbanks.
Dr Lee Tipton is fleeing from Georgia after a nasty divorce that has left her ego and her bank account shattered. Her family is firmly on the side of the smarmy loser ex who wants to be a politician. Enough said.
Alaska wouldn't be her first choice but the money for a locum job in the middle of nowhere is better than usual so her maxed out credit cards persuaded her to exchange semi tropical heat for polar ice.
Maverick Steen, Mav to his friends, is the local EMT boss, a paramedic who meets Lee at a road accident and it's more like a meet disaster. Mav mistakes Lee for a friendly know it all civilian who gets her medical knowledge from shows like ER and treats her with patronising dismissal.
After that bad start, it takes a while for both of them to warm up, despite an incipient attraction.
This is very definitely a medical romance with several very detailed medical scenes. I understand the author is a medical professional so that tracks. In fact I was a bit worried about a HIPAA violation considering the amount of detail I was getting about these patients.
The whole scenario was very realistic and the people we meet are so well rounded you can believe they are likely to turn up at the hospital or the local diner.
I did enjoy seeing these two gradually adjust to the new normal in their lives. Both had baggage from previous relationships and there was a secondary financial issue for both that impacted on the growth of the relationship.
A fun part of the story is the introduction of Mav's "babies', his sled dogs that are very much part of his family.
Overall, a nice introduction to the Yukon Valley and community. I look forward to further books about the people of that small part of Alaska.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lydia.
534 reviews61 followers
December 25, 2024
Jillian David never fails to amaze me and pleasantly surprise me, and it's a testament to her talent that I actually enjoyed a medical romance! (so much so, I'm practically telling anyone that I know loves reading romance about her, she's a writer worth giving a shot).

Dr. Lee Upton has had it rough - honestly, I wouldn't wish her circumstances on my enemies, let alone a lovely person like Lee herself. Drowning in debt, her deadbeat ex still haunting her life even after their divorce, she transfers for a temporary position to Yukon Valley, Alaska. And that's where she meets Maverick, the grumpy paramedic who seems to assume the worst of her at sight. Will these two manage to melt each other's frozen walls?

To be fair, the way I describe it is not half as good as this story was. It was fun, wholesome, with a small community I want to see more of, and a lot of misunderstandings that led to some amusing - sometimes - drama between the main couple. Add to that the Alaskan surroundings - which, full disclosure, I'm a big fan of - and you got yourself the perfect book for a Christmas - scratch that, winter in general! - read.

Mrs. David, ever the masterful wordsmith when it comes to romance and steam and witty dialogues, will surely take you in a great journey with this new story of hers, whether you're a fan of doctors and hospitals - or hot paramedics - or not. And if not for her, then you shall stay for ol' man Bruce, I guarantee that! God give Aggie patience, this man is a lot, but we love him for it!

***I was given an ARC by the writer in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

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