Alaska Home: Falling for Him / Ending in Marriage / Midnight Sons and Daughters

Midnight Sons #5-6 + 6.5

by Debbie Macomber

LONELY MEN IN HARD LUCK, ALASKA, LOOKING FOR WOMEN.

OUR TOWN MIGHT BE COLD, BUT OUR HEARTS ARE WARM!

Location: north of the Arctic Circle. Population: 150 (mostly men!). But the three O'Halloran brothers, who run a bush-plane charter service called Midnight Sons, are heading a campaign to bring women to town.

Falling for Him

Christian, the youngest O'Halloran brother, has a problem, and her name is Mariah Douglas. The Midnight Sons secretary is always losing his messages, misplacing his files and generally creating chaos. Despite that, he can't get her out of his mind

Ending in Marriage

The clashes between pilot Duke Porter and Seattle attorney Tracy Santiago are legendary. Duke's a tough, rugged individualist who delights in expressing outrageous opinions, particularly when Tracy's around. But she gives as good as she getsand not just when they're arguing!

Includes a special extra novella!

Midnight Sons and Daughters

Scott O'Halloran and Chrissie Harris are all grown up now. After years away from Alaska, Scott's back in town, and everybody's wondering if he's here to stay. Especially Chrissie, the girl he left behind"

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Anthologies, Womens Fiction

480 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Debbie 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.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alaska Home is by Debbie Macomber. It is the third book in the Alaska series. It is actually three books in one.
Falling for Him is the story of Christian and Mariah. Christian is the youngest of the O’Hallorans and the man behind the idea of bringing in ladies for the pilots and men of Hard Luck, Alaska in order to keep their pilots from quitting. His choice for secretary of their airplane business turns around and leaves. She has no intention of staying. Mariah Douglas did come and stay. Unfortunately, Christian takes a dislike to her and she, in turn, has a crush on him. This makes her extremely clumsy when Christian is around. She isn’t that way with the others. After her year in Alaska is over, Christian once more sets out to make her leave. Will he succeed? The book is cute and has some very humorous situations.
Ending in Marriage is book two and is the story of Duke Porter and Tracy Santiago. Duke is the best and the first of the pilots to sign on with the 0’Hallorans. He is the most vocal and the least gentlemanly of them. Tracy Santiago is a Seattle attorney who was sent by Mariah Douglas’ family to bring her back home and to sue the O’Halloran brothers. When Tracy traveled to Hard Luck, she rode with Duke Porter who was attracted to Tracy but hit it well beneath his contempt for her as a liberated woman. Tracy quickly determined that Mariah was here under her own terms and there was no case. However, they remained friends. Now Tracy has returned to Hard Luck to attend Mariah’s wedding. Her pilot is none other than Duke Porter. What will happen now? Sparks do fly and the fun begins.
The extra novella in this book is Midnight Sons and Daughters. It is the story of Scott O’Halloran, the adopted son of Sawyer O’Halloran and Chrissie Harris, daughter of one of the men in Hard Luck. The two grew up together after Scott’s Mother answered the ad for “work, a cabin, and 20 acres” offered by the O’Halloran brothers. She became the town librarian. As the only girl in town, Chrissie immediately became the best friend of Scott’s sister Susan. After having a crush on Scott as a child, Chrissie is determined not to get her heart involved with him again. She is a lawyer now working in hard Luck and Scott is newly retired from the military. He returns to Hard Luck to work for his Dad and Uncles. Sparks fly when they meet again. Can Chrissie keep her heart to herself?
The three books make the book fantastic. There is a lot to read and enjoy.

[Nimmy Mathew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Test

[Ria F · Rating 2 out of 5]

Giving this 2 stars may be a bit harsh - but this series has me totally disappointed. I mean I know ultimately this is a formula plot genre - but 5 separate stories all exactly the same?

1. Boy swears he isn't cut out for marriage
2. Girl falls for boy but doesn't let him know.
3. Boy falls for girl but doesn't realize it
4. Boy drives girl away
5. Girl decides to cut her losses and will leave but is pining for boy anyway\
6. Boy about to lose girl- panics - proposes - quicky wedding - 3 out of 5 get pregnant soon after.

[Stephenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was book 3 in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone and the reader will have no problems jumping right in. This book is focused on the youngest of three brothers, Christian, and his annoying office manager, Mariah. It's a book filled with predictable plots, but the reader knows that going in.

There is some drama, angst and break ups, but like a true Debbie Macomber book, there is a Happily Ever After. This is the perfect read for a day in, the beach, a winter night...you name and it is it! A good book and one that makes me want to go back and read the first two in the series just because.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A three volume book about the O’Halloran brothers and the women they
Choose to marry. A fast, delightful, entertaining read set in Alaska. The
Final story is about Scott and Chrissie who are now all grown up and want
to stay in their town of Hard Luck. The stories reflect on previous characters
In Hard Luck. Enjoy!,

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely formulaic, but I had to find out for sure how all the characters' lives turned out. The Alaskan setting made me like the stories more than I would've if they'd been set elsewhere.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

All three stories were sweet. Christian and Mariah’s story was my least favorite because I just didn’t feel it between them. Christian just slowly almost randomly changes his mind about Mariah who unbeknownst to him, basically loved him since she met him. Why she liked someone who thought of her as annoying all the time is beyond me. Duke and Tracy have an almost enemies to lovers story which involves them growing close in the aftermath of a plane crash. I think this one was probably my favorite. Their story also includes the added bonus of Ben and Mary finding feelings which was kinda cute but somewhat sudden considering they were only a side story and didn’t get as much page time. In some ways it was slightly annoying that you got the perspectives of all the other couples from previous books because it gave the main characters less focus, but all the stories interconnect because Hard Luck really isn’t a big town and if I’d read all the previous stories I think I would have enjoyed the catching up with them aspect more. The last story about Scott and Chrissie was kinda fun because it took place many years later with characters that were children in the previous stories. In all three stories there was basically drama because people were just plain stubborn for one reason or another, occasionally dense enough I wanted to roll my eyes a bit cause you knew there would be happy ending eventually.

[Deepa Swaminathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

What pathetic egotistical male protagonists. The entire concept of LURING women to Alaska is rotten. Adding to this, are the dumb women who don't know what they want. The males are conceited and desperate. The only Debbie Macomber book I hated.

[Rehma Anjum · Rating 1 out of 5]

In addition to lack of plot or character development, the amount of gaslighting made it very hard to stomach this novel,

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read the previous volume yet but it didn't stop me from enjoying this one. I choose this book for the Alaska setting. We may not see lots of landscape but it got the small town vibe that I like. I adored the history of the town of Hard Luck and the O'Halloran family's at the beginning. It can be a little over the top at time, maybe it's because it's short stories, but I didn't mind.


Falling for him : 4 star
Mariah is a klutz when her boss is near. Christian O'Halloran is exasperated because she lose things and ruin his coffee every morning. He act like a grumpy bear but it didn't stop her from falling for him. Clueless about being, in a manner of speaking, responsible for her clumsiness, it's almost funny how rude he can be.

The O'Halloran brothers own and operate a bush-plane business, and when Christian fly her in Anchorage for her vacation, a kiss will let him confuse. He may be hard to follow, he change his mind too quickly, but it's amusing to see him trying to find all kind of excuse to deny what he really feels.


Ending in marriage : 3.5 star
Ever since she met Duke Porter, one of the pilot at Midnight Sons, she couldn't stand him and his archaic vision of women.

Ever since he met Tracy Santiago, an attorney from Seattle who came to make sure there's nothing crooked about the contract in Hard Luck, he takes great delight in shocking her on purpose.

There's only one thing that can change their opinion on the other : a life-threatening experience.

I always liked the nemesis plot, but it's not always like I want it to be. I enjoyed the first part of the story. But Tracy sudden desire to marry and abandon her life in Seattle for Duke so fast did not seem plausible with the image and attitude of the character the author presented us at the beginning. In the end, I didn't really believe in them as a couple.

Fortunately, there was a second romance with Ben and his new cook, Mary, that even if it was quick too, was more satisfying. When you want a good meal, a good coffee and advices, you go to Ben Hamilton's café. A wise man when it comes to guide the townsfolk, the elder will met his match.


Midnight sons and daughters : 2 star
Scott O'Halloran and Chrissie Harris know each other since they were kids. They thought they would marry eventually, but adolescence happened, Scott had a couple of hard knock and he broke Chrissie's heart twice. First in enroling in the Army and the second time when he didn't tell her right away he have a fiancé when they were about to resume their relationship.

Now Scott is back for good in Hard Luck to work at Midnight Sons and maybe work things out with Chrissie.
In his youth, Scott was quite the matchmaker and helped the men with his advices. That's why I don't understand what happened to make his own lovelife a mess and how he's not romantic at all. It's fun that those couple intended to reciprocate with the matchmaking and it give us the opportunity to revisit all the couples.

I'm so disappointed by Scott and Chrissie romance. But especially by the hero. He should have listen to his own advices. It's like it was not that big of a deal that he hided a fiancé. He didn't fight for Chrissie at the time, and he still didn't fight for her now, so that's why this story didn't work for me.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Falling for Him: 3 stars
This is Christian and Mariah's story. I liked the parts involving thor story, but I didn't like everyone telling their stories too. I wasn't interested in here them tell the story. Although, I did like that there is more than one happy ending.

Ending in Marriage: 2 stars
I don't like either main character. This time I liked some of the other stories since it lessed the amount of time spent with Tracey and Duke.

Midnight Sons and Daughters: 3 stars
Again, I liked the main characters, Scott and Chrissie, and their story. It was nice to see them grown up and to find out what happened to them in between. I didn't like have the rest of the characters getting involved in the storytelling. It was too many people. Although, I did like knowing what happened to the town from the end of the last story to the beginning of this one.

[Louis D.Gargarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love/Hate Clean Romance

Women are offered a home and two hundred acres of land of they would come and live in Alaska. Some come and some stayed and others left because of severe weather. Most of those who stayed found love and were married. This is a story of Mariah, hired as the Secretary for the O''Halloran bush pilots business, "The Midnight Sons." This is the third book in this series and it's mostly about Christian O'Hallaron and Mariah. Christian wants to fire Mariah for her disorganization and her way of creating chaos in the office. He doesn't realize that he is falling in love with her. His brothers see the connection, but Christian tries to fight the attraction. Clean read with a variety of emotions. A must read, enjoy.
MK

[Kshydog · Rating 3 out of 5]

In all 3 stories the guy or girl hates the other then realizes they have good traits also. ‘Falling for him’ has a love crazy girl with a guy who hates her as his secretary. He keeps wanting to fire her but the brothers know it is him not realizing his love. ‘Ending in Marriage’ is both being so strong willed and it takes a plane crash to realize their soft sides. ‘Midnight’ is everybody married and now the kids fall in love after several failed attempts. If there were more choices in Hard Luck you wonder what would happen.

[Jenny Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first story takes place in the late 90s, Christian O'Halloran tries to push Mariah away just to find out he's really in love with her. The wedding comes fast!

The second story follows with Mariah's friend Tracy and pilot Duke. They hate each other, or that's how they play it. They crash in the Alaska wilderness and soon after also fall in love.

Move forward several years and Scott O'Halloran, Sawyer's son comes back from the military and claims his high school love. Chrissie is angry with scott for all the times he's left her, but they soon also confess their love.

[Aletha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite of the three collections. I liked the female and male characters in this story, they were independent and hard working. The only qualm I have is the ease and quickness that their romances became a real thing at the very end...like they were still fighting and suddenly they are married....The characters were definitely more fun in this one though and I had been waiting for their stories throughout the series.

[Jodee Whitworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wrapped up the 3 book (or technically the 7 book) series. It was just okay for me. Some light reading in the evening in a time of high stress in the world. (COVID19 Pandemic). It was good timing to read these books given to me years ago. Lol. (My favorite story was the one with the plane crash. I like adventure and survival stories better than romance novels.) I don’t read a lot of romance novels, so can’t really compare. But this was a “clean”, moral series. I appreciated that!!

[Susan Serra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final book in the Midnight Sons trilogy. If you are a Debbie Macomber fan, you will like this series very much. Comfortable reading is how I would describe all of the books - easy to just pick up and read, and realistic enjoyable characters. I have to say that this book was a little more predictable than the other two, Alaska Skies and Alaska Nights.
These books really should be read in order.

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance, clean, mild language and sensuality
Fun, read with the misunderstandings, and quirky romance in Alaska. Family secrets, hurts, and lovely attractions. Great chemistry, figuring out romance, and falling for each other again (for one couple) in the frozen north.
Genuine, honest characters, with some great chemistry and of course, visits from Characters in other novels. Fun read!

[Readsandeats · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book from Audible. I really enjoyed it, the narrator was very good and made the characters come alive.
The stories were good and I liked that you learnt about the characters you had already met in the previous books, so there was a continuation of their stories as well.
The whole series has been very good.

Would definitely recommend this whole series.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series from Debbie Macomber is about a small town in Alaska called Hard Luck. This town had lots of men and not really any women. The O'Halloran brothers launch a campaign to bring women to town so the men have a chance of marriage and children. I read all of the books in the series and thought they were all entertaining as Debbie Macomber's books usually are.

[Mary Mackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truthfully, this series wore thin by the end. It would seem nearly every man in Hard luck Alaska is so out of touch with his feelings that he doesn't know he's in love until some near catastrophe wakes him up. While the rest of her work was well written and interesting, the premise that they ALL needed to almost lose their ladies before they woke up to reality just seemed repetitious.

[STACIE DUFOUR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to the other books in this series. Fast paced, outdated but decent. I feel if this was written now, minus some of the chauvinistic points, and more developed it would be great.

Both enemies to lovers, part one is the wild brother and the determined office secretary. The second, a rugged pilot and independent attorney.

The quick short story brings back two of the children as adults.

[Monica Gearhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn't seem to catch me like the others in the series did. So is there going to be "the kids of Hard Luck Alaska" now. You don't really know what happens with the other kids. Just Susan married Ron.

[Rebamom7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great series. Feel good and loving, but I love references to characters from the other stories in the series, and finding out all the updates on their lives. Debbie Macomber's writing style is delicious!!!

[Tammy Catania · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series, I felt like I was a resident of Hard Luck I truly have fallen in love with Alaska. I am sad that the Midnight Sons has come to an end. For sure a series I will have to read again sometime in the future.

[Ruth E Bresnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midnight sons series

A WONDERFUL read— all 3 books - during a time of Coronavirus “ Sheltering at home”. A great way to pass the time and follow a story from beginning to a YEARS LATER end!!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A easy and predictable way to end a series. I enjoyed the characters, all of which are well-rounded. I especially enjoyed the look at the future of these characters. The reader sees what happens to each family.

[Manette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the audio CD version of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this while making a quilt. A romantic novel in an interesting Alaskan setting. This is my first book by Debbie Macomber and I will check more of her writings.

Narrator, Dan Miller was excellent.

[Nancy Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series. Loved the updated Novella at the end. Wish there were more books.

[Robin Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd and final book in the AK series and it has the best stories. my favorite story is about Duke and Tracy. What an adorable couple.

Another feel good book that is hard to put down.