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Glacier Gal
Gerri Barton has lived a dutiful life, never straying far from her home in South Carolina. Her graduation from college (the first of her family to do so) is marred by a scornful, cheating boyfriend who dismisses her as unadventurous. There is a kernel of truth to this, she realizes, but it has more to do with the family finances than any lack of interest. Her parents, hearing of this, scraped together the money to provide Gerri with a low-budget adventure: a bus trip across the country to spend a few weeks with her brother, a soldier stationed near Seattle. In this year of 1969, such a trip is not without danger for an unaccompanied young black woman, but she makes it to her brother's Army base unscathed. Her adventure is cut tragically short, however, by his sudden deployment overseas. Stubbornly determined to extend her adventure somehow, Gerri fixes on the idea of seeing a glacier. To this end, and unknown to her parents, she takes a side trip to Juneau, Alaska. There, her inexperience catches up with her and she runs out of money. Her search for a temporary job leads her to a fisherman, Sven Halvorsen. Depending upon whom you talk to, he is either a nice man with a tragic life—or a monster. This job leads her to further adventures—and dangers—beyond anything that she had dreamed.
Sven lives a quiet life in a town where many still blame him for his wife's death. Against his better judgment, he hires a persistent, but inexperienced, Black youth as a deckhand. What he got was an attraction which was utterly unexpected.
Pursuing this attraction took him to places that he never imagined. He yearns to make a life with her. Can he convince Gerri of this? And can he convince her to uproot her life in the face of hostility from her family and friends?
Sven lives a quiet life in a town where many still blame him for his wife's death. Against his better judgment, he hires a persistent, but inexperienced, Black youth as a deckhand. What he got was an attraction which was utterly unexpected.
Pursuing this attraction took him to places that he never imagined. He yearns to make a life with her. Can he convince Gerri of this? And can he convince her to uproot her life in the face of hostility from her family and friends?
460 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2017
52 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 4, 2022
5.0⭐️UNFORGETTABLE (RTF SOON.)
September 22, 2017
Can I please have more stars to give this book? I can truly say I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and was sad to see it end.
Sven and Gerri are amazing characters who I fell in love with. Set in the late 1960s - early 1970s this tale about interracial love contained just the right climate.
Gerri is a recent college graduate and future math teacher from South Carolina. She learned her boyfriend was not only cheating on her, but using her for a good grade. She overheard him talking to his friend I the library and refused to write his final paper for him. This of course prevented him from graduating on time because he is incapable of doing his own work. He blames her and breaks up with her.
He stated Gerri was boring and would never leave SC. In essence she was not adventurous. This prompted her to take stock in her life and she vowed to be more adventurous, if only to rub it in her ex's face.
Gerri end up in Alaska after visiting her older brother in Seattle. She was supposed to spend a few weeks with him, but he gets deployed to Vietnam. Unwilling to allow her adventure to end, Gerri makes her way to Juneau, Alaska where she procures a job on a fishing boat by posing as a man. She has one goal, to make enough money to buy her ticket back home after she sees a glacier in person.
Sven is an expert fisherman who recently fired his helper because he was a drunk. He gives the hardworking 'young man' named Jerry (actually Gerri posing as a man) a job because of his tenacity. Gerri's secret is soon blown and she gets fired for lying, but not before she has made an impression on Sven.
Once he sees Gerri dressed as a woman, he understands why his body was reacting to her. He is smitten from the start. The book continues through a glorious 50 chapters of getting to know you between these characters. I felt like I learned so much about boating. The author really did their research and presented the information in a way that had me wanting to hit the water.
Sven is an absolute joy. I loved his quirky personality and the silly jokes he told whenever he was happy. Overall, this book is well written and well paced. I hated it to end.
Sven and Gerri are amazing characters who I fell in love with. Set in the late 1960s - early 1970s this tale about interracial love contained just the right climate.
Gerri is a recent college graduate and future math teacher from South Carolina. She learned her boyfriend was not only cheating on her, but using her for a good grade. She overheard him talking to his friend I the library and refused to write his final paper for him. This of course prevented him from graduating on time because he is incapable of doing his own work. He blames her and breaks up with her.
He stated Gerri was boring and would never leave SC. In essence she was not adventurous. This prompted her to take stock in her life and she vowed to be more adventurous, if only to rub it in her ex's face.
Gerri end up in Alaska after visiting her older brother in Seattle. She was supposed to spend a few weeks with him, but he gets deployed to Vietnam. Unwilling to allow her adventure to end, Gerri makes her way to Juneau, Alaska where she procures a job on a fishing boat by posing as a man. She has one goal, to make enough money to buy her ticket back home after she sees a glacier in person.
Sven is an expert fisherman who recently fired his helper because he was a drunk. He gives the hardworking 'young man' named Jerry (actually Gerri posing as a man) a job because of his tenacity. Gerri's secret is soon blown and she gets fired for lying, but not before she has made an impression on Sven.
Once he sees Gerri dressed as a woman, he understands why his body was reacting to her. He is smitten from the start. The book continues through a glorious 50 chapters of getting to know you between these characters. I felt like I learned so much about boating. The author really did their research and presented the information in a way that had me wanting to hit the water.
Sven is an absolute joy. I loved his quirky personality and the silly jokes he told whenever he was happy. Overall, this book is well written and well paced. I hated it to end.
May 1, 2022
A salute to the throwback romance novels of the past. A sweet story about Gerri finding herself and finding love. This journey to self discovery was an adventure filled with a lot of firsts for her and ended in a forever.
March 7, 2025
3.8-4.1
This book does a lot of things well. The writing is exquisite and this is a strong and unique story. The background detail of the character is rich and gives a lot of depth. The pacing is somewhat hazy, but steady. It's a longer, more languid read. It's technically an age gap romance, and I pictured him in his 30s (she's 22) but we learn near the end he's not even 30 yet, so I don't find this "Age gap" to be too dramatic.
The hero has yearning for the heroine, as in a slow-burning love and strong protective and possessive feelings (without being too much or arresting) towards her as the relationship grows. It makes for lots of cute, passage-saving moments. Spice level probably 3 1/2 and definitely some adult scenes.
The beginning and most of the middle is strong, and also the end picks up and brings back the same good tidings I felt for most of the book.
There is a notable decline in the book, however, near the middle, with a pick-up towards the end.
The book has these micro-conflicts and crisis. It's like mini-climaxes and drama, and this was good! It keeps the book from feeling too long. What I disliked is the little miscommunications and words left unspoken that were used often to create tension. It felt orchestrated. When a simple sentence or conversation can clarify meaning, then it's unnecessary drama. These two needed a lesson on communication and tucked away their feelings or said something that the other immediately jumped to conclusions on. "I liked our adventure" "Oh, she doesn't want anything to do with me beyond an adventure!" The reach is far and wide!
So the dramatic tension would've been best as something else, not petty misunderstandings and light indecision.
Characterization is done well too. The friendships and past, failing relationships. This story also has a healthy Black man x white woman romance stirring in the background as well. And an aside, race relations and moments are handled quite well without being overdone. It's not a trauma novel by any means.
Back to characters, the story even does a thing I rarely seen done well, which is develop the family and make you actually know and care about them. And I did like the mother at first, but then I started to hate her. She just came across as bitter, controlling and trying to spoil her own child's happiness. She seemed so loving and supportive at first, but I sensed her jealously. She mad her daughter is living her best life, going on an adventure, making more money than they ever could? The namesake aunt who gave up her dreams was depicted as mean and bitter, but I think it's the mother who might've been the one whom the bitter title belonged to.
Overall, good story. I just could've done without the way the mother acted without acknowledgement that she was clearly having feelings beyond concern about race relations. It redeemed itself in the end and was truly and enjoyable read.
This book does a lot of things well. The writing is exquisite and this is a strong and unique story. The background detail of the character is rich and gives a lot of depth. The pacing is somewhat hazy, but steady. It's a longer, more languid read. It's technically an age gap romance, and I pictured him in his 30s (she's 22) but we learn near the end he's not even 30 yet, so I don't find this "Age gap" to be too dramatic.
The hero has yearning for the heroine, as in a slow-burning love and strong protective and possessive feelings (without being too much or arresting) towards her as the relationship grows. It makes for lots of cute, passage-saving moments. Spice level probably 3 1/2 and definitely some adult scenes.
The beginning and most of the middle is strong, and also the end picks up and brings back the same good tidings I felt for most of the book.
There is a notable decline in the book, however, near the middle, with a pick-up towards the end.
The book has these micro-conflicts and crisis. It's like mini-climaxes and drama, and this was good! It keeps the book from feeling too long. What I disliked is the little miscommunications and words left unspoken that were used often to create tension. It felt orchestrated. When a simple sentence or conversation can clarify meaning, then it's unnecessary drama. These two needed a lesson on communication and tucked away their feelings or said something that the other immediately jumped to conclusions on. "I liked our adventure" "Oh, she doesn't want anything to do with me beyond an adventure!" The reach is far and wide!
So the dramatic tension would've been best as something else, not petty misunderstandings and light indecision.
Characterization is done well too. The friendships and past, failing relationships. This story also has a healthy Black man x white woman romance stirring in the background as well. And an aside, race relations and moments are handled quite well without being overdone. It's not a trauma novel by any means.
Back to characters, the story even does a thing I rarely seen done well, which is develop the family and make you actually know and care about them. And I did like the mother at first, but then I started to hate her. She just came across as bitter, controlling and trying to spoil her own child's happiness. She seemed so loving and supportive at first, but I sensed her jealously. She mad her daughter is living her best life, going on an adventure, making more money than they ever could? The namesake aunt who gave up her dreams was depicted as mean and bitter, but I think it's the mother who might've been the one whom the bitter title belonged to.
Overall, good story. I just could've done without the way the mother acted without acknowledgement that she was clearly having feelings beyond concern about race relations. It redeemed itself in the end and was truly and enjoyable read.
August 18, 2017
Loved this novel
What a great read. I flew through this book and was swept along Gerri's adventure and grand romance. Please make more like this!
What a great read. I flew through this book and was swept along Gerri's adventure and grand romance. Please make more like this!
September 17, 2017
What a delightful story
I really enjoyed this. It was different in an awesome way and very descriptive. The setting made for an interesting read.
I really enjoyed this. It was different in an awesome way and very descriptive. The setting made for an interesting read.
August 29, 2017
This brought back memories!
I started high school at the same time period that Gerri started her job at the newly integrated high school. Of course there were many similarities, but there were a few differences, especially in our points of view: I was a young, black eighth grade girl, busy trying to navigate her way through a new school, and Gerri was dealing with starting a new position which was not the one she wanted. Of course, her story is fictional, but it definitely rings true of the times. I love her courage and her sense of adventure. I also love how she matured throughout the novel. She didn't allow anything to stop her, although at first it was due in part to her naivety and necessity , and later to ingenuity perseverance. I enjoyed the love story of Gerri and Sven and all the relationships of those around them, especially how she triumphed over Thurman! Despite the happy conclusion, this is one story that I was sad to see end.
I started high school at the same time period that Gerri started her job at the newly integrated high school. Of course there were many similarities, but there were a few differences, especially in our points of view: I was a young, black eighth grade girl, busy trying to navigate her way through a new school, and Gerri was dealing with starting a new position which was not the one she wanted. Of course, her story is fictional, but it definitely rings true of the times. I love her courage and her sense of adventure. I also love how she matured throughout the novel. She didn't allow anything to stop her, although at first it was due in part to her naivety and necessity , and later to ingenuity perseverance. I enjoyed the love story of Gerri and Sven and all the relationships of those around them, especially how she triumphed over Thurman! Despite the happy conclusion, this is one story that I was sad to see end.
August 27, 2017
Because this story was set in the late 1960's, with integration just occurring in South Carolina, I thought the story was going to be based entirely on this issue. I was surprised to find that it was sprinkled throughout but not the primary focus. It was truly about Gerri (heroine) having an adventure, truly becoming a woman, and finding love in place far removed from South Carolina.
I liked that I was able to see the natural progression of the relationship between Gerri and Sven (hero). There was just enough life lessons, family drama, and racial issues to make this story believable but not take away the focus from the main characters.
The characters were well developed and the chemistry between the characters felt real. I would definitely read other stories by this author.
I liked that I was able to see the natural progression of the relationship between Gerri and Sven (hero). There was just enough life lessons, family drama, and racial issues to make this story believable but not take away the focus from the main characters.
The characters were well developed and the chemistry between the characters felt real. I would definitely read other stories by this author.
August 30, 2017
Alaskan Adventure
This was my first read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised. It was a bit on the longer side and some parts did tend to drag a bit, but overall it was good. I'm not sure how historically accurate Gerri's Alaskan adventure was. It was an interesting look at the racial climate of that time period. I liked the characters and the storyline.
As an afro wearing woman I was cracking up when the principal questioned Geri about her hair. Many of the issues and scenarios that were brought up in this book still happen today. It's sad. I recommend reading this book it is a nice rainy weekend read.
This was my first read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised. It was a bit on the longer side and some parts did tend to drag a bit, but overall it was good. I'm not sure how historically accurate Gerri's Alaskan adventure was. It was an interesting look at the racial climate of that time period. I liked the characters and the storyline.
As an afro wearing woman I was cracking up when the principal questioned Geri about her hair. Many of the issues and scenarios that were brought up in this book still happen today. It's sad. I recommend reading this book it is a nice rainy weekend read.
August 25, 2017
Very well done
I was reluctant to read a book set in 1969. I imagined that it would be fraught with racial tensions. We are seeing too much of that in the news these days. However I was pleasantly surprised. Although race relations of the time are a subtext, the relationship between the characters was the story. It was a well done and sweet story. Well developed characters, great side characters. Another wonderful character was the Alaska itself; the life of a fisherman (person) in Alaska.
I was reluctant to read a book set in 1969. I imagined that it would be fraught with racial tensions. We are seeing too much of that in the news these days. However I was pleasantly surprised. Although race relations of the time are a subtext, the relationship between the characters was the story. It was a well done and sweet story. Well developed characters, great side characters. Another wonderful character was the Alaska itself; the life of a fisherman (person) in Alaska.
November 5, 2017
Incredible!
This read was very realistic. I was impressed by the authors ability to truly bring to light the issues the main character’s faced not only as individuals but as a couple. It is a strong story with well develop characters. If you’re looking for a love that will grip you and engage your heart, this is your find. Sven & Gerri’s journey is completely believable and and at times frustrating because you just want them to be together without a care for anyone’s else’s opinion(s). I would recommend this read over and over again!
This read was very realistic. I was impressed by the authors ability to truly bring to light the issues the main character’s faced not only as individuals but as a couple. It is a strong story with well develop characters. If you’re looking for a love that will grip you and engage your heart, this is your find. Sven & Gerri’s journey is completely believable and and at times frustrating because you just want them to be together without a care for anyone’s else’s opinion(s). I would recommend this read over and over again!
June 23, 2022
Nice book. I would've liked to read a romance of about 200 pages with Marilyn and Frank. ;)
It was long and drawn out, honestly, I think it could've been shorter. All the drama was at the beginning when they were fishing, after that it was slow moving.
Obviously there was a lot of racial tension and oppression during that time, it just felt like it overpowered the romance at times.
But still a good read.
It was long and drawn out, honestly, I think it could've been shorter. All the drama was at the beginning when they were fishing, after that it was slow moving.
Obviously there was a lot of racial tension and oppression during that time, it just felt like it overpowered the romance at times.
But still a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2017
Great story. The characters were very well thought out and i loved the dialog. Storyline is perfect and i will look forward to the second book in this series and wedding bells for Frank and Marilyn.
I choose a 5 star rating based on readability content and story line. I would highly recommended this book for a good read.
I choose a 5 star rating based on readability content and story line. I would highly recommended this book for a good read.
October 19, 2017
I loved it
I loved it soo much. It shows that true love will find a way. And anything worth having is worth the trouble. Love conquers all. You will love in an unexpected ways and places. Love is color blind, it has no color. Love is love. Gerrit and Sven, Mindy and John proved that to be so.
I loved it soo much. It shows that true love will find a way. And anything worth having is worth the trouble. Love conquers all. You will love in an unexpected ways and places. Love is color blind, it has no color. Love is love. Gerrit and Sven, Mindy and John proved that to be so.
October 21, 2017
Interesting
This has a good storyline and well written characters. Gerri is a fresh college graduate experiencing some harsh realities in her private and public life. Gerri takes a trip to Alaska to come out of her serious shell and find an adventure before beginning her new career as a teacher. This story is during the beginnings of desegregation and is a nice long book.
This has a good storyline and well written characters. Gerri is a fresh college graduate experiencing some harsh realities in her private and public life. Gerri takes a trip to Alaska to come out of her serious shell and find an adventure before beginning her new career as a teacher. This story is during the beginnings of desegregation and is a nice long book.
December 15, 2017
Pretty decent read
I liked the pairing of Sven and Gerri. This book gave me what I would have expected from a 1960's interracial pairing. I loved that Gerri wasn't your run of the mill girl and wanted to have her own grand adventure. One no no in the book was the reference to Rodney Dangerfield and his famous "I get no respect line". That wasn't out or popular in the 1960's.
I liked the pairing of Sven and Gerri. This book gave me what I would have expected from a 1960's interracial pairing. I loved that Gerri wasn't your run of the mill girl and wanted to have her own grand adventure. One no no in the book was the reference to Rodney Dangerfield and his famous "I get no respect line". That wasn't out or popular in the 1960's.
December 24, 2017
I don't know how I felt about this book
It was long. I felt like I wanted to know how t he story ended. I wasnt too impressed. I loved Sven' s whole story and his reconciliation with Mindy. I just felt that Gerri was so indecisive one minute and then so sure the next. She was all over the place.
It was long. I felt like I wanted to know how t he story ended. I wasnt too impressed. I loved Sven' s whole story and his reconciliation with Mindy. I just felt that Gerri was so indecisive one minute and then so sure the next. She was all over the place.
August 14, 2017
Enjoyable
A good storyline about race and relationships during late sixties and early seventies in the U.S. I especially liked how the writer showed that we haven't come as far as we should have.
A good storyline about race and relationships during late sixties and early seventies in the U.S. I especially liked how the writer showed that we haven't come as far as we should have.
August 28, 2017
Yummy
This is one of the most satisfying books I've read in a while. The editing was great, the characters were well-defined and totally believable. The dialogue was clearly written and oftentmes funny. I want more!
This is one of the most satisfying books I've read in a while. The editing was great, the characters were well-defined and totally believable. The dialogue was clearly written and oftentmes funny. I want more!
August 30, 2017
Different
This is the first book I've read by this author and it was a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the characters and the description of Alaska makes me want to take a trip there. I will be looking for other books by this author.
This is the first book I've read by this author and it was a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the characters and the description of Alaska makes me want to take a trip there. I will be looking for other books by this author.
August 30, 2017
Great Read
This was really good and sweet. I loved the length because we needed it to tell this story. I got hooked immediately on this book and fell in love with it. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to more from the author.
This was really good and sweet. I loved the length because we needed it to tell this story. I got hooked immediately on this book and fell in love with it. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to more from the author.
September 3, 2017
Great story💕
This is my 1st book by L. Langdon and I love it. Gerrie and Sven stole my heart. The storyline was held my attention from beginning to end. Loved how all the characters contributed to the flow of the story. Their love was slow, steady and real!👏😁
This is my 1st book by L. Langdon and I love it. Gerrie and Sven stole my heart. The storyline was held my attention from beginning to end. Loved how all the characters contributed to the flow of the story. Their love was slow, steady and real!👏😁
September 9, 2017
Beautifully written love story disappointed with the ending
Beautifully written love story disappointed with the ending, the story was detailed, characters were well developed and the storyline was absolutely on point then the lacklustre ending spoilt it.....
Beautifully written love story disappointed with the ending, the story was detailed, characters were well developed and the storyline was absolutely on point then the lacklustre ending spoilt it.....
October 15, 2017
Totally adorable
I love the fact that this book was true to the time period. That it was not over the top. It has exciting moments along with humor and even drama. It sets up Alaska in a way that makes you want to visit. The book will appeal to all romanticism.
I love the fact that this book was true to the time period. That it was not over the top. It has exciting moments along with humor and even drama. It sets up Alaska in a way that makes you want to visit. The book will appeal to all romanticism.
August 12, 2018
Please tell me this book will become a series?! I need more of these characters in my life. Loved this book so much. I tried to read it as slowly as possible so I could drag it out longer. I didn’t want it to end.
July 28, 2021
Captivating
I loved all of it .. which the story was extended to Marilyn & Frank.. Mindy & John would recommend this book to all and my 5 star ratings was it was so real I could picture it all like a movie
I loved all of it .. which the story was extended to Marilyn & Frank.. Mindy & John would recommend this book to all and my 5 star ratings was it was so real I could picture it all like a movie
August 9, 2017
Linda Christiani
I never get tired of finding love in unexpected places trials and tribulations aside true love always find a way so yeah I recommend this book and author!!
I never get tired of finding love in unexpected places trials and tribulations aside true love always find a way so yeah I recommend this book and author!!
August 20, 2017
Fantastic
I haven't read a book of this caliber in quite some time. I look forward to reading more of this author's work. I hope too read either Rich or Marilyn's story next.
I haven't read a book of this caliber in quite some time. I look forward to reading more of this author's work. I hope too read either Rich or Marilyn's story next.
September 8, 2017
Loved this story
I can't say enough good things about this book. It made me laugh and made me wanna punch something. Keep these kinds of good stories coming
I can't say enough good things about this book. It made me laugh and made me wanna punch something. Keep these kinds of good stories coming
September 25, 2017
Bravo
I love this story and I would read it again and again. It was well written and the characters were perfect.
I love this story and I would read it again and again. It was well written and the characters were perfect.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews