Iditarod Nights

by Cindy Hiday

Claire Stanfield became a lawyer to make her father proud, but after a troubling case leaves her shaken, she escapes to Alaska and immerses herself in the world of dog sledding. Dillon Cord became a police officer to serve his community, but he moves to Nome in the wake of a life-altering incident. For both, the Iditarod--the toughest sled dog race in the world--offers a chance for forgiveness, redemption, and healing.

After meeting unexpectedly just ten days before the race, Claire and Dillon are drawn together by the shared challenge of surviving the merciless Alaskan wilderness out on the trail. With the help of their strong-willed sled dogs, the two mushers navigate treacherous mountain paths, as well as their own budding relationship. If they can come to terms with their pasts and stay focused on the dangerous trail ahead, Claire and Dillon might have a chance to create something special--but only if they reach Nome in one piece.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Romance

200 pages, Paperback

First published May 26, 2013

About the author

Writing in the spirit of adventure and happy endings, Pacific Northwest author Cindy Hiday has won numerous honors, including first place in Willamette Writers' Kay Snow Fiction Awards for her historical adventure, Come Snowfall. Her humorous literary novel, Father, Son & Grace (republished as Destination Stardust), is a five-star Readers' Favorite and local book club choice. When she isn't writing, Cindy enjoys growing her own produce, hiking old-growth forests in search of the next waterfall, and strolling long sandy beaches.

Sigh up to be notified of your next reading adventure at http://cindyhiday.com/index.htm!

Reviews

[Dísir · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I first read the blurb of ‘Iditarod Nights’, it instantly appealed because so few of these adventure-romance type stories in the wilds of the boreal regions actually cross my feed. Doing a check on Goodreads however, suggested that this ARC is either a reprint, or a re-written and expanded version of an earlier one with a spanking cool cover.

If you’re interested in the actual Iditarod journey, Cindy Hiday does an impressive job of detailing the many stops of the race and how the mushers perform, including the fatigue they feel and the hallucinations they get.

But what started out promising—the dogs, the sledding, the descriptions of the race, the setup of the protagonists meeting—soon became a lull as the Dillion Cord and Claire Stanfield did their own preparations, waffling in their interactions—from the time they meet to the time the race takes place—to the extent where I doubted their chemistry and attraction. More so that their making out sessions came out of nowhere when there didn’t seem to be sufficient build of tension between them as they went on solo with their dogs on the race, met up at key checkpoints/rest stops then kissed a bit…and rinse and repeat.

Basically put, it was a tenuous connection I struggled to see of near-strangers having awkward talk in a step-forward-two-steps-back kind of dance, are uncomfortable in so many ways around each other, but yet give out pecks and kisses easily. Woven into this epic but exhausting experience is Dillon’s own past that keeps creeping back on him just as he keeps trying to maintain a distance from Claire, adding to the disconnect I felt between the pair.

I wished I’d liked this better, given the crazy epic adventure that really lends itself to what could have been an equally blistering romance. Instead, I was lukewarm by the time it all ended and still bewildered by two characters jumping into a romance but were really just only beginning to a tentative friendship.

*ARC by the publisher via Edelweiss

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story was predictable but the characters were good and lots of info about the Iditarod race.

[denali 💛 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contrary to some of the other reviews I've read, I actually enjoyed this book. I grew up loving the Iditarod and dreaming of racing in it one day (I even wrote my first "novel" from the POV of sled dogs), and it's clear that Cindy Hiday put a lot of research into making Iditarod Nights as accurate a portrayal as she could without physically racing herself. And it was a fun, easy read. I enjoyed both Claire and Dillon - each with their own baggage and learning to live new and improved lives through the challenge of racing and working with their dogs. It was a unique book and a pleasant break from my usual science fiction and fantasy novels.

That being said, I did end up landing on a three-star review, which I a little low for one of my typical reviews. I rated three stars because I finished this book in four hours. And now because I was so completely invested and entranced that I was gobbling up every page, but because this book is so short. In truth, I think I could have done with a lot more scene and exposition, a little more fluffed up imagery and less of an analytical take on Dillon and Claire's romance. There could have been a lot more to entice me into rooting for them to end up together.

I'd recommend Iditarod Nights to contemporary romance fans who enjoyed books such as Penny Reid's Winston Brother's series or Emma Mills's YA romances. If you're looking for a cute, quick read with a touch of adventure, I'd encourage you to give Iditarod Nights a shot.

[Lisette · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was slowly paced. I liked the Alaska setting and the sledge race. I would have liked it more if the build up to the relationship between Dillon and Claire was slower. Now it didn't feel believable.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author is new to me but I love romance books that take place in Alaska. So I jumped at the chance to read an advanced copy. I received a free ARC from Edleweiss and here is my honest review. This book is about Dillon Cord who operates a bar in Nome, Alaska and also has sled dogs. He is going to be doing his third race in the Iditarod. Claire Stanfield is a criminal defense attorney. After a tough trial she goes to Alaska and is going to compete in her first Iditarod. It was an okay book.  I started reading and put it down for a while before I started again and then finished it. The story could of been better it really just didn't work for me. I hate saying that. There was just something missing it in to grab my attention. Normally I read a book and finish it in the same day. If your wanting to check it out for yourself please do. Maybe you will be able to get into it everyone is different. 

[Heather Semotiuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I picked it up from the library because of the focus on the Iditarod race.

The book was fast-paced; a combination of the race checkpoints flying by, and the fact that the story is, simply, short. I could have spend more time on the race, with more description of the terrain. IT as highly enjoyable to read about the communities in Alaska.

Ultimately, it does fall into the genre of "person leaves behind problems and runs away to Alsaka / the north to escape." (Someone might think that given the prevalence of this trope in Northern-focused literature that Alaska is solely populated with people running away from the lower 48. It isn't.) The author does an admirable effort to make those problems genuine. Although the resolution of one of the character's PTSD, while it involves a therapist, also involves some pretty quick CBT hand-waving.

All in all, enjoyed it!

[Rachael | booksforbrunch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book! Short, sweet and totally romantic.

As soon as I started Iditarod Nights, I was immediately transported to Alaska. Surrounded by snow and plenty of sled dogs, Claire meets Dillon, a mysterious man from Portland. With few words shared, they focus on their dogs and preparation for the race ahead. But Claire can't help but notice that there's something troubling beneath Dillon's surface. With effort and courage, Claire coaxes the past out of Dillon with hopes that they can face the future together.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It sets the perfect tone for a winter read so get ready to snuggle up with a blanket or two! Also, as I was reading I thought it would make the perfect Hallmark movie (I kept imagining Dillon as extremely good looking so it can't hurt, right?).

[Bryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being an Alaska resident, the Iditarod trail story was interesting. The story of Dillon and Claire was predictable. I listened to the audio book and the reader was not very good, which made me want to stop listening. She was very monotone.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

roses are red
violets are blue
made it to page 69

[Julie Holland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Iditarod Nights was a book that quickly caught my attention just because it mentioned the Iditarod sled dog race and that it had Northern Lights on the cover. I felt instantly connected to it, since growing up, the Iditarod sled dog race was a dream of mine. In the first grade, we did an entire unit on Alaska, including the Northern Lights and the Iditarod. Due to that, I fell in love with Siberian Huskies, snow, the Aurora Borealis and all things that related to the Iditarod race. I began to study it, learning everything I could on the subject, it's history, and how it happens now. It became a dream of mine, that one day, I would get the chance to race in the Iditarod. Now, years later, I no longer want to compete in the race, but it is still a dream that I will get to experience it and get to see the Northern Lights. So, needless to say, when I saw that this book had a subject that I love and was a romance story, I was excited.

I admit, romance is not my usual forte. I like romance as a sub-plot within stories, but books that are primarily a romance are not usually something I am drawn to. However, for this one in particular, I was excited to get to see an exciting love story unfold along the adventure that is the epic thrill of the Iditarod trail.

This book is positioned as being just that, a romantic adventure set along the landscape of Alaska and the Iditarod sled dog race, where two closed-off characters of a mysterious past must face survival in order to find love once again. However, I was deeply disappointed with the overall book.

At first, I really liked the book. It started with interesting characters, Claire and Dillon, and the mystery of their pasts were intriguing. However, the entire plot itself was jumpy and weird. First of all, Dillon calls her "that woman" way to many times for my liking, and when they first meet, there is an instant love/attraction that is not my typical favorite romance trope. From there, they pretended to be very mysterious characters, but they were extremely transparent to the reader, in my opinion. They were fun characters, and I liked that they both had a past in Portland and ran to Alaska to escape it for an adventure, but they pretended to be very complicated when, in reality, everything was very clear and cliché from the reader's point of view.

The interior layout of the book is really great. There a lot of cute illustrations within the book that I loved, but, with every little illustration, they are used as page breaks. Those page breaks created a very fast-paced novel, but due to that, the entire book was sort of choppy and hard to follow at times.

I will also note that if you are looking for a romance that has some spice and a very in-depth deep, emotional connection between the two characters, this is not that book. I felt that the romance, while cute and sweet, happened very quickly. It lacked that depth that is built in a longer novel. There was also not a lot of romance going on, just spontaneous kisses every once in a while that seemed out of place within the novel's plotting.

However, despite it not being my favorite, I really loved the Iditarod aspect of the book. The author was extremely knowledgeable about the Iditarod race, and it was very cool to see it explained in detail. I felt like the author did an amazing job of researching Alaska and the Iditarod, and that research really showed in the novel. It was my favorite part by far.

All in all, this book was good. It was a cute romance adventure story that spoke extremely knowledgeable about the Iditarod and the Alaskan wilderness. However, it was too fast-paced, which left the plot and pacing to feel jumpy, and the romance fell flat for me personally. I do, though, appreciate it for the concept that it is trying to convey.

[Megan Vader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Backlist Review: Cindy Hiday’s Iditarod Nights reminds us to appreciate the smaller things in
life. It reminds us to face our fears and look to a brighter future than getting caught up in the
past. Readers can learn a lot from Claire and Dillon who fall in love before, during, and after the
Iditarod race. Iditarod Nights is not just a love story but consists of complex characters that must
face the past to have a better future. Dillon being six years sober shows readers that he is
committed to his new life and living better in Alaska. Him returning to Portland to see his family
and face what he had done (I won’t spoil it) shows readers that it is okay to be scared and seek
help. Without seeking help, I do not feel Dillon would have returned to Portland and faced his
fears. Claire taking time in Alaska to escape her past shows readers that it is all right to take a
step back and take a break from your job for your mental health. The scenes of the Iditarod race
shows us that we can accomplish our dreams if we try and to appreciate the smaller things in life.
Claire and Dillon were appreciative of the hot meals prepared for mushers and the opportunity to
close their eyes and get some rest. The connection Claire and Dillon have with their dogs shows
us the bonds owners have with their dogs and that we should take care of animals like we do
children. Cindy Hiday does an excellent job at showing us a love story, but the story is so much
better than that. The demons Dillon and Claire must live with due to their past is something they
can help each other with. Dillon returning to Portland shows us that he is ready to live with the
past in a healthier way. Iditarod Nights teaches us that we do not have to a victim to our past, but
the past is something we should not run away from but instead, face and learn to live regardless.

Book Rating: I am giving Iditarod Nights by Cindy Hiday a five-star rating because I felt the
story taught me a lot about life through Claire and Dillon. The story appealed to my senses as a
reader and drew me in. I found myself wanting to learn more about Claire and Dillon and what
their future holds. Even though Iditarod Nights is a love story, I felt the story was more complex.
The story is about Claire and Dillon and how they are in the race because they are passionate
about nature and wanting to participate in a race. The setting pulled me in and made me picture
what it would feel like to be in a race during the winter. In addition, Iditarod Nights by Cindy
Hiday gets a five-star rating because the story focuses on both Claire and Dillon and how they
feel about each other and what they have done in the past. It shows us both of their struggles.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK, I hate doing this when I get an ARC, but honestly, two stars is generous. I couldn't even finish this book.

I was really psyched to get this book because I am very into Alaska/Iditarod/adventure stuff.

The writing is just...not very good. Most romance-ish books have certain elements in them that you see over and over. That's not a bad thing. Horror novels are the same way. That's part of what makes a genre a genre. HOWEVER. Sometimes, it just goes too far, and this is one of those times.

At 2% of the book, so within a couple of pages, we get the "unexpected rush of heat prickled the skin..." and "intense eyes" and "raw huskiness in his voice." Her (Claire) hair is always falling out of her braid, which is just somehow so hot to the main dude (Dillon). He opens the door for her, and she is "embarrassed by how feminine his simple gesture made her feel; men had opened doors for her before. Just not lately." Wat. Two pages later, another "unexpected rush of heat" and "he shot her a half smile that made her pulse miss a beat." This is all within a couple of pages. IT'S TOO MUCH. IT'S TOO MUCH. "Before she tucked her eyes away beneath lowered lashes" (I don't even know how you do that) and now we have HIM with "a bolt of something hot and alive through his body." And guess what happens on the next page? "He felt another jolt of heat wash through him." It's like they just have hot flashes all the time.

THEN, Dillon introduces EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HIS DOGS. There are a million dogs and we get names and descriptions for each of them. I don't know why. And while they talk about the dogs being their "kids," there is also a lot of yelling at the dogs to "shut up," which is just off-putting. Do people tell their dogs to shut up? Of course. But it just seems gross in this book. Also, Dillon refers to Claire as the "lady lawyer." He also grabs her "butt," which seemed very un-romance novel, I must say.

"She felt an unexpected frisson at the thought of him bathing in the next room. Naked." YOU ARE NOT THIRTEEN YEARS OLD. "Shiver of attraction" is also mentioned on the same page. Like, come on now.

At that point, I just had to put the book away. At this point, I'm about 30% through, and they haven't even started the freaking race yet. I don't know if it's the writing, or if the author is using too many adjectives, or if this should be a short story or less romance but more action...I don't know. I'm not a writer. But I'm an avid reader, and this just doesn't work, and that's a shame.

[Amanda [darjeeling_and_jade]]

I recommend this book for readers who like romance and adventure books.

Iditarod Nights is a contemporary romance that I easily read in one afternoon. It was a nice break from the summer heat we’re having here, so I recommend it if you need a little escape to Alaska, where the nights are blisteringly cold and the northern lights flood the night skies.

Claire is new to the Iditarod Trail, a yearly dogsledding race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. It’s an intense race that requires equally intense training and Claire is not going to be distracted from her goal of getting to Nome. That becomes a little more difficult than she anticipated when she meets Dillon, another musher who is preparing to run the Iditarod. Both Claire and Dillon have pasts that they’re running from, and Hiday does a great job of hinting at those histories throughout the novel. I enjoyed that we weren’t given the whole story right away and that it was revealed through moments of the trust building between Claire and Dillon. While they discover things together, they discover far more about themselves on their own as they’re out on the trail. I really felt for both of them as I was reading and thought that Hiday did a wonderful job of showing who they are and what they stood for.

Since this was marketed as a romance read, I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t entirely focused on Claire and Dillon’s budding romance. Romance isn’t typically my genre, but I was interested in learning more about the Iditarod. I loved that both Claire and Dillon didn’t allow themselves to lose the focus on their goals. It’s refreshing to read a novel where the plot doesn’t go away in favor of a romance.

Though I am definitely not someone who could ever participate in the Iditarod, but reading this book really made me wish I was. Hiday did a great job of illustrating what the Iditarod was about and how the race was laid out. The suspense really gripped me and kept me reading. Though a lot of this book is about the Iditarod and preparing for it, I found it a really engaging and pleasant read.

[Francisco Cabré Vásquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to give Iditarod Nights a try because I’ve been reading more romance novels lately. As a whole, I liked the book, especially the protagonists: Claire, a lawyer trying to find comfort away from home in Portland after a challenging case and a failed relationship and Dillon, and Alaskan men with a very complicated past. I also liked the depiction of Alaska and the Iditarod race. As a foreigner who has no grasp of the Alaskan environment, I really liked the way the author builds up the landscape the story takes place in. I feel they do a really great job at submerging you in the cold, intriguing and at times unforgiving Alaskan scenery. Another accomplishment of the novel related to it is the race itself, which is presented in a very grounded and realistic way showing the perils of this challenge. It makes for a very interesting backdrop for the story, although I could see someone more knowledgeable about the race not getting as much from this novel since the sections of the race itself are rather short when compared to the rest of the book.

I feel this is because Iditarod Nights is mainly a romance novel, and it succeeds as such. The main couple has great chemistry, and their interactions feel natural. Through their blossoming romance the reader starts unveiling their complicated past, which puts in jeopardy their potential relationship. Nevertheless, one criticism I have is regarding other characters who don’t seem as polished as Claire and Dillon. Some of them felt more like tools to progress the story rather than integral characters to the narrative. Another problem is the pacing of the novel. At times it feels the relationship of the protagonists is advancing very quickly, only to slow down abruptly later and then pick up, like a tug war, as well as the race itself, which ends rather quickly in the novel. I would recommend this book to romance novel enthusiasts who want a story with mature characters that have to learn how to overcome their past in order to hold any hope for the future.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iditarod Nights was a touching, fast-paced, exciting read that left me wanting more. Claire and Dillon are two people with difficult things in their past, but they attempt to work through those things by completing the Iditarod race in Alaska. The story starts out strong with explanations about who the characters are and what their purpose is while leaving a little bit of mystery to discover along the way. Claire is especially likable because she is a female protagonist who can hold her own as a first time musher in the Iditarod race; she is strong and capable, and clearly a pillar of support for her friends and family. Dillon is another great character who develops a lot over the course of the story. As the reader, we get to see both character’s points of view as they struggle through their emotional and physical challenges during this intense but beautiful race.

While the middle of the book shows how Claire and Dillon’s relationship is forming, it mostly highlights their respective experiences during the race, and especially highlights their relationships with their dogs. I think that Hiday does a wonderful job describing the animals’ roles in the Iditarod, and hearing about the personalities of each dog added an extra layer of fun while reading.

The end of Iditarod Nights wrapped up happily with a completed character arc from both Claire and Dillon as well as a happily for now in their relationship to each other. The ending did come very quickly, and I would have loved to see a few extra chapters expanding on the ending, or even just a longer epilogue, but I’m the kind of reader that always wants more! This book made me want to move to Alaska and become a musher, but at the very least, it made me want to visit and witness the beauty and excitement of the Iditarod. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and I will be rereading it in the future!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cindy Hiday takes readers into the harsh realities of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race through the Alaskan Tundra. Along the way, protagonist, Claire Stanfield, is reconnected with her old friend, Dillon Cord who both happen to be in the race and both trying to move past their former lives back in Portland, Oregon. The two have history and connection through Claire’s lawyer profession. Iditarod is a romance, intermingled with survival and healing. The two characters overcome the cold and the injuries and ailments that come from exposure to the Alaskan Wilderness. Along the way, they both grow closer and realize the depths of their affections and rekindle old flames. While their romance blossoms, they also learn to face the terrain of their own inner worlds and the pain that comes with that world as well.

Hiday does a great job of creating characters that are identifiable and human. Their inner dialogue and emotions are believable in the context of old friends turned lovers as well as the context of characters that must learn to face their own demons. The character development and pacing is smooth and well plotted. Hiday approaches subjects such as survival, trauma, and PTSD in brilliantly, yet unexpected ways. The dynamic between the two characters’ romance is not so much of a blazing fire of passion, but more of a slow burn, like a campfire on the Iditarod trail. I would have loved to see more spark but the love is natural and believable. Iditarod Nights is well worth the read!

[Janeth H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iditarod Nights by Cindy Hiday was a fast and easy read. I like reading sports romances and enjoyed reading Iditarod Nights because the author did a great job telling the reader about dog sledding without making it feel like they were shoving everything you needed to know about this world at you.
I was hooked from the beginning; I was curious to see how Hiday would connect Claire Stanfield, the lawyer, and Dillon Cord, the ex-police officer. You grew attached to these characters each time they revealed a new piece of information about themselves. I was very invested in the characters by the end of the story and how they would have their happily after or if they even had one.
My only problem with the book is that it was too short, resulting in the pacing being slightly off. I felt like these characters went into their romance rather quickly, especially since their first meeting didn’t go so well, and then they were suddenly interested in each other. I would have liked to have seen their relationship unfold a little more organically.
This is an easy read for those wanting to learn about dog sledding while also getting to know these characters who struggle to move past their past and decide to move to a new place, hoping that a change of scenery will allow them to move forward in their lives even if they have to leave behind everything they’ve ever know.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this adorable romance was a fun adventure outside of what I usually read for pleasure. (Note: if folks are looking for a hot and steamy romance, this book is not it.) I thought it offered a thrilling (and sometimes stressful) take on the romance genre through the Iditarod race. I didn’t know much about mushing before reading this book, so I also learned a lot about the sport (and the relationships between mushers and their dogs) through the perspectives of Claire and Dillon as they raced the trail.

The relationship between Claire and Dillon was touching and had just the right amount of tension. I do, however, think there were times where their relationship and separate storylines could have been fleshed out more. Dillon and Claire are both haunted by their pasts and I felt like the book could’ve spent more time on how racing the Iditarod and meeting each other impacted the way they began to move forward and heal from their trauma. The ending was a bit rushed in that respect. Ultimately, because of some of the romance cliches in the book, I felt like I was basically reading a fast-paced Hallmark movie set against the backdrop of the brutally cold Alaskan backcountry. I think this book is a perfect read for the wintertime, so I definitely suggest picking up a copy around this time of year!

[Hannah B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iditarod Nights by Cindy Hiday is the story of Claire Stanfield and Dillon Cord, both escaping their past lives in Portland, Oregon, for a thrilling race along the Iditarod Trail in Alaska. Amidst a breathtaking setting, Claire and Dillon learn just how warm love can be when weathering a cold Alaskan night.

While the core of Iditarod Nights is romance, I learned a lot about what it takes to be a musher surviving the dangers of the Iditarod Trail. My heart was racing, not during the romantic scenes, but during the cold, bitter nights along the treacherous mountain paths.

The characters are human, having flaws and problems, but that is what makes their portrayals so real, complex, and vivid. I was rooting for Claire and Dillon to not only complete the race, but to also find the strength to stay together.

I read this book during a 65-degree day, in a hammock in the springtime and enjoyed it immensely. However, I cannot wait to re-read this book around Christmas when I can have a cup of hot chocolate and look out my window and see snow. I will be shelving this book with my other winter reads, as it fits in perfectly.

This is a book that could “warm the coldest Iditarod night.”

[Karina Agbisit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iditarod Nights is a contemporary, low heat romance novel that follows Claire, a lawyer from Portland weighed down by the trauma of a recent case, and Dillon, and ex-cop fighting demons from his past, as they fall in love while preparing for and racing the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

As many of the review mention, the descriptions of the natural landscape are beautifully detailed, painting a vivid picture of the Alaskan wilderness. The author clearly conducted a considerable amount of research about the area and about the race, and as a reader I could feel the intense connections between the musher, their dogs, and the land.

The romantic tension between Claire and Dillon could have stretched out more, giving more time for their relationship and their escalation to physical touch and kissing to develop. Overall, though, I enjoyed seeing their relationship flourish, and I was impressed at how the author kept their budding relationship progressing during the race itself.

Iditarod Nights is a quick and easy read that is perfect to enjoy cuddled up near the fireplace this winter.

[Fran Fragela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iditarod Nights is an easy read and a perfect escape from your realities! It is excellent for anyone looking to cuddle up with a care-free romance. Cindy Hiday's writing was emotionally captivating, and her descriptions of Alaska and its "raw" beauty made me want to explore Alaska one day and go sledding with some pups! (and I'm not too fond of the cold)

My favorite part about this book was how much I learned about Alaska and the sled-dog races. I was just as invested in Claire and Dillon's journey to Nome as I was in their romance. I was really drawn into the Alaskan setting and the small town community the characters of the book share.

My only complaint would be that the ending felt a little rushed to me. The chapters leading up to the end were fast-paced, with all the sled races' commotion and the steamy romance between Claire and Dillon. I would just have loved to read a little more about Claire and Dillon after their happily ever after.

Overall, Cindy Hiday made a great romance!

[eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very unique story. Specifically in the setting. It's not a common trope for a romance book to be set in an Alaskan dog sledding race! As someone who does not read much romance, I was pleasantly surprised at my interest in this story, the characters, and the intricacy of the Iditarod race. I also enjoyed the way the two characters met and how they ended up to the point of racing dogs. Both faced hardships and needed a restart with their lives. I feel like a lot of time it's the woman that needs the refresh for life, but it was refreshing to have both the man and the woman starting anew.

The writing read a little YA, but the author was still very detailed in describing the Alaskan setting and the characters.

My one complaint is the the characters seemed to lack passion. It may be because I am someone that likes reading the ups and downs of a relationship and the intense spark or passion two people can share. I think these two characters connected and bonded and in an intense way, but not as romantic to me.

[Alex Gonzales · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a fun, light read. I picked it up because I haven't read romance in quite a while—I usually stick to fantasy or magical realism. Contrary to a few of the reviews below, I thought Iditarod Nights was enjoyable and entertaining. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick and easy read with a cute romance. I will say that the book felt a little rushed in some places. I wish there had been more of a build-up between Claire and Dillon because at times their romance felt unrealistic and fast-paced. There were some cliched romance elements, but nothing unexpected.

"Her whiskey eyes fixed on him, and Dillon felt like he’d downed a double shot."

I loved reading about the Iditarod race and learning what mushers go through on the trail. I think this provided a great backdrop for the book. The beautiful but brutal conditions of the race also nicely paralleled the sweet romance between the flawed characters.

[Liv · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I wanted a nice romance to offset the darker more complex books I've been reading recently, but was pleasantly surprised, to find that this book, while definitely a romance, also delved into deeper life issues through the characters and their backstories. I have to admit, I also read it because it's summer currently--and so hot--so I wanted to be transported somewhere cold and boy was I. I really enjoyed the setting and adventure of this story.

I learned a lot about the Iditarod, something I practically knew nothing about before picking up this book. My only previous reference to the Iditarod was the movie Balto (throwback!) and that's like not even part of the plot? Honestly can't remember.

Anyways, I really enjoyed the main characters in Iditarod Nights, but I do wish that their romance had a little more time to build. My only complaint was that I felt the ending was a little rushed.

[Alexa Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, while predictable, kept me entertained. I read the first twenty chapters of the book in one sitting, as the chapters flow together along the Iditarod trail between the perspectives of Claire and Dillon. The romance route was the predictable portion of this book, as the relationship that plays out between them is not unlike others I've read. However, I find that the description of the race is what kept me the most intrigued.
It gave me a nostalgic feeling for books I read in my young years that had me dreaming of Alaska and other wild landscapes. Even more so, the feature of a female musher in the Iditarod race allowed a different perspective than one I had gotten as a child reading my wilderness fiction books. It very much feels as if I mashed up one of them with the corny romance trade paperbacks I first picked up years ago.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because it was a previous Library Writers Project winner with the Multnomah County Library. I loved feeling that local connection with story ties to Portland. I also am a sucker for a romance. I appreciated the unique, austere setting of the Alaskan wilderness. I still don’t get why Claire specifically chose to be a musher (of all things) when she left being a criminal defense attorney for Alaska. I also categorically am opposed to instalove tropes in which two strangers suddenly are inseparable and dropping the L word left and right. There were a lot of details about the dogs (did the names of all 16 dogs really need to be listed?). I really wanted to root for and love this book, but it just ultimately fell a bit flat for me. I did appreciate that it was available as an audiobook.

[Shoshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a short, cozy romance, good for a weekend or rainy day read. I listened to the audiobook on Audible and it was good, though not great. The research about the Iditarod and dog sleds was great and obvious, creating details that really brought the story to life. Both characters have a rough story that brought them to Alaska, and they are seeking solace and meaning in the Iditarod race and all that leads up to it. It was a unique way to experience the Iditarod race, following two people falling in love as they each face the elements, hoping to come out on top and create something new together.

Overall, the story was sweet, believable, and engaging, and I was rooting for the main couple the whole time. If you are a fan or even just interested in the Iditarod, definitely give this one a read.

[Isaac Swindle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iditarod Nights is nowhere close to my “normal” reading material. I lean towards fantasy novels, typically those that have strong and believable characters. Reading Iditarod Nights, I was pleasantly surprised to find characters that I felt were real people, and that’s where this book shined. Most of my understanding of the romance genre comes from the stereotypes typically spread about them, that they are cliche or overly dramatic. And while I’m sure Iditarod Nights uses some very well known tropes of the romance genre, I still found myself appreciating how quickly I cared about the outcome between the two lead characters. It did take a little bit after their initial meeting for the book to find its rhythm but the ending dealt with themes I wasn’t expecting to find and brought the whole story together very well.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: This book will make you want to book a one-way ticket to Alaska.

I can’t get over the descriptions of Alaskan wilderness in this book. It felt like I was really with the characters in the Iditarod. Claire and Dillon’s romance was perfectly steamy enough to keep me warm (figuratively) against the frozen backdrop. There were a few times where I thought our characters were in real trouble that turned out to be nothing and I felt a little baited at those moments but overall, the book was incredibly enjoyable to read and I became heavily invested in the outcome of the race. You could tell the author really did her research. I do think the ending was a bit drawn out, but it answered questions and tied up loose ends so I wasn’t too bothered by it.

[Tara McCarron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don’t read romance, but when a classmate suggested this book and described it as reading like a Hallmark movie, I knew that was just what my overworked brain needed!

I’m a sucker for a holiday romance, and although Iditarod Nights wasn't set during a holiday, the snowy landscape and aurora borealis sky of Alaska provided that cozy holiday atmosphere.

Yes, this novel did have that Hallmark movie feel, but it touched on some topics of greater depth (the Iditarod sled dog race and PTSD) that made reading it a little bit more of an interesting and informative experience.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Iditarod Nights and I would recommend it to anyone who likes their holiday romance with a touch of sled dog sports and a hint of crime fiction!