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Sweet Home, Alaska #1
One Snowy Night
A woman struggling to raise her daughter alone in a small Alaskan town finds her simple existence upended when the father of her child returns. . . .
Sweet Home, Alaska, was once a thriving, idyllic town, where A Stone's Throw Hardware and Haberdashery and the Sisterhood of the Quilt were the cornerstones of the community. Then, in one fatal moment, two young lives were cut short, and everything changed. Now the Stone family businesses have closed, the diner is in the red, and the population has dwindled to 573.
After the tragic accident that took her sister's life, Hope McKnight discovered she was pregnant, and gave up her dreams of college to raise her daughter. When Donovan Stone returns to sell his family's properties and to cut final ties with Sweet Home, he's shocked to find Hope still there--and a single mother. The pull between Hope and Donovan is as powerful as ever. But so are the secrets and lies stemming from that long-ago tragedy. Will they be able to overcome the past, or will the heartbreak of bygone days destroy their love again?
Sweet Home, Alaska, was once a thriving, idyllic town, where A Stone's Throw Hardware and Haberdashery and the Sisterhood of the Quilt were the cornerstones of the community. Then, in one fatal moment, two young lives were cut short, and everything changed. Now the Stone family businesses have closed, the diner is in the red, and the population has dwindled to 573.
After the tragic accident that took her sister's life, Hope McKnight discovered she was pregnant, and gave up her dreams of college to raise her daughter. When Donovan Stone returns to sell his family's properties and to cut final ties with Sweet Home, he's shocked to find Hope still there--and a single mother. The pull between Hope and Donovan is as powerful as ever. But so are the secrets and lies stemming from that long-ago tragedy. Will they be able to overcome the past, or will the heartbreak of bygone days destroy their love again?
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 23, 2021
58 people are currently reading
3507 people want to read
About the author
Patience Griffin
18 books692 followersAward-winning author Patience Griffin has been writing and sewing her whole life but didn’t discover her love of quilting until her late thirties. She decided the best way to acquire her first quilt was to make one for herself. At nearly the same time, she started commuting three and half hours a day for her dream engineering job. To pass the time on the long drive, she got hooked on audiobooks—especially books with love stories.
Within a couple of years, she was writing stories of her own. It was no surprise to her family and friends when she combined her love of quilting, her small town roots, and her obsession with Scottish romances into novels.
She has gained some recognition with her September 11th Story Quilt which has toured the country as the property of the Pentagon. She has a master's degree in nuclear engineering but spends her days writing stories about hearth and home, and dreaming about the fictional small town of Gandiegow, Scotland.
Within a couple of years, she was writing stories of her own. It was no surprise to her family and friends when she combined her love of quilting, her small town roots, and her obsession with Scottish romances into novels.
She has gained some recognition with her September 11th Story Quilt which has toured the country as the property of the Pentagon. She has a master's degree in nuclear engineering but spends her days writing stories about hearth and home, and dreaming about the fictional small town of Gandiegow, Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
April 1, 2022
This is a clean romance, and this is the first book in the Sweet Home, Alaska series. This book is so much more then just a romance, and this is not a cute romance story. Again, I feel the cover of this book does not really sounds what the book is about. This is about Hope and Donovan needing to faces their demons of the past that they have let take over their lives. The whole small town comes together to help Hope and Donovan get over their pasts and move on. This was a great story, and this book was really well-written. I enjoyed the characters in this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Berkley) or author (Patience Griffin) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
March 5, 2021
Hope had a rough time of it when she was abandoned by her boyfriend after a tragic accident killed her sister and his brother, and she finds out she’s pregnant. Her mother turned on her as well, but thankfully Hope was buoyed by friends and the community. I don’t think a few sips of alcohol made her at fault at all, especially when the details of the accident were described. Yet, somehow Donovan blamed her even though she had to drive because he was inebriated. Yeah, Donovan’s blame didn’t sit well with me, but he was young and hurting. He was a sweetheart to Hope, and most of the conflict stemmed from his continual determination to fix up the Lodge and then move on. Of course, this being a romance I knew it would work out somehow.
Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes, especially when the wronged party is vindicated. Hope didn’t rub it in Donovan’s face either, partly because she felt responsible and partly because she was just a good person. I adored her! I loved their journey back to each other. Their attraction was irrepressible even with the history between them. I enjoyed seeing Donovan get to know and love his daughter, as well.
Loved the small-town Alaskan setting! The winter festivities: hot chocolate, holiday decorating, and hunting for a Christmas tree were beautifully described and lovely!
The teaser for Once Upon a Cabin, the second in the Sweet, Home Alaska series, sounds like fun. City girl roughing it in the wilds of Alaska to keep her inheritance. With the help of a hunky Alaskan native, of course. Count me in!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes, especially when the wronged party is vindicated. Hope didn’t rub it in Donovan’s face either, partly because she felt responsible and partly because she was just a good person. I adored her! I loved their journey back to each other. Their attraction was irrepressible even with the history between them. I enjoyed seeing Donovan get to know and love his daughter, as well.
Loved the small-town Alaskan setting! The winter festivities: hot chocolate, holiday decorating, and hunting for a Christmas tree were beautifully described and lovely!
The teaser for Once Upon a Cabin, the second in the Sweet, Home Alaska series, sounds like fun. City girl roughing it in the wilds of Alaska to keep her inheritance. With the help of a hunky Alaskan native, of course. Count me in!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
February 23, 2021
Grab a cup of hot cocoa and see why you need to add it to your bookshelf.
This is the first book in the Sweet Home, Alaska series. The story takes us to the quaint town of Sweet Home. Population 573.
Griffin introduces us to Holly, a single mom who gave up college to raise her young daughter. She has worked at the local market since she was a teen. She carries the weight of a terrible tragedy. One that left her estranged from her mother and drove the only boy she ever loved away. Now he is returning home.
If you love women’s fiction, puppies and small communities, you are going to love this tale. I thought I’d be angry at Holly, but Griffin made me respect her. Her life hasn’t been easy, but she has done the best she could, on her own with her chin held high. She also works hard to improve the lives of others in her community.
I love meddlesome town folks and stories with all the feels. I laughed, felt the characters’ pain and held my breath, hoping for a happily ever after. Griffin shared a wonderful story about these characters, but she also called attention to some issues these struggling towns face from addiction to economic depression.
I loved Sweet Home, Alaska and want to book a cabin. Oh, and I officially want to cuddle Boomer, the Bernese puppy. If you’re looking for a sweet romance with family, townfolk and lots of feels you’ll want to grab One Snowy Night.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
This is the first book in the Sweet Home, Alaska series. The story takes us to the quaint town of Sweet Home. Population 573.
Griffin introduces us to Holly, a single mom who gave up college to raise her young daughter. She has worked at the local market since she was a teen. She carries the weight of a terrible tragedy. One that left her estranged from her mother and drove the only boy she ever loved away. Now he is returning home.
If you love women’s fiction, puppies and small communities, you are going to love this tale. I thought I’d be angry at Holly, but Griffin made me respect her. Her life hasn’t been easy, but she has done the best she could, on her own with her chin held high. She also works hard to improve the lives of others in her community.
I love meddlesome town folks and stories with all the feels. I laughed, felt the characters’ pain and held my breath, hoping for a happily ever after. Griffin shared a wonderful story about these characters, but she also called attention to some issues these struggling towns face from addiction to economic depression.
I loved Sweet Home, Alaska and want to book a cabin. Oh, and I officially want to cuddle Boomer, the Bernese puppy. If you’re looking for a sweet romance with family, townfolk and lots of feels you’ll want to grab One Snowy Night.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
April 6, 2021
I genuinely enjoyed this book. I was rooting for the characters, I loved the town, and the setting of the book. The chemistry between Hope and Donovan sizzled and I had a hard time putting this book down. I’m excited to continue this series.
January 22, 2021
Hope has endured a lot in her life. Disowned by her mother, cut off by her boyfriend, she has faced life in small town Alaska head on. But then Donovan returns and she's forced to face the one big secret she thinks no one but her knows. I liked the Chemistry between the main characters. The best one was Boomer, the Bernese puppy. I ate up all, the scenes he was in. I also liked all the quilting and fabric descriptions the author had. I'm addicted to books that are set in Alaska. Thanks to Edelweiss and Berkeley for the early read.
February 28, 2021
If you haven’t read Patience Griffin, you are missing an author who can tell a story, pull at your heart, and make you happy. I’ve read all the Kilts and Quilts series that she’s written, set in Scotland. So, when Patience said she was writing a new series set in Sweet Home, Alaska, I couldn’t wait to read it. This book has all the “feels”, and her characters are so well developed and real. I read this over a three-day time period, and I cried every day.
Hope McKnight, has struggled since her senior year of high school. She is strong, and though she has lost almost everything in her life, she is raising her daughter on her own.
Donovan Stone left Sweet Home during High School, after an accident killed his younger brother. He has overcome most of his obstacles, becoming a self-made success, selling his startup company for millions. Seventeen years later, his grandfather dies, and he has to return to Sweet Home to liquidate the properties he has been left. He brings along with him his business manager to help him with the family home and business.
Both of the two main characters, and the supporting cast are well written, with realistic thoughts and feelings. The story intertwines Hope and Donovan thinking about their past, and Hope’s story is especially poignant. I can’t say enough about how much I loved this book. The descriptions of the town and surrounding area are detailed, and only add to the enjoyment of the book. Patience Griffin is a wonderful writer, and also a quilter, and quilts always play a prominent part in all her books. Book 2 is due in November 2021, and I, for one, cannot wait to read it!
Hope McKnight, has struggled since her senior year of high school. She is strong, and though she has lost almost everything in her life, she is raising her daughter on her own.
Donovan Stone left Sweet Home during High School, after an accident killed his younger brother. He has overcome most of his obstacles, becoming a self-made success, selling his startup company for millions. Seventeen years later, his grandfather dies, and he has to return to Sweet Home to liquidate the properties he has been left. He brings along with him his business manager to help him with the family home and business.
Both of the two main characters, and the supporting cast are well written, with realistic thoughts and feelings. The story intertwines Hope and Donovan thinking about their past, and Hope’s story is especially poignant. I can’t say enough about how much I loved this book. The descriptions of the town and surrounding area are detailed, and only add to the enjoyment of the book. Patience Griffin is a wonderful writer, and also a quilter, and quilts always play a prominent part in all her books. Book 2 is due in November 2021, and I, for one, cannot wait to read it!
January 27, 2021
Hope McKnight is a single mom. Funds are tight. She has recently laid her father to rest which was heart-wrenching for her and her seventeen year old daughter Ella. Ella has taken his death particularly hard and has started drinking which is an added concern in Hope's life. Ella (Isabella) was named after Hope's eleven year old sister Izzie(Isabella) who died in a car accident seventeen years ago. Hope was driving that night and had been at a New Year's Eve party. Yes, she drank some wine but not enough to test over the legal limit. Still Hope blamed herself for the death of Izzie and her boyfriend Donovan Stone's younger brother Beau. Donovan blamed Hope too. He told her he never wanted to see her again and not to try to contact him. So when Hope found out she was pregnant with Donovan's baby she never told him. When Hope heard Donovan was back in town to sell his deceased grandfather's businesses she was hoping she wouldn't run into him. Fat chance! Of course she would run into him. Sweet Home, Alaska is a very small town. It was inevitable. Hope's feelings for Donovan reignited but she believed Donovan wouldn't love her back.
Donovan Stone left his hometown of Sweet Home, Alaska shortly after the death of his brother Beau. He joined the Marines which was a very good thing for many reasons, but the two major ones were that he got help with his alcoholism problem and his aptitude with computers was recognized so he got excellent training which led to a prosperous career after leaving the Marines. When he returned to Sweet Home after his grandfather's death it had been seventeen years since he had been there. He needed to get in, get the properties sold and get out. He hoped he wouldn't run into his high school girlfriend Hope, the one he loved but blamed for his brother's death. So how did he end up staying to renovate the businesses and hiring Hope?
One Snowy Night by Patience Griffin is the first book in her new series, Sweet Home Alaska. This is a great start to the series. It a heartwarming story of forgiveness and love. I liked how the people of the town came together to support Hope and Donovan. Small town romances are one of my favorites. Add in that this is a second chance romance and it's a perfect combination.
Donovan Stone left his hometown of Sweet Home, Alaska shortly after the death of his brother Beau. He joined the Marines which was a very good thing for many reasons, but the two major ones were that he got help with his alcoholism problem and his aptitude with computers was recognized so he got excellent training which led to a prosperous career after leaving the Marines. When he returned to Sweet Home after his grandfather's death it had been seventeen years since he had been there. He needed to get in, get the properties sold and get out. He hoped he wouldn't run into his high school girlfriend Hope, the one he loved but blamed for his brother's death. So how did he end up staying to renovate the businesses and hiring Hope?
One Snowy Night by Patience Griffin is the first book in her new series, Sweet Home Alaska. This is a great start to the series. It a heartwarming story of forgiveness and love. I liked how the people of the town came together to support Hope and Donovan. Small town romances are one of my favorites. Add in that this is a second chance romance and it's a perfect combination.
March 1, 2021
One Snowy Night launches another new series of contemporary romances for Griffin, this one set in a small, rural town in Alaska. Once again, she's created a compelling story, dealing with difficult, real-life issues, and filled with intriguing characters, deep emotion, and a hard won, happy ending. You'll want plenty of tissues for this one.
You all know how much I enjoy a second-chance story. One Snowy Night is filled with second chances, and not only for Donovan and Hope. The fall-out from the past tragedy at the core of their relationship touched many lives within Sweet Home. When Donovan returns, he incites hope not only for his own personal relationships but for the entire community. Bringing that hope to fruition, however, will only be successful with forgiveness, acceptance, and the people of Sweet Home once again opening their hearts to one another with love, especially Donovan. Griffin skillfully weaves all the threads of the story together to create a promising future that doesn't erase the pain of the past but, rather, embraces the memories of the lives lived, and lessons learned along the way.
One Snowy Night is a character-driven story and I enjoyed the relationships formed among those characters. Hope and Donovan are at the center, of course, but equally important is the tumultuous relationship between Hope and her daughter, Ella as well as Ella's evolving relationship with Donovan, and the personal challenges threatening Ella's future. There's much mending to be done here. There's also a secondary romance brewing, a surrogate familial relationship between Hope and a local business owner, and the multi-generational bonds of friendship among the girls and women in the Sweet Home Sisterhood of the Quilt. I love these women who come together to support, mentor, and celebrate one another through good times and bad.
There are several intriguing characters introduced in this book who I'm excited to get to know better. I don't know how many books Griffin has planned for Sweet Home, Alaska but if she writes it, I'll be buying it.
*Advance copy received for fair and unbiased review
You all know how much I enjoy a second-chance story. One Snowy Night is filled with second chances, and not only for Donovan and Hope. The fall-out from the past tragedy at the core of their relationship touched many lives within Sweet Home. When Donovan returns, he incites hope not only for his own personal relationships but for the entire community. Bringing that hope to fruition, however, will only be successful with forgiveness, acceptance, and the people of Sweet Home once again opening their hearts to one another with love, especially Donovan. Griffin skillfully weaves all the threads of the story together to create a promising future that doesn't erase the pain of the past but, rather, embraces the memories of the lives lived, and lessons learned along the way.
One Snowy Night is a character-driven story and I enjoyed the relationships formed among those characters. Hope and Donovan are at the center, of course, but equally important is the tumultuous relationship between Hope and her daughter, Ella as well as Ella's evolving relationship with Donovan, and the personal challenges threatening Ella's future. There's much mending to be done here. There's also a secondary romance brewing, a surrogate familial relationship between Hope and a local business owner, and the multi-generational bonds of friendship among the girls and women in the Sweet Home Sisterhood of the Quilt. I love these women who come together to support, mentor, and celebrate one another through good times and bad.
There are several intriguing characters introduced in this book who I'm excited to get to know better. I don't know how many books Griffin has planned for Sweet Home, Alaska but if she writes it, I'll be buying it.
*Advance copy received for fair and unbiased review
February 24, 2021
One Snowy Night is the first in a new series from Patience Griffin and it is a story of forgiveness and second chances. One snowy night 17 years ago, two family’s lives changed irrevocably with a car accident which left two children dead. It tore a young couple apart and left Hope McKnight alone and pregnant. Present day, Hope and her daughter Ella are struggling to make ends meet when she hears disturbing news that Donovan Stone is returning to Sweet Home, Alaska, to settle his grandparents’ properties. Will he be in town long enough to learn her secret? All Hope knows is that she’s never stopped loving him and hopes he’ll forgive her one day.
Patience Griffin has jam-packed a whole lot of good stuff in this first story and it was a very enjoyable read. She has brought together a small town with quirky well-meaning characters, a puppy, and a couple that need a chance to heal in order to move on with their lives. It was a plot driven story and it flowed nicely with moments of humor, introspection and heartache. Both main characters had major issues to face and slowly came to acceptance that they both had to move on from the past in order to have a better future. The storyline was well written and I loved how the whole town pitched in to see that the Hope and Donovan found their happiness once again.
One Snowy Night is a great kickoff to the Sweet Home, Alaska series and it has all the elements of a good contemporary romance story. The author was even able to incorporate her love for quilting into the story which I’m totally grateful for. I love romances that highlight not only a renewed love relationship between a couple, but of family and friends. It was quite an endearing story.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Patience Griffin has jam-packed a whole lot of good stuff in this first story and it was a very enjoyable read. She has brought together a small town with quirky well-meaning characters, a puppy, and a couple that need a chance to heal in order to move on with their lives. It was a plot driven story and it flowed nicely with moments of humor, introspection and heartache. Both main characters had major issues to face and slowly came to acceptance that they both had to move on from the past in order to have a better future. The storyline was well written and I loved how the whole town pitched in to see that the Hope and Donovan found their happiness once again.
One Snowy Night is a great kickoff to the Sweet Home, Alaska series and it has all the elements of a good contemporary romance story. The author was even able to incorporate her love for quilting into the story which I’m totally grateful for. I love romances that highlight not only a renewed love relationship between a couple, but of family and friends. It was quite an endearing story.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
did-not-finish
December 30, 2021DNF page 72 - not forgiving someone who was driving when a tragic ACCIDENT occurred is just petty and mean and the whole thing about having no idea of that his HS girlfriend had a baby immediately after he left is ridiculous.
September 22, 2021
This is the first book that I have read by Patience Griffin and I certainly enjoyed this one. I know that I will be reading more of hers in the future. This book has all the emotional feels. I laughed at parts, cried during some and could not put it down.
The characters were great, I certainly enjoyed Piney. Hope and Ella were the perfect mother daughter combination with the usual problems. Donovan was also good. Would love to learn more about Rick and Sparkle.
A great book that you don't want to miss
The characters were great, I certainly enjoyed Piney. Hope and Ella were the perfect mother daughter combination with the usual problems. Donovan was also good. Would love to learn more about Rick and Sparkle.
A great book that you don't want to miss
March 16, 2021
Although I enjoyed the story, I felt Hope and Donovan were...too closed off for my tastes. Yes, they had things to work thru (and that is stating it VERY loosely!) but neither one seemed to be open to working thru the traumas they have endured. Overall, I did like it but felt the two characters were too closed off for me.
January 16, 2022
L'autrice si sposta dalla Scozia, dove era ambientata l'altra serie, alla Alaska, ma continua a mettere un gruppo di quilters nella storia. E questa storia mi è piaciuta un sacco! Tanto che ho fatto tardi per finire di leggerla e ora sono dispiaciuta che il libro sia terminato.
March 12, 2021
I really enjoyed this for the setting, the characters, the business aspects and quilting! The setup and the romance did not feel completely realistic but it was a good read.
May 23, 2021
I love the story, the location and the town. The puppy is pretty cute also.
February 16, 2021
A lovely novel of second chances and forgiveness. Hope had had sone wine when she dr0ve- and the crash killed her little sister Izzie and Donovan's brother Beau. Donovan left Sweet Home telling Hope he never wanted to see her again. She stayed to raise his daughter Ella- the daughter he doesn't know he has. Now, 17 years later, he's back after serving in the Marines and establishing himself as a computer whiz. Hope and the town are both struggling. Ella's got issues and is drinking. What does it mean to have Donovan back? Fans of the genre know these two find a way to each other (this is a clean romance) but Griffin makes the trope feel fresh. I'm a sucker for stories set in Alaska and quilt fans will also find this fun. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read that made me smile.
March 13, 2021
This is a fun start to a new series. The characters are all so lovable and I look forward to watching them develop in future books.
April 26, 2021
3.5 stars. RTC
March 25, 2024
2.75 stars
February 8, 2021
This book is a sweet, squeaky clean romance and is faith positive (although it isn't promoted as Christian). Hope McKnight is a single mom of a 17 year old living in the small town of Sweet Home, Alaska. She is struggling to make ends meet and daughter Ella has issues of her own. Donovan Stone left Sweet Home after a car accident killed his brother Beau and Hope's sister. Hope was driving and he has blamed her ever since. He returns to fix up his grandparents lodge to sell. And to his surprise he learns he has a daughter he never knew about.
The main characters were great but I wished they had talked to each other more. There is a lot of inner dialogue that isn't shared with each other. For example, they never really talk about the main thing that drove them apart. Ella is decent as the moody teen (I'm not fond of teens in romances). And Boomer, the Bernese dog, steals his scenes. There is a lot of manipulation by a friend and either spiritual or paranormal help, getting the MC's to their HEA. The forgiveness and healing is very sweet and the benefits extend beyond the main family. Quilters will also especially enjoy this book.
Having an unknown child from a past love was a common trope when I read romances decades ago but I haven't read another similar storyline in ages. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
The main characters were great but I wished they had talked to each other more. There is a lot of inner dialogue that isn't shared with each other. For example, they never really talk about the main thing that drove them apart. Ella is decent as the moody teen (I'm not fond of teens in romances). And Boomer, the Bernese dog, steals his scenes. There is a lot of manipulation by a friend and either spiritual or paranormal help, getting the MC's to their HEA. The forgiveness and healing is very sweet and the benefits extend beyond the main family. Quilters will also especially enjoy this book.
Having an unknown child from a past love was a common trope when I read romances decades ago but I haven't read another similar storyline in ages. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2023
This a frustrating story. I resisted DNF, but you have be really dedicated to wanting to finish this one.
On the plus side, it’s small town but that’s soured by most of the town being destitute. The narrator did a great job. The plot flows and it’s written well, except characters have such immature, dumbfounding tendencies. Donovan is self made & successful, he’s a veteran and recovering alcoholic. However he has a blind, unforgiving view of Hope. Hope is a dedicated mom, she’s kind and hardworking but she has no issue making her daughter suffer extremely poverty in harsh Alaskan conditions. The author obviously wants to drive home the destruction of alcoholism and that Alaska has a particular problem with it, to the point that alcohol is truly leader character of this story.
🚨🚨Here come the real spoilers, be warned 🚨🚨
Hope was driver doing a snowstorm, a moose bounces off a snow plow and collides with Hope’s car. Hope and Donovan survive, but Hope’s younger sister Izzy & Donovan’s brother Bo died. Everyone ruthlessly blames Hope, time doesn’t heal any of these wounds, no perspective is gained -even 17 yrs later. Donovan’s last words to Hope are “never want anything to do with you again” his entire family leaves town, leaving the towns 3 most crucial businesses abandoned, again for 17 years which essentially puts the entire town in a chokehold.
Hope spends her life struggling, being judged and ostracized, why she didn’t leave town to give herself and daughter better opportunities ?!?!? 🧐
Hope never considers letting Donovan know about his daughter and has told Ella and everyone else that her father was rig worker who died.
Neither Hope or Donovan will let go their raw reactions to the deaths, and refuse to acknowledge it was an accident.
Then boom, they figure it out and HEA alls well.
On the plus side, it’s small town but that’s soured by most of the town being destitute. The narrator did a great job. The plot flows and it’s written well, except characters have such immature, dumbfounding tendencies. Donovan is self made & successful, he’s a veteran and recovering alcoholic. However he has a blind, unforgiving view of Hope. Hope is a dedicated mom, she’s kind and hardworking but she has no issue making her daughter suffer extremely poverty in harsh Alaskan conditions. The author obviously wants to drive home the destruction of alcoholism and that Alaska has a particular problem with it, to the point that alcohol is truly leader character of this story.
🚨🚨Here come the real spoilers, be warned 🚨🚨
Hope was driver doing a snowstorm, a moose bounces off a snow plow and collides with Hope’s car. Hope and Donovan survive, but Hope’s younger sister Izzy & Donovan’s brother Bo died. Everyone ruthlessly blames Hope, time doesn’t heal any of these wounds, no perspective is gained -even 17 yrs later. Donovan’s last words to Hope are “never want anything to do with you again” his entire family leaves town, leaving the towns 3 most crucial businesses abandoned, again for 17 years which essentially puts the entire town in a chokehold.
Hope spends her life struggling, being judged and ostracized, why she didn’t leave town to give herself and daughter better opportunities ?!?!? 🧐
Hope never considers letting Donovan know about his daughter and has told Ella and everyone else that her father was rig worker who died.
Neither Hope or Donovan will let go their raw reactions to the deaths, and refuse to acknowledge it was an accident.
Then boom, they figure it out and HEA alls well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2021
I hadn’t read a sweet romance in a long time and when I saw Patience Griffin’s ONE SNOWY NIGHT I knew it was time to pick one up. I vacationed in Alaska in the early 1990’s and have always wanted to go back. The way Griffin describes Sweet Home reminds me of where we stayed and how much I loved it there. The people we met were very much like those in the book. I’d heard over the years from various sources that there are some problems with alcohol in Alaska and teenaged drinking is an issue pretty much all over. Alcoholism is one of the book’s themes and part of how Donavan and Ella connect. For me, it got a little old when it kept coming up. I wondered a few times about the relationship between Rick and Donovan because they seemed more gay than two guys who found the women of their dreams. And while we know Sparkle had some kind of surgery, we don’t know what and why she’s still recovering. I’m all in favour of HIPPA protections, but this is fiction. I wondered if there had been a prior novella that introduced her and what happened to her.
I LOVED Bommer! Who can doesn’t love a puppy in a story? And the quilting scenes were terrific. Those sections got me interested in starting to quilt. If you’re looking for a feel good, happy ever after read, this is the one to pick up.
I LOVED Bommer! Who can doesn’t love a puppy in a story? And the quilting scenes were terrific. Those sections got me interested in starting to quilt. If you’re looking for a feel good, happy ever after read, this is the one to pick up.
May 2, 2021
Forgiveness and a Romance
Patience Griffin turns in a wonderful, romance in this clean, seconds chance romance One Snowy Night.
Donovan and Hope's young lives were ripped apart one night when a they survived a car accident that took the lives of their younger siblings. Donovan fled the small Alaska town, vowing never to return and telling Hope he didn't want to have anything more to do with her. Now it is 17 years later, and Donovan returns to settle his recently-deceased grandfather's estate to learn Hope has a troubled 16 yrs old daughter. Hope and never told him about their daughter, not after he made it so clear to her that he never wanted to see her again. Hope took him at his word.
But Donovan and Hope are meant to be together and Donovan is the only one who can help their daughter. Can they forgive each other for the mistakes of the past and for words said in anger?
I thoroughly enjoyed this emotional, fulfilling love story All the way thank only a quilters will understand how truly special this story is.
5 stars!!!!
Patience Griffin turns in a wonderful, romance in this clean, seconds chance romance One Snowy Night.
Donovan and Hope's young lives were ripped apart one night when a they survived a car accident that took the lives of their younger siblings. Donovan fled the small Alaska town, vowing never to return and telling Hope he didn't want to have anything more to do with her. Now it is 17 years later, and Donovan returns to settle his recently-deceased grandfather's estate to learn Hope has a troubled 16 yrs old daughter. Hope and never told him about their daughter, not after he made it so clear to her that he never wanted to see her again. Hope took him at his word.
But Donovan and Hope are meant to be together and Donovan is the only one who can help their daughter. Can they forgive each other for the mistakes of the past and for words said in anger?
I thoroughly enjoyed this emotional, fulfilling love story All the way thank only a quilters will understand how truly special this story is.
5 stars!!!!
March 1, 2021
What a disappointment from a favorite author--plot, characters, romance are pedestrian. I hope the author writes more Kilts and Quilts books.
January 26, 2022
A little corny, but I still enjoyed this book.
I found the premise to be silly: Hope, Donovan and his brother Beau were at a party when Hope's mother called to say she had to pick up her little sister, Izzy, from a sleepover because she wasn't feeling well. As Donovan and his brother had too much to drink, Hope drove the car. A snowplough travelling in the opposite direction hit a moose and sent it flying in front of Hope. She hit it and Izzy and Beau were killed. Even though she passed the breathalyzer, everyone, including herself and her mother, blamed her for the accident. (Never mind that Donovan, who should have been driving, was drunk, she only had a few sips of alcohol, and it wasn't her fault about the moose running onto the road) Beau told her he never wanted to speak to her again and even her mother could not bear to face her. Donovan left town and Hope then discovered that she was pregnant from their one night together. Her mother sent her out of town and when she returned Piney took her in and loved her like another daughter. '
Seventeen years later Hope and her daughter are struggling financially and daughter Ella is drinking too much, just as her father did at her age. Hope still thinks she is responsible for Izzy and Beau's death. Donovan returns to town to sell the inn and the hardware store owned by his late grandparents. He decides to fix it up just as they would have liked it before selling and has Hope work for him as a cleaning lady and decorator. The entire town comes together to help him fix the place up (their pay for labour giving them a much needed financial boost, and of course Donovan and Hope are drawn together again and he eventually forgives her and Ella comes to love her newly discovered Dad. Hope and Donovan are married and Donovan and Ella start a local chapter of AA. They live happily ever after.
I found the premise to be silly: Hope, Donovan and his brother Beau were at a party when Hope's mother called to say she had to pick up her little sister, Izzy, from a sleepover because she wasn't feeling well. As Donovan and his brother had too much to drink, Hope drove the car. A snowplough travelling in the opposite direction hit a moose and sent it flying in front of Hope. She hit it and Izzy and Beau were killed. Even though she passed the breathalyzer, everyone, including herself and her mother, blamed her for the accident. (Never mind that Donovan, who should have been driving, was drunk, she only had a few sips of alcohol, and it wasn't her fault about the moose running onto the road) Beau told her he never wanted to speak to her again and even her mother could not bear to face her. Donovan left town and Hope then discovered that she was pregnant from their one night together. Her mother sent her out of town and when she returned Piney took her in and loved her like another daughter. '
Seventeen years later Hope and her daughter are struggling financially and daughter Ella is drinking too much, just as her father did at her age. Hope still thinks she is responsible for Izzy and Beau's death. Donovan returns to town to sell the inn and the hardware store owned by his late grandparents. He decides to fix it up just as they would have liked it before selling and has Hope work for him as a cleaning lady and decorator. The entire town comes together to help him fix the place up (their pay for labour giving them a much needed financial boost, and of course Donovan and Hope are drawn together again and he eventually forgives her and Ella comes to love her newly discovered Dad. Hope and Donovan are married and Donovan and Ella start a local chapter of AA. They live happily ever after.
February 28, 2021
The book is great, I could hardly but it down to get sleep for work the next day.
Waiting to read the next one in the series is going to be hard but I bet well worth it.
I love the storyline and Sweet Home has a place in my heart just as all Patience Griffin other books have.
Loved everything about the story. Patience’s writing brings the reader right into the moment along side her characters. Felling all their pain, sorrow, grief, worry. Along with their anticipation, wonder, joy, and love. Patience stitches these brilliant characters and real life problems into a beautiful vibrant quilt to wrap around her reads. Giving them a feeling of the warmth of a new friendship and the wonderment of escape and adventure into the beautiful creative world she created.
I see all Patience Griffin’s books as all these beautiful patches on my bookshelves, just like the quilt she featured in the other series.
Patience Griffin Thanks for sharing your artistic works with us.
Waiting to read the next one in the series is going to be hard but I bet well worth it.
I love the storyline and Sweet Home has a place in my heart just as all Patience Griffin other books have.
Loved everything about the story. Patience’s writing brings the reader right into the moment along side her characters. Felling all their pain, sorrow, grief, worry. Along with their anticipation, wonder, joy, and love. Patience stitches these brilliant characters and real life problems into a beautiful vibrant quilt to wrap around her reads. Giving them a feeling of the warmth of a new friendship and the wonderment of escape and adventure into the beautiful creative world she created.
I see all Patience Griffin’s books as all these beautiful patches on my bookshelves, just like the quilt she featured in the other series.
Patience Griffin Thanks for sharing your artistic works with us.
March 25, 2021
One Snowy Night (Sweet Home, Alaska, #1)
by Patience Griffin
It is a story of hard mistakes made, forgiveness, second chances, friendship, and gratitude. A promising new series by Patience Griffin.
As a teenager Hope McKnight had a run in with a moose auto accident on a snowy night which resulted in the death of her sister Izzy and her boyfriend's brother Beau. Her boyfriend Donovan Stone blames Hope and leaves the small town of Sweet Home, Alaska. He returns many years later to settle his grandfather's estate by preparing the abandoned family lodge and hardware store for sale and learns he has a daughter.
Meanwhile Hope has raised her daughter Ella alone after being abandoned by her mother who blamed her for Izzy's death. Ella is now a teenager with a drinking problem. With Donovan's reappearance in town Ella knows she needs to tell him and her daughter about their relationship.
alcoholism, Alaskan life, small town, Bernese Mountain dog
by Patience Griffin
It is a story of hard mistakes made, forgiveness, second chances, friendship, and gratitude. A promising new series by Patience Griffin.
As a teenager Hope McKnight had a run in with a moose auto accident on a snowy night which resulted in the death of her sister Izzy and her boyfriend's brother Beau. Her boyfriend Donovan Stone blames Hope and leaves the small town of Sweet Home, Alaska. He returns many years later to settle his grandfather's estate by preparing the abandoned family lodge and hardware store for sale and learns he has a daughter.
Meanwhile Hope has raised her daughter Ella alone after being abandoned by her mother who blamed her for Izzy's death. Ella is now a teenager with a drinking problem. With Donovan's reappearance in town Ella knows she needs to tell him and her daughter about their relationship.
alcoholism, Alaskan life, small town, Bernese Mountain dog
July 2, 2021
Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
I couldn’t help but feel for Hope as she tries desperately to survive in the Alaskan town she’d grown up in and had once thrived in, before everything fell apart. She has this never-ending “can do” attitude, but it often gets in her way, particularly when she’s in situations where she definitely needs help but doesn’t want to accept it out of pride. Her daughter is a big example of that. Her complicated relationship with Donovan is another.
Both characters are incredibly hard-headed. I appreciated how One Snowy Night is told from Hope and Donovan’s perspectives, so we get to really see the constant inward struggle they have in forgiving one another, and moving on. I’ve heard that tragic events can sometimes stagnate someone, to where they’re stuck inside that time in their life, and I think that applies here. The way they behave and act when they have to deal with each other is like two immature teenagers stuck in high school!
Sweet Home is the type of idyllic town I’d love to visit and become a part of. Even amidst the slow destruction of what it once was, it’s obvious that the people who inhabit it really make the experience, and it shows. Behind the scenes, the town is pulling strings to attempt to get Hope and Donovan together again, and they’re also pulling together to try to bring Sweet Home back to its former glory. I loved the quirky characters, the slow burn between Hope and Donovan, and I appreciated how Patience Griffin dug into tough subject matters, in order to show progressional change for everyone involved in the town.
I couldn’t help but feel for Hope as she tries desperately to survive in the Alaskan town she’d grown up in and had once thrived in, before everything fell apart. She has this never-ending “can do” attitude, but it often gets in her way, particularly when she’s in situations where she definitely needs help but doesn’t want to accept it out of pride. Her daughter is a big example of that. Her complicated relationship with Donovan is another.
Both characters are incredibly hard-headed. I appreciated how One Snowy Night is told from Hope and Donovan’s perspectives, so we get to really see the constant inward struggle they have in forgiving one another, and moving on. I’ve heard that tragic events can sometimes stagnate someone, to where they’re stuck inside that time in their life, and I think that applies here. The way they behave and act when they have to deal with each other is like two immature teenagers stuck in high school!
Sweet Home is the type of idyllic town I’d love to visit and become a part of. Even amidst the slow destruction of what it once was, it’s obvious that the people who inhabit it really make the experience, and it shows. Behind the scenes, the town is pulling strings to attempt to get Hope and Donovan together again, and they’re also pulling together to try to bring Sweet Home back to its former glory. I loved the quirky characters, the slow burn between Hope and Donovan, and I appreciated how Patience Griffin dug into tough subject matters, in order to show progressional change for everyone involved in the town.
February 25, 2021
One Snowy Night kicks off the new series set in Sweet Home, Alaska. Friends—get ready for an unbelievable journey that will have you high as high can be, then send you spiraling down to the lowest of lows. Be sure you have plenty of tissues as you’ll need them throughout the journey to the HEA.
This book really touched my heart. Patience Griffin painted an incredible life-look in words and emotions. The storyline is totally amazing; the characters colorful and creative; the dramatic plot twists and turns truly guide you through the full gamut of emotions; and the HEA? My goodness, I was literally weeping out loud. What a truly amazing finish to a spectacular read! Grab your copy today...you truly don’t want to miss this one! ❤️❤️❤️
This book really touched my heart. Patience Griffin painted an incredible life-look in words and emotions. The storyline is totally amazing; the characters colorful and creative; the dramatic plot twists and turns truly guide you through the full gamut of emotions; and the HEA? My goodness, I was literally weeping out loud. What a truly amazing finish to a spectacular read! Grab your copy today...you truly don’t want to miss this one! ❤️❤️❤️
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