Holiday Hallmark movies are great. They are cheesy, but in a loveable way that just screams Christmas. Well, now they do it in books, and while they feel mostly like a Hallmark movie, in book format, this book in particular felt long and drawn out. It could have ended three hours before it did. Overall it was a nice holiday listen, but that is about it. Danni is a social media influencer who takes a break in December to go see a pregnant friend in Juneau, Alaska. There she meets the quiet and reserved police chief Declan and romance insures. That’s all you really need to know. The rest is typical Hallmark story telling. – POC author and characters. ( )

Declan lost his leg when and IED exploded while he was in the army. He thought that his fiancé would just be happy he was alive. But, she could not deal with his injury. So, she just up and left him. This hurt him more than his leg injury. He absolutely refuses to date or even think about love. Enter Danni. Danni is a social influencer from NYC. She needed a break so she comes to Alaska to see her best friend. This changes her whole world!

I love Declan. He is definitely the strong, silent type. But he has a huge heart. And Danni, she is in need of something other than her stressful life. Now…they hit a few rough patches, but overall, these two fit so well together!

Anytime I see a book set in Alaska…I am all over it. I have no idea what it is, but I must read it. This one hit the mark! The characters, the location and, of course, the Christmas season, puts this one right in my wheel house!

Janina Edwards is the narrator of the audiobook and did an outstanding job. I will be on the look out for more books narrated by her!

Need a feel good romance set in the scenic Alaska..THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. ( )

"Mistletoe in Juneau" is a well-written contemporary holiday romance from author Dahlia Rose and Hallmark Publishing. The author's smooth, fluid, descriptive writing makes for a very enjoyable read. At age thirty, Brooklyn native Danni St. Peters was a social networker and media influencer on the rise. A popular video channel star, she had a legion of followers and a bright future ahead. While she always felt the lack of her family's approval, she still chose to follow her own career path. Her relationship with her producer, Austin Hammond, had evolved from pleasant and professional to something more. Austin, who was always "on", and single-minded when it came to promoting Danni's occupational opportunities and his own best interests, never really seemed to listen to Danni when she spoke her mind. An invitation from her best friend Amy to spend the holidays with Amy and her family in Alaska comes at just the right time. Amy, who is married to an Alaska State Trooper, has a young son and is expecting her second child right at Christmastime. Amy's husband, Mateo, is good friends with his fellow state trooper, Declan Mathias. As a favor to Mathias, Declan picks up Danni at the airport. A former military man who lost a leg in combat, Declan is physically fit and mentally strong, but he is uncomfortable around pretty women--his fiance had rejected him after his injury. The atmosphere is uncomfortable and the conversation between them is stilted on the way to Amy's house. Overjoyed by seeing Amy again, Danni tries to overlook Declan's gruff manner. While Declan and Danni can't help but be thrown into each other's company, they gradually get to know one another, and the initial chill begins to thaw. Amy and her family, and Declan's mother, become as busy as Santa's elves when they start matchmaking for Danni and Declan. Friendship between the two of them begins to turn into something more, but Danni has her work and obligations in New York, and Declan has some personal issues to overcome. Can the spirit of the holidays--along with some Christmas magic--show them a future as bright as all the lights on the Christmas tree? Author Dahlia Rose adds depth to this holiday tale by infusing the story line with insights into the people, culture, and traditions of Alaska. I look forward to reading more of her work.

Book Copy Gratis Hallmark Publishing ( )

Mistletoe in Juneau by Dahlia Rose
A Hallmark publication. Holiday romance.
Danni leaves her hometown of New York to visit with her best friend for the Christmas holiday in Juneau, Alaska. She puts her social media influencer career on temporary hold for the slower pace in the smaller Alaskan city. State Trooper Declan is intrigued by Danni, but also leery since he’s been burned by a city girl in the past that couldn’t deal with his disability.

A touching and emotional romance that follows the Hallmark standard template. Knowing what’s going to happen at one point in the story doesn’t make it any less devastating when it does or the joyful tears when everything wraps up.
I loved this story. The bonus recipe at the end sounds really good too.

🎧 I listened to an audio version that was narrated by Janina Edwards. The performance was modulated well with different voices for the main characters. Emotions and stress were enunciated clearly and with passion. I listened to most of the recording at 1.2 which is my regular and preferred speed. I could have sped it up to 1.4 to still be in conversational comfort.
4.5

I received a copy of the audiobook from NetGalley and DreamscapeMedia. ( )