Belle Calhoune

Falling for Alaska by Belle Calhoune is the story of ex NFL star Xavier Stone who, with his two brothers, is drawn back to his childhood hometown in Alaska by an offer from his dying grandmother to inherit the family business if he and his brothers spend one year there working with their estranged father. Xavier is drawn to True Everett who runs their family-owned tavern and she to him. True is raising her young brother following the death of her parents.

I was immediately drawn in by the prologue in which a young Xavier and his two younger brothers are being taken away from Alaska by their mother to live in Arizona. The sadness he has about leaving, the way he comforts his siblings, and the way their father is depicted watching them leave all tugged at my heartstrings. What disappointed me most about this book was that even though they are brought back to Alaska and there is interaction with the estranged father, I wanted to read more about the healing and tension between them. It just didn't delve as deep as I wanted. Perhaps there will be more in future books, as I'm assuming there will be at least two more books to tell Caleb and Landon's stories. I am particularly interested in Landon's.

As for the romance between Xavier and True, it was cute and made me think of a Hallmark movie. Personally, I like more relationship development. I loved True's brother and enjoyed Xavier's interaction with him. All in all, it was a quick and easy read. I will keep an eye out for a possible continuation to this series.

My sincere thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my unbiased opinion of it.… (altro)

A beautiful setting, great characters, and an intriguing plot make Her Alaskan Return another winning effort by Belle Calhoune! Autumn Hines and Judah Campbell have both loved others and they've both faced loss, but God's plans are often surprising, aren't they? They are also best if we just trust and believe!

Her Alaskan Return is a lovely story of secrets, second chances, forgiveness, and acceptance. Calhoune certainly knows how to pull our heartstrings and she's made me eager to return to Serenity Peak, Alaska! I recommend this book to all who enjoy romantic Christian fiction.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.… (altro)