A soldier has six weeks to convince the only woman he has ever longed for to take a chance on life with him in Alaska…. Sara’s letters were the only bright spot during Gabe’s devastating tour in Iraq. With each new correspondence he fell harder, needed her more, wanted to be with her. Now, after initially rejecting his offer to meet, she’s shown up at the door of his isolated cabin in Alaska … cabin in Alaska looking for…what? Gabe’s not sure what made Sara change her mind, but he knows he never wants to let her go.
Major Gabe Randall is everything Sara Ryan wants but nothing she feels she deserves. A modern-day spinster, Sara hides behind family obligations and the safe, quiet life she’s resigned herself to living. But secretly, even though she may have stretched the truth about who she is in her letters to him, she wants Gabe. Will he still want her when he discovers the real woman behind the pen?
Once they meet, Gabe asks her for six weeks in Alaska. Six weeks to spend getting to know each other, and then she’ll have to decide whether they are better together or apart.
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Letters brought them together…
I loved how Sara and Gabe met – two souls connecting through words, then tech. The slow build up allowed them to learn so much about each other without the usual pressures of face to face dating life. Sara was funny and self-deprecating, the perfect foil to Gabe’s quietness. They connected, each finding someone who listened, was thoughtful and simply brought a smile their faces. That was why it was so hard when a bold move brought things crashing down…. And my heart with it.
This story ended up being two connected but distinct reads, the before and the after. If I thought the first half was sweet and gentle, the second matched it in angst and uncertainty. A bit uneven, yes, but what bound it all together so perfectly was love and its determination… A great first read that has this author firmly in my radar.
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
**Thank you to NetGalley
I’m a huge fan of Sydney Landon so buying a book under her new pen name for a one-click for me. And as always, she never disappoints. Loved the dual-point of view and her trademark humor make this book unforgettable. If you want a feel good book with memorable characters, pick this up today! And did I mention, got guy in a uniform and his adorable dog?!
Heartwarming military romance
I enjoyed this romance – a lot. I loved the characters and I always enjoy stories that include Alaska.
Sara Ryan is 35 years old, lives with her brother and his family in Charlotte, North Carolina as their nanny and takes care of her mother in her spare time. She goes to a family reunion against her better judgment and her aunt announces to everyone she’s a spinster who has never had a boyfriend.
As she starts to see that there’s more to life than taking care of her brother’s family, she starts corresponding with Army Major Gabe Randall. Gabe has been in the military 16 years and is on his seventh deployment, this time in Iraq.
Both Sara and Gabe grow closer and closer as they correspond over the next few months but it’s not all going to be easy for them in the days to come.
I loved Sara and sexy Gabe and, of course, the dog Trouble. If you’re looking for a hard-to-put-down romance, give this wonderful story a chance.
I received this book from Berkley Publishing through Edelweiss in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
I could not put down Sara and Gabe’s story in From Alaska with Love by Ally James, This is a sweet, humorous, and heartwarming story, featuring two lonely people. Sara Ryan lives with her brother and his wife, as she takes care of her niece, and also helps her widowed mother. Although she is beautiful, Sara has little to no confidence and because she has no life, seldom socializes, does not believe she will ever marry. Other than her niece, Sara is taken advantage of her by her family, as they all expect her to do their bidding. While listening to the radio Sara hears that they are collecting cards and letter to pass on to troops overseas; and Sara sends a sweet funny card to whoever receives it.
Major Gabe Randall received Sara’s card and while enjoying her sense of humor decides to respond; and thus a pen pal relationship begins. What follows is a warm-hearted sweet story, with both Gabe and Sara welcoming the friendship their correspondence has given them; especially with Sara’s funny posts, which were a bright light for Gabe during this hard tour in Iraq. With each new communication, email or Facetime, both begin to have feelings for each other; so they decide they need to meet.
Making a surprise visit to Sara’s home turns into a disaster thanks to comments made by her brother. Determined to repair their relationship, Sara flies to Alaska and spends time as intended with Gabe. Not knowing what changed her mind, Gabe eventually realizes that he never wants Sara to leave. In a short time, Sara begins to love Alaska and Gabe’s army friends. As their relationship and love falls into place, Gabe realizes he has to find a way for Sara’s family to forgive her for “deserting” them and work out a plan for Sara to still visit with them. Sara and Gabe were perfect together, finding a magnetism that keeps them together with off the chart chemistry and explosive electricity.
Ms. James wrote a sweet, humorous, and heartwarming story that is not to be missed. I loved many of the secondary characters that James created, especially Chloe, Jason, and especially Trouble the dog, who I absolutely adored. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and will definitely not be the last. I highly recommend The From Alaska with Love to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Love a military romance with characters that connect! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
I completely loved this sorry and am a sucker for a military man finding love.
Sara and Gabe connected has a beautiful connection and you could feel the chemistry. The way they connected through letters and kept the connection is what I loved the most. There was some awkwardness for them in the beginning but like any love story they always find their feelings and happiness in the end!
4 Stars
I absolutely fell in love with this story, this was my first book by this author and I found it to be well written. I really enjoyed Sara and Gabe’s story, I laughed and cried both while reading this book. A book being able to pull out my emotions is a major thing for me. I would definitely recommend this book to others. I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from the Publisher without any obligation to give a good review, having said this is my honest opinion of this book.
This is a fabulous read! I fell for hard for the dynamic of the characters, the story is alive with family, drama, angst, and romance. It touches on the problems of being in the military and deployment, all coming together at the end for the HEA. Make sure to put this at the very top of your TBR list.
ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
This book was all kinds of adorable.
“Spinster” Sara (pssshhh what would they call me then) and Gabe are not a couple that you would really expect to come together, but they do and it works.
I liked that they communicated via emails for a chunk of the time – much more cute and romantic than just text message to me.
My heart hurt for Sara – she is having a bit of a pity party, and I wanted her to stand up to those making her feel that way – and the fact that is was her family that treated her like Cinderella made me mad, mad, mad!
I was laughing out loud at times, as the first half especially was full of humour. I found the second half more emotional and deeper
It takes a look at modern relationships, familial relationships and the growth of both Sara and Gabe as the story progressed.
I would like to see more of the secondary characters in this story, particularly Jason and Chloe.
I wonderful read that I enjoyed in an afternoon.
I was drawn to the book by three things: military, Alaska and the cover, well mostly the dog.
I loved the premise of the story: girl writes a letter to a deployed soldier…it sort of follows my life (in a way)… but in the end the story fell a little flat for me. I didn’t connect with any of the characters. I wanted more depth from Sara, I wanted/needed her to start to grow. I did enjoy getting to know Gabe, but his character also was a little flat.
I did enjoy Trouble, the dog, and his antics.