Jack Furst loves South Pole, Alaska, almost as much as his sled dogs and second only to his girlfriend, Joyce. But the area has taken a down turn in recent years and he’s afraid it’ll be a ghost town before long.Joyce Nicholson enjoys her home base in South Pole and flies her single engine plane to surrounding villages with supplies daily. When her company pressures her to move to another city … another city with a better location and bigger population, Joyce fears leaving Jack behind.
There’s nothing more powerful than Christmas in Alaska and when a surprise mayoral election shocks the entire South Pole residency, the town flips upside down and holds the most unusual Christmas celebration ever. Will it be enough to save the beloved city?
more
South Pole, Alaska, is dying a slow death. Can a new mayor revive the town? Will Jack Furst be able to be with his love, Joyce, a bush pilot who drops in on the town? Or, will the town dry up and will Joyce be reassigned to other areas because of it?
A fun, sweet holiday read, wonderfully written and narrated by the author. Just the right length for a short drive while you go Christmas shopping!
I received a copy of this audiobook from Audiobook Boom! and chose to review it.
THE FIRST BACKWARDS Christmas by Brooke Williams
Four Stars
The First backwards Christmas was a super cute short read. The author gives you a lot in a few chapters but it’s fun and well written. The characters are funny and unique because they are in a part of the world that I can’t imagine living. When people start to leaves their small town Jack and Joyce are worries that their relationship would be next. But that doesn’t stop Joyce from letting everyone know that Jack would be a great Mayor for their town. Jack is such a relaxed and open guy. I love his take on solving the town’s issue. No one would have ever thought to make a backwards Christmas. The idea was fresh and gave the town hope. For such a short story the author did really well letting you see who they characters were and how they connected.
This is the first book I have read from this author and I absolutely loved it. I love a good Christmas book but this author exceeded all my expectations. This book may be small but is has everything you look for in a story. I was hooked on the very first page and I could not stop. I devoured this book in only a couple of hours.
Jack Furst loves his town. He loves the people and the sights. Jack also has a beautiful woman in his life Joyce. When he finds out that his town might be in trouble it breaks his heart. Jack wants to save his small town but how? He is shocked when Joyce tells him that her boss tell her she needs to move to a more popular town for work. Jack knows he needs to come up with something to save his town and then it came to him an upside down Christmas. Will jack and Joyce be able to save their town or will it be too late?
I absolutely loved this book. It will bring you into the Christmas spirit. You will fall in love with these characters right from the beginning. Joyce a very strong woman. She loves Jack but she is afraid her job is going to make her leave him. Jack loves his town and he doesn’t want to see it empty. He loves Joyce and he will do anything to make her smile. This talented author will make you laugh and make you feel all warm inside. I can’t wait to see what she will write for us next.
The First Backwards Christmas by Brooke Williams. This was the best short book I’ve read in a long time. Its the story of Jack Furst & Joyce Nicholson. Jack is a sled dog trainer and loves his dogs, his girlfriend Joyce and his little town of South Pole Alaska. The only problem is South Pole is on the verge of being a ghost town. In fact at the last town meeting the Mayor resigned to move to the lower 48 so the town is now without a Mayor. Joyce & Jack are trying so hard to keep South Pole going and Jack decides to run for mayor so he will have more control over things. The Christmas Celebration is one for the books. Will it be enough to save South Pole and keep Jack & Joyce together? This book got me into the holiday spirit!
This was such a fun and quick little read! I enjoyed that this was, although only 49 pages, a jam packed little story that got me in the perfect mood to pull out that Christmas tree and decorate after the first turkey coma of the Thanksgiving day.
Brooke Williams is new to me as an author, so it was nice to have a new experience go well, and find someone that I will get to add some new novels to my TBR list going forward. I really hate to go into a lot of detail much away from the basic synopsis already summed up about this book because it is a short and sweet book. I will tell you I definitely recommend that you pick it up and add it to your collection of Holiday TBR’s this year! You won’t be disappointed you did! Jack and Joyce promise to make your trip to Alaska a festive one! Happy Holidays! Thanks for the great read Ms. Williams!
The First Backwards Christmas written by Brooke Williams. This story is a short quick read, and is about giving a town hope at a second chance. The storyline was a bit odd with the handstands but the rest of it was cute. Jack and Joy make a cute couple who are willing to try anything to save the town they love. Even if it means having a backwards Christmas.
The First Backwards Christmas by Brooke Williams was a cute short book that can be read on a cold afternoon when you have some time to just relax with a book and a cup of coffee.
Jack Furst had been living In South Pole, Alaska watching families one by one leave the town. Not much is left and before he knows it, the mayor is leaving too. Jack is dating a woman by the name of Joyce Nicholson who is a pilot and has been helping other towns by bringing supplies to them. What happens when Joyce is moved to be stationed somewhere else?
When the new Mayor gets the bright idea to hang Christmas trees upside down and do everything backwards, no one knew if it would help. Before long, the news of how South Pole, Alaska is celebrating Christmas becomes known all over and more and more families and relatives come to experience it.
I thought the book was well written and was a perfect read for me when I was stuck home one afternoon.
The First Backwards Christmas by Brooke Williams is a sweet, holiday story. This is a short story that tells the origins of Backwards Christmas in South Pole, Alaska. The story of hometown man Jack and the pilot Joyce. Jack is worried that his town is going to fade away as people are moving away to more prosperous cities. After Joy urges people to vote for Jack in the mayoral race Jack has to solve the problem of the city. Not only does Jack need to solve the city’s problem he must also figure it out so Joyce can stay based in town.
This a very quick fun holiday read. I like the characters. Jack is sweet and has a bit of a silly side. Joyce is caring and smart. The two are a fun couple who genuinely care for people and each other. I recommend this if you need to get in the Christmas spirit. I look forward to reading more about South Pole, Alaska in the future.
The First Backwards Christmas by Brooke Williams
4 Stars
This is a feel good Christmas story. It takes place in a small town called South Pole in Alaska. The population has been slowly dwindling in the past few years. Jack Furst loves the town and between him and his girlfriend Joyce, they come up with a crazy idea to bring a little life back into the South Pole.
Though short, it is a cute story with a Hallmark feeling to it. I admit, I did get teary eyed at the end. It definitely gets you into the Christmas spirit.
A great read about reinvention. South Pole Alaska is slowly becoming a ghost town as residents leave. When the mayor resigns, local Jack Furst is volunteered into the role. Can he come up with a way to restore their town?
A great read. Well developed plot with twists and turns that I just couldn’t put down. Well developed characters like the supportive Joyce living her dream or Jack wanting to help others. Extremely enjoyable as a prequel to learn how all the traditions came to be.
I loved the feel of a small town community working together to brainstorm ideas with the sense of a small town with little shops and friendly people.
I also loved the visual detail throughout the novel like with the Christmas tree and decorations or the Santa costume full of vivid colours against the snow white landscape. Also the sense of the elements in the cold and the snow as if you could feel it And the unusual but refreshing take on Christmas. Overall, a great read and I would give it five stars.
The First Backwards Christmas by Brooke Williams is a short but cute christmas romance story. I wasn’t sure what I was getting when I first looked at he book but the story is original and a little magical and you will enjoy each and every bit of it. Christmas in South Pole, Alaska has never been quite like this one, it’s a little zany, a little wacky and a little fun. Just what the town needs. It encompasses all there is that is christmas, family and friends, love and joy, spirit and caring. It is simplistic in it’s telling which is spot on.
This is a feel good story that can be read in one nice relaxing afternoon.
The First Backwards Christmas
By Brooke Williams
5 stars
I absolutely adore Christmas stories they never fail to get me in the Christmas spirit and The First Backwards Christmas did just that! This is the third book that I have read by this author so I knew I would enjoy it and Ms Williams didn’t disappoint. It was a short and sweet read and in all honesty one that I didn’t really want to end. The authors descriptive language makes you feel like you are watching a festive film and not reading a story, I was able to imagine everything from the characters to the setting. It is definitely one of those stories for a cold winter’s night snuggled up in front of the fire! I loved Jack and Joyce and their connection. I felt like this was genuine and I was definitely rooting for them throughout the story!
If you are looking for a lovely Christmas story then I definitely recommend The First Backwards Christmas!
4 Stars
The First Backward Christmas by Brooke Williams is a sweet holiday romance, full of the wonder, and magic of Christmas. Even though it is a follow-on from Another Backward Christmas, it explains how the backward Christmas tradition started.
I loved Another Backward Christmas, so I knew as soon as I saw this book pop up on my recommended feed, that I had to read it. I am happy that I grabbed a copy, as it kept me engaged from beginning to end, giving me all the Christmas ‘feels’ that I love. It is a novella length story, which made it a very quick and easy read. Even so, Ms. Williams manages to fit a lot into a short amount of space, without making the story feel rushed or lacking in any way.
I really enjoyed following Jack Furst and Joyce Nicholson on this delightful, fun, Light-hearted, and uplifting read- and discovering how the Backward Christmas tradition began. If you enjoy a great Christmas story, then this book is well worth the read!
I look forward to more from Ms. Williams!
Thank you, Ms. Williams!
The first backwards Christmas is a touching and creative holiday tale! Located in the South Pole, a couple has to find ways to keep the town going and stay together. All the things the town come up with are unexpected, endearing, and sound really fun. This is a great feel good story for this time of year. Something perfect to read as you snuggle under your blanket with a cup of hot chocolate.
The First Backwards Christmas by Brooke Williams
5 stars
What a quick, yet fun holiday read. Newly elected mayor Jack, is trying to find a way to bring new life into South Pole, Alaska and thanks to his gift of thinking while upside down he gets the perfect idea.
With the help of the town, they start a tradition for years to come.
What a sweet read that was all about the holiday and a little love along the way. I really loved this story. And cant wait to read more of this town.
The First Backwards Christmas by Brooke Williams
5 Stars
I love me some backwards Christmas in South Pole, Alaska…I read Another Backwards Christmas and fell madly in love with this town and their traditions and now going back to see just how all of those traditions started was AWESOME. I want to move there, today!
This author has taken me away from real life once again and even though this story was way too short it was jam packed with content, but never rushed. I loved this story and how 2 people already together found a way to breathe life back into their town while still building on a relationship they were forming. It was awesome and I found myself picturing everything and I have it all laid out in my head…This was so much fun to read and now I am definitely ready for the holiday season to start.
Awesome book by an amazingly awesome author and I hope she writes more from this town in the future because I could spend many hours in South Pole, Alaska.
Loved It!!!
The First Backwards Christmas by Brooke Williams was a sweet, light heart read that gets you right in the feels.
My first read by this author, I didn’t really know what I was getting into, but I liked it, and I will be checking out more books by this author. Now I will tell you that this book is short, coming in at 49 pages short. Because of how quick and fast this story goes I’m not going to give you too much on plot, and characters. But I will tell you that this book is extremely well written, warm and it has that Christmas magic feel, that is on par with any hallmark TV movie. (This would fit perfectly into their line up)
What else can I say that won’t spoil this read, lets see. Given the shortness, I must say that the main characters were fairly well developed. You get a good feel of Joyce and Jack, their relationship and their goals. There isn’t any major shifts or changes in them, but Jack does get a little more growth, and in truth these two were so sweet, cheesy and cute, that I couldn’t help but roll the eyes.. in a good way.
Overall this book is that perfect quick read to get you in a good festive mood, and makes you want to watch some cheesy Christmas movies. So please take my super high recommendation and my stamp of approval that you will love this heart melty read.
Happy Reading.
-E.A. Walsh
This is a short story about a Backward Christmas. I loved this book! It is a story that brought joy and excitement for the coming season. It warms the heart and brings the spirit of Christmas. I loved how we get to see how the Backward Christmas got started. The characters are loveable and relatable. They had great chemistry and made the story enjoyable. Will they be able to save a small town that is dying? I highly recommend this story!
The First Backwards Christmas
By: Brooke Williams
5 out of 5 stars
The story The First Backwards Christmas by Brooke Williams is a wonderful book that I loved reading. It is a holiday romance story. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning and I found myself not wanting to put the story down until I had finished the last page. The book does at times move quickly, however, I felt the spirit and joy of Christmas throughout. I loved reading about the characters of Jack Furst ad Joyce Nicholson. I liked that I the story had me feeling what the characters do when they are happy, sad, or worried. There are surprises and parts that will warm your heart. Can the city of South Pole, Alaska be saved from becoming a ghost town? Will Joyce have to leave South Pole because of her job and in the process leave Jack behind as well? What will happen when a town embraces an unusual idea in order to save itself? Read this book to find out. I found myself growing to love Jack and Joyce with every chapter that I read. That they have an attraction and strong feelings for one another is undeniable. When reading you can look forward to getting that warm feel-good feeling and it stayed with me even after I had finished the book. Highly recommended reading.
I loved everything about this short story. This clean, fun story offers just a wonderful, feel-good Christmas tale. Just loved reading about Jack and Joyce. The story is fluid and quirky. Brooke Williams writes another wonderful tale. Definitely recommended.