Everyone needs a fresh start sometime. For Gretel Morrison, that time is now, and the place is tiny, snowbound Lost Harbor, Alaska. It’s about time she learned how to rely on herself instead of her wealthy, controlling family. If she can survive the winter here, she can survive anything—although maybe not the lethally sexy and attractive next-door neighbor, Zander Ross. Zander has his hands … his hands full raising his two younger brothers. The last thing he needs is distraction in the form of a spoiled rich girl who has no idea what she’s in for. He’d bet anything she won’t make it past the next blizzard—although he might not either, not with his sanity intact. With her dazzling smile and lighthearted style, she’s everything he’s not. And everything he longs for.
When a threat to the Ross family surfaces, Zander gets the shock of his life when Gretel steps up with an outrageous idea that might help them both. Can he trust her enough to take a chance? Or will Gretel’s mega-millionaire father find a way to ruin their amazing-but-fragile new bond?
Alaska winters are always wild, but this one is about to get wicked.
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perfect read for a cozy night int 🙂
Jenny Bernard and this series are a MUST READ for me.
I’ve been a fan of this series from the very first book, as well as the author (Jennifer Bernard), and I wasn’t disappointed with Wicked In Winter. What I loved about this book is that from the very first pages, it grabbed me, sucked me in, and held me there until the end.
Zander Ross and Gretel (Zsa Zsa Whitney!) Morrison (funny story about her name to read, too) were like oil and water right from the start. I loved how Gretel was talking to inanimate objects and I could swear they were tawkin’ back! The progression of their relationship had the fun kind of rocky start and much tension (of the sexy tension kind) between them. Zander broke my heart. He thought he was ‘broken’ somehow and his struggle to take care of his family and friends – day to day – was real. He was such a great guy/character and I was firmly in his corner. Gretel, from previous storylines, was portrayed as a definite free spirit who came across as ditzy and spacey. What this masked was a tender heart of a deeply caring person that no one took seriously.
Best part? They found each other. Granted, they went about it in a convoluted way but that’s what made the story. Oh, they were so good for one another but…they each had something to prove to themselves, to the people in their lives who were counting on them, to others, and of course, to each other. I seriously enjoyed this story. Both Gretel and Zander deserved big hugs, at the very least, but most of all, their own HEA. Great story!
I want to be Gretel’s BFF in the worst way! Her infectious personality just jumped off the pages of the book! Zander, of course, was more subdued but not really as rigid as he appeared with his military training. He was a rule follower who was the perfect complement for Gretel’s vivacious, no rule has ever been made that didn’t need to be broken take on life. They became the perfect balance for each other and the chemistry between them was off the charts! If only I could move to Lost Harbor, Alaska and become part of this fabulous community!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
You know a book is good, that the characters are well-written and the plot paced just right when you wish you could go to Wicked Brew, the coffee shop where everyone in Lost Harbor, Alaska hangs out. You know it’s good when you find yourself thinking that you wish there was more snow on the ground, so you could play in the snow like Gretel and Zander. And you know those characters feel quite real when (tissue alert) tears are coursing down your cheeks at the end. What a fantastic story by Jennifer Bernard, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! I highly recommend this book. A great read when you are in quarantine or relaxing on the beach!
I highly recommend going along with Gretel and Zander on their journey. There are plenty of laughs and a few tears mixed in with the romance and steamy scenes. The town of Lost Harbor has lots of vivid support characters as well. A must read for all!
Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes. Paired with one of my favorite authors, Jennifer Bernard, then I have an auto click book!
Gretel is a pampered, party girl whose father has just cut off all financial support. While this image does not necessarily denote a likeable character, Gretel’s charm, vivacity and joie de vivre won her over for me. Zander is a swoony hero who has left his military career to care for his younger brothers on the sudden death of his parents. How a marriage of convenience comes about, you will have to read it for yourself! Also, not to be missed, are the fantastic descriptions of northern living. I had to put on another sweater when reading about the dog sled ride.
I received a free copy of this book. This is my unbiased review.
The characters in this book have something to appeal to every reader, but it’s Gretel that really appealed to me. Her determination to succeed on her own, her anguish over the butterflies, and her stoic refusal to put herself first – what is there not to love? While Jennifer Bernard’s stories keep your attention, it’s her characters that make you return again and again to her worlds, and this set of characters is a masterpiece, from Gretel herself to Zander and the Ross brothers, with his overwhelming love for his younger siblings and his growing love for Gretel. As always, we get to visit with some of the earlier Lost Harbor characters – always a pleasure! This is a book not to be missed.
I received a free copy of this book and fell in love with it, and my review is voluntary.
Loved the small town characters lots of family interactions enjoyable read
Love this whole series.
A brother moved back to Alaska to raise his younger brothers after they lost their parents. He fell in love with a newcomer to this small Alaska town.
Zander & Gretel are great characters as is the supporting cast. Story is much too warm and cheerful for an Alaskan winter tale.
Gretel and Zander
Thanks Jennifer for writing such an original, funny, and heart warming story.. The characters are all so interesting and mostly good, caring folks.
A great story of pride, fear, strength, hope, and love. The characters are believable and complex, and their steamy connection brings everything together for a perfect HEA!
Loved how she wanted to stand on her own and how she cares so much for ithers
It is always an enjoyable reading experience when life throws a curve into the plans a person has in place.
Not up to standard I have come to expect from this autnor. Allowing female protagonist irritating interference in man’s fami!y rules does not make for enjoyable story!
Bravo! Just enough heart to make a cute romance. Lots of naughty sexy time. And gorgeous bone chilling descriptions of Alaska in wintertime. What more could a girl ask for. It had the right balance. I wish the cafe had stayed Wicked Brew but complete minor detail.
Poor little rich girl loves Alaska
Two adults with major family issues. He returns to Alaska to raise his brothers after parents death in a car accident. She joins her sister in Alaska after extremely self-absorbed elitist divorced parents disown her (and her sister).
The author has some really great lines and ways to tell the story that made me laugh or say Awwww or just enjoy the whole telling of it.
There needed to be an additional editor that is the type that reads the words aloud in their head so that they notice when a word is missing or wrong.
Loved this book!