Wicked in Winter

I loved the story of Gretel & Zander! Could even entertain the idea of moving to Alaska!

Loved it. Perfect blend of fun to offset the “problems”.

This book is a great read! Funny, tearful and heartfelt.

Clever and fun!

Great story and such touching characters. It truly leaves you with a warm happy feeling. Loved it!

A little sweet, a little spicy, with a smattering of personal reflection and growth of character. And top it off with a sprinkle of catch-up on other Lost Harbor favorite residents and you’ve got a perfect read.

ARC for honest review with no compensation Wicked in Winter is book 4 in the Lost Harbor, Alaska series by Jennifer Bernard and so love thus great series! Gretel Morrison, spoiled rich girl comes to Lost Harbor to visit her sister since her parents cut her off from her frivolous spending. Now she’s determined to rely on herself and find her way in the world. What she doesn’t expect is Zander Ross, hot sexy next-door neighbor. When Zander and his family are threatened she stepped up to help if only in Athens short term of a few months. Instant attraction, secrets, short term relationship that could lead to a lifetime of happiness!

This is Book 4 in the lost Harbor, Alaska series and the first one I’ve read. If there are recurring characters from earlier books, they are woven seamlessly into the plot and the reader is not confused. This is a stand-alone, without a cliffhanger ending and written in third person. Gretel Morrison is a charming, very likable, if somewhat clumsy, mid-20s young woman. She has been dependent on her wealthy father and her conniving, manipulative mother for her whole life. However, her dad has recently cut her off from all funds and she’s determined to figure her life and finances on her own, far away from her parents. She doesn’t want, or need, any romantic entanglements or distractions in the form of her very attractive neighbor to divert her from her plans. Zander Ross and his two young brothers are the closest neighbors to the family Homestead where Gretel is staying. Born and raised in lost Harbor, when his parents are tragically killed, Zander left his military career and returned home three years ago to care for his brothers. Child care services is always watching the family, and he walks a tight line keeping his brothers supported financially and emotionally. Gretel is definitely not for him, with her happy-go-lucky disposition and inexperience with Alaska winters. Circumstances change, and Gretel is forced to rely on herself in a couple of instances when others are depending on her. The attraction between Zander and Gretel can’t be denied so they have to deal with the potential fallout should they succumb to more than their flirtation. Zander is hiding something from his brothers and Gretel, but when he decides to trust Gretel with his secret, Gretel suggests an obvious solution to his problem. Should they move forward with her outrageous plan or separately continue with her own plans? This is a great read! I absolutely fell in love with Gretel‘s personality and then with Zander as he worked so hard to keep his family together. When Gretel communicates with both of Zander’s brothers, giving them the emotional warmth Zander often fails to do, Zander can’t help but fall for Gretel. Seeing how strong Zander is to rise above all the challenges in his young life, and how much he loves his brothers, Gretel is unable to maintain her distance. However, her dad may still think he can control her life. Gretel is faced with a difficult choice when her dad presents an ultimatum to her and she wrestles with what is best for Zander and his brothers versus what she wants in life. Her struggle is real and I did what I rarely do while reading a book – – I shed a few tears. Ms. Bernard has written a gem! I laughed out loud at times and thoroughly enjoyed this romantic novel with strong characters and well-paced plot. Don’t miss this latest book in the series! I have already purchased the first three in the series and intend to start reading them now! I received an ARC from the author. I voluntarily submit this honest review.

I absolutely love this series!!! And dare I say Gretel and Zander’s story is my favorite so far! I just love these characters so much, from Gretel’s transformation to owning her life and being responsible to the way Zander has stepped up to care for his brothers after losing his parents, they are both really easy to love. And their chemistry is fantastic so all of their interactions are amazing. Jenny Bernard’s beautiful descriptive writing about the gorgeous Alaskan landscape transports me there for every one of these stories and I just love that! The scene where Zander and Gretel go on the dog sled is simply incredible! I felt like I was right there with them. From start to finish I was team Gretel and Zander and I really enjoyed every part of their story!!

Jennifer Bernard keeps getting better with each book in this series. We first met Gretel when she came to see Bethany, her half sister, in Lost Harbor. While Gretel is staying with the Noonan family, she becomes better acquainted with their hot neighbor, Zander. Zander returned home to care for his two younger brothers, after their parents died in a boating accident. Zander and Gretel have some amazing chemistry and they’re both hiding secrets. I love all of these characters and I hope to read more about Lost Harbor, Alaska. I won’t leave any spoilers, but I will say you won’t be disappointed by reading this book. Oh, you may need a few tissues.