Julie Carpenter's Reviews > Dashing Through the Snow

Fun, Fun, Fun!!!! I know, I know this is a Christmas book and it's the end of January. December was a little busy and as much as I hoped to try to grab this book from the library and read it then it didn't happen. But I finally checked it out and read it. Super fast, fun, clean and easy read. One of those lighthearted candy reads that just are enjoyable and a happy ending. I haven't read too many Debbie Macomber books but I am slowly starting to read more. I received a free ARC copy of her book Mr. Miracle last year and loved it. That lead me to watching Cedar Cove as I was crafting Christmas gifts and then this year I kept thinking about Mr. Miracle and ended up searching Mrs. Miracle online and watched the Hallmark movie. Needless to say I want to read those novels and will definitely start reading more of Debbie Macomber's books.

Dashing Through the Snow had some suspense, humor and a sweet cute-meet between the main characters, Ashley and Dash. Just so you know upfront I won't give any spoilers but really want to tell you about the suspense part but haven't quite decided how to do so without giving a spoiler. It begins at the start of the book and continues throughout until the very ending. Even though it's a bit a suspense it's a humorous suspense and a bit maddening towards one character. Sorry but that's about all you'll get from me on that suspense aspect.

Ashley is a spunky character who is a grad student in California. Last minute she is able to get away from work and try to get home to spend Christmas with her mom in Seattle. Dash, short for Dashiell, used to be military intelligence and is now home trying to get to Seattle for a job interview a couple days before Christmas. These two end up at the same airport, at the same time, at the same ticket counter, you get the idea, one of those predictable beginnings to set up the plot and story. Ashley is at the ticket counter trying to get a ticket but is unable to and doesn't want to try to fly standby. Unbeknownst to her Dash is behind her and keeps saying please hurry up, being a little impatient. Ashley gets frustrated that the airport employee refuses to help her get a ticket back home to her widowed mother whom she hasn't seen in a couple years. She stomps off trying to figure out what to do. Eventually she realizes that she can get a rental car, because her car is on the fritz, and can drive to Seattle to surprise her mom.

There she is standing in another line and who should show up behind her at the same line, at the same car rental agency? Yep, you guessed it...Dashiell. When she steps up to the counter she is informed that there is only one car rental left in the whole airport. She says she'll take it but Dash steps up and says if there's only one car let's share it and I'll pay all expenses. Ashley isn't happy to have this same guy behind her and to have him wanting her to share a car with a complete stranger. I kept thinking there's no way I would do that but then I have to think about the times in college where I found names off the ride board searching for someone who was traveling to another state where I was trying to get and my little car not being up for the trek. Needless to say, yes I called and found a group of people all trying to go to the same destination and I took the ride. Yes I did screen them very, very carefully!!!!! Would you just get in the car with someone at the airport if they requested to share the last rental car with you to the same location??? Ashley was very hesitant but Dash had her call his mom and after laughing and finding out more than Dash wanted her to about him, she agrees to share the car.

There is definite tension between the two as neither are happy be sharing a car but both need to get to Seattle so they buck up and try to make the best of it. Now throw in some suspense as the point of view changes to a whole new character and the reader says "WHAT"? It fit and was fun and of course the whole time I'm reading I keep thinking is one of the characters really who they say they are, yes they are, then no maybe they aren't. Let me know what your thoughts were at this point if you choose to read the book, or already have read the book.

Ashley and Dash have a couple silly moments along the way; rest stop adventures, a biker gang, a puppy, walmart parking lot switcheroo, karaoke fiasco, a quirky auto shop mechanic, a final stop(that I can't reveal due to the suspense part) and then finally Seattle.

Overall I really enjoyed this read. It only took me a few hours and most of that time I was riding in the car coming home from a weekend outing. I have to say too that I love the cover, it's just fun and eye catching with the bright christmas lights and snow. If you need a Christmas in July (or January) book this is definitely well worth the time. After reading Mr. Miracle and watching Mrs. Miracle I kept thinking while I was reading that an angel would make an appearance. You'll have to read to find out if Debbie Macomber added another angel into her stories.

Happy Reading!!!