Aurora, a wildlife photographer recovering from a failed engagement, finds herself stranded in Alaska after a mudslide. Gage, a floatplane pilot and resort owner, offers her a place to stay on Conley Island. What begins as one night turns into a week of family, community, and undeniable chemistry that blossoms into love.

The setting is one of the book’s biggest strengths—Brookes brings Alaska vividly to life, from the northern lights to the close-knit warmth of small-town island living. The supporting cast adds depth and charm, especially Gage’s family, who welcome Aurora as one of their own. Reed, in particular, is a standout, and I hope he gets his own book.While the story follows a predictable romance arc, it delivers exactly what fans of this genre love: comfort, connection, and a hopeful reminder that love can appear when least expected. Overall, it is a heartwarming, feel-good romance that reads like a cozy Hallmark movie, with breathtaking Alaskan scenery and a sweet, guaranteed happily-ever-after.

3.5 stars

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Cozy, scenic romance of unexpected connection in the Alaskan wild.

Aurora Daniels, a freelance wildlife photographer named after the natural wonder she longs to see, travels to Alaska for a job and perhaps a chance to catch the elusive northern lights. But when a mudslide delays her return flight, fate intervenes. Gage Weston—a charming floatplane pilot—comes to her rescue, flying her to his family’s remote island resort for the night. What should be a quick overnight stop blossoms into an uplifting escape filled with adventure, warmth, and unexpected sparks.

What I Enjoyed:
- Easy to read, just-right length: a cozy romance that flows effortlessly and never overstays its welcome.
- Gage = book boyfriend material: he’s dependable, kind-hearted, and instantly easy to root for. I totally see why Aurora falls for him.
- Comfortable clichés that work: the plot is predictable, sure but that’s part of the genre’s charm, and I enjoyed the familiarity.
- Purely enjoyable: even with the obvious beats, the read was thoroughly pleasant and left me feeling warm.

What Didn’t Stand Out:
- It leans into familiar storytelling so whilst I enjoyed reading this book I cannot say it is memorable, but not every read needs to be.

Final Thoughts
If you're in the mood for a light, scenic romance, especially one set against an Alaskan backdrop, Under the Northern Lights delivers. It’s a gentle read with swoon-worthy moments and calm, heartwarming pacing. Sometimes, predictable is exactly what we need and this book delivers it beautifully.

Thanks to Net Galley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC.

A Heartwarming Alaskan Escape

If you’re in the mood for a feel-good, cozy romance with a breathtaking backdrop, this heartwarming read will sweep you off your feet. Alaska has always been on my bucket list, and this story made me feel like I was already there! From stunning landscapes to unforgettable wildlife encounters; bears, moose, and majestic eagles, every detail pulled me deeper into the setting. Alaska feels like a character itself: wild, beautiful, and alive in every scene.

The chemistry between Aurora and Gage is tender, believable, and a refreshingly slow-burn. The author beautifully captures the push and pull between vulnerability and courage, especially when two people with complicated pasts are offered a glimpse of something new. Though I usually read stories with on-page heat, the emotional depth here was more than enough.

Gage’s family is so welcoming, it’s impossible not to fall in love with them too.

Uplifting and emotionally resonant, this novel is more than just a romance, it’s a journey of self-discovery and the quiet beauty of starting over. Whether you're curled up with a blanket or dreaming of your next getaway, this book is the perfect companion.

Five stars for the gorgeous book cover! From the first page I knew I was in for a treat. This uplifting, small town and adventurous romance was a delightful read. It's a sweet, feel good, heartwarming story with depth and adorable characters. I loved the way the author described the beautiful scenery. It left me wanting to visit and sightsee. If you are looking for a wonderful read, get this book!

****Publishing August 26, 2025****

Aurora is a wildlife photographer who gets opportunities to take pictures for magazines. Currently, she is in Alaska taking pictures for the magazine of her dreams. After taking a tour to capture the pictures she is looking for, she misses her flight due to the weather. The tour guide takes her to a friend’s restaurant to warm up. Aurora meets Gage. Will this blossom into something more?

This heart-warming story will take you on an adventure in Alaska. It’s a quick read that will give you warm fuzzy feelings with a happy ending! A great book to read with a cup of tea!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Everything in life happens for a reason, whether it be good, bad or downright ugly. Sometimes life can throw you a curve ball and in the next instant create the opportunity for a new path.

Our leading lady experiences a little bit of an unorthodox meet cute with a floatplane pilot and two worlds collide in the nicest of ways. Cue some Alaskan hospitality and the connection grows.

This cute romance is perfect if you're looking for something with cosy vibes and something that makes you feel all warm and gooey on the inside. Was it a little predictable yea.....but who cares, it was everything it needed to be. Also perfect for those who prefer their spice to be tension filled as opposed to smut.

Under The Northern Lights sets out to deliver a heartwarming romance framed by a picturesque setting. Lindsey Brookes’ writing is light and easy to follow, making it accessible for readers seeking a straightforward, low-stakes love story.

However, while the novel captures moments of charm, it lacks the depth and narrative tension that often keep romance readers invested. The storyline unfolds predictably and doesn’t quite offer the emotional layers or plot turns that could elevate it beyond surface-level sweetness. The dialogue and romantic exchanges, though well-meaning, lean heavily on familiar tropes, which may not appeal to readers looking for something fresh or dynamic in the genre.

This is a book best suited for those who enjoy gentle, uncomplicated romances and are content with a light, cozy read without much drama or intrigue. For readers seeking a more engaging or richly woven romantic journey, it may feel a little too safe.

I rate it a 6 out of 10

Aurora is a wildlife photographer that takes a work trip to Alaska after a failed engagement. Aurora misses her flight back home due to a mudslide, and Gage, a floatplane pilot and owner of a fishing resort, takes her to his family resort in Conley Island, Alaska. Aurora and Gage have an instant chemistry. What should have been a one night stay, turns into a week stay where Aurora discovers the magic of the little island in Alaska, bonds with his family and falls in love with Gage. Under the Northern lights is a heartwarming story that feels like a Hallmark Christmas movie. It is a predictable happily ever after story that uplifts you while reading it. It has great supporting characters and stunning descriptions of Alaska that will make you want to book a trip there. I hope Lindsey Brookes makes this book a series and writes a second book about Reed.

Thanks NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for sending this book for review consideration.

This is a sweet romance that doesn't get any spicier than kisses and sometimes that's just the speed a person wants. Both main characters are the rugged outdoor type and if I was picturing a specific rugged outdoorsman in my mind while reading, you can't blame me. The writer did a good job of making Alaska seem romantic. I also particularly liked the ending as it was exactly the one I was hoping for. The book takes between 8-12 hours to read depending on speed.

UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS by LINDSEY BROOKES is a cozy romance with delightful characters, set on Conley Island in Alaska at the Weston family’s fishing resort.
Aurora Daniels, wildlife photographer, meets Gage Weston when she is stranded in Juneau. She spends a memorable week with his family, taking incredible photos of the wildlife which cause her to get the job she has always wanted……
The Westons are a close family, very much like Aurora’s own family - kind and loving and full of fun………
Aurora’s parents fell in love under the Northern Lights - will that happen to her as well?
I as given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from BooksGoSicial. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

What an emotional rollercoaster. I can’t even begin to explain the feelings I’ve gone through with this book. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve sat reading this with the biggest grin on my face.

Though it seemed like quite a short story compared to others I’ve read it was full of comedy, romance, adventure and nostalgia.

I’ve fallen in love.. I’m just obsessed. Just reading it made me feel like I’d been transported there and that I was living on the island it’s set on. It was the perfect romance story and makes you realise that dreams can come true and sometimes you just need to follow your heart.

I had to give this 5* just for how it made me feel, it reminded me of the times I used to spend with my family and I know just how short life is so reading this was really close to home for me in a lot of ways.

I thought that this book was a good reprieve from time consuming and heavier reads. It read like a hallmark movie (which I love) and was a good filler novel. Will definitely be keeping my eye out for more from this author!

“Under the Northern Lights” by Lindsey Brookes is a sweet, heartwarming romance that had me hooked from the start. I couldn’t stop reading this book and finished it a day. I loved the chemistry between the characters and found myself wishing the story wouldn’t end because I just wanted more time with this couple. It also made me jealous of the cabin and beautiful nature scenes. I can’t wait to visit Alaska one day. This book was cozy, romantic, and perfect for a feel-good escape.

Under the Northern Lights is a sweet, light-hearted book. Aurora, a nature photographer, meets Gage, an Alaskan pilot and fishing retreat owner, when her flight home is delayed and she needs a place to stay. It was a love at first sight book with little conflict.

I really enjoyed this book and the look at Alaska. I liked watching Gabe and Aurora explore together and fall in love under the Northern Lights.
A sweet romance.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC

Under The Northern Lights by Lindsey Brookes is a sweet romance set against the vivid background of Alaska. This heartwarming read is perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, Teri Wilson, and Annie Rains.

Aurora is a wildlife photographer on assignment in Alaska. She meets Gage, a floatplane pilot, when he rescues her after a mudslide leaves her stranded and she misses her flight back to Seattle. Gage flies her to his family’s island fishing retreat and so their story begins. The main characters are so likeable as are Gage’s family who make you want to spend time with them.

A perfect small town cozy romance with Hallmark vibes that I thoroughly enjoyed!

Thank you Netgalley, BooksGoSocial and Lindsey Brookes for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Sometimes an opportunity presents itself, and you just have to take it. For Aurora in "Under the Northern Lights", that's a trip to Alaska...and then a detour off the beaten path to visit a fishing retreat. For me, though, it was that I saw several "northern lights" books in short succession...and decided that I had to read them all. This is the first, with two or three yet to come.

This makes for what I think of as a bread-and-butter romance—straightforward, not super complex, a quick read that doesn't require too much brainpower. (Not a criticism...we all need some cotton candy for the brain sometimes!) It's a little saccharine for my tastes (uses of the word "sweet": 18), with hero and heroine both immediately falling for each other and unhesitatingly opening up about sore spots in their lives, but I appreciated that the primary conflict was external, with both characters interested but knowing that geographical distance is a real and practical impediment. There are a lot of elements that romance readers will be familiar with (loving/meddling family that is way too vocal with their opinions; heroine whose primary flaw is that she's clumsy...actually, not even clumsy, she just trips a couple of times), but the setting is used to a satisfying degree.

There's room left in the book for other characters to have romances in future books—something with intentional series potential, I think! If there are further books, I'd like to see the characters work a bit harder to pass the Bechdel test; they technically do here, but as far as I'm concerned, if something passes the Bechdel test on a technicality then it hasn't actually passed. But it's always nice to see romance in which it's all basically good people who are doing their best to figure it out, including doing their best to communicate. A nice quick read for a summer afternoon.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

Under the Northern Lights is a tender, atmospheric romance set against the breathtaking beauty of Alaska. I was swept up in the chemistry between Grace and Luke, their slow-building connection made richer by themes of second chances, trust, and healing from the past.

Lindsey Brookes captures the magic of the northern landscape—the snow-dusted towns, the shimmering aurora—while grounding the story in genuine emotion and relatable struggles. Warm, heartfelt, and perfect for curling up with on a winter’s night, this is a love story that lingers.

This book is about a photographer, Aurora and Gage who is a pilot helping out his family's resort. They meet up and an unexpected cozy romance begins. With 252 pages in this cozy romance, it's a book for someone who is looking for a romance novel with very little spice. It took me a little bit to get into the story, however once I got into it, I was invested in knowing the outcome of Gage and Aurora's chance encounter romance. I am thankful to the author, Lindsey Brookes and publisher, Harpeth Road Press for the opportunity to read this book on NetGalley. I invite anyone reading my review to check out the love story of Gage and Aurora when this book is released on 08/26/2025.

Under the Northern Lights is a sweet and charming romance set against the stunning backdrop of Alaska. Lindsey Brookes blends heart, humor, and breathtaking scenery in a story that feels like a warm escape. Aurora and Gage’s connection is instant yet genuine, and their chemistry shines as they navigate unexpected twists. I loved the emotional depth, the setting, and the hopeful message of second chances. I enjoyed every moment and gave it five stars.