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Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Annabeth Albert

Deck The Palms (An Annabeth Albert Christmas) by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review

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Nolan Bell has a very Merry problem this holiday season…

As a native New Yorker, I’ve always dreamed of my name in lights on Broadway. But when my Army officer brother calls in a favor, I wind up in Hawaii to help his family while he’s deployed.

A winter in paradise doesn’t sound too bad until I become the substitute choir teacher at a middle school near the base. Wrangling a bunch of tweens while planning the annual school holiday lights festival is a far cry from playing Peter Pan.
Enter Merrick “Merry” Winters, the school’s grumpy but hot shop teacher. I can win over any audience, but Merry’s a tough sell. And I need his help to make the festival successful.

The more time I spend with Merry, the less grumpy he seems, and the more I like the guy. He’s the third generation of a legendary North Shore surfing family. He’s committed to raising his twin boys on the island as a single dad. And like me, he doesn’t have time for an inconvenient but undeniable attraction.

As disasters pile up, the only holiday magic Merry and I seem to be making is with each other. What starts as a harmless fling becomes the only present I want under my tree.

If I want this romance to last past New Year’s, I have to decide which dreams are truly worth chasing.

Can Merry and I catch a wave for a future together before the sun sets on this holiday season?

A brand-new holiday romance from the author of the beloved The Geek Who Saved Christmas starring two middle school teachers in over their heads in an opposites-attract, fish-out-of-water romance. Deck the Palms features a slightly grumpy single dad and a sunny city slicker navigating family dynamics amid holiday small-town romance vibes with a side of Hawaiian sunshine. Guaranteed low-angst, feel-good, happy ending with a heaping helping of holiday spice!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

This book was so fun! First, I LOVE that it was set in Hawaii. Unexpected just because in the US, Christmas usually means snow and cutting down a tree and hot chocolate and ice skating. But with this we got the rainy season, a foil tree, Hawaiian shaved ice and surfing.

Another thing I loved is that the native New Yorker was Mr Sunshine and the Hawaiian born was Grumpy. These guys were raised completely opposite. One hippie surfer family, the other uptown NY snobs. Luckily Nolan doesn’t take after his snobby parents.

There’s also twin boys who are pranksters, nieces who Nolan is helping with while his sister in law recovers from giving birth for the third baby and a charter school that has seen better days. Oh, and throw a holidays lights show incorporating all of the kids.

Ms Albert doesn’t shy away from the realities of living in Hawaii. From the Naval base to the natives being priced out of their island and the over running tourism. And she did that without being preachy at all. She also shows us different parts of the island. From the surfing on the north shore to the tourism of the bigger cities and the realities of so many teachers working a second job just to afford the rent.

Working together on the holiday show gives Nolan and Merry time to explore being together. Even for a short time. Because Nolan is going back to Broadway, right? Wink wink

I think this was my favorite Christmas book this year.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

On The Edge (Mount Hope Book 3) by Annabeth Albert: Release Day Review

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DANGER! RIDING TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE!

My life is one big caution sign. Ever since my best friend’s all-grown-up son joined our shared home, I’ve been navigating a growing attraction to the injured motocross rider. Declan unleashes every protective and caretaking impulse I have, and I genuinely love spending time with the guy.

But Declan’s too young, too straight, and too temporary to risk a twenty-year friendship over. At least until he kisses me, and I tumble past forbidden attraction into a doomed secret fling.

What starts as exploration for Declan quickly transforms into an undeniable bond. He’s exactly what I’ve been searching for: a ride-or-die partner in crime who is happy making blanket forts, talking late into the night, and shares my love of cozy books and movies. What could be more perfect?

When Declan faces a crucial choice, both our hearts are on the line. Can we avoid falling over the edge into heartbreak?

ON THE EDGE is book three of the Mount Hope first responder series and features an emergency room nurse practitioner who is hopelessly soft for his best friend’s son. This dad’s best friend, hurt/comfort (heavy on the comfort), age gap romance contains small town feels, big emotional growth, and sizzling romance. While certain subplot threads continue throughout the series, each guaranteed happily ever after stands alone!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Book 3 in the series, can definitely be a stand alone. But why? I love this group of close knit friends who are in their 40’s, supporting each other and finding love (not with each other, teehee).

I really wondered who this one would play out. Because it’s one of the 40 something guys and the son of one of his friends. So we’re talking a 20 year age difference and these guys are all in each other’s pockets living on the same property. But it was so smooth.

That was my thought through the book. It was smooth. Declan and Jonas didn’t jump into anything. Well, after fighting it for a bit. Declan because he is a motocross rider and in the closet and Jonas because Declan is the son of one of his best friends.

An accident and then proximity bring them together. But really, Jonas reading to a first unconscious Declan had me swooning. And they continued it throughout the book. Even when things started heating up between them, they still had nights where they would cuddle and read. I mean, come on. How can you not love that?

Hearing about Jonas’ upbringing was an interesting part of the story. I love that it was PART of his story, but he didn’t make it his whole story. And although their situations were completely different, that shared lack of parenting brought them together more.

If you’ve read the other books, we get a lot of Eric’s kids. Wren and Rowan the most (fingers crossed for a Rowan story down the line!). They are entertaining without drawing all of the attention. Surprisingly, Declan’s father, Sean, wasn’t as big a part of the story as I was expecting. But I liked it because there was less tip toeing around.

The age difference also isn’t a big factor. It’s brought up, but not frequently. Some stories it’s all they talk about and it gets boring. Not so here. Oh. And Jonas being all hairy and NOT buff, perhaps even a big squishy. Loved it!

I’ve already thought about how book 4 will go as there were big changes happening with the friend group and their partners. And with Eric’s kids. **here’s my eyes popping out of my head at the epilogue**

4 pieces of eye candy

Off the Clock (Mount Hope Book 2) by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review

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Starting over after retiring as an Army Ranger shouldn’t be this hard…

For twenty years, I traveled the world as a special operations warrior. Newly retired at forty-two, I’m back in my hometown of Mount Hope, pursuing a second career as a small-town firefighter. My meddling sisters and best friends all have opinions about my life, but the only person who seems to truly understand me is Caleb, the younger firefighter tasked with my training.

After a lifetime of denying my attraction to other men, Caleb reminds me of everything I’ve missed out on. I’ve never even kissed a guy.

Until now.
Until Caleb.
Until I push our growing friendship to the next level. While sneaking around like a pair of teens, trying not to get caught by our coworkers, friends, and family, our sexy connection leads us to some…interesting places.

And it turns out that I like taking risks. I’ve never wanted a relationship, and neither of us should be fooling around with a coworker, but we keep courting danger.

The more time I spend with Caleb off and on the clock, the more I like him and the less certain I am about everything else in my life. The one thing I know for sure is that I can’t afford to lose this intense bond we share. Can we find our way from super secret to super real before the clock runs down on this fling?

OFF THE CLOCK features two coworkers with an age gap finding out that opposites really do attract and that first impressions aren’t always accurate. All the big emotions, small-town feels, and hot romance readers expect from this acclaimed author. While certain subplot threads continue throughout the series, each guaranteed happily ever after stands alone!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Annabeth Albert writes small towns so well. The history, the residents, the quirkiness, the feel. It makes a difference and it makes it feel like a character itself. This same story set in a large town or city just wouldn’t work the same way.

She also brings friends back together. Those friends create a found family that supports each other through everything.

This time Tony, one of a group of high school friends, moves back to Mount Hope after putting in his 20 years in the military. After a few stumbles that led him to the military, Tony wants to fulfill his previous dream- work as a fire fighter. Sean, the acting chief and one of Tony’s good friends, pairs him with Caleb. The young guy who knows his stuff but often isn’t taken seriously. Oh, and Caleb has guardianship of his 17 year old brother for a year.

Sparks fly, teenagers are moody, bi sides are discovered, fundraisers happen, sneaking around isn’t as sneaky as they thought and new dreams are forged. Caleb is much more mature than people give him credit for. Tony sees him though. And Caleb sees how Tony is struggling a bit.

I really loved how the whole town came together to raise money for the football team so that they could actually play that year. All of the moms (and Caleb!) working their butts off.

Great second book in the series. Can’t wait for book 3. Wondering if Eric remains alone or not…

4 pieces of eye candy

Up All Night (Mount Hope Book 1) by Annabeth Albert: Release Day Review

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What happened to my predictable life?

I had a stable life as a fire captain in Seattle, married to one of my best friends and raising two awesome kids. Now, my kids are grown, and my marriage is toast. I’m solidly past forty and back in my tiny hometown of Mount Hope, Oregon, filling in as a firefighter. My future is one big question mark keeping me up at night.

Also keeping me up? The short-order cook at Honey’s Hotcake Hut.

Denver might be close to my age, but we’re total opposites. The former rock roadie runs from stability, never puts down roots, and lives for the moment. Point in case, we barely speak before he invites me into his shower.

I’ve never been with a man, but my fresh start has me trying all sorts of new things—including Denver’s shower.

Our future? Hopeless.

Denver doesn’t do repeats, but I convince him to have a fling since we’re both in Mount Hope short-term. The more time we spend together, the deeper our friendship and bond grows. Our time together outside of the bedroom, reveals a caring side to the grumpy cook. Even better, my sunshine-y optimism softens him like butter.

Should a fling give me these deep feelings? Nope.

Worse, the feelings are mutual. Big decisions loom for both our futures, and our time together grows short. I might have Denver’s heart, but his trust is far harder to win. He’s the answer to all my question marks, and I need him to believe in us. Can I convince him to give our love a chance?

UP ALL NIGHT features a grumpy/sunshine pairing for a forty-something firefighter on a path of self-discovery with an UP ALL NIGHT short-order cook. It contains loads of first-time feels with sexual awakening and exploration with a heaping helping of personal growth and deep connection for this opposites-attract couple.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

I’ve been a fan of this author since about forever. I’ve read, and thoroughly enjoyed, all of her books. And I love series where they are set in a small town and/or there is a friend group, etc. You get to know all new characters and when it is their turn for a happily ever after, you also get to revisit previous characters and couples. Needless to say, I was looking forward to this book.

And, whoa. This book definitely had the feel of other Annabeth Albert books, but it was MORE. I feel like her writing has grown and entered a new era. She isn’t shy in saying she had quite a few personal life changes in the past few years. And I really think those things opened her up. The characters really came alive for me. And not just the main characters and one or two side characters. I mean Sean’s other friends, the kids, The waitress Denver works with overnight. And although Denver doesn’t have family, Sean does. And instead of focusing on a character’s family as fall back when things get tough, the focus has shifted to friends. Friends they’ve had for 20 years. Friends they work with. Friends they just met. It just changed the FEEL of it for me.

Denver and Sean also have things in their past that could have really damaged them. But they came through with just a few scabs. No permanent scars. Denver calls himself a no relationship guy, but he just really doesn’t know what a relationship entails. Growing up as he did, he never SAW it. Sean is a relationship guy 100%. He’s like a golden retriever looking for a home.

Another thing I loved is that these guys are adults. 40 years old give or take. People have a much different perspective on life at that age compared to their 20’s. Nice to see mature men finding love.

Great start to this new series and I really cannot wait for more.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Find Me Worthy: A small town MM hurt/comfort roommates romance (Safe Harbor Book 3) by Annabeth Albert

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I thought I’d lost myself…

Until Sam found me. I’m back in Safe Harbor, where I haven’t belonged in over twenty years. I’m unsure how I ended up here, yet I’m certain Sam is the key to finally healing.

But it’s complicated.

Sam’s had a crush on me since we were younger. To me, however, he was always the annoying kid tagging along. Now he’s all grown-up and delightfully bossy—and sexy—as he encourages me to reclaim my health.

I enjoy pushing Sam’s buttons, but one button too many leads to a scorching kiss. Soon, we’re using Sam’s cushy bed for way more than sleeping. But I can’t imagine staying in Safe Harbor forever, and no way is Sam leaving.

Sam’s given me a place to stay, a job at his nonprofit coffee shop, and a sense of purpose when I had none. But can I give him my heart? And more importantly, can I overcome my past to make Safe Harbor my future?

FIND ME WORTHY is a hurt/comfort childhood crush-to-lovers MM romance. This unexpected roommate arrangement stars two mature heroes with a minor age gap, mental health representation, and plenty of first times and sexy discoveries for everyone. Deep feels, dual point-of-view, and big fluffy HEA guaranteed.

FIND ME WORTHY is book three and the thrilling conclusion to the Safe Harbor series from acclaimed author Annabeth Albert. This small historic Oregon town has a tight friend group, memorable secondary characters, quirky businesses, and long-held secrets. Each book stands alone with a fresh couple, but the background mystery of the town’s secrets ties the series together, making reading in order more fun!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Worth, we knew his name, we knew his family story, we knew stories of when he was younger and friends with the guys, but we didn’t know Worth now. We got glimpses through text messages and one disastrous visit, but nothing deep. Until now, when he has returned to Safe Harbor.

Let me say that at the beginning, the depiction of depression was so spot on. It almost brought me to tears. And although Worth continues to get treatment for depression throughout the story, I wish the reality of depression extended further.

Sam being Sam, recognized immediately that Worth was in trouble. I really appreciated that he made of point of saying that HE could not be Worth’s cure to depression.

And since we already know the ending of the mystery of what happened to Worth’s mother, this story could focus more on Sam and Worth as a couple, sort of. At least at the beginning. And Sam’s dreams of continuing Blessed Brew helping out at risk teens and perhaps filling his house with foster kids.

Worth has A LOT of trauma. A LOT. Because it wasn’t just what happened to his family. There was more trauma that brought him back to Safe Harbor. It takes a bit, but he does clear the air with his friends and Cal, the diver who found his mother’s body. Having Sam’s mother around with her profound wisdom was amazing.

Overall I really loved the story. It was a great conclusion to the Safe Harbor trilogy which a very satisfying epilogue. Worth’s recovery was a tad too easy for me and there was a bit more religion than I like but Sam’s dad was the town preacher so…

This whole series was a good representation of small towns, friendship through the years and not letting the past determine the future.

4 pieces of eye candy

Make Me Stay: A Hurt/Comfort Small Town MM Roommates Romance (Safe Harbor Book 2) by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review

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Roommate Not Wanted

I’m a forty-year-old homeowner and former detective. My friends think a roommate is the solution to my recent funk, but I know that’s the last thing I need.

And even if they’re right, sharing my home with Cal is a bad idea. The prickly SEAL rescue diver has muscles for miles, haunted eyes, a wounded soul, and wandering feet that won’t be happy for long in Safe Harbor. Yet those fathoms-deep blue eyes have me making an offer I’ll surely regret.

Our arrangement may be doomed, but Cal is an amazing roommate. We’re soon cooking my mom’s favorite recipes, watching terrible TV, accidentally cuddling, and trying not to cross the line from friendship to fling.
Until I discover Cal’s sexy secret.

Boundaries blur, and I forget I’m not supposed to fall for Cal. Every kiss, touch, and discovery we make together pulls us deeper until there’s no denying our feelings.

I want nothing more than to keep Cal in town, in my bed, and in my heart, but Cal seems destined to swim back to his solo ways.

Can I bear to let him go, or will our love make him stay forever?

MAKE ME STAY is a hurt/comfort roommates-to-lovers MM romance. It features two mature, wounded heroes, disability rep, a proud pansexual, a SEAL having a demisexual awakening, and sexy discoveries involving rope. Deep feels, dual point-of-view, and big fluffy HEA guaranteed.

MAKE ME STAY is book two in the Safe Harbor series from acclaimed author Annabeth Albert. This small historic Oregon town has a tight friend group, memorable secondary characters, quirky businesses, and long-held secrets. Each book stands alone with a fresh couple, but the background mystery of the town’s secrets ties the series together, making reading in order more fun!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Holden caught my interest in book one of this series, so I was very happy to see he got book 2 and I didn’t have to wait to hear his story. We get the whole story of why he is in a wheelchair and how much he hates his friends- or anyone really- making concessions for him. Which is really him not completely accepting his fate. Because why wouldn’t his friends put a ramp in or choose an accessible place for them to meet? And the way he covers his pain by being the class clown, always having a joke ready.

Cal is basically Holden’s complete opposite. A total loner, works alone, travels alone, lives in his RV alone. Doesn’t smile, laugh or joke. Carrying over from book 1 is a murder mystery that Cal is there to help with. He is a recovery diver and ready to go deep into the lake to see if he can find anything. The murky water conceals sharp objects and he rips open his dry suit, shoulder and neck. Which brings him together with Holden. The guy he already decided he didn’t like just because he didn’t think diving alone was safe.

The men get throw together sort of, Holden offering a place to stay and Cal begrudgingly accepting it, and really fall into a routine together. It’s super cute how domestic they become so quickly, even with Cal being a giant grump.

We do get the answer as to why he is the way he is and it’s heartbreaking. But he also can’t ignore Holden and the pull he has on him.

I love how Holden’s friends are so nosy about what is going one between him and Cal. Like, guys, you are not subtle. At all. Cracks me up.

I love that Holden and Cal take is slowly. That building heat just SMOLDERS. They have great chemistry together.

We got another great couple, another piece to the mystery and a set up of the next couple. And I have a feeling that the next 2 guys are going to bring all the angst.

4 pieces of eye candy