Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Annabeth Albert

Bring Me Home: A Dad’s Best Friend Small Town MM Romance (Safe Harbor Book 1) by Annabeth Albert: Release Day Review

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Help!

I’ve inherited my aunt’s historic house in small-town Oregon, and I need to fix it up and sell it fast before I move on to my big-city dreams. I’m one of the navy’s best investigators, but twenty years of living in base housing means DIY isn’t part of my extensive skill set.

Luckily, my best friend has the solution: his twenty-three-year-old son. Knox recently graduated from college, needs a room for the summer, and comes with a giant cat and years of remodeling experience.

Not only is Knox all grown up and hot as sin, but I recognize him. He’s the bossy, bearded guy I shared the hottest kiss of my life with. No way can my buddy find out I’ve got it bad for his son. But with all the stripping, hammering, and drilling, my defenses crumble one dance break at a time.

As our sexy secret summer fling continues, Knox also proves himself handy at fixing my grumpy mood and wounded heart. Now I can’t imagine a future without him. I can solve any problem the navy throws at me, but I have no clue what to do about loving Knox or the damage this could do to my decades-long friendship.

Can we build a forever together, or are we destined to go our separate ways?

BRING ME HOME is a small-town Dad’s-best-friend MM romance. It features a forty-something grumpy former naval investigator, a much younger ray of sunshine, a matchmaking cat, sexy times in unusual locations, enough heat to burn the neighborhood, and a warm fuzzy hug’s worth of found-family feels. Dual point-of-view and big fluffy HEA guaranteed!

BRING ME HOME launches the brand-new Safe Harbor series from acclaimed author Annabeth Albert. Knox, Monroe, and the rest of Safe Harbor, Oregon, welcome readers to a historic town with 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.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

So I just melted into a puddle of goo. I blame Annabeth Albert. I’ve read every single one of her books and enjoyed them all. Navy SEALS, firefighters, security experts, you name it. But for some reason I feel like this one is starting a series that will be closest to her heart. Maybe I’m wrong. But it felt like it.

Small town Oregon, guys with 20 year friendships, their adult sons *wink wink* and a dilapidated house. How can you not love a town called Safe Harbor?

Monroe had previously only spent about a year and a half in Safe Harbor, living with his great aunt so he could finish high school while his Navy father was stationed in Guam. He created life long friendships there before he, himself joined the Navy. But now he is retired and owner of the old Victorian he lived in with his aunt.

Chance brought him together with Knox, chance also separated them before they could even exchange real names. (Oh thank you Ms Albert for not using nicknames throughout the book!) Until, surprise! Knox is actually the 23 year old son of his best friend from high school. Who he is still friends with. Sticky wicket there.

Knox ends up being volunteered by his father to move in with Monroe (!) to help him rehab the house to get it ready to sell. I’m sure you can see where this is going.

They fight the attraction until they give in. And while Monroe really doesn’t want to hide, being that he lived through DADT, he caves because it’s just for the summer.

So they strip wallpaper, and each other while pretending to just be friends. But they really do become friends, and more, as they get to know each other. Monroe quickly realizes that Knox is a grown ass man, not a kid like everyone seems to think.

Knox 100% had my heart. He was that guy. The one who would, and did, do everything for everyone. But no one seemed to think of him or his feelings. Except Monroe. Having him just get the validation that he was an adult, he could make his own choices, he could do what he wanted, from Monroe was everything.

We get some fun characters. Knox’s bosses- Frank and Leon. Coffee shop owner, Sam. High school friend and current college professor Holden. And a brief glimpse of former resident and completely broken human, Worth. And a fabulous cat named Wallace.

There’s also a murder mystery that Monroe and Holden are working on. A cold case that never seemed quite right. It was not solved in this book and I am assuming we will wait until book 3 for a resolution. I can do that. I can wait. I CAN WAIT. Kidding, kidding.

If you couldn’t tell, I really loved the book. The characters, their nuances and dare I say, their maturity. Too many times I am seeing these guys revert to their dumb teenager selves. But not here.

Read it. Fall in love with Knox, Monroe, Wallace and Safe Harbor.

Can I have book 2 now?

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Rocky Start: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 4) by Annabeth Albert: Release Day Review

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.                              .

I think I’m falling for my bodyguard co-worker. Now I need protection… from myself.

As a former SEAL intelligence officer, I’m supposed to be smart. Unfortunately, those smarts don’t apply to love. I did a nice thing and took my heartbroken fellow bodyguard out for a Valentine’s dinner. Just us bros. But my plan worked a little too well, and a night that ended with a scorching kiss has turned into the most awkward morning at the office ever. Now we’re working together as bodyguards on a remote mountain movie shoot. And we’re roommates.

I’ve never been attracted to a guy before, but something about Avery calls to every protective instinct I have. We’re not dating, but every night alone together, I fall a little deeper. It’s also Avery’s first time with a guy too, and while we’re both enjoying all sorts of new things together, I worry my heart will be broken when we return to civilization.

No matter how badly this may end, I can’t seem to stop wanting Avery. All of him. I want to see who he’ll become if he ever manages to get out of his own way. I want to be his biggest cheerleader, best friend, and the guy he comes home to. But going from secret hookup to forever after is a big ask. Are we both brave enough to take the leap?

ROCKY START is book four in the A-List Security series. It features TWO highly protective SEAL bodyguards, a double awakening, an exploration of the sexy, lacy kind, and all sorts of brand-new emotions. Get ready for all the high heat, big feels, and found family feels readers expect from this fan-favorite military romance author. Join A-List Security for this lower-angst series featuring former SEALs and celebrity clients. Happy endings and no cliffhangers guaranteed!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Tough Luck: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 1)

Hard Job: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 2)

Bad Deal: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 3)

Well. Damn. **Fans self**

I’ve been a fan of Annabeth Albert for a long time and I am fairly certain I have read all of her books. This one is by far the sexiest. There were several- huh, wasn’t expecting that but yes!- moments. Which just kept me turning the pages.

Oh and the cover model? If that isn’t Malik, I don’t know who is.

This is a double awakening for this couple. Both had only ever been with women. Avery is that poor shlub that tries too hard, it seems, with women, only to be dumped again and again. Malik isn’t a serial dater and doesn’t do casual. Having come out of a long term relationship, he is fine on his own.

Avery has A LOT of internalized homophobia. Enough to beat himself up and make Malik mad. Before Malik is able to smooth his feathers. Good thing since they are on an assignment together in Colorado. And rooming together.

Like the previous books, both guys are vets. Avery lost an arm and Malik has some crippling PTSD. And while Avery sometimes feels sorry for himself, I think it’s really so that Malik will boost him up.

Watching Avery come into his own was kind of beautiful. And once he is fully accepting of himself- wow.

Like I said at the beginning, there were places this book went that I wasn’t expecting. BUT they were absolutely perfect. So well written. Not over the top at all. Very real and organic.

I savored this book, not wanting to rush through it. Avery and Malik deserved that attention.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Bad Deal: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 3) by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review

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I’m a bodyguard and far from ideal boyfriend material, but agreeing to this fake dating scheme might be the best bad deal I’ve ever made…
I’m a fixer. As a SEAL chief, I succeeded in impossible no-win situations. Now I’m retired and determined to improve the lives of my former military teammates through our Hollywood security firm. Plus, I get to guard intriguing people like Ambrose Sterling, creator of one of my favorite TV shows.

Of course, I want to keep Ambrose safe. When he’s attacked, I leap into action to save him and his scrappy little therapy dog.

But my good deed results in a coastal road trip with me pretending to be Ambrose’s boyfriend to keep him out of more danger.

I don’t do relationships, and I’ve never thought about dating a man before, but here I am, sizzling with every touch and dreaming about more stolen kisses.

Each night of white-hot passion brings us closer to an unbreakable bond. But I’m blue-collar, and Ambrose is Hollywood elite. I want a happy ending more than anything. Can I turn this fake boyfriend gig into the real thing, or am I just a guest star?

BAD DEAL is book three in the A-List Security series. It features a highly protective SEAL bodyguard, a suit-wearing silver fox, an adorably ugly dog, and all sorts of brand-new emotions. Get ready for all the high heat, big feels, and found family feels readers expect from this fan-favorite military romance author. Join A-List Security for this lower-angst series featuring former SEALs and the celebrity clients who win their hearts. Happy endings and no cliffhangers guaranteed!

This is the second book this week that I have read where one of the main characters didn’t have any experience with men, but also didn’t doubt what he felt or that he could be “good enough” for the other main character. So refreshing!

Book 3 in the series (easily read as a stand alone) gives us Harley, owner of the security firm that is working a television shoot on site. One of his favorite tv shows. Written by the silver foxy Ambrose, Hollywood royalty.

I loved that it is Ambrose who has a crush on Harley first, instead of the other way around. It made Ambrose so much more real instead of untouchable Hollywood elite. His sister on the other hand…she bugged me. Anyway.

The overprotective sister enlists Harley as Ambrose’s plus one and to act as a bodyguard to her daughter’s wedding after he had a scare. Which leads us to the classic forced proximity/fake boyfriend. BUT, these guys actually like each other as humans. So many forced proximity/fake boyfriend tropes the guys hate each other for a myriad of reasons.

The self professed perma bachelor is actually quite good at the fake boyfriend stuff. So much that the faint line that was there is easily crossed. And he doesn’t fight it. Just kind of goes with the flow. He realizes that he isn’t straight, but pan. Or maybe not that he just realizes it, but he says it out loud. And is ready to act on it. With Ambrose.

A little more back story to why Ambrose had a panic disorder, or what brought it on would have been helpful. Because that is the main reason his sister is SO protective of him. It was bad enough that he has meds and a support dog. Perhaps she wouldn’t have bugged me so much if I knew more.

The chemistry between the two men is undeniable. They are completely open with each other and what they like sexually. No one stumbles or is afraid to speak up. That confidence that they had together spoke volumes.

This one is definitely my favorite of the series so far. Not that I didn’t like the others because I certainly did. But there’s something about these 2 guys that was just perfect.

4 pieces of eye candy

This is the third book in the A-List Security series, but does well as a stand alone. You do see the characters from the previous two books, but for short periods of time. This book spends quite a lot of time with Ambrose and Harley on a road trip.

Ambrose, a silver fox, grew up in Hollywood, because his father was famous, but he was more creative, as opposed to his sister who was more of the business side of their production company. (**Small spoiler here: I’ll be honest, I kept wondering if the sister was going to be a “villain” in the book – like perhaps she organized the protests or something – because she was not my favorite. She was beyond overprotective, almost a bit condescending for my tastes. But alas no villain, which was nice since I didn’t want Ambrose hurt.) Ambrose had a lot of anxiety, having an emotional support dog, which my visual of Hercules made him so adorable, yet we don’t really understand what that was about. I would have liked to know more about that. He did seem to become more confident as he felt safer with Harley, though. I also REALLY liked that Ambrose wasn’t a snob (his sister was). He was willing to help around the cabin, learn new things, not something one would expect from his pedigree.

Harley, meanwhile, only recently came to the realization that he was pan (prior to starting anything with Ambrose), and was surprisingly okay with it. Some nervousness telling his family, but overall, he understood that it was just another part of him, just as yet unexplored. We don’t often read about pan or demi characters, so it was nice to have that. As a fake boyfriend, he was great, even if he thought he would never make a good one, in real life or fake. He treated Ambrose so kindly, never made him feel less than when Ambrose had any sort of anxiety or nervousness, and treated Hercules like he was his own.

I loved that they explored sex and intimacy together, as Harley learned what they both liked. Harley didn’t have a SEAL ego that he had to know everything, he let Ambrose guide him to what would work for them both. And while they were hot together, they also were fine with just being together, hanging out, cuddling, etc. It also wasn’t all about f*cking, there were aspects of their sex life that you very rarely read about in books, which isn’t easy to do!

I really enjoyed this one, because these two were so romantic together. They definitely needed to learn to communicate better, but they cared about each other, and weren’t afraid to speak the words, when they could get the nerve to do it.

I’m looking forward to the next book (there’s a little preview in the back of Bad Deal), which has Avery, which we meet briefly in this book. Should be another fun one. (Speaking of Bad Deal…I never did figure out where the title came from. lol)

4 pieces of eye candy

Hard Job: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 2) by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review

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.                              .

How hard can it be to guard the country’s biggest rockstar?

As a SEAL officer, I’m no stranger to danger, but running my own security firm is a new challenge. Finding the right bodyguard for each client isn’t easy. Our next gig? My little brother’s best friend, rock god Ezra Moon, has a security crisis. Ezra is convinced I’m the right man for the job, but I’m not so sure.

From crowd surfing to infamous pictures, Ezra is known for taking risks. It’s no wonder his record label thinks he needs a keeper on tour.

But there’s not a tour bus big enough to contain our incendiary attraction. Ezra and his antics push every last one of my buttons, but the real problem is how much I want to kiss some sense into him. He’s a client, and angry make-out sessions aren’t the answer. Yet we keep finding ourselves alone and burning up the sheets until our secret fling threatens to scorch both of us.

I’ve spent my whole life running from the spotlight, trying to distance myself from my notorious father. Ezra wants to live his best life on the biggest stage. A future seems impossible, but our feelings are undeniable. Can I admit how hard I’ve fallen for Ezra without losing everything?

HARD JOB is book two in a brand-new SEAL bodyguard series. It features a reluctant SEAL bodyguard, a mouthy rock star with a heart of gold, molten chemistry, and pie. Lots of pie. Also, all the high heat, big emotions, and found family feels readers expect from this fan-favorite military romance author. Join A-List security for this new series featuring former SEALs and the celebrity clients who win their hearts. Happy endings and no cliffhangers guaranteed!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Tough Luck: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 1)

Bad Deal: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 3)

Somehow I missed book one of this new series. I will definitely be going back to read Danny and Chase’s story. Luckily, this is easily read as a stand alone so I didn’t lose anything that I couldn’t extrapolate easily.

So. Rock star, yes please. Former SEAL now bodyguard, also yes please. Turn your AC on because this was a hot one.

Duncan has been a secret fan of They Wear Crowns and had a crush on the lead singer Ezra since they released their first album. Before that, Duncan knew Ezra from when he and Duncan’s half brother were on a television show together.

Ezra, on the other hand, ALWAYS had a crush on Duncan. There’s  maybe a 5ish year age difference which explains why Duncan had no interest in Ezra at first. But now, he is an adult with a great career and Duncan’s brother suggests him as security for the band and Ezra.

So they are thrown together right before the band is back on tour. Ezra can flirt with the best of them and it doesn’t take long to wear down Duncan’s tissue paper thin defenses. But Duncan doesn’t believe in happily ever after. He grew up with a Hollywood big wig for a father who has been married 4 times and had a lot of accusations swept under the rug. His father also wants him to work for him. Which is comical because Duncan does not have the personality for that at all. Can you imagine a former SEAL schmoozing in Hollywood? Duncan doesn’t even like sharing a last name with his father.

In the meantime Ezra and his band continue to tour with Duncan working security. And meeting in one of their hotel rooms at night. They are keeping everything on the downlow though, partly because Ezra is a client and partly because Duncan does not want to be in the gossip rags like his father. That leads to a lot of strife between them. But Duncan is definitely catching some feelings and that is just complicating things even further. Silly feelings.

I loved Ezra. He is down to earth, very mature considering his life in show biz, but also fun. He does not take himself too seriously at all. But don’t worry. Because Duncan is ALL about the serious. Probably too much about the serious. But together they are amazing. Duncan doesn’t realize how incredibly sweet and loving he is. He is such a nurturer but at the same time has no problem giving up control in the bedroom.

There isn’t a ton of interaction with the other band members. Mostly their manager, some with Ezra’s parents and then Duncan’s step brother and father. It kept the story from getting overly cluttered, but it was also a little odd that he didn’t hang with them much.

This was a good read with very likable characters who were meant for each other.

4 pieces of eye candy

Sink or Swim (Shore Leave Book 2) by Annabeth Albert: Release Day Reviews

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Winning and losing are subject to sexy interpretation…

Navy chief Calder Euler loves to win big. His latest score? A remote mountain cabin. Checking it out is supposed to be a quick trip, but Calder’s luck abruptly turns when a freak injury and a freakier snowstorm leave him stranded.

Oh, and the cabin isn’t empty. A silver fox caring for two young girls claims that the property is his, but Calder’s paperwork says otherwise.

Felix Sigurd is on a losing streak, and his ex-husband risking the cabin in a reckless bet is only the latest in a series of misfortunes. He’ll tolerate the handsome stranger for a couple nights–even care for his injuries—but that’s it.

Calder doesn’t know a damn thing about kids, but making pancakes for Felix’s girls is a surprising delight. Trapped in the cabin, the four of them slip easily into the rhythms of a family. But when the ice melts, they’ll have to decide if a future together is in the cards.

Amazon

Carina Press/Harlequin

This book is exactly what I needed. Sweet, low angst, funny kids, two guys navigating whatever it is their relationship is, etc.

Calder and Felix are both of the “no thanks” camp on relationships. Felix is fairly newly divorced and is now raising his two nieces so his focus is elsewhere and Calder just never really believed in happily ever after.

But a mishap leaves them stranded in a cabin because of snow. Calder seems to get right into the groove of dealing with the girls, etc. He comes from a big family so it makes sense, even though he doesn’t think so. And who wouldn’t be enchanted by those 2 girls? I loved them from the start.

It is utterly adorable that Calder makes flimsy excuses for he and Felix to see each other again once they are back home. And it isn’t even for hooking up per se because they do way more kissing and cuddling than anything else. Which I really kind of loved. It wasn’t a sex driven romance at all.

Felix has to realize that he has room in his life for a partner and Calder does everything he can to prove that. I definitely think Calder worked a lot harder at establishing a relationship than Felix did, but he was a bit salty still from his divorce that happened because his husband had no intentions of being a parent.

Even though I really appreciated that it was low angst, the girls didn’t seem very affected by the fact that their mother died and Uncle Felix’s husband left. There as a comment or two, but nothing like that you normally see with similar situations.

So yes, I did love it even though I wanted the girls to express a bit of their trauma and I wanted Felix to try a little harder and not be a martyr.

4 pieces of eye candy

Having really enjoyed book 1 in this new military series by Annabeth Albert, I was super ready for Calder’s book. (If you haven’t read book 1, Sailor Proof, I highly recommend. They are both stand alone, but you get a good little peek into what is ahead for Calder, as well.) This book did not disappoint.

It was super sweet, but with such a different feel than what I would have gone in expecting for Calder, given what we knew of his personality. He’s all about the win, coming out on top, etc. Yet, he is not only a big softie, but also not out for the quick score. He wasn’t all about jumping into bed with Felix. Yes, there was sex, but it felt more like just a gradual step, not a big leap, and it worked for them both. It provided such a deep layer for Calder, one I certainly didn’t expect. It was a different approach, and really allowed Calder to grow into the person he was, but didn’t realize.

In fact, based on other tropes, there might have even been the expectation that Felix would have done the chasing, and Calder didn’t want to jump into a relationship. In reality, both of them realized they didn’t want a relationship, until Calder finally realized, yes I do, and wanted to get Felix on the same page. No small feat.

Felix had every reason in the world to be gun shy, and apprehensive of not just another relationship (what a d-bag his ex-husband was!!!), but one that could mean his nieces might have their hearts broken. Giving any sort of dating a chance was not what he was expecting, but one date, one night, one meal, one text at a time, Calder made Felix see that they had something worth continuing to work on.

Such a sweet, fresh approach, showing a lot of depth of character in the MC’s, and it was just a feel good book.

4 pieces of eye candy

Sailor Proof: An LGBTQ Romance (Shore Leave Book 1) by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review *2

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The sexy Navy chief and his best friend’s adorkable little brother…

It’s petty, but Naval Chief Derrick Fox wishes he could exact a little revenge on his ex by showing off a rebound fling. His submarine is due to return to its Bremerton, Washington, home base soon and Derrick knows all too well there won’t be anyone waiting with a big, showy welcome.

Enter one ill-advised plan…

Arthur Euler is the guy you go to in a pinch—he’s excellent at out-of-the-box solutions. It’s what the genius music-slash-computer nerd is known for. So when he finds out Derrick needs a favor, he’s happy to help. He can muster the sort of welcome a Naval Chief deserves, no problem at all.

Except it is a problem. A very big problem.

When Arthur’s homecoming welcome is a little too convincing, when a video of their gangplank smooch goes enormously viral, they’re caught between a dock and a hard place. Neither of them ever expected a temporary fake relationship to look—or feel—so real. And Arthur certainly never considered he’d be fighting for a very much not-fake forever with a military man.

Carina Adores is home to highly romantic contemporary love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters. Discover a new Carina Adores book every month!

Amazon

Harlequin/Carina Press

When Annabeth Albert writes a military romance (or let’s face it…all her books) you need to plan to read it, and maybe even read it in one sitting. Yes, to both of these for this reader. 🙂

There’s a lot of fun in this book, fake homecoming kiss, and a weeklong family reunion that allows Arthur to finally break away from the little kids table. But some serious issues as well, because family almost always can make things that may not have been an issue otherwise feel like the weight of the world. On top of it, Arthur’s brother, Derrick’s buddy, doesn’t make it any easier.

Seeing how Derrick stood up for Arthur, and his passion, while still doing the little things to help him, so sweet. Even as Arthur states multiple times that he would never date a military man, having seen the issues with his parents, he can’t help the feelings. These two start out as a fake romance, but quickly start to respect and like each other, before it goes any further.

Albert’s ability to take real life difficulties, infuse romantic gestures and sweetness, all while bringing the heat, is something few other authors can manage. I enjoy each and every moment of it.

One thing that I appreciated was Arthur having an important conversation with his mother, finding out what it really meant to be a military spouse from her perspective. It brought it back to a real world issue that military families must have to deal with every day.

These two were sweet and fluffy (also, Arthur’s BFF was bad ass!), but still heartfelt and sexy. Everything I love about Albert’s books. 🙂

4.5 pieces of eye candy

I have a thing for military men that Annabeth Albert writes. I don’t know why, but I just love them. And this is the start of a brand new series! Yay!

You like tropes? Which is your favorite? Because this book has a bunch, but at the same time it feels a bit fresher. We’ve got fake boyfriend, best friend’s brother, forced proximity and virgin. Whew.

What starts out as a fake welcome home kiss to make an ex jealous, to then being fake boyfriends at a weeklong family reunion, Derrick and Arthur are adorable. Arthur being Derrick’s best friend’s little brother. But, yanno, they are just faking it right?

Until Derrick sticks up for Arthur who is a musician in a family of military men. Arthur already had a crush on Derrick, but then Derrick starts to have a crush on Arthur.

Most of the book is spent at the weeklong family reunion. Where they really get to know each other and start falling for each other. It was sweet and a bit romantic (finding Arthur good coffee….swoon) and definitely sexy.

After the reunion, life gets in the way a bit, but at the same time it’s a true test for them.

I really liked this story, although it did take me a little bit to become invested in them as a couple. Partly because there was almost no background story on either of them. We just jumped right in to the homecoming and pretend boyfriend welcome home kiss. But once I was in, I was in and I devoured their story.

There’s very little angst at all, but there is some…stress shall we say. It isn’t over the top fluffy either. Just a good story that I could actually see happening in real life. I guess that’s what I like about Ms Albert’s books- they are very “real life” to me.

4 pieces of eye candy