Arctic Sun (Frozen Hearts, #1) [Griffin & River] by Annabeth Albert

This book took me a LONG time to read, but I mostly blame myself and my lack of concentration. I was too busy physically and mentally to read. I guess this book wasn't the "right" escape for me when I'm stressed as this one is HEAVY on the angst. I'm not really complaining, I usually dig angsty books but as I was frustrated in REAL life it wasn't what I needed, though I DID feel like escaping to Alaska and seeing the beautiful views. I'm not sure I'll be all about the cold, but the sights are SURELY going to compensate!

Griffin Barrett is trying to put his life back together and it's not easy. Routine helps but it can't fix his past. He has a loving family with a business he is a part of - flying cargo but also people who are in for sight seeing while photographing the area. Being HIGHLY introverted he rather take the cargo, not the people.. but he needs to step up his game because his uncle is down with an operation and until he recovers he has at least one trip to take. His uncle is a known photographer who also adds his tips and tricks to the guests coming to these kind of trips so now it's also up to Griffin. He doesn't see himself as a big photographer, but maybe he can help a bit from his own knowledge...



River Vale is up for adventure. After a big career as a model, he found another calling, one which saves him every day at a time. Writing about his adventures all over the world is fun and allows him to heal little by little from the horrible life style he was part of for too many years. He is excited about his trip to Alaska and once he meets the group, also about their guide even if he is a grumpy sort of lumberjack most of the time. He can see that the one thing that comes easy for him - people - is VERY difficult for Griffin and he finds it a real turn on.

At first Griffin is mostly irritated with River but he knows it's mostly because he is attracted to him and it's NOT a good idea, Griffin doesn't date, he doesn't even go for one-night-stands and it's obvious River is ALL about the fun - and Griffin just ISN'T fun.

Yet little by little they grow closer together and when they find themselves sharing a cabin it's FAR more difficult not to act on their mutual attraction but there is much more to them than that so when the trip is over they aren't really ready to say goodbye. River promises to come for a visit after his scheduled commitments but they both feel it's a long shot.

Pursuing a relationship together isn't easy, and not only because of distance or the difference in their social skills and the different lives they live it has A LOT to do with their addictions. Griffin almost lost himself to drinking and gambling after losing his best friend (and secret crush) and he is adamant about putting his life together, buying property near his family, but far enough for him to have his own space and build a nice cabin that would suite his humble needs. He doesn't need complications, and River and the life he lives when they are not in Alaska is a VERY different one. River has his own demons, ones he is battling constantly. He his trying hard to manage his insecurities together with an eating disorder that isn't truly behind him. He feels isolated, he is distant from his family after the death of his mother and his friends from the modeling industry are a bad influence. Traveling seems to be the cure but going back and forth from the glam life to the spartan life of travels becomes tricky at a certain point. River just isn't sure who he is anymore.

There were many similarities with what it means to live with an illness that colors your life and experience. It was HEARTBREAKING seeing these two wonderful man struggle to even appreciate who they are, not to mention allow themselves to have something good, to feel they DESERVE this amazing opportunity of love, acceptance and a bright future together. It took them time, together, but also alone to believe - in themselves as well as the other - to be able to build a life with hope and dreams and mostly love.

If you're into angsty romance novels THIS ONE IS FOR YOU! The next one is of Toby, who works as a pilot for the Barrett family. Can't wait for it to be out :)

Rating: ★★★★

E-Book Edition

384 pages

Read on: 2-13 April 2019

ABOUT THIS SERIES 

 

Frozen Hearts is a Contemporary MM Romance series by Annabeth Albert. They center around a local Alaskan Native (for the first two - a pilot, the 3rd is a ranger) falling in love with an outsider luring him - and us - to the beautiful landscape and loving arms.

Books:
1. Arctic Sun [Griffin Barrett & River Vale] (Published 1 April 2019) ★★★★
2. Arctic Wild [Tobias "Toby" Kooly & Reuben Graham] (Published 3 June 2019) ★★★★½

3. Arctic Heat [Quilleran "Quill" Ramsey & Owen Han] (Published 23 September 2019) ★★★★