The Geek Who Saved Christmas by Annabeth Albert

Usually I'm a HUGE fan of Annabeth, but this one, I'm not sure why simply didn't grab me. I tried, I got to the middle of it, but realized I don't want to. Both MCs are cute, on their own and together, and I guess I just don't really need to know what happens. I don't have anything negative to say, I'm just not interested which feels.. mmm.. strange.  

Gideon Holiday and Paul Frost have been neighbors for years but didn't really interact. Like their names suggest - Gideon in bubbly and friendly and Paul is the kind to keep to himself. When the holidays arrive Paul accepts Gideon's offer to decorate the outside of his house FOR him to help the neighborhood effort. It's not a struggle for Gideon who actually doesn't have anything else planned for the month of December. He also willingly accepts Paul's request to make his house (the inside of it) worthy for Paul's younger brother and his soon to be wife. 

Must Be Santa (Better Not Pout, #1.5) by Annabeth Albert

A sweet Christmas treat. A bit like the full novel - "Better Not Pout"- was for me (even if I don't celebrate this holiday). Nick Nowicki and Teddy MacNally are a formed couple now. Happily married living their best life. When Teddy catches Nick looking at their spare bedroom saying "Maybe", things starts to change. From thinking about extending their family, to actually doing something about it. 

The possibility presents itself sooner than they expected and not exactly AS they expected it to be but it's here and they are needed so even with Nick's reluctance (mostly worries) they jump right into it.

Sailor Proof (Shore Leave #1) [Derrick & Arthur] by Annabeth Albert

It feels like it's been a while! Not sure I remember how to review a book hehe. I'll start by saying - though I enjoyed this book it wasn't my favorite. I liked both MCs, especially getting both their POVs but something was somehow missing. I think I would preferred a different focus. The first part of the book where Derrick and Arthur get to know each other was filled with family and friends where these two could barely find a break. At that point I didn't care that much about anyone else and then when they were finally getting somewhere outside the family vacation it was glossed over. I would have actually enjoyed getting to see how they fit in everyday life more if it makes any sense. 

Naval Chief Derrick Fox dedicated his life to his military career and considering he doesn't really have anything going on outside his service it's no wonder he is so invested in advancing as soon as possible. With his best friend Calder by his side (who is as ambitious as him) he's in a good place. Well, he IS sick of his ex's new conquer flaunting how happy they are together and them getting to share "the first kiss" (when they arrive to shore) only makes him more annoyed with the whole thing. Wanting to help Derrick extract a bit of harmless tease Calder offers his little brother as Derrick's new boyfriend, waiting for him on the shore. Neither of them expected what would happen - from the heart stopping kiss they shared to spending a whole family vacation together when the little "scheme" escalated a bit out of hand. 

Up in Smoke (Hotshots #4) [Brandt & Shane] by Annabeth Albert

This was a surprise! I took my time to schedule this one (and the previous one) as I wasn't sure about this series, and I gotta say I didn't expect to enjoy this one as much as I did! I've read almost EVERYTHING Annabeth has written, she is clearly one of my favorite authors ,but seeing the baby on the cover and reading the synopsis made me question myself. I shouldn't have. It was a beautiful heartfelt story and I loved it to pieces!

This is one of those, boy meets girl, they enjoy a night together and then... well.. then the morning after he meets her brother as his parachute instructor. While the girl was totally unmemorable, the boy he couldn't stop thinking about.. A year goes by before Shane and Brandt meet again and it's not exactly what either had in mind... 

You'd think the carefree Shelby Travis and Brandt Wilder would be a great fit, but all they did was share a night together neither would have found remarkable. Yet Shelby got pregnant and while she thought it's a good idea to have the baby, but soon after she started second guessing herself and she ended up leaving 2 months old Jewel in Shane's arms and disappear into the void. While this is his sister's typical behavior, Shane doesn't see himself as being able to care for a baby so he starts by looking for the father and see how he feels about becoming a parent (truth been told he doesn't have high hopes for Brandt as well..). Brandt sure is surprised finding Jewel literally on his doorstep, but after sharing a conversation with Shane he starts by letting them stay for a bit even if just to understand what this whole thing even means. 

Hope on the Rocks (Rainbow Cove #4) [Adam & Quinn] by Annabeth Albert

This one was extremely sweet! Really happy Annabeth decided to give us this (final?) installment. While I don't really remember having a significant thought about Adam I ADORED all previous installments so I was really excited where she's going to take this one. Adam and Quinn were perfect for each other. While the "Daddy" kink was at times a bit OTT for me, I did understand where it was coming from for Quinn as well as why it was something that appealed to Adam from his side. 

Adam Ringer works as a bartender in the Tavern he and his two other partners own. He enjoys his job but it's not the only thing he has on his plate. There's also his mother's business he helps in quite a bit as well as his sister and her kid (though they are away to Alaska till the end of summer). His days are long and exhausting so it's no wonder he has no interest in a relationship at the moment. 

Doctor Quinn Strauss has moves to Rainbow Cove not that long ago. He likes the small town and its residents and though he doesn't have a social life he still manages to fill his life with things he enjoys. Yet we start the book when he is at his lowest, sitting at the bar in front of Adam looking to get drunk and forget his sorrows. While Adam enjoys seeing this side of the more reserved Quinn he also can't let anything happen to him so when the night is over he offers his a ride home. 

Featherbed (Vino & Veritas #1) [Harrison & Finn] by Annabeth Albert

This book was simply ADORABLE. I loved the whole feel of it. It was strange getting Sarina's Vermont in someone else's point of view, but it also made it somewhat more "real". While this wasn't a true full length novel I still felt like the arc both characters went through (mainly Harrison) was genuine. I think he needed a sort of "excuse" to live and Finn was exactly it. 

Harrison Phillip Fletcher III had a great life in New York as a lawyer but when he lost his job it felt like the right time to make a change - a big one - opening "Vino and Veritas" - a bookstore with a bar - in Burlington, the city his mother was born and raised in. This is HER dream but he is more than happy to make it come true for her. He has his reasons which were sweet but mostly sad. I loved his relationship with his mother, Harrison is such a loving and caring guy. 

Unpacking all the boxes the last box he expected to land on his front door is one containing a rare breed of chickens! It's a mistake in address so the right thing to do is contact the owner - enter Finn Barnes. He has been a farmer all of his life as so many generations before him. He loves his job but it does tend to suck all of his time. He isn't very patient with Harrison when he arrives to take his chickens to their new home mostly because seeing Harrison reminds him of his ex - and nothing good could ever come of that!

Feel the Fire (Hotshots #3) [Luis & Tucker] by Annabeth Albert

While I liked certain aspects of this book, in the end, it simply didn't grip me. If it wasn't by Annabeth whom I ADORE I would have probably put this one aside somewhere along the way. I'm actually happy I finished it and seen where Annabeth took Luis and Tucker (and us). It wasn't what I expected in a good way. I think both characters needed the "redemption" firstly towards themselves and while a teenage romance can be beautiful there are a lot of reasons why it rarely lasts. Lucky for both they could rekindle what they thought they lost so long ago. 

Growing up, Luis Riviera and Tucker Ryland have been best friends. Okay, they were a bit more than that even if very little physically happened between them. When Luis' family move to Los Angeles they make each other a promise to keep in touch long distance until they graduate and Tucker can join Luis in LA. It was a sweet and innocent dream but their plans fall apart sooner than they expected leaving both guys hurt and resentful. It have been almost 20 years since the day they last saw each other and none thought they would ever again. But life can be unexpected..

High Heat (Hotshots #2) [Garrick & Rain] by Annabeth Albert

There are many elements I really liked in this one, including the issues Garrick was dealing with due to his accident while on the job as a Smoke Jumper. Rain was a breath of fresh air, to him, but also to me, as a reader. He's such a sweet considerate guy, none judgmental and honest in the best kind of way. He saw in Garrick so much more than the physical state he was in. So much more than he let the world around him see.

Near the end of the first installment Garrick Nelson finds himself hospitalized with severe injuries to his head, legs and spinal cord. The prognosis isn't very promising but he is a fighter, always has been and he is going to work HARD and get back to work, jumping off planes, even if it takes time to get there. A year later he has made a lot of progress and though he is frustrated at times he doesn't let himself dwell on those feeling - he fights on. His life is a lot more isolated than it used to be. He was a social guy, going out, hooking up, meeting with friends, but now everything is different. His friends offer him help and he doesn't know how to react - if they are serious or not (or just being polite..) - and also there are the looks, the questions he doesn't know how to answer, the memories and the knowledge he is "missing out" while his friends are doing the thing he loves most and cannot do now.

Conventionally Yours (True Colors #1) [Conrad & Alden] by Annabeth Albert

Though I'm a HUGE Annabeth fan (read ALL of her books) this one just wasn't for me. Somehow the plot and the characters simply didn't "grab" me. I felt like the road tripping itself (shifting drivers and getting lost) and the card game (including too many actual games) made this, well, boring.. I used to be into RPG (Role Playing Games) back in the day so I COULD relate and yet I totally couldn't because I don't know this game (or interested in it).

Conrad Stewart seems like he has it all but it's all a front to a lonely life. He used to have a loving family, a promising start in college and a very active social life. What's left? Working in as many jobs as he can and playing "Odyssey ". After coming out his family basically thrown him into the wolves leaving him with no way of paying college (so he dropped out) and barely a way to make things end enough for him to even feed himself. Two weeks on the road to get into an "Odyssey" convention seems like a waste of time and money but if he wins the big price he might FINALLY have means to support himself (while doing something he loves).

Alden Roth looks to have won the jackpot of a family. Two extremely loving moms (and two older sisters) with a planned future as a doctor. But he hides how much his family's expectations is weighing on him. He hasn't been able to get into any program and after two years trying he doesn't feel like going through it again for a third. His moms are pushing him to make decisions concerning his future and all he feels like doing is hiding and playing "Odyssey" - one of the few if not only thing he feels he is good at. Though he has a group who plays "together" he struggles socially. The guys don't really like him - especially not Conrad but the convention might be his way out. Winning big can change his future! Though it might not be the kind his family "approves" of, at least they are happy he is going with friends.. (though they don't know they aren't really).

Dropped Stitches by Annabeth Albert

I'm not myself lately when it comes to reading. I have too much on my mind and mostly I'm tired. So I blame my feelings towards this novella partly for my general mood. It was a cute read and it was also SO appropriate considering the times we are living in right now where #blacklivesmatter is at the front of the stage. It's not an easy time but I hope that in history's lens we'll be able to look back and see today's events enabling true change. One we can be proud of. 

On election day the last person Bea expects to meet in line to vote is her high school crush Kira. She always admired her strong personality, her ambition and drive (as well as her wardrobe) but she never though Kira would look at HER twice (or even once). Exchanging a few sentences it seems Bea had quite a lot of her assumptions wrong but she is more than willing to get to know the real Kira now. 

Burn Zone (Hotshots #1) [Linc & Jacob] by Annabeth Albert

I'm not sure if this book had a slow start or it's just me who had one stressed out 2 weeks. But for some reason it took me time to understand Linc's true reasoning for pushing the one guy he is unable to resist, no matter the promises made to a dead man. Yet once I was IN the story I was TOTALLY in. Linc's background story is heart breaking and Jacob with his fun and loving personality seems to be the best cure for Linc's default mode of burying himself in the past. There is quite a bit age difference between them (10 years) but I gotta say it never truly showed in the interaction between them. They were a match made in heaven or rather Annabeth's head yet though there is fire around them with their occupation as Smoke Jumpers this is a true slow burn. 

Lincoln Reid has known Wyatt Hartman all of his life. They have been best friends from when they were little and though Linc coming out as gay pushed their friendship to it's limits, after awhile away, when he returned, things sort of went back to how they were before. Though some (or rather few) people know about Linc's sexual orientation it's not something he talks about and even the Hartman family - one he considers his own - doesn't know. Yet one guy figures it out - Jacob - Wyatt's little brother, who comes out himself as being gay. That's when Wyatt makes it VERY clear to Linc he needs to STAY AWAY and that he does, for 6 years. But when Wyatt dies on the job he shortly takes comfort in Jacob's arms and from there, especially considering Jacob's new post on his (their) Smoke Jumpers crew, makes him totally and utterly irresistible. 

Sergeant Delicious by Annabeth Albert

Sweet novella. I would have loved getting a full novel of these two. The idea behind it was really cool. Food writer Damien publishes an ad looking for someone to share a special (and free) meal with him on Valentine's Day with no strings attached. Soon to be ex-marine Xavier jumps on the offer to have "plans" so none of his family or friends be even tempted to hook him up..

After the first email Damien explains he got the exclusive invite to this restaurant and besides wanting to taste the food he wants to write a review about it, but coming alone on Valentine's might look a bit suspicious so he was looking for someone to share the food with and like Xavier he didn't feel like taking someone his friends set him up with..

After sharing quite a few emails, both men are excited to meet the other. Their coffee meet before Valentine's feels almost like meeting an actual friend and though they haven't talked about what's going to happen after, they both want more than dinner and even more than just friendship.

Mr. Right Now by Annabeth Albert

I simply ADORED this one. I loved everything about this sweet and endearing couple! I read this book on a flight, enjoying myself and couldn't believe half the flight was over and so is this novella.

Russ and Esteban have been neighbors for a while now. But besides Esteban asking forgiveness for his naughty cat visiting Russ's apartment, they have very to little interaction. But actually Esteban is one of the reason Russ decided to rent the place, learning it's gay friendly. He's about a year out of his service as a marine as well as out and he still needs time to get used to it - civilian but also having a boyfriend.

Esteban have always admired Russ from the side, but he worried he's one of those ex-military who isn't that gay friendly.. Yet when he meets Russ throwing away a very unfortunate looking skillet he somehow finds himself connecting with the guy and realizing he's basically a big blond teddy bear - the best kind for sure! And that's how he finds himself offering to help Russ with cooking a dinner for his family.

Lumber Jacked (Rainbow Cove, #3) [Johnny & Cam] by Annabeth Albert

Oh, I LOVED this one. What a sweet kinky little novella. Though frankly it felt like so much more somehow. I also really appreciated the bonus chapter we get in the newer version. This started out as a free read and now it's up on Amazon for 99 cents with a real bonus treat! Highly recommend you get this newer version even if - like me - you already got the free shorter one.

We've met Johnny briefly in the previous installment. Curtis "warned" Logan he wouldn't be his type and hinted to bondage. As it seems that's exactly Johnny''s thing, and he has made a sexy hobby out of it, one new in town vlogger Cam is intrigued to try.

Tender with a Twist (Rainbow Cove #2) [Curtis & Logan] by Annabeth Albert

This book was special. It's not my go-to read, and I had my issues with it because I wasn't sure Logan's need to dominate "worked" for me, but in the end, it didn't really matter, because a relationship isn't built solely on the sexual interaction. Sure, it's important but it's not everything. Curtis and Logan, on the outside, seem total opposite yet somehow they each brought into the other's life exactly what they needed. Not because they were perfect, no, it was their imperfection and their need to be there for the other even when their future didn't feel like possible. So even if you're not into kink (pain\bondage) there is SO MUCH more to this story and I ask you to give it a go.

We've already met both Curtis and Logan in the previous installment. Logan Rosner is one of the three owners of the new tavern in Rainbow Cove. Logan had a comfortable life in Portland, but he wanted something different. He wanted freedom, a place to express the person he really is, and not the one people expect him to be. Being the Chef of the tavern, getting to make and decide on the menu makes him happy like nothing in the past did. Yeah they might be struggling but he hopes and believes they can overcome it. This town has totally captured his heart and he doesn't want just the tavern to succeed he wants the town itself to do better as well.

The few times Curtis Hunt came to the tavern with his long time friend Nash (the MC in the previous installment) he was his usual self - grumpy. He has changed the last two years after losing the love of his life. He had it all, a partner he adored, a future together, true happiness. But he lost it all and now, besides his work as a chainsaw wood carver, nothing truly brings him joy, including the shy kid who makes THE best vegan food (even though he won't admit that to ANYONE). 

Trust with a Chaser (Rainbow Cove #1) [Mason & Nash] by Annabeth Albert

OUTSTANDING. This book was simply a TREAT to read. I loved everything about this book. My only complaint would be - life getting in the way of my reading and it's HARDLY Annabeth's fault now is it? Clearly when I plan on reading one of her books I should know better than read it in a busy weekend ;) Mason and Nash have very complicated lives even if on paper they are basically doing great. Yet they are both lonely and have a hard time dealing with what life and mostly other people expect them to do or even BE.

Nash Flint is the chief of Police in Rainbow Cove like his deceased father and though he is proud of his work and is basically married to the job he is grumpy and lonely. It's hard being gay and not allowing yourself to even be in a relationship because he doesn't want the gossip but mostly because he doesn't want to disappoint said dead father and mother (who isn't even living in Rainbow Cove anymore..). He knows what to do about his job but he sure doesn't know what to do with his personal life, especially when Mason Hanks returns to town. Exactly the WRONG guy to be tangled with. He might be the white sheep in the VERY black sheep family of Hanks but it's still not a good idea.

Better Not Pout (Better Not Pout, #1) by Annabeth Albert

BEAUTIFUL BEYOND WORDS. I would have left this review with only these three words that say what's important - GRAB IT NOW. I don't care about Christmas, I don't celebrate Christmas as I'm not Christian, but if you are - it's another reason for you to get it NOW. Lucky me it's "holiday" here so I was able to read almost till the birds started singing outside my window and wake up (earlier than I thought!) to finish it. Truthfully, I couldn't have asked for more even if I really tried.

That being said I'm actually going to write a review! hehe

Sergeant Major Nicholas Nowicki is a month away from retirement. He's 46 years old so it's time. Yet feeling "useless" with no real goal doesn't feel "right" even if he has his plan of going to Florida and helping a friend with his boat business. Fishing, enjoying the sun (his current location lacks..) is what he deserves after years of drifting from base to base, doing his duty. Yet he has one more mission his Commander asked him to take care of and though he's reluctant he'll do it for her - replace her husbands' usual role of Santa in the sleepy little town of "Mineral Spirits" she calls her own. 

Wearing the smallish costume (for him) of Santa he takes off to do his duty, reluctant being an understatement. Nick isn't a holiday kind of guy. He isn't in touch with his family (maybe a bit with his only sister) and so his first interaction being with an elf - green slippers with pompons included - makes him even more weary. But the jolly Teddy MacNally loves holidays enough for the both of them and he is going to make Nick enjoy himself and even SMILE even if he didn't plan to.

Gathered Up (Portland Heat #4-6) by Annabeth Albert

This is the second half of the Portland Heat series. The first two books in this one were WONDERFUL. Each one felt like a REAL full length novel, some dealing with more difficult stuff. I'll say that the third one wasn't "it" for me, but I still say it's a deal getting all of them. Also you might feel differently about the last one..

I actually think the first two novellas in this one were my absolute favorite in the series. Number one goes to Hollis and Sawyer's story. As usual you'll get my full thought bellow :)

This was a great series of short novellas. I say give it a go. You can buy them as two bundles (like I did) or individually.

Portland Heat Novellas - Cranky Christmas, Knit Quick & Waiting for Candy (Portland Heat #3.1,#4.1,#5.1) by Annabeth Albert

As these are three rather short novellas in the Portland Heat series I decided to compile my reviews of all three of them together.

The first two I absolutely LOVED. Also loved their story as well so it's no wonder I enjoyed getting MORE of them. The third was somewhat connected but focused on a couple from a book (outside of Portland Heat) which I didn't connect with as much.

All three are free reads (links bellow). If you've read each of the couples' book I say go ahead and grab these treats.

Bundled Up (Portland Heat #1-3) by Annabeth Albert

This book is a compilation of three novellas in the Portland Heat series. They are each stand alone, yet the characters are all somehow connected.

Really enjoyed this one. Like the name suggests there's quite a lot of HEAT in these ones but I loved that in each and every one of them it was still firstly about friendship and companionship.

Though all three are rather short it felt like we're getting a whole story. There's relationship buildup for sure but also a story (some truly heart breaking) that influenced the characters and the connection they formed together.

My favorite one was the last one "Delivered Fast" (as my longer review bellow shows ;)) but all three were great.

Yep, RECOMMENDED!

I'll be moving on to the next bundle!