A lasting connection needs more than simply surviving a winter together–they’ll have to outsmart danger, let down their defenses and open their hearts. “Whether making my heart melt or my head burst into flames, Annabeth Albert draws the reader in and keeps them captivated.” –Gay Book Reviews Owen Han has a fresh lease on life–he’s kicked cancer’s ass and is roaring through his bucket … and is roaring through his bucket list. The former investment banker hopes to find his next challenge in Alaska, volunteering alongside park rangers and fulfilling his childhood dreams of snowy winters and rustic life. Of course, those dreams did tend to feature big strapping mountain men in vivid detail…
Ranger Quilleran Ramsey would like to be anywhere other than dealing with newbie volunteers. And really, the only thing he needs less than a green volunteer “partner” is the flirty attentions of a buff city boy who doesn’t look ready to last a week, let alone an Alaskan winter. They’re all wrong for each other, even if Quill’s traitorous body enjoys the flirting more than it should.
As the weeks pass, the two snowbound men give in to temptation. But can their seasonal romance last until spring? For them to have a future together, each will have to trust the other…while hoping that the harsh elements and omnipresent dangers don’t destroy what happiness they’ve found in the moment.
Frozen Hearts
Book 1: Arctic Sun
Book 2: Arctic Wild
Book 3: Arctic Heat
Also by Annabeth Albert:
Shore Leave
Book 1: Sailor Proof
Book 2: Sink or Swim
Out of Uniform
Book 1: Off Base
Book 2: At Attention
Book 3: On Point
Book 4: Wheels Up
Book 5: Squared Away
Book 6: Tight Quarters
Book 7: Rough Terrain
more
This is book #3, in the Frozen Hearts series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. To fully understand series, and to avoid spoilers, I recommend reading this series in order.
Owen has a new look on life after cancer. He volunteers to help in the deep cold of Alaska for the winter. He has to get used to being mostly alone. Just him and Quill. Cold and sexy man can be a great combination.
Quilleran AKA “Quill” is mostly fine being alone. Being hurt in the past has shaped how he has spent the last couple decades. Is it time to let someone in? Owen might be a city boy, but he is proving himself to be a great team member.
This book is what you call a slow burn. I loved reading about these guys. They have so much to learn and together it just seems simple. There is quite a lot of sparks and heat for how cold it is there. Great addition to the series.
***This ARC copy was given by Netgalley and its publisher, in exchange for an honest review only.
This is the second book I’ve read in this series, and it’s interesting to see the added struggles to a budding relationship, being out in the cold Alaska snow. Quill is reserved, reluctant, and scared of getting hurt. Owen has a second lease on life, is bossy, and kind of pushy. At times, I didn’t love that about him, but I guess it was needed. These two are pretty sweet and like to take care of one another, But they’re both competent and resourceful.
There’s definitely some steamy scenes, but the relationship building in this book is more about the comfort and companionship, trusting someone to be there. Also the jobs these boys have and backstory are interesting.
ARCTIC HEAT is the third book in the Frozen Hearts series, and although we stay in Alaska, we see a very different side of it. There is less emphasis placed on the beauty of the region, and more on the natural dangers that exist every winter.
In this story, we meet up with Owen, a cancer survivor, and Quill, a Ranger. Owen is out but Quill is firmly in the closet as he doesn’t want to become the “gay poster boy” for the Rangers. They both have their own baggage from their pasts.
This is very much a slow-burner, filled with angst, and forced proximity. Like I said, there is less description of the surrounding area, and more detailing the kind of accidents that can happen, both natural and manmade.
Although I liked both Quill and Owen, I didn’t connect with them like I have done with previous characters in this series. They both had things I liked about them, the same as they both had qualities I disliked.
On the whole, this was a book I enjoyed reading, but it didn’t tick as many boxes for me as other books by Ms Albert. I would still definitely recommend it though, especially for those who like to meet up with previous characters when they make an appearance.
*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley and I freely give my honest review.*
I love Quill and all his gruffness, and Owen has a lightness to him that makes them perfect for each other even though their different.
This was a sweet story with characters that spoke to me in so many ways; insecurities, humour and compassion are all feelings we can relate to.
The characters is well described and developed in to realistic personalities.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Lots of good dialogues
Building love that’s sweet and vulnerable
Happy ending and passionate love.
Love it! 5 stars
3.5 to 4 stars…
Owen Han has a new lease on life and is taking time to check off items off of his bucket list. So he is training to be a winter volunteer in an Alaska park. He is friendly, talkative, confident, intelligent, and determined. He is comfortable in his own skin and does not hide his sexuality. He is a natural-born leader and people gravitate to him.
Quill Ramsey is the opposite. He is a seasoned Ranger used to dealing with the harsh winters and danger. He is a bit older, reserved, stoic, and a loner. It takes him time to warm up to people, but he does care about his close friends. He has issues and has been hurt and not accepted in the past so he does not share his real self with that many people.
These two meet during training and it is game on. Owen is not afraid to go on the pursuit. But Quill is equally vocal about avoiding temptation and being professional…even if he was never going to see Owen again. But when circumstances change with assignments and a friendship starts sneaking in, things are going to be more complicated. Add in some secluded, hot winter nights and dangerous elements and they might have more than they can handle.
This is about building trust, acceptance, and fighting for what is really important. It is told in dual points of view and I liked both of these guys. Owen was just so good-natured, positive, and eager. And Quill really wanted to be gruff and distant, but Owen just kept pulling him in. But Quill was also closeted, closed-off, and afraid of being hurt or hurting Owen. And Owen can only push so far before someone gets hurt. Feelings are messy and their diverse looks at the future are hard to merge. But in the good times when they let themselves, it was sweet to see how they had the potential to balance each other.
This book is a slow burn romance based on close proximity, friendship, and undeniable chemistry. I honestly kept putting it down and losing attention, so it did seem to drag at times. It is based more on their issues and relationship building than a lot of external drama or even the Alaskan atmosphere although that did pick up more towards the end. But it also became more emotional and raw, and I got more invested.
Quill’s decisions involved more than just choosing Owen or even a relationship…it would involve exposing himself in a way that he was not sure he was prepared for. But Owen is a man who knows how short life is and he is not about to settle for less than he is worth. And they would both have to be willing to sacrifice something and take a risk if they choose to take a chance.
As a cancer survivor, Owen is now checking things off of his bucket list. Spending time volunteering his time in Alaska is a life long dream come true. When a connection is made with Quill, the man who is supervising him, will Owen be able to check off finding a soulmate too? Or will the closeted lover end up breaking Owen’s heart? These two characters were so great. From the beginning of the story to the very last page Annabeth Albert once again creates a wonderful story.