When a plane crashes in the Alaskan wilderness, the best place to land is in the arms of a younger man… “Whether making my heart melt or my head burst into flames, Annabeth Albert draws the reader in and keeps them captivated.” –Gay Book Reviews Hotshot attorney Reuben Graham has finally agreed to take a vacation, when his plane suddenly plunges into the Alaskan wilderness. Just his … the Alaskan wilderness.
Just his luck.
But his frustrations have only begun as he finds himself stranded with the injured, and superhot, pilot, a man who’s endearingly sociable–and much too young for Reuben to be wanting him this badly.
As the sole provider for his sisters and ailing father, Tobias Kooly is devastated to learn his injuries will prevent him from working or even making it back home. So when Reuben insists on giving him a place to recover, not even Toby’s pride can make him refuse. He’s never been tempted by a silver fox before, but something about Reuben is impossible to resist.
Recuperating in Reuben’s care is the last thing Toby expected, yet the closer they become, the more incredibly right it feels, prompting workaholic Reuben to question the life he’s been living. But when the pressure Toby’s under starts closing in, both men will have to decide if there’s room in their hearts for a love they never saw coming.
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
3.5 stars-
Arctic Wild is the second standalone in the Frozen Hearts series and a good slow burn, May-December romance. Despite liking the characters and the bulk of the story, I’ve gone back and forth over how to rate this book, reflecting on what did and didn’t work for me. In the end, I realized that some of the things that didn’t work for me weren’t necessarily problems that needed correcting, but rather an honest portrayal that life isn’t always clean and perfect, even after finding a special love, making Arctic Wild worth the read and one I’d recommend.
From the outset I liked the characters of Arctic Wild. Toby was outwardly engaging and happy and Reuben curt and disinterested, a classically good opposites attract pairing. However, the dual point-of-view narrative ensured readers knew early on that there was more to both men than initial impressions suggested. I was excited to get to know more about these men and eager to see a relationship develop, but the book suffered from a pacing shift. Arctic Wild starts off fairly quickly with the characters involved in a plane accident early on. Once their ordeal resolved, the book downshifted for me, taking on a more meandering pace and allowing room for the slow-burn romance between Toby and Reuben to grow. Unfortunately, the abrupt change in pace meant my interest wavered a bit through the middle of the novel. I liked that these two took their time and the things that gave both Toby and Reuben pause in pursuing a relationship were completely valid for the characters, I just wasn’t as interested as I’d expect.
The familial situation also threw me off a little. I loved how the author included Reuben’s teen daughter in the story, developing her character along with Toby and Reuben. And while I admired Toby’s commitment to his family and loved how that part of his personality fit with Reuben, his sister and father’s negativity and nay-saying got old for me. After sitting on this review for a bit though, I realize what rankled me was that things weren’t perfect for these two as the book closed… instead they were a bit messy and an honest look at a couple who chooses love for one another and for their family, even when it can’t be all tied up with a neat little bow. So yes, though Arctic Wild wasn’t all I thought it might be at the start and the pacing change threw me off a little, I would recommend this title, especially if you appreciate the beauty in love when things aren’t so easy.
*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*
As a tourist guide and a pilot, Toby has taken many travelers throughout Alaska, but it is not until he takes Reuben, a man traveling alone that things don’t go as smoothly as they should. Although he fights his attraction to Reuben an unfortunate landing has them both relying on each other. But will the high powered attorney go back to NJ and forget about the friendship he made? Or will the two reconnect and hopefully have a future? With a storyline that I could not put down and characters you cannot help but fall in love with once again Annabeth Albert does not disappoint. Love this series and cannot wait for more.