One hard-nosed military police officer. One overly enthusiastic elf. One poorly timed snowstorm. Is it a recipe for disaster, or a once in a lifetime opportunity for holiday romance? Teddy MacNally loves Christmas and everything that goes along with it. When he plays an elf for his charity’s events, he never expects to be paired with a Scrooge masquerading as Santa Claus. His new mission: … Scrooge masquerading as Santa Claus. His new mission: make the holiday-hating soldier believe he was born to say ho-ho-ho.
Sergeant Major Nicholas Nowicki doesn’t do Santa, but he’s army to his blood. When his CO asks an unusual favor, Nick of course obliges. The elf to his Kris Kringle? Tempting. Too tempting–Nick’s only in town for another month, and Teddy’s too young, too cheerful and too nice for a one-night stand.
The slow, sexy make-out sessions while Teddy and Nick are alone and snowbound, though, feel like anything but a quick hookup. As a stress-free holiday fling turns into Christmas all year round, Teddy can’t imagine his life without Nick. And Nick’s days on the base may be coming to a close, but he doesn’t plan on leaving anything, or anyone, behind.
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 a sweet, low angst story that is full of holiday spirit. The characters in the story quickly drew me in and had me wanting to know what was going to happen next. Two people who are completely opposite find themselves drawn to each other and it works well. I enjoyed following along on these characters journey as they found their way toward each other.
As his time in service comes to an end, Sergeant Major Nick Nowicki agrees to help out his commanding officer which includes wearing a Santa suit and working with the locals to put together their holiday celebration.
It’s bad enough that he has to wear a suit that barely fits him, but he’s also paired with Teddy, who loves his little town and the holidays. His incurably happy attitude does nothing for Nick, except make him grateful that he’s almost done with his obligations and ready to head south for a new life with an old buddy.
That is until Teddy starts to get under his skin. He’s not immune to all of Teddy’s charms and when Nick realizes that they may actually have more in common than he first thought — he agrees to a last fling of sorts. The only problem is that after spending time together, Nick’s future starts looking a little hazy. But Nick is also a man of his word, so he’s definitely not staying in New York, no matter how much he really enjoys spending time with Teddy.
That is until he ends up south and missing Teddy something fierce. These two are perfect for each other if they could only get on the same page. While I thought the build up to the end was a bit on the slower side, I did like how they decide to resolve their situation. They are so adorably cute together and it was great how Teddy and Nick really did complement each other when it came down to it.
I absolutely adored Teddy. He’s such a good person and it just showed through in all he did. Nick had a good heart too, and a whole bucket load of honorable intentions. He really was quite conflicted between his promises and his newly found happiness with Teddy. Even though I knew there would be a HEA/HFN, it was rewarding to see Nick go through his paces to figure it all out.
This is a nice M/M kickoff for the holiday season. If you are a reader of Annabeth Alberts Out of Uniform series, I think you will like this one too!
An ARC was provided for review.
I just love holiday stories, so when I saw this book I just had to grab it! It checked so many of my go-to read boxes: age gap, military, and the holidays. I loved that this is a full length novel, and not short story or novella which is what you tend to see in holiday stories. Plus this was written by Annabeth Albert so I knew this was going to be a winner.
Teddy, 28, came back to his hometown after getting his Masters in social work to be the Director of the local charity and community center. Teddy helps coordinate all the holiday activities for the town, which includes playing Elf to Santa in his many town appearances over the holiday season. Unfortunately the usual Santa becomes sick and is unable to fulfill his duties. Coming to the rescue of the town’s traditional Santa activities is Sergeant Major Nick Nowicki who is roped into the duties because it’s his Commanding Officer’s sick husband who usually assumes the duties of Santa.
Unfortunately, Nick is not feeling too jolly about having to play Jolly Old St. Nick! To say that Nick’s first foray into playing Santa doesn’t go well is an understatement! Ripped pants, an overenthusiastic elf and photographer and an accident on his way out of town is not the way to start his first stint as Santa. To Nick’s chagrin, Teddy takes him in after his truck becomes out of commission and Nick does his best to stave off Teddy’s advances. After all, he’s only going to be stationed at this base for another month before his retirement papers are ready for him. Then he’s out of the cold and heading to Florida for sun and fishing. Plus at 46, he’s too old for Teddy…right?
Teddy refuses to give up on getting Nick to loosen up and have some fun. He’s decided it’s his personal mission to see Nick’s smile, get him to open up, and appreciate the time they do have and spend it together. Teddy encourages Nick to stop fighting their attraction to each other, and just enjoy each other until Nick’s retirement comes.
I really enjoyed the chemistry between Teddy and Nick and the low-angst of their relationship. I love how Teddy showed Nick he didn’t have to give up his dreams to make his dream come true. With Teddy’s unwavering support, Nick can see a future outside of what he originally planned and a family too.
The book was sweet, a great read, and one that I’d read outside of the holidays.
My Review:
This book is everything that is good in a holiday story. I loved it.
Nick is a forty-six year old career military MP on his way into retirement. He’s spent almost his entire career alone. He’s a bit of a stiff, curmudgeon, used to doing things a certain way. Stepping into a Santa suit is not a natural fit. He’s very uncomfortable with the idea, especially after he meets Teddy, the outgoing “elf” who’s heading up the Santa fundraising campaign.
Teddy is everything that Nick isn’t. He’s outgoing, enthusiastic, eternally optimistic, and young. So, so young. There is NO WAY Nick is giving into the temptation that is Teddy, no matter how much the idea appeals. But then he gets snowed in and ends up staying with Teddy where things are just a little too easy and it just happens. But it’s a onetime thing, right?
Getting to watch the relationship between these two unlikely characters was incredible. Teddy is everything that Nick needs in his life. He needs some fun in his life so much. He’s lived twenty-eight years of restricted fun…he deserves some now…and Teddy is the perfect match for that. I loved watching Nick bloom around Teddy. It was a beautiful romance and I truly fell in love with watching them fall in love. It was a great holiday story.
I definitely recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest and voluntary review.
4.25 out of 5 stars
“Better Not Pout” by Annabeth Albert is a contemporary adult gay military romance that follows Sergeant Major Nicholas (Nick) Nowicki as he copes with not only being conscripted to portray Santa Claus for a few weeks but also dealing with the forced end of his twenty-eight-year military police career and the prospect of moving to a warmer locale. The ebullient elf to his Santa, Theodore (Teddy) MacNally, is younger, loves his hometown, and adores the holiday season. They have nothing in common, but forced proximity could make this a Christmas to remember.
This story does a wonderful job of evoking winter and the hustle and bustle of the holidays. The evolution of the relationship between an older rigid career soldier and a younger tender-hearted man with a degree in social work is delightful to follow, enhanced by the flame that stubbornly grows, despite concerted efforts to ignore the attraction. I love that Nick tempers Teddy’s boundless enthusiasm and rush to completion and it was wonderful to see how they complement each other and get past their respective painful pasts.
Alternating points of view give insights into each man’s thoughts and each has a chance to showcase his talents and prowess at his chosen profession. There are lovely “aw” moments as well as a few heartstopping ones, and the heat that develops between the pair seems natural and probable. This is a feel-good and fun story and I daresay you will be humming a certain seasonal tune for a while after reading it.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
Get ready to get warm and cozy!! I loved this story about Nick and Teddy! They were somewhat opposites, not only in job scope, but also in age. Not that it actually mattered, they went together like peas and carrots!
When Commander Grace’s husband is unable to be Santa for a local food bank, Nick is asked to fill in. Once he arrives, he meets Teddy, and is kinda flummoxed about him. Teddy runs the food bank and is Santa’s elf side-kick. He’s all sorts of cute, but he wouldn’t be interested in a stodgy, old, military man would he? Turns out he just might be!!
Teddy has always had a thing for muscled, military guys. When Nick rolls up to be the stand in for Santa, he nearly swoons! He doesn’t care that he is much older than himself, he just can’t help fawning over Nick! But Nick is about to retire and leave the area for good. Oh well, he’s all for a month with Nick. It’ll be fun! Only the month flies by and neither want to say goodbye! Can Teddy be the one to make Nick stay and want to put down roots?
I enjoyed Teddy and Nick and their dynamic! Teddy is funny, kind, and genuine, but doesn’t take many risks. Nick is steadfast and responsible-always doing what is right. Teddy is slight, where Nick is a big military cop! Opposites in all aspects for sure! As they got to know one another, I loved what their togetherness brought out in the other! Teddy would get all bossy, and Nick would get all cuddly-it made for some charming and adorable interludes! They seriously fogged up the windows in this one!!
Annabeth Albert is a one-click author for me and she never disappoints! Better Not Pout is such a heartwarming book to read and it will give you so much to cheer about!
This holiday romance is cute and uplifting, befitting the holiday spirit, but it also has that typical emotional intensity that I’ve come to look for in any book by Annabeth Albert. I was expecting something light and maybe a bit mushy, an easy read to get into the right frame of mind for the holidays. This was so much more than that, though.
I adored Teddy from the beginning and his good cheer and positive attitude to life make him a perfect match for Nick, who very much needs what Teddy has to offer. Even if he doesn’t realize it.
Nick is also a great character, very steady and competent, though somewhat emotionally closed-off and grumpy at first. He’s not really feeling the holiday spirit, santa claus suit notwithstanding.
Nick’s at a point in his life where he needs to find a new direction, and is feeling a bit lost.
Enter Teddy… who makes Nick feel again and pushes him to reassess how he wants to live his life. Go Teddy!
Nick and Teddy are very different in age and outlook, but they have both known loss and as a result are similarly playing it safe in some way or other. Nick more obviously so than Teddy. These two characters are just so right together, they complement and inspire each other in the very best of ways and have a great connection, both emotionally and chemistry-wise.
I felt like knocking some sense into Nick though, because he seems hell-bent on throwing away his chance at love and happiness. Stubborn man.
I love May/December stories and this was an exceptional take on that trope. I really enjoyed this story.