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Safe Harbor #2
Make Me Stay
Roommate Not Wanted
I’m a forty-year-old homeowner and former detective. My friends think a roommate is the solution to my recent funk, but I know that’s the last thing I need.
And even if they’re right, sharing my home with Cal is a bad idea. The prickly SEAL rescue diver has muscles for miles, haunted eyes, a wounded soul, and wandering feet that won’t be happy for long in Safe Harbor. Yet those fathoms-deep blue eyes have me making an offer I’ll surely regret.
Our arrangement may be doomed, but Cal is an amazing roommate. We’re soon cooking my mom’s favorite recipes, watching terrible TV, accidentally cuddling, and trying not to cross the line from friendship to fling.
Until I discover Cal’s sexy secret.
Boundaries blur, and I forget I’m not supposed to fall for Cal. Every kiss, touch, and discovery we make together pulls us deeper until there’s no denying our feelings.
I want nothing more than to keep Cal in town, in my bed, and in my heart, but Cal seems destined to swim back to his solo ways.
Can I bear to let him go, or will our love make him stay forever?
MAKE ME STAY is a hurt/comfort roommates-to-lovers MM romance. It features two mature, wounded heroes, disability rep, a proud pansexual, a SEAL having a demisexual awakening, and sexy discoveries involving rope. Deep feels, dual point-of-view, and big fluffy HEA guaranteed.
MAKE ME STAY is book two in the Safe Harbor series from acclaimed author Annabeth Albert. This small historic Oregon town has a tight friend group, memorable secondary characters, quirky businesses, and long-held secrets. Each book stands alone with a fresh couple, but the background mystery of the town’s secrets ties the series together, making reading in order more fun!
I’m a forty-year-old homeowner and former detective. My friends think a roommate is the solution to my recent funk, but I know that’s the last thing I need.
And even if they’re right, sharing my home with Cal is a bad idea. The prickly SEAL rescue diver has muscles for miles, haunted eyes, a wounded soul, and wandering feet that won’t be happy for long in Safe Harbor. Yet those fathoms-deep blue eyes have me making an offer I’ll surely regret.
Our arrangement may be doomed, but Cal is an amazing roommate. We’re soon cooking my mom’s favorite recipes, watching terrible TV, accidentally cuddling, and trying not to cross the line from friendship to fling.
Until I discover Cal’s sexy secret.
Boundaries blur, and I forget I’m not supposed to fall for Cal. Every kiss, touch, and discovery we make together pulls us deeper until there’s no denying our feelings.
I want nothing more than to keep Cal in town, in my bed, and in my heart, but Cal seems destined to swim back to his solo ways.
Can I bear to let him go, or will our love make him stay forever?
MAKE ME STAY is a hurt/comfort roommates-to-lovers MM romance. It features two mature, wounded heroes, disability rep, a proud pansexual, a SEAL having a demisexual awakening, and sexy discoveries involving rope. Deep feels, dual point-of-view, and big fluffy HEA guaranteed.
MAKE ME STAY is book two in the Safe Harbor series from acclaimed author Annabeth Albert. This small historic Oregon town has a tight friend group, memorable secondary characters, quirky businesses, and long-held secrets. Each book stands alone with a fresh couple, but the background mystery of the town’s secrets ties the series together, making reading in order more fun!
308 pages, Paperback
First published July 13, 2023
436 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
Annabeth Albert
110 books3,754 followersFrequent tweeter, professional grammar nerd, and obsessive reader, Annabeth Albert is also a Pacific Northwest romance writer in a variety of subgenres.
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
July 5, 2023
~4.5~
This series is messing with my emotions in the best way. Interweaving the joy of finding love when you least expect it with the chilling details of a murder case gone cold is a fascinating juxtaposition of light and darkness.
The cold case plot line connects the three books, so I strongly recommend reading the series in order.
In the first book, we saw Holden as his friends see him: outgoing, gregarious, always cheerful. But Holden wears a mask. That's not to say he's never happy and he's very much an extrovert, but Holden is lonely. His body hurts. He has bad days. But he smiles because it's easier than crying.
Speeding toward a dive site that could prove to hold clues in the ongoing murder investigation, Holden passes an ancient RV that's crawling down the road. The RV belongs to Cal, a retired SEAL diver who's as taciturn and abrupt as Holden is talkative and gentle.
When his RV breaks down just outside of Safe Harbor, Cal, barely patched up and broke as hell, has no choice but to rely on Holden's willing hospitality.
The two become roommates, kink partners, lovers, and friends. Neither man finds it easy to trust, and Cal has one foot out the door. What can Holden do to make Cal stay?
This is a sexy story, with the kink in question being Cal's need to be tied down and controlled. Holden, who's always had a bossy streak, is more than happy to oblige. He loves taking care of Cal, making him lunches, dropping him off at work, cooking for him.
But Cal, who thinks he's a bad bet, sees Holden's concern as a kind of jail. Struggling with PTSD and survivor's guilt, Cal doesn't want to be needed, doesn't want anyone to count on him.
One of my favorite things about this story is the disability rep. People assume that unless someone is paralyzed, they don't need (or deserve) a wheelchair. But wheelchairs aren't just for para/quadriplegics. Holden isn't paralyzed, but he suffered debilitating injuries when he was younger that make it difficult and painful for him to walk.
This isn't the first wheelchair user to serve as MC in Annabeth Albert's stories (I loved Ryan in Connection Error), and I am all for it.
The ending is a HEA for Holden and Cal, but Sam is still waiting to be "worthy" of love.
The epilogue is from Sam's POV and sets up book 3. I'm decidedly not a fan of the faux epilogue, but I couldn't be too mad since there's a dog involved.
This series is messing with my emotions in the best way. Interweaving the joy of finding love when you least expect it with the chilling details of a murder case gone cold is a fascinating juxtaposition of light and darkness.
The cold case plot line connects the three books, so I strongly recommend reading the series in order.
In the first book, we saw Holden as his friends see him: outgoing, gregarious, always cheerful. But Holden wears a mask. That's not to say he's never happy and he's very much an extrovert, but Holden is lonely. His body hurts. He has bad days. But he smiles because it's easier than crying.
Speeding toward a dive site that could prove to hold clues in the ongoing murder investigation, Holden passes an ancient RV that's crawling down the road. The RV belongs to Cal, a retired SEAL diver who's as taciturn and abrupt as Holden is talkative and gentle.
When his RV breaks down just outside of Safe Harbor, Cal, barely patched up and broke as hell, has no choice but to rely on Holden's willing hospitality.
The two become roommates, kink partners, lovers, and friends. Neither man finds it easy to trust, and Cal has one foot out the door. What can Holden do to make Cal stay?
This is a sexy story, with the kink in question being Cal's need to be tied down and controlled. Holden, who's always had a bossy streak, is more than happy to oblige. He loves taking care of Cal, making him lunches, dropping him off at work, cooking for him.
But Cal, who thinks he's a bad bet, sees Holden's concern as a kind of jail. Struggling with PTSD and survivor's guilt, Cal doesn't want to be needed, doesn't want anyone to count on him.
One of my favorite things about this story is the disability rep. People assume that unless someone is paralyzed, they don't need (or deserve) a wheelchair. But wheelchairs aren't just for para/quadriplegics. Holden isn't paralyzed, but he suffered debilitating injuries when he was younger that make it difficult and painful for him to walk.
This isn't the first wheelchair user to serve as MC in Annabeth Albert's stories (I loved Ryan in Connection Error), and I am all for it.
The ending is a HEA for Holden and Cal, but Sam is still waiting to be "worthy" of love.
The epilogue is from Sam's POV and sets up book 3. I'm decidedly not a fan of the faux epilogue, but I couldn't be too mad since there's a dog involved.
July 12, 2023
Disability rep done right in this beautiful romance from Annabeth
I don’t think I could have loved the two men at the heart of this story more if I tried, both of them spoke to me deeply for very different reasons.
Being a wheelchair user and reliant on mobility aids and affected by changes in the weather as much as random chronic pain outbreaks, I empathised fully with Holden and his jokester attitude.
It’s easier to hide away the multiple downsides of a permanent disability than it is to trust if you let people know just how bad it can get, they’ll soon get tired of hearing it.
But Cal, oh boy, how that man stole my heart. He’s dealing with so much repressed grief, survivor guilt and traumatic PTSD, coupled with feelings of abandonment and a loneliness he doesn’t even recognise.
Their paths cross when Holden’s bestie Monroe calls in Cal to help with the cold case missing person case when evidence leads to a lakeside cabin and possible answers in the watery depths.
They don’t get off on the right foot, but it’s clear there’s an interest between them and circumstances conspire to put Cal in Holden’s house as a roommate for a short period.
No spoilers here, but let’s just say that secrets are revealed, both in the case itself and – in a scene which manages to tread a fine line with humour and heat – when Holden discovers just what Cal’s up to in his bedroom after an incident with the smoke alarm reveals an interesting kink.
Things move on from here beautifully as Annabeth shows how Holden’s disability doesn’t prevent him from being the one to support and meet all Cal’s needs as the ex-SEAL explores his demi-sexuality and learns to put his trust in someone else’s hands.
There’s lots of layers to this narrative, it’s complex and covers a range of difficult subjects with their own difficulties and emotional tangles.
But it’s done with grace and kindness, with insight and never with the intention that falling in love will solve all.
These two men still struggle even after they’ve admitted their feelings, and that’s part of what makes this book special.
Now we’re just left with Sam and Worth’s romance and we get a short insight into the beginning of that here.
I’m expecting there will be even more feels in that one!
I don’t think I could have loved the two men at the heart of this story more if I tried, both of them spoke to me deeply for very different reasons.
Being a wheelchair user and reliant on mobility aids and affected by changes in the weather as much as random chronic pain outbreaks, I empathised fully with Holden and his jokester attitude.
It’s easier to hide away the multiple downsides of a permanent disability than it is to trust if you let people know just how bad it can get, they’ll soon get tired of hearing it.
But Cal, oh boy, how that man stole my heart. He’s dealing with so much repressed grief, survivor guilt and traumatic PTSD, coupled with feelings of abandonment and a loneliness he doesn’t even recognise.
Their paths cross when Holden’s bestie Monroe calls in Cal to help with the cold case missing person case when evidence leads to a lakeside cabin and possible answers in the watery depths.
They don’t get off on the right foot, but it’s clear there’s an interest between them and circumstances conspire to put Cal in Holden’s house as a roommate for a short period.
No spoilers here, but let’s just say that secrets are revealed, both in the case itself and – in a scene which manages to tread a fine line with humour and heat – when Holden discovers just what Cal’s up to in his bedroom after an incident with the smoke alarm reveals an interesting kink.
Things move on from here beautifully as Annabeth shows how Holden’s disability doesn’t prevent him from being the one to support and meet all Cal’s needs as the ex-SEAL explores his demi-sexuality and learns to put his trust in someone else’s hands.
There’s lots of layers to this narrative, it’s complex and covers a range of difficult subjects with their own difficulties and emotional tangles.
But it’s done with grace and kindness, with insight and never with the intention that falling in love will solve all.
These two men still struggle even after they’ve admitted their feelings, and that’s part of what makes this book special.
Now we’re just left with Sam and Worth’s romance and we get a short insight into the beginning of that here.
I’m expecting there will be even more feels in that one!
October 18, 2023
This was a bust and a chore to read, I was so bored. I will not continue with the series. The main couple: you have Cal who is a loner because he lost people in the past and is afraid to open his heart again which seemed fair and the transition to allowing that didn't have a strong enough foundation to me. I really didn't like him at first, he seemed like a bit of jerk and wasn't that interesting. Then you have Holden who is a wheelchair user because of chronic, his disability is not really detailed (which is a fine choice) but it doesn't really have an impact on the story at all: he barely has any limitations, Cal barely has any questions. It may be good disability rep but really his disability having no impact on his life was strange. It doesn't have to be something dramatic but I feel it needed to be something even small. Then he is said to be the clown of his friend group and that he uses humor to mask discomfort and that his friends only see him as a clown but we don't really see that. I didn't really feel the connection between the MCs or why they were interested in each other: they are both divers but they don't really bond over that and people have assumptions about them that are somewhat false. That's it. There is the kink aspect and I'm really not qualified to judge it since I don't read kink. It was light IMHO.
The mystery: that aspect was underwhelming again, it really isn't central we know the lady is dead and who killed her before the book so really the "revelations" felt flat especially since the "investigation" took so little page time.
This series has been a bust for me, I'm not giving up on this author, just the series.
The mystery: that aspect was underwhelming again, it really isn't central we know the lady is dead and who killed her before the book so really the "revelations" felt flat especially since the "investigation" took so little page time.
This series has been a bust for me, I'm not giving up on this author, just the series.
January 21, 2024
Holden Justice teaches at the local college, and also has a podcast that is very successful. His social life is active in spite of his needing the aid of a wheelchair. His friends that he has weekly "trivia night" with, think that he needs a roommate after Monroe and Knox’s "roommate situation" ended with them becoming a couple, in book #1....but Holden thinks they're crazy. He thinks of himself as an extrovert, and he likes being able to leave his piles of homework to grade on his dining room table. Cooking for more than one is always much more pleasurable...but he'll get by okay. When Cal a rescue diver gets hurt on a dive and his old RV breaks down, permanently... Holden decides maybe he does need a roommate after all... and the sexy diver is the one he wants. When Holden comes home unexpectedly and discovers Cal’s favorite distraction technique to help him relax and rest when his PTSD is overwhelming, he is surprised but also intrigued. Cal has an obsession with doing all things solo...and it's very questionable. Holden doesn't bat and eye when he discovers Cal's kink. It convinces Cal to let him join in since he's determined to break Cal's hard shell and show him that he can be trusted. Both Holden and Cal have had a lot of traumas in their lives...both physical and mental. Holden dealt with his through humor as an avoidance, while Cal developed thorns to keep people at a distance. Cal saw through Holden’s comic side and Holden broke through Cal’s armor. Both showed that trust could develop and that they could try. Annabeth Albert was one of the first M/M romance authors that I ever read, and when I counted how many of her series and standalones that I had read, I found that with this series...I have read everything that she has written, and I didn't see a single one that I didn't absolutely love. This series looks like it is only going to have three books...but there will still be the things that make these books special...such as this group of lifelong friends that deeply care for one another and want everything for the others that they want and deserve. Most of these men are in their early forties and need love and trust in their lives. I really like when characters are "recycled" through a series, so it was great to see all the men from the first book back to encourage Cal and Holden. I am equal parts eager and leery of the next book. Eager because we finally get Sam’s story and Worth is finally coming home...yet leery because it will be the last book in this wonderful series.
April 6, 2025
Reread this today and bruh….Annabeth Albert is a master at writing kink smut wrapped up in a beautiful hurt/comfort story about acceptance, forgiving yourself and accepting help and care when you truly need it. There’s a beautiful caretaking dynamic between the main characters that I loved.
You have Cal a grumpy, moody, bratty man that has a bondage kink and loves being tied up and reduced to a begging, needy mess. And Holden a bossy sunshine angel that loves dirty talking and narrating his man through his orgasm only after he’s denied it from him several times. All this going on while a town’s unsolved cold case and tragedy that happened years before turns up new evidence that reinvigorates the case.
There’s also disability rep that’s handled really well and is different than any others I’ve read before. Survivors guilt is another story that’s not told enough that was also handled really well here. Long story short, I ate this book and this series up and you need to read it!
You have Cal a grumpy, moody, bratty man that has a bondage kink and loves being tied up and reduced to a begging, needy mess. And Holden a bossy sunshine angel that loves dirty talking and narrating his man through his orgasm only after he’s denied it from him several times. All this going on while a town’s unsolved cold case and tragedy that happened years before turns up new evidence that reinvigorates the case.
There’s also disability rep that’s handled really well and is different than any others I’ve read before. Survivors guilt is another story that’s not told enough that was also handled really well here. Long story short, I ate this book and this series up and you need to read it!
July 16, 2023
4.5 stars rounded to 5 for Goodreads
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Make Me Stay is the second stand alone in the small town mm romance series , Safe Harbor, by Annabeth Albert.
I really really enjoyed this one even more than the first in the series. Both main characters were superb. Hudson when he was younger went from class nerd to class clown and stuck with it ever since. He uses humor to mask his chronic pain and his insecurities. But with Cal he isn't afraid of being more than his humor, he can be emotional and he can let his walls down. Then we have Cal , who is grumpy grumps but a grump whose heart is hurting. He suffers from PTSD, strong survivors guilt and is still very much affected from the loss of his best friend. He's stubborn and hates asking for help in any way shape or form.
My chest thumped . Anything. Cal could ask me for anything, and I’d likely try to give it.
Together they go from unexpected roommates to more and every second is delicious. While physically things heat up early on, their actual relationship takes a little bit. That's because Holden doesn't want to overstep or take advantage of Cal's situation of needing somewhere to live. And the fact that for Cal, emotions are so closely tied into physical that he's afraid to ask for more. Now back to their physical intimacy, it's hot and kinky. Cal likes to be restrained / bondage, and Holden is definitely dominant in the bedroom and a fan of orgasm control. I loved the emphasis on consent, asking for what you want pleasure-wise and aftercare . The way Holden makes Cal feel comfortable enough to let go and ask for what he wanted was perfection.
“Mine.” I wanted to saw through all the layers of defense he kept erecting, make him see how wanted, how necessary he and his safety were to me. “I want you to be mine.”
As you can tell, I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters, their backstories, their personalities, and their intimacy. I think the only thing keeping me from giving it a five-star is their third act break up. It hurt my heart when it happened but their reunion afterward was a little anticlimactic. I don't know, I'm a big fan of huge declarations of love, and it didn't satisfy that part of me .
Overall, Make Me Stay by Annabeth Albert is a grumpy/sunshine small town romance with mature MCs, disability rep, Pan rep, Demi rep, kink exploration, reality TV, cold case solving, grief, healing, and finding your home.
P.S. Holden has a podcast and Cal's love of his voice and all the talking he does in the bedroom makes me very excited for this book's audio !
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Make Me Stay is the second stand alone in the small town mm romance series , Safe Harbor, by Annabeth Albert.
I really really enjoyed this one even more than the first in the series. Both main characters were superb. Hudson when he was younger went from class nerd to class clown and stuck with it ever since. He uses humor to mask his chronic pain and his insecurities. But with Cal he isn't afraid of being more than his humor, he can be emotional and he can let his walls down. Then we have Cal , who is grumpy grumps but a grump whose heart is hurting. He suffers from PTSD, strong survivors guilt and is still very much affected from the loss of his best friend. He's stubborn and hates asking for help in any way shape or form.
My chest thumped . Anything. Cal could ask me for anything, and I’d likely try to give it.
Together they go from unexpected roommates to more and every second is delicious. While physically things heat up early on, their actual relationship takes a little bit. That's because Holden doesn't want to overstep or take advantage of Cal's situation of needing somewhere to live. And the fact that for Cal, emotions are so closely tied into physical that he's afraid to ask for more. Now back to their physical intimacy, it's hot and kinky. Cal likes to be restrained / bondage, and Holden is definitely dominant in the bedroom and a fan of orgasm control. I loved the emphasis on consent, asking for what you want pleasure-wise and aftercare . The way Holden makes Cal feel comfortable enough to let go and ask for what he wanted was perfection.
“Mine.” I wanted to saw through all the layers of defense he kept erecting, make him see how wanted, how necessary he and his safety were to me. “I want you to be mine.”
As you can tell, I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters, their backstories, their personalities, and their intimacy. I think the only thing keeping me from giving it a five-star is their third act break up. It hurt my heart when it happened but their reunion afterward was a little anticlimactic. I don't know, I'm a big fan of huge declarations of love, and it didn't satisfy that part of me .
Overall, Make Me Stay by Annabeth Albert is a grumpy/sunshine small town romance with mature MCs, disability rep, Pan rep, Demi rep, kink exploration, reality TV, cold case solving, grief, healing, and finding your home.
P.S. Holden has a podcast and Cal's love of his voice and all the talking he does in the bedroom makes me very excited for this book's audio !
July 22, 2023
I was far more captivated by this story than book 1. I enjoyed the characters a lot more - both ex-service men with one being in a wheelchair and the other dealing with PTSD. I liked that they felt believably older and had some life experiences. The pacing and progression worked well and although I did have some snoozey moments at times this generally kept my attention. This reminded me of Annabeth Alberts Out of Uniform Series which I really liked. I will confess I found the cold case that continues throughout the series to be really bland.
November 2, 2023
He continued to have vibes not unlike a feral cat, but I couldn't seem to help wanting to get closer to him.
I wish I didn't wait so long to write this review, because since then I've read a few books and I can't remember all the little details I loved so much about this book... But I did love it! Make Me Stay is a beautiful story.
Cal is the grumpiest man, but somehow, Holden finds the way to his heart by being incredibly kind and patient and attentive to his needs. Cal's traumatic past as a Navy SEAL still haunts him, but Holden is determined to help him feel himself again and enjoy life. As a result of (un)fortunate circumstances, both men end up being roommates. This somehow leads to Holden discovering Cal's bondage kink and volunteering himself as Cal's "kink lifeguard" in order to prevent him from getting stuck in his restraints alone. During their time living together in Holden's home, they explore kink together while embarking on a healing journey.
I didn't take naps and I didn't catch feelings, but damn if Holden didn't seem determined to break all my rules.
Their relationship develops in the weirdest order, but it works really well for Holden and Cal. They're great together, but also good for each other. While Cal struggles with mental health, Holden faces his own challenges being in a wheelchair since an accident years prior. I thought they were both thoughtful and attentive to each other's needs.
There's one thing I have to mention that I didn't like: the author's way of writing certain sentences while referring to kinky sex. Another reviewer mentioned it as well and probably did a better job of explaining it than me! But in a nutshell, some sentences were awkward because the author kept mentioning "kink" instead of sex or another word. I don't know how many times the word "kink" was used in this book, but it was a lot. For example, this sounded awkward to me: "So we lived together first, then did kink, slept next to each other, finally kissed, and now we'e gonna have a first date?" Maybe it's a me thing because English is my second language, but I didn't like it 🙈
On the subject of kink however, the scenes were super hot and so well done! The author made Cal and Holden's connection special and from the beginning, there was a lot of trust between them.
I wish I didn't wait so long to write this review, because since then I've read a few books and I can't remember all the little details I loved so much about this book... But I did love it! Make Me Stay is a beautiful story.
Cal is the grumpiest man, but somehow, Holden finds the way to his heart by being incredibly kind and patient and attentive to his needs. Cal's traumatic past as a Navy SEAL still haunts him, but Holden is determined to help him feel himself again and enjoy life. As a result of (un)fortunate circumstances, both men end up being roommates. This somehow leads to Holden discovering Cal's bondage kink and volunteering himself as Cal's "kink lifeguard" in order to prevent him from getting stuck in his restraints alone. During their time living together in Holden's home, they explore kink together while embarking on a healing journey.
I didn't take naps and I didn't catch feelings, but damn if Holden didn't seem determined to break all my rules.
Their relationship develops in the weirdest order, but it works really well for Holden and Cal. They're great together, but also good for each other. While Cal struggles with mental health, Holden faces his own challenges being in a wheelchair since an accident years prior. I thought they were both thoughtful and attentive to each other's needs.
There's one thing I have to mention that I didn't like: the author's way of writing certain sentences while referring to kinky sex. Another reviewer mentioned it as well and probably did a better job of explaining it than me! But in a nutshell, some sentences were awkward because the author kept mentioning "kink" instead of sex or another word. I don't know how many times the word "kink" was used in this book, but it was a lot. For example, this sounded awkward to me: "So we lived together first, then did kink, slept next to each other, finally kissed, and now we'e gonna have a first date?" Maybe it's a me thing because English is my second language, but I didn't like it 🙈
On the subject of kink however, the scenes were super hot and so well done! The author made Cal and Holden's connection special and from the beginning, there was a lot of trust between them.
October 2, 2023
Unfortunately, just didn't hit for me.
I love Annabeth Albert, but this was a chore to read. It shouldn't have been. It's got things I normally would love: hurt/comfort, very hot sexy times, a light mystery, grumpy / sunshine, tight friend group...
But, with the exception of the sex, nothing else really worked to hold my attention. I was bored for a lot of the story, I hated the Stapleton murder mystery, which was the part I was most interested in, was wrapped up without very much fanfare or page time. I didn't like these middle-aged men's communication skills. The pace of the story dragged for me in some parts and flew by in others, but it added up to me not really enjoying it. I'll still pick up Sam and Worth's story at some point, as I'm interested to see what's going to happen between them.
Obviously, your mileage may vary.
I love Annabeth Albert, but this was a chore to read. It shouldn't have been. It's got things I normally would love: hurt/comfort, very hot sexy times, a light mystery, grumpy / sunshine, tight friend group...
But, with the exception of the sex, nothing else really worked to hold my attention. I was bored for a lot of the story, I hated the Stapleton murder mystery, which was the part I was most interested in, was wrapped up without very much fanfare or page time. I didn't like these middle-aged men's communication skills. The pace of the story dragged for me in some parts and flew by in others, but it added up to me not really enjoying it. I'll still pick up Sam and Worth's story at some point, as I'm interested to see what's going to happen between them.
Obviously, your mileage may vary.
March 30, 2024
Ugh I hate when I download a book only to realize I’ve already read it lol. In a way, that tells me a lot about the book itself though… aka not that memorable.
This was… ok. Felt a bit like a puzzle that has all the right pieces but they don’t quite go together in a satisfying manner. This authors writing has changed so much from earlier works it’s almost unrecognizable and now misses the mark more often than not unfortunately. I’ll probably read the 3rd one anyway though 🤷🏼♀️
Note: These days I'm finding I care a lot more about how a book makes me feel vs a need to tear it apart and analyze it from every angle. So when considering my opinion keep that in mind.
This was… ok. Felt a bit like a puzzle that has all the right pieces but they don’t quite go together in a satisfying manner. This authors writing has changed so much from earlier works it’s almost unrecognizable and now misses the mark more often than not unfortunately. I’ll probably read the 3rd one anyway though 🤷🏼♀️
Note: These days I'm finding I care a lot more about how a book makes me feel vs a need to tear it apart and analyze it from every angle. So when considering my opinion keep that in mind.
November 7, 2023
3+
Trafiło mi się tym razem lekkie BDSM. Muszę przyznać, że jeżeli już u Annabeth Albert się przytrafia, to jest dla mnie całkowicie do przełknięcia, nie mam z tym najmniejszego problemu. Choć BDSM nie lubię i nie czytam historii z nim w roli głównej, czy nawet drugo-, czy trzecioplanowej... A u tej autorki biorę na klatę bez zmrużenia oka 😜
Generalnie całkiem przyzwoita obyczajówka, dobrze mi się czytało, choć nie ukrywam, że bez szału... Ale może to kwestia notorycznego ostatnio braku czasu i łapania czytania w niewielu wolnych chwilach, co skutkuje tym, że idzie to mi zdecydowanie dłużej, niż normalnie 😕
Trafiło mi się tym razem lekkie BDSM. Muszę przyznać, że jeżeli już u Annabeth Albert się przytrafia, to jest dla mnie całkowicie do przełknięcia, nie mam z tym najmniejszego problemu. Choć BDSM nie lubię i nie czytam historii z nim w roli głównej, czy nawet drugo-, czy trzecioplanowej... A u tej autorki biorę na klatę bez zmrużenia oka 😜
Generalnie całkiem przyzwoita obyczajówka, dobrze mi się czytało, choć nie ukrywam, że bez szału... Ale może to kwestia notorycznego ostatnio braku czasu i łapania czytania w niewielu wolnych chwilach, co skutkuje tym, że idzie to mi zdecydowanie dłużej, niż normalnie 😕
July 10, 2023
I was thoroughly entranced. From the romance to the mystery it all flowed seamlessly and felt wonderfully. I also liked that we got an ambulatory wheelchair user with chronic pain. As a chronic pain possessor, it is nice to see my struggles on page. Makes me feel seen. And Annabeth dealt with it wonderfully, making it hard but not in a "woe is me" light or a "you're an inspiration to the able-bodied" while also not minimizing that it is a hard and unpredictable thing to deal with.
August 14, 2023
I've given this a B+ at AAR, 4.5 stars
Annabeth Albert returns to Safe Harbor for Make Me Stay, book two in her trilogy featuring three long-time friends set in a small Oregon town. This one is a mature, hurt/comfort romance between two wounded men who have spent so many years denying any vulnerability that they are now stuck, in their different ways, with a persona they’ve presented to the world that isn’t really who they are.
The wonderfully – and aptly – named Professor Holden Justice is a former detective who suffered a debilitating injury early in his career and is now a professor of criminal justice who also presents a popular true crime podcast. From his appearances in book one, Bring Me Home, we know he’s a life-and-soul type – outgoing and cheerful, a joker who is always ready with a quip or funny one-liner. He and his friend Monroe have been assisting the local PD – their friend Rob is Chief of Police – with a cold case that has recently been re-opened, the murder of the mother of one of their closest friends, Worth Stapleton, who fled Safe Harbor afterwards and has never been back. At the end of Bring Me Home, evidence led Monroe and Holden to believe there are answers to be had out at the nearby lake, and when Make Me Stay opens, Holden is on his way there to join Monroe for the recovery dive he’s organised.
On his way, Holden unintentionally cuts up a battered old RV chugging along the same road; of course, said RV pulls up to park shortly after Holden does, and turns out to belong to the diver Monroe has engaged, former SEAL Chief Callum Phillips. Oops. With his military bearing, unshaven jaw, compact frame and long strides, Holden has to admit that he does, at least, look the part of a legendary diver. It’s a shame he quickly reveals himself to have “the personality of a weathered fence post.”
Cal doesn’t ‘people’; he’s in Safe Harbor to dive, do a job, get paid and then move on to whatever is next. He’s not pleased when Holden expresses concern over Cal’s intention to dive alone, and firmly shuts him down – but he can’t help being grateful when Holden takes over wrangling the local volunteers, assigning tasks, checking people in and out and generally making sure things run smoothly. Even so, the guy’s perpetual smile, continuous stream of jokes and general aura of bonhomie rub Cal the wrong way – although he has no idea why.
Holden’s concerns turn out to be valid when Cal surfaces bearing a big gash across the back of his neck and down his arm. Cal wants to get back down to look for more evidence, but Holden won’t hear of it; Cal needs urgent care, not another dive. When Monroe agrees, Cal reluctantly allows Holden to drive him to the clinic, where Holden realises that he’s …never known someone who needed fussing over more or wanted it less.
Just about patched-up and almost completely broke, Cal leaves Safe Harbor the next day, only for his ancient RV to finally give up the ghost. It’s not fixable, and Cal can’t afford a new vehicle; Earl – the local mechanic – asks if there’s anyone Cal can call to help him out, and the only person he can think of is Holden. Cal absolutely hates asking for help and hates the idea of being an object of pity – but luckily for him, fate takes a hand and he doesn’t have to ask; Holden appears at the garage for fuel, Holden and Earl get talking, and very soon, Holden has himself a new – temporary – housemate.
Having Cal around makes Holden realise how much he’s missed having someone at home (his sister used to live with him, but she recently moved out) and that, despite his regular protestations to the contrary, he has been lonely. To his friends, he’s always the upbeat extrovert, but he’s become so used to using that persona to hide behind on his bad days, the days when his body hurts and his constant struggle with chronic pain becomes almost overwhelming, that he’s reached a place where he feels unable to show them any other facet of himself. He’s a wheelchair user because the injuries he suffered mean he finds walking painful and difficult, but in his determination not to let that hold him back or define him, he’s allowed the people around him to think he’s okay when he isn’t, worried that if he tells his friends how bad things can get, they’ll get tired of hearing about it. But Cal gives him the space, quiet support and understanding that allows Holden to be his whole self, to be not okay when he’s in pain, and to be more than the ‘class clown’ he’s shown his friends for the past thirty years.
Cal is struggling with (largely untreated) PTSD and a fuckton of survivor’s guilt and repressed grief over the deaths of his best friend (with whom he’d been in (unrequited) love) and two other divers who were lost during a rescue mission some years earlier. He doesn’t like being around people and tries to have as little interaction with others as possible; he’s walled himself off – he doesn’t want to be responsible for anyone or anything other than himself, and doesn’t want anyone to depend on him for anything.
Somehow, this odd couple start to find some common ground and quickly become more than simple housemates after Holden inadvertently interrupts Cal during one of his rare moments of ‘alone time’. Thanks to an unfortunate incident with a toaster and the smoke alarm, Holden discovers not only that Cal enjoys a bit of rope-play, but that his own bossy streak is most definitely up for indulging Cal’s need to be tied down and controlled. It’s one of those scenes that walks a fine line between humour and embarassment! But Ms. Albert does a terrific job of developing their relationship in and out of the bedroom, showing their growing connection as they hang out, share meals, watch bad TV and generally take care of one another, and their growing trust as they explore their kinks and learn to let themselves be themselves with someone else.
The conflict in the story arises mainly because Cal has had one foot out the door since he entered it – he doesn’t think he’s a good bet for any kind of relationship and has shut off his emotions for so long that he can’t trust that he’s allowed to keep things that make him happy. But somehow, Holden has begun to push his way through those barriers; he sees Cal and his pain and doesn’t judge – he just wants to make things better – and for the first time in a very long and lonely five years, Cal is beginning to as though his load is lightening and that he can finally begin to move past his grief and loss.
It will come as no surprise when I say that the disability rep, in terms of its impact on Holden both mentally and physically, is excellent, because Annabeth Albert always takes great care to be well-informed and respectful of such issues, and Cal’s gradual acceptance of his demisexuality is nicely done.
Watching these two lonely guys fall for each other is a delight; there’s banter, kindness, honesty, and acceptance, and I loved the way they are able to see beneath the other’s surface and know when to check in and provide support.
Make Me Stay is an emotional, sexy story about self-acceptance, about learning to ask for help, open up and trust in the people you love – and most of all, about finding home.
This review originally appeared at All About Romance
Annabeth Albert returns to Safe Harbor for Make Me Stay, book two in her trilogy featuring three long-time friends set in a small Oregon town. This one is a mature, hurt/comfort romance between two wounded men who have spent so many years denying any vulnerability that they are now stuck, in their different ways, with a persona they’ve presented to the world that isn’t really who they are.
The wonderfully – and aptly – named Professor Holden Justice is a former detective who suffered a debilitating injury early in his career and is now a professor of criminal justice who also presents a popular true crime podcast. From his appearances in book one, Bring Me Home, we know he’s a life-and-soul type – outgoing and cheerful, a joker who is always ready with a quip or funny one-liner. He and his friend Monroe have been assisting the local PD – their friend Rob is Chief of Police – with a cold case that has recently been re-opened, the murder of the mother of one of their closest friends, Worth Stapleton, who fled Safe Harbor afterwards and has never been back. At the end of Bring Me Home, evidence led Monroe and Holden to believe there are answers to be had out at the nearby lake, and when Make Me Stay opens, Holden is on his way there to join Monroe for the recovery dive he’s organised.
On his way, Holden unintentionally cuts up a battered old RV chugging along the same road; of course, said RV pulls up to park shortly after Holden does, and turns out to belong to the diver Monroe has engaged, former SEAL Chief Callum Phillips. Oops. With his military bearing, unshaven jaw, compact frame and long strides, Holden has to admit that he does, at least, look the part of a legendary diver. It’s a shame he quickly reveals himself to have “the personality of a weathered fence post.”
Cal doesn’t ‘people’; he’s in Safe Harbor to dive, do a job, get paid and then move on to whatever is next. He’s not pleased when Holden expresses concern over Cal’s intention to dive alone, and firmly shuts him down – but he can’t help being grateful when Holden takes over wrangling the local volunteers, assigning tasks, checking people in and out and generally making sure things run smoothly. Even so, the guy’s perpetual smile, continuous stream of jokes and general aura of bonhomie rub Cal the wrong way – although he has no idea why.
Holden’s concerns turn out to be valid when Cal surfaces bearing a big gash across the back of his neck and down his arm. Cal wants to get back down to look for more evidence, but Holden won’t hear of it; Cal needs urgent care, not another dive. When Monroe agrees, Cal reluctantly allows Holden to drive him to the clinic, where Holden realises that he’s …never known someone who needed fussing over more or wanted it less.
Just about patched-up and almost completely broke, Cal leaves Safe Harbor the next day, only for his ancient RV to finally give up the ghost. It’s not fixable, and Cal can’t afford a new vehicle; Earl – the local mechanic – asks if there’s anyone Cal can call to help him out, and the only person he can think of is Holden. Cal absolutely hates asking for help and hates the idea of being an object of pity – but luckily for him, fate takes a hand and he doesn’t have to ask; Holden appears at the garage for fuel, Holden and Earl get talking, and very soon, Holden has himself a new – temporary – housemate.
Having Cal around makes Holden realise how much he’s missed having someone at home (his sister used to live with him, but she recently moved out) and that, despite his regular protestations to the contrary, he has been lonely. To his friends, he’s always the upbeat extrovert, but he’s become so used to using that persona to hide behind on his bad days, the days when his body hurts and his constant struggle with chronic pain becomes almost overwhelming, that he’s reached a place where he feels unable to show them any other facet of himself. He’s a wheelchair user because the injuries he suffered mean he finds walking painful and difficult, but in his determination not to let that hold him back or define him, he’s allowed the people around him to think he’s okay when he isn’t, worried that if he tells his friends how bad things can get, they’ll get tired of hearing about it. But Cal gives him the space, quiet support and understanding that allows Holden to be his whole self, to be not okay when he’s in pain, and to be more than the ‘class clown’ he’s shown his friends for the past thirty years.
Cal is struggling with (largely untreated) PTSD and a fuckton of survivor’s guilt and repressed grief over the deaths of his best friend (with whom he’d been in (unrequited) love) and two other divers who were lost during a rescue mission some years earlier. He doesn’t like being around people and tries to have as little interaction with others as possible; he’s walled himself off – he doesn’t want to be responsible for anyone or anything other than himself, and doesn’t want anyone to depend on him for anything.
Somehow, this odd couple start to find some common ground and quickly become more than simple housemates after Holden inadvertently interrupts Cal during one of his rare moments of ‘alone time’. Thanks to an unfortunate incident with a toaster and the smoke alarm, Holden discovers not only that Cal enjoys a bit of rope-play, but that his own bossy streak is most definitely up for indulging Cal’s need to be tied down and controlled. It’s one of those scenes that walks a fine line between humour and embarassment! But Ms. Albert does a terrific job of developing their relationship in and out of the bedroom, showing their growing connection as they hang out, share meals, watch bad TV and generally take care of one another, and their growing trust as they explore their kinks and learn to let themselves be themselves with someone else.
The conflict in the story arises mainly because Cal has had one foot out the door since he entered it – he doesn’t think he’s a good bet for any kind of relationship and has shut off his emotions for so long that he can’t trust that he’s allowed to keep things that make him happy. But somehow, Holden has begun to push his way through those barriers; he sees Cal and his pain and doesn’t judge – he just wants to make things better – and for the first time in a very long and lonely five years, Cal is beginning to as though his load is lightening and that he can finally begin to move past his grief and loss.
It will come as no surprise when I say that the disability rep, in terms of its impact on Holden both mentally and physically, is excellent, because Annabeth Albert always takes great care to be well-informed and respectful of such issues, and Cal’s gradual acceptance of his demisexuality is nicely done.
Watching these two lonely guys fall for each other is a delight; there’s banter, kindness, honesty, and acceptance, and I loved the way they are able to see beneath the other’s surface and know when to check in and provide support.
Make Me Stay is an emotional, sexy story about self-acceptance, about learning to ask for help, open up and trust in the people you love – and most of all, about finding home.
This review originally appeared at All About Romance
July 16, 2023
I liked the first book of this series very much, but this one? This book was amazingly beautiful, emotional and I absolutely loved it.
Holden is in a wheelchair, former detective and college teacher, he also does a podcast about crime and investigation. He'd been feeling a bit gloomy lately and his friends thought he needed a roommate. Cal is an ex-SEAL diver that lives a nomad life in an RV, travelling from one place to another. He helps find people that went missing working with authorities. He arrives in Safe Harbor and ends up living with Holden.
I liked Holden in the first book, but here he becomes so much more. He went from being the clown in the group to someone that feels deeply and uses humour to hide it. Cal was so reluctant to accept help that it was beautiful to see how he fell for Holden even though he tried not to. Holden is patient, caring and respectful towards Cal, and when the latter lets his walls down the chemistry between them is unstoppable. They become friends first, but it's clear from the beginning that their attraction to each other is unavoidable. I liked how Holden got into Cal's kink so willingly as a way to give the man what he needed.
The author describes Holden's situation dealing with chronic pain in a very sensitive way, showing it's possible to lead a happy life but not hiding the bad moments. Cal's PTSD was also portrayed magnificently, he cut off his feelings as a way to not hurt and it was so touching when he realised he couldn't stop what he felt for Holden.
This is an amazing love story between two mature men with difficult pasts and complicated presents that find each other and form a special connection that can't be ignored. Holden and Cal's story was moving and beautiful and they've become my favourite in this series so far. I ended this book with a heartwarming feeling and a smile on my face and I can't wait to read the next one.
Holden is in a wheelchair, former detective and college teacher, he also does a podcast about crime and investigation. He'd been feeling a bit gloomy lately and his friends thought he needed a roommate. Cal is an ex-SEAL diver that lives a nomad life in an RV, travelling from one place to another. He helps find people that went missing working with authorities. He arrives in Safe Harbor and ends up living with Holden.
I liked Holden in the first book, but here he becomes so much more. He went from being the clown in the group to someone that feels deeply and uses humour to hide it. Cal was so reluctant to accept help that it was beautiful to see how he fell for Holden even though he tried not to. Holden is patient, caring and respectful towards Cal, and when the latter lets his walls down the chemistry between them is unstoppable. They become friends first, but it's clear from the beginning that their attraction to each other is unavoidable. I liked how Holden got into Cal's kink so willingly as a way to give the man what he needed.
The author describes Holden's situation dealing with chronic pain in a very sensitive way, showing it's possible to lead a happy life but not hiding the bad moments. Cal's PTSD was also portrayed magnificently, he cut off his feelings as a way to not hurt and it was so touching when he realised he couldn't stop what he felt for Holden.
This is an amazing love story between two mature men with difficult pasts and complicated presents that find each other and form a special connection that can't be ignored. Holden and Cal's story was moving and beautiful and they've become my favourite in this series so far. I ended this book with a heartwarming feeling and a smile on my face and I can't wait to read the next one.
July 13, 2023
What happens when you get the town comedian and pair him with a grumpy SEAL diver and make them share the same house? You get banter, you get domestic situations, you get emotions and, surprisingly, you also get kinky situations. Yeah, you heard me. Proud pansexual and wheelchair user Holden didn't know what he was getting into when he invited Cal to stay with him while he healed from an injury that happened during a diving retrieval for the mystery that was introduced in the first book. And Cal, grump with a demisexual awakening, didn't realize that he could want things and keep them if they make him happy. He is so deep in his grief, he has put walls around his heart, and he needs someone to make him see it's okay to move one, to open up to new situations, to happiness, to maybe a love story that could change everything for the better.
I loved how it started with Cal being the prickliest grump to then have him being in reality the sweetest human being who deserved all the hugs, and rope play since he loves it that much. Yep, there is kink in this book. Not lots but enough to make me smirk and be very intrigued by the whole situation.
I liked how their relationship develops and how, while it wasn't easy and instantaneous, they found a way to make it work. It wasn't easy nor drama free but it was worth it. Definitely worth what they did to my heart. They were really sweet even when they weren't. I will never see a rope in the same way ever again.
I loved how it started with Cal being the prickliest grump to then have him being in reality the sweetest human being who deserved all the hugs, and rope play since he loves it that much. Yep, there is kink in this book. Not lots but enough to make me smirk and be very intrigued by the whole situation.
I liked how their relationship develops and how, while it wasn't easy and instantaneous, they found a way to make it work. It wasn't easy nor drama free but it was worth it. Definitely worth what they did to my heart. They were really sweet even when they weren't. I will never see a rope in the same way ever again.
December 28, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Make Me Stay is the second book in the Safe Harbor series, and best enjoyed when read in order. Holden and Cal are both lonely, and have had unique struggles finding suitable sexual partners. It seems that Cal may be demisexual, as he learns through some intensely awkward conversation with Holden–after he mistakenly “rescues” Cal from a solo-session of kinky self-pleasure. Holden’s recent forays tended to attract partners with a kink for disabled people, not actually seeing Holden himself as a vibrant man.
As an audiobook, there are two narrators, which makes the two POVs even more distinct.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Make Me Stay is the second book in the Safe Harbor series, and best enjoyed when read in order. Holden and Cal are both lonely, and have had unique struggles finding suitable sexual partners. It seems that Cal may be demisexual, as he learns through some intensely awkward conversation with Holden–after he mistakenly “rescues” Cal from a solo-session of kinky self-pleasure. Holden’s recent forays tended to attract partners with a kink for disabled people, not actually seeing Holden himself as a vibrant man.
As an audiobook, there are two narrators, which makes the two POVs even more distinct.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
September 11, 2023
3.5 stars
July 12, 2023
This book was so good. I read it straight through in a day. It’s sweet and steamy and tells a story of characters that feel very real, good men struggling to overcome their limiting patterns when they find each other and feel an undeniable draw that makes taking a risk on each other worthwhile.
Expect
* Strangers to lovers
* Opposites attract
* Grumpy sunshine
* Disability rep
* Mental health rep
* Forced proximity
* Found family
* Cold case mystery
* Kink exploration : bondage, restraint, edging, o-control, dirty talk, praise kink.
I was in awe of Holden - so unbelievably resilient, patient, kind and yet struggling with his own hurts and coping mechanisms, needing to be seen as more than the extrovert who lightens situations. And Cal, so strong and still carrying all that pain and loss and grief, so prickly and so lonely with such a big heart trying to do all he can for those who need him, looking to put his burdens down for a bit, finally finding a place to belong to in Holden and Safe Harbour
The story is so heart warming, these two men, completely at odds at first but joint in the mission for justice and then a strong friendship which tips into so much more. That first kink scene was sublime. The way their dynamic builds and grows deeper, adding to their attachment to each other and helping them overcome what’s holding them back was beautiful to read, concluding in what felt inevitable.
The author doesn’t slacken the pace at all and handles a line up of themes around loss, ptsd as well as chronic physical pain and impairment with gentle sensitivity and empathy, and a realistic depiction of the limitations it can place and how impacted by both physical and metal stressors these conditions are.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Swoon: ♥️♥️♥️.5
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥.5
Angst: ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
Humour: 🤣🤣
I can’t wait to read the next instalment that comes out in September. These can be read as standalones.
CW: grief, loss, isolation, military-related PTSD, disability and chronic illness, and the realities of modern military service
Expect
* Strangers to lovers
* Opposites attract
* Grumpy sunshine
* Disability rep
* Mental health rep
* Forced proximity
* Found family
* Cold case mystery
* Kink exploration : bondage, restraint, edging, o-control, dirty talk, praise kink.
I was in awe of Holden - so unbelievably resilient, patient, kind and yet struggling with his own hurts and coping mechanisms, needing to be seen as more than the extrovert who lightens situations. And Cal, so strong and still carrying all that pain and loss and grief, so prickly and so lonely with such a big heart trying to do all he can for those who need him, looking to put his burdens down for a bit, finally finding a place to belong to in Holden and Safe Harbour
The story is so heart warming, these two men, completely at odds at first but joint in the mission for justice and then a strong friendship which tips into so much more. That first kink scene was sublime. The way their dynamic builds and grows deeper, adding to their attachment to each other and helping them overcome what’s holding them back was beautiful to read, concluding in what felt inevitable.
The author doesn’t slacken the pace at all and handles a line up of themes around loss, ptsd as well as chronic physical pain and impairment with gentle sensitivity and empathy, and a realistic depiction of the limitations it can place and how impacted by both physical and metal stressors these conditions are.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Swoon: ♥️♥️♥️.5
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥.5
Angst: ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
Humour: 🤣🤣
I can’t wait to read the next instalment that comes out in September. These can be read as standalones.
CW: grief, loss, isolation, military-related PTSD, disability and chronic illness, and the realities of modern military service
July 13, 2023
Note to authors learn about trigger warnings
Here I though is a sweet heartwarming story I can enjoy and it started very well right until you run into BDSM right smack as you're getting invested. If that was my preference in reading material I would specifically kook for it but that's not what this book had promised.
Here I though is a sweet heartwarming story I can enjoy and it started very well right until you run into BDSM right smack as you're getting invested. If that was my preference in reading material I would specifically kook for it but that's not what this book had promised.
July 15, 2023
2.5/5⭐
How to say Daddy without actually saying Daddy. This is this book in a nutshell. It's the second book of the year where an author has a daddy trope/MC but shies away from actually calling it out. Is there some Daddy shame or what's going on.
I was meh about the book, not great, not terrible, but the whole not calling it like it is has a minus in my book.
Hopefully the next book will be better.
How to say Daddy without actually saying Daddy. This is this book in a nutshell. It's the second book of the year where an author has a daddy trope/MC but shies away from actually calling it out. Is there some Daddy shame or what's going on.
I was meh about the book, not great, not terrible, but the whole not calling it like it is has a minus in my book.
Hopefully the next book will be better.
July 13, 2023
Make Me Stay is a beautiful, complex grumpy/sunshine romance between two guys from traumatic backgrounds. They’re reluctant to let anyone in; the one thing they have in common is how they don’t want to need anyone. But can they allow themselves to need each other?
Cal’s a loner who’s emotionally cut off. Suffering the loss of someone he cared for changed his outlook on life, his view of his place in it, and what he believes he deserves. With his tendency to believe he deserves to suffer, I wasn’t sure anyone would be able to reach him or if he’d ever allow himself to be that vulnerable.
Then there’s Holden, outgoing and extroverted but emotionally guarded. He’s reluctant to take his friends’ suggestion to get a roommate to keep him company, although I believe he recognizes his loneliness. He wants to be the kind of guy who’s okay on his own, but his reality is that he needs - craves - that human connection.
I loved the emotional journey and connection these two built, although it takes a bit before their physical and emotional connections are in sync. They ease into a routine that speaks of emotional intimacy, while their hot, physical connection conveys a distance that’s meant to protect. It’s satisfying to watch these two parts of their relationship grow and change before merging into one.
Kudos to Annabeth Albert for the remarkable disability rep in this story! It’s done in the best, most positive way. Holden’s mobility is acknowledged and accommodated, but he’s still him in every way, and I really appreciated that.
I loved the romance in this one, but I’m also invested in the overarching series mystery arc involving Worth’s mom. With each book more clues are revealed, suggesting this isn’t an open and shut case. Maybe the skeletons that have long been buried should stay that way, especially for Worth’s sake.
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
Cal’s a loner who’s emotionally cut off. Suffering the loss of someone he cared for changed his outlook on life, his view of his place in it, and what he believes he deserves. With his tendency to believe he deserves to suffer, I wasn’t sure anyone would be able to reach him or if he’d ever allow himself to be that vulnerable.
Then there’s Holden, outgoing and extroverted but emotionally guarded. He’s reluctant to take his friends’ suggestion to get a roommate to keep him company, although I believe he recognizes his loneliness. He wants to be the kind of guy who’s okay on his own, but his reality is that he needs - craves - that human connection.
I loved the emotional journey and connection these two built, although it takes a bit before their physical and emotional connections are in sync. They ease into a routine that speaks of emotional intimacy, while their hot, physical connection conveys a distance that’s meant to protect. It’s satisfying to watch these two parts of their relationship grow and change before merging into one.
Kudos to Annabeth Albert for the remarkable disability rep in this story! It’s done in the best, most positive way. Holden’s mobility is acknowledged and accommodated, but he’s still him in every way, and I really appreciated that.
I loved the romance in this one, but I’m also invested in the overarching series mystery arc involving Worth’s mom. With each book more clues are revealed, suggesting this isn’t an open and shut case. Maybe the skeletons that have long been buried should stay that way, especially for Worth’s sake.
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
July 15, 2023
“I’m better with a team. I want to be on your team, -----. But you have to let me in. This can’t be all you helping me. You’ve got to let me be a part of your team, too.”
I just finished Holden and Cal's story. My heart!
Holden is the joker, always quick to make someone laugh and deflect deflect deflect. He's involved with trying to break open the cold case around a m*rder that happened in their little town years ago. They hire in a rescue diver to investigate the lake, and that's how we meet Cal.
Cal is utterly and devastatingly alone. The mission that ended his SEAL service has left Cal with PTSD and survivor's guilt. He has no one, and he dives. That's it.
These two meet, and it's chemistry from the get-go. They shouldn't work, but their puzzle pieces fit together.
What follows is a story of healing and loving and compromising. It's friendship and adventure and a willingness to be open and vulnerable.
Cal and Holden both have stories and baggage, but letting love is a balm on the loneliness these two collectively carried.
If you're looking for a love story with disability rep, ptsd, former service members, small town, demisexual discovery, compromise, older mcs, light kink, and soft hearts under exteriors- this may be the story for you!
This series is great, and I definitely recommend it!
I just finished Holden and Cal's story. My heart!
Holden is the joker, always quick to make someone laugh and deflect deflect deflect. He's involved with trying to break open the cold case around a m*rder that happened in their little town years ago. They hire in a rescue diver to investigate the lake, and that's how we meet Cal.
Cal is utterly and devastatingly alone. The mission that ended his SEAL service has left Cal with PTSD and survivor's guilt. He has no one, and he dives. That's it.
These two meet, and it's chemistry from the get-go. They shouldn't work, but their puzzle pieces fit together.
What follows is a story of healing and loving and compromising. It's friendship and adventure and a willingness to be open and vulnerable.
Cal and Holden both have stories and baggage, but letting love is a balm on the loneliness these two collectively carried.
If you're looking for a love story with disability rep, ptsd, former service members, small town, demisexual discovery, compromise, older mcs, light kink, and soft hearts under exteriors- this may be the story for you!
This series is great, and I definitely recommend it!
May 19, 2024
3.5 ⭐
Un choix de lecture impulsif, j'avais envie de retrouver la plume d'Annabeth Albert et son talent pour les scènes d'action. Bon sur ce point, malgré un démarrage prometteur, on peut dire que c'est raté car ce n'est pas du tout l'objet du roman.
La romance est assez douce, malgré l'exploration des kinks de Cal, et évolue de façon réaliste (même si la première scène de smut est quand même assez ... inattendue).
Comme souvent chez cette autrice, on évolue dans un milieu où tous les personnages ou presque sont LGBTQ+, et sont presque tous plus ou apparentés à l'armée au sens large du terme. L'intrigue policière occupe bien trop peu de place à mon goût, et c'est vraiment dommage que les compétences de plongeur de Cal n'aient pas donné lieu à davantage de scènes, car il y avait vraiment du potentiel, mais ce n'est pas le choix qu'a fait l'autrice ici. On est plutôt dans le hurt/confort avec une pointe de kink, avec un homme solitaire qui va apprendre à baisser sa garde, et un autre qui va monter qui il est derrière sa façade de blagueur et de mec sûr de lui.
Au final, c'est une lecture que j'oublierai vite, mais qui m'aura quand même fait passer un bon moment, notamment pour cette ambiance de petite ville, ce groupe d'amis soudés, et cette volonté constante de l'autrice d'aborder des sujets liés au PTSD, à la solitude et aux blessures physiques et psychiques.
Un choix de lecture impulsif, j'avais envie de retrouver la plume d'Annabeth Albert et son talent pour les scènes d'action. Bon sur ce point, malgré un démarrage prometteur, on peut dire que c'est raté car ce n'est pas du tout l'objet du roman.
La romance est assez douce, malgré l'exploration des kinks de Cal, et évolue de façon réaliste (même si la première scène de smut est quand même assez ... inattendue).
Comme souvent chez cette autrice, on évolue dans un milieu où tous les personnages ou presque sont LGBTQ+, et sont presque tous plus ou apparentés à l'armée au sens large du terme. L'intrigue policière occupe bien trop peu de place à mon goût, et c'est vraiment dommage que les compétences de plongeur de Cal n'aient pas donné lieu à davantage de scènes, car il y avait vraiment du potentiel, mais ce n'est pas le choix qu'a fait l'autrice ici. On est plutôt dans le hurt/confort avec une pointe de kink, avec un homme solitaire qui va apprendre à baisser sa garde, et un autre qui va monter qui il est derrière sa façade de blagueur et de mec sûr de lui.
Au final, c'est une lecture que j'oublierai vite, mais qui m'aura quand même fait passer un bon moment, notamment pour cette ambiance de petite ville, ce groupe d'amis soudés, et cette volonté constante de l'autrice d'aborder des sujets liés au PTSD, à la solitude et aux blessures physiques et psychiques.
July 13, 2023
Another great read from Annabeth Albert. This is a follow on from the first book in the series, and the mystery of the missing woman, gains momentum.
The romance in this one is gorgeous. One of the main characters, Holden, is disabled, and I felt that the representation was very well done. That he's in a wheelchair adds, for most of us, an incomprehensible challenge. It is when he's facing this challenge that his greatest talents are revealed: his fierce love of life, and his irrepressible humour demanding an extraordinary level of resiliency to overcome the problems and frustration of his physical disability. I loved his unwavering loyalty to the people in his life, which is expressed through friendship, honesty and kindness. He's such a brave and loveable guy.
Holden 's love interest, Cal's just as adorable. He's such a vulnerable and clueless soul. I loved the banter between him and Holden, Annabeth nails the instant spark between the two men, and Cal's puzzlement as to why Holden might be attracted to him. The scenes involving Holden's friends and Cal felt all too real, they elicited Cal's uneasiness with people being kind towards him, how he really can't recognise his own worth, and the wonder of how people really might just like him for himself. I really appreciated the insight into the lives of both Holden and Cal, and found myself rooting for them throughout. They're a perfect match.
The ending's beautiful, and just made me smile and swoon so much. It's adorable and totally cemented Holden and Cal's love. I truly cannot wait for the next book , I just know that I won't be disappointed.
The romance in this one is gorgeous. One of the main characters, Holden, is disabled, and I felt that the representation was very well done. That he's in a wheelchair adds, for most of us, an incomprehensible challenge. It is when he's facing this challenge that his greatest talents are revealed: his fierce love of life, and his irrepressible humour demanding an extraordinary level of resiliency to overcome the problems and frustration of his physical disability. I loved his unwavering loyalty to the people in his life, which is expressed through friendship, honesty and kindness. He's such a brave and loveable guy.
Holden 's love interest, Cal's just as adorable. He's such a vulnerable and clueless soul. I loved the banter between him and Holden, Annabeth nails the instant spark between the two men, and Cal's puzzlement as to why Holden might be attracted to him. The scenes involving Holden's friends and Cal felt all too real, they elicited Cal's uneasiness with people being kind towards him, how he really can't recognise his own worth, and the wonder of how people really might just like him for himself. I really appreciated the insight into the lives of both Holden and Cal, and found myself rooting for them throughout. They're a perfect match.
The ending's beautiful, and just made me smile and swoon so much. It's adorable and totally cemented Holden and Cal's love. I truly cannot wait for the next book , I just know that I won't be disappointed.
July 16, 2023
Make Me Stay brings us back to Safe Harbor with a new central gay couple. Prof. Holden, disabled ex-cop turned true crime podcaster, has been investigating the cold case disappearance of an old friend’s mother. When clues point to a deep lake, it brings him to retired Navy SEAL professional diver Cal for help. After offering Cal a room to stay in his home, Holden accidentally discovers him in a compromising situation, leading to a proposition and romance.
Holden and Cal are both men carrying some heavy baggage. In each other, they are able to be their authentic selves as they work through their issues—Holden’s tendency to use humor as a crutch and Cal’s attachment issues after the loss of his dive partner. With the added light kink, this second book is certainly spicier and hotter, but it does remain just as charming and cozy. It’s also always refreshing to see to middle aged people finding love in this landscape where most stories are focused on young love.
*I received an early evook copy as part of its release tour
Holden and Cal are both men carrying some heavy baggage. In each other, they are able to be their authentic selves as they work through their issues—Holden’s tendency to use humor as a crutch and Cal’s attachment issues after the loss of his dive partner. With the added light kink, this second book is certainly spicier and hotter, but it does remain just as charming and cozy. It’s also always refreshing to see to middle aged people finding love in this landscape where most stories are focused on young love.
*I received an early evook copy as part of its release tour
0-mm-borrowed-kindle-unlimited
July 16, 2023
July 13, 2023
Holden & Cal
This is such a good hurt/comfort story. Holden and Cal have different levels of hurt but together, they ease the pain for each other. I enough reading this and I'm looking forward to Sam & Worth's story as well as the conclusion to the investigation.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
This is such a good hurt/comfort story. Holden and Cal have different levels of hurt but together, they ease the pain for each other. I enough reading this and I'm looking forward to Sam & Worth's story as well as the conclusion to the investigation.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
July 13, 2023
I read this in a single sitting and it was so worth it!
This was such a wonderful novel and I loved their relationship.
I love the healthy communication in both this one and the first one and I can't wait for Sam's story.
I loved Cal and Holden's dynamic and I ended up feeling extremely single 🥲
This was such a wonderful novel and I loved their relationship.
I love the healthy communication in both this one and the first one and I can't wait for Sam's story.
I loved Cal and Holden's dynamic and I ended up feeling extremely single 🥲
July 23, 2023
This was more like it.
It was a romance story but I wish it was a straight up mystery novel.
It was a romance story but I wish it was a straight up mystery novel.
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