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An Annabeth Albert Christmas
Catered All the Way
Tis the season for a hopeless crush on my older brother’s best friend…
This year will be different. I’m all grown up, my gaming channel is a huge success, and I finally have the confidence to make my move on Atlas Orion, the hottest chief in the navy.
However, I don’t intend for my smooth move to be covering Atlas in cranberry sauce. Not at all how I want to reintroduce myself to my new roomie and coworker. Atlas is in town to help save Seasons, my family’s historic holiday gift shop and event space. Seasons is booked solid with catered parties, so we need to avoid any more disasters.
Like my malfunctioning air mattress. We’re down to one bed, two dudes, and a whole lot of holiday-fling temptation. Atlas has never been with a guy, but I don’t have to do much persuading. And what better way to explore than a secret romp? No strings, and no one has to know.
The problem? With every passing week, I fall harder for Atlas, who’s far more than his drool-worthy muscles and heroic job. He’s kind, funny, makes me breakfast in bed, and each midnight snowball fight brings us that much closer to heartbreak.
Atlas can’t stay in Kringle’s Crossing forever, and I can’t imagine leaving the only place I’ve called home. Our feelings run deep, but is it a holiday illusion? Can we find our way to a lasting future?
CATERED ALL THE WAY is a brand-new, full-length holiday romance from the beloved author of THE GEEK WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS. Lovers of stand-alone swoon-worthy Christmas stories will fall for this geek + military pairing. Full of spicy first times, bisexual awakening, quirky small-town residents, and guest appearances from some fan-favorite characters, this only one bed, brother’s best friend romance is sure to find a place under many trees! Dual POV and the happiest of endings guaranteed.
This year will be different. I’m all grown up, my gaming channel is a huge success, and I finally have the confidence to make my move on Atlas Orion, the hottest chief in the navy.
However, I don’t intend for my smooth move to be covering Atlas in cranberry sauce. Not at all how I want to reintroduce myself to my new roomie and coworker. Atlas is in town to help save Seasons, my family’s historic holiday gift shop and event space. Seasons is booked solid with catered parties, so we need to avoid any more disasters.
Like my malfunctioning air mattress. We’re down to one bed, two dudes, and a whole lot of holiday-fling temptation. Atlas has never been with a guy, but I don’t have to do much persuading. And what better way to explore than a secret romp? No strings, and no one has to know.
The problem? With every passing week, I fall harder for Atlas, who’s far more than his drool-worthy muscles and heroic job. He’s kind, funny, makes me breakfast in bed, and each midnight snowball fight brings us that much closer to heartbreak.
Atlas can’t stay in Kringle’s Crossing forever, and I can’t imagine leaving the only place I’ve called home. Our feelings run deep, but is it a holiday illusion? Can we find our way to a lasting future?
CATERED ALL THE WAY is a brand-new, full-length holiday romance from the beloved author of THE GEEK WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS. Lovers of stand-alone swoon-worthy Christmas stories will fall for this geek + military pairing. Full of spicy first times, bisexual awakening, quirky small-town residents, and guest appearances from some fan-favorite characters, this only one bed, brother’s best friend romance is sure to find a place under many trees! Dual POV and the happiest of endings guaranteed.
7 pages, Audible Audio
First published December 4, 2023
294 people are currently reading
1344 people want to read
About the author
Annabeth Albert
108 books3,742 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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January 13, 2025
Catered All the Way is a stand alone, MM, holiday, brother’s best friend romance! It’s super sweet, swoony and full of holiday cheer. I just want to preface my review that I read this when I had a bunch of distractions at home. So, that’s most of my reason for the four star rating. There wasn’t anything wrong with the book. I just wasn’t as invested as I might have been if I focused on it more. It was a little more emotional than I thought it would be. And I wish the two characters would have communicated better. But I do understand why they didn’t. So with that being said, let me tell you a little bit about this book!
Zebediah ‘Zeb’ Seasons is twenty eight years old. He owns and runs a gaming channel and has become pretty successful. During the busy seasons, he also helps his older brother with their family owned holiday gift shop and event space, also named Seasons. After the loss of their parents, the business fell to his older brother who is doing all he can to breathe life into it. But it’s his brother’s dream, not his. His is his gaming channel.
Zeb has had a crush on his brother’s best friend, Atlas, since they were kids. And Atlas is due to arrive any minute to help them through December, their busiest month at Seasons.
Atlas Orion is thirty five years old and is in the Navy. He hasn’t been back to Kringle’s Crossing nearly as much as he should have to see his best friend, Gabe. But now he’s spending his entire leave there to help with their family’s business. But instead of staying at Gabe’s like he thought, it seems he is going to be staying with Zeb. And, his air mattress won’t work! So it looks like they will be sharing a bed. And, why is he all of a sudden noticing things about Zeb he never noticed before, like how well he’s built, how beautiful he is, how he wants to keep brushing the hair off his face?
These two only have a month. And they are afraid of Gabe’s reaction to what they are doing. So they keep their holiday fling a secret. Only each week that passes has them both questioning if they can truly just walk away. Atlas has five years left before he can retire. Zeb deserves more than a long distance relationship. At the end of their time together, walking away is the only choice, right?!
“If wishes were snowflakes…”
These two really were cute together. I loved how they brought out each other’s silly side. They both laughed more than they ever had. I just wished they would have both been a little more forth coming with their feelings. But, as I said above, I understood that they were trying to live in the moment and just enjoy what they had during the time they were given. The ending was so sweet. This book truly was full of holiday cheer and swoon.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Zebediah ‘Zeb’ Seasons is twenty eight years old. He owns and runs a gaming channel and has become pretty successful. During the busy seasons, he also helps his older brother with their family owned holiday gift shop and event space, also named Seasons. After the loss of their parents, the business fell to his older brother who is doing all he can to breathe life into it. But it’s his brother’s dream, not his. His is his gaming channel.
Zeb has had a crush on his brother’s best friend, Atlas, since they were kids. And Atlas is due to arrive any minute to help them through December, their busiest month at Seasons.
Atlas Orion is thirty five years old and is in the Navy. He hasn’t been back to Kringle’s Crossing nearly as much as he should have to see his best friend, Gabe. But now he’s spending his entire leave there to help with their family’s business. But instead of staying at Gabe’s like he thought, it seems he is going to be staying with Zeb. And, his air mattress won’t work! So it looks like they will be sharing a bed. And, why is he all of a sudden noticing things about Zeb he never noticed before, like how well he’s built, how beautiful he is, how he wants to keep brushing the hair off his face?
These two only have a month. And they are afraid of Gabe’s reaction to what they are doing. So they keep their holiday fling a secret. Only each week that passes has them both questioning if they can truly just walk away. Atlas has five years left before he can retire. Zeb deserves more than a long distance relationship. At the end of their time together, walking away is the only choice, right?!
“If wishes were snowflakes…”
These two really were cute together. I loved how they brought out each other’s silly side. They both laughed more than they ever had. I just wished they would have both been a little more forth coming with their feelings. But, as I said above, I understood that they were trying to live in the moment and just enjoy what they had during the time they were given. The ending was so sweet. This book truly was full of holiday cheer and swoon.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
December 3, 2025
~3.5~
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand, there was sweetness and Christmas cheer galore. I liked the small town vibe and the cameos by MCs from previous books.
Atlas's biawakening was believable. I read Atlas as gray/pan because he'd never been that into sex before falling for Zeb.
Zeb is such a good guy but is never taken seriously by his older brother (and Atlas's best friend), Gabe. Atlas appreciates and supports Zeb like no one else, and Zeb becomes Atlas's home.
But ...
The relationship was a bit boring, with no tension, and I felt like there was a lot of padding in the plot.
I wasn't at all interested in Gabe, his wife Paige, their soon-to-be-born twins, or the various guests at Seasons (Gabe's catering company).
Also, Gabe was a dick and entirely dismissive of Zeb's gaming/streaming career.
Finally, can we please take a second to talk about the twins' names? Their last name is Seasons, and they're born on Christmas Eve. I present you ... Plum and Pine Seasons.
YES. PLUM & PINE. Pitted, rotund fruit and cheap air freshener.
I face-palmed for real. Those are the most "creatively" idiotic names, right up there with Apple, Abcde, and whatever the fuck Musk names his kids, yet no one in the book even blinks an eye.
If they wanted a Christmas theme, how about Holly and Noel?
So, yeah, like I said, mixed bag; extra half star because the HEA was all family, champagne, and puppies. I can't be mad about it.
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand, there was sweetness and Christmas cheer galore. I liked the small town vibe and the cameos by MCs from previous books.
Atlas's biawakening was believable. I read Atlas as gray/pan because he'd never been that into sex before falling for Zeb.
Zeb is such a good guy but is never taken seriously by his older brother (and Atlas's best friend), Gabe. Atlas appreciates and supports Zeb like no one else, and Zeb becomes Atlas's home.
But ...
The relationship was a bit boring, with no tension, and I felt like there was a lot of padding in the plot.
I wasn't at all interested in Gabe, his wife Paige, their soon-to-be-born twins, or the various guests at Seasons (Gabe's catering company).
Also, Gabe was a dick and entirely dismissive of Zeb's gaming/streaming career.
Finally, can we please take a second to talk about the twins' names? Their last name is Seasons, and they're born on Christmas Eve. I present you ... Plum and Pine Seasons.
YES. PLUM & PINE. Pitted, rotund fruit and cheap air freshener.
I face-palmed for real. Those are the most "creatively" idiotic names, right up there with Apple, Abcde, and whatever the fuck Musk names his kids, yet no one in the book even blinks an eye.
If they wanted a Christmas theme, how about Holly and Noel?
So, yeah, like I said, mixed bag; extra half star because the HEA was all family, champagne, and puppies. I can't be mad about it.
December 21, 2023
Calling it quits at 69%
Am I turning into a Grinch two weeks before Christmas?! I was bored. Bored by the family business, the side characters, the catering...
I admit I started skimming to the sex scenes, but they wouldn't stop talking during those either. Apparently there's such a thing as too much talking (and joking) during sex?
I didn't want to be too Grinch-y so I skimmed until Christmas and the penetrative first-time anal sex scene (after the birth of the twins on Christmas Eve, named PINE and PLUM, good lord) and I was still bored.
Take my review with a big grain of salt, you may enjoy the book!
Am I turning into a Grinch two weeks before Christmas?! I was bored. Bored by the family business, the side characters, the catering...
I admit I started skimming to the sex scenes, but they wouldn't stop talking during those either. Apparently there's such a thing as too much talking (and joking) during sex?
I didn't want to be too Grinch-y so I skimmed until Christmas and the penetrative first-time anal sex scene (after the birth of the twins on Christmas Eve, named PINE and PLUM, good lord) and I was still bored.
Take my review with a big grain of salt, you may enjoy the book!
December 4, 2023
4.5*
This was a super sweet festive romance, exactly what I'd expect from Annabeth, and has some sweet Easter Eggs connected to her wider universe - which I won't give away here!
Best friend's older brother romances are a favourite trope of mine, especially when it's coupled with a small town vibe as well, and here we're back in Kringle’s Crossing, the same town from The Geek Who Saved Christmas and it's the turn of Zeb to find his happily ever after with Navy SEAL support Chief Atlas.
There's bisexual awakenings, only one bed, family fears, and lots of swoons on the way to reach an understanding between these two men, but it's never an onerous journey, things move along at a fairly rapid pace but it also didn't feel like it was too much instalove as Zeb's had a crush on Atlas for around a decade.
I also felt Atlas' dawning awareness he was attracted to Zeb was believable, he's never really had a proper relationship and his sexual experiences with women have always been a bit lukewarm and left him wondering what he was missing.
His slow realisation that he liked spending time with Zeb and discovery that kissing him gave him the kind of feelings he'd not had before, seemed very organic and came out of familiarity and a growing sense of comfort and trust.
There's obviously some sticky bits on the way, but both men independently realise they need to talk! about their feelings, praise the holy 😂 and the conclusion is a very satisfactory one which leads into a really sweet Epilogue.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
This was a super sweet festive romance, exactly what I'd expect from Annabeth, and has some sweet Easter Eggs connected to her wider universe - which I won't give away here!
Best friend's older brother romances are a favourite trope of mine, especially when it's coupled with a small town vibe as well, and here we're back in Kringle’s Crossing, the same town from The Geek Who Saved Christmas and it's the turn of Zeb to find his happily ever after with Navy SEAL support Chief Atlas.
There's bisexual awakenings, only one bed, family fears, and lots of swoons on the way to reach an understanding between these two men, but it's never an onerous journey, things move along at a fairly rapid pace but it also didn't feel like it was too much instalove as Zeb's had a crush on Atlas for around a decade.
I also felt Atlas' dawning awareness he was attracted to Zeb was believable, he's never really had a proper relationship and his sexual experiences with women have always been a bit lukewarm and left him wondering what he was missing.
His slow realisation that he liked spending time with Zeb and discovery that kissing him gave him the kind of feelings he'd not had before, seemed very organic and came out of familiarity and a growing sense of comfort and trust.
There's obviously some sticky bits on the way, but both men independently realise they need to talk! about their feelings, praise the holy 😂 and the conclusion is a very satisfactory one which leads into a really sweet Epilogue.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
December 7, 2023
DNF ~37%
This author is pretty hit or miss, and the summary of this one had me skeptical. I was willing to be proved wrong but, alas, all my fears proved founded. The tropes here just didn't mix well for me--it felt very clobbered together, which may not have been such an issue if I felt any chemistry between the characters, or if I even felt they were interesting at all. The gamer concept was promising, but neither character really felt "real" to me. The enjoyable holiday romance search continues!
This author is pretty hit or miss, and the summary of this one had me skeptical. I was willing to be proved wrong but, alas, all my fears proved founded. The tropes here just didn't mix well for me--it felt very clobbered together, which may not have been such an issue if I felt any chemistry between the characters, or if I even felt they were interesting at all. The gamer concept was promising, but neither character really felt "real" to me. The enjoyable holiday romance search continues!
December 14, 2023
Another winner from Annabeth Albert! This was a delight to read! I loved how Zeb and Atlas were sort of forced together and they worked so well at Seasons, waiting on tables, bartending and selling goods. Atlas definitely needed roots and a family to always come home to and Zeb was perfect for him.
I really love how so many of Albert’s characters are very real, their bodies aren’t perfect and they deal with everyday situations. This book felt like I was huddled together in a world with just Zeb and Atlas and I got to spend the holiday season with them. It is a nice feeling for a Christmas book.
I really love how so many of Albert’s characters are very real, their bodies aren’t perfect and they deal with everyday situations. This book felt like I was huddled together in a world with just Zeb and Atlas and I got to spend the holiday season with them. It is a nice feeling for a Christmas book.
December 19, 2023
Catered All the Way is an older brother's best friend romance with some force proximity and only-one-bed. I loved Atlas and Zeb's relationship, they're really cute together.
Zeb and Atlas are helping out at Seasons, a gift shop and event space. While catering various parties over the Christmas season, Zeb's crush on Atlas moves to the next level. But their time together is limited, as Atlas is only on leave from the Navy. But this is a romance so a little distance isn't going to stop the love, that is once our character's communicate.
There were easter eggs for some of Annabeth Albert's other books which was really fun. I might have missed a few as I haven't ready all of her books yet, but we got to see the couple from Rough Terrain, 'Space Villager' from the #gaymers series, and Odyssey from the True Colors series. (Speaking of the True Colors series, I need a book 3!! I love Conventionally Yours and Out of Character sm 😭)
Zeb and Atlas are helping out at Seasons, a gift shop and event space. While catering various parties over the Christmas season, Zeb's crush on Atlas moves to the next level. But their time together is limited, as Atlas is only on leave from the Navy. But this is a romance so a little distance isn't going to stop the love, that is once our character's communicate.
There were easter eggs for some of Annabeth Albert's other books which was really fun. I might have missed a few as I haven't ready all of her books yet, but we got to see the couple from Rough Terrain, 'Space Villager' from the #gaymers series, and Odyssey from the True Colors series. (Speaking of the True Colors series, I need a book 3!! I love Conventionally Yours and Out of Character sm 😭)
December 4, 2023
It was sweet. I like the way it handled the holiday craze, from an event business standpoint versus the usual "family and friends" kind of way. It was very, very sweet.
December 13, 2024
”Always my favorite Season.”
Fluffy goodness 😍
- gamer + Navy Seal Support
- brother's best friend
- only one bed
- queer awakening
- small town romance
Fluffy goodness 😍
- gamer + Navy Seal Support
- brother's best friend
- only one bed
- queer awakening
- small town romance
December 13, 2024
This wasn't bad and I liked it, but there is a lot of missing potential in this book about a guy, Zeb, who has been in love with his older brother's best friend for a decade or more. Being Christmas, the best friend, Atlas Orion, miraculously discovers he's also into his friends younger (28) brother, never realizing this same-sex attraction before in his early-30s life. Holy Grinch-who-stole-my-gay-virginity, Batman! 🙄
I don't know why bi-awakening stories, which, let's face it, in most MM romance are really GFY stories, bothers me so much. Is it some weird fantasy that under the skin of every straight, uber-masculine man lies the beating heart of a lonely gay boy, dying to be kissed by another man? At least in this book, said newly awakened bisexual Atlas doesn't immediately flop onto his back with his legs spread asking Zeb to put a baby in him. Small victories, yes, but these two are strict top and bottom. The author, however, does succumb to the over the top trope of at least one character being hung like the proverbial horse. "Oh, Atlas! It's so big! How will it ever fit into my rarely penetrated bottom?" (Not actual dialogue from Zeb.)
Still, I kinda liked this rather bland story about two rather bland MCs. Atlas may be the ideal Mediterranean stallion who doubles as a Navy Seal Chief Petty Officer, but Zeb is a nerdy game streamer with a soft, roundish belly, thick thighs, and a meaty ass. More average built guys, PLEASE. There are some poignant scenes with Zeb and his older brother Gabe dealing with mental health issues, and thankfully there aren't any screaming homophobic assholes in this small Pennsylvania town. Zeb and Atlas do hit it off well, even if a bit unbelievably, and their voices, while not too distinct, are kind and well written. Annabeth is a good writer, from a technical standpoint, and it's enjoyable on that level, too.
Fans of Annabeth's Out of Uniform series will like the small cameo of Renzo and Canaan from, I think, Rough Terrain. This is how you do shared universes, Sadenverse writers!
I don't know why bi-awakening stories, which, let's face it, in most MM romance are really GFY stories, bothers me so much. Is it some weird fantasy that under the skin of every straight, uber-masculine man lies the beating heart of a lonely gay boy, dying to be kissed by another man? At least in this book, said newly awakened bisexual Atlas doesn't immediately flop onto his back with his legs spread asking Zeb to put a baby in him. Small victories, yes, but these two are strict top and bottom. The author, however, does succumb to the over the top trope of at least one character being hung like the proverbial horse. "Oh, Atlas! It's so big! How will it ever fit into my rarely penetrated bottom?" (Not actual dialogue from Zeb.)
Still, I kinda liked this rather bland story about two rather bland MCs. Atlas may be the ideal Mediterranean stallion who doubles as a Navy Seal Chief Petty Officer, but Zeb is a nerdy game streamer with a soft, roundish belly, thick thighs, and a meaty ass. More average built guys, PLEASE. There are some poignant scenes with Zeb and his older brother Gabe dealing with mental health issues, and thankfully there aren't any screaming homophobic assholes in this small Pennsylvania town. Zeb and Atlas do hit it off well, even if a bit unbelievably, and their voices, while not too distinct, are kind and well written. Annabeth is a good writer, from a technical standpoint, and it's enjoyable on that level, too.
Fans of Annabeth's Out of Uniform series will like the small cameo of Renzo and Canaan from, I think, Rough Terrain. This is how you do shared universes, Sadenverse writers!
December 28, 2023
3.5 Liked it stars!! ❤️❤️
This was a low-angst, brother’s best friend with GFY trope.. with a lot of holiday packed in.. Thanksgiving to New Years.. TBH; I got a little bored in the middle waiting for something to happen… But the ending was great. 🥰 Overall a good holiday story.. with a fair bit of steam, but a little dull in the middle.
This was a low-angst, brother’s best friend with GFY trope.. with a lot of holiday packed in.. Thanksgiving to New Years.. TBH; I got a little bored in the middle waiting for something to happen… But the ending was great. 🥰 Overall a good holiday story.. with a fair bit of steam, but a little dull in the middle.
January 4, 2024
2.5 rounded up to not be mean. This was very meh. This was boring but also cheesy and way too saccharine for me. Both characters lacked depth and kept thinking in circles. The "tension" if you can call it that didn't feel genuine to me. As is often the case in best friend's brother romances: I didn't see the friendship between the brother and the love interest (in this case Gabe and Atlas). That was disappointing. They did make a good team, the sex was hot but that's about it.
November 25, 2023
4.5 stars. A wonderful holiday romance.
I really enjoyed this engaging, minimal angst, easy to read holiday romance between Zeb and Atlas. These two wonderful characters have known each other since childhood. This is the year that Zeb (28) wants Atlas (35) to finally see him for the grown man that he is and not the gangly younger brother of his best friend. The chemistry between them is sizzling which leads to some experimentation, not just for the benefit of Atlas who has no experience with men, but also for Zeb and his 10 year long crush.
There’s sleep cuddles, only one bed after an air mattress failure, a sunshiny gaming nerd and his slightly grumpy military crush, plenty of steam and a swoony longed for HEA. All coming together across the holiday period where not only new relationships begin but also new traditions.
I really enjoyed this engaging, minimal angst, easy to read holiday romance between Zeb and Atlas. These two wonderful characters have known each other since childhood. This is the year that Zeb (28) wants Atlas (35) to finally see him for the grown man that he is and not the gangly younger brother of his best friend. The chemistry between them is sizzling which leads to some experimentation, not just for the benefit of Atlas who has no experience with men, but also for Zeb and his 10 year long crush.
There’s sleep cuddles, only one bed after an air mattress failure, a sunshiny gaming nerd and his slightly grumpy military crush, plenty of steam and a swoony longed for HEA. All coming together across the holiday period where not only new relationships begin but also new traditions.
December 20, 2023
A cute and festive best-friend's-little-brother, bi-awakening romance, Catered All the Way doesn't have anything new to offer but that's fine, because what it does do, it does very well.
Zeb Seasons and his older brother Gabe run the family business, an event space and gift shop, and although Zeb has his own, successful career as a game streamer, he's always on hand to help out. He's had a crush on Gabe's bestie, SEAL Atlas Orion, for years and has decided that this is the year he's finally going to go for it and find out if he has a chance with him.
I liked both leads - Zeb and Gabe come from a loving, close-knit family, but sadly lost their parents some years earlier; by contrast, Atlas' parents were neglectful and far more concerned with living the high life than they were with bringing up their son, so he has little contact with them, and has always regarded the Seasons as his family. They make a good couple and are supportive and attentive to each others' needs in ways they realise nobody else has ever been.
Nice nods to The Geek Who Saved Christmas and the cameos from Renzo and Canaan (Rough Terrain) were a nice touch.
In the end, nothing earth-shattering, but an enjoyable and engaging seasonal read.
Zeb Seasons and his older brother Gabe run the family business, an event space and gift shop, and although Zeb has his own, successful career as a game streamer, he's always on hand to help out. He's had a crush on Gabe's bestie, SEAL Atlas Orion, for years and has decided that this is the year he's finally going to go for it and find out if he has a chance with him.
I liked both leads - Zeb and Gabe come from a loving, close-knit family, but sadly lost their parents some years earlier; by contrast, Atlas' parents were neglectful and far more concerned with living the high life than they were with bringing up their son, so he has little contact with them, and has always regarded the Seasons as his family. They make a good couple and are supportive and attentive to each others' needs in ways they realise nobody else has ever been.
Nice nods to The Geek Who Saved Christmas and the cameos from Renzo and Canaan (Rough Terrain) were a nice touch.
In the end, nothing earth-shattering, but an enjoyable and engaging seasonal read.
November 27, 2023
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Catered All the Way is a MM holiday romance by author Annabeth Albert. Between a professional gaming streamer and his older brothers best friend who he's had a crush on for the past decade.
“Hey, I dream big.” Really, I dreamed of Atlas, had for years, but he didn’t need to know that. And every kiss and touch made me dream that much grander. I wanted more. Wanted everything.
Atlas is spending his months leave helping out his best friend , Gavin, at his family's event space. He didn't plan on staying with Gavin's younger brother Zeb, or there being just one bed between the two of them, or all the unexpected feelings a now all grown up Zeb ignites in him. Zeb willingly offers to help Atlas explore his sexuality. But with a time limit on his visit, Zeb tries to hide his feelings and Atlas tries to stop getting attached. By the end of the month hearts are bound to get bruised or will Atlas and Zeb figure out a way to have a future for them.
But the gulf continued to widen between what this was supposed to be— a fun holiday fling complete with sex lessons— and what it was— a deeply emotional friendship that kept stealing my breath and logic both. And right that moment, I needed to kiss Zeb.
I adored our main characters, Zeb and Atlas! Zeb is a sweetheart. He's a professional streamer who a bit nerdy and proud of it. He's taking something he loves to do and made a career out of it. It was a bummer that his older brother couldn't see all he had accomplished for himself. Atlas was a strong character with layers. After being raised by neglectful parents who always had him on the move, he subconsciously longs to put down roots but doesn't think he's able to. His job as SEAL support gives him purpose, but Zeb shows him a future that he didn't realize he was yearning for, where someone puts him first.
I was fast getting addicted too. Long glances. Sneaky touches. Late- night kisses. I loved it all so much more than I’d ever thought possible.
Together Zeb and Atlas are wonderful. From all the sweet holiday moments and the hot and steamy bedroom ones, they are highly entertaining. There's also depth to their relationship with Atlas' fears of the future Zeb's future and both dealing with past loss. Their relationship is well-rounded when it comes to fun, steam, and emotion.
Overall, Catered All the Way by Annabeth Albert is an excellent holiday romance. A best friends brother romance with a secret holiday fling, first times, naked gaming, kissing emergencies, midnight snowball fights, just one bed, and a HEA.
February 19, 2024
Could (should) have been so much shorter …
December 3, 2024
❄️ holiday romance
❄️ mm romance
❄️ bi-awakening
❄️ brother's best friend
Cute, fast-paced story with a perfect festive atmosphere. I liked it. But as for me there was not enough tension and chemistry between guys. And I was annoyed with a brother.
❄️ mm romance
❄️ bi-awakening
❄️ brother's best friend
Cute, fast-paced story with a perfect festive atmosphere. I liked it. But as for me there was not enough tension and chemistry between guys. And I was annoyed with a brother.
December 21, 2023
This was a satisfying read. Both protagonists are well designed al la Annabeth Albert. We had a sweet buildup to Christmas that works. Small town feel without having small minds, yes.
Pleasing conclusion.
Pleasing conclusion.
January 22, 2024
This book is like being wrapped in a cozy blanket and then handed a plate of cinnamon cookies.
December 15, 2024
I love the only one bed trope... I know totally overtold and cliché but still: I just loooove the "awkward" morning after moment: waking up and finding yourself being all tangled up with your (best friend/boss/enemy) like your bodies (hearts) now better than your head.
Well....I liked the light and funny jokes, the heavier themes with finding your own family, making a home, being you own person and growing up, respect family traditions and also being able to follow your own dreams.
Good writing and perfect holiday read.
Well....I liked the light and funny jokes, the heavier themes with finding your own family, making a home, being you own person and growing up, respect family traditions and also being able to follow your own dreams.
Good writing and perfect holiday read.
January 4, 2024
This was cute and had some fun tropes (particularly brother's best friend and one bed). I liked that it was over the holiday season and involved a cute small town.
December 10, 2024
Cutesy fluff with a very animated performance from Alexander Cendese! He's always high energy, which works for me, although he's about the only narrator I listen to regularly I wish would slow down just a little bit ;)
Want to read
December 12, 2024Thank you for the gift, Secret Santa!
December 27, 2023
Yeah… sigh, no Christmas fun for me! This was just so basic. Everything felt rushed and slow at the same time.
December 25, 2024
Cute, definitely Christmassy, but not in an overwhelming way, sweet, and "sex lessons" is one of my favorite tropes.
January 3, 2024
Catered all the way combines three of my favourite Annabeth Albert books into one perfect Holiday romance. A gamer nerd and a navy chief turning waiters and falling in love among the holiday stress? Yes please!
True colours, Shore leave and The geek who saved Christmas are my favourite Annabeth Albert books so this one was an instant lovestory for me!
It was a very cute story and I loved these two together.
For me it was a little rushed sometimes and a little too uneventful though to become a new favourite.
True colours, Shore leave and The geek who saved Christmas are my favourite Annabeth Albert books so this one was an instant lovestory for me!
It was a very cute story and I loved these two together.
For me it was a little rushed sometimes and a little too uneventful though to become a new favourite.
July 5, 2025
Loved the story...some tears involved.
Zeb is a gamer and is making a living from it. He also works with his brother at Season's, which is an event/gift shop family business. Atlas is a Navy SEAL with fifteen years of service. He has no roots anywhere to call home due to deployments and personal reasons until he helps out his long-time friend, Gabe, at Season's. One clumsy accident by Zeb with cranberry sauce and a relationship begins between Zeb and Atlas, even though they've known each other for years. Zeb has always had a crush on Atlas.
Zeb is a gamer and is making a living from it. He also works with his brother at Season's, which is an event/gift shop family business. Atlas is a Navy SEAL with fifteen years of service. He has no roots anywhere to call home due to deployments and personal reasons until he helps out his long-time friend, Gabe, at Season's. One clumsy accident by Zeb with cranberry sauce and a relationship begins between Zeb and Atlas, even though they've known each other for years. Zeb has always had a crush on Atlas.
January 19, 2024
2.5
it was alright !!
it was alright !!
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