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Rainbow Cove #2
Tender With a Twist: Library Edition
One kinky wood carver. One younger chef looking to try new things. A series of lessons that bring both men more than they bargained for…
Curtis Hunt has made a name for himself as a chainsaw wood carver, winning national competitions and operating a small business in Rainbow Cove, Oregon. As winter whittles away his tourist traffic, his goal is just to survive the season and try to not get lost in grief for his dead lover. It’s been two years, but he’s sure he’ll never be over the love of a lifetime. However, his body has a certain restlessness that he doesn’t quite know how to calm.
Logan Rosner knows a thing or two about restlessness. It’s what drove him to Rainbow Cove to be a chef at a bar and grill run by his friends. And it’s what drives him to a single sizzling encounter with the local legendary lumberjack. Both men get far more than they expected and learn that first impressions aren’t always accurate…
But when Logan proposes a series of sexy lessons, Curtis must decide how much he’s willing to risk. He knows he can’t afford to get attached to Logan’s good cooking, his easy smiles, or his caretaking, but he keeps going back for more, even as deeper emotions become involved. Soon, Curtis must decide whether to risk his heart again or risk losing Logan for good.
Tender with a Twist is a 75,000 word stand-alone gay romance with a May/December theme, featuring a second chance at love, opposites attract, loads of sexy times with mild BDSM elements, and one emotionally-charged, guaranteed happy ending with no cliffhangers.
Curtis Hunt has made a name for himself as a chainsaw wood carver, winning national competitions and operating a small business in Rainbow Cove, Oregon. As winter whittles away his tourist traffic, his goal is just to survive the season and try to not get lost in grief for his dead lover. It’s been two years, but he’s sure he’ll never be over the love of a lifetime. However, his body has a certain restlessness that he doesn’t quite know how to calm.
Logan Rosner knows a thing or two about restlessness. It’s what drove him to Rainbow Cove to be a chef at a bar and grill run by his friends. And it’s what drives him to a single sizzling encounter with the local legendary lumberjack. Both men get far more than they expected and learn that first impressions aren’t always accurate…
But when Logan proposes a series of sexy lessons, Curtis must decide how much he’s willing to risk. He knows he can’t afford to get attached to Logan’s good cooking, his easy smiles, or his caretaking, but he keeps going back for more, even as deeper emotions become involved. Soon, Curtis must decide whether to risk his heart again or risk losing Logan for good.
Tender with a Twist is a 75,000 word stand-alone gay romance with a May/December theme, featuring a second chance at love, opposites attract, loads of sexy times with mild BDSM elements, and one emotionally-charged, guaranteed happy ending with no cliffhangers.
Audio CD
First published October 2, 2017
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About the author
Annabeth Albert
107 books3,740 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 483 reviews
September 23, 2017
~4.5~
I liked the first book in the Rainbow Cove series, but I LOVED this one. Tender with a Twist is one kinky, emotional ride. Logan and Curtis are everything together!
While Curtis and Logan connect sexually first, they can't deny their relationship runs deeper than a surface attraction.
Logan has wanted to explore his dominant side for years, but his ex made vanilla look like an exotic flavor. Now that he's moved away from his helicopter parents, Logan wants to be his authentic self, which includes cutting his hair, growing a goatee, ditching the preppy outfits, getting a tat or two, and learning how to be the best Dom possible.
Since the death of his long-term partner, Curtis hasn't been living but existing. He has his wood carving, a couple friends, but he's just going through the motions. Known for his eccentric ways, Curtis is stagnant. He thinks of Logan as a "kid" to keep him at arm's length. He doesn't want to admit the power Logan has over him.
Even if you're not a fan of hardcore BDSM, you should give this story a go. The sex has D/s overtones, and Curtis is a massive pain slut, but there is a lot of tenderness too: sweet, quiet moments where it's just about kissing, cuddling, and feeling. Logan's favorite part of dominating is taking care of his sub.
But don't read this book just for the kink! There's so much more here: grief, loss, guilt, and more importantly: New growth. New chances.
Also, WOOD CHOPPING:
The men believe in each other. Logan supports Curtis at a wood-carving festival, and Curtis wants Logan's restaurant to succeed. Other people, particularly Logan's ridiculously controlling parents who treat Logan as if he were 13, not 27, interfere, but ultimately love is stronger than fear.
This is not a fluffy story, but it's not super angsty either. The relationship evolves naturally, and both men are mature enough to eventually acknowledge their feelings and leap into "life's spring" together. The HEA is ever so hopeful, full of sunbeams and warmth.
P.S. We meet both Logan and Curtis in the first book, but I think Tender with a Twist can be read as a standalone.
I liked the first book in the Rainbow Cove series, but I LOVED this one. Tender with a Twist is one kinky, emotional ride. Logan and Curtis are everything together!
While Curtis and Logan connect sexually first, they can't deny their relationship runs deeper than a surface attraction.
Logan has wanted to explore his dominant side for years, but his ex made vanilla look like an exotic flavor. Now that he's moved away from his helicopter parents, Logan wants to be his authentic self, which includes cutting his hair, growing a goatee, ditching the preppy outfits, getting a tat or two, and learning how to be the best Dom possible.
Since the death of his long-term partner, Curtis hasn't been living but existing. He has his wood carving, a couple friends, but he's just going through the motions. Known for his eccentric ways, Curtis is stagnant. He thinks of Logan as a "kid" to keep him at arm's length. He doesn't want to admit the power Logan has over him.
Even if you're not a fan of hardcore BDSM, you should give this story a go. The sex has D/s overtones, and Curtis is a massive pain slut, but there is a lot of tenderness too: sweet, quiet moments where it's just about kissing, cuddling, and feeling. Logan's favorite part of dominating is taking care of his sub.
But don't read this book just for the kink! There's so much more here: grief, loss, guilt, and more importantly: New growth. New chances.
Also, WOOD CHOPPING:
The men believe in each other. Logan supports Curtis at a wood-carving festival, and Curtis wants Logan's restaurant to succeed. Other people, particularly Logan's ridiculously controlling parents who treat Logan as if he were 13, not 27, interfere, but ultimately love is stronger than fear.
I wanted to believe that he was mine, really mine. My heart. My soul. My man.
This is not a fluffy story, but it's not super angsty either. The relationship evolves naturally, and both men are mature enough to eventually acknowledge their feelings and leap into "life's spring" together. The HEA is ever so hopeful, full of sunbeams and warmth.
P.S. We meet both Logan and Curtis in the first book, but I think Tender with a Twist can be read as a standalone.
November 8, 2017
*4.5 stars*
I'm a total Annabeth Albert fangirl, and I can't resist a single one of her stories, but if you present me to me KINKY LUMBERJACKS, you know I'm in!
I seem to be really drawn to dead first love stories, as morbid as that sounds. Some of my favorite books have this theme, though if it isn't done right, it really hinders the connection between the MCs of the story. Tender with a Twist struck just the right balance between honoring and showing respect for the first love while allowing room for another love to grow. That's a difficult thing to do, and I think Annabeth Albert managed it very well.
Pain isn't at all my kink, but I've liked pain kink books in the past. Ropes and impact play I feel "meh" about, but I liked it all here. I didn't quite find it as sexy as some others, but I liked the dynamics of the scenes, especially because I have a thing for muscle bottoms and smaller tops (YUM!!). And an age gap... just YESSSSSSS!
My one big complaint with the story was the absolutely insufferable parental figures. I wanted nothing to do with any of them, and I sort of hated their intrusion in the story at all.
This book was totally satisfying, with a romance that grew from similar interests, attraction, and extreme reluctance into something really believable and strong. I trusted Annabeth Albert to take me there and she did!
I'm a total Annabeth Albert fangirl, and I can't resist a single one of her stories, but if you present me to me KINKY LUMBERJACKS, you know I'm in!
I seem to be really drawn to dead first love stories, as morbid as that sounds. Some of my favorite books have this theme, though if it isn't done right, it really hinders the connection between the MCs of the story. Tender with a Twist struck just the right balance between honoring and showing respect for the first love while allowing room for another love to grow. That's a difficult thing to do, and I think Annabeth Albert managed it very well.
Pain isn't at all my kink, but I've liked pain kink books in the past. Ropes and impact play I feel "meh" about, but I liked it all here. I didn't quite find it as sexy as some others, but I liked the dynamics of the scenes, especially because I have a thing for muscle bottoms and smaller tops (YUM!!). And an age gap... just YESSSSSSS!
My one big complaint with the story was the absolutely insufferable parental figures. I wanted nothing to do with any of them, and I sort of hated their intrusion in the story at all.
This book was totally satisfying, with a romance that grew from similar interests, attraction, and extreme reluctance into something really believable and strong. I trusted Annabeth Albert to take me there and she did!
April 12, 2019
3.5 The Cranky Lumberjack & His Boy Wonder Stars
Curtis is the woodcarver. He’d lost his longtime lover almost two years ago. After losing him, Curtis became so grumpy and got a lot more eccentric. He’s temperamental.
Logan had come to Rainbow Cove for the space to be alone, the quietness, for being away from his parents and their protectiveness and their expectations. Cooking is his passion and he’s a chef. He’s an easygoing guy. He has some special taste and would like to try some of his fantasies on some grumpy lumberjack.
A partner at my mercy, giving up control to me, wanting my domination every bit as much as I craved giving it. And if I was honest, I wanted connection, too.
Told in dual POV, 1st person. It’s the second installment in the "Rainbow Cove" series with character crossover but it can be read as a standalone. Both characters are likable and there is an age-gap (fifteen years, Logan is twenty-seven and Curtis is forty-two). It’s a slow burn and low on angst. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and hope you like it as well!
Curtis is the woodcarver. He’d lost his longtime lover almost two years ago. After losing him, Curtis became so grumpy and got a lot more eccentric. He’s temperamental.
Logan had come to Rainbow Cove for the space to be alone, the quietness, for being away from his parents and their protectiveness and their expectations. Cooking is his passion and he’s a chef. He’s an easygoing guy. He has some special taste and would like to try some of his fantasies on some grumpy lumberjack.
A partner at my mercy, giving up control to me, wanting my domination every bit as much as I craved giving it. And if I was honest, I wanted connection, too.
Told in dual POV, 1st person. It’s the second installment in the "Rainbow Cove" series with character crossover but it can be read as a standalone. Both characters are likable and there is an age-gap (fifteen years, Logan is twenty-seven and Curtis is forty-two). It’s a slow burn and low on angst. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and hope you like it as well!
September 24, 2017
*4.5 stars*
"He was everything I hadn’t let myself acknowledge missing, let alone needing, but I did. Tightly locked, hidden places inside my soul soaked in his attention, barren soil that had stopped even waiting for rain."
Tender with a Twist, the second book in the Rainbow Cove series ended up being one of my favorite Annabeth Albert books. Very different than its predecessor, Trust with a Chaser, and very different than what I expected.
What I loved:
-The characters. I really liked both MCs, who were a big "fuck you" to all BDSM stereotypes.
Curtis: Brawny, tattooed, grumpy chainsaw wood carver. Kinky bottom and total pain slut. Widower.
Logan:Baby face chef. Dom wannabe. Seriously underestimated.
-The kink. THE KINK, people. It was done to perfection. Curtis needs, and Logan is up to the challenge. There is a lot of sex, most of it pretty kinky, but it's integral to the story.
-The chemistry. There is crazy chemistry between the characters. Curtis might be grumpy, or just plain asshole, and Logan is inexperienced, but from the first time they just click. As a reader, I really felt that connection.
-The setting. I'm a sucker for small town settings, and Albert has created something beautiful in Rainbow Cove. Nice to see all the secondary characters we met at Trust with a Chaser, as well.
-The grief. This is a part that can get tricky for me, but here it was done very well. Curtis is grieving very deeply still, but it's not overwhelming.
-Beautiful ending.
What I didn't love:
-I got pretty frustrated with Logan's parents towards the end, it kind of affected my enjoyment of the story. Someone needed to give this guy a little more credit. Their interference and luck of trust, drove me nuts.
-I don't consider Curtis to suffer from the martyr complex because his reasons for being reluctant to be with Logan were valid. But after a while there was a little too much "I don't deserve you" and "you 're better off without me" for my liking.
These niggles, though, were minor, and overall I really liked the story, even more than the first book. I'm definitely sticking with Rainbow Cove and its people.
Recommended!
October 15, 2017
I know, I know, I’m hopeless. Once again, I failed in getting involved into this author’s universe. I dig into it with lots of hope : I enjoyed Trust with a Chaser a lot, there already are many enthusiastic reviews around there, …but no : it didn’t work for me.
Three friends opened a tavern in a little Oregon town and, after the story of Mason with his sexy sheriff, this time, it’s about Logan, the sunny and too-ready-to-please chef and secretly a Dom in training, and Curtis, the grumpy and lonely wood carver, a recent widower craving for kinky sex with pain.
I couldn’t perceive any connection between the MCs and failed to understand their dynamics. Needless to say that I then felt the sex scenes too staged. I thought it would get better by the end, but alas, even if I appreciated Logan standing up for himself, Curtis’s change-of-heart and grovelling and Logan’s forgiveness were too sudden.
Sorry, GR friends : like the cheese, I’m going to the little corner for this one.
February 22, 2019
First of all : SO MUCH LOVE FOR LOGAN <3 (okay, Curtis's great too but I'm playing favourites because obviously)
Seriously though, I can't believe Annabeth Albert managed to make me love a story with :
a) an age gap (I'm not against them per se but they need to be handled carefully for me to root for the romance, with none of the icky "he looks like a teenager" nonsense)
b) a widowed character (I rarely connect with these stories, which is pretty weird given that I can certainly relate to parts of their grief and fears - my ex-boyfriend died in a car accident in my early twenties)
c) BDSM dynamics (it's pretty much win or lose on this point, depending on the book)
... but she most certainly did. I loved the characters, their chemistry, and the story as a whole. Recommended.
Seriously though, I can't believe Annabeth Albert managed to make me love a story with :
a) an age gap (I'm not against them per se but they need to be handled carefully for me to root for the romance, with none of the icky "he looks like a teenager" nonsense)
b) a widowed character (I rarely connect with these stories, which is pretty weird given that I can certainly relate to parts of their grief and fears - my ex-boyfriend died in a car accident in my early twenties)
c) BDSM dynamics (it's pretty much win or lose on this point, depending on the book)
... but she most certainly did. I loved the characters, their chemistry, and the story as a whole. Recommended.
July 30, 2019
Audio- 5 stars (mostly because of Iggy Toma)
Story- 3 stars
Story- 3 stars
October 1, 2017
4.5 stars
A strong second book in a series.
If you are not a fan of BDSM don't let it scare you away because this book has so much more than that.
Logan is 27 and moved to Rainbow cove to start a business with his friends. Cooking is his passion.
His other passion and the one he hasn't been able to explore is BDSM. Logan is a dominant.
I liked Logan, he was a great guy, he made a lot of changes throughout the story and it was satisfying to read because the changes weren't a person trying to change for someone else but it was more like he was trying to find himself. For different circumstances in his life he never really got to be on the outside the Logan that he felt like on the inside.
I like the fact that he wasn't just looking for someone to get kinky with but someone to care for.
Curtis is a complicated 42 year old man. 2 years ago he lost his partner, the person he shared his life with since he was a teenager. He is a woodcarver, and honestly the way he handles a chainsaw is a thing of beauty.
Curtis knows what he likes and wants, he enjoys pain and wants kink but he doesn't want anything more than that. He already had his one true love so he is in no way expecting to find someone else so tenderness doesn't work well with him.
What he doesn't expect is someone like Logan.
He tries, boy does he try, to keep him at arms length, he calls him kid as a way to remind himself how different they are and to take certain distance.
I liked the connection between these two, everything for them started as sex. They were attracted to each other sure but it wasn't love at first sight, specially for Curtis that had a lot of healing to do.
The sex is good and kinky, there are a few pages of explaining because the experience was new for Logan but for me it didn't felt like BDSM 101.
I really enjoyed both characters and their journey, the last chapter is just so hopeful, you know these guys are going to be fine and happy.
We catch up with the couple of the previous book and we see some new characters. Personally I can't wait for the next book and I'm dying to know more about certain new doctor.
A strong second book in a series.
If you are not a fan of BDSM don't let it scare you away because this book has so much more than that.
Logan is 27 and moved to Rainbow cove to start a business with his friends. Cooking is his passion.
His other passion and the one he hasn't been able to explore is BDSM. Logan is a dominant.
I liked Logan, he was a great guy, he made a lot of changes throughout the story and it was satisfying to read because the changes weren't a person trying to change for someone else but it was more like he was trying to find himself. For different circumstances in his life he never really got to be on the outside the Logan that he felt like on the inside.
I like the fact that he wasn't just looking for someone to get kinky with but someone to care for.
Curtis is a complicated 42 year old man. 2 years ago he lost his partner, the person he shared his life with since he was a teenager. He is a woodcarver, and honestly the way he handles a chainsaw is a thing of beauty.
Curtis knows what he likes and wants, he enjoys pain and wants kink but he doesn't want anything more than that. He already had his one true love so he is in no way expecting to find someone else so tenderness doesn't work well with him.
What he doesn't expect is someone like Logan.
He tries, boy does he try, to keep him at arms length, he calls him kid as a way to remind himself how different they are and to take certain distance.
I liked the connection between these two, everything for them started as sex. They were attracted to each other sure but it wasn't love at first sight, specially for Curtis that had a lot of healing to do.
The sex is good and kinky, there are a few pages of explaining because the experience was new for Logan but for me it didn't felt like BDSM 101.
I really enjoyed both characters and their journey, the last chapter is just so hopeful, you know these guys are going to be fine and happy.
We catch up with the couple of the previous book and we see some new characters. Personally I can't wait for the next book and I'm dying to know more about certain new doctor.
October 9, 2017
3.5 Stars!
Not bad, but I think I liked book 1 better. I didn't find Curtis super likable for most of the book. Which lets face it, is a common occurrence for me in an Annabeth Albert book. But he wasn't sooo bad.
I would call this one BDSM light, but the kink was pain...which isn't my cuppa at all.
So while I liked this one, I didn't love it.
I'm hoping for more from Adam's book!
Not bad, but I think I liked book 1 better. I didn't find Curtis super likable for most of the book. Which lets face it, is a common occurrence for me in an Annabeth Albert book. But he wasn't sooo bad.
I would call this one BDSM light, but the kink was pain...which isn't my cuppa at all.
So while I liked this one, I didn't love it.
I'm hoping for more from Adam's book!
October 3, 2017
Tender with a Twist by Annabeth Albert just wasn't my jam. I'm not into BDSM and especially pain kink. I figured I would try it because:
1. I adore this author. She's one of my go tos, an automatic buy.
2. The other tropes are ones I love: age gap and hurt/comfort/healing.
So, despite my trepidation for the two reasons above I decided to try it.
This book did have a lot going for it, and I never felt like setting it aside; I just never fully connected to the story or its characters. This book is about a man still grieving for his partner that passed away, and a young man ready to be his authentic self.
Some highlights:
-Logan and Curtis. Although, I didn't mesh with them as a couple I did like them as individuals. They held qualities that I'd want to find in my friends.
-The small town setting. I'm a sucker for books that take place in small towns- probably because they remind me of where my family lives in Colombia.
-Tenderness. Despite the D/s overtone, there was a lot of sweetness. I melted every time Logan took care of Curtis after a scene.
-The end was a strong HFN.
**Side note: Can this book be read out of order? I think for maximum enjoyment Trust with a Chaser should be read first. You're introduced to Logan and Curtis and get a feel for them in the first installment.
In the end, I was bummed. I wish that I would've been able to lose myself in this Annabeth Albert love story the way I normally do but I couldn't. It comes down preferences and pain is just not my thing. 3 Stars.
1. I adore this author. She's one of my go tos, an automatic buy.
2. The other tropes are ones I love: age gap and hurt/comfort/healing.
So, despite my trepidation for the two reasons above I decided to try it.
This book did have a lot going for it, and I never felt like setting it aside; I just never fully connected to the story or its characters. This book is about a man still grieving for his partner that passed away, and a young man ready to be his authentic self.
Some highlights:
-Logan and Curtis. Although, I didn't mesh with them as a couple I did like them as individuals. They held qualities that I'd want to find in my friends.
-The small town setting. I'm a sucker for books that take place in small towns- probably because they remind me of where my family lives in Colombia.
-Tenderness. Despite the D/s overtone, there was a lot of sweetness. I melted every time Logan took care of Curtis after a scene.
-The end was a strong HFN.
**Side note: Can this book be read out of order? I think for maximum enjoyment Trust with a Chaser should be read first. You're introduced to Logan and Curtis and get a feel for them in the first installment.
In the end, I was bummed. I wish that I would've been able to lose myself in this Annabeth Albert love story the way I normally do but I couldn't. It comes down preferences and pain is just not my thing. 3 Stars.
Read
May 14, 2025Dnf at 29%. Maybe I should have read my review of book 1 before I started the second one 🤷♀️
In case you’re interested: this is what I wrote. And while the content and the characters might be different, some things stayed the same.
Let’s start with the narration. I’m a fan of Iggy Toma, so that’s not the issue. The problem was: it’s a dual narration, Iggy reads Curtis’ chapters, and Marc Bachmann Logan’s. And while Marc isn’t bad, either, the voices don’t “match”, meaning that Curtis’ voice read by Iggy Toma sounds completely different than the voice Marc Bachmann gives him.
Very confusing.
As for the content: another similarity to book 1 is how “old” Curtis was. I mean… he’s 42, ffs, not 65. And I get it that he’s been through a lot, but his behaviour was one of a man MUCH older, and the way he insisted calling 28yo Logan “kid” was ridiculous, especially after Logan repeatedly asked him to call him by his name.
Logan is a baby dom - he might be 28 and knows what he wants, but has only theoretical knowledge of everything kinky, so he jumps in when Curtis (whom he is attracted to) proposes a scene after Curtis witnesses how Logan takes a big, drunk dom down (who wouldn’t take NO as an answer).
What follows is a very clinical negotiation about what each of them expects from the scene, and while I think that it is important to set your boundaries, especially when you don’t really know your sexual partner, it’s… well… clinical. Logan was cute with his enthusiasm, but even he just… pressed some pressure points he researched, to inflict the pain Curtis craved?
I just wasn’t feeling it 🤷♀️
What made me dnf: a discussion a few days later (Logan asks Curtis to be his mentor in everything involving kink), and we get the following dialogue when Logan confesses that even though he isn’t all big and burly, he wants to be accepted as a dom. To what Curtis replies:
“Get yourself some decent boots. Think about some leather. Cut the hair. Grow a beard or goatee if you’re able. A few tats wouldn’t hurt.”
He was silent a long time, and I thought for sure I’d wounded him. Finally, he nodded.
“That’s good. That’s the sort of thing I need to hear. My ex manages an upscale menswear store, and my mom has this thing about my hair, so I’ve always gone for the preppy look. But it’s probably time for a change.”
(…)
“Listen. You gotta do you. Leather’s not just a look, it’s something that’s in your soul. It’s who you are. You can get all the tips you want, but unless you really feel it, you’re just gonna be faking it, and that’s no good, either.”
He licked his lips.
“I think I am leather. I just have a really hard time letting it out. Cultural conditioning and all that.”
I nodded like I knew what the fuck he meant with the big words. But I could tell him more about me.
“When I see leather, my pulse hums. I put it on, I get hard. I fucking love leather. But maybe for you it’s more a suit or something like that.”
I mean… wtf? What kind of message is that? Get some tats and grow a beard, otherwise you don’t look the part? Maybe it’s because the book is older (from 2017), but i didn’t like the message.
Hence the dnf, and because it’s less than 50% in, I’ll refrain from rating it.
In case you’re interested: this is what I wrote. And while the content and the characters might be different, some things stayed the same.
Let’s start with the narration. I’m a fan of Iggy Toma, so that’s not the issue. The problem was: it’s a dual narration, Iggy reads Curtis’ chapters, and Marc Bachmann Logan’s. And while Marc isn’t bad, either, the voices don’t “match”, meaning that Curtis’ voice read by Iggy Toma sounds completely different than the voice Marc Bachmann gives him.
Very confusing.
As for the content: another similarity to book 1 is how “old” Curtis was. I mean… he’s 42, ffs, not 65. And I get it that he’s been through a lot, but his behaviour was one of a man MUCH older, and the way he insisted calling 28yo Logan “kid” was ridiculous, especially after Logan repeatedly asked him to call him by his name.
Logan is a baby dom - he might be 28 and knows what he wants, but has only theoretical knowledge of everything kinky, so he jumps in when Curtis (whom he is attracted to) proposes a scene after Curtis witnesses how Logan takes a big, drunk dom down (who wouldn’t take NO as an answer).
What follows is a very clinical negotiation about what each of them expects from the scene, and while I think that it is important to set your boundaries, especially when you don’t really know your sexual partner, it’s… well… clinical. Logan was cute with his enthusiasm, but even he just… pressed some pressure points he researched, to inflict the pain Curtis craved?
I just wasn’t feeling it 🤷♀️
What made me dnf: a discussion a few days later (Logan asks Curtis to be his mentor in everything involving kink), and we get the following dialogue when Logan confesses that even though he isn’t all big and burly, he wants to be accepted as a dom. To what Curtis replies:
“Get yourself some decent boots. Think about some leather. Cut the hair. Grow a beard or goatee if you’re able. A few tats wouldn’t hurt.”
He was silent a long time, and I thought for sure I’d wounded him. Finally, he nodded.
“That’s good. That’s the sort of thing I need to hear. My ex manages an upscale menswear store, and my mom has this thing about my hair, so I’ve always gone for the preppy look. But it’s probably time for a change.”
(…)
“Listen. You gotta do you. Leather’s not just a look, it’s something that’s in your soul. It’s who you are. You can get all the tips you want, but unless you really feel it, you’re just gonna be faking it, and that’s no good, either.”
He licked his lips.
“I think I am leather. I just have a really hard time letting it out. Cultural conditioning and all that.”
I nodded like I knew what the fuck he meant with the big words. But I could tell him more about me.
“When I see leather, my pulse hums. I put it on, I get hard. I fucking love leather. But maybe for you it’s more a suit or something like that.”
I mean… wtf? What kind of message is that? Get some tats and grow a beard, otherwise you don’t look the part? Maybe it’s because the book is older (from 2017), but i didn’t like the message.
Hence the dnf, and because it’s less than 50% in, I’ll refrain from rating it.
October 2, 2017
We meet Curtis, dour tattooed chainsaw carver (who occasionally carves shirtless ... in the winter), in the first Rainbow Cove book Trust with a Chaser, as well as Logan, one of the trifecta of young owners of bar/restaurant owners trying to revitalize the town of Rainbow Cove as an LGBTQ destination. This is their story, and it is straight up glorious, sexy, heart wrenching, kinky, sexy ... and did I mention sexy?
Curtis is immersed in grief for his long-time lover Troy, who passed two years prior. He's moved from their cabin into a renovated retro gas station, which is also his place of business. Curtis' way of surviving is to deny himself the pleasures of good food, good friends, and especially love. The product of a hardscrabble childhood, Curtis' mantra is:
Annabeth Albert also does a stellar job of showing us Curtis' grief and how it controls his life, how it keeps him sheltered in a cocoon of loneliness and hurt, and how he holds close the belief that he's had his once-in-a-lifetime loves and you don't get that twice. Until Logan makes him realize
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
Curtis is immersed in grief for his long-time lover Troy, who passed two years prior. He's moved from their cabin into a renovated retro gas station, which is also his place of business. Curtis' way of surviving is to deny himself the pleasures of good food, good friends, and especially love. The product of a hardscrabble childhood, Curtis' mantra is:
“Can’t go getting dependent. Soft. I don’t want to start needing something only to have it ripped away.”Logan is the only child of fairly well-to-do overprotective parents (emphasis on over) and while he looks like a baby-faced kid, he's 27 and ready to embrace his inner Dom. Logan, the creator of food that nourishes the body and soul, wants to take care of Curtis:
"... my heart broke every time I thought of his childhood self, scared to have a favorite cereal. I wanted to shower him with the tastiest food, make sure he always had an abundance of whatever it was he wanted most, the secret desires he hadn’t shared yet."And when these two men connect, under the guise of Dom lessons for Logan and kink to settle the restless soul of pain slut Curtis, the chemistry is intense and incredibly sexually charged. What Curtis and Logan share isn't straight-up BDSM but rather a necessary part of each personality, something that draws them together in perfect synchronicity. And Annabeth Albert hits it out of the park in unfolding their relationship as it slowly moves from friends with benefits to much, much more.
Annabeth Albert also does a stellar job of showing us Curtis' grief and how it controls his life, how it keeps him sheltered in a cocoon of loneliness and hurt, and how he holds close the belief that he's had his once-in-a-lifetime loves and you don't get that twice. Until Logan makes him realize
Except maybe some people do. It had been so long since I’d felt anything resembling hope that I didn’t recognize the trembling in my gut at first. What if people did get a second chance and I was about to miss mine?I could have done without Logan's irritating helicopter parents, but the heart of this story was so beautifully done that this was a small niggle in the larger picture. I loved this story and give it 5 stars. Can't wait for the next book in the Rainbow Cove series!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
November 21, 2023
A beautifully tender tale with a kinky twist.
Yep, it was lovely.
I'm still getting to know Albert's writing but having a stellar time doing so!
Yep, it was lovely.
I'm still getting to know Albert's writing but having a stellar time doing so!
October 3, 2017
Simply brilliant writing, that's what Tender with a Twist is. Unlike book one, this not only touches on loss and heartbreak but it also has some of the best emotionally driven BDSM kink I've ever read.
Each time Logan puts Curtis through a scene the feelings underpinning their attraction to each other bleed out. I was interested in Curtis in book one, it's not often a chainsaw carver pops up as a character, but Logan was sort of just there in the background at the tavern.
Well not in this one, here Logan is very much front and centre and his quiet strength and determination to be the person he truly knows he is carries the narrative forward at all times.
The humour is gentle, Curtis' fears are palpable, he knows he's not the typical 'hero', the one people flock to. Life's beaten him down so much over the years and he's not sure he can cope with any more.
But Logan, wonderfully optimistic and driven Logan, knows he can bring light and much needed release both sexually and emotionally, to Curtis.
Their scenes together are topping Annabeth's efforts in her latest Out of Uniform story for being the most kinky. They're delicious and sensual and painful and emotional and erotic and loving and so hot they risk spontaneous combustion.
The drama is caused not only by Curtis' own fears, but also by the interference of family who should know better. Logan is 27 but his parents still look on him as if he's a scared and shy teen. Their helicopter parenting leaves him frustrated and doubting his own determination to be his real self.
And I could have slapped Troy's mother, even though I also absolutely understood and sympathized with her feelings, for her guilt tripping as she sees Curtis making tentative steps towards a new life with Logan in it permanently.
I could wax lyrical about this one for hours more, I never wanted it to end. Utterly gorgeous cover too, the lumbersexual look isn't usually my thing but Curtis just floated my boat.
#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Each time Logan puts Curtis through a scene the feelings underpinning their attraction to each other bleed out. I was interested in Curtis in book one, it's not often a chainsaw carver pops up as a character, but Logan was sort of just there in the background at the tavern.
Well not in this one, here Logan is very much front and centre and his quiet strength and determination to be the person he truly knows he is carries the narrative forward at all times.
The humour is gentle, Curtis' fears are palpable, he knows he's not the typical 'hero', the one people flock to. Life's beaten him down so much over the years and he's not sure he can cope with any more.
But Logan, wonderfully optimistic and driven Logan, knows he can bring light and much needed release both sexually and emotionally, to Curtis.
Their scenes together are topping Annabeth's efforts in her latest Out of Uniform story for being the most kinky. They're delicious and sensual and painful and emotional and erotic and loving and so hot they risk spontaneous combustion.
The drama is caused not only by Curtis' own fears, but also by the interference of family who should know better. Logan is 27 but his parents still look on him as if he's a scared and shy teen. Their helicopter parenting leaves him frustrated and doubting his own determination to be his real self.
And I could have slapped Troy's mother, even though I also absolutely understood and sympathized with her feelings, for her guilt tripping as she sees Curtis making tentative steps towards a new life with Logan in it permanently.
I could wax lyrical about this one for hours more, I never wanted it to end. Utterly gorgeous cover too, the lumbersexual look isn't usually my thing but Curtis just floated my boat.
#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
October 7, 2017
Me ha gustado mucho, aunque por las circunstancias no he podido disfrutarlo todo lo que habría querido y he tardado más de lo normal en leerlo.
Kink, amor y amistad. Muy entretenido y muy buena pareja protagonista, aunque me ha parecido un tanto brusco el cambio de tercio que sufre al final Curtis.
Muy buena continuación de la serie.
Kink, amor y amistad. Muy entretenido y muy buena pareja protagonista, aunque me ha parecido un tanto brusco el cambio de tercio que sufre al final Curtis.
Muy buena continuación de la serie.
February 24, 2024
Reread Feb. 24, 2024
*** Drama, conflict, growth, love !*** I just knew I'd like this story by Annabeth Albert !
Her characters are marvelous !
Logan, 27, a Chef at the tavern is so young looking,
and doesn't look like a Dom,
but he will.
A black belt in Aikido, and finally out from under his parents thumbs, he wants to have a sub, and do what drives him.
Big, bold and brash, Curtis, 42, a wood carver,
muscled, bearded, and tatted, lost his love two years ago, and feels the world hasn't been good to him, and it hasn't, but he sees Logan in action one night, and a bargain is struck. Logan wants practice and Curtis wants to be flogged.
It's super hot BDSM, and Logan is an excellent Dom. The problem; Curtis is needing the lessons as much as Logan.
Feelings begin to rise and stubborn Curtis won't let himself feel. We get to see these two men explore the bondage, paddling, flogging, and Shibari ropes, plus Logan's excellent "after care." In addition, Logan is trying to transform, look tougher, stronger, so he cuts his hair, grows a goatee, wears leather and boots. Wow, he's looking good.
We see this change as he finally gets to have what he really wants. Deep thoughts and emotions are felt and the sexier times start up, too.
It's lovely that we are shown that their Dom/sub relationship is not overtaking their lives. They have their jobs they are passionate about, friends and family, and a full life outside of the bedroom, too.
Stunningly written, riveting, and intensely heartfelt, I recommend this terrific tale.
ENJOY !
========
*** Drama, conflict, growth, love !*** I just knew I'd like this story by Annabeth Albert !
Her characters are marvelous !
Logan, 27, a Chef at the tavern is so young looking,
and doesn't look like a Dom,
but he will.
A black belt in Aikido, and finally out from under his parents thumbs, he wants to have a sub, and do what drives him.
Big, bold and brash, Curtis, 42, a wood carver,
muscled, bearded, and tatted, lost his love two years ago, and feels the world hasn't been good to him, and it hasn't, but he sees Logan in action one night, and a bargain is struck. Logan wants practice and Curtis wants to be flogged.
It's super hot BDSM, and Logan is an excellent Dom. The problem; Curtis is needing the lessons as much as Logan.
Feelings begin to rise and stubborn Curtis won't let himself feel. We get to see these two men explore the bondage, paddling, flogging, and Shibari ropes, plus Logan's excellent "after care." In addition, Logan is trying to transform, look tougher, stronger, so he cuts his hair, grows a goatee, wears leather and boots. Wow, he's looking good.
We see this change as he finally gets to have what he really wants. Deep thoughts and emotions are felt and the sexier times start up, too.
It's lovely that we are shown that their Dom/sub relationship is not overtaking their lives. They have their jobs they are passionate about, friends and family, and a full life outside of the bedroom, too.
Stunningly written, riveting, and intensely heartfelt, I recommend this terrific tale.
ENJOY !
========
October 10, 2017
There's always something cool about a vulnerable tatted up lumberjack... and Curtis really fit the bill here. Grumpy, antisocial and deeply saddened by the loss of his love, Curtis basically shut himself away from life. People began to avoid him and left him to his art. Enter Logan ! The determined newbie Dom found something appealing about Curtis, despite the age difference, and after cracking through a small part of his veneer, negotiated some kinky sessions with Curtis to develop his Dom side. The story progresses slowly from a developing friendship to a relationship. I liked the fact that both guys stood their ground against the viewpoints and feedback from others who should know better ! This was an enjoyable read 😎
October 2, 2017
Forget uniform porn -- that did nothing for me. Apparently my traitorous body had developed a thing for bearded and broody.
Look, no one is surprised by this rating. Not me. Not you. Probably not Albert. She can do absolutely no wrong in my book and it's always just varying levels of great and awesome. It's felt like ages since I last got to dive into her world, her words, but a quick GR check confirms it's been, like, literally two months. Apparently two months is just too long.
I hadn't always been a cranky bastard. Pessimism seemed to be my default now, the tattered blanket I wrapped myself in when the world met my low expectations.
TENDER WITH A TWIST is the second installment in the Rainbow Cove series set around a town called, you guessed it, Rainbow Cove. The series is focused around three men who have come into the somewhat tourist-poor town to open up a queer-friendly tavern. Book one featured Mason, part owner, and the local town and-previously-closeted sheriff. In book two we have the tavern's chef Logan, a man who looks straight-laced on the outside and yet longs to scratch an itch that neither his friends or family would expect from him. And it's Nash's friend Curtis who satisfies all of Logan's kinks; broad, bearded, brilliant with a chainsaw, but also broody. Curtis is gruff and solitary, preferring to perfect his carvings than play nice with the new kids in town, and two years into grieving the loss of his longtime partner.
He was everything I hadn't let myself acknowledge missing, let alone needing, but I did. Tightly locked, hidden places inside my soul soaked in his attention, barren soil that had stopped even waiting for rain.
This might be my very favourite kind of second chance romance. Not trying again, trying to make something work when it didn't before, but opening yourself up to love after loss. It has the potential, nay, a guarantee, to be angsty and tough to get through -- and sometimes it can be too much, get too drawn out, and spoil the read.. at least for me -- and while Albert is no stranger to writing this particular set of circumstances (albeit with different.. well.. circumstances) this particular plot felt just.. perfect. Curtis' struggles to move on weren't struggles until he met Logan. He was resigned to being alone, had no desire for more. He felt no guilt from the occasional hookup. It was when he felt overwhelmed by the disapproval of others, when it appeared he might be doing more than just being friendly with someone new, that he really buckled under the pressure to stay true to someone who was never coming back.
Why did everyone seem to expect me to pack away my sex drive in mothballs, give up the chance of companionship? Was that really the best path forward?
Logan, as a character and a POV, was a delight. Younger than Curtis by fifteen years, and just shy of thirty himself, he felt even younger than his age. And was treated that way, too, by friends and family. Often referred to as 'kid', told he was fragile, treated carefully, he endured that overprotecting handling and yet rose above it. He was strong, determined, and of sound mind for both knowing what he wanted and discovering how to go after what was his true self after years of coddling. I loved his inherent goodness, his desire to care for others, his positivity, all of which never came across as perky or overdone. It was such a good balance; which made for an even better one when matched up against Curtis.
Logan made me want to get back to the business of living.
I think this was Albert's sexiest book in a while (maybe ever..?) and I loved how the relationship evolved through the progression of their intimacy. I know we often see that with hook-up cases that become more but this felt.. different. I think the extra element to their romance, that twist to the tender, really solidified their connection and.. arg, all the feels. I just loved it. This book is so so aptly named.
"Pretty sure I'm fresh out of wild oats to sow or pints to prove. You're it for me."
We've had two age-gap relationships in this series, and I feel like possibly another to come? who knows?, and I will never get tired of that trope. Closet-case, second chance, however she wants to spin it, heck, she can even chuck that aspect out the window and forget the age element. Whatever it is, whatever she offers, I'll read it. I'll never stop coming back for more.
4.5 "this. this is where our story really begins" stars
** I received an ARC from the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
Look, no one is surprised by this rating. Not me. Not you. Probably not Albert. She can do absolutely no wrong in my book and it's always just varying levels of great and awesome. It's felt like ages since I last got to dive into her world, her words, but a quick GR check confirms it's been, like, literally two months. Apparently two months is just too long.
I hadn't always been a cranky bastard. Pessimism seemed to be my default now, the tattered blanket I wrapped myself in when the world met my low expectations.
TENDER WITH A TWIST is the second installment in the Rainbow Cove series set around a town called, you guessed it, Rainbow Cove. The series is focused around three men who have come into the somewhat tourist-poor town to open up a queer-friendly tavern. Book one featured Mason, part owner, and the local town and-previously-closeted sheriff. In book two we have the tavern's chef Logan, a man who looks straight-laced on the outside and yet longs to scratch an itch that neither his friends or family would expect from him. And it's Nash's friend Curtis who satisfies all of Logan's kinks; broad, bearded, brilliant with a chainsaw, but also broody. Curtis is gruff and solitary, preferring to perfect his carvings than play nice with the new kids in town, and two years into grieving the loss of his longtime partner.
He was everything I hadn't let myself acknowledge missing, let alone needing, but I did. Tightly locked, hidden places inside my soul soaked in his attention, barren soil that had stopped even waiting for rain.
This might be my very favourite kind of second chance romance. Not trying again, trying to make something work when it didn't before, but opening yourself up to love after loss. It has the potential, nay, a guarantee, to be angsty and tough to get through -- and sometimes it can be too much, get too drawn out, and spoil the read.. at least for me -- and while Albert is no stranger to writing this particular set of circumstances (albeit with different.. well.. circumstances) this particular plot felt just.. perfect. Curtis' struggles to move on weren't struggles until he met Logan. He was resigned to being alone, had no desire for more. He felt no guilt from the occasional hookup. It was when he felt overwhelmed by the disapproval of others, when it appeared he might be doing more than just being friendly with someone new, that he really buckled under the pressure to stay true to someone who was never coming back.
Why did everyone seem to expect me to pack away my sex drive in mothballs, give up the chance of companionship? Was that really the best path forward?
Logan, as a character and a POV, was a delight. Younger than Curtis by fifteen years, and just shy of thirty himself, he felt even younger than his age. And was treated that way, too, by friends and family. Often referred to as 'kid', told he was fragile, treated carefully, he endured that overprotecting handling and yet rose above it. He was strong, determined, and of sound mind for both knowing what he wanted and discovering how to go after what was his true self after years of coddling. I loved his inherent goodness, his desire to care for others, his positivity, all of which never came across as perky or overdone. It was such a good balance; which made for an even better one when matched up against Curtis.
Logan made me want to get back to the business of living.
I think this was Albert's sexiest book in a while (maybe ever..?) and I loved how the relationship evolved through the progression of their intimacy. I know we often see that with hook-up cases that become more but this felt.. different. I think the extra element to their romance, that twist to the tender, really solidified their connection and.. arg, all the feels. I just loved it. This book is so so aptly named.
"Pretty sure I'm fresh out of wild oats to sow or pints to prove. You're it for me."
We've had two age-gap relationships in this series, and I feel like possibly another to come? who knows?, and I will never get tired of that trope. Closet-case, second chance, however she wants to spin it, heck, she can even chuck that aspect out the window and forget the age element. Whatever it is, whatever she offers, I'll read it. I'll never stop coming back for more.
4.5 "this. this is where our story really begins" stars
** I received an ARC from the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
October 22, 2017
A little bit fun, a little bit kinky!
I liked this second book in Annabeth Albert’s Rainbow Cove series much more than the first. This one played with not only an intriguing age gap, but also with a virgin Dom, and issues of grief.
Logan, a baby-faced 26 year old chef dreams of dominating large men. For all he knows about kink, he has zero practical experience dominating another man.
Curtis is a 42 year old, crusty, machine-saw wielding artist who still grieves the death of his Dom and best friend. He wants nothing to do with the “kid,” as he calls him.
So of course, the two end up in an arrangement of sorts: Curtis agrees to give Logan kink lessons in exchange for getting off. Keep it simple is the motto. Of course, if they kept it simple, we’d have no story. Well, they didn’t go for simple.
I really enjoyed the first 90% of this book. Loved the kink. Loved the town. What I didn’t love were the final, effusive HEA declarations of love at the end of the book. They seemed to contradict the men’s established personalities and were a little annoying.
Still, I’m looking forward to the next book, which I assume features Adam. And I’m also looking to see how the economy of Rainbow Cove shapes up with the opening of the refurbished resort. I’m really hoping this will become the gay tourist destination of the Oregon Coast!
I liked this second book in Annabeth Albert’s Rainbow Cove series much more than the first. This one played with not only an intriguing age gap, but also with a virgin Dom, and issues of grief.
Logan, a baby-faced 26 year old chef dreams of dominating large men. For all he knows about kink, he has zero practical experience dominating another man.
Curtis is a 42 year old, crusty, machine-saw wielding artist who still grieves the death of his Dom and best friend. He wants nothing to do with the “kid,” as he calls him.
So of course, the two end up in an arrangement of sorts: Curtis agrees to give Logan kink lessons in exchange for getting off. Keep it simple is the motto. Of course, if they kept it simple, we’d have no story. Well, they didn’t go for simple.
I really enjoyed the first 90% of this book. Loved the kink. Loved the town. What I didn’t love were the final, effusive HEA declarations of love at the end of the book. They seemed to contradict the men’s established personalities and were a little annoying.
Still, I’m looking forward to the next book, which I assume features Adam. And I’m also looking to see how the economy of Rainbow Cove shapes up with the opening of the refurbished resort. I’m really hoping this will become the gay tourist destination of the Oregon Coast!
March 25, 2023
“He was everything I hadn’t let myself acknowledge missing, let alone needing, but I did. Tightly locked, hidden places inside my soul soaked in his attention, barren soil that had stopped even waiting for rain. I might not know what to do with the emotions rolling around in my chest, but all I knew was that I was no longer strong enough to shove Logan away.”
Plenty sweet. Slightly angsty. A little kinky. So heartwarming.
— chef/woodcarver
— grumpy/sunshine
— small town setting
— age gap
— hurt/comfort
— bdsm lite
— steamy
Plenty sweet. Slightly angsty. A little kinky. So heartwarming.
— chef/woodcarver
— grumpy/sunshine
— small town setting
— age gap
— hurt/comfort
— bdsm lite
— steamy
September 26, 2017
4.25 stars
Logan Rosner has been holding back a part of him that he knows is true, that he is a Dom despite his baby-face look and posture. But his only experience of coming to a leather scene in Portland ends up with disaster so he knows better to give it another try, especially in small town like Rainbow Cove. But he dreams to have Alpha men as his sub -- men like Curtis Hunt, the reclusive chainsaw wood carver of Rainbow Cove.
Curtis Hunt lost the love of his life a couple of years before. Since then, he slightly withdrew from the world, except for his best friend and mother-in-law. He no longer stays in the house he lived before with his partner, he no longer ride his bike; Curtis wants everything to stay exactly the same. Except that Logan is making his heart beats a little faster, and when he sees what Logan is capable to do, he knows that Logan can be someone to satisfy his needs for pain and submission. Even if Logan doesn't look like his type.
Tender with a Twist (such clever title, by the way) is definitely one of my most favorites from Annabeth Albert. I loved the theme(s) that this book has: from not judging a person by their look, reaching for your dream, finding the courage to show the world outside the person you know you are inside, as well as holding to new love after losing one...
I loved the progress of Logan and Curtis' relationship. What starts as "lessons in D/s practice" -- Logan's clever idea, to make Curtis agrees to the sexual arrangement between them -- turns into something more as they learn about each other's dreams and fears. And as a reader who usually prefer less to no sex, I devoured each and every sex scenes in this book. They don't feel gratuitous to me. They feel like progress.
Everything else also feel justified -- including the fears that Curtis has regarding this newfound love he feels about Logan, especially when faced with other people's judgments.
With Tender with a Twist , Annabeth Albert has proven once again why she is one of my must-read authors.
The ARC is provided by the author for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Logan Rosner has been holding back a part of him that he knows is true, that he is a Dom despite his baby-face look and posture. But his only experience of coming to a leather scene in Portland ends up with disaster so he knows better to give it another try, especially in small town like Rainbow Cove. But he dreams to have Alpha men as his sub -- men like Curtis Hunt, the reclusive chainsaw wood carver of Rainbow Cove.
Curtis Hunt lost the love of his life a couple of years before. Since then, he slightly withdrew from the world, except for his best friend and mother-in-law. He no longer stays in the house he lived before with his partner, he no longer ride his bike; Curtis wants everything to stay exactly the same. Except that Logan is making his heart beats a little faster, and when he sees what Logan is capable to do, he knows that Logan can be someone to satisfy his needs for pain and submission. Even if Logan doesn't look like his type.
Tender with a Twist (such clever title, by the way) is definitely one of my most favorites from Annabeth Albert. I loved the theme(s) that this book has: from not judging a person by their look, reaching for your dream, finding the courage to show the world outside the person you know you are inside, as well as holding to new love after losing one...
I loved the progress of Logan and Curtis' relationship. What starts as "lessons in D/s practice" -- Logan's clever idea, to make Curtis agrees to the sexual arrangement between them -- turns into something more as they learn about each other's dreams and fears. And as a reader who usually prefer less to no sex, I devoured each and every sex scenes in this book. They don't feel gratuitous to me. They feel like progress.
Everything else also feel justified -- including the fears that Curtis has regarding this newfound love he feels about Logan, especially when faced with other people's judgments.
With Tender with a Twist , Annabeth Albert has proven once again why she is one of my must-read authors.
The ARC is provided by the author for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
March 18, 2018
2.5 Stars
I loved this one, right up until Logan's parents showed up. My god, you'd think he was 12, not 27. And the ending was too sweet for my tastes.
I loved this one, right up until Logan's parents showed up. My god, you'd think he was 12, not 27. And the ending was too sweet for my tastes.
October 2, 2017
This is my new favorite Annabeth book.
It's got everything I like: age gap, kink, smaller guy as top/Dom, friends to lovers.
This is the second book in the Rainbow Cove series, we met both Logan and Curtis in the previous book. Logan is one of Mason's business partners and chef at the restaurant and Curtis is Nash's grieving friend.
They were aware aware of each other, and Logan definitely had a crush on the older bigger man, but nothing happened until Leather night at the bar. That's when Curtis saw Logan in a new light when he had to defend himself against a drunken Dom who thought he needed a Daddy. He needed a new Dom because his friend who he had an arrangement with since his partner's death ended it unexpectedly.
Their relationship starts basically as a similar arrangement, where Logan who's new to the scene gets practice and Curtis gets the release he needs. Although Curtis fights it, they do become friends and lovers.
When Logan gets hit by a car, Curtis realizes his true feelings, but not before being a dick. In the end, they realize they are meant to be. Curtis even invests in the restaurant when they need the help and Logans parents try to manipulate him by putting conditions on helping.
Obviously, it ends with a strong HEA
Highly recommended
It's got everything I like: age gap, kink, smaller guy as top/Dom, friends to lovers.
This is the second book in the Rainbow Cove series, we met both Logan and Curtis in the previous book. Logan is one of Mason's business partners and chef at the restaurant and Curtis is Nash's grieving friend.
They were aware aware of each other, and Logan definitely had a crush on the older bigger man, but nothing happened until Leather night at the bar. That's when Curtis saw Logan in a new light when he had to defend himself against a drunken Dom who thought he needed a Daddy. He needed a new Dom because his friend who he had an arrangement with since his partner's death ended it unexpectedly.
Their relationship starts basically as a similar arrangement, where Logan who's new to the scene gets practice and Curtis gets the release he needs. Although Curtis fights it, they do become friends and lovers.
When Logan gets hit by a car, Curtis realizes his true feelings, but not before being a dick. In the end, they realize they are meant to be. Curtis even invests in the restaurant when they need the help and Logans parents try to manipulate him by putting conditions on helping.
Obviously, it ends with a strong HEA
Highly recommended
October 10, 2020
LOL, did I pick this one up because of the cover... well yes, yes I did.
I enjoyed the first audiobook in the series, performed by Iggy Toma and Marc Bachmann. Plus I'm always going to go for the age-gap reverse stereotype D/s relationship, and Annabeth Albert writing S&M.
Nice pretty low-angst hurt/comfort tale, a few pop-ins from the first novel, but definitely a standalone.
I enjoyed the first audiobook in the series, performed by Iggy Toma and Marc Bachmann. Plus I'm always going to go for the age-gap reverse stereotype D/s relationship, and Annabeth Albert writing S&M.
Nice pretty low-angst hurt/comfort tale, a few pop-ins from the first novel, but definitely a standalone.
December 24, 2021
I have read a dozen and dozens of Annabeth Albert's books and enjoyed every single one of them. This one...” Tender with a Twist” is a whole new level. The main characters are very opposite...young, coddled, urban chef and older, grief-stricken, small-town artist. The supporting characters...friends, parents etc. are so vehement in their disapproval of this relationship. Logan's parents and Curtis' mother-in-law are so over the top negative and pushy about trying to keep them apart. I can't imagine saying those things to one of my adult children, even if I didn't approve of the relationship. Both Curtis and Logan were way too passive with the way they allowed this behavior. I know that there are families who think they should have some say in who their kids get involved with. These characters were rude and overly pushy. Logan is 27 years old, and Curtis is in his early 40’s. Love doesn't come with an "age-gage", and they are both old enough to make their own decisions even if they should turn out to be wrong. Both guys' friends even were not very supportive.... yet they all said, "We want you to be happy." Even with all the negativity it didn't stop me from loving this book. Very well-written m/m romance with unique, memorable characters. Definitely on my re-read list.
actual rating 4.5 stars
actual rating 4.5 stars
October 16, 2017
*4,5 stars*
The two main reasons why I loved this book: Logan and Curtis.
Curtis must be the grumpiest MC I’ve ever come across. The reasons for his grumpiness are twofold:
a.) he is not allowing himself to live after he lost the love of his life.
b.) he is guarding his heart fiercely out of worry to have it ripped out again.
Basically Curtis is doing one hell of a job depriving himself of anything that vaguely sounds and looks like fun and happiness which includes friendship, love and sex. No wonder he is down in the dumps.
Pessimism seemed to be my default now, the tattered blanket I wrapped myself in when the world met my low expectations.
And fun … Lord, I wasn’t sure I could handle fun.
But that is exactly what Logan seems to offer. He is full of sap and optimism and, after suppressing who he really is for so long, finally wants to become the man he’s had to push aside for so long. Inside and out. And particularly in bed. As a “baby Dom” he has a lot to learn. Things Curtis can teach him.
The push and pull between the two men, with Curtis reluctant and grumbling agreement to give “Dom 101 classes” as a “public service” (LOL!) and Logan’s perseverance to make Curtis smile and acknowledge that ….
… he wanted praise, gentleness, tasty food and kisses.
And Logan knows just how to use his skills as a chef to slowly wear Curtis down!
It is quite the challenge though. Curtis is so stubborn it’s like ramming against a concrete wall.
Of course, other little details don’t help either:
.) the age gap of 15 years
.) survivor’s guilt
.) pressures of work
.) interfering relatives on both sides (and God, what IS wrong with Logan’s parents? Their over-protectiveness - if you can call it that - was so irritating!)
But … the pull between them is strong, and the sex is hot (there is some bondage and spanking, but no worries about any heavy BDSM) and turns more and more affectionate as they go along.
Needless to say it was extremely gratifying to see the walls Curtis has put up around him crumble bit by bit. And Logan is such a sweetie!
Really enjoyed it!
The two main reasons why I loved this book: Logan and Curtis.
Curtis must be the grumpiest MC I’ve ever come across. The reasons for his grumpiness are twofold:
a.) he is not allowing himself to live after he lost the love of his life.
b.) he is guarding his heart fiercely out of worry to have it ripped out again.
Basically Curtis is doing one hell of a job depriving himself of anything that vaguely sounds and looks like fun and happiness which includes friendship, love and sex. No wonder he is down in the dumps.
Pessimism seemed to be my default now, the tattered blanket I wrapped myself in when the world met my low expectations.
And fun … Lord, I wasn’t sure I could handle fun.
But that is exactly what Logan seems to offer. He is full of sap and optimism and, after suppressing who he really is for so long, finally wants to become the man he’s had to push aside for so long. Inside and out. And particularly in bed. As a “baby Dom” he has a lot to learn. Things Curtis can teach him.
The push and pull between the two men, with Curtis reluctant and grumbling agreement to give “Dom 101 classes” as a “public service” (LOL!) and Logan’s perseverance to make Curtis smile and acknowledge that ….
… he wanted praise, gentleness, tasty food and kisses.
And Logan knows just how to use his skills as a chef to slowly wear Curtis down!
It is quite the challenge though. Curtis is so stubborn it’s like ramming against a concrete wall.
Of course, other little details don’t help either:
.) the age gap of 15 years
.) survivor’s guilt
.) pressures of work
.) interfering relatives on both sides (and God, what IS wrong with Logan’s parents? Their over-protectiveness - if you can call it that - was so irritating!)
But … the pull between them is strong, and the sex is hot (there is some bondage and spanking, but no worries about any heavy BDSM) and turns more and more affectionate as they go along.
Needless to say it was extremely gratifying to see the walls Curtis has put up around him crumble bit by bit. And Logan is such a sweetie!
Really enjoyed it!
October 25, 2017
Definitely better than book one in this series! :)
Logan, our 27 years old chef from the previous book, is ready to explore this hidden side of himself, the need to dominate a man, the desire to give pain........
Curtis, a 42 years old wood carver is lost since Troy, the love of his life, died two years ago. His life is all gray, his only hold, the routine of his workday and, one day a month, being the sub of a dom-with-benefits friend, loosing himself in pain......
There's an interesting vibe between these two men right from the start, although they both misjudge the other, letting themselves being fooled by the appearance.
When Curtis discovers this dominance in Logan, he wants a scene with him, a one night only thing. But after this night, Logan can convince Curtis to give him lessons in becoming a perfect dom.
I didn't care much about the whole what Troy deserves drama and about the stupid behavior of Logan's parents, but besides these two points I really enjoyed the book. I loved to see Logan getting more confident, becoming his true self and Curtis working through his grief, allowing himself to love and live again, letting the sun back in his life.
Logan, our 27 years old chef from the previous book, is ready to explore this hidden side of himself, the need to dominate a man, the desire to give pain........
Curtis, a 42 years old wood carver is lost since Troy, the love of his life, died two years ago. His life is all gray, his only hold, the routine of his workday and, one day a month, being the sub of a dom-with-benefits friend, loosing himself in pain......
There's an interesting vibe between these two men right from the start, although they both misjudge the other, letting themselves being fooled by the appearance.
When Curtis discovers this dominance in Logan, he wants a scene with him, a one night only thing. But after this night, Logan can convince Curtis to give him lessons in becoming a perfect dom.
I didn't care much about the whole what Troy deserves drama and about the stupid behavior of Logan's parents, but besides these two points I really enjoyed the book. I loved to see Logan getting more confident, becoming his true self and Curtis working through his grief, allowing himself to love and live again, letting the sun back in his life.
September 22, 2017
Loved this story!! Logan & Curtis are a great couple ~ a 5 star read, can't wait for the next book in this series!
Full RTC
Full RTC
October 2, 2017
4 stars – To say that Tender with a Twist, the second book in Annabeth Albert’s Rainbow Cove series, has a different flavor than the first book in the series, Trust with a Chaser, is a bit of an understatement. I guess it’s also a bit of a kink pun too, as the flavor du jour here is BDSM. But even if you’re like me and it’s not your flavor of choice, the character development and storytelling here is more than enough to make for an enjoyable read.
While it’s certainly not necessary to read the first book in the series in order to enjoy this one, those who have will recognize Logan, one of the three friends who revamped an old tavern into a bar and grill in an effort to make the small, coastal town of Rainbow Cove an LGBT-friendly destination, and Curtis, the grumpy and reclusive wood carver whose long-time lover passed away two years prior, the man who still has Curtis’s heart. A big reason Logan moved was to get away from the life he was living in Portland, a life that wasn’t allowing him to be himself, part of which is exploring his need to be sexually dominant. After an altercation with a customer outside the bar leads Logan and Curtis to see each other in a new light, the two strike a bargain to allow both to get what they need. Logan wants more from the start, but though Curtis can take all the pain he can dish out in the bedroom, Logan knows he needs to handle the man with kid gloves if he wants more to become a reality.
Let’s take care of the gorilla in the room to start. Tender with a Twist does contain elements of bondage, Dom/sub, and S&M spread throughout (only) its sex scenes, mainly those in the first two-thirds of the book. Fair disclosure, I’m not well read in kink, particularly S&M, but even though this has definitely been the most I’ve read in a book, I imagine it’s fairly mild compared to the more hardcore books. While I honestly cannot at all understand the pain-as-pleasure thing, and while reading about it in the past has generally made me uncomfortable, it didn’t really have that effect on me here. I think it’s a testament to this author’s writing style that I can trust her not to make a kink that I’m not into feel yucky, and that’s important because I’m a proponent of the motto “don’t yuck my yum.”
This really shouldn’t surprise me, though, because Annabeth Albert’s writing generally does work for me, regardless of the topic or character types. Even so, this book isn’t solely about kink. There are plenty of tender, sweet, and romantic moments both in and out of the bedroom. Not only does this make the book’s title work particularly well, it fits beautifully with the one of the other themes present in the story. While Logan’s character arc is mostly about fulfilling his sexual desires—yes, there’s more than that, but don’t we all have parental issues?—Curtis’s is the much more emotional one, and his dealing with the grief, loneliness, and stagnation of losing the man he loved for more than half his life is the stronger storyline in Tender with a Twist. And the author tells it in the manner that fit well with my past experiences reading her novels. It’s part believing he doesn’t deserve a second chance at love, part guilt over the idea of stepping on the memory of his dead lover, and part simply being scared of loving and then losing someone again. It was heartfelt and honest, and real.
The only thing that kept this from moving past being really good into being unforgettable was my being a little dissatisfied with the events that trigger the story’s “black moment” and its resolution. I’m not going to spoil details for you, but as good as I thought the author did with showing me Curtis’s emotional baggage throughout the story, dealing with the black moment itself seemed rather disconnected by comparison, as if his emotions were caused by another event that happens. Then, once he’s (very quickly) worked through his concerns and realizes he needs Logan in his life, there are some things Curtis does that we only get to hear about instead of seeing first hand, things that would have made his mental transition much stronger. This results in the denouement lacking the level of emotional punch I thought the storyline deserved. There were feels there, just not the big ones I so hoped for with the build-up the story had, especially since I know the author is capable of delivering them.
All in all, Tender with a Twist is a wonderful read, especially for those who are, like me, nervous about stories being overrun by the kink they contain. Fear not, for at no point did this feel like kink solely for kink’s sake. It’s a wonderfully emotional, yet low-angst, story that incorporates the kink as a part of the journey for the relationship arc it contains, which is exactly what sex scenes of any sort should do for a romance novel. I definitely recommend this one.
The author and/or publisher generously provided me a complimentary copy of Tender with a Twist in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Follow Me: Reviews by Tammy & Kim | Facebook | Twitter
While it’s certainly not necessary to read the first book in the series in order to enjoy this one, those who have will recognize Logan, one of the three friends who revamped an old tavern into a bar and grill in an effort to make the small, coastal town of Rainbow Cove an LGBT-friendly destination, and Curtis, the grumpy and reclusive wood carver whose long-time lover passed away two years prior, the man who still has Curtis’s heart. A big reason Logan moved was to get away from the life he was living in Portland, a life that wasn’t allowing him to be himself, part of which is exploring his need to be sexually dominant. After an altercation with a customer outside the bar leads Logan and Curtis to see each other in a new light, the two strike a bargain to allow both to get what they need. Logan wants more from the start, but though Curtis can take all the pain he can dish out in the bedroom, Logan knows he needs to handle the man with kid gloves if he wants more to become a reality.
Let’s take care of the gorilla in the room to start. Tender with a Twist does contain elements of bondage, Dom/sub, and S&M spread throughout (only) its sex scenes, mainly those in the first two-thirds of the book. Fair disclosure, I’m not well read in kink, particularly S&M, but even though this has definitely been the most I’ve read in a book, I imagine it’s fairly mild compared to the more hardcore books. While I honestly cannot at all understand the pain-as-pleasure thing, and while reading about it in the past has generally made me uncomfortable, it didn’t really have that effect on me here. I think it’s a testament to this author’s writing style that I can trust her not to make a kink that I’m not into feel yucky, and that’s important because I’m a proponent of the motto “don’t yuck my yum.”
This really shouldn’t surprise me, though, because Annabeth Albert’s writing generally does work for me, regardless of the topic or character types. Even so, this book isn’t solely about kink. There are plenty of tender, sweet, and romantic moments both in and out of the bedroom. Not only does this make the book’s title work particularly well, it fits beautifully with the one of the other themes present in the story. While Logan’s character arc is mostly about fulfilling his sexual desires—yes, there’s more than that, but don’t we all have parental issues?—Curtis’s is the much more emotional one, and his dealing with the grief, loneliness, and stagnation of losing the man he loved for more than half his life is the stronger storyline in Tender with a Twist. And the author tells it in the manner that fit well with my past experiences reading her novels. It’s part believing he doesn’t deserve a second chance at love, part guilt over the idea of stepping on the memory of his dead lover, and part simply being scared of loving and then losing someone again. It was heartfelt and honest, and real.
The only thing that kept this from moving past being really good into being unforgettable was my being a little dissatisfied with the events that trigger the story’s “black moment” and its resolution. I’m not going to spoil details for you, but as good as I thought the author did with showing me Curtis’s emotional baggage throughout the story, dealing with the black moment itself seemed rather disconnected by comparison, as if his emotions were caused by another event that happens. Then, once he’s (very quickly) worked through his concerns and realizes he needs Logan in his life, there are some things Curtis does that we only get to hear about instead of seeing first hand, things that would have made his mental transition much stronger. This results in the denouement lacking the level of emotional punch I thought the storyline deserved. There were feels there, just not the big ones I so hoped for with the build-up the story had, especially since I know the author is capable of delivering them.
All in all, Tender with a Twist is a wonderful read, especially for those who are, like me, nervous about stories being overrun by the kink they contain. Fear not, for at no point did this feel like kink solely for kink’s sake. It’s a wonderfully emotional, yet low-angst, story that incorporates the kink as a part of the journey for the relationship arc it contains, which is exactly what sex scenes of any sort should do for a romance novel. I definitely recommend this one.
The author and/or publisher generously provided me a complimentary copy of Tender with a Twist in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Follow Me: Reviews by Tammy & Kim | Facebook | Twitter
October 3, 2017
I enjoyed this one :)
Full RTC...
~*~
This is the second book in the Rainbow Cove series but it can be read as a standalone.
I enjoyed this book. This book follows the love story of Curtis, Nash’s (from book one) friend and Logan, who has invested and owns part of the pub that Mason, the other MC from book one, owns. Logan is the chef at the pub, and he’s really excellent at cooking. He is also 27 going on 19, according to what others say with his preppy looks. He is also described as baby-faced, even by Curtis himself, who even refers to Logan as “kid” for a long while in this book.
But Logan is now who he appears to be on the outside, and is actually a budding Dom. And Curtis, the guy who looks like your typical muscly, bearded lumberjack, is actually happy to be a sub, and loves the feeling of being the “sub space” as it is called in the BDSM world, where it lets him free his mind and let out his real world worries go away for awhile – and he just enjoys the pain.
But Curtis, who is still grieving the loss of his lover/partner and Dom two years prior, Troy, doesn’t notice Logan at first. In fact, he even doesn’t even like Logan all that much. Meanwhile, Logan is crushing, hard.
But during a leather night at the pub, which brings out the BDSM kink crowd, a drunken guy who thinks Logan is a sub gets a little too hands-y and in his space, and Logan shows his dominate side by taking the guy down, which Curtis is around to see, and that starts off these two on their love story.
I thought these two were sweet as much as they were steamy with each other – although for me, it took awhile for Curtis to show real interest in Logan and that dampened my enjoyment of this a tad. I got frustrated with how long he called Logan “kid” and how he seemed to think Logan was “cute” but not much else. That changed as the story went on, though, and we got to see Curtis’ struggle between falling for Logan and being scared of taking a chance, especially since it has only been two years since Troy, his past lover, died. I just think a little more chemistry would have made this a book I could fall in love with.
But I still very much enjoyed this, I enjoyed how these two got to know each other, how well they worked together, and how Logan refused to give up on Curtis.
I do think the device near the end to cause some drama was a little manufactured and an overused one, but it was refreshing how Curtis figured out things on his own without Logan having to spell it out for him, and Curtis came back to Logan, even though he is the one who freaked out out of fear. I loved that, so it was easy to get past the manufactured drama, for the unconventional way it was resolved.
And oh man, I did not like Logan’s parents. They had me gritting my teeth whenever they spoke, wishing Logan would curse them out. Just because you love your family, doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be told off every once in awhile. Having someone love you does not give you a free pass to be a jerk, in my opinion. But Logan held his own against them and I loved that. I was like “you go, bb!” I just wish he had cursed them out too. At least they start to redeem themselves by the end, though.
And the ending was so sweet, too. I was like “awww” because they two deserved their happy ending and what an adorable one it was – with the BDSM kink and all.
I recommend this. It is cute, fun, and enjoyable – especially for a BDSM story (but Logan is soooo sweet in the aftercare and is always so mindful of consent and comfort and it’s wonderful <3)
***ARC provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review***
Full RTC...
~*~
This is the second book in the Rainbow Cove series but it can be read as a standalone.
I enjoyed this book. This book follows the love story of Curtis, Nash’s (from book one) friend and Logan, who has invested and owns part of the pub that Mason, the other MC from book one, owns. Logan is the chef at the pub, and he’s really excellent at cooking. He is also 27 going on 19, according to what others say with his preppy looks. He is also described as baby-faced, even by Curtis himself, who even refers to Logan as “kid” for a long while in this book.
But Logan is now who he appears to be on the outside, and is actually a budding Dom. And Curtis, the guy who looks like your typical muscly, bearded lumberjack, is actually happy to be a sub, and loves the feeling of being the “sub space” as it is called in the BDSM world, where it lets him free his mind and let out his real world worries go away for awhile – and he just enjoys the pain.
But Curtis, who is still grieving the loss of his lover/partner and Dom two years prior, Troy, doesn’t notice Logan at first. In fact, he even doesn’t even like Logan all that much. Meanwhile, Logan is crushing, hard.
But during a leather night at the pub, which brings out the BDSM kink crowd, a drunken guy who thinks Logan is a sub gets a little too hands-y and in his space, and Logan shows his dominate side by taking the guy down, which Curtis is around to see, and that starts off these two on their love story.
I thought these two were sweet as much as they were steamy with each other – although for me, it took awhile for Curtis to show real interest in Logan and that dampened my enjoyment of this a tad. I got frustrated with how long he called Logan “kid” and how he seemed to think Logan was “cute” but not much else. That changed as the story went on, though, and we got to see Curtis’ struggle between falling for Logan and being scared of taking a chance, especially since it has only been two years since Troy, his past lover, died. I just think a little more chemistry would have made this a book I could fall in love with.
But I still very much enjoyed this, I enjoyed how these two got to know each other, how well they worked together, and how Logan refused to give up on Curtis.
I do think the device near the end to cause some drama was a little manufactured and an overused one, but it was refreshing how Curtis figured out things on his own without Logan having to spell it out for him, and Curtis came back to Logan, even though he is the one who freaked out out of fear. I loved that, so it was easy to get past the manufactured drama, for the unconventional way it was resolved.
And oh man, I did not like Logan’s parents. They had me gritting my teeth whenever they spoke, wishing Logan would curse them out. Just because you love your family, doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be told off every once in awhile. Having someone love you does not give you a free pass to be a jerk, in my opinion. But Logan held his own against them and I loved that. I was like “you go, bb!” I just wish he had cursed them out too. At least they start to redeem themselves by the end, though.
And the ending was so sweet, too. I was like “awww” because they two deserved their happy ending and what an adorable one it was – with the BDSM kink and all.
I recommend this. It is cute, fun, and enjoyable – especially for a BDSM story (but Logan is soooo sweet in the aftercare and is always so mindful of consent and comfort and it’s wonderful <3)
***ARC provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review***
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