Waiting for Candy

Portland Heat #5.1

by Annabeth Albert

Free short story, available exclusively for newsletter subscribers. It features Bryce and Clark, from Waiting for Clark along with some Portland Heat characters crossover.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Holiday, Short Stories, Novella, LGBT

20 pages, ebook

First published October 17, 2016

About the author

Frequent 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.

Reviews

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Very short fic, featuring Bryce and Clark from Waiting for Clark as well as Chris and Lance from Delivered Fast

Apparently after Bryce proposed to Clark at the end of Waiting for Clark, they are now married, and have been preparing themselves to adopt. Clark is the one who is certain, while Bryce is the one who drags his feet, not sure whether he's ready to be a parent.

Since this is very short, I am not really sure whether the time that passes is enough to convince me that Bryce is really ready -- just based on that scene where he says he wants the house to be filled with kids laughter. Maybe Clark and Bryce still need time; I don't see anything wrong with waiting. Maybe after Bryce has been around Tony's kids or Patsy's kids or Chris' & Lance's kids, he finally knows for sure?

Having said that, it is lovely to see that Bryce and Clark is going strong. I love them so. Waiting for Clark is one of my favorites from last year's Don't Read in the Closet event. I even re-read the novella before I started this (I know!!) I don't re-read often but I did it this time and I still loved the novella so much

[Bibliophilic Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 2.5 / 5

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short. Sigh. That's what happens with these ficlets. I loved seeing Bryce and Clark and everybody else again, but I want them to get a loooooonger story. :) 3.5 stars

[h o l l i s · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked confronting things head-on, talking them out and coming up with an action plan. Bryce, on the other hand, was a championship-caliber brooder.

Just when I was pouting over the fact that WAITING FOR CLARK was a standalone, I found WAITING FOR CANDY and got double my pleasure : not just Clark and Bryce, my newly discovered all-time Albert couple, but another set of my favourite Portland Heat boys, Chris and Lance from DELIVERED FAST.

"Lance and Chris will be there. You and Chris can be grumpy over in a corner together."

This was so funny. So adorable. So sweet. So full of feels.

Oh how I loved this man. He was grumpy over the loss of his Saturday, conflicted over the adoption process, and still his first thought was whether or not the kids would have enough candy.

I loved this little snippet of life down the road for these two couples and how they overlapped. I liked seeing a tiny brief glimpse of the rest of Bryce's Nerd Army and how they all rose to the challenge presented and became real-life superheroes to someone in need. It was all so hopeful and wonderful and reading this felt like being wrapped up in a warm blanket. Because I'm a sap.

"I don't need perfect. Not hardly. I just need you. That's all."

Is it too soon to already want even more of these two? These four? All of them? I am such Albert trash and I am not ashamed.

4 "you're a loon and I love you" stars

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awwwwww Parenthood is scary, and there's never a perfect time. You just have to jump in with both feet. A sweet story

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet short read, a catch up on hopes and dreams.

[UltraMeital · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short novella is a sort of a cross between the characters from Portland Heat - specifically Chris and Lance and Bryce and Clark from "Waiting for Clark". Both couples are struggling with taking the plunge into filling for adoption. While Clark and Lance are sure about what they want, Chris and Bryce bond over them NOT being ready but after helping a new mutual friend they realize that maybe they are.

I'm not sure why I felt like I was missing a "story" in this one. It's either that or I simply couldn't connect with the subject? I wonder if I would have felt differently if I just finished their book and was more focused on the couple and their interaction? Not really sure.

More Reviews HERE

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

From Chris’ perspective (from Delivered Fast). How Bryce and Clark from Waiting For Clark met Chris and Lance from Portland Heat. A good, sweet, emotionally intense story about a few same sex couples all working towards foster/adoption. And the decision of “Am I ready for this?”, which in my experience is still no, even if I’ve been a parent for almost 20 years.

Freebie from author.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Series: Portland Heat #5.1
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it

This is a short bonus story featuring Clark and Bryce from Waiting for Clark and Chris and Lance from Delivered Fast. This was a brief glimpse of these four men, and the Nerd Army, banding together to help a foster mom get set up for her first kids and starting the process of adopting their own. It was short and sweet.

[Shelley Chastagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific short story for those of us that love Waiting for Clark. I enjoyed getting to see Clark and Bryce a bit into their future. Bryce and Chris, from Delivered Fast, have become friends and it's obvious they share a lot in common ... like their fears of starting a family. I like that Bryce opens up a bit to Chris and seeks reassurance. I love that Clark is willing to wait for Bryce to come to a place where he's ready to take the next step. I hope we get another novella or even better a book that lets us be part of their new adventure.
Adult read

[Paisleyrowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Endearing and sweet and catches you right in the feels.

[Tetkaripli · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Marlobo ♥ epilogues · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I loved the support from the Nerd Army.

[Sandrabookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best if you've read all the related books, but a fun story nonetheless.

[Bárbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

For something so short, this had too much drama (internal conflict) and it wrapped up just too conveniently.
As it is, the cutesy cover is rather deceitful.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this maybe a bit better than the actual novella

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and sweet, and quick, little read.
I haven't read the Portland Heat series yet, but it's on my agenda for 2024, along with the rest of Ms. Albert's backlist!

[Fedora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute epilogue for Waiting for Clark!

[Jenn (not Lily) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watching all these guys pull together and prepare to make a home...so sweet!

[Rissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want more! I love the meeting of characters from different books! :)

I definitely like being able to read about Bryce and Clark again (of course, Chris and Lance as well)!

Enjoyed this short story!

[Kendra T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. I haven't read "Waiting for Clark" yuet, and saw this as a companion to "Delivered Fast". It was great either way. I definitely want to go read Clark and Bryce's story.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this from Annabeth Albert through the InstaFreebie giveaway program.

Since I've read so many of her Portland Heat books this fit in perfectly. I love how the different characters approach the foster-adoption-parenting process.

A lovely story about not setting expectations too high. About being realistic. And recognizing that the small things you do have a big impact on the lives of others.

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful short story - a freebie for Annabeth Albert's newsletter subscribers. I very much enjoyed getting another glimpse into the life of Clark and Bryce. It was also great to read some more about Chris and Lance.

[Staphysagria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about two gay couples taking first steps toward parenthood with all the insecurities common to first time parents. I like to feel along with the diverse characters made easy by writing chapters from altering points of view. You will love these guys!

[Wax · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short. Love catching up with some favorite characters.

[Otterpuss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short catch up.

[Ea_reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little tidbit with Clark and Bryce AND Chris and Lance. Sweet!

[mythicgeek]

not my cup of tea. not rating it because there's nothing wrong with it, i just wasn't feeling this plot