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Bold Brew #1
Cup of Joe
Sometimes an ordinary Joe is all you need…
Newbie barista Levi Miles is having a bad day in the middle of a bad month. He’s trying to figure out post-graduation life, and a recent breakup hasn’t helped. The one bright spot? The charming blue-collar customer with the simple order and reassuring voice.
Electrician Joe Simmons can make anything light up—except his love life. As he gets older, he remains unsure about what he wants from a relationship. But an innocent flirtation with the fresh-faced barista is exactly what his ego needs.
Levi doesn’t need a boyfriend. Or a Daddy. But bantering with Joe feels so good, and when their tentative friendship takes a turn for the sexy, a summer fling seems fun. Exploring long-held desires brings them closer with each steamy night, and the idea of parting gets harder.
But Levi’s only in town temporarily, and the end of summer is approaching. Both are reluctant to disclose their feelings, but pushing past their fears may be the only way to keep this special thing going. Can they order up a happy ending before time runs out?
Cup of Joe is a stand-alone novel in the multi-author Bold Brew shared universe centered around an inclusive coffee shop set in a fictional small city. Each steaming hot coffee shop romance can be enjoyed alone, but collect all ten for the most fun! This 53,000 word age gap story contains a reluctant Daddy, lots of fluffy steam exploring new desires, low angst, and a guaranteed happy ending!
Newbie barista Levi Miles is having a bad day in the middle of a bad month. He’s trying to figure out post-graduation life, and a recent breakup hasn’t helped. The one bright spot? The charming blue-collar customer with the simple order and reassuring voice.
Electrician Joe Simmons can make anything light up—except his love life. As he gets older, he remains unsure about what he wants from a relationship. But an innocent flirtation with the fresh-faced barista is exactly what his ego needs.
Levi doesn’t need a boyfriend. Or a Daddy. But bantering with Joe feels so good, and when their tentative friendship takes a turn for the sexy, a summer fling seems fun. Exploring long-held desires brings them closer with each steamy night, and the idea of parting gets harder.
But Levi’s only in town temporarily, and the end of summer is approaching. Both are reluctant to disclose their feelings, but pushing past their fears may be the only way to keep this special thing going. Can they order up a happy ending before time runs out?
Cup of Joe is a stand-alone novel in the multi-author Bold Brew shared universe centered around an inclusive coffee shop set in a fictional small city. Each steaming hot coffee shop romance can be enjoyed alone, but collect all ten for the most fun! This 53,000 word age gap story contains a reluctant Daddy, lots of fluffy steam exploring new desires, low angst, and a guaranteed happy ending!
6 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 25, 2021
275 people are currently reading
1012 people want to read
About the author
Annabeth Albert
110 books3,752 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 308 reviews
February 27, 2021
I'm a total Annabeth Albert fangirl, so this book was calling my name. And I enjoyed it. Mostly.
Cup of Joe is low-key, sweet, and mildly kinky. Joe's visceral reaction to Levi's sexy panties is seriously adorable.
Levi is getting over a crappy relationship that left him in a bad place, but the relationship angst is minimal. Both men have supportive families, so no family drama.
Sadly, the ending is at best lukewarm. Levi is quick to point out that he's staying in town for himself, not for Joe, which is kind of assholish imo. Maybe he shouldn't stay just for Joe, but admitting that the relationship is important to you shouldn't be a big deal.
Also, where did the true I love yous go?
Cup of Joe is low-key, sweet, and mildly kinky. Joe's visceral reaction to Levi's sexy panties is seriously adorable.
Levi is getting over a crappy relationship that left him in a bad place, but the relationship angst is minimal. Both men have supportive families, so no family drama.
Sadly, the ending is at best lukewarm. Levi is quick to point out that he's staying in town for himself, not for Joe, which is kind of assholish imo. Maybe he shouldn't stay just for Joe, but admitting that the relationship is important to you shouldn't be a big deal.
Also, where did the true I love yous go?
March 2, 2023
3 ‘’you’re trouble’’ stars
I’m really sorry book, I really wanted to enjoy you more than I did. This book has everything I normally look for in a book, low angst, really sweet and really fucking hot, which is all I normally need. But i’m so grumpy lately (i’m in the middle of my midterms and it’s been a struggle) and my normal reads just don’t seem to work as well as they normally do. I take all the blame for the fact that I didn’t love this because I probably would have liked it way more had I read it any other week.
Brief summary: Levi is 22 and works at the local coffee shop, this is where he meets Joe, who is 35. Levi just ended a bad relationship so they start by having a kinky arrangement during which Joe discovers that he really loves being Levi’s daddy and then they fall in love.
What I loved:
I really loved Joe. I loved how strong and good he was. He was perfect daddy material and he was always there for Levi and I loved that about him. I also loved how he wasn’t perfect, he had flaws and he owned up to them and he apologized when he did something wrong. I really don’t like when the daddy is portrayed as perfect, I much prefer a flawed daddy so I really loved Joe for that, he felt really realistic. I also really loved how attentionate he was. He always focused on Levi felt and made sure that Levi was alright and I really loved that about him. I loved how he did that while also making sure that he had what he wanted. It was a good balance. I really enjoyed Joe’s character.
I also really loved Levi, he was so sweet. I loved how we was a bit lost and how he was just trying to find his way in the world and what he wants. I could definitely relate to his character and I really enjoy that about him, he felt really realistic. I also adored when he let his bratty side come out and play, it was so fun to read.
God this book was hot. All of the sex scenes were so damn good. I really liked how everything happened during them and everything was described in a very nice way. Special mention to the panties kink, praise kink Levi had and the daddy kink, I loved those very much. They added to the sex scenes very nicely.
What I enjoyed less:
Everything just happened way too fast for me. I would have prefered a little conflict or something. I just thought it all was so easy, expecially since Levi had just come out of bad relationship, I thought it was a bit unrealistic how fast he jumped in a new one and how he never had a problem there. Also, I thought it was a bit weird how they had know each other for like a day and Joe kept saying how Levi made him want new kinky things he never wanted before (the list was really long too, it wasn’t just a few things). I understand how kink evolves and how being with someone can make you discover new stuff you enjoy... but that generally takes more than a day. Joe discovered about 5 new kinks he never thought he was into in a day, it just was way too fast for me. I needed a bit more leading up to that. I also didn’t enjoy how fast Joe broke his resolve. One day he was all against being with Levi because Levi is young and he just had been through a breakup and a couple of hours after, they had sex and that was it. He didn’t have any more doubts after that. It didn’t feel realistic to me how fast this went. I needed it to take a bit more time.
I also didn’t enjoy how they didn’t communicate. The only conflict in this entire book could have been resolved by them having a 5 minutes conversation. Just. Talk. Dammit. It’s not that hard, I swear!
Also, the break up at 75% got on my nerves, I don’t like that trope in general but it could have been fixed by them talking and it really didn’t need to happen. It didn’t bring anything to the book that talking couldn’t have brought, wouldn’t have been much easier if they just communicated.
I liked how sweet and hot this book was, it probably would have been perfect for me it I was in a better mood while reading it.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange of my honest opinion
I’m really sorry book, I really wanted to enjoy you more than I did. This book has everything I normally look for in a book, low angst, really sweet and really fucking hot, which is all I normally need. But i’m so grumpy lately (i’m in the middle of my midterms and it’s been a struggle) and my normal reads just don’t seem to work as well as they normally do. I take all the blame for the fact that I didn’t love this because I probably would have liked it way more had I read it any other week.
Brief summary: Levi is 22 and works at the local coffee shop, this is where he meets Joe, who is 35. Levi just ended a bad relationship so they start by having a kinky arrangement during which Joe discovers that he really loves being Levi’s daddy and then they fall in love.
What I loved:
I really loved Joe. I loved how strong and good he was. He was perfect daddy material and he was always there for Levi and I loved that about him. I also loved how he wasn’t perfect, he had flaws and he owned up to them and he apologized when he did something wrong. I really don’t like when the daddy is portrayed as perfect, I much prefer a flawed daddy so I really loved Joe for that, he felt really realistic. I also really loved how attentionate he was. He always focused on Levi felt and made sure that Levi was alright and I really loved that about him. I loved how he did that while also making sure that he had what he wanted. It was a good balance. I really enjoyed Joe’s character.
I also really loved Levi, he was so sweet. I loved how we was a bit lost and how he was just trying to find his way in the world and what he wants. I could definitely relate to his character and I really enjoy that about him, he felt really realistic. I also adored when he let his bratty side come out and play, it was so fun to read.
God this book was hot. All of the sex scenes were so damn good. I really liked how everything happened during them and everything was described in a very nice way. Special mention to the panties kink, praise kink Levi had and the daddy kink, I loved those very much. They added to the sex scenes very nicely.
What I enjoyed less:
Everything just happened way too fast for me. I would have prefered a little conflict or something. I just thought it all was so easy, expecially since Levi had just come out of bad relationship, I thought it was a bit unrealistic how fast he jumped in a new one and how he never had a problem there. Also, I thought it was a bit weird how they had know each other for like a day and Joe kept saying how Levi made him want new kinky things he never wanted before (the list was really long too, it wasn’t just a few things). I understand how kink evolves and how being with someone can make you discover new stuff you enjoy... but that generally takes more than a day. Joe discovered about 5 new kinks he never thought he was into in a day, it just was way too fast for me. I needed a bit more leading up to that. I also didn’t enjoy how fast Joe broke his resolve. One day he was all against being with Levi because Levi is young and he just had been through a breakup and a couple of hours after, they had sex and that was it. He didn’t have any more doubts after that. It didn’t feel realistic to me how fast this went. I needed it to take a bit more time.
I also didn’t enjoy how they didn’t communicate. The only conflict in this entire book could have been resolved by them having a 5 minutes conversation. Just. Talk. Dammit. It’s not that hard, I swear!
Also, the break up at 75% got on my nerves, I don’t like that trope in general but it could have been fixed by them talking and it really didn’t need to happen. It didn’t bring anything to the book that talking couldn’t have brought, wouldn’t have been much easier if they just communicated.
I liked how sweet and hot this book was, it probably would have been perfect for me it I was in a better mood while reading it.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange of my honest opinion
May 18, 2024
A delicious fluffy BDSM story with age gap and lace. Very light Daddy-kink, a bit of spanking and control, but really very soft and harmonious.
I love watching Levi gradually thrive and how Joe just melts in his presence.
Him begging was turning out to be my personal kryptonite, the thing that undid all the careful control that I was usually so proud of. 💗🫠💗
They both learn to trust their instincts and their kinks flow together perfectly.
Groaning softly, he traced my lips with his thumb. “You make it very tough to do the right thing.”
“So do the wrong one maybe.” Swinging a leg over, I straddled his thighs. And waited. 🍭😳🍭
It's the thoughtfulness that really got me. I love this kind of harmony.
I’d been working with instincts I’d been previously unaware of, but it had seemed to work, the way he’d reached some sort of magical, deep sub space I’d only seen a handful of times. Felt like a privilege, getting to see him that raw and open, like witnessing a shooting star, not something to be squandered. ✨🫠✨
It's a short book so you shouldn't expect too much, certainly more of their story should have been put down on paper to make it perfect, but it's good enough for me. And the epilogue is not overly cheesy but just gives a nice tiny preview and stays true to the previous narrative.
I love watching Levi gradually thrive and how Joe just melts in his presence.
Him begging was turning out to be my personal kryptonite, the thing that undid all the careful control that I was usually so proud of. 💗🫠💗
They both learn to trust their instincts and their kinks flow together perfectly.
Groaning softly, he traced my lips with his thumb. “You make it very tough to do the right thing.”
“So do the wrong one maybe.” Swinging a leg over, I straddled his thighs. And waited. 🍭😳🍭
It's the thoughtfulness that really got me. I love this kind of harmony.
I’d been working with instincts I’d been previously unaware of, but it had seemed to work, the way he’d reached some sort of magical, deep sub space I’d only seen a handful of times. Felt like a privilege, getting to see him that raw and open, like witnessing a shooting star, not something to be squandered. ✨🫠✨
It's a short book so you shouldn't expect too much, certainly more of their story should have been put down on paper to make it perfect, but it's good enough for me. And the epilogue is not overly cheesy but just gives a nice tiny preview and stays true to the previous narrative.
May 24, 2021
*3.5 stars*
Sweet, daddy kink-lite story.
Sweet, daddy kink-lite story.
March 11, 2021
3.5 Stars
Cup of Joe is a sweet and steamy M/M romance, featuring a young barista named Levi and a slightly-older electrician named Joe.
Levi and Joe develop an instant and easy connection, which begins during Joe’s daily coffee run and grows all the more meaningful than either could have predicted, as they discover their shared craving of various sexual kinks.
These two are a great fit together, complementing one another nicely both in and out of the bedroom. I liked how Joe helped Levi become more self-assured and bolder, and I loved how Levi adored gentle-giant Joe in return, squashing any insecurities Joe had about his body and desirability, building his confidence scene-by-scene in his natural fit as Levi's daddy dom.
In truth, I’m probably not the target audience for this story as I’m not particularly one for overt kink/BDSM elements in my romances. I tend to shy away from anything too BDSM heavy in my book choices, which is fine because this was fairly tame in that regard. It also helps that I have a long-standing soft spot for author Annabeth Albert and her stories, so I was willing to test the waters, so to speak, with this first offering in what is a running lite-kink themed, multi-author series, all set in and around the Bold Brew coffee shop.
Ultimately, I liked it, but didn’t love it, which is completely fine. I didn’t particularly have anything that bothered me or contributed to my neutral enjoyment; I simply didn’t feel wowed by the story or the characters, even though they were perfectly lovely characters to be sure.
For me, this story was the definition of easy, breezy reading—quality writing, feel-good vibe, nice characters, low relationship angst and cruise-y story progression. For all of this, I appreciated and valued the story, and I may even find myself exploring more of the series in the near future.
Cup of Joe is a sweet and steamy M/M romance, featuring a young barista named Levi and a slightly-older electrician named Joe.
Levi and Joe develop an instant and easy connection, which begins during Joe’s daily coffee run and grows all the more meaningful than either could have predicted, as they discover their shared craving of various sexual kinks.
These two are a great fit together, complementing one another nicely both in and out of the bedroom. I liked how Joe helped Levi become more self-assured and bolder, and I loved how Levi adored gentle-giant Joe in return, squashing any insecurities Joe had about his body and desirability, building his confidence scene-by-scene in his natural fit as Levi's daddy dom.
In truth, I’m probably not the target audience for this story as I’m not particularly one for overt kink/BDSM elements in my romances. I tend to shy away from anything too BDSM heavy in my book choices, which is fine because this was fairly tame in that regard. It also helps that I have a long-standing soft spot for author Annabeth Albert and her stories, so I was willing to test the waters, so to speak, with this first offering in what is a running lite-kink themed, multi-author series, all set in and around the Bold Brew coffee shop.
Ultimately, I liked it, but didn’t love it, which is completely fine. I didn’t particularly have anything that bothered me or contributed to my neutral enjoyment; I simply didn’t feel wowed by the story or the characters, even though they were perfectly lovely characters to be sure.
For me, this story was the definition of easy, breezy reading—quality writing, feel-good vibe, nice characters, low relationship angst and cruise-y story progression. For all of this, I appreciated and valued the story, and I may even find myself exploring more of the series in the near future.
December 8, 2021
AUDIO REVIEW 12/8/21
3 Stars for the narrator
The narrator is Cooper North. This is my first time listening to him narrate. He wasn't great and he wasn't necessarily bad I just didn't really mesh well with his voice. For me, he wasn't consistent with the MCs voices. It's as if he would forget which MC he was suppose to be at times. He did do well with the sex scenes so, I give him credit for that.
I was given an ARC of the audiobook. This is my honest review.
ORIGINAL REVIEW 2/11/21
3 Naughty Boy Stars for the story
This Cup of Joe comes with lots of sweetness and a side of sexy daddy/boy kink.
Joe is a 35 year old electrician who walks into his usual coffee house and spots a new barrista. Levi is a 22 year old who is fresh out of college and crappy relationship. The two have an immediate attraction.
The relationship is suppose to be a "rebound" for Levi and a fun time for Joe but the more time spent together the more the feelings between them change. However, Levi's age and inexperience is a constant worry for Joe. Where for Levi it is Joe's put together life that worries him. He is not sure he can fit into Joe's world with all his short comings. The two have to work through their issues and self-doubt if they want to make what they have work.
Overall, it was a solid read. A little to insta for me and not enough depth to the characters. As for the sexual relationship it was a sweet version of the dynamic. A nice introduction to the town and the coffee shop that the series will fall around. I do look forward to the other books in the series.
* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
3 Stars for the narrator
The narrator is Cooper North. This is my first time listening to him narrate. He wasn't great and he wasn't necessarily bad I just didn't really mesh well with his voice. For me, he wasn't consistent with the MCs voices. It's as if he would forget which MC he was suppose to be at times. He did do well with the sex scenes so, I give him credit for that.
I was given an ARC of the audiobook. This is my honest review.
ORIGINAL REVIEW 2/11/21
3 Naughty Boy Stars for the story
This Cup of Joe comes with lots of sweetness and a side of sexy daddy/boy kink.
Joe is a 35 year old electrician who walks into his usual coffee house and spots a new barrista. Levi is a 22 year old who is fresh out of college and crappy relationship. The two have an immediate attraction.
The relationship is suppose to be a "rebound" for Levi and a fun time for Joe but the more time spent together the more the feelings between them change. However, Levi's age and inexperience is a constant worry for Joe. Where for Levi it is Joe's put together life that worries him. He is not sure he can fit into Joe's world with all his short comings. The two have to work through their issues and self-doubt if they want to make what they have work.
Overall, it was a solid read. A little to insta for me and not enough depth to the characters. As for the sexual relationship it was a sweet version of the dynamic. A nice introduction to the town and the coffee shop that the series will fall around. I do look forward to the other books in the series.
* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
December 23, 2021
Annabeth Albert is one of my favorites for m/m romance novels...I think I have read almost all of them and I've never given any less than 4 stars. It was almost painful giving the first book in this new series a 3-star rating. The story was good...I really liked the two characters and how they interacted with one another. What I didn't care for was the way young Levi spoke to Joe. With Joe's encouragement and permission, Levi called him "Daddy" when they were together. I know all people have different likes and dislikes... once or twice would not have been so bad...but it was every single time. It seemed that it demeaned Joe and lessened Levi's respect for the man he was falling in love with. I did like that there was a "happily ever after" at the end, but the "Daddy" thing was just too much of a turn off for me to rate it any higher.
February 26, 2021
* 3.5 stars *
"Cup of Joe" is the book that introduces us to a new multiple authors series that centers around a coffee shop called Bold Brew.
In the first installment, written by Annabeth Albert, we meet Joe and Levi. Levi has just moved to Laurelsburg, Pennsylvania and taken a job at the coffee shop after discovering that his boyfriend, which he met online, was lying to him. He relocated to be with him so now that he's alone he plans to only stay there for the summer and then move back home and look for a job in his field.
Joe is an electrician and a regular at Bold Brew and he takes an interest in Levi right from the start. He's older and he has family in the area, but mainly he's just as alone as Levi.
The two hit it off immediately and begin a relationship that was supposed to be just a friends with benefits arrangement but I don't think it was ever just that.
They are both interested in a relationship with mild D/s elements and they experimented with it a little bit, but to me it seemed more like role play. The whole thing was pretty light, so don't let the mention of a Daddy in the blurb scare you off. They just add a little spice to their vanilla.
So anyway, Joe and Levi spend a lot of time together during the summer and they reach a point where they can't pretend their relationship doesn't matter. They have to make some serious decisions about their future, mainly Levi as he's supposed to be leaving at the end of the summer.
There are enough interesting side characters to make the story more engaging and realistic. Aside from Levi's ex, Rick, which was a little like a caricature evil character, the rest of them were nice. I wonder if Blake will have a story of his own...
"Cup of Joe" is a pleasant story that reads easily. It's fairly angst free and makes a great read for a cold evening, as it's full of warm feelings and takes place in the middle of summer.
A promissing start to this new series!
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
"Cup of Joe" is the book that introduces us to a new multiple authors series that centers around a coffee shop called Bold Brew.
In the first installment, written by Annabeth Albert, we meet Joe and Levi. Levi has just moved to Laurelsburg, Pennsylvania and taken a job at the coffee shop after discovering that his boyfriend, which he met online, was lying to him. He relocated to be with him so now that he's alone he plans to only stay there for the summer and then move back home and look for a job in his field.
Joe is an electrician and a regular at Bold Brew and he takes an interest in Levi right from the start. He's older and he has family in the area, but mainly he's just as alone as Levi.
The two hit it off immediately and begin a relationship that was supposed to be just a friends with benefits arrangement but I don't think it was ever just that.
They are both interested in a relationship with mild D/s elements and they experimented with it a little bit, but to me it seemed more like role play. The whole thing was pretty light, so don't let the mention of a Daddy in the blurb scare you off. They just add a little spice to their vanilla.
So anyway, Joe and Levi spend a lot of time together during the summer and they reach a point where they can't pretend their relationship doesn't matter. They have to make some serious decisions about their future, mainly Levi as he's supposed to be leaving at the end of the summer.
There are enough interesting side characters to make the story more engaging and realistic. Aside from Levi's ex, Rick, which was a little like a caricature evil character, the rest of them were nice. I wonder if Blake will have a story of his own...
"Cup of Joe" is a pleasant story that reads easily. It's fairly angst free and makes a great read for a cold evening, as it's full of warm feelings and takes place in the middle of summer.
A promissing start to this new series!
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
August 13, 2021
review to follow
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May 1, 2025DNF 40%
Listen this could be a good book for some people I am just not about the daddy kink. It doesn’t so it for me and it makes me like embarrassed for some reason. To each their own. I’m also not much of a BDSM person either. But I got this book when it was on sale on audiable a while ago for like 2 bucks so and I didn’t even read the synopsis so it’s literally my fault. So yeah I’m sure this is for someone but not me. 🤧
Listen this could be a good book for some people I am just not about the daddy kink. It doesn’t so it for me and it makes me like embarrassed for some reason. To each their own. I’m also not much of a BDSM person either. But I got this book when it was on sale on audiable a while ago for like 2 bucks so and I didn’t even read the synopsis so it’s literally my fault. So yeah I’m sure this is for someone but not me. 🤧
February 28, 2021
Cup of Joe by Annabeth Albert is a cute fluffy read.
-Age gap
-Mild kink
-Steam
-Insta-lovish
-Enjoyable cast of secondary characters
-No crazy drama
-Dual POVs.
If you're in the mood for a feel-good story, this one will hit the spot.
-Age gap
-Mild kink
-Steam
-Insta-lovish
-Enjoyable cast of secondary characters
-No crazy drama
-Dual POVs.
If you're in the mood for a feel-good story, this one will hit the spot.
Read
March 5, 20213 estrellas y siendo muy generosa, la historia tiene cero de profundidad, no es aburrida, pero aporta poco. Muy superficial y facilona.
June 24, 2022
3.25*
February 18, 2021
This was a sweet, age-gap, low angst read with a lot of steamy times that came with a nice side of mild kink. Joe and Levi were really cute together. They hit it off right away and had a pretty insta attraction to each other, which developed into much more over time. I really liked both MCs, especially Levi who, despite wanting a daddy-dom, was a very strong an independent young man. There was also a really nice cast of family and friends to round out the story. I'm looking forward to seeing more of these characters in future Bold Brew books!
November 20, 2022
I loved CUP OF JOE so much and it’s the super low angst and kinky romance that I needed in my life! Joe and Levi were just the absolute best characters and watching them fall for each other was so much fun. Both of them are interested in kink and want to explore some new kinds and even though Joe is resistant at first because of their age gap, he quickly falls for Levi's dimples and energetic personality. Levi’s confidence isn’t always the best and he loves nothing more than to be praised for doing something right and Joe notices this right away and always has a nice thing to say to Levi.
These two had so much chemistry and I loved the way Joe would take care of Levi, in and out the bedroom. Joe was the softest cinnamon roll ever and that perfect blend of sweet and sexy that I love so much from Annabeth Albert. And I adored the moments when Levi would care for Joe in his own way, showing Joe that he was perfect exactly as he was. Seriously, if you like characters that are nice, caring, and supportive of each other then you should read CUP OF JOE right away!
CUP OF JOE also kicks off a new multi-author series centered on a LGBTQ+ and kink friendly coffee shop. I can't wait to read the other books in the series as they come out.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
"You're trouble," I whispered.
"Man, I hope so." He grinned.
And I was doomed. So doomed.
- - - - -
"Have at me." I spread my arms wide for emphasis. Have at me. My body. My brain. My heart. All his.
- - - - -
"Sure, I'd like to be your Dom long- term, Levi, but I want more than that. I want to be your boyfriend. Your partner."
- - - - -
Someday, I was going to take Levi home for good. But I could wait for that day, for the right moment, because I trusted our path now. One way or another, we were meant to be.
These two had so much chemistry and I loved the way Joe would take care of Levi, in and out the bedroom. Joe was the softest cinnamon roll ever and that perfect blend of sweet and sexy that I love so much from Annabeth Albert. And I adored the moments when Levi would care for Joe in his own way, showing Joe that he was perfect exactly as he was. Seriously, if you like characters that are nice, caring, and supportive of each other then you should read CUP OF JOE right away!
CUP OF JOE also kicks off a new multi-author series centered on a LGBTQ+ and kink friendly coffee shop. I can't wait to read the other books in the series as they come out.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
"You're trouble," I whispered.
"Man, I hope so." He grinned.
And I was doomed. So doomed.
- - - - -
"Have at me." I spread my arms wide for emphasis. Have at me. My body. My brain. My heart. All his.
- - - - -
"Sure, I'd like to be your Dom long- term, Levi, but I want more than that. I want to be your boyfriend. Your partner."
- - - - -
Someday, I was going to take Levi home for good. But I could wait for that day, for the right moment, because I trusted our path now. One way or another, we were meant to be.
May 22, 2023
I really enjoy Annabeth Alberts writing and while I enjoyed this one I definitely didn't love it. Actually the more I think about it the more I'm disappointed in it. Maybe becuase everyone was giving it 4 stars + and I went in with too high expectations. Let me do a coffee analogy - say you ordered a cold brew with an extra shot of espresso and what you received was a watered down iced decaf.... Yeah that's just how I felt. While I liked our main characters the intimate aspect was underwhelming too me becuase I read a good amount of quality BDSM / kink and this just didn't live up to me .
March 3, 2021
Ahhh, look at these wonderful bookshelf tags for this book.
This is definitely one of Annabeth's steamier stories I feel like, and I absolutely loved it. I really loved Joe and Levi and how easy they fell for each other at the beginning. I wish the conflict had been a bit less due to lack of communication and both men having assumptions about the other, but overall I really loved this.
If you're a fan of daddy kink w/no age play, some pretty lace, and age gap, this is a great novella. It sets the stage nicely for the future books to come in this multi-author series.
This is definitely one of Annabeth's steamier stories I feel like, and I absolutely loved it. I really loved Joe and Levi and how easy they fell for each other at the beginning. I wish the conflict had been a bit less due to lack of communication and both men having assumptions about the other, but overall I really loved this.
If you're a fan of daddy kink w/no age play, some pretty lace, and age gap, this is a great novella. It sets the stage nicely for the future books to come in this multi-author series.
July 31, 2022
3.75 I was pleasantly surprised by this one
I have a love hate relationship with novellas - I like the idea of enjoying a more compact story but I have a hard time connecting with characters in a shorter amount of time
I was surprised by how quickly I liked both the characters as individuals and their relationship
but I think because it was going so well I actually was left wanting at the end
overall a fun, quick read
I have a love hate relationship with novellas - I like the idea of enjoying a more compact story but I have a hard time connecting with characters in a shorter amount of time
I was surprised by how quickly I liked both the characters as individuals and their relationship
but I think because it was going so well I actually was left wanting at the end
overall a fun, quick read
Read
February 20, 2021Loved this book!
RTC
RTC
February 25, 2021
The first entry in a new multi-authors series, Albert’s CUP OF JOE set the premises that would be the center as well the name of the series - Bold Brew - rather nicely. Taking the spot on this fast pace, mild-kinky, and steamy age gap romance were on his summer break barista Levi and electrician Joe. The attraction between the two leading men were off the chart from the start.
CUP OF JOE is a feel good read for me; no radical baggage on either men’s side (other than the usual crappy ex). I loved the complementing traits between the two characters, each served as the yin to the other’s yang. The alternate POV gave voice to both men’s insight - often laying bare their feeling and insecurities. The teasing play that developed was cute; even when the love scene was a tad too much to my liking. Nothing too kinky, though.
What I come to expect of Albert’s books was the support system one or (as the case oh here) both characters had. Levi and Joe’s close relationship with their family was the cream of the top! I guess I’m at that age where I found malicious on a contemporary romance tiring.
This book also introduced a number of interesting characters that I suspect would have their own stories on the next books. I’m just hoping (as it was hinted Bold Brew catered to BDSM community) that the kink wouldn’t be too heavily featured on the next stories for me to read. Here’s hoping 🤞🏽.
Copy of this book is kindly given by the author in exchange for an honest review.
CUP OF JOE is a feel good read for me; no radical baggage on either men’s side (other than the usual crappy ex). I loved the complementing traits between the two characters, each served as the yin to the other’s yang. The alternate POV gave voice to both men’s insight - often laying bare their feeling and insecurities. The teasing play that developed was cute; even when the love scene was a tad too much to my liking. Nothing too kinky, though.
What I come to expect of Albert’s books was the support system one or (as the case oh here) both characters had. Levi and Joe’s close relationship with their family was the cream of the top! I guess I’m at that age where I found malicious on a contemporary romance tiring.
This book also introduced a number of interesting characters that I suspect would have their own stories on the next books. I’m just hoping (as it was hinted Bold Brew catered to BDSM community) that the kink wouldn’t be too heavily featured on the next stories for me to read. Here’s hoping 🤞🏽.
Copy of this book is kindly given by the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2021
I absolutely loved this. It was a quick and dirty read. Barista Levi and Electrician Joe became fast friends and lovers. Will they realize they have something special before it’s too late?
Highly Recommended
Highly Recommended
November 19, 2021
3 stars
Middle of the road book, nothing stood out to make this memorable but nothing about it made it horrible.
I wish we had more with the families, or more background with the characters since they felt very surface level.
BUT Cooper North’s narration was perfection, that’s probably what made me continue with the story.
Middle of the road book, nothing stood out to make this memorable but nothing about it made it horrible.
I wish we had more with the families, or more background with the characters since they felt very surface level.
BUT Cooper North’s narration was perfection, that’s probably what made me continue with the story.
March 12, 2021
3.5 stars
March 6, 2021
I adore Annabeth Albert's books, and I really liked this age gap romance, but I can't lie: I wish that the "I love yous" had been a bit stronger in the end.
October 28, 2021
This book was a cute little read- like the book equivalent of an appetizer. Levi and Joe were adorable. As far as contrived drama in romance novels goes, it could’ve been worse. The pacing was a little off but it was so short that it didn’t matter much either way. I enjoyed the sex positivity and honestly it was a great use of my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
March 13, 2021
3-3.5 stars
I liked this, I liked the characters. Daddy kink isn't really my jam. I wish we had gotten a little more of the guys interacting with other people, Joe's dad or whoever. It was cute and sweet.
I liked this, I liked the characters. Daddy kink isn't really my jam. I wish we had gotten a little more of the guys interacting with other people, Joe's dad or whoever. It was cute and sweet.
May 20, 2021
Adorably dirty with the addition of actual feelings. This one is a keeper for rereading!
April 26, 2021
I thoght this book was really nice to read, the characters were both sensetive and the lovestory developped in a beautiful way.
December 18, 2021
Aggressively OK
Read
March 5, 2021Note: I wrote a book in this series.
Nice intro to the Bold Brew series. Fairly low-angst, light kink age-gap romance. Loved the support Joe and Levi had from friends and family. Very enjoyable!
On the author side, it was fun to see some bits and pieces we all did in setting up the world on the page!
Nice intro to the Bold Brew series. Fairly low-angst, light kink age-gap romance. Loved the support Joe and Levi had from friends and family. Very enjoyable!
On the author side, it was fun to see some bits and pieces we all did in setting up the world on the page!
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