Annabeth Albert has done it again! She’s written a wonderfully touching story about two very different people managing to find their HEA in spite of their differences.

Better Not Pout is a very sweet, yet sexy, holiday story with a just the right amount of conflict/angst. Nick Nowicki is being retired from the service due to downsizing. He has one month left at his duty station in the wilds of upstate New York where it’s cold and snowy! He’s anxious to join his friend in Florida where it’s warm and there’s no snow.

Teddy MacNally loves Christmas and runs the town resource center that caters to those in need. He’s in charge of fund raising and Nick has agreed to stand-in and play Santa because their regular Santa is recovering from a heart attack.

While Nick is attracted to Teddy, he knows that it can’t go anywhere. For one thing he’s way too old for him and he has plans to head for Florida as soon as he finishes his last day on base. Teddy also wants Nick and convinces him that they should enjoy each other while they can. But Teddy soon realizes that he can’t keep his heart from getting involved but he won’t beg Nick to give up his plans and stay for him.

Teddy has a great family that features heavily in Better Not Pout and in contrast, Nick is somewhat estranged from his family. These dynamics contribute to the story and provide an interesting backdrop for Nick and Teddy’s budding relationship.

This book has all the feels; just what I expect from an Annabeth Albert story. I laughed and I cried and I loved it to pieces. Better Not Pout is one of the best holiday stories I’ve read this year.

Reviews for Annabeth Albert

♥ Amazon US ♥ Amazon CA ♥ Amazon UK ♥ Audible ♥ Barnes & Noble ♥ iBooks ♥ Kobo US ♥ Kobo CA ♥ Kobo UK ♥

“Okay, let’s get your wig and beard on.” Rhonda turned a critical eye on Nick. “Let me help.”

“I’ve got—” Nick’s protest died as Rhonda did her typical pushy thing and plucked the wig from his grasp. Watching her try to flirt with their Santa model had not been on Teddy’s agenda for the day. He’d been picturing another man like Wallace Grace who was older than his wife with thinning hair and a paunch that padded well for the Santa part. Instead, they’d received this muscled Polish God, and it was no wonder Rhonda lost her head a little. And if Teddy knew a brief flare of jealousy, he quickly tamped it down. Chances were extremely high that this guy had some adorable woman and a flock of tall children waiting back on base.

“So, did your family follow you to Fort End?” He figured a little fishing expedition could ward off more of Rhonda trying to get somewhere.

“Nope.” Nick held still while Rhonda fussed over him, tugging the wig and beard this way and that. “Not married.”

Rhonda’s eyes took on a predictably feral glint and Teddy barely suppressed a groan.

“Single? So nothing stopping you from having a drink with me after the shoot? The Lucky Scot has great happy hour specials.” She beamed at him.

“Uh… I’m a bit old…” A faint pink tinge spread across Nick’s cheeks.

“You are not.” Rhonda lightly punched him on the arm. “Now, I’m going to take some fabulous pictures of you, and then we’re going to get a drink, and if you’re nice, I’ll show you the proofs.”

“I don’t really drink…” Nick coughed and looked skyward like he wouldn’t mind if one of the two-hundred-year-old beams came crashing down on him.

Teddy took pity on him. “Rhonda. Not everyone is interested, okay?”

“Fine. Guess I am an acquired taste.” Rhonda’s face fell, a pretty good copy of her face as a kid when she didn’t get her way.

“You’re lovely,” Nick rushed to reassure her. “But I…uh…different team, you know?”

“Oh.” Rhonda’s eyebrows danced near her wool hat, and Teddy was sure his own eyes were similarly wide. “Teddy, why do all the cute ones have to play for your team? Life just isn’t fair.”