New Release Review: Make Me Stay by Annabeth Albert

14 July of 2023 by ButtonsMom2003

Make Me Stay By Annabeth Albert

Genre: Contemporary Romance, GLBTQ, MM

Tropes: Small town, found family, hurt/comfort, disability rep, older MCs, light kink

Released: July 13, 2023

Publisher: Self-Published

Series: Safe Harbor, Book 2

Length: 281 pages

Cover Design: Reese Dante Designs

Synopsis

Roommate Not Wanted

I’m a forty-year-old homeowner and former detective. My friends think a roommate is the solution to my recent funk, but I know that’s the last thing I need.

And even if they’re right, sharing my home with Cal is a bad idea. The prickly SEAL rescue diver has muscles for miles, haunted eyes, a wounded soul, and wandering feet that won’t be happy for long in Safe Harbor. Yet those fathoms-deep blue eyes have me making an offer I’ll surely regret.

Our arrangement may be doomed, but Cal is an amazing roommate. We’re soon cooking my mom’s favorite recipes, watching terrible TV, accidentally cuddling, and trying not to cross the line from friendship to fling.
Until I discover Cal’s sexy secret.

Boundaries blur, and I forget I’m not supposed to fall for Cal. Every kiss, touch, and discovery we make together pulls us deeper until there’s no denying our feelings.

I want nothing more than to keep Cal in town, in my bed, and in my heart, but Cal seems destined to swim back to his solo ways.

Can I bear to let him go, or will our love make him stay forever?

MAKE ME STAY is a hurt/comfort roommates-to-lovers MM romance. It features two mature, wounded heroes, disability rep, a proud pansexual, a SEAL having a demisexual awakening, and sexy discoveries involving rope. Deep feels, dual point-of-view, and big fluffy HEA guaranteed.

MAKE ME STAY is book two in the Safe Harbor series from acclaimed author Annabeth Albert. This small historic Oregon town has a tight friend group, memorable secondary characters, quirky businesses, and long-held secrets. Each book stands alone with a fresh couple, but the background mystery of the town’s secrets ties the series together, making reading in order more fun!

Teaser Graphic

Review

Reviewed by ButtonsMom2003

A spicy and tender story.

I can always count on Annabeth Albert to deliver a great romance, a great story and more than a few tears (which is one of the best compliments I can give a book). Make Me Stay has everything I could want in a romance.

Holden’s friends think he needs a roommate but he doesn’t’ really feel lonely. However, when Cal needs a place to stay after his RV bites the dust, Holden offers him a room in his home. Cal is grumpy and used to being alone but he has his reasons. He also takes too many risks and that upsets Holden.

They start to find common ground and become friends and then more after Holden finds Cal in an unexpected situation. Holden is willing to give Cal what he craves and Cal gradually comes to treasure the times that they share, both sexy and just being together.

I loved Holden and Cal together. Holden was so patient with Cal. He was also very instrumental in helping Cal raise funds for his foundation which supports Cal’s diving to help recover lost bodies and/or evidence. He came to Safe Harbor to try and recover evidence in the ongoing murder investigation.

The full mystery won’t be resolved until later in the series. There is a super interesting cast of secondary characters and I loved the epilogue which was a great teaser for the last book in the series. Find Me Worthy is coming in late September 2023.

♥♥♥♥♥

O Factor: Scorcher

Safe Harbor Series

♥ Amazon US ♥ Amazon CA ♥ Amazon UK ♥

Teaser Graphic

About Author

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open— no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Fans of quirky, Oregon-set books as well as those who enjoy heroes in uniform will want to check out her many fan-favorite and critically acclaimed series. Many titles are also in audio! Her fan group Annabeth’s Angels on Facebook is the best place for bonus content and more!

Author Links

***A review copy of this book was provided by the author.***