Scan barcode
sara11_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this slow burn about two people coming together through their struggles with addiction and recovery.
sharshell's review against another edition
4.0
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
3.5 STARS
I really enjoyed and got into the first half of this book. Griffin's reluctance to interact with the group and finding out his was wrong in his assumptions about River the famous movie star. The attraction between the men heats up throughout the two week charter. It fun to watch Griffin coming out of his shell and River taking his time with him. Unfortunately, for me the second half of the book collapsed somewhere. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen now that they were back to "reality" but it lost the intrigue and seemed almost forced at that point. Normally I adore Annabeth Albert reads but this one lost me somewhere. Both men had a ton of baggage and it was crammed in. It may have worked better as a duet?
3.5 STARS
I really enjoyed and got into the first half of this book. Griffin's reluctance to interact with the group and finding out his was wrong in his assumptions about River the famous movie star. The attraction between the men heats up throughout the two week charter. It fun to watch Griffin coming out of his shell and River taking his time with him. Unfortunately, for me the second half of the book collapsed somewhere. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen now that they were back to "reality" but it lost the intrigue and seemed almost forced at that point. Normally I adore Annabeth Albert reads but this one lost me somewhere. Both men had a ton of baggage and it was crammed in. It may have worked better as a duet?
ltcreads40's review against another edition
4.0
I took my time reading this book because it needed my full attention each time I picked it up. Griffin and River both hot rock bottom and were working their way back to the top when they met on an Alaskan adventure. Griffin and his structured life didn't see how the nomad River could ever fit into the Alaskan wilderness with him. But with a lot of work and deduction, Griffin and River got their happily ever after. Gorgeous story with a picture perfect setting.
tagoreketabkhane31's review against another edition
4.0
*Carina Press, while an imprint with HCvia Harlequin, is not on strike according to HC Union because the imprint is not eligible to join. This is why this review is being provided*
axy's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
geeknb's review against another edition
4.0
Possibly a 4.5 star review in reality.
Excellent writing as usual.
This book has a great sense of place, the first half when they are on the Arctic tour is excellent and really sweet. But the boys both have issues and in the hands of a different author may have ended in a destructive co-dependant relationship. But Annabeth Albert doesn't shy away from complicated issues and situations. Because of this the second half of the book is much harder to read and I found myself getting frustrated, especially with River. But arguably River's issues were more deeply rooted and buried.
A lovely read. Highly recommended. And I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Excellent writing as usual.
This book has a great sense of place, the first half when they are on the Arctic tour is excellent and really sweet. But the boys both have issues and in the hands of a different author may have ended in a destructive co-dependant relationship. But Annabeth Albert doesn't shy away from complicated issues and situations. Because of this the second half of the book is much harder to read and I found myself getting frustrated, especially with River. But arguably River's issues were more deeply rooted and buried.
A lovely read. Highly recommended. And I can't wait for the next book in the series.
redhairedashreads's review
DNF page 50 (19%)
This book isn’t really working for me, which is disappointing because I love Albert’s books. The pace is slow, which normally is fine but I also am not really feeling the chemistry between these two. Currently it feels more like this would be just a casual hookup because they are attracted to each other, not because they want more. I especially didn’t love that River said he knows there's attraction between them and he is going to exploit it because he is used to getting what he wants.
TW: death of a parent mentioned; eating disorder recovery; recovering alcoholic;
kaity_b's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
this was like a mm version of [b:The Simple Wild|36373564|The Simple Wild (Wild, #1)|K.A. Tucker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549373129l/36373564._SY75_.jpg|58060835], with a bush pilot and a city liver.
The way that Alaska was described in this book made me want to get on the nearest plane and go explore.
I do think that Griff and River were a good balance, but they had their own issues that they had to figure out first before they dove head first in to the relationship. I will say that the main issue/breakup scene was annoying but I liked how to me it didn't feel as drawn out as it could have been. ALSO Trigger warnings for eating disorders, and alcoholism. Those were two very big aspects with the main characters so if that is something you can't read about or don't want to trigger yourself then I recommend giving this book a pass.
I wished for more of an epilogue, the story kinda ended abruptly, but maybe the next book will have hints of them in there. I know it is a whole new couple too.
Cooper North also did a good job with narrations, but honestly I am excited for Iggy Toma to narrate.. haha
this was like a mm version of [b:The Simple Wild|36373564|The Simple Wild (Wild, #1)|K.A. Tucker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549373129l/36373564._SY75_.jpg|58060835], with a bush pilot and a city liver.
The way that Alaska was described in this book made me want to get on the nearest plane and go explore.
I do think that Griff and River were a good balance, but they had their own issues that they had to figure out first before they dove head first in to the relationship. I will say that the main issue/breakup scene was annoying but I liked how to me it didn't feel as drawn out as it could have been. ALSO Trigger warnings for eating disorders, and alcoholism. Those were two very big aspects with the main characters so if that is something you can't read about or don't want to trigger yourself then I recommend giving this book a pass.
I wished for more of an epilogue, the story kinda ended abruptly, but maybe the next book will have hints of them in there. I know it is a whole new couple too.
Cooper North also did a good job with narrations, but honestly I am excited for Iggy Toma to narrate.. haha
heabooknerd's review
4.0
The more I read of ARCTIC SUN the more I enjoyed it and got invested in the story. It's no secret that I'm a fan of Annabeth Albert's writing and her character driven romances. There is so much beautiful emotion in River and Griffin's story, both individually and as a couple. I'll admit I wasn't so sure about Griffin in the beginning but as I learned more about him I came to love him. Griffin is lonely and gruff and clearly does not enjoy big crowds and lots of social interaction. But a lot of his solitude is also a coping mechanism for the mistakes of his past. Both these men have struggled deeply in life and are still working through finding a new normal and this builds the majority of the emotion and angst in ARCTIC SUN.
While Griffin is set in his ways and his quiet life, River is always chasing the next adventure. River's outgoing, charming, and fun-loving but there's also a deep well of hurt in his life. He's working to overcome problems just as much as Griffin is and a lot of their healing comes from recognizing a kindred spirit. I really liked the balance that Griffin and River find in each other and the way that they learn to open up and lean a bit on someone else. It's hard work and they make some mistakes along the way, but ultimately River and Griffin learn how important trust and communication is to a successful relationship.
On top of the wonderful characters, there's the gorgeous Alaskan landscape and Albert had me ready to pack my bags and sign up for a Alaskan tour. The locales the tour visited were beautiful and I could feel the peaceful atmosphere just jumping off the pages. I also really enjoyed how River's enthusiasm and wonder helped Griffin re-experience what he loved about his home. A few side characters are introduced and I'm excited for their stories.
ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review
Content Warning: Griffin is a recovering alcoholic; River is recovering from an eating disorder
While Griffin is set in his ways and his quiet life, River is always chasing the next adventure. River's outgoing, charming, and fun-loving but there's also a deep well of hurt in his life. He's working to overcome problems just as much as Griffin is and a lot of their healing comes from recognizing a kindred spirit. I really liked the balance that Griffin and River find in each other and the way that they learn to open up and lean a bit on someone else. It's hard work and they make some mistakes along the way, but ultimately River and Griffin learn how important trust and communication is to a successful relationship.
On top of the wonderful characters, there's the gorgeous Alaskan landscape and Albert had me ready to pack my bags and sign up for a Alaskan tour. The locales the tour visited were beautiful and I could feel the peaceful atmosphere just jumping off the pages. I also really enjoyed how River's enthusiasm and wonder helped Griffin re-experience what he loved about his home. A few side characters are introduced and I'm excited for their stories.
ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review
Content Warning: Griffin is a recovering alcoholic; River is recovering from an eating disorder
jrv45's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5