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ltcreads40's review against another edition
4.0
Toby and Reuben were the perfect younger/older couple. Toby needed someone to lean on even though he fought it until the end. Reuben was the patient silver bear who was trying to re-build his relationship with his teenage daughter Amelia. The three of them built a family in the weeks they were together that was loving and understanding and supportive. I'm really excited for the third book in the series.
jtchibnalljr's review against another edition
3.0
Feeling Factor:
Surprisingly, the true star of this show was not the romance kindled between the two main characters but rather the bond cultivated between father and daughter. The trope of distant-dad trying to win over his teen "before it is too late" is QUITE overdone but in this book it is presented in a rather refreshing way that doesn't feel forced. The dad never tries to change the his daughter but rather thinks about how he can make changes to support her while still being her dad and not her bestie.
Level of Queerness:
On one hand, we love the a love story between two bisexual men who took time to discover and explore their sexuality. On the other hand, I doubt that being a queer couple in Alaska is as fairytale-esque as this book leads us to believe. It is a rough and tumble place and while it doesn't need to be an ode to rural homophobia, there could've been more conflict when it came to identity.
Believability:
Some of the elements of the story were a stretch to say the least. Firstly, surviving a plane crash is quite something and it almost glossed over. I wanted more drama, more search and rescue, more "is he gonna make it." This was a PLANE CRASH not a scraped knee. The general premise of the recovery is a little absurd as well. This stranger is going to host this other young stranger back to life whilst he tries to salvage his relationship with his distant teen daughter. THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS MAN and they just let him into their home and lives like it was nothing. We could assume it would work out because of the genre but it still stressed me out as someone who watches too much True Crime. I wasn't so bothered by the older/younger coupling and did like that the younger's family had some reservations.
Missed Opportunities:
Toby is indigenous and save the mention of his family's traditional healer there wasn't much acknowledgement of his identity beyond that. There was an opportunity to explore the intersectionality between his culture and his queerness. I would've loved to see Ruben learn about Toby's background and embrace his culture a bit more - I think that would've bridged the gap with the theme of Toby's family's distrust of Ruben as an "outsider."
Flags/Triggers/Warnings:
It is stated in the description but there is a plane crash
Surprisingly, the true star of this show was not the romance kindled between the two main characters but rather the bond cultivated between father and daughter. The trope of distant-dad trying to win over his teen "before it is too late" is QUITE overdone but in this book it is presented in a rather refreshing way that doesn't feel forced. The dad never tries to change the his daughter but rather thinks about how he can make changes to support her while still being her dad and not her bestie.
Level of Queerness:
On one hand, we love the a love story between two bisexual men who took time to discover and explore their sexuality. On the other hand, I doubt that being a queer couple in Alaska is as fairytale-esque as this book leads us to believe. It is a rough and tumble place and while it doesn't need to be an ode to rural homophobia, there could've been more conflict when it came to identity.
Believability:
Some of the elements of the story were a stretch to say the least. Firstly, surviving a plane crash is quite something and it almost glossed over. I wanted more drama, more search and rescue, more "is he gonna make it." This was a PLANE CRASH not a scraped knee. The general premise of the recovery is a little absurd as well. This stranger is going to host this other young stranger back to life whilst he tries to salvage his relationship with his distant teen daughter. THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS MAN and they just let him into their home and lives like it was nothing. We could assume it would work out because of the genre but it still stressed me out as someone who watches too much True Crime. I wasn't so bothered by the older/younger coupling and did like that the younger's family had some reservations.
Missed Opportunities:
Toby is indigenous and save the mention of his family's traditional healer there wasn't much acknowledgement of his identity beyond that. There was an opportunity to explore the intersectionality between his culture and his queerness. I would've loved to see Ruben learn about Toby's background and embrace his culture a bit more - I think that would've bridged the gap with the theme of Toby's family's distrust of Ruben as an "outsider."
Flags/Triggers/Warnings:
It is stated in the description but there is a plane crash
booksarebetter's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 out of 5 stars.
This was a lot more smutty than I'd like, and barely the plot I expected. I liked the characters and book just fine, but it went in a different direction than I had hoped.
Further Review:
This was a book that where it said ‘plane crash’ + ‘m/m developing romance’ = unexpected good times, I was all for ‘yes please’. But the two main male characters, while charming and adorable, were rescued far too quickly and most of the rest of the book was all just smutty smutness.
And while that’s not a bad thing, it wasn’t what I was in the mood for, or hoping for based on the plot that I read on the blurb. I was hoping for two men trapped in the wild for more than just a couple of chapters, and that is most definitely NOT what I received.
Ah well.
Still, it wasn’t a bad read, and I liked all the characters. Every character felt realistic, and the storyline was interesting if rather smutty, I wish it had been more about survival in the wild with just one strange man at your side.
3.5/5 stars for a overall decent job, but nothing super fancy or memorable (at least for me).
{This review is also posted on Netgalley and my Blog at Pass Me That Book.}
This was a lot more smutty than I'd like, and barely the plot I expected. I liked the characters and book just fine, but it went in a different direction than I had hoped.
Further Review:
This was a book that where it said ‘plane crash’ + ‘m/m developing romance’ = unexpected good times, I was all for ‘yes please’. But the two main male characters, while charming and adorable, were rescued far too quickly and most of the rest of the book was all just smutty smutness.
And while that’s not a bad thing, it wasn’t what I was in the mood for, or hoping for based on the plot that I read on the blurb. I was hoping for two men trapped in the wild for more than just a couple of chapters, and that is most definitely NOT what I received.
Ah well.
Still, it wasn’t a bad read, and I liked all the characters. Every character felt realistic, and the storyline was interesting if rather smutty, I wish it had been more about survival in the wild with just one strange man at your side.
3.5/5 stars for a overall decent job, but nothing super fancy or memorable (at least for me).
{This review is also posted on Netgalley and my Blog at Pass Me That Book.}
geeknb's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series and while I enjoyed the previous book (because I adored Griffin) I think I loved this one even more (plus the little nod to Space Villager!).
In this one we have a couple who appear to want different things from life but are actually perfect for each other. Includes a great teenager, and by great I mean realistic, and therefore all the better for it.
This is an opposites attract story in age, wealth, and relationship expectations. Toby is 30, struggling to make ends meet, and a one night stand kinda guy. Reuben is 48, a high flying and well paid lawyer and a serial monogamist. Nothing in common, except they might just be the missing part of the other.
Really loved seeing the development of the relationship, not only between Toby and Reuben, but also between Reuben and his daughter, Amelia, and Amelia's softening attitude to Toby. Once again the countryside is like another character, and it was great to get a brief catch up scene with Griffin and River.
Can't wait for the next one.
In this one we have a couple who appear to want different things from life but are actually perfect for each other. Includes a great teenager, and by great I mean realistic, and therefore all the better for it.
This is an opposites attract story in age, wealth, and relationship expectations. Toby is 30, struggling to make ends meet, and a one night stand kinda guy. Reuben is 48, a high flying and well paid lawyer and a serial monogamist. Nothing in common, except they might just be the missing part of the other.
Really loved seeing the development of the relationship, not only between Toby and Reuben, but also between Reuben and his daughter, Amelia, and Amelia's softening attitude to Toby. Once again the countryside is like another character, and it was great to get a brief catch up scene with Griffin and River.
Can't wait for the next one.
kaity_b's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book waaaaay more than the first. I do wish they communicated more but I am glad their issues didn’t drag out as long as I thought it might.
I am interested in seeing Quills book since he got a VERY small cameo in this book! And speaking of cameos Griff and River only got a few moments so this book can be read completely as a standalone.
Also Iggy Toma did a great job narrating, he didn’t make Rueben sound ancient like some other narrators would because of the age gap. Also Amelia was annoying at the beginning but really redeemed herself at the end.
I do wish Toby and Rueben got stranded longer, it could have been a few more chapters but overall was still done well!
I enjoyed this book waaaaay more than the first. I do wish they communicated more but I am glad their issues didn’t drag out as long as I thought it might.
I am interested in seeing Quills book since he got a VERY small cameo in this book! And speaking of cameos Griff and River only got a few moments so this book can be read completely as a standalone.
Also Iggy Toma did a great job narrating, he didn’t make Rueben sound ancient like some other narrators would because of the age gap. Also Amelia was annoying at the beginning but really redeemed herself at the end.
I do wish Toby and Rueben got stranded longer, it could have been a few more chapters but overall was still done well!
heabooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed ARCTIC WILD and it brought a lighter tone to the series compared to the previous book ARCTIC SUN. On top of that, the stranded theme is one of my favorites and while it's only a small portion of the story, it's the catalyst for the rest of the character's actions and decisions. As always, the writing was spot on and Albert has such a sense of pace when writing a romance.
Reuben was easily my favorite character and I loved that he was a softer, gentle kind of guy. He's dedicated everything he has to his work at the cost of his personal life and his relationship with his 14 year old daughter, Amelia. After the plane crash, Reuben reevaluates his life and decides to take the summer to assess what he wants and reconnect with his daughter. While Reuben lets go of his workaholic ways pretty easily, I didn't mind because it was great to watch him fall in love with Alaska and a more balanced life. Reuben loves to care for his partners, in and out of the bedroom, and I liked this side of his personality. He might be too obsessed with his work but he's also a genuinely nice guy. It was also really sweet to watch him deal with a moody teenage daughter.
Toby is the carefree, fun loving, pilot who is used to casual flings. He's given his all to care for his younger sisters and his father whose health is deteriorating. From the outside, Toby is always trying to prove his competence and take care of everything on his own. Being confined to a wheelchair while he heals just about kills Toby as he's forced to rely on Reuben and deal with the mounting bills and no income. I never connected as strongly with Toby but I did like him as a character and I thought he was a great match for Reuben. Both men are used to taking on a lot of responsibility but handle it in very different ways.
The only thing I really struggled with was Toby's family who I felt were kind of awful most of the time. His father and his sister don't like Reuben and hate the idea of Toby being with him. Toby's father is also the one who's constantly pressuring Toby to be a man and take care of his own business. While his sister begins to come around to the idea of Reuben I still dreaded anytime they appeared in a scene because they were just both downers.
ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review
Reuben was easily my favorite character and I loved that he was a softer, gentle kind of guy. He's dedicated everything he has to his work at the cost of his personal life and his relationship with his 14 year old daughter, Amelia. After the plane crash, Reuben reevaluates his life and decides to take the summer to assess what he wants and reconnect with his daughter. While Reuben lets go of his workaholic ways pretty easily, I didn't mind because it was great to watch him fall in love with Alaska and a more balanced life. Reuben loves to care for his partners, in and out of the bedroom, and I liked this side of his personality. He might be too obsessed with his work but he's also a genuinely nice guy. It was also really sweet to watch him deal with a moody teenage daughter.
Toby is the carefree, fun loving, pilot who is used to casual flings. He's given his all to care for his younger sisters and his father whose health is deteriorating. From the outside, Toby is always trying to prove his competence and take care of everything on his own. Being confined to a wheelchair while he heals just about kills Toby as he's forced to rely on Reuben and deal with the mounting bills and no income. I never connected as strongly with Toby but I did like him as a character and I thought he was a great match for Reuben. Both men are used to taking on a lot of responsibility but handle it in very different ways.
The only thing I really struggled with was Toby's family who I felt were kind of awful most of the time. His father and his sister don't like Reuben and hate the idea of Toby being with him. Toby's father is also the one who's constantly pressuring Toby to be a man and take care of his own business. While his sister begins to come around to the idea of Reuben I still dreaded anytime they appeared in a scene because they were just both downers.
ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review
nalia_danger's review against another edition
No chemistry between romantic leads, dull plot, overall boring book. Even a great narrator couldn't save it.
bookschaosnart's review against another edition
4.0
Following a plane crash in which Toby was seriously hurt, Ruben and his daughter move to Alaska to both take care of Toby and also figure their own relationship out. Toby and Reuben negotiate their relationship while also dealing with Toby's hard head and his family as well. Definitely May/December but Toby is an old soul after having to take care of his own family An excellent story of learning and growing from everyone you meet.
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
Arctic Wild follows Reuben, a workaholic and very successful layer. He'd finally agreed to go on a vacation in Alaska with a couple of his friends. But when they have to cancel at the last minute, he goes anyway. On the trip, it's only him and Tobias, the pilot and guide. And despite the significant age difference between the two (Reuben is 48 while Toby is 31), they slowly got along.
Then a plane crash happens, leaving Toby very injured. Reuben, who likes Toby and wants to help, offers Toby a place to stay while he recovers, since Toby's home is too cramped to be good for recovery.
And though the story starts beforehand, this was kind of the real start of the romance. Before, we saw Reuben and Toby become comfortable around each other and become friends. And yes, there was attraction between the two, but Toby didn't want to start anything with a client and their trip was more about the beautiful places they were visiting and about Reuben lifting his eyes off his cell phone and laptop to appreciate the trip.
After the accident, we see them really start to bond. And... I have no idea what to write. Somehow, I've run out of words...
*One day later*
I'm back. Let's try this again. I liked the book and that seems to be the essence of how I feel about it. Hence the lack of words. I don't have anything overwhelmingly positive or negative to say, and it's all about the story, which makes me feel like I'm just writing the plot of the novel (I do that sometimes).
The writing is good, both with describing the scenery of Alaska and when helping the reader understand what the characters are going through. We get both Reuben and Toby's perspective, though the understanding part is crucial more for Toby. Reuben, though uninterested in most things initially, soon becomes a lot more open to finding out what more there is to life. Also, he's taking the summer to reconnect with his teenage daughter, who is also a main character in the book.
There are a few side character. Reuben's daughter, Amelia, is one; there's also one of Toby's sisters and his father who are prominently featured. I liked Amelia, despite her initial bratty-ness, but Toby's family never really grew on me. They were so dismissive about Reuben and about Toby's worries and feelings, especially Toby's father. It also didn't help that the conflict was basically his fault.
Toby, though open to a fling or maybe even something more, is quite repressed in other ways. For one, he doesn't share his troubles and doesn't accept help at all. And that's because his father's raised him to think that needing help, even with a broken arm and leg, makes a person weak. Which is such utter bullshit. But it's easy to see what Toby is going through. Yes, it can be tad frustrating when Toby misinterprets Reuben's care and desire to be helpful, but the novel is pretty angst free overall.
In terms of pace, I liked it better than that of Arctic Sun, but because the events of the novel are so contained in personal feelings and conversations, it can feel long. Could've used something to liven things up. I vote humour.
And that's it. I'm hoping I did a decent job with this review. It's a very tame book that's good for when you wanna have a relaxing day, rather than if you're looking for something exciting. I'd still recommend reading it though, and while I'm not particularly eager about the future of the series, I'd definitely like to give some of the author's other books a shot. Maybe when I've made some headway with my "currently reading" list.
Then a plane crash happens, leaving Toby very injured. Reuben, who likes Toby and wants to help, offers Toby a place to stay while he recovers, since Toby's home is too cramped to be good for recovery.
And though the story starts beforehand, this was kind of the real start of the romance. Before, we saw Reuben and Toby become comfortable around each other and become friends. And yes, there was attraction between the two, but Toby didn't want to start anything with a client and their trip was more about the beautiful places they were visiting and about Reuben lifting his eyes off his cell phone and laptop to appreciate the trip.
After the accident, we see them really start to bond. And... I have no idea what to write. Somehow, I've run out of words...
*One day later*
I'm back. Let's try this again. I liked the book and that seems to be the essence of how I feel about it. Hence the lack of words. I don't have anything overwhelmingly positive or negative to say, and it's all about the story, which makes me feel like I'm just writing the plot of the novel (I do that sometimes).
The writing is good, both with describing the scenery of Alaska and when helping the reader understand what the characters are going through. We get both Reuben and Toby's perspective, though the understanding part is crucial more for Toby. Reuben, though uninterested in most things initially, soon becomes a lot more open to finding out what more there is to life. Also, he's taking the summer to reconnect with his teenage daughter, who is also a main character in the book.
There are a few side character. Reuben's daughter, Amelia, is one; there's also one of Toby's sisters and his father who are prominently featured. I liked Amelia, despite her initial bratty-ness, but Toby's family never really grew on me. They were so dismissive about Reuben and about Toby's worries and feelings, especially Toby's father. It also didn't help that the conflict was basically his fault.
Toby, though open to a fling or maybe even something more, is quite repressed in other ways. For one, he doesn't share his troubles and doesn't accept help at all. And that's because his father's raised him to think that needing help, even with a broken arm and leg, makes a person weak. Which is such utter bullshit. But it's easy to see what Toby is going through. Yes, it can be tad frustrating when Toby misinterprets Reuben's care and desire to be helpful, but the novel is pretty angst free overall.
In terms of pace, I liked it better than that of Arctic Sun, but because the events of the novel are so contained in personal feelings and conversations, it can feel long. Could've used something to liven things up. I vote humour.
And that's it. I'm hoping I did a decent job with this review. It's a very tame book that's good for when you wanna have a relaxing day, rather than if you're looking for something exciting. I'd still recommend reading it though, and while I'm not particularly eager about the future of the series, I'd definitely like to give some of the author's other books a shot. Maybe when I've made some headway with my "currently reading" list.