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piperclover's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
As with every Annabeth Albert book I enjoyed my experience and I am sad that it's over but I do think this one missed a few things. I think Will as a character needed more support from Owen because I felt like he was portrayed as a very anxious person with very low self-esteem but Owen handled it a little callously. Multiple times Quill states that he doesn't think he's good enough and instead of explaining it to Quill or showing him why Owen does not agree with that he just tells him to stop saying it.
The way this book explains the difference between a romantic relationship and a friendship makes me believe that the concept of friendship is fundamentally misunderstood by either the author or that the author was purposely making the characters misunderstanded it.
There's a section where Quill lists a bunch of caring acts or thoughts and states that none of them are friendship but some of them were things like "wanting to know their daily life", "covering them with a blanket when they fall asleep on the couch", and "wanting to talk to them daily". I'm confused by the concept of friendship indicated and I'm not sure if its on purpose or not.
Owen is Vietnamese American so that rep was nice. I appreciated having multiple chapters after they get together to see how the relationship settles. I often feel scammed by the lack of "after" in a romance book so I was pleased that we got more than just a single time jumped epilogue.
The way this book explains the difference between a romantic relationship and a friendship makes me believe that the concept of friendship is fundamentally misunderstood by either the author or that the author was purposely making the characters misunderstanded it.
There's a section where Quill lists a bunch of caring acts or thoughts and states that none of them are friendship but some of them were things like "wanting to know their daily life", "covering them with a blanket when they fall asleep on the couch", and "wanting to talk to them daily". I'm confused by the concept of friendship indicated and I'm not sure if its on purpose or not.
Owen is Vietnamese American so that rep was nice. I appreciated having multiple chapters after they get together to see how the relationship settles. I often feel scammed by the lack of "after" in a romance book so I was pleased that we got more than just a single time jumped epilogue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia
elenajohansen's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
My favorite of the three in the series, though it's still got its issues. Grumpy/sunshine is a favorite dynamic of mine, but Owen's version of sunshine does come across as pushy and irritating sometimes, and Quill clings to grumpy so hard that his stubbornness becomes repetitive.
Sure, it's a slow burn, but maybe a little too slow? And since it's an elaborate version of the romance chestnut "snowed in" plot, there aren't other characters to relieve the reader from dealing with Owen and Quill butting heads until they get together. Some of the mundane detail about their daily lives could have been cut to save page-time while still giving the impression of story-time passing.
Sure, it's a slow burn, but maybe a little too slow? And since it's an elaborate version of the romance chestnut "snowed in" plot, there aren't other characters to relieve the reader from dealing with Owen and Quill butting heads until they get together. Some of the mundane detail about their daily lives could have been cut to save page-time while still giving the impression of story-time passing.
loishojmark's review against another edition
Reviews to come later.
This was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
jazzlioness's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer and Injury/Injury detail
runningonbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
emilyrpf's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
orcspouse's review against another edition
I get that it’s to make Quill come out of his shell, but Owen is incredibly pushy which gets on my nerves. Enough so that I lost interest in the book.
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
4.0
I love a good grumpy Gus meets sunshine sal.
Quill is such a grumpy softy. He does not trust relationships. He is so far in the closet, you might never find him. His experiences with trying to be open about himself have gone terribly wrong.
Owen is on a mission to live life to the fullest. Surviving cancer has spurred him to do things he’s always meant to. Including volunteering to winter over in a remote AK park.
The attraction is instant. When a problem with another volunteer throws them together for the BBC winter, sparks ignite into an inferno.
I loved these two and their push and pull. Watching Quill thaw is beautiful.
I really enjoy her books and how there is always a some sort of found family.
Quill is such a grumpy softy. He does not trust relationships. He is so far in the closet, you might never find him. His experiences with trying to be open about himself have gone terribly wrong.
Owen is on a mission to live life to the fullest. Surviving cancer has spurred him to do things he’s always meant to. Including volunteering to winter over in a remote AK park.
The attraction is instant. When a problem with another volunteer throws them together for the BBC winter, sparks ignite into an inferno.
I loved these two and their push and pull. Watching Quill thaw is beautiful.
I really enjoy her books and how there is always a some sort of found family.
kara_hildebrand's review against another edition
5.0
Arctic Heat is the third book in the Frozen Hearts series by the talented Annabeth Albert. I'm a huge fan of Annabeth's and Arctic Heat is my favorite book in the series! I enjoyed the other stories, but there was just something about Quill and Owen that got me. Owen is living life. He's out and proud and has a bucket list. Quill is in the closet, reserved and a little grumpy. There's initial attraction there but when they are going to be spending the entire winter together, Quill just can't act on it. Quill's job is his life. He's a ranger and he doesn't have time for any relationships. Owen turns out to be the breath of fresh air Quill has been looking for his entire life. He decides to take a chance, but it has to be kept a secret. Owen is ok for that, for now. But when his feelings start to change, will Owen convince Quill to take a real chance on them? When danger finds them, Quill has a decision to make. Be the one for Owen or let him go. This story was so great! I loved the dynamic between Quill and Owen. They come from different places, are complete opposites, but they just mesh. Owen loves taking care of Quill and Quill loves having Owen around. Their relationship is comfortable and sexy. Overall, it's an emotional ride with laughs, tears and sexiness.
alexleo13's review against another edition
5.0
“He didn’t understand how a man could be so infuriating and so sweet at the same time.” This sentence is a great example of the relationship between Owen and Quill. Owen has a second chance to life and wants to live it to its fullest. This life-loving young man is strong and embraces his Alaskan experience full of wonder and he pulls Quill with him. Owen is the second chance of life for Quill and their relationship slowly thaws the snow surrounding his heart. Great description of the work of the park rangers and of the volunteers.
I have not read the previous two books of the series but it didn’t bother me.
I have not read the previous two books of the series but it didn’t bother me.