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A review by evethingiread
Sink or Swim by Annabeth Albert
3.0
I just wrapped up "Sink or Swim," the second book in the Shore Leave series by Annabeth Albert. This installment introduces us to Felix, a single parent, and guardian to his nieces due to their mother's passing, all while going through a divorce with his ex-husband. On the other side, we have Calder, a Navy officer who's known for his carefree and single lifestyle.
The story kicks off with a snowed-in trope as Calder wins a cottage in a poker game, only to discover that it's actually the property of Felix's, not the ex husband. With the snowstorm trapping them together, we get to witness Calder experiencing domestic life, even whipping up pancakes for Felix's nieces. There's a spark of attraction between them from the get-go. In this book, Calder takes on the role of the pursuer, while Felix remains cautious and unsure.
Overall, the romance was decent, but it takes quite some time to reach that point. It's suggested that Calder may be on the asexuality spectrum or simply not very sexually inclined, which adds an interesting layer to their dynamic. Much of their time is spent on non-sexual physical affection, shared dinners, kissing, and bonding with the children. For the majority of the book, I found it hard to invest in the characters or their story. However, in the final 30% of the book, things start to pick up. We see them communicating and figuring out how to make their relationship work, and Calder coming to terms with his desires while Felix learns to accept help and support with the children.
The story culminates with a lovely scene at Calder's family event, which happens to be the wedding of the couple from the first book. Felix and Calder decide to pursue a future together, affirming their love for each other. While it ends sweetly, "Sink or Swim" didn't leave a significant impact on me. It's a pleasant read, but not something I'd enthusiastically recommend.
The story kicks off with a snowed-in trope as Calder wins a cottage in a poker game, only to discover that it's actually the property of Felix's, not the ex husband. With the snowstorm trapping them together, we get to witness Calder experiencing domestic life, even whipping up pancakes for Felix's nieces. There's a spark of attraction between them from the get-go. In this book, Calder takes on the role of the pursuer, while Felix remains cautious and unsure.
Overall, the romance was decent, but it takes quite some time to reach that point. It's suggested that Calder may be on the asexuality spectrum or simply not very sexually inclined, which adds an interesting layer to their dynamic. Much of their time is spent on non-sexual physical affection, shared dinners, kissing, and bonding with the children. For the majority of the book, I found it hard to invest in the characters or their story. However, in the final 30% of the book, things start to pick up. We see them communicating and figuring out how to make their relationship work, and Calder coming to terms with his desires while Felix learns to accept help and support with the children.
The story culminates with a lovely scene at Calder's family event, which happens to be the wedding of the couple from the first book. Felix and Calder decide to pursue a future together, affirming their love for each other. While it ends sweetly, "Sink or Swim" didn't leave a significant impact on me. It's a pleasant read, but not something I'd enthusiastically recommend.