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Portland Heat #4-6
Gathered Up
It’s no secret that Portland, Oregon, has some of best restaurants, shops, and cafés in the country. But it’s the hard-working men who serve it all up that keep us coming back for more . . .
KNIT TIGHT
Brady is famous for his java-topping flair. Evren is the sexy nephew of Brady’s sweetest customer, the owner of the yarn shop down the street. There’s something hot brewing between them, but . . . well, it’s complicated. If Brady hopes to warm up more than Evren’s coffee, he’ll have to find a way to form a close-knit bond that’s bound to last a lifetime . . .
WRAPPED TOGETHER
Christmas reminds Hollis Alcott of the tragic events of three years past, and the last thing he wants to do is take part in Portland’s over-abundance of festive cheer. But Sawyer Murphy, a hunky gift shop owner whose brother is married to Hollis’s sister, has made it his mission to pluck Hollis out of his holiday blues. And his plan is beginning to work . . .
DANCED CLOSE
Todd’s taken a shine to his job at Portland’s most talked about bakery. It’s not just the delicious desserts they sell, but the tasty treats who keep walking through the door. For Kendall, the attention is just part of the anything-goes Portland he’s grown to love. So he takes a chance and asks Todd to be his partner in a dance class. Turns out taking the lead for once isn’t a mistake . . .
KNIT TIGHT
Brady is famous for his java-topping flair. Evren is the sexy nephew of Brady’s sweetest customer, the owner of the yarn shop down the street. There’s something hot brewing between them, but . . . well, it’s complicated. If Brady hopes to warm up more than Evren’s coffee, he’ll have to find a way to form a close-knit bond that’s bound to last a lifetime . . .
WRAPPED TOGETHER
Christmas reminds Hollis Alcott of the tragic events of three years past, and the last thing he wants to do is take part in Portland’s over-abundance of festive cheer. But Sawyer Murphy, a hunky gift shop owner whose brother is married to Hollis’s sister, has made it his mission to pluck Hollis out of his holiday blues. And his plan is beginning to work . . .
DANCED CLOSE
Todd’s taken a shine to his job at Portland’s most talked about bakery. It’s not just the delicious desserts they sell, but the tasty treats who keep walking through the door. For Kendall, the attention is just part of the anything-goes Portland he’s grown to love. So he takes a chance and asks Todd to be his partner in a dance class. Turns out taking the lead for once isn’t a mistake . . .
407 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2017
69 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Annabeth Albert
106 books3,785 followersFrequent tweeter, professional grammar nerd, and obsessive reader, Annabeth Albert is also a Pacific Northwest romance writer in a variety of subgenres.
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 25, 2019
02/19: on sale for 73cents (!!!!) on amazon.de
Really cute, sweet stories about loveable characters, each with a unique set of baggage.
Knit Tight: 3 stars
Couple finds together while both are working through some family issues and learn that relying on others is not a weakness.
Wrapped Together: 5 stars
My favorite story in the collection! Long-time frenemies finally give in to the attraction they've been fighting for years. They were such an adorable bickering couple. Added bonus: one of them is a Scrooge who needs to find the joy in Christmas again!
Danced Close: 3 stars
Genderqueer gay hero falls for sweet southern boy who is battling his own demons…
Really cute, sweet stories about loveable characters, each with a unique set of baggage.
Knit Tight: 3 stars
Couple finds together while both are working through some family issues and learn that relying on others is not a weakness.
Wrapped Together: 5 stars
My favorite story in the collection! Long-time frenemies finally give in to the attraction they've been fighting for years. They were such an adorable bickering couple. Added bonus: one of them is a Scrooge who needs to find the joy in Christmas again!
Danced Close: 3 stars
Genderqueer gay hero falls for sweet southern boy who is battling his own demons…
February 2, 2024
Safe to say, this series was not for me. The themes were too similar for many of them, they didn't have much of anything going on besides the romance, the characters were often annoying, and I felt like I kept getting preached at about different things. Safe to say, I'm going to stay clear of this author from now on. I liked the #gaymers series okay, but even those had similarities of theme and character types.
Knit Tight - 3 stars
I liked Brady and Evren, though I never felt their connection. They went from tentative friends to friends with benefits to lovers way too quickly considering Ev had a big hangup against bisexuals. I didn't like the sister much, who was self-involved and bratty for 18. I get she wanted to have more time with her friends and such, but she acted like she was the only one making sacrifices. I did like that Brady realized he needed to be less strict though and that Ev stepped up to help them out. Unfortunately, while we did get to see some of how Ev and Brady bonded, a lot of it was told, and I think that kept me from fully connecting to them as a couple.
Wrapped Together - 1 star
DNF @ 64% with some skimming
A couple of guys who were one-time friends have a bunch of sex and I'm sure they fall in love. Bored now, and definitely not feeling the connection here. Sawyer was pushy and I didn't get the impression he really cared much about Hollis at all, and Hollis seemed to dread their encounters more than he enjoyed them.
Danced Close - 2 stars
Again, I didn't feel the connection between the MCs in this one. One is genderqueer and the other is a recovering addict . They meet. They decide to take things slow, but not too slow because they're horny. And of course it's only a temporary fling because neither of them want anything permanent. Until they do. But neither of these idiots tells the other, and they both decide they're not good enough for each other, so there's a big misunderstanding. Do you know how many times I've read these worn out clichés? Too many to care about anything here. Also, there is too much time between the sheets and not enough of anything else. At least I could skim those scenes and the story went much quicker. Also, assume the average reader has no clue what any of these dance terms mean and describe them. Just a thought.
Knit Tight - 3 stars
I liked Brady and Evren, though I never felt their connection. They went from tentative friends to friends with benefits to lovers way too quickly considering Ev had a big hangup against bisexuals. I didn't like the sister much, who was self-involved and bratty for 18. I get she wanted to have more time with her friends and such, but she acted like she was the only one making sacrifices. I did like that Brady realized he needed to be less strict though and that Ev stepped up to help them out. Unfortunately, while we did get to see some of how Ev and Brady bonded, a lot of it was told, and I think that kept me from fully connecting to them as a couple.
Wrapped Together - 1 star
DNF @ 64% with some skimming
A couple of guys who were one-time friends have a bunch of sex and I'm sure they fall in love. Bored now, and definitely not feeling the connection here. Sawyer was pushy and I didn't get the impression he really cared much about Hollis at all, and Hollis seemed to dread their encounters more than he enjoyed them.
Danced Close - 2 stars
Again, I didn't feel the connection between the MCs in this one. One is genderqueer and the other is a recovering addict . They meet. They decide to take things slow, but not too slow because they're horny. And of course it's only a temporary fling because neither of them want anything permanent. Until they do. But neither of these idiots tells the other, and they both decide they're not good enough for each other, so there's a big misunderstanding. Do you know how many times I've read these worn out clichés? Too many to care about anything here. Also, there is too much time between the sheets and not enough of anything else. At least I could skim those scenes and the story went much quicker. Also, assume the average reader has no clue what any of these dance terms mean and describe them. Just a thought.
October 6, 2019
This is the second half of the Portland Heat series. The first two books in this one were WONDERFUL. Each one felt like a REAL full length novel, some dealing with more difficult stuff. I'll say that the third one wasn't "it" for me, but I still say it's a deal getting all of them. Also you might feel differently about the last one..
I actually think the first two novellas in this one were my absolute favorite in the series. Number one goes to Hollis and Sawyer's story. As usual you'll get my full thought bellow :)
This was a great series of short novellas. I say give it a go. You can buy them as two bundles (like I did) or individually.
Knit Tight [Brady & Evren Demir] ★★★★★
Loved Brady and Ev. We've met Brady in the previous installment, the barista working at "People's Cup" (the coffee shop Chris used to own). While he seemed like the sweetest guy, I thought he was just a "board skater" and nothing more but turns out he has a much more complicated life - at the age of 23 raising (together with his 18 years old sister) their 3 half siblings after their parents died in a car accident a year before. It's not easy and though Renee (the older sister) is helping, she is just a teen herself.
Evren and Brady meets on the regular "Knit Night" Wednesday (the yarn enthusiastic extravaganza in "People's Cup"), turns out he is Mira's nephew, who came to help her out due to recent illness. As Mira, the owner of the local yarn store, is Brady's favorite customer he is sad to hear she is sick but he isn't sad he gets to see more of the sexy Ev.
At first Ev is a little weary of the bisexual Brady, but it doesn't take him long to realize there is much more to Brady than his sexuality. Also they both have VERY little time. Brady taking care of the kids and working as much as he can and Ev taking care of Mira with frequent doctor/clinic visits due to her cancer. Friendship, more on the phone than anything else, is all they can manage and yet it's somehow almost enough with how much it helps them both.
Brady and Ev's friendship which little by little turned more sexual and naturally more serious as they became involved - boyfriends - without even thinking about it was a treat to read. There was something truly endearing about the two of them together. The little they got from one another yet they made is so much more with longing and hope. Ev was always ready to help Brady out, but Brady got less from the reserved Ev who found it hard to share his burden but in the end, even though it was hard for him to articulate his need, Brady was there by his side and from there it was obvious they are now a family, and family cares for one another.
You wouldn't believe this is actually a (not so short) novella with the story we got in this one. LOVED IT!
132 Pages. Read 5 October 2019.
Wrapped Together [Hollis Alcott & Sawyer Murphy] ★★★★★
THIS is my favorite novella in this series! Yeah, there's one more but I'm somehow already certain and it's not only because it sort of my favorite turf (friends to lovers). Hollis and Sawyer has known each other most of their lives, it started in school when two sets of twins became best friends - Char and Hollis with Sawyer and Tucker. Now, nearing their thirties, Char and Tucker are married with a small kid expecting their own twins and yet though everyone seems to expect Sawyer and Hollis get together they mostly "play" the enemies who simply can't get along. Mira (Ev's aunt from "Knit Tight") would have enjoyed getting to see these two truly turning into a coupe but they needed far more than just a hug as she predicted.
Hollis have loved Sawyer since the first time they met. But the overly introverted Hollis just didn't know how to deal with the overly extrovert Sawyer. Also, him moving from interest to interest (hobbies as well as partners) didn't help and while Sawyer was ALWAYS trying to include Hollis in his life and the lives of their siblings, it wasn't working. Hollis was too afraid to act on his feelings.
Things changed for the worse 3 years ago when Hollis and Char's parents died in a skiing accident. For Hollis is was even more heart breaking. He felt responsible, he felt empty. He didn't know how to be happy after that. He just couldn't and no matter how much the people around him TRIED to help him resume his life he sank even deeper into himself.
This year Sawyer decided to change the game. He offers an innocent bet but Hollis already knew it will amount to nothing good.. Hollis knew Sawyer wanted to make him enjoy the December holidays like he used to, but what he didn't realize was Sawyer has another ulterior motive, one he should have pursued years ago. Hollis was TRYING to hold himself back, but with every hour they spend together, drinking sugary drinks or kissing, his resolve was slowly breaking. How could he resist FINALLY having the love of his life?
The interaction between these two left me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading this novella. Like the previous ones, though it's short, I truly feel like we've got a whole story. I love the "friends to lovers" turf and especially the one that lasts for years and years and though Sawyer and Hollis weren't exactly best friends, the whole time, they were still always connected, and always trying to ignore what was there all along beneath the surface. As we only got Hollis' POV it was easier for me (an introvert myself..) to see what was so difficult for Hollis, why what Sawyer seem to want from him didn't really appeal to him. I think it's something a lot of introverts share - the annoying habits of extroverts to try and change them into "more social" when really we don't want it OR need it. It took Sawyer time to realize that himself. He wanted Hollis to be happy, but he wasn't offering Hollis what would make HIM happy. He was using what he HIMSELF wanted/needed. It was beautiful seeing these two build something REAL together, that made them BOTH happy.
These's mild kink in this one (mostly bondage). I'm not usually that patient with BDSM. But in this one it worked well for me, especially with the realizations both men came from their experience together. Even though it was what Hollis KNEW he enjoyed, he didn't have the right partner in the past, being with Sawyer was a TOTALLY different. Sawyer on the other hand didn't even know it's something he'd enjoy but he found he loved it with Hollis as it worked for him because it was Hollis and everything he felt for him.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
127 Pages. Read 5 October 2019.
Danced Close [Todd & Kendall Rose] ★★★
This was my least favorite in the series. I just couldn't connect with either character. While Todd was just 22 years old to Kendall's 28 - they BOTH felt immature and IMO not ready for a relationship. It wasn't just their insecurities, it was their INABILITY to share ANYTHING real. I mean, Todd did tell Kendall a bit about his past - living on the streets, using drugs and finding himself HIV positive (remember him from the funeral Robbin and Vic attended in "Baked Fresh"?). But besides this big reveal I felt they both tried to expose as little as they could to the other person and when they actually needed to TALK about what they wanted, what they felt, they kept silent for all the stupid reasons.
While Kendall was a colorful person in everything he did and say - at least toward the outside world, it's obvious he isn't sure about himself and his gender-queer identity. He was obsessed with his need to BE whomever he wants not being judged because others couldn't handle him showing a feminine side while being OBSESSED with being "in charge", sort of "man enough" to actually BE a dominant man. See, I could find a person (or a character in a book) like this to be truly intriguing and also inspiring. Someone who is confident and in charge but could also rock a more feminine side. That takes a sort of courage but also personality the sort Kendall sadly lacks. I didn't "buy" his dominant side, it felt completely fake combining with his total and absolute insecurity. He felt like he was ACTING who he WISHED he could be but isn't in real life. I know it sounds mean to say it this way but hearing his thoughts and seeing his mannerism simply didn't work.
There's a story there somewhere.. It's Kendall offering Todd to be his dancing partner when he sees him randomly dancing to music in a wedding venue he organised (Todd being the delivery guy to the bakery Vic now co-owns). He NEEDS a dancing partner for an upcoming event but sadly his partner had to leave to help a family member. Dancing with Todd turned out to be much more than he expected and it doesn't take long for both of them to want more, yet both are not ready for a serious commitment (!). Spending time together makes them change their mind even if actually saying it out loud is even more difficult.
This was a total miss for me. I liked a lot of the motives in this one and the possibilities these two characters had but in "real life" they both disappointed me.
132 Pages. Read 5-6 October 2019.
More Reviews HERE
I actually think the first two novellas in this one were my absolute favorite in the series. Number one goes to Hollis and Sawyer's story. As usual you'll get my full thought bellow :)
This was a great series of short novellas. I say give it a go. You can buy them as two bundles (like I did) or individually.
Knit Tight [Brady & Evren Demir] ★★★★★
Loved Brady and Ev. We've met Brady in the previous installment, the barista working at "People's Cup" (the coffee shop Chris used to own). While he seemed like the sweetest guy, I thought he was just a "board skater" and nothing more but turns out he has a much more complicated life - at the age of 23 raising (together with his 18 years old sister) their 3 half siblings after their parents died in a car accident a year before. It's not easy and though Renee (the older sister) is helping, she is just a teen herself.
Evren and Brady meets on the regular "Knit Night" Wednesday (the yarn enthusiastic extravaganza in "People's Cup"), turns out he is Mira's nephew, who came to help her out due to recent illness. As Mira, the owner of the local yarn store, is Brady's favorite customer he is sad to hear she is sick but he isn't sad he gets to see more of the sexy Ev.
At first Ev is a little weary of the bisexual Brady, but it doesn't take him long to realize there is much more to Brady than his sexuality. Also they both have VERY little time. Brady taking care of the kids and working as much as he can and Ev taking care of Mira with frequent doctor/clinic visits due to her cancer. Friendship, more on the phone than anything else, is all they can manage and yet it's somehow almost enough with how much it helps them both.
Brady and Ev's friendship which little by little turned more sexual and naturally more serious as they became involved - boyfriends - without even thinking about it was a treat to read. There was something truly endearing about the two of them together. The little they got from one another yet they made is so much more with longing and hope. Ev was always ready to help Brady out, but Brady got less from the reserved Ev who found it hard to share his burden but in the end, even though it was hard for him to articulate his need, Brady was there by his side and from there it was obvious they are now a family, and family cares for one another.
You wouldn't believe this is actually a (not so short) novella with the story we got in this one. LOVED IT!
132 Pages. Read 5 October 2019.
Wrapped Together [Hollis Alcott & Sawyer Murphy] ★★★★★
THIS is my favorite novella in this series! Yeah, there's one more but I'm somehow already certain and it's not only because it sort of my favorite turf (friends to lovers). Hollis and Sawyer has known each other most of their lives, it started in school when two sets of twins became best friends - Char and Hollis with Sawyer and Tucker. Now, nearing their thirties, Char and Tucker are married with a small kid expecting their own twins and yet though everyone seems to expect Sawyer and Hollis get together they mostly "play" the enemies who simply can't get along. Mira (Ev's aunt from "Knit Tight") would have enjoyed getting to see these two truly turning into a coupe but they needed far more than just a hug as she predicted.
Hollis have loved Sawyer since the first time they met. But the overly introverted Hollis just didn't know how to deal with the overly extrovert Sawyer. Also, him moving from interest to interest (hobbies as well as partners) didn't help and while Sawyer was ALWAYS trying to include Hollis in his life and the lives of their siblings, it wasn't working. Hollis was too afraid to act on his feelings.
Things changed for the worse 3 years ago when Hollis and Char's parents died in a skiing accident. For Hollis is was even more heart breaking. He felt responsible, he felt empty. He didn't know how to be happy after that. He just couldn't and no matter how much the people around him TRIED to help him resume his life he sank even deeper into himself.
This year Sawyer decided to change the game. He offers an innocent bet but Hollis already knew it will amount to nothing good.. Hollis knew Sawyer wanted to make him enjoy the December holidays like he used to, but what he didn't realize was Sawyer has another ulterior motive, one he should have pursued years ago. Hollis was TRYING to hold himself back, but with every hour they spend together, drinking sugary drinks or kissing, his resolve was slowly breaking. How could he resist FINALLY having the love of his life?
The interaction between these two left me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading this novella. Like the previous ones, though it's short, I truly feel like we've got a whole story. I love the "friends to lovers" turf and especially the one that lasts for years and years and though Sawyer and Hollis weren't exactly best friends, the whole time, they were still always connected, and always trying to ignore what was there all along beneath the surface. As we only got Hollis' POV it was easier for me (an introvert myself..) to see what was so difficult for Hollis, why what Sawyer seem to want from him didn't really appeal to him. I think it's something a lot of introverts share - the annoying habits of extroverts to try and change them into "more social" when really we don't want it OR need it. It took Sawyer time to realize that himself. He wanted Hollis to be happy, but he wasn't offering Hollis what would make HIM happy. He was using what he HIMSELF wanted/needed. It was beautiful seeing these two build something REAL together, that made them BOTH happy.
These's mild kink in this one (mostly bondage). I'm not usually that patient with BDSM. But in this one it worked well for me, especially with the realizations both men came from their experience together. Even though it was what Hollis KNEW he enjoyed, he didn't have the right partner in the past, being with Sawyer was a TOTALLY different. Sawyer on the other hand didn't even know it's something he'd enjoy but he found he loved it with Hollis as it worked for him because it was Hollis and everything he felt for him.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
127 Pages. Read 5 October 2019.
Danced Close [Todd & Kendall Rose] ★★★
This was my least favorite in the series. I just couldn't connect with either character. While Todd was just 22 years old to Kendall's 28 - they BOTH felt immature and IMO not ready for a relationship. It wasn't just their insecurities, it was their INABILITY to share ANYTHING real. I mean, Todd did tell Kendall a bit about his past - living on the streets, using drugs and finding himself HIV positive (remember him from the funeral Robbin and Vic attended in "Baked Fresh"?). But besides this big reveal I felt they both tried to expose as little as they could to the other person and when they actually needed to TALK about what they wanted, what they felt, they kept silent for all the stupid reasons.
While Kendall was a colorful person in everything he did and say - at least toward the outside world, it's obvious he isn't sure about himself and his gender-queer identity. He was obsessed with his need to BE whomever he wants not being judged because others couldn't handle him showing a feminine side while being OBSESSED with being "in charge", sort of "man enough" to actually BE a dominant man. See, I could find a person (or a character in a book) like this to be truly intriguing and also inspiring. Someone who is confident and in charge but could also rock a more feminine side. That takes a sort of courage but also personality the sort Kendall sadly lacks. I didn't "buy" his dominant side, it felt completely fake combining with his total and absolute insecurity. He felt like he was ACTING who he WISHED he could be but isn't in real life. I know it sounds mean to say it this way but hearing his thoughts and seeing his mannerism simply didn't work.
There's a story there somewhere.. It's Kendall offering Todd to be his dancing partner when he sees him randomly dancing to music in a wedding venue he organised (Todd being the delivery guy to the bakery Vic now co-owns). He NEEDS a dancing partner for an upcoming event but sadly his partner had to leave to help a family member. Dancing with Todd turned out to be much more than he expected and it doesn't take long for both of them to want more, yet both are not ready for a serious commitment (!). Spending time together makes them change their mind even if actually saying it out loud is even more difficult.
This was a total miss for me. I liked a lot of the motives in this one and the possibilities these two characters had but in "real life" they both disappointed me.
132 Pages. Read 5-6 October 2019.
More Reviews HERE
November 29, 2018
Gathered Up is a set of three books from the ‘Portland Heat’ series. The books include:
Knit Tight – Book 4 - 3 Stars
Wrapped Together – Book 5 - 2 Stars
Danced Close – Book 6 - 3 Stars
Knit Tight – Book 4 - 3 Stars
Wrapped Together – Book 5 - 2 Stars
Danced Close – Book 6 - 3 Stars
April 23, 2018
Reviewed separately
December 11, 2017
I reviewed the books in this set as they were released. Below are my reviews for each of them.
**Knit Tight**
5 stars
This book stirred up my emotions and just about broke my heart in places. That’s about the highest praise that I can give a book. I know not everyone likes an emotional read but they are my favorite kind of story.
Knit Tight is told in first person POV by Brady. Brady is a barista who works hard and is trying to keep his family together. When his mother and step-father were killed in a car accident he fought to take custody of his younger siblings even though he was still young himself. The love Brady has for his siblings, and his desire to care for them, is amazing.
Evren (Ev) is visiting his aunt Mira to help out with her yarn store while she undergoes treatment for cancer. Customers from Mira’s store visit Brady’s place on Wednesday’s for Knit Night. Things can get pretty wild on Knit Night and Evren steps in to help calm two customers after coffee gets spilled on their knitting projects. Brady is immediately taken with Ev and wants to see him socially not just when he comes for coffee. Things get off to a rocky start when Ev finds out that Brady is bi; Ev doesn’t do bi and he stops coming in to get his daily coffee. They finally agree to be friends and Ev resumes his daily coffee habit.
I wish I was better at putting things into words about how much I liked this book. The way Ms. Albert writes Ev’s dialogue is so good I can “hear” his New York, with a side of Turkish, accent. His speech pattern has a wonderful lilt to it that I really enjoyed.
Another thing I enjoyed about this book is that Evren loves to knit and design patterns. Most chapters begin with a passage from his blog, Evren’s Yarnings, which are fun to read and can be very poignant – especially the ones towards the end of the book.
Brady’s trials and tribulations with his family are skillfully worked in and around his and Ev’s budding relationship. This book is so much more than a story about Brady and Ev. It’s about their love of their respective families and the lengths they are willing to go to for them. I guess I should also mention that the sexy time between Brady and Ev is HOT! :-)
I am amazed at how well developed the characters are in this story – especially since it’s only 132 pages long; it seemed much longer and I definitely mean that in a good way. Portland Heat is a series that I can highly recommend. If you like MM stories with lots of feeling you will love these books.
**Wrapped Together**
5 stars
Wrapped Together is a perfect holiday story.
Hollis and Sawyer have known each other forever. Hollis is a twin, so is Sawyer, and Hollis’ sister is married to Sawyer’s brother. Hollis has always been more reserved and Sawyer not so much. Hollis doesn’t care for the holidays since his parents died and Sawyer is determined to help him feel some holiday cheer. Their friendly (?) competition soon turns to something more and the sparks begin to fly.
The heat between Hollis and Sawyer is delicious and reading how Sawyer gradually turns Hollis from a Scrooge-like character into someone who learns to enjoy Christmas again makes this one of my favorite holiday novellas ever; the friends-to-lovers aspect just added more icing to the cake.
** Danced Close**
4 stars
This isn’t my favorite story by Annabeth Albert but I still liked it a lot. I just didn’t seem to feel the connection between Todd and Kendall and that’s super unusual for me with an Annabeth Albert book. I have loved every single one of her stories and I’m pretty sure that I’ve read them all.
I think the writing is superb and I suspect that it was the characters that I couldn’t connect with as easily and I have with the characters in the other books in this series. (Knit Tight is one of my all-time favorite books.) It's also a fairly short book so that might have been part of it. A bit more detail about both of the MCs would probably have helped me feel more connected.
This may sound weird but I tend to judge a book by whether or not it makes me cry. If a book really gets to me I invariably shed tears, it’s just the way I am. I didn’t shed any tears reading Danced Close; another first for me with an A.A. book.
**In conclusion**
Annabeth Albert’s stories always leave me satisfied and yet I always want more because I just can’t bear the thought that I won’t be reading more about her wonderful characters. That’s what I love about this series; the stories are connected and yet stand alone. When I read a new Portland Heat story I feel like I’m revisiting old friends while at the same time meeting new ones.
**Knit Tight**
5 stars
This book stirred up my emotions and just about broke my heart in places. That’s about the highest praise that I can give a book. I know not everyone likes an emotional read but they are my favorite kind of story.
Knit Tight is told in first person POV by Brady. Brady is a barista who works hard and is trying to keep his family together. When his mother and step-father were killed in a car accident he fought to take custody of his younger siblings even though he was still young himself. The love Brady has for his siblings, and his desire to care for them, is amazing.
Evren (Ev) is visiting his aunt Mira to help out with her yarn store while she undergoes treatment for cancer. Customers from Mira’s store visit Brady’s place on Wednesday’s for Knit Night. Things can get pretty wild on Knit Night and Evren steps in to help calm two customers after coffee gets spilled on their knitting projects. Brady is immediately taken with Ev and wants to see him socially not just when he comes for coffee. Things get off to a rocky start when Ev finds out that Brady is bi; Ev doesn’t do bi and he stops coming in to get his daily coffee. They finally agree to be friends and Ev resumes his daily coffee habit.
I wish I was better at putting things into words about how much I liked this book. The way Ms. Albert writes Ev’s dialogue is so good I can “hear” his New York, with a side of Turkish, accent. His speech pattern has a wonderful lilt to it that I really enjoyed.
Another thing I enjoyed about this book is that Evren loves to knit and design patterns. Most chapters begin with a passage from his blog, Evren’s Yarnings, which are fun to read and can be very poignant – especially the ones towards the end of the book.
Brady’s trials and tribulations with his family are skillfully worked in and around his and Ev’s budding relationship. This book is so much more than a story about Brady and Ev. It’s about their love of their respective families and the lengths they are willing to go to for them. I guess I should also mention that the sexy time between Brady and Ev is HOT! :-)
I am amazed at how well developed the characters are in this story – especially since it’s only 132 pages long; it seemed much longer and I definitely mean that in a good way. Portland Heat is a series that I can highly recommend. If you like MM stories with lots of feeling you will love these books.
**Wrapped Together**
5 stars
Wrapped Together is a perfect holiday story.
Hollis and Sawyer have known each other forever. Hollis is a twin, so is Sawyer, and Hollis’ sister is married to Sawyer’s brother. Hollis has always been more reserved and Sawyer not so much. Hollis doesn’t care for the holidays since his parents died and Sawyer is determined to help him feel some holiday cheer. Their friendly (?) competition soon turns to something more and the sparks begin to fly.
The heat between Hollis and Sawyer is delicious and reading how Sawyer gradually turns Hollis from a Scrooge-like character into someone who learns to enjoy Christmas again makes this one of my favorite holiday novellas ever; the friends-to-lovers aspect just added more icing to the cake.
** Danced Close**
4 stars
This isn’t my favorite story by Annabeth Albert but I still liked it a lot. I just didn’t seem to feel the connection between Todd and Kendall and that’s super unusual for me with an Annabeth Albert book. I have loved every single one of her stories and I’m pretty sure that I’ve read them all.
I think the writing is superb and I suspect that it was the characters that I couldn’t connect with as easily and I have with the characters in the other books in this series. (Knit Tight is one of my all-time favorite books.) It's also a fairly short book so that might have been part of it. A bit more detail about both of the MCs would probably have helped me feel more connected.
This may sound weird but I tend to judge a book by whether or not it makes me cry. If a book really gets to me I invariably shed tears, it’s just the way I am. I didn’t shed any tears reading Danced Close; another first for me with an A.A. book.
**In conclusion**
Annabeth Albert’s stories always leave me satisfied and yet I always want more because I just can’t bear the thought that I won’t be reading more about her wonderful characters. That’s what I love about this series; the stories are connected and yet stand alone. When I read a new Portland Heat story I feel like I’m revisiting old friends while at the same time meeting new ones.
March 13, 2020
I really enjoy these books. I do enjoy a good happy ending with a tear first!
February 19, 2019
Knit Tight 5 stars
This fourth book in the Portland Heat series is fantastic! It is full of real emotion and struggle, but joy, kindness and mostly love. Brady has so much on his plate, too much to carry on his own. Evren impresses me with is caring. He effortlessly gives. He has a hard time accepting Brady's support. He too is overwhelmed with too much to deal with while caring for his ailing aunt. I like watching Ev go from being so closed off to embracing a family. The ending is divine.
Wrapped Together 5 stars
Excellent addition to the Portland Heat series. Hollis has buried himself in grief for so long that he doesn't know how to escape it. I love all the little things that Sawyer does to bring Hollis out into life again. There is a bit of very light BDSM and a fair amount of spice but it's the revelations and changes that these two go through that really make the story. Old friends make an appearance and I'm certainly looking forward to the next book in the series.
Dance Close 5 stars
I enjoyed the absolute acceptance that Kendall and Todd have for each other. They have negative views of themselves, unfortunately. Both are sure that the other is going to figure out their broken parts and baggage and run. I liked that Kendall had reached a point that he accepted who he was regardless of others opinions. Todd's protectiveness towards Kendall made me cheer. Todds Gran was a wonderful side character and I loved seeing Vic and Robin again.
Highly recommended author and series
This fourth book in the Portland Heat series is fantastic! It is full of real emotion and struggle, but joy, kindness and mostly love. Brady has so much on his plate, too much to carry on his own. Evren impresses me with is caring. He effortlessly gives. He has a hard time accepting Brady's support. He too is overwhelmed with too much to deal with while caring for his ailing aunt. I like watching Ev go from being so closed off to embracing a family. The ending is divine.
Wrapped Together 5 stars
Excellent addition to the Portland Heat series. Hollis has buried himself in grief for so long that he doesn't know how to escape it. I love all the little things that Sawyer does to bring Hollis out into life again. There is a bit of very light BDSM and a fair amount of spice but it's the revelations and changes that these two go through that really make the story. Old friends make an appearance and I'm certainly looking forward to the next book in the series.
Dance Close 5 stars
I enjoyed the absolute acceptance that Kendall and Todd have for each other. They have negative views of themselves, unfortunately. Both are sure that the other is going to figure out their broken parts and baggage and run. I liked that Kendall had reached a point that he accepted who he was regardless of others opinions. Todd's protectiveness towards Kendall made me cheer. Todds Gran was a wonderful side character and I loved seeing Vic and Robin again.
Highly recommended author and series
December 14, 2017
282 lpp and i'm out.
Trīs storiji. Puslīdz normāls bija #2.
#1 - kinky adītājs ar stulbu loģiku. Vienīgā daļa, kas te bija emocionāla, bija par tanti, kurai vēzis. Bet Ev...just ughhh... #gavinlogic. Adīšanas blogeris. Labi, ka baristu nesēja ar adītām šallēm pie gultas :D.
#2 bija xmasīgi un tas pāris man kaut cik patika :) They were hot.
un #3... well..no. Neiedziļinoties. Just not for me.
Trīs storiji. Puslīdz normāls bija #2.
#1 - kinky adītājs ar stulbu loģiku. Vienīgā daļa, kas te bija emocionāla, bija par tanti, kurai vēzis. Bet Ev...just ughhh... #gavinlogic. Adīšanas blogeris. Labi, ka baristu nesēja ar adītām šallēm pie gultas :D.
#2 bija xmasīgi un tas pāris man kaut cik patika :) They were hot.
un #3... well..no. Neiedziļinoties. Just not for me.
January 6, 2020
I only read the first two books in this one. Dance Close didn’t work for me and I couldn’t finish it. That said I loved Brady and Ev. Having chapters from Evs point of view would’ve helped but good read nonetheless.
I also loved Sawyer and Hollis. I know it January and the holidays are over, but I loved this Christmas holiday romance novella.
I also loved Sawyer and Hollis. I know it January and the holidays are over, but I loved this Christmas holiday romance novella.
October 23, 2018
All good stories here, but my favorite is Wrapped Together. Hollis and Sawyer, once they finally give in to their years-long attraction, are perfect together. There is just something romantic about unrequited love getting it's chance. Plus, they're a little bit spicy in the bedroom.
October 20, 2018
The book got better from one part to the next. Loved the last story the most.
May 9, 2019
I enjoyed reading the three very different stories! Three very different couples! (I did have a favorite among the three, sshhh, lol!)
I also enjoyed the common link between the stories! :)
I also enjoyed the common link between the stories! :)
February 1, 2022
Not as engaging as their other works, but still good.
February 5, 2021
Knit Tight
This was my least favorite of the entire 6 books. It did have a good story line…I just didn’t get Evren’s attitude at times toward Brady. You just wanted to wrap Brady up in a big fluffy blanket. Poor guy had sole responsibility of his four younger siblings one of which was a bratty teenage sister that offered him very little support or her share of the responsibilities. Evren’s was overwhelmed with caring for his aunt who was dying from cancer but he constantly gave Brady an on again off again relationship. It was just a frustrating read. Something I have never had with an Annabeth Albert book.
Wrapped Together
This was a really good addition to the Portland Heat series. Old friends appear from other books in the series and Hollis, who had literally drowned in grief for so long, finds a savior in Sawyer. I was really afraid that Hollis was going to drive him away with denial and guilt, but the ending was more than worth waiting for watching the revelations and changes that these two go through.
Danced Close
Kendell and Todd unfortunately have negative views of themselves. Both are sure that the other is going to figure out their “broken parts” and loads of baggage and run. It was with signs of relief that Kendall finally reached a point where he accepted who he was regardless of what others thought. Todd was so protective of Kendall throughout the story that I sure he had his very own cheering section from the readers. Todd’s grandmother was also a wonderful added side character… and it was great it see Vic and Robin from the first book again.
This was my least favorite of the entire 6 books. It did have a good story line…I just didn’t get Evren’s attitude at times toward Brady. You just wanted to wrap Brady up in a big fluffy blanket. Poor guy had sole responsibility of his four younger siblings one of which was a bratty teenage sister that offered him very little support or her share of the responsibilities. Evren’s was overwhelmed with caring for his aunt who was dying from cancer but he constantly gave Brady an on again off again relationship. It was just a frustrating read. Something I have never had with an Annabeth Albert book.
Wrapped Together
This was a really good addition to the Portland Heat series. Old friends appear from other books in the series and Hollis, who had literally drowned in grief for so long, finds a savior in Sawyer. I was really afraid that Hollis was going to drive him away with denial and guilt, but the ending was more than worth waiting for watching the revelations and changes that these two go through.
Danced Close
Kendell and Todd unfortunately have negative views of themselves. Both are sure that the other is going to figure out their “broken parts” and loads of baggage and run. It was with signs of relief that Kendall finally reached a point where he accepted who he was regardless of what others thought. Todd was so protective of Kendall throughout the story that I sure he had his very own cheering section from the readers. Todd’s grandmother was also a wonderful added side character… and it was great it see Vic and Robin from the first book again.
October 17, 2018
Heartwarming, emotional stories of acceptance
Three different stories revolving around various forms of acceptance of other people, their worries, their struggles and their needs. All with a common theme of how finding the person who loves and accepts you for who you are and what you need leads to your HEA.
Books 1 and 2 inspire some strong emotions, something I find Albert is quite good at. Be prepared for that “nearly in tears sore throat” or outright tears. Book three didn’t impact me quite that way but the heartstrings still got a good tug.
If you like your m/m romances sweet and full of emotion these books are for you!
Three different stories revolving around various forms of acceptance of other people, their worries, their struggles and their needs. All with a common theme of how finding the person who loves and accepts you for who you are and what you need leads to your HEA.
Books 1 and 2 inspire some strong emotions, something I find Albert is quite good at. Be prepared for that “nearly in tears sore throat” or outright tears. Book three didn’t impact me quite that way but the heartstrings still got a good tug.
If you like your m/m romances sweet and full of emotion these books are for you!
November 1, 2021
Fantastic!
As I finished the last 3 of the 6 book series, I just want more! Albert’s writing is incredible. This is a great series that I would gladly recommend to any fan of this genre. Easy, captivating, diverse, like a warm hug. The sex is there but it doesn’t overwhelm the intention - which is the story.
As I finished the last 3 of the 6 book series, I just want more! Albert’s writing is incredible. This is a great series that I would gladly recommend to any fan of this genre. Easy, captivating, diverse, like a warm hug. The sex is there but it doesn’t overwhelm the intention - which is the story.
April 3, 2019
🌈
I just loved this book 📖 - just about everything she’s written. Very interesting story line and characters. Loved the happy ending. I did get a little sappy, when they both thought 💭 it wasn’t going to work. Kendall and Todd were made for each other 👥🥰
I just loved this book 📖 - just about everything she’s written. Very interesting story line and characters. Loved the happy ending. I did get a little sappy, when they both thought 💭 it wasn’t going to work. Kendall and Todd were made for each other 👥🥰
February 28, 2019
Cute stories
Each of the three stories were very, very cute. Low angst and all the happy sighs. A steal at $.99 for three books!
Each of the three stories were very, very cute. Low angst and all the happy sighs. A steal at $.99 for three books!
December 8, 2019
Portland Rainbows
A wonderful series of quirky characters and romance. From special events planner to shop owners. From gay to bi to nonbinary. Great author and series.
A wonderful series of quirky characters and romance. From special events planner to shop owners. From gay to bi to nonbinary. Great author and series.
June 12, 2024
Excellent bundle.
Read
December 9, 2017Note to self: Do not buy. Own individually.
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