I was going through a reader’s block and I thought this book will be a light and fluffy romance, full of coziness and wintery warm hugs.

BOY WAS I WRONG!

That does not mean I did not like this book, though. I actually loved it a lot. Bonus: it got me out of my block hahah.

So...

We have Griff. A 37-38 recovering alcoholic, family-oriented and very VERY awkward in social situations (boy, can I relate). Griff is a very grumpy boy, who does not appreciate his mother guilt-tripping him into taking the leadership of the tour group that his uncle is unable to guide. You see, our Griff doesn’t like people and hates socializing, so of course he tries to get out of this situation at first (spoilers: no luck.)

Enter River, a 29 year old ex-model turned writer. River appears to be everything that Griff despises and a complete opposite of himself: a social butterfly.

We have the typical cliché of awkward attraction turning into a sex-for-fun turning into real feelings story. But WAIT A MINUTE.

They have TONS AND TONS of baggage!

Like I mentioned before, Griffin is a recuperating alcoholic and River is struggling with a eating disorder. So keep that in mind before reading this story is this is triggering for you. The author and the actual book DO warn you about this and the situations are quite descriptive.

Coming back to the story, our MC will need to figure themselves out before deciding what they want from each other. I found this very refreshing, as the author leaves quite clear that they are not the cure for each other problems.


Overall, a very nice read and I recommend it to anyone who want ma to read a cliché but with a deep twist.


Thanks to NetGalley for the copy.

FR- Alors alors…. alors j’adore la plume de Annabeth Albert et je dois dire que j’étais un peu triste à l’idée que Out Of Uniform, sa précédente série, étaient terminée.

Aussi, quand j’ai apprit qu’Annabeth Albert sortait une nouvelle série, je me suis jetée sur ce premier tome.
Et j’ai énormément adoré.
Cette série est différente de sa précédente, tout comme Out Of Uniform était différente de sa série #Gaymers.
J’ai aimé qu’on change un peu d’univers et qu’Annabeth Albert nous propose des personnages différents de ceux qu’on avait l’habitude de croiser dans Out of Uniform.
Je vais m’arrêter là pour les comparaisons entre les deux séries parce que nous avons là un tout nouvel univers et de nouveaux personnages.
Alors oui, Griffin est un ex militaire mais ça sera le seul point commun. Parce que si Griffin, est un personnage abîmé, fragile , pour une fois, ses problèmes ne sont pas directement liés à son séjour dans l’armée.

Face à lui, le personnage de River est lumineux. C’est un personnage que j’ai énormément aimé et qui cache un lourd passé. Pour autant, j’ai aimé la façon dont il va aller de l’avant et toujours voir le bon coté des choses.
La relation entre les deux personnages est très bien amenée et naturelle et on se prend très vite au jeu de leur amour et on se laisse emporter avec plaisir.

Un autre point totalement envoûtant de ce roman est le cadre. C’est le deuxième roman que je lis qui se passe en Alaska et on a qu’une envie : y aller!!! Les paysages magnifiques décrits par Annabeth Albert nous font voyager et rêver au fil des pages.

En résumé un très très bon roman . une auteure qui nous livre là encore un nouvel univers complètement dépaysant et des personnages originaux et attachants. Une très bonne série en perspective.



ENG- So well well well… I love the pen of Annabeth Albert and I must say that I was a little sad that Out Of Uniform, her previous series, was over.

Also, when I learned that Elizabeth Albert was releasing a new series, I couldn’t wait for the first volume.
And I really loved it.

This series is different from her previous one, just as Out Of Uniform was different from her #Gaymers series.
I liked that there’s a change in the universe and that Elizabeth Albert offers us new characters, different from those we used to meet in Out of Uniform.

I’ll stop there for comparisons between the two series because we have a whole new universe and new characters.

So yes, Griffin is ex-military but it will be the only thing in common. Because if Griffin is a damaged, fragile character, for once, his problems are not directly related to his stay in the army.

Facing him, River is bright. I loved him a lot and even if he hides a heavy past he is really positiv . For all that, I liked how he go ahead and always see the good side of things.

The relationship between the two characters is very well brought and natural and we quickly get caught up in their love story and we get carried away with pleasure.

Another captivating point of this novel is the setting. This is the second novel that I read that is set in Alaska and we just want to go there! The beautiful landscapes described by Annabeth Albert make us travel all alond the novel.

In summary a very very good novel. An author who gives us here again a new , exotic and original world and very endearing characters. A very good series in perspective.

I really do love Annabeth’s books and definitely enjoyed this one, the setting is absolutely stunning, the characters are complex and their journey is emotional! Griffin and River couldn’t be more different, Griffin is former military and gruff and tough and River is a former male model. They have a few things in common, an intense attraction and a whole lots of issues! These two come packed with serious baggage!

I really liked these two together, even from the start it’s clear there is something special between them. This story touches on some serious issues, addiction and eating disorders, and I think Annabeth Albert does a good job with it. It’s not a quick fix, everything is okay thing, these guys struggle and it takes time. There is love and healing and the way it all comes together is what makes my heart happy!

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I am a huge fan of books by Annabeth Albert and have enjoyed this new series set in Alaska. I loved both main characters in this story and was anxious to figure out how it was going to end. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the rest in this series.

am a huge fan of Annabeth Albert’s books, and I simply adored her Out of Uniform series. I was very excited to see a new series from her and couldn’t wait to meet a new cast of characters. And while I really liked both Griffin and River, truly enjoyed the new scenery and untamed wilderness brought by an Alaskan locale, it pains me to say that I was not “wow-ed” by this book. I enjoyed Arctic Sun, and I am looking forward to the next in this series. I’m just hoping that the next story moves along at a faster clip than this one.

River and Griffin were total opposites in all ways but one: they refused to see that, despite their past addictions and compulsions, they deserved to find happiness. River’s body image issues and Griffin’s alcohol addictions have colored their pasts, and working to overcome these problems have become a way of life for both of these men. But when they get to know one another, they each can see more clearly in the other man those things they won’t acknowledge in themselves: that they each deserve to be loved and that they are both works in progress.

I found these two men together to be intriguing because the dynamics of their relationship were not what one would think. Griffin was not the alpha male, despite his lumber-sexual appeal, and as the waifish male model, River was not the more submissive one in the relationship. As a couple, they worked perfectly for me and despite Griffin’s gruff exterior, I felt their affection for one another. The descriptions of Alaska were beautiful and wild. Her men were smoldering together, and the issues that River and Griffin dealt with were handled with care and delicacy. And yet, I cannot put my finger on why I found the story to be lacking something. Perhaps it was the pace at which it plodded along. Maybe it was a vagueness in Griffin’s backstory. But for whatever reason, I just wanted the story to move more quickly for me than it did.

Annabeth Albert is a fantastic writer and her ability to create characters with dimension and realism is a talent. I find that I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series and getting more acquainted with her men from Alaska..

3.5 stars

This book was overall a pleasant read, with clean prose, lovely descriptions, and a great sense of place in the Alaskan setting. I enjoyed the characters and the premise, but I found the book struggled to achieve much depth because there was a lot of focus on the initial setup and too much exposition or dialogue elsewhere, especially during important emotional scenes. Other than Griff and River, we also don't get much depth from the other characters, even significant figures like Griff's mother, making the book feel a bit shallow and one-note. Despite the fact that River and Griff both face incredibly difficult issues such as disordered eating and addiction, the book never really goes too far into their pasts and barely scratches the surface. And when they begin to conquer their issues and rebuild their lives, we learn this through exposition as well. The resulting effect was shallow and made me crave more showing and less telling, with more well-fleshed out characters and backgrounds beyond the two main guys.

** spoiler alert **

2-2.5 stars

I absolutely hate that I have to write this. Because I adore most of Annabeth’s books! She’s an automatic request for me.
That’s why I’m so heart broken about this book. I tried! I really did. But I could not get into this book for the life of me. It was extremely slow. I had a hard time connecting with the main characters. I was skimming certain parts in this book. I kept checking to see what percentage I was in the book.

The issues both these characters have Griffin a recovering alcoholic and River battling his eating disorder. Was a lot to take in. Then we have the sex thing. It just didn’t flow seamlessly. I get it. Sex isn’t alway sunshine and rainbows. People have little quirks. But I just felt with all the problems they had going on personally. I just wanted the sex to flow.

I wish I could say I loved or liked this book. But I can’t. The pace of the book made this book seem longer then what it was. The main characters had a lot going on.

I love this author! I will continue to read her books. This book just happened to be a miss for me.

3.5 stars.

I really love how Albert handles the issues she gives her MCs. There is no magic D here. A relationship, some good lovin' or a big declaration are not the things that magically solve their problems, and I really appreciate that.
That being said, these guys both have a lot of backstory and it felt like the story had a lot packed into it while somehow not enough. The romance was slow burn, maybe so much so that it was more slow than burn. Their history was packed, but I was left with gaps in Griffin's and questions that I don't think were really answered.
I would have really liked more tension or chemistry. I was distracted by Griffin's hot/cold attitude. Both of their issues seemed to creep out slowly with the reader making assumptions then all of sudden everything was in your face.
In the end, I did believe in their HEA and I think that these two ended up being so perfect for each other despite their vastly different coping mechanisms so I have high hopes for them. I always appreciate an ending that show relationships take work.
While not my favorite Annabeth book, I still have high hopes for the rest of this series. I will be tuning in for the remainder and another trip to Alaska for sure.

This is the second novel I've read recently with a main character who has substance abuse, the previous one being Shadows You Left. I wrote there that it had been a difficult book to read, and this book could have been another difficult one for me.

In fact, given that the other main character was a writer with anorexia--something that tracks much closer to my own life--this book had all the signs of something that would be very difficult.

But it wasn't, and I've been trying to put my finger on exactly why that was. I think a part of it is that I sit down and relax in the arms of Annabeth Albert's writing. She takes care with every word she puts down. And, although both of the characters in this novel do have moments of relapse, or near relapse, those moments don't get a lot of explicit narrative directed at them. The point is made and then moved on from neatly.

Griffin is an introverted ex-alcoholic whose family are now after him to run a wildlife tour now that his Uncle has hurt himself. He is, to be blunt, not particularly excited about this opportunity to get out of his shell. Especially he is not that interested in meeting one particular guest for the tour, a young man who used to be a model.

River is the model in question, though he left that business after ending up in hospital after deciding not to eat in order to meet up to the standards of that business. He's now moved into book writing, and travelling is one of the coping mechanisms that he has to keep from falling back into old habits.

When these two meet, there is of course as spark of interest, though Griffin tries to run from it. What I really loved about this novel was just how much there was in it. It is one of Annabeth's longer novels, and it spans a great deal of time, from the tour, to the long distance relationship they try straight thereafter, to each of them meeting each others' family for the first time, to the difficulties and relapses that occur, and then moving on past them.

When I saw how close they were so early in the story, I did have a concern about how the pacing was going to go from that point, but I needn't have worried. This is a near perfect story that deals confidently and kindly with serious issues.

I quite liked this new series. I'm a big fan of the Arctic being the back drop in stories and Annabeth didn't disappoint with this aspect.

Griff has some issues which he likes to cover up with a gruff exterior but something about River makes him want to live again. River whom is an ex model and looks like he has it all but he doesn't and this trip up north made him see things in a different way.

I did like River and Griff together even when both of them were running scared. Sure during that times River was acting like a brat but I did understand the behaviour.

"I'm scared. I'm scared of loving you and losing you to this life. I'm scared of loving you and watching you hurt yourself. I'm scared of loving you and that not being enough."

Once these two got their heads on straight it was even sweeter.

"Yeah, but you're my mess. Nowhere I'd rather be right now, promise. "

Super sweet yet had some gruff.

Griff and River's story is one filled with so much anxiety and uncertainty within a travel adventure! River books an Alaska wildlife photography tour, and Griff is the tour guide and photography expert. Sparks fly from the very first meeting, but both men are slow to make a move. River can see having fun with Griff, but Griff is surprised he is even attracted to River. They come from polar opposite worlds. Griff lives for the serene and quiet of Alaska, running tours and cargo planes for the family business. River, a former model now travel writer, lives for the hustle and bustle of city and travel adventures. He is always on the go, not one to stay in any particular place for any extended length of time.

Both men have their own issues to deal with. Once they gave into their attraction, certain aspects of River's life was a trigger for Griff, and vice-versa. Learning how to mitigate the triggers and their respective actions, gave them some solid footing to build upon. It was a very bumpy ride to say the least!

I really liked both characters and could easily see how well they actually complimented the other. I was hoping they found a way over the hurdles and would get their HEA I craved. I was not disappointed! Good start to the series!

4.5-5 stars... I'm thinking I'm really going to like this new series ;)

At first glance, Griffin and River have absolutely nothing in common. That’s the problem with first impressions though, you have to really get to know someone before you should make a snap judgement on who they really are. Although River tried his best to make a good first impression, Griffen didn’t really care what anyone’s opinion of him was. He was there to help his family and their business. I loved watching that ice around him crumble. ❤

There was a lot more behind River than what I expected. Even though I liked him from the beginning, getting to know him made me want to get to know him even better. Though Griffin tried to deny it, even to himself, River had the same affect on him. The closer they got, the harder it was to deny. Yet, Griffin felt safest at home, where he kept to a steady routine and he felt like he had some control. River, on the other hand, couldn’t stay in one place. He had no “home” and didn’t want one, or so he thought.

These two had a lot to work through and it wasn’t easy, but nothing worth having really was. I should also note that while I liked some of the supporting characters, not many of River’s “friends” were, well, supportive. He ended up getting the best support from a totally unexpected source. I also loved Griffen’s family, but they irritated me at times as well. They had their reasons, but Griffin had come a long way and was a lot more capable of making smart, healthy decisions than they realized. They won me back in the end though.

The next book in Annabeth Albert’s new series is Arctic Wild and since we met at least one of the main characters in Arctic Sun, I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for him.

Griffin and River are super cute together. Imagine a mountain man, and a former supermodel. Both had baggage they're carried, and the meeting was not really a right time to build any kind of relationship. But River is a determine guy, I loved him! Griffin was just need more encouragement to step to another level.
You need more patient reading this book. Good thing is, I read this while I was in my vacation in Japan, climbed the Fuji Mountain, so, the book was perfect for me at the moment.
It took me a bit longer as usual (cue to my activity in the mountain), but reading something about the mountain while you're in the mountain, I'd got the feeling like what River felt.
Actually, I really wanted River and Griffin's relationship worked smoothly, but with baggage and all, it was only right that the author did what she did.

Arctic Sun was a fun, enjoyable read with two main characters that easy to like. Feel the mountain breeze while reading this, I couldn't recommend enough to take this book with you on your holiday.
I will definitely read the next boo of the series!

There are so many things about this story that I liked. There were these two interesting men who on the surface seem to be in very different places. Griffin wants a quiet place of his own to hide from people. River is living an almost nomadic existence, traveling constantly and not in possession of a permanent residence. Their attraction even in the beginning was there but Griffin does not feel he can pay attention to it. The arc of the story really helps us see why they are a good match for one another. One is in need of an anchor, the other in need of permission to have fun and enjoy life despite the not so great things that have gotten him to where he was when they met. Throw in some really great descriptions about the places they visit during the tour that Griffin leads and I was hooked. This is an emotionally real and challenging love story that brings us to a satisfying conclusion because the author was real in the way she brings the story to conclusion. You live with your issues, but they do not have to be the reason you can't live and enjoy life. Great start to the series.

I love Annabeth Albert's books, and Arctic Sun, the start to a new series, was no exception.

Griffin is this loner type of guy. He wants to live on his parents land, work for his parent's company, and not really be bothered to do much else. He's comfortable in this element because it affords him the safety of not repeating past mistakes, something he's been working hard to do for years. However, when his family needs him to be the guide on a small tour coming up, he has no choice but to say yes. He didn't bargain for River.

River, the former model/playboy is everything Griffin thinks he needs to avoid, but you know that old adage, don't judge a book by it's cover? Those words couldn't be truer when it comes to River. However, Griffin can be a stubborn man when push comes to shove.

The relationship build was super sweet, the dynamic between the characters was wonderful. I enjoyed the setting of the story and fell in love with the two character's immediately. These two men are both carrying their own burdens, but desperate to be their own men and do what they want and BE with WHO they want, but can the demons of their past and the fees of the future allow the men to get their HEA? A definate must read!

Wow! What an amazing and emotional ride this story is. I absolutely adore Annabeth's writing and she's brought so much to this book and the character's created. The two MC's, Griffin and River, each come with their own demons and history that prevent them from making and maintaining connections to others. However, in each other is something neither could have anticipated and they are drawn together. It's a wonderful thing to read considering what each has gone through but their slowly built relationship is, occasionally, one step forward and two back but there's a lot going on for them both mentally and emotionally.
Reading the journey that both men go on, individually and together, tugs on your heartstrings and I couldn't wait to read how things were going to turn out for them. My attention was held throughout the whole book and I loved the MC's and the supporting characters that gave entertainment and friendship.
A lot of this story also includes a tour guide through Alaskan Wilderness and the descriptive work of the author to give us the ability to visualise the scenery. There's clearly so much work been put into it as everything comes across so vividly and I was easily able to imagine the settings throughout the book and what the characters were able to see and experience.
I am excited for this series and to see where it goes in book 2. Highly recommend Griffin and River's story.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.

Two broken men, each a lost soul dealing with internal struggles; what will it take to breathe new life into them? Annabeth Albert takes us on their journey to happiness with Arctic Sun, the first in her new Frozen Hearts series.

Rugged and handsome Air Force Veteran Griffin Barrett is a loner trying to tame his demons the only way he knows how. He isolates himself to his close-knit family, while diving head first into his responsibilities at their tourism and transport company.

River Vale has hit an all-time low and is embarking on a new chapter in his life, from supermodel to travel writer. Living his life on the go helps River keep his past from resurfacing. Not a stereotypical model, River embraces the wilderness and seems to thrive when cut off from civilization.

Folks come from all over to experience the knowledge of the well-known photographer, Roger Barrett. But uncle Roger’s injuries push Griffin out of his comfort zone into leading a photography tour. Here Griffin meets the devastatingly beautiful River and immediately Griffin surmises that the supermodel won’t be prepared for the wilderness, thus becoming a pain in his ass. He couldn’t be more wrong. And compounding his grievous misconception is an instant attraction to the man.

Talk about a slow-burn. Griffin and River move at a glacial pace, not for lack of wanting, but more out of fear and self-doubt. During these times we are rewarded with vivid descriptions of the Alaskan landscape and scenery that induces a longing to experience it firsthand. But what starts out as bit of role-play, morphs into something that neither man is ready to accept.

The folks in ‘Arctic Sun’ are a unique and intriguing breed. From the tour group, family members, and friends, they all add depth to the story to help reach the end goal. Both Griffin and River require substantial internal reflection before there is ever going to be a happy ending.

Some may disagree with me on this point, but… River definitely had issues with respecting Griffin’s boundaries. In this case it was needed. Griffin was in dire need of a push to let himself live again. However selfish River’s motive may have been at times, in the end it took this interaction between them to set them both free.

Unfortunately, it must be said that for this reader there are times when it felt as if I’d been reading forever and getting nowhere. Maybe this only adds to the slow-burn of the story, which ultimately ends up with some steamy role-play between two bi (or possible pan) men that morphs into something substantial and beautiful. In the finale these two broken men find the path that gives them their happy ending.

I really loved this book!. I haven’t been disappointed by a book from this author before. Can’t wait for the next in the series! Very unique storytelling. Will recommend to all my friends!

Arctic Sun is the first book in a new series by Annabeth Albert called Frozen Hearts. I’m a huge fan of this author and I’ve read most of her books, though not all (yet!) However, I have to say that I didn’t truly love Arctic Sun. Don’t get me wrong – it has a nice premise, and I really liked Griff and River and I wanted them to be together. I just wish some of their respective pasts were explored more. Both of them have demons, if you will, and while these are something they finally learn to focus on more and deal with better, it doesn’t really happen until near the end of the book. I would have loved more focus on that. I’m a big character person, so it just would have been nice for that to have been delved into more, so I could really connect with the characters. Regardless, I did enjoy this one and I give it three stars. I’m excited for the next book in the series!!

A new series by Annabeth Albert?

Yeap, I'm in!!!

This one was so so cool to read, the storie takes place in some amazing and beautiful places (I Googled everything!!) and then the main characters were so complex and lovable at the same time that it was easy to get into the story and get lost.

This book set up the bar really high for the rest of the series but knowing Ms. Albert that is no problem at all.