Awesome book loved the characters and how they came to be together. Also lved the descriptions of being in Alaska. Can’t wait for the rest of the series.

Honestly, this took me a while to read, just because of circumstances not because of the book, so my thoughts are a little scattered and probably not what they would be had I read in a shorter time. So take all of this with a grain of salt. I mostly enjoyed this. I have no real critiques or issues. There's some heavy topics that are kind of addressed but not too deeply. Enough to impact the characters and the plot, but not enough to make the story "dark". I think both are handled well enough, River and Griff have issues and they have to work through them separately and together. It's very real. I enjoyed the conflict of lifestyles and journeys between them. I wasn't crazy about most of the other characters though. I wish Griff had been allowed to talk to his mother. She irked me (and Griff) but he never is allowed to call her on how her "concern" makes him "feel". And I also wish we'd seen more of River working through his issues with his family. But I'm glad he makes some changes to his "friend" circle. They were toxic for him. I'm guessing the next book will be for Toby? I'll be waiting for it.

I've always found Alaska fascinating and its landscapes captivating. "Arctic Sun" is not just a romance story set over there. It's an adventure interwoven with that place. It takes place in Alaska and the setting isn't interchangeable because it's a huge part of the story. The characters are outdoor types and travel all over by any means they can. This book isn't just a story about two people finding each other, it's a story about Alaska and its wild beauty.

Griffin is a local, he served in Air Force, got a medical discharge and is now planning to build a cabin of his own in the town he was born in and where his whole family lives. He loves to fly anything he can get his hands on and he is most comfortable while he is in the air and in a pilot seat. He loves his family but at the same time he likes quiet. He's a loner, has a rough past that he is still battling with and he prefers to stay away from big cities and big crowds.

River is an ex model and a current author. He likes people and being the center of attention but in recent years he also found that hiking is therapeutic for him. He comes alive when he is surrounded by nature and its sounds. He has his own demons that he fights with everyday but he doesn't give up. He has been fighting an eating disorder for years and even though he acknowledges that he has a problem he still hasn't found a way to win it.

I think that even though River was saying that he was in recovery he was still hanging to by thread and the disorder was very powerful. He wasn't in imminent danger but it was still very present and at times it was scary to read his thoughts about food and calories. From the way he was thinking it was clear that he was battling his eating disorder day in and day out and that he hadn't yet managed to come out a winner. Closer to the end though I was very confident about his future. He had taken some positive steps, he was stronger and with the support system he had started to set in place - in stead of doing everything by himself - he was moving in the right direction and managing the disorder a million times better than he did at the beginning of the story.

River and Griffin as a couple were very fitting, I liked that the story wasn't completely taken by the week-long tour where they met. I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out that that was just one part of the story and the rest of it spanned over a few months. This way there was time for the characters to get to know each other, develop feelings, experience things together and plan for the future in a more realistic way.

My favorite part of the book were the descriptions of the places Griff took River. The scenic roots, the secret spots, the scenery as seen from a plane.... It was like I was watching a movie instead of just having to imagine the landscape. Great job over there Mrs Albert!

I liked the ending and the future that we were promised for Griffin and River. These two characters were both alone at the beginning and had decided to live their lives that way, one physically isolated from the world as much as possible and the other only forming temporary connections with people and then moving right along out of fear of staying still for too long and reliving his past hurts. In the end, both of them reevaluated their choices and came out two very different people, a lot happier, a lot stronger and a lot more in peace.



* An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. *

A wonderful, emotional romance about two people struggling with their demons and falling for each other. Can you truly love another person if you can’t love yourself?

Griff and River has sizzling chemistry, and Albert has a way of writing that pulls me in to the story so I’m on this journey with them from the beginning.

There’s no unnecessary descriptions of surroundings

Dialogues are plenty and deeply emotional at times, I feel so much connection with the characters because I’m at war with my own demons.

This is not only a romance but also a soul searching story and at times I cry for the characters and their fights to live a good life.

Now it sounds like it’s all sadness in this book but it’s not, it’s also great adventures, love growing and passionate scenes that’s tastefully described when still hot as h.....

The storyline is built up nicely to a HEA.

5 stars for a mm romance that will be remembered.

What a wonderful beginning to the Frozen Hearts series. Annabeth Albert did a beautiful job of bringing us characters with heart, with everyday problems and showed us their way of coping with them. She brought two “broken” men together who showed each other the path to healing. She did it in a way that didn't attack their integrity or beliefs and she left me with a beautiful feeling inside. I was really impressed with Arctic Sun.
Right from the beginning, I knew that I was going to admire Griffin. There was something about him that totally drew me in. As his story unfolded, a part of my heart broke and then I sat back and let nature and River heal it … the same way he healed Griffin. It took a lot for him to admit his faults, admit his love and face his fears … to open his heart to the possibility of loving someone and being loved in return. But he did and I was so proud of him.
And River, what a wonderful, outlandish, fun character he was. I didn't like his friends but I loved his tenacity and personality. Here was a man who went after what he wanted. His life in no way paralleled Griffins. But, his story was just as compelling and just as heartbreaking. Healing, forgiveness and second chances are a long journey and it was Griffin that made him realize that it was time to stop running and face his problem head-on. In the end, the journey was worth it.
Annabeth Albert really wrote a beautiful love story. Not only were her characters beautiful but her descriptions of Alaska were wonderful. She wrote a compelling story about difficult subjects but was able to bring out love as well. She made you feel for both Griffin and River, understand them and root for them to overcome their pasts and embrace the future.

This book has a great sense of place, the first half when they are on the Arctic tour is excellent and really sweet. But the boys both have issues and in the hands of a different author may have ended in a destructive co-dependant relationship. But Annabeth Albert doesn't shy away from complicated issues and situations. Because of this the second half of the book is much harder to read and I found myself getting frustrated, especially with River. But arguably River's issues were more deeply rooted and buried.
A lovely read. Highly recommended. And I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Un résumé qui avait de quoi attiser ma curiosité. Un univers que j'ai découvert grâce à sa série Ouf Of Uniform et qui m'avait littéralement séduite. Et bien que ce premier opus soit très différent de ce à quoi je m'attendais, je ressors de ma lecture agréablement surprise...Il faut dire que cette fois-ci qu'avec une certaine adresse Annabeth Albert des sujets bien réels de la vie la vie que beaucoup d'entre nous ignorent ou préfèrent ignorer. Tels que la sobriété et les troubles alimentaires. Et je tiens à saluer l'exceptionnel travail de l'auteur là-dessus. Car rien n'est surfait. Bien au contraire. l'auteur est toujours restée proche de la réalité.Que dire de nos deux héros, Griffin &  River ? Ils ne sont pas parfaits. Loin de là . La vie ne leur a pas fait de cadeaux. Chacun d'entre eux est hanté par des démons et les douleurs du passé. Tout les oppose. Et pourtant ils se complètement en tout point et ont su me toucher chacun à leur manière.Mais  ce qui m'a vraiment plu c'est le titanesque travail que chacun a accompli avant de s'engager totalement dans leur relation. Une romance qui se construit très lentement. Rien n'est précipité. Tout se déroule très doucement. Certains lecteurs risquent de perdre patience ou de vouloir abandonner. Cependant, je trouve que l'histoire aurait perdu sa crédibilité si l'auteur aurait fait différemment...En bref... Même si je ne fus d'accord sur certains aspects de l'histoire, cette série a beaucoup de potentiel.  La plume de l'auteur est toujours aussi attrayante. Les sujets difficiles sont abordés avec un naturel désarmant. Les émotions sont habilement retranscrites. Le décor est tout simplement magnifique. Les protagonistes sont parfaitement imparfaits. Et les quelques scènes de sexe sont divinement torrides pour notre plus grand plaisir. Que demander de plus ? Ah je sais ! La suite bien évidemment pour faire plus ample connaissance avec l’énigmatique Toby...

While his uncle is recuperating from minor surgery, Alaskan bush pilot Griffin is tasked with taking a tour group into the wilds of Alaska. One of the group is River, former male model-turned inspirational travel writer, who’s gathering material for his next book.

There’s an immediate attraction and chemistry between them and over the course of the week, as they spend more time together, they fall for one another.

One of the many things that drew me into Arctic Sun, is that Griff and River are two interesting, compelling, genuinely dimensional characters, with actual lives. And by that, I mean that they’re not just cardboard cut-outs going through the motions, playing out a standard romantic plotline.

They’ve both faced challenges in the past, overcome them, and – through emotionally intelligent conversations — work to figure out how they can move forward together.

After the tour is over, they make plans to meet in Vancouver.

River is going to be hanging out with some old friends from his modeling days, and Griff’s visit is a kind of “real world” road test to see if their relationship can work. It’s, of course, a total disaster.

The old friends bring out triggering scenarios for both Griff and River. Their true “Real World” was the connection they shared in the wilds of Alaska, not fancy date night restaurants or going to exclusive clubs. The problem is that they’re using relationship criteria from their screwed-up pasts to judge their current situation.

They realize this far too late and break things off.

They each take some time apart and do some soul searching, River about his family history and public persona and how it relates to his work, and Griff about how he interacts with the outside world and family’s tour business.

Griff makes his way to L.A. for the premiere of the film based on River’s book. The things they each want and need out of life are actually more aligned than they first realized.

They can live, love and work surrounded by the nature that gives each of them so much joy.

So…after reading 23, now 24, books by Ms. Albert, this is the first time I’m conflicted after reading (actually listening to) the one of her books. I didn’t love this one and it makes me a bit sad. This is a VERY angsty read and for some reason I wasn’t expecting that.

I’ll start with what I loved and then move into what I didn’t love.

• I loved the setting…visiting Alaska is on my bucket list so I always love books set in this state. I also fell in love with Vancouver when I visited a couple years ago which just added to the impressive scenery.

• I loved when both men realized they needed to work on themselves first before they could fully commit to each other. They’re relationship was…not quite toxic but would have eventually landed there if they continued to ‘just deal’ with their individual challenges the way they had been until the breaking point in their relationship.

• I loved that Griffin is ex-military and a pilot.

• I loved their HFN and the direction of their life at the end of the book, but I think they still need work – possibly even couples counseling – to get to a more solid relationship.

• I didn’t love Griffin still being hung up on his unrequited crush who apparently was homophobic.

• I didn’t love Griffin’s mother, her controlling attitude toward Griffin or the guilt she placed on him to work in the family business, even though it appeared to be something he didn’t love doing.

• I didn’t love River’s friends, River’s behavior around them or his projection of his unhappiness when he’s with them onto Griffin.

• I didn’t love their initial sex scene or their major meltdown scene and their ‘apology’ scene following said meltdown scene left a lot to be desired.

• I was super confused by River’s relationship with his dad…it’s possible I fell asleep during part of the explanation of what I’m missing. He spent most of the book badmouthing his dad, so I thought their relationship was strained at best. When he retreats home, their relationship appears strong as ever.

Overall, I thought the book was a bit long and too angsty for me when there were no sweet moments to balance.

I *think* Toby may end up being a great character but didn’t get enough of him to decide fully. I see his book is next, so I guess we’ll find out soon enough! The synopsis sounds great and I adore this author so I will stick with this series.

I think this was a nice enough read, I am gonna be honest though and say that wasn't completely blown away. Its the first book in a new series though, so I hope that the stories will keep getting better and better... It did make me want to take a nice long vacation to Alaska ;)

Both of the MC's struggle with some serious issues, which sets a bit of a serious tone right from the beginning.

Griffin is a bit of a lone wolf, but when his uncle needs his help he feels like he has to step up...which he does. Griffin is a military veteran and a (recovering) alcoholic. He is struggling his way through life. Staying put...is one of his ways of coping.

River is a former model still recovering from, and dealing with a very serious eating disorder. He deals with his issues in the exact opposite way...by moving from one place to another.

Now I have got to be honest here... I love a good slow burn, but this story was just a bit too slow for my tastes. There were even times I felt a tad bored. My mind started wandering off and that is never a good thing.

That said...I did feel these two were good for each other. There was a certain sweetness about them. You know who didn't have any sweetness... Griffin's mom, I didn't care for her at all.

All in all this was a nice read and I am curious about the next book in this series.

Arctic Sun is the first book in Annabeth Albert's new series Frozen Hearts. This is my first time reading her work and it will not be my last.

Griffin lives in Alaska and takes comfort in his small town life and routine. He's not a people person but when his family needs him to help out on a nature photography tour he has no choice put to agree, even if it means interacting with people and being personable. Former model River, travels from place to place, experiencing all life has to offer. He's popular, well-known and friendly. Both are instantly attracted to one another but where Griffin sees warning sings, River sees a green light. He is all about having fun and what would make a week in nature better than getting close to rugged handsome Griff. Griffin isn't a casual type of guy, he doesn't do flings, and tries to resist the temptation but can only hold out for so long. When the week ends and their vastly different realities return will the connection between them be enough to last.

My favorite aspect of Arctic Sun was how real and imperfect both Griffin and River are. They are both are in recovery of sorts and while both are technically surviving, they are both running from their problems just in different ways. I loved their innocent role-playing and the honesty they were able to bring out of each other. Their physical encounters had passion and vulnerability to them that made them perfect.

I very much enjoyed Annabeth Albert's writing style. She brought the Alaska scenery to life with beautiful descriptions and details. I also greatly appreciated that the final conflict in the book wasn't haphazardly resolved. When things go wrong there's a decent amount of the book left and the characters are given that time to find themselves and get the help the need in order to be better reversion of themselves before reconnecting. The forgiveness isn't instantaneous, making the story even more realistic and relatable.

Overall, Arctic Sun by Annabeth Albert is a wonderful story. An opposite attracts romance between two men who live such different lives but find peace and comfort in each other. A story about learning to love yourself and a happily ever after worth fighting for.

This book was an issues book. One main character has an eating disorder, the other main character is a recovering alcoholic and both of these things are major parts of the plot. They are handled well for the most part by Albert, but they also made the romance less believable. Both characters (spoiler) do end up getting therapy but that all happens off screen. A major plus would have been if the reader was able to see the characters recover, but since we aren't this book seems to be more about their flaws and their not healthy relationship (it's not toxic just not healthy).

Any time I see Annabeth Albert has a new book coming out, it’s no question that I’ll be putting it on my TBR list. Add to that the setting of this one in Alaska (a place I’ve never been but is on my travel wish list), and I couldn’t wait to get started on this one. Arctic Sun has some great characters (both main and supporting), and the writing is solid as I’ve come to expect from this author.

I was a huge fan of both Griffin and River—both of their characters have depth and their own issues with which to cope, and the two of them actually turn out to be more alike in that aspect than they realize. They each have their own ways of handling their personal demons—River’s way of coping through his nomadic lifestyle is actually what leads the two of them to wind up meeting. They might not seem to hit it off at first, but River slowly works on wearing Griffin down.

To be honest, while the first part of the story when the characters are on the Alaskan tour was a great setup for things between the two men, everything after that felt much different and for me, it felt like the story moved much slower. From the end of the tour to a point when they meet up at an event later in the story, it felt off-kilter and my mind did wander from time to time—something that I’ve not had happen before with this author. During that part of the book both men were addressing their respective personal issues, so I think that might have had a lot to do with it for me since the focus was more on personal rather than relationship development.

Though some parts of the story might have felt drawn out at times, Arctic Sun was still an enjoyable read and gets a 4-star rating from me. This book is for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.

Annabeth Albert has done it again! In what is an epic start to a brand new series that is full of romance, fun and characters who you cant help but fall in love with. River is a special character who I loved from the beginning and it's rare to find someone like that. Annabeth has a way with words that paints a vivid image in my mind for the story and it really felt like I was in Alaska experiencing everything that they did. The slow burn element was probably one 0f my favorite things because I love a good slow burn and seeing the characters come together in the end when the time is right for them. I cant wait for the next book in this series and to come back to Alaska.

Arctic Sun is another very good romance from Annabeth Albert.

On the surface, it’s an opposites attract story. Griffin is introverted and stoic, while River is outgoing and talkative. Griffin’s rooted in his Alaska home, and River is the ultimate rolling stone, travelling wherever the whim takes him. They meet when River takes a trip to Alaska and Griffin winds up leading his tour group.

As the story progresses, though, it becomes apparent that for all their surface differences, they are both suffering from inner wounds. Griffin is an alcoholic in recovery, and River struggles to maintain control over an eating disorder. Both of them lost someone who was important to him—a best friend in Griffin’s case, and a mother for River.

I have to admit, when I began reading, I expected more sparring and conflict between the two men, more tension overall. But they fairly easily fall into a relationship, probably because they are both inherently nice. It’s not until the final third of the book that there’s a real moment of conflict, when both River’s and Griffin’s insecurities and personal demons get the best of them. I think that was the best, if most painful, scene in the book for me, just because the way they tore at each other felt very real.

Of course, this is a romance, and Griffin and River get their HEA in the end. So, if you like nice guys and angst followed by happy endings, I’d recommend giving this a read.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

Fantastic start to a new series.

Annabeth Albert has done it again! I am a huge fan of this author's writing and could hardly wait to read the first book in this series. I was lucky enough to take a trip to Alaska last May and this series was announced before I left. During many moments of my trip I found my thoughts wandering to the upcoming book and how things I was seeing might appear in the story.

In the story the characters venture into places that I didn't go but I could imagine the beauty of the places that are described so richly by the writing. It didn't hurt, I'm sure, that I had visited Alaska but even if I hadn't Annabeth's writing always has a way of pulling me right into the story with her beautiful words.

Arctic Sun is about two broken men who eventually manage to find their HEA with each other but it wasn't easy. I happen to love a good angsty story and this one really got to me. There were happy tears and sad tears but everyone one of them was worth it. I can't wait to read the next story in this new series.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com*** (posting on 4/8/19)

Very sweet romance between two imperfect people who fit together quite perfectly. I enjoyed the contracts between River and Griffin, but also that the conflicts were more about internal struggles than outside forces.

Thank you Carina Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This book may have inspired a few too many mountain man fantasies. The Alaskan setting made me incredibly homesick and River is a surprisingly loveable supermodel. This book starts light with the focus on the entertaining interplay between Griff and River but when the story pushes into the men’s pasts, it becomes a more complicated and darker read.

Griff hides and River runs but both of them struggle to face their issues head on. The result is a tense emotional tug of war as they dance around each other. I enjoyed the tension between these two, but it took time to feel like I actually knew either of them. There are hints from the start about Griff and River’s personal baggage, but nothing is really explained until the midpoint of the story – maybe even later. I get that both men are supposed to be secretive and closed but it is difficult for readers to relate to characters they don’t really know.

The pacing in this story feels off. A huge portion of the book focuses on the two-week Alaskan tour where Griff and River meet while the next few months of their lives are skimmed over in a few chapters. I really enjoyed the tour part of the book. The tour group is full of fun characters and great Alaskan experiences. I love the way River and Griff interact (or don’t) during the first part of the book and I love how River just won’t fit in the boxes Griff wants to assign him. I feel like the story starts to unravel when the tour ends. Both men feel a little bit childish and readers are still guessing at Griff and River’s pasts and their motivations.

I’m excited about this book as the start of a new series – I just hope we get a little bit more emotional depth and more coherent plotting in the next books. I love the setting and Griff’s family and contacts offer lots of possibilities for interesting storylines.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5Everything’s bigger in Alaska, especially the HEAs. Annabeth Albert kicks off the brand-new Frozen Hearts series with Arctic Sun, an opposites-attract romance between a rugged outdoorsman and a smoking hot former male model.He’s built a quiet life for himself in Alaska. But it doesn’t stand a chance against the unrelenting pull of a man who’s everything he shouldn’t want.Ex-military mountain man Griffin Barrett likes his solitude. It keeps him from falling back into old habits. Bad habits. He’s fought too hard for his sobriety to lose control now. However, his gig as a wildlife guide presents a new kind of temptation in superhot supermodel River Vale. Nothing the Alaskan wilderness has to offer has ever called to Griffin so badly. And that can only lead to trouble…River has his own methods for coping. Chasing adventure means always moving forward. Nobody’s ever made him want to stand still—until Griffin. The rugged bush pilot is the very best kind of distraction, but the emotions he stirs up in River feel anything but casual, and he’s in no position to stay put.With temptation lurking in close quarters, keeping even a shred of distance is a challenge neither’s willing to meet. And the closer Griffin gets to River, the easier it is to ignore every last reason he should run.Arctic Sun is another successful contemporary romance from Annabeth Albert, one of my go to authors. This wonderful story manages to combine the breathtaking scenery and isolated landscape of Alaska with the romance between two  complicated, wounded men, highly different on the surface and yet so alike deep underneath.With the state of Alaska as a third main character as well as a location, Albert also deals with some serious subject matter, also through her two main men.  While it's obvious from the start that each man is struggling with some demon or demons, what they are exactly is a slower reveal.  The exact nature of what each man is battling is hinted at and given away in the synopsis so I don't mind spelling it out here.  For Griffin Barrett, it's sobriety and gambling.  For River, a eating disorder and a toxic way of life.  And neither one has exactly finished dealing with their addictions in a way that's helping them move forward.  One is hiding and one is running.Both away from themselves until they find each other in Alaska.  And Annabeth Albert brings us intimately into their journey and the larger than life wonder that is Alaska.I loved the use of the photography group as a format for bringing Griffin out of his typical hermit like state and the other participants were great characters.  It let the model River slowly ease away to the real person underneath and I enjoyed that journey as much as Griffin.  And all the sights they took in. The locations and the beauty of Alaska is described in depth as is the joys of travels by aircraft of all sizes and type.  What I did think was underplayed was the long arctic nights and extreme cold as well as the distance between people and small towns. But that's perhaps for another story as this is but the first in a series.The complications, angst, and rediscovery here is saved for River and Griffin.  It's one tough journey and a very rewarding one.  I loved the men and the HFN they received at the end.  It was realistic and heartwarming.  And I'm ready for more.An Annabeth Albert story is a cause for joy.  The people are so real, the books so well written, that you just fall into them fully, connecting with the romance and their lives.    I highly recommend all her series and this story.  Pick them and this up and get started today.Cover art is gorgeous with the seaplane and the mountains in the backdrop.

Annabeth is one of my FAVORITE authors.
That being said, i liked this story, but i didn't LOVE it.
My issue was I had a really hard time connecting with the characters.

I adored Griff, the big mountain man. River though, he was so pushy and it irritated me.
I am not sure if it's because he's out going and very in touch with himself that he acts the way he does, but there were a couple times I wanted to smack him. He slightly redeemed himself by the end though.

All in all the story line was good. It's just the characters that kept me from loving this book