I liked this book but I just didn't love it. For me the book was just a bit too long considering that not a lot happened for a good chunk of the book. I really enjoyed the first 25% of the book where they are traveling through Alaska and getting to know each other. I also loved the crash and survival part but it was over so quickly. I guess I just expected that to be a bigger part of the book. I'm glad it wasn't the entire book but I wish it was more than a chapter. I wanted more of the stranded in Alaska, danger and suspense of trying to survive.

This was a nice romance but it just needed more dare I say it drama or action for me. I liked botht he main characters although I didn't like secondary characters (families of the MCs much). The little bit of drama at the end felt a little forced and this seemed more like a relationship based on convenience than true and lasting feelings for me. I did however, love the Alaska setting and the descriptions were amazing.

Arctic Wild was a little different from my usual reads and I'm curious as to how many readers can say that. We have all read books with an age difference I'm sure, even some where they outright call the man a silver fox but can you say that you have read one about a silver bear? Or what about religion, I don't think it's mentioned in the majority of books I've read and I honestly can't remember the last time I read a book where the main character was Jewish. So yes this book is a little different because Reuben Graham is both a silver bear and Jewish. ;) He's also a lawyer who works crazy hours, divorced, the father of a teenage daughter that he just doesn't know how to connect with, and about to embark on the trip of a lifetime without his two friends that were supposed to join him.

Tobias, Toby, is a tour guide in the beautiful state of Alaska. He takes care of his ailing father and is raising his two younger sisters. If I said he had a lot on his plate that would be the understatement of the year, but he works hard and is doing everything he can to make sure his sisters finish college and his father is taken care of. His pay helps but his tips help even more so when he finds out that two people of his three person tour has cancelled he's not happy but is committed to make the tour the best one possible so maybe the lone tourist will leave him an even better tip.

What neither Reuben nor Toby expected was the attraction they would feel toward the other, or the way meeting would impact either of their lives.

I enjoyed the slow burn between Reuben and Toby, watching them progress from tour guide/client to friends and then to lovers. I also LOVED a couple of the secondary characters, Reuben's daughter Amelia and Toby's sister Nell, for me these two young ladies added a lot to the story.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and I have to say that the narrator did a wonderful job with the different characters. I never had to guess who was saying what at any point because each of his different voice inflections were very precise and held true throughout the book.

Arctic Wild is the second book in the Frozen Heart series but can easily be read as a standalone. I would recommend this to any one that is a fan of Annabeth Albert's work, and if you haven't read any of her books before this is a great place to start. If you enjoy MM Romance that has a slow burn, a silver fox/bear, or low angst I would recommend this book to you as well.

Happy Reading!!!

Yes, yes, yes! This book was fantastic! The characters and everything about it were completely enjoyable! Reuben and Toby don't seem like they would be a match, but oh yes, they belong together. This author is becoming my go-to for M/M reads. She does a good job making Alaska its own character and it is described beautifully. Will definitely be reading many more books from this author.

Arctic Wild, book two in Annabeth Albert’s Frozen Hearts series, is a gently moving, slow-burn romance between two very different men who find themselves re-evaluating their lives following an almost fatal accident. There are places where perhaps the pacing could have been a little faster and the focus a little sharper, but I really liked the way the romance developed and how the author explored the dynamics between the leads and the secondary characters/family members who also appear in the story.

Workaholic corporate lawyer Reuben Graham has been persuaded to take a long-overdue vacation with a couple of friends when a last minute change sees him heading off to Alaska on his own. He’d much rather just have cancelled, but was pretty much guilted into going and anyway, he’s got plenty of work with him so when there’s no decent internet connection he’ll just hunker down and read all that paperwork he’s got piled up. With any luck, his guide will be some “grizzled old mountain man pilot” who is disinclined to talk and will leave Reuben to work in peace. But he’s out of luck in that department and is instead greeted by a gorgeously attractive, vivacious, younger (too young for him, anyway) man who definitely doesn’t seem as though he’s the strong silent type.

Pilot and tour guide Toby Kooly (whom we met briefly in the previous book, Arctic Sun) is very good at what he does. Personable, informative and fun, he genuinely enjoys making sure his clients are having a good time and doing whatever he can to help them make the most of what is generally a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But on meeting Reuben Graham he instantly senses the man is going to prove something of a challenge; he obviously isn’t particularly enthusiastic about being there and seems resistant to enjoying himself. And he presents another sort of challenge, too; older guys don’t normally do it for Toby, but something about this tall, distinguished silver fox – no, silver bear – with the broad shoulders and the commanding presence most definitely turns his crank. But hooking up with clients isn’t something he makes a habit of, so he pushes temptation aside and concentrates on doing his job, determined to win Reuben over and get him to enjoy himself.

And over their first couple of days and tour stops Reuben does gradually start to unwind and even finds himself opening up a little about himself, chatting casually with Toby in a way he can’t remember really doing with anyone, especially not someone he’s known for so short a time. Both men are aware of the hum of an attraction between them, but before they can do anything about it, the trip takes a swift turn into hell when a freak storm blows in while they’re in the air and despite Toby’s best efforts, the plane crashes. Having sustained some serious injuries, Toby is pretty helpless and it’s down to Reuben to get them to safety while they wait for the rescue team to arrive.

This near death experience has big ramifications for both men, who find themselves having to make some major reassessments and adjustments in their lives. Toby, who has been the main provider for his family (an invalid father and two sisters at college) for over a decade, is unable to work due to a broken arm and broken leg, and is immediately swamped by money worries, while the event gives Reuben the push he needs to start rethinking his life. At forty-eight, he’s too young to retire, but his firm is restructuring and has offered him a buyout package, which he hasn’t really had the time and inclination to think about so far. Now, however, he realises he’s been given an opportunity to make the sorts of changes he hadn’t realised he needed to make, which includes spending more time with his fourteen-year-old daughter, Amelia. He’s missed out on a lot of her life and is determined to do better by her, and when he discovers the extent of Toby’s injuries (and knowing that he can’t possibly afford rehabilitative care) Reuben offers to rent a place that Toby can share with him and Amelia, who is coming to spend the Summer with him.

[On a side note, reading about how much Toby worries about his medical bills makes me so thankful for the NHS!]
The principal conflict in the story arises because Toby doesn’t find it easy to ask for and accept help. As Reuben falls in love with Alaska, and the two men fall in love with each other, Toby’s stubbornness on that point and his deep-seated fear of dependence threaten to derail things between them. He’s convinced that Reuben deserves someone as rich and sophisticated as he is and that whatever is happening with them can only be a short-lived thing – which isn’t helped by his father’s obvious disapproval of Reuben (he’s too old and too rich) and his constant insistence that a man must take care of his own shit and not rely on anyone else. It’s a mantra that Toby has been brought up with, and it’s hard for him to shake so many years of conditioning and admit to himself that he likes being taken care of for a change. Reuben freely admits that he enjoys taking care of others, but that gives rise to other doubts. Is Toby just some sort of ‘project’ to fulfil Reuben’s desire to feel useful and needed ? And given the feelings he’s no longer able to deny he has for Reuben, how will he cope when summer ends and they go back to their old lives?

While I admit that Toby’s reluctance to ask for and accept help did perhaps go on a little too long, and I had a few issues with how easily he was able to get around with a broken arm and leg (I’ve been wheelchair-bound and the kitchen counters were just about eye-level, so no way would I have been able to cook like Toby does!), I enjoyed everything else about the story very much. I could easily understand Reuben’s desire to make big changes in his life and I loved the slow-burning but sizzling attraction between the two men, which eventually culminates in some sensual love scenes. Ms. Albert takes her time developing their romance and she does it beautifully, showing them growing closer and their connection deepening as they spend more time talking and enjoying each other’s company.

Reuben’s daughter appears in a large chunk of the book, and comes across as a typical fourteen-year-old, wanting to be ‘grown up’ but isn’t quite yet. Ms. Albert captures that aspect of her character really well, and skilfully shows her gradually reconnecting with Reuben and recapturing some of the optimism and youthful enthusiasm she’d lost. The other secondary characters – Toby’s dad and sister, Nell (who befriends Amelia) – are well-drawn, and as in Arctic Sun, the Alaskan landscapes are vividly and tantalisingly described.

Arctic Wild earns a strong recommendation in spite of my few reservations, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next in the series, Arctic Heat, when it comes out later this year.

Grade: B+

4.5 stars
Reuben is coerced into not canceling the Alaska vacation he was supposed to take with his work colleagues and instead ends up going alone. Well, not really "alone" since he takes a lot of work with him in addition to some heavy decisions. Let's just say that he is a type A, totally work focused professional at the beginning of the story and a huge part of the charm in this story is his transformation into someone who is much different by the end.

Toby is used to clients like Reuben and he's working overtime in his head to find something that Reuben will love about Alaska. Reuben, to his credit, does make an attempt to loosen up, and in doing so he wakes up some other sorts of feelings ... toward Toby.

Bad weather throws a major wrench in any hookup plans. I really loved this part of Arctic Wild. There was great tension, raw emotions, and loads of "when will they be rescued" drama. The crash leaves Toby seriously injured and Reuben with serious considerations about his future. When Reuben needs rehab care after discharge, Reuben steps up and offers to help out and instead of heading home, his daughter comes to Alaska and they all share a place while Toby recuperates.

There is some conflict between Toby wanting to be with Reuben but yet be self-sufficient and both men learn a lot about relying on others. There's also an age difference that doesn't sit well with Toby's father. It isn't always easy for Toby or Reuben. I did love Reuben and his daughter nurturing their relationship with Toby's helpful suggestions of activities.

I really liked this book. It captures the challenges of life in Alaska very well, and Reuben and Toby are an interesting couple. There is no insta-love or even insta-lust here... it's a gradual building of a relationship and I loved that about it, especially all the changes that Reuben ends up making in his life. While it was a bit predictable, Arctic Wild has good amounts of all the elements that make an enjoyable read for me.

An ARC was provided for review.

You knew it was coming - here's my review of the second book in Annabeth's Albert's new Frozen Hearts series.

Much like the Out of Uniform series, Arctic Wild takes place in the same 'word' of Arctic Sun and some of the characters from the first book have cameos in this one, which is always nice, because it grounds you into the story straight away. Where the first book death with issues around sobriety and eating disorders, Arctic Wild looks at race and age-gap relationships.

Workaholic lawyer, Reuben, finds himself conned into going on a tourist trip alone after his friends pull out last minute. Determined to prove that he can take time off (and maybe even enjoy himself a little) he finds himself travelling to Alaska to be ferried around by Toby, and enthusiastic thirty-something year old pilot who's ever-cheerful and ingratiating personality grates on the older Reuben, until the two find themselves in a plane crash which leaves Toby with serious injuries.

I enjoyed the relationship between Reuben and Toby more than the main characters in the first book, possibly because they developed more of a friendship to begin with. Both are attracted to one another, but decide they're not especially suited to each other and instead fall into an easy friendship over the first few days. Later on, this develops into something more as they learn more about each other but it felt more gradual and, perhaps, more natural.

I appreciated the difficulties that Toby faced with his family not understanding him being in a relationship with a much older, much more financially stable man (especially when they themselves are not in a good financial position) and their weariness over the potential problems - although that did eventually become stifling, with Toby feeling the pressure  of their disapproval. Sadly, this is all too common, but it's the realism that made the conflict in Toby and Reuben's relationship all the more strained.

The highlight for me is Reuben's 14 year old daughter, who pops up in the second half of the book and adds a delightful teenage perspective to her father's relationship. She is, at times, very much the young child who desperately wants her father's attention, but also one who's wise enough to begin to understand the difficulties of being a grown-up. She was a wonderful addition.

Unfortunately, the pacing did feel off again, with moments of down-time that could probably have been shortened, but overall it wasn't too bad.

I continue to enjoy the way Albert explores relationships and the conflicts that people face and look forward to the next book in the Frozen Hearts series.

A wonderful follow up to Arctic Sun. We briefly met Tobias (Toby) in book one and this story dives more into his life as a son and brother along with the main provider for the family. He flies and does tours of the area and this is how he meets Reuben. The two together are fun to read, bouncing off of each other as at first the don't quite know what to make of each other but they develop a strong friendship, especially with the crash that leads to Toby being injured and Reuben offering to help. There is a lot of stubbornness from both MC's but Reuben's need to care brings out Toby's need to not be the one in charge for once. There are several adorable scenes between them and I think it adds to the story that they don't just jump straight into bed together, allowing trust and friendship to build. One of my favourite people in the story is Amelia, Reuben's 13 yer old daughter who joins him for the school holidays. Reading her blossom is a beautiful thing as well as her relationship with both men and Toby's sister.
There's a lot going on other than their budding relationship that held my attention throughout and Annabeth has done a beautiful job again of describing the areas that the story takes place. Yet another that I've had to add to my holiday wishlist! Every character has clearly been well thought about and written with love. We get to meet up with previous characters once or twice but I like that the main focus is on Toby and Reuben.
I definitely recommend this book and series. It's not necessary to have read book 1 to enjoy this one but I recommend it as well just for the story.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am happily giving a review.

High-powered NJ attorney Reuben is going on an Alaskan wilderness adventure with 2 of his friends to celebrate his 48th birthday. When his friends have to back out at the last second, they don’t believe he will follow through and go on his own. Determined to prove them wrong, he sets off alone for Alaska - hoping for a gruff, older, silent tour guide who will leave him alone to work each night.

What he finds waiting for him instead is Toby - a hot 30ish charming guy who loves to talk. Both feel a connection right from the start but know they won’t act on it because of the circumstances. But when things happen and they end up in a forced proximity situation...who knows what will happen?

I really enjoyed this read - the characters both had opportunities to grow and evolve through the book. It also brings the steam! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Thank you very much to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

Arctic Wild is the second book in the Frozen Hearts series by the talented Annabeth Albert. I'm really enjoying this new series with it's fun characters and experiencing the Alaska wilderness from afar. Reuben is a lawyer who reluctantly takes a vacation and is alone with the younger, sexy pilot. It takes him a while to relax but he starts to enjoy what Alaska has to offer. Then they crash. Toby is a wilderness guide and a darn good pilot. He did everything he could, but they are stranded and he's hurt. He has to depend on Reuben to take care of him until they get rescued. And after as well. Toby can't say no, he needs the help, but he hates asking for it. This eye opening experience has Reuben looking at his life and wanting to make changes. He's too old to be working so much. He has a daughter he never sees and he needs to do something different. It's not just about the near death experience either. So he decides to spend the summer in Alaska with his daughter and Toby. Reuben and Toby become friends and then more. It's sweet, sexy and endearing. I loved Amelia, Reuben's daughter. She was funny smart and wise beyond her fourteen years. She's a teenager, but she's also supportive of her dad and what he wants to do with his life. Toby's family, not so much. This bothered me a little bit after all he's done for them, his sister and dad were not very nice to him. I understood Toby's reluctance, and was happy when he stood up for himself. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and these men. I loved that Reuben is a sexy silver bear and Toby was younger. Reuben had life experiences to share, but was also open to learning new things. Toby has pride, but learned when he needed to let Reuben in. I’m looking forward to the next in the series!

I love this author, so in all honesty I didn't even read the blurb first. HA! So color me surprised when the plane crashed. (not a spoiler at all)

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. As I said, I am a big fan of this author AND I am a bit obsessed with Alaska. I was all in.

We got a brief glimpse of Toby in the first book. The happy go lucky one night stand guy who kind of seemed to be putting on a bit of a front. Turns out he was. Mostly that he was the sole provider for his family including his disabled father and 2 college age sisters. So not only is he bummed when his tour group drops from 3 people to 1 but also that the one person is grumpy and attached to his phone for work. And, yanno, the whole plane crash thing.

Let me be honest here, I didn't feel the connection between Reuben and Toby. Not before the crash or after. I really felt like the story was more about Reuben and his daughter reconnecting.

Don't get me wrong, there were some very hot sex scenes. But with his daughter in the picture with them, there was very little flirting and no touching or pda. Even their nighttime activities didn't seem to have that clandestine excitement.

There were a few other things that were just off for me. Mostly concerning the aftermath of the plane crash. But if you've read my reviews, you know I am a picky bitch and stickler for details.

It was an enjoyable read, the sex scenes were hot if not detached and I really enjoyed the relationship between Reuben and his daughter.

This is the story of Toby a wilderness guide and pilot who we met in book one nd Reuben who is a lawyer. They meet when Reuben and his friends were going to be going on a vacation only to gave his friends back out at the last minute. The story is how they both come to be a couple and deal with different family issues amid building a relationship.

Gripping, exciting and a love story that will blow your mind. Reuben Graham is taking a vacation in the Alaskan Wilderness alone - well him and his pilot Tobias "Toby" Kooly. They have a natural attraction to one another but after they go through something together they both wonder if what they are feeling is real and worth fighting for.
I loved this book, I actually read it all the way through because I just couldn't put it down.

”...look at us. We could have easily died in the crash. I would have died on my own. This summer really has all been about second chances and what we do with those chances.”

This second installment to Albert’s “Frozen Hearts” series is another captivating age-gap romance of two men from different world. Not what I expected after what I perceived of of Toby (after his short appearance on the previous book) - which underline the notion: don’t judge too quickly! Once again, Albert brought forth a pair of intriguing characters: a forty-eight silver fox (or, as Toby preferred to say: silver bear) New Jerseyan corporate lawyer and a thirty-one Alaskan bush pilot slash tour guide.

From their first meeting to the whirlwind that was their relationship, I thoroughly relished on how Reuben and Toby coming together. More than a romance, ARCTIC WILD also delved into social issues that encompassed family, social gap and income, as well as personal shortcomings; Reuben and Toby overcoming the doubts, trust, and differences to be together. Worry not, there were plenty of steamy scenes between the two bisexual men as they learned of each other’s preference. However, my fondness leaned more to the dynamics between Reuben, Toby, and their family (Reuben’s daughter and ex-wife, Toby’s father and sisters). Kudos to Albert for not stereotyping the ex as mean and evil mother, which I dreaded for most of reading. I wasn’t so happy with Toby bottling up his problems to build up like a cancer, but I loved how both parties didn’t dwell too long before realizing what they truly wanted and made move for it.

With two titles out and the enjoyment I had reading them, “Frozen Hearts” is fast becoming another favorite of Annabeth Albert’s series for me. And if the excerpt I glanced of the next entry (of the series) had anything to add, it’s how promising the following book would be and how impatient I am for its release date! Write faster, Ms. Albert! ;-)


Copy of this book is kindly given by the author/publisher via in exchange for an honest review.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5 stars
🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 3.5

An interesting journey to discovering yourself and a new love you never thought you’d have!

Annabeth’s writing is incredible. Diverse, dynamic and entertaining. I enjoyed the adventure with Tody and Reuben. What starts as a surprising solo vacation turns into a summer full of discovering, connection and healing.

Both Reuben and Tody are great characters, each with their own issues and opinions. When Reuben is forced to take a previously organized group vacation solo he hopes to just get it over with and have plenty of downtime to stay on top of work and his cases. Little does he expect the charming, young, charismatic Tody to be his tour guide. As they set off on the exclusive tour, Toby tries he best to get Reuben to appreciate where he is and tries to get him off his phone and be present. As they form a friendship and flirtation, Reuben starts to disconnect from work and explore the idyllic scenery around him. Their tour continues and tragedy strikes forcing both Reuben and Toby to face a new reality and turns Reuben’s life onto a path of self-discovery and growth. He decides to take a leave of absence from work to help Toby heal and reconnect with his daughter Amelia. As they all spend more time together, bonds are formed and a new family is created. Reuben and Toby develop strong feelings for each other and with pride, ego and Toby’s family getting in the way their journey together is not easy!

I found Toby and Reuben’s connection organic and enjoyed their constant back and forth, I didn’t like how they couldn’t admit to their feelings but there has to be some angst so I get it. Other things I didn’t really like was Toby’s father and sister Nell’s instant judgment and dislike of Reuben, which seemed to be solely based on his age and bank balance. I got frustrated at Toby’s father’s pride and “a man handles his own shit” mentality and was saddened at how much this affected Toby. I wished these issues with Nell and Toby’s dad could have been explored more and discussed to find a resolution rather than, “oh, you’re happy, then okay” kind of switch later in the book. My other comment is that Reuben didn’t really express his past out load. There was a lot of talk that he started with nothing and worked damn hard to get where he is. I thought this being discussed could have softened Toby, Nell and Tony’s dad to Reuben a bit more and see what a good and generous person he was.

Either way, this was a great story of self-discovery and a once in a lifetime chance at a new life and a love both these characters deserved. I love Annabeth’s writing and look forward to Book 3 up next!!

Thanks for reading!

i enjoy this author and alaskan stories so this was aplus on so many levels.. i really liked these characters and their story. very good

An excellent story of learning and growing from and with those that you meet. While it is a May/December trope, Toby is an old soul after having to take care of his own family for so long. While Toby's hard hardheadedness was frustrating at times, it definitely was necessary and contributed to the story being told. An excellent love story with a native Alaskan and a Jewish main character.

Reuben & Toby were so realistic and so sweet I loved every frozen moment! I was so excited to go on their adventure, and wondered how AnnaBeth would out do the scenery from the trip in Book #1, but was pleasantly surprised that this book entered more in the realm of day to day. There is an instant crackle of attraction between these two men- but the age difference has Reuben keeping that attraction to himself. An emergency event brings the two in close proximity for an extended period of time, and I was so excited to see Reuben push out of his comfort zone and his work/ life balance. It was also nice to get to meet his daughter and Toby’s sister- the pair were new bffs and I loved the addition of them to the story. Overall I found it to be light, enjoyable, and perfectly descriptive I felt like I was right there in Alaska with them!

i am enjoying this series so much, i can't even tell you guys. arctic wild, is book 2 in the frozen hearts series. and in this one we have the young, adventurous pilot, tobias kooly finding something special in the arms of his workaholic, non-outdoorsy passenger reuben graham.

the attraction between them is there from the moment they meet, but when they survive a plane crash everything changes. reuben reassesses his outlook on life, and tobias needs him. tobias has been the primary breadwinner/caregiver for his family, and the injuries he sustains in the crash will make it difficult to survive the months it will take him to recover properly.

there's some injured pride and tobias has his self-reliance threatened, but i loved the may/december aspects of this romance. and also how this isn't just a case of instalust and love, yes the characters are attracted to each other from the start, but they take their time to get to know each other and you feel the depth of the emotional connection between them.

**arctic wild will publish on june 3, 2019. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/carina press in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second installment in the Frozen Hearts series. It is a MM contemporary adventure romance set in Alaska. This was a wonderfully touching story with older-younger main characters. It also contained quit a few secondary characters that were really involved in the story-line. The character development was excellent and the pace was good. Though this is the second installment, I feel it can be read as a stand-alone book.

I love this series and while I enjoyed the previous book (because I adored Griffin) I think I loved this one even more (plus the little nod to Space Villager!).

In this one we have a couple who appear to want different things from life but are actually perfect for each other. Includes a great teenager, and by great I mean realistic, and therefore all the better for it.
This is an opposites attract story in age, wealth, and relationship expectations. Toby is 30, struggling to make ends meet, and a one night stand kinda guy. Reuben is 48, a high flying and well paid lawyer and a serial monogamist. Nothing in common, except they might just be the missing part of the other.
Really loved seeing the development of the relationship, not only between Toby and Reuben, but also between Reuben and his daughter, Amelia, and Amelia's softening attitude to Toby. Once again the countryside is like another character, and it was great to get a brief catch up scene with Griffin and River.
Can't wait for the next one.