Well this is probably the slowest book I've gotten into by this author, but once it got going I quite enjoyed it. I really am a sucker for stories that involve one of the love interests having kids.

When the rest of Reuben's team cancels on a trip to Alaska in favour of work going wrong at their firm, Reuben is the only one left to go on his birthday tour, with Toby as the guide. Things are going well enough, when sudden weather changes put their small airplane in danger and Toby has to do an emergency landing.

Which doesn't end incredibly well for him.

At which point we ended up in a kind of forced proximity trope, during summer holidays where Reuben has his 14 year old child staying with him. This was where the story really started going for me, and I very much enjoyed it (with the exception of the money issues and medical costs, yikes!)

You know from the start that Rueben and Toby will eventually find their way to each other, don't you? The charm of this HEA is how they get there. Two very different men- Rueben is ahem older and an attorney and Toby is younger and a pilot in Alaska. Both of them have families, albeit Toby is caring for his sisters and father while Rueben has a daughter Amelia. These two make a lovely couple and it's a nice read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC.

I loved Arctic Wild this is written with detail for the scenery and I feld like I was
there.that is talent,Annabeth Albert is a very good author and is for my a autobuy.
I liked Reuben and also toby butt the latter one,was also in the first chapters hard to warm
up to.I liked the story and the pace in their relation.However it felt like the drama was over
halfway trough.and that was somewhat strange.
so no 5 stars but 4 stars.I loved it and looking forward to the next one

4.5*

I love Annabeth Albert’s work and so I was especially looking forward to this book. She’s an expert at writing complex characters and making them real. I loved each and every one of the characters, especially Reuben’s daughter Amelia.

There is an age gap in this story, with over a decade separating the two main characters. Reuben is 48 with a 14 year old teenage daughter and Toby is 31. The dialogue in this story was riveting and there were a few moments when I actually laughed out loud.

Reuben is a bisexual attorney who loves his work and can’t imagine being apart from it for too long. He’s not comfortable flying planes and takes a while to warm up to hiking and fishing, but soon immerses himself and is reminded of when he was a child at camp.

Tobias was a side character in the first book of the series, Arctic Sun. He’s a charming queer bush pilot that is the main provider for his family. He dropped out of college when his mother died to help take care of his father and put his two sisters through college and thinks he knows what’s best for them all.

I loved the entire plot and character development in this story. The conflict and problems the main characters have in this story are very believable. Toby grew up a certain way, modelling himself after his father and not willing to accept any help, but putting his family first and wanting to solve all of their problems himself. Reuben is generous with his money when it concerns his friends and doesn’t realize until later that not everything can be solved that way. He’s a fantastic father that is slowly relearning how to be there for his teenage daughter and is a lot more complicated and caring than he first seems.

I loved the slow burn between the two. They went from client to friends and lovers came almost naturally to them throughout the book. They had amazing chemistry together and I was a sap for the domestic scenes.

I definitely recommend this story! I couldn’t put it down and even stayed up until 6am reading it because I enjoyed it so much and wanted them happy.

A solid, enjoyable read. It follows fairly standard tropes (a high-powered lawyer who can't put down his phone and a working-class who has put his family's needs before himself, forced proximity, age-gap) but combines them with an alienated teen and the Alaskan wilderness in a way that makes you forget that you probably know how they're going to resolve their conflict. Toby and Rueben are both likable and I always appreciate when a relationship develops without the characters immediately jumping into bed together.

I was ecstatic to receive an early copy of Arctic Wild by Annabeth Albert, the second standalone in her Frozen Hearts series. I absolutely loved the first book, Arctic Sun, and I honestly loved this one just as much. This book brings us two men with an age gap and opposites in more than a few ways, finding their happily ever after.

Toby may be young but he has a ton of responsibility on his shoulders. After an accident in the beginning of the book he is left frustrated, angry and feeling helpless. He is stubborn as hell and fiercely proud. When he isn't being a grump he is playful and fun. Reuben is much older than Toby and comes from a different type of lifestyle. He means well even if he doesn't always think first before speaking, but he is so sweet kind and caring. Even though he hasn't been a hands on dad before now, he does a great job reconnecting with his daughter. He tries too hard to give everyone what they need that he tends to forget about what he wants.

Together they bring out the best in each other. Reuben helps take Toby's mind off the responsibility and stress weighing on him. Toby helps Reuben live in the moment and step away from his day to day work mode and appreciate life. They are also too stinkin' cute together when they are unconsciously in sync and finishing each other's sentences. The intimate aspect of their relationship was also beautiful and packed with emotions. Even though when things were good they we're good, their story is filled with a lot of insecurities, doubts and fears. They both questioned their age gap at times and Toby had a really hard time not feeling like he was a project for Reuben to fix.

Once again, Annabeth Albert brings to life the Alaskan scenery and wildlife. Her writing is vivid and fantastic. Arctic Wild is a romance filled with strong characters with real problems finding their happily ever after with the odds against them.

I love Annabeth Albert's characters, they are always easy to like and highly relatable. We journey again to Alaska and go on a journey with Reuben and Toby. The immediate chemistry between the two despite both of them being in denial was fun, but when disaster strikes, they are forced to acknowledge those feelings and rely on each other. When Toby is hurt and Reuben offers to look after him and rents a house bringing his daughter to Alaska for the summer, the feelings they've been fighting come to a head. I didn't like Toby's family much. The whole he's not the one for you, continually got on my nerves, the lack of support from his sister and dad along with the constant reminder that he's a man therefore should not rely on anyone to help him, really annoyed me. Thankfully Annabeth knows how to draw things out and still give us a HEA. I loved getting a glimpse of how Griff and River were going from Arctic Sun. I look forward to the next book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin-Carina Press for a digital copy in return for an honest review.

Very sweet, low angst read. I was a bit nervous to read the plane crash part but was relieved to find it read more like a car accident than a plane crash. Unfortunately though, after that not a lot happens. Good beginning and ending but the middle was a bit slow-mainly them building their relationship plus a little upset.

Thank you Carina and NetGalley for the ARC!

Arctic Wild
I am a big fan of this author, so I was really excited to get an advanced copy of this book. Overall, I liked the book quite a bit -- a little bit of escapist fiction to distract me from real life. This one didn't wow me like some of the author's other work, but I enjoyed it.

Specifically, I liked that:
--Toby's family didn't like him immediately, recognize his feelings for Reuben before Toby did, I think they were perfect together, or push Toby into an aha "I love him" moment;
--that Toby didn't need to have some all-seeing friend help him realize he loved Reuben or that he needed to risk his heart for happiness. I really, really liked that he figured it out by himself.
--that Reuben wasn't a completely stereotypical corporate lawyer. Some of the early descriptions and the blurb relied a bit heavily on stereotypes, but his actual character didn't seem too bad.
--I liked many of the secondary characters, although Toby's father was a bit one-dimensional.

I didn't care for:
--Reuben's very speedy transition from reticent and aloof, not wanting to be around people who talked, to sharing seriously personal information with Toby and actively seeking him out. I didn't find this believable at all.
--yet another aloof, money-hungry, self-serving, manipulative ex-wife. I am getting very tired of the misogyny in M/M novels.

In general, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. I am grateful to the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.

This is book two within this series. And we briefly met Toby in Arctic Sun. Toby was portrayed as the fun loving, easy going guy. But In Arctic Wild we get to see what his burdens are and how all the stress effects him.

One of his tours he ends up doing a solo tour with an older, city man whom doesn't want to be there but is begrudgingly trying to make the best of it.

Reuben has always been work first life second, but being up north changes things. One accident brings these two close together. Then we get to meet the grumpy yet spunky daughter of Reuben, Amelia.

I loved seeing the growth of their relationship and at the same time we get to see Toby and Reuben fall in love even when everyone isn't on board with this relationship.

This book deals with culture issues, as well as parenting and relationship issues. It also deals with an age issue. However, the older age was eluded quite early and it wasn't till near the end where it was finally revealed.

"But part of parenting is learning to parent the kid we actually have, not the one we think we should have. "

I love this quote because I think this could be a good foundation when thinking about parenting.

It was very sweet and I adored these two together. I love Annabeth Albert's stories and here was another great one.

Avec ce deuxième tome de la série Frozen Hearts on retrouve la beauté sauvage et immense de l'Alaska, aux côtés du régional de l'étape, Toby, et de Reuben, le citadin accro au boulot.
Comme dans le tome 1, on part en voyage organisé au fin fond de l'Alaska, et cette fois-ci, pas de minibus, mais plutôt un avion, enfin ... selon Reuben, cela tient plus d'un coucou qu'autre chose ... Rien ne va se passer comme prévu, et les deux hommes vont assez vite se retrouver dans une situation assez dramatique, qui posera les bases du reste du roman, et les conduira à passer beaucoup de temps ensemble.

Si j'ai bien plutôt bien aimé Reuben, j'ai eu plus de mal avec Toby, qui a fini par m'agacer, même si je peux comprendre ses réticences. Et du coup, je trouve la fin bâclée, alors qu'il y a un épilogue ... La romance en elle-même n'est pas transcendante, on sait que leur relation progresse, mais nous n'y assistons pas vraiment, et je trouve cela un peu dommage.

Pour finir sur une note plus positive, j'ai apprécié les relations entre les personnages, notamment celles entre Amelia et les autres.

Oh, my! This book has so many of my favorite tropes that I really enjoyed it immensely. I’d tag it age gap, May-December, slow burn, men with children, family drama, Alaska, hurt-comfort, and second chances. Plus, it had a sneak peek at past characters Griff and River to let us know how they are doing.

As the story opens, Reuben is irritated when he learns his friends aren’t going to make the flight to Alaska to begin the vacation they’d insisted he take to destress from his high-powered corporate law office. Add to his irritation the fact that his ex-wife needs an immediate answer about buying out his share in their law firm and he’s not a happy man when he boards the tiny plane in Alaska to begin a solo tour with a chatty tour operator named Toby.

Toby has been providing for his ailing father and younger sister for years so he’s no stranger to responsibility. And he’s flown this trip many, many times over his favorite areas in Alaska and is happy to give personal attention to his solo traveler. Too bad the silver fox is grumpy and straight, or so he thinks. But halfway through the trip, a sudden storm causes them to crash, and it’s Reuben who rescues Toby before their plane catches fire.

I loved the way the author took both men out of their comfort zones and allowed them to have new experiences and new perspectives—aha moments, so to speak. One of my favorites came at the end of the book when both men acknowledge that the summer they spent together has been all about second chances and what they plan to do with those chances. I’m glad the author didn’t make the crash site the entire setting of the story and, instead, gave them the perfect excuse to spend a few months together and infuse a few other interesting characters into the mix.

Both characters are well-developed and engaging, and added to the chemistry between Reuben and Toby, we have a 14-year-old teen daughter for Reuben who was a spot-on perfect example of an annoying teen girl of that age. (Been there. Had that!) Watching her slowly gravitate toward her father, and he to her, was heartwarming. Meanwhile, Toby had to learn to rely on help from others, giving him a new perspective on how his father has felt for years. Both men changed over the time they spent together during Toby’s recuperation, and the changes had a ripple effect on their families.

When they allowed themselves to live their dreams, the impossible became possible. Set against the background of the most majestic state I’ve ever visited, how could I not love this story? I highly recommend this to lovers of MM romance, especially those who love the tags I mention at the beginning of this review.

This is the first book I have read by this author, but I will be looking at her back list and in fact bought the first entry in the Frozen Hearts series. Two men with little in common, including significant age and economic differences, meet on an Alaskan wilderness vacation that abruptly ends when weather forces small-plane pilot and tour guide Toby to crash land, leaving him with multiple injuries and financial concerns. Reuben is the very successful (and older) corporate lawyer from the New York area, who decides to stay and help Toby recuperate, using it as a chance to re-connect with his teenage daughter. How these two overcome their respective issues and ultimately commit to each other is an enjoyable pleasure to read.

Reuben is a successful attorney who reluctantly goes on a trip to Alaska. His best friends were supposed to accompany him but at the literal last minute flaked on him so he went by himself.

His best friends had an itinerary previously set up, so all Reuben had to do was show up and allow the tour guide to take him to all the places listed.

Toby is what you would hope a tour guide to be, friendly, outgoing and talkative. Upon meeting Reuben, Toby senses his reluctance to be there and enjoy himself.

After the first few days, Reuben actually begins to enjoy himself and begins to enjoy Toby's company. They both share a mutual attraction and flirt here and there. On their way back from a trip, the weather takes a turn and they crash.

Reuben offers to extend his stay in Alaska so he can help take care of Toby. Reuben loves taking care of people so this is something he wants to do. Toby is not used to asking for help much less accepting help. But he is left with no choice so he stays with Reuben.

During this time, their attraction grows and manifests into what they call a "Summer fling". Will this "fling" really just be for the Summer? Or will they develop real feelings for each other and decide to take things further?

The author's Frozen Hearts series started off a bit heavy (ie. angsty) with Arctic Sun, so Arctic Wild was a welcome change of pace. I liked the age gap component although I admit it took a minute to warm up to Reuben who was unbearably prickly. I find that AA usually writes children really well, and I supposed Reuben's bratty teen daughter was no exception - she was annoying af until she finally came around (naturally). Toby was a breathe of fresh air the entire time, which made it easy for me to root for him even when he was at his lowest point during his recuperation and being a dick. Basically the book did a great job portraying these individuals as they each face some milestone moments in their lives - Reuben's midlife crisis, Amelia's need for stability and family, and Toby's frustrating and expensive recuperation.

The pace slowed down a bit in the middle as they established a home life of sorts, but I relished the quiet and sexy moments Reuben and Toby were able to steal together. I thought the author did a commendable job as always with the realities facing the heroes, and as expected made them work hard towards their HEA.

The only part I did not enjoy about the book was Toby's dad lousy attitude - or I guess more specifically Toby's not sticking up for himself and for his new friend/client and their budding relationship.

If you're an Annabeth fan, you'll enjoy this one.

I received this arc from NetGalley for an honest review. I love Annabeth Albert books and was thrilled to get this newest book. It's a generally good read but I did not feel the sexual tension that I felt in her other titles. It wasn't as exciting or appealing.

ARCTIC WILD is the second book in the Frozen Hearts series, and I am happy to report that Griffin and River make a cameo appearance. This book is all about Reuben and Toby though. Reuben goes on the trip initially to prove to his friend that he will, although he has no specific desire to. There he meets Toby, his tour guide. Everything is going well until a freak bout of weather sends them crashing to earth. The rest of the book is about Toby healing, and the two of them moving on from client and tour guide, to friends and lovers.

With a great cast of characters, this story supports Toby and Reuben as they learn about who each of them are, and what they really want. For me, Amelia has to be the star of the show though, and I loved the advice Reuben gave Natalie toward the end.

The pacing is smooth, and the storyline has not plotholes that I fell through. I understand Toby's dilemma, but I didn't particularly like it. It just seemed a tad out of place somehow, being as he was supposed to be thirty-one.

Anyway, moving swiftly on, there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading, and I once again thoroughly enjoyed my time in Alaska. I definitely recommend this book, and look forward to the next.

Arctic Wild is very much an Annabeth Albert book, with which I mean it's the exact same formula I've seen from this author before. If Arctic Sun and Rough Terrain had a book child, this would be it, minus the military character background.
Which isn't to say Arctic Wild was boring - I enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed those other two books - it was just predictable in how the story would be structured and when key events would occur.

Content warnings include: plane crash, stuck in wilderness, fear of flying, heavy injuries from the crash (multiple fractures, character spends rest of the book in casts and a wheelchair,) one character is a workaholic, antagonistic parent; mentions of more heavy injury leading to disability, death of parents and brief custody battle.

I enjoyed reading this for the most part. I loved corporate lawyer and workaholic Reuben's transformation from reluctance, only doing the trip to prove that he can, and wanting to constantly check his phone for emails, to genuinely enjoying himself, falling in love with Alaska, overcoming his fears and reconnecting with his daughter.
Toby, the pilot and tour guide assigned to Reuben's trip, doesn't have quite such a nice arc. He starts out pretty even keeled, and even when his life gets turned upside down he mostly keeps his cool and ability to work his charm. It's only when his family and how the accident affects them comes into play that he crumbles.

What I didn't like was the conflict (though luckily it was rather short and resolved quickly.) It's strongly connected to Toby's dad, who I disliked. He's not a hateful or malicious character, but his pride and suspiciousness of outsiders was off-putting, especially with how he tries to push these sentiments onto his son.

On the flipside I adored the rest of the plot around the protagonist's families. There's Nell, Toby's youngest sister (with a few appearances of his other sister Hannah) and especially Amelia, Reuben's daughter, was a delight. I loved Amelia both as a character (and wasn't that like looking back at parts of myself when I was a teen!) and how her relationship with both Toby and Reuben develops. I really liked how she wasn't reduced to a stereotype, like the little princess or the tough-cool-girl like protagonist's kids are often handled: instead she was a complex character with a lot of quirks, flaws and many different interests.

There was a lovely little side plot about Toby connecting with Amelia by teaching her about his Native Alaskan, specifically Athabaskan, heritage, just like his mother used to teach him.

Something that stood out to me and that I strongly disliked was how a character saying "I'm not interested in relationships" was immediately met with "I bet you'll change your mind someday." This happened two times, with the characters not wanting relationships being two different ones and the one replying the same in both scenes. In the second instance it's at least followed up with the admittance that nothing is wrong with not wanting relationships, but it still grated.

That also made it weird that Toby, who definitely says he's not interesting in a relationship, then obviously ends up in one.... while his previous disinterest is never really mentioned again.
The romance plot still works and I mostly liked it, though I wish there had been a bit more explicit conversation around it from time to time.

Annabeth brings a way less angsty book than the first one in the series and I enjoyed it a lot more because of that.

I liked Toby but he frustrated me at times, although I did completely understand where he was coming from and being able to see inside his head with the dual POV was a great way to coming to realise why he behaved as he did.

I adored Ruben though, the way he was determined to make a new start and get a better relationship with his daughter really spoke to me. He was a seriously hot silver bear too and his nurturing and care for Toby was a big plus point.

But, as with book one, the pacing on this one still felt a bit off and things seemed to happen in odd places, which meant I wasn't quite sure where the big dramatic moments were going to be - not necessarily a bad thing but it meant that it felt like there were long beats between narrative changes.

Great secondary characters and the amazing sense of place which Annabeth has definitely brought to this series, a flying guest appearance from Griff and River (book one) and an awesome epilogue, meant I enjoyed this book overall.

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5
When a plane crashes in the Alaskan wilderness, the best place to land is in the arms of a younger man…Hotshot attorney Reuben Graham has finally agreed to take a vacation, when his plane suddenly plunges into the Alaskan wilderness.
Just his luck

But his frustrations have only begun as he finds himself stranded with the injured, and superhot, pilot, a man who’s endearingly sociable—and much too young for Reuben to be wanting him this badly.
As the sole provider for his sisters and ailing father, Tobias Kooly is devastated to learn his injuries will prevent him from working or even making it back home. So when Reuben insists on giving him a place to recover, not even Toby’s pride can make him refuse. He’s never been tempted by a silver fox before, but something about Reuben is impossible to resist.Recuperating in Reuben’s care is the last thing Toby expected, yet the closer they become, the more incredibly right it feels, prompting workaholic Reuben to question the life he’s been living. But when the pressure Toby’s under starts closing in, both men will have to decide if there’s room in their hearts for a love they never saw coming.

Arctic Wild is the second book in Annabeth Albert's Frozen Hearts series that takes place in Alaska, and much like the first novel it has so much to recommend it.  It has that breath-taking setting that's described in gorgeous vivid detail.  The research into the National Park's, the locations, even the climate changes give this story an authenticity that can take your breath away, especially as seen from the cockpit of a small seaplane of the type(s) regularly used in Alaska.

The author's realism extends into the everyday livelihoods, local populace, and cultural heritage, even schools and town life.   Both novels, including Arctic Wild more so with the local native inclusion into the series, ground the series not just with the incredible beauty  of Alaska but with the people living out their lives there year round. I understood the love for a place and land, listening to the dialog and conversations of various individuals within this novel.  Great job!

The transition of Reuben Graham from uptight reluctant vacationeer to someone who feels the call of Alaska itself is also well done.  I believed in it and him, the change in the man, the work and reversal in his relationship with his daughter.  All heartwarming and gems of this story.  Maybe my favorite parts, honestly.  Watching the daughter grow and become who she really was? Perfection.  That includes the characters of Tobias Kooly's family, mostly his sister who helped her get there along with her father.

And then there's Toby and his relationship with Reuben.  Sigh.  You see. That didn't quite work for me.  As much as I liked Reuben?  Toby's character seemed a little unformed in comparison.  Perhaps because he was much younger, or continued to cave in with regard to his father's wishes. Or something.  But whatever it was.  It just felt like such an unequal matchup in characters, and not just because of the age difference.  I have loved a age gap romance so that's not the issue here.   It just felt as though his sister came across as a much stronger person or character than he did on the page and she was secondary to the story.  However, she remains a much brighter presence in my mind even now.  In fact, quite  a few of the people within the story jump to mind and I can see them clearly, just not Toby.  So what does that say?

Albert mentions several of the local tribal customs(the families getting together to fish their quota of salmon etc)  within the story and I wish they had been enlarged on.  They enriched the tale and made it a more layered, authentic novel with their inclusion here as they would be in real life.  Loved that aspect of this book.So while I found the relationship between Toby and Reuben to be not exactly to my liking, I loved so much else about this story that I'm definitely recommending it along with the first in the series Arctic Sun.  Loved seeing a glimpse of that couple here again as well.  I can't wait to see what the next story brings.  I will be here for that too.

Cover art by Carina Press is lovely, especially the Alaska background