I became a fan of Annabeth Albert a few years ago. I came across one of her self published books and really enjoyed it. I read a few more and then I got sidetracked with other books. So when I saw she was releasing a new books, Conventionally Yours, I knew I had to read it. Usually convention books aren’t my thing but I knew Annabeth could make it work for me and I was so right. Conventionally Yours was a really fun story about finding friendship and love and yourself over one road trip and it made me supremely happy.

Conventionally Yours is the story of Alden and Conrad, two completely different 20 something year olds that one one thing in common, their love for a strategy game called Odyssey. When the two of them find themselves on a road trip to a life changing Odyssey tournament across the country they start to learn what they thought they knew about each other isn’t really all there is. And as they spend more and more time together the both realize there is something else brewing besides friendship, a spark that neither one of them expected. As they get to know themselves and each other better all the two of them can hope is that this tournament doesn’t come between the two of them.

What I loved about Conventionally Yours was the growth of Conrad and Alden. Neither of them had a plan on what they were going to do with their lives. Conrad had a lot going on and Alden only felt pressure from those around him They both had one goal in mind and it was to win the tournament to make something out of their lives. But as they got closer they started to realize that you didn’t have to stick to a plan, that it was okay to make it up as they went and to want new things. I also really loved the chemistry between the two of them. Seemingly two opposites but they just worked together and helped to build one another up even if they had different reactions to things.

In the end I found Conventionally Yours charming. Conrad and Alden really sold the story and made me become invested in their lives. It was entraining but not a light read either. And I surprisingly found myself really loving the card came Odyssey. This wasn’t my first Annabeth Albert book and it won’t be my last. Definitely pick this one up.

A sweet enemies-to-lovers road trip romance that honestly just reminded me of all the best parts of summer, driving with your friends and all the hijinks that ensue, and what happens when you realize you're crushing on someone in a whole new way. This book was just nerdy enough for a reader who is only vaguely familiar with tabletop gaming but has definitely been to more than one convention. Ultimately, I felt lighter after having read it given how wonderfully sincere and adorable it is.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Two rival “gaymers” Alden and Conrad snag complimentary tickets to only the biggest gaming Odyssey convention ever. With their group of course, which includes Jasper and Professor Tuttle. But when Tuttle ends up in a freak accident requiring surgery and Jasper has to return home for a family emergency, Alden and Conrad peddle on and do the road trip to Vegas. Just the two of them. For their professor. Both want to win the tournament. Both have their personal reasons for wanting to win. But, what happens on the road? Will their rivalry turn into friendship? Or more? Or will what happen in Vegas stay in Vegas?

I have to be honest that I didn’t feel invested in the story right away, but as I got to know Alden and Conrad, I liked them. Like I’d totally be friends with them. Being that this involved a nerdy strategy game (that had major Magic the Gathering vibes) and I love strategy board games, all the more this was fun for me. I loved the organic development of Alden’s and Conrad’s relationship—mainly how Alden’s introvert complimented Conrad’s extrovert. What a sweet story about two different guys who had a common bond that eventually brought them together.

It’s got enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, and forced proximity... so, I recommend to fans of Red, White, & Royal Blue.

I wanted to like this book, I really wanted it, but I've started at least three times and I'm not capable of engaging with the story or the characters. I don't know if it's my state of mind because it's really well written, so I'll keep trying in a few weeks.

A cute gay romance, some nice enemies-to-lovers, a road trip and an abundance of nerdery – that’s pretty much how you could summarize this book!

Meet Aiden and Conor, two prominent players of the (made up) board game the Odyssey and sworn enemies too. They live in the town of Gracehaven on the East coast, they spend their days in a game shop playing cards and secretly (or not so secretly) hating each other’s guts. One day they’re invited to partake in a convention related to the Odyssey out west, and a road trip that will change everything for both of them forever ensues…

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“I am so, so happy that I got my wish granted on Netgalley” was the first thought I had upon finishing this book because honestly, yes, it is definitely *that* good. I was sort of undecided about whether to give this one four or five stars, I decided to eventually round it up though because 1) I haven’t given a book five stars in a really, really long time and 2) I was thoroughly enjoying myself throughout the entire book and if that doesn’t sound like a five star book, I don’t know what does.

I’ve been thinking on what exactly I liked about this book and I think my honest feeling is that while nothing in particular stood out to me extra much, I liked the full picture of what this book was. I’ve seen some reviews calling this book not very original and I am inclined to agree, because it isn’t, but who’s to say a book always has to be? I mean, I personally think the reason why I so vastly enjoyed this book was because it was so familiar in so many different ways.

This read almost like a fanfic in a lot of ways, and from me that’s some very serious praise! I LOVED the fact that this was enemies-to-lovers, this is a trope that I’ve only just now begun to realize I love (thank you, heterosexual media, for ruining that trope for me for *years*…!). I LOVED the sheer nerdery of the Odyssey; I was literally biting my nails at some point because yes, it was that exciting! If it were a real game, I’d totally be playing it, not going to lie. Also I LOVED the fact that this book had LGBT characters partake in an arena that usually isn’t that LGBT-dominated.

I also really liked the characters’ back stories, how both of them came with some baggage but that they managed to work through it and/or realize that it was a part of the other person and that they could love each other still, despite whatever baggage they perceived the other person to have. All in all though, the way their relationship progressed from enemies to friends to…more was BEAUTIFUL. I loved the pining and unsureness of their emotions! And the way they grew softer and softer around each other was just heart warming, honestly! They might not be my all time favorite OTP but I really did enjoy them as a couple and found that they completed each other beautifully.

Thumbs up for great LGBT rep throughout the book, like sooo many side characters were some sort of LGBT flavor which was awesome. Also, having one of the main characters be on the spectrum was pretty awesome too. AAAAAAAALSO, can we talk about that road trip?? I think I love books that are set on a road trip just a bit too much.

I honestly have nothing to complain about, I know some people have said that they wish this book would be ~deeper but I personally feel like, this is an NA romance, if you want depth you should look elsewhere. If you, like me, are here for cute boys being cute, adorable romance and a good amount of sheer nerdery, then you’ve definitely found the right place for you!

Now, as for whether I would recommend this book to others? WELL, basically all my friends that are into reading have already put this book on their TBRs because I’ve nagged them about it so much, haha. This book is honestly a perfect read this upcoming summer if you want something lighter and cute to read while out in your backyard, on your balcony or on the beach.

I saw on Goodreads that this book is in fact the first part of a series and I honestly went “HECK YEAH” out loud! I can’t wait to pick that book up!

Overall - 2.5
Heat - 2

Conventionally Yours is the first in a new series from Annabeth Albert, the story is about two rival gamers on a road trip to a fan convention and the unexpected connection that occurs. Annabeth Albert is well known for her steamy Out of Uniform series and I’ve read several books in that series with much delight. That is why I picked up this latest book from her, since I’m also a bit of a gamer/nerd and wanted to read a romance between characters that had similar interests.
The book was well written as I’ve come to expect from Albert, she manages to create characters you feel like you know or can relate to easily. She is also very adept at handling difficult topics around queer life with sympathy and respect. In previous books i’ve read from her she also manages to write some steamy love scenes that practically burn up the pages. However in this book that heat and anticipation was dialed back, to a point where the story was too tame for this reader.
The love story between these two gamer boys was sweet and endearing. I loved the dichotomy of affable outgoing Conrad and introspective and neurodivergent Alden. Their personal struggles made for some very excellent reading because we really got to see the depth of character in both Alden and Conrad. Conrad’s need to act like he always has it together was so relatable to me that I found a lot of his internal dialogue mirrored my own from that age. I usually don’t like a slower burn to the love story, but with these two it made a lot of sense and worked for them as people.
I wanted to like this book a whole lot more than I did, and again it came back around to how tame any intimate moments were with these two. Coming off reading some of this author’s other work it felt like she had pulled her punches and I wasn’t exactly sure why. I wanted the same level of passion I was used to reading but Alden and Conrad just fizzled on the page. This made the book feel almost juvenile in some places, which was bothersome since this book is not a YA novel.
Overall I’d give this read about a 2.5 and suggest you check out the other novels this author has to offer if you like heat with your romance. If you are someone that wants a cleaner sweeter read you may enjoy this a whole lot more than I did. Personally, I hope that other books in this series will not pull the punches so much as this one did.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of “Conventionally Yours” by Annabeth Albert. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a unique and standout premise for a story: rival college-aged gamers of a sort of Magic the Gathering card game travel to a convention where they both aim to win a life-changing grand prize. I appreciated the diverse cast of LGBTQ+ characters and their different dynamics in their Gamer Grandpa YouTube channel group. Of the group, Conrad and Alden get along the least so of course circumstances conspire for them to end up on a road trip to the convention together. Along the way they get to know one another, but always in the back of their minds is the reminder that only one of them can win.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy road trip stories. I don’t think I am one of those as I find road trip storylines to drag and this book was no exception. But that’s totally a personal preference. As I was reading, I found myself wanting more specifics of the restaurants and gamer stores the characters visited. The author’s note at the end of the book clarified that these places were fictional so I didn’t understand why there weren’t names to go along with the places. I wanted more specifics and more flavor to the story through these names. A lot could be conveyed by the names whether they’re more puns or serious in tone.

I also wished for more of insights into the YouTube side of the gamer channel as I personally find all that really interesting.

A strong element of the story was Conrad’s struggles with money as a result of his parents not accepting him as gay. I found this incredibly heartbreaking and one of the stronger points of the story.

Ultimately, I found this book hard to rate. While there were parts that dragged for me, I would still recommend it especially to readers who enjoy road trips and enemies to lovers stories.

3/5 stars

Rating: 4,5 ☆/5☆

Tropes: mm, enemies to lovers, roadtrip

Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I TOTALLY FELL ON LOVE WITH ALDEN! I WANT ONE FOR MYSELF, PLEASE!! I loved how Alden and Conrad didn't like each other at frist, but slowly progressed to really like each other.
The roadtrip aspect was done really well (and I'm usually not a big fan of roadtrip books). Most of the book is set during the roadtrip, which is only a couple of days. And even tough their romance progressed in those few days, it somehow felt really slow-burny to me, but in a really good way.

My favorite thing about this book was it's diversity!! I've never read a book with a non-binary side character and it was such a happy surprise, to have them represented. Also Alden, god, he's such a cute cinnamonroll. AS someone who struggles with an anxiety disorder, his mind made so much sense to me.


(INSTAGRAM REVIEW WILL COME WHEN THE BOOK RELEASES)
The only things I didn't really like was the ending, don't get me wrong, I love where the characters ended up. It only seemed a bit rushed to me and I would have loved to see a bit more of Alden and Conrads usual day to day business. And that I didn't get the game they were playing (which could be totally on me, I'm not a big games person) but the scenes where a game was played dragged on for me.

But overall, I would really recommend this book. It was fun with a lot of heart and also handles heavy subjects.

two guys who seem as opposite as opposite can be share an obsession over a card game and a need to win it all. conventionally yours is an enjoyable road trip story with a nice dose of fan geekery and some real life issues to make this not just an absolute confection. conrad and alden are both working out what they want to do with their life. and how to get there without drowning all the time. whether it's anxiety or how bills, both of them are floundering and taking their uncertainties out on each other. willfully misunderstanding one another because they're too afraid that the other one will see through them.

but when they are forced to drive from pennsylvania to nevada together, and alone with each other after hitting ohio, the barriers between them start to fall away. and when they are more honest with each other, the more they realize that instead of hating this other person who they thought was so different, that maybe they might be a little bit in love.

they've got challenges to face, in particular, the fact that both of them can't win this game. but how everything plays out is an utter delight and i just really enjoyed reading this story.

**conventionally yours will publish on june 2, 2020. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/sourcebooks in exchange for my honest review

I originally thought this book was YA and therefore a possible recommendation for my students, but as a true New Adult book, I feel like my students are too young for it. It was a sweet romance, and touched on a lot of the emotions that were authentic to the situation. I got a little confused by all that the game included, but overall thought it was a great read!

To be one of my 5 Annabeth Albert reads books I have to say I enjoyed this, but I didn't LOVE it.

I think anybody who's previously read her GAYmers series might feel a tad bit identified. I'm not a gamer myself, tho I tend to like Mario Bros and Mortal Kombat from time to time. These dudes were HARD CORE gamers. Like, really there. The dynamics are pretty straight forward, and the fact that Mrs Albert included a Jewish main character made it a lot more interesting for me. I love characters with different backgrounds and to have somebody also in the neuro-diverse spectrum made it just plain phenomenal. I must say tho, this story did fall a bit short of her already signature steam from previous books. I can only think it has all to do with this being a more 'new adult' type of read, but the overall plot is pretty good, tho a bit predictable.

Conrad and Alden took that 'enemies to lovers' trope to a whole new level if you ask me. The roadtrip was fun, but I would've wanted to see them in a different environment (I just read a book recently where two people fall for each other on a road trip) so it kinda felt similar, yet not quite.

In simple words: I loved it, and I'm sure everybody who picks their copy will. There is sooo much to explore and keep digging here, many other potential MC's for the next installment (I kinda have a feeling but I don't want to jinx it ha!)

When I read the pitch for this book, I was so excited! The premise checked a lot of boxes for me (about a MtG-like card game, rivals-to-lovers, a convention!) but the execution... fell flat, to put it mildly. There were a lot of smaller things I didn't like about it (no women in their play group, weird anachronistic technology stuff, lack of verisimilitude when it came to the road trip elements) but the big issue I had with it was the total lack of tension the narrative brought to the romance itself. I prefer rivals-to-lovers stories to have rivals with more of an actual rivalry. The plot gave them a reason they both needed to win the tournament, but it didn't feel like it carried over enough into their actions/emotions. I actually got bored with the narrative and started to skim around 30% (though part of that was also because of the dull road trip details. It focuses on a lot of the boring elements of road trips, like driving, traffic, interstate changes) and finally gave up around 50% in. Ultimately, this one really just wasn't for me.

Rainbows and Sunshine
May 26, 2020

I loved Conventionally Yours for so many reasons. Most of all for the way it made feel. Like watching an old rom-com that gives you butterflies.

I found it very different from her previous books. The writing style is so beautiful. Rivals-to-lovers on a road trip?! This book was perfection. I could relate to both Alden and Conrad. Alden because I used to be that kid that got picked last. And Conrad because his experiences are the reason I haven't come out to my parents yet. But this book is hope. It made me laugh and cry and feel a whole lot of emotions.

Conrad and Alden were perfect for each other. Even their rivalry was cute. Written in dual POV, Conventionally Yours is a book that will stay with me for a long time.

Odyssey, the game is quite intriguing. I loved the different cards and moves and it was very interesting to read about it, especially the convention. Totally recommend this book!

*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

A sweet frenemies to lovers novel about two young men who are gamers. Conrad and Alden are very different in so many ways but they bond on a road trip to a big tournament, especially because they're forced to share, something neither one has really done before. I'm not a gamer nor am I familiar with what gamers atually do so I learned a bit, which is always a good thing. There is a lot of gaming though so if you're like me, you might find it a bit slow in spots. Both characters are well done and nicely rounded, as are those they meet. This is a romance but there's very little steam- but the romance is convincing. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good NA/YA crossover read.

Judging from the reviews already out there, this is going to be a hit or miss book. I personally adored this book!

This is very different from Annabeth Albert's usual books in many ways:
- It's NA, both characters being in their early twenties and just finishing college or starting a job.
I was actually surprised how much I enjoyed this anyway, because usually, NA books are too angsty for my taste, but these two leads were just my kind of people. Layered, vulnerable, and not easy to get to know. But that's were the road trip adventure comes in. While driving to Vegas, the boys get to really know each other, and you get a feeling that they connect slowly and gradually, and that is just my kind of romance!
- It's the slowest of slow burn with non-explicit sex scenes.
Conrad and Alden start out not really liking each other, and slowly realize that that is because neither of them ever bothered to look very closely at the other. As they get to know each other on the road, they discover that they're both actually so much more than what they show other people or even believe themselves to be. Again, this is the kind of romance I just love. It has a lot of self-discovery and not much flash. But to me, Alden quietly but firmly standing up to his overprotective parents was so worth it.
I also wasn't bothered by the lack of explicit sex scenes, in fact, it was a welcome change of pace for me. And it fits the characters in my opinion.
- A lot of the plot revolves around gaming
So if you're easily put off by that sort of thing, stay away. Me, I enjoyed it. The game taught the boys a lot about themselves in the end, so I enjoyed that it was part of their journey.

All in all, this was a really lovely story about a road trip and self discovery for me. It did drag a bit here and there for me, but ultimately, I really enjoyed spending time with the boys and their friends and thought their story was really sweet!

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I am a huge sucker for enemy to lover stories as well as books that are based on conventions and general "nerdiness". What I liked most about this story is the character development. It wasn't rushed, the author took their time to ensure that the decisions made by the characters reflected where they were at that time. I found myself able to easily relate to a lot of the experiences of the two main characters and I was truly engrossed in their journey.

The story follows two players of a popular card game, they both are part of the same popular club, who stream online, they have developed a very heated rivalry. They are offered the chance to compete at a big tournament on the other side of the country. For multiple reasons, they embark on a cross-country roadtrip to get to the tournament with the tournament winner offered money and a chance to become a professional. The story explores so much of why each character is the way they are and their motivations.

I really enjoyed this and am keen to read more from this author.

This sweet m/m romance was a delight to read. Conrad, Alden, and all their gaming friends are just wonderful. There is a lot of focus on a card game - think something similar to "Magic the Gathering" - that some readers may have difficulty following. But understanding the game adds to the authenticity of what's at stake. how meaningful this is to both Conrad and Alden, and how we all need something that allows to escape from our life, if only for a moment. Also, despite having a pretty light tone - this book does an excellent job of touching on some important themes - like finding your own way, familial relationships, and more. Additionally, the representation in is the story is amazing!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for the advanced copy of Conventionally Yours!

Though they are both members of the same Odyssey gaming group, Alden Roth and Conrad Stewart are frequently at odds. Their rivalry is well know, due to their recurring role as players on the semi-famous YouTube series “Gamer Grandpa.” On the surface, Conrad’s life is perfect, but he is actually struggling to make ends meet. Alden’s need for control has been constantly challenged over the last few years, leaving him unsure about what he wants to do with his life. When the Gamer Grandpa team receives free passes to compete in the national Odyssey convention, both boys think that they may have found an answer to all their woes. The only thing standing in the way of their dreams is the prospect of a many-day car trip spent dealing with each other, but if they can survive that, winning the tournament will be a piece of cake!

You can get your copy of Conventionally Yours on June 2nd from Sourcebooks Fire!

From the first page, Conventionally Yours won a place in my heart, and on my list of favorite rom-coms of all time! Annabeth Albert did a fantastic job of creating two like-able and understandably motivated characters, who you can’t help but root for. I was especially fond of Alden, and Albert’s choice to include a neurodiverse protagonist wonderful to see, given the unfortunate rarity of neurodiversity in young adult novels. I also really enjoyed the gaming-centric storyline!

My Recommendation-
If you’ve been on the hunt for a sweet and romantic story with lots of LGBTQ representation, Conventionally Yours should definitely be on your radar! This book would be an especially great fit if you love gaming, conventions, and all things geek-centric!

I was excited to receive Conventionally Yours as an eARC from #NetGalley and as it was the first book by Annabeth Albert that I'd read, I didn't really know what to expect. But it was such an endearing read!

So basically it's a new adult M/M enemies to lovers book, set in the world of gamer geeks (so nerdy, but sooo cute😍), with our two MCs Connor and Alden being part of a 'rainbow' table top card gaming club (lots of LGBTQIA representation🌈). The club has an online following and uploads videos of their games, with Connor and Alden's fractious relationship being great for viewing.

The team gets some free tickets to a gaming convention and decide to attend to play for the big cash prize. With cost being an issue, they decide to head across country on a 5 day road trip. Connor and Alden are rivals on the team, and for the big prize, which would be life changing for either of them. When things go awry and Connor and Alden end up travelling alone to the conference, their relationship slowly begins to change and things aren't always what they seem....

Okay, so you know where this one is heading, but it was really enjoyably written and the author explored some real life issues too (coming out, peer pressure, family pressure to succeed, being kicked out of home). Summer feels and recommended as a great beach read ☀

4 ✨✨✨✨

I'm a huge Annabeth Albert fan and the first NA title by her was a delight. Much tamer than her adult series but still full of romantic tension between these two rivals to more.

Think more her Gaymer series rather than her military titles.

As always she brings depth to the characters (one of the MC's is neurodiverse and Jewish - both have complicated relationships with their parents) while adding the fun road trip aspect and, of course, the competition between Alden and Conrad for a spot on the Odyssey Pro Tour - something they both desperately need.

There were a few overly repeated phrases (might be fixed in the final copy since this review pertains to an arc) & I adored the ending but it did seem to drag out and become overly sappy but I do like my concrete happy endings.