If you like books where the characters fall instantly in lust and in bed with each other, only to then start knowing each other and falling deeply with all the emotions, then this book is for you.
It starts fast, with Calder going to a cabin he thought he won at a card game, finding it wasn't a cabin to give away. The real owner, Felix, gets to the cabin with the two orphan nieces he is raising, and he falls down the stairs, getting stranded there with a stranger because of a snowstorm.
Felix wants Calder, and Calder wants Felix. The math is easy, but there are many other things involved in this equation. Felix is going through a divorce that's stressing him out, he is raising two young girls and is very overprotective, and he definitely doesn't want another complication in the shape of a beautiful man with strawberry blonde hair. Calder, on the other hand, thinks he doesn't want a relationship, and thinks of life as all the fun it can give him, and in the cabin, the fun has the shape of Felix.
I love stories where the characters start strong, only to then start to open up and know each other. It can be easy to fall in lust with someone when you put the no strings attached disclaimer, but feelings are always lurking, and I loved how Calder wanted to show Felix he was serious, that he wasn't another thing to win and to have easy fun with. They both grow during the time they get to know each other; maybe someone put unnecessary walls, and the other needs to show him they aren't necessary. Maybe showing instead of telling helps more towards a happy ending.
I thought the ending was a bit rushed, just a bit. But it was sweet, and I love sweet love stories. I wonder if we're getting Calder's friend book next!

I think that Annabeth Albert is at her best when she is writing military men, and so I was beyond excited to read her new Shore Leave series. I'm very pleased to report that Sink or Swim, the second in the series, is a total winner.

For those series-skippers, don't worry about reading book one first if you are interested in this one. It is very easy to just jump right in to the story, even though I'm sure reading book one would have given me a bit of background.

As someone who is in the medical field, I love when we get a doctor MC. I'm a sucker for intellect, what can I say! I thought that Felix was a loving person and a compassionate parent, though I think he made it a little too hard for Calder to get to know him.

I thought the initial gambling set up was a little weird, especially since it wasn't that important to Calder in the end. I think it has to do with Calder's character development from book one, but that is just a hunch. In the end, Calder won me over with his vulnerability and willingness to step out of his comfort zone for Felix.

I loved how Annabeth Albert showcased a different type of intimacy with these two men. For those who only like lots of sex in their romances, this one might not fit the bill. Calder is on the asexuality spectrum, and though his chemistry with Felix is fierce, sometimes it manifests with just lots of kissing and cuddling. I adored how it showed an alternate to the non-stop sex that we often see in romance, and gave a different perspective.

Overall, this book won me over with its unique characters and it's hard-fought romance between two guys with their own personal baggage. I was cheering for this romance, and I think you will be too. Now it's time to go back and read the first in the series!

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

A cabin mix-up. A winter storm. An easy-going Navy Chief/submariner. A prickly doctor/divorce’ and two precocious girls. Mix it all up and you have the start of something that none of them ever expected.

Calder Euler is a guy known for being fun and competitive, and he also excels at problem solving and spreadsheets. He has been obsessed with being the best and winning his whole life. So when he wins a cabin in a bet, it’s just part of his good times. But things are apparently not quite what they seem.

Felix Sigurd is just keeping it all together. Life is a balancing act and he is still dealing with divorce drama. He is determined that he can handle everything alone and does not want to rely on anyone and be let down. He has no room in his life for a friendly, charming guy who seems to want to help and looks good while doing it.

These guys seem to be opposites in goals and obligations. Calder does not see himself settling down, and thrives on deployments and duty. Felix has to prioritize the girls over his own needs. But there is something just so special about their chemistry and willingness to open up to the other. But they also struggle with fears, insecurities, anxiety, and worries about any possibility of more. I loved seeing them think about and rethink their stances on topics, share, be vulnerable, and consider trying.

This is a realistic, sweet, swoony, sexy, forced proximity, single dad, friends-with-benefits romance. I really liked how they communicated their needs in and out of the bedroom. They just have to be willing to gamble big to win it all.

I just adored these two guys and the girls. And throw in some wild Euler family fun and it is smile-inducing.

I think what I love most about Annabeth Albert's books is that while there is conflict, there's not enough to make me furious. You know the couple is going to end up together, and that they're going to have to overcome some obstacles, but there's not a second obstacle toward the end, just to have something.

Felix and Calder have to overcome their very different fear of relationships. Calder can't see himself tied down, and Felix has been burned by his shitty ex husband. But Calder proves again and again that he's boyfriend material, and Felix convinces Calder that there's more to life than something being fun.

I enjoyed the characterization of Madeline and Charlotte - sometimes authors are very bad at describing developmentally appropriate children, but these two were believable.

I also loved how Calder's sexuality was described - a lot of romance books have the MCs as super horn dogs, and Felix and Calder obviously wanted each other, but their sexy times were much different than most romances.

All in all, another win for Annabeth Albert. I somehow missed the first in this series, so I'm going to go back and read that :)

Sink or Swim is the second in Annabeth Albert’s Shore Leave series, mostly about the not-on-sub times of the characters. Calder Euler is a hardworking, hard playing guy, and when he wins a mountain cabin in a high stakes poker game, he doesn’t imagine that he’ll actually be meeting a man he can envision being a bigger win than anything else. Felix Sigurd is essentially a single dad to his nieces, and his cheating, thieving ex is trying to make their divorce even more painful by dragging everything under the sun out for litigation. When Calder shows up at his cabin, he doesn’t have bandwidth to deal with an interloper.

Annabeth Albert’s characters are warmly written and so real. Their emotions draw us in and their vulnerability gives readers that hope that we read romance for. Sink or Swim is a fantastic story, and is definitely a keeper.

Calder wins a house in a poker game. Once there, he learns that the house was owned by someone other than the person he won it from. Any boy, was that man hot. Felix was like papa bear coming into his home and seeing Goldilocks there. Madeline and Charlotte are lovable girls that lost their parents. Felix is everything you would want as an Uncle/Father. With the ownership in question and a very convenient snow storm, Calder and Felix find themselves stuck in the house with two little girls. The days are spent entertaining the kids and getting to know each other, the nights are a whole other story. A very cute story that I really truly enjoyed and you will too.

Sink or Swim is the second stand alone in the Shore Leave series by Annabeth Albert. A romance between a single parent doctor and a Naval Chief.

Navy Chief Calder wins the keys to a cabin in a poker game, unfortunately it's already owned rightfully by Felix. Felix and his two nieces that he's raising show up at the same time as him, and because of a slip and a whole lot of snow they end up snowed in together for the weekend. Felix is recently out of an unpleasant divorce, still relatively new to being a parent, and doesn't see another relationship in the future for himself. Calder is use to being the fun friend and is always ready to gamble and win, but after meeting Felix and the girls, he starts to rethink what he sees for his future. But will Felix turn down everything Calder has to offer, or will he give him the chance at a future together.

The star of Sink or Swim for me was definitely Calder. I loved how he didn't let his fears and comfortableness hold him back from bonding with Felix's girls. Whether it was making them meals or going sledding with them, he made the effort. He also 100% landed somewhere on the asexual spectrum, most likely Demi Grey, but it's not labeled in the story. He had sexual feelings, but the level and frequency was minimal. He was insecure about not always being able to climax with partners but was all for pleasuring his partner. I love that Felix let him know there was nothing wrong with him and that he was just fine if all they did was kissing and cuddles.

I enjoyed Felix and his daughters too. Felix was a little hot and cold, but it was understandable under the circumstances. As a single parent, he has to put stability for his girls ahead of his own wants. However, Calder proved over and over again that he was committed to all of them, and Felix's lack of giving him credit was frustrating. Both girls were darling, one shy and nervous, the other fearless and with a morbid curiosity.

Overall, Sink or Swim by Annabeth Albert was an easy read with a solid happily ever after. Snowed In, forced proximity, pancake mornings, date nights, pantry organizing and lazy kisses.

Haven't read many MM romance but this was written very well.

I liked both Calder and Felix as well as the little girls.

Overall an interesting read.

I have read a lot of Annabeth Albert and I really enjoy how she writes her characters. They are normal people dealing with real problems. In this case, Felix is raising his two nieces after the death of his sister. Imagine his surprise when he arrives at his family's cabin to find Calder already there. Calder is excited to "win" a cabin in a round of poker and is flabbergasted with Felix and his family show up claiming the cabin is there. Felix and Calder come from very different backgrounds but both are hard working, love their families, and at times the chemistry is explosive.

To new fans of Ms. Albert, this is probably a great read. And honestly, it is a good story. It just seemed a little boring to me compared to her other works and I found myself skimming huge sections for something to actually happen. Not a favorite but a decent story for a cold winter afternoon.

I was delighted to be able to read Annabeth Albert's next instalment in her Shore Leave series (book one was Sailor Proof), Sink or Swim. In this one we follow another Euler brother, this time Navy Chief Calder Euler, who's working a desk job after recovering from a head injury aboard a submarine. He likes to win, and after apparently winning a cabin in his most recent card game, he heads out to check it out only to stumble upon the actual owner, Felix, and the two young nieces he's now guardian of. 

This book was charming - both protagonists are at different stages in their lives, or at least that's what they believe at first. Calder has never seen himself as the settling down type and he's itching to get back on board a sub as soon as he's cleared for duty. But being snowed in in a cabin with the older, more reserved Felix, the two slip into simple domestic tasks while caring for the two girls. Felix is a delightful character - the older of the two and a geriatric psychologist who's been through a messy divorce with his former partner after taking on guardianship of his nieces, he's serious and reserved as he tries to navigate his new life. But he finds himself being drawn to the vibrant Calder, even as he realises that any relationship that starts between the two of them is unlikely to last.

Annabeth Albert has a truly wonderful way of writing well-rounded characters who are dealing with real world problems without making that feel heavy. I always enjoy when she includes kids in her stories, and the two nieces were so fun to read about - serious Madeline and vivacious Charlotte (who was quite possibly my favourite thing about the whole book as she gleefully tries to freak out everyone around her with gross facts).

The book sees Calder and Felix not only navigate their relationship, but the fall out from Felix's divorce, Calder's indecision about the future of his career, six children and family members who just want to see them both happy.

I'm always guaranteed a good time with a new Annabeth Albert book, and this did not disappoint.

Annabeth has quickly become one of my top 3 favorite authors, and that continues with “Sink or Swim”. This is book two in the series and I haven’t read book one, while it can be read as a standalone there were call backs to book one I wasn’t understanding so I wish I’d read book one first. The character of Calder was such fun to read. Admittedly, I don’t know a whole lot about the Navy so his desire to be on the sub was lost on me, but he was so enthusiastic in his feelings for Felix you couldn’t help but root for the guy, especially in the later half of the book. Alternatively, Felix and his reservations are warranted. He’s fresh off a divorce that would make anyone hesitant to give relationships another try, while trying to raise his nieces. A lot of tropes in this one, but all are explored beautifully.

Sink or Swim was marvelous!! It really reminded of the Annabeth Albert books I first fell in love with. I was admittedly a little hesitant about Calder being a MC after Sailor Proof, but wow was I wrong. His character growth in this book was fantastic and so believable. I ADORED him and Felix together and how their relationship progressed in such a natural way with no contrived drama. They were both adults who not only complimented one another but helped each other grow and find what was lacking in their own lives. Calder finding his way with this family felt easy and pure and it really rang true that both of the girls didn't immediately love him and that it took time for him to be accepted by them. The conflicts and struggles were easily relatable and something that felt right and they handle it like mature adults. But I think my favorite thing about this book was the masterclass it showcased when it comes to a healthy sexual relationship and exploring different types of sexuality. This absolutely nailed what it means to be supportive without shaming your partners needs and being in tandem to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves. I absolutely freaking loved it! And I am not so secretly hoping that Max meets his match soon....

2.5 Stars

ARC Review (provided by Netgalley)

A single parent/guardian, Felix, and his two little girls encounter Navy Chief Calder at their holiday house. All of them get stuck at the cabin in snow and have to live together for three days. This is the romance between Felix and Calder as they learn to navigate their relationship and personal challenges.

This story had a great start. I loved how Calder was with Felix and his girls. I loved the girls too. They brought a good dose of laughter and aww moments. However, I wasn't a huge fan of Felix.

This story had a great concept. I love single parent romances. I loved the progression of trust and love between Calder and the kids. I loved the steamy scenes and representation of Calder as a demisexual person.

The main challenge for me in this book was liking Felix. He had his walls too high. No matter what Calder did or how caring he was, Felix would just not open his heart. And I wouldn't mind that if Felix actually did something loving for Calder. For me, the relationship and the feelings didn't seem equal. Felix always kept running and Calder had to keep chasing.

It got old real fast, and after 50% mark, I just kept skimming to get to the end.

Not my favorite my Annabeth Alvert.

Winning a cabin in a poker game should be the highlight of Caulder's winter - but when Felix, the rightful owner, shows up just as a storm in quickly approaching the two need to figure out who the what to do. With an ex-husband that literally is stealing from him Felix is hesitant to get close to Caulder in any way. But with a storm brewing and a connection in the making Annabeth Albert once again gives the reader a love story that makes them swoon. Opening up your heart to finding love again is never easy but in the end everyone is the winner. Absolutely loved it.

First, I absolutely love this author. I was so hyped up for this storyline after reading book one. Unfortunately this one fell a little flat for me. The pacing was a bit slow and I struggled to maintain my interest while reading. Looking forward to her next book highly! I’ll not be sharing a review of this one outside NetGalley.

Another excellent book from Annabeth Albert, and a strong second book in the series! Though it is standalone if you haven't read the first one (but I recommend picking it up!) .

I've been looking forward to this since I read the description in the back of the previous book, and it didn't disappoint. Calder and Felix have a meet-ugly, but being snowed it together gave them plenty of time to get to know each other :) . I really enjoyed their sweet, slowburn romance! It felt very realistic for being older adults at the points in their lives they were at (Felix a recently divorced single dad, Calder transitioning to a different career path). I also enjoyed how the child characters were written.

The book has a strong opening and ending, but it did struggle to hold my attention in the middle. But still, a book I enjoyed reading very much! Can't wait to read the next Albert book!

Sink or Swim is the second book in the Shore Leave series by Annabeth Albert. I really enjoyed the first book so I was happy to have a chance to review the second book. You don't have to have read the first book in the series to read this one, but there are cameos from previous characters!

Calder is a gambler and a tad overly competitive. That's how he ends up at a high stakes poke game that results in him winning a cabin. The problem is that when he arrives at the cabin... it turns out that it belongs to someone else. In fact, said cabin belongs to the ex husband of the man he won it from.

Felix is shocked when he arrives at his family cabin to find a handsome sailor settling in there. But, a sprained ankle, some snow and some fun with his nieces leads to the two men becoming friends. They're attracted to one another from the beginning, but Calder doesn't want to date anyone and Felix has too much going on as he tries to raise his nieces.

As the story progresses, Calder and Felix become closer. They're definitely at different stages in their lives. Calder is on shore leave because of a concussion and he is itching to get back on the sub. He likes the order of life in the navy, enjoys organizing things and being needed. Felix is doing his best to raise his nieces after his split with Tim. Tim just didn't fit with their little family but Felix doesn't even want to try to fit with someone again - it's too hard on the girls and too hard on him.?

This is a romance novel with "more" than just romance. This is about found family, making room in life for change and growth. There re changes that can feel too huge and there are opportunities that aren't clear... both main characters in this lovely novel find themselves uncertain even as they continue to move forward.

Annabeth Albert is a great writer and certainly an expert on romance. This book is a lovely addition to the series, and a great stand-alone romance!

Sink or Swim is book two in the Shore Leave series by Annabeth Albert. In the first book, Sailor Proof, we met Naval Chief Derrick Fox and Arthur Euler. Now, in this one, we are meeting Derrick’s best friend and also Arthur’s older brother, Navy Chief Calder Euler, and single parent to his two adorable nieces, Felix Sigurd. You can definitely read this one without having read the first book though.

Calder Euler is somewhere in his thirties. His life is the Navy. He lives to be on the sub. But he’s been stuck on shore for awhile now due to a head injury. Calder loves to organize things, he loves his spread sheets and the higher ups are enjoying his expertise in solving problems. Calder is one of four brothers and is also very competitive. He loves to play cards but only bets big when he’s sure he’s going to win. Which is how he came into ownership of a mountain cabin. He won it in a poker game. He’s got the keys and paperwork to prove it and is on his way up to check out his new vacation hideaway. The snow is starting to fall but he should be fine. Until someone else showed up, also claiming that the cabin is his!

Felix is guardian to his two adorable nieces. He’s all they have and he loves them. They are his priority. Felix is recuperating from a nasty divorce. His ex-husband, Tim, is taking him for everything he can. But Felix won ownership of the cabin that had been in his family for generations. He’s taking the girls for a much needed weekend away when he walked in to find a stranger in the cabin claiming it’s his. When the stranger is injured and the snow turns into a huge storm, it seems they are stuck with each other.

These two couldn’t be more different but on one thing they did agree. Neither believed in relationships. For Calder, his life was the Navy and having fun in his down time. He didn’t want anything more. For Felix, been there, done that. His ex was still disrupting his life. He just wanted to take care of the girls. But as these two were stuck together, as they began to become a little more comfortable with each other, a friendship was born. A friendship that soon turned to kisses.

“I’d been waiting years for a kiss like this. I’d heard songs and movies joke about the earth moving, never quite getting what the big fuss was. This. This was all consuming.”

Calder is facing some important decisions about his career. And Felix is just trying to survive on a daily basis. They both begin to look forward to seeing each other, to their daily text interactions and phone calls. But Felix is convinced that he can’t take the risk again with the girls. That they could never be what Calder wants. He might think so now, but in the long term, it wouldn’t work.

Calder is ready to make a new bet, a bet on his own future. A bet he knows he’ll win, if he can only convince Felix to take the chance with him.

These two were so perfect for each other. Both had some hang ups and somehow, they just balanced each other out. And the girls were adorable. Calder, who had no experience with kids, just seemed to get them. I wanted Felix to trust in his heart more, to trust Calder and his actions. But things worked out as they needed to in their own time. This was so sweet. It was steamy but more than that, just sweet. I love when the adults seem to learn more from the kids in the end. This is the perfect addition to this series. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

4.5*

There is some really fabulous demi rep in this book and I was really pleasantly surprised by Calder, who isn't anything like he came across in his brother Arthur's story.

Calder is a bit lost when this book starts, he's been grounded on desk duty after an accident on his sub and he's chomping at the bit to find something to do. When he "wins" a cabin in a poker game, he thinks it's perfect timing to get away and see what his prize is like.

Of course, it's never plain sailing 😁 and the cabin comes with the unexpected surprise of Felix and his two nieces, who he's bringing up as a single dad following his half-sister's death a few years ago.

The two of them have an instant prickly attraction to each other and what I really loved about this book was the organic way Annabeth navigated them through their own hidebound ideas about what they might want for their future with what they actually were both craving for.

This is a kind of slow-burny romance, they move into a friends with kissing benefits and the occasional leisurely hand job/frotting but Calder's got a pretty low sex drive and he's lacking in self-assurance when it comes to bedroom matters, which I really found made a nice change.

The other thing I ADORED about this book is the communication. There's no ridiculous flouncing or misunderstandings, these two men sit and talk about everything, their feelings, their worries, what the future might hold and whether it's worth the pain of reaching for happiness again.

It's a definite "grown up" romance with two men who are facing huge life changes, Felix with the girls, Calder with his Naval career, and the care given to each of them involving the other in their discussions really resonates.

It's low steam, which absolutely suits them as a pairing, both men are thoroughly committed to the other by the end and I also liked that Annabeth got the involvement of the girls pitched just right. Madeline and Charlotte are important but never take over the narrative.

Another great entry in this new military series.

I had enjoyed Sailor Proof earlier this year, and was excited to see the second book in the series on Netgalley. I grabbed it right away. The book didn't disappoint --but I was also not blown away by it either.
The characters are likable, but the story itself requires a certain amount of "suspension of disbelief". There is some trope work here that just makes me roll my eyes. If I went to my family's cabin and found my ex-husband had gambled away the property --I'd be livid. And Felix...took it exceedingly well. Too well.

The be honest, my real take away from this book was the refreshing idea that a man wasn't interested in *sex*. Calder being a bit on the demi side of things, enjoying making out and touching was a great addition to his character --especially as most people tend to see guys like Calder as oversexed pervs. I was less enthused with the "magic prostate" discovery. I mean...yeah, that's definitely a thing for many, many men but it seems very odd to me that he wouldn't have discovered that on his own or with other partners previous to Felix.

My only real irritation, and it's a Me Problem: I dislike kids in romance. I'll simply leave it at that.

Over all, didn't regret the time spent reading this one.