Series: -
Volume: 1/1Publisher (Imprint): Carina Press
Genre/s: Contemporary Romance, Male/Male, Holiday
Length: -
Read in: English
Review copy format: epub
Rate:✮✮✮✮✮✮
After many years of military service, Nick is forced to retire and although he's far from being delighted by this fact, there's nothing he can do about it. Only one month remains until the day of his unwanted "freedom" and during this time Nick has to play the role of Santa Claus for charity events. It is thanks to this happening that he meets Teddy, a young, enthusiastic and full of warmth boy in an elf costume. Although Teddy seems genuinely interested in Nick almost from the beginning of their acquaintance, the grouchy military man is well aware of the age difference between them, their completely different personality traits and the fact that in a month time he will leave the city to live in a place which climate suits him more. So there is no way these two could be in a relationship. However, while Nick's rational mind desires one thing, his body and heart have some completely different plans.
"Better Not Pout" is a 100% Christmas romance that allows us to feel this crazy atmosphere of the winter season from the very beginning. It's certainly not a surprise for anyone, as just one glance at this book is enough to know it was exactly this concept that inspired the creation of this story. However, I think it's really worth writing a few words about it, as Annabeth Albert did a really great job creating "Better Not Pout". In her novel, she managed to fully reflect the atmosphere of the holiday season at almost every angle and she did it in a truly fantastic and impossibly cute manner. In her book, we find everything – Christmas enthusiast and grouch, elf and Santa Claus costumes, good deeds, big hearts, plenty of gifts, snow, ice, bad road conditions, fortunate twist of fate which is close to being a Christmas miracle, humor and elements of the drama, loud family Thanksgiving, feelings born between two people… And that's not all. Reading this novel, we really are able to feel the festive atmosphere. And despite the fact that I mentioned the cuteness of this story, which is undeniable, I want to add that it doesn't make us sick. It wonderfully warms up our hearts.
The characters, especially two leads – Teddy and Nick – are undoubtedly the advantage of "Better Not Pout". Both of them are unique in their own way and they perfectly match this novel and its subject. Could you imagine a better Christmas combination than a lovely, full of life boy with big heart and a sulky, mature military guy who's not really into Christmas? I don't think so. Nick and Teddy complement each other in a really lovely way and the differences between them make them a perfect match. Watching their interactions is enormously pleasurable and exciting for the reader from the beginning to the end. Undoubtedly, this is due to the clear chemistry between the two leads. This is not all, however, because the characters as individuals are also influencing our perception of this story and all the events taking place in it. From our first "meeting" with them, we adore them, love them and wish them all the best.
Note, however, that "Better Not Pout" also touches some serious topics, such as the influence of the dramatic experience, on the one hand, on the family, on the other, on individuals. The author step by step shows readers how differently people react to the same or very similar dramatic events in their life and what kind of consequences their reaction might have, both in the near and in the distant future. In this way, a story that could make a light, very pleasant and almost sickeningly sweet novel, becomes more serious and heavier. It makes possible the evolution of characters who don't remain the same throughout the entire novel, but change due to various factors, and also gives the opportunity to deepen the festive atmosphere, especially if we compare the changes in the characters' lives, for example, to the Christmas miracle.
However, the most important of the serious topics raised in "Better Not Pout" is trying to find one's place in the world. That's what constitutes as the main skeleton of the story as the novel is being built around it. For sure you have heard the saying "Home is where the heart is." many times. In my opinion, this sentence describes this story best if we look at it from Nick's perspective. A man for whom work is his home, feels like he's about to loose the roof over his head, when he retires. When Teddy appears in his life, his concept of "home" begins to completely change its meaning, and he himself is not aware of that fact. Annabeth Albert managed to fully grasp this change in Nick and in her novel, she perfectly reflected the meaning of the saying mentioned above. This fact undeniably deserves our recognition and makes "Better Not Pout" a novel that is really worth reading.
In summary, "Better Not Pout" is like a Christmas gingerbread – although sweet, the spices make it a bit spicy and warming, while an aromatic orange peel adds a little of bitterness to it. The reader tastes only a small piece, but it's enough for them to immediately want more, want to devour it entirety. Annabeth Albert really offered us a fantastic Christmas romance with depth, which I heartily recommend!
Headcanon: Nick at least once a week bakes or prepares something sweet and delicious for Teddy.
Fanfiction idea: Nick gets involved in a charity Easter event and has to dress up as Easter Bunny.
AU idea: Nick is a confectioner, and Teddy is a boy with no money, who comes to the confectionery every day to at least look at these sweet treats there from behind the shopwindow.
Here's some more about:
To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.
Book Title: Better Not Pout
Author: Annabeth Albert
Price: $4.99 (ebook), $8.99 USD (MMP)
Format: ebook, Mass Market Paperback (MMP)
ISBN: 9781488038686 (ebook), 9781335924841 (MMP)
On-sale Date: November 12, 2018 (ebook), November 27, 2018 (MMP)
Blurb
One hard-nosed military police officer.
One overly enthusiastic elf.
One poorly timed snowstorm.
Is it a recipe for disaster? Or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for holiday romance?
Teddy MacNally loves Christmas and everything that goes along with it. When he plays an elf for his charity’s events, he never expects to be paired with a Scrooge masquerading as Santa Claus. His new mission: make the holiday-hating soldier believe he was born to say ho-ho-ho.
Sergeant Major Nicholas Nowicki doesn’t do Santa, but he’s army to his blood. When his CO asks an unusual favor, Nick of course obliges. The elf to his Kris Kringle? Tempting. Too tempting—Nick’s only in town for another month, and Teddy’s too young, too cheerful and too nice for a one-night stand.
The slow, sexy make-out sessions while Teddy and Nick are alone and snowbound, though, feel like anything but a quick hookup. As a stress-free holiday fling turns into Christmas all year round, Teddy can’t imagine his life without Nick. And Nick’s days on the base may be coming to a close, but he doesn’t plan on leaving anything, or anyone, behind.
One overly enthusiastic elf.
One poorly timed snowstorm.
Is it a recipe for disaster? Or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for holiday romance?
Teddy MacNally loves Christmas and everything that goes along with it. When he plays an elf for his charity’s events, he never expects to be paired with a Scrooge masquerading as Santa Claus. His new mission: make the holiday-hating soldier believe he was born to say ho-ho-ho.
Sergeant Major Nicholas Nowicki doesn’t do Santa, but he’s army to his blood. When his CO asks an unusual favor, Nick of course obliges. The elf to his Kris Kringle? Tempting. Too tempting—Nick’s only in town for another month, and Teddy’s too young, too cheerful and too nice for a one-night stand.
The slow, sexy make-out sessions while Teddy and Nick are alone and snowbound, though, feel like anything but a quick hookup. As a stress-free holiday fling turns into Christmas all year round, Teddy can’t imagine his life without Nick. And Nick’s days on the base may be coming to a close, but he doesn’t plan on leaving anything, or anyone, behind.
About the Author
Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance series include the #OutOfUniform, #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat, #RainbowCove and #PerfectHarmony series.
To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.
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