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a_reader_obsessed's review
3.0
3.5 Stars!!
Oh the angst is back and I reveled in all the insecurity and doubt! Seriously, this little series is deceptively wrought with a lot of feels and tough issues and all the twisty feelings that come along with it.
Todd hasn’t had it easy, and he’s been through some very rough times with equally rough consequences. He’s getting back on his feet, trying to appreciate the small things in life and not fucking things up. A bright point in his day is when he gets to see Kendall, the beautiful wedding planner, who comes often to the bakery where he works. When Todd’s unexpectedly asked to fill in as Kendall’s partner for dance lessons, he can’t say no.
Kendall is different, and he’s not afraid to express himself, which means he tends to favor the feminine side of accessories and accents more than most. Such pride and fearlessness doesn’t mean he hasn’t had his fair share of haters, which unfortunately includes a douchey ex who always wanted him to tone things down. So though Kendall is very attracted to the shy, rugged Todd, and thrills at how well they get along, he of course is afraid of getting hurt.
Albert consistently brings the feels and the sexy and I loved the yearning and vulnerability and feelings of inadequacy, as Todd and Kendall dance around each other literally and figuratively. I only wish this was longer to further delve into all the intricacies regarding these two and their issues - both separate and together.
Oh the angst is back and I reveled in all the insecurity and doubt! Seriously, this little series is deceptively wrought with a lot of feels and tough issues and all the twisty feelings that come along with it.
Todd hasn’t had it easy, and he’s been through some very rough times with equally rough consequences. He’s getting back on his feet, trying to appreciate the small things in life and not fucking things up. A bright point in his day is when he gets to see Kendall, the beautiful wedding planner, who comes often to the bakery where he works. When Todd’s unexpectedly asked to fill in as Kendall’s partner for dance lessons, he can’t say no.
Kendall is different, and he’s not afraid to express himself, which means he tends to favor the feminine side of accessories and accents more than most. Such pride and fearlessness doesn’t mean he hasn’t had his fair share of haters, which unfortunately includes a douchey ex who always wanted him to tone things down. So though Kendall is very attracted to the shy, rugged Todd, and thrills at how well they get along, he of course is afraid of getting hurt.
Albert consistently brings the feels and the sexy and I loved the yearning and vulnerability and feelings of inadequacy, as Todd and Kendall dance around each other literally and figuratively. I only wish this was longer to further delve into all the intricacies regarding these two and their issues - both separate and together.
lifeand100books's review
4.0
Loved Todd and Kendall's story! Especially all the topics it hit upon - HIV, being genderqueer, recovering drug addiction, etc. There is so much depth, struggle, and realness to these characters that they don't at all feel like characters on a page. They are real people struggling to navigate this crazy thing called life. Albert is quickly becoming a new favorite author for me.
meromenesko's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
csduong's review
4.0
Love this series. Especially when you get little updates about previous couples. Really cute book. Love how it touches upon certain issues.
raeanne's review
4.0
This is my first Portland Heat book and I’m sold! This is another series that follows individual couples, and each reads as a standalone.
~I quickly fell in love with Kendall and Todd, together and apart.
~Love switching perspectives between them.
~The dealing with addiction and meetings rings true as someone who’s been around recovering addicts.
~Love how it deals with pronouns, gender roles, misogyny, and discrimination within the rainbow community.
~Love how Todd starts catching himself with gendered thinking and speech.
~Love how Kendall has to catch himself about assumptions with food and money.
~There is no dramatic meet-cute for them because they meet through work, which I appreciate as more realistic and endearing.
~They start slowly physically, before ramping up to hot, perfect, explicit sex scenes. Don’t worry, they don’t forget the sweet, the cuddling, and the fun along the way.
~There is the commutative failure to sow drama and discontent between them, so they can come together stronger in the end.
~Things do go predictably, but that’s a feature rather than a bug.
Absolutely perfect for contemporary romance fans looking for m/m couple and progressiveness.
See the full blog tour post on my blog The Layaway Dragon.
~I quickly fell in love with Kendall and Todd, together and apart.
~Love switching perspectives between them.
~The dealing with addiction and meetings rings true as someone who’s been around recovering addicts.
~Love how it deals with pronouns, gender roles, misogyny, and discrimination within the rainbow community.
~Love how Todd starts catching himself with gendered thinking and speech.
~Love how Kendall has to catch himself about assumptions with food and money.
~There is no dramatic meet-cute for them because they meet through work, which I appreciate as more realistic and endearing.
~They start slowly physically, before ramping up to hot, perfect, explicit sex scenes. Don’t worry, they don’t forget the sweet, the cuddling, and the fun along the way.
~There is the commutative failure to sow drama and discontent between them, so they can come together stronger in the end.
~Things do go predictably, but that’s a feature rather than a bug.
Absolutely perfect for contemporary romance fans looking for m/m couple and progressiveness.
See the full blog tour post on my blog The Layaway Dragon.
sarful's review
3.0
The book grew on me. So sweet I realized I had a toothache when I finished. Like a warm, just baked cupcake, soft and gooey. Nothing but fluffiness. I had hoped there'd be more descriptions of the cakes, but oh well.
papercranestitches's review
3.0
I liked this book (I always like Annabeth Albert’s stories), but I just didn’t feel connected to the characters in Danced Close the way I have to others in this series.
islandbookwyrm's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kara_hildebrand's review
5.0
Danced Close is the sixth book in the Portland Heat series. I haven't read the entire series, but I wasn't lost at all! I discovered Annabeth's Gaymers series and now she's one of my go-to-authors. I just read everything she writes. Her writing is always fresh, sexy and funny and I find myself reading her books in one sitting. This is my first m/m book where the main character is genderqueer. I absolutely loved Kendall. He knows who he is and is comfortable in his own skin. He wears what he wants and doesn't care what others think about him. Todd is a bearded, flannel wearing hipster who's sexy as hell. Todd is working at the bakery and loves when he sees Kendall. He's attracted to him and his style. He loves that Kendall wears what he wants. So, when the opportunity to dance with Kendall arises, he jumps at the chance. Todd has a past that he wants to get away from, but some things you can't out run. As things heat up between Kendall and Todd, insecurities come to the surface and Todd needs to share his secrets. Todd is looking for someone to love who loves him back. He wants to feel needed and taken care of, but he also wants to take care of Kendall. Dancing with Kendall makes Todd feel free. He's missed this feeling and he knows it's not just the dancing, it's Kendall. Will Kendall let down his walls and let Todd in? Can Todd trust Kendall? I loved this story! Kendall and Todd are so sexy, fun and vulnerable. I laughed, cried and swooned and left me wanting more!
This bearded baby lumberjack giving up control to me? I want more of that, yes please.
"I'm not all that." Todd blushed.
"Hot bearded tattooed hipster who looks fuckable in vintage? Sweetheart, I'm not sure where you've been, but there are whole Instagram and Timblr accounts devoted to guys like you."
"You're not. It's more like…you're what I didn't know I was missing. What I need. Like dancing back in my life and pesto and salad and you.
This bearded baby lumberjack giving up control to me? I want more of that, yes please.
"I'm not all that." Todd blushed.
"Hot bearded tattooed hipster who looks fuckable in vintage? Sweetheart, I'm not sure where you've been, but there are whole Instagram and Timblr accounts devoted to guys like you."
"You're not. It's more like…you're what I didn't know I was missing. What I need. Like dancing back in my life and pesto and salad and you.