Scan barcode
heabooknerd's review against another edition
3.0
BETTER NOT POUT starts out a bit slow but things pick up as Nick and Teddy spend more time together. I loved the sense of community that Teddy's town has and the McNally family seems like a lot of fun if a bit overwhelming (I'm an only child). From the very beginning I loved Teddy's character -- his enthusiasm for the holidays and helping people, his welcoming attitude and his dedication to his town. It's clear that Teddy has made a home for himself and he's truly loved by his community. It was refreshing to see a small town not be critical of an LGBTQ character and instead love them for exactly who they were.
While I really enjoyed Teddy, I struggled more with Nick who I felt was somewhat flat throughout the story. Initially he's set up as a bit of a grinch -- he doesn't really want to play Santa, he's set in his ways, used to being in control, and he keeps others at a distance, especially since he's leaving town in a month. As he starts a fling with Teddy he begins to open up and realize just how lonely his life has been since his last serious relationship. While we understand his background and I thought his history was well developed, Nick's personality remains so steady that it was like he paled in comparison to every other character; he just didn't feel all that dynamic. Overall, this was an enjoyable read but I didn't feel myself all that invested in Teddy and Nick's relationship.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Content Warning: Discussion of losing a sibling to accidental death
While I really enjoyed Teddy, I struggled more with Nick who I felt was somewhat flat throughout the story. Initially he's set up as a bit of a grinch -- he doesn't really want to play Santa, he's set in his ways, used to being in control, and he keeps others at a distance, especially since he's leaving town in a month. As he starts a fling with Teddy he begins to open up and realize just how lonely his life has been since his last serious relationship. While we understand his background and I thought his history was well developed, Nick's personality remains so steady that it was like he paled in comparison to every other character; he just didn't feel all that dynamic. Overall, this was an enjoyable read but I didn't feel myself all that invested in Teddy and Nick's relationship.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Content Warning: Discussion of losing a sibling to accidental death
zaza_bdp's review against another edition
3.0
☆ 3.5/5 ☆
Qu'il est déroutant de lire une romance hivernale en plein été ! Néanmoins, je ne pouvais pas passer à côté de l'occasion de découvrir la prochaine friandise noëlesque d'Annabeth Albert, qui sortira mi-novembre prochain.
Nous sommes plongées dans un vrai paysage de carte postale, avec la petite ville américaine typique comme on voit dans les téléfilms, avec neige à gogo, chocolat chaud et autres douceurs de circonstances. C'est pour rendre service à une collègue que Nick, militaire sur le point de prendre une retraite dont il ne veut pas (à 46 ans, il a déjà 28 ans de service derrière lui, et malgré sa volonté, il ne peut plus continuer sa carrière), accepte d'endosser le costume du Père Noël et de participer à une œuvre de charité à Mineral Spirits. Il va devoir poser aux côtés d'un elfe, dans différents endroits de la ville, et assister à certains évènements qui fédèrent la petite communauté.
Nick, c'est le grincheux dans toute sa splendeur, il ronchonne et râle beaucoup, et comme c'est un mec du genre ours solitaire, forcément Teddy (a.k.a l'elfe) et lui forment un duo explosif. Teddy, lui, c'est l'enfant chéri de la ville. Responsable de l'organisme de charité qui est très actif à Mineral Spirits il est très proche de sa famille (la moitié des gens de Mineral Spirits sont ses cousins, ou presque ! ). Teddy est jovial, serviable et enthousiaste, il adore les Fêtes, et est bien décidé à dérider Nick le grincheux.
Les deux hommes ont une différence d'âge assez importante (Teddy a 25 ans, Nick en a 46), mais leur romance et leur relation ne joue pas sur un quelconque daddy kink. Nick est préoccupé par cette différence d'âge car il estime que Teddy mérite bien mieux qu'un homme comme lui. Teddy, lui, n'en a rien à faire, il veut juste passer du bon temps avec cet homme. Ils savent que leur relation ne durera pas, puisque Nick quittera la base juste avant Noël et a déjà des projets professionnels qui l'entraîneront loin de là. Seulement, les deux hommes se rendent vite compte que leur relation prend un tour plus sérieux et qu'ils tiennent vraiment l'un à l'autre.
La romance est tendre et sexy, c'est une histoire toute mignonne avec peu de rebondissements (enfin mis à part le sort qui s'acharne pour faire rester Nick à Mineral Spirits ^^) et un couple qui fonctionne bien. L'ambiance des Fêtes de fin d'année, la neige qui tombe en abondance, les soirées au coin du feu avec un bon mug de chocolat chaud agrémenté de marshmallows ... tous les ingrédients sont réunis pour nous faire passer un joli moment de lecture !
Qu'il est déroutant de lire une romance hivernale en plein été ! Néanmoins, je ne pouvais pas passer à côté de l'occasion de découvrir la prochaine friandise noëlesque d'Annabeth Albert, qui sortira mi-novembre prochain.
Nous sommes plongées dans un vrai paysage de carte postale, avec la petite ville américaine typique comme on voit dans les téléfilms, avec neige à gogo, chocolat chaud et autres douceurs de circonstances. C'est pour rendre service à une collègue que Nick, militaire sur le point de prendre une retraite dont il ne veut pas (à 46 ans, il a déjà 28 ans de service derrière lui, et malgré sa volonté, il ne peut plus continuer sa carrière), accepte d'endosser le costume du Père Noël et de participer à une œuvre de charité à Mineral Spirits. Il va devoir poser aux côtés d'un elfe, dans différents endroits de la ville, et assister à certains évènements qui fédèrent la petite communauté.
Nick, c'est le grincheux dans toute sa splendeur, il ronchonne et râle beaucoup, et comme c'est un mec du genre ours solitaire, forcément Teddy (a.k.a l'elfe) et lui forment un duo explosif. Teddy, lui, c'est l'enfant chéri de la ville. Responsable de l'organisme de charité qui est très actif à Mineral Spirits il est très proche de sa famille (la moitié des gens de Mineral Spirits sont ses cousins, ou presque ! ). Teddy est jovial, serviable et enthousiaste, il adore les Fêtes, et est bien décidé à dérider Nick le grincheux.
Les deux hommes ont une différence d'âge assez importante (Teddy a 25 ans, Nick en a 46), mais leur romance et leur relation ne joue pas sur un quelconque daddy kink. Nick est préoccupé par cette différence d'âge car il estime que Teddy mérite bien mieux qu'un homme comme lui. Teddy, lui, n'en a rien à faire, il veut juste passer du bon temps avec cet homme. Ils savent que leur relation ne durera pas, puisque Nick quittera la base juste avant Noël et a déjà des projets professionnels qui l'entraîneront loin de là. Seulement, les deux hommes se rendent vite compte que leur relation prend un tour plus sérieux et qu'ils tiennent vraiment l'un à l'autre.
La romance est tendre et sexy, c'est une histoire toute mignonne avec peu de rebondissements (enfin mis à part le sort qui s'acharne pour faire rester Nick à Mineral Spirits ^^) et un couple qui fonctionne bien. L'ambiance des Fêtes de fin d'année, la neige qui tombe en abondance, les soirées au coin du feu avec un bon mug de chocolat chaud agrémenté de marshmallows ... tous les ingrédients sont réunis pour nous faire passer un joli moment de lecture !
rodzap's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jagiaquinto's review against another edition
5.0
I love Christmas! I this book had all that holiday feeling I get usually from hallmark and/or lifetime movies. Nick is a grump and teddy is made of sugar and these two are both sweet and hot together! Love it!
jessicadoom's review against another edition
3.0
The options for well-written, queer, holiday-themed novels are slim pickings. And I was feeling in the spirit, so I figured why not? I've heard good things about Annabeth Albert and I don't know that I would say that I was disappointed. It was basically what I expected - mediocre.
First and foremost, I don't read queer books for the smut, so to me it was a bit much. Like...we get it. They wanna go at each other a lot, but I don't know that we have to see it every time? Or if we do, then a little more diversity would be good.
What I did come for was the story, and I did think it was a cute Hallmark-formula idea. The characters worked well together and were interesting. I often felt like maybe their dialogue felt a bit out of character or certain words/phrases seemed overused, but I could look past that.
What I could not look past was that I simply did not like the audiobook narrator. More specifically, I could not stand the voices he gave to the characters. Teddy's voice was grating and whiny and Nick was just...offputtingly gravelly, especially during the sexy bits.
Overall, it was alright. I would probably read one of the author's books again, especially her less-limited novels. But I don't now that I will hold out much hope for them being life changing.
First and foremost, I don't read queer books for the smut, so to me it was a bit much. Like...we get it. They wanna go at each other a lot, but I don't know that we have to see it every time? Or if we do, then a little more diversity would be good.
What I did come for was the story, and I did think it was a cute Hallmark-formula idea. The characters worked well together and were interesting. I often felt like maybe their dialogue felt a bit out of character or certain words/phrases seemed overused, but I could look past that.
What I could not look past was that I simply did not like the audiobook narrator. More specifically, I could not stand the voices he gave to the characters. Teddy's voice was grating and whiny and Nick was just...offputtingly gravelly, especially during the sexy bits.
Overall, it was alright. I would probably read one of the author's books again, especially her less-limited novels. But I don't now that I will hold out much hope for them being life changing.
ankysbookbubble's review against another edition
5.0
Audiobooks have never been my strong suit but I adored this one. Nick and Teddy were adorable. I loved Teddy's easygoing attitude and all the love Nick seemed to hide under his tough guy exterior.
I almost cried a few times, but I loved their story.
I almost cried a few times, but I loved their story.
iamtais's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
lifeand100books's review against another edition
4.0
Blown away by these characters. LOVEDDDDDD them.