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A review by malhmk
Make Me Stay by Annabeth Albert
5.0
This book was so good. I read it straight through in a day. It’s sweet and steamy and tells a story of characters that feel very real, good men struggling to overcome their limiting patterns when they find each other and feel an undeniable draw that makes taking a risk on each other worthwhile.
Expect
* Strangers to lovers
* Opposites attract
* Grumpy sunshine
* Disability rep
* Mental health rep
* Forced proximity
* Found family
* Cold case mystery
* Kink exploration : bondage, restraint, edging, o-control, dirty talk, praise kink.
I was in awe of Holden - so unbelievably resilient, patient, kind and yet struggling with his own hurts and coping mechanisms, needing to be seen as more than the extrovert who lightens situations. And Cal, so strong and still carrying all that pain and loss and grief, so prickly and so lonely with such a big heart trying to do all he can for those who need him, looking to put his burdens down for a bit, finally finding a place to belong to in Holden and Safe Harbour
The story is so heart warming, these two men, completely at odds at first but joint in the mission for justice and then a strong friendship which tips into so much more. That first kink scene was sublime. The way their dynamic builds and grows deeper, adding to their attachment to each other and helping them overcome what’s holding them back was beautiful to read, concluding in what felt inevitable.
The author doesn’t slacken the pace at all and handles a line up of themes around loss, ptsd as well as chronic physical pain and impairment with gentle sensitivity and empathy, and a realistic depiction of the limitations it can place and how impacted by both physical and metal stressors these conditions are.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Expect
* Strangers to lovers
* Opposites attract
* Grumpy sunshine
* Disability rep
* Mental health rep
* Forced proximity
* Found family
* Cold case mystery
* Kink exploration : bondage, restraint, edging, o-control, dirty talk, praise kink.
I was in awe of Holden - so unbelievably resilient, patient, kind and yet struggling with his own hurts and coping mechanisms, needing to be seen as more than the extrovert who lightens situations. And Cal, so strong and still carrying all that pain and loss and grief, so prickly and so lonely with such a big heart trying to do all he can for those who need him, looking to put his burdens down for a bit, finally finding a place to belong to in Holden and Safe Harbour
The story is so heart warming, these two men, completely at odds at first but joint in the mission for justice and then a strong friendship which tips into so much more. That first kink scene was sublime. The way their dynamic builds and grows deeper, adding to their attachment to each other and helping them overcome what’s holding them back was beautiful to read, concluding in what felt inevitable.
The author doesn’t slacken the pace at all and handles a line up of themes around loss, ptsd as well as chronic physical pain and impairment with gentle sensitivity and empathy, and a realistic depiction of the limitations it can place and how impacted by both physical and metal stressors these conditions are.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️