I’ve enjoyed many of Albert’s previous books—including the first book in the Shore Leave series—so I was looking forward to this one.

The premise is fun: Calder thinks he’s won a cabin, but the property actually belongs to Felix. They get snowed in together, struggle (and fail) to resist their mutual attraction, and then continue hanging out together even after the roads are cleared.

There’s not even a lot of conflict, other than Felix thinking that prioritising his nieces means that he can never do anything for himself and the possibility that Calder’s next duty station will take him away from the area.

Speaking of which, the two girls stole the show at every possible opportunity. They were precocious, but in a very realistic way. Kids are 100% weird and say the most random things and have obscure interests and all of that tracked in the characterization.

I also loved the representation. Without going into too much detail, Calder divulges that he has trouble…finishing. Not only does Felix accept Calder’s circumstances, but he makes sure that Calder’s needs are met without frustration or judgement.

I would absolutely recommend Sink or Swim. Readers can jump right into this book without reading the first book in the series (which featured Calder’s brother and best friend). If you’re looking for a lovely low-stakes romance, then this is a good one.


I received a digital ARC of this book from Carina Press/NetGalley.

Sink or Swim is another winner by Annabeth Albert. I Cannot express in words how much I Loved ths story.

I Highly Recommend it to all readers.

What a great follow up to book one! We first met Caulder in Sailor Proof and I was hoping we would get to hear more of his story. There's just something about a forced proximity romance set in a snowy, remote cabin! I loved it.

In Annabeth Albert’s Sink or Swim, the second installment in the Shore Leave m-m contemporary romance series, this steamy love story will fog up your windows. For navy chief Calder Euler, he loved to be deployed and go to shore in a submarine. But when he won a cabin from a poker game in Queen Anne Michigan, and also had a freak accident, life threw him some unexpected surprises along the way. That’s when he met Dr. Felix Segund, a geriatic psychologist, who was the owner of the cabin, and a single father raising his two nieces, during the midst of a snowstorm. Felix didn’t expect to see Calder at his cabin, when he was dealing with a brutal divorce from his ex-husband Tim. They started to get to know each other within time and built a friendship from there after they had stolen some kisses. Felix’s worried that Calder might return back to the shore and run from taking care of two kids. Calder didn’t know what he wanted in his military career, though he had lucked out when he met Felix and his nieces. The closer they got to determining the future, the more they found that they were a good match for each other.

This sizzling contemporary romance is steamy and emotional. I cared for Calder, who lived in a military family, and had built a career for himself. He loved sailing in a submarine from shore to shore. After that freak accident, it did more than set him and his priorities straight in life. I also cared for Felix, who was nothing more than a family man, and his only focus was on his two nieces. He wasn’t expecting to fall in love or looking for romance. The location of Queen Anne Michigan was perfect to picture in the winter with mesmerizing scenic settings. The theme of the story is sometimes you have to take a gamble when it comes to love.

This sensual contemporary romance is a fantasy read. I rated this book, four out of five stars for no reason. If you love contemporary romance for same sex or opposite couples with non-stop dramatic action, plenty of suspense, and hints of sexy twists and turns, check out Sink or Swim. This book is recommended for fans who love Hallmark and military themed love stories.

Annabeth Albert writes some of the best contemporary romance, and I love this series! It gives me the feels of her Out of Uniform SEALS series. I love the detail that she can get with the settings and careers that her characters have.

This is sweet, lovely, and fun! I always recommend her books.

I love this author and this new series in particular. The men and their service in the Navy really attracted me to this book. More, please!

I knew I'd like this book, but I didn't expect to like it the way I did. This was a more subtle love story than I was anticipating based on what we learned of Calder in Sailor Proof and it developed into a much better dynamic between the men.

Felix was standoffish, and for good reason, though I felt a disconnect between his lack of introspection at times and his profession. When he was together with Calder and honest with himself it came together in a sweet, understanding, understated, and yet passionate way that made everything feel real between them. I loved their interplay, their tenderness, their revelations. And watching Calder bond with Felix's little girls was so sweet, it made everything come together.

With their family as a support rather than a source of contention, Calder's people enveloped Felix and his girls in the perfect way, a way that wasn't undercut by constant competition and subtext, it was pure and supportive. I cannot wait for more from this family, from this author, and to see Calder and Felix's progression as they thrive on the outskirts of whatever comes next just as we saw Derrick and Arthur thrive in this one.

We first met Calder in Sailor Proof as Arthur’s older brother. Loud, brash and competitive, Calder seemed to be just your average fun loving guy. But in Sink or Swim, we get to see the real Calder, and he is just adorable.

The meet cute between Calder and Felix happens almost immediately with a case of mistaken identity. Or rather, mistaken intent, as Felix and his nieces believe that Calder is an intruder in their cabin. Through a series of mishaps, Calder winds up stranded at the cabin with the stand-offish doctor and his girls, providing the perfect opportunity for these two to get to know one another.

Felix is not looking for love. Fresh off a divorce and taking over custody of his nieces, Felix has all that he can handle. A new entanglement, even with a sexy Navy Chief, is not on the horizon. But Felix is drawn to Calder, as are the girls, and the forced closeness only serves to accelerate the attraction between the two.

I love that Annabeth Albert often deals with sexual preferences in romance that may not always be those most often written about. In Calder’s case, he was closer to the asexual end of the spectrum, preferring the time with Felix, the cuddles, the closeness. For him, it truly was not about the end goal of getting a partner into bed, but the journey and time in getting there. I love the connection that these two men had. Not just when they were trapped together in a mountain cabin, but when they returned to their real lives back on the city, communication became key for them.

I really enjoyed this story. It wasn’t just about Felix and Calder and the relationship that they created, but it was about the family they chose to make. Low on angst, high on feelings with just the right amount of sweetness, this story was a delight.

Thanks to Carina Adores for the eARC!

I'm a sucker for single dads in romance, so that hooked me right away. The author does a fantastic job of showing Calder's growth, and I LOVE that the third act was not a break-up (why is that so revolutionary?), but instead a pivotal event allowing Calder to prove himself to Felix, and forcing Felix to open his eyes to what Calder is offering.

I also really appreciate how the author normalizes that sexual activity exists on a spectrum, and there's not one right way to do it. A necessary and welcome depiction.

I was really looking forward to this book after reading Sailor Proof (Arthur and Derek story). I really enjoyed that book.
I couldn’t wait to read about Arthur’s older brother Calder. To see how his story would unfold.

The beginning of this book was good. I loved how it started. But as I read on. I found myself putting my kindle down here and there. It took me a bit to really get into it.

I think what really slowed it down for me was Felix. He was so standoffish. He was also kinda cold. I also wasn’t feeling their sex scenes. I know people have different ways to enjoy sex. But for me, it was hard to connect to their intimate moments.

This book dragged a little too in certain parts. But I did enjoy certain things in this book too. I enjoyed Felix’s nieces. I loved how Calder was with them. How he jumped right in with them. Just being there for both girls. I loved how Calder’s family accepted the girls.

Even though this book was ok for me. I’m still looking forward to the next book in this series.

This can be read as a standalone, I think, but Calder is introduced in book one and gives you a better idea of his personality.

Calder is surprisingly sweet as he gets to know Felix and Felix’s nieces. He learns that not everything is a challenge/bet to win.

Felix is just barely keeping his head above water and wants no part of Calder’s risky ways.

They are good for each other – Felix showing Calder that life is not always about challenges and fun and Calder showing Felix that having help and someone who cares for you is a good thing.

I’m assuming we’re getting at least one other book in this series as there was some lead-up to Arthur’s wedding.

The snowed-in trope is one of my favourites. You’d think I’ve read enough by now to be bored of it, but you’d be wrong. Give me all of the cliché!

In Shore Leave, the storm forces Felix and Calder to make the best of the situation. That includes playing in the snow with the girls, reading stories, and cooking together.


The close quarters also set off feelings that neither man had expected. And it isn’t just the physical attraction - it’s easy to share space and their thoughts with each other.

When the storm ends and they have to return to the real world, Calder convinces Felix to have dinner with him - not a date, just for fun. It sets a pattern - hangouts, long phone calls, and thinking about each other when they’re not together.

This isn’t a particularly angsty book, and actually quite slow. I really liked the cozy feeling.

The big hurdle is how different the two men are. Calder lives in the moment and likes to have fun. Felix is cautious and has to put the girls first.

I loved how they balanced each other - Calder brings Felix out of his shell, and Felix gives Calder a taste of the slower life. They’re both equally protective and caring.

The two have to adjust and eventually figure out how to mesh their lives together. It was sweet how Calder set out to convince Felix that he was all-in for a serious relationship and the kids.

Speaking of the kids - very much so present in the book, and adorable. Madeleine and Charlotte were just kids being kids.

Felix and Calder eventually reach a tipping point, and make decisions for their future. Their happy ending is sweet, and left me with warm fuzzy feels.

If you’re looking for a drama-free family-focused MM romance, give ‘Shore Leave’ a read!

I love Annabeth Albert's writing! She always packs in so much heart and representation for LGBTQIA folks, and also manages the perfect levels of angst and steam. While this book is part of a series, it works just fine as a standalone.
I thought the forced proximity trope worked well here to jump-start the romance between Calder and Felix. They were rightfully wary of each other at first, but their spark was undeniable. And they were amazing at communicating with each other,which was so refreshing in a romance novel! I also really enjoyed that Felix's nieces were an integral part of the story . I think it could have added an extra layer to better explain what happened with their parents and how Felix became their legal guardian, but they were such a sweet family that it didn't bother me not knowing. Calder's family also added a lot of energy and love to the story and I love how they embraced Felix and his nieces immediately. It gave me all sorts of warm fuzzies.
While there are some super sexy, open-door scenes in this book, Calder is also up front that he is not always interested in traditional sex and Felix is lovely not to pressure him or shame him for that. Their relationship was just so honest and tender and I adored them. I clearly need to go back and read book one in this series, which I have no idea how I missed in the first place. And now I get to be excited to see what comes next!

I was expecting to like this book more than the first installment, and I did, but not by much. I really liked the forced proximity trope, but I feel like it could have been utilized more - the weekend was over before I knew it and I just expected a little more from it. The rest of the plot felt a little all over the place and felt a little forced, which took away some of my enjoyment. But this did still have a lot of cute moments.

The next book in the Shore Leave series, follows Calder (The best friend from Sailor Proof), who wins a remote cabin in the woods at a high stakes poker game (score!) and the true owner of the cabin, Felix. Felix is a doctor that has assumed the care of his two nieces and is focused on their healing and well being, not so much dating at the moment. A recent divorce that doesn’t seem to end has put that out of his mind. When Calder injures himself on his first inspection of the cabin and encounters Felix and the girls, the adventure starts! What begins as a one time thing slowly turns to more. I loved this of course, as I love all Annabeth’s books. I really loved the “oh no the girls are sick we must work together to take care of them!” scene. Lovey and sexy as always! I am looking forward to more in this series!

I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Readers met Calder in Sailor Proof. He was the annoying big brother and best friend unwittingly responsible for getting Arthur and Derrick together in the first book in the Shore Leave series. To be honest, Calder wasn’t a very likable character in their story, but he eventually won me over. I was anxious to see how the author would endear him to readers with his own story. For the record, I was pleasantly surprised. 😉

Sink or Swim gave readers a glimpse of Calder’s vulnerable side that very few people got to see. Felix is leery of Calder for good reason. He’s been burned by his ex more than once and protecting his kids is his number one priority – not to mention his heart. The circumstances that brought Calder into his life didn’t help the situation. It took him a while, but once he started to get to know Calder, Felix saw that there was more to him than what was on the surface. Calder was determined to prove to Felix that there was more to him than his competitiveness. He had some things to prove to himself as well.

This was a really sweet romance that I wasn’t expecting – kinda like the connection between Calder and Felix that took them both by surprise. The story was heavy on that connection and light on sex, which really fit the characters.

Sink or Swim is the second book in Annabeth Albert’s Shore Leave series. I’m really enjoying this series from Albert, which features queer members of the Navy finding love. This one finds Navy chief Calder Euler heading up to a mountain cabin he won in a bet only to find that it’s already occupied by Felix Sigurd and his two young nieces. A snowstorm and minor injury strands the group together at the cabin and leads to sparks flying between Calder and Felix.

I’m always a sucker for some caretaking and forced proximity (something I believe I share with Albert since both appear often in her books!). I also really enjoyed how understanding Calder was immediately of Felix’s situation with his ex and the way that he prioritized making sure Felix and his girls were okay, over his own desires for the cabin.

Overall a sweet contemporary romance that has me looking forward to seeing where Albert takes the series. Romance readers who enjoy stories featuring single parents and the shaping of a family together will find a lot to love here.

4.5 stars

Navy chief Calder Euler is about to be blindsided. He's driving in to the Cascades to view his "new" cabin, that he'd won in a high-stakes poker game. As a submarine logistics manager, Calder is notorious for his organizational spreadsheets, and gambling. He's always prepared to make a calculated risk, but this time, the dude he was playing didn't actually own the collateral he'd offered up. Nope, the cute snowbound cabin had been in his ex-husband's family for generations, and the guy thought it would be another fun way to stick it to his ex, Dr. Felix Sigund.

Felix knew his marriage was falling apart, but adopting his orphaned nieces was the final straw for his happily childfree ex. But, the settlements of their "joint" property--read Felix's inheritance--have cost Felix a good bit of cash. He's happy for a weekend escape to his woody cabin, until his young nieces scream about the stranger inside calling it his own. Startled, Calder falls down the stairs and twists his ankle nastily. It's a tough blow since he's still recovering from a concussion suffered on his last sub deployment. It's why he was even stateside to "win" the cabin. As frustrated as Felix is for this unexpected drama, he's not about to force an injured Calder into a dangerous car trip--which is moot, since the roads soon snow over. 

During the weekend, Felix and Calder develop a few sparks, and Felix indulges going along with Calder's easy-going attitude. Thing is, Calder recognizes that Felix is a pretty great guy, and awesome parent, and he's drawn to Felix's care-taking nature. He's been a bit melancholy missing his best-friend (Derrick) who moved cross-country with his younger brother (Arthur) several months back. (Derrick and Arthur are the couple in Book One of this series.)  Bisexual Calder rarely has strong connections or successful hook-ups, but Felix is amazing at putting him at-ease, and turning him completely on.

Calder guesses Felix doesn't want to continue seeing him, he's super focused on his parental responsibilities, but Calder has plans to ensure he's able to connect with Felix over and over again. First, he insists on helping him settle his ex's machinations, and secondly giving Felix a friends-with-benefits offer that's too good to be true. An indispensable Calder means Felix has some fun, too. And, well, Calder's not averse to kids; he just hasn't really been around kids much since he was one. That said, he's all about plans and his careful attention to detail gives him insights that cause Felix's nieces to trust him pretty quickly. It's Felix who's been burned too much, and Calder pretty much never figured on a committed relationship--until he's nearly smack in the middle of one with Felix and his small family. 

I really loved how Calder woke up and realized he had a toxic obsession with winning. He'd heard it from Derrick and Arthur, and he's trying to turn over a new leaf, in that regard. He's got plenty of opportunities to grow into a better man through his developing relationship with Felix, but Felix is just struggling to be 100% independent and berating himself if he needs to accept help. He can't deny that the girls need a bigger circle of folks who love them, and Calder (plus his large family) is an unexpected support. Felix's difficulty with responsible delegation of parental duties really hit home for me, and he was such a caring and dedicated person. He is truly a man worth Calder's deep love, and their meet-cute was adorable. 

Highly recommend!

Annabeth Albert has set my heart to sail and this book was definitely set on the same course!

Calder Euler has the best luck with cards and his recent win has come with an extra surprise!

While inspecting the cabin he won, Calder finds that this cabin come with another owner, Felix… and two young girls!

This isn’t going to be the party cabin he imagined! But soon Calder is dreaming of quiet nights at the cabin with Felix and attending children’s dance recitals…

Maybe this consulate bachelor has finally found something worth staying ashore for!

I absolutely adored this opposites attract/ age gap romance! Calder and Felix made a perfect pairing!

As always, Carina Press delivers the happily ever after I crave! A cute read that I could not put down and totally recommend!

Sink or Swim by Annabeth Albert was released February 22nd, 2022.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin and the Harlequin Publicity Team. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#SinkOrSwim #AnnabethAlbert #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

I always love a steamy new Annabeth Albert, and Sink or Swim did not disappoint!! Extra props for Felix’s absolutely adorable nieces and how seamlessly they are integrated into the relationship!