Sink or Swim

Calder Euler loves to win almost as much as he hates to lose. In Sink or Swim, his philosophy on relationships—that they're too big of a risk for a man who never bets on something he doesn't think he'll win—gets a major challenge when he's thrown for a loop by Felix Sigurd and his girls.

With Felix, Calder learns to take it slow and Felix learns to have a little fun, but when they're both scared to bet their hearts and take a chance on love, they'll need to either fold or take the biggest risk of their lives.

Once again, Annabeth Albert follows up a brilliant series starter with a fantastic second book. Sink or Swim is sweet, loving, and will tug on your heart strings in the best way.

Annabeth Albert is a master at MM military romances with undeniable chemistry and relatable characters. The second book in her Shore Leave series, Sink or Swim, is no exception. This book follows Navy man Calder who has a reputation for a fun time but not a long time. When a mix up lands him in the same cabin as recently divorced single dad of two Felix he is hesitant at first. However, these two hit it off immediately and eventually their mutual attraction turns into something more. Both of these men aren’t looking for anything more, but their relationship slowly starts to feel serious. Can their friends with benefits arrangement last? Or is their relationship destined to sink? I really enjoyed this funny and steamy romance!

I adored this book! So fresh and different. Calder is definitely not what you expect. Nor did he expect to find Felix and his two nieces at the cabin he's just won. Albert takes forced proximity as a trope and turns it deliciously on its head. The progression of their relationship was perfect. Each got to learn about themselves and work through their individual baggage. Calder's interaction with the children was adorable and how he really just wants to help others made me want to hug him. He definitely learns boundaries while Felix learns to trust. They had chemistry but also a deeper connection that I felt throughout the book. Albert's characters always have depth and grow as they fall in love. This book perfectly illustrates this. I wanted their story to go on and on. Definitely one of my favorites from this author.

*Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book.*


I was SO STOKED when I got an ARC of this title. I read Sailor Proof last month and I enjoyed it so much. It was a sweet Brother's Best Friend MM romance and this follow up novel is about said brother.

Calder is a Navy Chief on a submarine and he has been shore leave do to an injury for the last little bit. He is getting restless, so a weekend at his recently acquired cabin in the mountains sounds like the perfect thing to relax him. Except… this cabin he won in a poker game? Yeah, it belongs to the ex-husband of the man he "won" it from.

Felix is basically a single dad. He is the guardian of his two young nieces and he is wholly devoted to them. When he shows up at his grandfather's cabin with the girls to discover it has been gambled away to this hunky young sailor… he is anything but thrilled. Even worse, Calder gets injured and they get snowed in together for the weekend.

Neither of them is looking for commitment, or so they think.

I was just enchanted with this book. I was so caught up in deep connection growing between these two. I loved how they got to know each other and how.. Intimate their relationship becomes and not just in the way you think. They are more honest with each other than they are with anyone else. They discuss things in ways they never have with anyone else.

I was honestly so stunned by how sweet and deep their relationship was by the end. The way they are able to be raw and open with themselves. In the bedroom and in the kitchen, haha! It was so beautiful.

I absolutely Love the Shore Leave series by Annabeth Albert and she is changing the way I look at Gay Romance.

Do yourself a favor and give this series a try.

5/5 stars

Another fun and sexy read by Annabeth Albert! The forced proximity trope was a delight. As always, Albert writes detailed character development and growth for not only the MCs but also all the other characters. I appreciate how Albert depicts a wide variety of sex drives and desires. A sweet winter read for sure.