This was not just a sweet love story, what a great surprise! I give it all five stars for emotional realism. The story is from one perspective, and it's not an easy one. I anticipated one reveal, but another made me grin in delight. And it's a study in asking the right questions, particularly of yourself. It's harder than it should be when emotions run high. ( )

Delivered Fast is the third book in the ‘Portland Heat’ series. This stars Chris O’Neal, a restaurant-coffee shop owner, and Lance Degrassi, part-time delivery boy and college student. This is told in first person from Chris’s pov.

4.5 Stars



I originally thought I’d read this book, but as I started reading, I didn’t recognize anything about the plot or characters. I have read a couple other books in this series, however. The blurb does a decent job of describing the plot so I won’t go into it and just start with the characters.

Chris is in his early thirties, he’s closed off, prickly and doesn’t want to get involved in a relationship. He’s also a bit of a hipster with his beard and sleeves of tattoos. Chris is the owner of a coffee shop that comprises two-chains. The other one is owned by Chris’s ex and is in a much more profitable area of the city. Chris isn’t exactly happy working at the shop, but he’s walled himself off from life so tightly he’s afraid to venture out and take chances anymore. He was adventurous once, when he first met his ex and gave up his college dreams to follow the ex’s dreams and make them his own. But then their relationship soured, and Chris is just bitter and afraid now. Nothing breaks through until Lance shows up. One thing the author did that I liked, was the meaning of Chris’s tattoos. That revealed a lot about Chris. That he was really a softy on the inside but had been deeply hurt when his relationship with the ex went bad.

Lance is the younger cousin of the usual delivery driver, and Chris is immediately attracted to him. Lance is open, happy, sunshine to Chris’s gloom, and dances like an angel. I really liked Lance’s character. Even though he was young, he knew what he wanted out of life. He was serious about his studies and going to graduate school. And he was serious about Chris. Lance lets Chris know that he’d like to hook up. Chris is okay with one night, but Lance is able to wiggle a friends-with-benefits out of Chris. And Chris keeps falling harder. Lance has no trouble with their age difference which is about 10-12 years. But Chris does. At least he keeps saying that. But what Chris is really afraid of is Lance showing him another world, with possibilities that Chris could grab hold of if he wasn’t afraid, but he is. So, he keeps telling Lance he’s too old for him and pushes Lance away, which breaks Lance’s heart.

The author did a great job of conveying Chris’s fears and longing. We don’t get to hear Lance’s inner thoughts, but he wears his heart on his sleeve and is open and honest. So just because he is that way, we understand Lance’s personality. At first readers may not realize that Chris is afraid of his future, because he keeps using Lance as an excuse. Lance is too young, he has his whole future ahead of him, don’t give it up for Chris. But Chris is only reliving his own past through Lance, seeing what he missed out when he was young by following his ex and then having their relationship turn bad, and he’s stuck in a coffee shop with no more dreams. Now he’s afraid it will happen again if he gives up what he has to follow another dream. I like how the author slowly revealed what was really keeping Chris from grabbing on to a new future. But once he did, he was happy.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. It was a quick read with interesting characters. I could see Lance and Chris as a couple by the end. I would like to see a future book about these two, maybe a marriage, and definitely see Chris loosen up more. I don’t remember the other books I’ve read in this series, but I recommend Delivered Fast, and give it 4 Stars

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Chris was such a cranky pants, and Lance was a breath of fresh air. They seemed like such opposites, but really they were both wanting the same thing. Chris was worried about being to old for Lance and didn't want to stand in the way of his dreams, but Lance was quickly learning that Chris was part of his dreams. It took a little work in the beginning. Afraid to get attached, Chris tried convincing Lance they should just be friends with benefits, but their hearts turned it into more. This was a great addition to the series. ( )

My favourite of the series so far. I may write a more comprehensive review once my tears have dried on my face. ( )

4.5 stars.

The final installment in Annabeth Albert's delightful Portland Heat series, Delivered Fast is a very charming older/younger man romance. This fast paced story is sweet yet steamy and blissfully angst free despite a minor obstacle on the road to happily ever after.

Chris O'Neal is taken off guard by his attraction to the very attractive and much younger Lance Degrassi. Chris is in his mid thirties and he has always gone for older men but he just cannot resist the energetic and effervescent young man. The age gap is only about twelve years, but since Lance still has so much of his future ahead of him, Chris cannot commit to a long term relationship with him. After Chris discovers Lance will be moving once he is accepted to grad school, the two agree to a friends-with-benefits arrangement.

Chris is incredibly reluctant to become emotionally involved with anyone but he is immediately charmed by Lance. The two spend a great deal of quality time together but Chris is careful to keep things light and casual between them. Everything is going along just as he wants until Lance considers altering his plans for his future which plays into Chris's fears that Lance will regret eventually regret his (possible) decision.

Lance is very mature for his age and he has his future all mapped out. He is close to his family and he has a large circle of friends. He is instantly attracted to Chris and Lance never gives Chris's age a second thought. He agrees to Chris's suggestion for a no strings relationship, but it is always obvious that Lance cares very deeply for him. Although Lance is willing to make compromises to make their relationship work, Chris's fears (and lack of communication) might derail their chance for lasting happiness.

Delivered Fast is an engaging, light-hearted romance between two very likable characters. Chris and Lance's friendship is easygoing and believable. The sex scenes are scorching hot but there is also an underlying tenderness that shows the (unspoken) emotional connection between them. The issues between them are resolved fairly quickly and a lovely epilogue wraps up the remaining loose ends. Another fantastic installment in Annabeth Albert's marvelous Portland Heat series that old and new fans are sure to enjoy. ( )