I did not know a plot could be this glacial. DNF at 28% after trying to skim and finding even that was not enough to generate any interest. The characters aren't interesting enough, the setting, ditto, the conflict banal. I'm sure this will work for some readers. It decidedly does not work for me. ( )

Such a great journey for Calder here; he was slightly annoying in the previous book, so it’s great to see how awesome he can really be. Felix and his girls really needed Calder in their lives, and I loved watching everything come together for them. Also totally dug how cool Felix was with how Calder wanted sex (one didn’t want it); I loved the open communication there between them too. ( )

I am a huge Annabeth Albert fan. She has a truly wonderful way of writing well-rounded characters who are dealing with real world problems without making the story feel heavy...usually. This one frustrated me slightly. I absolutely loved Navy Chief Calder Euler. He was always above board with his opinions and honest in his assessment of the relationship between him and Dr. Felix Sigurd. I wanted almost desperately for everything to turn out well for them, but I alternated between shaking Felix and outright strangling him though most of the book. I'm also not a fan of children in these stories but I know that this author nearly always writes in one or more of the little rug rats:) In this case it was Felix's two nieces that he was raising. I found them both irritating and overbearing in so many ways, especially the older one Throughout the story we see Calder and Felix not only navigate their relationship, but the fallout from Felix’s divorce and Calder’s indecision about the future of his career, but then there was the happy balance of the family members and the friends who just want to see them both happy. I’m still an Annabeth Albert fan in spite of the minor irritations I found here, and in the long run I know I am always guaranteed a good time with any Annabeth Albert book. ( )

Sink or Swim by Annabeth Albert
Shore Leave #2

Truly liked both Calder and Felix and loved the way they found their happily ever after ~ Great addition to the series!

What I liked:
* Calder Euler: Navy Chief, submarine sailor on shore duty, brother of Arthur from book one, good with spreadsheets, likes to win, gambler, likes a sure thing, flummoxed by his feelings for Felix
* Dr. Felix Sigurd: Geriatric Psychiatrist, divorced, raising his nieces, good man in a difficult situation, has trust issues, conflicted, feels he should put nieces first, drawn to Calder
* Charlotte: younger sister, somewhat morbid interests, highly intelligent, outgoing, intriguing
* Madeline: older sister, quieter than Charlotte, protective of her Uncle Felix, tells it like it is
* The growth of Calder and Felix as they spent time together and faced some of their issues
* The communication between Calder and Felix
* That both men were giving, open, and caring with one another
* The times Calder spent with Felix, Charlotte and Madeline
* The wedding and getting to see Arthur and Derrick again
* The closeness of Calder with his family
* All of it really…

What I didn’t like:
* Tim: Felix’s greedy ex-husband…despicable man

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Adores-Harlequin for the ARC – this is my honest review.

4-5 Stars ( )