Hope on the Rocks

Rainbow Cove Series, Book 4

By: Annabeth Albert

Narrated by: Cooper North

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

One too many....

Doctor Quinn Strauss is beloved by his small-town patients. He almost never drinks, especially not alone on a weeknight. But he's heartbroken over an unexpected reminder of exactly how much his bad break-up has cost him. And the sexy ginger bartender keeps making him special drinks that go down a little too easy.

Take a drunk doc home....

Bartender Adam Ringer can tell when someone's hurting, and the heroic local doctor is practically radiating pain. Adam's a natural caretaker and can't help but spring to Quinn's rescue. And when the drunk and rambling Quinn reveals a mutual sexy interest, Adam's other instincts are intrigued. He can't wait for Quinn to sober up.

All mixed up....

When Adam offers Quinn a chance to explore secret desires he's long repressed, Quinn finds himself saying yes to a summer fling with the younger Daddy bear. Falling in love isn't part of the plan, but amid all their steamy encounters and intimate exchanges, a deep, emotional bond is forged. Summer is nearly over. Real life pressures are mounting. Can they grow enough to find a way to forever?

Contains mature themes.

©2021 Annabeth Albert (P)2021 Tantor

Good story and narration

Cute story with excellent narration

I have a few gripes

The Canadian English is not believable in coastal Oregon

Drinks Menu is Canadian
Drink Menu is American
Several other similar

Trakkies is Canadian
Sweats is American

Also, women who write gay romance always get this wrong

Boxer Briefs are not Boxers

Boxers are tall thin and baggy with woven cotton

Boxer briefs are more fitting knit cotton and snug

Many gay men sexualize underwear so make your choice and stick to it. Quinn would probably like the softness of his bfs boxer briefs to Cum on more than the pillow....

Consistent details make a story more believable

Unnecessary kink story line overshadows sweet story.

It is likely that if you’re considering this book, you have read the first two in this series. What you’ll find out here is the Dom/Sub storyline of book two wasn’t an anomaly. The kink theme continues here with a Daddy/Son story.

First, let’s celebrate a great narration. The first two books were duo with a slightly misplaced Iggy Toma. While a huge fan of Toma, I prefer him a solo narrator due to his distinctive tone. Cooper North takes on both characters allowing for a much needed consistency that salvages the weaknesses in the story. Kudos to him!

The first book in the series juggled a nice mix challenges, the second added the Dom storyline to fill in gaps. While not a huge fan, it worked in its own way. Then there is this book.

The daddy plot felt like a redux of book two. Younger daddy, older son. Book two? Younger dom, older sub. This book - only for the summer. Book two? Only while I learn to be a good Dom. This book? Broken heart from bad break up, a meddlesome mother and demanding family/schedule in the way. Book two? Broken heart from death of a spouse, meddlesome mother-in-law and demanding family/schedule in the way.

Had the daddy theme been stripped out, the sweeter story of learning to trust and be vulnerable was really enough. Reducing all elements of their sex life to “kinks I shouldn’t want as I am a doctor” felt silly as they didn’t really do anything out of the ordinary - they just added a bunch of “you’re a good boy” and “please daddy” to the mix. It lacked any of the Dom story seriousness as that dealt with practices that left bruises and required going deep into a scene.

Where this book shines is the moments where they are just two guys navigating life. After a terrible day at the clinic, Adam gentle support of Quinn is heartwarming. Adam’s migraines are another source of caring that underscore that building relationship. More of that, less of the forced kink.

If you can grit your way past the daddy bits, it’s a no burn story about two people falling in love. Albert could have gone deeper there and created a more fully satisfying ending for this trilogy.

This isn’t a high recommendation title for me - like book one, but I wouldn’t say it’s not worth the listen. It will pass the time, and it is inoffensive. But you’ll know if should have been better.

Perfect listen for hopeless romantics

I had never considered myself a hopeless romantic until listening to this book. I cried through virtually every moment in fact. Though the writing is simple, it’s heavy with emotion. Cooper North has the voice you always pictured your Adam would have. It’s spicy, it’s raw, it’s perfect.

so much kink

beautiful, romantic and sexy. best story I've heard all year. my favorite of the series

It's fine but

The blurb is misleading ... the ex situation is not nearly as dramatic as it seems in the blurb . I'm not saying it isn't a terrible relationship event but the blurb makes it seem more explosive than it is

ALSO - the "kink" is sooooo not my cup of tea . I wish there was some way I could have known in advance what it is - I wouldn't have purchased the audio if I had known. The author did an amazing job of setting up the MC's to show how the particulars work and as a way to show how that type of preference develops in people and I say "great! Good for them!" But it's my personality and background that puts me off it. I dnf but it'e me not the book.

The writing is good and the narrator is good !