Title: Delivered Fast by Annabeth Albert
Portland Heat Series Book Three
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, M/M, Romance
Length: 134 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Portland, Oregon, aka Hotlandia, where the coffee shops, restaurants, and bakeries are ready to serve everything piping hot, fresh, and ready to go—like the hard-working, hard-bodied men behind the counters—with no reservations…
Sure, Chris O’Neal has problems. His restaurant is still co-owned by his ex. His flannel-and-tattoos style is making him accidentally trendy. He can’t remember the last time he went out and had fun. But he’s not lonely, he’s driven. And the hot bakery delivery boy is not his problem, no matter how sweet his buns.
Chris is old enough to know Lance Degrassi’s sculpted good looks and clever double entendres spell nothing but trouble. Lance is still in college—he should be hitting the clubs and the books, chasing guys his own age, not pursuing some gruff motorcycle-riding workaholic. Especially when he’ll be leaving for grad school in a few months. But Lance keeps hanging around, lending a hand, charming Chris to distraction. Maybe some steaming hot no-strings indulgence won’t hurt.
Then again, maybe it will…
Review:
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.
