Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Tender with a Twist
SERIES: Rainbow Cove
AUTHOR: Annabeth Albert
NARRATORS: Marc Bachmann, Iggy Toma
PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio
LENGTH: 9 hours and 27 minutes
RELEASE DATE: February 20, 2018
BLURB:
Curtis Hunt has made a name for himself as a chainsaw wood carver, winning national competitions and operating a small business in Rainbow Cove, Oregon. As winter whittles away his tourist traffic, his goal is just to survive the season and try to not get lost in grief for his dead lover. It’s been two years, but he’s sure he’ll never be over the love of a lifetime. However, his body has a certain restlessness that he doesn’t quite know how to calm.
Logan Rosner knows a thing or two about restlessness. It’s what drove him to Rainbow Cove to be a chef at a bar and grill run by his friends. And it’s what drives him to a single sizzling encounter with the local legendary lumberjack. Both men get far more than they expected and learn that first impressions aren’t always accurate….
But when Logan proposes a series of sexy lessons, Curtis must decide how much he’s willing to risk. He knows he can’t afford to get attached to Logan’s good cooking, his easy smiles, or his caretaking, but he keeps going back for more, even as deeper emotions become involved. Soon, Curtis must decide whether to risk his heart again or risk losing Logan for good.
REVIEW:
Note: This is book two in a series and can be read as a standalone, but contains spoilers for the first book.
Logan has gone into business with his best friends. He’s left his comfortable life in Portland behind and is excited about having creative control in the kitchen. One of his specialties is vegan/vegetarian cuisine and he really loves being able to experiment. After his friend Mason moved in with his boyfriend, he’s taken over Mason’s rental house and is enjoying being able to work on his specials and recipes that he’d like to try out at the bar and grill.
Curtis has lost the love of his life in a tragic accident. He’s a wood carver that keeps very busy with his small shop and competing in national and regional contests. He’s built up a decent clientele and he’s taken to living at the converted shop because he can’t bring himself to do otherwise. He’s still friendly with the aging mother of his dead lover, but his life is pretty empty. He’s got an “arrangement” with a friend to get his needs met, but when that friend move on, he’s lonelier than ever.
The bar and grill is sponsoring theme nights to drum up business until the tourist season and so the next one is a leather night. Curtis decides to go – against his better judgement – and when Logan is propositioned by a guy who won’t take no for an answer Curtis witnesses the dominating personality of Logan. He’s intrigued. And thus begins a dance around meeting both of their needs.
Curtis is reluctant to get involved with anyone. Troy, his late partner, was the love his life and he’s pretty sure that part of his life is just over. But if he can help the kid (which Logan very much hates to be called), then he’s just doing him a favor. He’s got misgivings about their age difference, Logan’s experience level, their very different family backgrounds, etc. He does his best to keep Logan at arm’s length.
Logan is beyond thrilled that he’s found someone who will let him express himself in all the ways he needs to. Because of his size and young appearance, he’s always underestimated or assumed to be a sub. He’s got a black belt and he know things and can handle himself. Curtis is the first to really let him explore this side of himself. But he would really like to be closer to Curtis and he uses all sorts of ploys and food to try to worm his way in 😉
There are of course forces that are against them. Troy’s mother, Logan’s WAAAAAY overprotective parents and some of the townsfolk seem to be less than please by the turn of events. And when another near tragedy strikes, even Curtis isn’t sure that the can do this despite how badly he wants Logan. Thankfully Logan is not one to back down 😀
This is another fine Annabeth Albert book. The age-gap, smaller dom/larger sub trope are really well done. Curtis has really been through a lot and since the story is told from alternating POVs, we know what he’s thinking the whole time. We experience his conflict – survivor’s guilt, worry about not being good enough, stress about the age difference and what other people will think. Logan has many of the same worries, but he’s an optimist and really wants to go for it. He’s not worried about the age difference and he definitely learns to stick up for himself. In the end, these two really are made for each other and though the road isn’t easy, it will be much better if they can figure out how to travel it together. I was so happy that they were able to overcome their misgivings and worries and learn to lean on each other. Bravo! Once again the narrating duo of Marc Bachmann and Iggy Toma do a great job bringing all of the characters to life. I thoroughly enjoyed their performance of this book. I’m looking forward to more from both this author and these narrators. Recommended!
RATING: 
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