Bring Me Home, Safe Harbor #1 by Annabeth Albert

Bring Me Home is the first in a new series, small town romance with an age gap.

From the blurb:

Help!

I’ve inherited my aunt’s historic house in small-town Oregon, and I need to fix it up and sell it fast before I move on to my big-city dreams. I’m one of the navy’s best investigators, but twenty years of living in base housing means DIY isn’t part of my extensive skill set.

Luckily, my best friend has the solution: his twenty-three-year-old son. Knox recently graduated from college, needs a room for the summer, and comes with a giant cat and years of remodeling experience.

Not only is Knox all grown up and hot as sin, but I recognize him. He’s the bossy, bearded guy I shared the hottest kiss of my life with. No way can my buddy find out I’ve got it bad for his son. But with all the stripping, hammering, and drilling, my defenses crumble one dance break at a time.

As our sexy secret summer fling continues, Knox also proves himself handy at fixing my grumpy mood and wounded heart. Now I can’t imagine a future without him. I can solve any problem the navy throws at me, but I have no clue what to do about loving Knox or the damage this could do to my decades-long friendship.

Can we build a forever together, or are we destined to go our separate ways?

BRING ME HOME is a small-town Dad’s-best-friend MM romance. It features a forty-something grumpy former naval investigator, a much younger ray of sunshine, a matchmaking cat, sexy times in unusual locations, enough heat to burn the neighborhood, and a warm fuzzy hug’s worth of found-family feels. Dual point-of-view and big fluffy HEA guaranteed!

BRING ME HOME launches the brand-new Safe Harbor series from acclaimed author Annabeth Albert. Knox, Monroe, and the rest of Safe Harbor, Oregon, welcome readers to a historic town with a tight friend group, memorable secondary characters, quirky businesses, and long-held secrets. Each book stands alone with a fresh couple, but the background mystery of the town’s secrets ties the series together.

Sheena's Review:

I was in the mood for something relatively light and angst-free, and I'm glad I went for this.  This ticks a lot of my boxes - small town, older MC, found family, low drama and a little mystery to move the story along.

It helped that I really liked both MCs, Monroe and Knox.  On the surface, it's Dad's best friend/best friend's son but it never seemed like that.  Knox is a old soul at times, he seems far older than 23 and is very definite in what he wants, and goes about getting it.  Monroe is ex-Navy, and has hidden for so long under Don't Ask, Don't Tell that it's hard for him to be open and I get that.  I loved their relationship though, it was so refreshing that they actually talk about things rather than angsting over it silently and letting things fester.  Monroe is one for talking and getting things out in the open so while's there a little internalising, it never goes on and on.  

It's hot too, these two click so well in the bedroom and I love how they trust each other and are willing to try and be open to new experiences with each other, and they learn together and it's wonderful to witness.  I love the town setting too, a first in the series novel always runs a risk of being too involved in setting a scene but here the balance is just right, we meet the cast of supporting characters who will surely feature in further stories.  There's also an added element of a cold case mystery to solve, which helps drive all the stories on.

I really enjoyed it, it was just what I was in the mood for and I can't wait for Holden's story next.

Rating: 4.25 Stars

Angel's Review:

When I first started this I wasn't sure what to expect. I was really interested in seeing how the author made the relationship between Monroe; who's not only older than  Knox but who is also best friends with Knox's dad, and Knox; who is younger than Monroe and trying to figure out what he wants out of his life. I was worried that the author would either rush their relationship or it would be dragged out. 

Annabeth did neither! The pacing of this story was excellent, not too fast, not too rushed, and not too slow. The main characters had backgrounds, plenty of details, and the writing of the background was so cool! We as readers got to read about Monroe and Knox's journey of not only repairing Monroe's aunt's house, but also the journey of their relationship. As it grew, and progressed from strangers to friends, to lovers. 

This book had a lot to it, there are so many side characters, but it fit with the story to have all of those characters. They added insight and more information to the plotline, they also added lightness and humor to the story. This does take place in a small town after all, so you're bound to have a bunch of rambunctious characters. 

Rating: 5 Stars

Heather's Review:

First off, I have to say that my favorite characters in this book were not the MC's - they were Knox's step-mom and his floofy cat... although Monroe and Knox were right up there...  I love that these two met and shared a moment in time before they 'meet' as father's best friend and best friend's son... and that starts them down a road Monroe might not otherwise consider.

This book is well paced, full of steamy, sweet, funny and wonderful interactions and I love the interplay between the two men - how they consider each other and don't necessarily bow to traditional roles - and the trust they build together.

I can't wait to see where the series goes and where the cold case investigation goes next!

Rating: 5 Stars

 

Lori C's Review:

Monroe came back to Safe Harbor because his Great Aunt Henri left him her gorgeous old Victorian house. All he wanted to do was get it ship shape and sold, so he could move to the Bay area and start a new life. His best buddy Rob though had a favor and a great idea for him. Why didn’t he just let his son Knox, who was back home from college for summer, stay with him and help him with all his DIY repairs? That would solve BOTH their problems. After meeting Knox, Monroe senses a kindred spirit and understands that someone needs to look after Knox. Will he maintain his no summer fling stance or will his willpower melt away under the stars? 

Author Annabeth Albert gets me every time. There is something so beautiful about her writing. This book is special. It, to me, is about two kindred spirits meeting and trying to see if they can let go of the hurt they have in their hearts to build something better. It’s about letting go of expectations and preconceived notions. It’s about looking inside your heart and finding out what will make you happy. So much of this story hit me in the feels. What I loved most was that both men wanted to build a family and friendships and community. The strength it took for both Knox and Monroe to stand up for themselves? Bravo! This Safe Harbor series is going to be moving and powerful. How do I know? The seeds are all there in the community, the mystery, and the friendships. Holden’s book Make Me Stay comes out in June and I’m already thinking to myself what might he be hiding?

Rating: 5 Stars

Miki J's Review:

Well, you are certainly going to get all the feels in this story. Brilliant start to new series - loved the instant connection between them and when they met up again... awkward!! But the best part is them opening up to each other - beautiful.  

I love that the characters are so normal & real - Knox is super sweet but always on the outside... and Monroe - he's never belonged or had a "north-star".  

Definitely plenty of ups'n'downs and heart-felt emotions but it's also funny and I really enjoyed that touch of suspense / mystery as well.  

Loved this book and to sum it up - it's bittersweet perfection... with a HEA.  

Rating: 5 Stars

Bring Me Home is available to buy as an ebook, paperback, or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.