Make Me Stay (Safe Harbor Book 2) by Annabeth Albert

"Make Me Stay got my attention from the beginning.  Two opposite guys with plenty of experiences to shape them cross paths and from there the entertainment begins." Reedkaye.

From the blurb:

Roommate Not Wanted

I’m a forty-year-old homeowner and former detective. My friends think a roommate is the solution to my recent funk, but I know that’s the last thing I need.

And even if they’re right, sharing my home with Cal is a bad idea. The prickly SEAL rescue diver has muscles for miles, haunted eyes, a wounded soul, and wandering feet that won’t be happy for long in Safe Harbor. Yet those fathoms-deep blue eyes have me making an offer I’ll surely regret.

Our arrangement may be doomed, but Cal is an amazing roommate. We’re soon cooking my mom’s favorite recipes, watching terrible TV, accidentally cuddling, and trying not to cross the line from friendship to fling.

Until I discover Cal’s sexy secret.

Boundaries blur, and I forget I’m not supposed to fall for Cal. Every kiss, touch, and discovery we make together pulls us deeper until there’s no denying our feelings.

I want nothing more than to keep Cal in town, in my bed, and in my heart, but Cal seems destined to swim back to his solo ways.

Can I bear to let him go, or will our love make him stay forever?

MAKE ME STAY is a hurt/comfort roommates-to-lovers MM romance. It features two mature, wounded heroes, disability rep, a proud pansexual, a SEAL having a demisexual awakening, and sexy discoveries involving rope. Deep feels, dual point-of-view, and big fluffy HEA guaranteed.

MAKE ME STAY is book two in the Safe Harbor series from acclaimed author Annabeth Albert. This small historic Oregon town has 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, making reading in order more fun!

Reedkaye's Review:

This is the first in the series I’ve read and now I have to go back and read the first. This story causes all..laughter, tears and plenty of heat.

Holden has had many life experiences and one caused him to have a disability that doesn’t slow him down much. He is an extrovert and go at life 110%. When he meets Cal his world gets set off its axis. 

Cal is a walled off guy with an attitude. He is an ex Seal and professional diver. He prefers to do everything alone no matter the risk. He also has a past experience that has shaped his choices. When he meets Holden he is unprepared for this guy.

Circumstances throw the two together making them recognize the attraction between them and each deals with it in their own way. 

I feel the author gave intensity into the events and laughter into some of the interactions between the characters. I really enjoyed this story and am anxious to catch up with the series.

Rating: 5 Stars

SNik's Review:

Second in series (Safe Harbor), but can be read as a standalone. Roommates/close proximity. Grumpy/sunshine. Hurt/comfort. Light BDSM. Disability representation. Mature characters. Found family. Dual POV. 

Recovery diver and former SEAL Cal is in town to assist with an old serial murder investigation, and his first interactions with local criminal justice professor and podcaster Holden are slightly antagonistic. Holden is known as being comedic and an extrovert, the exact opposite of Cal’s serious and aloof nature, but there is something magnetic between the two men that neither can deny. Holden’s caretaking tendencies come out in full force when dealing with Cal, both men finding little pieces of comfort with the other that builds an irresistible and tender relationship. 

Both Cal and Holden’s life experiences are key to their behaviors, fears and actions when it comes to the growing relationship, and it felt both emotional and realistic for the characters. 

I enjoyed all of Cal and Holden’s interactions, their honest communication, their steamy times, their respect for each other’s individualism and willingness to work to create something together.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Heather's Review:

I enjoyed getting to know Holden and Cal and seeing them explore their relationship and their kinks together was great!   I love how Cal started letting Holden in and breaking down some of his walls and just how patient Holden was about letting Cal set the pace of their relationship...

It was also great to see how the ongoing investigation into Mrs. Worth's disappearance got more closure and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

While Make Me Stay is a complete romance, the ongoing suspense thread would be better served by reading the first book and reading these stories in order.

Rating: 5 Stars

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