Stevie‘s review of Connection Error (#gaymers, Book 3) by Annabeth Albert
Contemporary Gay Romance published by Carina Press 01 Sep 16
When I reviewed the previous book in this series, I had a few small doubts as to how far the road trip theme could be sustained through subsequent books. I needn’t have worried; this time we get to mix things up a little. Our heroes meet on a plane, then get to know each other better while stranded by the weather and waiting for their connecting flights to be rescheduled. It helps, of course, that they share a love for video games, Space Villager in particular, and are also attracted to each other. Of course there are plenty of very real and sensible reasons why they can’t instantly get together.
Josiah is one of the developers working on Space Villager; recently promoted to management. He’s heading out to Germany to meet members of his new multinational team: enjoying the fact that he gets to travel first class, but less pleased at the ticketing mix-up that sees him boarding the plane almost as it starts taxiing for take-off. While his talent at programming is evident, Josiah doubts his ability to head up a project, especially since his ADHD means he still lives at his family’s admittedly large home and has a habit of speaking before he thinks things through properly. This latter issue makes for some awkward conversational moments with the guy in the seat next to him. A major shame given how Ryan is totally Josiah’s type, physically.
Not long out of a relationship that ended badly and still undergoing rehab for major injuries sustained in the line of duty, Ryan is the total opposite personality type to Josiah and keen not to saddle himself with another high-maintenance boyfriend. He is, however, an obsessive gamer with a particular interest in the new section of Space Villager that Josiah is working on: the Special Ops pack. The pair swap ideas on what Josiah’s team has planned, with Ryan giving out tips on how to make the scenario more realistic. When their flight lands, they arrange to stay in touch, only to find that their connecting flights won’t be happening that day. Fortunately, the organised Ryan – with the benefit of prior trips to St. Louis – has managed to find a hotel room for the night.
Luckily too for Josiah, Ryan is willing to share his good fortune, so the pair spend the time until the weather clears gaming and getting to know each other better, even though a relationship seems out of the question for a pair so mismatched in personality and regular geographical location. But they stay in touch and find ways to meet up, even as Josiah struggles with his new responsibilities and Ryan comes to terms with the adjustments his injuries force him to make.
I enjoyed this book, even though Josiah and Ryan aren’t my favourite pair out of the guys we’ve met so far in the series. I’m loving how the game and the team behind it keeps on developing – it makes me wish I had time for gaming these days on top of everything else; I’m sure no real game could match up to Space Villager, though. All in all a solid continuation of the overall story that could also stand well on its own, but I’m now looking forward to who we’re going to meet next and what new developments the game will undergo in the meantime.
Grade: BSummary:
It’s typical of video game programmer Josiah Simmons to be the last one on the plane on the way to the biggest meeting of his career. Though he’s (mostly) coping with his ADHD, he can’t handle another distraction. But he also can’t ignore his rugged seatmate—especially once he learns the military man’s a fan of his game.
Ryan Orson refuses to let his severe injuries pause his career as a navy SEAL. He’s got hours of grueling physical therapy ahead of him, and no time for anything that might get in the way of his return to active duty. But that doesn’t mean he’s above a little first-class flirtation with geeky-cute Josiah.
When a delay strands the pair in St. Louis, they agree to share a hotel room and a night of gaming. Neither expects their new connection to move to the next level in the light of day. Opposites may attract, but is this game over before it’s even begun?
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
