Stevie‘s review of Status Update (#gaymers, Book 1) by Annabeth Albert
Contemporary Gay Romance published by Carina Press 07 Dec 15
I’m not always a huge fan of mismatched couples, but I like the idea of characters connecting over video games. Plus, there was a dog on the cover, but not mentioned in the blurb, and I was intrigued to see how he fitted in. This author is completely new to me, but I’m very glad to have given the book a chance.
Noah comes from a very conservative Christian background and is deeply in the closet as well as not being much of a people person. He lives in a big RV with his dog and has moved onto a site with few connections to the outside world, while he finishes writing the archaeology thesis that he hopes will win him tenure at a strictly conservative Christian college. His peace is disturbed, however, by a pair of very out gay men in a rented RV, who have been given the slot next to Noah’s by a vindictive and bigoted site manager, who wants them as far from the amenities as possible. When the couple fall out and one takes off in their RV, Noah takes pity on the one left outside with his dog and invites them in, while the pair wait for their lift to return.
Adrian is the odd one out in a close-knit family of high achievers. Although he’s an important part of the team designing a highly anticipated crowd-funded video game, he feels that he can never match up to the expectations of his parents and or to comparisons with his siblings. Disliking the idea of flying to his sister’s wedding with his dog, he decides instead to travel across country with a man he’s only previously known online – and who turns out to be very different in person. Adrian accepts Noah’s offer of help, in spite of feeling it’s been given grudgingly, and is even more relieved when Noah offers to drive him the rest of the way to the wedding to avoid the embarrassment of phoning his family.
Noah is one of those funders who’ve been looking forward to the game’s release and happily accepts Adrian’s gifts of membership upgrades and sneak previews in exchange for transport and accommodation, even though he should really spend the time working on his thesis. He’s also attracted to Adrian but very aware of what would happen should his college have any suspicions about his personal life. Eventually the men agree to explore how they feel about each other – within the limits of what Noah can cope with – but not see each other again once the trip, and then the wedding, is over.
I love seeing the way both men overcome the obstacles they’ve created for themselves, and it is great to meet both their families – and the people Adrian works with. I love all the snippets we find out about the game Adrian is working on, and really want to see what will happen to the men now they’ve found a compromise that will suit them both for now. This is the first in a series, so hopefully we’ll see all of that and more in subsequent books. A lovely feel-good read, even if it does get slightly angsty in places (though never too angsty for my limited tolerance of the emotion).
Grade: A
Summary:
Adrian Gottlieb is winning at life. He’s a successful video game designer with everything a man could ask for, including a warm comfy ride to Denver and a date for his sister’s wedding. But he finds himself in need of a total reboot when he’s left stranded at a snowy campground in Utah. Holiday plans? Epic fail.
That is until Noah Walters offers him shelter for the night and a reluctant cross-country ride. Nothing about the ultraconservative geoarchaeologist should attract Adrian, but once he discovers Noah’s hidden love for video games, the two connect on a new level. Soon, a quiet but undeniable chemistry sparks.
Something doesn’t add up, though. As the miles accumulate and time runs out, Noah must face the most difficult choice of his life. Meanwhile, Adrian must decide whether he’s ready to level up. Is their relationship status worth fighting for, or has this game ended before it’s even begun?
Read an excerpt.
