Book 880: The Geek Who Saved Christmas – Annabeth Albert

Ya’ll, I’m still not sure Annabeth Albert can write a bad book. I’m serious, she’s written books I was sort of meh about but they weren’t bad, they just weren’t for me and that’s okay. A few months ago I finally joined her Facebook group (Annabeth’s Angels) and have thoroughly enjoyed it and it was how I ended up with an ARC of this adorable Christmas romp.*

It took longer to get to than expected, stupid work, but as soon as I started reading I blazed through it. I want to note right off that I am so impressed with this ARC, it had fewer errors than many final books I read by self-published authors. I expect nothing less from Albert, but this was her first self-published ARC I’ve read even though I’ve read others via her publishers on NetGalley.

I’m not sure whether I adored the grumpy/sunny juxtaposition, the two 40+ protagonists, or the finding your person when you’re at a low point the most. I mean I loved all of it, but it’s hard to say what my favorite part was.

Guys our age didn’t crush. I appreciated his aesthetic appeal. That was all. I would offer this same help to anyone. Yeah right. Okay, maybe I didn’t entirely believe my own logic, but I still managed a dismissive laugh. (Chapter 6)

The Geek Who Saved Christmas is the story of  Gideon, Mr. Holiday (legit last name, but also his calling) who is adorkable and full of spreadsheets, holiday-themed bowties, and a joy for life that’s infecting, and Paul, Mr. Frosty (legit almost last name – Frost) who is grumpy and stand-offish and just needs all the hugs and touches and family. Their meet-cute, or at least catalyst of their relationship, happens when Pauls’ brother, who he raised, decides to come to town for Christmas. Paul panics and asks Gideon for help and the story explodes from there in all the holiday cheer you can imagine.

Albert’s character driven stories are one of the things that I truly love about her works. Whether it’s two Navy Seals falling for each other in a war zone, a coffee cart barista and the up-tight business man, or the cos-play enthusiast and jock, they all just have so much heart and emotion in their lives, but they have to work to get there. Don’t get me wrong Albert writes some crazy intense sex scenes, but she honestly could write a clean romance and I would devour it, she’s just that good.

This book really hit me when it got to Christmas morning and Paul had basically forced Gideon to stay because Gideon was being obtuse and they witnessed Paul’s younger brother (Brandon) propose to his girlfriend/

They were so in love it hurt, and those few moments when I’d thought she’d was about to say no had been terrifying. It would have crushed Brandon’s whole world. Honestly, his bravery was admirable.
Putting one’s heart on the line was a risk worse than skydiving if you asked me. No thank you. Even secondhand, the terror had been palpable. But then she’d said yes, and he’d smiled, maybe, for an instant, I had wanted . . . something. I still wasn’t sure, only that Paul’s hand in mine had been the only thing keeping me from shattering from the emotional jolt. Even now, I felt rather fragile, a coffee cup repaired too many times. Not to be trusted. (Chapter 28)

I’m not going to lie, I turned blue in the face holding my breath. I was like NOOOO you can’t do that to us, you’re the queen of romance and happily ever after, please don’t break Brandon’s heart especially with Gideon and Paul having communication issues (stupid men). Thankfully, she didn’t keep us waiting too long and they got their happily ever after and forced Paul and Gideon to face their own future and get over their inability to talk to each other and find their happily ever after.

And last, but certainly not least, in this love letter to Annabeth Albert, I have to reiterate something I say after every book I read. Albert really knows how to lighten the mood and drop in a bit of humor when you really need it, but also when you least expect it. Seriously, in any other book this line:

Outside, the temperatures were reaching record lows, but in here things were about to get mighty toasty. (Chapter 32)

would be laughable or over the top, but Albert toes the line perfectly. And of course I rolled my eyes, but I also squeeeeed inside ridiculously because it was the right corny line at the right time. So, thank you for continuing to make me laugh at the tropes but also squeal in delight at the adorableness of them.

Recommendation: READ ALL THE ALBERT BOOKS!!!!! Seriously, though, this was another wonderful read that was engaging and character/story driven rather than sex driven (even though those scenes were definitely give me a fan to cool down hot). I didn’t realize how much I needed a dual 40+ protagonist romance in my life until Albert provided one and when you add in that it’s full of all the cinnamon and pine yummy goodness of Christmas, how could I not love this as much as I do?

*I received a copy of The Geek Who Saved Christmas via the author in return for my honest opinion. No goods or money were exchanged.

Opening Line: “‘Tis that time of year again, neighbors!”

Closing Line: “I wasn’t ever going to stop giving thanks for my favorite Holiday.” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)

Additional Quotes from The Geek Who Saved Christmas
“‘Don’t bother trying to find a piece of paper for a list. I’ll just use my phone.’ I whipped out my oversized smartphone that functioned as a small tablet as well. ‘I’ve even got a stylus in my pocket.’ Paul’s eyes went wide like I’d revealed I marched around with a sex toy at the ready. ‘What? I write faster with a good stylus.” (Chapter 6)

“I had to swallow. I’d seen holiday lights every season, but they hadn’t been mine in so very long that I’d forgotten about the magic, the fluttery feeling as something so familiar became something so precious and beautiful. The house looked . . . hopeful. I’d put hours and hours into this place, but in all that work, I’d never had an ounce of sentiment, never tried to assign it a personality.
But now here it was, stretching skyward, each white bulb a tiny lighthouse waiting to chase away the darkness and welcome someone home. Home. A word I tried never to dwell on. And this fucking hurt, the reminder of what I’d been missing.” (Chapter 11)

“Somehow, I knew this wouldn’t be the last time I waited up for Gideon. He deserved someone watching out for him, someone to leave a light on, and if he’d let it be me, well, I liked that. It also terrified me. But not enough to dampen how much I wanted to be someone for him.” (Chapter 17)