In general, Annabeth Albert can do nothing wrong. She’s explored some kinks that weren’t exactly for me, and she’s written a few books that were meh overall, but every one of them contains well written character written romances and this one was no different. Winning Bracket was a bit of your standard nerd/jock trope added in with a bit of friendly competition and long suppressed feelings for each other.
Full disclosure I’m writing this MONTHS after I read it, so details are a bit fuzzy. I remember Ollie being a bit of a pain in the @ss and Edwin being a little too woe is me, but they have really good chemistry, even before they get together. The bets were a bit juvenile, but honestly 100% get it when you’re still trying to figure yourself out (Ollie) and just want to get the straight boy you’ve and unrequited feelings for out of your head (Edwin).
As per usual, I loved Albert’s quick wit and knitting shout outs:
‘Okay,’ Edwin’s voice was soft as Ollie’s favorite pair of knitted socks. He took Ollie’s hand. (Loc. 390)
‘Pi. Kissing you makes me feel like I can see Pi out to a thousand places, and every single one of those places is perfect and memorable and beautiful . . .’ His words trailed off.
‘Sorry. That’s really dorky.’
‘Nah.’ Ollie had a strange look on his face.
‘I think that might be the most romantic thing someone’s ever said to me.’ (Loc. 929)
I don’t remember a lot of drama other than the self-created drama and the little bit of drama surrounding the “x years later” epilogue when they’re getting married and things starting to go sideways at the school where they decide to get married because it was where they met and fell in love.
Recommendation: Overall, I’m always going to say READ IT from Albert. This one was low angst and both characters grow throughout the novella. Looking at what I dumped into the blog post right after finishing it (quick notes and thoughts) I didn’t have any major objections other than the immaturity of the bets at some points, but you do you and get that boy Edwin!
Opening Line: “Not that Edwin was bitter. No. Not even a little. Ollie was just . . . Ollie. He was the human equivalent of a campus-wide hot tub party, spewing hot, bubbly affection for the athletically inclined.”
Closing Line: “‘I already have.’ Edwin kissed him, security guards and passengers behind them be damned. This was his husband, and he didn’t need to gamble to know he’d hit the jackpot.” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)