Level Up: #Gaymers Book 4, Annabeth Albert

Sweet, awkward, difficult, endearing.  Both Bailey and Landon are made for one another but their future will only happen if they can find it in themselves to take a risk, face their fear, and just be together.

Sometimes is as simple as that.  Other times it's not.  Landon has a heap of baggage keeping him from moving forward with Bailey.  Well, with anyone really.  When his assumptions about who Bailey is are proven false he's immediately on the defensive.  But it's not really because he's disappointed or upset, it's more because his body and head are now at war.  His baggage is what he has to battle to give in to the promise of love with a good man.

Bailey is eager to meet Landon.  In getting to know one another through emails he's more than just attracted to him.  Their first meeting is a bit of a struggle.  Posing nude for a calendar and realizing that the man you're crushing on was expecting a woman...not exactly a recipe for a successful relationship.  But if he's patient, he just might find the love of a lifetime.

They both have what the other person needs.  I loved Landon's bumbling apology and explanation of why he did what he did as well as why they could and should be together.  He used both geek-speak and heartfelt explanations to describe all the why's.  Seeing his heart laid bare after seeing just how amazing their chemistry is you can't not root for them.

The evolution of the relationship played out well in the length of the story with most of the exposition being adequately covered and were well-placed and concisely described.  Both men were likable and together they were both sweetly-awkward and passionate.  I loved that there wasn't a "magically cured" moment, it was a much more real, accessible, and believable story because of the lack of one.  This was a short story so there isn't a lot of drawn out angsting or reconciliation but it's no less moving than if it had had another 20,000 words or more.  Absolutely enjoyable.

$2.99 on Amazon!