Connection Error by Annabeth Albert

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?

Book Three of the #gaymers series

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you're looking for with an HEA/HFN. It's a promise! Find out more at CarinaPress.com/RomancePromise.

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is the story of a chance meeting between two very different men on a plane. The connection between game designer Josiah and injured Navy SEAL Ryan is unlikely, improbable, and initially very awkward, but I really loved this couple by the end.

Josiah is intelligent, socially awkward and battling ADHD. He is a slightly stereotypical computer geek who lives with his mum and struggles with relationships. Ryan is a double amputee recovering after an explosion. This is much darker than other stories I’ve read by this author as Ryan’s slow, painful rehabilitation is captured with sensitivity and sometimes harsh realism. Both characters are well crafted and I came to care for them both.

Much of the developing relationship between Josiah and Ryan is carried out long distance through text and e-mail. There were times that this made the pace of the story alternately drag and jump, but writing back and forth does add a hint of a more classic love story to this very modern romance. I really enjoyed the slow building romance in this story.

There are some very moving scenes that made me want to award five stars, but I felt the ending let the story down slightly, leaping forward without offering an entirely clear resolution. Ultimately, I really enjoyed this more serious addition to a great series.


Erica – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 – 4 Stars.

I'm a huge fan of gamer geeks and Annabeth Albert's #gaymers series. Added on top of those things were the disabled military man, a guy with ADHD, slow-burn, realistic romance, and a puppy. A recipe for a heartwarming, engaging read.

Overall, I enjoyed Josiah & Ryan, found them realistically written and resonating, but felt an added level of development was missing. But with the romance on the forefront, that was understandable as it wasn't about the dark and gritty details.

HUGE fan of slow-burn, friends-to-lovers, but the pacing on Connection Error was a bit too slow for me without an added level of angst. Low on the angst, and I know a large readership who will appreciate that fact.

I was eagerly anticipating this installment, yet it took me the better part of three days to read the short novel, when previous installments were devoured in one sitting. Perhaps I was channeling Josiah and was unable to focus and concentrate. Wasn't Ms. Albert's story – it was me.

All issues I had with the novel are on a personal level, not with the writing style or premise. It was just too slow for me, for once, with the slow-burn, with too many repetitious emails back and forth, visits back and forth, even though they lent to the believability factor. Just a matter of taste.

Gamer level: low. Book one had the most, with book two finding the perfect level (for me). But other than mentions of work or saying they're playing, the gaming was light for a series about gaymes (gay gamers).

Overall, I was entertained, and am looking forward to the next in the series.


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
As a parent of a child with ADHD I loved Josiah. We get to see the challenges having ADHD adds to his life, but we also get to see how it actually helps him. His lack of social graces definitely works in his favour at times.

Our other hero is actually a hero. Injured Navy SEAL Ryan doesn't seem like a likely match for Josiah, but their love of gaming starts a friendship that builds into more. Watching Ryan come to terms with life after his injury is really hard.

This is a great romance and has some very sexy moments. And I have to say naked Twister gets the thumbs up.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third in the series – and whilst about a different couple, there are revisits to the other pairings and anyway, these are really good stories – so do read them all!

Ms. Albert does thoughtful, emotional, and intense really well. She also gets right inside the head of a tech person (or how I imagine they are in their head) and gives us characters that I believe I would recognise in the street. Josiah is certainly not who you would immediately pair with Ryan – even Josiah AND Ryan are sure of that – but as they get to know each other and move into a definite friend-zone, we can at least start to hope. The level of detail of Ryan's rehabilitation was humbling to read, and beautifully done.

I highly recommend this book and the series. Thank you Ms. Albert for another great read.

Also Available in the #gaymers Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Status Update Blog Tour.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Beta Test post.

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter.  In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.

Represented by Saritza Hernandez of the Corvisiero Literary Agency

Connect with Annabeth

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
FB Fan Group  ~  Google+  ~  Tumblr

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Connection Error (#gaymers #3) by Annabeth Albert to read and review.