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True Colors #1
Conventionally Yours
When two "big name fans" go head-to-head at a convention, love isn't the only thing at stake.
Charming, charismatic, and effortlessly popular, Conrad Stewart seems to have it all…but in reality, he's scrambling to keep his life from tumbling out of control.
Brilliant, guarded, and endlessly driven, Alden Roth may as well be the poster boy for perfection…but even he can't help but feel a little broken inside.
When these mortal enemies are stuck together on a cross-country road trip to the biggest fan convention of their lives, their infamous rivalry takes a backseat as an unexpected connection is forged. Yet each has a reason why they have to win the upcoming Odyssey gaming tournament and neither is willing to let emotion get in the way—even if it means giving up their one chance at something truly magical.
Charming, charismatic, and effortlessly popular, Conrad Stewart seems to have it all…but in reality, he's scrambling to keep his life from tumbling out of control.
Brilliant, guarded, and endlessly driven, Alden Roth may as well be the poster boy for perfection…but even he can't help but feel a little broken inside.
When these mortal enemies are stuck together on a cross-country road trip to the biggest fan convention of their lives, their infamous rivalry takes a backseat as an unexpected connection is forged. Yet each has a reason why they have to win the upcoming Odyssey gaming tournament and neither is willing to let emotion get in the way—even if it means giving up their one chance at something truly magical.
389 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2020
1,314 people are currently reading
25.7k people want to read
About the author
Annabeth Albert
108books3,650followersFrequent tweeter, professional grammar nerd, and obsessive reader, Annabeth Albert is also a Pacific Northwest romance writer in a variety of subgenres.
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,381 reviews
July 19, 2022
Well, after reading the author’s previous steamy military romances and seeing this gorgeous cover, it was reasonable thing to push the request button for reading this ARC! But I think, I’m the wrong reader who found herself in the wrong story and at the wrong time.
The games have never been my passion or my hobby and unfortunately the book’s main focus is game convention which made me feel like I was reading a book in different language and I got lost in terminology. So I finally gave up!
I liked LGBT representation and Alden and Conrad are individually likable characters. Both I’m not so sure I enjoy the chemistry between them. (I waited to read something more sizzling, hot, tempting, sexy, sparks flying around kind of connection!)
I always enjoy reading frenemies and road trip stories so the ingredients were perfect but amount of them to for a tempting story was not right for my taste. At some parts I found the characters� actions and behaviors childish, immature and there were so much teenage angst for me to endure. Of course the pace was too slow for me which resulted with my suffocation. At some parts I yawned too much and I wanted to scream and pray that road trip would end sooner.
Overall: It was still sweet, enjoyable story with good characterization and romance parts, gaming terminology and slow paced writing made me lose my interest so I’m giving solid three stars. I still love this author’s works and I truly understand her motivation to try something different. But unfortunately this story didn’t fit with my expectations.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for sharing this ARC with me in exchange my honest review.
The games have never been my passion or my hobby and unfortunately the book’s main focus is game convention which made me feel like I was reading a book in different language and I got lost in terminology. So I finally gave up!
I liked LGBT representation and Alden and Conrad are individually likable characters. Both I’m not so sure I enjoy the chemistry between them. (I waited to read something more sizzling, hot, tempting, sexy, sparks flying around kind of connection!)
I always enjoy reading frenemies and road trip stories so the ingredients were perfect but amount of them to for a tempting story was not right for my taste. At some parts I found the characters� actions and behaviors childish, immature and there were so much teenage angst for me to endure. Of course the pace was too slow for me which resulted with my suffocation. At some parts I yawned too much and I wanted to scream and pray that road trip would end sooner.
Overall: It was still sweet, enjoyable story with good characterization and romance parts, gaming terminology and slow paced writing made me lose my interest so I’m giving solid three stars. I still love this author’s works and I truly understand her motivation to try something different. But unfortunately this story didn’t fit with my expectations.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for sharing this ARC with me in exchange my honest review.
April 10, 2020
I enjoyed this gamer-geek, new adult read from , even though I've read more compelling books from her in the past. is a bit different from what I've previously read from Annabeth Albert, but I think it will please many fans of hers, especially those who like her #gaymers series.
Truthfully, I much prefer the tension and faster pace of her military romances, but this story had a lot to like. I enjoyed the diversity of , and I'm always excited to get a Jewish MC (even though I wish Jewish characters were shown to be good at cooking things other than latkas, but that's neither here nor there). I know this is a little been there, done that but the stereotype of the pushy, overachieving Jewish parents is a real thing, and I enjoyed seeing Jewish characters I identified with here. Plus, we get a neuro-diverse MC, which I absolutely love in romance.
I know literally nothing about gaming, and I think it might help if you are at least interested in gaming to keep you engaged in this story. The plot is pretty focused on the actual act of gaming, and I found those parts to be a little... boring. It isn't my thing, so maybe it would help if it was your thing, though I don't think it's a requirement to enjoy this story.
Also, I think this is the first new adult book I've read from this author, and I have to say, I missed the heat from her previous books. It isn't fade-to-black, but it's very tame, especially from Annabeth Albert. Perhaps that reflects the younger age of the characters or the more mainstream publisher or just the author's mood, but it's something readers might want to know going into the story.
I found the enemies-to-lovers plotline to be very fun (as it always it), plus we get one of my favorite plot devices ( There is only one bed in the hotel room! ), which is always a winner for me.
The romance itself was just okay, and I wish I felt more sparks between them. I'm not sure if it's because the middle of the book felt very draggy (just a looooong time road-tripping), but the romance and tension between the two MCs wasn't at the level that I was expecting.
A solid new adult romance for those who enjoy gaming and Annabeth Albert, though I don't think this series is exactly my speed. I'm excited for this author to have a mainstream publisher and I can't wait to see where her career goes next.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|||
Truthfully, I much prefer the tension and faster pace of her military romances, but this story had a lot to like. I enjoyed the diversity of , and I'm always excited to get a Jewish MC (even though I wish Jewish characters were shown to be good at cooking things other than latkas, but that's neither here nor there). I know this is a little been there, done that but the stereotype of the pushy, overachieving Jewish parents is a real thing, and I enjoyed seeing Jewish characters I identified with here. Plus, we get a neuro-diverse MC, which I absolutely love in romance.
I know literally nothing about gaming, and I think it might help if you are at least interested in gaming to keep you engaged in this story. The plot is pretty focused on the actual act of gaming, and I found those parts to be a little... boring. It isn't my thing, so maybe it would help if it was your thing, though I don't think it's a requirement to enjoy this story.
Also, I think this is the first new adult book I've read from this author, and I have to say, I missed the heat from her previous books. It isn't fade-to-black, but it's very tame, especially from Annabeth Albert. Perhaps that reflects the younger age of the characters or the more mainstream publisher or just the author's mood, but it's something readers might want to know going into the story.
I found the enemies-to-lovers plotline to be very fun (as it always it), plus we get one of my favorite plot devices ( There is only one bed in the hotel room! ), which is always a winner for me.
The romance itself was just okay, and I wish I felt more sparks between them. I'm not sure if it's because the middle of the book felt very draggy (just a looooong time road-tripping), but the romance and tension between the two MCs wasn't at the level that I was expecting.
A solid new adult romance for those who enjoy gaming and Annabeth Albert, though I don't think this series is exactly my speed. I'm excited for this author to have a mainstream publisher and I can't wait to see where her career goes next.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|||
June 29, 2021
If you have ever thought I'm not an optimist, you're wrong.
What could be more optimistic than continually picking up books in the hopes I have completely transformed, changing into a person who instead of being difficult and picky and annoying is suddenly sunshiney and just Enjoys Things?
But alas - it has not worked yet.
I wish I liked this!
There were cute parts of it - I liked the illustrations?
Oh god why can't I think of anything else I liked.
I wanted to like the characters, and the romance, but it just didn't click. I had a hard time getting through this because no part of it really grabbed me. I feel like these characters hated each other for a reason, and then liked / loved each other for no reason. Which is truly the opposite of what I want from my precious enemies to lovers trope.
It was also not the fluffy read I expected, which doesn't typically bug me, but seriously what is it with all of these books with rom-com-y covers and rom-com-y titles and rom-com-y synopses being full of darkness and tragic backstories and Coming Of Age?
Another day of gremlinhood it is, I guess.
Bottom line: I don't want to be a grump! It's just who I am.
--------------
pre-review
it turns out i have forgotten how to pick books i'll like.
review to come / 2ish
--------------
tbr review
well. it's not a great pun, but it is a title with a pun.
and i am firm in my reading-books-with-punny-titles policy.
--------------
reading all books with LGBTQ+ rep for pride this month!
book 1: the gravity of us
book 2: the great american whatever
book 3: wild beauty
book 4: the affair of the mysterious letter
book 5: how we fight for our lives
book 6: blue lily, lily blue
book 7: the times i knew i was gay
book 8: conventionally yours
What could be more optimistic than continually picking up books in the hopes I have completely transformed, changing into a person who instead of being difficult and picky and annoying is suddenly sunshiney and just Enjoys Things?
But alas - it has not worked yet.
I wish I liked this!
There were cute parts of it - I liked the illustrations?
Oh god why can't I think of anything else I liked.
I wanted to like the characters, and the romance, but it just didn't click. I had a hard time getting through this because no part of it really grabbed me. I feel like these characters hated each other for a reason, and then liked / loved each other for no reason. Which is truly the opposite of what I want from my precious enemies to lovers trope.
It was also not the fluffy read I expected, which doesn't typically bug me, but seriously what is it with all of these books with rom-com-y covers and rom-com-y titles and rom-com-y synopses being full of darkness and tragic backstories and Coming Of Age?
Another day of gremlinhood it is, I guess.
Bottom line: I don't want to be a grump! It's just who I am.
--------------
pre-review
it turns out i have forgotten how to pick books i'll like.
review to come / 2ish
--------------
tbr review
well. it's not a great pun, but it is a title with a pun.
and i am firm in my reading-books-with-punny-titles policy.
--------------
reading all books with LGBTQ+ rep for pride this month!
book 1: the gravity of us
book 2: the great american whatever
book 3: wild beauty
book 4: the affair of the mysterious letter
book 5: how we fight for our lives
book 6: blue lily, lily blue
book 7: the times i knew i was gay
book 8: conventionally yours
July 15, 2020
4.5 stars.
Okay, so I thought Conventionally Yours , Annabeth Albert's new book, was utterly adorable!
Conrad and Alden play in an LGBTQ gaming group, but they’re definitely not friends. Conrad’s casual, cocky, trash-talking style drives Alden crazy, while Alden’s constant need for perfection and order gets on Conrad’s last nerve. But their outward appearances belie the multiple personal issues each are dealing with.
When they hear about a fan convention in Las Vegas that features a gaming tournament which would offer the winner a chance to join the pro circuit, it’s an opportunity both want to take. They reluctantly agree to a cross-country road trip with their fellow group members, even though both are driven crazy by the other’s presence.
This is a rom-com, of course, so the road trip serves as the opportunity for them to realize how different they are from what they perceived of each other. As their connection grows, however, they face one major challenge: both desperately want to win this tournament and a chance to change their life. But if one of them walks away victorious, will it kill any chance of something happening between them? Do you try to win or let the other person win instead?
I enjoyed this book so much. I loved the fact that the characters� sexuality and gender were mentioned in a matter-of-fact way, as were the other issues the characters dealt with. Sure, you know what’s going to happen for the most part, but watching the relationship develop in a rom-com and preparing yourself for the pitfalls you know the couple will face is part of the book’s appeal.
I’m excited that Annabeth Albert has a second book planned featuring a supporting character in this book. I’m looking forward to enjoying these characters and her charming storytelling once again!!
Another excellent book for my month-long Pride Reads effort!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at .
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at .
See all of my reviews at .
Follow me on Instagram at .
Okay, so I thought Conventionally Yours , Annabeth Albert's new book, was utterly adorable!
Conrad and Alden play in an LGBTQ gaming group, but they’re definitely not friends. Conrad’s casual, cocky, trash-talking style drives Alden crazy, while Alden’s constant need for perfection and order gets on Conrad’s last nerve. But their outward appearances belie the multiple personal issues each are dealing with.
When they hear about a fan convention in Las Vegas that features a gaming tournament which would offer the winner a chance to join the pro circuit, it’s an opportunity both want to take. They reluctantly agree to a cross-country road trip with their fellow group members, even though both are driven crazy by the other’s presence.
This is a rom-com, of course, so the road trip serves as the opportunity for them to realize how different they are from what they perceived of each other. As their connection grows, however, they face one major challenge: both desperately want to win this tournament and a chance to change their life. But if one of them walks away victorious, will it kill any chance of something happening between them? Do you try to win or let the other person win instead?
I enjoyed this book so much. I loved the fact that the characters� sexuality and gender were mentioned in a matter-of-fact way, as were the other issues the characters dealt with. Sure, you know what’s going to happen for the most part, but watching the relationship develop in a rom-com and preparing yourself for the pitfalls you know the couple will face is part of the book’s appeal.
I’m excited that Annabeth Albert has a second book planned featuring a supporting character in this book. I’m looking forward to enjoying these characters and her charming storytelling once again!!
Another excellent book for my month-long Pride Reads effort!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at .
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at .
See all of my reviews at .
Follow me on Instagram at .
February 10, 2021
If I had to describe this book with one word, it would be "nice".
Both Conrad and Alden are likable characters. I liked that I could really feel how much they disliked each other in the beginning, unlike some other books where the main characters are "enemies" only on paper. It felt believable here, but it was never too much.
I also enjoyed how naturally and gradually their relationship developed from acceptance to friends to something more and how it helped them with the issues they were dealing with.
Some things that happen throughout the story are too convenient and my investment in the story fizzled out a bit in the last few chapters, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
The audiobook was ok. I enjoyed Kirt Graves's narration, even though he made the characters sound older, but I struggled with Joel Froomkin's narration in this one.
Both Conrad and Alden are likable characters. I liked that I could really feel how much they disliked each other in the beginning, unlike some other books where the main characters are "enemies" only on paper. It felt believable here, but it was never too much.
I also enjoyed how naturally and gradually their relationship developed from acceptance to friends to something more and how it helped them with the issues they were dealing with.
Some things that happen throughout the story are too convenient and my investment in the story fizzled out a bit in the last few chapters, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
The audiobook was ok. I enjoyed Kirt Graves's narration, even though he made the characters sound older, but I struggled with Joel Froomkin's narration in this one.
June 20, 2021
Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert
Contemporary romance. M-M. Enemies to lovers troupe. Alternate chapters POV.
I expected the whole to be at a convention but this story starts much earlier with friends playing games together where they live and their lives changing as they travel together to Vegas and the ultimate convention for the gamers.
The friendship grows as their time on the road continues. Each allows a bit more of themselves and their situations to be shared. They deal with past hurts and uncertain futures and what will get them through today. The card games they play and the people they meet along the way is a bit of a metaphor for their lives. That’s stretching for me because as a general rule I don’t read beneath the surface.
The book has surprising depth as Conrad realizes, or at least acknowledges his pain and anger at his father and mother’s rejection of him.
Surprising for me, I loved their growth, their realizations and healing.
Not surprisingly, I also loved the HEA. Because romance is my jam. I will give a warning that this book is very heavy on gaming strategy but don’t let that get in the way of the relationships or romance.
🎧I listened to an audiobook version which was done by two narrators from the different POV’s. There voices were similar but just different enough to tell which character was up. They both did a good job with tension and other emotional stress.
I purchased the version I listened to but I do have to thank the publisher for a paperback copy a few years ago that I just never had time to read. Good romance read @Sourcebooks and @DreamscapeMedia.
Contemporary romance. M-M. Enemies to lovers troupe. Alternate chapters POV.
I expected the whole to be at a convention but this story starts much earlier with friends playing games together where they live and their lives changing as they travel together to Vegas and the ultimate convention for the gamers.
The friendship grows as their time on the road continues. Each allows a bit more of themselves and their situations to be shared. They deal with past hurts and uncertain futures and what will get them through today. The card games they play and the people they meet along the way is a bit of a metaphor for their lives. That’s stretching for me because as a general rule I don’t read beneath the surface.
The book has surprising depth as Conrad realizes, or at least acknowledges his pain and anger at his father and mother’s rejection of him.
Surprising for me, I loved their growth, their realizations and healing.
Not surprisingly, I also loved the HEA. Because romance is my jam. I will give a warning that this book is very heavy on gaming strategy but don’t let that get in the way of the relationships or romance.
🎧I listened to an audiobook version which was done by two narrators from the different POV’s. There voices were similar but just different enough to tell which character was up. They both did a good job with tension and other emotional stress.
I purchased the version I listened to but I do have to thank the publisher for a paperback copy a few years ago that I just never had time to read. Good romance read @Sourcebooks and @DreamscapeMedia.
April 11, 2021
I think CONVENTIONALLY YOURS failed to win me over because this feels like something I've read before, not just in general but by this author, and yet done not quite as well. In general this does follow some fairly typical tropes and meanders in a familiar direction, though maybe without the specific diverse leanings, and when mixed with a fairly lukewarm connection, and very little heat (which, considering Albert's other series, definitely surprised me), I'm just left a little.. whelmed (not under, not over, just..).
I think if you're new to queer romance, or maybe haven't read some of Albert’s grittier or hotter romances, this might be a great entry level read into the genre. Or if you just prefer to mix things up every now and then with something a little softer, this would be a great choice for that. Personally, I would just rather have reread STATUS UPDATE, for the road trip content, and also STATUS UPDATE for the opposites attract, but maybe book one in Albert's #gaymers series wouldn't satisfy those readers looking for as much nerd/gamer content as this one had. Because there was a lot.
So this obviously won’t be a favourite from this author for me, but I think it’ll satisfy a lot of readers, fans or not.
2.5 stars
** I received an ARC from Edelweiss and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at .
I think if you're new to queer romance, or maybe haven't read some of Albert’s grittier or hotter romances, this might be a great entry level read into the genre. Or if you just prefer to mix things up every now and then with something a little softer, this would be a great choice for that. Personally, I would just rather have reread STATUS UPDATE, for the road trip content, and also STATUS UPDATE for the opposites attract, but maybe book one in Albert's #gaymers series wouldn't satisfy those readers looking for as much nerd/gamer content as this one had. Because there was a lot.
So this obviously won’t be a favourite from this author for me, but I think it’ll satisfy a lot of readers, fans or not.
2.5 stars
** I received an ARC from Edelweiss and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at .
October 13, 2024
This was a book 🤷🏻♀�
I quite liked it but if DnD or Baldurs gate or comic conventions and card games ain’t your thing in real life, I don’t think this book would be all that enjoyable?
Sure the romance element is fine, but I don’t think it would be enough to keep you interested in the rest of the story.
Most of this book is a road trip and bickering that’s kinda dumb for a 23 and a over 23 year old (I forget his age) to be doing before realising they just judged each other unfairly for years and actually wanna kiss on the mouf.
But I didn’t hate it?
✨It was a book�
I quite liked it but if DnD or Baldurs gate or comic conventions and card games ain’t your thing in real life, I don’t think this book would be all that enjoyable?
Sure the romance element is fine, but I don’t think it would be enough to keep you interested in the rest of the story.
Most of this book is a road trip and bickering that’s kinda dumb for a 23 and a over 23 year old (I forget his age) to be doing before realising they just judged each other unfairly for years and actually wanna kiss on the mouf.
But I didn’t hate it?
✨It was a book�
August 29, 2020
This was cute, but ultimately fell flat for me. I really appreciated how Conrad and Alden are both people who are going through extremely different things in their lives that no one on the outside really understands. Conrad was thrown out by his family after they learned he was gay and Alden deals with severe anxiety and pressure from his parents. When it came to the romance, though, it was just okay to me. I didn't feel a lot of connection between them and it seemed to drag as the road trip lasted on and on and on.
In the end, I didn't really feel like a lot really happened in this story. It was cute and fun, but nothing really captivated my attention or made me fall in love with this story.
In the end, I didn't really feel like a lot really happened in this story. It was cute and fun, but nothing really captivated my attention or made me fall in love with this story.
June 17, 2020
I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a book less this year.
When I read the first thirty percent of the book I was bored and skeptical that I was going to enjoy the book, but I was fairly confident that I’d be able to give it an average rating. At that point I hadn’t actually found anything that was actually upsetting I just found both POV characters to be a little boring and not people I was invested in. That said, I did initially enjoy the group dynamic that the book set up at the game shop.
Then Albert systematically eliminated every potential side character in the most comedic of ways and left me alone for the bulk of the book with these two characters.
To me it never read like either of the characters really grew from their experience being together, it was reall more like at some point you have to just get over that this is the person that you’re stuck with for the week and get over it. I never felt the chemistry between them and I really only wanted them to bone so that perhaps something exciting might happen.
A lot of the complaints I had about the book are rather petty, so I won’t spend time on them here. And I will take time to recognize that Conrad didn’t map the trip, but the idea that this man was so bent on not seeing his relatives in Kansas and still signed on for a trek through the state when alternate routes were certainly available was a choice, as was visiting Denver when the book talks about how he had bad experiences with his asthma there as a child and yet was still caught off guard.
All of the things that popped up to inconvenience the characters of this story felt incorporated in such an obvious way that robbed them of feeling like a moment that I could actually enjoy.
The most glaringly bad thing about the book was the voice. It read so young for something with protagonists as old as they were. I can respect a chaste romance, and I can respect not having lots of graphic sex scenes, but this book needed something. It constantly felt like the narrative was talking down to the reader, as though it was trying to market to a teen audience the boring love story of two men in their mid twenties, it was just not something that worked. Then to make things worse the final three chapters almost definitely felt tacked on, from the weirdly constructed fade to black sex scene to the odd time skip to the fact that this is mareketed on ŷ as the first in a series when the book goes out of its way to not include any kind of meaningful side characters and sitting through more of Conrad and Alden’s sotry is the last thing I’d want to do.
When I read the first thirty percent of the book I was bored and skeptical that I was going to enjoy the book, but I was fairly confident that I’d be able to give it an average rating. At that point I hadn’t actually found anything that was actually upsetting I just found both POV characters to be a little boring and not people I was invested in. That said, I did initially enjoy the group dynamic that the book set up at the game shop.
Then Albert systematically eliminated every potential side character in the most comedic of ways and left me alone for the bulk of the book with these two characters.
To me it never read like either of the characters really grew from their experience being together, it was reall more like at some point you have to just get over that this is the person that you’re stuck with for the week and get over it. I never felt the chemistry between them and I really only wanted them to bone so that perhaps something exciting might happen.
A lot of the complaints I had about the book are rather petty, so I won’t spend time on them here. And I will take time to recognize that Conrad didn’t map the trip, but the idea that this man was so bent on not seeing his relatives in Kansas and still signed on for a trek through the state when alternate routes were certainly available was a choice, as was visiting Denver when the book talks about how he had bad experiences with his asthma there as a child and yet was still caught off guard.
All of the things that popped up to inconvenience the characters of this story felt incorporated in such an obvious way that robbed them of feeling like a moment that I could actually enjoy.
The most glaringly bad thing about the book was the voice. It read so young for something with protagonists as old as they were. I can respect a chaste romance, and I can respect not having lots of graphic sex scenes, but this book needed something. It constantly felt like the narrative was talking down to the reader, as though it was trying to market to a teen audience the boring love story of two men in their mid twenties, it was just not something that worked. Then to make things worse the final three chapters almost definitely felt tacked on, from the weirdly constructed fade to black sex scene to the odd time skip to the fact that this is mareketed on ŷ as the first in a series when the book goes out of its way to not include any kind of meaningful side characters and sitting through more of Conrad and Alden’s sotry is the last thing I’d want to do.
March 9, 2021
I'm obsessed with this book. is my favourite book for sure!
I used to be really into trading card games, but my friends were never into it so I'd eventually stop playing. So this book took me by surprise when I realiesd it was about a card game! It made me want to play them again; Online ones are probably the way to go for now with Covid.
Conrad and Alden are both a part of a group that plays and creates content for a popular card game called Odyssey. However they don't see eye-to-eye with one another. Setting up the enemies part of the enemies-to-lovers that we all love so much.
Professor Tuttle owns they game store they meet at, along with the blog "Gamer Grandpa", that they create content for. Tuttle manages to score tickets to a massive Odyssey convention, and plans a roadtrip to Las Vegas.
Unfortunate circumstances lead to Conrad and Alden being the only ones taking the car out west. Lucky for us, this sets in motion an awesome roadtrip where there bickering eventually leads to a deeper connection. Their relationship blossoming on as the trip progresses.
This book was great on all accounts. The diverse characters, the roadtrip accross America, the convention and tournament itself, and the relationships were so well fleshed out.
Looks like everyone in the group will get their own book :D
I used to be really into trading card games, but my friends were never into it so I'd eventually stop playing. So this book took me by surprise when I realiesd it was about a card game! It made me want to play them again; Online ones are probably the way to go for now with Covid.
Conrad and Alden are both a part of a group that plays and creates content for a popular card game called Odyssey. However they don't see eye-to-eye with one another. Setting up the enemies part of the enemies-to-lovers that we all love so much.
Professor Tuttle owns they game store they meet at, along with the blog "Gamer Grandpa", that they create content for. Tuttle manages to score tickets to a massive Odyssey convention, and plans a roadtrip to Las Vegas.
Unfortunate circumstances lead to Conrad and Alden being the only ones taking the car out west. Lucky for us, this sets in motion an awesome roadtrip where there bickering eventually leads to a deeper connection. Their relationship blossoming on as the trip progresses.
This book was great on all accounts. The diverse characters, the roadtrip accross America, the convention and tournament itself, and the relationships were so well fleshed out.
Looks like everyone in the group will get their own book :D
May 19, 2020
This was so nerdy and adorable 💜
I LOVE a good rivals to lovers and Conventionally Yours is *chef's kiss* for this genre.
We follow the story of Conrad (the sporty likable dude that is full of charisma but has a lot more going on under the surface) and Alden (on the outside the grumpy one with the perfect life, but actually a guy that suffers from anxiety and has so many layers).
They both fell in love with a tabletop card game called Odyssey (probably inspired by Magic the Gathering) and they are heavily featured on a streaming channel called Gamer Grandpa. When both Conrad and Alden are in a crossroads in their life, they get the opportunity to go to MOC West, one of the largest Odyssey Cons, and compete in the Pro Tournaments.
To get to LA from NYC they embark on a road trip, driving through the midwest and visiting small gamer shops, while finally breaking their rivalry and finding a lot more about each other.
That set up is golden the road trip element + all the Odyssey world-building gives you a delightful story, that is so sweet and funny. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew these characters, and I wanted to be friends and sit down for a game with them.
And yes, this is such a cute and swoony romance. I did have a minor issue with pacing, some parts were very repetitive and contrived. But it didn't affect the overall story, which I definitely recommend.
Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for approving me for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVE a good rivals to lovers and Conventionally Yours is *chef's kiss* for this genre.
We follow the story of Conrad (the sporty likable dude that is full of charisma but has a lot more going on under the surface) and Alden (on the outside the grumpy one with the perfect life, but actually a guy that suffers from anxiety and has so many layers).
They both fell in love with a tabletop card game called Odyssey (probably inspired by Magic the Gathering) and they are heavily featured on a streaming channel called Gamer Grandpa. When both Conrad and Alden are in a crossroads in their life, they get the opportunity to go to MOC West, one of the largest Odyssey Cons, and compete in the Pro Tournaments.
To get to LA from NYC they embark on a road trip, driving through the midwest and visiting small gamer shops, while finally breaking their rivalry and finding a lot more about each other.
That set up is golden the road trip element + all the Odyssey world-building gives you a delightful story, that is so sweet and funny. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew these characters, and I wanted to be friends and sit down for a game with them.
And yes, this is such a cute and swoony romance. I did have a minor issue with pacing, some parts were very repetitive and contrived. But it didn't affect the overall story, which I definitely recommend.
Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for approving me for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2022
"Life has a way of screwing people over regardless, so you might as well find fun where you can."
°�*⁶�
This was a very sweet little book.
It definitely took a while for me to get into it, but once I did I was sunk. Conrad and Alden were unlikely friends and even more unlikely loves, but on a roadtrip both needed to partake in to make a much needed change in their lives, they realized that maybe that wasn't so true. In conversation, they realized just how similar their lives really were. It's always sort of ironic that the person you dislike the most ends up being the one person who understands you best. And Conrad and Alden are not the exception to that.
I loved joining them on their gaming journey. I loved watching them fall in love. I love that the more explicit scenes didn't take away from the plot, but added to it. And I loved the art provided more than almost anything else.
It seems I have two new boys whose love I love more than anything. Especially because the angry outburst that happens at the end of every romance book is calmly talked through like real people tend to do and fictional people don't. I really liked this story & and am so excited to find out what Jasper gets up to after he leaves at the start.
- Paige
°�*⁶�
This was a very sweet little book.
It definitely took a while for me to get into it, but once I did I was sunk. Conrad and Alden were unlikely friends and even more unlikely loves, but on a roadtrip both needed to partake in to make a much needed change in their lives, they realized that maybe that wasn't so true. In conversation, they realized just how similar their lives really were. It's always sort of ironic that the person you dislike the most ends up being the one person who understands you best. And Conrad and Alden are not the exception to that.
I loved joining them on their gaming journey. I loved watching them fall in love. I love that the more explicit scenes didn't take away from the plot, but added to it. And I loved the art provided more than almost anything else.
It seems I have two new boys whose love I love more than anything. Especially because the angry outburst that happens at the end of every romance book is calmly talked through like real people tend to do and fictional people don't. I really liked this story & and am so excited to find out what Jasper gets up to after he leaves at the start.
- Paige
March 30, 2022
PEARL RULED @ 19%
I'm almost 20% in and I actively dread opening this book. I hate admitting to it but there's just too much of a gap between 22 and 62 for me to care about bridging.
Your mileage may vary. The angst that is sending convulsive shudders down my abdomen may strike just the right chord for you. If you read a lot of YA, it's that but college boys. Driving their my-age professor's 1999 Town Car. By themselves. From New Jersey to Las Vegas. I will actually die of annoyed boredom before they make it into the sack together.
Stop smirking. I am *not* being an old drama queen.
I'm almost 20% in and I actively dread opening this book. I hate admitting to it but there's just too much of a gap between 22 and 62 for me to care about bridging.
Your mileage may vary. The angst that is sending convulsive shudders down my abdomen may strike just the right chord for you. If you read a lot of YA, it's that but college boys. Driving their my-age professor's 1999 Town Car. By themselves. From New Jersey to Las Vegas. I will actually die of annoyed boredom before they make it into the sack together.
Stop smirking. I am *not* being an old drama queen.
July 24, 2020
Star Rating: �&; 4.5 Stars
Ahhh this was SO good! I love a great enemies-to-lovers, slow burn romance!
I may have cried a few times too ☺️❤️😉
RTC
Ahhh this was SO good! I love a great enemies-to-lovers, slow burn romance!
I may have cried a few times too ☺️❤️😉
RTC
June 13, 2020
But for all the unsaid words exchanged, I couldn’t guarantee our story would be one with a happy ending.
Dual POV, third person, New Adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers romance with some angst, miscommunication, but, not to worry, a very happy ending.
I wish the things that happened off page had been fleshed out more (including the love scenes). To be honest, I loved Albert's #Gaymers series (start with , it's awesome), and was hoping this would be more in that vein, but it's more new adult angsty and less humorous. I would recommend this to those who enjoy card role playing games and a sprinkling of angst before they make it to the happy ending.
2.5 stars
Advanced Review Galley copy of provided by Sourcebook Stores via in exchange of an honest review.
July 22, 2021
I think it’s me and not the book but I DNF at 80%. I really really liked Alden and Conrad. They were cute and sweet, and their enemies to lovers thing was fun and believable. I loved how different they were, and how they connected. And you know I love a good virgin story.
But. So much gaming. OMG. I didn’t realize it would be like that and it’s boring me out of my mind. If you’re into gaming, it will work much better for you. But I can’t take it anymore. Kill me.
But. So much gaming. OMG. I didn’t realize it would be like that and it’s boring me out of my mind. If you’re into gaming, it will work much better for you. But I can’t take it anymore. Kill me.
April 7, 2020
OMG. I just finished this book and it left me with a thousand butterflies in my belly.
So!
This is the latest book from Annabeth Albert featuring a enemies to lovers slow-burn romance that will make you scream with how cute it is!
First we have Conrad, one of our boys and part of this group playing Odyssey cards under Professor Tuttle, alias Gamer Grandpa. Conrad has had a horrible year, he seems to have dropped out of university, he's having problems at work and on top of that, it appears that he will be soon out of a home. Everything will probably change if he just can win this Odyssey tournament that Professor Tuttle has got them tickets for... if only he didn't have to drive for days with his archenemy.
Alden is our seemingly perfect, follow-the-rules boy. Even if his life looks like a dream from the outside, he's struggling with tremendous anxiety and trying to make his moms understand that he's not something that needs fixing. When Professor Tuttle says the group has a shot at winning the Odyssey tournament and that the winner will have the opportunity of going pro, he know all of his woes will finally end. If only he didn't have to deal with Conrad and focus on the game...
So out two boys end up going on a field trip of sorts, where all kind of clichés happen. Including the "OMG, THERE´S ONLY ONE BED AND TWO OF US" that I adore so much.
I was very happy when the author granted my wish. I love Annabeth Albert's books and this one is no different. The characters felt like real people and not this image of perfect boys that are so common in books lately. The problems were very relatable and the whole story just had a spark that made me want to read more and more. I would not be angry if Annabeth continued writing about these boys.
Overall, I really loved the story and I can't wait for it to be published! I would love if it was translated into Spanish, my native language.
So!
This is the latest book from Annabeth Albert featuring a enemies to lovers slow-burn romance that will make you scream with how cute it is!
First we have Conrad, one of our boys and part of this group playing Odyssey cards under Professor Tuttle, alias Gamer Grandpa. Conrad has had a horrible year, he seems to have dropped out of university, he's having problems at work and on top of that, it appears that he will be soon out of a home. Everything will probably change if he just can win this Odyssey tournament that Professor Tuttle has got them tickets for... if only he didn't have to drive for days with his archenemy.
Alden is our seemingly perfect, follow-the-rules boy. Even if his life looks like a dream from the outside, he's struggling with tremendous anxiety and trying to make his moms understand that he's not something that needs fixing. When Professor Tuttle says the group has a shot at winning the Odyssey tournament and that the winner will have the opportunity of going pro, he know all of his woes will finally end. If only he didn't have to deal with Conrad and focus on the game...
So out two boys end up going on a field trip of sorts, where all kind of clichés happen. Including the "OMG, THERE´S ONLY ONE BED AND TWO OF US" that I adore so much.
I was very happy when the author granted my wish. I love Annabeth Albert's books and this one is no different. The characters felt like real people and not this image of perfect boys that are so common in books lately. The problems were very relatable and the whole story just had a spark that made me want to read more and more. I would not be angry if Annabeth continued writing about these boys.
Overall, I really loved the story and I can't wait for it to be published! I would love if it was translated into Spanish, my native language.
July 8, 2020
I really wanted to like this one but I found the chemistry between our two male leads to be lacking. I didn't find the connection as I wanted but I really liked the characters' backgrounds. They're rough. One is socially awkward and has been picked and prodded his entire life by his analytical parents who want to find the root cause to why he's not normal. The other is queer but not accepted by his family so effectively, they kicked him out of the house with no means to pay for his expensive medication as he struggles with asthma. I really liked how the author discussed their journey to self-discovery but the book dragged with events that didn't make me excited or giddy.
Thank you Sourcebooks for a copy!
Thank you Sourcebooks for a copy!
May 9, 2020
I was in the market for something so cute it would make my heart ache and my eyes look like stars. I got it.
I haven't ever read a book about gamers before as I've never been really interested in the whole gamer community to begin with, so I'm not sure what attracted me to this book. Probably shallow reasons such as the cover and the title. But I am oh so glad I gave Conventionally Yours a chance.
We follow the story of two Odyssey gamers, Alden and Conrad, who have known each other for a couple of years now through the game and are infamous for their rivalry. They can't stand each other because they have such different personalities and approaches to the game and life. When the chance to play at an important convention comes around, they are forced to spend all their waking moments together to make it there.
I thought both characters were very realistic and I connected with Alden on so many more levels than I ever thought possible. I understand needing a break from people once in a while and being socially awkward at times and being regarded as standoffish as a result. I understand the struggle of having great parents that want the best for you but put way too much pressure and expectations on you.
I also really appreciated Conrad's reaction to his mother. I thought it was very realistic given the circumstances. Not everything can be immediately forgiven and just because you love someone doesn't mean you can't be angry with them.
The love story was so sweet and touching and I was completely invested in it. This was just what I needed right now. This was my first Annabeth Albert's book (I know, how is it even possible?), but I am absolutely sure it will not be the last. Her writing style and her ability to build believable characters and emotions was incredible.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I haven't ever read a book about gamers before as I've never been really interested in the whole gamer community to begin with, so I'm not sure what attracted me to this book. Probably shallow reasons such as the cover and the title. But I am oh so glad I gave Conventionally Yours a chance.
We follow the story of two Odyssey gamers, Alden and Conrad, who have known each other for a couple of years now through the game and are infamous for their rivalry. They can't stand each other because they have such different personalities and approaches to the game and life. When the chance to play at an important convention comes around, they are forced to spend all their waking moments together to make it there.
I thought both characters were very realistic and I connected with Alden on so many more levels than I ever thought possible. I understand needing a break from people once in a while and being socially awkward at times and being regarded as standoffish as a result. I understand the struggle of having great parents that want the best for you but put way too much pressure and expectations on you.
I also really appreciated Conrad's reaction to his mother. I thought it was very realistic given the circumstances. Not everything can be immediately forgiven and just because you love someone doesn't mean you can't be angry with them.
The love story was so sweet and touching and I was completely invested in it. This was just what I needed right now. This was my first Annabeth Albert's book (I know, how is it even possible?), but I am absolutely sure it will not be the last. Her writing style and her ability to build believable characters and emotions was incredible.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2020
I love Annabeth Albert and have devoured almost all the books she has written. My favourites include the "#Gaymers" series as well as her "Out of Uniform" series so when I saw the ARC for this book about gamers I hoped to it.
Reading the blurb, I obviously couldn't tell what type of gamers these were but from the first few pages,I realised the game being played by our characters was a type of Trading Card game. Prior to this, I had no prior knowledge of such types of games which made this book quite fascinating to read.
Pacing-wise, the book started off well enough but dragged on through the middle portions and only picked back up around the 70% mark. This essentially meant that the road trip was quite difficult to get through for me regardless of some interesting characters along the way.
Nonetheless, even with the slow pacing, the transformation of the relationship between Conrad and Alden was done perfectly. They moved from people who couldn't stand themselves, to tentative friends, to friends and then to lovers. One thing I particularly liked was that these two men stayed true to themselves and weren't magically cured of any conditions they had. This was my favourite part of the book.
Also, for those wondering, the steam level was quite low and very "fade to black" but it worked quite well with the tone of the book and took nothing away from the story.
From all I've mentioned above, it is quite obvious I enjoyed this book and would recommend this for fans of gamers, road trips and romance done the right way.
**eARC Graciously Provided by the Publisher in Exchange for an Honest, Unbiased Review**
Reading the blurb, I obviously couldn't tell what type of gamers these were but from the first few pages,I realised the game being played by our characters was a type of Trading Card game. Prior to this, I had no prior knowledge of such types of games which made this book quite fascinating to read.
Pacing-wise, the book started off well enough but dragged on through the middle portions and only picked back up around the 70% mark. This essentially meant that the road trip was quite difficult to get through for me regardless of some interesting characters along the way.
Nonetheless, even with the slow pacing, the transformation of the relationship between Conrad and Alden was done perfectly. They moved from people who couldn't stand themselves, to tentative friends, to friends and then to lovers. One thing I particularly liked was that these two men stayed true to themselves and weren't magically cured of any conditions they had. This was my favourite part of the book.
Also, for those wondering, the steam level was quite low and very "fade to black" but it worked quite well with the tone of the book and took nothing away from the story.
From all I've mentioned above, it is quite obvious I enjoyed this book and would recommend this for fans of gamers, road trips and romance done the right way.
**eARC Graciously Provided by the Publisher in Exchange for an Honest, Unbiased Review**
July 23, 2020
This is a sweet, slow-burn, New Adult romance with likable characters and a road trip to a gaming convention plot.
While I liked the MCs and am usually a big fan of road trip stories, this one just kind of dragged for me and was quite predictable. It's not a long book but it took me days longer than it should have to get through it. I also didn't really feel the spark between the two until way too close to the end of the story. The MCs are 21 and 23, but did come across as younger.
I liked that Alden really found himself during the trip and Conrad is a total sweetheart, but I would have liked more of them bonding - some of which was just referred to in a quick sentence - and perhaps just a bit less of the intricacies of the gameplay (although I found it interesting even having no prior knowledge of the card gaming world).
It wasn't a bad story, but just didn't grab me the way I had hoped it would.
While I liked the MCs and am usually a big fan of road trip stories, this one just kind of dragged for me and was quite predictable. It's not a long book but it took me days longer than it should have to get through it. I also didn't really feel the spark between the two until way too close to the end of the story. The MCs are 21 and 23, but did come across as younger.
I liked that Alden really found himself during the trip and Conrad is a total sweetheart, but I would have liked more of them bonding - some of which was just referred to in a quick sentence - and perhaps just a bit less of the intricacies of the gameplay (although I found it interesting even having no prior knowledge of the card gaming world).
It wasn't a bad story, but just didn't grab me the way I had hoped it would.
January 31, 2022
4.5/5
What happens when you shove two mortal enemies together on a road trip? Well you get Conventionally Yours. Conrad Stewart and Alden Roth both love the card game Odyssey. Both of them are trying to escape something and if they win the tournament, they'd have a chance to go Pro and win a lot of money. For Conrad, that money could mean the chance to be able to pay for his meds and a new place to live. For Alden, the Pro tour is a chance to get away from the plan his moms have for him, they mean well but it's not what Alden wants.
I loved the banter between Alden and Conrad. These two were just so freaking cute. Both had these misconceptions of each other in their brain of what they were like, but it was so far from the truth. I love road trip books and this one delivered. Seeing Alden and Conrad forced to face their preconceived notions of each other was something. Fun is not quite the right word. I loved seeing them grow closer and learn more about each other.
The con atmosphere is one I will NEVER get sick of. Cosplay, games, the united love of a game/book etc, I LIVE FOR IT. I also loved Jasper, Peyton and the Dr. They were so much fun, especially Peyton. I loved their effervescence and love of parties. That's me like 50% of the time lol.
Conrad has a lot of anxiety and trauma from his parents, especially his dad who did not react well to his coming out. But I think the thing that I loved the most about this was how Conrad decided his mother wasn't worth the added stress and anxiety. His mother wasn't there for him when it counted the most and she hasn't tried to fix the damage she caused. Conrad refuses to budge on his boundaries with her and that is something that is so incredibly important to see normalized. Parents make mistakes, but if they're not willing to fix it, why should the child keep paying for it with their own mental health. I do hope Conrad will get to see his sister more though once she leaves that environment, because she clearly cares about him and misses him.
The ending to this made me so happy. Both these guys faced a lot of their demons throughout this book. There's definitely more to go, but I am so happy to see the paths they're on.
What happens when you shove two mortal enemies together on a road trip? Well you get Conventionally Yours. Conrad Stewart and Alden Roth both love the card game Odyssey. Both of them are trying to escape something and if they win the tournament, they'd have a chance to go Pro and win a lot of money. For Conrad, that money could mean the chance to be able to pay for his meds and a new place to live. For Alden, the Pro tour is a chance to get away from the plan his moms have for him, they mean well but it's not what Alden wants.
I loved the banter between Alden and Conrad. These two were just so freaking cute. Both had these misconceptions of each other in their brain of what they were like, but it was so far from the truth. I love road trip books and this one delivered. Seeing Alden and Conrad forced to face their preconceived notions of each other was something. Fun is not quite the right word. I loved seeing them grow closer and learn more about each other.
The con atmosphere is one I will NEVER get sick of. Cosplay, games, the united love of a game/book etc, I LIVE FOR IT. I also loved Jasper, Peyton and the Dr. They were so much fun, especially Peyton. I loved their effervescence and love of parties. That's me like 50% of the time lol.
Conrad has a lot of anxiety and trauma from his parents, especially his dad who did not react well to his coming out. But I think the thing that I loved the most about this was how Conrad decided his mother wasn't worth the added stress and anxiety. His mother wasn't there for him when it counted the most and she hasn't tried to fix the damage she caused. Conrad refuses to budge on his boundaries with her and that is something that is so incredibly important to see normalized. Parents make mistakes, but if they're not willing to fix it, why should the child keep paying for it with their own mental health. I do hope Conrad will get to see his sister more though once she leaves that environment, because she clearly cares about him and misses him.
The ending to this made me so happy. Both these guys faced a lot of their demons throughout this book. There's definitely more to go, but I am so happy to see the paths they're on.
May 1, 2021
Lots and lots of misunderstandings. From each other's perspectives both seemed like totally different people. It was quite sweet but since it was supposed to be haters-to-lovers I was kinda expecting more hate sex? Or at least some passionate thrown against the wall sex?
June 23, 2020
actual rating: 3.7 stars~
this is one of those romcom's you randomly start on Netflix and end up having fun the whole way through this was so cute and adorable and beautifully diverse :)
this is one of those romcom's you randomly start on Netflix and end up having fun the whole way through this was so cute and adorable and beautifully diverse :)
Want to read
September 17, 2020did someone say rivals-to-lovers m/m rom-com with the 'there's only one bed' trope 😎
July 1, 2020
I've given this a B at AAR.
Annabeth Albert is one of the few authors whose books I’ll pick up without needing to know much about them, and I was keen to jump into Conventionally Yours, book one in her new True Colors series. I enjoyed it and looked forward to picking it up again after I’d had to pause, but I can’t say that it completely worked for me. I’m not sure if it’s a case of “it’s me, not you�; it reads more like a Young Adult (maybe New Adult?) book than anything else of Ms. Albert’s I’ve read, so maybe I’m not the target audience. The fact that I know nothing about the world of gaming, didn’t put me off; I actually enjoyed the parts that dealt with the strategies and game-play, and I liked the central characters, but the pacing drags a bit in the middle, and the leads often felt younger than their stated ages twenty-one and twenty-three.
Conrad Stewart and Alden Roth are part of a small group of gamers who’ve met regularly to play Odyssey for the last few years. The online vlog they contribute to, Gamer Grandpa, is run by a former maths professor, and is one of the most popular Odyssey vlogs; as well as analysing their in-person play, Professor Tuttle comments on the online version of the game and offers general game theory for the masses. Of the four players, Conrad, Payton and Jasper are friends, but Alden is still something of an outsider, even after three years of playing together, and the adversarial relationship between Conrad and Alden - especially Conrad’s particular brand of cocky trash-talk - is something of a draw for their audience. The two of them really don’t get on all that well; Conrad thinks Alden is a superior and stand-offish control-freak, while Alden finds Conrad’s casual attitude irritating, seeing him as a party-loving college drop-out who doesn’t really care about anything.
When the book opens, the Professor announces that he’s got them all complimentary tickets for Massive Odyssey Con West, the huge fan convention taking place in Las Vegas the following month. Gamer Grandpa has impressed someone at Odyssey HQ, and he’s been invited to sit on some panels, and they’ve all been invited to play in the tournament � a huge event with prize money and a seat on the pro tour up for grabs. Success in the tournament could be life-changing for both Conrad and Alden, but both of them are reluctant to commit at first. Conrad can’t afford the air-fare, and is surprised when Alden says that he doesn’t fly; but the Professor has it all worked out. They’ll make a road-trip of it; they’ll share the driving, make stops and personal appearances at game stores on the way, play a few hands of Odyssey with the locals, see the sights� it’ll be fun.
Of course even the best-laid plans go awry, and an accident and family emergency leave Conrad and Alden on their own, on what looks set to be an uncomfortable journey. Except that their enforced proximity soon engenders a surprising friendship and affords them the perfect opportunity to start to lower their defences and realise that they’ve completely mis-read each other for three years.
Conrad and Alden are engaging characters who are easy to root for, and their antagonists-to-lovers plotline is fun to read. Conrad is the sort of guy who uses sarcasm and bravado to hide his inner vulnerabilities, and his story is a heart-breaking one � all the more so perhaps, because it’s not an uncommon one when young people come out to unsympathetic, conservative parents. He perceives Alden as incredibly lucky on that score; Alden lives with his two moms, and his queerness has never been an issue, but as Conrad learns more about him, he starts to see that just because Alden never had to hide his sexuality from his family, his life is far from perfect. Alden’s high-achieving moms have pretty much mapped out his life and are trying to force him to make decisions he’s not ready for; he’s socially awkward and has anxiety issues, and reading the part where he talks about his neurodiversity and explains how desperately his moms have tried to find a label to fit him � whether it be Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Personality Disorder or any other disorder � and how he never feels like they seehim, was really affecting. Even more affecting is Conrad’s complete acceptance of him:
“Neurodiverse or not� You’re just you. Just Alden. It’s who you are. Changing any of it isn’t necessary.�
The gradual realisation that they’re actually attracted to one another (and have been for a while) is awkward and sweet, Alden’s inability to refer to sex as anything other than“t�is cute, and I liked the honesty and trust they showed to each other. They talk about things that are difficult for them to talk about, sharing their fears, their hopes and their dreams with someone else for the first time, and I also liked the way Ms. Albert has them incorporating the experiences and lessons learned from the trip into their game strategy.
Conventionally Yoursis an easy, absorbing read, and Annabeth Albert clearly knows her stuff when it comes to the gaming portions of the story. The writing and characterisation are strong, both protagonists are attractive and complex and I enjoyed getting to know them � but even so, something about this book didn’t work quite as well for me as I’d hoped. The slow pacing in the middle does allow for the relationship to develop and for us to get to know Conrad and Alden as they get to know each other, but on the other hand itisslow, and while the romance is front and centre, and there’s no doubt about their mutual attraction, it all seems a bit low-key. For anyone wondering about the sensuality rating, the sex scenes are pretty much fade-to-black (which works for the tone of the book) which is one of the reasons I wondered if this is YA (it’s not categorised as such at Amazon). So I’m on the fence. There are a lot of good things going on � the representation (Alden is Jewish as well as gay and neurodivergent, Payton is non-binary) is well-done, the gaming sections are interesting and, towards the end, surprisingly exciting! � and the romance is really sweet. There’s definitely an audience out there for this book and others like it, but I’m just not sure it’s me. So I’m offering a qualified recommendation; I suspect it won’t meet the expectations of some of the author’s fans, while others will love the change of pace. I’m somewhere in the middle.
Annabeth Albert is one of the few authors whose books I’ll pick up without needing to know much about them, and I was keen to jump into Conventionally Yours, book one in her new True Colors series. I enjoyed it and looked forward to picking it up again after I’d had to pause, but I can’t say that it completely worked for me. I’m not sure if it’s a case of “it’s me, not you�; it reads more like a Young Adult (maybe New Adult?) book than anything else of Ms. Albert’s I’ve read, so maybe I’m not the target audience. The fact that I know nothing about the world of gaming, didn’t put me off; I actually enjoyed the parts that dealt with the strategies and game-play, and I liked the central characters, but the pacing drags a bit in the middle, and the leads often felt younger than their stated ages twenty-one and twenty-three.
Conrad Stewart and Alden Roth are part of a small group of gamers who’ve met regularly to play Odyssey for the last few years. The online vlog they contribute to, Gamer Grandpa, is run by a former maths professor, and is one of the most popular Odyssey vlogs; as well as analysing their in-person play, Professor Tuttle comments on the online version of the game and offers general game theory for the masses. Of the four players, Conrad, Payton and Jasper are friends, but Alden is still something of an outsider, even after three years of playing together, and the adversarial relationship between Conrad and Alden - especially Conrad’s particular brand of cocky trash-talk - is something of a draw for their audience. The two of them really don’t get on all that well; Conrad thinks Alden is a superior and stand-offish control-freak, while Alden finds Conrad’s casual attitude irritating, seeing him as a party-loving college drop-out who doesn’t really care about anything.
When the book opens, the Professor announces that he’s got them all complimentary tickets for Massive Odyssey Con West, the huge fan convention taking place in Las Vegas the following month. Gamer Grandpa has impressed someone at Odyssey HQ, and he’s been invited to sit on some panels, and they’ve all been invited to play in the tournament � a huge event with prize money and a seat on the pro tour up for grabs. Success in the tournament could be life-changing for both Conrad and Alden, but both of them are reluctant to commit at first. Conrad can’t afford the air-fare, and is surprised when Alden says that he doesn’t fly; but the Professor has it all worked out. They’ll make a road-trip of it; they’ll share the driving, make stops and personal appearances at game stores on the way, play a few hands of Odyssey with the locals, see the sights� it’ll be fun.
Of course even the best-laid plans go awry, and an accident and family emergency leave Conrad and Alden on their own, on what looks set to be an uncomfortable journey. Except that their enforced proximity soon engenders a surprising friendship and affords them the perfect opportunity to start to lower their defences and realise that they’ve completely mis-read each other for three years.
Conrad and Alden are engaging characters who are easy to root for, and their antagonists-to-lovers plotline is fun to read. Conrad is the sort of guy who uses sarcasm and bravado to hide his inner vulnerabilities, and his story is a heart-breaking one � all the more so perhaps, because it’s not an uncommon one when young people come out to unsympathetic, conservative parents. He perceives Alden as incredibly lucky on that score; Alden lives with his two moms, and his queerness has never been an issue, but as Conrad learns more about him, he starts to see that just because Alden never had to hide his sexuality from his family, his life is far from perfect. Alden’s high-achieving moms have pretty much mapped out his life and are trying to force him to make decisions he’s not ready for; he’s socially awkward and has anxiety issues, and reading the part where he talks about his neurodiversity and explains how desperately his moms have tried to find a label to fit him � whether it be Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Personality Disorder or any other disorder � and how he never feels like they seehim, was really affecting. Even more affecting is Conrad’s complete acceptance of him:
“Neurodiverse or not� You’re just you. Just Alden. It’s who you are. Changing any of it isn’t necessary.�
The gradual realisation that they’re actually attracted to one another (and have been for a while) is awkward and sweet, Alden’s inability to refer to sex as anything other than“t�is cute, and I liked the honesty and trust they showed to each other. They talk about things that are difficult for them to talk about, sharing their fears, their hopes and their dreams with someone else for the first time, and I also liked the way Ms. Albert has them incorporating the experiences and lessons learned from the trip into their game strategy.
Conventionally Yoursis an easy, absorbing read, and Annabeth Albert clearly knows her stuff when it comes to the gaming portions of the story. The writing and characterisation are strong, both protagonists are attractive and complex and I enjoyed getting to know them � but even so, something about this book didn’t work quite as well for me as I’d hoped. The slow pacing in the middle does allow for the relationship to develop and for us to get to know Conrad and Alden as they get to know each other, but on the other hand itisslow, and while the romance is front and centre, and there’s no doubt about their mutual attraction, it all seems a bit low-key. For anyone wondering about the sensuality rating, the sex scenes are pretty much fade-to-black (which works for the tone of the book) which is one of the reasons I wondered if this is YA (it’s not categorised as such at Amazon). So I’m on the fence. There are a lot of good things going on � the representation (Alden is Jewish as well as gay and neurodivergent, Payton is non-binary) is well-done, the gaming sections are interesting and, towards the end, surprisingly exciting! � and the romance is really sweet. There’s definitely an audience out there for this book and others like it, but I’m just not sure it’s me. So I’m offering a qualified recommendation; I suspect it won’t meet the expectations of some of the author’s fans, while others will love the change of pace. I’m somewhere in the middle.
July 15, 2023
This is for the rivals to lovers people out there.
(it's me, I'm the people)
But yes, the multitude of lukewarm reviews makes me think not everyone likes that dynamic. Personally, I could see from the very beginning that Conrad and Alden were attracted to each other. They literally just needed to be in a different context, see the other in a different light than what they're used to, and just talk beyond the gaming trashtalk. For me it worked, along with the fandom passion it was surrounded by. Despite the rushed progression of the relationship, I thought it was really cute.
Rep: gay Jewish neurodiverse mc with anxiety, gay love interest, nonbinary side character, queer side characters
(it's me, I'm the people)
But yes, the multitude of lukewarm reviews makes me think not everyone likes that dynamic. Personally, I could see from the very beginning that Conrad and Alden were attracted to each other. They literally just needed to be in a different context, see the other in a different light than what they're used to, and just talk beyond the gaming trashtalk. For me it worked, along with the fandom passion it was surrounded by. Despite the rushed progression of the relationship, I thought it was really cute.
Rep: gay Jewish neurodiverse mc with anxiety, gay love interest, nonbinary side character, queer side characters
June 2, 2020
read the full review over on
Thank you to Netgally and Sourcebooks Casa for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!! All opinions are my own
OH MY GOD. Okay so I've finished this book and my thoughts are all over the place � bear with me.
This isn't only an enemies to lovers book. It's a well done enemies to lovers book. And if you know anything at all about me, I LOVE ENEMIES TO LOVERS. Add to that a road trip and a "there's only one bed"???? This book was practically made for me.
And I was not disappointed. Both the main characters are awesome. I loved how well rounded they were, with their own issues and problems and complicated families � because no one is perfect. Both characters were so loveable. I really liked reading about a character that is more on the introvert side and has some trouble being social. We don't often read about characters like that, and I really want to read more books with characters like this to educate myself further.
Plus, I really liked the way the non-binary rep was done; subtly enough to not make it a big deal (it was completely normal and the character isn't misgendered/mispronouned ONCE) but firmly enough that, well you would notice and that it was there.
The story in itself was really great. The pace was perfect for me, and the relationship was just slow burn enough that I wanted to rip my hair out (in a good way lol) but like... not too much that I wanted to give up. The chemistry between Conrad and Alden was immediate for me, almost so immediate it's ridiculous! Literally the first chapter I was like hehehehehehe and rubbing my hands happily like some insane person. The competition between Conrad and Alden was also another subplot of the story I really enjoyed. I thought that maybe it could turn into something toxic � thank GOD that was absolutely not the case!!!
The whole world of Odyssey was very well done in my opinion. Tabletop games are definitely not my thing � and to be frank it took me a little while to figure all of it out � but I ended up loving it!!! I got so invested in the games (especially the one game oh my god I was almost jumping out of my skin). I know some people thought it was boring, but I really don't agree. I thought they were fun to read!!
Not to mention the little touches of humour throughout the book that were just delightful.
In the end, this is a book I really recommend. This is a light, fun read that gets you hooked from the very first page with an adorable couple that will make your heart so full and warm!!!
Thank you to Netgally and Sourcebooks Casa for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!! All opinions are my own
OH MY GOD. Okay so I've finished this book and my thoughts are all over the place � bear with me.
This isn't only an enemies to lovers book. It's a well done enemies to lovers book. And if you know anything at all about me, I LOVE ENEMIES TO LOVERS. Add to that a road trip and a "there's only one bed"???? This book was practically made for me.
And I was not disappointed. Both the main characters are awesome. I loved how well rounded they were, with their own issues and problems and complicated families � because no one is perfect. Both characters were so loveable. I really liked reading about a character that is more on the introvert side and has some trouble being social. We don't often read about characters like that, and I really want to read more books with characters like this to educate myself further.
Plus, I really liked the way the non-binary rep was done; subtly enough to not make it a big deal (it was completely normal and the character isn't misgendered/mispronouned ONCE) but firmly enough that, well you would notice and that it was there.
The story in itself was really great. The pace was perfect for me, and the relationship was just slow burn enough that I wanted to rip my hair out (in a good way lol) but like... not too much that I wanted to give up. The chemistry between Conrad and Alden was immediate for me, almost so immediate it's ridiculous! Literally the first chapter I was like hehehehehehe and rubbing my hands happily like some insane person. The competition between Conrad and Alden was also another subplot of the story I really enjoyed. I thought that maybe it could turn into something toxic � thank GOD that was absolutely not the case!!!
The whole world of Odyssey was very well done in my opinion. Tabletop games are definitely not my thing � and to be frank it took me a little while to figure all of it out � but I ended up loving it!!! I got so invested in the games (especially the one game oh my god I was almost jumping out of my skin). I know some people thought it was boring, but I really don't agree. I thought they were fun to read!!
Not to mention the little touches of humour throughout the book that were just delightful.
In the end, this is a book I really recommend. This is a light, fun read that gets you hooked from the very first page with an adorable couple that will make your heart so full and warm!!!
October 24, 2020
Actual rating: 3.5/5
I have never read anything by Annabeth before as her books are more on the romance side which are books i really don't tend to read as they don't interest me however i wanted to give this young adult book a go.
I enjoyed the road trip aspect of this book and a good old fashioned road trip is one of my favourite things to read about in a book. I loved getting a journey over the united states in many different states and seeing things change from place to place and it was a good learning experience as i live outside the US.
Another thing that i do tend to enjoy is the enemies to friends trope and this one for me was done really well as i felt that the main characters Conrad and Alden both had that history behind them before i started reading that book so it made it so much easier for me to invest myself into those characters. It was definitely a slow burn one for these two but once they started to open up to each other is where i feel like things definitely started to change for the two characters. I did enjoy the M/M relationship in this one and i haven't read that many but i'm trying to start to read more diverse range of characters and i feel like the author did a great job with these two characters.
I don't think however i could fully invest myself into the story itself as i found the story was lacking in some parts with a slow moving plot or the characters acting really immature for the age that they were written at so i feel like that aspect of the story really took me out the story. I do also however feel like these characters could have either been high school age or written better for the age that they were portrayed as because most of the characters were in college and in fact later in their college careers but i found that they weren't acting their age which disappointed me.
I LOVED the gaming aspect of the story because i myself have been a gamer for most of my life and to see the gaming world brought into the young adult book scene was a win for me because there isn't enough representation of the gaming community in YA books.
Overall i found that this story was a quick and fun read to get lost into a road trip story of two guys on there way to a gaming convention with some sweet and steamy moments thrown in. However some aspects with how characters acted for their age and slow moving story scenes did drop my rating for the book but for the most part i did enjoy the book.
I have never read anything by Annabeth before as her books are more on the romance side which are books i really don't tend to read as they don't interest me however i wanted to give this young adult book a go.
I enjoyed the road trip aspect of this book and a good old fashioned road trip is one of my favourite things to read about in a book. I loved getting a journey over the united states in many different states and seeing things change from place to place and it was a good learning experience as i live outside the US.
Another thing that i do tend to enjoy is the enemies to friends trope and this one for me was done really well as i felt that the main characters Conrad and Alden both had that history behind them before i started reading that book so it made it so much easier for me to invest myself into those characters. It was definitely a slow burn one for these two but once they started to open up to each other is where i feel like things definitely started to change for the two characters. I did enjoy the M/M relationship in this one and i haven't read that many but i'm trying to start to read more diverse range of characters and i feel like the author did a great job with these two characters.
I don't think however i could fully invest myself into the story itself as i found the story was lacking in some parts with a slow moving plot or the characters acting really immature for the age that they were written at so i feel like that aspect of the story really took me out the story. I do also however feel like these characters could have either been high school age or written better for the age that they were portrayed as because most of the characters were in college and in fact later in their college careers but i found that they weren't acting their age which disappointed me.
I LOVED the gaming aspect of the story because i myself have been a gamer for most of my life and to see the gaming world brought into the young adult book scene was a win for me because there isn't enough representation of the gaming community in YA books.
Overall i found that this story was a quick and fun read to get lost into a road trip story of two guys on there way to a gaming convention with some sweet and steamy moments thrown in. However some aspects with how characters acted for their age and slow moving story scenes did drop my rating for the book but for the most part i did enjoy the book.
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