[Lisa’s Review]: Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert

Conventionally Yours
by Annabeth Albert
Pages: 320
Published by Sourcebooks
Release Date: June 2nd, 2020
Genres: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQ+, M/M
Source: Publisher
Format Read: ARC, eBook
Goodreads
Buy on Amazon

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

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I read the synopsis for this one and was hooked. I knew I had to get my hands on this book as soon as possible. Conventionally Yours is a sweet, hilarious, and at times awkward enemies-to-lovers romance that will definitely make your day a bit brighter.

For some reason, the majority of the male on male books I’ve read in the past were about either big bad military men or athletes. So, Conventionally Yours was a nice change of scenery. I took a few chapters from me to really find into the story, but soon Conrad, Alden, and the Gamer Grandpa Gang had me enthralled.

Conrad and Alden, as one would expect in an enemies-to-lovers romance, sort of hate each other in the beginning. Their dislike for each other builds on the things they believe to know about the other, and somewhat tragic assumptions and prejudices. Once the story progresses and the two end up on a cross-country road trip together, they realize that things aren’t always what they seem. Eventually, shared secrets and endless conversations lead to more, and suddenly this person they hated is the person who understands them more than anyone ever has. I’m telling you this the sort of love all of us are looking for – I was swooning throughout the entire thing.

What I loved about this story is that it felt one hundred percent real. Life is messy sometimes. Love isn’t straightforward. While Alden struggles to find his voice and his purpose in life, Conrad is trying to keep his life from falling apart again while upholding his carefully constructed facade. Both have their own battles to fight, but now they have a new general in their armies that might just win them the war. The character development was on point. I loved seeing Alden work through his inner turmoil and Conrad allowing Alden to chip away at his walls, learning to be vulnerable to someone and simply hoping he won’t regret it.

A diverse group of secondary characters adds “the little extra” to the story, making this an entertaining, heartfelt, and unique story.