Release Review: Squared Away: Annabeth Albert
Squared Away (Out of Uniform #5)
Annabeth Albert
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Release Date April 16, 2018
In the wake of tragedy, SEAL Mark Whitley rushed stateside to act as guardian to his sister’s three young children. But a conflicting will could give custody to someone else—someone Mark remembers as a too young, too hot, wild party boy. Even after six years, Mark can’t shake the memory of his close encounter with Isaiah James, or face up to what it says about his own sexuality.
Isaiah’s totally over the crush that made him proposition Mark all those years ago. In fact, he’s done with crushing on the wrong men altogether. For now, he’s throwing himself into proving he’s the best person to care for his cousin’s kids. But there’s no denying there’s something sexy about a big, tough military man with a baby in his arms.
As the legal details get sorted out, their long-buried attraction resurfaces, leading to intimate evenings after the kids are tucked in. A forever future is within reach for all of them, if only Mark can find the courage he needs to trust Isaiah with his secrets—and his heart.
Mark still sees Isaiah as the young, impulsive, promiscuous party boy he met at their wedding years ago. They had a moment where Isaiah got a bit assertive and Mark rebuffed his advances. Now Isaiah has grown up and has plenty of education although he is not really sure what he wants to do with his life. But he is responsible and knows that he plans on being a guardian for these kids and he knows he can do the job. Mark is a SEAL medic and lucky enough to be on leave and special assignment, but he cannot abandon the kids either. And the wills left conflicting info so there is no clear cut answer.
What Mark did not plan on was his attraction to Isaiah to start growing. And Isaiah has only known rejection and avoidance from the Mark in the past, but still has a crush on him. But things are not always what they seem and these two men are finding out more about each other the more time they spend living together with the kids.
But Mark has never really dealt with his own sexuality and has no experience in real relationships. He is guarded, and does not like needing anyone. And Isaiah is younger, but more easy going and capable. They both have a lot of responsibilities and stress. They are both still grieving and learning to cope with their sudden life changes. And they have strong feelings about what needs to be done, and do not always agree on the best course of action.
It is a tentative, slow burn love story with a focus on living life and family. And Mark especially is learning about himself and what he can live with. In some ways they are on the same page and in other ways conflict, and the confusion and limbo is challenging and hurtful. They push each other's boundaries, but also provide safe harbor. They want to have hope, but are also scared. But I really liked both of these guys and their dedication to three children who needed so much care and attention.
But putting their hearts on the line with so much at stake is a big risk. They cannot afford to mess things up because there are kids involved and complications. Trust and self worth are triggers for both of them. Miscommunication, fears, insecurities, trust, and fear of public scrutiny are real issues. Mark tends to want to take control and be protective, but that makes Isaiah feel like he is not valued or equal. It will take trust and faith in themselves, each other, and others. And they will have to be brave enough to fight for each other and their family if they want a chance to find the elusive HEA they did not expect they would be able to find.
This brings back many of the guys from the series and it was nice to reconnect with them. I really liked Bacon in this one and I hope he is next in the series. I especially loved how Isaiah was so respectful of Mark's issues and I thought the author handled the situation in a real and respectful way. When it came to the conflict and resolution it got a bit convoluted, frustrating, and then maybe felt a bit rushed towards the end. But overall I really liked this story and the characters.
I was gifted a copy.
But Mark has never really dealt with his own sexuality and has no experience in real relationships. He is guarded, and does not like needing anyone. And Isaiah is younger, but more easy going and capable. They both have a lot of responsibilities and stress. They are both still grieving and learning to cope with their sudden life changes. And they have strong feelings about what needs to be done, and do not always agree on the best course of action.
It is a tentative, slow burn love story with a focus on living life and family. And Mark especially is learning about himself and what he can live with. In some ways they are on the same page and in other ways conflict, and the confusion and limbo is challenging and hurtful. They push each other's boundaries, but also provide safe harbor. They want to have hope, but are also scared. But I really liked both of these guys and their dedication to three children who needed so much care and attention.
But putting their hearts on the line with so much at stake is a big risk. They cannot afford to mess things up because there are kids involved and complications. Trust and self worth are triggers for both of them. Miscommunication, fears, insecurities, trust, and fear of public scrutiny are real issues. Mark tends to want to take control and be protective, but that makes Isaiah feel like he is not valued or equal. It will take trust and faith in themselves, each other, and others. And they will have to be brave enough to fight for each other and their family if they want a chance to find the elusive HEA they did not expect they would be able to find.
This brings back many of the guys from the series and it was nice to reconnect with them. I really liked Bacon in this one and I hope he is next in the series. I especially loved how Isaiah was so respectful of Mark's issues and I thought the author handled the situation in a real and respectful way. When it came to the conflict and resolution it got a bit convoluted, frustrating, and then maybe felt a bit rushed towards the end. But overall I really liked this story and the characters.
I was gifted a copy.
Off Base (Out of Uniform #1)
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After trading the barracks for a fixer-upper rental, navy SEAL Zack Nelson wants peace, not a roommate—especially not Pike, who sees things about Zack he most wants to hide. Pike's flirting puts virgin Zack on edge. And the questions Pike's arrival would spark from Zack's teammates about his own sexuality? Nope. Not going there. But Zack can't refuse.
Pike Reynolds knows there won't be a warm welcome in his new home. What can he say? He's an acquired taste. But he needs this chance to get his life together. Also, teasing the uptight SEAL will be hella fun. Still, Pike has to tread carefully; he's had his fill of tourists in the past, and he can't risk his heart on another, not even one as hot, as built—and, okay, yeah, as adorable—as Zack.
Living with Pike crumbles Zack's restraint and fuels his curiosity. He discovers how well they fit together in bed…in the shower…in the hallway… He needs Pike more than he could have imagined, yet he doesn't know how to be the man Pike deserves.
At Attention (Out of Uniform #2)
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Lieutenant Apollo Floros can ace tactical training missions, but being a single dad to his twin daughters is more than he can handle. He needs live-in help, and he's lucky a friend's younger brother needs a place to stay. He's surprised to see Dylan all grown up with a college degree…and a college athlete's body. Apollo's widowed heart may still be broken, but Dylan has his blood heating up.
It's been eight years since the teenage Dylan followed Apollo around like a lovesick puppy, and it's time he showed Lieutenant Hard-to-Please that he's all man now—an adult who's fully capable of choosing responsibility over lust. He can handle Apollo's muscular sex appeal, but Apollo the caring father? Dylan can't afford to fall for that guy. He's determined to hold out for someone who's able to love him back, not someone who only sees him as a kid brother.
Apollo is shocked by the intensity of his attraction to Dylan. Maybe some no-strings summer fun will bring this former SEAL back to life. But the combination of scorching desire and warm affection is more than he'd expected, and the emotion between them scares him senseless. No fling lasts forever, and Apollo will need to decide what's more important—his past or his future—if he wants to keep Dylan in his life.
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Our 4.5 star reviews
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Our 4.5 star reviews
Never fall for your best friend…
Pushing thirty, with his reenlistment looming, decorated navy sniper Maddox Horvat is taking a long look at what he really wants in life. And what he wants is Ben Tovey. It isn’t smart, falling for his best friend and fellow SEAL, but ten years with Ben has forged a bond so intimate Maddox can’t ignore it. He needs Ben by his side forever—heart and soul.
Ben admits he likes what he’s seen—his friend’s full lower lip and the perfect muscles of his ass have proved distracting more than once. But Ben's still reeling from a relationship gone to hell, and he's not about to screw up his friendship with Maddox, too.
Until their next mission throws Ben and Maddox closer together than ever before, with only each other to depend on.
Now, in the lonely, desperate hours awaiting rescue, the real challenge—confronting themselves, their future and their desires—begins. Man to man, friend to friend, lover to lover.
Kim's 3.5-4 star review
Their love is forbidden, but their hearts aren't listening to rules and regulations.
Lieutenant Dustin Strauss is a reformed man. No longer a twentysomething hell-raiser, he's his SEAL team's new XO-and a man with a secret. Or seven. He's kept his bisexual identity under wraps for years, along with his kinky side and a fondness for the military-themed semianonymous hookup website Joe4Joe. His latest chat buddy is more than a sexy online distraction-they're taking their very not-safe-for-work relationship into real time.
Petty Officer Wes Lowe has a smart mouth, a take-charge attitude and an uncanny ability for making things go boom. The life of an enlisted man isn't always enough to satisfy him, but one wild, no-questions-asked weekend with his online love comes close. When a transfer order comes in, Wes feels ready and centered. He'll make a good impression on his new SEAL team and keep his growing feelings for Dustin on the down low.
But as they log more time online and some very real emotions surface, Dustin and Wes struggle to pretend they're just a harmless fling. And when his commander introduces Dustin to his team's newest member, they're in for the shock of a lifetime...and a crushing disappointment: their difference in ranks means even a friendship without sexual contact could end their navy careers for good.
With their hearts on the line, Dustin and Wes may not survive their next mission, let alone find a way toward a future together
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 children.
Represented by Saritza Hernandez of the Corvisiero Literary Agency
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