REVIEW: Off Base (Out of Uniform, Book 1) by Annabeth Albert

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Blurb

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.

Review

RATING:

This somehow got buried in my TBR, not sure why. New fan of Annabeth here and knowing how gooey she makes me feel with her stories, I don’t know why I didn't jump at this asap. #prioritizingfail

The beginning of a new series, it’s a spinoff from the Gaymer series. This is delving some more in the world of Ryan and his likes, men in uniform, sweeeet! It’s the story of Zack, a new SEAL, and Pike, the man who would change his world.

When we meet Zack, he’s fully in the closet and this is about him learning about himself, admitting who he is, and dealing with his coming out to his family, his friends and his work. Pike is expanding his wings, so to speak. He knows who he is and what he wants but also in a way this is him learning about himself because of how his past experience shaped him.

How the relationship built between these 2 just built so naturally that like Zack, I find myself caught off guard when it hit me at that point when they realized how deeply they feel for each other. There is such authenticity to their interaction that lulls you then sucks you right in. These are 2 are so sweet! Le sigh… How Pike truly did his best to be what Zack needed, how Zack sincerely did his best to be the man that Pike deserves… Le sigh…

I swear I was with them every step of the way that when that critical time came, I was teary eyed before I even realized it. I felt every ounce of their hurt, doubts and fear. These young ‘uns totally squished my heart. To get to their happy ending just made it feel 10x more rewarding…

Oh, and seeing Ryan and Josiah was also a nice added treat… definitely a bonus…

There’s just something to Annabeth’s writing that seems all light and sweet but the depth she gives her characters adds gravity in a way that catches you off guard emotionally. So while you may think you’ll be in for a nice easy read, which you will be, you’ll get all kinds of feels as well, trust me. In other words, she’ll take you on this ride with ups and downs but she’ll get you through it ever so smoothly. So I guess what I’m trying to say is Annabeth’s got skillz!

 

Thanks for dropping by!

~Leftie