Off Base

First title in this series. I read a comment that this novel wasn't as good as others in the series. Since I've now read 3 or 4 others in the series, I can disagree with some authority.

I enjoyed the character of Pike - he is cheeky, witty, brash, often annoying - and a newly minted PhD in Mathematics from LA. He comes up against Zach, from Little Rock and a conservative family, and a newly graduated SEAL. And in the closet, which Pike would like to change.

A lot of the story is around Zach finding his way out of the closet. And the author does follow a fairly well-trodden path. But does it well, as always, so it becomes an experience unique to these two characters.

I expected the narrator to be my fave, Cooper North, but no! a newcomer show more to me, Tyler Stevens. And heavens! he was excellent! Get reading Tyler Stevens! I found only 3 other books in my libraries read by him - in a series by A M Arthur - that's slim pickings! show less

Having just completed his SEAL training, Zack Nelson is looking for some space of his own. Which is why he jumps at his senior chief's offer to live in one of his rental properties in exchange for completing the renovations. Not only will he save money, but this will get him away from the team in the evening and give him some peace and quiet. But when a friend of a friend gets a job in San Diego and needs a place to stay, Zack reluctantly agrees to let him move in. Pike Reynolds is a nice enough guy, but Zack has a few problems with him. For one, Pike is very open about being gay. Two, Zack may have tried to kiss Pike one night when he was drunk. And three, Zack hasn't really been able to stop thinking about Pike ever since. But Zack show more isn't gay; he can't be. His SEAL team and his family would never have it. And now that they will be sharing a living space, seeing each other every day--will Zack be able to keep his desire in check? And if he can't, is he ready to deal with everything that would come along with that?

This is the start of a new series that flows right out of Albert's #gaymers series, all of which I've previously read and reviewed. You don't need to have read #gaymers to understand what's happening here. (Though I would highly recommend it because it's great! And if you have read it, you'll recognize Ryan and Josiah from Connection Error.)

This is another one of those books that I think reminds us that everyone has their own narrative when it comes to their upbringing, their identity, and the way they present themselves to the world. Although we have an arsenal of labels that we love to assign to others, identity is personal and it is up to the individual to truly own that part of themselves. And it can be easy to assume everyone is coming from the same place we are, and that's something that is so rarely true. When it comes to love and relationships, one shouldn't sacrifice who they are for the other person, but it's important to listen, to be understanding, and to be open to where the other person is coming from. If we place unreasonable expectations on each other (or on ourselves) then we're more likely to find unhappiness and resentment rather than the love and bliss that we seek.

Pike and Zack live through this firsthand. But thankfully, they both know there's a chance that they'll each come around before too long. Or at least they can hope...

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.] show less

I always love Annabeth Albert's characters.

I started reading this book as soon as it hit my inbox (I'd pre-ordered) and, although I am making my way through seven other books, I couldn't put this one down. I have, in fact, just now looked up the author on amazon and pre-ordered At Attention, the next in this series that feeds right off the Gaymers series. The author writes strongly character-driven stories. That's the key to my heart.

I should've known. ;)

As with her other series, there isn't a lot of technical detail regarding their jobs. I only find that good if it's relevant, so I note it for those who want the SEAL or professor aspects to show a deeper knowledge on the author's part. I noticed it, so it wasn't quite as much as I show more like even though I'm neither a SEAL nor a professor. However, since I'm working on writing a book, I well aware how much research it can take to just drop in a sentence here and there in a profession you don't know and NOT get it wrong. So, I support glossing over rather than hours of research that might still risk the ire of, say, a Navy SEAL reader if I got it wrong. :) show less

I liked this story, a lot. An a priori hard-to-believe subject, a virgin Navy SEAL, is well handled, Zack - due his roots- looks credible to me. The same can be said about the rest, believable characters and a solid plot.

Maybe there is a a myriad of books about homophobia and religious bigotry, but not homophobia neither religious bigotry haven't ceased, even if they aren't as notable in my big city context; so -for me-, books about these themes remain valid and welcomed.

My two little niggles:
* it's a bit slow in the middle portion.
* Please, we all not speak US military slang . I felt the lack of an acronyms & expressions glossary; obviously I googled but I I still don't entirely understand what a monster-mash test is, for example.

I haven't read the series that overlaps with this one but I don't feel like I missed out on information to make this story make sense. I hated that Zach was so uncomfortable with himself at first that he couldn't be honest even with trusted friends. Pike was so very patient and did not suffer fools so he was going to get answers out of him one way or another. I loved that Zach had a support system that he ended up building for himself to handle his harrassment and the disappointment of his family.

Pike and Zach were lovely.

3.75 stars

Not a bad read. I think the characters didn’t communicate in the healthiest manner and a lot of things went unsaid. It felt like one character was forcing the other to be out rather than setting a boundary for themselves. It was good but didn’t feel like both characters emotions were respected equally. I probably won't continue reading the series, but I don't think it's horrible. I'm just a big big fan of communication.

Off Base by Annabeth Albert
Book #1: Out of Uniform Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 3/5 stars
My Review:

Zack Nelson has always been sure of his job, but that’s where his certainty comes to a crashing halt. He’s been through training and earned his spot on a SEAL team, now all he must do is keep his team from finding out he’s gay.

Some things are easier said than done. Zack spends nearly every day on base worried his secret is going to come out. Is he paying too much attention to one of his teammates, does his gaze linger a bit too long, do any of the words coming out of his mouth out him? The military may have revoked DADT, but that doesn’t mean every service member is on board. In fact, there’s one asshole in particular on show more Zack’s team who strongly suspects Zack’s leanings and isn’t above threatening and/or blackmailing Zack. At home is the only place Zack truly feels comfortable, but home has its own complications.

Pike Reynolds has been openly gay for a very long time, and after an awful early experience, he swore he would never again become involved with a man who isn’t as open about his sexuality as Pike is. Again, some things are easier said than done. With few options left to him and time running out, Pike agrees to share a small fixer-upper with Zack. In exchange for rent, Pike will help Zack overhaul the house and get it ready to sell. Pike’s good with his hands, knows a great deal about house flipping, and is hopelessly attracted to his closeted roommate. As the days and weeks pass by, Pike and Zack become not just friends, but intimates. Pike knows of Zack’s fears, his job issues, and his prejudicial family, but that doesn’t stop him from getting physical. The attraction between the two is strong, and Pike is certain he keep his feelings in check . . . . for about a hot minute 

While Zack and Pike are at home their relationship is sexy and sweet, but Pike wants more and Zack isn’t ready to tell the whole world about his personal life. Finding himself where he swore he would never again be, Pike tries to rationalize the situation so he doesn’t have to give up the man he has come to love. Pike doesn’t push and Zack keeps making promises, but it’s going to take a medical/life-threatening emergency for both men to finally come to terms with their situation. When the hard decisions have to be made, both Pike and Zack find themselves with some personal demons to tackle before they can come back to one another in a healthier and happier way.

The Bottom Line: I’m not going to get all crazy and say I was blown away by Annabeth Albert’s Off Base, but I am willing to commit to having liked the read. It really is a very typical romance with one atypical aspect, it’s about two men. If you think of the very typical issues found in many romance novels – work difficulties, mixed feelings, a bit of drama, a scary-bring-it-all-into-focus moment, and some naughty bits – you have Off Base. I liked both Pike and Zack well enough, their story was just interesting enough to keep me reading, and their naughty moments were fine (notice I didn’t say smoking hot!), but I also didn’t find anything new or terribly exciting in this read. It is the first in a series and those are always hard books so I have hope that the later additions will be a bit more intense and/or sexier. The groundwork has been laid so it’s time for the next novel to up the ante, so to speak. show less