Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Squared Away

SERIES: Out of Uniform #5

AUTHOR: Annabeth Albert

PUBLISHER: Carina Press

RELEASE DATE: April 16, 2018

LENGTH: 352 pages

BLURB:

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.

REVIEW:

Five books in and you know what to expect from this series and this book is no exception. It’s addictive and there’s just something about the romances that warms me to the core.

Being in the military Mark is used to give orders, relying on no one but himself. When tragedy strikes and leaves Mark with joint custody of three children he’s floundering and lost for what to do. It doesn’t help that the boy from years ago that he haven’t gotten out of his mind seems to know exactly how to take care of his nieces and nephew.

By now you all probably know that I love credible stories. Stories that one can relate to, connect with. And that’s exactly what Albert delivers with this book. And by this I don’t mean I need every single detail to be credible – it is fiction after all, but I need the emotion the characters feel to be real. And were they ever. I grieved with them, floundered in confusion and struggled with the new reality with them, I was there for the self-discovery and growth and I loved every moment of it.

Isaiah and Mark complemented each other perfectly, they truly made sense together, both as a couple and as individual people. Neither was perfect in any way, but they were perfect for each other.

There has been plenty of steam in the previous books, but this one is a bit different. This one focuses more on the emotional connection between Mark and Isaiah rather than the sexual and physical one. Mark’s sexually is handled beautifully and I’m hoping to read many more books with ace characters.

At times this book is a bit sad, but it’s not one that will wreck you or leave you sobbing. It’s foremost a story about love and starting over, self-discovery and above all about family. I had a great time reading this book and will happily look for more books to come.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Carina Press

Amazon