Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: Squared Away 
SERIES: Out of Uniform #5
AUTHOR: Annabeth Albert
NARRATOR: Greg Boudreaux
PUBLISHER: Harlequin Audio
RELEASE DATE: April 16, 2018
LENGTH: 8 hours, 42 minutes
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:
I read and reviewed the printed version of this book earlier this year – and loved it. So when I was asked if I could review the audio I was more than happy to do so. I don’t mind re-reading / re-listening to a book I’ve read or listened to not that long ago. I have been known to re-read books immediately after finishing them – and more than once too.
You can read and listen to the same book, but end up with them being two completely different books, or have the characters different from what you imagined from the first read, which can be both good or bad. You can also pick up on things you missed, find new perspectives or nuances. This has happened to me more than once when I’ve picked up audios on books I’ve previously read and loved. Then you can also have both versions matching your vision of the book perfectly. This was true for Squared Away Greg Boudreaux made the characters come alive. He managed to portray them exactly how I saw them in my mind, and boy did they ever come alive under his talented ministrations.
Squared Away whisks us away to a wedding and among the many guests are Mark, brother to the bride, and a navy SEAL to boot; and young Isaiah, a cousin to the groom who’s set his sight on Mark. Only things don’t end as planned and Isaiah is left with a dented heart. Fast forward six years into the future where a horrible accident leaves three children orphaned and for Isaiah and Mark to care for. We follow them through their grief, the ups and downs dealing with three young children, the legal matters, but mostly dealing with each other. Trusting, and not trusting, the attraction, and self-discovery.
The way Greg Boudreaux portrayed Mark and Isaiah just fit perfectly with their personalities. Mark, a lot overbearing, a bit full of himself, yet at the same time confused and afraid of his own feelings and exploring who he was deep down. Greg Boudreaux nailed him, you could feel it all coming through the narration, it was just right.
Then you have Isaiah, a man who’s rarely been taken seriously and always being judged for his past and young age. He loves deeply and fully and will do anything for the people he calls family. This too comes easily across with Boudreaux’s narration. You feel Isaiah’s frustration, the loss, being overwhelmed by taking care of three children. Being frustrated with Mark, falling for him. It’s all there in Boudreaux’s voice.
Annabeth Albert did a wonderful job creating a good plot and great characters. And to couple that with Greg Boudreaux’s amazing voice added another level and truly brought this story alive.
Highly recommended.
RATING: 
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