Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Rocky Start
AUTHOR: Annabeth Albert
SERIES: A-List Security #4
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 311 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 12, 2023
BLURB:
I think I’m falling for my bodyguard co-worker. Now I need protection… from myself.
As a former SEAL intelligence officer, I’m supposed to be smart. Unfortunately, those smarts don’t apply to love. I did a nice thing and took my heartbroken fellow bodyguard out for a Valentine’s dinner. Just us bros. But my plan worked a little too well, and a night that ended with a scorching kiss has turned into the most awkward morning at the office ever. Now we’re working together as bodyguards on a remote mountain movie shoot. And we’re roommates.
I’ve never been attracted to a guy before, but something about Avery calls to every protective instinct I have. We’re not dating, but every night alone together, I fall a little deeper. It’s also Avery’s first time with a guy too, and while we’re both enjoying all sorts of new things together, I worry my heart will be broken when we return to civilization.
No matter how badly this may end, I can’t seem to stop wanting Avery. All of him. I want to see who he’ll become if he ever manages to get out of his own way. I want to be his biggest cheerleader, best friend, and the guy he comes home to. But going from secret hookup to forever after is a big ask. Are we both brave enough to take the leap?
REVIEW:
Rocky Start got of to a rocky start for me but eventually turned itself around into an enjoyable read. It’s a co-workers to lovers, dual bi-awakening story about two straight security guards working a job together for A-List Security. They go out to dinner – as friends on a not-a-date, on Valentine’s Day of all days – and afterwards, do a little sexual experimentation with some man-on-man action. They both think it’s hot but only one of them can deal with what it says about himself.
Twenty-five year old Avery, a former Navy SEAL, feels nothing but shame afterwards and runs off. He’s scared not knowing what this means about his sexuality and insists to himself he’s still straight. Malik, six or so years older than Avery, a former Navy Intelligence Officer, doesn’t break a sweat upon discovering he likes men and he comfortably settles into a pansexual identity. Avery tries to distance himself from Malik but soon they’re assigned to another job working together, this time providing security on a remote movie set in Colorado. There’s only one nearby motel and, of course, there’s only *one room left*. It has two beds, though, but they only need one.
As for them being opposites, Malik’s unwavering acceptance of his true self is in direct contrast with Avery’s denial. Malik is more easy going, preferring to live in the moment without needing set plans, just enjoying life. Avery doesn’t like having that much freedom; he likes to be told what to do and needs continual reassurance. His indecisiveness and lack of confidence are incongruent with the personality one would expect from a SEAL.
I had a hard time connecting with Avery for about the first quarter of the book. He comes across dumb and clueless, traits I never find attractive in a book hero. Then he becomes pouty, pissy, and obstinate, clearly not wanting to be gay or bisexual. His internalized homophobia becomes tiring. While I love books with bi-awakening tropes, I strongly prefer when the men accept their new found identity more easily. Is it less realistic when everything is easy-peasy? Perhaps, but it’s my preference.
For me, the beginning of the book read like they were high school kids in low-quality, erotic fan fiction. I know that’s harsh but I assure you, the book evolves into one much better written, in keeping with Annabeth Albert’s usual quality work. I will say, I enjoyed the mild kink: spanking and men’s lingerie. I also appreciated the cameos by Wes and Dustin from Wheels Up (Out of Uniform #4), one of my favorite of Albert’s novels.
RATING: 
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