When a SEAL medic inherits three young children, he must battle to keep the family together and keep his long-held feelings for the man challenging him for custody at bay.
Squared Away
Series: Out of Uniform #5
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date (Print & Ebook): April 16. Print, ebook, and audio all available.
Length (Print & Ebook): 80,000 words
Subgenre: m/m military romance
Includes: military romance, insta-family, hurt/comfort, angst, interracial, heroes-with-kids, gay romance, demisexual/gray ace hero, first time, loss, reunion, forced proximity
Links:
Synopsis:
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.
What Annabeth Albert has to say about this book in her Out of Uniform series:
“I wanted to write a book about the nature of family and how loss and tragedy can shape family, mold it into something stronger, force growth and change. I’m enormously proud of SQUARED AWAY as a result because how I fell in love with this little family.”
“When Wizard first appeared in ON POINT as a secondary character, I was intrigued by him, but it wasn’t until I let myself get into his head that I really saw how complicated he was. I feel honored and privileged to have been able to tell his story.”
“No book gets written in a vacuum and this one is no different. I owe a huge debt on this book to my sensitivity readers who really encouraged me to dig deep.”
4 Stars!
After Isaiah's cousin and his wife die in a tragic accident, both him and Mark Whitley's, the wife's brother, are left dealing with the aftermath and trying to keep the couple's 3 young children in their custody. Mark thinks Isaiah is too young at 24 to really know what he's getting into and Isaiah is determined to prove him wrong.
Squared Away is book 5 in the Out of Uniform series and can be read as a standalone, although I suggest you pick the whole series as it's amazing and you won't regret it.
When I started reading the book, I found Isaiah very likable and wasn't too sure about Mark, then I started liking Mark and getting slightly frustrated with Isaiah, and thankfully, by the end, I got to a happy medium and ended up liking both of them. Isaiah was young and wasn't too certain of what he really wanted to do with his life, other than taking care of his cousin Cal's children, and I really enjoyed seeing him find something he could be passionate about. He was great with the children and I really enjoyed their interactions. Of course, he was also in a bit over his head and refused to ask for help until Dylan pointed it out that he should put the children's welfare above his ego. He was really patient with Mark as he figured things out, and really, I can't fault him for getting fed up that Mark just refused to give it a try. Now, Mark, well, I wasn't too sure what to make of him at first, although I liked his journey of self-discovery as he finally accepted his sexuality and kind of settled on a label. It took him a long time, too, which was a bit annoying. I just couldn't understand what the problem was with others finding out he was with Isaiah, but I guess all's well that ends well.
Overall, I think the two of them showed a lot of growth throughout the book and it was nice seeing the progression of their relationship.
While Squared Away wasn't my favorite book in the series, it was still pretty good, a bit angsty and heavy in parts, but well balanced with the romance and becoming an instant family. I loved that the kids were such an integral part of the story without taking it over, too. And of course, it was nice catching up with other characters from the series. All in all, this was a lovely hurt/comfort read and I have no trouble recommending it.
*** Copy provided to the reviewer via NetGalley by Carina Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
After Isaiah's cousin and his wife die in a tragic accident, both him and Mark Whitley's, the wife's brother, are left dealing with the aftermath and trying to keep the couple's 3 young children in their custody. Mark thinks Isaiah is too young at 24 to really know what he's getting into and Isaiah is determined to prove him wrong.
Squared Away is book 5 in the Out of Uniform series and can be read as a standalone, although I suggest you pick the whole series as it's amazing and you won't regret it.
When I started reading the book, I found Isaiah very likable and wasn't too sure about Mark, then I started liking Mark and getting slightly frustrated with Isaiah, and thankfully, by the end, I got to a happy medium and ended up liking both of them. Isaiah was young and wasn't too certain of what he really wanted to do with his life, other than taking care of his cousin Cal's children, and I really enjoyed seeing him find something he could be passionate about. He was great with the children and I really enjoyed their interactions. Of course, he was also in a bit over his head and refused to ask for help until Dylan pointed it out that he should put the children's welfare above his ego. He was really patient with Mark as he figured things out, and really, I can't fault him for getting fed up that Mark just refused to give it a try. Now, Mark, well, I wasn't too sure what to make of him at first, although I liked his journey of self-discovery as he finally accepted his sexuality and kind of settled on a label. It took him a long time, too, which was a bit annoying. I just couldn't understand what the problem was with others finding out he was with Isaiah, but I guess all's well that ends well.
Overall, I think the two of them showed a lot of growth throughout the book and it was nice seeing the progression of their relationship.
While Squared Away wasn't my favorite book in the series, it was still pretty good, a bit angsty and heavy in parts, but well balanced with the romance and becoming an instant family. I loved that the kids were such an integral part of the story without taking it over, too. And of course, it was nice catching up with other characters from the series. All in all, this was a lovely hurt/comfort read and I have no trouble recommending it.
*** Copy provided to the reviewer via NetGalley by Carina Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Praise for the series:
“Albert delivers a solid hurt/comfort story…” RT Book Reviews on SQUARED AWAY
“Mark and Isaiah’s budding relationship happens with sensitivity and steamy moments…” RT Book Reviews on SQUARED AWAY
“Annabeth Albert's Out of Uniform series is a unique look at SEALs' lives, showing us the insides of their hearts and homes and the love that drives them.” ~Layla Reyne, author of the Agents Irish and Whisky series.
“Sexy, sweet and heartfelt, Annabeth Albert's Out of Uniform series is a fresh take on Navy SEALs that will delight and entertain romance readers.” ~Layla Reyne, author of the Agents Irish and Whisky series.
Excerpt
“You want to kiss me,” Isaiah said again. “So you should.”
His face was right there, waiting, body no longer the reassuring weight on Mark’s lap. He seriously could have kept touching Isaiah all night. He’d never wanted to explore another person the way he did Isaiah.
You want to so you should. Isaiah made it sound so simple.
“Unless you’re chicken?” Isaiah grinned at him, unrepentant, and Mark flashed to the last time Isaiah had dared him like this, the last time he wanted to find out what Isaiah tasted like. He’d wanted to kiss Isaiah so badly that night that it had hurt. But Isaiah had been eighteen and he’d been himself and just…yeah.
But now the want was back and his heart was beating so hard Isaiah had to be able to hear it.
“I’m not chicken.” As if in a trance, Mark reached out, traced Isaiah’s generous mouth with his thumb. Soft. So soft. His tongue came out, licked at the pad of Mark’s thumb, making him hiss in a breath. Apparently Isaiah liked that reaction because his lips curved up into a hint of a smile and he used his teeth next, grazing Mark’s callused skin.
Fuck. A burning hot sizzle raced up his spine.
Isaiah’s tongue attacked his palm next, little flicks that were the single most erotic experience of Mark’s life. His breath came in harsh little pants. Dipping his head, Isaiah trailed his mouth along Mark’s bare arm, hitting nerve endings he’d never seen in his anatomy texts. His wrist. His inner elbow. Dipping under the edge of his T-shirt. Moving to his neck, licking a determined path to his jaw.
“Kiss me,” Isaiah whispered, lips against his cheek. He could have closed the gap himself rather easily, but he was waiting on Mark, giving him just enough space to pull away. And somehow that hesitation, that consideration was what undid Mark, made him lean in.
Isaiah was going to tempt and dare and tease but he wasn’t going to take. No, that had to be up to Mark. And fuck, Mark couldn’t bear pulling away, not ever knowing what those lips felt like against his own. So he slid his mouth over, cautiously finding Isaiah’s. It was the most glancing of contact but he felt it all the way to his toes.
He’d been kissed before, but usually the other person took over by this point. Not Isaiah. He seemed content to let Mark get his bearings, decide how much pressure felt good, move his mouth this way and that, experimenting. Mark felt like he’d been waiting years to nip at that full lower lip, so he followed that impulse, which made Isaiah groan low. His hand came to rest on Mark’s shoulder, not yanking him closer, just a steady pressure. Another point of connection.
Mark repeated the motion, more aggressive this pass, sucking on Isaiah’s lip. He used his tongue to trace its contours, moving to lick at the seam, his turn to tease. Isaiah whimpered and trembled, and then it was Mark doing the pulling, making their torsos collide. Mouth opening on a groan, Isaiah wordlessly invited him to take more. This was the part that Mark hadn’t always liked in the past, but his tongue rushed ahead, eager to continue exploring.
And it was good.
About Annabeth Albert:
Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. The #OutOfUniform series joins her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat and #PerfectHarmony series. To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: www.annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two active children.
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