Let’s take a little look inside of Off Base by Annabeth Albert, the first book in the Out of Uniform series.
I found this book years ago, just as I was starting to read MM, and I completely fell in love with Zack and Pike’s story! It was hard to read at times though, Zack struggles heavily with his sexuality and there are a lot of homophobic remarks from his family and team members. For me it was an emotional and angsty read, but very much worth it in the end – these guys are amazing together!
What I loved about Off Base:
• wonderful and complex characters
• Zack’s development throughout the story
• all the flirting
• steamy exploring and first times
How it begins…
“What do you mean they’re not coming?”
Tropes
- military
- friends to lovers
- opposites attract
- hurt / comfort
- first time
“I just know I’m so tired of hating myself every second of every day, and when I’m around you, I don’t hate me so much. I’ve spent the last year trying to make sense of me, but when I’m around you, it feels like the answer might actually be out there.”
What to expect
- a deeply closeted Navy SEAL
- reluctant roommates
- lots of teasing and flirting
- emotional
- a bit of a slow burn
- workplace struggles
- homophobia
“You like me, don’t you?” Pike whispered against his lips.
“More than,” Zack whispered back.
“You. This. Us. It’s everything.”
The Secret Librarian 