Squared Away by Annabeth Albert
Review by Lauren
source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own
Official Summary (add to Goodreads): 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: Squared Away is the fifth book in the Out of Uniform series and I just loved it so much! This book just really pulls at your heartstrings. Isaiah’s cousin – who is more like his brother – and Mark’s sister are married and when they die in a car accident, the two men are left with three kids. Except, there are conflicting thoughts via the wills as to who exactly is meant to look after them. Mark has a strong sense of duty and as a navy doctor, he doesn’t let go of control well. He believes that he should look after the kids because it’s his sister, he’s older, and he still very much sees Isaiah as a teenager with a crush on him. Isaiah’s a lot different than Mark gives him credit for though, and the book really does explore their slowly budding relationship.
One of the things that I really loved about Squared Away is that Mark is gray ace (which essentially is between asexuality and sexuality). Mark has never been interested in intimate relationships until Isaiah, which is why he’s never had a relationship work in the past. However, being with Isaiah doesn’t magically mean he wants to have sex with him all the time. I liked how the author explored Mark’s sexuality, especially since he was trying to figure it out as the book went along as well. Isaiah was really sweet and patient, and he never pushed Mark for more. Just having Mark was enough for him, which should be how any relationship is, whether the couple has a lot of sex or not. That can be the the whole basis of a relationship after all.
There is a bit of drama, but I thought it was realistic in terms of the situation and the character’s personalities, but I also really like how Mark and Isaiah try and work things out in as mature a way as possible – at least in front of the kids. Those kids are definitely the ones they worry about the most in all the chaos of finding them their new “forever family” if you will.
I do recommend this series. You can read these as stand-alones, but some of the previous characters do show up here and there throughout.
New book in a great series - Squared Away by Annabeth Albert #bookreview on the blog! #mmromance Share on X
I always say it but I need to read this series. And they have it at my library so I don’t know what I am waiting for! This sounds like another excellent installment. Great review!
I’m glad you enjoyed this so much!
I passed on this one because I don’t really like books that focus too much on children. After reading your review, I’m kind of regretting that decision. Glad you enjoyed it!
Oh my, imagine suddenly raising three children. This one sounds so good.
Being thrust into a situation raising three children can’t be easy, and this sounds like it has an interesting past storyline and romance along with all the legal stuff. Sounds like another good read!
I think I need to read this series, sounds like something I would really like.
That would def. be challenging. Children are a lot of work and I only have 2! Looks like a good book!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I do like when a series can be read as stand alones!
First of all, that cover. *fans self* Love it! And, like Grace, I’ve been meaning to start this series for so long and it just hasn’t happened yet. On the plus side, that means I can binge the first several books instead of having to wait for them. 🙂
A gray ace, I haven’t read a book with a character of that orientation, that interests me. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like an interesting read 🙂
I agree it’s interesting to see how the characters are handled and that it’s a bit different there
I am always into a good series!
Great review! Your post convinced me to read it!
Oh wow, just reading the synopsis is tugging at my heartstrings. I like that it sounds like so much more than just a romance too, with all of the legal issues pertaining to the kids.
This sounds like an interesting plot. I’ve mainly kept my Netgalley reads to non-fiction, but maybe I need to branch out!
This sounds like a really interesting read! I’m not familiar with “gray ace”–glad that it was explained well in the book!
I’ve never ever heard of this series but it sounds so good. I may have to search it out!
I enjoyed this one too. I felt really bad for Isaiah but I loved how it all worked out.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth