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laure_frompariswithbooks's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
tyshaw001's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Made me tear up a couple times.
botal93's review against another edition
4.0
I've always had a soft spot for this series. In fact, Off Base (book 1) was the first M/M romance I ever read. This is book 5, but each book can easily be read standalone.
I tend to struggle with books that focus on kids, and this one isn't my favourite book from the series, partly for that reason. I'm going to sound so cold-hearted, but I'm just not a kid person. The ones in this story though weren't too bad, and were also essential to the story.
I liked the MCs in this one, and I loved how the book explores demisexuality. Annabeth Albert is a master of the M/M romance, and this book is jam packed full of cutesy and intimate moments. I actually loved that it wasn't all always about sex, but also about the bond between the characters. There are a LOT of scenes featuring varying levels of intimacy between the pair and I found them all to be really well written and actually quite hot. Their connection felt really real and strong, and my heart absolutely broke at various moments.
I also enjoyed how this story allowed the characters to grow and was really impressed with their growth through the story.
I deducted 1 star as I thought the last part of the book was a bit rushed.
It's important to note that this book does cover loss, grief, homophobia and graphic injuries during various points - this wasn't an issue for me, but I'd hold off if any of these things bother you.
TL:DR - This is a perfect military romance from a master of the craft. It has plenty of steam, plenty of angst and will most likely send you on an emotional rollercoaster. It explores sexualities you don't see much of in books (demisexuality being one) and this allows for a really real and interesting relationship between the MCs. I found it hard to put down.
I tend to struggle with books that focus on kids, and this one isn't my favourite book from the series, partly for that reason. I'm going to sound so cold-hearted, but I'm just not a kid person. The ones in this story though weren't too bad, and were also essential to the story.
I liked the MCs in this one, and I loved how the book explores demisexuality. Annabeth Albert is a master of the M/M romance, and this book is jam packed full of cutesy and intimate moments. I actually loved that it wasn't all always about sex, but also about the bond between the characters. There are a LOT of scenes featuring varying levels of intimacy between the pair and I found them all to be really well written and actually quite hot. Their connection felt really real and strong, and my heart absolutely broke at various moments.
I also enjoyed how this story allowed the characters to grow and was really impressed with their growth through the story.
I deducted 1 star as I thought the last part of the book was a bit rushed.
It's important to note that this book does cover loss, grief, homophobia and graphic injuries during various points - this wasn't an issue for me, but I'd hold off if any of these things bother you.
TL:DR - This is a perfect military romance from a master of the craft. It has plenty of steam, plenty of angst and will most likely send you on an emotional rollercoaster. It explores sexualities you don't see much of in books (demisexuality being one) and this allows for a really real and interesting relationship between the MCs. I found it hard to put down.
nomomstayandread's review
3.0
I wanted to shake Mark and tell him just to communicate better throughout the entire book. He was not the main caretaker of these children and made huge mistakes not looping Isaiah in on major decisions.
I appreciated the demisexual rep for Mark and Isaiah's patience and willingness to wait and work through things together.
I appreciated the demisexual rep for Mark and Isaiah's patience and willingness to wait and work through things together.
razzlet83's review against another edition
4.0
Aces Wild
Another cute HEA, with navy seal Mark and his new family. After Cal and Dani pass away, leaving the custody of their children split between their brothers, Mark has to come to terms with his demisexuality, before they can become a family. I enjoy Annabeths Albert's novels, but I wish there was more depth to the underlying plot. Bonus points for the excellent portrayal of a demi-sexual character.
Another cute HEA, with navy seal Mark and his new family. After Cal and Dani pass away, leaving the custody of their children split between their brothers, Mark has to come to terms with his demisexuality, before they can become a family. I enjoy Annabeths Albert's novels, but I wish there was more depth to the underlying plot. Bonus points for the excellent portrayal of a demi-sexual character.
kaity_b's review
4.0
4 stars!
Mark and Isaiah were a good team loved seeing some different rep in there (mark being demi/gray ace)
The kids were adorable and the ending is what made my rating go up! (Hint:
Mark and Isaiah were a good team loved seeing some different rep in there (mark being demi/gray ace)
The kids were adorable and the ending is what made my rating go up! (Hint:
heabooknerd's review
5.0
Once again Annabeth Albert writes a fantastic book and I'm loving this series more and more with each new addition! I'm a huge fan of deeply emotional, character driven reads and I always find that with Albert's books. SQUARED AWAY in particular was giving me all the feels; between the grief over losing Cal and Dani, to Isaiah's worry over keeping custody of the kids, to Mark's self discovery it was overflowing with emotions. I was sucked in from the very beginning and desperate to find out more as I went on this journey with Mark and Isaiah. The pace in the beginning was a bit slower but I think it fit the overall somber feel of that part of the story. But even with such a heavy topic weighing in, I never felt overwhelmed by the character's grief, which I appreciated. Albert's skill with writing allowed the reader to see everyone's pain and oftentimes anger without totally derailing the more happy and hopeful parts.
The characters are always a strong suit of these books, and I loved Isaiah from start to finish! He's wonderfully confident and compassionate and he's never afraid to go after what he wants. Isaiah never backs down on his fight to take care of the kids and he was truly a wonderful "parent" for them. I loved seeing him in the prologue and then getting to see how much he's grown up once we see him with the kids. He's also incredibly understanding of Mark as he works to sort out his sexuality and accept himself for who he is. Mark was a tougher cookie to crack in the beginning and he comes across a bit standoffish and snobby. He has no confidence in Isaiah's ability to be a stable parent but he soon sees just how much Isaiah has changed. I really grew to love Mark as well in the story and most of that comes from how much introspection and acceptance he goes through in his journey.
I also really appreciated Albert's representation of a character who was grey ace or demisexual. Mark has pretty much given up on relationships and the idea of love because he's rarely interested in other people or sex. He's been attracted to men before but he doesn't really consider himself gay or even bi. Mark goes through a lot of self-discovery in this book and watching him learn to understand his desires and what's happening in his mind, body, and heart was really great. Mark and Isaiah have such amazing chemistry in a really sweet way. But make no mistake these two are hot together, but they also share the quieter moments like cuddling during a movie and kissing for endless amounts of time. Of course Mark's newly found self is hard at times for him to accept and this causes friction between Mark and Isaiah. The inevitable clash was heartbreaking to read and I felt so much for both men who are just trying to find happiness after so much loss. I loved SQUARED AWAY from start to finish and I can't wait for the next book in the series!
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Content Warning: Death of side characters, grieving family
The characters are always a strong suit of these books, and I loved Isaiah from start to finish! He's wonderfully confident and compassionate and he's never afraid to go after what he wants. Isaiah never backs down on his fight to take care of the kids and he was truly a wonderful "parent" for them. I loved seeing him in the prologue and then getting to see how much he's grown up once we see him with the kids. He's also incredibly understanding of Mark as he works to sort out his sexuality and accept himself for who he is. Mark was a tougher cookie to crack in the beginning and he comes across a bit standoffish and snobby. He has no confidence in Isaiah's ability to be a stable parent but he soon sees just how much Isaiah has changed. I really grew to love Mark as well in the story and most of that comes from how much introspection and acceptance he goes through in his journey.
I also really appreciated Albert's representation of a character who was grey ace or demisexual. Mark has pretty much given up on relationships and the idea of love because he's rarely interested in other people or sex. He's been attracted to men before but he doesn't really consider himself gay or even bi. Mark goes through a lot of self-discovery in this book and watching him learn to understand his desires and what's happening in his mind, body, and heart was really great. Mark and Isaiah have such amazing chemistry in a really sweet way. But make no mistake these two are hot together, but they also share the quieter moments like cuddling during a movie and kissing for endless amounts of time. Of course Mark's newly found self is hard at times for him to accept and this causes friction between Mark and Isaiah. The inevitable clash was heartbreaking to read and I felt so much for both men who are just trying to find happiness after so much loss. I loved SQUARED AWAY from start to finish and I can't wait for the next book in the series!
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Content Warning: Death of side characters, grieving family
bookschaosnart's review
4.0
This is a good growth story. For both of the characters individually and their relationship.
kerithesmutslut's review
3.0
This was my least favorite. Honestly it just went a step too far. I hated Mark. I felt like for someone who struggled so much with his sexuality he was sure judgemental. He felt like because Isiah had slept around a little bit that he was untrustworthy and would never grow up, even though Isiah never once went out when he started to look after the kids. Isiah showed who he was and Mark still refused to believe him. Honestly I felt like Mark in no way made up for how he treated him and I don’t know if I’ve ever been so angry at a character before. Isiah was perfect, and he deserved so much better.