Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Off Base

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Off Base by Annabeth Albert

5 reviews

thepictureofromance's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Annabeth Albert does it again, this was an absolutely fantastic read!!

It had a really great mix of sexy and serious. I really, really enjoyed it!!

(Also, Tyler Stevens did a GREAT job with the audio. I was hooked from his first breath!!)

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amris's review

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emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

redhairedashreads's review

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

5 stars - I loved it!

Navy SEAL Zack Nelson wants peace so he trades in the barracks for a fixer-upper rental. What he doesn’t want is a roommate, especially Pike who’s arrival will spark Zack’s teammates to question his own sexuality.

This was wonderful! Zack has never revealed to anyone, even himself, that he is gay. He does everything he can to come off as straight, including allowing himself to be bullyed by a homophobic team mate. Zack really has a lot of fear to work though. His parents are homophobic and toxic towards him so he feels he constantly has to appear as perfect, and deny himself. This causes a lot of problems with Pike but eventually he does realize he needs to live for himself.

“I just know that 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.”

Pike is a flirt who loves to tease Zack. What he doesn’t expect is to really like the man behind all the grump. Once he gets to know Zack, and understands his fears at coming out, he really falls for how sweet and caring Zack can be. I really loved how Pike let Zack set the pace for his sexual experimentation, but he didn’t let him use sex to hide his feelings. He pushes Zack to talk about his feelings and fears, which is what he needed.

Zack and Pike had a very emotional relationship that I really loved. I loved how Pike taught Zack to embrace his sexuality and the importance of being himself. These two were super sweet together. Zack and Pike were both amazing characters and I loved seeing them grow as they came closer. Overall, this was an amazing start to a series and I can’t wait to read the next book.

Trigger warnings: homophobia, bullying, toxic parents, near death experience from ruptured appendix

Content Warnings

ollie_again's review

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emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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taliabasma's review

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Aside from the fact that I doubt Zack would have had this HEA in real life, I’m a sucker for escaping the hate of society so well ZACK AND PIKE WERE SO CUTE TOGETHER. Zack was just the right of hesitant grump and then Pike was a cinnamon roll with a kick. Will be reading the rest of the series hehe

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