If you love military romance books, you should definitely check out Off Base by Annabeth Albert!  After trading the barracks for a fixer-upper rental, navy SEAL Zack Nelson wants peace, not a roommate. But Zack can’t refuse Pike’s offer.  Living with Pike crumbles Zack’s restraint and fuels his curiosity.  I received one copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest reviews but all opinions expressed here are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.

Off Base by Annabeth Albert

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Title:  Off Base

Series:   Out of Uniform

Author:      Annabeth Albert

Publisher:  Carina Press 

ASIN:  B01LLPCCMG

Genre:  M/M, Contemporary, Military

Length/Format:  656 KB/304 pages

Heat Rating:   3

Star Rating:   4

 

About Annabeth Albert: 

To learn more about the author you can check out her website or follow along on Facebook or Twitter.

 

Off Base Book Blurb:  

After trading the barracks for a fixer-upper rental, navy SEAL Zack Nelson wants peace, not a roommate—especially not Pike, who sees things about Zack he most wants to hide. Pike’s flirting puts virgin Zack on edge. And the questions Pike’s arrival would spark from Zack’s teammates about his own sexuality? Nope. Not going there. But Zack can’t refuse.

Pike Reynolds knows there won’t be a warm welcome in his new home. What can he say? He’s an acquired taste. But he needs this chance to get his life together. Also, teasing the uptight SEAL will be hella fun. Still, Pike has to tread carefully; he’s had his fill of tourists in the past, and he can’t risk his heart on another, not even one as hot, as built—and, okay, yeah, as adorable—as Zack.

Living with Pike crumbles Zack’s restraint and fuels his curiosity. He discovers how well they fit together in bed…in the shower…in the hallway… He needs Pike more than he could have imagined, yet he doesn’t know how to be the man Pike deserves.

 

Off Base Review:

Off Base by Annabeth Albert is a spinoff of the Gaymers series which I have also read and really enjoy.  In this book, you will follow Pike’s story as he falls in love with SEAL Zack Nelson.   It’s a rocky road and the book is filled with homophobia and all the fears and insecurities and even some heartbreak that goes along with it.

Zack is gay, although not out to anyone and is a complete virgin.  Being a SEAL and being gay is NOT something he thinks is acceptable. He comes from a seriously homophobic family and was bullied by his brother as a child.  He definitely has a few issues.  Unfortunately, one of his teammates caught him staring at something he shouldn’t have been in the shower and now he is pretty much being blackmailed.  Honestly, I was rather disgusted by Zack’s attitude for a lot of the book.  He is a SEAL for heaven’s sake.  To just let some guy push you around like that is pathetic.  I know, he is afraid of being caught but I had zero respect for him for most of the book.  Even when he finally falls for Pike and they begin a relationship, he is so far into the closet I’m not sure how he ever finally found his way out.

Pike is totally out and flirts with Zack mercilessly, even when he doesn’t realize that Zack is actually gay.  That is just his personality but when forces collide and Pike moves in with Zack, he promises to tone things down a bit.  Too bad the chemistry between them refuses to let them stay apart for long.   Pike’s flirty and fun personality is actually a really great balance to Zack’s serious and reserved attitude.  I really liked them together… Zack learns to let go a little bit and Pike actually grows up and matures a bit, himself.

There are plenty of secondary characters in the story to fill out the story ine.  Many of them are from the Gaymer’s series so if you read that one you will catch up with your favorite guys.  You don’t have to read the Gaymer’s stories to follow Off Base by Annabeth Albert.  It is a standalone book with no cliffhangers.

I really enjoyed Off Base by Annabeth Albert, even if I didn’t really like Zack’s character for much of the story.  I understand his issues but they made his character seem very weak.  I enjoyed seeing both of these guys mature as the story progressed and there is a nice HEA in the epilogue as well.

Which military romance books do YOU recommend?

 

Gaymers Book 3: Connection Error by Annabeth Albert

Read my review!