Received an ARC via Netgalley

I think this may be my new favorite in the series. I really loved this romance. There are some minor quibbles. Mark slut shames Isaiah A LOT and it's never really addressed appropriately for me. Especially when contrasted with how much care and understanding Isaiah gives Mark's sexuality and his journey, which he shouldn't get a pat on the back for being a decent person but I just wish it had been equal or reciprocated. I really loved Mark's journey with his sexuality, I feel like it was handled with care and respect but not like a schmaltzy after school special. (Though take my opinion with a grain of salt, I'm not an expert or authority on being Ace/Demi.) Along with the grief, Mark is pretty densely selfish for a lot of the books, he doesn't mean to be but he is. Isaiah loses his brother and friend, but I don't remember Mark ever truly acknowledging that (at least out loud to Isaiah). This sounds like I really didn't like him but I did! He's just a little bit of a work in progress. Isaiah, contrary to how the characters act, has it a lot more together IMO. He gets kind of treated like crud by his father, and by Mark, but I loved the way his relation with his father progressed. It felt real and relatable. The kids were great, present enough to be a factor but not the stars of the book. I love seeing the other guys from the series. I enjoy when they all pop in. It's the whole appeal of a series. I'm hoping Bacon is next!

I was a little hesitant about this book at first, because I didn't exactly like how the whole rejection thing went down (not because it happened, just how the characters, more specifically, Isaiah, acted), but thankfully once there was the fast forward to 'the present', things definitely got a lot better. We get to learn more about those characters and I honestly loved them, Mark seriously deserves a hug and to be protected. I loved how they're both incredibly stubborn independent people who want to take care and protect each other, but the other keeps refusing and the relationship development was simply incredible. I don't really think this was anything innovative, but the characters and their relationship were really the best part, and I think it's what this kind of book is about, really. My main issue, was the lack of something telling when the POVs changed, especially when the change would happen in the middle of a chapter. This was a really nice and sweet read and I will definitely be picking up more books to read by Annabeth Albert in the future,.

Squared Away is the fifth book in the Out of Uniform series by the fabulous Annabeth Albert. I'm such a big fan of her and this series. Annabeth just knows how to use words for maximum impact. Whether she wants you to laugh, cry, swoon, get mad or fall in love. Her writing is always fantastic. These SEAL characters are so real to me that it's like a family reunion every time I read a new installment. We have met Isiah before, he's Dylan's best friend. Mark is Bacon's teammate and friend. Mark and Isaiah met years ago at Mark's sister and Isaiah's cousins wedding. Isaiah had a seriously big crush on the older, sexy SEAL, but Mark wasn't going to cross that line. They had fun and shared a connection, but Isaiah was only eighteen and Mark wasn't going there. Years later, tragedy strikes and leaves Isaiah and Mark to raise Mark's sister's kids. Mark is expecting the young, player who he's seen a few times over the years but, Isaiah is all grown up and taking perfect care of the kids. Isaiah's crush on Mark ended years ago, but just seeing the handsome SEAL again brings all those feelings back up. Now that they are living under the same roof, it's hard not to be attracted to Mark again. But Mark is kind of jerky and acts hot and cold around Isaiah. One night they get closer than expected and Mark admits he's demisexual, where you only get turned on after an emotional connection to someone. He felt connected to Isaiah all those years ago and he still does. He's not ready for more and Isaiah is willing to take it slow and easy. What happens when custody hearings and lawyers get involved? Can Mark own up to his feelings and claim Isaiah before he loses his family? I loved this story! It was the first book I read where one of the main characters is on the asexual spectrum and it was incredibly well done and interesting. I felt for Mark. He's grieving and trying to figure out who he is and what he wants. He's not easy on himself and he's used to being a badass SEAL who takes charge of everything. Isaiah is so great! He's funny, sexy, confident, knows who he is and loves the kids like they are his own. He's patient with Mark and isn't willing to push. But he's not going to wait around forever. I loved that about him. He deserves more. Not gonna lie, I wanted to smack Mark upside his head a few times. I know why he was struggling, but he acted like a moron! He did redeem himself in the end, so that made me happy. I loved the kids and their interaction with Mark and Isaiah. Overall, I loved it. Laughed, cried, got mad, got hot and bothered and swooned. I loved the slow burn of the romance. The kissing was outstanding and it was nice to have a love story start slowly and end perfectly.

"I just don't want to be a dirty secret, or some sort of afterthought in your life -"
"Ike. You are my life. You. The kids. You're the think keeping me sane as I deal with the mess of my life."

Kissing had never been like this. This he could jeep doing for hours.

From the first page it’s clear that Mark and Isaiah are complete opposites. Mark is a one-man fortress - stoic and completely self-reliant. Isaiah has more of a wild personality, preferring fun and living life in the moment.

These differences make it hard for the two to understand each other. Their relationship is made more difficult by the fact that Mark rejected Isaiah at a wedding six years ago, something neither man has forgotten.

But despite this history, the two pull it together for their nieces and nephew. The circumstances that bring them together are heartbreaking, but both men know that they have to put the kids first.

Grief is interwoven throughout the book, though it never becomes overwhelming. It’s a realistic depiction, showing how life has to move forward, regardless of the situation.

In working through their grief and trying to do what’s best for the children, the two MCs begin leaning on each other for support. It’s a shaky truce which slowly becomes a real friendship. Isaiah’s attentive to the pressures of Mark’s work as a SEAL, while Mark’s well-aware of the work Isaiah puts in to take care of the kids.

I really liked seeing how Isaiah and Mark began, and the kids, built a family as the story progressed. The kids play a big part in the book. They’re what bind the two MCs together, and a lot of the page time is devoted to them.

But that doesn’t mean the romance is lacking. It’s mellow and builds slowly, but the two MCs just click, building on years of secret pining.

Part of the reason the romance moves slowly is because of Mark’s sexuality - he’s both demisexual and grey ace. It makes for a different relationship experience, but both men are patient and take things step by step.

However, I could have done with less miscommunication or lack of communication between the MCs. It just got too repetitive at a point. Also, while I could understand Mark’s struggle, the hot-and-cold routine didn’t win him any favours.

That being said, I thought the happy ever after was really sweet. I was glad to see Mark, Isaiah, and their kids get the sunshine and roses they deserved!

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. If you’re looking for a slow MM romance with strong themes of family, I’d give ‘Squared Away’ a try.

Can loosing a loved one bring you to your “person” your one true love? Well, for Mark and Isaiah that is exactly what happens. It's not an easy road but the twists and turns is what makes this journey even sweeter.

Mark and Isiah met when Mark's sister was getting married to Isiah's cousin and there was an instant attraction and lots of chemistry but nothing ever came of it, now fast forward several years when a devastating car accident takes the lives of both Mark's sister and his brother-in-law (Cal, Isaiah's cousin) and left behind are their three kids. I need to say being a mother of four I always worried about what would happen to my kids if anything ever happened but what most of us never wonder about is how that would effect the lives of those left to care for your children. In this story Annabeth Albert does a wonderful job showing just that, Isiah's life changed immediately and once Mark found out about the accident and returned home from his deployment it changed his as well.

I have been a big fan of Annabeth Albert's books because the way she rights draws me in and always makes me feel as if I am right there along side of the MCs watching how everything unfolds. In SQUARED AWAY, not only did my heart break at the realization that two lives had ended and the three children would be raised by their uncles, but it was put back together as I watched the beauty of a new relationship evolve from all the turmoil. Isiah and Mark may have been pushed together but they totally belonged together, the way each of them had to come to terms with the reality that was now their lives and be there for the other really touched me.

This story also touched on a subject I don't see a lot of in Romance books, demisexual/gray-ACE, while the terms may be new to some, and if it is you can find out more about it here http://www.asexualityarchive.com/under-t..., it is something that I was thrilled to see. Not everyone is a horn dog, some have a harder time with sex/intimacy and Ms. Albert did a terrific job handling this sensitive subject.

SQUARED AWAY touched me in so many different ways, I hope you give it a try. Although this is book five in the OUT OF UNIFORM series it can be read as a standalone, but personally I think you will enjoy it much more if you read the series in order because there are secondary characters that get their HEAs in the first four books, and some that will be getting thier HEAs soon. Happy Reading!

4.5 Stars.

This isn't your typical romance story and was different from the previous books in the series but in a wonderful way. This is a character driven book about two very different men who slowly find each other in the mist of tragedy. There isn't much sex in this book but there are a lot of tender, intimate moments that I loved. I really loved Mark's sexual journey and thought it was wonderfully written (although I freely admit I don't know much about Ace/Demi). Mark was a character with faults and issues but he was also a guy with good intentions and I loved his character growth throughout the book. Both Mark and Isaiah are dealing with grief/loss although I thought the book focused more on Mark's grief then Isaiah (and I do wish that Mark would have acknowledged Isaiah's loss). The relationship between the two was a slow, sweet burn and it felt realistic. I also thought that the relationship between Isaiah and his father and the progress they made was realistic. No sudden bonding/understanding but a slow change to a better place for both of them. IMO kids in romance books can be tricky but the kids in this book were used in a perfect way. Enough that they had their own personalities and weren't just a convenient plot point but not too much to take away from Mark and Isaiah. Of course it was great to have a few interactions with some of the characters from the previous books and I loved Bacon so hopefully his book will be next.

If you want a book with a fantastic emotional connection between the two MC's, some beautifully intimate moments, and great character growth then this is the perfect book and it can easily be read as a stand alone.

This was a very emotional story for me; I loved it.

I'm not sure what else I can say about Annabeth Albert's Out of Uniform series that hasn't already been said. It's a fantastic series and most of the books have been very emotional reads for me.

Squared Away features Mark who's confused about his sexuality, specifically his lack of sexual desire; he's never felt sexual desire for anyone, male or female. He's read up on asexuality but he's not really sure where he fits in the spectrum and he hates labels. Isaiah is gay and out. Six years ago, he made a pass at Mark and there was a spark, but Mark wouldn't act on it because Isaiah was only 18. A horrible tragedy brings these two back together again and memories of all the unresolved feelings they both had come flooding back.

Man, this book really got to me. Both Mark and Isaiah want to take care of the children left behind when Mark's sister and her husband (Isaiah's cousin) died. Isaiah is close to the three kids but Mark is a SEAL, and frequently deployed, so he hasn't spent much time around them. They both want what is best for the children but they are at odds as to what that really is.

While they are waiting for the courts to make a decision about custody of the children Mark and Isaiah grow closer. Isaiah is no longer the randy teenager he once was but he has trouble getting Mark to believe that. After Isaiah learns of Mark's fears about his lack of sexual desire he is quick to reassure him that he is content to take things as slow as Mark wants. He has to work hard to convince Mark that there are many different ways to make each other feel good and that he loves just making out with him.

It takes a lot of groveling on Mark's part to get Isaiah to give him another chance after he screws things up but Annabeth Albert always delivers an HEA, no matter how hard it might be for her guys to get there.

I am so happy that there will be more stories in this series.

BTW - each book in this series can easily be read as a standalone story.

A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions***

Back in again more Annabeth Albert and I am not tired of this series yet!


Squared Away can be read as a standalone. It features not only an ace MC but a biracial MC as well. If you've followed along in the series, Isaiah (secondary character from book #2 - At Attention) the sex positive roommate has harbored a crush on his cousin's brother-in-law, Mark aka Wizard. The two have a rocky start and years passed. They hear about each other in passing but a tragedy brings them together. Both end up guardians for three kids (Isaiah's cousin's and Mark's sister's kids).


Second chance, sexual discovery, grief and men with kids... the themes are all in the win pile for me.


I loved this blended family. The kids weren't annoying. The love was very apparent for the kids. The men have to learn how to be a family on their own terms while having to deal with grieving, outside opposition from family members. Plus, Isaiah would definitely fall in the new adult category. He's younger and still figuring his life out. Committing to passion is a bit of a problem for him. But the one thing that he doesn't flit from? Those kids.


The romance is a slow burn of sorts. And it fits the characters especially with Mark's background in relationships. Each intimate scene was meaningful and passionate. The kissing was really, really good.


Why not 5 Hearts? Isaiah has no problem with Mark being demisexual and not being out. He said the right words to Mark, he did the right actions...mostly. There was a point in the book where he was upset that Mark wasn't more demonstrative. It was like he took 2 steps forward and 1 step back. He said he understood. Why was he rushing Mark?


The book wasn't too angst heavy. There were more internal struggles and a bit of miscommunication (more of not telling the other the full story/plans regarding the future)


And as I loved Dylan (MC of At Attention), the bits of him showing up again made this reader happy.


A recommended read for readers who enjoy slow burn, kids and second chance.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
The deaths of family members that lead to Isaiah and Mark co-parenting three kids gave this book a pretty heavy emotional element for me. As a parent, it had me thinking about what would happen to my own child if anything happened to me.

Isaiah is a pretty amazing guy. Loving, giving, understanding, strong, and willing to change his entire life to take care of his nieces and nephew. I adored him. Mark, I struggled with. Not because he is a bad guy because he isn’t, but there were times I didn’t like the way he behaved at times towards Isaiah and the assumptions he was making about Isaiah. I think, in the end, I only liked Mark because he made Isaiah happy.

This is one of those stories where you can see the big event coming that is going to break your heart, make you cry, and I did cry out and it did. But I was surprised by an entirely different thread to the story that had the tears flowing even more.

Mark and Isaiah’s romance is beautiful and sweet, but they definitely have a tough time of it. I went through so many emotions from sadness and anger to hope and joy. Squared Away is a wonderful and emotional story and a great addition to the Out of Uniform series.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
Oh. My. God. The angst! This is a more grown up and family focused addition to the series that follows SEAL medic Mark and perpetual student Isaiah as they suddenly find themselves caring for three children after the deaths of their parents. It’s a story that manages to avoid becoming too heavy or maudlin – mostly because of Isaiah’s charm and the chemistry between Mark and Isaiah.

I loved Isaiah from the start. He’s cocky, arrogant, and a bit of a slacker. And when things get tough, he copes better than the veteran SEAL. It took me longer to warm to Mark. He’s a bit of a privileged ass at the start and he doesn’t have much self-awareness. I loved that these two make each other better. I loved their commitment to the kids and I loved watching them grow into the people they needed to be.

As much as this is a story about grief, it is also a book about the practical realities after sudden death. Mark and Isaiah don’t have time for the grieving process because they need to keep the kids going. And because of this, the few moments when one of the characters allows himself to be overwhelmed by anger, sadness, or guilt are incredibly moving.

I have to admit that for me, there are too many kids in this book. I’m not a fan of kids in romance and I didn’t really enjoy the way that Mark and Isaiah fall too easily into heteronormative gender roles. There is less heat in this book than there has been in previous stories in the series and there is less time spent on romance and relationship development. But this is a beautifully written story about two very special men and I admit to weeping through whole chapters.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/M Romance
Triggers: Drunk driving, death

This is, at least for me, more of a family story than a romance. I really enjoyed watching the characters but felt that Isaiah was a little left out. You just catch a glimpse of him and how he arrives where he does for chapter one. I wish that we were given more of his story. However, given that he was your typical young person – sowing his wild oats and partying with friends – you also were able to discern that he was all about his family too. He was willing to babysit whenever his brother asked and despite knowing that his brother had some issues, he loved him without qualification.

Then you have Mark. He is a SEAL and a medic, and he is suited to working under pressure. However, I felt that his background, despite being in the military, presented itself as if he was constantly running. His parents died when he was younger and since then, he kind of picked up and left the remaining family for his military brothers instead.

There is a lot of angst in this story and the relationship between Mark and Isaiah is somewhat juvenile. I liked that there was talk about different roles and sexuality – there was no typical in this story. However, it fell short when the family roles were portrayed as "typical." And, when you throw in the fact that both Isaiah and Mark are having to cope with losing someone and having a family thrust at them, there was very little time for true "typical" romance.

Given all of that, however, this was a very successful story about surviving tragedy and making sure that you use all of the people around you who love you and support you.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fifth book in the series and a really different story, which I found to be a very good read. I don't think you need to have read the previous books to enjoy this one, but they are also very enjoyable, so I would suggest you seek them out too.

There are two quiet threads to this book, and whilst they do inevitably interlink very closely, their foundations are very different. On the one hand is the most pressing task of looking after the three orphaned children. Both Mark and Isaiah have a reason to claim them as their responsibility, even though there are a lot of practical and financial issues which need to be resolved. On the other hand, Isaiah had a huge crush for Mark from when they worked together to set up the wedding for the now deceased children's parents. Mark then felt Isaiah too young (just 18) and anyway, was busy forging his career as a SEAL.

This second thread is, to me, the more interesting – there is a lot of story relating to the children, the issues that the lack of cohesive wills causes, and the family money ties. It is emotional at times, and I think probably portrays very well how close relatives thrown into looking after young orphaned children have to adapt and learn. The help of their friends and family enable the story to run as one would hope.

Mark and Isaiah thrown together, with some unresolved tensions from the wedding incident and having avoided the issue, are now living under the same roof. Isaiah is the younger, flightier man, and he is by turns delighted and unhappy to be with his erstwhile crush. Mark has another issue entirely – he has, over time, recognised that he is not wired the same way when it comes to sex and has had a few less than enjoyable relationships because of it. Somehow, he manages to explain this to Isaiah, and I felt it was written really well. As time moves on and they get closer, Isaiah (to my mind) behaves in a really calm and sensitive way, caring for Mark and his needs and limits rather than his own usual desires. Add in Mark's uncertainty at making public his feelings, and Isaiah is very patient.

For me, the uncertainty and softness of Mark's emotional nature contrasted strongly with Isaiah's easy experienced comfort with his sexuality. And it was the direct opposite when it came to the children – where Isaiah took the softer caring role, whilst Mark lacked experience and confidence. That evened out their positions and gave Mark a chance to learn to be a parent and a lover.

Do expect to need a tissue or two, but overall there is much to enjoy and admire in this new story. Thank you, Ms. Albert, for making me think and smile!


Angie – ☆☆☆☆
Book five in the series but you don't need to read prior books to enjoy. However, characters from previous books do pop up in this book. This book was pulling me in a few directions. I was loving it one minute and ready to stop another. I loved Isaiah and how he was bound and determined to keep the kids and make a go of things. I liked Mark, but man, he drove me crazy at times; he was so wishy washy in his personal life, but so awesome as a SEAL. Once it was told what Mark's sexual orientation was, I almost stopped reading the book and not why you think... I almost stopped because I thought that Isaiah wouldn't get his happily ever after and I loved him so much and wanted him happy. This turned out to be a great love story and I am so happy I finished.

When a tragic accident brings Isaiah and Mark together again after six years, they don't have much time to think about their attraction to each other. They have three small children that both have strong ties to and all the family assets are being reviewed by the courts to determine who will raise Mark's sister's children.

This book grabbed me right from the start, with Isaiah wanting to hook up with Mark at a wedding. There's a nice spark between them, but it's also easy to see how it just wasn't going to work. Six years later circumstances between them are much different.

Isaiah is amazing with the children, and it's not hard to fall for him. He's really good to Mark as well, giving him space to deal with all the changes that crashed into both of their lives. They really had a good relationship dynamic going between them, but there were also lingering questions about Mark's sexuality and his ability to share that not only with Isaiah, but with the other people in his life.This all made for one very interesting (and often steamy) couple. It was really the sexual diversity that kept me turning the pages on this one.

There was the perfect amount of everything in this book -- passion, sadness, angst and romance -- Squared Away comes with all the feels. I've loved this series from the start, and I continue to enjoy it 5 books later, and that says something.

Overall, a very enjoyable read for me. I loved Isaiah and Mark's love story, the children are adorable, and the circumstances are realistic. Definitely recommended.

An ARC was provided for review.

2.5 stars

Squared Away is book 5 in the Out of Uniform series. This is the first book by this author I have read and while I own books 1-3 I have yet to read them. I'm really hoping that I enjoy them more because Squared Away was a big disappointment to me. First it is book 5 but I didn't feel lost, it read fine as a standalone. The story is basically about 2 men who meet at a wedding but one is to young and the other has lots of issues. Fast forward 6 years and they come together again because of the death of two of their loved ones who left behind 3 young children. So we have Isaiah who is very close to the children and loves them very much. When Cal and Dani die he never considers himself he immediately takes charge and becomes their rock. When Mark shows up he is understandable devastated since Dani was his sister but he is completely lost on how to care for children. So this is where my problems start. I completely disliked Mark from beginning to end. He was so judgmental, he had avoided his family so he didn't even know the children. In the beginning I didn't like how he treated Isaiah or how he was so quick to dismiss him. He wasn't around to know how much Cal and Dani depended on him whenever they were without a nanny. He was so insecure and I understand his sexual issues were a big part of it. I felt no connection between Isaiah or Mark and the barely there intimate scenes were boring. When the 'I love you' was thrown out it didn't feel like it was possible. The best thing about this book was Isaiah and the children.

My 4 star review is posted on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2290411931?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

It will be posted on blog and social media on release day and links will go live and be updated.. UPDATED 4/16/18

Sensuous, intimate, and sensitive!

Squared Away is a heartfelt story that takes us into the lives of Mark and Isaiah as they each must learn to cope with the loss of a sibling, their new status as guardians to three children, and a budding relationship that will require a lot of trust and understanding.

The writing is generous and compassionate. The characters are sorrowful, supportive, and flawed. And the plot told from two different points of view nicely unravels to reveal a tale about life, loss, grief, responsibility, friendship, family, support, and the importance of communication.

Squared Away is another beautifully written tale about finding unconditional love by Albert that not only touches on the struggles encountered by same-sex and interracial relationships, but also the challenges faced by those who are grey ace on the asexual spectrum.

Interesting twist in this one
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This book was a bit different from what I expecting. Usually when I read a M/M story it’s pretty darn hot. This book, however, is more in the medium heat range. It’s more of an emotional connection and that’s just one difference about this story.

There are other differences too. On one hand you’re dealing with children you didn’t expect. On the other hand, you’re dealing with the unknown details of someone else’s life. What you expected from your life is now changed in a flash and you are thrown into living with someone you hardly know.

I also expected my SEAL to be a screaming hot stud in bed. But that’s not what he was about either. He was confused. And his confusion let me to looking up definitions of sexual feelings. His confusion also lead to a slow start on any type of heat in the story.

While I didn’t hate the story, I wasn’t overly connected to it either. It was written well but I was looking for more.

I am usually a big fan of this series- and the author. I have read all of her books. But I just didn't connect with this one. I didn't feel the chemistry between the guys. It also felt like a mash up of two of her previous books in the series. So it was ok, I don't regret reading it, but I didn't love it like I thought I would- and usually do.

Every book in this series has been a win for me, and Squared Away is just another fantastic addition to a fabulous M/M series full of sexy SEALs and the men they love.

Here we get Isaiah's story, the immature but fun-loving friend we met previously. Although now, Isaiah is not the same promiscuous partier we briefly saw. He has responsibilities and it is so heart-warming to see how he has selflessly stepped up to the plate to take over the duties of raising his cousin's three children. I loved that there was never an adjustment period for him or any indecision or slipping back into his old ways. That would have caused me a lot of unnecessary angst while reading it! Instead, he knew what needed to be done and he did everything he could to accomplish his goals. And that included convincing the big bad SEAL medic, who also had a claim to the children, that they were meant to be together.

Mark was an interesting one for me. I have to admit, I wasn't sure how erotic an "erotic novel" could be when one of the characters was asexual, but this one really worked. I had no idea what to expect, and perhaps my understanding of asexuality was incorrect, but Annabeth Albert showed a more romantic, loving side to Mark, where physical sexuality was not the key to the attraction between him and Isaiah, but rather trust and honesty and affection was what attracted him. Their romance was a slow burn that may not have been as explosive as some of the other relationships, but in light of the day to day struggles that Mark and Isaiah faced in raising children and building careers, it was a warm glow at the end of the day and a comfortable embrace that worked for these men.

To me, Squared Away fits perfectly as another Out of Uniform hit. Just like the others in the series, it was sexy and sweet, but most importantly, it focused on love and mutual respect. It showed enviable relationships full of passion and companionship, and a circle of friends and family that were understanding and exemplified what everyone is looking for: trust and acceptance.

I couldn't have enjoyed myself more, and look forward to reading more about this group of friends. Bacon needs his book Annabeth!

Annabeth Albert has delivered an amazing book touching on so many topics it might make your head spin. But hold on tight, because Annabeth does it with style. This book deals with a main character, whose a SEAL, trying to figure out his sexuality while in a relationship with an openly gay male, all the while taking over guardianship of three very young kids after a tragic family accident occurs. Even one of those items can be daunting, but all of them??? Kudos for getting it all in and not overwhelming the reader with too many details.

Although this book was very angsty for me, I wholeheartedly loved reading it! Annabeth gives us a peak into a demisexual/gray-ACE sexuality. Mark is the SEAL and he is trying to figure out what he is sexually, and it baffles him. He wants to label it, but he's still confused. He has tried some varied things in the past with both men and women, and knows what he doesn't get into. I liked finding out what makes him excited. And how Isaiah seems to be that person that excites him is intriguing.

Isaiah propositioned Mark many years ago, and although he was turned down, he never forgot a kiss they shared. When they are forced into a situation of cohabitating while legal details are sorted, things take a turn. Attraction is there and as time goes, there is a mutual respect gained.

This is a slow building story, so if you are looking for a lot of SEAL drama and action, this is not that book. There are very little sex scenes involved as well. This is a relationship building type book and it deals with feelings-so many feelings! We get dual POV so we get to see how the other is feeling-right or wrong. I love that in a book.

Overall, this is a heartfelt, caring, and loving book. Both men have to come to terms with so many things, and all at once. It was overwhelming and demanding, but very enlightening. They made the best choices they could, and little by little, made changes. Both grew as a person from these experiences and it was a pleasure to see it happen.

Once again, Albert delivers a sweet, sexy romance with a nice punch of feels/conflict. Squared Away tells the story of a Navy SEAL medic (Mark), who is working on his identity – demi? Gray ace? Either way, probably bi? – and the slightly younger bi-racial man (Isaiah) that he falls for. Isaiah is seen as a bit flighty because he can’t pick a degree or a career path. Really it’s mostly because his father expects one thing while he wants to do landscape designing (and does, eventually, start up his own company to do just that). These two first met at a wedding – Mark’s sister was the bride, Isaiah’s cousin the groom – and have been connected since then but haven’t spent any time together. Now that the sister and cousin have passed away, leaving their 3 kids behind, Mark and Isaiah find themselves thrown together as they try to figure out the best plan for the kids they love – all while figuring out their feelings for one another.


This one is a slow burn, and I loved that the focus on their intimacy and relationship wasn’t so much on the sex. And that sex was not the narrow (cishet) view society often has. (Note: This fits with Mark’s identity, yes, but this is also something common with all of Albert’s books, and it’s one reason why I love them so much.) These two got just as hot from making out as they did when having orgasms and/or intercourse together – and they were content with their time together, whether it ended at heavy kissing or went further. I was happy with both options, too, because Albert does an amazing job at writing tension, chemistry, and intimacy into these scenes.


My only complaint was their lack of communication, regarding each of their interest in becoming the kids’ legal guardian, and how that, of course, eventually blew up in their faces in the last few chapters. I get it, it added some of the conflict and lead to the break up / black moment before the HEA, but it was annoying nonetheless. Communication is key, people. (And seriously, who wouldn’t be talking about this from the very beginning? For the kids’ sake? Why would you just ignore it and hope it would work out in the end? Even if you weren’t also trying to have a relationship together?)


Otherwise, this was a treat to read and I look forward to whatever Albert has in store for us next.

4 1/2 STARS!

SEAL Mark must rush home after his sister and brother in law pass away from a car accident. Once he arrives he finds that Isaiah, Mark's brother in laws brother is there and already taking care of the kids. Isaiah and Mark have a past, though not a very exciting one. There is definitely chemistry there, but Mark isn't sure what he's interested in. Good story with the right amount of tension and passion at the same time. Will read more of this author's books.