Steam and Stories

Book Details

Title: At Attention
Series: Out of Uniform #2
Author: Annabeth Albert
Genre: MM Romance
Length: 276 pages
Publication Date: April 10, 2017
Format Read: Kindle
This book was not provided free

Review

Warning! This review will contain spoilers!

To start off, this book is much improved from the first book in this series. It could be because I am more mentally invested, or got used to the writing style, but I enjoyed this one much more.

We have Apollo, the Navy SEAL Lieutenant from the first book. He has twin daughters, age four. He lost his husband two years ago. We don’t get to know how Neal died until we get towards the end of the book. He is very clean cut, organized, everything he does and plans for is for his daughters and their safety and well-being. Since his husbands death, his mom has been his live-in help for his daughters, but she is doing on a summer long vacation.

In comes Dylan, younger brother to Apollo’s best friend, Dustin. Dylan had a crush on Apollo when he was younger, and now has a chance to act on it. Dylan happens to be helping run a summer camp in town for the summer, and after much…negotiation…Apollo agrees to let Dylan stay at his house to help take care of his daughters. Apollo after all has a busy work schedule working for the Navy SEALS and can (and does) get called away at any and all hours to deal with stuff that’s classified and can’t discuss.

I pretty much fell in love with Dylan instantly, as he has a natural ability to work well with kids, and they him. He fit right into the role of ‘babysitter’ and care taker of Apollo’s kids and home. Soon after fell into the role of lover as well.

The conflict stems from Apollo not ready or willing to let go of his husband Neal, he is set on Neal being it, the one and only love for Apollo. Dylan wants more, he is only there for the summer. He quickly falls in love with Apollo, but their wants and needs clash. Not only in the mirror clad bedroom, or tiny showers. But also with the idea that Apollo only thinks Dylan is there for the summer, and can’t, and won’t want more because of his love for Neal. And Dylan thinks that Apollo is just using him as a convenient babysitter, and wants Apollo to love him for him, and not because he is convenient.

The ending just wraps their journey up perfectly, and it truly is a HEA.

Scoring

Characters: 5 / 5

Both MC’s are great, they have their own goals and ambitions, with plenty of issues to overcome. With the addition of Apollo’s daughters, it also brings to light the characters parental roles and abilities to not only learn to love themselves and each other, but also these wonderful children.

Story: 5 / 5

I was trying to think of a reason to take points off for the story. But really, I can’t think of much, and don’t intent to get down and dirty into nitpicking, stuff that is common tropes and story arcs in romance novels anyways. A story about a guy who lost his first love, and learns to fall in love again, with himself, and his best friends brother.

Writing: 5 / 5

I spent a bit more time looking at the actual words written. And let me tell you, I never really looked at how different sex scenes can be written. The author is great at filling in little moments of reflection to really show what the characters are thinking and seeing.

Romance: 4 / 5

I had to take a point off in romance. While the romance between the two MC’s is great, and they really do fit well together. I think the author spent a little too much time with the inner conflicts of the two. The constant ‘oh we are perfect for each other, but we can’t do this.’ It gets to be a bit much. I think the constant tug-of-war with feelings could have been reduced a bit more, maybe add some tension with the daughters catching them being in love (not to mistake it for making love). Something to just split the fact that Apollo couldn’t love again, and Dylan loved too much.

Steam: 🍵🍵🍵

A step up from the first book in the series, they really made love. I would have liked a few more sex scenes where Apollo got to be more dominate with Dylan, but we got what we got, and it is just fine with me. The sex is beautiful and the lust and love they feel for each other in the moment really comes out. From the playfulness of the tiny showers, to giving the mirror a good use.

Overall: 4.75 / 5

I don’t count the steam level in my final score, because how graphic and detailed sex scenes don’t determine how much I like the book.

Final Thoughts

I was genuinely surprised after reading the first book in this series how well this one turned out. I’m excited to see how the series progresses as fast as the military aspect is concerned, since my main issue with Book 1 was the lack of feel of a military romance. This book did much better bringing me into the authors military world.

Tea Suggestion

Give me a nice Sweet Iced Tea to sit down and enjoy this book. The children added a nice feeling of being sweet, while the ice will really dig in how much Apollo acts a bit cold, but slowly melts to give everything a nice blend.

Thanks!

Thanks for reading my review of At Attention by Annabeth Albert. If my review inspires you to read it, let me know! If you have read the book, leave me a comment below or on any of my socials letting me know what YOU thought of it.

Until next time, enjoy a book and a drink.