Steam and Stories

Book Details

Title: On Point
Series: Out of Uniform #3
Author: Annabeth Albert
Genre: MM Romance
Length: 297 Pages
Publication Date: June 5, 2017
Format Read: Kindle
This book was not provided free

Review

Warning! This review will contain spoilers!

This is the kind of book that gets me right into the military side of things that I thought was missing from the first book. We jump right into action with this one.

Ben and Maddox are best friends and on the same Navy SEAL team. They each want each other, but they are always with someone else – either married, or having other boyfriends. One day, Maddox catches Ben with another guy, and isn’t completely put off by it. However, it does put a rift between the two friends for their mission.

During their rescue mission, they both get injured and lost. Ben takes care of Maddox and they get out safely, almost. Both are extremely injured, and both are thinking of each other.

Maddox’ family is contacted, who happen to be super religious, so thankfully Maddox tells them off and we never hear from them again. Ben’s family is more likable, and they become part of the overall story.

After Ben’s marriage failed miserably, he has entered the hookup game, even going for threesomes. Maddox is more relaxed, he wants a relationship. And Ben wants Maddox. This causes Ben to start going out with Maddox. It goes well, until we get to the blow up, and then they spend time apart and end up back together for their HEA.

Scoring

Characters: 4 / 5

I ended up taking half a point off for both of the characters. They both have some minor flaws that I didn’t really care for.

Ben gets so hot headed, he would rather make out and sex Maddox than talk. Which backfires heavily and causes Ben to overreact. Seems like Maddox spends so much time telling Ben they need to talk, then when a decision is made without Ben knowing, he has the gall to be mad? Like brother, he’s been trying to talk to you for ages yet you keep shutting him up with your mouth. Not only THAT, but when Ben finally realizes he is the asshole, it is still a few weeks before he goes to ‘apologize’. I feel like the author took too much time between them ‘breaking up’ and getting back together.

Maddox on the other hand, I took points from him mainly because the author made him religious as well. So not only is his parents deeply religious into homophobia territory, Maddox is still in the, not homophobic side of it. This is more of a personal preference of mine. I do not like when the main characters delve too deeply into religion. Especially when I have experience, and friends with how bad mainstream religion persecutes and oppresses LGBT. It is a trope for a reason, and while I am fine with it being used as conflict in stories – like with Maddox parents. Again, I see no use for it being a big part of the MC if he’s not actively trying to get away from it. That is just a pet peeve of mine, and if you don’t mind it, then it should be fine.

In addition to Maddox, I think he gives Ben too much leeway for what Ben has done to him, just to instantly take him back like that. Punish that man Maddox.

Story: 4 / 5

Every book thus far has been an improvement to me. I took a point off, mainly for some of the issues with the characters above. This was almost a perfect story for me. But of course, I had to pick some issues with it. I’m just going to jump right in.

They have been friends, and roommates, for how long? 10 years or so? Yet they don’t seem to know much about each other? Maddox plays guitar and sings, and Ben knows that. Yet, when Ben hears Maddox sing in church, all of a sudden he has this epiphany, like wow, didn’t know Maddox was that good.

Maddox doesn’t get let off easy either. The whole point of contention is him wanting to leave the SEALs. He didn’t think once to maybe tell his team? Or even his best friend / roommate? Other than try to tell Ben as Ben is eating his face off of course. Maybe I missed a clue, but it just seemed to be a sudden, yeah I’m quitting.

Writing: 5 / 5

Writing is good as always. It is what keeps me coming back. The chapter lengths make it easy for me to read 10 minutes here, 15 minutes there, etc. I don’t have much else to say.

Romance: 4 / 5

I think I have to knock a point off here. I think the story itself may hinder the romantic side of things, especially the beginning. They spend the first bit of it injured, so that didn’t help. However, it was sweet that Ben kept thinking of Maddox. When they finally started dating, it seemed to sweet. However, it comes off as Ben’s idea of dating always ends up in bed. I wanted more of them just hanging out and doing boyfriend things.

Steam: 🍵🍵🍵

Not the steamiest, but there were a few good scenes. The threesome voyeur scenes at the beginning (flashback scenes) got me tingling. They also had to manage sexy times while injured, which, didn’t really end up being high on the steam scale.

Overall: 4.25 / 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 really had high hopes for this book. Finally got the military action sequence that isn’t just some training. An actual mission! I would have like to see maybe another chapter or two during their time on mission, fighting bad guys, or even maybe some soft confessions to each other about their feelings and stuff. I just felt like it was over too soon.

The whole Maddox being apart of a church, just seemed too forced. There was no reason for him to be, I’m not sure the decision behind that was, especially when his family hated him and was religious themselves. Again, that is mostly on me as it can be a bit of a trigger.

I also felt maybe Ben’s blowup at the end could have been tightened down, maybe a week at most, replace the overly long ‘breakup’ with some sweet boyfriend-y stuff.

Overall, it’s still a great story, loved the chemistry between the two, and can’t wait for more!

Tea Suggestion

I happened to be drinking Thai Tea when starting this book, and it so happened that the characters went to South East Asia on a mission. It got my blood pumping.

Thanks!

Thanks for reading my review of On Point 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.