*Copy provided to the reviewer by NetGalley for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*

On Point is Book 3 in Annabeth Albert's Out of Uniform series. I believe to fully enjoy this series, you should read all the books in the appropriate order.

We met Maddox and Ben in the previous books and even in those books, you could feel the chemistry between the two. I have anxiously been awaiting their story, and this book didn't disappoint! I've loved Maddox throughout the series. He is sweet, sensitive, and always caring for others, especially Ben who he's in love with. Maddox doesn't want to be a Seal for life, he wants his own bakery and a family.

I didn't love Ben, but I didn't hate him either, but it was close! Ben is a player. He was burned from a failed marriage and has decided it's his life mission to be with every man under the sun. Ben holds onto his hurts and slights in his life and lets them fester. He doesn't move on and he holds grudges.

Then on a mission, things go wrong and his only concern is keeping Maddox alive. Afterward, when he finds out Maddox is going to start dating, Ben can't let that happen. He can't let Maddox have another relationship. At this point, I was disappointed in Ben for the game he was trying to play. But, things aren't as simple as they seem when you're in love with your best friend.

I say it over and over, but I don't like to pick favorites. But... this is my absolute favorite of the series! I loved this book from the first page and to the last and everything in between. I loved Maddox and my heart broke for everything he went through. There were some tense moments in this story and some moments that made me teary eyed. And, in the end, Ben proved that he deserved someone as spectacular as Maddox.

Rating: 5++++++ stars!

Review shared on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads and V's Reads: https://vsreads.com/2017/06/05/friends-to-lovers-on-point-review-and-giveaway/

Maddox Horvat and Ben Tovey have been friends and teammates as Navy SEALS since they completed BUD/S training ten years ago. They have always had each others’ backs, but Maddox has wanted more for a long time, now. Especially since the past two years when Ben has lived in his apartment, after his nasty divorce from Trey. Ben’s been a man-about-town, never banging the same guy twice, since Trey disappeared, not that he didn’t get around bunches what with their very open marriage. But Maddox wants Ben all to himself, and struggles to hide his desires in order to maintain their close friendship.

It’s time for Maddox to re-up with the SEALs, and he’s not sure he wants to. He’s got some money saved, and has been working on his baking for years now. Even if his dream comes to pass and he and Ben become a couple, they couldn’t stay on the same team any longer. Besides, the reason Maddox got into the service in the first place was to prove to his homophobic family that he was just as much a man as any other, no matter who he loved. Knowing that they will never accept him as he is, even if he should die for his country? Well, kinda takes the impetus away for proving one’s self.

While out on a dangerous mission, Ben and Maddox get temporarily left behind, and it brings their world together into extreme focus for both men. Maddox is seriously injured, and Ben is tasked with keeping off the enemy and keeping Maddox alive until they can be rescued. During those stressful hours Ben recognizes that he needs Maddox in his life, no matter what. And the peculiar feelings he’s been having–about him and Maddox together for real–are banging through his concussed head.

Stateside, their healing isn’t only of the physical. Maddox and Ben need to be near one another to feel whole, and their time in the hospital brings clarity for Ben: he needs to try to love Maddox they way he needs to be loved–because Ben can’t exist in a world where Maddox isn’t by his side. Maybe, Ben thinks, if he seduces Maddox, then Maddox won’t leave the SEALs; won’t leave him, as his mother and husband did…

I really enjoyed the slow burn as these two felt their way toward a loving, intimate relationship. They have always been each other’s best friend, and they’ve had a deep intimacy in terms of knowing one another, but the step into lovers hasn’t been easy. Maddox has very defined ideas about monogamy, thoughts Ben hasn’t had in years now, but for Maddox he’d give up a whole lot. Maddox knows Ben wants him on his team, in the trenches, and in bed–behind closed doors–but Maddox is beyond doing what other people want. He needs to do for himself, and if Ben walks away, well it’ll hurt deep, but Maddox will weather that storm and find a man who can love him for who he is, not what he does. Maddox wants a settled life, and he wants Ben in it, but Ben has to choose him. And, well, I’ll just say that (eventually) Ben makes the right choice.

This one is hot and steamy and sexy and sentimental and fabulous. I could hang out in Maddox’s kitchen all day and half the night. Ben is a grouch, but the kind of grouch that is endearing. He grows a lot during the time of the story, and makes the right decisions, eventually, to find his own happiness. I liked how he made things right within his family, and opened himself up to forgiving people who’d hurt him. I highly recommend this one! I read a review copy via NetGalley.

I could have told you when I was not even halfway done with this book how many stars I would wind up giving it. That’s how good this story was, and how far down the rabbit hole I fell with Maddox and Ben. I’m already a sucker for friends to lovers, now add in the fact that this is a military romance as well, and that it’s part of a series that I already enjoy and right there I was immediately attracted to this book.

Maddox—everything about him was checking off every one of my boxes, and I can only hope that one day I will find a Maddox of my own. He is such an amazing, supportive and sensitive man—and talented in so many ways to boot. Ben’s a bit wilder, more of a wheels up-get the job done-party hard-start it again guy, but he’s also solidly connected to his best friend and would do absolutely anything for him. It takes a mission gone sideways to make both men see what’s important, and to start building something together.

The suspense and emotion in this story in the first half were just off the charts, and from the moment Ben and Maddox set off on the mission with their team I was fully immersed in their story. The intensity of everything that happened turns the story up more than a notch, and it made this one of those books that I just did not want to put down. Complicating things are Ben’s trust and abandonment issues, and he is almost trying too hard to make everything perfect for Maddox. That contributed to some high amounts of angst and tension, which turned into just another hook that embedded itself so that I wound up reading the story straight through in one sitting.

As a reader, you can see as the story goes on once Ben and Maddox get together where their relationship traps are, and for me I was on edge wondering just when things were going to go off the rails. It’s a tremendous buildup of emotion for both men, which inevitably leads to some spectacular fireworks (and not the fun kind) when things come to a head.

Annabeth Albert has a knack for drawing me in with her characters, and Maddox and Ben had me fully wrapped around their little fingers. On Point was an outstanding 5-star read for me, and made for another exciting story in the Out of Uniform series. I highly recommend this story to any M/M romance fans, especially if you love the friends to lovers trope or SEAL/military characters. This one is hot, steamy (even with both men a bit on the wounded side for a good chunk of the story), and full of plenty of emotion to keep readers riveted to the pages. This story is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and explicit, dirty-talking M/M sexual content. I can’t wait for the next one in this series!

See linked review below. Key takeaway:

"As usual, despite the muddled timeline issues I mentioned above, Albert has left me wanting more."

Post goes live 30 JUNE

Amazing! I did not read the first two books in this series, but I still immensely enjoy book three.

The feelings that this book brought out in me was entirely overwhelming, Maddox (Mad) is a very deep person who always brings calm and brings a sense of purpose. When he meets up with circumstances that he can't handle on his own, his only option is to depend on his best friend and roommate. With both of them left to help each other, their bond is all that keeps them going.

Ben is a conceited and arrogant man, he is a Navy SEAL. But he is very dedicated man who lives for his team and his family, Mad falls into both categories. They have been friends since buds and Ben has been living with him for two years. Ben is solid in their friendship but when what brought them together no longer holds them that way he goes off the deep end.

This is a story of how true friendship can turn to true love, but it is never easy. Life has a way of blending the good and the bad into making us who we are as a person, the past never really goes away. So when these two try to have a life together as more than just friends, life and history come back to make them struggle and fight for what they want. I loved the realism that this story portrayed, how the road to happiness is not smooth but bumpy with the personal feelings to overcome.

5+ Stars!!!

Maddox has been in love with his best friend, fellow SEAL and roommate, Ben, for years, but now he's ready for more in life than pining for his friend and being a SEAL. Ben is attracted to Maddox, but is afraid of anything ruining their friendship.

When a mission goes awry, they're thrown closer together and depending on each other to survive. Will this be the push they need to give a relationship between them a go?

I loved both Maddox and Ben. They were amazing both individually and together, be it as friends or lovers. I have to admit that it took me a bit longer to warm up to Ben, but he really proved himself in the end. They had great chemistry and were uber hot together, but above that, the bond they shared was awesome and transcended the pages. While the two of them had a lot of issues they had to work on, Ben with his trust and abandonment issues and Maddox with his trust issues, they worked through it all in a very realistic manner and without going overboard with the angst.

I loved seeing these two in action and that we finally got to see what goes on during the training and missions these men have to go through. I think Annabeth Albert did a fantastic job with this, making the scenarios very believable.

Overall, On Point is definitely my favorite of the series so far. I loved everything about it, the writing, the pacing, the action, the romance and the progression from friends to lovers. Maddox and Ben were just awesome and I hope to see more of them in the future book(s) in the series. <3

Highly recommendable!!!

*** Copy provided to the reviewer by Carina Press via NetGalley for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

Heartfelt, engrossing, and red-hot!

This is a friends-to-more romance that is told from two different points of view. Maddox, a sweet, handsome Seal who prefers the simple life outside the military, including spending quality time with friends and baking yummy treats. And Ben, a fun, flirty Seal who loves nothing more than the adrenaline and action of the Navy and hooking up as much as possible. But like most of Albert's characters there's a lot more to these men than meets the eye and something deliciously scorching is definitely smouldering below the surface.

The writing is impassioned and intense. The characters are multi-faceted, flawed and sexy. And the plot starts off with a bang and then continues steadily building, peeling back layer-by-layer all the history, feelings and emotions to create a steamy, passionate story about life, love, friendship, undeniable chemistry, and self-discovery.

I have to admit this is my favourite book in the "Out of Uniform" series so far. I couldn't wait to read about these two characters and I wasn't disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley, especially Carina Press, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5*

This is my current favorite Out of Uniform book. Why you ask?? Because finally, FINALLY, we get some actual military action!! Yes, I'm all for the romantic aspects, but if I'm going to read a series about SEALS, I want an actual story with them doing real SEAL missions.

Aside from that, Ben and Maddox were great. Ben has a little bit of separation issues, thanks to his mother and "ex-husband" (we're using the term lightly here) and Maddox has some small town Conservative family issues as well, so they're kind of a mess. After a mission ending bot-so-great, Ben kind of has an epiphany and starts to think what his life would be like without his friend of over a decade, and he decides to take action.

I thought it was adorable how Ben brought forth his intentions to Maddox, and his date ideas and wanting to make Maddox happy. It was also frustrating to see him be so insecure in it as well. Ben has himself convinced he doesn't believe in love and the idea of marriage is BS to him. This throws a pretty large wrench in things, on top of abandonment issues. Ben overreacts and you want to hug him and smack him all at the same time.

Let's take a moment to visualize a large, buff, Navy SEAL in a bakery ((I am also imagining an apron, because, c'mon!?))
It's endearing and totally hot, right?? That's Maddox for you!! I love that he's finally letting go of the family that won't be proud of him no matter how hard he tries and starts his pursuit of happiness. I didn't like that he put of telling Ben for so long,but alas, that's where our angst comes in.

I felt bad for both these guys. I could feel both their pain from each perspective, and neither of them were wrong in their own way. It did give us a great make up session though (can we say dirty talkers?) and an ultimate HEA!!

I loved this book! On Point is book three of Annabeth Albert's Out of Uniform series and it's a doozy! The story starts with Maddox and Ben on a mission to rescue two senators sons that got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The rescue was successful, but it doesn't go as scripted and they are left behind having been separated from their team. In enemy territory, time is crucial. Both men suffer heavy injuries, but they know they have to get to the next rendezvous point. Maddox is worse off then Ben, and Ben won't leave Maddox behind. He is in dire straits. He strives then and there to get Maddox out any way possible.

This is a friends to lovers romance. Ben realizes he has different feelings for Maddox while in the jungle. He has been tamping down his feelings for years-pushing Maddox at the cost of their friendship. Maddox isn't the life of the party type like Ben is. He is more subtle. He enjoys life outside the military, while Ben lives for the military. His dream is to run a bakery and make sweet treats for the masses. Maddox just wants more in his life. He has feelings for Ben that will not go away, but he wants commitment and someone to care for, things Ben doesn't seem interested in. He's been burned before. Can Ben be Maddox's dream man??

This story is my favorite of the series so far! Way more intense than the previous two, plus there is a fair amount of angstyness to boot! When these two finally decide to give their "thing" a try, it's super hot! I loved both men. Two hot men, friends for over a decade, and both with their own insecurities. I also loved seeing characters from the previous books rounding out their story. The ending is spectacular and it's just how I wanted it to be! You need to read this book! Each book can be read as a standalone, but I think you will love this series and have to read them all!

reviewed by Deb

This series is the first one I've ever read by this author and I've been so pleasantly surprised by each book. I've sometimes struggled to connect with the butterflies and emotions in M/M books lately. They're very hit or miss for me, so when I find one that is not only blazing hot but also deeply emotional and...swoony? God, what a treat! And this book? Yeah. This one got everything just right. Hands down my favorite of the series so far.

It starts off with a bang and I was pulled right in with a racing heart and fascinated mind. I loved the thrill and suspense of it all, twisted around flashbacks that offered glimpses into the relationship between Maddox and Ben up to that point. It was interesting to read - keeping my brain engaged while simultaneously tugging at my heartstrings. It was crystal clear that the feelings between these two men ran deep, the only question was whether or not they'd ever let each other in enough to share those feelings.

My heart dipped and fluttered so many times over the course of this book. I laughed. I cringed. I hurt for these normally confident and nearly unbearably sexy men as they fumbled through their feelings for each other. It was beautiful, and sometimes painful. It was *scorching* hot, but never sexy for the sake of being sexy. I felt like it was all tied up in these much deeper emotions between Maddox and Ben - just one layer of their multi-layered relationship -and the whole package was just so satisfying to read.

Like I said, On Point is my favorite of the series so far. I am so glad I picked it up, and am so crazy hooked on the perfect balance of emotion and sexiness Ms. Albert seems to have perfected. It works as a standalone (though I honestly have loved, and highly recommend, the entire series so far) and if you're looking for a M/M read that delivers on all levels, do not hesitate to grab this one! ~ 4.5 Stars

I loved this book! On Point is book three of Annabeth Albert's Out of Uniform series and it's a doozy! The story starts with Maddox and Ben on a mission to rescue two senators sons that got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

The rescue was successful, but it doesn't go as scripted and they are left behind having been separated from their team. In enemy territory, time is crucial. Both men suffer heavy injuries, but they know they have to get to the next rendezvous point. Maddox is worse off then Ben, and Ben won't leave Maddox behind. He is in dire straits. He strives then and there to get Maddox out any way possible.

This is a friends to lovers romance. Ben realizes he has different feelings for Maddox while in the jungle. He has been tamping down his feelings for years-pushing Maddox at the cost of their friendship. Maddox isn't the life of the party type like Ben is. He is more subtle. He enjoys life outside the military, while Ben lives for the military. His dream is to run a bakery and make sweet treats for the masses. Maddox just wants more in his life. He has feelings for Ben that will not go away, but he wants commitment and someone to care for, things Ben doesn't seem interested in. He's been burned before. Can Ben be Maddox's dream man?? 

This story is my favorite of the series so far! Way more intense than the previous two, plus there is a fair amount of angstyness to boot! When these two finally decide to give their "thing" a try, it's super hot! I loved both men. Two hot men, friends for over a decade, and both with their own insecurities. I also loved seeing characters from the previous books rounding out their story. The ending is spectacular and it's just how I wanted it to be! You need to read this book! Each book can be read as a standalone, but I think you will love this series and have to read them all!

5 Stars/4 Flames

This book was gifted to me for an honest review.  The review and ratings are solely my opinions.

I love Ben and Maddox. I love all their insecurities and their protectiveness of each other. I was glad to spend all that time in the jungle with them--it gives them perspective and it gives us knowledge.

Their healing is a slow process. But while their physical injuries can be overcome, and they can adjust their lives around them, emotional scarring is more deeply entrenched and that might take a little longer to heal, especially for Ben.

While his final resistance might seem, to some, like a silly reason to reject Maddox, it makes sense to me in the scheme of things--his family's rejection, his self-worth, and his perception of himself in relation to Maddox--these elements need time to figure out.

Anyway, this is a good book. Lots of loving detail, and a fine resolution to a couple who have been part of the background for so long now. I truly loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for advanced copy. Book released on June 5. If you read the other 'out of uniform' books, you are totally going to want to nab this one.

*4.5 stars*

Annabeth Albert is one of my favorite authors, and she kills it again with another excellent book in the Out of Uniform series!

There are very few authors who get auto-buy status from me, but Annabeth Albert is one of them. She simply writes the kinds of books that I like to read, and though military men aren't my usual fare, I just can't get enough of this series.

On Point is a best-friends-to-lovers story. Now, while I like friends-to-lovers in theory sometimes there isn't enough tension for me because the intimacy is already there, even if it isn't sexual intimacy. Not so with this story. There was a lot of build-up, a lot of tension, and I loved every second of it.

The book starts off with the first few chapters being very intense. We are talking life or death here, and though I don't like romantic suspense, I liked the heightened sense of urgency and closeness that our two guys had in those moments.

One thing I also hate... flashbacks. There are a number of flashbacks in this story. Flashbacks are usually a big no-no for me, but I didn't mind them much here (notice a trend? Annabeth Albert can make me like things I usually hate!)

Lots of hurt/comfort and a fair amount of angst and back and forth, but it all came together to make a ridiculously romantic and compelling story. Plus, a perfect epilogue to cap off all the feels.

Another Annabeth Albert win!

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

It was so classic Maddox to support him when he needed it most but to also call him on his behavior.




I’ve been looking forward to Ben and Maddox’s story since book 1. And while overall I really enjoyed On Point, I’m not going to lie: I was a bit disappointed, too. A solid read, but definitely not my favorite from Albert, and it didn’t hit as high on my list as I had expected while waiting for the book. Then again, sometimes that happens: the anticipation is so high that it’s inevitable there’s some letdown when you finally read it.



I really enjoyed the first 30% or so; Ben and Maddox are on a mission, but things go south and they get separated from the rest of their team. Seriously injured after a fall, they must try and make it through the jungle, avoid the enemy out to get them, and make it to the second ravenous point. Those chapters were not at all easy, as these two are literally fighting for their lives, each wanting to save the other, even if the only way to do so is for Maddox, who was more critically injured, to sacrifice himself and let Ben go ahead and find the team. Of course they’re both stubborn and Ben refuses to do this, literally dragging his best friend out of the jungle when he hears his team up ahead. They do get out, and while things are iffy for a bit while both men are rushed to get medical attention, everything is okay in the end (duh, romance!). Still, I fully admit my heart was in my throat through all of this, worried that something could happen to one or both, and hurting at the thought of it. So props to Albert for the writing here, for the high-octane feel and the deep worry over these two men.



During those chapters, both men had flashbacks about various memories of their years as friends – and their one time of pushing the boundary of friends into the territory of lovers (in the form of a super hot voyeuristic/threesome scene – Ben had brought home a man, and Maddox mostly watched as the two fooled around, before the other man blew Maddox while Ben watched). All these memories helped to add more depth and backstory (…duh, sorry) to their friendship and relationship, to show just how close they are, how much they mean to one another. Like I said, I very much enjoyed this part of the book.



Once they’re home safe and starting the long healing journey, they must also continue to dance around the fact that they’re both tempted by wanting more but afraid to ruin their friendship to reach for it. And dance around they do, for much of the book. Which was a bit frustrating, though they did have some fantastic chemistry, and that at least comes into play long before they finally settle on relationship labels/status. On the one hand, I can understand why they were both fearful of starting anything; on the other hand, the push-pull-push got a bit annoying after a bit.





"Being the best at something doesn't mean you're happy doing it."




But, push-pull bits aside, a good majority of their story was still quite enjoyable. But then I started getting pissed at Ben and his constant single-minded focus that Maddox MUST want to still be a SEAL, not caring to talk to his friend or hell, even really listen to his friend and what he actually wanted from life. Yes, in the final chapter or so, Ben does apologize and grovel for things he did, including the fact that he was an ass to make Maddox feel bad for wanting to go after his own dreams rather than stay in the Navy and keep Ben company until they retired into the sunset. But it was too little, too late for me because by the time the grovel came, I’d had to sit through a large portion of this book with Ben thinking only of himself and what he wanted, pushing his own “dream” onto Maddox rather than listening to what Maddox wanted for himself – even as Maddox was making it so clear that everyone else could see how he felt about re-uping, just not Ben. All of this also made it harder for me to really connect and love Ben, though I admit I also felt a bit disconnected from Maddox’s character, too, though I can’t quite pinpoint why.



So, yes, there were bits that frustrated me, and let me down a bit from what I expected leading up to their story. But it’s clear why I was so excited to get their story; I mean, who can resist friends-to-lovers, especially with two SEAL buddies AND one hero who’s just as kickass of a SEAL as he is a baker? Yes, please! And, for the most part, that was all good, don’t get me wrong! But I was left wanting more, while also wanting a bit less of Ben’s selfish pushing.




"Feels so good. Perfect," Maddox murmured, hands stroking Ben's thighs and ass.

"Yeah, it is." Ben looked down at him, tenderness making his voice rough.

"Why do we keep getting in our own way?" Maddox looked up at him, eyes dark pools. "Hate arguing with you. Hate fighting. Just want to make you happy."

"You do." Ben was far less capable of stringing together words than Maddox right then, so he bent forward, claiming Maddox's mouth in a bruising kiss, trying to tell him with his lips how much he cared, how happy Maddox made him, how crappy it had been not to get to claim him all evening, how much he'd needed this all damn day. All his damn life, if he were being truly honest. Couldn't remember ever not needing Maddox like this.




As I said, their chemistry was off the charts. In true Albert fashion, their sex life doesn’t revolve around anal. And this isn’t JUST because the two were battling healing injuries for so long. I always appreciate the hot sex outside of PIA – though those scenes are just as sexy and satisfying as the BJs, handjobs, etc. I believed their chemistry, believed their friendship, and generally really liked these two together. But something in the execution of the romance and story was off just enough for my rating to slip down to a (still very respectable!) 4 stars, rather than the higher rating that many of Albert’s previous books have received from me.




While this one wasn’t my favorite from Albert, it definitely wasn’t my least favorite either, falling in the middle at a solid “good”. I had some minor complaints, sure, but I still did enjoy reading their story. Although this one isn’t the one I’d rec first to a newbie reader (I’d go with one of my top favorites from her), I would still recommend On Point to readers who want a friends-to-lovers romance between two SEALs. There’s a glimpse of the next book at the end of this one, and I’m definitely curious to see how it turns out – sounds like the two men meet IRL only after they had been anonymously chatting online (hook up app, I think?). Regardless, I’m very much looking forward to whatever Albert has lined up next.




4 STARS!

By far my favorite book by Annabeth!! This has it all. Love, unrequited love, action, passion, going for your dreams, facing your fears, healing new and old wounds, family, friend, and peace. My emotions went on the journey that Maddox and Ben went through.

A phenominal book that I just could not put down.

I wish I could give this one 10 stars.

I sound like a broken record. When I reviewed At Attention (book 2 in this series) I said I didn't think the books in the Out of Uniform series could get any better. I think I was wrong. OK maybe not wrong exactly. It's just that every book in this series has been so perfect for me. On Point was so emotionally satisfying, including bringing on the tears by the time I reached chapter #4. I just don't really know how this story could have been any better.

Best friends to lovers – oh yeah, one of my favorite tropes – and not one, but two, hot SEALs. Ben and Maddox have been best buddies since they went through BUD/S training together, over 10 years ago. Along the way they've each had relationships, both good and bad. Ben was married shortly and it was a spectacular, and trust-breaking, failure. Now he will never again give that much trust to anyone.

Maddox has secretly had a crush on Ben going all the way back to BUD/S training even though he had a boyfriend at the time. Now that Ben is living with him it's getting harder and harder for him to push his feelings back.

I wish this review could do justice to Annabeth's writing in On Point. OMG – what she puts these guys through in this book! This one was gut-wrenching in places but I wouldn't have missed it for anything. I won't say more except that there is definitely an HEA.

If you like M/M books with hot guys, especially ones in Uniform, you really need to get this book.

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

This review will be posted to Xtreme-Delusions dot com on or soon after release date.

4.25 stars

Maddox and Ben have been friends and teammates since Seal training. While best friends and currently living together, they are very different on how they approach things. Maddox is the guy who wants to date and find a partner; Ben was been burned by his ex-husband and is "happy" with hookups. Maddox knows how he feels for Ben, and doesn't think there is any hope of a relationship past friendship. A couple of recent events put a huge strain on their relationship. To the point that Maddox hasn't told Ben he's thinking of not reenlisting.

The story starts with them heading out on a mission that goes sideways. Both are injured, trying to stay alive, and evade the enemy. As they do this, we get flashbacks of how they met in Seal training and how their friendship became so strained as of late. Told from both of their viewpoints, we get a pretty good picture of what has happened. As with any near death incident, both men start to think about what they want out of life.

Once they clear most of the air between them and start a relationship, things seem good on the outside. Maddox has a lot of doubts, plus he can't bring himself to tell Ben about his reenlistment decision. Ben is try too hard to be the perfect boyfriend. I felt for both men, but Maddox more so than Ben. Maddox tended to think things through, but Ben tends fly off the handle and has a hard time really opening up to people. While I didn't agree with Maddox's decision to wait to tell Ben, I could see why he did it. Ben, for his part, really made me want to slap him upside the head a number of times. Maddox is his best friend, he deserved more than to be dismissed. He deserved to be given a chance to explain. I get that Ben was scared and relied heavily on Maddox, it's too bad that he never told Maddox that before. They both would have been better off if they had been more open.

I was happy to see Ben finally get his head on straight and deal with his issues. He and Maddox deserved to be together and happy. I have enjoyed each of the books I this series and can't wait for the next one.

*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book*

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ FOUR & 1/2 - STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
Two shirtless soldiers, standing toe-to-toe, in what could be the start of an embracing pose. Strong title and author fonts. The synopsis sounds exciting and endearing at once. Cannot wait!

> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third person

Maddox and Ben have known each other for twelve years now, first as fresh recruits motivating one another through SEAL training, then for the past two years as roommates after Ben's divorce leaves him homeless, penniless, and petless!
I love these guys as individuals, but as a not-a-couple?? Argh!
Deployments were easier to accomplish than navigating their mutual attractions - which both denied in every manner possible until it was almost too late... and even then, there was a lot of frustrating skirting around one another. I've not wanted to throttle two grown men for being so stubborn, stupid, and/or clueless in my life!
Previous couples, the teams, and some family made up the core of secondary characters.
The plot flowed well, but if you were looking for an all-out male-on-male sex-a-thon, you may be disappointed. These two men had a ton of baggage and issues to work through and their total almost-a-couple and finally-a-couple time is probably less than thirty percent of the book.
Many of the conflicts could have been avoided if they'd been adult enough to actually TALK about things instead of denying and deflecting. This lead to a lot of undue stressors for both. Eventually, they manage to find resolves. Predictablity was low, but not non-existent. The conclusion is solid and satisfying with a short flash-forward style epilogue.
Overall, for maximum enjoyment, I'd suggest reading the series from the start, however, I do NOT feel it is necessary. This title can stand well on its own.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.3 ~ Stars: 4.5, if I could
Possible triggers: Deployment related injuries, non-combat related.

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⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

DNF @ 68%

Started great (hence the 2 stars) and I thought we were heading towards a romance with some real depth but alas, it was not to be. Not feeling any particularly chemistry between these guys as I'd expect considering it's a best-friends-to-lovers story, the dirty talk sounds forced and unnatural and all-in-all I'm just a bit...meh. Shame as I really liked these characters and the authors writing in the previous books in the series.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5



Never fall for your best friend…

Pushing thirty, with his reenlistment looming, decorated navy sniper Maddox Horvat is taking a long look at what he really wants in life. And what he wants is Ben Tovey. It isn’t smart, falling for his best friend and fellow SEAL, but ten years with Ben has forged a bond so intimate Maddox can’t ignore it. He needs Ben by his side forever—heart and soul.

Ben admits he likes what he’s seen—his friend’s full lower lip and the perfect muscles of his ass have proved distracting more than once. But Ben's still reeling from a relationship gone to hell, and he's not about to screw up his friendship with Maddox, too.

Until their next mission throws Ben and Maddox closer together than ever before, with only each other to depend on.

Now, in the lonely, desperate hours awaiting rescue, the real challenge—confronting themselves, their future and their desires—begins. Man to man, friend to friend, lover to lover.

Really, it's so hard to have favorites among Annabeth Albert's series. Worse even to try and chose among her myriad of stories within those series. I love her Out of Uniform series, which gets better with each book. On Point, the third installment, is now my favorite to date. In On Point Albert takes secondary characters Ben and Maddox, makes them complex individuals with a relationship dynamic fraught with challenges and the potential for pain and growth if only one of them will make a move.

Ben especially has a lot of emotional growing to do and the reader follows him along every painful step in this journey. Maddox too has some memorable moments here and the two men together, as friends and as potential lovers are narrative magic. Albert writes real people with problems we can relate to and understand. It happens here, even if some of the most drama scenes are ones we may never experience. It's the emotions that telegraph through the vivid descriptions and dialog that grip you and won't let you go.

If you love friends to lovers, this is an excellent example of why that trope is so popular. You understand Ben and Maddox as friends, your heart wants them to be more as much as they want each other. You absolutely believe in their love and that they can have a HEA if only they reach for it and each other. Powerful stuff but I expect nothing less from this author.

I highly recommend this story and this author. This series too!

Cover art works for the couple and for branding the series. I like it.