I don't know how to review this book, I've been stumped since I finished it.

Wheels Up by Annabeth Albert is a kinky forbidden love story of two Navy Seals who meet through a military app.

My highlights:

-Kink. I like when authors venture outside their norm. This book shows a kinkier side of Ms. Alberts and her attempt was successful.

-Friends to lovers. Dustin and Wes met through an app. They talked online and got off together occasionally so from the beginning of the book they're already friends.

-The sex scenes are hot and intense. D/s elements, light BDSM that didn't make me squirm as I'm not a huge fan.

-Push and pull. Sometimes push and pull can get on my nerves but because of the situation that they're in with the military, it made perfect sense. It just made their longing for each other and the forbidden aspect of their relationship that much better.

-Bisexual representation.

-Family angst without it being overdramatic or contrived.

-I loved the supporting cast, they added to the story.

-The end was realistic and left me with a feeling that these guys are in for the long run and will make things work.

All in all, a win. Wheels Up is an outstanding addition to the Out of Uniform Series- which I think is the best military series out there.

4.25 stars!

Dustin is a lieutenant and XO of a SEAL team.  He's also heavily guarded his deepest secret of being a bisexual from everybody for years.  Outside of using a hookup app called Joe4Joe, he keeps on the straight and narrow.  When his recent buddy he has been chatting up recommends meeting, Dustin is both excited and scared.

Wes is an openly gay man. He is also active on the Joe4Joe app and is talking continually with Dustin-but both use screen names to keep anonymous.  When he meets Dustin for a weekend after chatting for months, he knows it did not satisfy his growing need for the hunky man.  After an unexpected transfer sends him into Dustin's world, things get murky-fast.

Wes shows up to his new SEAL assignment to find Dustin is his immediate commander of his new SEAL team.  They have to keep their feelings buried. Not only is it a shock to be close together, but given the difference in rank, it is a major blow.  The Navy's no fraternization rules are serious and neither wants to jeopardize their careers, but it gets increasingly hard to stay away too.  As they navigate their budding yet-to-name relationship, how can they be together given the rules.

Wheels Up! is book four in Annabeth Albert's Out of Uniform series and it was an awesome story to read.  These two had some serious chemistry! They fell slowly and sweetly for each other and it was very endearing! Neither expected their feelings and were almost surprised when they realized they were all in.  Yes, there were a lot of serious rules they knew they were breaking, and it could have been a disaster.  I am glad they were able to navigate a way to finally be together.  I definitely would have liked an epilogue to see some of what they waited so long for!  I also loved seeing some of the other series characters pop up here and see how happy they still are!

I have read a lot of Annabeth's books and she does an phenomenal job of writing great M/M stories. All of her series are worth reading, but the Out of Uniform series holds a special place in my heart!!

reviewed by Deb

4.5*

Dustin and Wes have been chatting for months under screen names on an app called Joe4Joe. Not really knowing their full names or even their faces fully, and definitely not their actual jobs.

When SaucerMan (Wes) learns hat Godzilla (Dustin) is young to be in his neck of the woods *let's meet* are he first words out of his mouth.

Dustin is this gigantic man. Built, broad shoulders, thick thighs, not to mention, a SEAL. So to see him so nervous is kind of endearing. To top it off, he likes his guy a bit bossy, and SaucerMan is definitely up for that job. It's also "unexpected". I love it when the "smaller" man is in charge, break that stereotypical mould.

Their online interactions and their commonality in things such as movies and documentaries is basically a nerdy wet dream. So it's only right that they would fit together naturally in real life. But after their DC trip and Wes goes ghost, only to show up in Dustin's squad, it's like the bottom drops out. You see, there's zero fraternizing especially with a leader and someone enlisted. So these guys have to find a way to just be teammates.

Only months of being basically besties with some bennies, it's a very tough situation. I was waiting for that other shoe to drop the whole time. Waiting for them to get busted, and Dustin to get sanctioned.

There were a lot of ups and downs and emotional highs and lows. Not even just between the guys, but Wes and his family and the turmoil Dustin feels because all he wants to do is comfort Wes.

I can't say this book is a HEA, but it is definitely a HFN, which is another aspect to the book that I really dig. It's a long road, and one they're fighting for in silence, but it will be well worth it once they get to be where they need to be. I think it also leaves a lot of story open for future books, even if they're not the sole purpose of said book.

I think Dustin and Wes are my current favorite OoU guys and I really hope they pop up in future stories. As for Curly.... I'm still kind of mad at him, but I hope he can be fully redeemed and I hope we get some Bacon in the future :)

This is book #4, in the Out Of Uniform series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader enjoyment and to avoid spoilers, I recommend reading this great series in order.

Dustin & Wes have an incredible hot moment in time. Then they find out they are co-workers. Now it cost them everything if they choose to be together.

Wes moves all the way across country to a new team. Only to find out he knows someone there already. Can he resist the one man who has held his dreams captive?

This is such a sweet, yet steamy book. I love this series and how it brings out the characters choosing from real odds for love. The characters are easy to connect with and have a sparkling chemistry that is hard to deny.


***This ARC copy was given in exchange for an honest review by Netgalley and its publishers.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Their love is forbidden, but their hearts aren't listening to rules and regulations.

Lieutenant Dustin Strauss is a reformed man. No longer a twentysomething hell-raiser, he's his SEAL team's new XO-and a man with a secret. Or seven. He's kept his bisexual identity under wraps for years, along with his kinky side and a fondness for the military-themed semi-anonymous hookup website Joe4Joe. His latest chat buddy is more than a sexy online distraction-they're taking their very not-safe-for-work relationship into real time.

Petty Officer Wes Lowe has a smart mouth, a take-charge attitude and an uncanny ability for making things go boom. The life of an enlisted man isn't always enough to satisfy him, but one wild, no-questions-asked weekend with his online love comes close. When a transfer order comes in, Wes feels ready and centered. He'll make a good impression on his new SEAL team and keep his growing feelings for Dustin on the down low.

But as they log more time online and some very real emotions surface, Dustin and Wes struggle to pretend they're just a harmless fling. And when his commander introduces Dustin to his team's newest member, they're in for the shock of a lifetime...and a crushing disappointment: their difference in ranks means even a friendship without sexual contact could end their navy careers for good.

With their hearts on the line, Dustin and Wes may not survive their next mission, let alone find a way toward a future together.

Wheels Up is the fourth story in Annabeth Albert's Out of Uniform series and it's just outstanding.  One of the things I look forward to in every story is a different window on Navy life, in particular the SEALs.  Here the element is fraternization, something I hadn't really given any thought to, why the military (all branches) would have such a rule in place and its impact on those who fall in love with the wrong rank.  Of course it doesn't start out that way.  It all starts out in complete lovely ignorance and lust.

Lieutenant Dustin Strauss and Petty Officer Wes Lowe meet through an ap called Joe4Joe, a  Grindr sort of hookup place and startup an "online" relationship, part lust/part growing friendship.  They have no idea of their real names or jobs, just that they seem to get along and might be sliding into something real if they let it.  Albert's believable characters and wonderful dialog brings us wholly into Dusty and Wes' lives, both together online and separately as a SEAL (Dusty) and a demolitions man (Wes).

We need the alternate perspectives because both men lead such full, stress-filled lives.  For Wes, that includes a younger sister Sam, with a life threatening illness as well as being a ordinance or demolitions man, meaning explosives.  For Dusty he's now a XO,  and as the oldest and "last straight" son of the family, the pressures from his father to be that family man is forcing him to hide the fact that he's bisexual and he's resenting the fact that out of all the other sons, he's the one shouldering the burden.  Two men, lives of unbelievable strain and responsibility and their outlet is each other via the internet and anonymity, a wall they no longer may want to hide behind.

The author makes their online "connection" hot, sexy and emotionally intimate.  We can feel the bond that's formed between them and the fear that rises when the moment comes to meet in RL.

Of course, nothing prepares either man  for what happens afterward, after the "after meeting" and the coincidence of Wes ending up under Dusty's command.  And that's where I think this story really takes flight.  Because the fraternization policy is in place for a reason.  To protect those of lower rank from being abused from their officers (something that does occur in the service).  It's a good rule and it should be enforced.  But Albert looks at it from the flip side.  What happens when a couple who loves each other also has to abide by the same law, there's no addendums that apply.  This storyline comes across as fresh and authentic.  The pain each man feels is anguished and in the moment.  Their need for each other immediate and unlawful.  Plus you have to look at the impact it has on their teammates which Albert also covers in a frank manner.

We travel every hard step with each man, through the family drama, the military minefields, the emotional and mental roads they must traverse.  There's some kink, some bdsm as Dusty needs to let go and have someone else been in charge.  It's understandable and hot.  Wes and Dusty together are an unforgettable pair.

The only thing that keeps this from an absolute 5 stars rating is that I wanted a look a little into their future I guess, not far, maybe months or a year.  I guess I wasn't ready to let them go yet.  Maybe the author is listening and I'll see them again soon.  Here's hoping.  Until then, pick it up and begin your new Out of Uniform journey with Dustin Strauss and Wes Lowe, a hot, sexy, team in and out of the bed!  I highly recommend them and this series.

Cover art is perfect for both men and this story. Loved it.

To say I loved this story and addition to the "Out of Uniform" series is an understatement. As always, Annabeth delivers with her flawless writing and unique and accurate story telling. How she knows SOO much about the daily lives of SEAL members and their loved ones floors me.

This "forbidden love story" of Dustin and Wes TWO SEALS will have your heart ready to explode literally and figuratively. What begins as as anonymous online friendship, gets taken to the next level with an in-person meet up. While coming together in an unexpected way, these two have to put their lives and hearts on the line in every page of this book.

I was turning kindle pages at break neck speed to find if these two could make it work and get their HEA.

Would recommend their story along with the previous 3 Out Of Uniform stories as they have each been unique, standalone, and full of heat!

I adore this series (and Albert's writing) but this book fell a little flat for me.

Wes and Dustin have been chatting and skyping online after meeting through a dating app and an opportunity comes up for them to meet in person.

Right off the bat, I felt no connection with these two. Like, why were they continuously drawn to each other? Besides their mutual shared kink. I got the physical attraction but not why they felt something special. And their draw to each other is almost at the exclusion of all other characters which is rare for Albert's stories. Neither has any type of support system despite being surrounded by wonderful friends and family.

I understood their fears and reservations - even having supportive people around you doesn't mean coming out is easy but the story was written in a way that the characters just kept going around in circles. I want you - I can't be with you - be together anyway - rinse and repeat.

There was a clinginess between the two that felt unhealthy rather than empowering. They both became hot messes in the training field and on deployments, and the solution to all this is introduced so early on that it was a struggle for me to hang in there waiting for Dustin to figure it out.

This book was good just not blow me away good. All it made me to is want to read Dylan (Dustin's brother) and Apollo's story again after their cameos.

If you love the series, and particularly if you like a light D/s, dirty talk relationship than I think it might work better for you.

This book had me in tears most of the way through. Sometimes in laughter, sometimes in sadness, and sometimes in pure devastation. Only a really a truly emotional realistic story can get me to do that for me. Dustin and Wes are just two men that are two souls that were destined to be together. They just have to get through some obstacles both personal and professional before they can have their happily ever after.

Overall I liked this book but was not as big a fan as I was of the previous three books in the series. There is a lot of dynamic play between the main characters Dustin and Wes, in work, personal and the bedroom. Most of the book focuses on this and if you enjoy a kinkier read I'd recommend it. Something about the fraternization element, which is BIG, left me feeling kind of meh. Well-written, the only thing that made me cringe repeatedly was the use of y'all as a singular when it is a plural. AKA 'you all.'

Not one of my favorite novels from Annabeth Albert, this was nevertheless cute. I don't regret reading it, but I'm not sure if I would have spent money on it.

Wheels Up is an amazing read that had me staying up into the wee hours of the morning trying to finish it. I just absolutely loved these two guys and wanted to see them get their happily ever after.

Wheels Up is actually the first time I’ve ever heard of this author and series. I came across it on NetGalley and was immediately drawn to the cover and synopsis. I loved the fact that these two meet anonymously through a dating app, have never swapped facial pictures, nor given their names, branch, or station location. However, when Dustin has to travel to the east coast for work, Wes propositions a meet up since that will be close enough for him to drive to. It was only supposed to be one night of fun. Except, when Wes gets transferred to a new unit out west, he soon realizes that his new commanding officer is none other than the guy he’s been chatting up online. Given how fraternization is heavily frowned upon and there are legal actions that take place when one occurs, these two try to curb their feelings for each other and stick to the job. Watching them both struggle with losing their best friend and yet having that reminder in their face every day at work was so heartbreaking to watch.

Even though their stolen moments were really stupid on their part, I silently cheered every time one of them reached out to the other for support or comfort. Mainly because I had seen how much their current situation was eating them both up. I also loved these stolen moments because even though Dustin is bisexual, this is his first time testing the waters with another guy. So the experience is totally new to him and seeing him so vulnerable and how much trust he gave Wes really sealed their bond in my eyes. While this is a romance and I loved their sexy times, I also liked that the author wrote in some field training and mission ops. We got to see the guys deploy out and do their job and it was great getting to see how they interacted with each other in the field versus in private.

While I loved this story, I did find that the lack of notification that these two are texting versus their inner dialog to be very annoying. There were no italics or quotations to clue the reader in that what they were reading was a text message. So, every time they'd talk via the app, I found myself having to decode what I was reading to decide what was inner dialog and what was the text.

Wheels Up is an emotionally raw love story that will leave you swooning. I loved both of these guys and it was heartbreaking to see them struggle with their new predicament but at the same time I squealed every time one would cave in and seek out the other. It was just so hard to come to terms with the fact that their relationship was putting all the other men on their team at risk and was really in everyone’s best interest if they took a step back and ended things. However, I’m so glad they didn’t because it would have broken my heart if these two didn’t get their happily ever after.

Dustin and Wes did video chat for six months but now they've decided to meet each other in person. Dustin did this online connection before but with Wes it was different, it was like a real friendship. But the thing is they both don’t know much about each other, like their jobs. Dustin thinks Wes’s job involved security and Wes thinks Dustin is marine. So anyway, they spent one night with each other and enjoy it so much. one month after that night Dustin’s LT announced they have a replacement and guess who is he? Yep, WES!

"No more late-night chats. No more…anything. From this moment forward, whatever he’d had with Wes in the past was dead."

First of all, such a hot cover! All the covers in this series are hot but this one… and it’s not just the cover! The story, itself, is really hot and beautiful! The thing that I loved so much about this book was their relationship. That at work, Dustin bossing Wes around but at home he lets Wes take charge. Wes helped Dustin know more about himself; that who he was, what he liked, what he needed. I liked both characters. They both were perfect with each other.

The story is well-paced and well-written. Characters were perfect and story-line was great. Told in dual POV, 3rd person. It’s the fourth installment in "Out of Uniform" series but it can be read as a stand-alone. Overall, I loved it and hope you enjoy it as well!

Thanks to Annabeth Albert, Netgalley and Carina Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange an honest review.

An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ok, yes I gave this 2 stars. I know, I know, I know. I am a HUGE Annabeth Albert fan, and it kills me to say I didn't like this one. It just didn't work for me on so many levels.

Dustin and Wes "meet" in an online chat group Joe4Joe. Neither of them admit to being Seals, and allow the other to deliberately mistake their occupation in the military for something it really isn't. After months of online chats and video sex, they meet in person and it's soooo good. I loved the beginning of the book where they meet for the first time, get their kink on and talk. But things start to fall apart right after that.

When Wes gets transferred from the East Coast to the West Coast, he doesn't mention this to Dustin at all, and they each learn the truth about each other when Wes reports to his new Seal team, which of course is where Dustin is. Now, I love this kind of trope - really enjoy it. But this whole situation didn't work for me. First, they decide to keep their distance from each other - which I can understand. But then they cave and start chatting via text and then video and then in person, and eventually they have sex, which complicates things. But then they say "no, we shouldn't be doing this. This is the last time." Until it isn't. I was soooo tired to the back and forth. For crying out loud - make a decision and STICK WITH IT!

Ugh, the writing style just seems so different from the other books in this series and I don't understand why. The characters didn't seem to be as strong as previous books. They came across as very wishy-washy and unable to stand their ground with anybody or anything. For example, Dustin has yet to tell anybody that he is bisexual. He has known this about himself since before Dylan came out. And why hasn't he told anyone? Because Dylan decides to announce being gay just as Dustin was working up the courage. I can understand not wanting to announce at the same time, but once he sees his parents are good and accepting, he should have said something. At least to his brother!

I don't want to discourage people from reading this - you get to see Apollo and Dylan and the girls at the wedding and I enjoyed that.

Over all, maybe 2.5 stars. Just because these guys couldn't make up their mind, and it frustrated me to no end.

4.5 stars. What kept it from being a 5 star read for me was the reason behind why Dustin didn't tell his dad, brother or his best friend that he was bi. I just thought it was dumb. I loved watching these two try to hide from their feelings. They really had a hard go of it keeping their relationship secret so the military didn't find out about them. Curly pissed me off when he said something to their superior, that could have gotten both of them into some really hot water. My heart broke when Wes told Dustin what he said, he was only trying to make things easier for Dustin but it was still heartbreaking. I love Sam she is such a strong soul. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Maybe we can finally see them in an open relationship.

Wheels Up follows Justin and Wes as they try and fail to stay apart after online fun turned into real life romance. Though the weekend wasn’t expected to be repeated Wes very suddenly reappears in Dustin life after a transfer, however as Dustin ranks higher than Wes rules and regulations means that friendship is off the cards let alone a romantic relationship.

This was a hell of a lot sweeter than I was expecting, I absolutely loved the burgeoning relationship between the two. Both deal with struggles within their respective families as well. Wes’ sister has a heart defect that sees her in and out of hospital and in need of a transplant, meanwhile Dustin struggles with his father’s expectation.

Though it was frustrating at times where work relationship meant their personal one suffered it was realistic given the rules surrounding relationships in the military. However both Dustin and Wes eventually got their hard won happily ever after. It was somewhat bitter sweet given that a bit more time was required before they could truly be open about their relationship. I’m usually not a fan of bittersweet/HFN ending simply because I love ending where it’s irrefutable that everyone got their happily ever afters, but this one was down so well it actually bumped up my rating. Damn near had tears in my eyes, Wes and Dustin are made for each other.

I loved this book! Was waiting to find out Dustin's story and finally got it!! Love this series and all the amazing characters. Full review will be added via link as soon as I write it and blog it!!
5 amazing stars -- can't wait for the next book!!

Oh. P.S. the covers!! Sexy!! Love them!!

The forth book in the Out of Uniform series brings us Dustin (who we met in At Attention) and Wes. From an online sexy relationship to reality these two Seals steam up the pages. I enjoyed this story and will recommend it and the series to readers.

I thought this book was well-written and well-characterized. The romance was hot and sweet, and I really enjoyed the 2 main characters. I do wish the drama hadn't completely stemmed from a character wanting to stay in the closet, but I still enjoyed the book.

2 stars. Annabeth Albert writes well-developed relationships, and her books are reliably steamy, romantic, and engaging. The chemistry between the characters in this book was excellent. However, I found the characters to be less well-rounded than in previous books -- for example, their relationships with people outside of each other, apart from Wes' sister, were only sketchily included. Even she only had limited characterization. The character development therefore felt somewhat superficial.

I personally did not connect as much with the trope (both characters are Navy SEALs, and one is the direct commander over the other), though the rules against fraternization were a realistic obstacle to their HEA. However, the plot beats ended up being quite repetitive, as the characters regularly meet guiltily and clandestinely, each time vowing it to be the last time. Ultimately, not a favourite of Albert's for me.

This book is AWESOME!! Just like the rest on the series. I hope there's more.