3.75 stars. This was an enjoyable read! The men were sweet and hot together

Zack's conflict over accepting himself was believable, though it hurt that he couldn't be out there for Pike sooner. When he stood up to his parents, when he surprised Pike by coming out in an extremely public way -- confirming how important the other man was to him -- I wanted to cheer. Sometimes over the top is the only way to make amends.

As for Pike, I can understand the lengths he was willing to go to, what he would take in the name of love (in my own way I've been there and done that), but it was good that he was also taking care to make sure he had options if things didn't work out. Having hope is necessary, but being careful while doing so is only smart.

Nice going Ms. Albert! Now to go on to the next in the series: At attention.

Off Base by Annabeth Albert is a spinoff of the Gaymers series which I have also read and really enjoy. In this book, you will follow Pike’s story as he falls in love with SEAL Zack Nelson. It’s a rocky road and the book is filled with homophobia and all the fears and insecurities and even some heartbreak that goes along with it.

Zack is gay, although not out to anyone and is a complete virgin. Being a SEAL and being gay is NOT something he thinks is acceptable. He comes from a seriously homophobic family and was bullied by his brother as a child. He definitely has a few issues. Unfortunately, one of his teammates caught him staring at something he shouldn’t have been in the shower and now he is pretty much being blackmailed. Honestly, I was rather disgusted by Zack’s attitude for a lot of the book. He is a SEAL for heaven’s sake. To just let some guy push you around like that is pathetic. I know, he is afraid of being caught but I had zero respect for him for most of the book. Even when he finally falls for Pike and they begin a relationship, he is so far into the closet I’m not sure how he ever finally found his way out.

Pike is totally out and flirts with Zack mercilessly, even when he doesn’t realize that Zack is actually gay. That is just his personality but when forces collide and Pike moves in with Zack, he promises to tone things down a bit. Too bad the chemistry between them refuses to let them stay apart for long. Pike’s flirty and fun personality is actually a really great balance to Zack’s serious and reserved attitude. I really liked them together… Zack learns to let go a little bit and Pike actually grows up and matures a bit, himself.

There are plenty of secondary characters in the story to fill out the story ine. Many of them are from the Gaymer’s series so if you read that one you will catch up with your favorite guys. You don’t have to read the Gaymer’s stories to follow Off Base by Annabeth Albert. It is a standalone book with no cliffhangers.

I really enjoyed Off Base by Annabeth Albert, even if I didn’t really like Zack’s character for much of the story. I understand his issues but they made his character seem very weak. I enjoyed seeing both of these guys mature as the story progressed and there is a nice HEA in the epilog as well.

I seem to really enjoy MM romances that involve military men and strong alpha males. I think it adds to the taboo even though the DADT has been lifted. Zack is this scary Navy SEAL and yet he has a side to him that none but Pike seems to see. Pike is an openly gay man that has the knack of getting under Zacks skin. The interplay between these two characters makes for a fun read. Zack just doesn't know what has hit him when he finds himself living with Pike. I can't tell you how much I adored these characters and I loved that we get some pop ins from some of the characters from the #gaymers series. If you are in to some seriously hot alpha men bringing the heat and some sweet romance thrown in, this book is definitely for you. Highly recommended.

love Annabeth's writing, and one of my favorite series is the Gaymer. Pike, a secondary character from it is one of our main characters. Fun, easy going and a loving guy falls for Zach, a SEAL with a big religious upbringing who lives in denial.
Hot chemistry and a great plot made me turn the pages as fast as I read them, a wonderful M/M story and I can't wait for the next book!

Off Base by Annabeth Albert is the first book in the Out of Uniform series. I really liked this one. I have read many a military gay romance but this one is modern and feels very much in the now. I liked the friendship Zack and Pike have. I also could feel for their struggles as well. Very well developed characters that had me the reader very much invested in their lives and happiness.
This is a light, quick read that I would love to just pick up after a long day. Made me smile in places, be frustrated with the character's struggles, and really cheer for them too when love saves the day.
Zack is in the military. He is not gay or so he thinks. He has a very set idea of who he is. I liked that throughout this book we see him grow. Grow from the ridged box he puts himself in, to the freedom love will bring him.
Pike I loved this character from the start. Open, free and caring. He is the kind of person you want to be your best friend. He allows Zack to really see another side of himself. He also as a character grows and shows how strong he really is under pressure.
Over all I loved this story. It is a very well balanced, well rounded storyline. I love feeling the character connection and falling in love along with the characters. I look forward to much more from this series in the future. I cannot wait to see who falls in love next.

Five Shooting Stars

Zack is a Navy Seal that is trying so hard to do his best with his family and his Seal team. One of his teammates is harassing him and making his life difficult, so he looks for a way to live off base. He gets a fixer-upper rental deal from one of his superiors. Unfortunately, Zack really has no idea how to do the renovations that are part of his rent. He tries his best, but he's struggling.

Pike is struggling for other reasons. He didn't get the job that he hoped for and needs to find a place to live for the job he did get. Unlike Zack, he knows how to do the renovations required. They strike an uneasy agreement to be roommates and do the renovations together. Pike is an out gay man; Zack is hiding his sexuality completely, to keep his family and his Seal team.

It was easy to feel for Zack. His team seems to be very homophobic, he's being blackmailed by a teammate, and his conservative parents put a lot of pressure on him as the one "good" kid that they have. Those pressures are a lot, but he puts a lot of pressure on himself. He is beyond stressed trying to handle everything.

Pike is amazingly patient with Zack considering his past. When things come to a head, both men have to take a leap of faith. It was a hard fought for ending, but I never felt that it was an angst filled story. I enjoyed this book, but for some reason I felt a bit disconnected from both characters, Pike more so than Zack. I just felt like I was missing something, but I'm not sure what that would be. Nevertheless, I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.

If you've read the #gaymers series by Albert, then this book starts off essentially where the last one in that series ended. Off Base starts the new Out of Uniform series, but the couple from the last #gaymers novel does appear in Off Base. I really like how the author created a new series but connected to a previous one, especially since I really loved that series.

As for Off Base, I really enjoyed it too and I can't wait to see what the second book, At Attention, brings. Off Base follows navy SEAL Zack and new professor Pike. These two have known each other for awhile, as their respective best friends are dating. However, while Pike has always had a crush on Zack, he wasn't sure if he was gay for awhile. Plus, Zack didn't really hide that he wasn't much of a fan of Pike. This is mostly due to Pike's forward nature and flirting. While Zack is a hard-working guy and loves his friends, he's hiding his sexuality due to a very conservative and religious family. His brother is a screw up, so his parents are always commenting on getting one son right. Zack knows they won't still think that way if he ever comes out.

While I understood Zack's reason for staying in the closet, sometimes I did want him to think of himself more often. Regardless, you have to love him. Pike too, as he's a really patient guy who wants to show Zack love that he hasn't received from anyone else. The two end up being roommates before anything romantic occurs, and that's how they got to know each other better, and I loved that.

Definitely recommend!

This was enjoyable. A solid 3-star romance, although for the first half or so of the book, I really wasn’t sure about it; sometimes I’d be liking it and others I just couldn’t get into it, but as the circumstances surrounding the characters ramped up, the book certainly picked up and led to a satisfying ending.

Zack Nelson is a Navy SEAL who is definetly definetly not gay (of course not, no way *koffkoff*). He’s been getting some homophobic abuse from a fellow officer, and as a result, he decides to move offbase. Pike Reynolds, avid gamer and adept at doing up houses, offers to move into the dump Zack has agreed to renovate in exchange for cheap off-base living. Never mind that Pike drives him wild, and that Zack won’t admit that he’s into guys. This surely isn’t a good idea, right? And especially since Pike has been with someone deep in the closet before, and that’s an unpleasant experience he doesn’t want a repeat of.

What follows is a decent romance where two roommates come together. Throw in a subplot about homophobic abuse from colleagues, and a heavy dose of gaming, and this was an enjoyable read. It didn’t set my world on fire initially, but by the end, I’d come to quite like both Pike and Zack, and their kitties.

This book, by the way, is a spin-off from Albert’s #gaymers series, of which Ryan and Josiah from book three, Connection Error, appear frequently (Ryan is the mutual friend and the reason they met). I hadn’t read Connection Error (note: you don’t have to have to read this), but I’m very tempted to now, especially since they included the first chapter of their story at the end of Off Base.

Overall, a decent military romance. And there’s another, At Attention, on the way (which I’m curious about as the lead in that, who’s a minor character here, was introduced but not with info so I’m not really sure what he’s like yet).

I was provided an ebook copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, however my library had an audio copy and this is the version I "read." My review is still honest. ;)

Wow, just WOW. This was an amazing book and I was so very satisfied with how everything played out. Note: While some say this book can be read as a standalone, the #gaymers series (Status Update; Beta Test; Connection Error), is very closely tied into this series. I've not read the #gaymers series, but I am going to jump right into those, because THIS book was that great. Since I haven't read the #gaymers series, when Off Base started I did feel a little lost as it seemed I was just thrown into a situation and characters with no background, HOWEVER, that didn't last long as I was able to learn about Zack and Pike. This CAN be read as a standalone, but you will be oh so much happier I think if you read the #gaymers series too, not necessarily first.

Zack and Pike know each other before Off Base starts, and it's more than obvious Pike doubts that Zack is as straight as he claims. And he's right; Zack is a Navy Seal and his parents are ultra conservative - he knows what could happen if he comes out as gay - to his family and with his Seal team. But when a teammate starts to blackmail Zack about being gay, Zack decides to move off base and lands in a fixer upper. The condition of him staying in the fixer upper for free is that he do the work for the owner. Just one problem: Zack is DIY illiterate and knows he's in over his head.

When Pike lands a job at the college near Zack, he has trouble finding a place to live with his two cats. Pike knows all about DIY and Zack lets him stay with him so he can help around the house. The tension between these two is more than obvious and Zack has been pushing his sexuality down, down, down, and one night, he stops fighting. But that doesn't make things any easier for Zack. Pike is a great guy and Zack doesn't want to hurt him, but he just can't come out of the closet either. He knows the trouble his blackmailing team mate can cause and so he keeps Pike a secret, and suffers in silence.

Pike is understanding and this is the great part, I think. So many times I read a book where an MC isn't out yet, and their partner is all, "okay, I'll wait," but then turns right around and is like, "are you ever coming out?" It's been two minutes (slight exaggeration but you get the point) and clearly that was too long of a wait for them. All that drama is too much for me and I want to slap the impatient, insensitive asshole. But Pike isn't like that. When he says he'll wait, he means it. I thought this was wonderful. Someone shouldn't feel pressured to come out before they are ready; that leads to resentment I think and I can't see a relationship like that lasting. It takes caring and understanding and patience on both parties part for it all to work. And Pike and Zack handle this brilliantly. I'm not saying it was easy - it most certainly wasn't, and Pike has doubts and fears and does question Zack about coming out, but he doesn't push Zach. They are a sweet couple to watch and the sex scenes, whoa!!! Totally hot and so, so perfect. They are a great couple and get each other, you know? They like the other person for all their faults and quirks.

Events take place at the end of the story that moves Zack along in coming out (view spoiler), and it all turns out ok. I am completely 100% looking forward to the next book in this series At Attention, and you can bet I am checking out the #gaymers series too. Annabeth Albert is going to be a must read author of mine, I can tell. :)

Highly recommend this book and I can only assume the #gaymers series is just as awesome and will say read those too even though I haven't yet.

5 well deserved stars (especially for NOT creating drama in stupid places). :-D

OFF BASE is the newest release from a new favorite author of mine, Annabeth Albert. I’ve been devouring everything she’s written and so was very excited to get my hands on this one. Especially since its a spin off of her #gaymers series which I adored. We first meet the main characters in OFF BASE, in CONNECTION ERROR (review coming soon) and Zack seems even more up tight than he was when we first meet him. Its a good thing that Pike worms his way into his life because he is Zack’s opposite in many ways and the two of them really work well together.

OFF BASE is filled to the brim of heart achy feels because Zack is just so tortured about who he really is. He’s been brainwashed since he was young that being gay was wrong and he’s faced nothing but homophobia since which has made it hard to be comfortable in his own skin. Things start to change when he is roomed with Ryan in the VA hospital and he starts to see another side to what he thought he always knew. I loved all the moments between Zack and Pike and the cameos of Ryan and Josiah. They all just made my heart sing. What I didn’t like was the homophobia that ran rampant throughout the book. It just made my skin crawl whenever Zack’s teammates said something or when Zack talked to his parents.



Overall though, I really enjoyed the relationship between Pike and Zack. I do wish that Zack was a little more comfortable in who he was but I understood it. I also liked watching Pike come into his own as he found his grove in teaching. I liked that he learned that sometimes the unexpected path could lead to something even better than what he dreamed was possible. And once Pike and Zack started to put their difference aside this story because a favorite enemies to lovers story. There was just so much tension between Pike and Zack that I couldn’t stop turning the pages in order to see how they would reach their happily ever after.

I find that Annabeth Albert really excels at writing a feel good story that often packs a punch to the emotions. Her characters are real and raw and they are all so uniquely drawn. Every story she tells does follow a certain path but there is always a fresh spin that keeps me coming back for more. The are quick, engrossing reads that I just suck up when I get my hands on one. I lose track of time until I hit the final page and then I am sad because I can’t read the story for the first time again. If you are a fan of MM Romances then you really want to give Annabeth Albert a try.

I loved this story, but then I love most of what Annabeth Albert writes. I loved Pike and really felt for Zach. His family was the worst. I look forward to reading more from Albert and this series.

Off Base by Annabeth Albert is a spin-off of her Gaymers series. I loved that series so much and was happy that Zack and Pike were getting a story. Together! Zack is a friend of Ryan's and he's so deep in the closet he can't even admit it to himself. Pike is Josiah's friend. The loud mouthed, completely out, super funny friend. Zack is in the military but he's innocent. He's a virgin who's attracted to men, but has to deal with homophobia from his parents and his fellow soldiers. He can't come out. It would devastate his family and ruin his career. But Pike is so tempting. Especially when they end up living together. Zack can't hide who he is from Pike. They want each other too much. But Zack needs it to be a secret from everyone. What happens when feelings become involved? How long can Pike live being Zack's little secret? I enjoyed this story so much! Zack and Pike are perfect for each other. Zack is quiet, reserved and tries to stay out of the limelight. Pike is loud, colorful and loves being the center of attention. It just works for them. I can't wait for At Attention!


Pike knew that, like Fireball shots, he was an acquired taste. And twice as much fun.


Hello, hot SEAL porn to go with my marinara.

Though I am a big fan of Annabeth Albert, this one was not a favorite of mine.

I'm just tired of the closeted man who treats the object of his affections badly. The first half of the book was so focused on one MC's confusion of "is he gay/is he straight" and the other one being so angry being gay...I had a tough time connecting to them as romance leads.

Once the two of them finally connected, beyond just physically, the book picked up for me. I also loved seeing glimpses of some of my favorite characters from the author's other books.

This one wasn't that strong in my opinion however.

I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
i
This was a really good story. It was well written and I really enjoyed the virgin aspect of the story for one of the MC's. This is the first book by the author that I have read.
I wasn't able to really connect with this story or it's MC's. I will say that I did develop a big soft spot for Pike along the way though. There's just something about a sweet, lovable ginger. Get's me every time. I think the one thing that kept me from connecting her is the age of the MC's. I found them to be too young for my reading tastes as I've found myself mostly enjoying and gravitating towards MC's in their 30's-40's. I think that because of my own age, 44. So, their youth kept me from finding that connection that I crave while reading a book.
So, even though this book wasn't for me, I can definitely recommend it to fans of the M/M genre. I will also read other books by this author. I writing here was absolutely top-shelf.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5



off-baseAfter trading the barracks for a fixer-upper rental, navy SEAL Zack Nelson wants peace, not a roommate—especially not Pike, who sees things about Zack he most wants to hide. Pike's flirting puts virgin Zack on edge. And the questions Pike's arrival would spark from Zack's teammates about his own sexuality? Nope. Not going there. But Zack can't refuse.

Pike Reynolds knows there won't be a warm welcome in his new home. What can he say? He's an acquired taste. But he needs this chance to get his life together. Also, teasing the uptight SEAL will be hella fun. Still, Pike has to tread carefully; he's had his fill of tourists in the past, and he can't risk his heart on another, not even one as hot, as built—and, okay, yeah, as adorable—as Zack.

Living with Pike crumbles Zack's restraint and fuels his curiosity. He discovers how well they fit together in bed…in the shower…in the hallway… He needs Pike more than he could have imagined, yet he doesn't know how to be the man Pike deserves.

In Off Base, Annabeth Albert works her magic again in this first story of a new series. We meet the emotional mess that is navy SEAL Zack Nelson as he's entering a bar with Pike, someone who's within the circle of friends they share. Its immediately clear that Zack has issues with his sexuality, his attraction to men and Pike. How deep his problems are and wide ranging is something the author lets us find out as the story continues.

Pike's character is laid down here as well in the opening scenes. Out, kind, smart and sexual. You like Pike immediately. He's as engaging as Zack is screwed up and vulnerable (yes, he's a navy SEAL but its realistically written). They are puzzle pieces made for each other if only they can work it out.

Albert lays out her groundwork for Zack's problems and they are as believable as they are painful. Pike too has his own layering and issues to solve. He's a new professor at college trying to find his way as a teacher with his students, trying to keep his heart intact...trying not to fail at so many things that he may miss out on the one thing he wants above all else.

While you have the sexy, emotional journey going on between Zack and Pike, there's another as well. Its the one happening between Zack and his SEAL teammates during training. Some of it is very ugly and its not all their fault as Zack is trying to deal with things on his own. This is a second important storyline that plays out here. I think Albert again does a great job and I can't wait to see how it carries through to the next novel.

There is a couple from my favorite series #gaymers that appears here. I hope to see more of them.

In short? I loved this story. It has heart, angst, and romance. Its sexy and its a wonderful new start to a series. Now for the next book!

Cover art is sexy if somewhat generic.

Off Base was a satisfying read from start to finish. I love a good “opposites attract” story and this one definitely fit the bill. Moreover, I was pleased to note that this is a spin-off of the author’s #gaymer series, with a few familiar faces from Connection Error making regular appearances.

Deeply repressed and firmly entrenched in the closet, Zack is basically the complete opposite of out-and-proud Pike. Right from their first on-page encounter, poor uptight Zack couldn’t run away fast enough from Pike, who was determined to push all his “straight guy” buttons on a drunken night out. I was not on board at first because awkward, and also alcohol, but you know that moment when some really palpable sexual tension goes from annoying to steamy and you start paying attention? Yeah, that happened.

Zack and Pike had deeee-lightful UST. And while the two MCs had off-the-charts chemistry, what I loved most was how much longing there was between them. The vulnerability both of them exhibited as they formed a tentative bond was so touching and real. The book was written in both POVs, and I think one of my favorite things was seeing Zack through Pike’s eyes. Pike was pushy and OTT at first, so it was a revelation to see his softer side as he fell hard for the big tough, teddy bear of a Navy SEAL. Oh, and did I mention that Pike is ginger?

Zack was such a wonderful mix of strong and sure, yet lost and clueless, and sorry, did I already mention how explosive the sex was between them? Their attraction was so raw and undeniable and hullo, Zack’s first time and… well, you get the idea, they were hot together. But they were also so, so sweet. I adored how easily they fell into a routine as roommates and inevitably created a safe cocoon and a home with each other without realizing it. But then of course there’s the real world to make things all scary and complicated. I will skip the details, but suffice it to say that Zack and Pike had to make some tough choices to get their HEA.

I adored this book. I’ve found the author’s other works to be well-written and well-paced, and this was no exception. The book also had the potential to turn angsty with some of the homophobic elements and Zack being so deep in the closet, but Off Base turned out to be sweeter, funnier, and more honest than expected. It was basically everything I was looking for in a romance, and I cannot wait for the next book.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 Stars.

Annabeth Albert is not a new-to-me author. Having loved the #gaymers series, I quickly snatched this book up, going into it blindly. Other than the title hinting it involved a military man, I knew nothing of the premise. I was delighted to see a series crossover from the #gaymers series. If I remember correctly, Zack and Pike were introduced to readers at an LAN party.

Zack is a Navy SEAL, still in training yet ready to put down some roots before he's deployed. Between being in the military and his religious family, he's so deep in the closet, he can't even admit the word to himself. This is done with empathy and respect on the author's part, with a solid foundation for the denial. Many books have an in-the-closet character to add angst, but as the reader, I understood Zack's point of view.

Zack was bullied by his older brother all through childhood, allowed by his disillusioned parents who saw the siblings as the best of friends. This created the foundation for a man who allowed his SEAL teammate to bully and coerce him – allowed these events and people to dictate how he lived his life through the fear of disappointing his family and the fear of coming out.

Pike was raised by a free-spirit mother, never before putting down roots. At his core, he's a down-to-earth guy who seeks love and affection and the security of a solid relationship. But he wears a mask of the charming flirt.

Zack and Pike meet through mutual friends. Pike is infatuated with Zack, but the flirty routine comes off as desperate to Zack and it also terrifies him a bit, because Pike is a man Zack could forget about his hang-ups over.

The bullying forces Zack to live Off Base, and Pike moves to the area to take a teaching job at a local college. Zack needed help renovating his CO's house (in lieu of rent) and Pike, who is a master at renovation thanks to his house-flipping momma, needed a cheap place to live. This doesn't come off as cheesy. I felt the book had a lot of empathy for the situations both of the narrators were living through, showing both sides of the issues accurately from their points of view.

The sexual tension was thick, the romance was organic, both adding depth to the storyline instead of overpowering it. Zack's denial and the bullying were heartbreaking, as was the added strife this put on Pike.

The reason I didn't give out 5 stars was simply this: Zack's parents seemed one-note, hyper focused. The only interaction/conversation was repeating the same lines heard in too many books, making it not feel accurate. Not all religious people are bigots. Some are, sure. But, to me, the parents needed some depth to truly add the layer of angst Zack was feeling at disappointing them. If there is nothing to them as human beings, why would it matter if Zack disappointed them or not? They had no personality, other than the mother asking him to marry a complete stranger from church, as if this was her only goal in life, and the dad spouting religious rhetoric and patting Zack on the back for being a manly Navy SEAL. In this day and age, there aren't that many girls waiting around for a guy whose parents go to church with her – a guy she barely knows. Yes, there are girls and religious parents living under rocks somewhere, but not every parent in every book should follow this pattern.

The other reason – the conflict resolution seemed too easy, paved by everyone but Zack. They did it for him.

I highly recommend this book, and the previous #gaymers series, to MM Romance fans. This new series will surely please those who love the military subgenre. I cannot wait to get my greedy little hands on the next in the Out of Uniform series.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆
I just adored Pike, he made me laugh so hard at times. The chemistry between Zack and Pike is off the fricking charts! I loved how things progressed with these two. I loved how good Pike was with Zack, and taking things as they came. The fixer-upper rental was also something I enjoyed; I am glad I am not the only one that things go wrong when fixing stuff up. I really enjoyed this book and will read the next one in the series.

Characters: Well written and connected with them.
Sex: Yes
Religious: It is brought up
Would I recommend to others: Yes
More than one book in the series: Not sure
Genre: M/M
Would I read more by this author: Yes


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/M Romance
Triggers: Bullying

Zack is not my favorite character – in fact, he gets on my nerves very easily throughout this book. While I can understand with his family background how he might be unwilling to face some truths, his "hiding in the closet" routine gets old very quickly. Even with Cobb making his life a living hell, some other teammates who are uncomfortable with a gay member of their team, Zack has ample opportunity to deal with his issues and just chooses to be an ostrich with his head in the sand.

Pike is a great character. A little flamboyant, a lot flirty and he, for some reason, likes Zack. Pike has been down the road before where he was with someone who was unwilling to have a public relationship. He comes from a past where someone he thought was going to be next to him no matter what, bolted at the first sign of trouble. That kind of hurt, the deep scars that were left, took a toll on Pike, but despite that, he's putting himself out there.

The relationship between Pike and Zack was fairly organic – friends who turn in to more, but the fact that Zack fought so hard for 75% of this book to not acknowledge the relationship was hard to take.

There was hardly a resolution for Cobb or the other teammate who was having issues and I really wished that we had been able to see the friendships that developed with Zack's new friends. I also wish that we could have seen more of the relationship after Zack was able to come to terms with his feelings. I just felt that this book had so much potential, but didn't really live up to it. I hope more is resolved in future stories.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars of Openness Wins Out

This is the first book in a new series, but any Ms. Albert fan will recognise some of the characters from the #gaymers series, and they are very welcome!

Zack has a lot of family pressure to be perfect, and now he is a SEAL, he has achieved some approval – but he is now expected to take a wife. However, as much as he denies it, even to himself, that is not what he sees in his future. He cannot risk being honest about his nature at work, or with his family – so when his friends persuade him to allow Pike to stay with him, he is stressed. However, soon Pike is the colour in his world, someone who will share his day and brighten up his life.

Watching these two men deal with the realities of their situation – enabling Zack to find a degree of peace at home at least – all makes for engrossing reading. Ms. Albert has a real talent for making characters who are worthy of our care and sympathy. She sets up situations which are so simple, and yet have far reaching impact.

I definitely recommend this story to you – and if you haven't read the #gaymers books yet, then do give those a try too.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is a great first book in a new spinoff from the #gaymers series. I loved Zack, the closeted Marine running from both his parents’ religious beliefs and bullying within the Marine Corps. His uncertainty, his lack of self-confidence, and complete lack of self-awareness makes him a fascinating character. Pike is a bit simpler. He is cerebral where Zack is physical and he is confident and secure.

Zack and Pike’s very ordinary life together as roommates works well. I enjoyed Zack’s slow acceptance of the domestic comforts Pike brings to his life and I loved the easy companionship between these two.

My only reservation about this story is the lack of subtlety that the ‘bad guys’ and ‘good guys’ were drawn with. The military bullies were obvious and their motivations too simple. Zack’s family came across as ignorant religious bigots. The LGBTQ friendly military personnel were too good to be true. I expect more shades of grey from this author and the black and white in this story reduced its emotional impact for me.

But this is a sweet, sexy romp and I enjoyed watching Zack come to a more honest understanding of himself, his relationships, and what he wanted to prioritise in his life.


Veronica – ☆☆☆
Zack grew up in a religious family, being bullied by his big brother. He is now a Navy SEAL being bullied by a fellow team members about being a "fag." Zack is gay but refusing to admit. To escape dealing with his workplace bullying, Zack moves off base and ends up living with Pike, a friend of a friend who is out and proud.

In spite of Pike saying he won't get involved with a guy who isn't out and Zack saying he isn't gay, a relationship develops. Zack and Pike made a fun pair. They are different and they complement each other well. They also made a very hot couple. Zack insistence that their relationship be kept secret causes trouble, some that is easy to see coming and some that isn't.

This is an angst story at times and quite emotional. The homophobia, workplace bullying, and Zack's refusal to be honest with himself infuriated me. I was happy with the way the story pans out but I wondered if the resolutions of the workplace issues was a realistic depiction of what would actually happen.

Off Base is a good m/m romance and a nice start to the Out of Uniform series by Annabeth Albert and I look forward to reading more books as they are released.

3.5 Stars so rounding up to 4

I picked this book up in December and attempted to read it. Zack flat out pissed me off so I put it down to pick up again closer to release figuring my mood, the holidays, etc., etc., etc….was the reason he was pissing me off so much. Nope…and this is why I’ve pretty much giving up on books with a closeted MC. The open MC ALWAYS ends up getting hurt at the hands of the closeted MC.

When Zack let’s go of all his preconceived notions about being gay, he’s pretty great with Pike. Unfortunately, he’s a little too great and says some pretty amazing stuff that gives Pike hope that they will someday be out and proud together. I guess that’s part of the heartbreak for me is the false hope and pain suffered while Zack decides whether or not he wants to finally be himself and go after what he wants. And don’t misunderstand me, I get while Zack is struggling to be honest. He’s been bullied and preached to his whole life. And he’s in the military. And his self-hatred is strong. But it still frustrates me when a closeted MC realizes what he wants, is an adult without who needs nothing from all the haters and still won’t stand up for himself without something drastic happening.

Pike matures a bit in the book and goes through a bit of self-discovery. He’s super smart and really funny which he sometimes uses as a façade to help hide his lack of self-confidence.

I do like Pike and Zack together when all the pretenses are gone – which is basically when they’re alone in their house. I do like the support system Zack finds. I do feel hopeful by the end of the book, although this seems like more of an HFN instead of an HEA so I hope we get to see more of them.

I love Ms. Albert’s books so I will probably read the next book in the series however I’m guessing this is going to be another closeted MC so I may have trouble again.

This is a great series. Zack and Pike are great characters and the situations they are in are so believable. A happily ever after with some real conflicts in the middle.