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Off Base  By  cover art

Off Base

By: Annabeth Albert
Narrated by: Tyler Stevens
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Publisher's summary

After 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.

Book One of the Out of Uniform series

©2017 Annabeth Albert (P)2017 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Critic reviews

"Narrator Tyler Stevens captures Zack's agonizing dilemma as he wavers between coming out and bowing to family expectations. He voices Zack as a tough SEAL who struggles with his emotions. Pike comes across as a confident flirt with an unspoken fear of getting hurt. Stevens uses a slightly higher register for Pike and a vulnerable gruffness for Zack, which works well in their dialogue and bedroom scenes. Secondary characters from Zack's military and Pike's academic circles are differentiated and memorable. Stevens makes their courtship sweet and sexy." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about Off Base

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Unexpectedly good

I bought this book because I like coming out stories, but I admit I went into it with a bit of trepidation. M/M romance writers have a tendency to fall into a couple pitfalls and I was afraid this one would as well. Also, the narrator was new to me. I'm happy to report that for the most part, the book avoids the pitfalls.

Specifically, I was worried about the character of Pike. It's a pretty common trope in coming out stories to have the love interest be, not just out, but SUPER out. And that type of character has a tendency to get on my nerves. I was sort of afraid Pike was going to be the too sassy, annoying gay guy that the rest of us gay guys avoid eye contact with at parties, and that he would spend the book haranguing Zack (the closeted guy) for not being worthy of him. And for the most part he wasn't; I genuinely liked him throughout the book. And he fell for Zack just as hard as Zack fell for him. M/M writers, particularly female ones (sorry), somehow love inequality in their ships, where one partner holds all the power and the other is kept in his thrall. That didn't happen here, and I'm grateful.

There were only two things about the book that sort of bugged me, and prevented me from giving it 5 stars. The first is that the "villains" were, let's say, cartoonishly evil. They said everything every coming out story villain has ever said, and they were defeated through the power of teamwork and specialness. It was all a bit saccharine, to be honest, at the end, but luckily by that point I was invested enough in Zack and Pike's relationship that it didn't matter all that much. The second thing that bothered me was the timing of Pike and Zack's friends. You knew things were going to come to a head, and everyone would get fed up with Zack's inability to acknowledge his relationship with Pike. I was getting fed up myself (in a good way). But their timing was AWFUL. Here are these people who all supposedly love him, and they suddenly lose patience with him when he's at his absolute lowest. Zack was like a hurt puppy and they all lined up to kick him while he was down; it seemed out of character for all of them.

I didn't have any complaints about the narrator, Tyler Stevens, who unfortunately doesn't narrate the rest of the series. I say "unfortunately" even though the three narrators who finish out the series--Cooper North, J.F. Harding, and Greg Boudreaux--are wonderful, but honestly there wasn't any need to switch narrators at all because Stevens does such a good job. I'll definitely pick up the rest of the series and Annabeth Albert has made a fan of me (with just a few reservations).

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9 people found this helpful

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Off Base

the story line is believable and has a credible story line. The characters are well developed and the narrator has an even flow of reading. I've heard several stories narrated by Stevens and enjoy what he puts into his reading.
I would definitely recommend this story for all gay romance readers.

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9 people found this helpful

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Great

This was a great book, at least for me. I can relate to so much to both characters. I'll admit, it was a little tough to get into at the very beginning. However, I kept listening and I am glad that I did.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

not the best

this book is my least favorite of the series, first I started off with book 2 then 3 those where great but this one was lacking in a way I can't put into words, I just wasn't invested in these characters. if you are new to this series don't read this one first.

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5 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointment

The narrator's was annoying. I wish he would have been able to change his voice up more between characters and the narration. Storyline was also abbot slow to start.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Love!!

I really enjoyed listening to this story. I could see everything like watching a movie. Great performance.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great narration and written well

I really liked the characters but I just can't read/listen to anymore closeted male books. The writing was good, the dialog was real, and there were some very sweet moments. The love scenes were sexy and sweet.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great start to the series

By now I've read and listened to this several times. This is my favorite series by Annabeth Albert by far. Great start to the series. If you like military romance this is a book for you and even if not give it a try because the writing is great.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Love the characters.

Loved the story the plot and how this book had some characters from update status. Anna Beth did another fantastic job.

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3 people found this helpful

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really very nice

this series I really liked. I had started with the last book in the Gaymers series "Connection Error". You will need that one to know what some of the characters are. I can not wait till the next book in this series.

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3 people found this helpful