Tight Quarters (Out of Uniform #6) [Del & Spencer] by Annabeth Albert

I don't really know why and how but this one didn't grab me as the the other ones in the series did. I liked Bacon in the last two installment, and I really wanted him to get his own HEA and stop looking so pained when he saw all the happy couples around him. Yeah he was the best supportive friend but he was also wishing he could have his own love story he SO deserves.

Delbert Lawrence Bacon, or as most of everyone calls him, Bacon is a great team mate, a great friend really, but though he gives his heart out to everyone around him, he has a hard time opening up. Firstly for being Pansexual and second finding someone to entrust his heart. He can't stand the negative vibe on his team after Dustin and Wes left (the MCs from the 4th installment "Wheels Up"), the rumors about them in general and their (gay) sexuality. That's the worst time to open up and share his own. But with everyone coupling around him he feels like it's time, only why stir the boat when there is no one actually THERE.



After a silly return injury to his finger, the one he desperately needs as a sniper, he gets an assignment guarding a journalist no less who is embedded in their team for the next mission. He is more than unhappy, not being there for his team is the worst, but also the state of their team isn't the best for the out and proud reporter Spencer Bryant. But with all his resolve to "just do his job even if it's not to his liking" he finds he actually likes Spencer. As they spend more time together they become somewhat friends. There is also sexual tension but though Bacon feels like being reckless, Spencer is a professional (no matter how much HE wants Bacon as well).

When the mission falls away HORRIBLY, Spencer gets the "out of here" card, never to return again. He is bummed but he also realizes with what happened he can totally understand why he should leave and why the Navy won't give him another chance (even if it wasn't his fault, him being there jeopardizes men) yet just before he leaves he and Bacon meet up one last time, to blow some much needed steam. They can't make any promises to one another yet they swap contact info and hope for the best even if not truly believing even a friendship between them can survive.

Exchanging emails, then texting, starting to meet up in between Bacon's assignments somehow turns an unlikely friendship to an unexpected relationship even if the words aren't exchanged yet. For Spencer it's a sort of relationship he has never shared before, even with his ex-husband. He craves Bacon's easy companionship, taking care of him, being there for him but also sharing and simply talking. Bacon has long turned to "Del", not wanting to call his lover by his last name he uses a nickname Del/Bacon hasn't heard or used for too many years. It's bitter sweet really. For Bacon being with Spencer is a promise of something he has long for for YEARS. But he is afraid to hope he can have a real thing with someone who is more than married to his job. While Spencer DOES want it all with his Del he is still reluctant to put his professional aspirations aside and THOSE might be the end of them. It seems SOMEONE needs to make a big decision for them to work out and it's not so easy for neither of them.

I really liked the way they resolved the matter. I wouldn't have liked for neither of them to put aside who they are to be with one another. The solution was beautifully crafted. I liked that their relationship, in the end, was truly about partnership, about a give and take they both needed to accept, the realization that in a relationship you need to TALK things trough FIRST and be open and accepting of mutual compromises.

I can't give any good explanation to WHY Spencer and Del didn't grab my heart, they somehow left me behind at times. But all in all I DID really enjoy their love story. Can't believe there is only one last one left.. I'm going to miss all these guys..

Rating: ★★★★

E-Book Edition

336 pages

Read on: 22-23 March 2019

ABOUT THIS SERIES

 

Out of Uniform is a Contemporary MM Romance series by Annabeth Albert. It starts as a sort of spin-off to the #gaymers series with a few visits from their characters but in each one at least one is at guy is in uniform - and specifically a Navy SEAL.

The biggest problem I have with this series is the fact, once you grab one of them, it'e IMPOSSIBLE to put it down. Each story is absolutely unique and SO SO beautiful and heart felt even with "manly men" as you'd expect SEALs to be. There's emotional ride both MCs need to get through, on their own, together and though it's painful at times, it's SO satisfying once you get to the very end.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Books:
1. Off Base [Zack Nelson & Pike Reynolds] (Published 9 January 2017) ★★★★★
1.5 Homecoming [Zack Nelson & Pike Reynolds] (Published 5 June 2017) ★★★★★
1.6 Off Leash [Zack Nelson & Pike Reynolds] (Published 17 May 2018) ★★★★★
2. At Attention [Apollo Floros & Dylan Strauss] (Published 10 April 2017) ★★★★★

2.5 I Do [Apollo Floros & Dylan Strauss] (Published 4 November 2017) ★★★★★
3. On Point [Maddox Horvat & Ben Tovey] (Published 5 June 2017) ★★★★★
4. Wheels Up [Dustin Strauss & Wes Lowe] (Published 7 November 2017) ★★ (DNF 37%)
4.5 Homebodies [Dustin Strauss & Wes Lowe] (Published 10 July 2018) [Didn't Read]
5. Squared Away [Mark "Wizard" Whitley & Isaiah James] (Published 16 April 2018) ★★★★★
6. Tight Quarters [Delbert "Del" Lawrence Bacon & Spencer Bryant] (Published 9 July 2018) ★★★★
- New In Town [Alex & Marco] (Published 26 October 2018) ★★★★
7. Rough Terrain [Lorenzo "Rooster" Bianchi & Canaan Finley] (Published 14 January 2019) ★★★★★