Wheels Up by Annabeth Albert

Title: Wheels Up

Series: Out of Uniform 04

Author: Annabeth Albert

Genre: Contemporary, Military 

Length: Novel (304 pgs)

ISBN: 9781488030727

Publisher: Carina Press (6th November 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Aerin

Blurb: 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 semianonymous 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.

Purchase Link: Carina Press | Amazon USAmazon UK

Review: What a deliciously, delightfully dirty book!!! I was dying to read Dustin’s story and while it didn’t disappoint, I have to admit it wasn’t what I was expecting either.

Dustin is Dylan’s brother, a closeted bisexual who is not ready for the world to know the truth about him. While coming to terms with his bisexuality, Dustin has been spending his free time having virtual sex with Wes, an East Coast man who’s far enough from Dustin that he doesn’t have to worry about being found out. A work trip to Washington DC and Wes’s proposal they meet in person sounds too good to pass on, despite Dustin’s hesitation.

Wes is enlisted as a SEAL in the military , and he knows Dustin is in the military as well, but can’t imagine how that would be a problem. Dustin is perfect for Wes and he check every one of his boxes: hot, sexy, submissive, loves to take orders and play innocent little mind games! Meeting Dustin in person would be a great opportunity to figure out if their chemistry is as strong in person as it is on the web. It is! Sweet baby Jesus but these men will have sex hot enough to melt your panties/boxer briefs or whatever the hell you’re wearing! Whew! Dustin loves to be told what to do and Wes loves giving orders… perfect match!

When Wes is given orders to move to the West Coast and join a different SEAL team as an explosions specialist, he comes to the shocking realization that any form of relationship/fraternization with Dustin is totally forbidden. There’s a lot of sorrow and angst both Dustin and Wes had to face because the heart wants what it wants and there’s nothing they could do about that. They try to stay away from each other as much as they can, but they still end up risking their careers for a few stolen moments. What I wasn’t thrilled with was the CONSTANT reminder that ‘we can’t do this’ or ‘this will never happen again’, followed by ‘this is goodbye’. I mean once they realized they need to be with each other, couldn’t they accept they’re going to illegally screw each other’s brains?

This was a very good book that I couldn’t put down! I loved many things about it, including Wes’s close relationship with his family, especially his younger sister. And Apollo and Dylan hot hitched, so all’s good in my world. I can’t wait for the next book!!!!