Reviews

Tight Quarters by Annabeth Albert

missawn's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

This might be my favorite book in this series ... however, it is not a series I have particularly enjoyed and it has been a series of hit and miss books (mostly misses). This book had good tension and interesting chemistry. I feel like [a:Annabeth Albert|6477494|Annabeth Albert|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1497461817p2/6477494.jpg] is working her way through the LGBTQ+ alphabet with a pan MC. And while I did not like her asexual representation in book #5, I though her pansexual character was decently done and good representation. However, I found Bacon to not be the most likable character and there were problematic aspects of his character/behavior (his job as a sniper and how he was with Spencer sometimes). There were also weird things about the romance -- the change of names was weird for me and the happy ending a little too happy and easy. There sure are a whole lot of LGBTQ+ folks in this particular part of the military ...

A book with not a whole lot of substance ... but otherwise, a perfectly lovely summer read ...

mads0527's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

roryta86reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I wanted to connect with this more, but I didn't.
You don't really see them falling in love. It was good writing, but it was missing something for me.

litloulou's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I didn't read this in my first go around with this series and that was a shame. I really liked this couple. I could be nitpicky ... But I won't be

myzanm's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Not really my favorite in the series, but still good.

julie_m's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

*3.5

loishojmark's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

description

"...no story is more important than ours. The one we’re creating. Our story."

An embedded journalist joins Bacon's team in a pursuit of a terrorist cell in the South Pacific. Bacon bliver sat til at babysitte ham - to make sure Spencer doesn't step out of lines, to make sure he doesn't hear any confidential information and to keep him safe. Bacon resents him because if it. But mostly because, Spencer is openly gay and Bacon hates that he can be that, when he is too afraid to reveal to his team that he is pan. So still in the closet Bacon knows this assignment could be trouble. And it does go awry. The mission fails, and Spencer and Bacon are no longer just spectators but gets too involved. And afterwards, Spencer's permission to follow the group of SEALs is withdrawn.

This could mean that Bacon never gets to see Spencer again. A relief on the one hand, but Bacon has already become too involved and he seeks Spencer's company - in bed, but also outside of this.

They find a kind of friendship with benefits, but even though Bacon tries to resist they quickly develop into some kind of more. They both tries - for a while - to keep an emotional distance.
“Came because I didn’t have anywhere else I’d rather be.” Bacon’s voice lowered, became more mournful. “And trust me, I’m every bit as pissed about that too. Fuck you for getting under my skin. Everything on base is too damn quiet right now. And I’m too… itchy. You make me itchy, Spencer, and I hate it.”

There is a 10 year difference between the two, but it does not feel like a problem. The immediate problem is the contradiction between their profession. Bacon is a navy SEAL, whose job is secretive and hidden for the public. Spencer is an award-winning journalist who lives to shine a light on the truth, and he plans to write a book that criticizes the military. He knows Bacon will hate it and he knows it will give them problems.
But maybe that is just a deflection away from the real problem; that he is afraid of his emotions towards Bacon. He knows they have moved into the path of the relationship and he tries to paddle against the stream.

The big question is whether they can find a way to be together, that does not conflict with their respective paths of life, but mainly... Can they find a way to overcome their fears and accept their feelings toward each other?

Well, Annabeth Albert's books tend to end well, so probably ;o). But the road there is definitely interesting. But I don't know if it's me or the book, but the book didn't grasp my attention as much as the others. There is nothing wrong with the writing, and the quality of the book is good as always. But I want to be in love with the characters and I just didn't connect with any of them. Maybe that is the reason why I didn't feel their angst as much and hence wished for more personal and relationship angst. I hoped for a larger conflict and a more difficult resolution. The relationship issues seemed to easily resolved.
But mostly it's just that unmentionable feeling you get sometimes. The one you can't put your finger on. The one telling you that this book wasn't as good as the others, and it didn't leave any mark on me.
But you should read it because it's a favorite series and maybe you'll love it. It's fifty/fifty... Hence the 3.5 stars.

Copy was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

clem_mathieu's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Bacon gets assigned babysitting duty for an embedded journalist due to a minor injury. When the mission doesn't go to plan, both men open up to each other and they must figure out a way to be together even if everything seems to push them appart. Bacon's backstory was inspiring and explained very well why he identifies as pan instead of bi. The age difference seemed significant in the beginning but I like that it wasn't the main issue between the men. Again, this story's problem seemed like it was more a question of ego than a real issue. However, I liked that the reunion wasn't perfect from the start. It made the relationship stronger in the end. I felt like some of the sex scenes were very similar, but it is to be expected in the 6th book of a m/m series.

mischlama's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Ich bin am Anfang gar nicht mit den beiden warm geworden, aber das Ende war dann doch nett. Dennoch für mich der bisher schwächste Teil der Serie. Vielleicht aber auch nur, weil ich alle hintereinander gelesen habe.

ditten's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

This book was just okay for me. I think it's my first military romance and it's made me pretty sure that setting isn't for me. I liked the MCs but the whole book was just a bit meh