Well, someone once said “all good things must come to an end” but that doesn’t mean we have to be happy about it. ? I have loved the Out of Uniform series so much! Each book in this series can easily be read as a standalone story and each one has been special in its own way.

Rough Terrain is now tied for first place as my favorite in the series; my other favorite was On Point. I think there must be something about two guys getting stranded together with no one else around that really works for me. Canaan and Renzo’s relationship starts out pretty slow but Renzo is as attracted to Canaan as Canaan is to Renzo – Canaan just doesn’t know it.

Canaan Finley has a bit of a reputation for lusting after Navy SEALs and Renzo Bianchi sure caught his attention when he and his fellow SEALs came into the smoothie shop where Canaan works. Renzo’s attracted to Canaan but doesn’t intend to lose his heart or get burned again. His last relationship ended badly when his now ex-boyfriend used him to make *his* ex jealous.

I always enjoy a good fake-relationship story and this one is really great. Canaan’s former bandmates are going on a camping trip and insist that Canaan bring his current boyfriend. Canaan might have made up a Navy SEAL boyfriend just to get his ex-boyfriend/ex-bandmate off of his back. So Canaan is happily shocked when Renzo agrees to pretend to be his boyfriend for the weekend.

I felt so bad for Renzo that his few sexual relationships didn’t really go well (you’ll find out why when you read the book). He likes to cuddle and kiss but doing much more hasn’t really worked for him in the past. Canaan is determined to show Renzo that there is nothing wrong with him and that he just hasn’t met the right person yet (Renzo is bi).

This story has lots of feels in it. Canaan left the band he was in to be there for his Grandpa when his Grandma got sick. After Grandma died, he’s continued to stay in the small apartment in back of Grandpa’s house so he can keep an eye on him. Renzo lives across the country from his parents and brother but has requested a change of duty station in order to be closer to them. Family relationships are complicated but important in this book.

I could go on and on about this story but you really just need to read it for yourself. If you are a fan of this series you won’t want to miss it. If you haven’t started the series yet don’t be intimidated by the fact that this is book 7. While I almost always like to read a series in order, I can tell you that you won’t feel lost or like you’re missing anything if you start with this book. Characters from previous books do make an appearance but they are very brief and not really integral to Canaan and Renzo’s story.

While this series is now complete, don’t despair; Annabeth has a new one coming up soon called Frozen Hearts and I’m really looking forward to reading it.

Reviews for Annabeth Albert

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“I really don’t see what the big deal is if I show up alone,” Canaan said when Damian finally paused for air.On this Renzo agreed. Any friend who demanded Canaan bring a date wasn’t a real friend, but apparently this Damian saw things differently and Canaan had to listen through what sounded like a hell of a lecture.

“I just want to hang with you guys.” The want in Canaan’s voice did something to Renzo’s insides. He didn’t have the full story about why Canaan wasn’t in the band anymore, but anyone listening could tell how much the group meant to him. And the entitled asshole on the other end of the call was making that hard, and Renzo wanted to teach him a thing or two about friendship. Almost without permission from his brain, he stopped messing with the tire and got his own phone out.

This was stupid, the sort of stupid he’d vowed to avoid, and he was almost surely going to regret this, but he couldn’t stop himself from typing, I’ll do it. But we’re taking my truck. Okay?

Rather than send the text, he stepped closer and passed the phone to Canaan. His eyes went wide and the best smile spread across his face, sending warmth through Renzo’s insides and almost making up for his certainty that this was a bad idea.

“Actually, my phone just beeped with a message. Looks like I’ll be able to bring my guy after all. He’s still gotta find out about leave, I’m sure.” He looked at Renzo for confirmation, and Renzo nodded. The senior chief would probably be happy to hear from him, unless Renzo told him the full story, which he had no intention of doing. Fewer people who knew the extent to which he was about to make an idiot of himself the better.

“But yeah, we should be there.” Canaan’s voice was way happier now. He wrapped up the call with a promise to email someone named Kelly. Pocketing the phone, he returned to the car.

“Really? Man, I am going to owe you so huge.” Canaan gave him another smile that made Renzo’s nerves crackle like sparks on det cord. He could easily get addicted to those looks.

Out of Uniform Series

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