review: wheels up (out of uniform #4) by annabeth albert

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. ~ Goodreads

Source: e-arc provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Review:

I adore this series (and Albert's writing) but this book fell a little flat for me.

Wes and Dustin have been chatting and skyping online after meeting through a military themed dating app and an opportunity comes up for them to meet in person.

Right off the bat, I felt no connection with these two. Like, why were they continuously drawn to each other? Besides their mutual shared kink? I got the physical attraction but not why they felt something special between them that made it more. And their draw to each other is almost at the exclusion of all other characters which is rare for Albert's stories. Neither accepts any type of support system despite being surrounded by wonderful friends and family. Dustin’s best friend is Apollo – the MC who is with Dustin’s brother Dylan from the previous book - but in Wheels Up there’s very little of those bonds and friendships shown.

I understood their fears and reservations - even having supportive people around you doesn't mean coming out is easy. And the have the complication of going against regulations by being together at all. Even a friendship is off limits. But the story was written in a way that the characters just kept going around in circles. I want you - I can't be with you - be together anyway - rinse and repeat.

There was a clinginess between the two that felt unhealthy rather than empowering. They both became hot messes in the training field and on deployments, and the solution to all this is introduced so early on that it was a struggle for me to hang in there waiting for Dustin to figure it out.
Highlight for SPOILER –> And of course it's the tried and true work for a private security company run by your former SEAL friend solution. It's a good solution but it's the standard one for books like this. <-

This book was ok just but also frustrating. All it made me to is want to read Dylan and Apollo's story again after their cameos.
If you love the series, and particularly if you like a light D/s, dirty tallk, and forbidden relationships than I think it might work better for you.