Sailor Proof

August 9, 2021
Albert (Out of Character) kicks off her Shore Leave series with a charming fake dating romance. Naval chief Derrick Fox is ready to be on land after a long deployment with his ex-boyfriend’s new boyfriend. He’s less excited for the inevitability of watching his ex kiss another man when they dock, until his best friend, Calder Euler, suggests Derrick find someone to wait for him at shore for his own kiss, and to that end Calder suggests his little brother, Arthur. The last time Derrick saw Arthur he was a teenage band geek, but the man waiting for him on the docks has long grown out of his awkward stage and their first kiss, however staged, ignites feelings for them both. Then Arthur’s parents arrive earlier than expected to greet Calder and see Derrick with Arthur, prompting questions about their relationship, and a video of their passionate reunion goes viral. Soon their little white lie grows into a fake relationship as Derrick joins the Euler family reunion on Arthur’s arm. Neither wants this temporary arrangement to end as Derrick helps Arthur’s family see him as a mature adult and Arthur has Derrick dreaming of a committed relationship. Complicated but heartwarming family dynamics round out their sweet romance—and the result is thoroughly entertaining. Agent: Deidre Knight, the Knight Agency.

September 15, 2021
Naval officer Derrick Fox knows that the U.S. Navy frowns on officers slugging one another, but Fernsby has it coming. It's bad enough that Derrick's ex-boyfriend, Steve, dumped him for Fernsby, but now, after he wins the submarine crew's first-kiss raffle, Fernsby plans on flaunting his new relationship with Steve in front of everyone who has gathered to welcome them back to port in Bremerton, Washington. Fortunately, Derrick's friend and fellow officer Calder Euler has a plan: he is going to convince his younger brother, Arthur, to show up at the welcoming event and give Derrick a steamy kiss of his own. But a video of this staged exchange goes viral, and now Derrick and Arthur wonder if their playacting might lead to something real. Albert's insightful characterization and mastery at spinning electric sexual chemistry into boldly sensual love scenes guarantees a stellar launch of her new Shore Leave series.

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Starred review from September 24, 2021

Albert ("Out of Uniform" series) combines humor, angst, sexiness, and the one-bed trope in this first book of a new LGBTQ+ military romance series. Naval submarine chief Derrick Fox can't wait for this tour of duty to be over. His ex dumped him for one of his crewmates and has been taunting him every chance he gets. Wouldn't it be the perfect revenge if Derrick had a hot boyfriend waiting at the dock to greet him? His best friend agrees and volunteers his younger brother, musician Arthur Euler, to play the role of Derrick's new "boyfriend." Arthur, who doesn't like bullies, agrees to help Derrick out. He shows up at the dock with a social media--savvy friend and proceeds to kiss Derrick's socks off. Unfortunately, Arthur's parents have turned up at the dock too and are very interested in their son's new boyfriend; they quickly invite Derrick to the family reunion. After Arthur and Derrick's well-documented kiss goes viral online, Derrick accepts the reunion invite to escape the teasing on base. As the two men learn more about each other, they shore up each other's defenses and discover that their orchestrated meeting may have been the best thing to happen to them. VERDICT This title is a perfect starting point for libraries wanting to add more military romance series and will be in demand by Albert's many fans.

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