~sigh~ This book was just PERFECT, even when I was the most frustrated about Apollo or when two kids took a bit more space than I'm used to in a romance novel I was just LOVING every second of it. Dylan is truly a DREAM of a guy, I think I generally don't think ANYONE could ask for more. He was sweet and gentle, he was fun and adventures yet he knew when to be serious. He gave his heart away and was still patient Apollo would eventually give him his in return. He was naive, he was brave. He was EVERYTHING. Apollo won the biggest lottery in life. I truly envy Apollo, even if he's a fictional character hehe
Apollo Floros believed a few years ago he is Blessed. He was married to Neal whom he loved dearly, they were happy, they had supportive families and friends and they even got two sweet little girls through a surrogate. Yet Apollo stopped feeling Blessed when Neal died, leaving him in a big house with two little girls and ENDLESS memories of what they USED to have. It's been two years, Chloe and Sophia are already 5 years old, but Apollo still wears his wedding ring and aches about everything he has lost.
The summer is around the corner and Apollo has a new issue to deal with, his mother who has been helping him a lot with the girls is going to be away and he needs someone to help him while he is in Base He might have left active duty to pursue family life but he still works at the base and his hours are not always predictable or regular. He is surprised when his best friend Dustin offers he takes his younger brother as the "babysitter". He might have been "just a kid" last time he has seen him but A LOT has changed.
Dylan Strauss had a not so secret crash on his brother's best friend. Truthfully I can relate ;) Apollo like his name is this invincible god Dylan would LOVE to worship. But he isn't 15 years anymore. While Apollo is still easy on the eyes 8 years later, he also has too many shadows under his eyes. He has a job this summer in San Diego so living with Apollo, taking care of the girls while there seems like the best idea but looking at Apollo and actually seeing the (new) desire in his eyes makes him realize it's going to be MUCH more complicated than he initially thought..
Dylan is great with the girls, he is great with and for Apollo as well, and it's hard not acting upon their mutual desire, but Apollo keeps holding back. Neal's shadow is EVERYWHERE and Apollo doesn't know how and mostly if he can move past what he used to have and begin something new. He keeps looking for excuses, including his friendship with Dustin, or their 10+ years age gap. Yet being with Dylan, even just around him, makes him long for LIVING, not just existing (without Neal) and it's getting harder and harder as they spend more time together. They both realize at a certain point they made a HUGE mistake. Dylan realizes he CANNOT hold his heart at bay and have a casual thing with Apollo. He isn't a "casual" kind of guy, and especially not with Apollo maybe because he is much more to him now that he KNOWS him than the idol he worshiped as a kid. Apollo on the other hand KNOWS he can't offer Dylan anything more and every time they spend together he gets more worked up about leading Dylan on or just doing what he SHOULDN'T have. Not when he is still grieving. They needed time to think, to regroup, to realize what they have and though it was painful, for them but for me as well, seeing the results, getting the HEA of these two was worth it ALL.
OUTSTANDING.
Tags: Contemporary (MM) Romance
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Reviews with images
Favorite of the series!
This is book 2 in Annabeth Albert’s Out of Uniform series. While each book covers a different couple – there are characters and events that appear throughout the series making these best enjoyed in order.Not only is this my favorite of the series – it’s also one of my favorite books ever.All my beloved tropes: brother’s best friend/best friend’s brother, age gap, grumpy/sunshine, & nanny. Widower Apollo needs help with his twin girls while his mom is on an extended vacation. Dylan is interning for the Summer and is willing to move in to help.From the opening grocery store scene to the epilogue, I love the way Albert brought this story to life. Balancing loss, love, humor, and day to day life. While the relationship and finding their HEA is somewhat angsty, it felt true to the emotions Apollo is dealing with since his husband’s death two years ago. Dylan’s crush has grown from a teen infatuation to mature love. Apollo finding a way to honor his past and embrace his future was so well done.I also love Chloe & Sophia – how integral they are to the story and how much they are connected with Apollo & Dylan. The guys compliment each other well and it’s easy to see what an amazing family they’ll be. Perfect HEA & epilogue.Ready for Ben & Maddox’s story next.Narration:I loved Cooper North’s narration. He did a great job giving Apollo and Dylan distinct voices as well as all the secondary characters. He brought through all the emotions – grief, pain, playfulness, and most of all the love. Perfect listen all around.
