Book Review by Kristie: Rank & File, by L.A. Witt

Rank & File, by L.A. Witt
Series: Anchor Point, Book 4
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: September 25, 2017

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Senior Chief Will Curtis is as straitlaced as they come. While his fellow Sailors have partied their way through their enlistments, he’s had his eye on the prize—making master chief and retiring after thirty years of service.

Lieutenant Brent Jameson is a Navy brat turned Annapolis grad. He’s lived and breathed the military his whole life, and he knows he’s destined for great things—once he’s done paying his dues at the bottom of the ladder.

When their paths cross, both men know better than to give in to temptation, but that doesn’t stop them. It also doesn’t keep them from coming back for more, even though being discovered would sink their careers. Something has to give—Will can retire, Brent can resign, or they’ll both face court-martial.

But there’s also the option neither wants to acknowledge: jump ship and walk away from each other instead of ending their careers over a fledgling relationship. And they should probably decide before they fall in love.

Except—too late.

M/M Pairing
Gay Character
Bisexual Character
Romance
Contemporary
Military/Navy

Content Warning for: Mentions of minor character domestic violence

Rank & File is one of those books that I consider a pallet cleanser. It’s a relatively quick read, interesting enough to keep me reading and really does follow the blurb. It’s good. This is the type of book I seek out when I’m in a book coma. After I’ve read a series of really incredible books that have left me in a funk because nothing else will compare and then I need something to get me out of that. It’s not a bad thing. It’s just how it is for me. It’s actually good because I need books like this. I need an easy story, some sexy times, and a happy ending. And that’s totally what I got.

I liked the characters… Will and Brent were interesting enough, even if at times I just didn’t see all the attraction. I really like the forbidden love stories and this one is totally that. I just wished that I could get to know both Will and Brent better. I would probably up my rating if I learned more about what made Will tick. I think in the end I figured Brent out a little bit, just not Will. And that bummed me out because Will is older, been around longer, and all I know from him is that he’s had a really bad breakup that left him feeling bad, and his parents are assholes. Other than that, I don’t know much more about him. With Brent, I knew even less until towards the end when I figured out his motives for being in the Navy. But behind these men, I don’t know much else. Still, how much do I really need to know when I’m still entertained?

There is a lot of sex, as expected from this series, and it’s steamy. I really enjoyed the intimacy between the two men because I could really tell they were having a blast. Sex is fun and Witt knows how to write it that way.

So this was pretty good. It is a nice addition to this series, and if you’re a fan of L.A. Witt, I recommend it.

L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies.

She also has substantially more time on her hands these days, as she has recruited a small army of mercenaries to search South America for her nemesis, romance author Lauren Gallagher, but don’t tell Lauren. And definitely don’t tell Lori A. Witt or Ann Gallagher. Neither of those twits can keep their mouths shut…

You can connect with L. A. via these social media links:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads