The Official Description: The sexy Navy chief and his best friend’s adorkable little brother…
It’s petty, but Naval Chief Derrick Fox wishes he could exact a little revenge on his ex by showing off a rebound fling. His submarine is due to return to its Bremerton, Washington, home base soon and Derrick knows all too well there won’t be anyone waiting with a big, showy welcome.
Enter one ill-advised plan…
Arthur Euler is the guy you go to in a pinch—he’s excellent at out-of-the-box solutions. It’s what the genius music-slash-computer nerd is known for. So when he finds out Derrick needs a favor, he’s happy to help. He can muster the sort of welcome a Naval Chief deserves, no problem at all.
Except it is a problem. A very big problem.
When Arthur’s homecoming welcome is a little too convincing, when a video of their gangplank smooch goes enormously viral, they’re caught between a dock and a hard place. Neither of them ever expected a temporary fake relationship to look—or feel—so real. And Arthur certainly never considered he’d be fighting for a very much not-fake forever with a military man.
Just the facts: M/M romance, fake boyfriends, close proximity, best friends little brother
Albert brings new life to an old trope. – Kinzie Things
My thoughts bit: Naval Chief Derrick Fox is a little miffed when his ex wins “first kiss” duty with his new man. When his best mate, Calder suggests that Derrick set up a fake first kiss of his own to draw attention… they cook up a plan. Calder’s little brother, Arthur is the plan.
Arthur has always had a bit of a crush on Derrick but even if the interest was reciprocated, Arthur doesn’t want a navy relationship. He’s seen what his family has gone through and doesn’t want to be the one waiting at home.
Arthur agrees to give Derrick a kiss and make it hot… and boy is it ever! What neither man bargained on was that Arthur’s parents made a special trip down to the base to welcome their son…and see Arthur and Derrick’s kiss. Clearly, the two men have done a good job of making the epic greeting memorable because Arthur and Calder’s parents are convinced the relationship is real. They’re so convinced that they invite Derrick along to a family reunion.
Although both men are reluctant to agree at first, there are some rewards in the offing! If Arthur finally brings a partner to a family event he won’t have to bunk with the kids and his mother offers him a private cabin. As for Derrick… the fake kiss went viral so Derrick really doesn’t want to spend two weeks at the barracks being teased and tormented by his shipmates.
As soon as the fake boyfriends head off to the family reunion things begin to get convoluted. Naturally, there’s only one bed in the cabin… and then there’s the fact that neither of them seems inclined to refrain from acting on their mutual attraction.
There are some lovely moments between the two main characters as they get to know one another. I loved that Arthur was a bit of a rebel in his family, his love for music and his absolute hatred of all things outdoors made me giggle a lot.
Although there is a spark between Derrick and Arthur I always enjoy the way that Albert paces stories. There’s no rush for them to make decisions and this book gave me the “Officer and a Gentleman” ending I didn’t know I needed!
Links: Goodreads // The Author // The Publisher
I received an ARC of Sailor Proof by Annabeth Albert from PUBLISHER via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Kinzie Things 