Book 1,018: Rocky Start (A-List Security #4) – Annabeth Albert

The final installment of Albert’s A-List Security closes out the series with a bang. It’s relatively low-angst (mostly internal) and one major dramatic crisis, but overall, the series has been pretty low-key.

This book is a veteran-veteran romance rather than a veteran-civilian romance. Malik and Avery are both former SEALS and have connected with Duncan and Harley in their transition back to civilian life to work for their security firm. Malik experiences PTSD and Avery lost an arm (I think from combat) and they’re sent off to a remote set to help with security on a film.

I truly appreciated this book, not only because of the story, but because this is one of the few books, I believe Albert has written with a non-white protagonist. There are so few in the ones pushed out on Kindle Unlimited and in the authors that I know, that when I want to read them, I have to go digging for them.

She didn’t make a big deal of it, it was just part of who Malik was and came up in various places, like this one that included a Boston shoutout:

Being Muslim is my heritage, so Mom and I keep some holidays and traditions, but otherwise, not really.’ Malik’s tone was thoughtful but slightly bored, like he also got asked the same questions over and over.
‘It’s been years since either Mom or I have been back to Tabriz, where she’s from. I love my Maman’s shorta and other Persian foods, but I was born in Boston, so I don’t exactly fit in Tabriz, you know what I’m saying?’ (Loc. 362)

She did, however, write a couple of beautiful conversations/passages around Avery’s internalized homophobia and slow movement toward self-acceptance:

I know you do, and all I can tell you is that you’re still the same person. Even if your label changes because you discovered something new about who you are, you’re still you, and you’re valid exactly as you are. (Loc. 939)

First, the label doesn’t matter. You’re still Avery. Gay, straight, bi, pan. Second, what did I say about beating yourself up? You’re on a journey, same as the rest of us mere mortals, doing the best you can with what you know at the time. (Loc. 1,109)

This was more of a slow burn for me, sure they hooked up, but they also avoided talking about it and the two of them fell into the routines of a relationship and before they knew it they were in one. I almost wish that Albert had skipped over the first interactions with Avery and his being dumped by the actress, but it did provide the necessary reason for them to go out and hookup, and also the drama for later, but it was just meh for me.

Recommendation: Another engaging and fun read by Albert. I flew through it and 100% debated diving into another series by her but went in another direction instead. The minor characters were great, and I didn’t even touch on them for the entire series, Albert writes great ones and they make the stories that much better! You’ll be able to find anything you like within her works that you’d like!

Opening Line: “‘I’m the luckiest dude in the universe,’ I said as Malik sat beside me near the door of the old school where we were working security for a movie shoot.”

Closing Line: “I was the luckiest dude in the universe, and I couldn’t wait to show Malik, over and over, in all the ways, how truly grateful I was.” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)

Additional Quotes form Rocky Start
“Take some advice from a fellow serial monogamist. If you have to win her like a prize, that might be part of your problem.’ Malik was probably only six years older than me, but he sounded more like sixty.
‘Significant others who want to be treated as a human trophy tend not to stick around. Those sorts are always looking to level up. Instead of trying to score out of your league, find someone you don’t have to work so hard to impress.'” (Loc. 142)

“People discover new stuff about themselves all the time. My mom recently discovered she adores Filipino food. Dragged me to her new favorite place during my last visit.” (Loc. 1,086)

“Actually, it sounded boring and depressing as hell, but I focused on tightening several loose screws in the heating unit. If Malik were here, I’d give him a look because I knew he shared my views on how disability didn’t exist for other people’s inspirational memes. Sometimes you got shit luck and dealt with it any way you could.” (Loc. 1,536)

“‘Avery . . . he’s funny. He makes me laugh. I haven’t laughed so much in years. And I can tell him anything. I’m having fewer nightmares, and he makes sure I take my meds. Even has alarms for me on his phone. He brings me scarves and shares his gloves and lets me fuss over him too. He tries whatever food whim I have, and when he looks at me. . .’ I paused my word spew to blink against the burning in my eyes. ‘Man. The way he looks at me. He’s not just special. He’s everything.” (Loc 3,066)