Going Overboard (Anchor Point) (Volume 5)

By: L.A. Witt

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Second-class petty officers Dalton Taylor and Chris Ingram have been best friends since coxswain’s school. Now they’re stationed together in the harbor patrol unit of NAS Adams. They’re content as friends, but secretly, they both ache for more. Neither makes a move, though; while Dalton is out and proud, Chris is closeted - even from his best friend.

Then another coxswain’s negligence nearly drowns Dalton. After a taste of how easily they could lose each other, neither man can keep his feelings hidden anymore, and it turns out love and sex come easy when you’re falling for your best friend.

Things aren’t just heating up between the friends-turned-lovers, though. The Navy is investigating the accident, and the harbor patrol chief isn’t going to let his star coxswain go down for dereliction of duty, even if saving him means throwing Dalton under the bus.

As the threats and gaslighting pile up, Chris and Dalton need each other more than ever - as shipmates, friends, and lovers. But if their chief prevails, the only way they can save their careers is to let each other go.

©2018 L.A. Witt (P)2018 Riptide Publishing

The one

This is the one. This is, thus far, my favorite of the Anchor Point series. Real world (for the military) problems, real world drama, real world consequences. Well developed characters considering the length of the novel, good story. It made me think of things I had witnessed and experienced in my career. Unfair things; hurtful things. Things that destroy lives when the chain of command goes wrong. I listened to the entire book in one sitting. Good job. Good narration as well. The narrator voiced the characters quite well and in an enjoyable manner.

Sizzling Friends to Lovers Romance and a Hot Sitch

Famous reader words, 'I was only going to read/listen to the first chapter... yeah, three hours later...
It was a bit of wanting the strong military setting this author brings, a different romance situation with each book, and a favorite narrator. Needless to say, this book went quickly for me and left me well-pleased with the outcome.

Going Overboard is book five in the Anchor Point series. I can attest to the fact that these can be read/listened to as standalones or out of order. I suspect they do flow best when taken in order, but I seem to be bouncing around with the entries in this series and fortunately, it has worked.

The story opens with a horrific event when bad weather, high sea, and a negligent leader nearly get two petty officers almost killed. But, that's only the beginning for poor injured Dalton. His chief plans for Dalton to take the fall for the mishap so his golden boy favorite who is to blame doesn't get in trouble. There is pressure on Dalton and the one other witness to tell a different story than the truth for the inquiry. Meanwhile, the chief has another leverage to use against Dalton when his recent friends to lovers romance with fellow petty officer and best friend, Chris Ingram becomes known to him. Dalton and Chris' very jobs and more are on the line and their easiest bet is to give up their relationship.

So, the US Navy is like any other large bureaucratic organization. Mini-tyrants, preferment, distinction of officer from the rank and file and other issues are prevalent. The author painted an authentic setting and situation. I like how each book explores a different aspect of life on the Adams Naval Base and in the surrounding community, a different injustice that must be addressed, and a romance that comes with complications.

In truth this pair slid easily from friendship into more though it took some time because Chris wasn't out that he is gay while Dalton was. The romance was not the most prevalent element and was evenly balanced with the situation caused by the incident at sea. It was slow burn in the sense that it took nearly half the book before they had their ducks in a row and shared a kiss. But once they did? Boy howdy did they scorch things up. Dalton got stuck in his head a lot about his situation and Chris want to do something noble.

I was really rooting for them both against that villainous chief. I so wanted a heavy military transport to flatten that guy and his crony. There was more going on as the truth came out and he was worse than I thought.

As I said, I experience this story on audio and I was thrilled to do so because I really enjoy Nick J. Russo's narration work. He had several different voices to distinguish all the characters and, simply put, he's a splendid story teller. I get caught up and the time just flies by.

All in all, this was a fantastic entry in the series (enjoyed the encounters with previous series characters) and I look forward to more visits at Anchor Point. Those who enjoy spicy m/m military romances should give this series a go.