Going Overboard

Witt smartly mixes military politics and hot love scenes in this sizzling, heartfelt contemporary, the fifth in her Anchor Point military series (after Rank & File). Openly gay second-class petty officer (or, in Navy lingo, MA2) Dalton Taylor fell in love with his best friend, MA2 Chris Ingram, when they met at the Navy’s coxswain school. But Chris is straight—or is he? After Dalton is in a horrific accident, Chris stays by his side, nursing him through his physical and emotional wounds, and finally he tells Dalton that he, too, is gay. A sweet friends-to-lovers relationship soon begins. But some throwback Navy men didn’t get the memo that gay sailors are allowed to be open about it, and one of the worst is Dalton and Chris’s obnoxious, biased boss, Chief Lasby. When Lasby threatens Dalton and Chris, they have a choice to make: let Lasby break them apart, or fight for what’s right at the possible risk of their careers. In the end, karma satisfyingly dishes up just deserts. Past protagonists also appear, making for a fun reunion. Witt’s smart, sexy story will appeal to romance readers of any gender. (Feb.)