Off the Clock: A Tender, Gritty Romance That Redefines What It Means to Start Over

Sometimes love doesn’t arrive when everything’s perfect. Sometimes it finds you in the wreckage—and offers you a reason to rebuild.

In Off the Clock by Annabeth Albert, the first book in the Mount Hope series, we’re given a romance that doesn’t hide from real-life pain or pretend love is easy. Instead, this story is rooted in healing, in vulnerability, and in the kind of slow-burning connection that only grows stronger in the face of adversity.

This isn’t a flashy romance with billionaire stakes or mafia tension. This is a deeply human story, one that feels like a breath of fresh air for readers looking for heart over hype, and emotional honesty over over-the-top drama. With flawed, lovable characters and a richly lived-in setting, Off the Clock reminds us that sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is let someone in.

Two men, one small town, and a second chance at more than just love

At the heart of Off the Clock is Nolan—grumpy, guarded, and still piecing together his life after trauma. A former firefighter with a quiet strength, Nolan isn’t looking for romance. He’s just trying to survive, to make it through his days in the sleepy town of Mount Hope without stirring too many ghosts.

Enter Price: charming, bright, and carrying his own set of wounds. Price is a newly arrived medical student with something to prove and someone to escape, but Price is Nolan’s opposite in many ways, which only makes the spark between them burn brighter.

When their worlds collide—reluctantly, then irresistibly—what starts as a cautious friendship blooms into something deeper. But as both men struggle with grief, guilt, and fear of being truly seen, they’re forced to ask: Are we allowed to want happiness after we’ve lost so much?

A story about love after loss, and connection after chaos

Grief, recovery, and complicated healing

Albert doesn’t gloss over pain in this book. Nolan’s trauma is real, palpable, and treated with care. His emotional walls are not exaggerated—they’re understandable. And that makes every soft moment, every tiny crack in his armor, feel like a triumph. The book’s depiction of PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and emotional burnout is handled with nuance and respect.

Opposites who challenge and complement

Price brings warmth to Nolan’s shadows. But he’s not without his baggage. What makes their dynamic work is the balance: Price doesn’t “fix” Nolan, and Nolan doesn’t save Price. They meet each other in the middle, growing side by side, not over each other.

Realistic LGBTQ+ representation

This is a queer romance that feels grounded in reality. There’s representation of bisexuality, mental health issues, chosen family, and the quiet resilience it takes to build a life you’re proud of. It doesn’t preach—it simply shows, and that authenticity is what makes it shine.

What themes will pull you in and stay with you?

• Trauma recovery: Not just surviving, but learning how to live again—and love again
• Found family: The kind of support that doesn’t always come from blood, but from those who stay
• Opposites attract: A slow-burn romance between a brooding loner and a sunshine soul
• Queer identity: Written with care, clarity, and full emotional depth
• Small town backdrop: With all its quirks, secrets, and chances to start over

This book is for you if…

• You crave emotionally mature romances with layered characters and slow-building intimacy
• You appreciate LGBTQ+ stories that center identity without making it the sole focus
• You love grumpy/sunshine pairings that feel earned and emotionally rich
• You’re drawn to romance books that explore trauma, healing, and second chances
• You’ve read and loved authors like Roan Parrish, Garrett Leigh, or E.M. Lindsey

Final Thoughts

Off the Clock isn’t about perfection—it’s about possibility. About showing up when you’re scared, loving someone who’s hurting, and choosing joy even when it feels selfish. Annabeth Albert gives us a love story that’s as tender as it is raw, as hopeful as it is honest.

If you’re looking for a romance that doesn’t rush the healing, that understands love can be quiet and slow and still absolutely breathtaking—this book is your next must-read.

Because sometimes, it’s the love that comes after everything breaks that feels the most real.