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Major Advancement

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Second-grade teacher Dade Saracina has had all of the military life he could possibly want. He grew up with an ambitious father who moved them all over the world, and now he just wants to put down roots. So the last thing he wants or expects is a handsome, kind, and attention-drawing army major to come to his rescue.

Major Clifton Rogers loves a challenge, and he’s been curious about the quiet man who lives near him. Seeing trouble, he jumps into action, and damn near sinks into Dade’s eyes when they meet his. The attraction between them seems undeniable, but Dade keeps him at arm's length, and once Cliff meets his father, the general, he understands why.

As much as Dade resists, Cliff gets past his defenses and works his way into his life and heart. But Dade’s father has definite ideas about what his son should be doing, and he isn’t the kind of person who likes to lose or takes no for an answer. Cliff and Dade are going to need to be certain of what they want in order to stave off the general’s assault on their potential happy ending.

100 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2025

61 people are currently reading
17 people want to read

About the author

Andrew Grey

264 books2,003 followers

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5 stars
102 (49%)
4 stars
54 (26%)
3 stars
37 (17%)
2 stars
9 (4%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
1,406 reviews21 followers
January 13, 2026
Having been in the Army in the late 1960's, being gay wasn't the thing, and if caught, you were out on your ass or in jail. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and I'm glad things worked out for Dade and Cliff.
Profile Image for Denise H..
3,251 reviews271 followers
December 20, 2025
Dade and Cliff …

School teacher, Dade, loved his job, but his controlling Dad had other plans.
Cliff loved his Military career, and understood Dade’s feelings.
They are a slow burn couple with a tale of persistence and determination, and finding the best path for them.
Dade’s father had other plans, but those were stopped.
You will like these guys.
ENJOY !

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Profile Image for Terri.
2,900 reviews59 followers
January 10, 2026
There's some dialogue in the first quarter that read as if it wasn't edited (probably the case), which is disappointing, particularly in a shorter story. I enjoyed the two characters. The plot is okay, until the magical old dog changes his ways bit in the epilogue. But, fine, it happens, even though it irritates me. Mostly, I wish this had been shorter due to removal of all the repetition of thoughts and feelings and even relaying past events. It needed a better editor.
Profile Image for S.S. Saywack.
Author 9 books38 followers
January 8, 2026
A quick read, and a nicely told gay romance story with a happy ending, as we follow Dade’s journey confronting his father, a retired general used to commanding, getting his own way and making all the decisions for his family. There’s bound to be tension with his fiercely independent son. Some good, believable characters and an engaging story as Dade and his newfound lover negotiate the difficulties of a domineering father. I enjoyed this read.
Profile Image for Jenn Donald.
1,186 reviews7 followers
December 23, 2025
This is another sweet read in Carlisle that I really enjoyed! In this book we meet Dade and Clifton and yes they have a sweet love story but it also features Dade really learning to stand up for himself and what he wants in life.

Dade is a school teacher who loves what he does and is passionate about teaching kids. He grew up with a military general father who is all about being that commanding general and having people fall in line with his orders. It’s certainly not what Dade wants and not the life he wants to live. Then he meets Clifton, his hot neighbor who just happens to rescue him when there is a fire in his apartment building. There’s an attraction for sure but Dade finds out he’s a major in the army and is very hesitant to have anything to do with that. But their attraction is strong and can’t be denied. He agrees to give it a chance and the two quickly and easily start building something special together. That is until it seems like Dade’s father has other plans.

This was a quick read so it isn’t anything angsty or drawn out, in fact we get to see Dade really stand up for himself and what he is building with Cliff. He embraces what he wants for himself now and in the future with Cliff. It was really great to see that happen and to have Cliff stand by his side. This was definitely fun and sweet and empowering as well. Cliff and Dade are great together and I was happy to see them both so in love and finding the happiness they both deserved!

27 reviews4 followers
December 29, 2025
A favourite author

I have 3 authors on automatic buy, out of about 500. Mary Calmes #1. NR Walker #2. Andrew Grey is #3. I have almost all of their books (Romanus please Mary?) and I’ve yet to be disappointed!
Profile Image for Dave.
648 reviews8 followers
December 18, 2025
Dade (short for Daedalus) and his father, a retired general, don't get along. Dade meets Cliff, who saves his life when the apartment below Dade's is on fire. Yes, sparks fly. Cliff is a West Point graduate and gay. They have dinner and go back to Dade's place. The rest of the book is about Dade and his mother trying to reconcile with his father, which happens towards the end. By the end of the book, Dade and Cliff are engaged and on their way to Cliff's posting in Germany. Nice book, Andrew!
Profile Image for Keith.
2,168 reviews6 followers
December 17, 2025
Great Addition to the Carlisle Series

The location is one we’re familiar with, but these characters are new to this community. Good storytelling, solid character development and no angst. Ends with a promised HEA.
36 reviews1 follower
December 16, 2025
Another good Story

Another Andrew grey story. Man meets man and fall in love. Or in this one Man saves man from a fire.


Profile Image for Christy Roberts.
1,544 reviews50 followers
January 24, 2026
Finding Love

Dade has spent all his childhood being forced to do had his dad who's a general (now retired) in the army says without say in it. He stopped at eighteen but his dad didn't unless his mom intervenes. The things the man will do are definitely not rational even if he thinks they are.

Cliff who's in the army rescues Dade and he wants more than just a thank you dinner because he finds Dade wonderful and special. At first Dade doesn't want that but he thankfully looks past the title in front of Cliff name. To Dade when they are together it is no title there. Cliff is just his boyfriend.

The general did some things I would not have been able to look past no matter how he claims it as protection for the future. I loved Dade laying the man out especially when tried to do something with Cliff's career he had no right to. Cliff is just what Dade needs and vise versa. Was happy with the ending and I hope this can become a series like I saw somewhere. The ending was wonderful. 4.75 rating but 5 here
Profile Image for Vicky.
Author 26 books71 followers
January 11, 2026
Dade’s father is a retired general, who tries to run his son’s life and Dade wants nothing to do with him or the military. Dade meets Cliff, who saves his life when the apartment below Dade’s is on fire. Yes, sparks fly, but unfortunately, Cliff is a West Point graduate and gay. As much as Dade doesn’t want to become involved with him, he can’t deny the pull between them. Unfortunately, Dade’s father does everything he can to come between them, including trying to get Cliff transferred and trying to move Dade to another school. The romance between Cliff and Dade is nicely done. But the best part of the story is the way Dade and his mother stand up to his father and force him to look at the way he’s been treating the family.

Though not one of Mr. Grey’s better stories, it is a good one. Recommended.
Profile Image for Kenrick Turlock.
17 reviews
February 7, 2026
Nuances are so important. Andrew Grey catches all the subtleties of military life. There are a few stereotypes that show up, but stereotypes are often based on fact. Nothing is more evident than the divide between the old military way of thinking and the newer men and women who have joined the service in the past few years. Grey captures the struggle of a gay man growing up with a father in the military, as well as how even the oldest of values can change over time. A great story with an ending that moves beyond the main protagonist's own ideas about growing up in the service.
4 reviews
December 28, 2025
not up to par

We’ve enjoyed other Andrew Gray books but this one seems to have been written for a 12-year-old audience. Not for adults.
Profile Image for Cathy Brockman.
Author 5 books95 followers
January 12, 2026
Sweet with just a touch of heat.
I really loved this one though its started like a couple of tge firefighter books with Dade in a fire in his apartment but rescued by a military man. He was raised by a general and doesn't want entangled in the military life but Cliff wins him over but will Dads Father intervene?
This one has lots of feels with two big hearted Main characters. I really loved both guys and love Dade's sweetness but stand up to his father attitude. I liked he's not a pushover.
Its a great book when looking for something soothing and happy.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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