Buddy System: A Small-town, MMF, Military Romance

Sweet, touching small town romance presenting some of my favorite tropes. This is a new to me author and honestly a big surprise. It's a quick read that I devoured in a matter of few hours, enjoying the heavy hurt-comfort vibes, the emotional healing aspect and the unexpected bi - awakening.
Levi and Skyler have returned from disastrous mission in Afghanistan broken, changed and carrying the survivor's guilt. Especially Levi, who was a team lead and lost everyone but his best friend in the ambush. Their incredibly tight friendship, that was able to withstand so much during their military service, was put to yet another test, when Levi and Skyler had to recover from physical injuries and find their new normal as civilians. I loved the character's development and the way the transition from friendship to relationship was described on page without excessive pinning and fretting over how the feelings they already harboured, naturally and seamlessly evolved on a deeper, personal level. Trust doesn't build up easy but Levi and Skyler have been through hell together, keeping each other's backs, so it wasn't an issue. The open communication and the lack of fear in both men to express their deepest feelings was an additional plus in the list of things I like. Buddy system is an MMF romance so while the bi awakening is an important part of it, there is one more important person in this new three-way relationship - Brooke, Levi's wife. I really liked this FMC - funny, adventurous, offering unwavering support, care and understanding. She opened her heart for Levi's friend so beautifully and the three of them hit it off really well. The book isn't heavy as a plot but contains enough twists, turns, spice and laughing moments, to keep a reader interested in the events, unfolding on page.