Book Review: High and Tight by Vanessa North

Title: High and Tight
Author: Vanessa North
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: Review copy via NetGalley
Published: May 19, 2014 by Carina Press

Pilot Adam Walker has had one great love in his life: Harris Kingston. But twelve years ago, when he accepted a scholarship and joined the Navy, he chose duty to his country over love. Their on-again off-again relationship was never more than private joy, a frustrating fact of military life.

Harris never wanted to be anyone's dirty little secret. When Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed two years ago, Adam broke his heart one last time. He's picked up the pieces and moved on, building a great career and dating guys who aren't afraid to be seen in public with him. But when Adam strolls into his salon asking for a haircut, his newfound happiness goes to hell in a handbasket.

Adam's been at war with himself for over a decade. Now on the verge of leaving the military, he's desperate to court Harris the right way and be forgiven. With two weeks' leave and a Navy man's conviction, he's ready to start over…if he can convince Harris he's ready to come out and commit.

Reviewed By: J9

I’m a total sucker for gay men-in-uniform romances so this was a no brainer to read. Adam and Harris have an intense history together that I thought was beautifully integrated into the current story to show why these two men were walking wounded in their relationship. I could feel their palpable anguish at not being able to figure out a way to be a long term couple and I appreciated the emotional growth of both leads. Though the sex was a little D/s for my vanilla preference, it paralleled Harris and Adam’s volatile emotional relationship in an organic way that worked for me.

This isn’t a novella of big mystery but instead just a relationship-focused story that I liked. The secondary characters are Adam’s family, especially his sister who is Harris’ best friend. I liked her a lot. I didn’t love the 1980’s rom-com way Harris and Adam were forced back together but it made the HEA possible so it was fine.

J9’s Rating:

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