Double Up by Vanessa North

I received a copy of Double Up through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  I was excited for the chance to read another book by Vanessa North.  Here is the cover and the Goodreads blurb:

Knowing he’s loved can make any man fly.

Fifteen years ago, Ben Warren was a wakeboarding champion: king of big air, ballsy tricks, and boned grabs. Until a career-ending injury left him broken in ways he still has no hope of fixing. Now he takes his thrills where he can get them, and tries not to let life hurt too much.

Then Davis Fox arrives in Ben’s sporting goods store with a plan to get in touch with his estranged brother by competing in the annual wakeboarding double-up contest. The catch? He’s never ridden before. It’s crazy, but Ben’s a sucker for the guy’s sob story—and for his dimples, too—so he agrees to coach Davis.

Davis is everything Ben isn’t: successful, confident, and in love with life. And he wants Ben to love life—and him—too. But before Ben can embrace a future with Davis, he needs to remember how to hope.

I will start this review out by letting you know that there is pretty tough discussion of addiction to pain medication in this book. If this is a trigger for you, please be aware. I love the way that Vanessa North creates her characters. Ben is so sweet, surly and interesting. Davis is such a light in Ben's life but Davis' life isn't always full of life. They both have things that hurt them. I liked the way that Vanessa North kept the book from sspiralingdown out of control into an abyss of sadness. She kept just enough light in her story to keep readers hopeful that better days were coming. It's hard to watch Davis and Ben work their ways past their problems but it's worth it to get to see that sunny day at the end. I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to more from Vanessa North.

Author Vanessa North can be found on her website, her blog, Twitter and Facebook. You can click here to add Double Up to your Goodreads. I give Double Up 4 Fairies for a great story of overcoming obstacles and learning to let others in.

High and Tight by Vanessa North

I received a review copy of High and Tight by Vanessa North through Carina Press on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  This book has adult situations and is recommended for mature readers.

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.

I really felt like there needed to just be more to this story. It needed more depth. It was a very emotional read and I really enjoyed it but it left me wishing for more.  I really felt horrible for both characters.  Adam has dealt with so much fear over his life and Harris just wants to be loved by the man he loves, he wants to know he is important to Adam.  Who doesn't want to know that they are loved and important?  Harris and Adam have such an emotional roller coaster of a reunion in this book that it really tears the reader apart.  I enjoyed both of the characters and the supporting cast of characters were well written too.  I highly recommend this to those who enjoy M/M romance.

I give High and Tight 3 Fairies for a good story that I just needed more of.  You can find author Vanessa North on her website, her blog and on Twitter.