Review by Taylor
Title: High and Tight
Author: Vanessa North
Publisher: Carina Press
Length: 81
Blurb:
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 When Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was repealed two years ago, Adam broke his heart one last time.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.
Review:
After reading The Lonely Drop from this author I was really excited about reading this short about long-time on and off again lovers. It had all the right components that I enjoy – reunited lovers, military men, a change from the usual stereotypes, and good, clean writing.
Adam is the Navy pilot returning home and this is post DADT, but even with all that, it’s hard for him to break over a decade’s worth of secrecy and rules. Harris is the man he left behind, a flamboyant hairdresser who’s the bossy top wary of trusting the man who wouldn’t come out, who loves his job, and hurt him over and over. Harris has a boyfriend when Adam returns and Harris has waited long enough, and he’s not sure he can ask Adam to give up something he loves not knowing for sure that Adam is fully committed to making them work.
The sex as usual from this author is incredibly hot and sweet, and it was interesting and refreshing to read their dynamic and what each of them gave and took from the other. Oh and dirty talk. I’m a slut whoremonger for dirty talk. This author is soooooo good at it.
There’s enough angst between the two for people that love that shit, too, but it never goes towards the maudlin route, plus you know it’s centered around the holidays, which always makes me happy.
However, I’m not sure if it was due to the length, the character development, my interest or what, but I just didn’t feel as much of a connection between the characters and my connection towards their story waned. I would say maybe it’s the length, but The Lonely Drop really wasn’t much longer, and I loved those characters and their journey. There’s a difference in reading something short and sitting back enjoying the characters, caring about them, hoping for them, and loving every minute, and then reading something that while you know is short feels rushed. This felt rushed, therefore I didn’t really care or connect all too much. *shrugs*
Overall, I liked both characters, they had some hot sex, they got over their drama quickly (at least in the parts the reader gets), and it was written well. Fun and easy, and I’m looking forward to reading my next Vanessa North.
Rating: 
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