Vanessa North

Oh Nick, how many times did I want to slam my Kindle into your face? How could you be so blind, so oblivious.
*Sigh* A beautiful story of pining, bittersweet with thoughts of all those wasted years, beautifully written.

I can't believe it took me a year to read this.

This was enjoyable!

So why am I giving it an average rating? Well, the characters were really good, and the family stuff was really good, and the last chapter was really good. The author understood the assignment: entertain readers! Solid three stars.

It would have earned a fourth had there been, perhaps, one more line edit to catch the couple of times a final action wasn't taken. I don't know about you, but I keep expecting something bad will happen as a result--but it's just accidental. show more

The fifth star wasn't possible. There was too much sex, not enough communication. I know, it would've been a shorter story--but there needed to be more distraction, because that got kinda old.

And STILL I did enjoy like 95%, which is great. If the characters appeal to you, give it a try. show less

A really good read. Both the men were vulnerable for similar reasons, Kit as he struggled to reconcile the happy go lucky, no strings attached relationship with his deep feeling for Alden, and Alden with his tragic personal & family history, that he deals with by pushing others away, but he's unable to keep Kit at arms' length. I thought the author portrayed Alden's PTSD and agoraphobia with a great deal of delicacy and tack. The story was very well written, sometimes raw, and very honest. I show more liked Alden's Mom was a jewel. I hope Thomas, (Alden's likeable ex) gets his "Happily Ever After" someday. show less

Blueberry Boys by Vanessa North is the summer romance we all want to experience. The relationship between shy, closeted blueberry farmer, Jed Jones and out and proud New York photographer, Connor Graham is engaging, poignant and very sweet. The two main characters Connor and Jed invite support; you want to cheer for their romance. You want good things to happen to these two nice young men.

North spends much of the first half of Blueberry Boys introducing Blandford, Massachusetts, the small show more town where Connor and Jed grew up. Connor fled when he was young, but is back now because of the family farm, while shy Jed reared under the strictures of church and small town society is trying to find his way in a world that suddenly seems more open than before.

Almost from first glimpse, there’s sexual tension between Connor and Jed. They spark in each other’s company; there’s real heat in the glances they exchange. North writes with the skill of a natural storyteller. She doesn’t rush events. As Blueberry Boys unfolds, you meet Jed’s family, as well as Connor’s. Even the secondary characters have depth. You get to know Hannah, Mike and their young baby boy, Billy (who loves his Uncle Jed).

Connor’s home to deal with the aftermath of his Uncle Bruce’s death and must interact with his estranged older brother, Scott, the only real family he has left. There’s some real pain in the scenes between these two men who should be allies and defenders of each other. Blandford has not been kind to Connor who harbors some painful childhood memories of growing up in the shadow of his brother, the high school football player.

In addition to the conflicts caused by living in small town Blandford, both Connor and Jed have personal issues to confront if they want to build on their hot summer fling. Jed almost can’t speak with his heavy stutter, while Connor suffers from body issues due to his childhood weight problems.

Blueberry Boys is a heart-warming love story between two likable young men seasoned with a dose of small town New England farm life. North has an engaging voice that draws the reader in, even the “bad guys” are somewhat likable; they’re definitely not one-dimensional.

I want to hear more about Connor and Jed. What is their future together going to look resemble? Can they have a lasting relationship with very separate career objectives? I wouldn’t mind seeing more of their steamy and sexy interchanges either. I don’t know if North plans a sequel to Blueberry Boys, but sign me up for the next installment. I enjoyed reading about Connor and Jed’s attempt to make a life together.

Originally reviewed for NetGalley and Riptide Publishing. You can view my other reviews at Creative Ink Romance Reviews. show less