Don’t Hold Back is a sweet story with just a tiny bit of heat. Even if you like your stories with a lot more heat, I hope you will give this one a chance. I’ve never read a romance that dealt with an eating disorder in such depth as this one. The story was both haunting and inspiring. This is book two in the series but you will not feel lost if you haven’t read the first book as it stands on its own just fine. I haven’t read book one but now I really want to.

While the blurb focuses on Garrett, I found Ryder’s story to be more compelling emotionally. I loved both of these characters but my sympathies definitely aligned more with Ryder. Ryder has been dealing with anorexia for quite some time and it’s a daily struggle. It’s something that is hard for me to imagine because I definitely have the opposite problem but Colette Davison’s writing made me feel everything that Ryder was going through. In spite of his struggles, Ryder remains a glass half full kind of guy and has a very upbeat personality – the opposite of Garrett.

Garrett’s anger issues nearly have him miss out on one of the best things that’s ever happened to him. He is so jealous and angry over losing a medal to Ryder that he is a complete jerk to him when Ryder comes to train at the gym where Garrett trains.

Ryder’s coach – the one at the beginning of the story – should never be allowed to be around young people. The way he handled things with Ryder was inexcusable as far as I’m concerned. The new coach, Lennie, was a gem. In spite of the personal family issue he was facing he continued to support Ryder. I felt that he really went above and beyond to continue coaching Ryder.

This might just be my favorite book by Colette Davison. It definitely is quite a bit different from others I’ve read and I really recommend this story.

Reviews for Colette Davison

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“Ryder.” Lennie waved him across. “Good work. I’ve got two options for you.”

Ryder raised his eyebrows as he waited. From the look on Lennie’s face, he wasn’t sure he’d like either of them.

“You could go to Boulder and train alongside David Marshall.”

David was a two-time Olympian.

“Isn’t he trained by Isaiah Hobbs these days?” Ryder asked, trying hard not to scowl.

“Yes.”

“That’s not really an option, then is it?”

“Hobbs said he’d have you.”

Ryder shook his head and half turned away. “I don’t particularly care.”

“I didn’t think you’d go for it. But Boulder’s closer to home than my next suggestion.”

“There’s not much farther away than that.”

“The other option is to come with me.”

“To England?”

Lennie nodded. “I’ve called in a favour at my old gym in Leeds. They’d be happy to have us. We could train around visiting hours. They’re pretty prescriptive. You’d get more training hours in if you went to Boulder.”

“I’d rather take the week off than train under Isaiah again.” He folded his arms and dipped his chin. “England, huh? I’ve always wanted to see Buckingham Palace.”

Lennie laughed. “Leeds and London aren’t exactly next door.”

“Oh.”

“Seriously, what do you think?”

Ryder drew in a breath. “Travelling’s always harder than being home, but I’d rather train with you in England than with Isaiah. But only if you’re sure.”

“I am. We can stay at my parents’ house. Dad won’t mind if you take over the kitchen. Or if you prefer, we can rent somewhere.”

“Sounds good.” It was easy to say, less easy to feel.

Ryder always felt anxious about travelling, especially when it meant staying somewhere else for any length of time. But travelling was unavoidable at his level of gymnastics, so he dealt with it.

“You’re sure?”

Ryder smiled and nodded. He wouldn’t train under Isaiah again. He couldn’t.

“You won’t be the only Olympian training at the gym we’ll be using,” Lennie said.

“Oh?”

“Two members of the British team train there. Reece Matthews and Garrett Kidd.”

“They’re great gymnasts.”

“Yes.”

Ryder laughed. “Garrett’s the handsome scowling one, right?”

Lennie gave him a stern look.

“What? He is handsome, and he was very scowly at Worlds when I went to congratulate him.”

“You beat him.”

“So?”

Lennie rolled his eyes. “He probably thought you were rubbing your win in his face.”

“Me? Nah. Why would I do that?”

Lennie raised an eyebrow.

“I barely beat him in the all-around final. It was by point four or something.”

“Point two.”

“Oh. Even closer than I thought.” Ryder shrugged. “Either one of us could have won on the day. I was just luckier. See? Now I’m looking forward to a trip to England.”

Lennie shook his head and sighed. “Let’s see your floor routine again.”

Ryder grinned. “On it.”

Chasing Gold Series

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