Title: Noah
Series: TBA
Author: Ben Ryder
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novel (122 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 10th, 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts
Blurb: Callum Walker is feeling listless in his life in London. When his job takes him to Canada to install communications software for a new sports arena, he’s glad for a change of scenery.
During his stay, he befriends Noah Lukas, the strikingly handsome star player of the Toronto Bobcats professional hockey team. Callum knows nothing will ever come of it, but he can’t stop his attraction. As their bond grows, Callum learns more about—and falls more for—Noah through his sensitive and humble interactions with fans, his gentlemanly reaction to flirtations from arena staff, and his frank apprehension over his impending retirement. Their friendship evolves from workout partners to confidants, and then to even more. But Callum’s time in Canada is limited, and circumstances may divide him from a love he wasn’t looking for.
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3749
Reviewer: Tams
Review: Callum Walker is a computer programming whiz who just landed his dream job helping to design the new Toronto Bobcats stadium in Canada. Restless with his dull life in London, he wholeheartedly accepts the job. The new position comes with an array of amenities, including an onsite apartment and gym. It’s while he’s working out one day, he spots the sexy guy with broad shoulders and a body that won’t quit.
Noah Lukas is the star player for the Bobcats. When he and Callum meet at the gym they become fast friends and workout partners. Callum is instantly attracted to Noah, but he doesn’t broach the subject. A weekend trip to Noah’s cabin turns this unlikely pair from friends to lovers. But, Noah is still safely secured in his closet. Besides, Callum will be heading off to Rio for his next job, as soon as the stadium is up and running.
Will secret rendezvous and stolen moments be enough for them to build a relationship on that can last? Or will life, circumstance and the threat of Noah being outed and possibly losing his career in hockey, be the end of their relationship before it even starts?
I could see potential for these characters, but ultimately the story fell a little flat. It was rushed and some possible plot development was introduced, but not followed through. Also, each chapter starts off in present day (which is 2014, I believe), for just one paragraph and then jumps back almost 2 years. This was very confusing until I caught on, which wasn’t until close to half way through. When I visited the author’s website I learned that this is the first book in a series. He promises some more Callum and Noah page time. Now that I’m invested in these characters, I will read the next in the series so I can follow their journey. I’m not sure I’d recommend this book alone though, I liked it, but I didn’t love it.
Portia’s Two Cents: I actually enjoyed the flashbacks. While Callum is waiting, we wait with him. We see how he came to be at the moment he is now. You want for his visitor to be Noah, but you really don’t know if it will be. The anticipation kept me turning pages, well past my bed time.