Noah

April 9, 2013 by Whit!!!!!!!!!

Title : Noah

Author : Ben Ryder

Publisher : Dreamspinner Press (BUY HERE)

Genre : M/M, Contemporary

Length : 122 pages (e-book)

Published : April 10, 2013

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.

Review:

I really wanted to love this book but sadly I was only in like with it. 😦 I’m a huge fan of sports themed books so I just had to snatch this one up.

The story bounces back and forth between present day and 16 weeks before when Callum gets to Canada for the job. We learn Callum is sad about something and the change of scenery might just be what he needs. He’s focused on his job until he sees a gorgeous hunk of a man being chatted up by everybody in the gym. Callum doesn’t realize that Noah is a hockey star for the Bobcats because he doesn’t follow sports but he knows he’s very attracted to him. Thinking he can’t possibly be into men he admires from a far until Noah comes to his rescue in the gym. The two form what Callum thinks is a friendship until he comes out to Noah in an attempt to be as honest as Noah has been with him. Only to find out Noah knows he’s gay and he wants Callum. The two strike up an affair but Noah is a pro athlete and firmly in the closet. Callum doesn’t care he just wants to explore what he’s found with Noah. Their time is limited because soon Callum will be off to his next job and Noah will be traveling with his team. Is there any way a famous closeted hockey player and an out guy who travels for a living can make it work?

Okay, this story had some potential but in the end it felt rushed and things skimmed over. I wish the author would have let us see a little more of the guy’s relationship building and less time with Noah walking around London worrying about a phone call. I just never got deep enough into the couple to become invested. I think Amy’s character was kind of over the top but she was a witch with “b” for sure so I guess she played her part. I wasn’t at all happy with the ending. If I knew there was another book in the works I might feel differently but as it is its just left open and unsatisfying. I’m a little bummed I didn’t love this book. If the author writes a sequel I will read it because I liked the characters and their story had potential.

Rated 3.5 stars by Whit