Noah

Noah by Elizabeth Reyes

Veronica Cruz just experienced the loss of her mother. Having lived the last two years caring for her, Veronica lost herself. She didn't even really care that she had. Her boyfriend left her when she decided to take that step and care for her mother. Veronica wasn't the same woman anymore and that was just fine with her. Her best friend Nellie wasn't having it anymore, she was tired of seeing Veronica living in this self-imposed prison. Nellie had received two free week passes to a local gym and she wasn't taking no for an answer. Convinced that this was exactly what Veronica needed to feel better about herself and her body. 

Noah had wanted a break forever, he just wanted to train someone, he wanted the chance to prove himself. He was recovering from an injury he got while boxing, and he needed the money. He grew up in foster care and had aged out of the system. Now living in a room over the garage at his foster parents home, he felt like he had to pay his way and not mooch off of them.  One night he gets his break with two women that come in to the 5th Street gym. While he could see that Veronica needed work he was intrigued by her voice, and wanted her to keep coming back for more than one reason. 

The journey that they start on was one of easy friendship with an under current of lust and want. Veronica was worried about his age, he was just a kid. Eight years younger than her; he couldn't possibly want the same things she did, or be responsible enough to be in a serious committed relationship. 

I enjoyed this book a great deal. My only problem with it was the resistance that Veronica puts up with Noah over and over again. It just seemed like it dragged on, it was very much one step forward three back. In the end though I loved watching their relationship grow and the love between them blossom.