Noble

by Rinda Elliott

Unrequited love sucks.

Samuel Dunham fled his foster home and family at nineteen, heartbroken. The cause of his pain? The bed and breakfast’s big, shy caretaker, Nolan Sadler. Revealing his feelings for the man hadn’t just been embarrassing, it had been a disaster.

Now Samuel is older and has vowed to keep his heart safe. But the sudden death of the B&B owner forces Samuel home. 

Home, where his family wants him to stay. Home, where he must face Nolan. Home, where he must find a way to resist falling back in love with a man who will never love him in return. 

Noble is a standalone Christmas MM novella with an age gap, nosy family, sexy times, and a true love that time can’t stop. It deals with Nolan’s issues with depression, so some might find that triggering.

Genres: M M Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Contemporary, Romance, Friends To Lovers, LGBT

124 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 26, 2019

About the author

I write urban fantasy, paranormal romance and romantic suspense. Okay, and some space opera and post-apocalyptic menage as Dani Worth. I'm a lover of all kinds of romances! Some of mine (so far) are M/F, M/M/F and M/M.

Currently, I'm focusing on M/M romance because that's been my favorite for many years. I finally took the plunge in 2015 along with my good friend and co-writer, Jocelynn Drake. We are releasing long M/M romantic suspense right now (Unbreakable Bonds) and are already planning another series as well--possibly one that combines our love of MM romance with our love of urban fantasy.

I enjoy unusual stories and credit growing up in a family of curious life-lovers who moved all over the country. Books and movies full of fantasy, science fiction and romance kept us amused, especially in some of the stranger places.

I do get questions about the open series out. Beri O'Dell, Crux Survivors, The Kithran Regenesis and The Brothers Bernaux are unfortunately all on hold. That publisher is in the midst of closing so I don't know what will happen with them yet. Also, they weren't selling very well either, but I'm hoping I can self-publish the last of the stories in them at some point for the fantastic fans they do have. I'm sorry for the delay.

I’m represented by Miriam Kriss of the Irene Goodman Agency.

You can find me at http://rindaelliott.com, http://www.deadlinedames.com.
I also write erotic books as Dani Worth-http://www.daniworth.wordpress.com
And for more info on my co-authored M/M series with author, Jocelynn Drake, http://www.drakeandelliott.com

Reviews

[haletostilinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

RTC...
~*~
Overall, this story was alright. It wasn't particularly outstanding but it was a nice read all the same.

It took me a bit to get into it - and since it was a novella, by the time I did get into it, there wasn't a ton of story left.

Samuel and Nolan were taken in at a B&B by Babette, a kind hearted woman who took kids off the streets after they'd been kicked out of their home to give them a home and a family.

She first took in Nolan, and then Samuel at 14. Samuel basically always had a crush on Nolan, except Nolan is 15 years older than him, and so didn't see him that way, until Samuel turned 18, but still Nolan felt like he was a creep for being attracted to and having feelings for Samual, so he never did anything, even when Samuel flirted outrageously with him. When Samuel was 19, he summarily rejected by Nolan - but not because he didn't feel the same, but because he still felt he was too young and he needed to "sow his oats" as it were.

Three years later, Babette has died, so Samuel has to come back to the B&B, and there Samuel and Nolan have to face what has been between them for years.

Their chemistry was fine, but it didn't stand out that much to me. I liked them well enough, but I didn't love them. I didn't feel like there was enough of them and the story as well. Nolan's depression wasn't dealt with that much and when it was, it seemed very quick and "lets move on from this so we can have the happy" and I don't think that's how it works. Not that depressed people can't be happy, especially with medication, but just that it is more of an ongoing struggle, I feel. Please do correct me if I am wrong.

In the end, I liked this, but I didn't love it, and nothing particularly stands out about this story. But it is a nice story to read if you're looking for some a nice, quick romance read - and sometimes that's all we need.

[⚣Michaelle⚣ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A sweet (and a little bit hot) romance. There were some parts that felt repetitive (the age-gap protestations and the recriminations about an early attraction between the characters), but overall quite enjoyable.

I don't know why but I think I got RE and her writing partner in the Shatterproof Bonds series (Jocelynn Drake) confused with each other so when this was set in Oklahoma, it threw me off. I literally just checked and realized my mistake! Now, to read Defrosting Jack - which is the actual Ice and Snow Christmas series book I got this one mixed up with...

[Jennifer☠Pher☠ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't even know where to begin with this one.

This was out of my comfort zone and I can only imagine other will struggle with the age thing like I did. Or, I could be alone, who knows. But, really, I just couldn't get passed it.

Maybe had this not been a sort of half way type home. Maybe had Samuel not been so very young when he first arrived. Maybe had this story picked up way farther down the road.

I don't know.

Probably not. At the end of the day Nolan switching from seeing Samuel as a little brother to a sex object in such a short period of time seemed weird. I'm not going with wrong because love is what it is, just weird. TO ME.

Really, the whole story seemed odd to me and not all that much Christmas.

[Denise H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

***** A beautiful novella of second chances and a true, intense love.
Samuel, now 22 and tattooed, was taken in by Babette into her loving bed and breakfast home She has passed away and he goes home to the funeral and will reading.
Nolan, now 37, and his sister were also taken into Babette's before Samuel.
We get their back stories, Nolan's current struggle with depression, and the outcome of the will.
There are other "rescued" folks at the B&B, and the people and the place are "home" for Samuel.

We see Samuel struggle with the decisions he must make. He had left three years prior and has a life, job and school in Chicago. His love for Nolan has never left him, and seeing Nolan has his feeling right on the surface. He finds out Nolan has also loved him just as much.

Deep emotions, reflections, memories, renewed desires, and hot sexy times are all here.
ENJOY !

=====

[SC · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love it

But it just didn’t get that far for me. I know it was a short story so there was only so much room to work with, but I don’t think more pages would have worked. My biggest issue is 3 years. Samuel was a “kid” at 19, but at 22 he was a “grown man”? Yeah no. If the time he’d been away was longer, if he had gone from 19 to idk, 30, then I could buy the whole schtick of the time is finally right. I don’t think three years was enough. Also, it was highly repetitive. We did not need to be told over and over again about the whole 19 yrs old thing. Good lord that got on my nerves fast.

As much as I love the Elliot/Drake books, Elliot by herself was a no go for me. Oh and lastly - two published authors beta read this, yet I still found errors. Come on people !!!

[Lindsay Crook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh!!

I feel bad for not loving this like I wanted to but to me the story got lost in the constant reminding of Sammy was 19 and he left for 3 years and how much it hurt it was very repetitive..
Nolan for the most part was a sweetheart but dude 19 or 22 the gap made no difference all that happened was you missed 3 years of being together while Sammy boned other guys..Yeah I guess sweet and heart warming didn't do for me like I thought it would..Sorry!!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely little story about a young man whose been in love with an older man for years and how they finally come together. Nice side characters, nice plot, easy read. Great for a holiday romance.

[Kath · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Off season, but sometimes you just need a Christmas book in the middle of the year. I really enjoyed this one, I’m a sucker for second chances; but I did feel like it was at time repetitive.

[Lena Grey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s been three years since Samuel Dunham, of ‘Noble’ by Rinda Elliott has been back to the foster home where he was raised. But when he receives a message that Babette, the lady who saved him from a life on the streets, has died, Samuel has no choice – he has to go back.

Samuel loves everyone there, but he dreads seeing Nolan Sadler, the caretaker and man Samuel has been in love with almost as long as he lived at Babette’s Bed & Breakfast. Also, Nolan is the man who, after Samuel finally got the nerve to act upon his feelings, rejected him. Intellectually, Samuel gets it. He was nineteen at the time. Nolan was thirty-four. He figures that Nolan merely saw Samuel as a foolish boy.

Secretly, Nolan is nervous about Samuel coming home as well. Despite the inappropriate feelings he has always harbored for him, he regrets being the reason that Samuel left the only secure home that he ever had and plunged back into insecurity. At the time, all he could think of was that Samuel was the child he helped raise. He had an idea how difficult it was for Samuel to put himself out there, only to be scorned; he knew that it was more than Samuel’s fragile ego could stand. Nolan realizes that Samuel ran away, not just from him and the pain of being rejected. As a result, Nolan’s depression, that he fought with all of his life deepened; he withdrew into himself, almost to the point of being unreachable.

Everyone at the B&B is thrilled to see Samuel again. Immediately they begin a campaign to help him realize how good he had it there and set to convincing him to stay permanently. Samuel marvels at how easy it is to fall back into his old routines. The memory of Babette’s loving care flood back, causing grief because of her passing, but along with it reminding him of the warmth that existed there, how she always made sure all the kids had what they needed, both physically and emotionally. Seeing Nolan again is especially difficult; Samuel thought he had put the feelings he had for the man behind him, but seeing him again makes them all come flooding back. This is going to be much harder than Samuel expected.

I enjoyed the beginning of the story. The characters are well drawn and all deliciously eccentric, each in their own way. The concept of Babette taking in these children who needed her so much was heartening and the loyalty they had for each other in their new family inspiring. Dealing with Nolan’s depression and how it affected not just his life but that of everyone around him was hard to watch. Both Samuel and Nolan had a long way to go before they were able to resolve their internal conflicts enough to deal with the outward ones, but were finally able to do so. Thanks, Rinda, for dealing with some serious issues that need more light shone on them and for helping Samuel and Nolan find their happy ending.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nach Jahren in Chicago, kehrt Samuel Dunham nach Hause zurück. Es ist eine traurige Heimkehr, denn seine Pflegemutter ist verstorben und seine Pflegegeschwister wollen ihn um sich haben. Zudem gibt es auch noch das Testament zu eröffnen und viele Entscheidungen zu treffen. Nein, Samuel ist nicht glücklich über diese Rückkehr. Sie führt ihn nämlich auch zurück zu Nolan Sadler. Und dieser Nolan Sadler hat ihm vor Jahren das Herz gebrochen. 

Auch Nolan sieht der Heimkehr von Samuel mit bangem Herzen entgegen. Vor Jahren hat er den deutlich jüngeren Mann zurückgewiesen; es erschien ihm nicht richtig dem Verlangen und Samuels Avancen nachzugeben. Doch jetzt ist Samuel erwachsen und vielleicht wird er wieder ein Teil von Nolans Leben. Nolan will diese zweite Chance in seinem Leben nicht ungenutzt verstreichen lassen. Doch was will Samuel und hat Nolan überhaupt noch eine Chance Samuel für sich zu gewinnen. Denn jetzt ist Samuel erwachsen, selbständig und verdammt gutaussehend. Was kann Nolan, der unter Depressionen leidet, überhaupt bieten?

Nolan und Samuel sind sich sehr ähnlich und agieren vielleicht nicht immer besonders schlau. Aber hier kann man wirklich sagen, dass die Zeit die Wunden heilt und diese fragilen Herzen am Ende zusammenfinden. Nolan kämpft gegen seine Vergangenheit an; versucht mit seinen Depressionen zu leben und sehnt sich gleichzeitig nach Samuel an seiner Seite. Doch für ihn war der Altersunterschied einfach zu groß und Nolan wollte, dass Samuel sich erst auslebt und selbst kennenlernt. Doch damit hat er Samuel auch für Jahre verloren. Samuel selbst hat Jahre gebraucht um sein gebrochenes Herz zu heilen. Doch die Wunde ist noch immer da, als er zurückkommt und sich Nolan stellen muss. Doch nun ist er erwachsen und nach vielen Gespräche mit Nolan und dessen Schwester kann Samuel Nolan besser verstehen und nähert sich Nolan wieder vorsichtig an.

Diese wunderschöne und auch einfühlsam erzählte Geschichte lag schon sehr lange auf meinem SUB. Immer wieder habe ich sie zurückgeschoben, doch das war wirklich ein Fehler. Rinda Elliott kann nicht nur großartige Crime schrieben, sondern auch sehr romantische und herzerwärmende Liebesgeschichten, die durchaus in die Tiefe gehen.

[Sadonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This review and much more can be found at Love Bytes Reviews

Sammy is called home to his former foster home due to the death of his former foster mother and the owner of the B&B where he spent his teenage years. He and a number of other kids who were either kicked out or abandoned by their families were lucky enough to land in this warm and loving home where they have made a found family. Boys, girls, doesn’t matter. With the late Babbette, they found a place they belonged.

When Sammy turned 19, he left – rather abruptly – when his plan didn’t work out with Nolan, the much older caretaker at the B&B. He’s agreed to come home 4 years later because he’s needed, but it’s gonna hurt like hell. He agrees to help out with a few things, but he doesn’t think he can stay and be that close to Nolan again, because truth be told, his love has never died.

Nolan, for his part, is extremely happy Sammy, who now prefers Samuel, is back. He does his level best to convince him to stay. He knows Sammy can be happy there and Nolan is also willing to share more with him about what has transpired while he’s been gone. As Nolan and Sammy build trust again, it seems maybe you can go home again 😉

I really liked the way the author addressed the growing and changing that both Sammy and Nolan had to do in order for them to meet in the middle. I did like the secondary characters as well. Most importantly, the way the author addressed the hurdles that Nolan has had to overcome and didn’t sugarcoat the reality of what he is dealing with is handled with sensitivity. I also like that Sammy was treated like the mature 23 year old he is. My only wish was that the story gave even more of Sammy and Nolan in the present.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Zzzzzzz.....yawn.......

Samuel’s (aka Sammy) spent his teens crushing on the much older Nolan, but Nolan refused to take their friendship to the next level, driving Sammy away....all the way to a new life in Chicago. Now back in town, Sammy finds himself still in love with Nolan, who now allows himself to admit to the feelings he’s buried for all those years. However, Sammy’s wary of re-committing, and Nolan’s depression threatens to derail their new beginning.

It’s sweet, but stale. Nolan’s the stoic hero; Sammy’s the bright light who burns away the gloom that surrounds him. Sammy’s a little conflicted about whether or not to move back to town; Nolan worries that Sammy can’t handle his illness. But...Sammy decides and Nolan takes his meds. The. End.

And....there’s that weird writing tic...where they frequently get the descriptor, ‘the man.’ Sometimes for variety, Sammy gets to be ‘the young man.’ Either way, it’s distracting and entirely unnecessary.

So...two stars. Glad I didn’t have to pay for this one!

[Anna Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is Love, no matter what!

Samuel has been crushing on Nolan for a long time. Although Nolan is fifteen years older than Him, Samuel didn’t mind it, and he pursued Nolan relentlessly until Nolan sent him away.

Now he is back for the burial of Babette, the woman who saved him from street life when he was fourteen. To the Bed and Breakfast where he, Nolan and the other kids lived, and that Babette owned. It is the special place that Babette brought all her kids home. The only place where Samuel really felt at home.

His feelings for Nolan is still as strong as ever! He is now twenty-two years old, not a kid anymore. And Nolan still feels strongly for him too. This time Nolan can’t claim he is too young anymore.

A sweet lovely story with age gap, a family you choose to have, love and acceptance. I love it so much! Congratulations Ms. Rinda Elliott!

[Mim Crenshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully Written Read

This was heartwarming, beautiful, and had all the feel that I wanted in a read....not just a holiday read. I understood exceeds Nolan was coming from with Samuel needing to see and explore the world. At 18/19, we all thought that we knew exactly what we wanted, and Samuel grew during his time away as a man and matured and became so responsible. I felt for Nolan going through his depression and anxiety alone; I know from experience how horrible it can be, and I'm happy that he got help and let Samuel be there for him. The author did a really brilliant job with the issues that were in this story. I truly enjoyed this book.

[Zinnia Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age gap romance

I enjoyed this story. It is sad but with a happy ending. This is an age gap romance with angst, friends to lovers. It deals with mental illness in the form of severe depression.

Sammy/Samuel has loved Nolan since he saw him when he was 15. They were taken in by Babette, a Bed and Breakfast owner that took in teens in need. Nolan has fought with depression all his life. He tried fighting his feelings for Samuel, believing he was too old for him being 15 years older and his feelings of unworthiness. Samuel's back for Babette's funeral and they can't fight there feelings anymore.

Recommend.

[WhimsicalWords · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I thought I was walking into a sappy, meh love story to kill the time with and was so surprised that I liked it so much! I absolutely adored Nolan and Samuel. Their characters were perfect for each other and the author did a really great job setting the scene of their relationship. I think it's hard to make the reader feel something so deeply in a novella since there aren't a lot of pages to create that buildup and usually end up with instalove or off page romance. A lot of authors miss the mark but I really felt the love and tension with this one! It was perfect and I even got a little teary eyed a couple times. I'll be checking out more of this author's stuff for sure.

[Athira · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a beautifully written second chance, age gap Christmas story. Nolan and Samuel fit together really well. I love stories where one of them thinks it's unrequited.

Good secondary characters and I loved Nolan and Samuel together. Babette is such an amazing character. Also I loved the whole family. Found family for the win! Nolan comes to terms with his depression and how to live with it. It broke my heart to see him deal with it alone. Fun holiday romance with lots of sex and happy ending!

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Not the most Christmassy book of the season, starting with a funeral and showing Nolan dealing with depression. Second chance age-gap romance was okay. The back and forth about why Sammy/Samuel ran off and Nolan’s resistance to him was hashed over a lot. Also a lot of sex scenes for a novella, more than my personal preference. Needed more spark than I felt but the found family part was good.

[Lieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Noble" is a beautiful, touching and heartfelt story, full of sweetness and tender moments, as well as
there is a deep and strong connection between the characters that had me rooting for them and swooning all the more. with a solid story line .This book turned out way better than I was expecting. I loved Samuel and Nolan , these two are just beautiful together .

[BookloverIAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly told story of unforgotten love that gets a second chance. Elliott beautifully tells this love story and gently tells of depression in one of her main characters and how he comes to grips and learns to live with his diagnosis while allowing himself to have a relationship, future and love. Well done!

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had potential, and the first third or so set up what could have been a great age gap read but it just didn’t go anywhere. There was no real issue, nothing to really overcome and it was just a bit too rehashing one past scene and a lot of sex. Didn’t keep my attention and I was just skimming to finish.

[Tracy Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sniff sniff... This book started off a bit sad,then it started to get interesting, then steamy & happy with a great ending. It was indeed a Christmas love story & it ended so happy. I really liked it!! A Must Read!

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually a struggle for me to get through. Samuel and Nolan kept bringing up the past and Samuel was VERY immature. Then again, Nolan was too at times. Communication! I thought I would like this a lot more than I did, because it's Rinda Elliott.

[Milly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My First Book of 2020.i Hope this year will bring more beautifull Books for us Reader
I’m not a fan of Christmas romance.but Rinda Elliott is one of my favorite author.so I have to give it a try.so beautifully written.Nolan and Samuel we’re perfect together.i hope you also enjoy it

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Feel Good Book

A heartwarming story with two sweet men getting their HEA. You could feel the bond between the family as they all shared similar sad early years and I'm sure Babette has a place reserved in heaven.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love ❤️ Love

One of my favorite tropes. No huge amounts of angst (thankfully), and the characters’ backgrounds don’t throw huge deep shadows into their present. At least, not in angsty dollops.

[Vanece D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute

Cute and short feel good story. Sad that it took space and tragedy to give these men a second chance but I genuinely enjoyed the story was a quick and wonderful break from other stories I've read by this author. More please 😊

[BAS]

11/26/2019

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25☆