REVIEW: Newport Dreams by Shelley Noble

In Newport Dreams: A Breakwater Bay Novella by Shelley Noble, Geordie Holt is counting on her love of photography to finally give her something to focus on. She’s tired of trying and failing in different careers, only to have her father push her to become the corporate-type and enter the family business. So Geordie gets a job as a restorative photographer at the Gilbert House in Newport. It seems like a great fit with her love of photographing details and she gets along well with the crew. With the exception of architect Bruce Stafford. He has it out for her from day one. Why, she’s not sure. But he seems to see Geordie’s lack of confidence in her new job and uses that to single her out. It’s too bad he’s so rude to her. He’s also damn handsome. She’s willing to overlook a lot in her search for the right career, but Bruce may end up pushing her a little too far.

“You’re an enigma, Geordie Holt.”

“No I’m not. I’m a mess. You just noticed faster than most people.”

Architect Bruce Stafford is feeling a little overwhelmed these days. Giving up his full time job with an architectural firm to strike out on his own was the right move. It’s just been more of a day-to-day struggle than he bargained for. But finding and working on the Gilbert House is a dream come true. The crew he works with is skilled and intent on doing the best job possible. But photographer Geordie Holt is going to hold them back. She’s unprepared and is a spoiled rich girl, which grates on his nerves. She’s also a very talented photographer…and beautiful. There’s no way someone who comes from as much family money as Geordie does would ever look twice at Bruce. However, he can’t help his attraction to her, no matter how different they are.

‘Geordie Holt wasn’t really the problem. It wasn’t her fault that she had the things he wanted, was the kind of woman that interested him. And as far from his reach as possible.’

Newport Dreams is a women’s fiction novella starting off the new Breakwater Bay series by Shelley Noble. Here we get an introduction the the characters that will be featured in the full length novels to follow. And what an off-beat but wonderful assortment of characters they were.

The main focus this time was on rich girl & budding photographer Geordie Holt, and architect Bruce Stafford. The tension between them, both at work and personally, built throughout the story which kept things interesting. Bruce came across quite harsh for the first half of the book, but thankfully this was written in both of their POVs so we could understand why he was acting in such a manner. I did warm up to him as he and Geordie became better acquainted with each other. She was a bit easier for me to relate to right away, with her struggle to find her place in the world, making a career on her own without her family to back her up. And although this wasn’t a HEA type of romance, there were still some definite sparks flying between them. Maybe we’ll see more of them in Breakwater Bay, the first full length title, later this summer?

If you’re in the mood for a quick and refreshing short story set in a historical beachy location, give Newport Dreams a try. I look forward to reading more of Shelley Noble’s new series soon.

Book Info:

Published June 10th 2014 by William Morrow Impulse

Geordie Holt has been to college, traveled the world, and hung with the rich and famous. What she hasn’t done is find a direction for her life. And her father has given her an ultimatum: settle down and get a job, or he’ll get one for her. She loves photography and she loves Newport, so a job as a photographer on a renovation project seems like the perfect choice.

Restoration architect Bruce Stafford has discovered a forgotten mansion, fallen into ruin as an abandoned boardinghouse. Gilbert House is just the kind of challenge he enjoys, and he’s managed to assemble some of the best young craftspeople in the business.

Except for one. The historical society has sent an airheaded intern to serve as project photographer. And when he learns Geordie is not an intern but a paid member of the team, taken on as a favor to one of their supporters, he’s livid.

Humiliated, Geordie’s first impulse is to run, but she’s come to love Gilbert House and its history. This is where she wants to be. It’s time to face her fears and insecurities and stand up to Bruce and her father. It’s time to stop running. Geordie Holt has come home for good.