Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: If Only For Today

SERIES: Deerbourne Inn

AUTHOR: Gabbi Grey

PUBLISHER: The Wild Rose Press

LENGTH: 141 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 14, 2021

BLURB:

Jared Langford is a happy man. The desk clerk at the Deerbourne Inn knows everyone in his cozy town in Vermont. He is accepted and loved by the community, but he’s missing someone special in his life.

Devastating news has brought journalist Xander Fortier to Willow Springs for some much-needed rest. He’s photographed every major conflict in the world for the last ten years, but being stateside has forced him to reassess the solitary life he’s been living.

Something in Xander’s gruff demeanor calls to Jared’s caring nature. Soon the men are spending time together, but Jared’s kisses might not be enough to keep Xander from leaving. Can the men find a happily ever after if they only have today?

REVIEW:

Gabbi Grey won me over last year with her wonderful novel, My Past, Your Future, which is set in Willow Springs, Vermont, just like If Only for Today. This time, the story features Jared, the Deerbourne Inn’s desk clerk, and one of his guests, Xander. This a melancholic book, but sad in the best of ways, conjuring up the angst, grabbing your heart and squeezing tight. It’s a second-chance story of sorts that is warm and soothing, beyond sweet and deeper than heartwarming.

Jared is a cheerful, straightforward fellow content working at the quaint inn in the small New England town where he enjoys the constant rotation of interesting guests. But there’s a sadness in him that hints of a painful past. Xander is an enigmatic, award-winning, wartime photojournalist whose work has taken him to many countries around the globe. He’s grouchy and gruff when he arrives at the inn for an indeterminate length of stay. He likewise has dark secrets and pain lurking beneath the surface.

Loneliness is the underlying theme here, with notes of chosen family, coming to terms with the present, and reconciliation of the past. Jared tries to live in the present and not get caught up in the anguish of his past, but he faces some discomfort not knowing what tomorrow will bring. He’s very involved with the townsfolk and the happenings, but he has no deep friendships and, sadly, feels replaceable in his own life. Xander has regrets about how he’s spent his life, always on the road, chasing the next perfect shot. He has lots of should haves, including should he have taken the time for a relationship rather than putting all his focus (ha!) into his work. The men have a disastrous first date but give it another try. The air between them is charged but it’s still somewhat awkward. Eventually they learn to see through each other’s bravado and when they allow themselves to be vulnerable, this book shines.

I’m not a fan of insta-love and even though this certainly qualifies based on the timeline, it doesn’t have a rushed, based only on attraction feel. Love comes quickly but not before friendship, acceptance, respect, and admiration. All that and then love. This is a low heat book. While I didn’t miss the steam, I was disappointed that their kisses – which Jared calls epic – weren’t written more passionately.

I appreciated the important reminder of the victims of wartime atrocities (not graphic) and other global concerns through Xander’s words and through the eyes of Jared as he thumbs through Xander’s photographs.

Jared and Xander have led difficult lives. The beauty of this book lies in how they share their burdens and use their love to help heal and create a future together. My heart went pitter-patter in the end with its lovely epilogue. And for those fans of My Past, Your Future, I’m happy to report there’s an appearance by Callum and Elijah who visit the inn. I happily recommend this sweet story.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon

The Wild Rose Press