Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: If Only for Today
SERIES: Deerbourne Inn
AUTHOR: Gabbi Grey
NARRATOR: Michael Ferraiuolo
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 4 hours and 39 minutes
RELEASE DATE: June 18, 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 10 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:
This is the story of Jared Langford, everyone’s favorite Front Desk clerk from the Deerbourne Inn series, set in Willow Springs, Vermont. Getting Jared’s backstory in this book sets up his burgeoning relationship with Xander, a world-weary guest at the hotel. While their love story is quite speedy, it is also intense. Xander’s timeline makes him both want to pursue Jared while also letting him go to protect Jared’s heart. Xander’s health situation is something that he accepts, but he’s got things to finish and he really does enjoy Jared’s company. It’s clear he’s not using Jared and that he definitely has feelings for the man, but he’s reluctant to tell Xander the real reason he’s there at the Inn.
As they become closer and Jared helps Xander, making sure he’s taken care of and Xander helps Jared search for new pets, it’s clear that they could possibly have something here. Jared convinces Xander to watch some musicals – which he insists he hates – and they really get to him 🙂 Jared’s acting in community theater is one of the things he loves about Willow Springs and he’s looking forward to his next role. His boss and the rest of the townsfolk trust and care about Jared which is also something that Xander likes and longs for after having lived a pretty anonymous existence with all of his traveling for his job. Their shared love of photography is something else they have in common which ties them even closer. But when Jared shares his past, it makes Xander realize that he has to be honest with Jared. That honesty propels Jared to act. And that makes all the difference in the world 🙂
This is such a lovely story where Jared, a fixture in the previous series books, gets his own HEA. While I can hear the complains about insta-love now, I found their connection to be believable and because of the intense circumstances around their situations, I went with the flow. The visit from prior guests of the Inn also was a fun aspect that helped move the story forward with pushing Jared and Xander together even more. I loved seeing Jared reconcile a lot of his past in this story and there were several heroes in this story 🙂 Once again Michael Ferraiuolo does a fabulous job narrating this story. Xander and Jared are a perfect fit – both in character and voice choice. Getting to revisit past characters was a kick also 😉 While some might consider this story a bit short, after having read the author’s statement on getting this story out, I understand the brevity was the call of the publisher, but I think Gabbi Grey pulled it off quite well. Recommended particularly for fans of second chances and overcoming fears and grief and loss.
RATING:
BUY LINKS:
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