Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Only for the Weekend

AUTHOR:  Riley Hart

PUBLISHER:  Self Published

LENGTH:  278 pages

RELEASE DATE:  August 9, 2022

BLURB:

Sam

Nothing in my life is really mine. I take care of my mama, work three jobs, I’m there when anyone needs me. Something about the beautiful, lonely man on my mail route interests me. He’s different in my world, where everything’s the same. I think he hates me, but that doesn’t stop me from hand-delivering every package and trying to find ways to make him smile.

Then Emerson makes me an offer: he’ll pay me to spend the weekends with him, losing ourselves in each other’s bodies, no feelings or pasts involved.

Friday through Sunday become mine, the one thing I do for me. Soon it’s not just the weekends I want, but Emerson. He’s got secrets, though, and won’t let me in.

Emerson

I landed in the small town of Ryland, hoping to disappear. Finding your boyfriend’s body and being accused of his murder will do that to a guy. The deal with Sam is supposed to be strictly physical, but it doesn’t take long for the adorable, sweet man to get under my skin.

I look forward to his corny jokes, get addicted to the feel of his body against mine. He’s got the biggest heart I’ve ever seen, and with each day, each conversation we have, every laugh we share, Sam brings me back to life.

There are a million reasons I should stay away: I’m broken, fifteen years older, too sad, too angry, and can’t let my past get out. But Sam makes me want to fight for my happiness if the reward is him. Because having Sam only for the weekend will never be enough.

REVIEW:

Riley Hart’s latest, Only for the Weekend is a charming book employing enough popular tropes to satisfy anyone’s tastes: opposites attract, age gap, grumpy/sunshine, and hurt/comfort. It’s a great small-town romance between Emerson, a mysterious newcomer with a secret past, and Sam, his young mailman who makes his interest in Emerson crystal clear each time he delivers a package. Both men are hurting, and while they make an arrangement to satisfy their sexual needs, it’s their loneliness and need for comfort, understanding, and companionship that ultimately forms a bond they can’t ignore.

Sam is a highly likable, hard working man known for his willingness to help anyone who needs a hand. He’s closeted and resigned to the idea of never having a man of his own. As far as he knows, he’s the only gay man in his small town of Ryland. He can’t leave town, though, because he has to take care of his alcoholic mother. He just doesn’t fit in, but he and his asexual, best friend Molly create the illusion of being a couple to fit the expectations everyone has for them.

Emerson was a partner in a private equity firm in New York City. His life was motivated by money and status, and his addiction to work made him a bad boyfriend. But then four years ago his boyfriend was murdered and Emerson fled the city after being tried and acquitted of the heinous crime. He bought a small, remote farm in Ryland where he keeps to himself hoping not to be recognized.

With Emerson, Sam is flirty, friendly, forward, and fond of terrible, dumb jokes. At first, Emerson only wants transactional sex – which suits Sam just fine, especially when he’s being paid to be at Emerson’s sexual beck and call. Emerson’s loneliness appeals to Sam. He takes it as a challenge, wanting to make the older man happy, a tough objective when Emerson doesn’t allow himself to smile or enjoy anything. But his surliness doesn’t drive Sam away, it only makes him more determined.

Hart’s creative storytelling is appealing, as always, and her characters well-developed. The subject of alcoholism and how it affects Sam and derails his life is approached with great sensitivity and realism. Sam and Emerson’s romance is sweet and heartwarming; any fan of Hart’s should enjoy this lovely book.

RATING: 

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