Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Try to Forget

SERIES:  Small Town City Series

AUTHOR:  B.L. Maxwell

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH:  173 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 11, 2023

BLURB:

After being dumped by his boyfriend, spending the weekend alone wasn’t something Sam Braun was looking forward to. So, when the hairstylist that works next to his bookstore invites him to his hometown for the weekend, Sam jumps at the chance. Visiting the small town of Occident could be just what he needs to forget, at least for a few days.

Erik Thorne has lived his whole life in the same town where nothing new ever happens, and any stranger who comes to town is always a big deal. When his old friend Andy brings a friend home for the weekend, Erik is drawn to the man in a way that confuses him at first. But his curiosity about the gorgeous blond from the city gets the better of him, and he can’t resist spending more time with him.

Sam was hoping to forget his troubles when he meets Erik. While Erik can’t seem to think of anything besides the city boy with the bookstore he can’t wait to visit. Distance might not be the only thing that stands between them, as they find out admitting what you want isn’t always easy. #AgeGap, #MMRomance, #FriendsToLovers #OppositesAttract #SmallTownRomance #City/Country

REVIEW:

Note:  This is the second in the series and does contain spoilers for Never Forget.  That being said, it can be read as a standalone.

Sam Braun gets dumped by his boyfriend Gage on New Year’s Eve!  What a jerk.  Andy/Drew, who works at the salon next door in Sacramento invites Sam home with him to visit his family in Occident where his boyfriend Link still lives.  Sam really doesn’t want to spend the weekend alone, so he accepts.  He doesn’t know Drew all that well, but he’s excited and a little nervous to visit someplace new.

Drew is worried about Sam spending time alone so he’s happy to have the company on the drive to Occident.  Andy as he’s still known in his hometown takes them to the local bar where he meets up with Link, his boyfriend.  Everyone seems to know Andy and Sam is enjoying a pretty relaxed evening of drinks and pool.  Then Erik Thorne walks in.  He is a friend of Andy and Link’s also.  They all went to school together along with the folks working at the bar.  Everyone is very friendly.  But Erik shows a lot of curiosity about Sam.  He even invites Sam to join him on his round with his job with the Water District the next day to see the sights around the small town.  Sam accepts.

While out on the drive, it seems that Sam has more than just sightseeing in mind.  He’s never felt this kind of attraction before.  He can’t put his finger on it because he’s never been into guys in the past, but something about Sam just draws him in.  Eventually they kiss.  And it’s clear that there is more than just friendship on the table here.  But when they get to the next small town and go to a restaurant, Erik gets very nervous and stiff.  They get their food to go and Erik apologizes. He’s just not sure what’s happening and he’s not sure what all the people he knows are going to think/say if they see him with a strange guy.  Sam of course is worried that Erik is some kind of closet case and he definitely doesn’t need that drama.

They have a game night at Link’s place with Sam and Andy and Erik in attendance as well as a bunch of other friends.  Nobody seems to bat an eye at the group.  But maybe they have an idea that it’s not just friendship going on here?  The test is that when Sam leaves, Erik really is sad to see him go and wants to come visit.

Erik arrives early for their planned week in Sacramento. He helps Sam and things progress.  It’s clear that something is happening here, but Sam isn’t too sure what it is and he doesn’t want to jump in with both feet only to get burned.  I mean, they just met. How can this guy be so right for him?

This is a really sweet story with very low angst.  Sam and Erik have an instant attraction.  Erik has always kept more to himself, so he’s never really dated or been seen with anyone – and never another guy.  But he is just drawn to Sam for some reason.  They seem to mesh really well despite having such different backgrounds.  They enjoy doing the same things and despite Erik not being a reader, he really fit in with the bookstore and the neighborhood and he’s just such a sweet guy.  Sam’s reluctance is understandable – especially after his breakup.  I loved seeing the characters from the previous book which I absolutely adored.  Is it a bit instalovey?  Maybe.  Did I care?  Not really.  Sometimes when you know, you know.  Sam is a guy who has just never been lucky in relationships.  Erik is a total sweetheart and just really wants Sam to be happy.  I liked their relationship despite the sort of quick timeline.  I was a little surprised that Erik wasn’t a little more freaked out about being with a man since he hadn’t been before and I would have maybe liked a little more of his perspective.  Overall, I just really liked these two and the epilogue.  I can’t wait to see what happens next.  Maybe we will get more of Sam and Erik and Andy and Link 🙂  Recommended.

RATING:

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