Marcus Hampton is a staid forty-year-old bookkeeper and a confirmed bachelor. When Demitri Costas, a young photographer, asks if he can take some pictures of Marcus, the older man is surprised but reluctantly agrees.
Demitri becomes infatuated with Marcus despite the fact he believes the man is straight and married.
Slowly they become friends until each realizes the other is gay, at which point Marcus begins to pull away, certain he is too old for Demitri.
It will take everything within Demitri’s power to convince Marcus he’s wrong. If he can--and he is determined he will one way or another.
Born and bred Cleveland, I earned a degree in technical theater, later switched to costuming, and headed to NYC. Finally seeing the futility of trying to become rich and famous in the Big Apple, I joined VISTA—Volunteers in Service to America—ending up in Chicago for three years. Then it was on to Denver, where I put down roots and worked as a costume designer until I retired in 2007.
I began writing a few years ago after joining an online fanfic group. Two friends and I then started a group for writers, where they could post any story they wished, no matter the genre or content. Since then I've been writing for publication. My first book came out in February of 2011. Most, but not all, of my work is M/M, either mildly erotic or purely 'romantic'. More often than not it involves a mystery or action/adventure, and is sometimes paranormal as well.
I really wanted to enjoy this much more than I did. I have no other word to describe the writing but 'simplistic'. It made me think think the story needed to be more serious or have more depth to it. I finished it but I had to make myself do it, especially since I didn't finish his other book, Forbidden Fruit, I felt that I had to get through this one. I wanted to see more of a connection with the two characters and for the story happening over a short amount of time, there seemed to be big story gaps involved. I think that Mr. Kendrick's writing style is just not my cup of tea. His books have great blurbs but the delivery is just not there, in my opinion.
This is a sweet, enjoyable written story. I liked both of MC's. And the writing style was clean and pulling. I was absorbed by both, Marcus and Demitri. I have to agree, this story is easy, warm and recommendable. I liked it.
Interesting shorter story about a younger man who is not out of the closet and an older man who has given up on finding love. Marcus is vaguely discontent with his life - what there is of it, but he has not been willing to risk his heart. Dimitri is young and full of life, but he has not been doing what he wants to do with it. Instead he has been following his father's plan for his life and he is certainly not happy doing that. Dimitri notices Marcus and he ask if will allow him to photograph him. His dream is to be a photographer and he is just getting started with a gallery.
This story is kind of a series of vignettes looking in on the weekends that Dimitri and Marcus spend getting to know each other. Marcus is afraid that Dimitri seems him as a father figure since he does not have a good relationship with his own father. Marcus has lost all his family and the one time he risked his heart to another man, he was badly burned. As time passes, each man realizes he cares for the other, but they move slowly because of the age difference and Marcus's reluctance to get involved.
I liked the pacing of the story and both MCs. An enjoyable and sweet story without a great deal of angst. And the best friends of the MCs were a nice touch as well.
Mitri is a talented photographer, but that's not what his father wants him to be, but with a push from his best friend Jack and his frustration with school, he decides that's what he is going to do with his life. He sees Marcus and is smitten, not only that he wants him to model for him. Marcus agrees, going against his usual behavior, to say he is set in his ways and lives a very scheduled and predictable life might be an understatement. Marcus likes Mitri but holy cow, he harps on the age difference so much I was getting sick of hearing it, and it seemed to me Mitri has to make all the effort. He's the one that calls, he is the one that pushes and opens himself up, Marcus pushes him away and is a bit condescending, I think. When Marcus finally gets some sense talked into him he tries again with Mitri and things work out better. It's an easy read, not a lot going on, Mitri's dad is an asshat and dear heavens Marcus is still not over some mysterious heartbreak by an older guy 18 years ago, or at least that's what he says is holding him back from going after Mitri. They work it out and all is well, oh and the sex is on the tame and sparse side, which is fine.
I’m a sucker for May/December themed romances, so when I had the opportunity to read and review this book, I quickly requested it. The blurb immediately grabbed my attention and once I received the book, I told myself I’d just take a ‘sneak peek’ at it, but once I started it, I couldn’t stop reading it. I loved the easy style of writing this author has, and his ability to bring me into the interesting lives of his characters will actively make me look for more books written by him in the future.
Since the blurb does an outstanding job at describing the story, I won’t rehash it. Instead I thought I’d write about why I enjoyed this book so much and why I recommend it to anyone who loves a sweet and sexy romance. If you have followed my reviews at all, you know that I have to really believe there is a strong connection/friendship/love between the two heroes. In this aspect, Weekends did not disappoint me whatsoever. I enjoyed the intensity between the two heroes, and the friendship that developed between them was truly interesting to watch. Then we are rewarded by their need to give into their attraction to each other, and the book really took off and heated up indeed.
I also appreciated that even though this is a May/December romance, their age differences were not swept under the rug. There is an obvious generational gap between them, but they really work hard to still communicate and develop a deep respect and love together. I can honestly say by the end of the book, I actually believed that in ten, twenty, or thirty years’ time…they will still be together.
Another thing I really liked about this book was: I really liked both heroes. I admit I felt sorry for Marcus at first. He has no social life. He works too hard and his most important relationship he has is with his cat. He’s lonely and has convinced himself that he’ll be alone forever. Because of this, his self-image isn’t the most positive. Yes, he knows he’s amazing at his job, but even though he’s an attractive man, he really doesn’t see himself in that way, and he’s beginning to act older than what he really is. He’s lost a lot of enjoyment and spontaneity out of life; instead choosing to do the same thing day after day. Lucky for him, once Demitri comes into his life, he starts to live again. But even though he starts to loosen up and enjoy life again, he’s still the same. He’s stable and smart and still remains a pretty serious person.
Demitri was a fun character and so perfect for Marcus. He’s just really starting to grow into his own man. He’s finally decided to stand up to his family and quit college to pursue his love of photography, and in a short time, he’s become quite successful at it. Although he’s still inexperienced in life, he’s still thoughtful and mature enough to believe that he and Marcus fit together. In the end, they really both bring out in the best in each other, and I hated to see the book come to an end.
I do wish the book had more detail of their life together. There seemed to be a period where the story felt a little rushed and jumped from one period of their life to another, and I admit I found myself wishing that part had not been left out. Although the book left me wanting more, I still loved it and recommend it to those who enjoy a pretty solid contemporary romance.
Change at any age is hard... but when you are dealing with middle age, it gets harder! Marcus has had a traumatic past starting at a fairly young age due to losing his parents and younger brother and then being tossed away like yesterday's trash by a man 10 years his senior who was after just one thing... and when he had gotten it... he walked away! So Marcus safely spends his days at work and his night and weekends with Daisy... his cat!
Demitri... 23 years old and about to make the scariest change so far in his young life... dropping out of college to pursue a career as a professional photographer. And, then there is the whole "telling his dad" part that he keeps putting off... and he certainly isn't going to even attempt to break the news to his parents that he is gay either!
So, Demitri sees Marcus and is intrigued! Fate plays a part in them meeting... thus begins the need for change in both of their lives! Marcus fights it to the bitter end... Demitri stumbles a time or two, but in the end, they both learn to accept that even though change can be scary... it isn't always bad!
An easy going, sweet (in the sense of no big angst, no nasty third parties) story that I would class as a 3.5. Marcus and Mitri cross paths before Mitri gathers the courage to speak to Marcus and asks him to pose as a photographers model. The story is then of their developing relationship - Mitri showing more maturity in wanting the relationship and pushing it forward, Marcus fighting shy because he feels their age difference is a big issue. I liked that Marcus had to throw off the stereotype of being a bookkeeper (he wasnt really the fusty person accountants are often typed as) and as his age is revealed, I didnt think that was old but he did act older. This isn't a story of their sex life as most of it is implied, which was fine as the story is about the developing relationship.
Another winner from Edward Kendrick. Although Weekends was a typical May-December romance, it still felt different and not what I expected after reading the blurb. I assumed it would be the opposites attract story between two characters with a large age gap. What surprised me was how similar Marcus and Demitri actually were despite the years in between. It was refreshing to see a couple who didn't have to go through some major changes in order to be together. Sometimes all it takes is to be who you are, and be accepted and loved because of that.
I am little disappointed with that book. For starters I didn't feel much feelings from Marcus expect being afraid to get involved with young man Demitri. Also Demitris problems with his parents/school are just open but not closed. Author Edward Kendrick could do much more with that book if he would take more time for it.
I enjoyed this, but I thought it was jumpy and sometimes I wasn't sure if it was 1, 2, or 5 weeks jump ahead. I like may-december romances, but it just kinda left me wanting more at the end. Decent read, I did like the characters.
I love the slow build between Marcus and Demetri, I love the idea that it shows them building their relationship through a series of weekends. I think it made for an interesting twist.
I did like this book. Weekends is deceivingly simple but interesting reads and It did keep my attention and till end of the book I'd grown rather fond of them (Demitri & Marcus).