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Just A Week
Just a week is not enough time to fall in love, but Fate doesn’t care. Seth’s carefully crafted plan for how his life will go doesn’t include falling in love with a guy in his horrible hometown. He wants to start a new life anywhere but at home. Until Maddox storms in with his multi-colored hair and carefree attitude.
Long distance relationships don’t work and Seth isn’t into gambling with his future. But the more time he spends with Maddox, the more he’s willing to throw caution to the wind. Now his plan for the rest of his life has been turned upside down and seems to include things Seth never thought possible...including a lifetime of happiness in his hometown.
Long distance relationships don’t work and Seth isn’t into gambling with his future. But the more time he spends with Maddox, the more he’s willing to throw caution to the wind. Now his plan for the rest of his life has been turned upside down and seems to include things Seth never thought possible...including a lifetime of happiness in his hometown.
- GenresM M Romance
77 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2016
5 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Jena Wade
148 books288 followersJena began writing in January of 2013 as a New Year's Resolution--and so far she has stuck to it!
She lives in Michigan. By day she works as a web developer, and at night she writes. Born and raised on a farm, she spends most of her free time outdoors, playing in the garden, or riding her horses. She also helps run the family dairy farm.
She lives in Michigan. By day she works as a web developer, and at night she writes. Born and raised on a farm, she spends most of her free time outdoors, playing in the garden, or riding her horses. She also helps run the family dairy farm.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 4, 2016
I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
4 Warm & Fuzzy Stars.
Jena Wade is a new-to-me author, and I found the writing style to be enjoyable, the pacing swift, and the characterization to be realistic.
Just a Week- Seth is home from college for just a week, not sure if he can survive going back to the town he found insufferable during his youth. Helping his father at the family's hardware store ends up giving Seth more than he bargained for.
This is a short novella, which felt complete, with a fully fleshed-out beginning, middle, and ending. I won't give the major plot points away, as with a shorter read, one thing could end up being a spoiler.
I truly enjoyed Seth, and the evolution he had during the novella, along with his perfect counterbalance, Maddox. The town was small-town, with sweet, caring people Seth finally saw through more mature eyes, rather than the narrow view he had back in high school.
Every town, no matter how big or small, the graduates feel they have to move away to somewhere larger, more exciting, or they'd be a loser for sticking with their roots. It's a mentality, as every place has kids who call it a hometown, & wherever you settle is somewhere someone else has fled as to not feel like the townie loser anymore. It's a mentality that some never break from, but maturity resolves it eventually. This is Seth's state-of-mind in the beginning, and he evolved thankfully.
Maddox was sweet, cool, and unique, and enjoyable to have on-scene. The parents were the cherry on top of the dessert cupcake.
Romantic, a little bit sexy, but the between-the-sheets action wasn't the focus, with a fully developed storyline.
Recommended to fans of romantic novellas, who want an hour or two of escapism. I'll gladly read more by this author.
4 Warm & Fuzzy Stars.
Jena Wade is a new-to-me author, and I found the writing style to be enjoyable, the pacing swift, and the characterization to be realistic.
Just a Week- Seth is home from college for just a week, not sure if he can survive going back to the town he found insufferable during his youth. Helping his father at the family's hardware store ends up giving Seth more than he bargained for.
This is a short novella, which felt complete, with a fully fleshed-out beginning, middle, and ending. I won't give the major plot points away, as with a shorter read, one thing could end up being a spoiler.
I truly enjoyed Seth, and the evolution he had during the novella, along with his perfect counterbalance, Maddox. The town was small-town, with sweet, caring people Seth finally saw through more mature eyes, rather than the narrow view he had back in high school.
Every town, no matter how big or small, the graduates feel they have to move away to somewhere larger, more exciting, or they'd be a loser for sticking with their roots. It's a mentality, as every place has kids who call it a hometown, & wherever you settle is somewhere someone else has fled as to not feel like the townie loser anymore. It's a mentality that some never break from, but maturity resolves it eventually. This is Seth's state-of-mind in the beginning, and he evolved thankfully.
Maddox was sweet, cool, and unique, and enjoyable to have on-scene. The parents were the cherry on top of the dessert cupcake.
Romantic, a little bit sexy, but the between-the-sheets action wasn't the focus, with a fully developed storyline.
Recommended to fans of romantic novellas, who want an hour or two of escapism. I'll gladly read more by this author.
July 22, 2016
(¯`v´¯)
.`•.¸.•´ ★★★★★
¸.•´.•´¨) ¸.•¨)
(¸.•´(¸.•´ (¸.•¨¯`*
*´¨✫)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*Was one week long enough to fall in love?
“I could survive a week…it was only a week.”
It was only a week, but it could be the longest week in history. Seth Brown dreaded going home. He had endured a terrible childhood and could not escape small town USA fast enough. This time he was determined to get in, and get out with his head in his books. But fate and his parents had other plans. Ones NOT on Seth’s list.
“Who the hell moved here on purpose…?”
Maddox was not on the one week plan. The multicolored haired man was living live as he wanted to without plans. Maddox could not understand Seth’s determination to let live pass him by and Seth could not fathom Maddox’s will to live life without rules.
“I’ll have time for that later.” Seth
“Maddox might not be available later.” - Seth’s dad.
Seth learned of the set up too late. His parents were leaving him and Maddox alone for two days. He and Maddox found themselves in close proximity and falling for each other. But how would long distance work with a man with plans and one without? Read to find out just how “a week and everything I thought I knew had changed.”
ARC provided by Loose Id in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
July 21, 2016
Unable to stay in his college apartment in Michigan over Spring Break, Seth is forced to go home to a small town in West Virginia where he reluctantly plans to stay the week. Working at his father's hardware store, he's counting down the days until he can go back to his carefully planned life. But Seth is not prepared to meet the town's newest resident, "Jack of all trades" Maddox.
Maddox might be new in town but from what Seth has gathered, he seems to work everywhere, doing odd jobs for anyone who needs it. The same age as Seth, his outlook on life is completely different. Where Seth is orderly and always has a plan (a plan he happens to always think is right), Maddox is a free thinker. He loves to live life in the present instead of mapping out the future. They know there's no way they could ever work. Or could they?
Sometimes you find that no matter how hard you plan something, sometimes you just have to sit back and let life happen. Seth definitely learns that lesson when he meets Maddox. For the first time in his life, he might realize that it's alright to deviate from the plan. I believe that this is something so many of us can relate to and I think that's what I enjoyed so much about the story.
Both characters are likable, Maddox more so than Seth in my opinion. But I think as a couple they fit. They balance each other out and can give one another a new perspective on life. This is a short, easy read and I'd definitely recommend it for when you're in the mood to just take a break.
4 Stars!
August 26, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.25 stars
Just a Week is a slow moving story that gives us a glimpse into seven days with Seth. Seth hasn’t come home from college too often as his hometown is not his favorite place, but he’s always happy to see his parents. This trip, there is a new resident in town that catches Seth’s eye the first night he is back.
Maddox lives moment to moment and his approach to life without a plan is inconceivable to Seth. We don’t learn much about Maddox. We do learn how he came to be in the town, but not really why, and we don’t learn anything about his background. We do learn that he changes his hair color everyday and that he prefers to throw caution to the wind. However, the most radical things we see him do is start to build shelves without drawing up a plan and eating pizza directly from the box. Maddox could have been an interesting guy, but his character was not developed.
The main point of the book is getting Seth and Maddox together. It’s mentioned several times that Seth hasn’t visited home in a while and that his parents are excited to see him. Yet they plan time out of town during his week-long visit and have Maddox house sit for them while they are away. There wasn’t enough offered here as to why his parents needed Maddox to house sit while Seth was staying there and if it was a ruse to get the two of them together, then the idea of that was fairly ridiculous.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3.25 stars
Just a Week is a slow moving story that gives us a glimpse into seven days with Seth. Seth hasn’t come home from college too often as his hometown is not his favorite place, but he’s always happy to see his parents. This trip, there is a new resident in town that catches Seth’s eye the first night he is back.
Maddox lives moment to moment and his approach to life without a plan is inconceivable to Seth. We don’t learn much about Maddox. We do learn how he came to be in the town, but not really why, and we don’t learn anything about his background. We do learn that he changes his hair color everyday and that he prefers to throw caution to the wind. However, the most radical things we see him do is start to build shelves without drawing up a plan and eating pizza directly from the box. Maddox could have been an interesting guy, but his character was not developed.
The main point of the book is getting Seth and Maddox together. It’s mentioned several times that Seth hasn’t visited home in a while and that his parents are excited to see him. Yet they plan time out of town during his week-long visit and have Maddox house sit for them while they are away. There wasn’t enough offered here as to why his parents needed Maddox to house sit while Seth was staying there and if it was a ruse to get the two of them together, then the idea of that was fairly ridiculous.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
July 8, 2016
Seth went back to his hometown to help his parent’s out for the week of spring break. In the week, he meets and falls for the new guy in town. Seth has all these plans and everything should just fall in line with them.
Maddox is a carefree, fun loving guy who just goes with the flow. Somewhere along the way, his every changing hair color and skater boy attitude manages to throw a monkey wrench into Seth’s plans.
This is a cute, fast paced story. It’s low on angst or suspense—a feel good, humorous type story. If you’re looking for fun, flirty, and funny, this one should suit just fine.
Maddox is a carefree, fun loving guy who just goes with the flow. Somewhere along the way, his every changing hair color and skater boy attitude manages to throw a monkey wrench into Seth’s plans.
This is a cute, fast paced story. It’s low on angst or suspense—a feel good, humorous type story. If you’re looking for fun, flirty, and funny, this one should suit just fine.
June 23, 2018
A ScatteredThoughtsandRogueWords Review. This review can also be found here.
3.5 Stars out of 5
Seth finds himself in Milton for a week, a town he was happy to see in his rear view mirror when he got out of it at the end of high school. He doesn’t want to be here but as he keeps reminding himself it’s only for a week. A week that suddenly seems too short when he finds himself intrigued by an orange haired skater, but can Seth find time in his carefully planned life to let love run its course...?
This is a sweet story featuring Seth Brown, a guy who has his entire life planned out and Maddox, a guy living life, flying by the seat of his pants. Seth and Maddox are polar opposites when it comes to how they live their lives and that makes their attraction that much more compelling.
This is a slow paced romance, it’s not exactly slow but everything happens in its own time, I guess the right word to describe the pace of the book would be unhurried which is quite ironic considering the title.
Seth and Maddox realise the connection that they share is unique but they can’t decide if a week of knowing someone is something you can base a relationship of off.
I liked the story, it’s kind of soft and fluffy with no peaks and troughs, sitting in a comfortable middle. Though this book didn’t get a reaction out of me one way or another by the end of the book I found myself rooting for Maddox and Seth.
The main plot of the story is Seth coming to the realisation that life just happens and no matter how much you plan, life has a way of blindsiding you, and that when love comes knocking you really need to embrace it but I also really liked the sub plot of the story which is Maddox making Seth realise that he has been colouring everyone in Milton with the same brush and while some people have hurt him and maybe would continue to do so, there are more people in his home town who would openly embrace him.
Cover Art by Silver Heart Design. I liked the cover especially the silhouette of the skater at the bottom.
3.5 Stars out of 5
Seth finds himself in Milton for a week, a town he was happy to see in his rear view mirror when he got out of it at the end of high school. He doesn’t want to be here but as he keeps reminding himself it’s only for a week. A week that suddenly seems too short when he finds himself intrigued by an orange haired skater, but can Seth find time in his carefully planned life to let love run its course...?
This is a sweet story featuring Seth Brown, a guy who has his entire life planned out and Maddox, a guy living life, flying by the seat of his pants. Seth and Maddox are polar opposites when it comes to how they live their lives and that makes their attraction that much more compelling.
This is a slow paced romance, it’s not exactly slow but everything happens in its own time, I guess the right word to describe the pace of the book would be unhurried which is quite ironic considering the title.
Seth and Maddox realise the connection that they share is unique but they can’t decide if a week of knowing someone is something you can base a relationship of off.
I liked the story, it’s kind of soft and fluffy with no peaks and troughs, sitting in a comfortable middle. Though this book didn’t get a reaction out of me one way or another by the end of the book I found myself rooting for Maddox and Seth.
The main plot of the story is Seth coming to the realisation that life just happens and no matter how much you plan, life has a way of blindsiding you, and that when love comes knocking you really need to embrace it but I also really liked the sub plot of the story which is Maddox making Seth realise that he has been colouring everyone in Milton with the same brush and while some people have hurt him and maybe would continue to do so, there are more people in his home town who would openly embrace him.
Cover Art by Silver Heart Design. I liked the cover especially the silhouette of the skater at the bottom.
May 22, 2018
I found Just a Week to be a very sweet, short read.
Both men are memorable characters. I think that Jenna Wade does a fantastic job. I really got to know both men well, in a short time.
Seth is someone who has plans for his life and he follows those plans, to the detriment of his social life. Maddox is his complete opposite. He is very spontaneous and is living his life the way he wants to. He moves around when he wants to and does the odd jobs here and there as he wants.
When the two spend time together, they start to really like each other.
But, how could they ever make a relationship work? And should they? After all, they have only known each other for a week and Seth has to go back to school.
I like that both men can find someone to help balance them out in their life. I also really enjoyed the way that the two men slowly get to know each other. It seems contradictory to say it is slow, considering the length of the book, but it is slow. There is no insta-love and they don't get along at first. I love this aspect of the story.
I definitely enjoyed Just a Week.
Both men are memorable characters. I think that Jenna Wade does a fantastic job. I really got to know both men well, in a short time.
Seth is someone who has plans for his life and he follows those plans, to the detriment of his social life. Maddox is his complete opposite. He is very spontaneous and is living his life the way he wants to. He moves around when he wants to and does the odd jobs here and there as he wants.
When the two spend time together, they start to really like each other.
But, how could they ever make a relationship work? And should they? After all, they have only known each other for a week and Seth has to go back to school.
I like that both men can find someone to help balance them out in their life. I also really enjoyed the way that the two men slowly get to know each other. It seems contradictory to say it is slow, considering the length of the book, but it is slow. There is no insta-love and they don't get along at first. I love this aspect of the story.
I definitely enjoyed Just a Week.
May 30, 2018
Short, but sweet with all the feel-good vibes.
Seth and Maddox are each other’s opposites in almost every way. Seth is the guy who has to plan everything. Not only his future but also something simple as building shelves. And he hates the small town he grew up in. Maddox is more of a live-in-the-moment guy, care-free, with multicolored hair. And he loves small towns. Yet they are attracted towards each other in a big way.
The story is told day by day in Seth’s POV, and while I got a really good understanding of Seth’s character, I can’t say the same about Maddox. I really liked these guys, but I would have liked some more insight in Maddox. That being said, the connection between these two men is tangible. On opposites sides at first, they slowly begin to grow together and meeting somewhere in the middle. Seth learns that not everything has to be planned, and Maddox sees that sometimes having plans can make things faster and easier. I loved their relationship with Seth’s parents. They are good folk.
It is a novella but read as a full-length novel with a good plot, great characters, and sweet, soft sex.
Seth and Maddox are each other’s opposites in almost every way. Seth is the guy who has to plan everything. Not only his future but also something simple as building shelves. And he hates the small town he grew up in. Maddox is more of a live-in-the-moment guy, care-free, with multicolored hair. And he loves small towns. Yet they are attracted towards each other in a big way.
The story is told day by day in Seth’s POV, and while I got a really good understanding of Seth’s character, I can’t say the same about Maddox. I really liked these guys, but I would have liked some more insight in Maddox. That being said, the connection between these two men is tangible. On opposites sides at first, they slowly begin to grow together and meeting somewhere in the middle. Seth learns that not everything has to be planned, and Maddox sees that sometimes having plans can make things faster and easier. I loved their relationship with Seth’s parents. They are good folk.
It is a novella but read as a full-length novel with a good plot, great characters, and sweet, soft sex.
May 28, 2018
A quick, cute and sweet read. Although it is a short story, I still got a very good feel for the characters and plenty of their background to understand them. Maddox and Seth are wonderful characters and they are truly what the other needs. They are both wary to start a relationship because Seth will be heading back to school; can a long distance relationship really work?
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
May 27, 2018
this was so adorably cute.. i loved the characters and their story.. i cannot wait for more to come i hope.. it is a short read but very well done and interesting to feel their lives
January 15, 2017
I was enjoying it up until Seth's parents returned from the trip. I *hate* nosey family. I hated the feeling that, on some level, Seth's parents had contrived to set Seth & Maddox up, and then badgered him about what happened immediately after they returned home.
I also hated how Seth's method of planning everything out was made to look like a bad thing. Like, Seth's reminded over and over that different people have different methods, and there's nothing wrong with that. But then his parents both basically tell him his method is stupid and he needs to chill.
These, by the way, are the parents who are utterly indifferent to the fact he was bullied in school, and choose not to understand why he wouldn't want to return to that town.
No, Seth is the only flawed character who needs to change/grow/learn.
I also hated how Seth's method of planning everything out was made to look like a bad thing. Like, Seth's reminded over and over that different people have different methods, and there's nothing wrong with that. But then his parents both basically tell him his method is stupid and he needs to chill.
These, by the way, are the parents who are utterly indifferent to the fact he was bullied in school, and choose not to understand why he wouldn't want to return to that town.
No, Seth is the only flawed character who needs to change/grow/learn.
July 23, 2016
After having a very difficult time in school in his hometown, Seth avoids visiting like the plague, despite missing his very supportive parents. When he's unable to stay at his dorm room over Spring Break, he has to spend a whole week visiting and he's not happy about it.
Maddox is a free spirit, and Seth is captivated by him from the moment he sees him skateboarding. It's never been easy for Seth to get close to others or to trust them, so they don't exactly hit it off, and Seth has a plan for his life already set, will the handsome Maddox change his carefully set plans?
This was a lovely read. I liked Seth and I loved Maddox and Seth's parents. Seth was a bit standoffish at first, but I loved seeing him actually making an effort when he realized what Maddox could mean in his life. And Maddox, well, he was sweet and supportive, not wanting to enter a relationship that didn't have a future, but unable to resist his attraction to Seth. They were so different, but they complemented each other very nicely.
All in all, the book is short, sweet, with some light angst, and very well-written. This is my first book by this author, but I'll be happy to check out more in the future.
Rating: 4 Stars!!!
Maddox is a free spirit, and Seth is captivated by him from the moment he sees him skateboarding. It's never been easy for Seth to get close to others or to trust them, so they don't exactly hit it off, and Seth has a plan for his life already set, will the handsome Maddox change his carefully set plans?
This was a lovely read. I liked Seth and I loved Maddox and Seth's parents. Seth was a bit standoffish at first, but I loved seeing him actually making an effort when he realized what Maddox could mean in his life. And Maddox, well, he was sweet and supportive, not wanting to enter a relationship that didn't have a future, but unable to resist his attraction to Seth. They were so different, but they complemented each other very nicely.
All in all, the book is short, sweet, with some light angst, and very well-written. This is my first book by this author, but I'll be happy to check out more in the future.
Rating: 4 Stars!!!
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April 5, 2023Just a Week and Just a Year are both short reads, approx 1 hour each. Book 1, Just a Week, deals with the meeting of Seth, a man who always has a plan for everything, and Maddox, a free spirit, and the almost instant attraction that turns Seth's life upside down and threatens his life plan. This first book is a cute opposites attract story about finding that someone who makes you want to take chances and step outside your comfort zone. As the title suggests the main action take place over the space of a week, with a later epilogue.
If I have a problem, it's with the covers. Maddox is a free spirit. The first time we meet him he has spiky orange hair, then black, then blue, then purple. At one point in the second book he has pink hair. His main dress code is skinny jeans and T-shirts. Neither of these cover models resemble Maddox to me.
Both books are written in Seth's 1st person POV.
A couple of good quick reads. You fall in love with the characters in book 1 and are invested in them for book 2.
If I have a problem, it's with the covers. Maddox is a free spirit. The first time we meet him he has spiky orange hair, then black, then blue, then purple. At one point in the second book he has pink hair. His main dress code is skinny jeans and T-shirts. Neither of these cover models resemble Maddox to me.
Both books are written in Seth's 1st person POV.
A couple of good quick reads. You fall in love with the characters in book 1 and are invested in them for book 2.
July 31, 2016
This really is a super quick short read that covers a 7 day span of Seth’s life.
This is the first book by this author that I have read – and it won’t be the last for sure.
The writing is very well done, and the story flows very easily. Following along as Seth realizes that there can be fun in screwed up plans.
Maddox was a fun character as well – but I wasn’t able to connect with him at all because he really does have no life plans it seemed. He is just floating from day to day hoping that he will have jobs to support him the following week. Not very responsible at all.
Overall, I would say if you’re looking for a quick lunch-time read, this will be the one for you.
Reviewed by Crystal Marie for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
This is the first book by this author that I have read – and it won’t be the last for sure.
The writing is very well done, and the story flows very easily. Following along as Seth realizes that there can be fun in screwed up plans.
Maddox was a fun character as well – but I wasn’t able to connect with him at all because he really does have no life plans it seemed. He is just floating from day to day hoping that he will have jobs to support him the following week. Not very responsible at all.
Overall, I would say if you’re looking for a quick lunch-time read, this will be the one for you.
Reviewed by Crystal Marie for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
July 14, 2016
Oh I loved this story – I wish there was more! It’s a sweet, quick read that you won’t want to put down once you start.
Seth and Maddox are opposites in every way but perfectly made for each other. Seth’s rigid, always with a plan, OCD personality is balanced by Maddox’s spontaneous, larger than life, happy go lucky ways. Seth never really learned social skills and doesn’t really know how to react to Maddox but his attraction is instantaneous. I loved watching Seth discover himself and what he wanted from life now that Maddox threw him for a major loop. While I would have loved more to the story, it was absolutely a complete story.
Seth and Maddox are opposites in every way but perfectly made for each other. Seth’s rigid, always with a plan, OCD personality is balanced by Maddox’s spontaneous, larger than life, happy go lucky ways. Seth never really learned social skills and doesn’t really know how to react to Maddox but his attraction is instantaneous. I loved watching Seth discover himself and what he wanted from life now that Maddox threw him for a major loop. While I would have loved more to the story, it was absolutely a complete story.
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August 20, 2016In Rainy Day Review Queue
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
August 8, 2016
3.5 stars
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