*Possible Spoilers*

A Tulum getaway, a messy bridal party, a healing arc, and a man who actually understands the assignment? Yeah. I inhaled this one.

Natasha Bishop delivered a romance that’s equal parts hot, heartfelt, and healing. This story had me yelling at fictional characters and swooning on my couch like “GIRL IT’S HAPPENING!!!”

Let’s get into it.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT

Dr. Janelle Cross is just trying to be a supportive maid of honor for her sister, Amerie’s, wedding without resorting to crimes. Amerie is – how do I put this nicely – a bridezilla from the deepest pits of hell. Then there’s Arnold, Amerie’s groom and Janelle’s ex boyfriend…Janelle is genuinely over him, but both her mother and sister think she’s five seconds away from stopping the wedding the second the officiant says, “If there are any who object…”

The wedding party goes to Tulum for two weeks (one week to chill before the wedding and the next week for the actual wedding festivities) under the illusion that this will be a fun, tropical getaway. In reality? It’s a two week long endurance trial where Amerie runs the show like a villain in a reality series.

Then we’ve got the best man: Rome “Oh No He’s Fine Fine” Martin.

Amid the chaos, Janelle and Rome strike up a sexy little Friends With Benefits arrangement for just a week. Except the feelings pop out like jump scares in a horror movie. You know the vibes.

WHAT I LOVED

Rome Martin: The Book Boyfriend to End All Book Boyfriend

Rome is that man who ruins other men for you.

He is:

• attentive
• respectful
• emotionally present
• disgusted on Janelle’s behalf when her family treats her like trash
• willing to rent a whole yacht so she can have peace and quiet

Yes…you read that right.

He rented a yacht.

So she could just quietly have time to read a book. For her comfort. For her joy.

Book girlies everywhere ascended.

He doesn’t just like her – he adores her. He pours into her. He reflects her magic back at her until she sees it in herself. He builds her up so consistently that you catch yourself thinking, “Huh…so love can be that easy.”

Rome Martin is now on my permanent list of Book Boyfriends. Hell, he might be #1.

Janelle Is THAT GIRL

Janelle is a thick Black queen battling an Olympic-level case of “I have to be everything for everyone while my family treats me like a convenience store.”

Her arc is gorgeous:

• She begins as a people pleaser with a heart too soft for the world.
• Gets verbally stepped on by her sister and mother (I nearly threw my Kindle at the wall multiple times)
• Learns to choose herself, speak up, and demand better

By the end? She steps into her power like she’s been waiting her whole life for that spotlight. And honestly…same, babe. SAME. I felt personally dragged (lovingly) by her journey.

THE SPIECE

Those scenes?

Listen…

Let’s just say Natasha Bishop understood the assignment and delivered the assignment.

Rome and Janelle together have the kind of chemistry that makes you giggle, kick your feet, blush, and close the Kindle to stare at the ceiling like you’re reconsidering your life choices.

The tension? Delicious.

The payoff? Even better.

The Friend Group

They’re messy, hilarious, gossip-fueled chaos gremlins who somehow still feel real.

Shout out to Eve, Janelle’s bestie, who absolutely deserves her own book. I have no problems camping outside the publisher’s office until I get it.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE

Amerie.

Please.

This woman:

• belittles Janelle
• gaslights her
• embarrasses her
• invalidates her constantly

And the mom?? She was right there with her pom-poms cheering on the toxicity.

They do apologize, but those apologies had all the depth of a toddler pool. I wanted real repentance, but did not get that at all. But hey – sometimes family arcs are messy, unfinished, and uncomfortable. It’s realistic, even if it made me want to fight.

Still…watching Janelle detach from their approval was chef’s kiss.

TROPES

• Friends with Benefits
• Friends to Lovers
• He Falls First (and hard)
• Exotic Destination Romance
• Found Family (kinda chaotic but we’ll allow it)
• Personal Growth and Healing

IF YOU LIKE…, READ THIS

If you vibe with:

• Men who adore their Black queens LOUDLY
• Heroines who are healing, growing, and thriving
• Beach vacation romances
• Spicy scenes that make you fan yourself with your Kindle
• Storylines where family messiness is confronted, not sugarcoated
• Black women choosing themselves and the world not ending

…then Only For the Week is absolutely your next read.

FINAL VERDICT

I found this book to be steamy, messy, heartfelt, occasionally rage-inducing, and ultimately empowering. Janelle deserves everything good in the world, and Rome??? He deserves a trophy.

I closed the book feeling like I needed a margarita, a hug, and to reset my standards in men.

10/10 would recommend.

10/10 want a man to rent me a yacht so I can quietly read too.