Only on the Weekends

Only on the Weekends follows Mack, a Black gay teenager in London who navigates romance, identity, and his passion for theater. When he falls for Karim at drama club, their relationship blossoms but becomes complicated by distance when Mack's dad gets a new job in Scotland. Written in verse, the story tracks Mack's experiences in his new home in Glasgow as he joins a theater production and meets Finlay, who sparks unexpected feelings. Mack must balance his lingering connection with Karim against his growing attraction to Finlay while preparing for his role in the show. The novel explores first love, long-distance relationships, and the challenge of staying true to oneself while everything changes. Through its verse format and authentic voice, the book captures the intensity of teenage emotions and the complexities of exploring sexuality and self-discovery during pivotal life transitions.

Readers describe this LGBTQ+ verse novel as an authentic portrayal of first love, self-discovery, and navigating relationships as a queer teen. Reviews note the realistic depiction of theatre school life and London's drag scene. Readers appreciated: - Natural, conversational writing style that flows despite being in verse - Complex relationships without villainizing any characters - Representation of bisexuality and drag culture - Discussion of consent and healthy boundaries Common criticisms: - Some found the verse format limiting for character development - Pacing felt rushed in the second half - Romance storyline viewed as predictable by some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.5/5 (50+ ratings) Storygraph: 3.9/5 (200+ ratings) "The verse format made this story feel more intimate and immediate" - Goodreads reviewer "Captures the messiness of teenage relationships without judgment" - Amazon review

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🎭 Dean Atta wrote this novel-in-verse while dealing with his own feelings about a past relationship, infusing personal experiences into the story's emotional landscape. 📚 The book explores themes of theatre and performance, drawing from Atta's background in spoken word poetry and his love for the performing arts. 🌈 Only on the Weekends joins a growing collection of LGBTQ+ young adult literature that features Black British protagonists, helping to increase representation in YA fiction. 🎬 The protagonist Mack's journey through drama school reflects real experiences of young performers in London's competitive theatre scene. 🏆 Dean Atta's previous verse novel, The Black Flamingo, won the Stonewall Book Award, establishing him as a significant voice in contemporary LGBTQ+ young adult literature.