Reviews with content warning for Drug use - Always Only You

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Always Only You by Chloe Liese

17 reviews

beckyyreadss's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I wanted to read this book because I enjoyed the Wilmot Sisters series and enjoyed the first book in the Bergman Brothers series. I enjoyed this book but the third act breakup and the miscommunication trope ruin this for me.

This book has two points of view. The first is Ren Bergman and from the moment he met her, he knew Frankie Zeferino was someone worth waiting for. Deadpan delivery, secret heart of hold, and a rare one-dimpled smile that makes his knees weak, Frankie has been forbidden since the day they became coworkers, meaning waiting has been the name of the game – besides, hockey, that is. He is a player on the team, she’s on staff, and as long as they work together, dating is off-limits. But patience has always been her virtue. Frankie won’t be here forever – she's heading for bigger, better things. Ren just hope that when she leaves the team and he tells her how she feels, she won’t want to leave Ren behind, too. The second point of view is Frankie Zeferino, and she has had a problem at work since the day Ren Bergman joined the team: a six-foot three hunk of happy with a sunshine smile. She is a grumbly grump, and his ridiculously good nature drives Frankie nuts, but even she can’t entirely ignore the hot ginger with the icy eyes, the perfect playoff beard, and a body built for sin that he’s annoyingly modest about. Before Frankie got wise, she would have tripped over herself to get a guy like Ren, but with her diagnosis, she’s learned what she is to most people in her life – a problem, not a person. Now, opening her heart to anyone, no matter how sweet, is the last thing she’s prepared to do.

I enjoyed the enjoy and I still love this family. I was sort of hoping that Frankie’s cold heart would melt, and it sort of did, but she took a while to grow on me. Ren, I instantly adored, the second he enters the book. We had met him previously and I was so excited to see him again. Again, I love the representative in the book. The representation with chronic illnesses and autism especially with how Ziggy just felt lost and alone, but Frankie knew what she needed. I really enjoyed the introduction to the brothers and the family. I loved the parents; I love that they are used to being in a house with 5 boys and 2 girls that they are like right enough or I'll kick you out. I cannot wait to see more of them. I love that Aiden went to Ren to say he was in the doghouse because he was the only brother that wouldn’t kick the shit out of him and Ryder, and the others would have.

The thing that stopped it being a five-star read for me was the third act conflict that got resolved in the next chapter. Like I understand that Frankie was frustrated for being ill and Ren giving up things for Frankie and she didn’t want that, but Ren was genuinely so worried for her and caught her like did she really expect him to leave her side? Then it was all resolved by her going to therapy like it was just brushed over, like after a few weeks of talking to my therapist, I wanted the conversations with the therapist in great detail, not just brushed over. Then it was resolved within a chapter from Frankie like sorry, k cool and missed you and that’s it. All over and happy ever after. I just wanted more. How did the team react when they got together? Do they still go to team function together? How did Frankie get on at Law School?

Just from the little glimpses that we got of these brothers; I cannot wait to see more of them. I am so glad that this has been planned that every single family member to be happy especially Ziggy. I adored her and wanted her to be happy with whatever she does.

Content Warnings

thehannahclaire's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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abby_can_read's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

📱
While I liked this book, I struggled at times to stay interesting. I found Frankie to be annoying at times because she was "not like the other girls" and the only thing I really remember where Frankie's Hedwig panties.

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nicolecurlsuptoread's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ [5/5]
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ ½ [4.5/5]

Reread! Originally read in 2021

📌 You’ll dig this if you like
» Grumpy (her) x Sunshine (him)
» Disability & Neurodiversity rep
» Hockey era
» Virgin cinnamon roll MMC

📌 What stood out
» I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again- Chloe Liese is a champion of characters with disabilities. They are always written with sensitivity and dignity. Long live the queen! 👑

» Ren’s dad is an amputee; Ren and his siblings grew up knowing no different for inter-abled coupledom. ❤️

» Frankie uses a cane and isn’t afraid to wield it like a weapon if she needs to. Some see it as a marker of her frailty, but she accepts it for its practical advantage. I totally relate to this as a person who uses a cane. Also, cannabis. Because that sh¡t works! #BabesWithMobilityAids

» This was a re-read; details I didn’t note the first time are expertly woven in to set up the next two books. I highly recommend continuing the series!

📌 Moments
» Ren buys Frankie an accessible top when Maddox ruins hers after spilling a drink! She has many of the same one because the fabric and construction work for her. He gets her from early on!

» Frankie connects with Ren’s sister Ziggy in a way no one else has been able to, and it made my heart sing.

🚫 Triggers: chronic illness/ pain rep, ASD rep, home is robbed (off page), references to a certain wizarding world. Please check warnings.

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ankonyx's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Oh this was phenomenal and just to my tastes ! What a wonderful way to start the year :) !

I really would like to see/read more books about and by physically disabled authors, and I always look for autism rep because there’s a good chance I am and I like seeing that :)

Regardless actual book! Mwah. Love to see it! I love mutual unrequited pining and soft men :)

Characters were wonderfully realistic and their motivations and actions always made sense to me, which is always wonderful !!

All in all, solid 9.5/10 !

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mabellene's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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pia_h's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

A lovely romance about an interabled couple

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kirareadssometimes's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

This book was real cringey. And as a person who does not like theater kids, it was even worse and harder to read. And what is with the playlist thing? I don’t understand how that ties in to this or the previous book. Feels out of place.
The MC’s relationship was sweet and overall I liked Frankie. Any scenes with the Bergman family were obvious standouts, but then there were many characters that seemed like they would be important to the story but would just disappear. Felt like there were too many plot points and tropes trying to be squeezed in which resulted in plot holes and an MMC who felt flawless in an unflattering way. Being the second book in the series makes me nervous for what’s to come and if I want to continue…
1.25 🌶️ scenes

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kelly_e's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Title: Always Only You
Author: Chloe Liese
Series: Bergman Brothers #2
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.50
Pub Date: August 4, 2020

T H R E E • W O R D S

Spicy • Refreshing • Endearing

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Ren
The moment I met her, I knew Frankie Zeferino was someone worth waiting for. Deadpan delivery, secret heart of gold, and a rare one-dimpled smile that makes my knees weak, Frankie has been forbidden since the day she and I became coworkers, meaning waiting has been the name of my game - besides hockey, that is.

I'm a player on the team, she's on staff, and as long as we work together, dating is off-limits. But patience has always been my virtue. Frankie won't be here forever - she's headed for bigger, better things. I just hope that when she leaves the team and I tell her how I feel, she won't want to leave me behind, too.

Frankie

I've had a problem at work since the day Ren Bergman joined the team: a six foot three hunk of happy with a sunshine smile. I'm a grumbly grump, and his ridiculously good nature drives me nuts, but even I can't entirely ignore that hot tamale of a ginger with icy eyes, the perfect playoff beard, and a body built for sin that he's annoyingly modest about.

Before I got wise, I would have tripped over myself to get a guy like Ren, but with my diagnosis, I've learned what I am to most people in my life - a problem, not a person. Now, opening my heart to anyone, no matter how sweet, is the last thing I'm prepared to do.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I'd previously enjoyed book one in Bergman series, so I knew I wanted to continue on. As an avid hockey fan, I was really looking forward to Always Only You because of that aspect. When I ended up in a bit of a reading rut earlier this month, something made me pick up this book and I am so glad I did.

I adored Frankie and Ren individually, but also together! Frankie is fierce and independent whereas Ren has a heart of gold and an old-soul. They are equally loveable and selfless characters. Their grumpy/sunshine natures came across as genuine, their banter was so well done, and their chemistry felt so real. Frankie's job as in-game social media coordinator for the LA Kings was so interesting to me, as was getting a bit of a behind-the-scenes of playing in the NHL. And of course, members of the Bergman family make special cameos throughout, which added to the appeal.

Chloe Liese's disability (autoimmune disease/arthritis) and neurodivergent (autism) rep were very well executed. As a reader, I really got the sense of Frankie's everyday challenges and adjustments in her daily life. Her struggles with socializing and people's reactions to her illness felt genuine as well. Frankie isn't letting her disability or illness hold her back, and I absolutely loved that.

I do have to say the writing wasn't quite as tight as it was in book one. But I enjoyed this story so much that it was easy to overlook. And I'm even willing to go out on a limb, and predict Always Only You will end up being my favourite in the series! This dual POV, slow burn/forbidden romance tackles some hard conversations, while remaining lighthearted. I loved the hockey, the romance, the setting, the characters, and the representation. It can easily be read as a standalone, why anyone would want to skip book one is beyond me. I'd highly recommend starting with Only When It's Us and savouring each sibling's story for the most enjoyable experience. I am eagerly anticipating jumping into book three sometime this summer and seeing where the rest of the series goes from here.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• sports romance lovers
• readers looking for disability rep
• fans of great banter

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Books help me feel a bit more connected to a world that is often hard to make sense of. Books are patient with me. They don't laugh at me instead of with me. They don't ask why I'm always frowning or why I can't sit still. Books welcome me, weirdness and all and take me exactly as I am."

"'Some days I do feel cynical. Others day I'm optimistic. I think that on hard days, when everything hurt and everything feels difficult, I don't find myself very loveable. And I know it's not true, that I'm not allowed to struggled, that I'm not loveable when I do, but it feels... real.'"

"But not everyone has to love us, just the people that matter."

Content Warnings

cady_sass's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Read for StoryGraph 2023 Genre Challenge, reading prompt #1: A contemporary or literary fiction novel with disability rep.

Perfectly articulated autism and chronic illness representation. I will admit that I’m biased in this category, but it’s so refreshing to read a novel that gets it *right* - there were more than a few seemingly minor scenes/occurrences that brought tears to my eyes.

I found this to be incredibly wholesome and adorable, so much so that when chapter 26 shows up i was taken by complete surprise. MY god is it hot in here?! The surprise spice! Oh boy.

While I have nothing against the spice, I will say that this part of the story is why I deducted stars from my rating - this actually might’ve been the first contemporary romance to earn a 5 star rating from me - but the spicy scenes were the ONLY part of the disability rep that didn’t ring true. For someone on the spectrum, with chronic, debilitating pain, this scene simply would not go down like this. And it’s disappointing, it’s a complete disservice to the character work that was already done.

On the flip side, the character work for the able-bodied characters and how they interact is equally important here and is done flawlessly. The simple, uncomplicated nature with which these people care for the disabled people in their life as if there’s nothing different, no imposition, while still managing to validate the experiences and difficulties they face?! Not being perfect all the time but always trying? Swoon. This 👏🏻 is 👏🏻 how 👏🏻 to 👏🏻 be 👏🏻 inclusive 👏🏻

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