Reviews with content warning for Ableism - Always Only You

You’re telling me her arthritis has progressed far enough that she’s a full-time cane user but she also has a high-level personal yoga trainer? Yeah, okay. Also why all the Harry Potter references? If I ever have to read another sentence about how she soaked through her Deathly Hallows panties because Ren is soooo hot I will throw up. If I wasn’t already a lesbian the cringe straight horniness here would’ve made me into one. And why is Ren

a virgin

???? I wish he’d stayed one.

Oh my god also she got home, her front door is unlocked, she’s Autistic so like… yeah she has routine but also she gets overwhelmed and shit, sometimes you forget to lock your door, and she just IMMEDIATELY knows she’s been robbed? What in the social scare tactic? Why does a stranger want to rob this random white lady without friends? Incredibly strange plot device to get her to stay in Ren’s house.

Content Warnings

amris's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

kirareadssometimes's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

Content Warnings

mikaylamills's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced

3.5

This book was very cute. A good lighthearted read with some spice sprinkled in. Definitely a slow burn, but satisfying when the love interests finally get together.

Content Warnings

kelly_e's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

jg93's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional medium-paced

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

2.25

Content Warnings

More...