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loribreereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Death of parent
josie1999's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
sarahfrances52's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really have a love-hate relationship with this series of books. I think this has the bones of a really great romantic comedy book. Willa and Ryder are very well suited for each other and I enjoyed watching their playful relationship. However, I think the author could have done a much better job of showing instead of telling. Willa’s mistrust of men, Ryder’s stoicism, and their eventual reconciliation of those issues are things that we as the reader just had to accept as true without seeing or understanding the deeper motivations of the characters. I wish this book was longer if only to give the readers a clearer understanding of why Willa and Ryder take so long to get together. Both of them clearly have trauma, but skipping through that work to get to the sweet romantic end does the characters and their relationship a disservice. I would have been much more excited to see Willa find love with Ryder if I could understand why she was so distant and distrustful of men in the first place. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I will definitely continue on with this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
suzelarson's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
readsbyrach's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
proudtobeabookaholic's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Willa Sutter is a soccer star at college and used to getting notes from the lectures she misses when she's away for games. But one professor tells her that Ryder Bergman has his notes and that she should ask him for them. When Willa tries to talk to this flannel-wearing neanderthal he completely ignores her. Ryder doesn't understand why Willa seems to hate his guts and they both get chocked when the professor pairs them together on a school project for the rest of the semester.
This is a frenemies-to-lovers, where both are stubborn and enjoy teasing each other; their banter is pure gold! Willa also has a short fuse, which sometimes leads to awkward moments. There's a clear s*xual attraction between them from the start, but neither are interested in a relationship. Willa's got her soccer career to think about, as well as a very sick mom. Ryder became deaf 2 years ago and hasn't spoken out loud since then; he only communicates by texts. I like how Liese depicts Ryder's hearing impairment, what obstacles he faces and how it has made him avoid interactions with most people. I haven't read that many books with a deaf main character and I appriciate to get that perspective.
Ryder's got a Swedish mom and the classic Swedish meatballs appear more than once. Since the narrators are American the few Swedish words that are tucked in sound very off (to a Swede like me), but that's really my only complaint and I can't blame the narrators for that!
This is a frenemies-to-lovers, where both are stubborn and enjoy teasing each other; their banter is pure gold! Willa also has a short fuse, which sometimes leads to awkward moments. There's a clear s*xual attraction between them from the start, but neither are interested in a relationship. Willa's got her soccer career to think about, as well as a very sick mom. Ryder became deaf 2 years ago and hasn't spoken out loud since then; he only communicates by texts. I like how Liese depicts Ryder's hearing impairment, what obstacles he faces and how it has made him avoid interactions with most people. I haven't read that many books with a deaf main character and I appriciate to get that perspective.
Ryder's got a Swedish mom and the classic Swedish meatballs appear more than once. Since the narrators are American the few Swedish words that are tucked in sound very off (to a Swede like me), but that's really my only complaint and I can't blame the narrators for that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness
agiecummings's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this sweet book. I adore every second of Willa and Ryder’s relationship. Almost a bit too much of a slow burn for me, but I absolutely ADORED their beautiful story.
Ugh, the loss, the slow burn, the Pride & Prejudice vibes, and the sweet way they take care of each other. All of it just makes you kick your feet and giggle in all of their beautiful moments and cry with them in their hard moments. Just loved it.
I actually can’t believe how much I loved it. And all the things they had in common?? I was dying the whole time. And now I can read about all the brothers? What a treat.
Ugh, the loss, the slow burn, the Pride & Prejudice vibes, and the sweet way they take care of each other. All of it just makes you kick your feet and giggle in all of their beautiful moments and cry with them in their hard moments. Just loved it.
I actually can’t believe how much I loved it. And all the things they had in common?? I was dying the whole time. And now I can read about all the brothers? What a treat.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Death of parent
smartcookiesca's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: War and Injury/Injury detail
cha_len_novels's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
relaxing
sad
slow-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’d rather be afraid with you than fearless with anyone else.”
― Chloe Liese, Only When It's Us
If you like an emotionally stunted FL, cinnamon-roll ML, disability representation, found family, slow burn and oh soooo good banter. Then read this.
Ps please gods check TW though
― Chloe Liese, Only When It's Us
If you like an emotionally stunted FL, cinnamon-roll ML, disability representation, found family, slow burn and oh soooo good banter. Then read this.
Ps please gods check TW though
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
emilylandry's review
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism