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condls27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.75
I wanted to love this one more but the Harry Potter stuff killed it for me. I appreciate calling out JK for being a TERF and just all around terrible person but I cannot separate art from the artist. There are some many other nerdy fandoms that could’ve been used instead so it was just a bummer.
All that said though, I still enjoyed the book. The world would be a better place if all of the men in it were written by Chloe Liese. And of course, the disability rep was amazing.
All that said though, I still enjoyed the book. The world would be a better place if all of the men in it were written by Chloe Liese. And of course, the disability rep was amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
amirasarchive's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
WOW WOW WOW i loved every second of it. i never wanted it to end. first of all the reverse grumpy-sunshine and boy-obsessed tropes were executed so well. frankie had a reason to be grumpy and a lot of people in her position would feel the same way. but her illness did not define her, she was so strong and a true inspiration. i have so much love for her character. NOW REN. ren was literally a dream, it was so beautiful to see frankie through his eyes and all the
love he poured out.
i love this series so much just keeps getting better and better.
love he poured out.
i love this series so much just keeps getting better and better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Mental illness
Moderate: Ableism
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Closed Door Mods: Chapter 21 (some parts), Chapter 23 (some parts), Chapters 26-27 (some parts), Chapter 31 (some parts), Bonus Epilogue (some parts)
This book made my heart so happy.
I’m still trying to gather my thoughts together on this book, but this book is such an absolute delight. Like, I was legit grinning from ear to ear every time Liese has these adorable and sweet moments between Ren and Frankie. With Ren literally having golden retriever energy and Frankie being such a relatable main character, I was rooting for them till the very last page. Add on to that amazing writing and swoon-worthy scenes, you’ll be wanting to add Always Only You and the rest of the Bergman series as books to be on the lookout for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Chronic illness
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Bullying and Death of parent
nicolecurlsuptoread's review against another edition
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.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Ableism, Drug use, and Sexual content
lovelysmutty28's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I absolutely love the representation of both autism and rheumatoid arthritis here. And the love is so so so sweet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
verisarg's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
megnut's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Bullying
rachelshubin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’ll preface my review by saying that I’ve never read a book about an autistic character and I found it really enlightening. Frankie suffers from rheumatoid arthritis as well, and since I suffer from chronic pain myself, I did completely relate on that front. But aside from those facts, the romance in the book wasn’t anything out of the ordinary and I felt very meh on the whole book. Part of me kept reading for the spice and the rest of me was like, the slow burn is bumming me out.
Like some of the other reviews mention - there’s some Harry Potter references that are the epitome of cringey. Hedwig got a raw deal (IYKYK). I appreciate the author’s note at the beginning that she doesn’t include JKR references anymore - but my god there was no reason to include what she did. The only okay one was Frankie calling her cane “the Elder Wand.” No issues with that but I take issues with the rest.
The writing is mostly good and I am still curious for the other Bergman siblings’ stories. But I definitely wouldn’t read this book again. Honestly, I want to read Viggo’s book next but of course it’s the final book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Like some of the other reviews mention - there’s some Harry Potter references that are the epitome of cringey. Hedwig got a raw deal (IYKYK). I appreciate the author’s note at the beginning that she doesn’t include JKR references anymore - but my god there was no reason to include what she did. The only okay one was Frankie calling her cane “the Elder Wand.” No issues with that but I take issues with the rest.
The writing is mostly good and I am still curious for the other Bergman siblings’ stories. But I definitely wouldn’t read this book again. Honestly, I want to read Viggo’s book next but of course it’s the final book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Ableism and Death of parent
ankonyx's review against another edition
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 !
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 !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Chronic illness
Moderate: Drug use