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A review by abcdefgerda
Only When It's Us by Chloe Liese
emotional
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
Okay first of all, as an (apparently) annoying person, f*** you to all who called Willa too annoying when I was looking into this book. Will is basically me so it really cut deep, guys.
But yeah, it was a damn good book, if a little slow going at times.
Beautiful disability rep, I was actually not aware of the deafness going into the book but it really added a good layer to the story and now I've read this, I really want more dead characters in books (where are my recs at?)
Also this
My head swivels to hers, and Ryder’s follows suit. His eyes narrow. He missed what she said.
“You can’t talk around him, Roo. Say it again.”
Her eyes widen. “Seriously?”
Ryder nods.
“I said—” Rooney clears her throat, her cheeks turning pink. “I said ‘so we don’t hate him anymore?’”
Is quite honestly the hottest scene I've read. Just mwah. Yes please 👏
Also Willa and Ryder are adorable? And the piggyback rides? *fans herself* it's like the author took all the things I love in romance books and put them in this one! Asking persmission for kisses/touches/making sure everything is consensual? Check. One very openly affectionate and quick(er) to fall in love and one who is absolutely 1000% incapable of admitting their feelings? Check. Love making? Check. Rough "I love you passionately" s*x? Check. "I want you. You and not just your body (even though I love your body and saying this is physically painful"? Check!
But also. I really liked how Willa's grief was portrayed before her mother's death (not putting it as a spoiler. She has cancer, it's valid to assume it's gonna happen and I also think it should be as a warning so..) but after we just had months of grief OFF-PAGE, then some therapy(?) OFF-PAGE and suddenly okay(ish)?
The ending overall was pretty rushed to be quite honest.
Also with books that take place during such a long timeline, really should have some trackers, like dates at the beginning of the chapter or something. I was really lost at some point where I thought it had been hours or a day since the last scene but was actually weeks or months and that only came out a few paragraphs later...
But yeah, it was a damn good book, if a little slow going at times.
Beautiful disability rep, I was actually not aware of the deafness going into the book but it really added a good layer to the story and now I've read this, I really want more dead characters in books (where are my recs at?)
Also this
My head swivels to hers, and Ryder’s follows suit. His eyes narrow. He missed what she said.
“You can’t talk around him, Roo. Say it again.”
Her eyes widen. “Seriously?”
Ryder nods.
“I said—” Rooney clears her throat, her cheeks turning pink. “I said ‘so we don’t hate him anymore?’”
Is quite honestly the hottest scene I've read. Just mwah. Yes please 👏
Also Willa and Ryder are adorable? And the piggyback rides? *fans herself* it's like the author took all the things I love in romance books and put them in this one! Asking persmission for kisses/touches/making sure everything is consensual? Check. One very openly affectionate and quick(er) to fall in love and one who is absolutely 1000% incapable of admitting their feelings? Check. Love making? Check. Rough "I love you passionately" s*x? Check. "I want you. You and not just your body (even though I love your body and saying this is physically painful"? Check!
But also. I really liked how Willa's grief was portrayed before her mother's death (not putting it as a spoiler. She has cancer, it's valid to assume it's gonna happen and I also think it should be as a warning so..) but after we just had months of grief OFF-PAGE, then some therapy(?) OFF-PAGE and suddenly okay(ish)?
The ending overall was pretty rushed to be quite honest.
Also with books that take place during such a long timeline, really should have some trackers, like dates at the beginning of the chapter or something. I was really lost at some point where I thought it had been hours or a day since the last scene but was actually weeks or months and that only came out a few paragraphs later...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content and Medical trauma