Reviews with content warning for Ableism - If Only You

This is one of the only type of brother’s best friend that I like! Where the brother is not trying to restrict them from dating since he knows his friend is toxic/bad person, the brothers actually love and support them!!

I also loved the fake friendship aspect, as she wants to stop being seen as a “goody two shoes”, and he wants to better his reputation. This is also the only type of “rake/wallflower” I support, because he literally gives up every single bad habit in the hopes of being worthy for her. Instead of her trying to “fix him”, he does it himself and really puts in the work! I like that since it’s dual pov, we get to see the motivations and mentality of this “self-proclaimed asshole” and what makes him the way he is! There’s also some very amazing found-family in this!!

I love both of these characters so much, and seeing them fall for each other was so heartwarming!! I didn’t think I liked friends-to-lovers, but this has me changing my mind!! Keep in mind, it is a relatively slow-burn!

I also loved the queer rep, because he is pansexual and she is bisexual! We love to see it!! And there’s really good neurodivergent and chronic illness rep! She has autism and he has celiac disease! Chloe Liese just does such good queer, chronic illness, and neurodivergent representation. It also has a lot of conversations about how people with autism (especially youngest siblings) can still feel infantilized when they are older, or babied, and they have to work to be taken seriously, even in their own well-meaning and loving families, but especially in public. I love Ziggy’s journey in breaking that perception of her, and standing up for herself, and being brave.

It’s also a sports romance (he plays hockey, she plays soccer).

I’m so sad there is only one more book in the series, Viggo’s love story! I wish that after that one, Chloe Liese would do books on all of their kids!! I just love the Bergman family so much I don’t want it to end!! I also am now finished with all of Chloe Liese’s backlist and I am now patiently waiting for her next books. I really all 7 books in a little over a month, which is saying something for me!!

Content Warnings

juliana_reads'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? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

groskrmc's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-paced

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

5.0

This book felt like coming home. It’s such a good story and then the last 10% was just thing after thing that made me fall even more

Content Warnings

dianaschmidty's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.5

Content Warnings

kshertz's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

Listen, I’m obsessed with the Bergman brothers and sisters. I never want them to end. This author 100% has a grip on me for life. This was the slowest burn ever and I was still invested. Read it in one day. Love that 6’0 autistic beauty melting the bad boys heart. I love their healthy and sweet destination together. Read the whole series!!

Content Warnings