Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Always Only You

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Always Only You by Chloe Liese

31 reviews

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.

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megnut's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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thebruce's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring fast-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

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mabellene's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

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soulwinds's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.25

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pia_h's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted fast-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? N/A

5.0

A lovely romance about an interabled couple

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kelly_e's review against another edition

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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."

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