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thebruce's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism and Chronic illness
Minor: Cursing, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, Medical content, Bullying, and Alcohol
wildatheart1339's review against another edition
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
booksbutmakeitgay's review against another edition
3.75
Ren is such a sweetheart!
*content warnings: chronic illness, disability rep, mental health, hp special interest*
*content warnings: chronic illness, disability rep, mental health, hp special interest*
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Mental illness, Blood, Chronic illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Eating disorder
kirareadssometimes's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book was real cringey. And as a person who does not like theater kids, it was even worse and harder to read. And what is with the playlist thing? I don’t understand how that ties in to this or the previous book. Feels out of place.
The MC’s relationship was sweet and overall I liked Frankie. Any scenes with the Bergman family were obvious standouts, but then there were many characters that seemed like they would be important to the story but would just disappear. Felt like there were too many plot points and tropes trying to be squeezed in which resulted in plot holes and an MMC who felt flawless in an unflattering way. Being the second book in the series makes me nervous for what’s to come and if I want to continue…
1.25 🌶️ scenes
The MC’s relationship was sweet and overall I liked Frankie. Any scenes with the Bergman family were obvious standouts, but then there were many characters that seemed like they would be important to the story but would just disappear. Felt like there were too many plot points and tropes trying to be squeezed in which resulted in plot holes and an MMC who felt flawless in an unflattering way. Being the second book in the series makes me nervous for what’s to come and if I want to continue…
1.25 🌶️ scenes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Medical content, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Death of parent, Ableism, and Injury/Injury detail
kelly_e's review against another edition
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."
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."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Ableism
Moderate: Mental illness, Chronic illness, Cursing, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Body shaming, Alcohol, Death of parent, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, and Death
dianaschmidty's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism
shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Pregnancy
Minor: Bullying and Death of parent
kaydeedickins'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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
fuzzywilson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Cursing
Minor: Bullying, Blood, and Cancer
kshertz's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
My fav in the series so far. Ren is a dream. Plus Frankie is such a boss. I love that she is open and honest with us about her health challenges and having autism. The idea that this man can love her so much and see all the values of that is fantastic.
I love their back and forth and the honesty between them. Definitely rooted for them and love seeing how it all came together.
I love their back and forth and the honesty between them. Definitely rooted for them and love seeing how it all came together.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Chronic illness, and Injury/Injury detail