Reviews with content warning for Chronic illness - Always Only You

Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

Always Only You by Chloe Liese

88 reviews

amandalorianxo's review against another edition

hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

2.0

Two stars for the chronic pain and autism rep & the dog. But minus that, I wasn’t a huge fan of this book. I’m still not entirely convinced that Frankie was the grumpy person everyone on the NHL Team assumed she was. Ren seemed like a tall, manic pixie ginger dream man who could do no wrong. 🤷🏽‍♀️ It was hard to believe he was a virgin. Also, the constant HP references throughout the book? Even though the author had Willa bring up Jo’s anti trans stance from Twitter? It didn’t make any sense to me.

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cady_sass's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

Read for StoryGraph 2023 Genre Challenge, reading prompt #1: A contemporary or literary fiction novel with disability rep.

Perfectly articulated autism and chronic illness representation. I will admit that I’m biased in this category, but it’s so refreshing to read a novel that gets it *right* - there were more than a few seemingly minor scenes/occurrences that brought tears to my eyes.

I found this to be incredibly wholesome and adorable, so much so that when chapter 26 shows up i was taken by complete surprise. MY god is it hot in here?! The surprise spice! Oh boy.

While I have nothing against the spice, I will say that this part of the story is why I deducted stars from my rating - this actually might’ve been the first contemporary romance to earn a 5 star rating from me - but the spicy scenes were the ONLY part of the disability rep that didn’t ring true. For someone on the spectrum, with chronic, debilitating pain, this scene simply would not go down like this. And it’s disappointing, it’s a complete disservice to the character work that was already done.

On the flip side, the character work for the able-bodied characters and how they interact is equally important here and is done flawlessly. The simple, uncomplicated nature with which these people care for the disabled people in their life as if there’s nothing different, no imposition, while still managing to validate the experiences and difficulties they face?! Not being perfect all the time but always trying? Swoon. This 👏🏻 is 👏🏻 how 👏🏻 to 👏🏻 be 👏🏻 inclusive 👏🏻

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kshertz's review against another edition

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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.

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fatkidatheartreads's review against another edition

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4.0

Ren Bergman reciting Shakespeare had me in all my feels. 🥰 Also, Frankie's friendship/relationship with Ziggy🥺🥺🥺.

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tragicgloom's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

5.0

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allingoodtime's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

Man, these Bergman Brothers are such warm gooey cinnamon rolls, and I love it! Ren is so kind and observant. Not just of Frankie, but all those in his circle. He is even-keeled, especially for a professional hockey player. Yet, when he isn’t quite able to contain his anger, he is still somehow in control and glorious.

Frankie and Ren have been working together, so to speak, for a few years. Both have felt that inexplicable pull from the very start. Ren is very aware that it would be inappropriate to pursue someone who works for the hockey team he plays for. Especially since it could put her job in jeopardy. Frankie has worked hard to be independent and tough. She has to keep an arm’s length from all of the players to keep her control of all the situations she is in with these huge men. She doesn’t ever let them see her sweat. There’s only so much time that can go by without the two of them giving in to that pull. But it happens slowly and with the full awareness that they are entering into shaky territory.

This is a grumpy/sunshine book that filled me with joy. Seeing Frankie slowly smile more and more as the story progressed was so heartening. And seeing Ren realize he didn’t always have to be “on” for Frankie, or for anyone for that matter, was a relief.

Not only were these two very sweet together, but they were also a lot of fun. Frankie has the best exclamatory sayings, and Ren’s use of Shakespeare for his cussing is endearing. They’re good together and with others. When Frankie spends one on one time with Ren’s sister Ziggy, a lot of tears were shed.

So far, the books in this series are like a warm, cozy blanket on a winter night. Comforting and soft and just right.

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